Sightseeing

Historical Sights

Aurora is a province blessed with an abundance of tourist attractions. It has its share of historical sights such as the home and resthouse of former Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon. The province also has a beautiful Catholic church and several historical markers. Its natural attractions include picturesque waterfalls, lush greenery on mountainsides, and panoramic beaches. Surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, mountain climbing and trekking are only some of the activities a tourist can enjoy in Aurora.

Doña Aurora Memorial Shrine

Aurora Quezon Marker

Location: Poblacion, Baler

Getting There: From the bus station at the Baler market, take a tricycle and ask to be taken to the site.

Travel Time: 3-5 minutes

Not far from the Lt. Gilmore Marker and the Baler Catholic Church is the historic marker built in honor of Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon, the wife of Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon. Aurora Quezon was known for her untiring efforts in social welfare, especially for the benefit of the people of Aurora province. Like her husband, she was born in the town of Baler. She died in an ambush on the mountain roads of Nueva Ecija leading to the province that now bears her name.

Baler Catholic Church

Location: Poblacion, Baler

Getting There: From the bus station at the Baler market, take a tricycle and ask to be taken to the church.

Travel Time: 3-5 minutes

The structure is an old church with a simple facade. Here, the last Spanish garrison of four officers and 50 men was besieged by Filipino insurgents from June 27, 1898 to July 2, 1899. This was the last pocket of resistance of the Spanish Armed Forces to surrender to American troops. This is also where the La Campana de Baler, an ancient bell, was used and later stored as a relic.

Lt. Commander James Gilmore Marker

Location: Poblacion, Baler

Getting There: From the bus station at the Baler market, take a tricycle and ask to be taken to the site.

Travelling Time: 3-5 minutes

From the left wall of the Baler Catholic Church stands a simple marker for Lt. Commander James Gilmore, who commanded the U.S. gunboat Yorktown and was captured with all his men when he came to Baler, Aurora in April 1899 to relieve the Spanish soldiers besieged in the church of Baler.

Quezon House

Location: Barangay Cemento, Baler

Getting There:The best means to go there is by private vehicle as there is no regular public transport going to Barangay Cemento from the Baler town proper. It is also possible to take a tricycle from Baler to Barangay Sabang and take a 45-minute walk to Barangay Cemento, but one would have to wade through the river that cuts between the two barangays.

Travel Time: Approximately an hour's drive

Once the vacation home of President Manuel L. Quezon, the house is a short walk from Cemento Beach. Today, only the foundation and a cement staircase remain; the house was destroyed by a typhoon.

Quezon Memorial Park

Location: Poblacion, Baler

Getting There: From the bus station at the Baler market, one can walk to the site.

Travel Time: 3-5 minutes

This quiet park of trees and lawns was developed in honor and in memory of the late president Manuel L. Quezon. A marker fenced by concrete and set on a circular cement platform serves as a landmark of Baler, the birthplace of Quezon.

continued >>

TOURISM