Aurora

Land Area & Location Land Area Aurora Province has a total land area of 323,954 hectares, representing about one percent of the country's total land area. Location Aurora Province is located on o n the East-Central side of Luzon Island. It is the no rth-eastern most  province of Central Luzon (Region III). It is bordered on the north by the pro vinces of Isabela and Qurino, on the west by Nueva Ecija and Nueva Viscaya, on the south by Bulacan and Quezon, and on the east by the Pacific Ocean. The province's main link to the rest of Luzon is through a narrow mountain mounta in gravel road that twists through the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The road is located between Baler and Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.

Topography The province of Aurora covers the eastern portion of the Sierra Madre Mou ntains, ntains, hence it is generally mountainous. There are flat lands unevenly distributed throughout the province. Its coastline spans 332 kilometers in length. The municipality municipality of o f Dingalan, in the south, has the t he most irregular topography. The main drainage systems of Aurora consist of six rivers: y y y y y y

Aguang River, Baler  Calabgan River, Casiguran Ditale River, Dipaculao Dibatuan River, Dipaculao Ibuna River, Dingalan Sinagnuan River, Dingalan

Climate Rainfall Aurora's climate is characterized by rainfall that is evenly distributed throughout the year, since Aurora faces the Pacific Ocean and has no barriers to shield it from typhoons co ming from the east. Tropical cyclones are also a seasonal occurrence.

The average monthly rainfall is 273.9 millimeters. millimeters. Rainfall is heaviest during the months of  January, February, April, October, and No vember, while August is the driest month.

Wind Current

The province experiences two t wo main wind currents. From November to April, the t rade wind generally reaches the province from fro m an easterly direction. The wind then moves in a southwesterly direction for the rest of the year. In Casiguran, the wind comes from the north from October to March and the t he South from April to September. The T he average annual wind speed is four knots. Temperature The mean monthly temperature of o f Aurora is 25.3 degrees Celsius. The coldest co ldest months are January and February, with w ith a temperature ranging from 19.3 to 20.4 degrees Celsius. The warmest months are from June to July, with te mperature from 30 to 33 degrees Celsi Ce lsius. us.

HISTORY y y y y y y y y y y y y y y

RELATED ARTI CLES excerpts from Sen. Ed Angara's book - Baler, Aurora Baler For All Time Geography Baler and Its People Prehistory Agta / Dumagat Spanish Occupation Baler Revolt Start of Baler Siege Baler Siege (Part 1) Baler Siege (Part 2) Baler Siege Versions and Contradictions During The American Period

The Province of Aurora, with Baler as its capital, was founded by President Ferdinand E. Marcos in August 13, 1979 by virtue of Batas Bambansa Blg. 7. This T his act was the fulfillment of the  prayers of the people of o f the former Municipalities of Baler and Casiguran to be truly independent from the Province of Quezon for the first time since the Spanish occupation. occupat ion.

Early History

In 1572, the Spanish explorer Juan de Salcedo became the first European to visit the region that would be known as Aurora while he

was exploring the northern coast of Luzon. Salcedo reportedly visited the to wns of Casiguran, Baler and Infanta. In the early days of the Spanish colonial period, Aurora was ecc lesiastically linked to Infanta, which today rests further south in the Province of Quezon. The earliest missionaries in the  province were the Franciscans, who had established missions in Baler and Casiguran in 1609. Due to lack of available personnel, the region was given to t he jurisdiction of the Agustinians and Recollects in 1658, but was returned to the Friars Minor in 1703. Other early missions included Dipaculao, established in 1719, and Casiguran, in 1753. The early history of Aurora is linked to Quezon Province, of which it originally formed a part, and Nueva Ecija. In 1591, Quezon (then named Kalilaya) was organized into a district that included a good portion of what now constitutes the Provinces of Laguna and Nueva Ecija. The original capital of Quezon was Kalilaya, now known as Unisan. In 1701, Nueva Ecija was split from Kalilaya Province. Around 1749, t he provincial capital was transferred from Kalilaya to the town of Tayabas. The entire province then took on the name of Tayabas as well.

