Aurora marks 28th anniversary

BALER, Aurora – This third-class province, one of the country’s poorest, marks today its 28th founding anniversary, coinciding with the 119th birthday of the late former First Lady Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon, wife of President Manuel L. Quezon, after whom it was named.

Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and Vice Gov. Annabelle Tangson will lead provincial officials in today’s anniversary rites by laying a wreath at the tomb of Mrs. Quezon at the provincial capitol grounds following a parade by provincial officials and representatives of government and non-government organizations and national agencies.

This year’s anniversary celebration, which carries the theme Sa Pagsulong ng Aurora, Mamamayan Ikaw ang Bida (In Aurora’s Advancement, You the Citizenry Play the Lead Role), caps 11 days of festivities.

Among the anniversary activities were the first Aurora surfing challenge, third Aurora Skateboarding competition, employees’ day, Valentine magic at the park, Araw ng Batang Aurora, farmers and fisherfolk’ day, trade fair, dog show, street décor competitions, Karansa streetdancing competition, and Governor’s Ball.

Aurora, located in a horseshoe-shaped coastal valley overlooking the Pacific Ocean some 232 kilometers east of Metro Manila, traces its beginnings to the pre-colonial period when native settlers dotted its mountains and coastal lands.

The Franciscans, under the leadership of Fray Blas Palomino, were the first Spaniards to establish their presence in the province.

Aurora became a province by virtue of Batas Pambansa 7 signed by the late former President Ferdinand Marcos on Nov. 21, 1978.

BP 7 was subsequently ratified in a plebiscite. Aurora’s foundation day was moved to Feb. 19 each year in honor of Doña Aurora.

The province was originally composed of Baler and Casiguran towns, which were then part of Tayabas until the province of Nueva Ecija was established in the early 19th century.

In 1856, the eastern coast of Nueva Ecija was created into a district called El Principe, embracing both Baler and Casiguran, until 1902 when the Commonwealth government abolished it and annexed it to the province of Tayabas.

On June 14, 1951, then President Elpidio Quirino signed into law Republic Act 648 creating Aurora as a sub-province of Quezon, consisting of the towns of Baler, Casiguran, Ma. Aurora and Dipaculao. Later, four other municipalities were added.

In 1609, a mission center was established in this town, the provincial capital. In 1735, the township of Baler was wiped out by a tidal wave known as Tromba Marina, which only seven families survived. The old settlement was later transferred to its present location. – Manny Galvez