SBMA enjoins SBF investors to Yuletide contests

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is enjoining companies and stakeholders inside this premier Freeport to participate in the competitions this Christmas season. 

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño announced that the first contest called “Paskong Pinoy Parol Making Contest” is open to all Subic Bay stakeholders and locators, an idea he came up with during a meeting with the Hospitality Alliance of Subic Bay, a local tourism organization here, during a meeting last month. 

“As a sign of unity amongst our stakeholders, can we have a single motif this year? I want it to be Paskong Pinoy to commemorate our Filipino heritage. I want you all to decorate your establishments with the traditional red, white and green colors of Christmas,” he instructed. 

The chairman said that the Paskong Pinoy Parol Making Contest aims to enliven the Christmas spirit here with a unified front, adding that the parol-making contest also provides employees of locators here with a platform to show their creativity. 

“Bellenisimo in Tarlac has been a great example of a community coming together and showing the Christmas spirit in their home town, and I want to do the same here in Subic where 162,891 freeport workers consider this place as their second home,” he added.

The Paskong Pinoy Parol Making Contest is open to all Subic Bay Freeport stakeholders, individual or group of ten. The Christmas lantern must embody the spirit of Filipino Christmas traditions. 

The size of the Christmas lantern should be ten feet by ten feet, with materials that conform to the agency’s thrust of sustainable tourism, by incorporating at least 70 to 80 percent recycled or biodegradable materials. 

The parol should have proper illumination, preferably LED lights, solar-powered lights, or other low-energy consuming lighting, and must avoid combustible materials or electrical systems.

For more details, visit tinyurl.com/SBParolMakingContest2024. (MPD-SBMA)

 

Read More

Tanghalang Maliksi bags Best Stage Play in 1st-ever SBMA GAD theatre fest 2022

Tanghalang Maliksi of Sta. Rita High School in Olongapo City was awarded  “Best Stage Play” during the recently concluded first-ever Anti-Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Theatre Festival 2022 held here. 

Their entry entitled “Magda,” depicted various facets of violence against women and children in a musical stage play with Eraserhead songs in their repertoire. 

In her welcome speech, SBMA Gender Focal Point System (GFPS) Executive Committee Head Amethya Dela Llana challenged the stage actors to engage, not just in joining the contest, but also in spreading the word to the entire society, thru acting on stage, about the reality of violence that is happening to women and children everywhere. 

“Theatre Fest 2022 was conceptualized to amplify awareness through entertainment, involving the youth and exposing them early to issues surrounding women and children as we move towards our goal to have a VAW-free Philippines,” Dela Llana said.

Dela Llana also said that Theatre Fest 2022 is a project of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Gender and Development (GAD) and is part of the 18-day campaign to end violence against women with its theme, “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines,” which kicked-off last November 25 and will end on December 12. 

Also participating in the Theatre Fest were Sta. Rita High School Artistic Repertory Theatrical Expression (ARTE) and Association of Barangay VAWC Officers of Olongapo City. 

ARTE, also comprised of students from Sta. Rita High School, staged “Iba’t-ibang Karanasan sa Iisang Mukha” and bagged 2^nd Best Stage Play. They also got Best Director award for Manuel Gabriel, and Best Actress award for Gweneth Ignacio. 

The Association of Barangay VAWC Officers was awarded 3^rdBest Stage Play for “Bumangon ka Juana, Laban Lang!” 

Apart from the Best Stage Play, Tanghalang Maliksi also got the Best Actor award for Chance Arpilleda, Best Production Design and Best Technical Design. 

Awardees received a trophy and a cash prize for each award. 

Meanwhile, SBMA GAD coordinator DJ Jepsz Eslava disclosed that the SBMA GAD activities in store for next year will be bigger and better.  

The Anti-VAWC Theatre Fest 2022 was in partnership between the SBMA, the SBMA GAD-Technical Working Group, SBMA GAD representatives, the SBMA Employee Welfare Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the SBMA Employees’ Association, 89.5 Subic Bay Radio, Association of Barangay VAWC Officers, Olongapo City, and the Rotary Club of Subic Pearl. (MPD-SBMA) 

Read More

Subic Freeport residents to welcome trick or treaters after a 2-yr. hiatus

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has finally allowed trick or treaters to go around the residential areas inside this premier Freeport to celebrate Halloween on the last day of October once again, after a two year-long hiatus due to the restrictions of Covid-19 pandemic.

According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, the celebration of All Hallow’s Eve has long been a tradition inside the Subic Bay Freeport dating back when the area was still a United States naval base.

He said that the said activity will only be allowed as long as trick or treaters strictly comply with the minimum health and safety protocols such as wearing of facemasks, avoiding overcrowding, immediate washing of hands after the activity, and the use of alcohol spray after contact.

Public Relations Office manager Armie Llamas assured that the agency is all set to provide security in areas to control the flow of people going to the residential areas during the celebration of Halloween.

“This is a fun activity that has been long overdue since the start of the pandemic. We want people to know that the agency is, and will always be, looking out for the welfare of residents and visitors inside the Freeport,” she said.

The word “Halloween” is a contraction of All Hallows' Eve, which is observed on October 31, the evening before All Saints' (or All Hallows') Day. The celebration marks the day before the Western Christian feast of All Saints and initiates the season of Allhallowtide, which lasts three days to be concluded on All Souls' Day.

Trick or treating is a traditional Halloween custom for children and adults in some countries.

In the eve before All Saints' Day, children, and adults alike, in spooky costumes supposedly to scare homeowners when they go house-to-house, ask the homeowner, "Trick or treat?" to ask for treats.

The "treat" is usually some form of candy, although in some cultures money is given instead. The "trick" refers to a threat, usually idle, to perform mischief on the homeowner or their property if no treat is given.

