Destination: Baler

About Baler

Baler is the oldest municipality of the the province of Aurora. Sitting at the coastline in the easternmost side of Luzon, Baler became famous as a surfing destination, not just for locals but also for thrill-seeking Manilenos and foreigners. With surf waves almost all year round, Sabang and Cemento Beach became the destination for competing surfers, vying for the annual Aurora Surfing Cup. Baler is the seat of government of the province and is also the most progressive, where most of the resorts and business establishments can be located.  

History 

The town of Baler was founded in 1609. Its original name was Kinagunasan and its first inhabitants were the Angara, Bitong, Carrasco and Lumasac families. In December 1735, a tidal wave struck and completely engulfed Kinagunasan. The wave struck the town without warning at 2 a.m., and within an hour the entire town was gone. The parish priest of Casiguran, who was then visiting Baler, managed to survive by swimming to the hill of Point Baja. Other survivors included the families of Angara and Bitong. The sudden onslaught of the wave and the fact that the nearby towns of Casiguran, Dipaculao and Dingalan were left untouched has turned the catastrophe into a folk legend of biblical proportions. By 1737, Franciscan priests had established a barangay form of government in the area. A revolutionary government took over Baler from 1898 to 1901. Baler is home to the Baler Catholic Church, where in 1899, Spanish resistance fighters held off an onslaught from American troops until they finally surrendered on July 2, 1899. On November 1, 1901, the Americans established a municipal government in Baler. (from http://www.aurora.ph/baler.html)

How to get there

The easiest way to get to Baler is by public transport. The only direct bus route to Baler from Manila is by taking the Genesis Transport Bus, terminal located along EDSA in Cubao, Quezon City. The trip may take 6-7 hours passing through the provinces of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija. Another option is to take the 5-Star bus going to Cabanatuan City or take north-bound buses going to Tuguegarao, Aparri and Ilagan and get off in Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija. From there, take a bus (Pantranco, Sierra Madre buses) or a jeepney ride straight to Baler. If you have a private vehicle, take the North Luzon Expressway and take a right in the Sta. Rita exit, go straight to Cabanatuan City. From Cabanatuan City Proper, follow signs leading to Bongabon until you come to a fork, where you see a sign "to Baler" headed right. Turn right and you will reach the foot of the Baler-Bongabon highway which eventually runs right into Aurora National Memorial Park. Beware of wild zigzagging roads, fast trucks and landslides during rainy season. Use this opportunity to view the lush virgin forests of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. After approximately 150 kilometers, you will see the Aurora Welcome Arch. Proceed until you reach the town of San Luis. Stay on the highway until you see the sign going to Baler, and you will be in its town proper within minutes. 

Where to stay

There are a number of options, here's the entire list. But if I have to recommend, I'd say take the Bay's Inn Resort, its along Sabang beach and their restaurant is just along the coast - great place to have your breakfast.

• ALIYA SURF & DIVE RESORT
  Contact person: Roy Angara
  Contact number: 09297586005
  Email add: iracon@yahoo.com
  Facebook: aliya surf camp
• AMIHAN APLAYA LODGE
  103 Bgy Sabang Baler, Aurora
  Contact person: Lina Ferreras
  Contact #: 0918-693-5904 / 0918-426-3268 / 0918-632-8566
• AMCO BEACH RESORT
  Bgy. Sabang Baler, Aurora
  Contact person: Adelaida Miemban
  Contact #: 0920-9190590 / 0918-238-3977 / 0909-406-8278
• BAHIA DE BALER II
  Brgy. Sabang, baler, Aurora
  Contact person: Camille Pedreno
  Contact Number: 0916-770-1980 / 0928-687-5424
  e-mail : camille@bahiadebaler.com
• BAHIA DE BALER GARDEN RESORT & RESTAURANT I
  Bgy. Sabang Baler, Aurora
  Contact person: Meryl Kate Almarez
  Contact #: 0921-576-5655
• BAY'S INN
  Bgy. Sabang Baler, Aurora
  Contact Person: Rhoda / Ledda
  Contact#: 0908-982-3509 / 0915-607-7391
• CARLITO'S INN
  P. T. Ong St., Brgy. Suklayin, Baler, Aurora
  Contact Person: Aida Viron
  Contact # 0908-872-0816
• CLEMENTE'S RESORT
  Sitio Virrey, Bgy.Pingit Baler, Aurora
  Contact person: Didith Clemente / My-my Tolecina
  Contact #: 0908-558-2470
• ISLA VIRGINIA RESORT
  Brgy. Sabang, Baler, Aurora
  Contact person: Vida Lungalong
  Contact #:0920-755-0467
  Manila Line: (02) 994-7157
  Email: rachellevidareyes@yahoo.com
• KAHEA'S LODGE
  Bgy. Sabang Baler, Aurora
  Contact Person: Edwin Namoro
  Contact #: 0920-710-2634
• LITTLE GIRL'S SURFER LODGE
  Buton St., Brgy, Sabang, Baler, Aurora
  Contact Person: Chona Cope
  Contact #: 0918-685-9449
• MM LODGE
  Bgy. Sabang Baler, Aurora
  Contact person: Engr. Andres Marmol
  Contact #: 0919-537-9405
• MORENO LODGE & RESTAURANT
  Near New Public Market
  Bgy. Suklayin Baler, Aurora
  Contact Person: Myrna Moreno
  Contact #: 0918 4514124/0928 5059354
  Email: moreno.lodge@yahoo.com
• NOEL CARL'S GARDEN AND RESORT
  Bgy. Suklayin Baler, Aurora
  Contact person: Rasy Amatorio
  Contact #: 0918-539-3870
• OASIS OF BALER RESORT
  Bgy. Sabang Baler, Aurora
  Contact Person: Robin Licad / Marvin Licad
  Contact #: 0908-567-3537 / 0928-322-2894
• SANCHEZ RESORT
  Munting Gasang, Cemento, Baler
  Contact Person: Malou Sanchez
  Contact #: 0920-812-9998
• SEA BREEZE LODGE
  Bgy. Sabang Baler, Aurora
  Contact Person: Liwliwa Sanchez
• XTJR TRAVELLER'S INN
  Near Old Public Market
  Bgy Buhangin Baler, Aurora
  Contact Person: Belen Velasco
  Contact#: 0919-879-7447

What to do

SURF! or learn how to surf. There's a surfing school right beside the beach. You can easily rent boards and hire an instructor to teach you the basics. The lecture would take about 15-30 minutes depending on the size of your group - take that 15-30 minute time to muster in the courage for the real thing. Its one thing to stand on the board while on dry land, its definitely harder doing it while riding the surfs. Here's a tip. Its easier to surf on long boards. On your fist lessons, use the big ones, once you get the hang of it, then you can venture on the shorter ones. 

There are other destinations other than the beach. Head to the town proper and visit the Baler Catholic Church and the Baler Museum. You can also ask your hotel to arrange a visit to the Cunayan Falls - don't forget to bring swimming clothes as you wont be able to suppress the urge to take a dip. 

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