Baler, Aurora

Baler is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aurora, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Aurora. According to the latest census, it has a population of 34,492 people and 5.955 members per household.

Baler is the political and economic center of Aurora. It is located some 230 kilometers northeast of Manila via a mountain pass accessible by bus. Baler is host to spectacular geographic formations and is situated on a vast plain at the mouth of Baler Bay, a contiguous segment of the Philippine Sea. Nine-foot high waves serve as Baler's tourist asset, attracting hundreds of surfers in February for the Aurora Cup.

In 1609, seven Franciscan missionaries, led by Fray Blas Palomino, founded the settlement of Baler. This was later converted into a pueblo (town) by the Augustinians and the Récollects in 1658. Due to scarcity of religious missionaries, the Franciscans again took over the administration of the settlement in 1703.

On June 2, 1899,[1] the last Spanish garrison in the Philippines surrendered after a year-long siege, effectively ending more than 300 years of Spanish rule in the country.

In 1901, the American incorporated the town to the province of Tayabas (later named Quezon province). Before the Americans came, Baler was under the province of Nueva Ecija.

In 1942, Japanese troops entered Baler, and under a certain captain Hattori, estabished a garrison there.

In 1945, Filipino and American troops landed at Baler, including Filipino troops of the 51st & 52nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and 5th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary which was still occupied by the Japanese. The San Luis de Tolosa church in Baler was destroyed by the retreating Japanese troops.

On June 14, 1951, by virtue of Republic Act No. 648, Baler became the capital town of the sub-province (and later, province) of Aurora.

Comedia de Baler:

The Comedia de Baler of Aurora mounted its first production in 1927. It was supported by then president Manuel Quezon and enjoyed the collaboration of artists Fortunato Esoreña and Alejandro Ferreras and arnis expert Antonino Ramos. Still alive until today, the group boasts of using real weapons in their plays.

'Apocalypse Now' was filmed in Baler and Baler Bay.

Baler is politically subdivided into 13 barangays.

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  Barangay I (Pob.)
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  Barangay II (Pob.)
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  Barangay III (Pob.)
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  Barangay IV (Pob.)
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  Barangay V (Pob.)
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  Buhangin
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  Calabuanan
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  Obligacion
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  Pingit
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  Reserva
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  Sabang
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  Suklayin
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  Zabali

Notable Personalities:

• Manuel L. Quezon, First President of the Philippine Commonwealth.
• Eunice Pablo Guerrero-Cucueco, former Governor of Aurora province. The first lady governor of the province.
• Loreto Bihasa, Korean veteran, first soldier to turn his life into a movie.

Tourist Spot:

• Baler Church - (famous for the Siege of Baler in 1898-1899 between the Philippine Revolutionary forces and Spanish troops during the Philippine Revolution and Spanish-American War) The original structure was destroyed during the Battle of Baler in 1945, between Allied forces and Japanese Imperial forces during World War II)
• Quezon Park - (The birthplace of President Manuel L. Quezon)
• Baler BayDicaloyungan Picnic Zone
• Ermita Hill
• Aniao Islets
• Cemento Beach
• Dicasalarin Beach

Source: Wikipedia