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27 April 2015

SBMA extends lease of Lyceum Subic

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia (left) shakes hands with Alfonso Borda, President and CEO of Lyceum of Subic Bay, after signing a memorandum of agreement for the 25-year extension of the lease for the Lyceum campus in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Also in photo is SBMA Deputy Administrator for Administration Fernando De Villa, who served as one of the witnesses.


[2] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia (2nd from left) signs a memorandum of agreement with Alfonso Borda, President and CEO of Lyceum of Subic Bay, for the 25-year extension of the lease for the Lyceum campus in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Serving as witnesses to the agreement are SBMA Director Benjamin Antonio (left) and SBMA Deputy Administrator for Administration Fernando De Villa.

Young Pinoy triathletes shine in Subic

Brent Velalo led a 1-2-3 finish in the male 13 to 15 years old even as their female counterparts took two more medals on the day of the young triathletes who gave host Philippines a good start in the 2015 ASTC Asian Triathlon Cup yesterday at the Malawaan Park inside Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Hong Kong triathletes also made their presence felt by sweeping the male and female Junior Elite titles in this event organized by Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and sanctioned by the Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC) and International Triathlon Union (ITU).

Valelo, 14, negotiated the 400m swim, 12km swim and 3km mini-sprint distance in 46 minutes flat as he defeated compatriots Fredric Albert “Yuan” Chiongbian (46:12) and Bambam Manglicmot (47:10) for the gold medal.

A total of 20 triathletes saw action in the male division that included two Malaysians, and Valelo’s victory over Chiongbian ended strings of defeats he suffered to the Cebuano triathlete.

Chiongbian first two wins came in the 2013 Subic Bay-Asian Triathlon Championship and in last year’s Batang Pinoy Finals.

“I’m happy because I was really determined to get back at him. I did very well from start to finish although I really need to put more effort in the swim,” said Valelo who won despite finishing sixth in the swim leg.

He made his move in the bike race as he and Chiongbian formed the lead pack heading into the run leg. Velalo however had more gas left in his tank as he slowly pulled away in the final kilometer for a solo finish.

Batang Pinoy champion Nicole Eijansantos (50:09) and Sam McInnes (51:39) settled for the silver and bronze medals in the girls division that was ruled by Bailee Brianna Brown from Hong Kong (48:52).

Yu Hang Kok, meanwhile, won his first gold medal after three trips in the country as he joined Camden Ritcher who successfully retained her title in the Junior Elite in this event.

The race set at the sprint distance (750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run) and Yu timed at 56:54 to edged compatriots Michael Lam (56:55) and
Oscar Coggins (57:49).

Richter clocked at 1:05:38 to win over teammate Cheuk Yi Hung (1:06:55) and Yu Yan Huang from Chinese Taipei (1:07:27).

Edward Jared Macalalad and YOG representative Vicky Deldio emerged the best placed local triathletes in this category with a fifth and fourth place . (The Daily Tribune)

http://www.tribune.net.ph/sports/young-pinoy-triathletes-shine-in-subic

23 April 2015

All is set for the 2nd Subic Maritime Conference

The 2nd Subic Bay Maritime Conference and Exhibit will open here tomorrow (Friday), April 24, with about 500 delegates expected at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center here.

With the theme “Subic Bay: Your Gateway to Central and Northern Luzon,” the conference is organized by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in cooperation with the Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC) to promote Subic as a major port in the region.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the maritime conference will provide delegates comprehensive updates on the Freeport's “exciting prospects as a booming logistics hub and investments destination in Asia.”

He said that Subic Freeport, with its strategic location complemented by enhanced port facilities and infrastructure, “is now well-positioned to become the logistics hub north of Metro Manila.”

He pointed out that the Port of Subic handled more than the 77,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last year, which meant a 105% increase from the 37,400 TEUs processed in 2013.