1800s to American Occupation In 1818, Nueva Ecija annexed the towns of Palanan from the Province of Isabela, as well as Baler, Casiguran, Infanta and Polillo Island, from Tayabas. Between 1855 and 1885, Aurora (then named El Principe) was declared a comandancia politico-militar, with its capital at Baler. During the Philippine Revolution of 1898, a provincial revolutionary government was instituted  briefly in El Principe. During this period, Bo ndo, formerly under the municipal jurisdiction of  Mulanay, was made a separate municipality. With the arrival of the Americans in the 1890s, a short-lived military government was established, followed by a civil government for this "district", established on June 12, 1902. In concert with the installation of the latter civil provincial government, the district of El Principe was transferred from the administrative jurisdiction of Nueva Ecija, which had co ntrolled it since 1818, and placed under the jurisdiction of Tayabas.

The Birth of a Province It wasn't until after World War II, however, that this part o f Quezon Province languished in extreme isolation from neighboring pro vinces and cities. It was Mayor Pedro V. Guerrero, with the prodding of Doa Aurora Aragon Quezon, who sought the creation of a Sub-Province of Aurora, named in honor  of Doa Aurora, as a stop-gap measure to pave the way for the eventual creation of an independent province when the required number of 

municipalities was attained. Guerrero was appointed Lieutenant Governor in recognition of his accomplishment. In 1951 the municipalities of Baler, Casiguran, Dilasag, Dipaculao, Dinalongan, Dingalan, Maria Aurora and San Luis were o fficially formed into the Sub-Province of Aurora by virtue of  Republic Act 646. The dream of converting the Sub-Province into a regular province was indefatigably pursued by Atty. Luis S. Etcubaez, who has the distinction of being the last Lieutenant Governor of the Sub-Province of Aurora. Etcubaez was appointed as the first Governor of Aurora when it  became the 73rd province of the country in 1979. Etcubaez issued an Executive Order  declaring February 19 of each year Aurora Foundation Day in honor of the late Doa Aurora Quezon.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE Population Population Size Aurora Province has a population of approximately 173,797 based on the May 2000 national census. It has a density of 54 persons per square kilometer, the fifith lowest in the co untry. The  province's growth rate has slowed down to an annual rate of 1.84%. Demographics Aurora has a predominantly rural population. Approximately 75.85% percent of the total  populace lives in rural areas, while the remaining 24.15% lives in urban areas.

Aurora has a large youth demographic, with 43.16 percent of the total population younger than 15 years of age. The largest age group, however, is the 15 to 64 range, which comprises 50.68  percent of the population. Those aged 65 years and older represent the remaining 2.56 percent. The sex ratio is 106 males for every 100 females.

Education Aurora's educational needs are met by public institutions consisting of 128 primary and elementary schools, 25 secondary schools, and one state college. This is augmented by 25 private elementary and

secondary schools as well as three private colleges. Public schools dominate the educational system of the province. Forty-seven percent of the total household population aged five years and older have attended or  completed elementary education while 29.74% have attended or completed secondary studies. Only 7.89% of the population attended or completed college. The rest had either vocational  background or had not gone to school. While there were more males who attended o r finished elementary and secondary studies, females holding academic degrees and post baccalaureate courses outnumbered males. According to the country's Department of Education (DepEd), Aurora's population showed a literacy rate of 94.54% in 2000.

Healthcare The province has four government hospitals located in the municipalities of Baler, Casiguran, Maria Aurora, and Dingalan. It has 44 barangay health stations, mainly located in the central municipalities. Each municipality has a health ce nter to support the hospitals in bringing medical assistance to the barangays. Health manpower under the Department of Health Provincial Health Office include 19  physicians, 24 nurses, 52 midwives, 9 dentists, 9 sanitary inspectors, 4 medical technologists, 2  pharmacists, 2 health inspectors, a nutritionist/dietician and a sanitary engineer.

Recreation Recreational facilities totaled 246 in 1988. The majority of facilities, or 41.9 percent of the provincial total, are located in the municipalities of Maria Aurora and Dingalan. The most common types of recreational facilities are basketball and volleyball courts, which can be found in virtually every municipality and many barangays. Pool halls are also popular. Cockfighting is the most popular form of recreation for men. Mo st of the cockfighting enthusiasts from the central zone and nort hern towns still go to Baler and San Luis to enjoy the sport. Only three movie houses were operating in Aurora as of 1988. They are located in the municipalities of Baler, Dipaculao and Maria Aurora, respectively.

