Singapore-based Interflour Group starts US$30-M flour mill in Subic

Singapore-based Interflour Group (Interflour), one of the producers of the finest flour in the world, commenced on Tuesday the construction of its Philippine mill in Freeport as part of its expansion program to meet the flour needs in South-East Asia .

The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by Interflour managing director and chief executive Greg Harvey, Subic Bay Gateway Park president Jeff Lin, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia, Interflour Group COO Jack Joseph Cwach, Mabuhay Interflour Mill Inc. (MIMI) president Angel Umali, MIMI general manager Vicente Magbanua, SBMA Deputy Administrator for Investment Ronnie Yambao, and SBMA COO Joven Reyes.

“The entry of Interflour in Subic Freeport is a big sign of the vibrancy of the Freeport today,” said SBMA Chairman Garcia, adding that Subic has increased its revenue collection by 15 percent this year.

Further, Garcia said that the flour mill facility will help realize the vision for Subic to become an international hub in Asia.

He noted that with the flour mill now in Subic, time and expenses incurred in hauling and transporting flour from Metro Manila to parts of Central and Northern Luzon would be reduced to as much as 50 percent.

In June 2014, Interflour signed a 50-year lease contract with SBMA, paving the way for the construction of the flour mill under the business name Mabuhay Interflour Mill Incorporated (MIMI), at a committed investment of US$30 million.

This will also mean additional revenue for SBMA, estimated to reach P5.5 million a year, for the use of ports for transport ships (usually Panamax vessels) coming from wheat-growing countries, primarily Australia, United States, and Canada, as well as Europe and the Black Sea countries.

Harvey explained that Interflour will engage in milling wheat into food flour for sale direct to consumers, distributors, and retailers in the country and for exports.

The Philippines is essential to the development of the flour industry and is one of the biggest flour markets in Asia.

The new mill in Subic, he said, is capable of producing 500 metric tons a day of the finest flour intended for the local market, particularly in Central and Northern Luzon.

“We hope to bring to the country affordable but high quality flour to help local bakeshop entrepreneurs,” Harvey said.

He added that the milling facility to be constructed in a 5.2-hectare lot inside the Subic Bay Gateway Park Phase II is expected to be completed in early 2017.

During construction period, more than 500 workers will be employed, while during commercial operation, the flour mill will need more 100 personnel, Harvey said.

Interflour Group is one of the biggest flour milling companies in the world with nine flour mills located in Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Turkey with a combined wheat milling capacity of around 6,400 tons per day, which is equivalent to 1.6 million tons of flour produced each year.

It holds international certifications, manifesting its world-class technology, including Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Halal Certification. It also has ISO 22000:2005/HACCP and ISO 9001:2008 for constantly providing its customers with optimum and consistent quality products and know-how. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia (7th from left) and Greg Harvey, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Interflour Group, and other officials during the ground-breaking ceremony of Interflour’s milling facility in the Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD,EVS/MPD-SBMA)

[2] SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia (extreme right) and Greg Harvey (4th from right), Managing Director and Chief Executive of Interflour Group, joins other officials in the ceremonial ground-breaking of Interflour’s milling facility project in the Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD,EVS/MPD-SBMA)

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Janitor, former pedicab driver among 10 outstanding workers in Subic Freeport

A janitor and a former pedicab driver were among those conferred on Wednesday as Ten Outstanding Freeport Workers here for exemplary performance and contribution in their respective companies.

The workers were​ honored in a ceremony held at the Subic Bay Arts Center by the Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation, Inc. (SBWDFI) which was established by Subic-based business locators to honor and recognize the “best among the best” ​of Freeport​ workers who ​had ​shown​ discipline, dedication and commitment to excellence in their work.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia said that the conferment is one of the most significant part of the 23rd year anniversary celebration of the SBMA this month, as the honorees represented the best of Filipino workers in Subic.

“These outstanding workers represent the dedication and heroism of the more than 100,000 skilled and English-speaking workers in Subic Bay Freeport today who are loyal, competent,​ and credible,” Garcia added.

SBMA Labor Department manager and concurrent SBWDFI president Atty. Severo Pastor Jr. said the ten awardees were selected from hundreds who were nominated and subjected to a battery of interviews, performance appraisal​,​ and screening by the board of judges chaired by DOLE Regional Director Anna Dione.

The awardees included ​janitorial attendant James Elago from the Subic Bay Workers/Volunteers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. who was cited for committed and excellent service, giving first-rate confidence that the office is clean and in order during his five-year tour of duty; and Jonathan Beduya, a pedicab driver who started as an on-the-job-trainee and then rose to become the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) supervisor of PTT Phils. Corp.

Meanwhile, Jomar Ramos, senior production engineer from Nicera Phils., made it to the Top 10 for treating failure as an opportunity to success, thereby contributing to organizational sustainability and improvement of overall organizational effectiveness and capabilities.

