AURORA TRAVEL INFORMATION
Where to Stay in Aurora | Brief History | Descriptions
Tourist Attractions | Festivals and Special Interest Tours
BRIEF
HISTORY
 The province was named after Aurora Quezon, born in Baler and wife of Manuel L. Quezon, the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth.
Aurora was first explored by Juan de Salcedo in 1571 when he reached Casiguran and Baler from Laguna. In 1609, a Franciscan mission was founded in Baler. In 1735, Baler was destroyed by a tidal wave from the Pacific Ocean. The surviving inhabitants decided to move to higher ground. In 1814, the village of Binondo was founded away from the coast.
Baler was a part of Nueva Ecija until 1902, when it was ceded to Tayabas (now Quezon province). During the Commonwealth period, when President Quezon unexpectedly visited Binondo, he named it Aurora in honor of his wife.
In 1951, municipalities now comprising the province were organized into Aurora, then a sub-province of what had become Quezon. The municipality of Aurora was changed to Maria Aurora.
On August 13, 1979, Aurora became a separate province by virtue of Batas Pambansa No. 7.
Aurora finally became an independent province when President Magsaysay signed into law on April 25, 1956, Republic Act 1414 separating Aurora from Capiz. This law was authored by Cong. Godofredo P. Ramos .The province was inaugurated on November 8, 1956.
AURORA DESCRIPTIONS
Geography
Aurora has a total land area of 308,122 hectares. Its main link to the rest of Luzon is a narrow mountain gravel road twisting across the Sierra Madre mountain ranges between Baler and the municipality of Bongabon in Nueva Ecija.
Political Subdivision
Aurora is composed of eight municipalities, with Baler as the provincial capital.
Climate
The climate is characterized by rainfall, which is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. Because the province faces the Pacific Ocean, it is regularly battered by typhoons coming from the east.
Population
Based on the national statistics survey of May 2000, Aurora has a population of 173,797 with an annual growth rate 1.84%.
Language / Dialect
The province speaks predominantly Tagalog, and in some parts, Ilocano. The working population is fluent in both the English and Filipino languages.
Major Industries
Aurora’s basic economy is agricultural; copra and rice are the principal products. Weaving, especially of buntal hats, is an important cottage industry.
Fishing production can be increased in Casiguran Sound and Dingalan Bay but Baler Bay’s is expected to diminish due to over-fishing and sedimentation.
Aurora has maintained its forest cover but is under serious threats from logging.
Isolation, inaccessibility, and exposure to typhoons have hampered the province’s development.
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TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Historical Attractions
President Quezon Memorial Park
(Baler). Fenced by concrete material and set on a circular cement platform, it serves as a landmark of Baler, the birthplace of the late President Manuel L. Quezon.
Lt. Commander James Gilmore Marker
(Baler). Across the left side of Baler Catholic Church stands the marker of Lt. Commander James Gilmore, the commander of US Gunboat “Yorktown,” who was captured along with all his men when he came to Baler in April 1899 to relieve the Spanish soldiers besieged in the church of Baler.
Aurora Quezon Marker
(Baler). Built in honor of the wife of first Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon. She was known for her untiring effort in providing social welfare services, especially to the people of Aurora province.
President Quezon’s Resthouse
(Baler). A quaint blue wooden cottage situated just across the Baler Church and the Baler Municipal Hall. It was where the Quezon couple, their family, and relatives stayed during their vacations in Baler.
President Quezon’s House
(Baler). Once the home of President Manuel L. Quezon, situated beside Cemento Beach. Today, only the remains of the house and the cement staircase are left standing after it was severely struck by a super typhoon.
Natural Attractions
Ditumabo Falls
(San Luis). The crystal clear river of Ditumabo Falls gushes endlessly, flowing and twisting among countless rocks and boulders. Approximately 140 ft. high, the falls is surrounded by huge cliffs, covered with green shrubbery and vines.
Bane Spring
(San Luis). Around the base of this natural attraction is an abundance of ferns, which surround the pool of water. Six meters wide, the winding Banyu spring lies hidden amidst shrubbery.
Cunayan Falls
(San Luis). One of the more accessible falls in Aurora, and passable to most vehicles. The falls flows into a crystal clear stream tinged only by the blue reflection of the sky. Its mild temperature makes it ideal for baths.
NIA (National Irrigation Administration) Watershed (San Luis)
A small dam built beside a picnic area in San Luis. Water below the dam is clear with greenish reflection of the vegetation surrounding the pond.
Cemento Beach Reef
(Baler). White sand, seashells, and crushed corals could be found along the stretch of Cemento Beach. The area is recommended for professional surfers. It is also suitable for snorkeling and diving.
Dimadimalang Islet
(Baler). This rock formation is actually a small island just a few meters away from the reef shore of Brgy. Cemento. It serves as the point identifying the southernmost tip of Baler Bay.
