Tags: Churches and Places of Worship, Historical Places
By Marjorie Gorospe
BALER, AURORA— If only the walls of this church can speak, they will talk about this small town’s colorful history.
Baler church stands as one of the most historic churches in the country. The church may not be as big as those in the North (such as Paoay church in Ilocos Sur), but its four walls carry one of the biggest marks in Philippine history.
As depicted in the movie “Baler”, a Spanish garrison of four officers and 50 men made the church their last refuge from Filipino insurgents. Due to the town’s isolation, the Spanish garrison was not informed that the war had actually ended.
The Spanish were offered peace agreements if they surrendered; however, they refused on five occasions. Because of their refusal, the insurgents continued the war against the Spaniards.
The Spanish soldiers began losing food supplies and they also eventually had members who died inside the church due to sickness. One of them was a Spanish priest, Father Candido Gomez Carrero.
They were sent newspapers as proof that the Spain had indeed surrendered to the Americans, but they thought it was fake until their leader Lieutenant Saturnino Martin-Cerezo saw a news article about a friend’s forthcoming wedding in Spain.
The Spanish soldiers finally surrendered on June 2, 1899, almost a year after entering the church. The 33 Spanish survivors of the siege returned to Spain and were even recognized as heroes by the Queen of Spain.
The church remains in its original site and was declared a historical landmark by the Philippine Historical Committee. It was, however, renovated by the late First Lady Aurora Quezon (wife of Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon) in 1939 due to its deterioration but its interiors were preserved.
The Baler church is actually right across her ancestral house, which was turned into a museum.
Related stories:
Filipino surfers seek to promote surfing in Baler
A simple way of preparing Baler’s ‘ensaladang pako’
Museo de Baler depicts the rich history of Aurora province
Centuries-old balete tree attracts tourists in this Aurora town
Historic Ermita Hill serves as a refuge and place for relaxation for locals in Baler
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