Beguiling Baler

There’s a pristine paradise northeast of Manila, unspoilt by commercialism. If you’re into exceptional eco-friendly adventure trips, don’t let the challenging six-hour road trip from Manila to historic Baler in Aurora province daunt you, the pay-off once you get to Baler is more than worth the sometimes rough and bumpy ride. Just keep a vision in your mind of the 2008 movie Baler with its savage cliffs, mountain vistas, verdant lush forest terrain, and wild unspoiled beaches, and that is exactly what you will get and more. So keep going. 

Why Baler? For one, beach resorts with affordable accommodations abound in the coastline that faces the Pacific Ocean. Surf season starts in July, with lessons costing no more than P350 per hour, including use of surfboard and training by a surf instructor. Get a taste of summer waves while taking a speedboat from Bahia De Baler to nearby beaches, islets and divespots. The winds come from different angles making for some interesting surf challenges. Sitting on the front of the speedboat is like a wild savage rollercoaster ride and absolutely exhilarating. It is safe enough, for you are required to wear lifevests and don’t veer that far from shore. Meanwhile, you can get your fill of meditating over deep emerald waters, so clear you can see the coral beneath.

You could also land on an island cove and enjoy at least an hour’s stop, take a dip and relax in the refreshing cool waters of a mostly deserted beach with fine smooth sand.

Another short boat hop takes you to a Dumagat fishing village, from where birdwatchers can see rare birds, perhaps witness some bird eggs hatching. The same boat, for just another hour or so, can take you to see waterfalls, and waters near the coast where the fish are so big because catching small fish is prohibited there. Very large swordfish abound and are a regular catch for Baler fishermen.

Aurora is the only province in the Philippines with 76 percent of its land covered by lush forests, 39,000 hectares of which is virgin dipterocarp rainforest. Gov. Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo is to be congratulated for her deep commitment to preserving the environment in her province. Indeed her goal is not only to maintain the 76 percent forest cover but to increase it if possible. Through the “Sagip Kalikasan” program that she recently launched, Bellaflor courageously fights illegal loggers that unfortunately blight Aurora’s otherwise flourishing green forest cover. The good news is that some illegal loggers have been arrested since the program’s launch.   

The focus and emphasis on environmental preservation and development is shared by all levels of government in Aurora and is supported in great measure by Bellaflor’s brother Sen. Edgardo Angara. Their collective sustained goal to “Go for Green” in all aspects of Aurora development can only stand them in good stead for the future.

Other must-see spots in Baler include the actual church where the historic Siege of Baler took place, the events of which were immortalized in the movie Baler and the Museum of Baler, which has fascinating exhibits on the native tribes of Dumagat and Ilonggot, the history of Manuel L. Quezon — the first Philippine Commonwealth president and Son of Baler, and other artifacts of note from Baler’s rich and varied heritage.  

Make sure to visit the centuries-old balete tree, which is so large and so tall, and made up of intertwining trunks, that you can actually walk through its diameter or if you are brave enough, climb all the way up to the top from outside the tree or even inside it!

The food experience in Baler is also excellent, with fresh seafood and vegetables available in affordable abundance.

Last June, Spanish-Filipino friendship day was celebrated in grand style with the descendants of the Spanish soldiers who fought in the Siege of Baler coming to Aurora. You can also look forward to the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant that will be held in Baler in August this year.

All these are just the tip of the iceberg of all the possible adventures in Baler and its surrounding towns in the province of Aurora. One can also do parasailing, trekking, diving, whalewatching, dolphin watching, birdwatching, cave exploration, and other water sports.

With the establishment of the Special Economic Zone and Industrial Park in Casiguran, the building of airports, international and local seaports (Aurora was the original site of the Galleon Trade), accessibility to Baler will only improve in the months and years to come...so what are you waiting for? Surf season is coming in a few days... and beguiling Baler awaits.

The Son(ny) also Rises

Now on his second term as congressman from Aurora, Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara went to elementary and high school in Xavier and took his undergraduate studies at the London School of Economics. The young Angara has two post-grad degrees, Law and Master of Laws. He took up Law at UP Diliman, and his post-graduate studies in Harvard.

What do you think have been your greatest achievements as congressman?

Angara: Well, being a congressman is basically having two jobs. The first job is in the legislature, passing laws; the second job is in the district, bringing projects and bringing the hopes and dreams of your constituents. In terms of my legislative achievement, I’m happy to say that I’ve had my name involved in important national laws. We have the UP Charter, the Tourism Act, the Renewable Energy Act, the PERA which is our version of the 401K or the Pension Scheme, the first time the Philippines is going to have that, which has benefits for every Filipino who wants to save money. We have a bill to restructure taxes to make it less difficult for wage earners. Those are some of the legislative measures I’m proud to be associated with. With regards to my projects in the district, I’m proud to say we’ve invested a lot in human development, in people. In our State College, maybe 50 percent of the students are scholars of the family who serves as officials in the province.

The governor (Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Sonny’s aunt), when she was congresswoman herself, was one of the most prolific. How did that influence you?

Angara: She and my father (Sen. Edgardo Angara) have definitely been inspirations for me. In terms of role models, I don’t have to look very far.

Do you have intentions of running for a position in national government one day? 

Angara: You know, because of term limits, you eventually have to come to that point. Luckily I’m not at that point yet. I’ll be there in 2013, then maybe I can think about running for another position.

What are your goals for our country?

Angara: Well, I’d like to see more opportunities for our country. I know it sounds very general but it’s the best way I can simplify all my ideas and all my dreams, aspirations for the Philippines. Those who want to have a house, for example, or those who want to educate their children, I want more opportunities for them. We’re a country of extremes. We have very rich people, we have very poor people. In between, there’s a lot of poor people. If they work hard, there’s a way for them to make it up, improve their income, have better paying jobs, good quality of life, whether its through education or employment opportunities, better economic opportunities.

What Philippines would you like your children to see?

Angara: I’d like to see a more civilized Philippines. Nowadays, I think we’ve been very immunized to a life of violence, crime and a lot of bad news. It doesn’t upset us anymore because life is so hard. I’d like a better quality of life for every Filipino. Whether it’s the air he breathes or the school he goes to. I don’t want him to walk home at night and be afraid of going home.

Who are your most important role models in life?

Angara: There’s a lot. My father, for instance. I think he’s my biggest role model. My father is going to be 75 this year but he still has the most hectic schedule and he works the hardest than anybody I know. I’ve encountered a lot of public officials because I’ve encountered them at work. He gets up early in the morning to work, goes to bed early at night. In between, in one day, he is able to accomplish so much. There’s no time wasted with him. There’s no effort wasted.

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