Triathlete John Chicano gives PHI its first gold in 2019 SEA Games

The Philippines is on the board in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games as John “Rambo” Chicano got his first gold in men’s triathlon.

Chicano registered the Philippines’ first win - as well as its first medal overall - in the regional meet by finishing with a time of 1:53:26, Sunday at Subic Bay Boardwalk.

This is the 28-year-old’s first gold in the biennial event as back in 2017, he placed second to Nikko Huelgas.

It was a 1-2 finish for the Filipinos with Kim Remolino claiming silver by logging a time of 1:55:03.

The 19-year-old was actually the pacesetter after the swimming course while Chicano was actually at fourth.

“Rambo,” as he is fondly called, however, dominated the biking and running phases en route to his breakthrough win.

Completing the podium is Indonesia’s Ahlul Firman Muhammad who finished at 1:57:10. (sports.abs-cbn.com)

PHOTO:

Chicano at the finish line, registering the Philippines’ first win in the regional meet by finishing with a time of 1:53:26, Sunday at Subic Bay Boardwalk.

https://sports.abs-cbn.com/seagames/news/2019/12/01/triathlete-chicano-gives-phi-first-gold-sea-games-63861

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Volunteer cleanups propel Subic Freeport tourism

Hundreds of volunteers from the various community organizations, schools and government agencies converged here on Sunday to clean up the beach along the popular Boardwalk Park here in preparation for the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay triathlon event here on June 2.

The volunteers from the Philippine Coast Guard-Subic, its auxiliary PCGA 111th Squadron, the Philippine National Police, Ramon Magsaysay University in Subic, Zambales, and local schools Aura College and Gordon College, scoured the coast for trash, and bagged them for sorting and eventual disposal.

But this was nothing extraordinary, said SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, who takes pride in a strong culture of volunteerism among stakeholders of the Subic Bay Freeport.

“This Freeport may have its natural attractions to thank for being a major tourist destination in the country today, but it is the culture of volunteerism here that keeps the local tourism industry moving forward,” Eisma said.

“Without the cooperation and support of the Subic Bay area community, the SBMA would not be able to make Subic the top tourist destination in Central Luzon for the last six years,” she added. “Volunteers help keep Subic tourism alive.”

The initiative of stakeholders that include SBMA employees, Freeport business locators, socio-civic organizations, residents, and even visitors to volunteer in clean-up activities here is a result of Eisma’s call for “malasakit” or concern for the common good.

This summer, as Subic prepared to host a mix of sports, entertainment and religious events, volunteer groups led by various SBMA departments buckled down to work to keep beaches, river banks and vacant lots clean and pleasing to the eye.

Today, members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Subic Station, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) 111th Squadron, and the Subic Bay Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SBMPC), conduct monthly coastal clean-up along Malawaan Park and Boardwalk area.

“PCGA is mandated to support and assist the community in the protection of the marine environment and its resources, so we are happy to volunteer in cleaning our beach areas, especially in Subic Bay,” said Commander Eduardo Mabita Jr., director of the PCGA division in Subic.

Other groups such as Toyota Avanza Pilipinas (Olongapo Chapter), Lions Club of Olongapo, Gordon College and Aura College, the Police Regional Maritime Unit (Subic) are among the regular participants of the beach clean-ups along the Boardwalk Park here.

The Boardwalk Area is a favorite place for outdoor concerts, and will be the venue for several beach and water sports events in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games that Subic will host on November 30 to December 10.

Jem Camba, manager of the SBMA Tourism Department, noted that with 1.7 million guest arrivals last year, the Subic Bay Freeport continues to hold its position as the best tourist destination in Central Luzon based on the Department of Tourism’s 2018 report.

“With the help of our Subic Bay stakeholders, we are able to provide excellent customer service and create worthy and enjoyable events, and thus make Subic Bay a perfect getaway destination,” Camba also said. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

Various stakeholder groups participate in the clean-up along the Boardwalk Park in the Subic Bay Freeport in preparation for the Ironman 70.3 triathlon on June 2. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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First-timers rule 93rd NCAA beach volleyball

San Beda University, Emilio Aguinaldo College and Arellano University came through with performances to remember to clinch their very first title in their respective divisions in the 93rd NCAA beach volleyball tournament at the Boardwalk in Subic Bay, Zambales Saturday.

