ANGARA LAUDS BALER FOR BEING THE BEST MOVIE
IN THE 25th PMPC STAR AWARDS

A proud native of Baler, Aurora, Senator Edgardo J. Angara lauds the winning of Mark Meily's Baler as the Movie of the Year in the 25th Philippine Movie and Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards.

"The historical siege of Baler shown in the film informs the viewers on how the natives of the province defended their territory against the Spaniards. This movie doesn't only show the story that happened inside the church of Baler, now a national historical landmark; it also served as an educational material about the Balerianos' battle for autonomy," Angara said who is a former UP President and the principal author that created the new National Museum and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts.

Baler, the capital and oldest municipality of the province of Aurora will be celebrating its 400th year of foundation this August. It is the home of the Baler church where fifty-seven Spanish soldiers held out in 1899. The soldiers occupied the church in June 27, 1899, two weeks after the proclamation of Philippine independence. Due to the lack of information and communication from the government that the war has already ended and its relative isolation from the capital city, Manila, the soldiers remained at their post for 337 days.

Only 33 Spanish soldiers survived the siege and transpired after President Emilio Aguinaldo issued a presidential decree acclaiming their bravery and heroism. The decree also contain that they be treated by Filipinos as friends.

Due to this, the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day is celebrated June 30 of every year under the Republic Act No. 9187 authored by Senator Angara and Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara.

"The Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day proves to be an act of reverence between the Philippines and Spain that will optimistically spur continued good relations between the two countries," added Angara.

Meanwhile, Baler still bagged numerous awards from the PMPC Star Awards including the Movie Director of the Year (Marc Meily), Movie Actor of the Year (Jericho Rosales), Movie Editor of the Year, Movie Original Screenplay of the Year, Movie Cinematographer of the Year, Movie Sound Engineer of the Year, and Movie Original Theme Song of the Year.