Baler: 400 years of chivalry, friendship and patriotism

MANILA, Philippines - Its significant role in certain fragments of Philippine history, and its natural beauty, make Baler’s remote location worth the six-hour drive from Manila. The seaside town affords views that even seasoned surfers and beachcombers would gasp at. Its beaches are a surfer’s paradise, stretching far north as the eye can see, where gigantic waves can go as high as 10 feet. But alongside its physical features, the idyllic town teems with history.

If the Baler movie, topbilled by Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales, enthralled the young and old with its forbidden love story set during the time of war, coming events this August in the capital of Aurora will surely fascinate visitors and Balereños. Not only will Baler take a step back in time but also remember an inevitable friendship between two once-sparring countries ignited during the historical Baler siege.

A few important facts about Baler place it firmly on the Philippines’ historical map. One of these is that small town is Commonwealth President Manuel Luis Quezon’s birthplace. Yet, what not many people are aware of (although a stirring movie based on the episode was widely viewed by cinema buffs,) is that 53 Spanish soldiers holed up in Baler’s parish church for almost a year.

Totally unaware that the Spanish colonial government in the Philippines had been defeated, these self-garrisoned Spanish soldiers had barricaded themselves in Baler Church. Only when Aguinaldo’s Katipuneros greeted them in friendship when they finally stepped out of their refuge—37 emaciated Spanish survivors—did they discover that events had passed them by. The Americans had become the Philippines’ new colonial masters.

“As a proud son of Baler, I take pride in a hometown fabled for its wealth of associations including the lore and the legend that have given it a unique character and flavor,” Senator Edgardo Angara says. “And it is with great pride and honor that I, together with my fellow Balereños, commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Baler siege which paved the way to a strong alliance between the Philippines and Spain.” Add to that, it will be President Quezon’s 131st birthday on Aug. 19.

In cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Office of Senator Edgardo Angara and the provincial and local governments of Aurora will bring Balereños, diplomats and guests to a week-long cultural spectacle that is Baler 400 — celebrating epic episodes of chivalry, friendship and patriotism.

 The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino under the Office of the President will hold a two-day “Pambansang Kumprensiya sa Wika” in Baler with the theme “Wikang Filipino: Mula Baler hanggang buong Pilipinas” on Aug. 17 and 18. In cooperation with the Aurora State College of Technology led by Dr. Eusebio Angara and Pangrehiyong Sentro sa Wikang Filipino Director Lolita Dela Cruz, the seminar’s participants will be PSWF directors nationwide, and Filipino teachers and supervisors and the Department of Education from Regions III and IV.

This first and largest national language conference will discuss ways on how to enrich, develop and preserve the Filipino language including multilingwalismo (multilingualism), wika at komunikasyon (language and communication), panitikang pambata (children’s literature), wika at kultura (language and culture) and several other facets of language.

On the 18th, the Cultural Center of the Philippines will feature the Philippines’ leading musical artists in a 90-minute gala concert of original Filipino music from the Spanish colonial period to the present. Particularly evident in many Filipino compositions such as the kundiman or love song and orchestral music for zarzuelas is the western influence brought in by the Spaniards. Featured artists include Rachelle Gerodias, Rachelle Ann Go, Bo Cerrudo, Ervin Lumauag, the University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors and the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group together with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

A Commemorative Program for Baler 400 to be led by the National Historical Institute on Aug. 19 will install a Bayan ng Baler marker at the town plaza enunciating significant changes the town has undergone since its earliest historical events. Diplomats from Cuba, Chile, Mexico and Spain will visit Baler to witness the event.

Guests will then proceed to Museo de Baler to view a photo exhibit of flora and fauna endemic to Baler put up by the National Museum. Already, the National Museum has started its exploration activities to find specimens of these botanical and zoological species endemic to the province, or to the Philippines, that are found in Baler.