Subic prepares to host 17 SEAG events

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will soon start preparing facilities and other infrastructure needed to host a total of 17 events in the forthcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) that the Philippines will host from November 30 until December 11, 2019.

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Ramon Agregado said the SBMA expects to start project construction in the first week of March to upgrade existing facilities here and turn them into world-class sports accommodations.

“The centerpiece of Subic’s infrastructure development project for the 2019 SEA Games will be the Remy Field. Its present six-lane track will be turned into a nine-lane oval complemented by three practice lanes, as well as shower rooms, dressing rooms and a new, bigger grand stand,” Agregado said.

He added that three other sports venues are scheduled for rehabilitation, as well: Subic Gymnasium, SBMA Tennis Court, and Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

“In the meantime that these facilities will be undergoing rehabilitation, they will be temporarily closed to the public,” the SBMA officials said.

For Subic’s SEA Games preparation, Agregado said the national government has set aside P170 million, although the SBMA was expecting twice that amount for all the required development.

Lately the national government has cut the SEA Games budget from P7.5 billion to P5 billion, but Agregado said that the SBMA is “still hoping the budget for Subic will be increased.”

The official logo of the 30th SEA Games

The SEA Games committee has initially assigned 17 events to the Subic Bay Freeport: duathlon, triathlon, pencak silat, sepak takraw, chess, table tennis, muay thai, karatedo, vovinam, obstacle sports, modern-date pentathlon, beach volleyball, beach handball, weightlifting, and all water sports: sailing, wind surfing, and traditional boat race.

“We will be hosting 17 events, and we are lucky because we will have a lot of medal events like triathlon and weightlifting, as well as spectator-friendly sports, so Subic’s hosting will really be exciting ” Agregado said.

He noted that the Philippines won two gold and two silver medals in triathlon for both men and women divisions in the 2017 SEA Games held in Malaysia, while Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz snatched a gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games and took home silver from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro.

“After hosting this year’s SEA Games, our next target will be the ASEAN Games. We will try to level up,” Agregado also said.

The Philippines will be hosting the Sea Games after it hosted the biennial multi-sports event 14 years ago. Subic also hosted several events when the Philippines last hosted the SEAG in 2005.

For the 2019 SEA Games, Subic, along with New Clark City, Metro Manila, and the Batangas, La Union and Tagaytay cluster, will be the venue for some 56 sports and 523 events to be held in the country in a span of 12 days. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Subic’s Remy Field, shown here as a transition area during the 2018 Full Ironman, will be the centerpiece of Subic’s development as a SEA Games venue.

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Ronda Pilipinas to hold qualifying races in Subic

The search for the country’s future cycling stars continues, as the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2017 edition will hold its first of two qualifying races on November 6 that will also coincide with the LBC Giro de Pilipinas in Subic Bay.

A total of 30 riders will make it to the culminating event, the biggest cycling race in the Philippines slated to start up North in the Ilocos region on February 4 and end in Iloilo City on March 4 next year.

“The top 30 cyclists in the LBC Ronda Pilipinas Subic qualifying race will make it to the main Ronda event in February next year,” said Jingo Hervas, who is on his second year as race director.

Hervas said those who couldn’t make the cut could still qualify during the final qualifier in Bacolod City on Dec. 4, which will also be held simultaneously with the Dans 360 Beynte bike event.

The 60 qualifiers will then join the more or less 50-man pool that have already automatically qualified for joining last year’s race.

Hervas, however, reminded the outright qualifiers to register first to secure their spots.

“Those who are automatically in, they should claim their slots by registering,” said Hervas.

On its seventh edition, the 12-stage main event will give a whopping P1 million to the champion.

Ronda sports development head Moe Chulani said they’ve raised the stakes so that they could discover more promising young riders from the provinces just like Ranlen Maglantay, who brought a cheap, second-hand bike, an old pair of rubber shoes and a dream to get a chance to compete in an annual race of this magnitude.

“We believe that somewhere out there, there are gems in the rough waiting to be discovered like Ranlen Maglantay,” said Chulani.

“LBC Sports Devt Corp. feels everyone should have the chance to join Ronda Pilipinas 2016, which is the fourth biggest race in the world in terms of distance covered, not just the elite riders,” he added.

LBC Ronda will officially start on February 4 with Ilocos Sur-Ilocos Norte Stage One and followed by the Ilocos Sur Stage Two criterium the next day.

