Baler | |
|---|---|
| Municipality of Baler | |
.jpg) Dicasalarin Cove | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Nickname: Birthplace of Philippine Surfing[1] | |
 Map of Aurora with Baler highlighted | |
 Interactive map of Baler | |
.svg)  Baler Location in thePhilippines | |
| Coordinates:15°45′30″N121°33′45″E / 15.75833°N 121.5625°E /15.75833; 121.5625 | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Central Luzon |
| Province | Aurora |
| District | Lone district |
| Founded | August 19, 1609 |
| Barangays | 13 (seeBarangays) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Bayan |
| • Mayor | Rhett Ronan T. Angara |
| • Vice Mayor | Pedro M. Ong Jr. |
| • Representative | Rommel Rico T. Angara |
| • Municipal Council | Members
|
| • Electorate | 28,186 voters (2025) |
| Area | |
• Total | 92.55 km2 (35.73 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 118 m (387 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 1,306 m (4,285 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2024 census)[4] | |
• Total | 44,684 |
| • Density | 482.8/km2 (1,250/sq mi) |
| • Households | 10,197 |
| Demonym(s) | Balereño, Balerino Baleriano (colloquial) |
| Economy | |
| • Income class | 3rd municipal income class |
| • Poverty incidence | 14.37 |
| • Revenue | ₱ 527.6 million (2022) |
| • Assets | ₱ 733.9 million (2022) |
| • Expenditure | ₱ 200 million (2022) |
| • Liabilities | ₱ 113.2 million (2022) |
| Service provider | |
| • Electricity | Aurora Electric Cooperative (AURELCO) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| ZIP code | 3200 |
| PSGC | |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)42 |
| Native languages | Northern Alta Tagalog Ilocano |
| Website | www |
Baler (/bɑːˈlɛr/,/bɒˈlɛr/,/bʌˈlɛər/,bah-LAIR;[bɐˈleɾ]), officially theMunicipality of Baler (Tagalog:Bayan ng Baler;Ilocano:Ili ti Baler;Spanish:Municipio de Baler), is amunicipality and capital of theprovince ofAurora,Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 44,684 people.[6]
The town is known as the birthplace ofManuel L. Quezon, the2ndPresident of the Philippines.
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In 1609, sevenFranciscan missionaries led by Fray Blas Palomino founded the settlement of Baler. It was later converted into apueblo (town) by theAugustinians and theRecollects in 1658. Due to the scarcity of religious missionaries, the Franciscans again took over the administration of the settlement in 1703.
On December 27, 1735, a great storm struck the town and a huge wave calledtromba marina devastated the old town settlement then located in Barrio Sabang. Among the survivors were the Angaras, Bijasas, Bitongs, Lumasacs, Carrascos, and Pobletes who swam towards the nearby Ermita Hill.[7][failed verification][8] A new community sprang into what is now the Poblacion of Baler, leaving "Kinagunasan," the place of devastation. A mural depicting this wave can be found in theMuseo de Baler in town.[citation needed]
On June 27, 1898, 15 days after thePhilippine Declaration of Independence, 54 Spanish soldiers of the Baler garrison, under the command of Captain Enrique de las Morenas y Fossi, made San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Church, named in Spanish forLouis of Toulouse, their barracks. When de las Morenas died on November 22, 1898, LieutenantSaturnino Martín Cerezo replaced him. On June 2, 1899, the last Spanish garrison in the Philippines surrendered after theSiege of Baler, effectively ending over 300 years of Spanish rule in the country.[9]
In 1902, the Americans incorporated the town into the province ofTayabas. Before the Americans came, Baler was under the district of El Príncipe fromNueva Ecija.[8][10]
TheComedia de Baler of Aurora mounted its first production in 1927. It was supported by then PresidentManuel L. Quezon and enjoyed the collaboration of artists Fortunato Esoreña and Alejandro Ferreras and arnis expert Antonino Ramos. Still alive today, it features a group of colorfully attired performers using authentic weapons, like swords and knives, in their plays. Manuel L. Quezon was the governor of Tayabas, which was renamed Quezon in his honor.