Meldrid Mendoza, another awardee, started ​at​ the lowest level as molder at Koryo Subic, Inc. in 1998. She is now the Line Leader at ​the ​Molding Section​,​ which has the biggest number of workers in the company, and was selected twice as model employee and an Employee of the Year in 2014.

Another worker from PTT Phils. ​wa​s Lenie Manalili, a finance analyst and one of the company’s most outstanding employee for 2014, who had been part of the competence team of PTT​,​ which helped the company save P240,000 in its annual project. She is​considered​ a team leader who motivates her fellow workers and assists them on how they can perform their tasks well.

From CRESC Inc. ​wa​s Geraldine Lustre, a research and development leader who rose to become R&D supervisor for her numerous extraordinary and award-winning contributions to the company, such as safe and cost-reduction cleaning solution (2013), and the introduction of a work process that ​cut down​ production​ cost​.

​W​ith a positive attitude that influences his co-workers, Joel Galang of FBM Systems and Electronics, Inc. has maintained sustained superior performance in producing high quality work, such as maintaining handling equipment at peak serviceable condition without any operating error, thus making him worthy of the Sustained Performance Award given by the company.

Described as “the face” of her company, Medelyn Clavo, the senior accounting supervisor of Nakayama Precision Industries, Inc., helps maintain excellent service reputation that Nakayama enjoys for the past nine years.

From Sanritsu Technology Subic, Inc., Bobby Arabe, ​a​ production junior supervisor, maintained perfect work attendance as he ​delivered​ his job requirement​s​ satisfactorily with high quality level.

Lastly, Ruth Adoremos, the PD Operator and Senior Tester from Wistron Infocomm Phils. Corp., is responsible for the high standard qualification tests process for new electronic and computer model/products, including assembly and disassembly, and has formulated several training and evaluation materials​,​ which​ have​ helped enhance employees’ performance. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] The Ten Outstanding Freeport Workers receive their award for exemplary performance and outstanding contribution to their respective companies. (AMD,EVS/MPD-SBMA)

[2] SBMA officials, led by Chairman Roberto Garcia (center), congratulate the Ten Outstanding Freeport Workers for 2015. (AMD,EVS/MPD-SBMA)

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Airline ordered by court to pay SBMA $160,000

THE Court of Appeals (CA) has upheld an Olongapo City court verdict ordering an airline company to pay more than $160,000 in damages for failing to pay rental for the use of the facilities owned by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Associate Justice Remedios Salazar-Fernando with concurrence of Associate Justices Priscilla Baltazar-Padilla and Socorro Inting, the CA’s Second Division denied the appeal of Centennial Air, Inc. (CAIR), et al. and its board, subsequently affirming the decision dated April 8, 2014 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 72, of Olongapo City.

SBMA agreed to lease its building located at Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) to Centennial from February 1, 1999 to January 31, 2004.

However, CAIR became delinquent and remiss in the payment of its obligations, until the case reached the lower court, impleading its officers led by Jennifer Enano-Bote.

The RTC ordered CAIR to pay the total amount of US$163,341.89, plus legal interest to SBMA as it instructed third-party defendant Jose Ch. Alvarez [now Palawan governor] to refund/reimburse to individual defendants Enano-Bote and several others.

Alvarez was also ordered to pay Enano-Bote the amount of P300,000 by way of moral damages and P200,000 as attorney’s fees. (Jomar Canlas, Manila Times)

http://www.manilatimes.net/airline-ordered-to-pay-160000/230844/

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Subic port eyes container freight station

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is pushing for the establishment of a container freight station (CFS) to make shipping a breeze at the Port of Subic.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said in a news briefing here on Monday that the planned facility will be put up by the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), operator of Subic’s New Container Terminal (NCT).

Garcia said the CFS will be another innovation on top of other SBMA initiatives, like one-stop-shop processing and an aggressive marketing program that were designed to further cement Subic’s stature as a competitive shipping port.

“This way, there’ll be no more warehousing as the goods could be loaded directly into delivery trucks,” Garcia added. “That means there will be no downtime, too.”

A CFS is basically a facility where goods are prepared for transport to their next destination. In the case of exports, the goods are packed and consolidated into containers, while in the case of imports, these are “devanned” or deconsolidated from containers.

Garcia announced the planned CFS project as he reported on Subic’s continuing growth as a seaport.

He said that early this month, Subic marked the unloading of the 100,000th cargo container for this year, which came from Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

“Last year we recorded just 77,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units),” Garcia recalled. “But having reached the 100,000th mark in November, we are well on our way to hit 120,000 TEUs this year,” Garcia said.

The SBMA official added that the China South International Barter Center (SIBC), one of the biggest online sellers in the world, is also proposing to make Subic a transhipment hub for its Asian shipping operations.

Garcia said earlier that the SBMA has been successful so far in marketing Subic as an alternative port to Manila because it is the only port in Luzon with a one-stop shop for cargo processing.

