BATANG BALER | Baler, Aurora, Philippines

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This are my two kids GJ and Dylan doing their homework during one of the regular Baler brownouts. There was a 24-hour brownout that happened last Wednesday.

Lawstude’s Journeys blog posted great pictures of Baler as well as what he thinks are the 5S that makes this town great.

After months of hibernation, Batangbaler is back. This post summarizes what happened in our dear old town last year.

A lookback at the 1968 Casiguran Earthquake that knocked down Ruby Tower in Binondo.

News from Philippine Star: Aseza project to generate 300 jobs.

This week was also the Division Meet Week so traditionally, it’s a rainy week even though PAGASA satellite photos show a clear sky over Baler. Ymay posted some great photos of the opening parade and the cheerdance competition at the Provincial Capitol grounds. We also found out that the “running” theme song that’s being played during the Division Meet was titled Que Sera Mi Vida by the Gibson Brothers.

It was also the feast of the Sto. Niño and Ate Donna posted pictures of the “prusisyon” in honor of the child Jesus.

The list of all the local candidates for the May 2010 election was posted here courtesy of Comelec. A quick browse of the list shows that most of the usual suspects will be running for the election.

The Aurora Surfriders Association, Inc. announces the 4th Aurora Surfing Challenge to be held on February 11-14.

News from philstar.com: 6 Aurora Comelec executives face relief.

From scubajournal.net: The Sport Scuba Divers Association of Aurora was organized.

More Baler pictures from Lawstude’s Journal: Pictures of Digisit. And Pictures of PAGASA which is actually still Digisit.

That’s it folks. See you next week for another wrap-up.

Here’s a summary of some notable Batangbaler posts of 2009. Batangbaler is not the definitive source of everything that happens in Baler or the rest of Aurora Province. These are just the things I managed to post in this blog.

January. The first Philippine surfing calendar was released and three Baler surfer dudes were given their own months – Edmund Medoza, Argie Huga and Wilson Faraon. Under Proclamation 1696, President GMA declared 2009 as the Year of Baler to commemorate the 400 years founding anniversary of Baler. Actually Baler is more than 400 years old and it was not founded 400 years ago, the Catholic Church is more correct in calling it the 400 Year Anniversary of the Evangelization of Baler. DENR freezes permit of lumber dealers in Aurora, thus making it sure that only the legal loggers could profit from our natural resources. Aurora villagers rally vs the planned Aurora Special Econic Zone in Casiguran). the Art Association of the Philippines’ New Art Collective exhibit at the Botong’s Up Restobar and Artspace in Makati features the works of the Gonzales brothers of Baler – Sherwin and Vincent. Aurora diving sites featured on Born to be Wild TV show of GMA 7. The trial on the murder of Dingalan, Aurora publisher Philip Agustin was suspended indefinitely. San Luis, Aurora starts the celebration of it’s 50th founding Anniversary. Baler LGU launced it’s official website www.baleraurora.net.

February. Problem with shortage of sabutan leaves was solved, when it was announced that the Sabutan was successfully cloned – in Aklan.  Dilasag Mayor Victorio Briones and his aides were nabbed in Manila for possession of high-powered firearms and handguns. They were later freed with a promise to return with the documents for the firearms. Sen Edgardo Angara said “The creation of the Aurora Special Economic Zone Authority here will open doors of opportunity for local residents and lift them from four centuries of grinding poverty.” Aurora Day 2009 Celebrations. Ms. Reinalyn Dela Cruz from San Luis crowned at Bb. Aurora 2009. Popular reggae band Brownman Revival performs at Baler Beach as part of the Aurora Day celebration. Aurora Day 2009 was graced by Cong. Gilbert Teodoro who was introduced by Sen. Edgardo Angara as the next president of the Philippines. The people were later entertained by the skimpy-dressed JC Parker. The first Art Gallery in Baler called High Heeled Dumagats was opened in front of the Baler Park. It was eventually closed a few months later. Jeho Bitancor was one of the performance artists featured in a show at Jajo Gallery in Newark, New Jersey.

March. Three years after he was abducted on March 3, 2006, environmental activist and radio broadcaster Joey Estriber is still missing. Karl Winston Cacanindin from Dipaculao, Aurora is the Top PMA Graduate for 2009. 11 Chinese and 2 Filipinos were slapped with criminal charges for alleged illegal mining on the coast of Casiguran. A Jewelry-making exhibit was held for 1 day at the Baler Municipal Plaza. Works of Baler artist Joel Vedad were exhibited at the Artasia Gallery at SM Megamall Artwalk. Rommel Espinosa was one of the Philippine delegates to the 16th Nippon Internationa Performance Art Festival (NIPAF 09) held in Japan.

April. Ate Donna’s tribute to Baler hit the charts. Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. Baler: A State of Mind, a painting and photo exhibit was opened at the NCCA Gallery at Intramuros as part of the Baler 400 celebration. The exhibit featured paintings of the Dimalangat Artists Community and photos of the Batang Aurora Camera Club. Also as part of the Baler 400 event, the Aurora Agri-Fisheries Trade Fair was held at the Department of Agriculture in Quezon City on  April 21 to 24, 2009. Aurora province to revive sabutan weaving industry. The Aurora Surfriders Association held the ASRAI Longboard Invitational on April 24 to 26. As part of the Earth Day celebration the Aurora Multi-Sectoral Action Group held the yearly Padyak Para sa Kalikasan on April 25.

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