Some homeowners signal that they are willing to hand out treats by putting up Halloween decorations outside their doors; others simply leave treats available on their porches for the children to take freely. Houses may also leave their porch light on as a universal indicator that they have candies. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

Subic Bay Freeport stakeholders, SBMA employees join Arbor Day 2022

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) employees join workers, residents, officials and executives from different locators inside the Freeport zone as they participate in the tree planting, forest clean-up and wildlings collection activity as part of the annual Arbor Day celebration held July 5.

Magtanum kitamo: Subic Bay’s Artbor Day, D-Day is this year’s Arbor Day celebration organized by the SBMA Ecology Center where Subic Bay Freeport locators, residents, SBMA departments and employees, particularly environmental officers, pollution control officers and managers enjoined. 

Dubbed as “Bi-ayang Chawon Year 2,” Arbor Day aims to highlight the values of trees and forests, and to educate and encourage the Freeport stakeholders to take care of these important natural resources.

“Bi-ayang Chawon means to continue doing the activities that would improve environmental awareness, re-introduce activities that would aid in the conservation and protection of the forests, and promote camaraderie among the stakeholders,” SBMA Ecology Center manager Amethya Dela Llana explained.

The celebration commenced with Panimula, a virtual opening ceremony on June 20 and ended with Pagpapatuloy, its virtual closing on July 4.

Online lecture series, social media posts and exhibits, and a tree-planting activity highlighted the three-week event. First of which was Chawon: An online Lecture Series” from June 22 to 24.

Also #TREEnding featured (1) weekly social media posts about the SBF forest and/or trivia about trees; (2) a two-week photo exhibit at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall showcasing SBMA’s Arbor Day celebrations and reforestation efforts; (3) a three-day trade fair featuring concessionaires of organic, eco-friendly and/or educational products that will run from June 22 to 24; and (4) a photo contest where participants were asked to post a photo of them or their group participating in the activities during the Subic Bay’s Arbor Day, D-Day on June 30, 2022.

Finally, Magtanum kitamo: Subic Bay’s Arbor Day, D-Day on June 30, participants took part in a tree planting at the SBMA’s reforestation site, collected wildlings at Pamulaklakin Forest, and cleanup El Kabayo Forest.

Meanwhile, SBMA chairman and administrator Rolen C. Paulino disclosed that the said activities area part of the bigger plan to make Subic attractive to foreign and local investors who would want to make it happen in the Philippines and find it practical to invest in Subic. 

Arbor Day is observed every June 25. During the peak of the pandemic, Arbor Day was observed thru online activities. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

SBMA to celebrate Earth Day the “new normal” way

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is set to conduct various activities during the Earth Day 2022 Celebration on April 22 as part of the agency’s thrust to promote environmental protection while still practicing minimum public health protocols.

According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, who is in the US for an official trip, the agency aims to conduct activities at each department’s convenient time.

“This year, with the lowering of the alert level in the area, the SBMA will be taking part in the Earth Day Celebration with strict compliance of the minimum health and safety standards to prevent the spread of the virus. Earth Day activities will be done in several small groups, and not as one big group,” he added.

This year’s theme “Invest in Our Planet” is, according to Paulino, fitting for the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, citing that one of his mandates as Head of the Agency is to invest in the environment in order to attract more business activities in this premier Freeport.

“One of the many thrusts of my office is the beautification of the area, providing lush greeneries and colorful blossoms around the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The SBMA has already started planting bougainvillea on many center islands and pathways of the Freeport,” he said.

Among the activities lined up for the occasion, is a cleanup activity within the vicinities of SBMA office buildings, including the administration building 229, Building N, Naval Supply Depot, and other agency infrastructure.

Each department/office will also conduct lectures for their personnel regarding waste management or environmental protection in relation to their Environmental Management System (EMS).

The official also urged each employee to practice the five Rs of waste management all the time, namely, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle.

During his first month, Paulino has ordered most of the companies located near the coastal areas of Subic Bay such as the Boardwalk Area and the San Bernardino Road to keep their fronts clean, with all complying to ensure a cleaner and greener Freeport.

The Earth Day Celebration was adopted in the Philippines in 1990 by President Corazon C. Aquino by virtue of PD 553 s. 1990 and was supplemented by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo through PD 1481 s.2008, declaring every 22nd of April as the "Philippine Earth Day".

During the past two years, the SBMA was unable to celebrate Earth Day due to the health and safety protocols brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earth Day is an annual event held on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EarthDay.org (formerly Earth Day Network) including one billion people in more than 193 countries. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

Subic Freeport braces for tourists influx for Holy Week

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), in anticipation of high influx of tourists and devotees coming here, has lined up weeklong activities, in observance of the Holy Week celebration in the “new normal.”

During the opening of the Weekend Eco-Market over the weekend, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino said that Subic is almost in full swing opening more areas of destinations for more guests to visit.

“SBMA is again open. I really wanted people to come here in Subic during the Holy Week. But with what I see, it is more than I expected,” Paulino said.

Paulino’s appointment as SBMA Chairman and Administrator coincided with the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), downgrading Region 3 to Alert Level 1. He also vowed to make Subic Bay Freeport one of the most visited places in the country.

Over the weekend, the Chairman spearheaded the opening of the Subic Bay Weekend Eco-Market, an outdoor flea market located near the San Roque Chapel where some 30 micro, small and medium enterprise businesses from Central Luzon sell fresh and processed fruits, vegetables, meats, handicrafts and more.

Open from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the Subic Bay Weekend Eco-Market, in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DoT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), aims to help revive tourism and economy in the area, and will run all weekends until end of May.

Moreover, the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) also opened 2022 Subic Bay Banchetto and trade fair for the span of the Holy Week period, and provide a venue to unwind after the working class went back to work on a 100 percent complement.

“Since Region 3 was placed under Alert Level 1, we all have been working hard. And the Banchetto was organized in time for the Holy Week to give ourselves a much-deserved break,” said Benjamin Antonio III, SBFCC president and Subicwater chief executive officer and general manager.

He said that the Banchetto is also in partnership with the DoT and DTI aiming to revive tourism and economy as micro, small and medium enterprise businesses joined the trade fair.

The Banchetto will run daily from 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday only.

