Supply officer named SBMA Employee of the Year

A supply officer who was responsible for the increase in collections of the Maintenance Department of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has been named the agency’s Employee of the Year for 2012.

Marivic Seguiban bested five other finalists in the annual search for the SBMA outstanding employees held on March 15 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Seguiban was also named as employee of the year for the SBMA Public Services Group.

According to the judges, Seguiban received the award for being instrumental in increasing her department’s revenue collections by 240 percent.

She was also cited for reporting to work even during typhoons in order to assist maintenance personnel who rendered emergency services.

The other five finalists, office services clerk Enrique Aguila, land management officer Engr. Leonardo Agustin, information systems analyst Moises Concepcion, Jr., seaport department’s Engr. Dax Pascasio and senior communications development officer Engr. Ryan San Jose were also named as employees of the year of their respective strategic business units.

Aguila, who represented the Internal Services Group, has been with the agency for almost two decades and provided the maintenance of the printers and other machines used for processing identification cards, which ensured quick ID processing for SBMA employees and Freeport locators.

Meanwhile Agustin, who represented the Business and Investment Group, was nominated for creating a detailed report on the valuation of demolished buildings and the comparative valuation rate of SBMA properties between land asset management and accounting departments.

Concepcion, of the Chairman and Administrator’s Group, developed an application for tablets which will enable members of the SBMA board of directors to access board meeting documents. He was also responsible in weeding out irrelevant costs in an Internet service contract, thereby saving the agency a total of P800,000.

Pascasio represented the Aviation and Maritime Operations Group and was responsible for the repair of the new container terminal before it was turned over to the International Container Terminal Services, Incorporated. The turnover generated additional income for the SBMA.

San Jose, meanwhile, was credited for the improvement of the closed circuit television system of the agency, which saved the agency P500,000.

In the awarding ceremony, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia pointed out that the SBMA Employee of the Year program is unique because it includes “malasakit” – concern for one’s work – as part of the criteria.
“In other companies, they might not be even familiar with this trait,” he noted.

“This is really particular to SBMA and I think this is something that we can be proud of,” he added. “This is what sets apart the finalists here — having given much more than what is required of them by the agency.”

Garcia also expressed his wish that other employees who have given their malasakit to the SBMA as well, be also recognized under the Employee of the Year program.

The SBMA Employee of the Year Awards is a project of the SBMA Human Resources Management Department to recognize and reward exemplary services rendered by employees in line with the Civil Service Commission’s PRAISE program. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia applauds for Marivic A. Seguiban of the Public Service Group after the latter was proclaimed the SBMA Employee of the Year awardee for 2012.

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Subic To Host Food Festival

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is pushing the boundaries of tourism by offering foreign and local visitors a variety of tastes at a week-long food festival that will be held during the Holy Week.

SBMA Deputy Administrator for Tourism Raul Marcelo, the Subic Pascha 2013 food festival is the first of its kind inside this premier Freeport and would provide tourists the different cuisines that can be found here.

“The SBMA and restaurateurs here have come up with this food festival to further spur the tourism industry during the Holy Week. Tourists love to go to the Boardwalk area, so why not give them a treat?” Marcelo said.

Restaurateur Raymund Magdaluyo, who spearheads the festival’s operation, says that the Boardwalk area will also have live bands performing.

Magdaluyo said that the festival will incorporate the sacredness of the Lenten season by showcasing the different religious areas of Subic Bay Freeport such as the San Roque Chapel and the Holy Land theme park. A performance by artist Karylle will also be held at the food festival on Good Friday. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

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Subic Bay triathlon slated

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) celebrate the 20th anniversary of their strong and robust partnership with the staging of the 2013 Asian Triathlon Championships cum 20th K-Swiss Subic Bay Triathlon (SUBIT) at the Subic Bay Freeport April 27-29.

It all began with the second National Triathlon Championship in 1993 and, later in the year, the inaugural 1.5-kilometer/40-km bike/10km run SUBIT ruled by Hong Kong’s Ian Rayson and our own Aurora Sinag Amado.

This year sees the Asian Triathlon Championships/SUBIT beginning near to SUBIT’s original start venue and ending proximate to the previous ATC’s finish line. 2013 marks the third time SUBIT and ATC are held simultaneously.

