Baler, Aurora Province

We were scheduled to go to La Union for another surfing trip. Me and my cousins have been stoked and we would want to get as much waves as we can. However, the week before our LU trip. TF decided to change the plans and go to Baler instead because it was flat in LU.

So there we were, heading to Baler. I realized that I did not know my geography. All along I was thinking that Baler was in Aurora Quezon. There was not even an Aurora Quezon. Aurora Quezon is in fact the wife of the late Manuel Luis Quezon. And that Aurora by itself is Aurora Province.

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.

The view is spectacular while heading to Baler, you will pass by different rivers and Mountains. In fact, the mountains on view is actually the Sierra Madre Mountains. There are 8 towns in Aurora Province; Baler, Casiguran, Dipaculao, Dingalan, Dilasag, Dinalungan, Maria Aurora and San Luis.

But we were headed to BALER. A lot of people is familiar with Baler because of the Movie “Baler”. What we did not know was the beauty that awaits us on that trip. Baler is the political and economic center of Aurora. Baler is also one of the best Surfing areas in the Philippines.

Best Surfing areas includes: Baler, Aurora Province; Catanduanes; La Union Province; Siargao Island;Zambales Province; Badoc Island, Ilocos Norte Province; Daet, Camarines Norte Province; Samar; Vigan, Ilocos Sur Province.

The only problem with Baler is the road going to the province. It would be easier if there are more signs to point which roads to take. Also it would be best if they would hurry cementing the roads as it slows down the travel time. But all these are nothing because the view is breath taking. I just wish the other provinces would not do “Kaingin” so much. It makes the mountains look bald. Not only does it affect the aesthetic beauty of the place but it will also hurt them once they are hit by a big typhoon.

There is a Museo de Baler which tells the story behind Baler and Manuel Luis Quezon.  It was a nice place to take souvenir photos.

to be continued: