Baler Diaries:Big Waves from the Pacific

Baler is the capital of Aurora Province. It is located at the east coast of the main island of Luzon. The way in getting to Baler itself is considered as additional attraction on this place. The lush forest of the Sierra Madre Mountain range covered the large proportion of Aurora.

Sabang Beach

When you reached the town proper of Baler, the nearest and easiest way to catch the waves coming from the Pacific Ocean is by going to Sabang Beach. Getting to this place will only takes 5-10minutes by riding a tricycle from the bus terminal or by driving your own private vehicle.

Sabang Beach is the main beach resort in Baler. It is the place where you can find and watch surfing enthusiasts.The water is clean and the waves are strong. Swimming at this beach is allowed only during daytime and at night you couldn't see the water. You can only hear the splashes of the waves to the coastline.Since it's an open water and part of the Pacific ocean, tourists specially children are not allowed to go beyond the perimeter line. The current is strong enough to pull a small kid. But there are life guards around who always ready in time of emergency.

APEC Beach Boys

At the second day of our vacation in Aurora, me and my friends, Edson and Sir Jerico decided to took a surfing lesson at Sabang beach. It was our first time to do this kind of surface water sport. Along the beach there are lots of establishments that offers surfing lessons for amateur and even for first timers like us. 

At the front of the beach, we found Baler Surf. Baler Surf is located at Sabang Beach near Bay's Inn restaurant. It offers surfing lessons, Board rentals and tours. Their surfing lessons worth P350 only per hour with personal instructor that will guide you the whole time of your surfing session. But if you already know how to surf you can just rent a surf board for only P200 pesos.

Surfing Lesson with our Instructor

The wave here is seasonal. So if you're a professional surfer and your looking for the bigger waves, the best time for you to visit this place is during the months of October to February. They conduct surfing tournaments every month of February as part of this town celebration of Aurora Day.

Best Shot ni Sir Jerico

For first timer like us, the height of the waves when we visited Baler was enough for us to learn the moves. whoooohooo. It's really enjoyable to do surfing specially for the first time.ehehe!  Through the effort of our instructors, we  easily surpassed the challenge of every waves that we encountered. Surfing is like a whole day session of workout in a gym. It needs more power and efforts. 

whooooah!!!

I'm not scared of water and even in waves, that's why at my first try to stand up in the surf board I easily made it. hahaha! But there were so many times that I've lost my balance and fell down. We stand and fall but our willingness to get the best waves was on it's climax. So we continued paddling and surfing. 

At the end of the session we felt so tired and thirsty, sarap mag-shower nito at pagkatapos ay uminom ng super lamig na fruitshakes. The experience of keeping your balance on the surf board is an epic experience. It feels like your a professional surfer riding on the waves. Boom! Thanks to our instructors, we've learned the proper and basic way on surfing. Thumbs up for Baler Surf service! Until next time...

Other Things To Do:

Surfing is not the only thing you can do here in Sabang Beach. You can also try kayaking, scuba diving and drive an ATV at the fine sandy coastline of the beach. But if you don't want to spend much, you can also play Frisbee together with your friends. 

Miyamit Falls: It's More Fun in Porac

Fast Facts:


Porac is a 1st class municipality and considered as the largest town in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. Porac has a Hilly to Mountainous Terrain on majority of its plains. This town was one of the most affected when Mt. Pinatubo erupted on June 12,1991. After so many years, the town of  Porac is now moving forward. Could anyone thought that in this town you will find a high and enchanting falls, The Miyamit Falls.


First Thing to do:

The day before my adventure, I went first to the Mayor's office at the Municipality of Porac located at Brgy. Poblacion, for registration. I signed a waiver and they gave me some instructions to ensure my safety for this solo trip. Mabuti na yung nasa ayos.

How to get there:

From Cubao or any part of Metro Manila take a bus ride going to Mabalacat, Pampanga, buses going to Northern Luzon usually do a stopover at Mabalacat Bus Terminal. From Mabalacat take a jeepney ride going to Angeles City, Porac jeepney terminal is located near Sandra Mall. For first timer, just ask the driver and they will tell you the way. The jeep are available 24hours a day, depende na lang sa dami ng mga pasahero sa mga oras na alanganin. Minsan kailangan pang mag-hintay or magdagdag ng bayad sa pamasahe para sa isang sulong. Tell the driver to drop you by at Brgy. Dolores. From there you can hire a tricycle from Brgy. Dolores, Porac or take a private vehicle going to Brgy. Sapang Uwak. The fare cost P200, medyo may kamahalan para sa nagsosolong tulad ko. At dahil masyado pang maaga at may kalayuan din ang Sapang Uwak, it is advisable to have a guide or a friend who are knowledgeable of the area.

Meet Up Time: 5:30 am

Goodmorning Pampanga!!!

At Exactly 5:20 am when I arrived at Brgy. Sapang Uwak. The Brgy. Captain was already there waiting for me together with Nog, my guide. Bago pa man ako pumunta tinawagan ko na si kapitan, to inform him about my trip to Miyamit. Sya na rin ang nag-hanap ng magiging guide ko sa araw na yun. At around 5:30 am we decided to start our trip. Magkahalong kaba at excitement ang naramdaman ko nung araw na yun. Kaba, dahil hindi ako familiar sa lugar at medyo madilim pa ang paligid. Excitement, dahil na rin siguro sa kagustuhan kong makita ang sinasabi nilang nakatagong ganda sa bahaging ito ng Porac.

Pinoy Explorer? malapit na ba?

First hundred steps, ok pa ako.The next hundred steps uphill climb, my heart beats faster and faster, my legs starts complaining. May mga pagkakataon ngang na-iisip ko kung pwede pa bang magback- out? Para kasing napasubo yata ako sa lakad kong ito. Pero dahil sa gusto kong maging isang certified lagalag, kailangan kong panindigan ang mga nasimulan ko. aha! 

I mean it, the trail was not that easy as I thought. Everytime we encountered a long and intimadating uphills I asked my guide"Last na ba to?" and he smiled sabay sabing marami pa dun."patay tayo dyan!" Hindi naman mahirap sundan ang daan, wala ka ngang kaligaw eh. Yun nga lang may mga bahagi na pataas na parang wala nang katapusan. Thanks to Nog, dahil may mga pagkakataon na sya ang bumubuhat ng gamit ko.

The Floating Mt. Arayat...

When we were walking, I've noticed that a light strikes at my back. Sa una hindi ko pansin, pero habang tumatagal unti-unting lumiliwanag. And when I looked behind my back, boom! Wow! Abak na! The sun starts to rise. Abot tanaw ng aking mga mata ang napakagandang tanawin ng bundok Arayat. Along the way you may see these beautiful wild sunflowers.

Bulaklak ng Kalabasa???

After that Mt. Pinatubo eruption, parang walang bakas ng pagkawasak ang buong paligid. It leaves no trace ika nga. What a nice and amazing place, with cool morning breeze and unique landscapes of nature made my trip worth it. Once in a while I paused for a break and took some pictures. At habang naglalakad panay ang kwentuhan namin ni Nog para malibang at hindi mabagot.

Always keep that smile when there's a Camera

As we continue, we met some of the locals (Aetas) along the way doing their usual activities every morning. A simple smile from them makes me feel at home. Halos lahat nga yata ng mga taong makasalubong namin kakilala ni Nog. Kaya mas lalo akong naging kampante. The place was so quiet and peaceful. Mga huni lang ng mga ibon ang madalas mong maririnig sa paligid.

Malapit na...

From where I'm standing, I can see the gazebo (the View Deck). Parang ang lapit na lang nya, pero sa totoo malayo pa. huh! I told Nog to joined me in some of my pictures. At dahil sa haba ng aming paglalakad nakuha ko rin ang loob nya. Malaki talagang tulong pag may dala ka ring tripod. Nog was a very cool guy. We both like picture takings, kaya siguro madali nyang nasasakyan mga trip ko. Ehehe!

Pwede naman siguro magpahinga muna.

But before we went up to the summit, we took a minutes of rest at the junction point. Kailangan ko ng konting oras para makabawi ng lakas pagkatapos ng mahaba at nakakapagod na lakaran. In here, I prepared myself for the final leg to the summit. Since the way to the view deck was very narrow and steep, kailangan kong bumwelo ng kaunti.

Summit na rin sa wakas!

