Slide fest in Subic Bay

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

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2015 Subic Bay Auto Show set for April 11

The 6th Subic Bay Auto Show is all set for April 11 at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall in Subic Bay Freeport.

Customized rides, highly-modified cars and hot models will be present once again at the Manila Parking section of Harbor Point Ayala Mall as the 2015 Subic Auto Show is set to take place on April 11, 2015, 3:00 PM.

Hosted this year by Passion Creatives, the 6th Subic Bay Auto Show will not only host the usual display of wicked rides and gorgeous eye-candy, the event will also be holding the Tire Change Challenge where speed, precision and teamwork will be key factors in the winning the competition.

Other competitions that will take place during the event include Kicker Audio's Sound Off Challenge and Ms. Subic Bay Auto Show where 10 aspiring car show models will face off for the title.

Beyond that, top-notch tattoo artists are also invited for the 2015 Subic Bay Auto Show wherein they'll compete in the event's Stop The Hate 4 Tattoo Competition.

Furthermore, categories that can be won in this year's Subic Bay Auto Show include Best Sport Truck, Best in Engine Display, Best Bodykits, Best Old School Car, Best Car Club, Best Shop, Loudest Car and the coveted award of them all, Best in Show.

Each ticket costs PhP 70 while the Registration Fee for Street and Pro vehicles is rated at PhP 1500. (www.autoindustriya.com)

Read more: http://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/2015-subic-bay-auto-show-set-for-april-11.html#ixzz3W3GNBoxf
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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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Elite bets coming for Subic race

FOREIGN triathletes seeking qualifying points for the ASTC Triathlon Asian Cup series and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics are set to figure in a battle royale in the 2-day 2015 Subic Bay ASTC Asian Triathlon Cup 2015 co-presented by Speedo on April 25-26 at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Eight elite entries from Japan, three from Macau and about 40 triathletes from Australia, Uzbekistan, Iran, Hong Kong, Syria, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Singapore and Canada are competing in the event.

Among the foreign pros to watch out for is Australian Kelly Perkins who is coming off an impressive performance in the Maloobala Oceania Cup last March 14. He will be challenged by triathletes from Japan and John Chicano, who will lead the Philippine team.

Outstanding Philippine age-grouper Kim Kilgroe and Zoe Bowden, Malaysia’s back-to-back 13-15 category champion, will make their debut in the elite ranks of the distaff side backed by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department, Philippine Sports Commission, Standard Insurance, and the Lighthouse Marina Resort, among others.

Under the mechanics of the event organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the SBMA, Asian Triathlon Confederation and the International Triathlon Union, top local and international elite athletes will get ITU points for Asian and world rankings and qualification to major international competitions.

The elite junior (ages 16-19) competition will feature Briton Sam O’Shea and American Kyle Izzo who will be tested by Philippine athletes led by Edward Macalalad, Julius Constantino, Justin Chiongbian and Jimuel Patilan. (Malaya Business Insight)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/sports/elite-bets-coming-subic-race

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NLEX, SCTEX integrate to ease holy week traffic

Motorists using the two tollways, NLEX and SCTEX, during the Holy Week break will already experience the ease and convenience resulting from the integration of the toll systems.

“To handle the expected increase in traffic volume during Holy Week, we will pilot-test the integrated toll system to provide motorists with a foretaste of the smooth travel experience that the project, once completed, will bring about,” said Rodrigo E. Franco, president of the Manila North Tollways Corporation , builder and concessionaire of the expressway. “With the integration, travel through NLEX and SCTEX will be faster and more convenient.”

On April 1 and 2, northbound motorists exiting NLEX, except for those whose vehicles are equipped with Easytrip tags, will not have to stop and pay at the Dau Exit Toll Plaza. All manual lanes in the toll plaza will be designated as “pass thru” lanes. However, there will still be dedicated Easytrip lanes where payment stubs that serve as receipts will be given to motorists with Easytrip transactions.

At the Dau and Sta. Ines interchanges, temporary booths will be set up to collect toll from motorists exiting NLEX. On the other hand, motorists exiting NLEX and continuing on to SCTEX—either to Subic or Tarlac —will have to pay their combined NLEX and SCTEX toll at the SCTEX Mabalacat Entry Toll Plaza. Payment stubs and manual official receipts will be issued to motorists as proofs of payment.

