Baler-high with the Chevy Trailblazer

By Kenneth del Rosario February 05,2015
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Chevy Trailblazer made the drive to Baler a memorable one. Photo by Walter Villa

ON A five-and-a-half-hour drive from Manila to Baler last weekend, Chevrolet had us drive its flagship mid-size SUV, the Trailblazer. The point was to have us experience the vehicle’s top-notch features that makes it so excellent for such a getaway. Point taken loud and clear.
Every traveler knows that getting to the destination is half the journey. The Trailblazer is clearly that one car that could take you from one point to another (and the various stopovers in between) with convenience and confidence—and a whole lot more—in equal measure. It gets bonus points for looking tough and handsome from the get-go.
From the moment our convoy of four Trailblazers left Manila on Friday morning, its raw power was apparent. I had the pleasure of driving the 4×4 A/T LTZ variant with the second generation Duramax Turbo-diesel engine so I knew driving along the steep roads of the Sierra Madre mountain range would be a breeze.
Sitting behind the wheel of the Trailblazer, there’s no question who’s in control. The Trailblazer’s commanding high stance gives drivers a good view of the road. Right away, I noticed how premium everything inside looks and feels—from the dashboard to the leather seats. Looking at everything from the inside of the vehicle, the P1.73-million tag price seemed like a bargain.
I was alone in the car during the whole drive to Baler, but Mariah Carey accompanied me all throughout the drive through the Trailblazer’s excellent entertainment system. I had no problem connecting my smartphone to the car’s audio system to play the music of my choice.
It was too bad that there was no one with me. The car was so spacious (so much legroom), seven people would have fit comfortably. If I had a surf board with me, I wouldn’t have any problems fitting that in the back.

 

The drive along the 178-kilometer NLEX and SCTEX highway was child’s play. But it got a bit more challenging after that. There were also sections of the road where there were lots of uphill climbs and zigzagging involved.
Thanks to the Trailblazer’s 2.8-liter engine that produces 200hp at 3,600 rpm and 500 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm, those road challenges were a walk in the park.
It was a long drive and I had had lots of time to think about what could await us in Baler, which had recently become famous for its surf-ready beaches and rainforests. All I knew about Baler is that it was part of the province of Aurora, with plenty of captivating scenery, according to Instagram posts with the hashtag “Baler” that I checked out the night before.
It was a rather uneventful drive, which isn’t a bad thing at all. We pulled over at Hillocks, a cafe and restaurant in Nueva Ecija, for a quick coffee and hot choco break. It was past noon at this point, and we had at least an hour more of driving before reaching our destination so this stopover was a good way to rest our eyes and stretch our feet.
During the break, I had the chance to admire the rugged yet elegantly designed 18-inch alloy wheels that complimented the Trailblazer’s solid frame. Adding to the vehicle’s appeal is Chevrolet’s signature dual-port grills, power hood design and black “B” pillars that gave the Trailblazer its sporty profile.
We got to our hotel, the Costa Pacifica, in Baler at around 2 pm. By this time, we weren’t sure if what we wanted first was food or sleep. Our stomachs won, and we had a rather hearty lunch before we checked into our rooms to rest.
What I found in Baler was what I had expected—a beautiful beach and a relaxing sunset. Surfers were having fun riding the waves, kids were running around, and people enjoying their buko juice.

 

A WEEKEND of fun in Baler, Quezon, for  Walter Villa and copilot Arvie Adto photos by Walter C. Villa

A WEEKEND of fun in Baler, Quezon, for Walter Villa and copilot Arvie Adto photos by Walter C. Villa

Now I know why Baler has become such a popular vacation destination—the cool weather is fantastic, the people are warm and hospitable, the food is amazing, and the waves are awe-inspiring.
That night, everyone had dinner by the beach—that is, everyone except myself. While everyone enjoyed the bonfire and amazing food, I was dead to the world.
I woke up early the next morning to find a couple of people jogging along the shore of Sabang Beach. As a runner, this was a site to see. A cup of coffee later and I was on my way to join the joggers. I covered 5 kilometers, which was just enough to wake me up for the day ahead.
Shortly after breakfast, we headed out to see Baler’s most iconic destinations. From our hotel, we drove our Trailblazers to see the famous “Baler” sign, the Donya Aurora house, and the Museo de Baler in the town proper—all of which are a stone’s throw away from one another.
We then set out to look for the popular Aling Pacing’s store, which sells the most delectable peanut butter in the province. We did find the store, which was being manned by no less than Aling Pacing herself. After this, we checked out the gigantic Millennium Tree, as well as the historic Ermita Hill.
By this time, it was almost noon, so we set out to go to Dicasalarin Beach for lunch. The sun was up that day so lighting was good for the photos we took. Lunch was delectable as expected, and it wasn’t until about 4 pm when we headed back to the hotel.
The next day, I woke up to a rainy morning. On the way back to Manila, I switched cars so I could drive the Trailblazer 4×2 A/T LTX variant. This P1.58-million car is equipped with a new digital compass, a new chromatic rearview mirror featuring a 4.3-inch LCD with overview sensing monitor, and a new rear-reversing camera with rear sensors, which makes reverse parking less cumbersome.
When we got back to Manila, it was clear how the Trailblazer has become Chevrolet’s bestselling car—it gets the job done by delivering a smooth ride without compromising style and elegance.

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