He pointed out that Subic now has seven shipping lines unloading and taking in cargo on a regular basis after President Aquino signed Executive Order 172 that designated Subic as an alternative port to Manila. (Henry Empeño. BusinessMirror)

PHOTO:
Cargo unloading at the New Container Terminal in the Subic Bay Freeport.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/subic-port-eyes-container-freight-station/

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Boris Savchenko storms through PSC Puregold Open in Subic

Russian Grandmaster Boris Savchenko demolished the opposition in the PSC Puregold International Open to emerge convincing winner with 9,5/10 points, two and a half points ahead of the nearest followers.

Far behind in the score count GMs Lu Shanglei and Vitaly Sivuk share the second place with 7,0 points each.

The PSC Puregold International Open was organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines from 16-21st November in Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel, Olongapo City.

44 players competed in the main Open Division, with 18 Grandmasters and 15 International Masters in the field.

The Challenger Division had 83 participants. Franz Robert Grafil and Prince Mark Aquino shared the first place with 7,5/9 points each.

Full standings below.

Open Division final standings:
1 GM SAVCHENKO Boris RUS 2567 – 9.5
2 GM LU Shanglei CHN 2615 – 7
3 GM SIVUK Vitaly UKR 2512 – 7
4 GM LAYLO Darwin PHI 2471 – 6.5
5 GM KOTANJIAN Tigran ARM 2479 – 6.5
6 IM LIN Chen CHN 2520 – 6.5
7 GM DEMCHENKO Anton RUS 2592 – 6
8 GM SMIRNOV Pavel RUS 2617 – 6
9 GM NGUYEN Duc Hoa VIE 2500 – 6
10 FM ROHAN Ahuja IND 2411 – 5.5
11 GM GUPTA Abhijeet IND 2633 – 5.5
12 GM DEEPAN Chakkravarthy J. IND 2479 – 5.5
13 GM MOZHAROV Mikhail RUS 2573 – 5.5
14 IM GARCIA Jan Emmanuel PHI 2395 – 5.5
15 IM PURANIK Abhimanyu IND 2443 – 5.5
16 GM ZUBOV Alexander UKR 2630 – 5.5
17 GM SHOMOEV Anton RUS 2565 – 5.5
18 GM BELOUS Vladimir RUS 2573 – 5.5
19 FM LIU Xiangyi SIN 2423 – 5.5
20 GM ANTONIO Rogelio Jr PHI 2478 – 5.5
21 GM BITOON Richard PHI 2417 – 5
22 DOCENA Jerad PHI 2319 – 5
23 IM SUNILDUTH LYNA Narayanan IND 2481 – 5
24 IM SEAN Winshand Cuhendi INA 2450 – 5
25 IM NOLTE Rolando PHI 2417 – 5
26 GM ARAVINDH Chithambaram Vr. IND 2496 – 5
27 IM DIMAKILING Oliver PHI 2372 – 4.5
28 GM TORRE Eugenio PHI 2468 – 4.5
29 FM SEVERINO Sander PHI 2349 – 4.5
30 IM BERSAMINA Paulo PHI 2361 – 4.5
31 IM PASCUA Haridas PHI 2462 – 4.5
32 ABELGAS Roel PHI 2316 – 4.5
33 IM SENADOR Emmanuel PHI 2325 – 4
34 IM PIMENTEL Joel PHI 2264 – 4
35 DELA CRUZ Noel PHI 2260 – 4
36 FM TURQUEZA Mari Joseph PHI 2313 – 4
37 WIM FRAYNA Janelle Mae PHI 2273 – 4
38 WIM SUEDE Mikee Charlene PHI 2085 – 4
39 FM SEGARRA Randy PHI 2342 – 3.5
40 WFM SAN DIEGO Marie Antoinette PHI 2065 – 3.5
41 WFM MENDOZA Shania Mae PHI 2057 – 3.5
42 WIM FRONDA Jan Jodilyn PHI 2129 – 3
43 WIM GALAS Bernadette PHI 2094 – 3
44 FM PACIS Adrian PHI 2254 – 1

