LAKWATSA

Residents and officials of the historic capital town of Baler in Aurora Province, the birthplace of the late former Commonwealth President Manuel Luis Quezon, celebrated its 397^th anniversary last 19^th August 2006, coinciding with the late former president’s 128^th birthday.

We started the day at 6:00 in the morning with a short drive to Bay’s Inn on the shores of Sabang Beach where we have pre-ordered our breakfast the night before. When we arrived at Sabang Beach, a striking scene greeted us: locals in the midst of a traditional “pamumukot” (fishing). It was a realization of the snippet we saw the night before at the cultural performance over at the Museo de Baler.

It was an exhilarating experience watching this activity unfold, participated in by locals of the town. Two sets of ropes, approximately a kilometer and a half apart, attached to a net cast off shore are being pulled in a rhythmic motion by local fishermen. Another lookout, afloat offshore near the net, signals the men tugging at the ropes.

While waiting for the two sides to meet with the catch, we took a walk along the grey sand beach for a breath of fresh sea breeze and to catch the rising sun partially hidden by grey skies. By the time we got back to Bay’s Inn, the two groups of rope-tugging fishermen have already brought the fishing net ashore, yielding them a small amount of catch.

As I walked along the beach, I chanced upon what I first thought a father-and-son tandem, playing on the beach and seemed oblivious to the world around them.

At Bay’s Inn, we enjoyed an al fresco breakfast with a fare called Pinoy Big Breakfast – which included daing na isda (fried salted fish), longganisa (local pork sausage), ginisang itlog at kamatis (sauteed eggs with tomatoes), and garlic rice. We also savoured delish side dishes of crispy beef tapa flakes and talong (eggplant) salad.

Bay’s Inn’s Pinoy Big Breakfast: daing na isda, longganisa, garlic fried rice, and sauteed eggs with tomatoes.

Crispy delicious Beef Tapa Flakes.

Succulent and fresh Talong (Eggplant) Salad with red salted eggs.

After breakfast, we rushed back to our host accommodation to freshen up for the rest of the day’s commemorative activities in the town plaza. We arrived quite late so we did not catch all the formal proceedings and the parade as they happened.

This year’s festivities carried the theme “Bayang Pinagpala sa Masaganang Kalikasan, Pahalagahan, Pagyamanin, Pangunahing Adhikain” (“Town Blessed with Abundant Natural Resources, Nurture, Treasure, Our Main Aim”).

Leading the “Baler 2006” festivities were the Angaras - Senator Edgardo J. Angara, his sister, Aurora Province Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, House Deputy Minority Leader Juan Edgardo Angara, and Mayor Arthur Angara.

Baler’s 397th anniversary festivities kicked off last August 14 when the municipal government launched a jobs fair, a mini trade fair highlighting the “sabutan” weaving industry, the search for Ms. Baler and Little Ms. Baler, and a street dancing competition, among other activities.

The auspicious day was marked by the unveiling of a new 230-kilo bronze statue of the late President Manuel L. Quezon, in commemoration of his 128th birth anniversary, on the grounds of Museo de Baler. The statue was created by Julie Llutch and commissioned by Senator Angara. Present during the unveiling ceremonies were Nini Quezon-Avancena - the late President’s daughter, Senator Edgardo Angara, Aurora Province Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, House Deputy Minority Leader Juan Edgardo Angara, Mayor Arthur Angara, other government officials and guests.

Group photo-op in front of the Museo de Baler with the late President’s daughter Nini Quezon Avancena, Senator Edgardo Angara and other guests. [ Photography by Yvette Lee. ]

Posing with Nini Quezon Avancena at the new 230-kilo bronze commemorative statue of the late President Quezon. The statue replaced the old marker which is a replica of the old Quezon house, now located in another corner of the Museo de Baler grounds. [ Photography by Yvette Lee. ]

Inside the Museo de Baler with Cesar Christopher Gonzales - Aurora Provincial Tourism Officer, Joy Yuzon, Christine Dayrit and Loida Rapal. [ Photography by Yvette Lee. ]

After a hearty lunch of more glorious food, the group embarked on an adventure trek to the Ditumabo Falls.

Ditumabo Falls, locally referred to as the “Mother Falls,” is located in Barangay Ditumabo in the nearby town of San Luis, about 15 minutes drive from Barangay Reserva in Baler. The 45-minute trek to the falls is an experience in itself.

The trek to the falls traverses a couple of kilometers through rough terrain of countless natural rock formations, narrow makeshift bridges and steep stairs carved out of tree trunks, steep mountain trails, with occasional dips in the crystal clear river streams along the way.

The path seemed like an ongoing preview of the main feature called “Mother Falls,” raising the anticipation and excitement each and evry minute of the trek. About a hundred meters away, and one final ascent via another steep wooden stair, the gushing waters of the Ditumabo Falls could be heard. And as I tried to catch up with my breathing it was there in front of me! It was an awesome and unforgettable sight - a monstrous and towering rush of water down a 140-foot high wall surrounded by huge cliffs.

While some took a dip in the cool waters cascading down from the falls, we contented ourselves with a photo-op that took forever to finish owing to the mist from the gushing waters and the light winds.

From the cool waters of Ditumabo Falls, we stopped by Aurora Hats & Crafts, where the ladies excitedly tried on woven hats in different colours and trimmings, made out of the local “sabutan” before leaving with a hoard more than enough to match a week’s change of wardrobe for the Ascot Races!

Special thanks to the Aurora Tourism Office team headed by Provincial Tourism Officer Cesar Christopher Gonzales; Joy A. Yuzon of SEDJA’s office; Mac Ritual and Andy; Mr. Ben Rivera of the KKKD, a people’s organization taking care of the Ditumabo Falls; and the men of San Luis PNP Unit.