AKKAW BALER!

AURORA CAPITAL CELEBRATES TOWN FIESTA

Bigger is always better when it comes to town parties, and grand is almost always the result of well-
planned events. The annual Baler Town Fiesta celebration in the province of Aurora is extraordinary
because the fiesta lasts for one week and is jam-packed with activities.

August is a special month in Baler, the provincial capital of Aurora because three significant events are
celebrated—the feast of its patron saint, San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, who died on August 19, 1297; the
birth anniversary of Manuel Luis Quezon, president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935
to 1944, which also falls on August 19; and the town's founding, the exact date of which is unknown but
usually commemorated with a fiesta.

Baler Town Fiesta is usually held from August 13 to 19 with various events, such as Akkaw Baler Talents
Fest, Binibining Baler, a Suman, and Agri Fishery trade fair, awarding of Top Taxpayers, and a Raffle
Bonanza. Also, a fun run, a cycling competition, an open fishing competition, a longboard push race, and
slide jam competition, and a painting competition were among the other competitions or events. This
year, the festival, according to Baler Mayor Rhett T. Angara, encompassed by the theme “Sa
Nagkakaisang Mamamayan, Kaunlaran ng Bayan ang Makakamtan”.

The beauty pageant is still a highlight of many Philippine fiestas and festivals, and Baler takes its beauty
pageant seriously, with townspeople filling Sentro Baler to bandwidth on August 17, the Binibining Baler
coronation night. Kyle Escobar of Poblacion 2 was crowned winner, with Angela Alcuetas of Poblacion 5
coming in first and Mylyn Padua of Poblacion 4 coming in second.

There are also "modern" facets that were planned alongside traditional fiesta features like the sayawang
bayan or town dance, where officials and senior citizens from the town's 13 barangays were given a
venue to dance and socialize. On several festival nights, audiences were entertained by the Akkaw Baler
Talent Fest and the SMB Night and Battle of the Bands.

But the most awaited event for this year's celebration is the Raffle Bonanza, for only 100 pesos you
could get a chance to win 1 million pesos as the grand prize and many more minor prizes such as an E-
trike, e-bike, grocery packs, and a sack of rice.

Festival time brings about a change in the atmosphere and an aura of positivity. Festivals enable us to
maintain and preserve our connection to our origins, culture, and roots. They relieve us from life's
monotony. And this year, Baler Town Fiesta didn't disappoint us; thus, it encouraged us to put aside our
differences, embrace one another, and foster a culture of harmony.