Twice runners-up, twins Maria Jeziela and Maria Nieza Viray ended two years of frustration as they beat EAC’s Jaylene May Lumbo and Glyka Mariz Medina, 21-17, 21-10, to sweep their way to their first ever crown.

The Virays, who lost to San Sebastian’s Grethcel Solltones and Alyssa Eroa in the last two finals, completed their magical season with a perfect 11-0 win-loss record.

“We’re so ecstatic because after two years of losing in the finals, we finally won it,” said Maria Jeziela, the adjudged MVP who like her sister is taking up Bachelor of Physical Education and Wellness.

EAC’s Paolo Cezar Lim and Joshua Mina edged Perpetual Help’s Joebert Almodiel and Rey Taneo with a come-from-behind 17-21, 21-17, 15-13 win to likewise book their first men’s crown.

The Lim-Mina tandem also wound up with a pristine 11-0 slate.

Mina was named MVP.

AU for its part bucked a broken finger by Adrian Villados as Jesus Valdez and reserve Zachary Dablo, 21-16, 21-18 to also take home its first championship in the high school division.

Up a set and 14-13 in the second, Villados, the adjudged MVP, broke his right pinkie finger and was rushed to the nearby hospital but Dablo, his replacement, and Valdez held the fort to preserve the win and the crown. (ABS-CBN Sports)

https://sports.abs-cbn.com/ncaa/news/2018/03/04/first-timers-rule-93rd-ncaa-beach-volleyball-38490

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Subic Freeport gears up for holy week events

Honoring tradition, this premier Freeport is gearing up for the most solemn Catholic event, the Holy Week.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Atty. Wilma T. Eisma unveiled the agency’s plans for the upcoming Holy Week events yesterday, showing that this Freeport is not without observance of its religious traditions.

The start of the Holy Week will be welcomed with the Reenactment of Jesus Christ Entering Jerusalem at the San Roque Chapel, the oldest chapel in the area. This day’s event will culminate with the Blessing of the Palm on April 9, Palm Sunday.

Eisma said that aside from the event in San Roque Chapel, there will also be another reenactment in Holy Land, where a priest presiding in the mass will ride a donkey towards the chapel there. There will also be an animal parade at the religious theme park as mass goers will be able to interact with two camels, two donkeys, sheep, horses and ponies.

“On April 10 and 11, a ‘Pabasa’ will be held also in San Roque Chapel. And on Wednesday, a procession will be held at the San Roque Chapel, while the Boardwalk area will have food and specialty shops, with entertainment from local bands and DJs to liven up the place,” Eisma said.

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Washing of the Feet and the Reenactment of the Last Supper will be held at the San Roque Chapel. Tourists will be able to visit the chapel as part of the Visita Iglesia tradition on Maundy Thursday.

Good Friday events will include Private Station of the Cross at the San Roque Chapel, Guided Way of the Cross Meditation at the Holy Land, and a stage play of “The Passion and Death of Jesus” at the Boardwalk area.

Part of the Black Saturday events is the Black Saturday Concert at the Boardwalk area, and an Easter Vigil Mass will be held at the San Roque Chapel. The mass will include the Blessing of Paschal Candle, Blessing of Fire and Blessing of Water.

“And on Easter Sunday, we will have the ‘Salubong’ procession and an Easter Egg Hunt at the San Roque Chapel grounds. The ‘Salubong’ procession will be held at the Dewey Avenue as the Risen Christ and Mary Dolorosa will meet up at the San Roque Chapel,” Eisma said.

Eisma also said that these events are part of the SBMA’s thrust to show that the agency honor religious Filipino traditions and would like to make this an opportunity to get families closer while in Subic Bay Freeport. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Holy Week 2017 schedule of activities to be held in various locations at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

[2] Schedule of activities for this year's Holy Week at the Holy Land

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San Sebastian's Soltones, Eroa reign supreme in NCAA beach volleyball in Subic

SAN Sebastian's Gretcel Soltones and Alyssa Eroa pulled off a vengeful 14-21, 21-9, 15-6 victory over San Beda twins Maria Jeziela and Maria Nieza Viray to claim the NCAA women’s beach volleyball title on Sunday at the Boardwalk in Subic.

Eroa, a libero in the school's indoor volley squad, stepped up after Dangie Encarnacion suffered a deep cut on the chin after a bad fall during the Lady Stags' painful defeat to the Virays early in the elimination round.

"We wouldn't have done it without her, she was really an important part of this championship," said Soltones of Eroa.

It was San Sebastian's third straight championship and a league-best sixth title.

