Calamity-ravaged Aurora back on its feet

BALER, Aurora — Less than three months after killer typhoons brought its people down on their knees, this third-class province has made a triumphant recovery, celebrating its 26th founding anniversary with pomp, pageantry and glamour amid the recent devastation.

As if to announce that Aurora is back on its feet, provincial officials led by Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Vice Gov. Annabelle Tangson and Rep. Sonny Angara joined their constituents in a week-long festivity filled with fun, merriment and hope.

There was a festive atmosphere in this capital town, highlighted by a fireworks’ display and street dancing, lifting the spirit of local folk who, in late November, reeled from the typhoons’ swath of destruction.

The anniversary celebration’s theme — "Bagong Sigla, Bagong Pag-asa (New Enthusiasm, New Hope)" — drummed up optimism for the calamity-weary residents.

Angara-Castillo said the province and its people have the capacity to rise up to the challenge for as long as they are united in their goal, in spite of the devastation.

Her nephew, Rep. Angara, said the tragedy was no reason for Aurora folk to sulk but instead it should rally them to help each other.

Yesterday morning, the Angaras and Tangson led local folk in a morning Mass at the Baler Central School, then laid a wreath at the statue of the late former First Lady Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon, after whom the province was named, in observance of her 11th birth anniversary.

The Dangal ng Aurora awards were later conferred to Angara-Castillo’s brother, Sen. Edgardo Angara, for leadership and public service; internationally renowned painter Jeho Bitancor, visual arts; award-winning actor Romeo John Arcilla, performing arts; and Dr. Epitacio Palispis, education.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr., who was one of the guests, was impressed with the Aurora folk’s upbeat mood.

Other highlights of the festivities, which started last Feb. 14, were the search for the Binibining Aurora, agro-industrial trade fair, skills competition, acoustic night, heritage tours, skills competition, sportsfest, drum and lyre competition and cultural contests.

Christopher Gonzales, provincial tourism officer and overall coordinator of the five-day anniversary celebration, said they spent P1 million — a modest amount, he said — for the event.

On Friday night, the Angaras led the awarding of winners of the 1st Governor’s Cup shooting competition and the 9th Aurora Surfing Cup which attracted 78 participants from Central and Northern Luzon. The governor doled out P150,000 in prizes.

In a message, Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. praised the provincial leadership and the local folk for their "unflagging spirit and resolve to rebuild" their land, livelihood and enterprise.

"It is a bittersweet yet necessary moment when we emerged from the pall of tragedy and get back to the rhythm of public life. You have proven that no typhoon can be too devastating, no loss too heavy, no damage beyond repair, when we unite as a nation for the welfare and survival of our communities and towns," De Venecia said.

Aurora used to be a sub-province of Quezon but it was created as a separate province under Batas Pambansa 7 on Nov. 21, 1978 which was ratified in a plebiscite in May 1979.