Meanwhile, for devotees of the religious activities, San Roque Chapel started the Holy Week with the Blessing of Palm, locally known as palaspas, the re-enactment of the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, and the Station of the Cross.

On Holy Monday (April 11) until Holy Wednesday (April 13), there will be the “Pabasa sa Freeport,” the chanting of the life, passion and death of Jesus, from 8:00 AM onwards. A Holy Mass follows at 5:00 PM, and a religious procession at 6:00 PM.

On Maundy Thursday (April 14), there will be Holy Mass and Washing of the Feet (5:00 PM), to be followed by a Holy Mass at 6:00 PM. And the start of Visita Iglesia (7:00 PM- 12:00 MN).

On Maundy Thursday (April 15), Private Station of the Cross (6:00 AM- 12:00NN/SRC), Liturgy of the Word and Veneration of the Cross (3:00PM/ SRC). The Grand Procession follows at 6:00 PM.

Good Friday (April 17), the much-awaited Salubong (4:00 AM), the pre-dawn meeting of the images of the Risen Christ, and the grieving Mother Mary. Procession starts in front of Dispensary Building and the other is at Spanish Gate. Holy Mass at 5:00 AM. Easter Egg Hunting begins at 11:00 AM at San Roque Chapel.

The visitors can also take the opportunity to join the procession (Holy Wednesday) and the grand procession on Good Friday.

Chairman Paulino said that because of its security and cleanliness, the Freeport is a favorite vacation rendezvous with the family to remember the sufferings of Jesus, the meaning of His death, and His resurrection.

“As we would have wanted to have Alert Level 0, and come up with a better normal in the Freeport, we still enjoin everyone to follow minimal health protocols. Wear your face masks and sanitize your hands with alcohol whenever possible. Let us all stay safe,” Paulino said. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

SBMA Finance, Regulatory groups bag Women’s Month Ultimate Cook-Off competition

Representatives from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Finance group and Regulatory group were declared winners of the agency’s Women’s Month Ultimate Cook-off Competition.

Dubbed as “Juana, laban sa pandemya. Kaya!,” this year’s Women’s Month festivities, concluded the month-long celebration of women empowerment with an ultimate cook-off challenge.

“For this year’s cook-off challenge, we have two categories—the ‘Bahay Kubo challenge’ and the Fruit Carving competition,” DJ Jepsz Eslava, SBMA Gender and Development (GAD) coordinator said.

He explained that for the ‘Bahay Kubo’ challenge, the representatives were provided with all the vegetables mentioned in the song ‘Bahay Kubo,’ except for the seasonal vegetables.

The Fruit Carving competition, Eslava added, is a new activity incorporated to the cook-off challenge, where representatives were given a watermelon, oranges, apples, and bell peppers to work on.

Eslava also said that the cook-off challenge, a tandem of men and women were required to represent each Strategic Business Unit (SBU). This, he said, was to signify that women’s month not only involves women, but men also, under a “shared responsibility.”

Winning P10,000 cash were Michelle Apilado of the Finance group for the ‘Bahay Kubo challenge,’ and John Dela Cruz of the Regulatory group for the Fruit Carving competition.

Other representatives who joined the Ultimate Cook-off challenge were: Maregil L. Soriano and Arturo E. Tacuyan of the Administration group; Ramwel Josefe Ramos and Almira C. Bautista of the Business and Investment group; Avlean Rica Torralba and June Calma of the Operations group; Aida Gorospe and Antonio dela Cruz of the Public Services group; Michelle Dolores and Rodante Tungol of the Legal Affairs group; Ryan Joseph Garcia and Fleurdelis Valino Cruz of the Chairman and Administrator’s group; Cheryl Mae L. Canlas and Nelson Nelgas of the Tourism group; and Mary Jane A. Delgado and Jesus P. Payumo of the Municipal Services group.

Representatives of each SBU were given P5,000 just for making it to the final list of cook-off participants.

Meanwhile, SBMA chairman and administrator Rolen C. Paulino expressed his admiration towards women.

“If I were to die and given a chance to live again, I would still choose to be a man. Because I know how hard it is to be a woman—to take care of their loved ones, to do all the household chores, and still even handle day jobs. So I honor the women for doing such a wonderful job,” Paulino said. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

Subic Bay Yacht Club Christmas Display (photos)

Crowds gather at the Subic Bay Yacht Club frontage after Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma “Amy” T. Eisma switched on the SBYC Christmas Trees display on Tuesday night.

The lights display, which has a carnival theme this year, is an annual holiday project of SBYC employees with the support of some sponsors.

Crowds gather at the Subic Bay Yacht Club frontage after Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma “Amy” T. Eisma switched on the SBYC Christmas Trees display on Tuesday night.

MPD-SBMA

Read More

Subic workers, managers mark festive Labor Day

They ran, sang, danced and had fun together. On Labor Day, members of the Subic Bay Freeport workforce, as well as management personnel investor-firms here, made a collective effort to promote employees welfare and sound labor-management relations.

With a whole-day program to bolster bonding among workers and employers, delegations from various companies in the Freeport, together with their families, gathered here on May 1 for various Freeport Games and Sports (FGS) activities.

Investor-companies, meanwhile, offered a total of 3,793 job openings in a job fair held as part of the Labor Day program.

As early as 5:00 a.m., hundreds of workers and management staff turned up at the Ayala Harbor Point parking area for a 3-kilometer fun run that kicked off the Labor Day celebration at exactly 6:30 a.m.

Just 30 minutes later, winners started to trickle back in: For the Kids’ Division, the fastest runner was Ryza Joyce Rodriguez, daughter of a worker from Brighterday Subic, Ltd., operator of All Hands Beach. She was followed by Raniesha Quintana, daughter of a worker from DJ Aerospace Inc.; and Prince Gavbriel M. Ilefo, son of a worker from Koryo Subic, Inc.

In the Women’s Division, the winners were: Melicent Quintana of DJ Aerospace (champion); Angeline Centino of Subic Aviary and Bird Park (1st runner-up); and Cindy Obsena of Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services, Inc. (2nd runner-up).