Soltones was determined to bag the title after San Sebastian lost in the indoor volleyball finals to St. Benilde.

"I guess we don't want to lose again," she said.

Soltones and Eroa made it a double celebration for San Sebastian, which won the high school title by toppling last year's titlist Emilio Aguinaldo with a 20-22, 21-19, 15-13 win.

San Sebastian's Romeo Teodones, Jr. won the juniors MVP.

"The school is really proud of their accomplishments," said Atty. Reynold Munsayac, San Sebastian's NCAA Management Committee representative. (Spin.ph)

PHOTO:
Gretcel Soltones got a solid partner in Alyssa Eroa after Dangie Encarnacion suffered a deep cut on the chin early in the tournament.

http://www.spin.ph/volleyball/news/gretcel-soltones-alyssa-eroa-ncaa-beach-volley-champion-san-sebastian

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Perpetual, San Beda stay unscathed in NCAA beach volleyball

Brothers Relan and Rey Taneo, Jr. of Perpetual Help and twins Maria Jeiziela and Maria Nieza Viray of San Beda turned the Subic's Boardwalk into their playground after remaining the last unbeaten teams in the 91st NCAA beach volleyball action on Friday.

The Taneo siblings downed Mapua's Philip Michael Bagalay and Samuel Joseph Almales, 21-15, 21-19, in a duel of unbeaten teams to seize the solo lead with six wins in the men's division event backed by The Lighthouse, Bayfront Hotel, Subic Park Hotel, Moonbay Villas, LGR, Mikasa, SBMA and ABS-CBN Sports and Action.

The win moved the Taneo duo a victory away from booking a spot in the Final Four.

If the Las Pinas-based school ends up sweeping the single-round robin elimination, it will automatically advance to the finals and one triumph closer from regaining the title it lost to St. Benilde last season.

It will also turn the Final Four into a stepladder semis where the next three qualified teams battle it out in a knockout format.

The Taneos, who hail from Cebu, are gunning for their second title after the two helped Perpetual Help's indoor volleyball squad cop the men's title with shock finals victory over last year's titlist Emilio Aguinaldo College last month.

"We're just trying to enjoy ourselves and at the same time make our school, Perpetual Help, proud," said the elder Rey in Filipino.

The Virays, for their part, trounced Letran's Julia Angeles and Regielyn Cabrera, 25-23, 21-13, to likewise stay unscathed an atop the heap in the women's side with six wins.

Trailing them were San Sebastian's Gretchel Soltones and Dangie Encarnacion, the reigning back-to-back champions who racked up four wins in row to spring back to life after absorbing a painful defeat to the Virays Thursday and smashed St. Benilde's Jannine Navarro and Melanie Torres, 21-13, 21-14.

Soltones and Encarnacion thus improved to 5-1 (win-loss), which was good for joint second with their recent conquests, Navarro and Torres.

In juniors' play, Perpetual Help and defending champion Emilio Aguinaldo also stayed unbeaten by stringing together five straight wins.

Like the Altas, the Junior Altas are gunning to add the beach volley crown to the NCAA indoor volley championship they won by beating the Brigadiers also last month. (Philippine Star)

PHOTOS:

Scenes from the 91st NCAA Beach Volleyball tournament at the Subic Bay Freeport Watefront Boardwalk. (AMD, A. Macatuno)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2016/02/12/1552327/perpetual-san-beda-stay-unscathed-ncaa-beach-volleyball

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NCAA beach volleyball tournament fires off in Subic

The 91st NCAA beach volley tournament unfolds Wednesday (February 10) with reigning champions San Sebastian, St. Benilde and Emilio Aguinaldo defending their women's, men's and juniors titles at the Boardwalk of the Subic Bay Free Port Zone in Zambales.

Gretchel Soltones, the reigning back-to-back MVP in NCAA indoor volleyball, will team up with Dangie Encarnacion and reserve Alyssa Eroa as they try to jumpstart their women’s division title-retention bid against Jose Rizal's Rosalie Pepito, Maria Shola May Luna Alvarez and Annie Macaraya at 10:00 a.m.

Perpetual Help's Vhima Condada, Marijo Medalla and Jamela Suyat, St. Benilde's Jannine Navarro, Melanie Torres and Danielle Christine Lim and Arellano U's Regine Anne Arocha, Angelica Sawali and Jenicalynne Tan are the teams expected to give the Lady Stags their toughest challenge.