Security & Safety Three Philippine National Police (PNP) forces maintain peace and order in Aurora. T hey are stationed in Baler, Casiguran and Maria Aurora, respectively. There are also a number of PNP detachments in other areas of the province. In addition, each municipality has its own police headquarters.

Manila-Baler Flights SEAir's planes are flying between Manila and Ba ler once again. Flight Schedule Route Manila - Baler Baler - Manila

Flight No. Days DG295 Monday / Friday DG296 Monday / Friday

Departure Arriva l 1:50 pm 2:40 pm 3:00 pm 3:50 pm

Rates y y y

Manila - Baler: Php 3,314.08 Baler - Manila: Php 3,330.88 Roundtip: Php 6,644.96

For ticket reservations, please contact +63(2) 709-0545 or 44 and look for Patty or Rio.

HOTELS & RESORTS Most of the resorts are located in Baler town where most tourists stay overnight. Dingalan has some beach resorts but no information is available as of now. Tourists who trek to the rest of the  province either go back to Baler for the evening or stay with relatives and hospitable strangers nearby. Camping is also an o ption. Not much information exists on accommodations in Aurora  but we will update this section, as facts are made available to us.

AMCO Beach Resort

AMCO Beach Resort is a low-rise colonial style bu ilding with halls overlooking the driveway. Although the property is not beach front, facilities/amenities include private bathrooms and different types of bedrooms. As one of the b iggest resorts around, AMCO is ideal for  conferences and conventions. Rates range from PhP400 to PhP500 per night. For reservations, call + 63 (44) 552-4209.

Angara's Beach House The Baler Guesthouse is located in Barangay Sabang, conveniently by Sabang Beach. It has seven regular rooms. There are also two public bathrooms and a public co mfort room. The restaurant can seat as many as 50 diners. The resort is personally managed by its o wner, Karen. It is situated right behind Bay's Inn and although it does not have a beach view, it o ffers its guests a  private, well-landscaped garden ideal for meditation. Rates range from PhP300 to PhP500 per  night. For reservations, call +63 (42) 209-422.

Bay's Inn Arguably the most popular resort in Sabang, Bay's Inn boasts panoramic views of Baler Ba y, the Pacific Ocean and surrounding cliffs and beaches. It remains a favorite among foreign guests and out-of-town surfers. Formerly known as Ocean View, this resort located in Barangay Sabang, Baler, has a booking office in Metro Manila. The booking office is at 20 Lanutan Street, Project 7 in Quezon City. The resort has accommodations for up to 32 guests and a restaurant that serves a maximum o f 70  people. Rates range from PhP400 to PhP500 per night. They also rent surfboards for PhP150/day and boogie boards for PhP75/day. For reservations, call +63 (2) 410-0643.

MIA (Make It Aurora) Surf & Sports Resort Located along Sabang Beach in Barangay Sabang, Baler, the MIA Surf & Sports Resort offers various accommodations. Five VIP rooms have their own flush toilets, showers and electric fans. There are also seven single rooms and four double rooms. There is a restaurant with a seating capacity of 100. The resort offers facilities for horseback riding and rental of equipment for  surfing, windsurfing and snorkeling.

FAST FACTS Geographical

Location

Mid-eastern coast of  Luzon Region 4

Boundaries  North  Northwest West Southwest South East

Isabela & Quirino Province  Nueva Vizcaya Province  Nueve Ecija Province Bulacan Province Quezon Province Pacific Ocean

Legal Basis of Creation

Batas Pambansa Blg. 7 August 13, 1979

 Number of  Municipalities

8 (Baler as capital) August 13, 1979

 

Number of Barangays

152

Dominant Population

Tagalog and Ilocano

Population

159,621 (NSO, Sept. 1, 1995)

Population Growth Rate

2.6%

Total No. of Households

31,340

Ave. Household Size

5.1

Population Density

51.5 persons per sq. km

Topography

Generally

mountainous

with 30% coastal flatlands Forest Cover

70%

Total Land Area

323,954 hectares

Forest Land

230,000 hectares

Virgin dipterocarp rainforest

39,000 hectares

Climate

Type IV under corona's classification

Average Rainfall

273.9 mm. (monthly ave.)