“This year we aspire to hit a target volume of 120,000 TEUs, or 20% of the 600,000-TEU combined annual capacity of the port’s New Container Terminals 1 and 2,” Garcia added.

The one-day conference is expected to draw participants from shipping lines, logistics and supply chain firms, importers and exporters, manufacturers, as well as national and local government units and agencies, and other stakeholders in the maritime industry.

Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras will be the keynote speaker in the conference.

Other speakers and panelists include Chairman Garcia, SBITC general manager Roberto Locsin, SBITC vice chairman Francisco Delgado IV, USAID Compete Chief of Party Dr. Enrico Basilio, and Bases Conversion Development Authority president and CEO Att. Arnel Casanova.

Organizers said that Almendras and other speakers will provide insights on business opportunities arising in Northern Luzon with all the investments and planning that the government is putting into the area.

Among topics lined up are the latest processing improvements at the port, the Subic One-Stop Shop which will consolidate into one location all offices related to shipping through Subic port, and updates on new terminal equipment installed.

There will also be status reports on proposed development projects such as the construction of the New Container Terminals (NCT) 3 and 4, the Tipo Road expansion, and the planned Subic-Clark Corridor and Clark Green City.

Garcia said that the conference is an expression of SBMA’s optimism over the prospects of Subic as a maritime logistics hub.

He added that the SBMA is making administrative changes to fast-track import and export processing and simplify accreditation to encourage customs brokers, freight forwarders, and truckers to service the port. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

22 April 2015

In celebration of Earth Day: SBMA urges locators, residents to cut carbon footprint

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is urging business locators and residents in this free port to reduce their carbon footprint and undertake commitments to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.

SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia said the agency, through its Ecology Center, will electronically send out to all SBMA offices and locators a Carbon Footprint Calculator from the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) website for them to be able to assess their own environmental footprint.

A carbon footprint is the measure of carbon dioxide which is one of the many greenhouse gases (GHGs) produced by a business, society or individual.

A process called carbon accounting measures the amount of carbon dioxide equivalents emitted by an entity and is used, among other things, by nation states, corporations, and individuals to create the carbon credit commodity traded in carbon markets.

Garcia said this project is part of the agency’s program in observance of the Earth Day celebration today, April 22.

This year's Earth Day global theme is “It’s Our Turn to Lead,” which is aimed at seeking commitments from global leaders, businesses, and citizens to pledge “Acts of Green” and to make commitments for meaningful change.

In the spirit of this global call, Garcia said the SBMA is enjoining individuals and companies in Subic “to undertake commitments for a meaningful change by computing and cutting down their carbon or environmental footprints.”

“Earth Day or not, we must all do our share in protecting our environment. So we also urge everybody to make Earth Day an everyday event in our lives,” Garcia added.

Meanwhile, the SBMA Tourism Department said that tourism-related locators in the free port have banded together to organize week-long activities in observance of Earth Day.

Subic Bay's Earth Week 2015 began April 18 with the Summer Xtreme Beach Party at the Moonbay beach, to be followed by a beach clean-up at The Lighthouse Marina Resort beachfront on April 22; yoga and healthy cooking demonstration on April 23; horseback riding, kayaking, and paddle boarding on the 24th; and a beach party at the Moonbay Marina beach on the 25th.

Earth Week 2015 is presented by The Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation and the Subic Bay Hotels, Attractions and Tourism Stakeholders Visitors Board in cooperation with IYFR Subic Bay Fleet, Rotary Club of Subic Bay, and Rotary Club of Subic Pearl.

The project is supported by SBMA, Olongapo City, Province of Zambales, Subic Bay Chamber of Commerce, Department Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, Earth Day Network, Leave No Trace, and Zero Carbon Resorts. (RBB/MPD-SBMA)

20 April 2015

Slide fest in Subic Bay

LONGEST SLIDE. Visitors enjoy the 1,000-foot slide ride at the Slide Festival which opened on Saturday, April 18, at the Subic Bay Freeport.  Organizers of the event attempted to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records by billing the facility as the longest slide ride. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Almendras to keynote 2nd Maritime Conference in Subic Bay

Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras leads a group of government officials and industry movers who will give talks about the rise of Subic Bay as the country’s foremost logistics hub in Northern Luzon.