The Men’s Division was dominated by Christian Denotua of Subic Aviary (champion); Robert John Concepcion of FFP Concept Panning Solutions Corp. (1st runner-up); and Jay Ar Orpilla of Cresc, Inc. (2nd runner-up).

Meanwhile, of the nine entries in the Float Competition, the “best float” award was presented to Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation, while the “best in uniform” award was given to FBM Systems and Electronics, Inc., which bested 18 other companies for the title.

The second part of the Labor Day program brought the competitions inside the Ayala Harbor Point Mall, which was also the site of a job fair organized by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Labor Department.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma and SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato Lee III visited the fair and lauded the participating companies that offered new positions to local jobseekers.

SBMA Labor Department manager Severo Pastor Jr. said 53 companies in the Subic Freeport joined the Labor Day fair and offered a total of 3,793 job openings.

He added that from the 3,495 applications processed during the job fair, 13 applicants were hired on the spot by various companies. Four of them were taken in by Datian Subic Shoes, Inc.; three by DBA Global Shared Services, Inc.; another three by Sanyo Denki Phils. Inc.; two by Prime Power Manpower Services; and one by United Teleplan Corp.

Meanwhile, the contests held in the afternoon of May 1 yielded more contestants from among the Subic-registered investor companies. Aryan Realon of Datian Subic Shoes, Inc. emerged champion in the singing contest while the Koryo Dance Group topped the dance contest.

The highlight of the festivity was the search for Mr. and Ms. FGS 2019, which drew nine male contestants and 10 lady competitors. In the end, Joshua Pangilinan of Subic Ray Corporation and Jonah Myrll Gocela of Global Architectural Fabrication Subic, Inc. bagged the prestigious titles. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Runners from all age groups break out at the start of the Labor Day fun run in the Subic Bay Freeport (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma greets participants in the Labor Day program involving workers and employers in the Subic Bay Freeport (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

Weeklong Lenten program set in Subic Bay Freeport

Subic is not only ready for the crowd of vacationers this summer, but also for throngs of the faithful who are expected to observe the Christian traditions of praying, fasting and reconciling with their Maker during the Lenten season.

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, the Subic agency, in partnership with various stakeholder groups, has prepared a weeklong religious program, as well as some cultural presentations for the Holy Week.

2019 Holy Week schedule of activities in Subic Bay 

The Holy Week, according to Christian tradition, is the culmination of the hallowed forty-day period of sacrifice leading up to Jesus' death and resurrection. Christians observe the 40 days of Lent that begins on Ash Wednesday to replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.

Eisma said that because of its relative quiet and its peaceful atmosphere, the Subic Bay Freeport has become a favorite spot for religious reflection and meditation.

Subic’s Holy Week presentation starts at 8:30 a.m. on April 14, Palm Sunday, with the re-enactment of the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem and the blessing of palms, locally known as “palaspas.” This will be held at the San Roque Chapel, which was built in the 1800s for Spanish sailors and Filipino converts.

The San Roque Chapel

“Pabasa sa Freeport,” which is the chanting of the life, passion and death of Jesus Christ, starts at 9:00 a.m. on Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday also at San Roque Chapel.

On Maundy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Washing of the Feet will be held at 5:00 p.m., to be followed by Visita Iglesia at 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.

Slarted on Good Friday are the Stations of the Cross, 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, San Roque Chapel; Guided Way of the Cross Meditation, 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Holy Land Subic Sanctuary, which is located at the Tipo area; and Liturgy of the Word and Veneration of the Cross, 3:00 p.m. at San Roque Chapel.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to join the religious procession on Holy Wednesday and the grand procession on Good Friday at 6:00 p.m. Both will go around Subic’s Central Business District and end at the San Roque Chapel.

The grand event that will end the Holy Week here will be the Easter Sunday procession or “Salubong” that will start at 4:00 a.m. on April 21 and proceed along the Manila and Dewey Avenues, pass by the Spanish Gate area, and end at San Roque Chapel.

Meanwhile, SBMA Tourism Department manager Mary Jamelle Camba said that aside from religious activities, the public may also enjoy for free the live musical entertainment program that will start at 7:00 p.m. from April 18 to April 20 at the Boardwalk Event Center.

These musical presentations will showcase the bests of local bands in the Subic Bay area, as well as a gospel healing concert featuring the drama group Centurion’s Servant, the Bethesda Springs of Hope Healing Ministry, as well as singers Julie San Jose, Yael and Karylle Yuzon, and Ku Aquino.

The Holy Mass at 6:00 a.m. on Easter Sunday at San Roque Chapel will be followed by the “Agape Breakfast For All” and the Easter egg hunt for children.

Camba said that in preparation for the expected influx of visitors to Subic, the SBMA Tourism Department has established satellite information offices in four strategic locations in the Freeport to help motorists on their way.

These information centers can be found at the Tipo Toll Plaza, the front of San Roque Chapel, the Total Gas Station in front of Subic Yacht Club, and the Starbucks coffeehouse along Argonaut Hiway.

Camba said these info centers will open from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. during the entire Holy Week and will also be manned by medical personnel with ambulances on stand-by, police officers, and auto mechanics. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

Subic Korean community reaches out with cultural show

The Korean community in this free port sought to foster closer relations with other residents in the Subic Bay area with a two-day cultural festival that stressed common musical and artistic traditions.

The event, dubbed as the Philippine-Korean Cultural Festival 2018 was held November 9 and 10 at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall here and showcased a bazaar, live performances, fashion show, cultural dances, and dancing and singing contests.

Easily the top crowd-drawer during the event was artist JinHo Bae, a South Korean pop singer who rose to fame after appearing on Philippine television on the show Mapuan Idol in 2014.

JinHo, who speaks Pilipino fluently, sang equally popular songs to the audience on the first night of the festival.