Challenger Division final standings:
1 GRAFIL Franz Robert PHI 2199 – 7.5
2 AQUINO Prince Mark PHI 2075 – 7.5
3 BAGAMASBAD Efren PHI 2164 – 7
4 SACAR Mohamad PHI 2120 – 7
5 TIU Sherwin PHI 2206 – 6.5
6 MORADO Jeth Romy PHI 2065 – 6.5
7 FM LITERATUS Austin Jacob PHI 2098 – 6.5
8 SALGADOS Lennon Hart PHI 2104 – 6.5
9 RUAYA Virgen Gil C. PHI 2117 – 6.5
10 MEDINA Vince Angelo PHI 2056 – 6.5
11 MARIMLA Erickson PHI 2013 – 6
12 RILLORAZA Istraelito PHI 1880 – 6
13 SEVILLANO Rhenzi Kyle PHI 2052 – 6
14 FLORENDO Joey Albert PHI 2086 – 6
15 INFIESTO James PHI 1950 – 6
16 BERNARDO Dale PHI 1918 – 6
17 PARONDO Rolly PHI 2119 – 5.5
18 BAUTISTA Joshua PHI 2037 – 5.5
19 LOPEZ Henry WC* PHI 2181 – 5.5
20 CURIOSO Romulo PHI 1921 – 5.5
21 MIRANO Jan Francis PHI 2010 – 5.5
22 QUIZON Daniel PHI 1661 – 5.5
23 MICIANO John Marvin PHI 1882 – 5.5
24 RAPANOT Alfredo PHI 2171 – 5.5
25 GARONG Stevenson PHI 0 – 5.5
26 FORTIN Artrino Paul PHI 2003 – 5.5
27 FLORENDO Patrick Erle PHI 2054 – 5
28 CAJERAS Jerich PHI 2204 – 5
29 SUBASTE Arman PHI 1890 – 5
30 ABUTON Kristian Glen PHI 1840 – 5
31 DIAZ Christopher PHI 0 – 5
32 AMAR Denzel John PHI 1957 – 5
33 RIVERA Jeff Russel PHI 0 – 5
34 MOULIC Ella Grace PHI 1830 – 5
35 EVANGELISTA Paul Robert PHI 1943 – 4.5
36 MANTUPAR Ildefonso Jr. PHI 1837 – 4.5
37 JOTA Jonathan PHI 2176 – 4.5
38 PRADAS Dale PHI 2003 – 4.5
39 MANAOG Stewart PHI 2090 – 4.5
40 REDOR Menandro PHI 1893 – 4.5
41 MORDIDO Justine Diego PHI 1601 – 4.5
42 CERVERO Tristan Jared PHI 1773 – 4.5
43 AVILES Ferdinand PHI 1988 – 4.5
44 DELOS SANTOS Don Tyrone PHI 1988 – 4.5
45 DELA TORRE Marife PHI 1737 – 4.5
46 WCM MIRANO Mira PHI 1793 – 4.5
47 BERNARDO Darry PHI 1890 – 4
48 SALCEDO Edgar PHI 0 – 4
49 PINEDA Judith PHI 1986 – 4
50 ALIDANI Leonardo PHI 1954 – 4
51 VILLA Enrica PHI 1707 – 4
52 BACOJO Mark Jay PHI 1539 – 4
53 LIM Samson Jr. PHI 2160 – 4
54 MORSALIM Salahudin PHI 1750 – 4
55 BATENCILA Rosalino Jr. PHI 1935 – 4
56 CRUZ Orlando PHI 1759 – 4
57 MORSALIM Mohmin PHI 1887 – 4
58 POLAO Ben PHI 2066 – 4
59 TALAN Walt Allen PHI 2040 – 3.5
60 CEREZO Lionel PHI 0 – 3.5
61 SALCEDO Rene PHI 1959 – 3.5
62 SALCEDO John PHI 1875 – 3.5
63 SAN JUAN Ma. Mae Bel Grace PHI 1761 – 3.5
64 ANSAY Lynux Louie PHI 1738 – 3.5
65 NOBLIJAS Aaron PHI 1756 – 3.5
66 SARMIENTO Rodolfo VI* PHI 1649 – 3
67 KOELBL Wolfgang GER 1841 – 3
68 FLORENDO Carlo Mark PHI 1872 – 3
69 ABOGADO Anthony VI* PHI 1765 – 3
70 TATOY Glesit Marie PHI 1418 – 3
71 NOBLIJAS Julieber PHI 0 – 3
72 MIRANO Kevin PHI 2085 – 2.5
73 CHING Francis VI* PHI 1848 – 2.5
74 PELIGRO Israel VI* PHI 1766 – 2.5
75 REYES Hans Jeremy PHI 1634 – 2.5
76 CO Davenson PHI 1735 – 2.5
77 BILOG Cecilio VI* PHI 0 – 2.5
78 DE VERA Andrea Bianca PHI 1714 – 2.5
79 BALING Aerronne PHI 1857 – 2
80 NACITA Jean-lee WC* PHI 0 – 2
81 MANGAYAYAM Fe PHI 0 – 2
82 BURNOS Jamy Gaverielle PHI 1692 – 1
83 CONCIO Michael Jr. PHI 1688 – 0

PHOTO:
Russian Grandmaster Boris Savchenko

http://www.chessdom.com/boris-savchenko-storms-through-psc-puregold-open-in-olongapo-city/

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6-star cruise ship diverted to Subic port

The six-starred cruise ship “M/V Silver Shadow” dropped anchor here yesterday for a two-day visit as a “no sail zone” was declared at the Port of Manila due to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Captain Ildefonso Gonzales, Port Captain and General Manager of the Sharp Port Services, Inc., the port of Subic was considered as its priority alternative port call since Manila South Harbor declared “no sail zone” on November 17-20.

