Three lucky individuals, along with their chosen partners were treated to the ultimate outdoor adventure trip of their lives as one-stop outdoor shop Recreational Outdoor eXchange (R.O.X) pushed them to conquer a series of different open-air escapades last March 7- 9 in the natural enclave of Baler, Aurora.
The three grand winners were SPED teacher Berlin Amploquio and college professor Rembrandt; online entrepreneur Gino Rovedillo accompanied by younger sister Kate and UP Diliman employee Janssen Paulo Cusi with best buddy John Mark.
They were the top finishers of an online contest where participants were given a chance to turn your dreams of adventure into a reality by logging on to their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/roxphilippines, clicking on the app and answering the question “What will you get outside for?” with the grand winners getting to experience the different outdoor activities like camping/glamping, trekking, surfing, rappelling and others while 10 runners-up will have one adventure activity granted by R.O.X.
The winners arrived at Baler town proper where a sumptuous lunch and Heritage Tour of this quaint town awaits. This tour features the important landmarks in Baler history namely the Doña Aurora Memorial Shrine, Lieutenant Commander James C. Gilmore Marker, Museo de Baler, Baler town 400th anniversary marker, Quezon Memorial Park (the birthplace of former President Manuel L. Quezon) and the famous San Luis Obispo Parish (Baler Catholic Church) popularized by the Siege of Baler in 1898–1899 between the Philippine Revolutionary forces and Spanish troops during the Philippine Revolution and Spanish-American War.
The adventure seekers were then brought to the awesome white sand enclave of Dicasalarin Cove, where guides and instructors from Dispatch’s Great Escapes taught camping techniques like proper packing, setting up tents and making camp. This critical knowledge was immediately put to the test as the beach campers was tasked set up their tents, cook their own meals using mobile stoves and spend the night sleeping outdoors.
Come Sunday, adrenaline rushed as the participants were challenged to conquer the slippery height of Digisit falls through waterfall rappelling. After teaching basic precautions and a short demo on proper safety gear, the winners – through the supervision of trained guides – scaled the 40 foot drop that is Diguisit Falls. Nearby the shallow pools of Diguisit beach offered a cool respite on the rocks, the surrounding areas teeming animals and plants after the tide retreats.
Continuing the adventures, the winners group got to test their patience with the bait, hook, line and sinker as they try to catch fish using a fishing pole. They also tested the river currents of Barangay Zabali in Baler as they paddled their kayak into the outlet of the marshy estuary and crossed the hanging bridge.
To cap off the action packed day, the party was welcomed into Costa Pacifica resort at Sabang beach, the perfect resort for surfers and shore lovers because of colorful aesthetics, open spaces, functional furniture and great customer service. Sunday was welcomed by a cool sea breeze and as the tide morning tide enters, the adventurers broke Baler’s famous waves with the help of knowledgeable surfing guides.
The 3 day adventure trip is as part of R.O.X company advocacy in encouraging individuals to get outside and experience life on the move through exciting events and engaging activities. R.O.X is owned and operated by the Primer Group of Companies. It is also engaged in retail and distribution of the world’s top brands in outdoor travel, footwear, fashion, wellness and urban lifestyle, being the largest outdoor sports and recreation superstore in South East Asia.
In line with its yearly Get Outside campaign, R.O.X. in partnership with Bonifacio High Street will be staging a two- day event happening on April 18 to 19, called the R.O.X. Outdoor Festival, targeting to get everyone to go outdoors especially this summer.
As the culminating event of the Get Outside campaign, R.O.X. will be holding competitions such as Bouldering, TNF Mountain Athletics, Salomon 100-meter dash, Columbia Trying Stuff Ramp Challenge, Fox Pedal Plank and different activities from the different outdoor brands. Several talks that would focus on topics such as Outdoor Photography and Filming, Travel Outfitting, Getting your kids into Outdoors, Responsible Outdoorsmen, Bike Safety and Maintenance. Each topics will be headed and facilitated by various industry experts who aim to inspire, especially newbies, of going outside and enjoying more recreational activities this summer.
There would also be special outdoor film and movie showing, live band performances of Indio I and Lucille Band to entertain the public as well as LED POI performance by the Planet Zips Luminaries.
This event is in partnership with Bonifacio High Street. Supported by TNF, Salomon, Fox, Columbia, Eddie Bauer, Sea to Summit, Telic, Nalgene, Roxy, Quiksilver, DC, Timbuk2, Poler, O’Neill, Volcom, Core, Sanuk, Native, Hurley, Stance, Mountain Hardwear, Spyder, Otterbox, Goal Zero, Nivea, DOT, Go Pro, Dan’s, Specialized, Brushstroke, Strider, Amorita, Cyburban, Planet Zips, Cebu Pacific, Costa Pacifica, Garmin, Power Up, Krispy Kreme. Media Partners: Business Mirror, Malaya, PDI, PhilStar, When In Manila, Juice.ph, Writer’s Block, Gist.ph, View Magazine, 2.0 Magazine, Explore, Powerplay, Speed Magazine, Endurance Travel Now, Travelife, Clavel, Balikbayan and Multisport.
R.O.X currently operates six branches around the country namely: R.O.X. Manila (B1 Bonifacio High St., The Fort, Taguig City), R.O.X. Cebu (Ground Floor Active Zone Area, Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City), R.O.X. Pampanga (Level 1 – Marquee Mall, Angeles City, Pampanga), R.O.X. Baguio (Cluster C, Ayala Technohub, Camp John Hay, Baguio), R.O.X. Cagayan de Oro (Second Floor, Ayala Centrio Mall, Cagayan De Oro) R.O.X. Bacolod (Level 2, F- 201 the District Ayala North Point, Talisay City.
Visit www.rox.com.ph or add RoxPhilippines on Facebook or Twitter @ROX_Philippines. hashtags, #roxoutdoorfestival, #getoutside, and #roxphilippines
R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street, Marquee Mall Pampanga, Camp John Hay Baguio, Ayala Center Cebu, Ayala Centrio Mall Cagayan De Oro and the District North Point Bacolod.
R.O.X. is owned and operated by the Primer Group of Companies, Asia’s next retail giant.
