Chairman’s Cup Regatta sails in Subic Bay

THE SUBIC Sailing Club (SSC) celebrated another successful sailing season in a grand event organized by both chairman of SSC, Jun Avecilla and Congressman Ricky Sandoval, which was held at The Lighthouse Marina Resort, Subic Bay Freeport Zone on April 30 this year.

The inaugural Chairman’s Cup Regatta (CCR) provides a platform that enhances the standards of regattas to foster camaraderie among sailors and showcase the natural prowess of Filipinos as sailors and seafarers.

The Chairman’s Cup Regatta was composed of eight classes. There were three classes on the keelboat division: IRC, Cruising and the FarEast 28R Classes. The FE28 had a total of seven boats composed of six crew or less per boat with a maximum weight limit of 425kgs. This was the most competitive class in this division.

The Philippine Sailing Association team, composed of the Philippines’ SEA Games athletes, had two teams headed by Asia’s match racing champion, Ridgely Balladares and Asian Sailing Federation Keel Boat Cup champion, Emerson Villena. Another team representing the Philippines was from Subic Sailing, with Olympian sailor Maria Vidoeira. There were also international teams participating from Hong Kong (Alain Choi), Japan (Yukie Ikawa), China (Ren Feli) and Taipei (Richard Lin).

For the Dinghy division, there were three classes: Optimist, Streaker and Oz Goose. The Oz Goose was the largest fleet in the Dinghy Class with a total of eight boats. This boat was also the latest addition to the Dinghy Class through the support of the Philippine Gaming Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, and the Philippine Home Boatbuilders Yacht Club, headed by Roy Espiritu together with the Oz Goose designer, Michael Storer, who also participated in the race.

For this year and for the first time, SSC had included windsurfing in the regatta with two classes: RS: X and RS: One. The athletes who have participated in this regatta were also mostly contenders representing the Philippine team for the upcoming SEA Games. These athletes will continue training in Subic Bay throughout the year. “We look forward to working with the Philippine Windsurfing Association in bringing more interest for the sport in Subic Bay,” said Zed Avecilla, Executive Director of Subic Sailing Club.

There were a total of 30 boats and 12 windsurfers who have competed in the regatta from April 25-30. “We had hoped to increase the number of boats joining this regatta by getting more international participants. This year, we had a participant from the inaugural Hong Kong to Puerto Galera Race, which was Rampage II. We aim to get more foreign participants next year, especially those joining the famous Rolex China Sea Race that will finish at Subic Bay on Easter, a week before the second Chairman’s Cup Regatta,” Zed Avecilla added. (Business World)

PHOTO:

Keelboats at the Chairman's Cup Regatta (photo from SAGS Subic Sailing)

https://www.bworldonline.com/chairmans-cup-regatta-sails-in-subic-bay/

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Subic Freeport exec gunned down

A lone suspect gunned down a company executive and wounded his bodyguard as the victims were walking toward a hotel here Wednesday night, police authorities said Thursday.

Police said Dominic Sytin, founder and executive officer of United Auctioneers, Inc., an importer of used heavy equipment and other vehicles based in Subic Freeport, died on the spot due to gunshot wounds in the head.

Sytin's bodyguard, identified as Efren Espartero, is now in critical condition at a nearby hospital.

Police said Sytin was about to enter The Lighthouse Hotel along Waterfront Road, Moonbay Marina Area, inside the Freeport, when an unidentified suspect shot him at the back and the left side of his head. Espartero tried to retaliate but was shot several times at the right side of his body and arm, police said.

Witnesses said the suspect fled on a motorcycle.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) condemned the killing of Sytin “to the strongest possible term” as it is apparently a targeted assassination of a business locator here.

In a statement, SBMA chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma said the incident was a sad news, “not only because a prominent businessman fell prey to violence, but also because one life has been snuffed out just like that”.

Eisma said the SBMA is working with the police to identify the killer and urged the public with information to help authorities solve the crime. (Ruben Veloria, PNA)

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Subic to Boracay race unfolds

All eyes were on reigning overall champion Centennial III as the eighth Standard Insurance Subic Bay to Boracay Race and the Boracay Cup Regatta flagged off in the waters off the world-class Subic Sailing Club Saturday (Feb 18).