The Silver Shadow is a cruise ship built in Italy that entered into service in year 2000, which can carry up to 382 passengers.

Being operated by Silversea Cruises along with seven other cruise ships, the Silver Shadow was brought to the Philippines through SHARP Travel Services Inc.

Silver Shadow, a cruise ship rated with six stars for its exceptional services, amenities, cuisine and accommodations, docked at the Alava Pier in Subic Bay Freeport straight from Coron, Palawan.

It has been in Philippine waters since November 16 and has toured Tagbilaran, Bohol; Boracay Island, and Coron, Palawan.

It will set sail toward Hong Kong when it leaves the Subic port on November 21. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTOS:
MV SILVER SHADOW IN SUBIC BAY

[1] Dock workers wait for the MV Silver Shadow cruise ship as it prepares to dock at the Subic Bay Freeport Thursday (Nov. 19) morning for a port call. The cruise ship, which carries around 700 crew and passengers, who are mostly European tourists, has been in various Philippine tourist destinations since Nov. 16 and will be sailing to Hong Kong today. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] School children perform a native dance to welcome the arrival of MV Silver Shadow, which docked at the Subic Bay Freeport Thursday (Nov. 19) morning. The cruise ship, which carries around 700 crew and passengers, who are mostly European tourists, has been in various Philippine tourist destinations since Nov. 16 and will be sailing to Hong Kong today. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

http://www.mb.com.ph/6-star-cruise-ship-diverted-to-subic-port/

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Savchenko grabs solo lead; Laylo top Pinoy contender in Subic chess challenge

RUSSIAN Grandmaster Boris Savchenko put a brake to Ukraine GM Vitaly Sivuk’s five-game winning run, hacking out a 35-move win using an unusual line of the Queen’s Pawn Game to vault into the solo lead after four rounds in the Philippine Sports Commission-Puregold International Chess Challenge at the Peninsular Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The No. 8 seed Savchenko earlier defeated reigning national champion GM Richard Bitoon in the third round to set up the clash against the newly-minted Philippine International Chess Championship titlist.

Filipino GM Darwin Laylo, meanwhile, stayed a half-point behind the solo leader with 3.5 points with a win and a draw in the two previous rounds.

The 18th seed Laylo downed International Master Oliver Dimakiling in the third round and split the point with Torre in the fourth.

The draw dropped Torre to 3.0 points in the company of fellow Pinoys IM Joel Pimentel and Dimakiling, Sivuk, Russian GMs Mikhail Mozharov and Anton Demchenko, GM Shanglei Lu of China and GM Chakkravarthy Deepan of India.

Mozharov, the no. 7 seed, and Pimentel agreed to a draw after 57 moves of a King’s Indian Fianchetto, Demchenko defeated GM Tigran Kotanjian of Armernia in 42 pushes of a King’s Indian Classical, Lu dealt Bitoon his second straight loss, while Deepan trounced Filipino IM Emmanuel Senador in 54 moves of a Sicilian Moria Gambit.

Trailing behind with 2.5 points are Kotanjian, IM Abhimanyu Puranik and GM Narayanan Sunilduth Lyna of India, GM Chen Lin of China and GM Duc Hoa Nguyen of Vietnam.

In the Challenger Division of the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and supported by the PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, Puregold, Burlington Socks and Marc Ventures and Mining and Development Corp., eight players, led by top seed Franz Robert Grafil, share the lead with three points each after three rounds.

Also in the Challenger Division, nine-year-old Mark Jay Bacojo upset sixth-seed Samson Lim Jr. in huge upset at the first round.

Bacojo, from Pasig, i the youngest competitor is outranked by the veteran Lim by at least 600 Elo rating points. (People's Tonight)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia (sitting left) poses with Russian GM  Anton Demchenko at the opening of the Philippine Sports Commission-Puregold International Chess Challenge in Subic Bay along with other world-class chess masters. (People's Tonight)

http://www.journal.com.ph/sports/other-sports/savchenko-grabs-solo-lead-laylo-top-pinoy-contender

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Vios Cup 2 drivers rev up for Subic final clash

The Vios Cup Season 2 gears up for an explosive finish with 50 racers all primed up for the final leg of the track-hopping circuit on Nov. 28-29 at the Subic Bay International Airport.

Eight celebrity racers will join the 42 individual drivers battling it out for top honors in the Sporting, Promotional and Celebrity class categories of the event put up by Toyota Motor Philippines.

The official qualifying race is set from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. with the Toyota Car Club Track Day from 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and the race proper from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. The awards rites will start at 6 p.m.

“This final race in Subic will be the widest and longest out-of-circuit track that the Vios Cup will ever see. Creating a racetrack at the famed Subic Bay International Airport definitely puts an edge to this motorsports event,” said Toyota Motor Philippines president Michinoby Sugata. “I personally look forward to this fourth and final leg because aside from it being an all-new track which will really bring out the best in our racers, we now have a total of 50 racers present making this undeniably more exciting.”

