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The facade of Baler Church |
Baler earns its title of being one of the "Surfing Capitals" in the country because of its unstoppable waves from the Pacific Ocean. Apart from the ideal nature trip and beach hopping, the provincial capital is known for its heritage sites reflected on their colorful past and rich history in the town center.
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The rhythmic, foamy waves of Baler, ideal for surfing in a summer weather. |
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The town marker in the center of Baler. |
Baler was founded by the Augustinian missionaries in 1609 and it became a pueblo in 1658. It also became one of the sites of Philippine revolution in 1898 known as the Siege of Baler where Filipino troops attempted to get the Spanish forces to surrender. Furthermore, the Spaniards defended the fortified church for 337 days until 1899 when they surrendered to the Filipinos in the midst of the early years of American occupation in the country.
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The San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Church, also known as the Baler Church located in the town center. |
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The church interior as residents praying the novena. |
Baler Church, also known as San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, is one of the places you should visit once you go to Aurora. Built in 1611, this historical church became witness of Siege of Baler, a significant event in the last years of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.
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The Aurora Aragon-Quezon Ancestral House is now a museum. |
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The wooden facade of Aurora Aragon Ancestral House. |
Baler is also the birthplace of prominent political and historical figures in the country such as the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth, Manuel L. Quezon and his First Lady, Aurora Aragon-Quezon, as well with the longest-serving senator Edgardo Angara, his wife Bella Angara, and his son, Sonny Angara, an incumbent senator.
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A visit in Museo De Baler during rainy weather in the town. |
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Some artifacts reflected in the history of Baler. |
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The facade of Museo de Baler. |
Adjacent to the church, you can find the Aurora Quezon Ancestral House which was owned by his father Pedro Aragon and it is now a museum. You can also find a few walks away from the church is Museo De Baler, a museum that provides an account of Baler's history, exhibits and artifacts and in front of the building, the monument of Manuel L. Quezon, a native of Baler.
Aurora was actually part of Tayabas, which is now known as Quezon Province today until it became an independent province in 1978, named after the First Lady of Manuel L. Quezon. Aside from Baler, you can also visit other coastal towns known for its strong waves and aquamarine waters from the Pacific Ocean which makes a new summer destination starting from Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, San Luis, Dingalan, and the provincial capital, Baler, as well with its only landlocked town, Maria Aurora.
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The oldest balete tree in the country. |
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An interesting tourist spot which is 600 years old. |
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This balete tree is plenty of leaves and sturdy. |
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Hanging roots in balete tree. |
Don't forget to visit also the Millennium Tree in the neighboring municipality of Maria Aurora, known for its 600-year-old balete tree which stand more than five storeys high. It is one of the biggest and oldest trees in Southeast Asia located in Ronquillo Balete Eco-Park in Brgy. Quirino and you can also souvenir shopping in the said place.
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The marker of Balete Eco-Park. |
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A tourist attraction which can be preserved for a lifetime. |
Despite of the rainy weather, the tour in Baler was such a memorable experience and definitely, a place to come back soon because of the summer vibes, heritage tour, and nature excursions in the province.
Date of Travel: March 21-23, 2024