Skippered by Philippine Sailing Association president Judes Echauz, the 52-foot Centennial III is out to make it three in a row as the event’s overall champion.

The Subic Centennial III sails off from Subic Bay

But Centennial III, a first-generation TP52-class yacht that was built in 2002, is expected to be crowded at the top by perennial rival Jelik of Hong Kong magnate Frank Pong, and Scallywag, the highly fancied 100-footer of Malaysian-born billionaire Seng Huang Leng.

Scallywag is the former Ragamuffin 100, the same boat that holds the record in the Subic Bay to Boracay Race in 14 hours, 23 minutes, 17 seconds set in 2015.

Sailboats over the waters of Subic Bay

While Scallywag is tipped to break the existing record, Centennial III is expected to finish not too far behind. Last year, Centennial III finished second to Jelik in the SBBR but held on in Boracay by winning three of the six races.

The three top finishes in the famous island paradise and a decision by the jury to overturn a late protest by Freefire enabled Centennial III to retain the overall crown.

“I hope we can do it again. It will be three straight if ever,” said the 69-year-old Echauz.

Around 15 yachts from Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines will see action in this annual event beginning today and ending on Feb. 24 in Boracay.

The event is fully supported by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Watercraft Venture Corp., the Lighthouse Marina Resort and Subic Sailing Club. (Abac Cordero, Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2017/02/18/1673469/subic-boracay-race-unfolds

More photos courtesy of SAGS Subic Sailing

Opening party on the eve of the Regatta at the Subic Lighthouse Marina

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Joven tops stage four in Subic Bay, Roque holds on to overall Ronda lead

KINETIX Lab-Army's Cris Joven outsprinted defending champion Jan Paul Morales of Navy-Standard Insurance and Ryan Serapio of Ilocos Sur to top Stage Four of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2017 that started at the Lighthouse Marina and ended at the Harbor Point in Subic Bay.

Joven, 30, checked in with the same time as Morales and Serapio and a big group of riders in two hours, 40 minutes and six seconds but clinched an eight-second bonus for the stage win.

Cris Joven winds up a hair ahead in a bunched sprint finish

"I made my move in the final stretch when I sensed I still have some energy left in me inside," said Joven, who started training for the event only last month as he focused on his job in the Army.

"I wasn't expecting much in this race because I was off cycling for one year and only returned to action last month," said Joven, whose best finish was fourth overall five years ago.

Navy's Rudy Roque managed to stay with the lead group to keep the red jersey with an aggregate time of 11:12:15.

The 31-year-old Morales is now in second spot, a minute and a half off pace with a total clocking of 11:13:45.

After a forgettable start, Morales has topped the Stage Two criterium in Vigan, Ilocos Sur Sunday and the Angeles-Subic Stage Three.

"I was a marked man since I took the lead and I'm just happy to still remain on top even though they keep watching over me," said Roque, of Tibo, Bataan.

Ronald Lomotos slid to third with a time of 11:14:33.

Serapio moved up three places to fourth with a time of 11:16:07.

Joven was also a big gainer as he zoomed from No. 14 to No. 9 with 11:16:48.

Rounding out the top 10 were Navy's Jay Lampawog (11:16:12), Kinetix Lab-Army's Reynaldo Navarro (11:16:21), Go for Gold's Joshua Mari Bonifacio (11:16:28), Navy's Daniel Ven Carino (11:16:35) and Go for Gold's Ismael Grospe, Jr. (11:17:43).

The race will take a two-day breather before resuming action on Sunday with the Lucena-Pili Stage Five, the race's longest stage at 251 kms passing Tatlong Eme in Atimonan, Quezon.

The champion gets P1 million courtesy of LBC in partnership with MVP Sports Foundation, Petron, Mitsubishi, Versa.ph, Partas, Maynilad, Standard Insurance, CCN, Bike Xtreme, NLEX, PhilCycling and 3Q Sports Event Management. (Spin.ph)

http://www.spin.ph/cycling/news/cris-joven-jan-paul-morales-ronda-pilipinas-2017-subic-lighthouse

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Commodores’ Cup kicks off in Subic Bay, the Philippine home of sailing

Coming off the back of a bruising Rolex China Sea Race, Subic Sailing have invited competitors to join in the action at the Commodore's Cup this week. Local racing teams preformed with distinction at the Subic to Boracay Race and Cup earlier this month and enjoy pitting their skills against the visiting teams.