Almendras will be the keynote speaker at the 2nd Subic Bay Maritime Conference & Exhibit, to be held on April 24, 2015 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Themed “Subic Bay: Your Gateway to Central and Northern Luzon,” the conference is being organized by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in cooperation with Subic Bay International Terminal Corp.

Almendras and the other speakers, including SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, will provide insights on business opportunities arising in Northern Luzon with all the investments and planning that the government is putting into the area.

They will also share updates on infrastructure development projects for the emerging Subic-Clark Corridor, a growth area that is expected to improve the economy of Luzon region and create more jobs for local residents.

Meanwhile, Northern Luzon shippers intend to present to Secretary Almendras during the event a position paper calling for the further development of Subic Bay Freeport to decongest Manila and “serve its true purpose as a catalyst of economic growth” for the regions north of Metro Manila.

Almendras is also the chairman of the Cabinet Cluster on Port Decongestion, which successfully worked in cooperation with government agencies and private stakeholders to implement measures easing road traffic and port congestion in the City of Manila.

One of these measures is to designate Subic and Batangas as extensions of the Port of Manila in order to encourage ships to divert their shipments to these outer ports.

The position paper points out that the Subic Bay Freeport ably demonstrated its capability to handle volume cargo shipments during the Manila port congestion. It further urges the administration to use the momentum to promote Subic as an alternative container terminal to Manila for shippers located in Central and Northern Luzon.

The Subic Bay Maritime Conference & Exhibit is expected to attract some 300 Freeport zone locators, logistics and supply chain executives, import and export managers, manufacturers, shipping line executives, key national and local government officials, and other stakeholders.

For more information, please call event manager PortCalls at (02) 569 2562, 232 8393, 232 5029 or (0917) 5555 273. You may also email info@portcalls.com.

http://www.portcalls.com/almendras-keynote-speaker-at-2nd-subic-bay-maritime-conference/#

Subic shipyard to build world’s largest vessels

HANJIN HEAVY Industries and Construction Philippines Inc., operator of the biggest shipyard in the country, secured a contract from a European company to build three of what would be the world’s largest container vessels.

According to the Korean shipbuilder, its shipyard in Subic, Zambales, will be building three 20,600 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEUs) container ships for CMA CGM, the biggest shipping company in France, and the third largest in the world.

“Signing a contract to build 20,000 TEU-level ultra large container ships with CMA CGM … confirms the world-class shipbuilding technology and capability of HHIC (Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Holdings),” the company said in a statement.

The company hopes to start delivering the container ships from the Subic shipyard by the second half of 2017.

According to HHIC, the Hanjin Subic shipyard is capable of building two 20,000-TEU container ships at the same time.

In response to the clients’ requests however, HHIC will reinforced the hull structure, such as fatigue design life, to build 26,000-TEU container ships.

The company has likewise focused on the improvement of environment-friendly performances, including the installation of the latest high-efficiency engine, propeller design and development of an energy-saving system.

According to Hanjin, the order from CMA CGM will be an ultra-large container vessel measuring 400 meters in length, 59 meters in breadth and 33 meters in depth. It will be capable of carrying 20,600 20-foot containers.

The deck alone is as large as four football fields. If the loaded containers were to be lined up end-to-end, these would span about 126 kilometers, Hanjin said. (Amy R. Remo, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/190462/subic-shipyard-to-build-worlds-largest-vessels#ixzz3XozmvKIR
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19 April 2015

Olongapo gets P60M heavy equipment to boost anti-flood program

OLONGAPO CITY - Six brand new heavy equipment worth P60M arrived here last week to help boost the city’s desilting program after it was heavily hit by floods in 2013 that caused a leptospirosis outbreak and damaged properties worth millions.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino said the heavy equipment include an amphibious excavator, two dump trucks each with 15-ton capacity, a wheel loader, a skid steer loader, and a backhoe loader.