Finally, at exactly 8:02 am when we reached the summit. Whooooooh!  Napasigaw talaga ako.  Feeling ko tuloy ako si Garduce or si Kuya Kim... Whahaha! It was my first time to climb a mountain as high as this. Kaya para akong bata na tuwang tuwa.

Catch a Glimpse of Miyamit Falls

I can see the twin falls from the top. It was really enchanting. Mt. Negron on my left. Mt. Pinatubo was hiding at the clouds on my right. Right timing ang panahon, dahil sa ganda ng sikat ng araw mas lalong naging maaliwalas ang paligid. At dito ko masasabing sa taong masipag maglakad may ganito kagandang lugar na nag-hihintay. boom!

Japan! Japan sa View Deck!

Isang magandang tanawin ang makikita sa itaas ng bundok. Sa view deck marerelax ang katawang pinagod ng mahabang lakaran. Na lalo namang maiibsan ang gutom at pagka-uhaw kapag may meriendang pagsasaluhan. bow!

Merienda Time

The View Deck

After an hour of  picture taking and chatting with Nog, we have decided to continue our journey going to the falls. It will take almost or more than an hour for you to get there,  yan ay depende sa Bilis mo maglakad.

Banana Mountain...

The trail going to the falls traverses several kilometers over a few steep mountain trails. As you go closer to the mountain you will notice  these banana trees instead of hard towering trees growing along the area. Almost 80% of this mountain was covered by banana. 

At exactly 9:27 am, we arrived at Miyamit falls. At first there were series of mini water falls along the way and at the end of it, we were surprised by these two water falls which I think, approximately 30 to 35 feet high.

The Miyamit Falls

The sounds of the falling water was like a music passing through my ears. Parang panaginip nga eh, but it was real.

The water was so cold and clear. It was not as high as Maria Cristina Falls, but the elegance of the twin falls brings satisfaction to those who want to see it upclose. Sulit talaga ang pagod sa paglalakad pagsapit mo sa lugar na ito.

Bahay Kubo, kahit munti...

If you're worried about where to stay when you get here, don't worry my friend there are lots of bahay kubo around to choose from. Pero kung gusto mo naman ng mas malapit sa falls, pwede rin ang mga malalaking bato sa paligid.

Is it True or Falls?

My camera was in position. Picture dito, Picture doon. This was really the highlight of my adventure and I highly suggest that everyone should visit this falls. For those people who seek adventure and want to experience a one of a kind nature trip put Miyamit falls in your list.  

Sarap maligo...

Since I'm the only visitor in this place on that time, with my guide of course, I took the opportunity to feel the coldness of the water. Liguan na! 

It's time to go Home...

At around 11:30 am we decided to leaved the place. Medyo bitin nga lang pero dahil may lakad pa ako kaya kailangan ko rin kaagad umuwi.  We reached Brgy. Sapang Uwak at around 2:30 am. Pagdating sa baryo sabik na sabik ako sa malamig na inumin. And while waiting  for my service, bonding moment muna sa mga kabataang Aeta. It was really a very nice experienced. Isang araw na naman ng pag-lagalag ang natapos sa buhay ni Batang Kapampangan. Karanasang nakatatak na sa aking puso at isipan. Karanasan na isang Certified Lagalag.

Sa Uulitin 

My Itinerary: Day Trek

0410H Mabalacat Bus terminal,take a jeepney via Angeles ( P8-P10)
0425H ETA Porac Jeepney Terminal @ Angeles City ( P18)

0445H ETA Hacienda Dolores Terminal take a tricycle via Sapang Uwak (P200) Plus waiting time.

0520H ETA Jump off Point at Sapang Uwak

0530H Departure

0800H ETA At the View Deck(Snack)

0845H Departure ( next point The Miyamit Falls)

0927H ETA at The Miyamit Falls(snack)

1130H Departure
1430H ETA  Sapang Uwak (Aeta Community)

1450H ETA Jeepney Terminal going to Angeles City

Fee for guide not included (Php500)

Please contact the local Government of Sapang Uwak

Bring Me:

Bring your own First Aid Kits and Emergency Equipment
Trekking poles

Light clothes.

Foods( easy to open canned goods, bread, biscuits etc.)

