AURORA, PHILIPPINES

A Profile

History

Aurora Province traces its beginnings to the pre-colonial period when

indigenous tribes of Ilongots and Dumagats established settlements in its mountains
and coastlands. There are evidences of trading activity between these communities
and Chinese merchants who periodically visited the area to trade Chinese porcelain
and fineries with gold and forest products.

The Franciscans, under the leadership of Fray Blas Palomino, were the first
Spaniards to establish their presence in the province. In 1609, a mission center was
established in Baler, the province’s present capital. With the expansion of the
Catholic faith in the area, migrants from neighboring areas, as well as those coming
from as far as the Visayas, started settlements in the province.

In 1735, the township of Baler was wiped out by a tidal wave known as the
“Tromba Marina,” leaving only 7 surviving families. The old settlement was later
transferred to its present location to avoid a similar catastrophe.

The whole land area of the Province of Aurora was originally composed of
the municipalities of Baler and Casiguran. These municipalities were administered as
part of Tayabas until the Province of Nueva Ecija was established in the early 19th
century. In 1856, the eastern coast of Nueva Ecija was created into a district called
“El Principe”. Thus, Baler and Casiguran were part of Nueva Ecija until 1902 when
the Commonwealth Government abolished the district and annexed it to the Province
of Tayabas.

Maria Aurora was carved out of the Municipality of Baler and became a
municipality on 21 July 1950 through Executive Order 246 signed by the late Pres.
Elpidio Quirino while Dipaculao was created out of the original Casiguran through
Executive Order 375 issued on 27 November 1950. These four municipalities
composed the first Aurora sub-province created as an administrative area under
Quezon Province through Republic Act 648 that was signed into law on 14 June
1951. Its first Lieutenant Governor was Pedro V. Guerrero appointed by the late
President Elpidio Quirino.

Other municipalities of Aurora Sub-Province were carved out from these

municipalities. The Municipal District of San Luis was created by virtue of R.A.
2452 and became a regular municipality on 16 June 1959, through the passage of RA
3487. The Municipal District of Dilasag created by virtue of R.A. 2452 on 21 June
1959 and turned into a regular municipality by R.A. 7776 signed on 21 June 1969.
Dingalan was created as a Municipal District in May 1956 and a regular municipality
on 16 June 1962 by virtue of R.A. 3980. The municipality of Dinalungan created as
municipality on 16 June 1966 by virtue of R.A. 4759.
 On 21 November 1978 the Province of Aurora was created under Batas
Pambansa Blg. 07 and subsequently ratified through a plebiscite in May 1979. The
Province was named in honor of Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon and celebrates its
Foundation Day simultaneously with Doña Aurora’s Birth Anniversary on 19
February.

On 23 May 2002, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive

Order No. 103 that redefined the composition of Central Luzon and Southern
Tagalog administrative region. The Province of Aurora was included as the seventh
province of Central Luzon while the rest of Southern Tagalog was divided into two
regions, namely, the CALABARZON and the MIMAROPA regions.

Given its wealth of natural and culturall resources, as well as its strategic
location, the Province of Aurora, under the leadership of its eighth Governor, the
Honorable Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo, is poised to become the next trade, industry,
and tourism hub in Central Luzon.

People

The Province of Aurora is predominantly inhabited by Tagalogs and

Ilocanos. The combination of these groups’ distinct cultures is made even more
vibrant with the rich heritage of Aurora’s Dumagat, Ilongot and Igorot communities.
Tagalog is the most widely spoken language in the province, while Ilocano,
Kasiguranin, Bicolano and Visayan languages are also spoken in certain areas.

Agriculture, fishing, and forestry are the main sources of livelihood of

Aurorans. Endowed with rich land and seas, the province offers a wealth of products
including rice, corn, coconut, as well as a wide variety of marine products. Weaving
is also a major industry in Aurora. Local artisans create bags, mats, hats and other
handicrafts from sabutan, a local pandan variety valued for its natural luster and
durability. In addition, the province’s furniture and handicraft industries are fast
emerging as the showcase of the Auroran’s innate creativity and ingenuity.

Aurora’s capital town, Baler, is the center of festivities of the Philippine-

Spanish Friendship Day commemorated every June 30. It was on this day when
President Emilio Aguinaldo decreed that the Spanish soldiers who surrendered
during the Siege of Baler in 1899 were not to be treated as prisoners of war, but
friends of the new Republic, to be granted a safe return to their home country. The
annual event pays tribute to the rare display of magnanimity and friendship of local
soldiers to a former enemy and colonizer, and the valor, heroism, and love of country
of Spanish soldiers who have conceded with dignity to the real sovereign power in
the Philippines.
 The enduring legacies of the Christian faith can be seen in Aurora with the
staging of the Komedya, a local depiction of the fight between the Moors and the
Christians, in an elaborate show of colorfull costumes and heart-stopping swordplay
during the fiesta season. Come the Lenten Season, the Penitensya remains a major
religious spectacle where flagellants join the Good Friday procession to show respect
to the Santo Entierro (Dead Christ).

Aurora is also home to the country’s oldest surfing community. The local
surfers’ love affair with the sport traces its roots to the filming of “Apocalypse
Now,” whose popular surfing scene was shot in the province in the 70s. Every
February, the province plays host to the Aurora Surfing Cup, which, through the
years, has established a steady following of local and international surfing
enthusiasts.

The Aurorans’ unique brand of merry-making can be experienced throughout

the year, in fiestas and festivals celebrated in its eight municipalities. Every February
19, Aurora celebrates its founding anniversary with a week-long revelry – a
celebration of the wealth and beauty of one of the Philippines’ best kept jewels.