Subic keen on becoming next cruise ship playground

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is keen on positioning its port to become the next playground for Royal Caribbean cruise ships starting next year.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, who met recently with Dr. Zinan Liu and other officials of Royal Caribbean International (RCI), said that the Subic community is hoping to generate more business with the growing cruise ship tourism industry in the Asian region.

“We hope that Subic would be the next cruise ship playground. And we are very excited over this prospect,” Eisma told RCI officials, as she briefed them on the potentials of the Subic Bay area as cruise ship destination.

“We can offer you the best tourism facilities and services for your passengers and crew, highly memorable and tailored tourism experiences to meet the expectations of your clients, and a safe environment that will be very conducive to your business,” Eisma added.

Liu, who is RCI’s president for China and North Asia Pacific Region, arrived in Subic on Saturday along with his assistant Anna Lian and company director Antonio Muresu, and escorted by Isabela Vice Gov. Antonio Albano.

Eisma brought the visitors to Alava Pier here, where the firm’s MS Oasis of the Seas cruise liner may dock once Subic is included in the ship’s Asian itinerary.

The RCI, which is a cruise line brand based in Miami, Florida and owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), a global cruise vacation company which controls 22 percent of the cruise market worldwide, is said to be scouting for newer attractions for the growing Asian cruise ship market.

Eisma, along with the SBMA Cruise Ship Technical Working Group, stressed that her administration is positioning Subic as the new Asian destination to meet such growing demand.

The MS Oasis of the Seas is said to provide some of the most modern cruise experiences today with facilities like the Central Park, Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place, and Youth Zone, which features a surf simulator, cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112 feet above the ocean, and zip line.

The ship can carry over 6,000 passengers and 3,900 crews and officers in its 16 passenger decks.

During the preliminary meeting with another RCI team headed by Capt. Nikolaos Antalis in November this year, it was noted that because of its gigantic size, Oasis of the Seas could only use the Port of Subic, among the many ports in the Philippines.

During their two-day stay here, Liu and the other RCI officials said they were impressed over the potential of the Subic Bay area, noting that it has attractions in culture, history and religion, aside from modern amenities.

Eisma toured the cruise ship officials around Subic Bay and brought them to see Zoobic Safari, Ocean Adventure, and Segara Villas on Saturday, and brought them as well to the famed Philippine heritage destination Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan last Sunday.

Last July, RCCL Vice President for New Business Development John Tercek also visited Subic to assess its readiness as a cruise ship destination.

Eisma said Tercek similarly cited the potentials of Subic and advised the SBMA to step up efforts in developing the free port to address the demand. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma briefs Royal Caribbean International officials during an ocular inspection of Alava Pier in the Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Royal Caribbean International president for China and North Asia Pacific Region Zinan Liu presents a miniature cruise ship model during the end of their two-day ocular of the Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Royal Caribbean Cruise team impressed with Subic potentials

Officials of one of the biggest cruise ship liners in the world came out visibly impressed after visiting the Subic Bay area over the weekend to gauge its potential in the international cruise tourism scene.

Dr. Zinan Liu, president for China and North Asia Pacific Region of the Royal Caribbean International (RCI), a cruise line brand based in Miami, Florida, arrived here on Saturday along with his assistant Anna Lian and company director Antonio Muresu.

Liu’s entourage was escorted by Isabela Vice Governor Antonio Albano, and was welcomed here by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma.

During their two-day stay here, Eisma accompanied the cruise officials on a tour of tourism sites in Subic Bay and also briefed them on local history and tourism features.

The tour included Zoobic Safari, Ocean Adventure, Segara Villas, as well as the famed Philippine heritage destination Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan.

Liu said he was impressed over the potential of the area and declared that the Subic Bay Freeport should be included in the Philippine itinerary of their cruise tours.

“Three days I’ve seen some ports in the Luzon region and I think it’s very attractive to Chinese,” Liu said. “We have only been here for a few hours, and from your presentation, I can already imagine that we can develop a tour suitable and appealing to different age groups.”

Liu also noted that the Subic area also has attractions for people interested in culture, history and religion. He said that the Subic Freeport’s modern amenities give it a unique quality not found among most free port zones.

“So I think we will be very interested in making Subic Freeport a part of the Philippine tour. Thank you for your presentation and we want us to work together and make a dream come true,” he told Eisma before the group departed Subic.

The group also visited Subic’s Alava Pier where passenger, as well as military, ships usually dock during their stay in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Eisma told the visitors that the SBMA plans to rehabilitate the docking facility even before the first cruise ship from Royal Caribbean International arrives in June next year.