In anticipation of the usual 20% increase in the expressway’s traffic volume during Holy Week, MNTC is putting up 20 additional booths in the area. And as an added treat to motorists going all the way from NLEX to SCTEX Subic or SCTEX Tarlac, they can buy Express Cards in any of the gas stations along NLEX that will entitle them to a toll discount.

Motorists traveling to SCTEX Subic or SCTEX Tarlac just need to surrender the payment stubs issued to them in Mabalacat or the Express Cards bought from NLEX gas stations when they exit the expressway.

On April 4 and 5, southbound motorists using NLEX will not need to stop at the Dau Entry Toll Plaza where all entry lanes will be designated as “pass thru” lanes. No transit tickets will be given out.

While traveling along the expressway, motorists can again buy Express Cards from any of the NLEX gas stations to entitle them to toll discounts. Toll payments as well as Express Cards will be collected at the Bocaue Toll Plaza. To speed up collection, 15 temporary toll booths will be installed.

“While this system is still temporary and just being set up for Holy Week, it will soon be a permanent fixture once the NLEX-SCTEX system integration is fully completed,” Franco said.

The agreement to integrate the two expressways’ toll systems was signed last January between MNTC and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the government-owned and controlled corporation that built SCTEX.

The integration will bring to SCTEX the modern features of NLEX’s toll payment system. These include dedicated short-range communication, radio frequency identification (RFID) sticker tags, as well as contactless and magnetic cards.

Under the integration plan, some toll barriers and toll plazas will be removed or transferred. Among the barriers that will be removed are the NLEX Dau Barrier and the SCTEX Mabalacat Toll Barrier. New toll plazas will be constructed at the existing entry and exit ramps at NLEX Dau and Sta. Ines. A new SCTEX Tarlac Toll Plaza will also be constructed.

The project is expected to be completed within the year. (Manila Standard Today)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/03/29/nlex-sctex-integrate-to-ease-holy-week-traffic/

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'Fire Olympics' highlights Fire Prevention Month in Subic Freeport

Employees of 15 locator companies in this free port tried their hand in connecting fire hoses, climbing ladders, and directing high-pressure water to put out fire, as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) fired off the Subic Bay “Fire Olympics” last Friday to promote safety awareness and preparedness among companies and their workers in the Subic Bay Freeport.

The SBMA Fire Department, in cooperation with locators and investors, launched the Olympics at the Subic Bay Gateway Park here in line with the observance of Fire Prevention Month.

The 15 participating companies joined the “games” prepared by SBMA firefighters as training modules, each sending five-man teams and technical crews to tackle the various challenges.

SBMA Deputy Fire Chief Raul Zapanta said that companies join this annual activity “because it is not only fun to the participants, but also hones their skills in firefighting and enhances rapport among the designated fire marshals from different companies.”

“It helps the volunteers build teamwork and cooperation with other fire volunteers, and also provides and an opportunity to put their skills to test,” he added.

Zapanta and fellow deputy fire chief Gerard Johnson, along with 20 crew members from the SBMA Fire Department, coordinated the event that included lectures on safety in the work place.

The one-day activity closed with a simple program where winners in the “fire games” received certificates of recognition and tokens of merit.

Aside from the Fire Olympics, the SBMA Fire Department is also conducting lectures in communities adjacent to the Freeport, teaching residents how to prevent grass and forest fires, and what to do in case fires break out.

“While we want to keep our homes and companies safe against fire, here in Subic it is also our priority to prevent forest fires,” said Johnson, pointing out that the forests here are home to many animals and birds, and an important asset for the local tourism industry.

“This is why it’s really important to train workers and residents in fire safety, and the Fire Olympics is one effective way of doing it,” Johnson said. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Fire Chief Norberto Lopez teaches two women workers how to attach fire hose couplings properly during a “Fire Olympics” held at the Subic Bay Gateway Park on Friday, March 13, to provide employees of business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone with basic knowledge and skills on fire-fighting. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] WOMEN POWER: An all-women team competes in the “Fire Olympics” held at the Subic Bay Gateway Park on Friday, March 13, to provide employees of business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone with basic knowledge and skills on fire-fighting. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Reed, Edwards rule Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 Subic

THE INAUGURAL Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 in Subic Bay proved to be a resounding success with an Australian and a British topping the male and female professional categories, respectively.

