SBMA opts for virtual Christmas party, cancels New Year countdown

To ensure the health and safety of its personnel, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has decided to forego its usual face-to-face Christmas party this year and will instead have a virtual yearend thanksgiving program this Friday, Dec. 17.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the agency has prohibited face-to-face gatherings in all SBMA offices and facilities and disallowed events that would gather crowds in the Freeport because of the continuing danger from the Covid-19 virus and its emerging variants.

By the same reason, the Subic agency won’t hold a New Year countdown, cancelling this year a popular event that usually draws crowds of revelers from the Subic Bay area, as well as neighboring provinces and Metro Manila.

“This is the prudent decision by the SBMA because the virus is still here amidst us. The rate of infection may have gone down recently, but we cannot be complacent and fully open up Subic now because we cannot afford to have another surge just like they’re having in other countries,” Eisma said.

“While we respect the individual rights of SBMA employees and other Subic stakeholders to organize or attend gatherings this holiday season, we cannot yet allow these events in SBMA facilities. We also call on everyone to observe minimum public health standards wherever they may have their Christmas parties or yearend activities,” she added.

To spice up the virtual program, SBMA officials and employees will make video presentations and participate in online contests, Eisma added.

According to Jennifer Guiang, chief of the SBMA Board of Directors staff and head organizer of the virtual program, the SBMA yearend thanksgiving event will have a carnival theme. It will be held from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Dec. 17.

Guiang added that there will be three competitions to be held during the program.

These are “Our SBU Story,” a video contest on depicting the stories and accomplishments of the agency’s various strategic business units (SBUs); “SBMA Patiktok,” which should be a one-minute dance interpretation of any Christmas song; and the “SBMA Star of Thanksgiving,” which shall showcase the Subic Bay virtual carnival theme.

The overall winner shall be chose based on submissions for the three contests, Guiang said. (MPD-SBMA)