The Province of Aurora celebrated its' 32nd Foundation Anniversary. There had been lots of activities that took place during the stretch of the celebration. This years' celebration can be considered as one of the best if not the best celebration that the province had. It was marked by 10 meaningful events.
But before we embark on the events/happenings. Let me just provide you a brief history of my beloved province.
The Province of Aurora, with Baler as its capital, was founded by President Ferdinand E. Marcos in August 13, 1979 by virtue of Batas Bambansa Blg. 7. This act was the fulfillment of the prayers of the people of the former Municipalities of Baler and Casiguran to be truly independent from the Province of Quezon for the first time since the Spanish occupation.
The early history of Aurora is linked to Quezon Province, of which it originally formed a part, and Nueva Ecija. In 1591, Quezon (then named Kalilaya) was organized into a district that included a good portion of what now constitutes the Provinces of Laguna and Nueva Ecija.
The original capital of Quezon was Kalilaya, now known as Unisan. In 1701, Nueva Ecija was split from Kalilaya Province. Around 1749, the provincial capital was transferred from Kalilaya to the town of Tayabas. The entire province then took on the name of Tayabas as well.
The Birth of a Province
It wasn't until after World War II, however, that this part of Quezon Province languished in extreme isolation from neighboring provinces and cities. It was Mayor Pedro V. Guerrero, with the prodding of Dona Aurora Aragon Quezon, who sought the creation of a Sub-Province of Aurora, named in honor of Dona Aurora, as a stop-gap measure to pave the way for the eventual creation of an independent province when the required number of municipalities was attained. Guerrero was appointed Lieutenant Governor in recognition of his accomplishment.In 1951 the municipalities of Baler, Casiguran, Dilasag, Dipaculao, Dinalongan, Dingalan, Maria Aurora and San Luis were officially formed into the Sub-Province of Aurora by virtue of Republic Act 646.
The dream of converting the Sub-Province into a regular province was indefatigably pursued by Atty. Luis S. Etcubanez, who has the distinction of being the last Lieutenant Governor of the Sub-Province of Aurora. Etcubanez was appointed as the first Governor of Aurora when it became the 73rd province of the country in 1979. Etcubanez issued an Executive Order declaring February 19 of each year Aurora Foundation Day in honor of the late Dona Aurora Quezon.
Here are the events:
1. The 5th Aurora Surfing Challenge/7th Skateboarding Competition
2. Drum & Lyre Competition
3. Tourism and Trade Fair
4. NIGHTLY PARTIES
5. Tuklas Talino (Galing ng Aurora)
6. Karera ng Kalabaw
7. Binibining Aurora 2011
8. Kinagunasan Festival/Street Dancing Competition
9. Fireworks Display
10. Parada ng Lalawigan/Anniversary Program
Credits: Batang Baler for some of the pictures.
