Tags: Beaches and Water Activities, Historical Places, Vacation
By Alexander Villafania
BALER, AURORA PROVINCE – I’m no surfer but I do like to watch people surfing, which is quite rare in a country where there are few places that have big waves. I was lucky enough to get a chance to visit Baler, renowned as a surfer’s paradise and proclaimed as one of the best surf spots in the Philippines, next only to Siargao.
Directly facing the Pacific Ocean, it boasts of waves that can reach 9 feet high during peak season, which starts in early December until the end of May.
Going there is quite easy; you can hop on a Genesis Bus from Cubao, which travels across Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and crisscrossing roads in Sierra Madre. Dirt roads still riddle the path to Baler, which prolongs travel time.
After seven hours of difficult travel across dirt roads, I reached Baler and got to experience its beauty first hand.
Baler is the smallest municipality of Aurora province yet it holds historical and cultural significance. Its most renowned historical event was the Siege of Baler, which happened during the end of the Philippine Revolution in 1898 to 1899.
A small band of Spanish soldiers holed themselves up in the Church of San Luis de Tolosa for nearly a year, refusing to surrender to katipuneros despite being told that the war has ended. The siege ended when Saturnino Martin-Cerezo surrendered with his remaining troops after he was convinced through a newspaper from Madrid that the war had ended.
This particular piece of Philippine history was popularized by a movie, simply titled “Baler”, directed by Mark Meily and starting local actors Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales.
Of course, aside from the Siege of Baler, this small town also takes pride as the birthplace of Manuel L. Quezon, the Philippines’ first Commonwealth president. A monument of Quezon was built in front of a Museum, ostensibly called Museo de Baler. Manuel Quezon III posted in his website an article written by John Gunther about his grandfather.
Another notable figure who traces his lineage to Baler is incumbent Senator and former University of the Philippines President Edgardo Angara.
But most current visitors in Baler wouldn’t come here for history. It’s the pristine, Pacific blue beaches that draw people to come here. The beaches of Sabang and Cemento play host to surfing competitions. These beaches are accessible via tricycle, which costs between 10 to 20 pesos. Cemento is a bit trickier to reach as it requires a 40-minute walk or a short banca ride.
But if surfing isn’t your thing, you can go on a sightseeing tour to other shoreline tourist spots in Baler. Among the most popular is the diving area of Dimadimalangat Islet, which is about 15 minutes by boat. Aniao Islets are also popular for bird watchers, though this set of islets are a bit farther.
There are only a few hotels in Baler, which makes it difficult to book a room especially during the peak season. Bay’s Inn is literally stone’s throw away from Sabang Beach. The rooms are particularly cheap at around 1,200 to 1,500 pesos even during peak seasons.
Near Bay’s Inn is Bahia de Baler, which charges around 1,700 pesos a night. Near both Bay’s Inn and Bahia de Baler are also some houses that offer transient stays. You can get a room for a lot less but you need to reserve because they are often booked.
If you’re looking for some peace and quiet in a very provincial environment, Baler fits the bills. Perhaps in the next three years, the local government of Aurora would be done with the cementing of the main road going to Baler.
When that happens, expect a lot of development in Baler and the surrounding municipalities. By then, hopefully, Baler will remain beautiful and charming.
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