BALER

Baler was a destination of history and adventure. It was the last city to end the war versus the Spaniards just because of unsent message that the war was already over. So many stories, so many memories, a place full of amazing people.

Baler is the capital of Aurora province situated in the eastern side of Luzon island, facing the Philippine Sea. Aurora was part of the Quezon Province before 1979, and the province was named after Aurora Aragon, the wife of the late president Manuel L. Quezon. Baler is the home of  Sabang Beach, the Surfing Capital in Central Luzon.

Baler Arc

Speaking of surfing, yes it is the first thing that you will look forward to when you plan your Baler trip. Waves in Baler are best during cold months of October-February. Many surfers go to Sabang Beach to catch big waves. The beach also hold different surfing competitions.

Aside from the Sabang Beach, there's a lot to check out in Baler, not just in Baler though.

First stop is Museo de  Baler. Entrance Fee of P30 each person for the museum, and you can visit the Donya Aurora Ancestral House as well.

Inside the Museum

The museum showcases pictures of the town through time. From the Spanish colonozatiton up to the 21st century. It also shows some of the photos during the shooting of the movie "Apocalypse Now".

Have you ever heard of the tsunami story that washed the whole town out? Yes, that's a story from Baler, leaving 7 families only. Locals said, the families went up the Ermita Hill to survive the tsunami. And now, Ermita Hill is a destination in Baler not just because of its history, but also of its pictursque view of Baler.

Diguisit Beach is also a hit in Baler for its rock formations, and stoney beach.

Another thing in Baler is the Discalarin Cove. It is a private property of a well known family, Angara. It has a prestine beach, and houses a beautiful chapel. As mentioned, private, you have to book a night to enjoy the peaceful Discalarin Cove. You can also just visit the place for only P300 per person for a day tour. Mind you, the way to the cove is not easy. You have climb a hill until you reach the gate to the cove. And yes, photo below is from the entrance gate, you have to go down to reach the cove itself.

If you think Aurora is only for the beaches, you're wrong. The province has Caunayan Falls, Diguisit Falls and Ditumabo Falls. Way back 2013, I have visited Caunayan Falls. Entrance Fee is for only P10 back then, and you can rent a cottage as well. There's a a little trekking going to the falls, and it pays an amazing view of nature.

This year, 2016, I visited teh Ditumabo Falls, or the Mother Falls in San Luis, Aurora. The trek is longer, and a little complicated than Caunayan Falls. There's a fee of P20 upon entering the area. There are also indegenous bridges that will ask (not forcebly) for donations. And since the Mother Falls is a little well known, the locals set up a baggage counter where you have (mandatory) to leave items not permitted inside the park, like Food, Bottled Water, and even Cigarettes, it is for the conservation and the cleanliness of the falls, as a respect to the natiure.

Trek to the Mother Falls

Unlike the Caunayan Falls, the Ditumabo Mother Falls can accommodate more tourists. It's a little deep, and the water is freezingly cold.

Visiting Aurora will never be complete without checking the Largest Balete Tree in Asia. It is located in Maria Aurora, and is called Millennium Tree. It is so big that you and your friends can go inside it. You can also climb the tree, however harness is not readily available; Climb at your own risk. Locals are competing to one another for the fastest person to climb the tree, record holder climbed up for about 6 seconds only.

Baler Friends. (From the Left) Migs, Ken, Loveday, Arvie, Bel, JM, Don, Yen)

Before going back to Manila, we checked out the Hanging Bridge. It connects Barangays Tibang and Sabang. The bridge is not as stable as it is now (as seen on the picture), it was reconstructed with the help of the locals and the donations from the tourists visiting the hanging bridge. Best time to visit the Bridge is around afternoon for sunset. The sun reflects on the wide river that you can witness while you're at the middle part of the bridge. And yes, here's a photo of me, nag e-emote.

So, if you're visiting Baler, do not forget to check these destinations out!