BALER, AURORA

The province of Aurora formerly called "Tayabas" is one of the perfect place for a weekend getaway, especially the town of Baler, a town that is full of history and adventure......

How to get there?

From Manila  it is advisable to leave at around 2 or 3 in the morning so that you will arrive early and have enough time to explore the place. Travel time time will take around 5 to 7 hours depending on the class of bus and stopovers. Along the way you will start seeing scenery that is already worth the trip.

Rice grains scattered along the road

A view of Pantabangan Dam along the highway

Tourist Spots


Caunayan Falls

 The place is a bit far the Town of Baler but it worth the long travel because of its clear waters that is perfect for dipping or swimming.

Balete Tree

This is the largest Balete tree in Asia, it will take about 60 men to make a circle around the tree.Aside from being the largest it is also one of the oldest tree in the Philippines standing as long as 600 years. That makes the tree a living witness of the Philippines colorful history.

Aurora Municipal Building

Here stands the statue of Aurora Aragon Quezon. She was the wife of the 2nd President of the Philippines, Manuel Quezon.Aurora was the first to be called "First Lady" in the Philippines history. The province of Aurora was named after her for it her hometown.

Museo de Baler

This place is the seat of Baler's history and culture. Here you can see artifacts, arts and other collections that are significant to the town of Baler.

Aurora's House

This is the replica of Aurora Quezon's ancestral house located in front of the Baler Church. A small part of the house serves as the Tourism office of the town and the rest of the house exhibits cultural costumes and paintings.

Baler Church

A historical Landmark in Baler this is where the Siege during the Spanish occupation took place. Baler is the last Spaniard territory in the Philippines. Spanish soldiers refused to surrender not knowing that the Spain is no longer holding any power over the Philippines.

These footprints in front of the church signifies the uprising of Baler where the people walk from the Church going to Manila. Some says that these are Manuel Quezon's footprints and if you follow this it will lead to to the tourist destinations in Baler.

Ermita Hill

The highest peek of Baler where you can see the view of the entire town. This also serves as refuge site during the wars that happened in the Philippine History.

"Tromba Marina" This can be seen at the foot of Ermita Hill,depicting the survival of 6 families from the tsunami that hits Baler on December 27, 1735.

Scenic view of Baler from the top of Ermita Hill

Lukso-Lukso Islets

Group of islets that are connected to the mainland. Named "lukso-lukso" by the local because of its peculiar distance from each other.

Rocks formations on the seashore.

Surfing.....

Your visit to be Baler will never be complete it you will not try Surfing for it is dubbed as the "Surfing capital of the Philippine". Waves are not too big and scary.Whether your a surfer or not you will be able to experience the waves, surfing lessons are being offered around the area complete with surfing suits, surfing board and of course instructors.

Baler is one of the must see place in the Philippines because of the natural beauty and the adventure that it offers. Just like in every destinations that I've been to I'm looking forward to the day that i will be back on this place and again see the wonders that only Baler can offer.

Galleria Taal

By simply looking at the structure of this antique house, you might say that this is just the same with other antique houses lined in the streets of Taal. But as the saying goes, “don’t judge the book by its cover”.

Galleria Taal was formerly owned by the Ilagan-Barnon family. It was built around 1870’s and served as home to Domingo Ilagan & Maria Martinez and their children Aniceto, Rosario, Candida, Conception, Julita and Juan. By the time the Ilagan siblings manage the house, Candida paid her brothers and sisters to gain the whole ownership of the house.

Candida was married to Antonio Barrion and they lived in Galleria Taal with their daughters. The family left the house when Candida passed away in 1975 since their daughters, had their own family in Manila. As time goes by, the beauty of the house faded until it became an eye sore to the village.

In the year 2004, Manny Inumerable, grandson of Candida, initiated the restoration of the house. It remained unoccupied and was only maintained by a caretaker. Later on Manny decided to use the house as a museum for his collection. It was opened for public last March 2010 under the name of Galleria de Taal.

This is not the usual collection of antique furniture that we used to see in ancestral houses, this museum showcases different kind of CAMERAS, literally CAMERAS from different places and period of time. I was totally awed upon seeing his collection. The cameras are not just for display because all that you will see inside the museum are in perfect condition, meaning they are all working and ready to take your pictures anytime J .

Here are some of the examples of Mr.Manny's Collection

CENTURY STUDIO CAMERA  : 1900

KODAK NO 2 BROWNIE F : 1901- 1931

KODAK VIEW CAMERA : 1905

GUNDLACH BANQUENT CAMERA : 1915

"the big black thing I'm holding is the film just imagine how big the films were during those times :) "

LEICA I C : 1931 GERMANY

KODAK JUNIOR SIX16 : 1934 USA

DEARDORFF 8X10 : 1950'S USA

KODAK RETINA IIA : 1951-1954 GERMANY

LEICA III F : 1952-9153 GERMANY

ROLLEIFLEX COLLECTION : 1950's GERMANY

ROYAL 35-M : 1957 JAPAN

" according to our guide this was the first camera of Mr. Manny given to him by his uncle"

PENTAX SPOTMATIC SP-250 : 1964 JAPAN

NIKON F-250 :1968 JAPAN

CANON FTB QL : 1971 JAPAN

NIKON F2S-250 : 1973 JAPAN

CANON F-1N 1976-1981 JAPAN

NIKON FA : 1984 JAPAN

"the one in the center is a 24 karat gold camera, just imagine how much it cost"

Inside the museum are almost hundred pieces of different cameras, it was only half of the collection of Mr. Manny. Well if your one of those people who's getting addicted to photography you might as well plan a visit in this place to a glimpse of a little history of the photography world and be inspired at the same time with this collection.

 BAYANIHAN 

"one of the photographs that can be seen inside the building"

"Happy Traveling"

Banaue Rice Terraces

Dubbed as the 8th wonder of the world, Banaue rice terraces is definitely an unexplainable wonder. As I begin to see the mountain that was transformed into terraces i can't help but think how the native Ifugaos constructed those hectares of land, or can i say mountains, by simply using their ancient tools and bare hands. Aside from the breathtaking view you will also enjoy the cool climate, kind people, sumptuous delicacies and the small simple things along your way..

 A native woman in the terraces

Hanging Bridge in the Village

When you get tired of walking you can go back to the main village by crossing the bridge.

Make sure that you are not afraid of heights :)

Topload Experience

This is one of my dreams, to ride on top of a jeepney.

Dream come true for me :)

Ifugao Natives

This Ifugao natives really knows how to make you laugh.

You must visit them to see it for yourself

Woodcrafts of Banaue

I find this thai wood curves so cute I bought one and take it home with me.

Native Ifugao Hut

It is like a museum of cultures, the houses themselves will tell you their history

Water Crest "yum yum"

When we out of town something we look for are native delicacies.

This one here surprised us, i'm a veggie fan so i really enjoyed it,you can only find it here in Banaue or in Baguio

Starting the trips

Paoay Church at Ilocos

I was one of the girls who dreamed to be a flight attendant when I grow up, all my relatives are pushing me to be one..

When It was time to pick-up my course i didn't think twice and go for BS Tourism, hoping that it will be the stepping stone for my "dream"....Well it seems like the universe prepares something for me, I ended being a part of the college organization handling the tours for our college, this is where I started to develop all the things I knew now, this became my training ground, my home, my family, i began to love all the people and the activities, I forgot the my so called "dream" and I found out my passion, It's Travelling, coordinating travel aspects, seeing the beauty of the world and bringing people to see this as well...

One of our Baguio Trips with my mentors and friends