Pola is known as the birthplace of former vice president and veteran news anchor Noli de Castro, actor and current Oriental Mindoro vice governor Ejay Falcon, ABS CBN News Senior Reporter and anchor Dennis Datu and DZMM Broadcaster and field reporter Noel Alamar.

Its name was derived from the color of the soil in the locality, which is reddish clay.

The Poblacion is located at the estuary of the Casiligan River, surrounded by abundant green mountain ranges and rocky hills to the west, Hence, the people are given a conducive refuge for agriculture, fishing, and nipa weaving.

[6] The town recently gained national attention because of an oil spill that occurred on February 28, 2023, after the MT Princess Empress sank off the coast of neighboring town Naujan; Pola is one of the worst affected municipalities by the oil spill.

Poverty incidence of Pola Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]