Last year's men's titlist St. Benilde, for its part, will be without its top player Johnvic de Guzman, who have skipped the event leaving the Isaah O'neal Arda, Racmade Etrone and Mark Anthony Deximo the mantle of responsibility in defending the crown.

San Sebastian is currently tied with Perpetual Help as the most titled women's team with four each since the sport was introduced 14 years ago and will emerge as the winningest if it could repeat this season.

Although action starts as early as 10:00 a.m., the opening ceremony is set at 5:15 p.m. with Jose Rizal's Paul Supan, the organizing committee chair of beach volley this season, officially ushering in the event backed by The Lighthouse, Bayfront Hotel, Subic Park Hotel, Moonbay Villas, LGR, Mikasa, SBMA and ABS-CBN Sports and Action.

"It's going to be another exciting beach volleyball tournament," said Supan.

Emilio Aguinaldo will be the team to beat in the high school division after clinching a three-peat feat a year ago.

The Brigadiers will be represented by Cee-Jay Hicap, Ederson Rebusora and Mario Dua, Jr. (ABS-CBN Sports)

PHOTO:
Gretchel Soltones, the reigning back-to-back MVP in NCAA indoor volleyball, will team up with Dangie Encarnacion and reserve Alyssa Eroa in San Sebastian College's three-peat bid in the 91st NCAA women's beach volleyball contest.

http://sports.abs-cbn.com/ncaa/news/2016/02/09/ncaa-beach-volleyball-competition-starts-wednesday-8655

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Subic Freeport to welcome 2016 with Grand Pyro-Musical Show

In view of the growing number of residents and visitors joining the annual New Year’s Eve Countdown at the Boardwalk Park here, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will present a Grand Pyro-Musical Show to welcome the New Year in this free port​.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that as more and more people spend the New Year’s Eve and have media noche at Subic’s outdoor activity venue, the SBMA over the years has been putting up fireworks display and free musical concerts as entertainment.

“But this year, we expect that spectators will be more delighted with our spectacular Grand Pyro-Musical Show, which is similar to the local entry of Dragon Fireworks and Perpetual Wave to the international competition held last year at the Mall of Asia,” Garcia said.

A pyro-musical show is actually a fireworks display where each explosion rhymes with the beat of music.

In the planned New Year’s Countdown here, the spectacular fireworks will be synchronized with the music to be played over the SBMA’s radio station Subic Bay 89.5 FM for a grand display of musical artistry and superb pyrotechnical design.

Garcia said that aside from the pyro-musical show, spectators will also be getting the usual Christmas treat of free live-band concert featuring the Buganda Tribe, homegrown musicians, ​and special guest performers from different parts of the region.

Accordingly, spectators may enjoy the spectacular fireworks display free of charge at the Boardwalk Park, the Moonbay Marina Beachfront, or from any of the hotels and restaurants along Waterfront Drive.

The Lighthouse Beach area, meanwhile, will be open with tickets starting at P1,990 inclusive of dinner buffet. The program starts at 7:00 in the evening.

“The SBMA New Year’s Countdown is all about uniting the whole Subic Bay Freeport Zone in a hallmark event,” Chairman Garcia also noted. “So we are inviting the public to be inspired and spend time with their loved ones while sharing a backdrop of colorful lights and a colorfully-lit sky that symbolizes a bright future ahead.”

The event, which will be presented by the SBMA with the Subic Bay Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC), in cooperation with the Subic Bay Hotels, Attractions and Stakeholders Visitors Board (SBHATSVB) will have the official hashtag of #For the love of #1SubicBay. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Freeport gets ready for big “Ber” months tourist arrivals

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said it allocated P40.6 million to fund various infrastructure projects in anticipation of the influx of tourists in the last quarter of the year.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia revealed that the agency is currently implementing various infrastructure projects that include repair of roads and bridges, improvement of drainage systems, park development, as well as installation of road signs to give the Subic Bay Freeport a fresh and snappy look.

“The projects are very necessary not only to impress tourists, but to communicate the underlying message of the SBMA’s good fiscal performance,” Garcia said.

In March this year, the Central Luzon Regional Development Council commended SBMA for successfully turning around its income generation performance from negative P.2 billion in 2006-2011 to positive P1.3 billion in 2014.

Garcia noted that since SBMA is continuously performing well for the past three years, “It is only well and good that some of the income will be used to upgrade our infrastructure to provide safer roads and parks for our residents and visitors.”