Stage Three will go to Angeles City, Pampanga to Subic on February 8 and then the Naga-San Jose Stage Four individual time trial on Feb. 14 followed by the Pili-Daet Stage Five on February 16 and Daet to Unisan Stage Six on February 17.

Next are the Paseo Stage Seven is in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on February 19, Tagaytay-Batangas-Tagaytay Stage Eight on February 19, Calamba-Antipolo Stage Nine on February 23 and Antipolo Stage 10 criterium on February 24.

Iloilo City will then host Stages 11 and 12 on March 3 and 4.

http://www.manilatimes.net/ronda-pilipinas-hold-qualifying-races-subic/293927/

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Borlains dominate Alaska IronKids

SUBIC – Sisters Samantha and Tara Borlain turned the Wow Pool and Remy Field into their own playground, topping their respective divisions in the Alaska IronKids Aquathlon II in dominating fashion Saturday.

Samantha ruled the field in the girls’ 13-14 category while kid sis Tara romped off with the 11-12 tiara, making their twin feat even more dramatic by breasting the tape side by side. They logged an identical 14:39 winning time in the swim-run competition sponsored by Alaska and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc.

“It was a great race, it was fun. All I wanted to do was go with my sister, finish the race with her and have fun,” said the 13-year-old Samantha.

“It had a good start and it was a very exciting race,” said Tara, 12.

Samantha came out of the swim phase ahead of everybody else at 4:21 then sustained her charge in the run with a 5:58 clocking to log a triumphant 14:39.0. Christine Levi Gaspar (15:37) and Una Janus Sibayan (15:41) took runner-up honors.

Tara emerged from the pool not long after her sister and they went on to run together at the tracks of Remy Field. Tara (4:48 in swim and 5:05 in run) beat Julianne Christine Javier (15:24) and Everly Janarie Macalalad (15:35) for the top plum.

Their youngest sister Franchezka, however, fell short of a podium finish in the girls’ 6-8 category, which was dominated by Ma. Chelsea Faith Miñoza in 8:28.7. The seven-year-old Franchezka posted 11:03.9 for fourth. Gabrielle Agpalza (10:06.6) and Jisla Martina Batungbacal (10:51.0) placed No. 2 and 3, respectively.

National developmental team member Sabino Czar Manglicmot flashed top form in dominating the boys’ 13-14 play, clocking 13:47 to defeat Neil Nazarro (15:00) and Joshua Alexander Ramos (15:17).

Also striking gold were Matthew Thomas Alumbres (7:09.1) and Gabrielle Ong (8:49) in the 9-10 boys and girls bracket, respectively, Juan Francisco Baniqued (14:29) in boys’ 11-12; and Michael Gabriel Lozada (8:40.8) in the boys’ 6-8.

TriKids won the mixed team relay with 6:25 over Limitless Multisport (7:11.9) and Zamba Tri Team (7:19.1). (Olmin Leyba, Philippine Star)

PHOTO:
Sisters Sam and Tara Borlain rule their respective age bracket in the Alaska IronKids Aquathlon in Subic Bay, Zambales. Sam topped the 13-14 year-old girls division while Tara reigned in the 11-12 years old division.(Jun Mendoza)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/06/07/1463167/borlains-dominate-alaska-ironkids

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Inaugural Regent 5i50 triathlon race lures top-notch field to Subic Bay

THE inaugural Regent 5i50 Triathlon blasts off on Sunday in Subic Bay featuring top-notch pros, Filipino elite, age groupers and relay competitors.

Aussies Casey Munro, Justin Granger, Clayton Fettell, Belinda Granger, and Dimity Lee-Duke and Thai Carole Fuchs lead a crack field of foreign pros vying for top honors in the 1.5K swim, 40K-bike and 10K-run race.

Banjo Norte, Jenny Guerrero, and LC Langit topbill the Filipino elite competitors while Kim Atienza, Matteo Guidicelli, Victor Basa and Onemig Bondoc are among the celebrities who signed up for event sponsored by Regent Foods, the leading snack manufacturing company in the Philippines.

“We commend Regent Foods for joining the ever-growing list of backers of this popular three-sport athletic competition. With a talent-laden international field, we expect a world-class competition since the event also serves as a fitting tune-up for those competing in the Ironman,” said Wilfred Uytengsu, president of the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc.

Regent 5i50 feature a challenging 1.5K one-loop, rectangular, clockwise swim at the waters of the Subic Bay Boardwalk, a 40km point-to-point bike ride to the Subic International Airport, heading to IDESS up to Tarlac Road and head back to Transition 2 in Remy Field.