International Triathlon Union (ITU) Sports Director Gergely Markus leads the VIPs, including Asian Triathlon Confederation’s (ASTC) President Yu Kyung Sun, Secretary General Balwant Singh Kler and Treasurer David Hoong who will see action in the premier two-in-one triathlon sponsored by K-SWISS, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department, Standard Insurance, Century Tuna, SPEEDO, Garmin, Harbor Point Ayala Mall, Lighthouse Marina Resort, David’s Salon, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines (ACIP), Gatorade, Fitness First, Travelers Hotel and the Philippine Sports Commission.

SBMA’s Deputy Administrator for Tourism Raul Marcelo said “SBMA’s choice of the Subic International Triathlon as an anchor event in its thrust for the Subic Freeport to become international sports hub has been proven wise. SUBIT has grown stronger over a decade and a string of four SBMA Administrators.”

For his part, ASTC Senior Vice President and TRAP President Tom Carrasco, also the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Chairman, said, “We are very thankful SBMA has been very supportive to TRAP, mainly regarding SUBIT, through the years. (People's Journal)

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SBMA, stakeholders unite to plan for conservation of Subic Bay

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and other stakeholders in the Subic Bay area have joined hands to formulate a “doable” action plan for the conservation and protection of Subic Bay, a busy seaport which also provides for the livelihood of small fishers.

In the two-day “Subic Water Summit” that opened on Thursday, concerned community organizations, local government units, business locators, and national and regional government line agencies will discuss concerns and problems about Subic’s marine environment and hope to find solutions toward preserving Subic Bay and all its resources.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the multisector conference aims to translate into a viable program the commitment agreed upon by stakeholders during the first Subic Water Summit held in January 2010.

The declaration of commitment was signed by then-SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga, then-SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, Bataan Gov. Enrique Garcia, then-Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso, Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr., then-Subic Mayor Jeffrey Khonghun, Pastolan Ayta Chieftain Conrado Frenilla, then-Morong (Bataan) Mayor Cynthia Estanislao and other community leaders.

Garcia said through this year’s workshops and discussions, participants aim to formulate a three-year action plan that will define the steps to be taken collectively in conserving Subic Bay.

“There must be something we should do to rehabilitate Subic Bay and all other water resources not because we need clean water today, but to secure, preserve and conserve the healthy biodiversity of all of our water resources for the use of our future generations,” Garcia said.

The conference, which carries the theme “Isabuhay Natin ang Pangangalaga sa Ating Yamang-Tubig” opened on Thursday at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), with related activities scheduled at Ayala Mall’s Harbor Point here.

In the summit, speakers are expected to present issues and concerns surrounding the quality of water in Subic Bay and other water resources in the free port.

Garcia said the event will also serve as a venue for the creation of a preparatory body, to be called the Subic Bay Water Quality Management, which shall be composed of representatives from various sectors.

Summit participants are also scheduled to drop microorganism-laden “Mabuhay [Bokashi] Balls” into the polluted Kalalake River which separates the Subic Bay Freeport from Olongapo City and empties directly into Subic Bay. The microorganisms are supposed to eat harmful bacteria in the water and become food for fishes and shells.

Other activities lined up for the second Subic Water Summit include a photo contest and exhibition portraying the importance of water conservation (March 21); painting contest and exhibition (March 23); Earth Hour (March 23); and “Artists for Clean Water,” a portrayal of songs and dances (March 30), all to be held at the Harbor Point here.

Subic Bay, which previously hosted a United States naval base, straddles the boundary of Zambales and Bataan provinces. It was transformed into a special economic and free port zone in 1992. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

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Subic Bay hosts Asian Triathlon Championships

Subic Bay Freeport will stage the K-Swiss Subic Bay ASTC Asian Triathlon Championships on April 27, 28 and 29 with another banner field fighting it out for top honors in various divisions in the $12,000 event.

A joint project of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP), the International Triathlon Union (ITU), the Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department, the three-day event marks the 20th edition of the longest running and premier standard distance triathlon in the country as well as the third time the Freeport has hosted the Asian Triathlon Championships.

In the event sponsored by K-Swiss, Speedo, David’s Salon, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines (ACIP), Gatorade, Fitness First and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), elite participants as well as those in the U-23, Elite Juniors, age-group sprint (750m swim, 20-km bike, 5.4-km run) and mini-sprint (350m swim, 9.8-km bike, 3-km run) categories will race on April 27.

The second day will have age-groupers and inter-club competitors race the standard distance (1.5-km swim, 40-km bike, 10-km run). Finally, the Asian Mixed Team Relay championships and the debut of the Paratriathlon competition will take place on April 29.

