Museo de Baler features Philippines’ rich Hispanic heritage
ALER, AURORA, does not only attract tourists because of surfing sites, of which it has aplenty due to its proximity to Pacific Ocean, but also because of its rich history.
BIts local museum, Museo de Baler, houses several historical artifacts that link it closely to the Philippines’ first and longest colonizer, Spain. Inaugurated in 2002, the museum’s historical mural, a cold cast that covers the façade, was created by sculptor Toym Imao, son of National Artist for the Visual Arts Abdulmari Imao. The
work was commissioned by Sen. Edgardo Angara and the Baler Historical Committee.
Ilovita Mesina, Baler’s local historian, said the museum was put up partly to commemorate the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day and relive the Siege of Baler.
“The museum contains pieces that are significant to the town’s history,” said Mesina.
Among the pieces are Chinese porcelain items from the Galleon Trade recovered from shipwrecks in Manila Bay, Luzon and Palawan.
President Manuel Quezon, who was born in Baler, has a statue in the center of the park named in his honor. Even his restored presidential car is showcased among the museum’s many artifacts.
Franciscan memorabilia
Aside from the earthenware, the museum also houses old letters, reports and ulation; academic records; a ciborium and tabernacle used by the Franciscans.
The items were used for the celebration of the Mass in Baler’s church, whose patron is San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Fr. Blas Palomino ordered the construction of the church in 1611.
The second floor of Museo de Baler contains newly installed pieces of visual art, called “Portraits of Fortitude.” Local artist Sherwin Paul Gonzales painted portraits of the survivors and participants of the Siege of Baler. The oil-on-canvas pieces capture the emotions and expressions of the survivors during the standoff of Spaniards and Filipinos.