The 10km run will start from Transition 2 in Remy Field and then head on to the first turn around Dewey Ave. then head back to Remy Field and then go to Rizal Highway entering Argonaut Highway for the second turn around and then back to Remy Field.

Athlete registration, race pack claiming and race briefing activities will be held on Friday and Saturday for the two-day pre-event backed by 2Go Express, official courier and logistics partner, Sante Barley, Newton Running, PLDT Subictel, TYR, Coca Cola Femsa, Garmin, David’s Salon, Shotz, Smart, Pioneer Insurance, The Philippine Star, Multisport Magazine, Intercare, Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board and venue host Subic Bay.

For details, log on to www.regent.5i50philippines.com. (spin.ph)

http://www.spin.ph/triathlon/active-lifestyle/regent-5150-triathlon-subic-b-brege-banjo-norte-jenny-guerrero-lc-langit-kim-atienza-matteo-guidicelli-victor-basa-onemig-bondoc-casey-munro-justin-granger-clayton-fettell-belinda-granger-dimity-lee-duke-thai-carole-fuchs

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Coast Guard and auxiliary group hold Subic environment run

A helicopter flew overhead, raining down confetti on the assembled crowd as the fun run for a cause organized by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) kicked off on Saturday here.

Aiming to preserve the wellness of both the participants and the environment, the “Takbo Para sa Kaligtasan at Kalinisan ng Karagatan at Kalikasan” gathered close to 600 registered runners, both young and old, for the three kilometer-length categories — 10k, 5k, and 3k.

Philippine triathlete John Leerams Chicano led the first finishers in the 10k category, breaking the finish line with determination in his eyes. Chicano was followed by Christian Carl Denotua and Redgeth Linen for the second and third place, respectively.

In the 5k category, meanwhile, Clyde Supnet controlled the pace, trailed by Jimuel Patilan and Ruperto Dela Cruz Jr.

The 3k event was topped by Roel Bada, Rolly Innovero and Jason Villaruz for first, second, and third place, respectively.

All the top three finishers in each category received token cash and gift prizes. The third placers got P500 cash, second placers P750, and first placers P1,000.

The event was considered a success, as there were no losers — only runners who wanted to make a difference for the environment and for themselves.

Chicano, who was sick a week earlier, said he joined the run “to improve my health.”

A young boy echoed the motivation, saying “Para po makatulong sa kalikasan at upang makapag- ehersisyo na rin.”

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Deputy Administrator Randy Escolango, who helped organize the event as commander of the PCGA in Subic, said all the proceeds from the fun run would go to the group’s environmental projects for the preservation of the seas and coast, including shore clean-up drives, sea protection awareness campaigns, and other related projects.

“Events like these are being encouraged by SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, because he wants to emphasize that Subic Bay Freeport can better maintain its reputation as a sports capital if we maintain a clean environment to better attract sports enthusiasts," Escolango added.

All the top 3 of each category received cash and gift prizes - P500 for third place, P750 for second place, and P1,000 for first place. (ADP/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Runners take part in “Takbo Para sa Kaligtasan at Kalinisan ng Karagatan at Kalikasan” organized by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary at the Remy Field in Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Saturday. The run aims to raise funds for the local PCGA chapter’s future shore clean-up drives, sea protection awareness campaigns and other related projects.

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Subic Freeport workers run, sing and dance to celebrate Labor Day

Members of the Subic Bay Freeport work force joined workers and employees worldwide in celebrating Labor Day (May 1) with fun, music, and dance in the annual Freeport Games and Sports Festival held at the Harbor Point Activity Center here.

The celebration kicked off with a 3-kilometer fun run joined in by more than 750 runners from 33 Freeport-listed companies.

This was followed by a singing contest, a dance competition, and the Search for Ms. Freeport Games and Sports 2015.

Daisy Princesa of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Labor Department said the event drew participants from various departments of the SBMA, as well as from business locators in Subic.

“We are happy that despite the fact that it’s a holiday and they could be enjoying a long weekend vacation with friends and families, they opted to participate in this once a year Labor Day celebration,” Princesa said.

Maricel Maturbo of Koryo Phils. was among those who participated in the fun run. She crossed the finish line with her two-year old daughter Olivia Mae on a stroller.