Road Network

1.507,682 kms. (1993) a) 1,468,061 km gravel  b) 7,736 km - asphalt c) 31,885 km - concrete

Literacy Rate

86% (DECS, 1995)

Schools (DECS, 1999) Elementary Secondary Tertiary

125 31 2

Employment (NSO, Sept. 1, 1995) Agriculture/Fishing Forestry Services Trade Manufacturing Construction Oil

53.5% 21.8% 11.5% 8.8% 3.8% 0%

Major Crops Produced Area

Coconut Rice Banana

Production 42,000 21, 618 ha T/year  24,000 8,945 ha T/year  1,443 3,900 T/year 

Length of Shoreline

328 kilometers

Total Area for  Agricultural Expansion

58,692 has. (19.59 %)

Present Land Use Build Up Residential Institutional Commercial Recreational Industrial Roads

2,388 ha 272 ha 64 ha 24 ha 14 ha 103 ha (Poblacion only)

Agricultural Land Riceland Cocoland Other Crops Fishpond Diversified Crops

14,084.82 ha 17,817.39 ha 1,493.60 ha 77.65 ha 128.50 ha

Forestland Watershed Forest Reservation Timberland w/o legal Proclamation CB-FM Agreement Cert. Of Ancestral Domain Certificate Integrated Social Forestry Lowland Forest Beach Forests Mangrove Forests Social Industrial Forest Mgt. Agreement  National Park  IFMA Riverwash Wetland Grassland Reforestation Shrubland TLA Military Reservation  Non-Christian Reservation Kaingin Water Reservoir

43,324.642 ha 150,879.86 ha 8,091.51 ha 22,559.0 ha 2,757.0 ha 1,112.04 ha 405.07 ha 537.83 ha 3,157.20 ha 1,745.59 ha 6,760.86 ha

2,709.8 ha 679.47 ha 10,995.93 ha 306.62 ha 6,968 ha 7,107.65 ha 3,904.37 ha 62.69 ha 1,408 ha 28 ha

Miscellaneous Land Use Swamp Beach Sand

45.10 ha 852.41 ha

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. Quezo n. The  province also has a beautiful Catholic church and several historical markers. Its natural attractions include picturesque waterfalls, lush greenery on mounta insides, 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 to follow

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 tak e 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 o f Quezon.

CULTURAL

& RELIGIOUS EVENTS &

SIGHTS Moro-Moro Zarsuela Location: Baler  Presented on February 19 (Aurora Day) in Baler, Aurora, the "Zarsuela" is an interplay of drama and dance. Taking three days to complete (although it could be shortened to a day), the "Zarsuela"  performed here is composed of several acts that revolve around the main theme of Moro-Moro or Moslem-Christian conflict. The "Zarsuela" presents slightly different variations for the Moro-Moro theme year after year. T he roles of princes and princesses, warriors and laymen for both the Christian and Moslem sides are  performed in dance, while a narrator accompanies the pantomime act. What makes this particular   performance more dramatic is that real knives a nd bolos are used. Often in the heat of the  presentation, miscalculations result in knife and bolo gashes. Both actors and actresses  participate in this particularly sensitive and dangerou s sword-play. Only beautiful, graceful ladies and handsome men are chosen and trained for the theater. Indeed, this is a cultural theater  that demands talent, beauty, skills and courage from the actors, and highly skilled and experienced trainers are needed to create this unique style of "Zarsuela".

Santo Entierro

Location: Baler  A glass coffin encasing a statue of Jesus Christ is displayed in a makeshift wooden chapel in Baler. The name of the sculptor is lost; however, locals claim that this icon possesses miraculous powers and grants miracles to those who believe. During Holy Week  albularyos (spiritual doctors) and amulet holders flock to this revered statue to insert their anting-anting (amulets) into the niches o f the coffin. After Good Friday, they retrieve their respective amulets now "recharged with power." It is also said that the amulets in the niches are visible only to their owners.