Subic Bay is quickly becoming known as the Home of Sailing in the Philippines, as two keelboat classes swing into action, in conjunction with the Philippine Sailing Association, Streaker and Optimist classes, begin their assault for individual glory, sharing the same waters as the main bout.

The local yachts are led by Ernesto Echauz's TP 52 Standard Insurance Centennial III, that won Racing Class 1 in Boracay and Martin Tanco's Sydney 46 Centennial II, won two races on the final day in Boracay, to snatch 2nd place in Racing Class 2. The low entry list, sees them bundled together in Racing Class 1.

The formidable line up of visiting teams are all from Hong Kong. Geoff Hill's Smith 72 Custom Antipodes leads the charge in sheer size, recent victories on the Rolex China Sea Race, Boracay Cup and present leader on the AsianYachting Grand Prix (AYGP), makes Steve Manning and Anthony Root's Ker 42 Black Baza, hands on favourite, if the conditions suit them.

The Commodore's Cup is honoured to be the 10th regatta on the AsianYachting Grand Prix (AYGP) and an excellent chance for Philippine and Hong Kong skippers to improve their ranking, in the race for the 2015-16 AYGP Skipper and Yacht of the Year.

The 9th Commodore’s Cup is organized by Subic Sailing and Philippine Sailing Association, in cooperation with The Lighthouse Marina Resort, Watercraft Ventures and The Boatyard Inn

The regatta is made possible by the supported of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Subic Bay Hotels, Attractions and Tourism Stakeholders Visitors Board, Department of Tourism, Philippines Coast Guard and 1Subicbay. (AY MultiMedia)

PHOTO:
The Centennial III (subicsailing.com)

http://asianyachting.com/news/CC16/Commodores_Cup_2016_AY_Pre-Regatta_Report.htm?utm_source=SubicSailing&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=CCR2016&utm_content=pre-race-report

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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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Record 80,000+ volunteers join coastal cleanup in Zambales (updated)

A record 80,327 volunteers from Subic Bay, the neighboring city of Olongapo and the province of Zambales came to the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2015 held last September 19, breaking last yearś head count and making this coastal cleanup event the biggest in the country.

This year´s total number of participants in Zambales far exceeded last year´s coastal cleanup head count of 51,151 volunteers.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said that local residents and stakeholders in the free port “are increasingly becoming aware of how precious the coastal ecosystem is to Zambales.”

“Which is why the SBMA has been fully supporting this activity ever since,” Garcia said.

The SBMA executive also noted that the growing number of yearly turnout—from just 800 volunteers in 2009 to 4,000 in 2011, 14,000 in 2012 and 27,000 in 2013—is an indication of growing environmental awareness, as well as community cooperation and common aspiration among residents to do their part in keeping the environment healthy and sustainable.

Aside from Olongapo City, all the municipalities in Zambales have participated in the coastal cleanup. These include Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, Cabangan, San Felipe, San Narciso, San Antonio, Subic, as well as the land-locked towns of San Marcelino and Castillejos whose residents trooped to nearby towns or the Subic Bay Freeport.

A record total of 49,391 volunteered for the coastal cleanup in these provinces.

“Aside from the residents, it is good to see that our business locators in the Freeport are taking an interest in the coastal cleanup. Many companies here, including some of their bosses, took part in the coastal cleanup on Saturday,” Garcia also said.

Garcia also pointed out that the recent Subic Environment Summit had attracted 3,000 participants this year, about double the number last year.

“This creates a very good image of Subic that we care for our environment, and that our prime asset, Subic Bay, is being maintained as clean and as free from pollution as we can muster.”

Garcia also commended the efforts of Olongapo Mayor Rolen Paulino to drum up the coastal cleanup event among elementary and high school institutions in the city, which contributed a total number of 26,451 volunteers.