Funding for the procurement of these equipment was sourced through the local development council and was agreed upon by all members including barangay representatives, NGOs and POs, and was passed by the city council.

Paulino explained that when he took over the city as Mayor, he found out that the city had no heavy equipment in its inventory.

“We had no heavy equipment, that is why when the flooding subsided we had problems in clearing all the mud the was left by the flood. It was fortunate that private individuals lent us equipment, and help also came from the DWPH and 1st district Congressman Jeffrey Khonghun.” Paulino said.

The 2013 flood caused a leptospirosis out break in the city, recording almost 600 cases and taking the lives of 11 people, some of them from the Province of Bataan and Zambales.

The main river channel of Barangay Kalaklan up to Barangay Sta. Rita and Old Cabalan remained untouched for years. The main drainage system in the city was also left clogged, a combination leading to the massive flooding in the city in 2013.

The only equipment left in the city was a dredging machine which cannot handle the task of going into small river channels because of its limited capability and recently was deemed unserviceable.

“Aside from it (dredging machine) being allegedly over priced which cost the city P89M and not suitable for our terrain, it was already a wreck when we tried to repair it, it worked for a month and it totally failed.” Paulino said.

“Now the city has 6 brand new heavy equipment worth only P60M versatile enough to desilt our rivers and water ways but at the same time can do other things compared to the old dredging machine that is unfit for us here and cost more than these new machine we purchased,” Paulino added.

To date, the local government, with the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways, has been desilting the mouth of Kalaklan River which is the main water channel connecting the city to the ocean. According to Mayor Paulino the mouth of the river has been heavily silted.

Private individuals have been helping the city in its effort to unclog its water ways and drainage system.

“With this brand new equipment, we can desilt our water ways whole year round and not have to contract out anything, plus we can use them for other purposes.” Paulino said.

PHOTOS:
Heavy equipment procured by the Olongapo City government to boost its desilting program.

16 April 2015

Subic yachting group gifts Ayta tribe with tourism boats

The International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians (IYFR) through its grants program has donated two sailboats to the indigenous Ayta tribe in this free port in order for them to earn additional income from tourism.

IYFR International Rear Commodore Jun Avecilla said the group awarded funds to the Subic Bay Fleet for them to acquire two “paraws,” which are double outrigger sailboats native to the Visayas region that are popularly seen in Boracay.

Ayta leader Conrado Frenilla, chieftain of the Ambala Ayta tribe in the Subic Bay Freeport, received the boats last Saturday at the culmination of the Commodores’ Cup Regatta at The Lighthouse Marina Resort here.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia, along with members of the IYFR Subic Bay fleet, Rotary Clubs of Subic Bay and Subic Pearl, and the ISAF International Jury of Commodores’ Cup Regatta, witnessed the event.

Garcia said the boats, with Ayta tribesmen as operators, “will give Subic Bay another iconic attraction, as well as provide visitors with a different sailing experience.”

“We thank the IFYR and the Rotary Clubs for giving this opportunity to our Ayta brethren, as well as for this project that would redound to the good of Subic Bay tourism,” Garcia said.

Avecilla said the Subic Bay Fleet brought the sailboats to Subic Bay to help the Zambales Aytas in augmenting their livelihood, “and in line with the service objectives of the Fellowship.”

“The Aetas are not known seafarers, but they have in early times been reported to have lived in coastal areas until they were driven away to the mountains because of circumstances,” Avecilla noted.

“It will be the pleasure of our sailing group, the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing (SAGS), to teach them how to sail or operate and man the boats themselves,” he added.

