The past 40 years has been a roller-coaster ride for yours truly in this province made famous by its sceneries and citizens. Born on a Gemini month, the time I was born was the First Quarter Storm when people were fanning out in the streets of Metro Manila protesting the declaration of Martial Law during the time of Marcos.
As a native of Aurora, I have been a living witness to the evolution of Aurora from a sub-province into an independent province in 1979. Suffice it to say that I am an Auroran through and through. I finished my primary, secondary and tertiary education here in Baler before I finished my masteral degree in Business Administration major in General Management at the Manuel Luis Quezon University (MLQU) in Quiapo, Manila and now pursuing my doctorate (Ph D B.A.) in Business Administration at NEUST.
I am a columnist of “Dateline Aurora” and am also a Reporter covering the Central and Northern Luzon areas of the Catholic Media Network (CMN).
Exposed to a different environment for two (2) years while at the MLQU, I found this self-discovery that you cannot have peace of mind unless you hark back and return to your place of birth no matter how tempting the greener pastures are. Perhaps the word “Balod,” where the origin of Baler reportedly came from, has something to do with this. Balod, to old folks here in Baler, refers to a bird that keeps coming back to his original place.
This I presumed is the “Balod” in me, who returned to my place of origin when it was not yet Aurora the day I was born. There’s a sense of satisfaction being in this place, reminding me of the adopted ape Caesar in the “Planet of the Apes” who, when he was being egged on by his master to return to the latter’s house after Caesar went back to the forests, replied: “Caesar is Home.”
This also explains why this column is entitled “Dateline Aurora,” as I take pride in my place which has produced some of the best minds I can think of like President Manuel L. Quezon, General Molina, Former Veteran Senator Ed Angara and his son Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara to name a few.
And so, my fellow Aurorans, Dateline Aurora is now on touchdown to Ground Zero at Baler Airport to bring to you social issues for the consumption of our dear readers from the far-flung barrios to our hometown Baler – first and foremost – to other citizens of the world who keep themselves abreast of the developments obtaining in our place.
Dateline Aurora will surf in our coastlines at Baler Bay navigating and riding the waves or hiking through the canopied forests of Sierra Madre for events and adventures in the province.
Log on “Dateline Aurora” for it will provide meaningful information through responsible reportage and coverage of events. You may follow also on this link. http://bagongaurorawebsitengbayan.wordpress.com/dateline-aurora/.(Jason de Asis)
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