Brief History of Aurora

Aurora (Tagalog: Lalawigan ng Aurora; Ilocano: Probinsia ti Aurora) is a province in the Philippines located in the
eastern part of Central Luzon region, facing the Philippine Sea. The Province of Aurora, with Baler as its capital, was
founded by President Ferdinand E. Marcos in August 13, 1979 by virtue of Batas Bambansa Blg. 7. This act was the
fulfillment of the prayers of the people of the former Municipalities of Baler and Casiguran to be truly independent
from the Province of Quezon for the first time since the Spanish occupation.

Before 1979, Aurora was part of the province of Quezon. Aurora was, in fact, named after Aurora Aragon, the wife of
Pres. Manuel L. Quezon, the president of the Philippine Commonwealth, after whom the mother province was
named.

Spanish era
In 1572, the Spanish explorer Juan de Salcedo became the first European to visit the region that would be known as
Aurora while he was exploring the northern coast of Luzon. Salcedo reportedly visited the towns of Casiguran, Baler
and Infanta.

In the early days of the Spanish colonial period, Aurora was ecclesiastically linked to Infanta, which today rests
further south, in northern Quezon. The earliest missionaries in the province were the Franciscans, who had
established missions in Baler and Casiguran in 1609.Due to lack of available personnel, the region was given to the
jurisdiction of the Augustinians and Recollects in 1658, but was returned to the Friars Minor in 1703. Other early
missions included Dipaculao, established in 1719, and Casiguran, in 1753.

District of El Principe
The early history of Aurora is linked to Quezon province, of which it formed a part, and Nueva Ecija, under which the
area was governed as the District of El Príncipe. In 1902, the district was separated from Nueva Ecija and transferred
to the province of Tayabas (now Quezon). Aurora became a sub-province of Quezon in 1951 through Republic Act No.
648, and finally became an independent province during the presidency of Ferdinand E. Marcos, through Batas
Pambansa Blg. 7 enacted on November 21, 1978.

The dream of converting the Sub-Province into a regular province was indefatigably pursued by Atty. Luis S. Etcubaez,
who has the distinction of being the last Lieutenant Governor of the Sub-Province of Aurora. Etcubaez was appointed
as the first Governor of Aurora when it became the 73rd province of the country in 1979. Etcubaez issued an
Executive Order declaring February 19 of each year Aurora Foundation Day in honor of the late Doa Aurora Quezon.
CAPITAL OF AURORA

BALER
Baler is the capital of Aurora, a province fast becoming fast known for its natural wonders,
beautiful beaches, and surf-worthy waves, as well as its place in Philippine history and world
cinema

AREA AND LOCATION

Land Area
Aurora Province has a total land area of 323,954 hectares, representing
about one percent of the country's total land area.

Location
Aurora Province is located on the East-Central side of Luzon Island. It is the
north-eastern most province of Central Luzon (Region III). It is bordered on
the north by the provinces of Isabela and Qurino, on the west by Nueva
Ecija and Nueva Viscaya, on the south by Bulacan and Quezon, and on the
east by the Pacific Ocean. The province's main link to the rest of Luzon is
through a narrow mountain gravel road that twists through the Sierra
Madre Mountain Range. The road is located between Baler and Bongabon,
Nueva Ecija

GEOGRAPHIC PROFILE
PEOPLE/POPULATION/DIALECT

Population
Aurora had a population of 173,797 with an annual youth rate of
684 percent according to the national statistics survey of May
2000.

Language / Dialect
Majority of the people of Aurora speak Tagalog and a few speak
Ilocano. The working population is ready in speech in the English
language as well as in the Filipino language.

MAJOR INDUSTRIES/PRODUCT
HOW TO GET THERE? (MODE OF TRANSPORTATION )

From Manila, travel time to Baler is roughly 5 to 6 hours. If you're

taking public transportation, the most direct way to get there is via
the Joy Bus of Genesis Transport. You can also reach Baler via
Victory Liner bus to Cabanatuan. From there, you'll have to
transfer to a van or another bus to bring you to Baler.
FAMOUS TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

MUSEO DE BALER

Founded by the Spaniards in the 1600s, the town

of Baler has a rich history that is worth revisiting,
and you can know more about it at Museo de
Baler. Its collection of relics, artifacts, and
memorabilia gives you glimpses of Baler's
colorful past.

BALETE PARK AND MILLENIUM TREE

 Balete Park is best known for the Millennium
Tree — the biggest Balete tree in Asia. With a
height of 215 feet and a diameter of close to 200
feet, the tree is one of most visited Baler tourist
spots for its majesty. According to reports, it
requires over 60 grown men, arm-to-arm, to circle
the trunk of the tree.

SABANG BEACH

Sabang Beach is one of the most visited Baler

tourist spots for its sand and waves. Known by
some as the birthplace of surfing in the country, it
boasts of waves reaching up to 14ft during peak
surfing season.Sabang Beach runs over two-
kilometers of gray sandy beach with several
resorts and guesthouses offering lodging. Bars
and restaurants also line the area.

ERMITA HILLS

Ermita Hills is one of the most

visited tourist spots in Baler,
Aurora where it provides you an
amazing view to Baler Bay. It is
believed to be the highest point
of Baler. This is where the
survivors of tsunami, that hits
Baler on 1735, climbed and
witnessed the devastating wrath
of nature.

BALER CATHOLIC CHURCH

Baler Catholic Church is an old church in

Baler which is still standing even though
Filipino troops made this church a stronghold
during Philippine Revolution (also read Siege
of Baler) on 1898 – 1899. The church was
made of bricks and stones on 1611 but reconstructed on 1939 but the original structure and details can
still be seen inside.

WELL KNOWN FIESTAS AND FESTIVALS

SUMAN FESTIVAL

February 14-19 |Baler, Aurora,

Philippines.

A celebration of the foundation of the

province of Aurora, which is celebrated
on the very day of birth of the Late Lady
Aurora Quezon. The event also coincides
with the grandest festival, the Suman
Festival.

Every February Baler celebrates a

HAGISAN activity, which features the
homemade suman. This Filipino sticky rice cake delicacy hangs above the main street as its smokey
pandan aroma perfumes the air. Colorful floats with lots of suman hanging from each crevice parades
proudly in the middle of the crowd. Further showing the importance of agriculture and rice to the
masses in undeniable extravagance.

Witnessing these could make one crave suman. Especially for those who happen to be in the right
place at the right time, the suman are available everywhere. Along with the various flavor of these
rice cakes from the rich texture of ube, the bittersweet tango of chocolate and the fresh taste of plain
suman.

COCO- SABUTAN FESTIVAL

Baler”s Coco-Sabutan Festival is usually

held from August 13 to 19

The Sabutan Festival in the town of San

Luis, province of Aurora highlights the
importance of growing palm trees locally
called Sabutan on the community’s
economic wellbeing. The raw material
which grows on mountain terrain and
forest land is used to weave a variety of useful products and ornamentals like hats, placemats, fans
and even native dress – all made of Sabutan. The exclusive art of weaving Sabutan is handed down
from one generation to the other. The festival features native dance presentation among school
children, trade fair, cultural shows and exhibits.