Aurora is a province that can be found in Region III which is generally mountainous with only 30% coastal flatlands. This makes the place a good venue for mountain climbing and trekking. Surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving are also some of the activities a tourist can enjoy in this place. Although seldom heard and promoted as one of the best tourist spots in the country, this place is blessed with vast numbers of tourist attractions. Here we can find the famous Sierra Madre Mountains, a place where flora and fauna are mostly concentrated. Different body of waters, like the waterfalls and rivers of varying sizes, are located within, or near, the area of Sierra Madre Mountains.

If you have a passion for nature tripping, you won’t regret coming to this place. Aside from mountain climbing, Aurora is also a good place for safari, bird watching, ecological studies or picnics, which, amazingly, you can do all at the same time. You can view some of these at TFC too where they promote provinces in the Philippines for tourism with also projects such as Walang Iwanan sa Bayan ni Juan.

I have been talking of the abundance of tourist spots in Aurora and I’m sure that many are interested to know what this place has to offer, right? But I must say that in order to really appreciate the beauty of a certain place, we must first know a little bit of its history. For how can we market our product if we don’t know what it is, isn’t it ? This is part of our campaign to boost tourism in our country and Paraiso Philippines motto Tourism Pinas 2009. For just a brief retrospect, the province of Aurora was named after the wife of the late first Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon. She was known for her tireless endeavor in providing social welfare services, especially to the people of her place. Based on August 1, 2007 census, the total population of Aurora is 187,802, where mostly are Filipino and Ilokano- speaking inhabitants.

Historical Attractions:
Of course, the President Quezon Memorial Park, which serves as a landmark of Baler, the capital of Aurora. Then Lt. Commander James Gilmore Marker, the commander of US Gunboat “Yorktown,” who was captured along with all his men when he came to Baler in April 1899 to relieve the Spanish soldiers besieged in the church of Baler. The Aurora Quezon Marker, I think there is no need to elaborate this one. And lastly, the President Quezon’s House and Rest house; today, only the remains of the house and the cement staircase are left standing after it was severely struck by a super typhoon.

Natural Attractions:
Ditumabo Falls, Bane Spring, NIA (National Irrigation Administration) Watershed and Cunayan Falls are located at San Luis, Aurora. They also have the Cemento Beach Reef, Dimadimalang Islet and Digisit Beach, found at Baler. Furthermore, the province likewise has Balete Park, Tariktik Point, Pagkain ng Bayan Plateau, Casiguran Sound and Sierra Madre Mountains, among others.

For religious attractions, of course, the place has the Santo Entierro, a glass casket encasing the lying statue of Jesus Christ, where the local claimed it to be miraculous and; Baler Catholic Church, where the La Campana de Baler, an ancient high quality bell, was used and later stored as a relic.

One of the most famous festivals in Aurora is the Moro-Moro Festival. The interplay of drama and dance, the “Zarzuela” is an interesting form of theater, taking three days to complete. And lastly, special interest tours include surfing, mountain climbing and snorkeling, among others.

Experience Aurora, Experience Philippines !!!