Water or Energy Drink.( in my case I bring 1liter Gatorade and

500ml of distilled water.) one way trip only.
Garbage bags

If you don't want to spend much money, bring your barkada with you. Para may kahati ka sa mga gastusin.

Lagalag Points of View:

My desire to learn more about my province and my country brought me here. I'm proud of my place and I wanna share it to all the people who drop by here in my site. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you...

Take Nothing but Pictures, Leave Nothing but Footprints, Kill Nothing but Time

Contact Us:

Address: Porac Municipal Hall, Poblacion Porac, Pampanga 2008

Trunk line no.: 045.329.3222

Email: porac@municipalityofporac.com

Biyaheng Aurora ni BatangKapampangan

Bayan ng Baler

Nakakapagod ang sobrang trabaho at pag-iisip. Minsan kailangan din ng ating katawan ng panandaliang pahinga at paglilibang. Kaya give yourself a break. It's more fun in the Philippines. Huwag sayangin ang oras kung may pagkakataon naman. 

My first stop, Baler, Aurora . Ang Aurora ay matatagpuan sa silangang bahagi ng Central Luzon.

Mula Pampanga, halos 7 hours din akong nag-biyahe papuntang Aurora. Halos 90% na ng daan ay sementado na kaya hindi na ganun kahirap ang paglalakbay. Sa haba ng binyahe ko, sa dami ng paliku-likong daan nahalos di maubos-ubos, sa wakas narating ko rin ang Central Terminal sa bayan ng Baler.

Central terminal ng Baler

Ito ang unang pagkakataong nakabalik ako sa lugar na ito ng mag-isa. Humigit kumulang 20 taon na rin ang lumipas nung huling pagpunta ko rito, kaya ganun na lang ang kasabikan ko na muling makarating sa probinsyang ito. Mula Central Terminal sumakay pa ako ng tricycle papuntang bayan ng San Luis.

Bahay nila Uncle at Auntie

Mahigit 20-30mins din ang biyahe mula sa bayan ng Baler. Kaya mga bandang 6:00 na ng gabi ng dumating ako sa tahanan ng Uncle Virgilio at Auntie Aning ko. Maulan ng gabing iyon kaya medyo malamig sa paligid. Sayang masarap sana kung may kasama ako, hay...Ganun pa man Isang masarap na hapunan at umaatikabong kwentuhan ang nakahanda sa hapag.Dahil sa tagal ng di namin pagkikita di naubos ang dala kong kwento. Hindi ko nga naramdaman ang pagod dulot ng mahabang byahe, sa halip nagenjoy ako ng sobra. Ang sarap ng pakiramdam nang muli ko silang nakita.

First Day:

Sabang Beach

Isang magandang umaga ang bumungad sa akin sa araw na ito. Sakto ang pag dating ko dahil di "naulan" dito.Para sa mga gustong pumunta dito, saktong panahon ang Pebrero hanggang Abril. Malamig ang panahon pero ang sikat ng araw ay sadyang napakaliwanag,kakaiba ang klima dito kumpara sa Pampanga. Maaga akong gumising para makapaghanda sa gagawin naming paglibot, 8:30 ng umaga ng umalis kami sa tahanan ng aking Uncle, 20-30mins. ang biyahe papuntang Baler.

Surfing Capital ng Luzon sa Pilipinas

Unang destinasyon, Sabang Beach. Sa lakas at laki ng mga alon dito tamang tama para sa mga taong mahilig mag-surfing at para sa mga gustong matuto. Hindi ko akalain ganito pala kaganda ang Sabang Beach. Hindi nga lang kasing puti ng buhangin sa Boracay,pero ang paligid mamamangha ka talaga sa ganda. 

Dalampasigan

Si Batang Kapampangan at si Uncle Virgilio

Magandang maglibot dito lalo na kung may pribado kang sasakyan.  Dahil sa ganda ng lugar,marami kang pwedeng puntahan at gawin. Matapos ang isang oras ng paglalakad sa dalampasigan, sumunod naming pinuntahan ang Ermita Hill.

Ermita Hill

Bago kami tumuloy doon, dumaan muna kami sa Pamilihang Bayan ng Baler para bumili ng makakain.  Mga humigit kumulang 15mins. din ang byahe papuntang Ermita Hill.