Other noted performances in the festival were from the Method Philharmonic Orchestra led by Youngchae Son, concert master Moon Sookyung, renowned singers Kim Eu Gene, Jung Jiyoung, Kim Sooah, Je Yeokyeong, and musical director Chun Gyoungho.

The Busan orchestra also played alongside the Gordon Heights High School rondalla ensemble from Olongapo city in an entertaining musical fusion.

Student-members from the local group played Filipino folk songs such as Leron Leron Sinta, Tinikling and Dandansoy, while cultural dancers performed folk dances.

Meanwhile, beautiful and colorful attires or Hanbok from South Korea by Korean fashion designer Yong Ae Kim highlighted the much-anticipated fashion show during the festival. Here, Korean models wowed the crowd with elaborate dresses designed for children to adults, and accessorized with colorful parasols.

The festival was also attended by some community leaders from Olongapo City, who hailed the event as a testament to the close ties between the Philippines and South Korea.

According to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), South Koreans make up one of the biggest foreign groups in the Subic Bay Freeport today, as the South Korean ship builder Hanjin remains the biggest investor and employer in Subic as well. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:
[1-4] Korean artists perform, in some instances with a rondalla ensemble from Olongapo City, during the Philippine-Korean Cultural Festival 2018 on November 9 and 10 at the Subic Bay Freeport’s Harbor Point Mall. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

‘Fright night’ sells in Subic Bay Freeport

All Hallow’s Eve or Halloween, a tradition widely believed to have originated from the Gaelic pagan festival Samhain, may have conjured images of ghosts, witches, and wandering spirits, but what started out as a scary commemoration is now as festive as every other modern celebration.

In the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, the practice is as commercial as it can get. Hotels, restaurants, bistros, shopping malls, business offices, as well as residential areas are all dressed up in pumpkins, cobwebs and bats, and flying broomsticks. And almost everybody is preparing for some themed Halloween party.

Business establishments such as the Segara Hotel and the Lighthouse Marina Resort are holding their own family-oriented Halloween party, and also encouraging visitors here to stay overnight for the special Halloween entertainment treat.

Liberty Sports Bar, a more mature-oriented establishment, even has a costume contest that is open to the public, with goodies and cash prizes to be given to winners.

With these kinds of parties expected to be held in most parts of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, it’s no wonder that Royal Duty Free Store, SM City Olongapo, and Harbor Point Ayala Mall are displaying Halloween merchandise to make each child (and parent) keep up with the Halloween crowd.

What parent would allow his child to dress down and be left out in a Halloween party? Fortunately, toy shops are selling faux bloody murder weapons, masks, and full-body costumes for little fairies, and witches, and skeleton ghosts.

Of course, stores have also stocked up on candies, chocolates, and ghoulish cupcakes, cookies and other food that visiting trick-or-treaters would later expect each time they knocked on doors.

Meanwhile, the residential areas of Kalayaan and Binictican here have transformed into virtual Halloween Land adorned in spooky decorations. One could find here various versions of lawn cemeteries, decapitated dolls hanging from trees, ghouls popping out of the bushes, chairs that rock by themselves, SUVs that look like the Ghostbusters’ Ecto 1, and other creepy offerings.

In the past few years, these areas in Subic have been swamped during Halloween with children attired as fairies, witches, zombies, vampires, mummies, or superheroes that the SBMA police had to close down some inner roads to vehicular traffic.

While the neighborhood associations have not announced any Halloween party this year, a fair number of neighborhood children are expected to go trick-or-treating.

Residents said some houses here actually vie for the coveted title of the “scariest residence” in the community. And some of them, of course, look forward to winning the “scariest costume” during private Halloween parties among friends.

Yes, despite the fun and festive air, scary still sells in Subic. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

Costumed ghosts and other monsters join the Halloween celebration in the Subic Bay Freeport (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

1st Subic Bay film festival set June 22-24

The Subic Bay International Film Festival (SBIFF), which aims to provide a platform for local filmmakers to create their art and to refocus the attention of the international filmmaking industry to the Subic Bay Freeport, will take off here on June 22 to 24 with the screening of six feature films.

Festival directors Vic Vizcocho Jr., publisher of Subic Bay News, and Arlyn Dela Cruz-Bernal, news director of Radyo Inquirer and Inquirer 990 TV, said the Subic Bay Freeport has long served as a localé for both international and local films, and remains to be a rich source of stories that could be made into movies.

“This is our chance to give back to the community by creating what we call waves of opportunities to filmmakers,” said Dela Cruz, who also has seven films to her credit either as producer, writer or director.

“We want to bring back the interest in Subic Bay as a premiere destination for filmmakers, local and international, because we have so much to offer in terms of story ideas, manpower, resources, talents and locations,” Vizcocho added.

One of the highlights of festival, they added, will be an opportunity for filmmakers to present storylines that may qualify for financing through SBIFF initiative.

For the first year of the festival, six feature films will be competing for awards: “Boy Intsik”, a film by Joel Lamangan; “Balatkayo” by Neil Tan; “Araw sa Likod Mo” by Dominic Nuesa; “Isang Hakbang” by Mike Magat; “Rolyo” by CC Woodruff Jr.; and “Old Skool” by Cia Hermosa-Gorge.

Organizers said four of the full-length feature films are old titles made in the last three years and had received recognition in other film competitions, while two others are yet to be released.

Dela Cruz explained that the first year of the festival will not be a competition for newly-made films, but a venue for filmmakers “to be seen by another group of audience, and to undergo judging for the merits of their films by another set of jury.”

Meanwhile, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Wilma T. Eisma welcomed the festival project for creating a vehicle for the development of local filmmakers, and called on members of the film industry to help in promoting “malasakit” in the society.

“Filmmakers should go beyond box-office revenues because their influence on the social and cultural fabric of society is undeniable. It is a power they can and should use to build, not destroy; to grow, not to stunt the values and morals of our people,” Eisma noted.

“I ask the people in the film industry to harness the transformative power of malasakit in cinema because yours is, no doubt, a most compelling medium for positive change,” she added.