Ermita Hill Location: Casiguran Located in the Poblacion of Casiguran town, Ermita Hill provides an enchanting view of the entire Poblacion, the dark blue coast of  Casiguran Bay and the barrios nearby. Aside from its magnificent landscape, Ermita Hill is known as a sacred haven for religious activities by devotees of the Miraculous Mother Mary, of whom a life-size statue is situated in a grotto on top of the hill. Under the Spanish rule, a Watchtower was  built to guard the town aga inst possible attackers. Governor Bella Angara-Castillo (then a Congresswoman) appropriated funding for the prevent ion of erosion of the hillside and its  beautification.

NATURE AREAS & BEACHES Ampere Beach Location: Ampere, Dipaculao Getting

There: From Baler town proper, take a tricycle going to Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banca and ask to be taken to the site. Travel Time: One hour  This beach is covered with smooth rocks of various sizes and darker co lor. This beach is an area called Bunga Point or Ampere Point, where local residents flock to Okotan Cave, a time-honored

locale for forecasting the weather. The Pacific waves, upon hitting the shoreline cave, produce an explosion, the intensity of which, according to local lore, determines the intensity of the incoming weather.

Aniao Islets Location: Off the coast of Barangay Zabali, Baler  Getting

There: Take a tricycle from Baler to wn proper to the river  outlet south of Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banca which can take you to the area. Travel Time: Five minutes by tricycle and 20 minutes by boat Two small but imposing islands lie south of the islet of Dimadimalangat. These islets jut straight from the sea like bullets, with shrubs, small trees and other greenery growing on top surfaces. Kingfishers, gulls and hawks use these islets as looko ut points for fish. Towering waves relentlessly pound the base of the formations, challenging even the most intrepid of rock  climbers.

Balete Park & Millennium Tree Location: Maria Aurora This park contains a 600-year-old balete tree that was designated the official "Millennium Tree" of The Philippines. It is the largest tree of its kind in Asia, and it would take 60 grown men, holding one another at arm's length, to encircle its gigantic trunk. Due to its age, the tree's thick roots have grown above ground, such that caves have formed under various sections of the trunk. This unique tree has generated national media attention and is now the most visited tourist spot in Aurora.

Banju Springs Location: Barangay Real, San Luis Getting

There:Take a private vehicle or hire a jeep from Baler town  proper to Barangay Real in San Luis. Another kilometer-and-a-half 

walk on a rough road passing through a rice field will take you to this site. Travel Time: Approximately an hour's drive  Natural terraced steps overflowing with spring water best describe the Banyu Springs. A mass of  ferns surrounds the springs, which stretch up to a hundred meters toward the source of the spr ing, hidden amidst shrubbery. Because a cement quarry located under the spring flow was exposed and weathered due to the constant flow of water, the cement settled into a terraced formation.

Borlongan Beach Location: Barangay Borlongan, Dipaculao Getting

There: From Baler town proper, take a tricycle going to Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banca that can take you to the site. Travel Time: About two hours Borlongan Beach, like Ampere Beach, is covered for several kilometers with gray pebbles and smooth, fist-size stones. This makes Borlongan beachfront different from most other beaches.

Casiguran

Sound

Location: Casiguran Getting

There: Hire a motorized banca from Baler town proper and head north.

Travel Time: Approximately 5.5 hours Casiguran Sound is a bay nearly enclosed by the Casiguran landmass and the cape of San Ildefonso. Only a kilometer-wide inlet serves to connect t he sound to the sea. Its very location  provides protection from the typhoons that seasonally ravage most of the province. Casiguran Sound is also unaffected by the monsoon winds that blow from October through February, making it an ideal spot for windsurfing, should facilities be available. For the time being, bring your own windsurfing equipment. The area has its share of white beaches and numerous places for relaxation. Many foreigners have taken advantage of the natural placidity, having built vacation homes along the coast.

Cemento

Beach & Reef 

Location: Barangay Cemento, Baler  Getting

There: Take a tricycle from Baler to wn proper to the river  outlet south of Sabang Beach. From there, you can either hire a motorized banca for a 10-minute ride to the reef, or take a 40-minute walk. White sand, seashells, and crushed cora ls carpet the stretch of Cemento Beach. From October to February, waves tower up to 14 feet high, making for excellent and challenging surfing, as experts from Europe, Japan and Australia can att est. The area is recommended for expert or   professional surfers as the waves break at the reef and are of the right-hand break type. The surfer is advised to wear wetsuits for protection. The area is also suitable for snorkeling and wall diving during the calm season from April to June. Finally, Cemento Beach is a popular haven for lobsters and other marine species.