Over $12,000 in total prize money are at stake for winners in the elite, U-23 and Junior Sprint categories while medals and will be awarded to the top five finishers of the standard distance age-group categories, the top 3 finishers for sprint distance categories, and for the five members of the top three teams in the Inter-Club competition.

On starting the new year, the TRAP’s first two events slated are the PSC Aquathlon on Jan. 27 and the opening leg of the National Age-Group Triathlon (NAGT) series at Dungaree Beach, Subic Bay Freeport on Feb. 3. (Philippine Star)

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2nd Water Summit slated in Subic Bay Freeport

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will host a multi-sectoral conference in a bid to formulate a “doable” action plan for the conservation and protection of Subic Bay and all the marine resources therein.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that the 2nd Subic Water Summit aims to translate the Declaration of Commitment agreed upon by participating agencies and local government units during the 1st Water Summit held January 2010 into a viable three-year program.

This year’s Water Summit will be held on March 21-22 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), with related activities scheduled at Ayala Mall’s Harbor Point here.

Garcia said that the summit, which carries the theme “Isabuhay Natin ang Pangangalaga sa Ating Yamang-Tubig,” will engage the broadest participation of all sectors. These include local government units, Subic Bay Freeport stakeholders, national and regional government-line agencies, civic groups, people’s organizations, and other concerned sectors.

During the summit, prominent speakers in the field of water conservation will present issues and concerns surrounding the quality of water in Subic Bay and other water resources in the free port.

The event will also serve as a venue for the creation of the preparatory body Subic Bay Water Quality Management, which shall be composed of representatives from various sectors.

“Through workshops and discussions, we aim to formulate a three-year action plan which will define our steps in saving Subic Bay and all of our other water resources. It will be based entirely on the Declaration of Commitment that was made during the 2010 Water Summit,” Garcia said.

Among the signatories of the 2010 declaration were former SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga, former SBMA administrator Armand Arreza, Bataan Gov. Enrique Garcia, former Zambales governor Amor Deloso, Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr., former Subic mayor Jeffrey Khonghun, Pastolan Aeta tribal chieftain Conrado Frenilla, former Morong (Bataan) mayor Cynthia Estanislao, and other officials from government and non-government offices.

This year, one important part of the summit will be the dropping of life-giving “Mabuhay (Bokashi) Balls” into the now polluted Kalalake River in Olongapo City to help revive it. The river separates the Subic Bay Freeport from its neighbor city.

The technology for the so-called “Bokashi Balls” was developed in Japan and uses a mixture of clay, ceramic powder, brown sugar or molasses and rock salt, which are then infused with micro-organisms and formed into large balls and left to ferment for several weeks until coated with fuzzy white fungus.

The balls will then be dropped into polluted bodies of water so that micro-organisms can eat the harmful bacteria and will become food for fishes and shells.

Other activities lined up for the 2nd Subic Water Summit include a photo contest and exhibition portraying the importance of water conservation (March 21); painting contest and exhibition (March 23); Earth Hour (March 23); and “Artists for Clean Water,” a portrayal of songs and dances (March 30), all to be held at the Harbor Point here.

“There must something we should do to rehabilitate Subic Bay and all other water resource not because we need clean water today, but to secure, preserve and conserve the healthy bio-diversity of all of our water resource for the use of our future generations,” Garcia said. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Four Phl boxers bag gold

SUBIC, Philippines – Perfect.

The Philippines went four-of-four as Jade Bornea, Eumir Marcial, James Palicte and Ian Clark Bautista all struck gold at the close of the 2013 ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships at the Subic Gym here yesterday.

Bornea and Palicte escaped with tough wins over Japan’s Kosei Tanaka and China’s Liu Xiao Shuai while Bautista and Marcial pulled off easy wins over Uzbekistan’s Mirazizbek Murzahalilov and Mongolia’s Batzorig Otgonjorgal, respectively, in a blazing finish by the Filipino pugs in the regional youth slugfest.

“I just gave it all even though it’s hard and really painful. It’s really the country that I was thinking of,” said Marcial, a gold-medal winner in the 2011 World Junior Championship in Armenia.

First to deliver was Bornea, a World Youth Championship bronze medalist who bested the heavy-handed Tanaka, 15-13, for the flyweight gold.

“My opponent is strong but I’m in good shape and condition, and I was also a bit patient,” said Bornea, a proud son of General Santos City.