In 1942, theImperial Japanese Army entered Baler, where they made the Baler Elementary School building their garrison under the command of a certain Captain Hattori. The general headquarters and camp base of thePhilippine Commonwealth Army from January 3, 1942, to June 30, 1946, and thePhilippine Constabulary from October 28, 1944, to June 30, 1946, were stationed in Baler.
In 1945, Filipino and American troops landed in Baler, including Filipino troops of the 3rd Infantry Division, the 5th Infantry Division, the 51st Infantry Division, and the 52nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, the 5th Constabulary Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary, the local recognized guerrilla unit, and the American troops of the6th Infantry Division of theUnited States Army. The retreating Japanese troops destroyed the San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Church in Baler.[citation needed]
It became the capital of Aurora on June 14, 1951, underRepublic Act No. 648[11] signed by PresidentElpidio Quirino. Baler is the birthplace of Manuel Quezon and his cousin and wifeAurora Aragon-Quezon. One obvious reason was the area's isolation from the rest of Quezon Province: there were no direct links to the rest of the province and much of the terrain was mountainous and heavily forested, which made the area relatively isolated, and its distance from Quezon's capitalLucena.[12]
In 1956, thebarrio ofDingalan was converted into a municipal district within Baler and later became a town in its right.[13]
In 1976-7 the helicopter attack and surfing sequences of the filmApocalypse Now were filmed at Baler. The film is credited with having created the Philippinesurfing culture and the headland at Baler is known as "Charlie's Point" from a line in the film.[14]
It remained the seat of government of Aurora on November 21, 1978, underBatas Pambansa Blg. 7[15] signed by PresidentFerdinand Marcos.
On August 6, 2023,Republic Act No. 11957, also known as “An Act Recognizing the Municipality of Baler in the Province of Aurora as the ‘Birthplace of Philippine Surfing,” became law without PresidentBongbong Marcos’s signature.[16][17]
According to thePhilippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 92.55 square kilometers (35.73 sq mi) [18] constituting2.94% of the 3,147.32-square-kilometer (1,215.19 sq mi) total area of Aurora.
Baler is situated 268.04 kilometers (166.55 mi) from the country's capital city ofManila. It is accessible by bus and private vehicles via a mountain pass. It is host to spectacular geographic formations and is situated on a vast plain at the south end ofBaler Bay, a contiguous segment of thePhilippine Sea.
Baler is politically subdivided into 13 barangays.[19] Each barangay consists ofpuroks and some havesitios.
| PSGC | Barangay | Population | ±% p.a. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024[20] | 2010[21] | |||||
| 037701001 | Barangay I (Poblacion) | 1.3% | 587 | 717 | ▾ | −1.44% |
| 037701002 | Barangay II (Poblacion) | 0.7% | 312 | 374 | ▾ | −1.30% |
| 037701003 | Barangay III (Poblacion) | 0.8% | 357 | 434 | ▾ | −1.41% |
| 037701004 | Barangay IV (Poblacion) | 0.8% | 363 | 389 | ▾ | −0.50% |
| 037701005 | Barangay V (Poblacion) | 3.8% | 1,718 | 1,662 | ▴ | 0.24% |
