ANGARA TO LEAD AURORA'S 31ST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

BALER, AURORA -- Senator Edgardo J. Angara will lead the celebration of the 31st Founding Anniversary of the historic province of Aurora coinciding with the 122nd Birth Anniversary of the late Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon on Friday, February 19.

"This year's celebration will once again showcase the province's rich and diverse cultural traditions and indigenous products through a series of activities and events aimed at uniting the community to work for a better Aurora Province," Angara said.

Gracing the event is no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and members of the Philippine Diplomatic Community. President Arroyo is set to deliver a keynote speech and lead the wreath laying ceremonies at the Capitol Compound to pay respect to Doña Aurora.

"This event also gives honor to the wife of Commonwealth President, Doña Aurora, who was known for her unwavering efforts to promote the social welfare of the people of Aurora," he said.

Like her husband, Doña Aurora was born in the town of Baler. She died in an ambush on the mountain roads of Nueva Ecija leading to the province that now bears her name.

With the theme, "Aurora: Booming Amidst Global Economic Crisis," the highlights of this celebration include a grand parade, wreath laying ceremony and messages from key officials, among others.

"The province's theme is a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of the people of Aurora and the ability of its local government to withstand the negative impact of the global financial crisis through sound policies and development projects," Angara stressed.

On August 13, 1979 by virtue of Batas Pambansa Blg. 7, former President Ferdinand Marcos founded the province of Aurora (former sub-province of Quezon) and made Baler as its capital. Baler, Casiguran, Dilasag, Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Dingalan, Maria Aurora and San Luis are the municipalities of the Aurora.

Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo currently serves as the governor of Aurora Province while Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara is the representative of the province's lone district.

Aurora has an abundance of tourist attractions and historical sights including the home and rest house of former Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon, the Baler church which was last Spanish bastion in the Philippines, and the Millennium Tree. Its natural attractions include picturesque waterfalls, lush greenery on mountainsides, and panoramic beaches.