Bautista, who hails from Himamaylan, Negros Occidental who snared a silver medal in the President’s Cup in Indonesia two years ago, climbed the ring next and fashioned out a dominant 19-10 win over Murzahalilov.

Palicte, a Bago City native who trained for only eight days for this weeklong competition, fought Liu tooth and nail before coming through with crucial hits in the final round to emerge a close 17-13 winner.

“He’s strong but I used my experience against him,” said Palicte of Liu.

ABAP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio awarded the gold medals to the victorious Filipino pugs.

“We’re proud of their accomplishments. It’s really a proud moment for the country,” said Gregorio.

The event was backed by MVP Sports Foundation and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Other backers were PLDT, Smart, NLEX, Maynilad, Clarktel, Subictel, Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, Videogear Inc., Exile Lights and Sound, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Sony Philippines, Coca-Cola Bottlers and Nestle Philippines. (Joey Villar, Philippine Star)

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USS Emory S. Land to Arrive in Subic Bay

USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), a submarine tender, will arrive in Subic Bay on Friday for a routine port call that highlights the strong historic, community, and military connections between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines.

This visit will allow the ship to conduct maintenance, replenish supplies as well as give the crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation. The USS Emory S. Land is part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and is homeported in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

While in Subic, the ship’s crew will continue its subject matter expert exchanges with the Philippine Navy. The crew will also engage in several community service projects with schools, medical institutions, orphanages, and other local community centers, as well as community relations activities such as sports events.

The crew of the USS Emory S. Land includes 106 Filipino-Americans (out of 410 total) – 26 U.S. Navy Sailors and 80 Civilian Mariners. They hail from Botolan, Olongapo City, San Antonio, and Pasay City, and elsewhere in the Philippines. Below are some select profiles of the ship’s Filipino-American crew:

• Supply Corps Officer Lieutenant Junior Grade Officer Michael Agojo is an officer and a second generation Sailor, following in the footsteps of his father.
• Logistics Specialist Senior Chief Randy Mangohig oversees the professional growth and development of 35 enlisted personnel aboard the ship.
• Chief Petty Officer Nino Miranda is a Sports Community Relations Coordinator for the Morale Welfare and Recreation Office and is part of the Religious Ministries Team.
• Gunners Mate Second Class Veronica Connole helps trains the crew in safe deployment of the ship’s self defense weapons. She also helps with translations between the ship’s crew and the local community in Subic.
• Chief Petty Officer Enrico Manalac is a language interpreter for subject matter expert exchanges with the BRP Gregorio del Pilar. (US Embassy Public Affairs)

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4 PH boxers make semis

Four Filipino boxers have punched their way into the semifinals of the 2013 Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships set for Friday at the Subic Freeport gym.

The only Filipino to lose was bantamweight Jonas Bacho, who fell to the resilient Nursuitan Nisanbaev of Uzbekistan in their 56kg quarterfinal fight late Wednesday and lost by a slim 9-8 margin.

The quest for gold will continue through light flyweight Jade Bornea (49kgs), light welterweight Eumir Felix Marcial (64kgs), flyweight Ian Clark Bautista (52kgs), and lightweight James Palicte (60kgs).

Ricky Vargas, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines and of Maynilad Water, said his spirit isn’t dampened by the loss.

The former Philippine Basketball Association chairman Vargas and ABAP chairman Manny Pangilinan told the Manila Standard they will take a helicopter to Subic over the weekend to watch the competition. (Ronnie Nathanielsz, Manila Standard Today)

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8,000 Soldiers In Balikatan Exercises

A large number of soldiers from the United States and the Philippines will partake in this year's joint military exercises starting next month in Region 3.

Around 8,000 soldiers from the two countries will conduct their bilateral exercises in Subic Bay Freeport, Camp O'Donnel, Crow Valley in Tarlac, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija and other areas in Zambales.

According to a statement by the US Embassy, the annual exercises will begin on the fifth of April and will end on the seventeenth.

Included in these exercises are joint humanitarian assistance projects which will be conducted in Zambales. A preliminary work on some the infrastructures will begin this month.

According to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr, military medical personnel will offer free medical, dental and veterinary care. In selected communities, military engineers will construct and repair schools and other infrastructure.

The Balikatan series of exercises focuses on training both the US and Philippines armed forces to provide relief and assistance in the event of natural disasters and other crises that endanger public health and safety. Additionally, armed forces personnel from both countries will conduct combined staff exercises and field training to improve interoperability and contingency planning.