Cunayan

Falls

Location: Barangay Pimentel, San Luis Getting

There: Hire a jeep or take a private vehicle from Baler town  proper to Barangay Real in San Luis, where a short walk from the end of the road near the river will take you to the falls. Travel Time: Two hours Barely a hundred meters away from a dirt road passable to most vehicles, Cunayan Falls is one of the more accessible falls of Aurora. The falls strongly sprays from a cliff where greenery and even some flowers grow, creating a great contrast against the white and light gray gravel sand area washed out by intermittent floods. The falls flow into a crystal clear stream tinged only by the blue reflection of the sky and its mild temperature makes it ideal for baths. The gravel bank  of the stream is a sandy area suitable for picnics.

Dibut Bay Location: Off Barangay Dibut, San Luis

Getting

There: From Baler, hire a motorized banca and ask to be taken to the area.

The wide Dibut Bay coast affords numerous sights-island formations, peninsulas, short stretches of beaches, and imposing cliffs. One formation, appropriately named "Birhen" (meaning "virgin"), resembles the Virgin Mary praying amidst the waves. S ince Dibut Bay is not a favored spot for the fishing industry, tourists may catch a glimpse of the magnificent Hammerhead shark  and Mako shark. For diving enthusiasts, moreover, Dibut Bay is the perfect place to test out your  latest flip.

Dicasalarin Bay Location: Dicasalarin, San Luis Getting

There: Take a tricycle from Baler to wn proper to the river  outlet south of Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banca which can take you to the area. Travel Time: Five minutes by tricycle and app roximately 45 minutes  by boat. With beaches, hills, a peninsula, a Grotto of the Blessed Virgin, coves, caves, a cave-pool and reefs; Dicasalarin Bay; while small in area, o ffers hours of recreation and relaxation for the entire family.

Digisit Beach Location: Barangay Zabali, Baler  Getting

There: Take a tricycle from Baler to wn proper to the river  outlet south of Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banca which can take you to the area. Travel Time: Five minutes by tricycle and 30 minutes by boat. From the islands collectively known as Lukso-Lukso, one can hike to the white coral beach of  Barangay Zabali. Digisit Beach stretches to about a kilometer in length. The upper landward shore is mostly sand, while the water shores are barricades of corals forming a protective reef  that prevents strong waves of the Pac ific from smashing onto the shore. The area is good for  diving and, during calmer months, snorkeling.

Dilasag Coast Location: Dilasag Dilasag, a municipality at the northernmost area of Aurora, offers a coast with kilometer upon kilometer of white sand beach alternating occasionally with forests, hills, and cliffs. Its undeveloped features and natural attractions offer tourists the sensation of discovering something new and unspoiled. Inaccessible to most transportation, Dilasag Coast is a true getaway.

Dimadimalangat Islet Location: Off the coast of Barangay Cemento, Baler  Getting

There: Take a tricycle from Baler to wn proper to the river  outlet south of Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banca which can take you to the area. Travel Time: Five minutes by tricycle and 15 minutes by boat. This rock formation is actually a small island just a few meters away from the reef shore of  Barangay Cemento and serves as a point identifying the southernmost tip o f Baler Bay. During low tide, this islet becomes a peninsula, of sorts, where one could walk and wade from the reef  shore to this natural rock formation. Around this island are reefs for the more daring divers.

Dinadiawan Beach Location: Along the Dicadi Highway Getting

There: Take a private vehicle from Baler town proper and use the Dicadi highway to drive north. Travel Time: Four hours Dinadiawan Beach is one o f the most beautiful beaches in Aurora, with a fabulous view of the Pacific Ocean, the lush, d iverse forests of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, and the ro ck  formation along the shoreline. And, Dinadiawan Beach is resort-free.