Paulino said that his administration wants to educate children of the need for a cleaner coastal area, adding that no one except for the residents themselves will help clean Olongapo’s coastline.

He also stressed that aside from students, residents and businesses in Olongapo have shown their support to ICC 2015.

One of the businesses that took part in the cleanup was SM Olongapo, whose affiliates, tenants, agencies, and employees joined the activity. (JRR/RBB/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTOS:
[Header] Scenes from the International Coastal Clean-up in Subic Bay Freeport. (AED/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Justice Raoul Creencia (left), government counsel at the Office of Government Controlled Corporations, joins SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia and other SBMA officials in a march to kick off the 2015 edition of the International Coastal Clean-up in the Subic Bay Freeport. With them are Deputy Administrator (SDA) for Legal Affairs Atty. Randy Escolango and SDA for Regulatory Group Atty. Chot Kabigting. More than 50,000 volunteers from Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City, and province of Zambales took part in the annual cleanup event. (AED/MPD-SBMA)

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2nd Subic Environmental Summit eyes trash-free seas

Environment advocates will once again gather in this Freeport on Friday, September 11, for the 2nd Environmental Summit to follow through efforts in solving the problem of garbage in oceans and waterways.

With the theme, “Taking steps towards trash-free seas,” this year’s summit to be held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center will be the second of the series, which brought together some 1,400 delegates last year.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said awareness on environment issues is well-ingrained among stakeholders of Subic Freeport who are always at the forefront of coastal environment protection.

“Not only is the Subic Bay community aware of these issues, but takes it even further by trying to change behaviors that cause pollution through proper education,” Garcia said.

“Subic stakeholders also help create a lifestyle that advocates a sustainable coastal environment,” he added.

The summit is expected to help establish the ICC as a lifestyle and integrate it with community building activities; educate the public with the current environmental situation and policies; provide workshops that will enhance skills and knowledge for citizen action; and create “Eco Warriors” in schools in order to raise environment leaders among the
youth.

The summit follows in the steps of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Philippines, which is now on its 22nd year.

ICC happens every third Saturday of September, with participants of half a million people in 91 countries turning the tide on trash and addressing solutions on this global threat.

This year, the organizers of ICC Zambales have partnered with the ICC Philippines for the 2ndEnvironmental Summit.

A co-presenter of the Environmental Summit is the Office of the President’s National Coast Watch Council Secretariat. It will be moderated by Jesse Pascasio, the council’s Director for Strategic Planning and Communications.

Notable guests include Matthias Gelber (Greenmanspeaks.com), co-founder of Maleki GmbH, a German company specializing in high performance, low carbon footprint construction materials; and Undersecretary Jose Luis Alano of the Office of the President’s National Coast Watch Council Secretariat.

The 2nd Environmental Summit in Subic Bay is presented by ICC Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, IYFR Philippine Fleet, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Tourism, Subic Bay Chamber of Commerce and Subic Bay Hotels, Attractions and Tourism Stakeholders Visitors Board, in partnership with the National Coast Watch Council, Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation, and the SBMA.

This event is supported by the Province of Zambales, City of Olongapo, Office of the Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection, Ocean Conservancy, Zero Carbon Resorts, Earth Day Network Philippines, Harbor Point Ayala Malls, Subic Sailing, North Luzon Expressway, Department of Education, PLDT Subictel and IGate. (RBB/MPD-SBMA)

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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)

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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

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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

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8th Commodores’ Cup Regatta up in Subic

The Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing (SAGS) Club will hold the eighth Commodores’ Cup Regatta on April 7-9 with a strong field expected to vie for top honors in Subic Bay.

Hong Kong’s IRC Racing defending champion Jelik of Frank Pong and IRC Cruiser B winner Selma skippered by Ricky Sandoval will head the cast in the event held in cooperation with The Lighthouse Marina Resort and Philippine Sailing Association, according to PSA vice chair Jun Avecilla.

IRC Cruiser A champion Red Kite II skippered by Anthony Root, however, will not participate this year.

Since 1962, international yachtsmen and women have pitted themselves against the cold rough seas off Hong Kong and the sun-drenched slope of the windless days off the Philippine coast.