Avecilla also pointed out that staging of Commodore’s Cup 2015 marked the expansion of the Philippine Sailing Association’s sailing program in Subic Bay, which is spearheaded by PSA Chairman Judes Echauz, with himself as vice president.

“The IYFR also advocates the preservation of coastal areas and the environment and to maintain its cleanliness,” Avecilla also said.

As of now, Subic Bay hosts two out of 12 races from the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Championship, which determines the Asian Yachting Skipper and Yacht of the Year.

Those who received their awards here at The Lighthouse Marina Resort for this year’s races were: Standard Insurance Centennial III owned by Ernesto Echauz and skippered by Ridgely Balladares, which dominated Racing Class 1, followed by Frank Pong’s Jelik, and Martin Tanco’s Centennial II.

Meanwhile, Avecilla’s Selma Star topped Racing Class 2, followed by Ricky Sandoval’s Selma; and Eric Jurado’s Alexa, emerged as champion in the Cruising Class, followed by Harry Taylor’s Irresistible, and Ome Carbonell’s Bugo Bugo. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Pastolan Ayta leaders led by Ambala tribal chieftain Conrado Frenilla (2nd from right) with Jun Avecilla of the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing (SAGS) during the ceremonial turnover of “paraws” donated by the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

15 April 2015

‘USS Green Bay’ docks in Subic

The ‘USS Green Bay,’ one of the most modern US naval ships to date, docks at the Alava Pier of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone yesterday. The USS Green Bay is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock that can deliver a fully equipped battalion of 800 Marines. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

http://www.mb.com.ph/uss-green-bay-docks-in-subic/



Children play along the breakwater of Waterfront Road as the USS Green Bay (LPD 20), an amphibious transport dock ship is moored at the Alava pier in Subic Bay Freeport Tuesday (April 14) to unload military equipment to be used in the annual military exercise dubbed “Balikatan 2015” slated to commence next week in several locations in the Philippines. (Jun Dumaguing)

Centennial III rules Commodores’ Cup

Standard Insurance Centennial III, steered by businessman/skipper Judes Echauz, annexed another international title as it swept the recent Commodores’ Cup Regatta 2015 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The 52-foot boat earlier bagged the overall title in the combined Subic to Boracay Race and Boracay Cup Regatta 2015 last month in Malay, Aklan, snapping a series of runner-up finishes.

Centennial III, helmed by Philippine top 470 class sailor Allan Balladares and managed by Standard Insurance computer engineer Steve Tan, claimed the overall title in the Open racing class, edging last year’s champion Hong Kong’s Jelik, skippered by Frank Pong, in the event organized by the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing (SAGS) Club and held in cooperation with The Lighthouse Marina Resort and Philippine Sailing Association (PSA).

Centennial II of Martin Tanco, the 2013 champion and made up for members of the national team vying in this year’s SEA Games in Singapore, placed third.

The Commodores’ Cup Regatta was one of the 12 top regattas of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix championship that determines the Asian Yachting Skipper and Yacht of the Year (all of which are of international standard, comparable with the most popular sailing circuits in the world).

Subic Bay, meanwhile, will host two out of 12 races from the Asian Yachting Grand Prix. (The Philippine Star)

PHOTO:
Members of the Standard Insurance Centennial III celebrate their victory in the Commodores’ Cup Regatta at Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/04/15/1444037/centennial-iii-rules-commodores-cup

13 April 2015

Developing young sailors in Subic


Sixteen young sailors, ages nine to 15, participated in the dinghies competition (optimist class) during the just concluded eighth Commodores’ Cup Regatta organized by the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing (SAGS) Club, in cooperation with The Lighthouse Marina Resort and Philippine Sailing Association (PSA) in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The young sailors, mostly from Cavite and Parañaque City, were trained in Manila for three months under PSA sailing coach Medy Fidel.

This summer, the training program will be expanded in Subic Bay wherein prospective sailors will come from Olongapo City and nearby towns of Zambales.