| 037701006 | Buhangin | 11.9% | 5,310 | 5,057 | ▴ | 0.35% |
| 037701007 | Calabuanan | 8.7% | 3,895 | 3,221 | ▴ | 1.39% |
| 037701008 | Obligacion | 2.7% | 1,215 | 1,135 | ▴ | 0.49% |
| 037701009 | Pingit | 13.2% | 5,913 | 4,989 | ▴ | 1.24% |
| 037701010 | Reserva | 10.2% | 4,580 | 4,064 | ▴ | 0.87% |
| 037701011 | Sabang | 10.8% | 4,833 | 4,829 | ▴ | 0.01% |
| 037701012 | Suclayin | 14.2% | 6,341 | 5,923 | ▴ | 0.50% |
| 037701013 | Zabali | 9.3% | 4,138 | 3,216 | ▴ | 1.84% |
| Total | 44,684 | 36,010 | ▴ | 1.58% | ||
| Climate data for Baler, Aurora (1995–2020, extremes 1949–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 33.3 (91.9) | 35.0 (95.0) | 35.8 (96.4) | 37.5 (99.5) | 38.6 (101.5) | 38.8 (101.8) | 41.2 (106.2) | 37.0 (98.6) | 37.0 (98.6) | 35.5 (95.9) | 34.2 (93.6) | 33.9 (93.0) | 41.2 (106.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 27.7 (81.9) | 28.4 (83.1) | 29.6 (85.3) | 30.9 (87.6) | 31.5 (88.7) | 31.8 (89.2) | 31.2 (88.2) | 31.5 (88.7) | 31.4 (88.5) | 30.7 (87.3) | 29.5 (85.1) | 28.0 (82.4) | 30.2 (86.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 24.5 (76.1) | 24.9 (76.8) | 25.9 (78.6) | 27.1 (80.8) | 27.8 (82.0) | 28.2 (82.8) | 27.7 (81.9) | 27.9 (82.2) | 27.8 (82.0) | 27.2 (81.0) | 26.2 (79.2) | 25.0 (77.0) | 26.7 (80.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 21.3 (70.3) | 21.4 (70.5) | 22.3 (72.1) | 23.4 (74.1) | 24.2 (75.6) | 24.6 (76.3) | 24.2 (75.6) | 24.4 (75.9) | 24.1 (75.4) | 23.7 (74.7) | 22.9 (73.2) | 22.0 (71.6) | 23.2 (73.8) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 14.3 (57.7) | 15.3 (59.5) | 17.1 (62.8) | 17.7 (63.9) | 20.0 (68.0) | 20.0 (68.0) | 20.0 (68.0) | 20.0 (68.0) | 19.6 (67.3) | 18.3 (64.9) | 17.1 (62.8) | 16.1 (61.0) | 14.3 (57.7) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 227.4 (8.95) | 182.0 (7.17) | 193.7 (7.63) | 203.2 (8.00) | 296.6 (11.68) | 246.7 (9.71) | 286.0 (11.26) | 169.9 (6.69) | 317.1 (12.48) | 394.4 (15.53) | 385.9 (15.19) | 454.1 (17.88) | 3,357 (132.17) |
| Average rainy days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 167 |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 85 | 84 | 84 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 87 | 87 | 85 |
| Source:PAGASA[22][23] | |||||||||||||
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 | 2,417 | — |
| 1918 | 3,413 | +2.33% |
| 1939 | 11,887 | +6.12% |
| 1948 | 17,182 | +4.18% |
| 1960 | 10,350 | −4.14% |
| 1970 | 14,632 | +3.52% |
| 1975 | 16,046 | +1.87% |
| 1980 | 18,349 | +2.72% |
| 1990 | 24,689 | +3.01% |
| 1995 | 26,919 | +1.63% |
| 2000 | 29,923 | +2.29% |
| 2007 | 34,492 | +1.98% |
| 2010 | 36,010 | +1.58% |
| 2015 | 39,562 | +1.81% |
| 2020 | 43,785 | +2.16% |
| 2024 | 44,684 | +0.49% |
| Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[24][25][21][26][27] | ||
People with connections to the town are referred to as Balereños. Prior to the arrival of Spanish missionaries in Baler in 1609, settlements byAeta people andBugkalot in Baler's coast and mountain areas already exists, along with Kapampangan settlements in coast and plains.[28][29][30][31]Tagalogs, some originating fromPalanan andInfanta, Quezon, came in to the area to trade by boat. Some Tagalogs settled in Baler and married with the Aeta and Bugkalots.[32][33] Kapampangans assimilated to the Tagalog settlers.
