This year, Baler, Aurora, a surfers� paradise about 230 kilometers northeast of Metro Manila, better known of late as the subject of a 2008 award-winning movie titled after it, turns 400 years old.

To commemorate this significant event, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, in cooperation with various government agencies, has lined up series of activities dubbed Baler 400.

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A Historical Site

A local kid who participated in the painting workshop given by the NCCA KALAHI Cutural Caregivers paints the sail assigned to him during the "Gallery of the Sea" which was one of the highlights of this month's Baler 400 celebration. PHOTO BY JOSE SYLWIN SOLIDUM.

Founded in 1609 by Franciscan Missionaries, the town of Baler is known primarily as the hometown of the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth � Manuel L. Quezon. But besides being recorded in history as the birth place of a Philippine president, Baler is also the site of a historic battle, now known as the Siege of Baler, when Spanish soldiers, cut off from their own government and thus were unaware that their government had already ceded the Philippines to the Americans, continued to defend the town from the Filipino forces.

Lasting for 337 days from June 28, 1898 to June 2, 1899, the Spanish soldiers� defense was so heroic that General Emilio Aguinaldo, the president of the revolutionary government, issued a decree on June 30, 1899 stating that the Baler defenders be treated and considered �not as prisoners but as friends.�

It was that decree that eventually led to the declaration of June 30th as Filipino-Spanish Friendship Day through Republic Act No. 9187.

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Year of Baler

The year 2009 marks the 400th founding anniversary of Baler. To commemorate this event, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Proclamation 1696 declaring the year 2009 as the year of Baler.

�There is a necessity to recognize the role of Baler in Philippine history and the national development and to mark this momentous year with fitting commemorative activities promoting the diverse manifestations of Baler�s wealth of heritage, habitat, history, language, artistic expressions, and creative industry related to collaborative programs in Hispanic heritage-linked countries,� the proclamation reads.

With NCCA leading the celebration of the quadricentinnial anniversary of Baler, a series of activities have been planned for the whole year, ranging from visual arts, chorale, theater, dance, to cinema. There are also skills development and artistic workshops being held for the people of Baler through the NCCA Kalahi Cultural Caregiving.

UP Mountaineers were among the participants in the bird watching activity organized by NCCA. PHOTO BY JOSE SYLWIN SOLIDUM

Last April, an exhibit dubbed �Baler: A State of Mind� featuring the works of the artists and photographers of Aurora was opened at the NCCA gallery. And this month of May, from the 20th through the 24th, all roads lead to Baler for the triangulated events commemorating May as Heritage Month and the Month of the Ocean. Activities lined up for this triangulated event include the �Gallery of the Sea� painted sails exhibit and interactive installation; bird watching; and mountain hiking. Earlier this month, the Cuisine of Baler took center stage in Makati Shangri La hotel, from May 6 to 13.

Ongoing from March to December is a playwriting competition for radio and film. In June, there will be a sabutan fashion show. Also upcoming is the Juana La Loca production.

Slated for August are the airing of the �Tabak at Sampaguita� series over DZRH, and the staging of the zarzuela �Baler ng Puso Ko,� �Gabi ng Musikang Filipino,� and �Balagtasan Para sa Paglinis at Paglunti ng Baler.�

In September, the �Green the World� clean up project in Baler will be launched; and in October, the UN Stand Up and Take Action Against Poverty campaign will take place.

Planned for November and December is the Hispanic heritage-linked studies with participants from Union Latina in cooperation with UNESCO, Spain, Casa Asia/Instituto Cervantes leading to �Baguio to Baler Arts Caravan.� Also planned for December is the setting up of the Baler Arts Academy.

More activities are lined up for the Baler 400th anniversary celebration including those of under the National Historical Institute and the National Museum. (Sherma E. Benosa)