Poler in Baler: Adventure is Out There!

After spending a day in campsite, it's time to explore Aurora Baler and Costa Pacifica!

With my Poler Burnt Orange Daypack:

Eds' Poler Mini Duffle in Navy:

David's Poler Rucksack in Camo and Orange:

Costa Pacifica, located at 080 Buton Street Barangay Sabang, is Aurora Baler's new resort destination with over 106 rooms and suites. Five-star feeling during my whole stay there! They have great service and complete amenities including a beautiful outdoor pool, gym, kid's nook, a huge venue hall, surfing school and rentals (Charlie Does), and the Beach House--their restaurant that offers super good local and international cuisines and drinks.

Check-in was a breeze:

The group always meet in this huge lobby, where they have fast wi-fi and very comfy round sofa na I almost slept in every time I wait for them:

They have a board with the weather forecast for those who are planning to surf, and a shopping area with Baler's famous Aling Pacing Peanut Butter:

My favorite is their breakfast buffet:

And also these chocolate in-room treats:

I stayed in room L33, a Junior Suite located on the first floor with a view of their garden. Costa Pacifica even offers suites overlooking the Pacific Ocean! :D

Two beds, hello Pax, hehe:

A clean bathroom all to myself! 

Lots of sockets in every corner of the room:

A sofa-bed in case of biglaang guests, TV, ref, cabinet with hangers:

Enjoyed this complimentary Baler suman, which my sister asked me to buy for her as pasalubong:

I love going out through my room's second door... and go around the garden area to take random nature photos. Ang dami lang frogs!

We also had a Baler city tour to get to know more about the place beyond its beautiful seas and being a TOP surf spot. The capital of Aurora province, our tour guide told us that Baler comes from the word bali--meaning "a place to come back to". Awww.

Our first stop was in the Baler-famous 600-year-old balete tree, a designated millennium tree of the Philippines. One of the LARGEST trees in Asia, kailangan ng 60 grown men na magkakaholding hands at arm's length para mai-hug ang buong puno! Scary 600 and 60, panay 6!!! :D

Diyan tayo nadadale e, hahaha! Parang Diplomat, first to go inside the trunk's formed caves to check out kung anong meron sa loob. Ang cool lang parang siyang huge nest with nice form of lights inside:

Second stop was at the Church of Baler, a place that witnessed a lot of history including the Siege of Baler during the Spanish-American War. Four officers and 50 men were besieged in this church by Filipino insurgents during the 1898 revolution, parang eto yata yung mga last resistance of the Spaniards before they surrendered to the American troops.

Meanwhile, the Dona Aurora House naman was rebuilt in memorial of Donya Aurora Aragon Quezon, the wife of late Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon. You can find here their old books, paintings, furnitures, and even their cool car.

Municipal Town Hall of Baler:

Located in Barangay Zabali, the Ermita Hill was developed to give the guest a great viewing deck of the whole Baler--the Pacific Ocean, the Baler Fishport, mangroves, Baler Bay, and the Dimadimalangat Islet. There is also a chapel believed to give warnings of approaching threats to the residents.

Families who survived the tidal waves during the 1700s were believed to have climbed this hill. 

"I can see you", hehe.

Back at the hotel, we all received a gift from Roxy Philippines! I love my tiffany blue rash guard with coral pipings (so fashown and nakaka-pro!), and readyng ready na for, of course, surfing!

The first and last time I surfed was 3 or 4 years ago in La Union, so I was as good as a newbie then. We rented boards and asked for guides in Costa Pacifica's Charlie Does. An hour of lesson and rental costs P350.

Like in most surf schools, one-on-one ang whole 101 (yesss), and in just a few minutes, pwede na isalang the student and try to "catch the waves". Thank you to my instructor for being so patient and encouraging, haha!


Yung totoo, siningitan ko pa ng moment si Lissa sa paddle photo kong to, hahaha:


Yey I have surf pic pala! :D Thank you to Primer's photog Pre! Minsan lang ako makatayo ng matagal, so todo react HAHA.


It was all fun, though, and nakakabitin! Iba talaga ang natural high when it comes to surfing... I want to go back!!! 

Another favorite part during our Costa Pacifica stay was our last night in the hotel where we all had games and drinks in Clang's veranda! Hindi ko din alam paano napunta ang game night sa ghost stories, waaah! :p

Group photo before we left Baler:

My Baler buddies Eds, Lissa, and David:

Thank you Poler Philippines for all the outdoor experiences we had in Baler! I can't imagine doing some of these in this lifetime! Of course other than the camp, surf, and trek, Poler encouraged me to once in a while disconnect from technology that has been eating me up the past months... And reconnect with myself by going on nature trips, opening myself to new things, and try exhilarating activities! Can't wait for my next adventure!

Poler Outdoor Stuff is available in all Bratpack stores nationwide. Special thanks to Primer Group, Costa Pacifica, Great Escapes by Dispatch, R.O.X, and Bratpack. Follow @PolerPhilippines on Instagram.