This year, the race from Hong Kong will end up in San Fernando, La Union (480 nautical miles).

Avecilla said the Commodores’ Cup will feature several races of different kinds of training boats, including the Optimists, Flying 15, 420s and Streakers.

“Blessed with one of the best race management teams in Asia, safe marina facilities and the wide expanse of Subic Bay, the Commodore’s Cup Regatta makes for an exceptional racing experience,” Avecilla said.

He added that this year marks the expansion of the PSA sailing program in Subic Bay which is spearheaded by Judes Echauz, PSA chairman.

PSA sailing coach Medy Fidel, who is aiming for Olympic qualifier, will be the head of the expansion training this summer.

Filipinos have always been considered as one of the best sailors in the world. Pong’s crews are mostly Filipinos coming from Cebu, Bacolod and Manila. They have been sailing and competing for more than 20 years.

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

“Whenever I can, we help out here and there. Oftentimes, youngsters have a limited budget and the people helping them also needs assistance,” said Pong.

The inshore races from Hong Kong to San Fernando are organized by the Saturday SAGS Club, in conjunction with the Asian Yachting Grand Prix in cooperation with The Lighthouse Marina Resort, Watercraft Ventures, Inc., Standard Insurance and the Department of Tourism. (The Philippine Star)

PHOTO:
The eighth Commodores’ Cup will feature various races for different kinds of training boats.


http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/04/01/1439801/8th-commodores-cup-regatta-subic

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Centennial III reigns in Subic-to-Boracay race

JUDES Echauz steered Centennial III across the finish for a win, edging defending champion Hong Kong’s Reichel/Pug 76 Jelik in the sixth Standard Insurance Subic-to-Boracay Race Sunday afternoon off Boracay in Malay, Aklan.

After sailing a highly and tactical battle, Centennial III topped the IRC Racing Class, with a time 27:37:39, while Frank Pong’s Jelik was a close second with 27:45:06.

The race was a 200-mile ISAF Cat 3 offshore one and started off the Lighthouse Marina Resort, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, last Saturday noon.

Depending on the size of the boat, the race takes between 20 to 40 hours.

Finishing third was Malaysia’s Ulumulu, skippered by Troy Yaw and Jeremy Koo with 28: 11:52, while highly regarded Hong Kong sailor Geoff Hill and his Antipodes placed fourth with 28: 13:32.

American Race Officer Jerry Rollin said Ragamuffin 90-Dubois 90 Custom-designed and skippered by David Witt, arrived fifth with 28: 37:48 and veteran campaigner and 2013 winner Karakoa, led by Ray Ordoveza, was sixth overall with 28: 42:44.

Action in the waters of Boracay won’t stop upon completion of the SBBR as sailors will splash back into competition with the Boracay Cup Regatta, which started yesterday up to March 6.

Stakes in the race are high as, according to Commodore Ricky Sandoval, chair of the organizing committee, of the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing, it will be part of the basis for yearend honors in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit.

Winners in the SBBR and the Boracay Cup Regatta will earn precious points in the race for the AY skipper and Yacht of the Year honors.

The twin event is organized by the Philippine Sailing Association and Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen’s Sailing Club, in cooperation with the Subic Bay Yacht Club, and The Lighthouse Marina Resort and in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Department of Tourism, Philippine Coast Guard, and Municipality of Malay.

Sponsors include Cebu Pacific, PLDT Alpha , Resort World Philippines, Tanduay, Seawinds Resort Boracay, Business Mirror and Manila Bulletin. (Manila Standard Today)

PHOTO:
Centennial III (left) of Judes Echauz leaves its rivals behind.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/03/03/centennial-iii-reigns-in-subic-to-boracay-race/

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Pong, Jelik head elite cast in Subic-to-Boracay race

Top sailors from the Asian yachting circuit, led by defending champion Frank Pong and his 75-foot boat Jelik, will set sail in a highly technical and tactical battle in the Standard Insurance sixth Subic Bay to Boracay Race (SBBR) from Feb. 27 to March 2.