Hong Kong’s Frank Pong, Asia’s top sailor and Asian Yachting Grand Prix Skipper of the Year, is one of the leading supporters of sailing in the Philippines. Pong’s crews are mostly Filipinos coming from Cebu, Bacolod and Manila. They have been sailing and competing for more than 20 years.

His donation of new sail for the training boats of the SAGS Sailing School in partnership with the PSA has helped jumpstart the sailing program in Subic. (BusinessMirror)

PHOTO:
Sixteen youngsters learn to sail under the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing Club's program





Ocean Adventure team rescues stranded dolphin

SUBIC, ZAMBALES – A Dolphin Rescue Team from Ocean Adventure, a theme park at the Subic Bay Freeport, rescued a male rough-toothed dolphin on Thursday with the assistance of local members of the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN).

Dr. Leo Suarez, staff veterinarian at Ocean Adventure, said that the rough-toothed dolphin that was first spotted by residents swimming close to the shoreline at about 7 a.m. had ‘’already lost his buoyancy, and is very weak.”

At the time, first responders of PMMSN waded into the water and held the stranded dolphin afloat for over two hours before the rescue team arrived.

A crowd that had gathered were asked to keep their distance and minimize noise as it would only add to the distress of the animal.

Upon arrival, Suarez, along with Ocean Adventure marine mammal experts and volunteers, examined the dolphin and collected a blood sample for analysis. The dolphin was then carefully placed in a stretcher and carried to the boat where he was transported to the Dolphin Rescue and Rehabilitation Center at Ocean Adventure.

Dick Mendigorin, a local member of PMMSN, said he first saw the dolphin at about 7 a.m. and then ‘’guided him to where we can keep his [blowhole] above the water so he can breathe.”

Mendigorin was helped by two other locals, a fisherman and an Army personnel, in keeping the dolphin afloat. They took the dolphin near a boat, where they improvised shelter for the animal, and took turns caring for him until the Ocean Adventure team arrived.

Suarez praised the efforts of Mendigorin and the others who cared for the dolphin. He told Headline Gitnang Luzon that “based on what we saw, their response was good – and their training definitely helped.”

Suarez added that based on his initial diagnosis of the animal’s condition, it is likely the dolphin is suffering from ‘’acoustic trauma. The dolphin will be provided 24/7 care by staff and trained volunteers to keep him safely afloat and to closely monitor his condition. Once we get the blood results we will give him the proper medications, fluids to hydrate him, and begin to offer him fish this afternoon.”

He noted that six dolphins have been brought to Ocean Adventure in the last year due to injuries caused by dynamite fishing. Two died, including a Frasers Dolphin named Julius from Pangasinan. The other three survived but suffered permanent hearing loss. Fondly referred to as the Dynamite Girls, they are living in the open water lagoons at the Park.

Another rough-toothed dolphin, April from Ilocos Sur, is currently being rehabilitated under the care of veterinarians at the Rescue Center.

Gail Laule, Chief Operating Officer of Ocean Adventure, said that ‘’as this rescue has shown, the work of the PMMSN is crucial for saving the lives of these stranded animals. We have to train local members of the PMMSN because they are the first responders. With their help we can now begin the process of hopefully nursing the dolphin back to health. “

Laule said that, in recent years, the PMMSN network ‘’has grown considerably, with over 3,000 trained first responders nationwide, and is now virtually unparalleled in the world. It is truly something that Filipinos should be proud of. And we are honored to be one of its founders and prime movers. “

Laule added that anyone interested in becoming a trained volunteer and member of the PMMSN “should contact Ocean Adventure through our FB page, or call 047-252-9000.” (Mhike R. Cigaral, Headline Gitnang Luzon)

http://www.headlinegl.com/ocean-adventure-team-rescues-stranded-dolphin/

08 April 2015

Half-a-thousand birds show opens in Subic Freeport’s Jest Camp

Bird lovers and hobbyists have another reason to visit this Freeport with the opening here of the Magaul Bird Park, Jest Camp's newest tourism attraction, which offers the world’s first half-a-thousand birds show.

