Let's continue our tour in the province of Aurora, particularly Baler.
The last leg of our Barangay Zabali tour took us to Ermita Hill or formerly known as Point Baja Hill. I can't find anything online why they called it Ermita Hill. The neighboring mountain is called Mt. Castillo.
Imagine yourself sleeping the night before with everything intact only to be gone the next day. Your house gone. Your town gone. Natural occurrences happen in such a disastrous way that it takes everything with it including property and life.
Just like the tragic story of Ermita Hill.
On the night of December 27, 1735, while the told town of Baler was sleeping, a tsunami or tromba marina engulfed the town sweeping and destroying everything in its way. It came like a thief in the night. In an hour it killed about 500 people. Only 7 families managed to survive the said tragedy. These survivors were able to swim to the nearest hill - Ermita. I can only imagine the pain and loss these families must have felt. Your home gone in an instant.
These families are the Bihasas, Bitongs, Carrascos, Ferreras, Lumasacs, Poblete and the Angaras. The Angaras are prominent name in the country for they are known in the political arena.
According to history, a sacristan came to the town's convent to warn the priest about the fast rising of water. That was around 2:00 a.m. when the tsunami struck. The tsunami came without warning. It was not even a bad weather at that time which was really odd. Interestingly, the other areas on the same shoreline were not affected by the tsunami.
The capital of Baler was then moved further inland and the resettlement of the old Baler is now called Kinagunasan which means wiped out or devastated.
At the base of hill you will see these sculptures of a family helping each other up the hill. A grim reminder of that fateful day. Once again I couldn't find who made this sculpture.
Ermita Hill today is now a park and also an arboretum. An arboretum is a place where collection of different trees are planted. It's like a botanical garden.
A few minutes drive from the lighthouse and waterfalls, we checked out what Ermita Hill has to offer.
One would have to pay the corresponding fee or none at all if you are a local. The fees collected are used to maintain the place and also some were given to scholars. The land which used to be a government property now belongs to Aurora State College.
Here you can see lighthouse in the distance.
There are about 300 steps up to the highest point of the hill. I can't remember what were the trees there but there were fruit bearing trees as well. You get to see a view of the Pacific Ocean and Sabang Beach and some of Baler. It's not a clear view though for it is covered by the trees.
During the old times, the town was raided by pirates. Ermita Hill is a good vantage point to guard and watch for incoming raiders. One time that the pirates came to raid the coastal towns, the people were warned by the watchers of incoming pirates. The people then hid in the tunnels of Ermita. Fortunately, the pirates were unable to find them. It is said that these pirates saw a light emanating from the mountain which drove the pirates away thus sparing the locals. Locals believed that was the Patron of Saint, Sta. Isabel.
Also at the top of the hill is a cross which serves as a memorial to that fateful night of 1735. It symbolizes hope and survival.
This needs a major makeover though.
It was such a lovely place to spend your time with while enjoying the scenic views. There were beautiful flowers too at the park. You can sit under the trees where there are seats and tables. We also saw different kinds of birds such as the Luzon hornbill. It was our first time to see that.
At the foot of the stairs are souvenir shops and stores that also serve some food and refreshments. I find these keychains colorful and cute.
All contents are mine except otherwise stated.
Thank you once again for reading and for your support.
How was your day?
It's an indoor Sunday again for we are still waiting for the result of our test. It was supposed to be today. One of us have already received an sms stating that that person's test is negative. We are still waiting for ours. Also, it rained today so it's a perfect coffee day again.
woah grabe yung madaling araw talaga na banlas nang tsunami yung isang bayan? pero ngayon ang ganda na niya