Motorsports fans and spectators will also be treated to waku-doki experience and a day-long show driving prowess from celebrity racing pioneers, including reigning Vios Cup champion DJ Sam YG, Phoemela Baranda, Derek Ramsey, and Jasmine Curtis.

The 2015 Vios Cup is held in partnership with Bridgestone and Rota, supported by Motul, TRD, Brembo, Denso, AVT, OMP and Tuason Racing. (Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/11/18/1523182/vios-cup-2-drivers-rev-subic-final-clash

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Subic marks 100,000th TEU with unloaded cargo from Kaohsiung

Subic’s New Container Terminal 2 (NCT2) registered its 100,000th twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) cargo container last Saturday, marking a milestone in maritime business in this Freeport.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia, who was on hand to witness the unloading, said the event only manifested the growing number of port users already transporting their goods through the Port of Subic after it became an extension facility of the Port of Manila.

“This only shows that our efforts to make Subic the most competitive port in Luzon are all reaching fruition,” Garcia said, as he congratulated officials of the Subic Bay International Container Terminal (SBITC), which operates the NCT2.

Garcia said that in August this year, the Port of Subic already recorded 83,000 containers, a number that was almost double the 43,000 recorded for the same period last year.

“As we reached the 100,000-mark this month, we again reached another milestone,” he added.

Garcia said that that SBMA has been successful so far in marketing Subic as the only port in Luzon that has a one-stop shop.

SBMA’s hosting of two maritime summits, the formation of a Maritime Technical Group, and the agency’s aggressive maritime business marketing program “certainly helped a lot in this undertaking,” he also said.

Garcia said the one-stop-shop facility inside Subic’s container terminal has been very well appreciated by brokers from Manila and Northern and Central Luzon because all the necessary documentation “stops” could be accomplished within the shop.

“If your papers are in order, you can finish processing in just 30 minutes or an hour,” he said.

SBITC general manager Roberto Locsin said the 100,000th container was unloaded from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, by Wan Hai Lines for delivery to United Auctioneers, Inc., a heavy equipment trader in the Subic Bay Freeport.

“We never selected it. It was luckily scheduled to unload,” Locsin said.

As this happened, Chairman Garcia also noted that the SBMA is expanding its seaport, and “is pushing very hard to increase cargo volume here to decongest Manila Port.”

The SBMA official also noted that Subic is the only port in the western seaboard that still has the capacity to accommodate more containers, as the Batangas port is already 100% full.

“Before you could unload in Batangas or even in Manila, you’d be forced to wait for three to four days. In Subic, you can enter anytime, unload anytime and process your cargo anytime” he said. “We now have seven shipping lines coming to Subic on a regular basis,” he added.

Subic, as well as Batangas, became an extension port because of congestion in Manila.

Subic now has seven shipping lines unloading and taking in cargo on a regular basis after President Aquino signed Executive Order 172 that designated Subic as an alternative port to Manila. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia (middle, left) receives from SBITC general manager Roberto Locsin a copy of documents marking the arrival of the 100,000th TEU at the New Container Terminal 2 in Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Ukrainian GM stuns top seed, wins int'l chess fest in Subic

GRANDMASTER Vitaly Sivuk of Ukraine racked up his third straight win – and his biggest in the tournament – to emerge as the undisputed champion in the 2015 Philippine International Chess Championship after the 10th and final round Saturday at the Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport.

Sivuk, the no. 11 seed, stunned top seed and erstwhile solo leader GM Abijheet Gupta of India after 42 moves of a Gruenfeld Defense to bring his total to seven points and take home the top prize of $5,000.

In all, the 23-year-old Ukranian tallied seven points on five wins, four draws and a loss, which came against GM Anton Demchenko of Russia in the 6th round.

Four other players – Demchenko, fellow GM Anton Shomoev, Chinese GM and 5th seed Shanglei Lu of China and GM Chakkravarthy Deepan of India had a chance to forge a tie for the overall lead but their games all ended in draw, with Lu splitting the point with Demchenko and Deepan settleing for a draw with Shomoev.

The four dropped into a seven-way tie with Gupta and final-round winners GM Narayanan Sinulduth Lyna of India and Russian GM Boris Savchenko with 6.5 points each.

Sinulduth Lyna, who had 5.5 points going into the final round, turned back Filipino GM Joey Antonio in 31 moves of an Anti-Nimzo Indian, while Savchenko defeated International Master Chen Lin of China after 36 moves of a Mieses Variation of the Scandinavian.

Lin and no. 3 seed GM Pavel Smirnov of Russia, who beat compatriot GM Vladimir Belous in 34 moves of a Benko Gambit Accepted, dropped into a two-way tie with six points each.

International Master Rolando Nolte and 17-year-old NM Jerad Docena, meanwhile, emerged as the top Filipino finishers in the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Puregold, Asian United Bank and Burlington Socks. Marc Ventures Holdings, Inc. and Marc Ventures Mining and Development Corporation.