“If you have noticed, not a single road was flooded in the Freeport in the past rainy days. It is because of the improved drainage system we put in strategic locations,” he pointed out.

Garcia also mentioned that the bridge leading to the Freeport’s main gate, which connects the Freeport to Olongapo City’s Magsaysay Drive, will also undergo repair and will soon again be opened to motorists after almost a decade of closure due to weakened foundations.

The bridge was constructed during the early years of the American tenure of the former US Naval Base here.

Garcia also said that the Boardwalk Park, the Freeport’s popular family and cultural venue, will be redeveloped and made ready for the 25th anniversary celebration of the SBMA in November this year. The rehabilitation will include the construction of a bigger stage and the installation of a permanent projection screen there.

The Boardwalk Park in the Freeport is not only a landmark and favorite place for picnics and watching the scenic Subic sunset, but is also the preferred venue for outdoor events and cultural shows, musical concerts, and sports activities.

The annual New Year countdown that attracts thousands of residents from the Subic community, as well as visitors from as far as Metro Manila, also takes place at the Boardwalk Park. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTOS:

SUBIC ROAD REPAIR PROJECTS Workers undertake road improvement along the Rizal Highway in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced an infusion of P40 million for road repair and other infrastructure maintenance projects. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Bay is all set for summer vacation - SBMA

The Subic Bay Freeport is now ready for the expected influx of summer visitors, especially during the Holy Week when thousands gather here for various religious activities, as well as for relaxation.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the agency has installed directional signs in strategic locations to guide motorists to the different tourist attractions here.

“The whole place is ready and visitor-friendly,” Garcia said. “Motorist assistance booths are in place, and police and medical teams are around to respond to any emergency. There are even some mechanics and towing service along the way,” he added.

Garcia also said that business establishments in Subic that cater to tourists have been prepping up for the summer vacation.

“This is especially true among the five theme parks operating in the free port. Most of them have added new attractions to make your visit more memorable,” he added.

Meanwhile, religious devotees will also find the Lenten activities in Subic more engaging, as the Subic community has prepared a Pabasa, Cenaculo, processions, and Salubong at the San Roque Chapel here.

On Maundy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Washing of the Feet is scheduled at 5:00 in the afternoon at the San Roque Chapel, to be followed by the Visita Iglesia at 6:00 p.m. and the re-enactment of the Last Supper at 6:30 p.m. at the Chapel grounds.

On April 3, Good Friday, a Grand Procession will start at 6:00 p.m., also at the San Roque Chapel, and will go around Subic’s Central Business District. This will be followed by the Healing Prayer and Musical Concert “The Passion of Jesus” featuring Karylle, Julie Anne San Jose, and Lauren Young at the Boardwalk Area, and capped by Party DJ Mixing at 9:00 p.m. by no less than the deejays of SBMA's radio station, 89.5 FM, MySubic Bay Radio.

On April 4, Black Saturday, a local band and some DJs will light up a party also at the Boardwalk Area starting at 4:00 p.m., with back-to-back performance by balladeer Nyoy Volante at 10:30 p.m.

Likewise the mass-blessing of the Paschal candle, fire and water will be held at the San Roque Chapel at 7:00 p.m. the same day.

On April 5, Easter Sunday, activities will start at 4:00 in the morning with the Lenten rites Salubong: Risen Christ, which will start at the intersection of Manila and Dewey Avenues, and Maria Dolorosa, which will begin at the Spanish Gate along Dewey Avenue. Then the First Mass at the San Roque Chapel will start at 5:00 a.m., followed by a community breakfast and an Easter egg hunt at the Chapel grounds.

Chairman Garcia added that local entrepreneurs will put up booths at the Central Business District to sell food, drinks, and souvenir items to visitors. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
BISI(KLE)TA IGLESIA. A cyclist pedals his way out of the San Roque Chapel grounds in Subic Bay Freeport after a church visitation as his own version of Visita Iglesia on Holy Monday. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

2015 HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES IN SUBIC BAY FREEPORT:

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NCAA beach volleyball set at Subic Bay

The 90th NCAA beach volleyball tournament will be held on February 11 to 15 at the Baywalk inside Subic Bay in Olongapo City.

San Sebastian College will defend the women's title it won last year, with Shakey's V-League veteran Gretchel Soltones spearheading the campaign with new partner, Charmaine Dalisay.