Dingalan Bay View Site

Location: Barangay Tanawan, Dingalan Getting

There: From Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, take a bus bound for Tanawan

Travel Time: Two hours and 10 minutes "Tanawan," as the place is called, means "viewsite." Upon approaching the border of Dingalan and Nueva Ecija, one passes through an area sloping upwards. At its peak is Dingalan Bay View Site. Undeveloped, except for a solitary nipa hut and several electric po les, the area provides fantastic view of the town and the blue bay, as well as the green mountains and the igneous rock  formations. Dingalan Bay is a total contrast from the hot, dry and brown environment of Nueva Ecija. One would be amazed by the almost sudden emergence of greenery that overlooks Dingalan upon reaching the Bay View Site. Dingalan Bay View Site is a perfect place for   photography and picnicking.

Ditumabo Falls Location: Barangay Ditumabo, San Luis Getting

There: Hire a jeep or take a private vehicle from Baler town  proper going to Bgy. Ditumabo passing through Poblacion San Lu is. From there, it is a 4-km hike o ver rough terrain and river trail. It is advisable to hire guides who are knowledgeable of the area. Travel Time: Two hours and 15 minutes' drive and another 3-hour hike. The crystal clear water of Ditumabo Falls gushes endlessly, flowing and twisting among countless rocks and boulders. The trek to the falls traverses several kilometers through the river  and over a few steep mountain trails surrounding the falls on both banks. Occasionally, the trekker will unavoidably come upon fallen or cut logs that serve as either natural bridges or  obstacles. Approximately 140 feet high, the falls are surrounded by huge cliffs-an unforgettable sight for nature lovers!

Hillsite of Proposed Ermita Park  Location: Barangay Zabali, Baler  Getting

There: Take a tricycle from Baler to wn proper to the river  outlet south of Sabang Beach. From there, one can walk to the site. Travel Time: Five minutes by tricycle, appro ximately 35 minutes'

walk to the foot of the hill and 15 minutes' trek uphill. This shrub-covered area provides an excellent view of the town of Baler, Sabang Beach, Cemento and Dimadimalangat islet. It is a short, steep trek from the foot of the hill, throu gh small trees and cogon grass, to the top. Hidden beneath a clump of trees are the almost unrecognizable remains of a bell tower. Owing to its excellent vantage point, the bell tower was formerly used to warn people of Baler of raiding pirates. During sunny days the p lace is swelteringly hot.

Paltic Falls [Inter-Pacific Forest Resource Corporation (IFR C) Nursery & Falls] Location: Paltic, Dingalan Getting

There: From the town proper, it is possible to reach the site on foot or by any private

vehicle. Travel Time: Approximately 15 minutes' drive. The nursery is used to raise hardwood for replanting logged areas. Trees such as narra, kamagong, mahogany, kapok, yantoc and others are planted in small plastic bags and lined up underneath larger trees that provide shade a nd moisture to the young trees. Not far from this nursery is a stream that leads to two falls, one about 15 feet high and the other about 20 feet high. The falls, approximately 50 meters apart, form pools that are perfect for swimming or relaxing after a poolside picnic.

Lamao Caves Location: Paltic, Dingalan Getting

There: Take a boat from the Dingalan fishing port located north of the town proper.

Travel Time: 35 minutes A dozen caves along the seaside cliff of Paltic, Dingalan, are constantly pounded by Pacific Ocean waves. A few mini-beaches serve as docking points for bancas and during the calmer  months of April to June, one can maneuver a small banca inside the caves. Aside from a small waterfall that trickles outside one of the caves, t he site would seem deceptively ordinary. A c lose inspection inside one of the caves, however, reveals a de lightful natural waterfall gushing from an underground stream. Another cave showers water, giving the impression of an indoor  rainstorm. The shore facing the cave steep ly descends and is immediately immersed in the deep sea. Rare marine life such as giant turtles and some sharks patrol the area. Local fishermen have

spotted more interesting undersea life along the cora l reefs a few hundred meters southeast of the caves. The hills that enco mpass the north and south of the cliff show well-groomed grassland continually caressed by the sea breeze.

