Aurora is about four hours from Nueva Ecija but it is remarkably different in pace and atmosphere from its western neighbor. Life in Aurora is unhurried and simple. There are no movie houses in the capital, nor is there a market or wharf. What Aurora offers is a quiet, uncomplicated rural charm that blends very well with the greatness of its history and natural beauty.

Throughout the town of Baler are silent markers to the great moments that occurred in this isolated outpost along the Pacific coast. Baler Church is a plain looking old church that bears witness to the gallantry of a small band of Spanish soldiers who held out against Revolutionary forces. These men, though enemies of the Revolution, won the admiration of Filipinos and President Emilio Aguinaldo for their courage in the face of superior force. There are also monuments that mark the birthplaces of President Manuel Quezon and Aurora Quezon.

To mark the birth of Aurora Quezon, after whom the province is named, the province holds a traditional theatrical performance called the Moro-Moro Zarzuela. The zarzuela is an interesting form of theater that incorporates drama and dance. The zarzuela is composed of several acts that revolved around the main theme of Muslim-Christian conflict. The moro-moro was once very popular throughout the provinces of Luzon and the Visayas and hark to the time when Christian towns suffered under incessant Moro raids. Each year, a different variation of the moro-moro is shown.

As actors mime the action between Muslim and Christian camps, a narrator provides the audience the running story and the dialogue. Most of the players are untrained actors and actresses who duel using real weapons.

Town Fiesta and Festivals