Entries in the film festival will be screened at a Harbor Point cinema here on June 22 to 24. The screening is open for free to the public from 10:15 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

The films will compete for the eight major awards: best picture, best director, best actor, best actress, best screenplay, best in cinematography, best in production design, and best in music. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Festival organizers and sponsors unveil the logo of the Subic Bay International Film Festival during its launch on June 8. L-R: Festival director Vic Vizcocho Jr., Olongapo Vice Mayor Jong Cortez, Director Arlyn dela Cruz-Bernal, SBMA deputy administrator Chot Kabigting (partly hidden), and Harbor Point manager Derek Quijano. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Festival organizers, along with film directors and actors, and project sponsors unveil the logo of the Subic Bay International Film Festival during its launch on June 8. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

Subic divers clean up bay in ‘Scubasurero Festival’

Scuba divers from the Subic Bay area conducted volunteer community work on Saturday to clean Subic Bay under the “Dive Heroes Festival-Scubasurero” event, bringing into the shore more than 50 kilos of various wastes that have found their way into the water.

The annual “Scubasurero,” which is a play on scuba and basurero, the Filipino word for garbage collector, enlists the help of volunteers in cleaning Subic Bay, particularly the area in the vicinity of Grande Island.

Around 200 volunteers, along with 50 certified divers, participated in the clean-up drive organized by the Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium, Inc. (SBMEI), operator of the Ocean Adventure marine park and Camayan Beach Resort, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Scuba-diving groups such as the Subic Bay Dive Association, Arizona, Boardwalk Dive Center, Johann's, Deep Blue Scuba and Wow Shark contributed their personnel and resources for the event.

Under “Scubasurero”, volunteers working on the shoreline collected a total of 7 kilos of nets, 9 kilos of ropes, 10 kilos of plastic, 3 kilos of styropor packaging, 1.5 kilos of plastic bottle, and 5 kilos of plastic.

Meanwhile, the underwater team of divers hauled in 6 kilos of rubber slippers, 5 kilos of plastic, and 11 kilos of bottle after some 40 minutes of dive in 14-meter deep waters at the Camayan reef area, and near Grande Island.

SBMA Chairperson and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, who graced the activity to encourage the participants, thanked everyone involved in the event and emphasized their invaluable role in environment protection.

“We only have one home and this is our home. What you are trying to do here is a testament to what I am trying to say. I hope you'll continue to do it," Eisma said.

The SBMA chief added that she would like to join the next “Scubasurero” event. "Hopefully, next time I'll join you. I'll go back to diving again," she said.

The “Scubasurero” event was held in celebration of the third anniversary of SBMEI’s Camayan Divers PADI Five Star Dive Resort. The clean-up activity was spearheaded by the Camayan divers in cooperation with Project AWARE and the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force.

Camayan Divers officer-in-charge Juanito Soriano also announced after the clean-up that his group will donate P10,000 to Project AWARE, a global network of scuba divers and water enthusiasts who seek to promote protection of the world's water resources.

“Together, there's a lot we can accomplish,” Soriano said, dedicating the “Scubasurero” event to Project AWARE. “We are giving divers a chance to extend their passion for the care of the environment," he added. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Divers prepare to board a motorized boat that will ferry them to their designated dive sites to collect underwater trash during the “Dive Heroes Festival-Scubasurero” at the Subic Bay Freeport on Dec. 2. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] A couple snorkel near the shore to look for underwater trash while volunteer divers prepare for a dive in deeper waters during the “Dive Heroes Festival-Scubasurero” at the Subic Bay Freeport on Dec. 2. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

Subic Freeport holds first Pride Parade

More than a hundred participants from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community joined in the first Pride Parade here in the Subic Bay Freeport on Sunday to help promote equality, diversity and inclusion among various sexes.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma and Bataan Representative Geraldine Roman, the first transgender woman elected to the Congress of the Philippines, led the parade to show support to the LGBT community.

The parade featured LGBT members in colorful costumes, who competed in a contest that sought to express and affirm the culture and pride of the LGBT community.

LGBT pride is the positive stance against discrimination and violence toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people to promote their self-affirmation, dignity and equality rights, as well as to increase their visibility as a social group, build community, and celebrate sexual diversity and gender variance.

SBMA Chairman Eisma said the Subic agency firmly supports the LGBT community’s demand for equality and equal rights regardless of religion, color, or sexual preference.

Delegates to the event included members from LGBT Barretto in Olongapo City, which had the biggest number of participants; The Antonio’s Family of San Felipe; The Antonio’s Family of San Narciso; Bi Alliance of Bataan, Olongapo and Iba; Proud Gays of Olongapo; The Montero Sisters; and The Smith Sisters.

In an interview during the event, Rep. Roman said she is proud that the Anti-Discrimination Law has been passed in the Lower House via unanimous decision, and that the bill will be passed on to the Senate for review.

“So, it’s up to Senator Risa Hontiveros (to work for) the enactment of the bill,” she added.

Roman also said that House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is pushing for civil partnership for all genders. She explained that this is different from the same-sex marriage that the LGBT Party Ladlad is pushing for. The civil partnership act will cover all genders, not just the LGBT community.

Roman said that the Anti-Discrimination bill will punish anybody who discriminates or make derogatory remarks against any LGBT person. The violator will be jailed for five years and fined P20,000.

Meanwhile, Chairman Eisma expressed hope that the Pride Parade will be bigger the next time around, as she reiterated the full support of the SBMA to gender equality, anti-discrimination, and human rights.

The event was organized by a group headed by Gigs Estalilla, who is an officer of the SBMA Gender and Development Focal Point Committee.

The parade was held as the SBMA capped its month-long 25thAnniversary celebration on Sunday. (JRR/HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Participants in the first ever Subic Bay Pride Parade march along the Waterfront Road in the Subic Bay Freeport on Sunday (Nov. 26). Pride parades are held by members of the LGBT community to demonstrate their culture and pride and also to call for gender and legal rights.