Digisit Beach
(Baler). The upper landward shore is mostly sand while the water shores are barricades of corals forming a protective reef that prevents strong waves of the Pacific from smashing onto the shore. The area is good for diving, and during calmer months, for snorkeling.
Borlongan Beach
(Dipaculao). Differs from most beaches as its beachfront is almost completely covered with gray pebbles and fist-size stones, all smoothened by the waves that constantly pound its shore.
Ampere Beach
(Dipaculao). The beach is covered with smooth rocks. The rocks found here vary in size and are darker in color. Beside this beach is an area called Bunga Point or Ampere Point.
Balete Park
(Ma. Aurora). Home to the giant Balete Tree, which is estimated to be more than a century old.
Tariktik Point
(Dilasag). Ideal for snorkeling. Its natural bonsai formations are fascinating.
Pagkain ng Bayan Plateau
(Dilasag). Beautiful scenery with ground orchid formation.
IFRC (Inter-Pacific Resource Corporation) Nursery and Falls
(Dingalan). A nursery of full-grown mahogany trees near the waterfalls.
Animo Islet
(Baler). Two small but imposing islands could be found south of Dimadimalang Islet. These islets, one smaller than the other, look like an upright bullet with shrubs, small trees, and other greenery growing on its top surface.
Casiguran Sound
(Casiguran). Almost like a lake, Casiguran Sound is a bay nearly enclosed by the Casiguran landmass and the peninsula of San Ildefonso. It is almost unaffected by the monsoon winds of October through February making it a perfect spot for wind surfing.
Sierra Madre Mountains
(Aurora). This is the place where flora and fauna are mostly concentrated. Waterfalls, rivers, and crystal clear streams of varying sizes are located within, if not adjacent to, the area of Sierra Madre Mountains. Special interest trips such as mountain climbing, safari, bird watching, ecological studies or picnics rolled into one may be taken easily.
Dingalan Bay View Site
(Dingalan). “Tanawan,” as the place is called, means “view site.” Upon approaching the border of Dingalan and Nueva Ecija, one could pass through an area sloping upwards and its peak is the Dingalan Bay View Site. The area gives a breathtaking view of the town proper and the Blue Bay of Dingalan.
Religious Attractions
Baler Catholic Church
(Baler). It was the last Spanish garrison of four officers and fifty men sieged by Filipino insurgents on June 27, 1899. This is also where the La Campana de Baler, an ancient high quality bell, was used and later stored as a relic.
Santo Entierro
A glass casket encasing the lying statue of Jesus Christ is displayed in a makeshift wooden chapel. Locals claim that this icon possesses miraculous powers. This indeed is something to see, especially during the Holy Week.
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FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL
INTEREST TOURS
Feasts and Festivals
Moro-Moro (Baler, Feb. 19)
An interplay of drama and dance, the “Zarzuela” is an interesting form of theater. Taking three days to complete. It is composed of several acts, which revolved around the main theme of Moro-Moro, Christian and Moslem conflict.
Aurora Day (Baler, Feb 14-19)
This week-long activities consists of sports competition, cultural presentation, band competition, civic social mission. Festivities commemorate the foundation of the province of Aurora. On the very day of the birth of the late Lady Aurora Quezon.
Suman Festival (Baler, Feb 19)
The biggest and grandest of all feasts in Aurora is a parade of floats uniquely designed . Main streets and homes are decked with suman.
Aurora Surf Competition (Baler, February)
It is a national surfing event held annually at Sabang Beach. An invitational competition participated in by surfers all over the Philippines.
Lenten Week (Baler and Casiguran, Holy Week)
Highlighted the every Good Friday on top of Ermita hill is “PAGPAPAKO” celebration. Simultaneously held are poblacion processions of different patron saints.
Special Interest
 Surfing
Recommended activity in Baler, specifically at Sabang Beach; Cement, Baler Cobra Reef; and Charlie’s Point.
Snorkeling
Recommended activity in Baler, specifically at Cemento Beach; Dimadimalangat Islet; Aniao Islet; Lukso-Lukso Islets; and Dagisit Beach.
Mountain Climbing / Nature Trekking
Recommended activities at the Ditumabo Falls and Banyu Springs. It would be best to avoid the wet season from June to October, the time of occasional but usually strong typhoons.
Scuba Diving
Recommended activity at Sabang Beach; Borlongan Beach; Cemento Beach; Dimadimalangat Islet; Aniao Islet; and Lukso-lukso Islet. Aurora’s diving sites are best from the months of March to May when waves are relatively calmer. Sabang Beach provides adequate quarters and is located right beside Baler Bay.
Picnics
Going for a picnic in the valleys of Aurora could be a delightful activity for tourists. One could pick out a nice area in the IFRC Nursery and Falls where a mantelpiece could be set in between a twin falls, and enjoy sumptuous broiled delights from the sea and fresh tropical fruit. Other mountainous areas are filled with tiny falls, springs, and rivulets where picnics are ideal.
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Where to Stay in Aurora | Brief History | Descriptions
Tourist Attractions | Festivals and Special Interest Tours
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