Baler, Aurora

Infobox Philippine municipality
infoboxtitle = Municipality of Baler
Bayan ng Baler


sealfile = Ph seal aurora baler.png locatormapfile = Ph_locator_aurora_baler.png caption = Map of Aurora showing the location of Baler.
region = Central Luzon (Region III)
province = Aurora
founded = 1609
website = [http://www.baler-aurora.gov.ph www.baler-aurora.gov.ph]
districts = Lone Congressional District of Aurora
barangays = 13
class = 3rd class; partially urban
mayor = Arturo J. Angara (LDP)
areakm2 = 92.55
pop2000 = 29,923
popden2000 =
coordinates =

Baler is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Aurora, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Aurora. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 29,923 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 Pacific Ocean. Nine-foot high waves serve as Baler's tourist asset, attracting hundreds of surfers in February for the Aurora Cup.

History

In 1609, seven (7) Franciscan Missionaries led by Fr. 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, [ [http://www.spanamwar.com/Baler.html Lieutenant Saturnino Martín Cerezo surrender after 337 days of siege] ] 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.

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 Peligro

On July 4, 2008, the 109th Siege of Baler was celebrated, to honor the Philippines-Spanish Friendship day. The bloody "Comedia de Baler" was played by 19 members in a theatrical play of fight between Moro and Christians, where actual swords, knives and weapons were used. During the one hour drama, physical injuries were inflicted resulting to drops on human bloods on stage. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/video/25273/Emergency-Comedia-De-Peligro gmanews.tv/video, Emergency: Comedia De Peligro, 07/05/2008] ]

Notable Personalities

* Manuel L. Quezon, First President of the Philippine Commonwealth.
* Eunice "Nesing" P. Guerrero - Cucueco, former Governor of Aurora province. The first lady governor of the province.
* Edgardo J. Angara, current Philippine Senator

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

Tourist Spot
* Baler Bay
* Dicaloyungan Picnic Zone
* Ermita Hill
* Aniao Islets
* Cemento Beach

References

External links

* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.batangbaler.net Batang Baler]
* [http://www.aurora.ph/baler.html Aurora, Philippines - Baler]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]