Pong, the 2013 Asian Yachting Grand Prix Skipper of the Year, will spearhead the bids of some 30-35 competitors in the grueling 210 nautical mile race that will test their skills tackling the shifting winds of Subic and the treacherous Verde Passage on the way to the scenic island of Boracay.

“This will be a very exciting race considering we will see a lot of participation from highly competitive boats in Southeast Asia,” said Standard Insurance chairman Judes Echauz during yesterday’s press conference at Passion Restaurant in Resorts World.

Sailors from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines will vie for the top plum in the Primary Racing Class, which will feature a mega yacht in the field in the 110-footer Ocean Runner skippered by Dirk Van Straalen.

Action in the waters of Bora won’t stop upon completion of the SBBR as sailors will splash back into competition with the Boracay Cup Regatta from March 2-6.

Stakes in the race are high as, according to Commodore Ricky Sandoval, chair of the organizing committee, and Jun Avecilla, co-chairman of the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing and president of The Lighthouse Marina Resort, it will be part of the basis for yearend honors in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit.

Winners in the SBBR and the Boracay Cup Regatta will earn precious points in the race for the AY skipper and Yacht of the Year honors.

Organizers and their partners sealed their partnership with the signing of a memorandum of understanding yesterday.

Affixing their signatures were Echauz, Sandoval, Avecilla, PLDT Alpha Enterprise business head Richard Echon, PLDT SME AVP and head of SME-marketing Amil Azurin, Cebu Pacific Air CEO Garry Kingshott, Olongapo City sports coordinator David Bayarong, Philippine Coast Guard’s RADM Cecil Chen, RADM William Melad and Capt. Oscar Endeno.

“Over the years, we work tirelessly with our sailing partners toward opening more doors for occasions in spreading the spark of sailing and enliven big boat racing pursuits in the Philippines,” said Avecilla. (Olmin Leyba, Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/02/19/1425380/pong-jelik-head-elite-cast-subic-boracay-race

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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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APEC senior officials’ meeting starts in Subic (updated)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – Delegates from 22 countries are now in the freeport for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation First Senior Officials’ Meeting (APEC-SOM1).

The emergency preparedness working group and senior disaster management officials’ forum preparatory meeting started Wednesday while the counterterrorism working group workshop started Thursday, January 29 until Feb. 1.

The business mobility group workshop and management board meeting began January 30 until Feb. 2 while the electronic commerce steering group data privacy sub-group informal meeting starts on the 31st.

A preparatory meeting on high-level policy dialogue on human capacity building was held on the 29th until Feb. 4.

The Subic Bay Freeport was host to the APEC Leaders’ Summit in November 1996. (with Bebot Sison Jr., Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/01/29/1417758/apec-senior-officials-meeting-starts-subic

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Record 50,000 volunteers join Zambales coastal cleanup drive

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—More than 50,000 volunteers rallied for the cause of the environment on Saturday, scouring the beaches for trash during the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) held on the 272-kilometer coastline of the Zambales province.

Students from local schools, as well as employees from local government units swelled the ranks of residents and members of various community groups that composed the clusters of participants in the Zambales ICC event.

The 50,000-plus turnout broke the 27,000 record set last year when Zambales contributed the second-biggest ICC delegation in the country and the Philippines, with a total of 182,408 volunteers.

Organizers said it was providential that the event, originally set for September 20, was postponed because of Typhoon Mario, which flooded parts of Central Luzon, including some communities in Zambales.

“Because of the good weather, more people were able to join up,” noted Roberto Garcia, chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Garcia had mobilized hundreds of SBMA employees for the event, pointing out that the project dovetails with the SBMA’s ongoing “Project Facelift” that was designed to enhance the natural beauty of the free port and boost local tourism.

In Olongapo, Mayor Rolen Paulino said residents have trooped to 17 cleanup sites identified by his office. These include coastal areas in the villages of Kalaklan and Barretto, and riverbanks in Mabayuan, Santa Rita, Kalalake and Pag-Asa.

In Zambales all the 11 municipalities on the coast fielded their own ICC teams to clean up beaches, river deltas and even mangrove areas, said Vice Gov. Ramon Lacbain II.

ICC-Zambales took off from an international project aiming for science-based solutions to the problem of ocean trash.