Nolte drew his final round against GM Eugene Torre after 21 moves of the Knights Variation of the Indian Game, while Docena outsteadied IM Abhimanyu Puranik of India in 67 moves of a King’s Indian Attack to end up with similar 5.5 points in tie with no. 2 seed GM Alexander Zubov of Ukraine and GM Mikhail Mozharov of Russia.

A half point behind is a large group of five-pointers composed of GM Vladimir Belous of Russia, GM Doc Hoa Nguyen of Vietnam, Torre, GM Joey Antonio, reigning national champion GM Richard Bitoon, IM Paulo Bersamina and GM Tigran Kotanjian of Armenia.

Woman International Master Janelle Mae Frayna duplicated her feat last year after emerging as the best Filipina female player after finishing with four points.

In the Challenger Division, WFM Shania Mae Mendoza and Lennon Hart Salgados ended up tied with seven points after nine rounds, but Mendoza earned the title via the tiebreak.

Mendoza downed Christopher Diaz in 33 moves of a Nimzowitsch Defense, while Salgados halved the point against Paul Robert Evangelista in a Slav Defense, Exchange variation.

The second tournament, PSC/PUREGOLD International Chess Challenge reels off Saturday, at the same venue.

PHOTO:
GRANDMASTER Vitaly Sivuk of Ukraine

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LOOK: Prepping for Subic Volunteers Day

Filipino ground maintenance workers clean-up the Volunteers Park in Subic Bay Freeport in preparation for commemoration of the US military bases pull-out on November 24.

The park is dedicated to Subic volunteers, mostly women from near-by Olongapo City and Zambales province, who took the initiative to protect the military base from looters after the American withdrawal due to Mt. Pinatubo devastation and rejection of the Philippine Senate on the continuation of the bases treaty.

The Subic volunteers were also instrumental during the Philippine hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) in 1996 as they act as human barriers against militant groups trying to stage protests in Subic. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Filipino, Taiwanese firms to build e-vehicles in Subic Freeport

Ropali Corporation, one of the top motorcycle dealers in the Philippines, and TECO Electric and Machinery Co., Ltd., a Taiwan-based company that develops and manufactures electric motors, introduced on Tuesday environment-friendly vehicles at its plant site in this Freeport.

In a simple launching ceremony, ROTECO, the company name for Ropali and TECO Corporation, unveiled to the public the electric tricycle or the E-Trike and the four-wheeled electric jeepney or the E-Jeepney.

TECO Chairman Chao Kai Liu said that the electric vehicles​ will​ provide the riding public with opportunities to replace second-hand diesel jeepneys ​that​ emit dirty smoke and consume much fuel.

“By bringing out green and smart mobility, we can raise the quality of public transport in the Philippines and at the same time​,​ help reduce carbon emission and dumping of used oil in our environment​,​ which cause climate change,” Liu said.

Ropali President Roberto Alingog​ on ​his part said that ROTECO’s main objective is to introduce innovation in the transport sector by creating battery-powered E-vehicles that do not emit smoke or make noise.

“It is our advocacy to drive social entrepreneurship by giving back to the people clean air and a ​clean living environment,” Alingog said.

Production of electric vehicles is expected to commence on the first of January next year, he added.

The ROTECO launching ceremony was graced by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia, Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino, and Zambales Vice-Governor Ramon Lacbain II.

Chairman Garcia lauded the project, pointing out that it dovetails with the SBMA’s commitment to protect and preserve the environment, especially ​within​ the Freeport.

“We have successfully implemented the no-plastic policy in all establishments, and initiated programs for rain​forest and coastal protection as part of our commitment to help protect the environment,” said Garcia. “This project is another big step in that direction.”

He added that Subic will soon become a center for renewable energy, as the largest solar farm facility in Asia has started construction to produce cheap electricity for Freeport locators.

ROTECO officials said the electric vehicles provide various advantages. The four-passenger plus driver E-Trike, for instance, assures high cruising range of 80 kilometers for every battery life.

It also features heavy duty front forks, leaf-spring suspension and flat- and ladder-type chassis to give the spacious trike stability and maneuverability.

For the E-Jeepney, the vehicle has ​a ​side entrance and a rear emergency exit to​ provide​ passengers with​ safe and easy entry and exit.

With ​a​ water resistant and powerful 12-kilowatt electric motor, the E-Jeepney is able to produce 140 Nm of torque and guarantee a 20% climbing ability. It can accommodate 20 passengers and can travel 80 kilometers per newly-charged batteries.

Both the E-Trike and E-Jeepney capitalize on five premium qualities: safety, power, efficiency, comfort, ​and stability (SPECS). (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] TECO Chairman Chao Kai Liu discusses the advantages of the E-Jeepney with SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia during the launching of the e-vehicles project of ROTECO in Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino tries driving the E-Jeepney with Ropali President Roberto Alingog as passenger, as SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia looks on during the launching of the e-vehicles project of ROTECO in Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3] The E-Jeepney, which is designed to provide green and smart mobility, is launched by ROTECO at Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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‘Use Subic for canceled flights’

Flights canceled due to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit can use the airport in Subic.

