The Heart of Baler: Inside the Simple Home of a Woman Who Lived for Others

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Our trip led us to the town proper as we explore Baler in the middle of the day. In the middle of the town, you can find Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon’s House. I’ve been to quite a number of historical landmarks before, but there was something unique about this one. At first glance, it looks like a simple nipa hut house. I thought it’s just a simple vacation house, but we didn’t expect to see something bigger inside.

The moment we stepped inside, we felt an immediate sense of peace. It was a peaceful afternoon, and the air is fresh, just like a typical thing you’ll experience in provinces. The surroundings made the whole place feel incredibly welcoming and comfortable, almost as if the house itself was inviting us to slow down and breathe.

The house is beautifully well-maintained, transporting us to another period in its simple wooden construction and huge, wide-open windows. It wasn’t filled with large, museum-type exhibits, but had a quiet elegance which seemed warm and genuine. We had a variety of interesting artifacts which provided us with a personal insight into the family's life. The paintings and old books gave us a glimpse of their cultural and intellectual interests. One of the paintings which especially drew our eye depicted Doña Aurora and Manuel Quezon together, a sentimental picture of the couple.

What really impressed us during our visit was getting to know the woman herself. In addition to being the First Lady, Doña Aurora was extraordinary, truly remarkable woman with a spirit for the welfare of the poor. We were able to see one old photograph of her, which gave us a good glimpse of the exemplary woman that she had been. The spirit of compassion and service instilled in us by Doña Aurora came dearly alive in the walls of her house. That's why the house came across as so warm and humble; it suited her own warm and humble personality. It could be said that simplicity and kindness were foremost in her mind.

The paintings within which we saw are not all about her, but also added life to the history of the Aurora Province. One of it depicted the historic refuge of few families to Ermita Hill when the devastating Tromba Marina tsunami struck Baler. It was a vivid reminder of the town's resilience.

This trip wasn't simply visiting where a First Lady resided; it was to be close to the spirit of a woman whose life has been devoted to caring for other people. We were equally educated on how her influence extended way beyond politics, as she had been deeply involved in charity and greatly contributed to improve the education system. She helped a lot of youth to learn how to read and count. The house remains as a witness to a wonderful character and all the good acts that she had done. In addition, to honor Doña Aurora’s life and works, the province was proclaimed to be known under her name: Aurora Province.

As we gazed out the house's windows, facing the town, we were treated to a lovely view of the town that obviously delighted her. The vista came as a parting gift, linking her narrative to Baler today as a living, breathing town.

Going downstairs, we were also treated to a lovely poem crafted by Doña Aurora, entitled “Sawing Gantimpala” or Unfulfilled Reward. The title itself depicted her fateful love and sacrifice. The personal touch made our trip so much fuller.

Our trip to Doña Aurora’s House was a peaceful and touching encounter. It was a beautiful reminder that genuine greatness does not lie in big palaces or wealthy lifestyles, but in simple dwellings and big hearts of persons whose lives are dedicated to serving other individuals. It’s a must-visit for those wanting to touch a bit of Baler’s history and be lifted up in honor of one of Baler’s greatest icons.