"The end goal of these exercises is to further promote and foster the existing friendship between the people of the Philippines and the United States and advance the security and stability of the region in the near future." Burgos said. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

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Pinoy boxers make semis of Subic tilt

Philippine light flyweight Jade Bornea and light welterweight Eumir Felix Marcia advanced to the semifinals of the 2013 ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships Wednesday after dominating quarterfinal opponents at the Subic gym.

Bornea shredded Rakhmankul Avatov of Kyrgyzstan, 16-6, in the 49kg. division while World Youth champion Marcial whipped China’s Wang Qingqui, 19-11, in the 64kg division.

Three other Filipinos were to climb the ring at press time and also eyeing seats to the semifinals. They were flyweight Bautista against Sagidyk Moldashev of Kazakhstan at 52 kilograms; bantamweight Jonas Bacho against Nursuitan Nisanbaev of Uzbekistan at 56kgs; and lightweight James Palicte against Nagesh A Kharare of India at 60kgs.

Marcial will take on Anvar Turamov of Uzbekistan in the semifinals. The Uzbek crushed Kyrgyzstan’s Izatillo Shermakhammadov, 18-9.

Bornea, the World Junior bronze medal winner from General Santos City, will face Turkmenistan’s Shatlykyrat Myradov — an 11-8 winner over Iran’s Houman Myradov i in the other quarterfinal fight — on Friday for a place in the gold medal round. (The Daily Tribune)

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Tough Opening Fights Loom

Three of the Fab Five of the PLDT-ABAP Philippine youth team drew tough opening day bouts late Monday in the 2013 ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships at the Subic gym.

Ian Clark Bautista will debut against India’s Kavinder Bisht in the 52 kilogram flyweight division, James Palicte faces Japan’s Yuuta Akiyama in the 60kg lightweight class, and World Youth champion Eumir Felix Marcial opens against Turkmenistan’s Shamurat Cherkezov in the 64kg light welterweight category.

Two other Filipino boxers within the 17 to 18 years age bracket, Jonas Bacho (56kgs/bantamweight)and World Junior bronze medalist Jade Bornea (49kgs/light flyweight) are scheduled to climb the ring Tuesday as the tournament backed by the MVP Sports Foundation, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, PLDT, Smart, NLEX, Maynilad, Clarktel, Subictel, Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, Videogear Inc., Exile Lights and Sound, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Sports Commission, and supported by Sony Philippines, Coca-Cola Bottlers, and Nestle Philippines heats up.

“Magandang laban ito,” said national coach Elmer Pamisa. “Umpisa pa lang, magkaka-alaman na agad.”

Following the morning’s medical and general weigh-in at the Subic International Hotel, the official draw commenced at 10 a.m. The first set of preliminaries opens the curtains at 2 p.m. followed by a one-hour opening ceremony and the second batch at 7 p.m.

Four of the 26 countries that have originally assured their presence have backed out at the last minutes for various reasons – Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan, and Syria.

A twin-engine PLDT chopper owned by telecommunications tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan was to fly Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu, president of the International Boxing Federation (AIBA), to this Zambales coastal town where he ASBC executive director Aziz Kozhambetov will be the guests of honor. (Tito S. Talao, Manila Bulletin)

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Garcia urges gov’t engineers to capitalize on economic boom

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia urged city and municipal engineers in the country to start improving infrastructure in their areas while the country is in an economic boom.

Chairman Garcia made the statement on Wednesday during the start of the three-day 9th CMEAP National Convention at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center here.

Bannering the theme “Trends, Challenges and Innovations towards Green Engineering,” the convention featured exhibits and technical sessions on global technical development, as well as fellowship meetings among members of the City and Municipal Engineers Association of the Philippines (CMEAP).

“The convention of the CMEAP is very timely with our development as an economic power in Asia,” Garcia said, adding that in 2012, under the leadership of President Aquino, the Philippines was able to transform itself economically and is now considered one of the emerging economic dragons in the region.

He noted that in 2012, the Philippines made its best economic performance in so many years when its gross domestic product increased by 6.6 percent. This was the second highest in Asia for the period.

Garcia said that with this new economic climate, the government is spending billions of pesos in additional infrastructure, including roads, bridges and tourist facilities. City and municipal engineers should take advantage of this opportunity to create and implement development plans for their area, he added.

The SBMA official also urged CMEAP members to meet problems and challenges head on, and to help sustain and further improve the economic performance of the country.