Aside from collecting trash along the coast, participants also segregated the various kinds of garbage collected, weighed them, and recorded the haul to come up with a database.

The local event was organized by The Lighthouse Marina Legacy Foundation, Harbor Point, and the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians in coordination with the provincial government of Zambales, SBMA and the city government of Olongapo.

Organizers said more than 50,000 participants in the whole Zambales had preregistered for the event, with hundreds more of walk-in joiners expected on the actual cleanup day.

Coordinators from Zambales, Olongapo and the Subic Bay Freeport had earlier pledged to come up with at least 30,000 participants this year after noting the exponential rise in ICC turnout over the years. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

In Photo:
Members of the Philippine Coast Guard gather driftwood and other coastal debris during the 2014 International Coastal Cleanup at the Subic Bay Freeport.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/record-50000-volunteers-join-zambales-coastal-cleanup-drive/

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Recyclable boats set sail in Subic

Boats made out of recycled materials set sail in the waters of Subic Bay last Saturday at the Lighthouse Marina Resort for the International Coastal Cleanup Zambales Recyclable Regatta challenge.

Teams from different companies, local government units and non-government organizations built their own boats made out of 80 percent recycled materials and raced 100 meters to shore to prove that even trash can be used wisely.

Argee Gomez, Marketing Manager of Harbor Point Mall said that “The purpose of this event is to heighten awareness about plastic pollution and integrate creative outlets that will further educate the public that we can turn our trash as useful tools.”

Most of the boats were made out of plastic bottles, gallons, used styrofoam and wood or bamboo. Makeshift paddles were also made to stir the boats while racing.

Teams braved the waves and strong winds with their make shift boats as the fastest tandem finished the 100-meter course in just under seven minutes, and the last came in 15 minutes later.

“The hardest part of the race is going up to the mark because of the waves and strong winds. After that it was fairly easy because we were just riding the waves back to the shore like surfers,” said Jeric Ejanda from Team Lighthouse.

The team of Ejercito Estrada and Jeric Ejanda from Lighthouse Marina Resort finished first, followed by Brothers Anthony and David Bayarong of Batang Gapo News TV and on third was Marion Baldueza and Michelle Rillon of Red Cross Olongapo.

All teams were winners, since the top three finishers were given major prizes courtesy of Harbor Point Mall, while all other participants went home with consolation prizes provided by Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation.

This event is in line with the International Coastal Cleanup-Zambales (ICCZ) on September 20, 2014. The data collected during the cleanup are used for science-based solutions to tackle challenges like ocean trash, and according to cleanup data, plastic items are in the top 10 pollutants which mostly end up in our waterways.

By applying the principles of “Reduce. Reuse. Recycle”, all can make a difference in protecting the environment, the organizers said. (David Bayarong, Sun Star Pampanga)

PHOTO: (courtesy of Lighthouse Marina)

[1] The SBMA Fire Department team rows for the homestretch with their boat made out of recycled materials

[2] Watercrafts made out of recycled materials all lined up at the waterfront beach of Subic Bay Freeport


http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/09/09/recyclable-boats-set-sail-subic-364437

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Zambales sees bigger turnout for 2014 coastal cleanup drive

Stakeholders in Zambales and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone have pledged their full support to the upcoming International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), vowing an even bigger turnout of volunteers to help save the marine environment and ensure resource sustainability for the future.

During the ICC project launch here at the Ayala Harbor Point on Friday, officials of private organizations and government units in the province said they will come up with at least 30,000 participants in the coastal cleanup to be held on September 20.

The ICC-Zambales group came up with 27,000 participants in the 2013 cleanup, the second biggest number of volunteers in the whole country last year. The Philippines itself, with a total of 182,408 volunteers, also had the second biggest number of participants among all the countries that joined the ICC last year.

Vice Gov. Ramon Lacbain II, who represented the Zambales provincial government, said that at least 14,000 volunteers from the 11 coastal towns and even the two landlocked municipalities of Zambales will join next month’s cleanup project.

Councilor Jong Cortez of Olongapo City, meanwhile, promised the full participation of city government employees, as well as at least 10,000 volunteers from the 17 barangays in the city.

