General Info and History

Aurora: Where Waves Meet Wonders

Aurora Province, located on the eastern coast of Luzon, Philippines, boasts a rich and complex history shaped by its unique geography, indigenous populations, and various colonial influences.

Pre-Colonial Era

Before the arrival of the Spanish, the region that would become Aurora was inhabited by indigenous communities including the Dumagat-Agta tribes who notably resided in rivers and forests. While historic records are scarce, it is known that these indigenous groups engaged in activities like fishing, hunting, animism, and possibly limited agriculture. Early trade relations with Indian, Arab, Chinese, and Japanese merchants were common in the Philippines, and it’s plausible that coastal communities in Aurora participated in such exchanges, trading forest products like balatan, cola, and almaciga. The ingenuity of the natives in aquaculture and fishing, utilizing tools like the salambao, suggests a self-sufficient way of life. The Ilongot (Bugkalot) people are likewise among the indigenous groups that have historically resided in the mountainous interior of the province.

Spanish Colonial Period (1565-1898)

• Early Exploration and Evangelization: The Spanish explorer Juan de Salcedo is credited as the first European to visit the region in 1572, exploring settlements like Casiguran, Baler, and Infanta. In 1609, Franciscan missionaries, led by Fray Blas Palomino, established the first settlements in Baler and Casiguran. These early missions aimed to spread Christianity and consolidate Spanish influence.
• Administrative Changes: In the early colonial period, Aurora was ecclesiastically linked to Infanta. Due to a scarcity of religious missionaries, the Augustinians and Recollects briefly took over administration in 1658, but the Franciscans regained control in 1703. Other early missions included Dipaculao (1719) and Casiguran (1753).
• District of El Principe: Historically, Aurora’s territory was part of larger administrative divisions. It was initially part of the province of Tayabas (now Quezon). In 1591, Tayabas, then known as Kalilaya, encompassed a significant portion of what is now Laguna and Nueva Ecija. In 1701, Nueva Ecija was split from Kalilaya. The “Distrito del Principe,” with Baler as its capital, at one point belonged to Pampanga before becoming part of Tayabas and then Nueva Ecija. In 1856, under Governor General Manuel Crespo y Cebrian, it became a separate district, including towns like Baler, San Jose de Casecnan, San Miguel de Dipaculao, and Casiguran.
• The Tromba Marina of 1735: A significant natural disaster struck the old town of Baler on December 27, 1735, when a massive tidal wave, known as a tromba marina, devastated the settlement located in Barrio Sabang. Only a few families, including the Angaras, Bihasas, Bitongs, Carrascos, Ferreras, Lumasacs, and Pobletes, survived by swimming to Ermita Hill. This event led to the relocation of the town to its current site.
• Siege of Baler (1898-1899): One of the most famous historical events in Aurora’s history is the Siege of Baler. From June 27, 1898, to June 2, 1899, 54 Spanish soldiers of the Baler garrison, led by Captain Enrique de las Morenas y Fossi (and later Lieutenant Saturnino Martín Cerezo), barricaded themselves inside the San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Church. They endured an almost year-long siege by Filipino revolutionary forces. This siege famously continued even after the official end of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Declaration of Independence, with the Spanish soldiers surrendering only after being convinced by a Spanish emissary. This event marked the symbolic end of over 300 years of Spanish rule in the Philippines.

American Colonial Period (1899-1946)

• Integration into Tayabas (Quezon): In 1901, the Americans incorporated Baler and the surrounding areas into the province of Tayabas (which was later renamed Quezon Province). Before this, Baler was under the district of El Príncipe.
• American Intervention and the Philippine-American War: During the Siege of Baler, American forces attempted to rescue the Spanish garrison, leading to an ambush by Filipino insurgents. This ambush, in which Lieutenant James Clarkson Gilmore and other American soldiers were captured, is considered the first Filipino victory during the Philippine-American War.
• Development and Infrastructure: The American period saw some developments, including cadastral surveys in Baler in 1923, which granted homesteads to residents. The construction of the Baler-Bongabon Road, though initially met with apprehension by President Manuel L. Quezon who preferred to preserve Baler’s isolation, facilitated migration into the area.

Japanese Occupation and World War II (1941-1945)

During World War II, Aurora, like the rest of the Philippines, fell under Japanese occupation. The resistance movement was active in the region. Filipino and American forces liberated Baler in 1945, with the retreating Japanese troops destroying the San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Church in the process.

