Biyaheng Baler, Aurora

My travel in Baler happened last year on October 8-9, 2016. It was actually a travel with my church friends. Baler is a municipality in the province of Aurora, serving as the provincial capital. It is also the oldest municipality in the province. It is considered as the "birthplace of surfing in the Philippines".

Going to Baler is a five to six (5-6) hour ride from Metro Manila. For the drivers, please be careful as the roads are much steeper. But, one thing nice here is that roads are already paved.

Me at Baler.

There are a lot of place to visit in Baler, one is the Museo de Baler (Baler Museum). It houses several historical artifacts to the Philippines' first and longest colonizer, -- Spain. It is also put up partly to commemorate the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day and relive the "Siege of Baler". The museum is located in the town proper, in front of the Quezon Park. There is an entrance fee of Php 15.00/pax here.

With my friends at Museo de Baler.

Me at I Love Baler wall in Museo de Baler.

Walking distance to the museum is the Ancestral House of Dona Aurora Aragon-Quezon. Dona Aurora Aragon-Quezon was the former first lady of the late President of the Philippines, Manuel Luis Quezon. She was born in Baler which was the part of the bigger Quezon province. Also, to commemorate her existence, the province of Aurora was named to her. A entrance fee of Php 15.00/pax is collected here for the maintenance of the house.

Dona Aurora Aragon-Quezon's Ancestral House.

The inside look of Dona Aurora Aragon-Quezon's Ancestral House.

Portrait of the late President Manuel Luis Quezon and
his wife, Dona Aurora Aragon-Quezo.

In front of the ancestral house is the small church of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Parish. The church was actually proclaimed as one of the historical landmarks of the Philippines by the National Historical Institute in 2000. The location of the church is actually its second location. Its first location was actually devastated when a giant tsunami hit the town. This church was a witness when some rebel Spanish soldiers were not in favor of the selling the Philippines to the United States. They occupied this church until they lost their resources and finally gave up. And this was the last Spanish stronghold in the Philippines.

The church of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Parish.

After vising the museum, ancestral house, and church, you can go to the market to buy foods prior going to your hotel or resort. There are a lot of resorts to stay here in Baler especially in Sabang Beach. And us, we opted to stay in Dela Torre Beach Resort which we booked a week ago thru Airbnb. The place is so nice and in front of the resort are great rock formations. We stayed there for overnight.

Rock formations and front view of Dela Torre Beach Resort.

In the second day, you can go to the nearby town of Maria Aurora where Balete Park is located. The Balete tree in the park is said to be the Asia's Largest Balete Tree. Entrance fee here is Php 10.00/pax. Travel time here is around 45 minutes.

The Asia's Largest Balete Tree in Maria Aurora, Aurora.

After Balete tree, you can proceed to Ditumabo Mother Falls located in San Luis, a nearby town of Baler. It will take you 30 minutes going to the jump off point. The trail to the falls is a rocky road trip. Trekking is about 20-30 minutes going to the falls.

The beautiful view of Ditumabo Mother Falls.

Selfie with the Ditumabo Mother Falls in San Luis, Aurora.

Enjoying the cold water of Ditumabo Mother Falls.

The next place we visited is the Ermita Hill. The hill is an elevated spot where you can see the overlooking view of the whole Baler Bay / Sabang Bay. There's a chapel, view decks and gazebo, large picnic area and restrooms in Ermita Hill. If your bringing food, you can have you lunch there.

Trees at Ermita Hill.

The overlooking view at Ermita Hill.

Our last stop in Baler is the Dicasalarin Cove. It is a hidden beach owned by the Angara's in Baler. It is very famous for its white sand and access to Baler Lighthouse. It opens from 6 AM to 5 PM. Entace fee here is Php 300.00/pax for day tour. Reminder for the drivers, the road going to the beach is much steeper.

The view of Dicasalarin Cove at Baler Aurora.

The rocky part of Dicasalarin Cove.

The sand and beach front of Dicasalarin Cove.

Other part of Dicasalarin Cove.

How to get there.....

There are two ways on how to get in Baler by commuting:

1. From Cubao, Metro Manila, take a Genesis Transport's Joy Buses going to Baler. This trip of the bus company is considered the fastest way to get in Baler because it the only the direct trip with no bus stop.

2. From Cubao, Metro Manila, take a bus bound to Cabanatuan City like Genesis Transport Services, ES Transport and Baliwag Transit, Inc. In Cabanatuan City, take a bus or van bound to Baler form the central terminal.

NOTE: The usual mode of transportation in Baler is through tricycle only.

Now it's your turn to personally discover the wonders of Baler, Aurora. "It's really more fun in the Philippines." 

  

Should you have other questions, feel free to contact me and let's talk. Thank you.