Daily Archives: 10 April, 2009

Exploring Baler’s Environs (Aurora)

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Dimadilangat Island

After surfing lessons at Sabang Beach, we packed up our tent and belongings, loaded it at the Toyota Revo and decided to spend the rest of the afternoon doing some sightseeing.  First on our itinerary was the Ermita Park in Brgy. Zabal, the highest point in the town.  According to the locals, many of the town’s inhabitants sought refuge here when a tidal wave struck and completely engulfed Baler on December 1735.  Today, it has a huge white cross (which is lighted at night), picnic huts, a chapel and a mini-zoo.  To get to the cross, we had to climb over a hundred steps but the effort was well worth it as it has, from its concrete view deck, an excellent view of the town, the Sierra Madre Mountains, Cemento and Sabang Beaches, Lukso-Lukso rock formation and the offshore islands of Dimadilangat and Aniao. 

The cross at Ermita Hill

Having seen the the latter islands from Ermita Hill, we next drove down the hill to visit Dimadimalangat Island.  Located off the reef shore, it serves as a point identifying the southernmost tip of Baler Bay.  This rock formation is approachable during low tide and, during the calm months of April to June, the place becomes a haven for wall divers.   It is also a good dive and snorkeling site.

Aniao Islands

We next drove further south to the Aniao Islands, just off the coast of Brgy. Zabali.  These two small but imposing, shrub-covered islands are a habitat for kingfishers, gulls and even hawks and its peaks are a challenge for rock climbers.   Towering waves adamantly pound the island’s base. The islands are a 20-min. boat ride from Sabang.

Diguisit Falls

I wanted to continue on to the Radar/Weather Station at Cape Encanto and, beyond, to Dicasalarin Cove in neighboring San Luis town but boulders were blocking the already bad road so I decided to turn the Revo around and return to the town.  On our way back to the town proper, we also made a stopover at roadside Diguisit Falls (a.k.a. Natulo Falls).  Located 10 kms. from the town proper, it was said to be the first potable water source  for the people of Baler, made so through the efforts of Dona Aurora Quezon.  

Camping and Surfing at Sabang Beach (Baler, Aurora)

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Cheska on her surfboard

Baler Tourism Coordinator Riza del Rosario sadly informed us that there wasn’t any accommodation available whatsoever for us, at least for this day.  I wasn’t surprised as it was the holidays and Baler was packed with tourists.  Anticipating this, I brought along my new Coleman 5-pax tent which I received last Christmas.  It measures 3 m. by 3 m. and has a 1.83 m. head clearance, convenient if you need to stand up while dressing.  From the town proper, I first drove to the Hanging Bridge at Brgy. Zabali where my 4 companions gamely crossed to the other side.  Motion sickness, caused by the swaying bridge, made me stop midway during my crossing and forced me to turn back.  After this adrenalin-filled crossing, we returned to the Revo and drove on to the gray sand Sabang Beach in Brgy. Sabang.  Most of the accommodations in Baler are located along this beach but, since all were fully booked, I just rented a picnic hut and pitched my tent on the grassy ground beside it.     

The gray sand Sabang Beach

Long before the movie Baler, the town was known as one of the country’s top 5 surfing areas. The waters of the Pacific formed strong, sharp break waves that provide an exhilarating high among experienced surfers. The best waves come in from October to March when the northeast monsoon blows down from China but surfing waves are present all year round, even during our visit.  Glassy right and left waves occur in the early mornings. They are not usually big, except during typhoons.   Thus, Sabang Beach is a good site for beginners and novice surfers.  Jandy and Cheska, as well as Lulu, all beginners, opted to take some surfing lessons (PhP350/pax for 1 hr.) while Vi, an avid photographer, just took pictures.  I stayed behind to watch the tent and our belongings. 

Fish catch being hauled in
Sabang Beach has three surfing sites: Cobra Reef, Charlie’s Point and Secret Spot.  Charlie’s Point, located north of Sabang Beach, within walking distance from the town proper, was where the surfing scene of Francis Ford Cuppola‘s 1979 Apocalypse Now was filmed.  It is known for its medium-quality, right and left breakwaves on sand and gravel bottom. The waves are best from December to January. Secret Spot is located at the mouth of the Cemento River. Further north of Sabang Beach is the newly discovered surfing spot called Lindy’s Point, a 15-min. hike from Bay’s Inn.