SIGHTSEEING
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. The 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 and 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
dangerous 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 of 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 against possible attackers. Governor Bella Angara-Castillo (then a Congresswoman) appropriated funding for the prevention of erosion of the hillside and its beautification.
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