Post-War Period and Formation of Aurora Province

• Sub-Province Status (1951): On June 14, 1951, by virtue of Republic Act No. 648, the municipalities of Baler, Casiguran, Dilasag, Dipaculao, Dinalongan, Dingalan, Maria Aurora, and San Luis were officially formed into the Sub-Province of Aurora. Baler was designated as its capital. The sub-province was named after Aurora Aragon Quezon, the wife of former President Manuel L. Quezon, who hailed from Baler.
• Full Province Status (1979): Aurora officially became an independent and the 73rd province of the Philippines on August 13, 1979, by virtue of Batas Pambansa Blg. 7, signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos. It was initially part of Region IV but was later transferred to Region III (Central Luzon) by Executive Order No. 103.
• Economic Development: Aurora’s economy is primarily agricultural, with copra and rice being major products. Fishing and aquaculture are also significant in its coastal municipalities. Cottage industries like weaving (especially sabutan hats) are also present. In recent decades, tourism, particularly eco-tourism centered around its beaches and natural landscapes, has become a growing sector.

Modern Period

• Aurora remains sparsely populated and economically developing, with a strong focus on agriculture, fishing, and ecotourism.
• The province has gained national attention as a surfing hotspot (especially Baler) and a model for environmental conservation, due to its forest cover and biodiversity.

Political History

Aurora has been governed by a succession of lieutenant governors during its sub-province status and then by governors since its full provincial declaration. Notable political families, such as the Angaras, have played a significant role in the province’s leadership.

Lieutenant Governors of Aurora (1951-1978):

• Pedro V. Guerrero (1951-1952, 1955-1959)
• Juan C. Angara (1952-1955)
• Estello T. Ong (1964-1967)
• Luis S. Etcubañez (1967-1978)

Governors of Aurora (1979-Present):

• Luis S. Etcubañez (1979-1984)
• Isaias M. Noveras (1984-1986)
• Eunice Guerrero-Cucueco (1988-1991)
• Edgardo L. Ong (1991-2001)
• Ramoncita P. Ong (2001-2004)
• Bellaflor Angara-Castillo (2004-2013)
• Gerardo A. Noveras (2013-2022)
• Christian M. Noveras (2022-2024)
• Reynante A. Tolentino (2024-Incumbent)

Cultural Heritage

Aurora’s cultural heritage is a blend of its indigenous roots, Spanish colonial past, and modern Filipino identity. The annual “Zarsuela” performances, often revolving around Moro-Moro themes, showcase the province’s theatrical traditions. Religious sites like the San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Church and Ermita Hill hold historical and spiritual significance. The province also proudly preserves the birthplace of former President Manuel L. Quezon in Baler, a testament to its connection to national history.

Aurora Province, with its resilient people and captivating landscapes, continues to evolve while honoring its rich and often dramatic past.

The history of Aurora Province is rich, spanning from indigenous traditions and Spanish colonization to its modern status as a separate province in Central Luzon. Here’s a chronological summary:

Pre-Colonial Period

• The area now known as Aurora was originally inhabited by indigenous groups, notably the Dumagats and Agtas, who lived along rivers and forests.
• These communities practiced animism, hunting, fishing, and shifting agriculture.

Spanish Colonial Era (1500s–1898)

• Spanish missionaries and colonizers reached the area in the early 1600s.
• Baler, now the provincial capital, was established as a mission settlement in 1609 by Franciscan friars.
• The region was remote and hard to access, so Spanish control was relatively limited compared to other parts of Luzon.
• A major event during this time was the Siege of Baler (1898–1899):
  • A group of Spanish soldiers held out inside the Baler church for almost a year, unaware that Spain had already ceded the Philippines to the United States.
  • This event is known in Spanish-Philippine history as the “Last Stand of the Spanish Empire.”

American Period (1898–1946)

• Under American rule, Baler and the rest of Aurora became part of the larger Tayabas Province (later renamed Quezon Province).
• Infrastructure such as schools and roads were gradually introduced, though development remained slow due to the province’s isolation.

Philippine Independence & Creation of Aurora

• In 1946, after Philippine independence, Aurora remained part of Quezon Province.
• The area gained distinction as the birthplace of President Manuel L. Quezon (1878–1944), one of the country’s most prominent historical figures. His wife, Aurora Aragon Quezon, was also born in Baler.
• Aurora Province was officially created on August 13, 1979, through Batas Pambansa Blg. 7:

Modern Period

• Aurora remains sparsely populated and economically developing, with a strong focus on agriculture, fishing, and ecotourism.
• The province has gained national attention as a surfing hotspot (especially Baler) and a model for environmental conservation, due to its forest cover and biodiversity.

Key Historical Milestones

• 1609 – Baler established by Franciscan missionaries
• 1735 -The Tromba Marina of 1735 (massive tidal wave that wiped out entire town of Baler)
• 1898–1899 – Siege of Baler (Spanish last stand in the Philippines)
• 1946 – Philippine independence; area still part of Quezon
• 1949 – Aurora Aragon Quezon assassinated
• 1979 – Aurora becomes a separate province