[2] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma and Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman join the first ever Subic Bay Pride Parade held at the Subic Bay Freeport on Sunday (Nov. 26). Pride parades are held by members of the LGBT community to demonstrate their culture and pride and also to call for gender and legal equality rights.

[3] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma pose with participants in colourful attires during the first ever Subic Bay Pride Parade march along the Waterfront Road in the Subic Bay Freeport on Sunday (Nov. 26). Pride parades are held by members of the LGBT community to demonstrate their culture and pride and also to call for gender and legal rights.

Read More

SBMA prepares for 25th founding anniversary

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is preparing for a grand celebration this year in connection with its silver anniversary this coming November.

According to SBMA Administrator & CEO Wilma T. Eisma, agency officials have approved a month-long schedule of activities to mark the organization’s 25th year of existence and the establishment of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, now considered as one of the best success stories of military base conversion in the world.

“Turning 25 is a very special milestone, and so we are going for some very special program for the SBMA,” said Eisma, an Olongapo City native who was among the legendary volunteers that helped protect and preserve Subic Bay facilities after the U.S. Navy withdrew its forces here in 1992.

“Subic has come a very long way—thanks to the sacrifice and hard work of a lot of people over the years, and honoring these people for what they did will be a big part of the celebration,” she added.

PAST REVISITED

The celebration will carry the theme “SBMA at 25: Celebrating the Past, Forging the Nation’s Future.”

Under a program prepared by the SBMA 25th Anniversary Celebration Committee, activities will start on November 6 with a flag-raising ceremony at Bldg. 229, which is the SBMA main office, followed by a motorcade around Subic’s Central Business District.

All the while, some aircraft will undertake streamer and confetti drops, while boats will execute water cannon salutes at the bay.

Also on the first day of celebration, the SBMA Labor Department, in collaboration with registered business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport, will hold a job fair to match job-seekers with prospective employers.

SPORTS SPECTACULARS

The next event in the anniversary program will be a fun run in the morning of November 11, a Saturday. With 2-km, 5-km and 25-km categories, this sports spectacular will kick off at the Remy Field and progress along the length of Waterfront Road.

Nearby, some water cannon salutes will again take place on the bay, while the Philippine Air Force (PAF) makes some aircraft formation and skydiving display overhead.

The PAF will also present a static aircraft display at the Subic Bay International Airport.

On November 18, also a Saturday, Remy Field will be the venue for several events, including the SBMA Family Day that will feature fun games like the Amazing Race, giant volleyball, and “Laro ng Lahi.” The latter will include traditional Filipino games like “kadang-kadang”, catching the greasy pig, and “patintero.”

At 2:00 p.m., the talent show “SBMA Got Talent” will start at the Subic Gym, to be followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Boardwalk Park.

Meanwhile, there will be a three-day “Subic Bay Grand Sale” at Remy Field and all tourism establishments in Subic from Nov. 24 to 26.

This will include night bazaar and food festivals, night entertainment, discount sales from tourism stakeholders, and fireworks display.

FINALE

On Nov. 24, which marks the actual turnover of Subic Bay from the U.S. Navy to the Philippine government, the activities will start at 8:00 in the morning with an ecumenical mass in front of Bldg. 229.

This will be followed by an awarding ceremony to recognize pioneer investor companies, as well as pioneer SBMA employees. The awardees will also be honored with aerial and water salutes.

The morning program will be capped by a silent drill demonstration by cadets of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, and by performances from the SBMA Law Enforcement Department brass band and the Philippine Air Force band.

In the afternoon, a new museum featuring photo exhibits and memorabilia displays will open at the Harbor Point mall. The museum displays will be available for public viewing until Nov. 26.

At 3:00 p.m., a float and foot parade involving representatives from local government units will start at the Waterfront Road.

The parade will end at the Volunteers’ Shrine where the unveiling of commemorative items and a tribute to volunteers will take place. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

Importance of environment in tourism stressed in Subic forum

Senator Cynthia Villar and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Wilma Eisma both expounded on the importance of protecting the environment to sustain the growth of the tourism industry in the country, as the three-day 2017 Subic Ecotourism Festival opened here on Monday at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

The two women leaders told festival participants that tourism cannot be sustained without caring for the environment, and that sustainable development needs commitment from the people.

According to Villar, protection of the environment is at the heart of sustainable tourism. Without environmental preservation and protection, tourism is not sustainable.

She cited her project, the Las Piñas-Zapote River Rehabilitation Program, which gave birth to several livelihood projects where water lilies, plastics and other used materials that clogged rivers were turned into handicrafts pieces and even furniture.

Meanwhile, SBMA Administrator Eisma recalled how the more than 8,000 volunteers of the Subic Bay Freeport cleaned up and safeguarded the former Subic Naval Base after the US Navy left in 1992.

Calling them heroes of local ecotourism, Eisma said the volunteers showed their “malasakit” (caring) and “kusang-loob” (initiative) without being paid for their work, thus helping in transforming Subic into what it is today.

She said that malasakit and kusang-loob are the benchmark of ecotourism in Subic Freeport. Like when you put your foot forward without expecting any in return, because at the end of the day, this is your home.

The 2017 Subic Ecotourism Festival was organized by Subic International School for Sustainable Tourism headed by Dr. Mina Gabor, in celebration of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:
Clockwise from top: [1] Dr. Mina Gabor, president of the Subic-based International School of Sustainable Tourism, sounds a native gong to formally open the 2017 Ecotourism Festival at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center; [2] SBMA Administrator Wilma T. Eisma welcomes participants to the 2017 Ecotourism Festival; [3] SBMA Administrator Wilma T. Eisma chats with Senator Cynthia Villar during the opening of the 2017 Ecotourism Festival at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

SBMA welcomes hosting of int’l ecotourism meet in Subic

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has welcomed the scheduled staging here of the Subic Ecotourism Festival, which will bring together a powerhouse cast of international experts in the field of ecotourism to discuss global best practices.

SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma said the festival is slated on May 29 to June 1 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center under the aegis of the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) and the Department of Tourism.

