LaBoracay 2014 sent shock waves across the nation when, around the same time last year, it filled every Boracay street with summer-ready bodies (as well as aspiring ones).

But if you’re not the type who wants to bump into another half-naked person at every single turn, then Labor Union might be the Labor Day destination for you.

Nope, this event does not require you to be up in arms, head organizer Bryan Altes said. Instead, playing with the words “labor” and “La Union,” it wants participants to raise their hands for hours of fist pumping.

Labor Union is the first-ever attempt by San Juan town in La Union to transform its popular Urbiztondo beachfront into a three-day party hub, where yuppies can spend May 1 to 3 having fun, with the mashup of party beats and crashing waves playing in the background.

Nonstop

It’s “the festival that never stops,” promotional materials declare. That’s a nonstop 48-hour party beginning May 1, concluded on Day 3 by a beachside viewing of the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight on Sunday and then an after-party, even if Pac-Man loses. (We hope not.)

“I was challenged by the people at San Juan Resort, Restaurant and Hotel Association in January to create an event to boost La Union tourism,” recalled Altes, who co-heads AB Artists Events, one of the event sponsors. “I immediately asked, ‘What can I do?’”

Having organized similar party events in Pampanga, he said that a grand beach party could be the best crowd drawer for the surfing capital of the North.

Summer would be a good time for the occasion, he thought. Then, the event was placed between April and May and, finally, on the Labor Day weekend, which perfectly falls on Friday to Sunday.

“Very good. This is perfect,” Altes recalled saying. But the LaBoracay parallels soon became a challenge. “We had to be catchy, big and unique,” said Altes. His solution was the nonstop-party peg, convening more than 50 acts.

Eight national bands, including Paraluman, Imago and Mayonnaise, will join four local bands in the lineup. They are slated to play on evenings, 8 to 11 p.m.

An overwhelming 30 DJs known nationwide will be turning tables. Rappers like Ron Henly and Loonie will join a pool of 15 hypesmen. To make sure that the party does not have long lulls, organizers will build two big stages, just 200 meters apart.

A band can set up while the other plays, Altes explained. “We’re bringing in a heavy sound system for that purpose.”

He added, “People will definitely feel the festival. We made sure that they won’t be bored. If they need to sleep, they could sleep for 30 minutes and then get back to the action.”

Around the venue will be various side events—beer pong, beach volleyball and Frisbee, among others. Of course, people can plunge into the sea any time.

Fun on the cheap

Labor Union would be a cheaper, closer getaway for yuppies of Luzon, compared to Boracay.

For P1,000 per person, there’s a long list of performers plus the high- definition streaming of the Manny Pacquiao fight.

An upside to the partnership with the local network of rest-and-recreation spots is the prize freeze on services, so rates would not suddenly short-circuit anyone’s budget.

A month before the event, resorts and hotels in Urbiztondo reported that they were already fully booked.

But Altes and his team solved that problem by planning a “tent city,” with around 150 tents ready to be rented out.

With the barkada packages for the tents, Altes noted, a group of four would be spending only around P1,500 for a place to crash.

The performers will be occupying some of the tents so there will be interaction with fans for sure, said Altes. There will be charging and gaming stations, portalets and shower tents nearby for those who panic at the idea of camping.

A unique bonus is the 20-percent discount on the fare, which select Fariñas Trans buses will be giving to attendees coming from Pampanga, Laoag City, Metro Manila and Baguio City.

Goers will just have to pace themselves for the usual booze and meal expenses, said Altes.

“We are that alternative event to LaBoracay,” he clarified, asked to talk about the matter. “We’re not seeing ourselves as a competition to it.”

Well, at least not yet.

“We will be thankful for the turnout, whether it gets to 2,000 or 3,000 or 4,000,” Altes said. “The goal for now is to make the first event successful, because we want this to happen in the next years.”

For inquiries, contact 0915-7791299.