PGMA JOINS ANGARA & AURORANS
IN CELEBRATING 400 YEARS OF BALER

Together with fellow Aurorans and Balerianos Senator Edgardo J. Angara today celebrates the 400th year foundation of his hometown as 2009 marks to be the Year of Baler.

"As a son of Baler, I could not be more excited to share with you a hometown so special. It is a treasure of memories, a land abounding in beauty, and a paradise to its great people, the Aurorans," said Angara, a proud son of Baler.

Baler, which became the capital of the Distrito del Principe was created in 1856 from the land belonging in the province of Nueva Ecija, established in a mission by Franciscan missionaries lead by Fr. Blas Palomino. To note, it was in Baler where Spanish soldiers made the last defense of Spanish authority in the Philippines whose gallantry moved then President Emilio Aguinaldo to issue a decree on June 30, 1899 that declares the Spanish soldiers that took refuge in the Baler church as "friends and not prisoners of war." It was this event that gave way to the enactment of Republic Act No. 9187 that declares June 30 of every year as "Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day."

"A great part of our provincial course of study is devoted to teaching our young people the history and cultural heritage of Aurora Province and of the Filipino nation," added Angara.

Promoting Aurora's cultural and historical heritage there lays the Museo de Baler. One notable exhibition was devoted to the life and career of Manuel L. Quezon, Baler's foremost son, the nationalist leader of the American period who became the first president of the Philippines. Another highlighted one of Aurora's indigenous peoples, the Ilongot which the Museo preserves as well as Dumagat artifacts, mementoes, and historical records dating back to the Spanish period.

Meanwhile gracing the event together with various dignitaries is President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who will also lead the unveiling of the historical marker "Bayan ng Baler" at the Church of Baler.

The celebration will be highlighted by the Unveiling of the Historical Marker and opening of the Flora and Fauna Baler Exhibit at the Museo de Baler.

"This celebration is not only an important historical occasion but a celebration of the years of Baler's wealth of historical and cultural heritage, arts, language, habitat, and creative industry," ended Angara.