“Wings of the World,” produced by an all-Filipino team, unveils the majestic charm of birds found in forests around the world—from Africa to South America, to China and the Philippines.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Regulatory Group OIC Ruel John Kabigting, who was guest of honor during the park opening, lauded the newest addition to Central Luzon’s best tourist destination, saying this will attract more tourists, especially bird lovers.

“Magaul Bird Park is not only a park to go to in Subic, but a place to enjoy and learn the importance of caring for our environment, especially our forests,” Kabigting said.

He added that Wings of the World is an ambitious project. “This is the first in the world and no other theme park has ever done this before,” Kabigting noted.

For her part, Katrina Lacap, general manager of Magaul Bird Park, affirmed that the Wings of the World show presents an ensemble of “our bird buddies” with the underlying theme of environmental protection.

“For the first time ever in the world, Wings of the World’s grand finale will bring half a thousand birds on stage from all directions of the Alula Amphitheater here at the park,” Lacap told the opening day visitors.

Lacap said the show will feature hundreds of pigeons that circle the audience on their seats, hundreds of guinea fowls that descend towards the stage, as well as majestic hornbills and macaws that fly over them.

She added that the show will make the audience look up in awe as the giant wings of white-bellied sea eagle cast a shadow over them. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:
[1] Park personnel show visitors various bird species at the Magaul Bird Park in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone during the recent launching of the “Flight of a Thousand Birds” show. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] SBMA Regulatory Group OIC Ruel John Kabigting joins the owners of the Magaul Bird Park led by Lito Lacap (far right)​ in Subic Bay Freeport in introducing the “Flight of a Thousand Birds” show during the recent park opening. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

06 April 2015

Zoobic Safari opens zipline ride through tiger den

Zoobic Safari, a theme park in the Subic Bay Freeport that is famous for its menagerie of tigers and other wild animals, has opened a zipline ride that takes you over a den of tigers.

Aptly named as Kamikazoo, the heart-stopping 130-meter ride puts tourists inside a metal capsule hanging on a zipline that slowly makes its way above a den of tigers.

The extraordinary ride, apparently the first of its kind in the world, opened here on Saturday as the latest attraction in the popular park.

According to park owner Engr. Robert Yupangco, the metal capsule has a capacity of eight persons and will have dressed chickens dangling on the side of the cage to attract the tigers. From a height of 10 meters, the capsule will drop down to about one foot from the ground.

“Watch as the tigers try to eat the chicken from the sides of the cage. This will test the courage of those taking the ride,” Yupangco pointed out.

Aside from the zipline, Zoobic Safari has other attractions that will keep tourists occupied and entertained during their stay here, like the famous Tiger Safari where visitors ride a truck with metal grilles around an enclosure filled with tigers.

Other attractions include a serpentarium, petting zoo, and “Croco Loco” which features a pit full of crocodiles.

The safari also has the only black camel in the country, and pigmy donkeys that can only be found here.

Yupangco said despite the wild attractions, the company assures that safety of their visitors is their utmost concern. He said that there are emergency response teams standing by in every ride, and first aid outposts are found around the facility.

With the influx of tourists coming to Subic Bay Freeport this summer, it's no wonder that Zoobic Safari has found a great number of audience to educate and instil in them the concept of wildlife conservation. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Zoomanity Group COO Delia de Jesus is joined by newscaster Mario Dumawal (right) in the ceremonial cutting of ribbon to formally launch the “Kamikazoo” zipline capsule ride, the latest attraction at the Zoobic Safari theme park in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3] Visitors hover above a tiger enclosure while taking the “Kamikazoo” zipline capsule ride, the latest attraction at the Zoobic Safari theme park in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, which opened last Saturday. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)