The Iglesia de San Luis de Tolosa de Baler/San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is otherwise known as the Baler Catholic Church and it’s a church that has a great history. The historic church was constructed in 1611 from stones and bricks. The structure is dedicated to San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and is famous for the Siege of Baler that happened during the revolution of 1898 to 1899 followed by the defeat of the Spanish occupation forces.

The current Baler Catholic Church was built in 1939; it still has some authentic original details inside including the old bell, the La Campana de Baler. Markers are provided to indicate the locations where events connected with the Siege of Baler took place.

It is located on the south of the Quezon Memorial Park just near the town museum, the Museo de Baler and the Mount Carmel College (Baler, Aurora). In front of the church lies a marker that indicates the place where the American military personnel stood to negotiate with the Spaniards who were besieged in the church in 1899.

History of Iglesia de San Luis de Tolosa de Baler

The church was originally constructed in 1611. A Franciscan friar, Francisco de San Antonio, managed the development of the wooden church which was dedicated to San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. It was later reconstructed in stone.

During the Philippine revolution of 1898, at June 27, fifty Spanish soldiers and four officers took refuge inside the church because they feared that the Philippine insurgent army was too huge for them to overtake. The truth is, the Filipinos just actually burned some woods and mimic the sounds of gunfire to make their army more intimidating.

Not knowing this, the Spanish soldiers fortified their selves in the church close to a year.

Capt. Enrique de las Morenas ordered his troops to stay in the church with food supplies that will just last for 6 months. However, they began to suffer from malnutrition just within two months. Morenas died from the disease and was initially replaced by Lt. Saturnino Martin Cerezo, who proved to be tough and firm.

Under the command of Lt. Cerezo, they continue to hold out against the Filipino troops and Cerezo himself believed that the reports in the newspapers sent by the Filipinos to the garrison are not true. It cited that the Spanish government in Manila had already surrendered to America.

Eventually, Filipinos attempted to put down the morale of the troops inside the church; they held fiestas in front of the church. There are even reports that the Filipino troops used women to lure the soldiers to come outside. On April 11, 1899, Lt. James C. Gilmore, an American army officer, alighted in Baler to rescue the Spanish soldiers but his plan failed. He was captured by the Philippine army and his troop of fourteen soldiers, bringing them to Ilocos region. They were later rescued on December 28, 1899.

After how many months of fortifying themselves in the Iglesia de San Luis de Tolosa de Baler, the Spanish troops surrendered due to the army’s extreme hardship. Cerezo was finally convinced that the war was over after reading a newspaper left by Lt. Col Cristobal Aguilar. The other remaining soldiers left the church in June and sounded their trumpet which means that they are surrendering to the Filipinos who are surrounding them.

President Emilio Aguinaldo applauded the Spanish soldiers for their courage to stand against the Filipino insurgents and fortified their selves to the church even though they don’t have enough rations which give them hardships. They were also given safe conduct passes and permitted to go back to Spain.

The Baler Church from this period eventually deteriorated. It took several decades to renovate the deteriorated church. By 1939, First Lady Aurora Quezon headed a movement to renovate the church. The new church is constructed with bricks and stones and the exterior were painted anew while the interior of the church has been preserved.

How to get there:

From Manila, you can take any buses that are bound for Cabanatuan, Nueva Ejica. From Nueva Ecija, you can take a bus or van at the central terminal. There are also direct trips to Baler, Aurora from Cubao, you just need to go to Genesis Transport, Inc located at Genesis Transport Building 704 EDSA Corner New York St., Cubao, Quezon City.

The first trip is at 2:00 AM with subsequent trips at one hour intervals, last trip leaves Cubao at 7:30 AM. From Baler to Pasay, the first bus leaves at 4:30 AM, also with subsequent trips every hour. The last trip is at 3:00 PM. Travel time is approximately 6-7 hours.

Where to Stay in Baler, Aurora:

There are many lodgings available in Baler. The most popular lodgings are those in Sabang Beach because they are closer to the beach and surfing area.

For more information contact the Local Tourism of Baler, Aurora

• Aurora Provincial Tourism Office
• Address: Provincial Capitol Compound, Barangay Suklayin, Baler, Aurora 3200
• Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 8AM to 5PM
• Contact No.:  0921-320-7015
• E-mail: tourism_aurora@yahoo.com
• Facebook: Tourism Aurora
• Website: https://www.aurora.gov.ph/

You may also check Important Things to Remember When in Baler.