He added that in Subic, the SBMA is already preparing for the coming of more foreign investors by improving both the image of the free port and the facilities located therein.

“We have to make sure that when the investors arrive, we have all the necessary infrastructure in place, so it would be easier for them to do business here and hopefully to become successful,” Garcia said. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Asian Youth boxing tourney starts in Subic

Malaysia and three other teams–Pakistan, Syria, and Singapore–withdrew at the last minute but the Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championship will start as scheduled Monday at the Subic gym here.

After the competitors are weighed at the Subic International Hotel, the draw will be held at 10 a.m., with the first set of preliminaries starting at 2 p.m. and the second batch beginning at 7 p.m.

“It’s all systems go,” said ABAP president Ricky Vargas. “This is the culmination of ABAP’s resolve to put together a regional tournament of this magnitude.”

Representing the Philippines in the event ending on March 17 are James Palicte (60kgs), Jade Bornea (49kgs.), Ian Clark Bautista (52kgs), Jonas Bacho (56kgs), and Eumir Felix Marcial 64 kgs).

Fielding entries are North Korea (4 boxers), Turkmenistan (7), Macau (2), Kyrgyzstan (9), Sri Lanka (5), Hong Kong (1), Japan (7), Indonesia (4), Uzbekistan (10), Iraq (7), Iran (10), Bangladesh (2), Chinese Taipei (4), Vietnam (4), Kazakhstan (10 with 10 reserves), Jordan (4), Mongolia (6), China (10), Tajikistan (2), Nepal (2), and India (10).

Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu, president of the International Boxing Federation, will grace the opening rites along with Asian Boxing Confederation president Gofur Rakhimov of Uzbekistan and ASBC executive director Aziz Kozhambetov.

The tourney is backed by the MVP Sports Foundation, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, PLDT, Smart, NLEX, Maynilad, Clarktel, Subictel, Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, Videogear Inc., Exile Lights and Sound, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Sports Commission, and supported by Sony Philippines, Coca-Cola Bottlers, and Nestle Philippines. (Malaya)

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Sante Barley rules Unilad Active Tri United 1; PLDT is 2nd

SANTE Barley Tri Team aggregated 26 hours 36 minutes and 11 seconds as it emerged the inaugural team champion of the Unilab Active Health Tri United 1 series at the Subic Bay Freeport over the weekend.

PLDT Bike King clocked 26:47:27 at second spot, with Fitness First (27:11:53) rounding out the podium finishers.

Times of Mervin Rencel Santiago, Robinson Esteves, Jojo Macalintal, Jason Paul Gaviola, Junrox Roque, Lylian Grace Banzon, Julla Timan, John Patrick Rivera, Robert Jonah Rivera and Jesus Joey Marcelo counted for the winning squad.

Pre-race favorites national team members John Chicano and Kim Mangrobang ruled the elite men’s and women’s categories, respectively, of the standard distance. Chicano covered the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-km bike and 10-km grind in 2:02:02 and Mangrobang had 2:20:37.

“With the heart-warming turnout, we are happy to have provided our triathletes an avenue for their tune-up in the run up to the Asian Triathlon Championship next month,” said Lester Castillo, Unilab Active Health executive.

Gold medalists in the standard distance of the Tri United1 sponsored Unilab Active Health, Aboitiz Power, Enervon Aktiv, Enervon HP, I-on Energy Drink, Hydrite. Bike King, 3rd District of Bohol, Pocari Sweat, Timex, Crystal Clear purified water and Orbea included: men, 20 to 24–Mervin Rencel Santiago, Santi Barley (2:16:41); 25 to 29– Don Velasco, Secondwind Sun Broadband (2:19:04); 30 to 34–Joseph Ian Ramirez, Fitness First (2:20:53);

T12 Camelbak Tri Team C grabbed the gold medal in the relay in 2:18:42. Meralco-Smart Lightspeed A finished second in 2:21:47, with Fitness First third in 2:23:21.

Former RP team foreign coach Aussie Dan Brown (1:07:59) towed Allen Santiago (1:10:03) and Marc Altura (1:12:04) to the winners’ circle in the sprint (half of the standard distance) elite.

Unilab Active Health teammates Sam Ranque and Magali Echauz dominated the sprint teens 15 to 16 years, with respective times of 1:12:30 and 1:20:54 to lead sprint winners. Bea Hufana placed first in the 17-18 years. (Manila Standard Today)

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