Land area: 9,255 has
Population 34,492
Type of Municipality: 3rd class
Predominant Language: Tagalog, English, Ilocano, Visayas, Bicolano
Brief History
Mention Baler and one would say; “Ah it is Quezon. Perhaps the statement is true but not after the creation of Aurora as the 73rd province of the country by virtue of Batas Pambansa blg. 7 with Baler as its capital town.
On the other hand, mention Baler and one conjures up visions oh lush forests, cool mountain, cool river waters, cool summer sea breeze and probably onea of the finest destination in the country Baler infact all these and much more. It is 232 kms way from manila with as estimated travel time of 6-7 hours. Baler serves as the business center of the province wherein most government and private entities are located
Its climate is characteristic of the tropics with evenly distributed rainfalls all-year round.
The People
Baler is a unique place with unique people. Warm welcome awaits visitors arriving in the place.Balerianos are generous and friendly and its characteristics were proven a century ago when the 33 Spaniards soldier Spaniards soldiers survived in the Siege of Baler who did not suffer even the slightest scratch upon their surrender. In fact, they were treated as friends and were given foods and clothing and even protecting them despite that these people harmed them during their reign.
As the time passed, Baler turned into a melting pot various cultures, but still their spirit of compassion and understanding lives on for true Balerianos.
Brief History
Long before the arrival of the Spaniard, Baler was already a established community, the people’s source of livelihood were fishing, hunting and farming. These settlers were the Aetas, the Dumagats, and the Ilongots. They have their own tribal boundaries and political jurisdictions. Trespassing is punishable by death and sometimes results to tribal wars.The most feared tribe is the Ilongots who are the head hunters. On some events and special occasions, they roamed and snatched people to behead. According to their beliefs, the flowering sablang tree (mentrosideros tomendosa) signifies the season of head hunting. During that time, these people were pagans until the lights of Christianity reached them in 1578 through the courage of Fray Esteban Ortiz, the first Franciscan missionary to reach Baler. Many were baptized and embraced Christian Faith changing their lives and the course of history.
Moreover, the name Baler attributed to fascinating legends and folktale. One story says thatit is originated from native word BALID, the dialect of Aetas, which meant “ A Place to Come Home to”.Aetas are very nomadic people but no matter where they roam, they always come back to the horseshoe valley shaped, nestling in the Caraballo Range of the Sierra Madre mountains along the Pacific coast which is now known as the town of Baler.
History, however, signifies that the name Baler was given and defined in Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala published in 1754, that the Baler originated from the word BALOD, a large mountain dove of the Paloma Montes that are abundant in the area.
The Town of Baler is most remembered in the annals of Philippines’ history as the last bastion of the Spanish empire in the country concluded in the long and bloody epic of the Siege Baler.
Baler also claims historic significance as the birth place of President Manuel L. Quezon; as the father of Filipino Language, Social Justice and the President of the Philippines Commonwealth.
For more information contact Office of the Municipal Mayor
Municipal mayor office
Municipal Building, Baler, Aurora
Mobile No. 09289837668
Email Add: [email protected]
Fb Account : [email protected]
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