The Spanish brought in Filipino acolytes from other areas of Luzon from 1609 to 1899. During this period, Baler can only be accessed by sea though the town saw increase migration from other parts of Luzon such asLaguna,Tayabas, andBicol from the south.The opening of the Baler-Bongabon Road allowed easier migration of people fromIlocos andIsabela areas from the north. The road also allowedIgorot people andBatangueños to settle in Baler. In 1896, a group of Ilocanos fromAringay,La Union came to settle in San Jose, now calledMaria Aurora. In 1906, another group of Ilocanos arrived from La Union andPangasinan. The guerrilla movement during the Japanese occupation brought Novo Ecijanos (people from Nueva Ecija) to Baler; Novo Ecijanos include Tagalogs, Ilocanos, and Kapampangans, with quite large number of Pangasinenses. The Balereños learned trade from the Batangueños and the Novo Ecijanos; where before they used to share what they have, now they would sell coconut to their neighbors.[32][34][35] Other ethnic groups who came and stayed in Baler include ChristianizedGaddang andIsinai settlers who settled the surrounding lowlands of Baler Bay.[36]
In the 2024 census, Baler had a population of 44,684 people.[37] The population density was 480 inhabitants per square kilometer (1,200/sq mi).
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The Tagalog andIlocano languages are the main languages spoken in Baler.[38][39][40][34][41] The province of Aurora is claimed to primarily speak a Tagalog dialect that is closely related to the Tayabas Tagalog of Quezon, with some Ilocano influences.[42] In Baler, for example, the variety is calledTagalog-Baler (Balereño). The Tagalog dialect of Balereños is also known for distinctive expressions likeakkaw, used to express surprise, wonder, disgust, and objection; it is also akin term expressions spoken in Baler areare(h), used to express a negative feeling of surprise;anin, used to express regret or pity for a situation; and many other words are also spoken similarly to neighboring Quezon, likeadyo, meaning to climb, andpuropur, which pertain to rain with gusty wind.[43] Manuel L. Quezon, who was from Baler, was called the Father of the National Language for approving the recommendation of theInstitute of National Language for Tagalog as the basis of the national language. Other languages spoken in Baler areKapampangan,Pangasinan,Ga'dang, Isinai in surrounding lowlands of Baler Bay,Bugkalot andNorthern Alta or Edimala.[44]
Poverty incidence of Baler
Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52]
The current officials of Baler, Aurora (as of June 30, 2022)[53]
| Name | Designation | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhett Ronan Angara | Mayor | |||||||
| Bobong Ong | Vice Mayor | |||||||
| Pandus Valenzuela | Member, Sangguniang Bayan | |||||||
| Emmanuel Galban | ||||||||
| Danilo Ong | ||||||||
| Carlito Morillo | ||||||||
| Ellah Cherryl Villacorte | ||||||||
| Santino Rosauro Guerrero | ||||||||
| Francisco Zubia III | ||||||||
| Lysander Querijero | ||||||||
Baler annually observes thePhilippine–Spanish Friendship Day which commemorates the end of theSiege of Baler[54] and celebrates thebilateral relations that have developed since then.[55] It is held every June 30 and the rites which was first done in the provincial capital are also observed in other parts of the country, as well as parts of Spain.[54]
The Baler Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.[56]
Baler is home to one TV station,GMA 5 Baler, and five radio stations, all in the FM band.
On December 27, 1935, a big tidal wave or "tromba marina" wiped out the town, then located at Barrio Sabang. An undetermined number of its inhabitants were drowned and only 14 families survived. Among the survivors were the Angaras, Bijasas, Bitongs, Lumasacs, Carrascos and Pobletes. The Muslim raiders attacked Baler, Casiguran and Palanan in 1798...When military district of El Príncipe was created in 1856, Baler became its capital...On June 12, 1902 a civil government was established, moving the district of El Príncipe away from the administrative jurisdiction of Nueva Ecija...and placing it under the jurisdiction of Tayabas Province.
These people (Ilongot) scattered rancherias toward Baler and sustain trading relations with the Tagalog of that town, but are hostile with the Ilongot of Nueva Vizcaya jurisdiction.
Places adjacent to Baler, Aurora | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