The rest of the target participants are expected to come from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and schools and companies in both Olongapo City and the Subic Bay Freeport.

Zedrik Avecilla, ICC area coordinator for Zambales, said the local cleanup project has astronomically grown from 30 volunteer-employees from The Lighthouse Marina Resort in the free port, to 800 volunteers in 2009, 2,000 participants in 2010, 4,000 in 2011, 14,000 in 2012, and 27,000 last year.

The ICC-Zambales group last year removed more than 67,000 kilograms of debris from 47 cleanup sites in Subic Bay, Olongapo and Zambales, Avecilla added.

The ICC, an annual project of the non-profit organization Ocean Conservancy, has become one of the largest volunteer efforts for ocean preservation worldwide.

Aiming for science-based solutions to the problem of ocean trash, the group’s ICC project involves the collection, segregation, data-card recording, weighing and hauling of trash from four types of cleanup: shoreline, waterway, using watercraft and underwater.

The data collected in the ICC is used to educate people and create solutions to the problems of solid waste and litter.

Last year ICC volunteers from all over the Philippines found that the most common kind of trash in coastlines are food wrappers, followed by and paper bags, straws and stirrers, disposable diapers, plastic bottle caps, cigarette butts, plastic grocery bags, other plastic bags, plastic cups and plates and plastic lids.

In contrast, the top 10 debris items found all over the world were cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic beverage bottles, plastic bottle caps, straws and stirrers, plastic grocery bags, glass beverage bottles, other plastics bags, paper bags, and beverage cans.

Commodore Gerry Reyes of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, who attended the ICC project launch here, said that everyone has to participate in cleaning the environment because pollution is posing a deadly threat to mankind.

“The scariest indicator is the recent findings that fish larvae already contained plastics, and that birds have been ingesting bottle caps. This means that our food chain is already threatened,” Reyes said.

“I’ve been doing this (coastal cleanup) for 30 years, and I can say that it’s not futile because we’re here to tell the children that we have to do something for the Earth. This is our responsibility, and no one else’s,” Reyes added. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

PHOTO:
Volunteers scour the Subic Bay Freeport coastline for trash during the International Coastal Cleanup project in September 2013.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/regions/36958-zambales-sees-bigger-turnout-for-2014-coastal-cleanup-drive

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International Coastal Cleanup-Zambales launched in Subic Bay

OCEAN CONSERVATION: Stakeholders in the Subic Bay Freeport and Zambales sign a memorandum of agreement for the staging of the International Coastal Cleanup-Zambales (ICC-Z), a multi-sectoral volunteer effort scheduled on September 20. Those who pledged full support to the endeavor included (seated, left to right): Zambales Vice Governor Ramon Lacbain III; The Lighthouse Marina Resort owner Jesus Avecilla, Jr.; SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Regulatory Group Reuel John Kabigting; and Olongapo City Councilor Aquilino “Jong” Cortez. With them are, standing, left to right: Harbor Point Mall manager Argee Gomez; PCGA Commodore Gerry Reyes; Region 3 Tourism Director Ronnie Tiotuico; and ICC-Zambales coordinator Zedrik Avecilla. Around 30,000 participants from Zambales, Olongapo City and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone are expected to join the coastal clean-up drive.

COASTAL CLEANUP EXHIBIT: Stakeholders in the Subic Bay Freeport and Zambales cut the ceremonial ribbon to open an exhibit at the Harbor Point Mall, which is a preparatory event for the upcoming International Coastal Cleanup-Zambales (ICC-Z), a multi-sectoral volunteer effort scheduled on September 20. In photo are (left to right): Harbor Point Mall manager Argee Gomez; PCGA Commodore Gerry Reyes; Zambales Vice Governor Ramon Lacbain III; The Lighthouse Marina Resort owner Jesus Avecilla, Jr.; SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Regulatory Group Reuel John Kabigting; Olongapo City Councilor Aquilino “Jong” Cortez; Region 3 Tourism Director Ronnie Tiotuico; and ICC-Zambales coordinator Zedrik Avecilla.

Photos by Jun Dumaguing, MPD-SBMA

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