Dalisay, who was named rookie of the year in last month's indoor volleyball competition after helping the Lady Stags to a surprising runner-up finish behind the Arellano University Lady Chiefs, will fill in the void left by Czarina Berbano, who was the other half of the Soltones-led team a year back.

College of St. Benilde, which will be spearheaded by power-hitting Johnvic de Guzman, will defend its men's crown, while Arellano will seek to retain the high school championship it copped last season.

Letran's athletic moderator Fr. Vic Calvo, OP, said he expects nothing less than exciting action in Subic.

"This will actually be the third time we're going here in Subic after we hold beach volley and basketball games here two seasons ago," said Calvo, who was with NCAA Management Committee chairman Paul Supan of Jose Rizal University and other board representatives when they did an ocular inspection of the venue recently.

Calvo said The Lighthouse Marina Resort will make the event more meaningful as its sponsor. (ABS-CBNnews.com)

http://rp1.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/02/04/15/ncaa-beach-volleyball-set-subic-bay

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Subic Freeport all set for Holy Week

Subic is all set for the upcoming summer holiday, as it plays host to several events organized by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Freeport business locators to ensure a meaningful and enjoyable observance of the Holy Week here.

According to the SBMA Tourism Department, religious activities for the Holy Week will kick off with the “Blessing of the Palms” on April 13, to be followed the next day by the traditional “Pabasa”, which will run until April 16 at Subic By's San Roque Chapel.

A procession will be held on Holy Wednesday, while a re-enactment of the Last Supper will highlight of Maundy Thursday.

On Good Friday, devotees can join the guided “Way of the Cross” at the Holy Land Subic theme park in the morning and the “Veneration of the Cross” at the San Roque Chapel in the afternoon. There will also be the traditional Good Friday grand procession, which will go around the Freeport's central business district.

Meanwhile, the Bethesda Springs of Hope Ministry will hold its annual healing prayer and musical concert at the Boardwalk Park, featuring singers Karylle, Yael Yuzon, Gino Padilla and Jose Mari Chan. The event will also have actress Boots Anson-Roa and broadcaster Tina Monson-Palma as guests.

On Black Saturday, religious activities will include the “Blessing of Fire” and the Easter vigil mass at the San Roque Chapel.

Easter Sunday will start with the traditional “salubong” and Easter mass, followed by an Easter egg hunt at the San Roque Chapel grounds.

Apart from the usual religious activities slated for the Holy Week, visitors will also be treated to various contemporary fun events at the Subic Bay Freeport.

These include a group-dance competition at the Boardwalk Park on April 16, and a musical show headlining local bands and DJs until April 17.

On April 19, a concert featuring the Incre-T-Booms and Jireh Lim, as well as dance and acoustic band competitions will be held at the Boardwalk Park.

A food bazaar will also open to serve tourists visiting the Boardwalk Park area from April 16 to April 20. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Bay fisherfolk celebrate “Araw ng Mangingisda” with fund drive

More than 700 fun-run enthusiasts joined the “Takbo Para sa Pagmamahal sa Karagatan,” a fund-raising activity organized by fisher folks in the Subic Bay area in conjunction with the celebration of “Araw ng Mangingisda.”

The fun run was organized by the Subic Bay Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council (SBIFARMC), which is celebrating its 13th year anniversary this month.

The run started and finished at the Boardwalk Park here and drew participants from various schools in the Freeport and Olongapo City, as well as members of the Olongapo City police force, the PNP Maritime Command, the local media, and employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and various locator-companies in Subic Bay Freeport.

SBIFARMC chairman Restituto Del Rosario said the successful fund drive will benefit the group’s information and education campaign, which focuses on uplifting public awareness on the importance of protecting and preserving marine resources against illegal activities.

“The fund will be used for our mangrove planting and rehabilitation projects, coastal river clean-up, conduct of forum, and the drive against illegal fishing,” Del Rosario said.

He also lauded SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia for the agency’s continuing support of SBIFARMC in terms of various livelihood training and the P4-million Environmental Guarantee Fund (EGF), which the SBMA approved in October 2010.

The fishers group has used the EGF to produce 60 artificial reef modules that were installed in the coastal areas of Subic Bay, Morong in Bataan, and San Antonio in Zambales; as well as for projects that provide additional income to members, and scholarship grants for their children.

The SBIFARMCI also received two units of newly-built motorized bancas for its monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) program.

Del Rosario also thanked participants in the fun run, saying that each donation was crucial to the task of protecting the marine environment here.