Tromba Marina Sculpture

Isa sa pinaka puntahan ng mga turista dito ang Tromba Marina Sculpture. Historical Marker ito na makikita sa paanan ng Ermita Hill. Ito ay pinangalanan ng mga Kastila base sa mapinsalang Tsunami na naganap noong 18th century, sumira sa buong kabayanan ng lumang Baler. Isa ang pamilyang Angara ang sinasabing nakaligtas sa trahedyang ito.

Pook Tambayan

Tamang picnic area ang Ermita Hill dahil sa mga libreng cottages at malinis na palikuran sa taas nito. Mula dito kitang kita mo ang kabuuan ng bayan ng Baler. 

Masyadong malayo tingin mo Uncle..

Sa mataas na bahagi ng Ermita Hill matatanaw naman ang Baler Fishport sa kahabaan ng Cemento Beach.

Baler Fishport

Para sa mga mahilig mag-trekking, may humigit sa 280 steps ang naghihintay paakyat sa tuktok. 

Morning Exercise

Halos hingalin si Uncle at Auntie sa pag-akyat pero di sila nagpahuli. Kahit medyo pagod na nakipagsabayan pa rin sila sa akin. Sulit naman ang pagod dahil sa di matatawarang ganda ng tanawin sa itaas ng bundok.

It's more fun in Baler

Sa pinaka tuktok din matatagpuan ang isang malaking puting krus. Mapuno sa paligid kaya malamig at sariwa ang hangin na dadampi sa'yong mga balat. Ilang minuto din ang nilagi namin at nag-pasya na kaming bumaba. Mga bandang 11:30am na ng bumaba kami. Dahil sa pagod nakatulog ako kaagad pagka-uwi sa bahay.


Second Day: Uwian na...


Mga bandang 8:25 na ng umaga ng magtungo ako sa terminal ng bus. Sakto ang pagdating ko para sa 2nd trip ng Genesis Bus(Php 220) papuntang Cabanatuan. At dahil wala pang pasahero nag-desisyon muna akong lumibot sa Bayan. Tumawag ako ng tricycle(Php10), nagpahatid ako sa Baler Church.

Baler Catholic Church

Maliit lang ang simbahan ng Baler, pero dahil historical ang lugar na ito kaya madalas dinarayo ng mga Turista.

Aurora Aragon Ancestral House

Sa harap ng simbahan matatanaw ang replika ng tahanan ni Aurora Antonia Aragon y de Molina. Ang may-bahay ni Pangulong Manuel L. Quezon.  

The Presidential Car

Sa lugar ding ito matatagpuan ang Presidential Car ni Pangulong Quezon. Sa di kalayuan makikita ang Quezon Memorial Park, lugar kung san ipinanganak si Pres. Manuel L. Quezon. Halos mag-kakatabi lang ang mga Historical Landmark kaya di mahirap puntahan.

Quezon Memorial Park

Sa sentro makikita ang rebulto ni Quezon. At sa Bandang likuran naman ay ang Museo de baler. Kung saan
matatagpuan ang mga sinaunang gamit ng mga tao sa Baler at mga props na ginamit sa pelikulang "Baler".

Baler Museum

Masyado akong nalibang sa paglilibot di ko namalayan oras na pala. Kaya nag-mamadali akong bumalik sa Terminal para habulin ang 2nd trip. Pagdating ko wala na yung bus, kakaalis lang daw. Natawa na lang ako at dahil "no choice" naghintay na lang ako sa susunod na byahe. Mga bandang 11:30am na ako nakaalis ng Baler at mga bandang 6:30pm na ako nakabalik sa Pampanga...


Marami pang mga Tourist Spot ang hindi ko pa napuntahan dito. Kaya sa susunod na pag-biyahe ko susubukan kong libutin lahat.


Kung  may plano kang magbakasyon pwede mong idagdag sa listahan ang Aurora. Narito ang mga pwede mong sangguniin;


For bookings and inquiries, contact:
Aurora Provincial Tourism Office
Telefax : +63 (42) 209-4373
Mobile: +63 (921) 320-7015
Email: tourism_aurora@yahoo.com
Contact persons: Cha, Abbie, Adelle and Wilma
For personalized adventure packages, contact Noel C. Dulay
Mobile: +63 (919) 372-4764
Email: leoncd2@hotmail.com