“We’re very much delighted in hosting this event, because we take pride in the Subic Bay Freeport being one of the few remaining places with very high biodiversity in the country today,” Eisma said.

“We will be happy to share with the participants in this forum the challenges and successes that we have experienced in the field of ecotourism since Subic was established as a free port in 1992,” she added.

According to ISST president Mina Gabor, the event will be biggest of its kind in the country as it will bring together the leaders of the Global Ecotourism Network (GEN) and its regional subsidiary, the Asian Ecotourism Network (AEN).

“The event will be a rare opportunity for delegates to learn from and network with the best practitioners in the industry,” said Gabor, a former Tourism Secretary who pushed ecotourism during her tenure, making it a byword in the industry years later.

“Given the fact that the Philippines’ tourism industry is driven largely by its natural attractions, it is important to balance economic benefit, conservation and respect for local communities which the GEN board members are greatly recognized for,” she added.

The festival has been scheduled here in line with the declaration by the United Nations World Tourism Organization of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

The event will gather together ecotourism experts like Glenn Jampol and Tony Charters, GEN chair and vice-chair respectively, and general board members Robert Holmes of Australia, Hitesh Mehta of Kenya, Masaru Takayama of Japan, Nabil Tarazi of Jordan, and Albert Teo of Malaysia.

Other foreign speakers are Lizzie Corke of Conservation Ecology Center Australia, Paul Niederer of ASSOB International, Tan Thi Su of Sapa O'Chau (Vietnam), Imtiaz Muqbil of Travel Impact Newswire, Kaetwa Muangasame of Mahidol University International College, Greg Duffel of Bond Asian Ventures Limited, Ary Suhandi of Indecon Indonesia, and Randy Durband of Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Meanwhile, local speakers will include DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau director Teresa Mundita Lim, National Commission on Culture and the Arts-School of Living Traditions executive director Rico Pableo Jr., National Commission on Indigenous Peoples socioeconomic and special affairs director Marie Grace Pascua, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity executive director Roberto Oliva, Cebu provincial tourism officer Boboi Costas, Philippine Airlines SVP for operations Ismael Augusto Gozon, and El Nido Resorts head of sustainability Mariglo Laririt.

Gabor said the event is designed for government policy-makers, infrastructure development executives, tourism, travel and hospitality professionals, and faculty and students. Festival participants also conduct a case study for the development of an ecotourism project in the Subic Bay Freeport area.

The Subic Bay Freeport, which sits on a large portion of the Subic Forest and Watershed Reserve, is touted to be one of the few places in the Philippines with high biodiversity. It has a total of 745 plant species belonging to 429 genera and 122 families, and a total of 122 wildlife vertebrates from 99 genera and 57 families.

The Subic Freeport is also home to several rare animals that include seven bird species like the Philippine Fairy Bluebird (Irena cyanogaster), two mammal species like the Striped Shrew Rat (Chrotomys minbdorensis), one reptile specie, and two amphibian species. (HEE/AMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS (clockwise):

[1] Sailboats romp on fresh breeze at the Subic Bay Freeport, a leading eco-tourism destination in the country today, which will host the 2017 Subic Ecotourism Festival on May 29-June 1.

[2] Long-tailed macaque monkeys play at a housing area in the Subic Bay Freeport, a leading eco-tourism destination in the country today, which will host the 2017 Subic Ecotourism Festival on May 29-June 1.

[3] Fruit bats roost on trees at the Subic Bay Freeport, a leading eco-tourism destination in the country today, which will host the 2017 Subic Ecotourism Festival on May 29-June 1.

Read More

‘Summer Siren’ beach festival comes to Subic Freeport

One of the biggest and most exciting beach events this time of the year is coming over to the Subic Bay Freeport on May 12 to 14.

The Summer Siren Festival, touted by organizers as one of the country's most exciting destination festivals, will be held for the first time at Subic’s waterfront area and is expected to provide a whole new summer experience to visitors in this premier tourist mecca.

“This brings the Subic summer experience to a whole new level,” Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Wilma Eisma said as she announced the three-day event on Tuesday.

“Subic’s popular waterfront area will be transformed into a giant entertainment park with beach-music and arts theme, and we’re very much excited because this has been one of the entertainment concepts for Subic that we really like to push,” she added.

The festival was previously staged at beach venues in Zambales, but the SBMA and festival organizer Travel Factor signed a memorandum of agreement last week to bring it to the Freeport.

Eisma said the SBMA, along with the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) and the Subic Bay Hotels, Attractions and Tourism Stakeholders Visitors Board (SBHATSVB), will sponsor the event.

Meanwhile, festival organizers have agreed with partner resorts in the area to put up a series of various themed pool parties, three days of art workshops and fitness activities by the shore, and two evening concerts featuring some of the country’s biggest rock, alternative and pop acts.

The featured artists will include Ron Poe, Quest, Ronthug, Ace Ramos, Borhuh, David Ardiente, DJ Highrise, Up Dharma Down, and Gab and John of Urbandub.

Eisma said the event will certainly push the already high number of visitors in the Subic Bay Freeport to record-breaking figures since the summer season is not over yet.

She also stressed that the SBMA will be implementing strict security measures to keep Summer Siren drug-free and safe for everybody.

“We don’t want drugs to proliferate in the event, just like what happened in another concert someplace,” Eisma added. She said that she has urged the organizers to cooperate and for the SBMA Law Enforcement Department to be vigilant.
.
“Subic has previously been named by the Department of Tourism as the number one tourist destination in Central Luzon and we’re pushing for the Subic Freeport to retain this title. Summer Siren is really one ideal event that would push Subic’s tourism ranking even a notch higher,” Eisma added. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO

SBMA Administrator and CEO Wilma T. Eisma (right) signs a memorandum of agreement with Cedric James Valera, managing partner of TF Adventure Travel Inc., for the holding of the Summer Siren 2017 in the Subic Bay Freeport. The three-day beach festival will be held along Subic’s Waterfront Road entertainment strip. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More