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.

Barangays

Baler is politically subdivided into 13 barangays.

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

History

In 1609, seven (7) Franciscan Missionaries led by Fray Blas Palomino founded the settlement of Baler. This small settlement was later converted into a pueblo or 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. On June 2, 1899, the last Spanish garrison in the Philippines surrendered after a year-long siege, effectively ending nearly 400 years of Spanish hegemony in the archipelago.

In 1901, the Americans 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 occupation forces entered Baler. Under by captain Hattori, commanding the garrison of the Japanese Imperial Army forces in Baler.

However, in 1945, The Philippine Commonwealth forces entered the town of Baler, which was under attack by the Japanese Imperial forces during the liberation. And the American troops was landed in Baler Bay was coutinued to the Filipino troops on Baler. The San Luis de Tolosa church in Baler was destroyed from the Japanese forces. The Philippine Commonwealth troops achieved victory from this battle.

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.

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 spots

• 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 in the Battle of Baler in 1945 between the Philippine Commonwealth troops and the Japanese Imperial forces during World War II)
• Quezon Park - (The birthplace of President Manuel L. Quezon)
• Baler Bay
• Dicaloyungan Picnic Zone
• Ermita Hill
• Aniao Islets
• Cemento Beach
• Dicasalarin Beach

References

1. Lieutenant Saturnino Martín Cerezo surrender after 337 days of siege

External links

• Batang Baler
• Aurora, Philippines - Baler
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 1995 Philippine Census Information
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• 2007 Philippine Census Information