“These steps are important to reach our vision of sustainable management of our marine resources and we hope that our efforts and commitments become successful to regain the bountiful resources of our municipal waters,” he added.

Aside from the SBMA, “Takbo Para sa Pagmamahal sa Karagatan” was supported by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Region 3 (BFAR-R3), Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, SM Olongapo, Subic Water, Subic Ads, Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc., and One Meralco.

In the event, BFAR-R3 also donated five units of gasoline engines for bancas, 10 Coleman portable lights, and 30 life vests. These were distributed among the four FARMCs of Morong, Olongapo City, Subic and San Antonio. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Participants in the “Takbo Para sa Pagmamahal sa Karagatan” break out at the start of the fun run organized by the Subic Bay Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council, which is celebrating its 13th year anniversary this month.

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Subic Bay welcomes 2013 with street party

Up to 13,000 people crammed the Waterfront Road and Boardwalk Park in this free port on New Year’s Eve to usher in 2013 and bid 2012 goodbye.

The revelers brought food for their traditional New Year’s feast, pitched tents and set up tables in the seaside venue, heard Mass and watched a mini-concert while awaiting what appeared to be the best fireworks display since the tradition started here in 2001.

“The New Year Countdown is our way of giving thanks for all the blessings in the ending year, as well as welcoming the coming new year,” Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chair Robert Garcia said.

“This has become a tradition for the Subic Freeport community, a thing that also attracts visitors to the Freeport this time of the year,” he added.

Dr. Mariano Ridon, owner of a restaurant near the Boardwalk Park, said the New Year Countdown at Subic’s Boardwalk area began in 2000 during the Y2K craze, and was later adopted by the SBMA as an official activity under the Freeport Festival Executive Committee (FFEC).

Ridon, who was the founding chairman of the FFEC, added that the countdown also introduced the “potluck” tradition and sharing of food for the New Year’s feast when the SBMA, under then Chairman Felicito Payumo, prepared five roasted pig and three roasted calf to be shared among all the revelers.

“Since then, people brought food to the countdown to share with others, like Filipinos did during fiestas,” Ridon explained.

Light and Sound Show


Aside from the fireworks display that the SBMA puts up as the highlight of the New Year program, various establishments along the Waterfront Road had since adopted the custom, with the Lighthouse Marina Resort offering the grandest show along the strip, including music festivals as part of its holiday presentations over the years.

Other hotels along Subic Bay’s famous Waterfront Road have cashed in on the visitors surge, offering dinner buffets and a front-row view of the New Year’s Eve lights and sound show.

“I am sure it would attract more people if the other establishments shared some fireworks also,” Emmy, a countdown regular and resident of San Juan, Metro Manila, said.

Even families living in Olongapo City have begun bringing their sparklers and horns to the Subic countdown after the local government banned fireworks within the city limits.

“Most of our neighbors are here,” explained Josephine Cruz, a resident of Gordon Heights in Olongapo City. “We bring our food here and enjoy a grand fireworks display that we otherwise cannot afford on our own.”

Themed Parties

Others bring their parties and costumes into the scene, making the six-hour wait for the New Year countdown as colorful and as entertaining as the midnight fireworks.

“Because we’ve done this for 11 years, deciding what the theme is and what costumes to wear is tough. This year, we decided to have an activist theme,” Carrie Aspa-Empeño, a journalist, said.

Armed with toys guns made of wood and plastic, the Empeño family, together with their friends, set up camp along the Waterfront Road and put up a “picket line” that greeted other revelers with placards and banners.

One placard had an “OUST 2012!” call, a dig at Filipino activists’ penchant for calling for the ouster of every elected president.

Another read “Maki-New Year! ‘Wag matakot!” which was a parody of the local leftist chant of “Makibaka! ‘Wag matakot!” (Struggle! Don’t be afraid!)

Banner Year for Tourism


It is precisely because of these types of events that Subic Bay has become a tourist magnet.

Raul Marcelo, SBMA deputy administrator for tourism, said that the number of tourist arrivals in 2012 increased significantly as compared to the previous years.

And the uptrend is expected to continue well into the next years, he added.

“Next year will be basically the same (as far as major tourism events are concerned),” Marcelo noted. “But we still hope to improve on our record in terms of the number of visitors, and create more attractions to generate more arrivals in Subic Bay,” he added. (SBMA)

PHOTO:
A huge crowd awaits the New Year Countdown at the Subic Bay Freeport

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