Lukso-Lukso Islets Location: Off the coast of Barangay Zabali, Baler  Getting

There: Take a tricycle from Baler to wn proper to the river  outlet south of Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banca which can take you to the area. Travel Time: Five minutes by tricycle and 25 minutes by boat. At least three islets comprise the rock formations known to t he locals as "Lukso-Lukso." One of  these small islands is connected to the mainland and at low tide you can see white grainy sands, crushed corals and numerous seashells, some inhabited by hermit crabs. This island formation is the southernmost point and is accessible to vehicles coming from Baler. The sea bottom and undersea reefs around these islets are reportedly good areas for diving, and during calm months, snorkeling.

Motyong Location: Motyong, Casiguran Getting

There: From Baler town proper, you can either hire a motorized banca and head north or take a private vehicle and drive along the Dicadi highway, passing through Dinadiawan and Dinalungan municipality. Travel Time: Six hours Motyong is a popular beach filled with fine white sand. There are no resorts in this area. However, there are few private resthouses. There is a private airstrip located nearby, however, and plans are underway to make it into a full-sized airport, making Motyong ideal for possible resort investment.

Pimentel Falls [National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Watershed]

Location: San Luis Getting

There: From Baler town proper take a private vehicle or hire a jeep to Poblacion San Luis. From there, the NIA Watershed is just a few kilometers away, easily accessible along t he main road leading to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. Travel Time: One hour and 15 minutes The NIA watershed is a small dam built beside a picnic area in San Luis. The water below the dam is clear, with a greenish reflection of the vegetation surrounding the pond. The place is a coconut plantation covered with short carabao grass and some shrubbery, making the place ideal not only for swimming but for picnicking as well.

Rocks of Dingalan Location: Barangay Tanawan, Dingalan Getting

There: From Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, take a bus bound for Tanawan.

Travel Time: Two hours and 10 minutes Large boulders of black igneous rock litter the mountainside all the way from the bord ers of the  province, despite the absence of volcanoes in the area. Some local residents suggest that the rocks must date back to prehistoric times, since they've been there as long as the residents' ancestors could remember.

Sabang Beach Location: Barangay Sabang, Baler  Getting

There: Take a tricycle from Baler to wn proper and ask to be taken to the site. Travel Time: Approximately 5 minutes Located on this long stretch of gray sand beach are several resorts namely: Angara's Beach House, Bay's Inn Resort, MIA Surf and Spo rts Resort and Baler Guesthouse and Restaurant, which, offer accommodations near the beac hfront and provide food, relaxation, and resp ite for  swimmers and surfers.

From March through June, the waves are relatively calm providing a good beachfront for  swimmers and an excellent challenge for expert windsurfers. The months from October to February bring in the large waves for beginner surfers to learn the basics with re lative safety from scratches, since most of the beach is sandy- bottomed. Undertows, which are helpful to surfers and dangerous for non-swimmers, do occur in certain areas. The most popular surfing point is found right in front of Bay's Inn, where beginners brave t he moderate waves and regular surfers practice. Lindy's Point, found further north along Sabang Beach, is a highly-prized secret spot among local surfers.

Sierra Madre Mountain Location: Parts of Aurora Province Getting

There: The best jump-off point is Barangay Ditumabo.

Travel Time: Two hours' drive to reach Barangay Ditumabo. This mountain range covers a large part of the province of Aurora. In fact, apart from the Aurora coastline, the mountain range is where the flora and fauna of the  province is concentrated. Waterfalls, rivers and crystal-clear streams of varying sizes are located within, if not adjacent to, the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. Activities such as mountain climbing, photo safaris, birdwatching, ecological studies, or simply picnicking could be rolled into one by taking trails recommended by local nature trekkers.

White

Beach (Dingalan)

Location: Paltic, Dingalan Getting

There: Take a boat from Dingalan town proper. One can also hike from the town to the

 beach. Travel Time: This two-kilometer long beach has nu merous shells and corals scattered along the entire length of its southern half, which is appro ximately one kilometer long. The shore is made up of coral reefs that gradually slope into the sea, and a bit farther from the shore is a sudden drop into the sea bottom. This area has a variety of undersea flora and fauna for divers to observe. Brain corals, sea urchins, hermit crabs and even an occasional lobster may be seen in the reef site. The northern half of the beach is of brownish white sand and is an excellent place for swimming. The whole White Beach area is bordered on the landward side by a long hillcrest

with bushes and trees scattered from the foot to the top of the hill. Off-shore coral reef  formations provide interesting spots for diving.