“It was so exciting joining your co-workers in celebrating Labor Day this way. At least, we promote friendship and we feel that our company and the SBMA are acknowledging our contributions to our country,” Maturbo added.

Officials of the SBMA Labor Department, which organized the celebration, said that some 3,000 job hunters were also expected to flock to a job fair that would offer jobseekers with more than a thousand job opportunities at various companies inside the Freeport area.

The jobs fair is a regular part of the annual Labor Day celebration in this free port, and attracts applicants from the neighboring provinces of Zambales, Bataan, and Pampanga, as well as Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia earlier said that the Freeport’s workforce now number 97,000, with the 1,324 local and foreign companies in the Freeport that invested a combined amount of US$9.1 billion.

“Subic is now one of the major contributors to country’s improving economy and this is because of the professionalism and skills and expertise of the local manpower that are very important in business operations,” Garcia also said. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
LABOR DAY FUN RUN: Workers from various business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone join a fun run in celebration of Labor Day. Aside from this activity, the SBMA Labor Department also organized song and dance contests, muse competition for the workers, and a jobs fair at the Ayala Harbor Point Mall. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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TriUnited slated on Oct. 26 in Subic

TRIATHLETES from around the nation will have the opportunity to test their endurance when Unilab Active Health’s Tri United 3 unfolds on Oct. 26.

For the first time since its inception in 2011, the event organized by Bike King, headed by Raul Cuevas and presented by ULAH, will feature a point-to-point race course that will cover a lung-busting distance at 112.9 kilometers, stretching from the Subic Bay Freeport up to Alviera, Porac, Pampanga.

Tri United 3 will be the first triathlon event in the country to use the SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) for its bike leg.

Race starts with a 1.9-k swim at the Dungaree Beach at Subic Bay Freeport before participants take on their bike for a 90-k race from Dungaree to the Sandbox, Alviera in Porac, Pampanga using the SCTEX. Winding up the grueling race is a half marathon race (21-k) around Porac.

Entry list is now at around 650 triathletes and they will vie for honors in the male and female Elite, Age Groups and Team competition in the event supported by ULAH, Enervon Activ, Active Health Sports Gel, Enervon HP, Alaxan FR, Hydrite, Aboitiz, AboitizPower, OtterBox, Shimano, Maxxis, Crystal Clear, Orbea, Saucony, Pocari Sweat, Timex, Men’s Health magazine, Women’s Health magazine, the Philippine Star, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department and venue partners Sandbox at Alviera, BCDA, SCTEX, SFEX and MNTC.

A cut-off time will be implemented in the swim, bike and run legs to ensure the safety of the participants. For the bike leg, most routes inside the Subic Bay Freeport will be closed to traffic while the entire Tarlac-bound lane of the SCTEX from Tipo to Porac exit will be closed off to motorists until the cut-off period.

Cash prizes of P10,000, P6,000 and P4,000 will be handed out to the top three finishers in the Elite class aside from medals and gift packs. (Manila Standard Today)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/10/13/triunited-slated-on-oct-26/

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Espinosa, Salamat lead bike winners

VETERAN Cebuano rider Ramonito Espinosa dominated the first two stages to boost his drive for the overall individual title in Category 2 in the Bike United Tour of Subic 2014 that stated last Saturday at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Defending women’s champion Marella Vania Salamat of Franzia seems headed for a run-away victory in the distaff side even as Fitness First is in the lead in the Team classification in this two-day bikefest organized by Bike King headed by Raul Cuevas.

The event is supported by Unilab Active Health, Aboitiz, Subic Holiday Villas, AbotizPower, Orbea, Pocari Sweat, Crystal Clear Purified Water, Shimano, OtterBox, Maxxis Tires and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority-Tourism Department.

A total of 250 cyclists, including 37 females, are taking part this year with the 36-year-old Espinosa showing his impressive form by topping the 20-k Individual Time Trial and the 60-k road race.

Action opened early Saturday morning with Espinosa negotiating the ITT race in 28 minutes and 56 seconds to spoil the challenge posted by three Fitness First riders Jeremy Ponting (28:58), Mark Ellis (29:19) and Luis Gabino Urrutia (29:20) who settled the next three spots.

Stage 2 was disputed late afternoon of the same day and Espinosa showed legs of steel as he managed to keep pace with three other riders, that included Joey De Los Reyes of Bike King, that went on to finish the race with identical clocking of 2:00:39. (Manila Standard Today)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/05/19/espinosa-salamat-lead-bike-winners/

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