Tim Reed of Australia and Parys Edwards of Great Britain bested the field that took the competitors to different parts of the recognized “triathlon capital of the country” on Sunday.

Mr. Reed, coming off a win in the 2015 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championships in Auckland, added the inaugural Century Ironman 70.3 title to his growing list of achievements that has made him one of recognized rising stars of the sport.

The 30-year-old Reed finished the course in just three hours and 52 minutes, three minutes ahead of second placer Mitch Robins (three hours and 55 minutes) and five of third-running Josh Amberger (three hours and 57 minutes). Messrs. Robins and Amberger are also from Australia.

Mr. Amberger was actually leading some three-fourths of the way, finishing ahead in the swim and bike legs of the race.

In the 21-K run stage was where Mr. Reed proved his mettle, overhauling the lead of Mr. Amberger.

“The race panned out as I expected. I expected Josh to be up a couple of minutes off the bike. I just tried to be relaxed and hoped that Josh’s legs would give way because he is a strong bike rider and they did,” Mr. Reed said of his come-from-behind win.

Incidentally, five-time Ironman world champion Craig Alexander had to withdraw at the last minute because of a lingering back injury.

Ms. Edwards, meanwhile, came out strong right from the swim all the way to the end, clocking four hours and 18 minutes. Her win was her first in an Ironman race, adding to her collection of triathlon hardware.

New mother Beth Gerdes of the United States came in second at four hours and 24 minutes while Australia’s Dimity Lee-Duke finished third at four hours and 27 minutes.

Topping the local male elite was Banjo Norte of Alaska Tri Aspire with a time of four hours and 23 minutes.

The Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 is a half-Ironman distance triathlon -- 1.9-kilometer (km) swim, 90-km bike ride and 21-km run -- produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. (Michael Angelo S. Murillo, BusinessWorld)

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Sports&title=reed-edwards-rule-century-tuna-ironman-70.3-subic&id=103942

Photo/ banner from http://ironman703subicbay.com/ct703/results/

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Subic gears up for summer sports crowd

Subic Bay is now gearing up for the summer crowd with tourist spots enhancing the fun factor with not just the usual leisure amenities but hardcore sports facilities, as well.

One of the many great tourist destinations here is the Zoobic Safari. Tigers, lions, crocodiles, and other exotic wildlife are found at the facility, making the experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see animals that are not endemic in the country. A ride on a caged jeepney lets you peek into the tigers’ habitat as they roam around in an enclosed area.

Another great place to go to in Subic is the Ocean Adventure Marine theme park. Dolphins, sea lions and other aquatic animals will entertain you while educating you on the importance of wildlife preservation.

And if thrill is what you’re seeking, then you could always go to Tree Top Adventure. Tree Top Adventure boasts of having the first motorized zipline in Asia, making sure that safety is the facility’s number one concern.

But in recent years, Subic’s many beautiful beaches are attracting more and more health buffs with major triathlon events held here. Camayan Beach Resort for one has been the area for the country’s prestigious triathlon event Yellow Cab Challenge Philippines.

International triathletes were at awe over the pristine waters of Subic Bay and vowed to return to the area next time Yellow Cab Challenge Philippines is held here. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO:
SPORTS TOURISM — Local and international triathletes hit the water in Subic Bay at the recent 2015 Yellow Cab Challenge Philippines Subic-Bataan. Subic Bay Freeport is poised to become the triathlon capital of the country, assuring that sports tourism is alive here. (Jonas Reyes)

http://www.mb.com.ph/subic-gears-up-for-summer-sports-crowd/

More photos:

A maintenance worker plows through a heap of fallen leaves during a clean-up drive by the SBMA Maintenance Department at the Mini-Golf Course in the central business district of the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday (March 6). The clean-up project is in anticipation of the influx of tourists this summer. (Jun Dumaguing)

Participants in the “Century Tuna Superbods Underpants Run” start the two-kilometer run at the Remy Field in the Subic Bay Freeport on Saturday morning (March 7). (Jun Dumaguing)

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