Richard Gordon, a former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman, made the proposal yesterday in a post in his Twitter account @DickGordonDG.

Subic airport was used when the freeport hosted the APEC summit in 1996, Gordon said.

Twenty-four heads of economies attended the meeting at the time, he added.

Federal Express also used the airport for several years, Gordon said.

“We built Subic airport,” he said.

“APEC ’96 used it. Fedex landed 18 cargo jets there for several years. Why don’t we use it today for APEC canceled flights?”

As of October 30, a total of 1,364 flights have been canceled to give way to the arrival of APEC delegates.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has issued notices to airmen (NOTAM) setting certain restrictions on aircraft at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from November 17 to 20.

NOTAM B3227/15 restricts general aviation aircraft operations within 40-nautical mile radius of NAIA covering the vicinity of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) effective 6 a.m. of November 17 to 7 p.m. of November 20.

General aviation aircraft operations outside the 40-nautical mile radius of NAIA shall be limited to local operations, excluding Clark and Subic International Airports.

Training aircraft of flying schools are restricted to operate only outside the 40-nautical mile radius.

“Exemptions are Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) related operations with approval from APEC National Organizing Council (NOC) and duly coordinated with CAAP Operations and Rescue Coordination Center (ORCC) and aircraft on emergency mission,” CAAP said.

It also imposed the No-Fly Zone within two nautical miles from coordinates (PICC) due to special operations effective on November 17, 10 a.m. to November 20, 7 p.m.

Takeoff and landing of aircraft on runway 31 were also prohibited and no landing would be implemented on runway 13 during those dates. (Sheila Crisostomo, with Louise Maureen Simeon, Rudy Santos, Philippine Star)

PHOTO:
Subic airport was used when the freeport hosted the APEC summit in 1996, Richard Gordon said.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/13/1521346/use-subic-canceled-flights

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LOOK: Subic Aeta Woodcarver

Aeta tribesman Joel Baclay works on a wood carving outside a souvenir shack in Subic Bay Freeport. Baclay sells the Navy-inspired carvings to visiting US Navy servicemen whenever American ships dock at the Port of Subic Ba​y for routine port stops, as well as rest and resupply. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Lin ties Gupta for lead, Nolte stuns GM in Round 5 of Subic chessfest

Top seed GM Abhijeet Gupta of India defeated co-leader GM Anton Demchenko of Russia to grab solo lead after the fifth round of the Philippine International Chess Championships held at the Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Gupta, with a rating of 2633, went on to beat Demchenko (2592) in a seemingly drawish Sicilian game in 105 moves, Demchenko overlooked a saving move in time scramble and lost after a forced exchange of his Rook for a queening Pawn and a Bishop. Gupta has 4.5 points in 5 games of play.

In solo second with 4 points is International Master Lin Chen who upset Russian GM Vladimir Belous in 50 moves of an English Opening, Anglo-Slav variation. Six players followed him with 3.5 points: GM Demchenko, second seed GM Alexander Zubov of Ukraine, GM Vitaly Sivuk (Ukraine), GM Anton Shomoev (Russia), GM Lu Shanglei (China) and GM Chakkravarthy Deepan of India.

But the day belongs to International Master Rolando Nolte who upset GM Mikhail Mozharov of Russia in 50 moves of a Spanish Game (Ruy Lopez) and National Master Roel Abelgas who also upset International Master Sean Winshand Cuhendi of Indonesia in 47 moves of an Indian Game, Kingside Fianchetto. GM Joey Antonio drew his game with Battle of the Masters Champion GM Richard Bitoon in a Nimzo-Indian Defense Classical Variation. IM Nolte and NM Abelgas have 3 points while GM Antonio and GM Bitoon have 2.5.

In the Challenger division, four players are tied for the lead with 3.5 points after four rounds: Kevin Mirano, Jeth Romy Morado, Lennon Hart Salgados and WFM Shania Mae Mendoza. Mirano drew with WFM Mendoza in 37 moves of a French Defense, Salgados won against John Estrada Salcedo in 48 moves of a Pirc Defense Classical system and Morado demolished Paul Robert Evangelista also in a Classical Pirc in 26 moves. Below them with 3 points are Seniors champion Verth Alora, John Marvin Miciano, Ferdinand Aviles, Jan Francis Mirano and Christopher Diaz.

The tournament is the first of two tournaments being organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and supported financially by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) headed by its Chairman, the Honorable Ricardo R. Garcia in cooperation with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) headed by its President, the Honorable Jose S. Cojuangco, Jr.

PHOTO:
From left: GM Abhijeet Gupta, India; International Master Lin Chen, China; and International Master Rolando Nolte, Philippines

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