THIS IS BALER! (BALER, AURORA)

Early morning at Sabang Bay

For the last 5 years, tourists frequent Baler for surfing, jet skiing, banana boating and and other forms of adventure sports. Sabang Bay located five minutes from the town center is a perfect spot for surfing.

Huge waves will welcome each and every visitor and if you're a surfer and want to join a surfing competition or just watch it, February and November is the best month to go as Surfing Competitions were held at these months.

Sabang Bay during low tide

Travel time to Baler varies, usually depending on the weather. Normally it will take you a 6 hour drive from Manila via two roads: One is the arterial road (through Palayan city). The other is the Canili road (via Talavera and Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija - recommended as the safest way to Baler).

HISTORY 

(From the book Baler by Senator Edgardo J. Angara)

The site of the Siege of Baler, the home of the Los Ultimos de Filipinas

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 Recollects in 1658. Due to scarcity of religious missionaries, the Franciscans again took over the administration of the settlement in 1703.

The ornate altar of Baler Church

On 2 June 1899,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 Americans incorporated the town to the province of Tayabas (later named Quezon province).

The Image of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa graces the Church Facade

Before the Americans came, Baler was under the district of El Príncipe.

In 1942, Japanese troops entered Baler, and under a certain captain Hattori, established a garrison there.
The established of the general headquarters and camp base of the Philippine Commonwealth Army from 1942 to 1946 and the Philippine Constabulary from 1944 to 1946 was stationed in Baler during the Japanese Occupation.

A bronze sculpture of the great President also stands at the center of this landmark .

In 1945, Filipino and American troops landed at Baler, including Filipino troops of the 3rd, 5th, 51st and 52nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and 5th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary, the local Recognized Guerrilla Unit and the American troops of the 6th Infantry Division of the United States Army which was still occupied by the Japanese. The San Luis de Tolosa church in Baler was destroyed by the retreating Japanese troops.

The Museo de Baler

On 14 June 1951, by virtue of Republic Act No. 648, Baler became the capital town of the sub-province (and later, province) of Aurora.
In 1956, the barrio of Dingalan was converted into a municipal district within Baler. Later Dingalan became a town in its right.

As a heritage buff, my 3 day stay here in this provincial capital was spent on visiting cultural sites which include the Museo de Baler which served as a repository of various artifacts relating to the early, Spanish and Modern History of the Province.  The two story Museum is located at the site of President Manuel Quezons Birthplace as a replica of the old hut where he grew up is constructed on one side.

The Historical marker installed in 1948 also commemorates Quezon as a proud son of Baler.

A  GASTRONOMICAL TREAT

Your Trip in Baler will be incomplete without tasting “Pako” or Fern which are harvested on the mountains. According to the townspeople, these ferns are unique in the province due to the lush vegetation of their coconut plantations. The Pako grows abundantly at the foot of the  coco trees.

My meal here in Baler is incomplete without the pako as a side dish.

I also enjoy the spicy sweet sizzling tanigue or sizzling tuna.  Its not only delicious…its also cheap…For 150 pesos you can enjoy a plateful of tuna mixed with chili, onions and chives.yumm..yum…

(more blog entries on Baler soon...)