An estimated P2.46 billion will be needed for the rehabilitation and development of the 15 piers and wharves here, which have been described as the heart and soul of the Subic Freeport. Eisma said the agency is currently asking for the inclusion of funds in the national budget to rehabilitate the ports.

The Royal Caribbean International cruise line brand is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), a global cruise vacation company which operates 24 ships in more than 500 destinations on all the seven continents and controls 22 percent of the cruise market worldwide.

As a global cruise vacation company, RCCL owns and operates three global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. It also has interests in the German brand TUI Cruises, the Spanish brand Pullmantur, and the SkySea cruises

Last July, RCCL Vice President for New Business Development John Tercek also visited Subic to assess its readiness as a cruise ship destination.

Eisma said Tercek similarly cited the potentials of Subic and advised the SBMA to step up efforts in developing the free port to address the demand. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Royal Caribbean International president Dr. Zinan Liu (center) poses with the Ayta tribesmen along with SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma during a visit to the Zoobic Safari theme park in the Subic Bay Freeport. Also in photo are (from left): Assistant to the president Anna Lian, Royal Caribbean director Antonio Muresu, Zoomanity CEO Robert Yupangco, and Isabela Vice Gov. Antonio Albano. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Royal Caribbean International president Dr. Zinan Liu readies his camera-phone as a tiger munches on chicken a few inches away during his visit to the Zoobic Safari theme park in the Subic Bay Freeport on Saturday. Beside him is SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma, who briefed him on tourism attractions in the Subic Bay area. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Freeport wins ‘Best Sports Tourism Destination in Asia’ award

This premier free port reaped the highest recognition as Best Sports Tourism Destination of the Year during the Third Sports Industries Awards and Conference Asia (SPIA Asia) held in Bangkok, Thailand on November 7.

With the tourism theme “Funtastic Subic Bay”, Subic bagged the gold award in the sports destination category, followed by “Visit Victoria” of Australia which received silver, and “Amazing Thailand” which won bronze.

Aside from this prestigious award, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) bagged the silver for Best Sponsorship of a Sport, Team or Event (USD$250,000), which was one of the 17 international awards given in the occasion.

The awards were received by SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado, SBMA tourism manager Jem Camba, and tourism officer Raquel Junio during the awards ceremony held at the Centara World Convention Center in Bangkok.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma said the award “validates efforts by the agency and the whole Subic Freeport community to elevate the local tourism industry and draw more visitors via sports events.”

“It also speaks well of the natural drawing power of Subic’s unspoiled environment combined with modern amenities that visitors find very appealing,” Eisma added.

Camba, meanwhile, said the award stands as an accomplishment for “Team Subic Bay” because Subic stakeholders gave their full support and best service for every sporting event held in the Freeport.

She also expressed gratitude to the Department of Tourism in Region 3 (DoT-3) and DoT-3 Dir. Ronnie Tiotuico for being supportive of Subic’s efforts to become the sporting capital of the Philippines.

Camba also explained that the SBMA received the Best Sponsorship recognition for sponsoring triathlon events here in 2014 to 2016.

Industry records show that the Subic Bay Freeport earned a ranking of 85.80 percent in the 2015 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship (APAC) overall satisfaction scores. The race ranking was just .09 percent shy of the global standard’s 85.89 percent and pushed Subic’s ranking above the Asia-Pacific standard of 83.95 percent.

The 2015 Ironman 70.3 APAC overall satisfaction scores placed Subic, along with Cairns in Queensland, Australia, at number six among the best triathlon sites in the Asia Pacific Championship series.

The list was topped in 2016 by Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia with a satisfaction rating of 90.20 percent. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado (left), Tourism Manager Jem Camba (2nd left) and Tourism officer Raquel Junio (right) pose with SPIA Asia Judge Cynthia Carreon after receiving two prestigious awards: gold for Best Sports Tourism Destination in Asia, and silver for Best Sponsorship of a Sport, Team or Event (USD$250,000).

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Subic becoming top pick for movie and TV location shoots

The country’s so-called theme park capital is also earning raves as a prime location spot for filming movies and television shows because of its lush forests, scenic beaches and coasts, strong bio-diversity, and unique environment moods.

Jem Camba, head of the Tourism Department of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), said that a lot of movie and TV producers and directors prefer to bring their production to Subic because of the unique environment provided by the former US Naval Base.

Celebrity Car Wars film shoot in Subic Bay 

“Subic has almost everything you need for your required locations. We have here forests and mountains, rivers and the sea, theme parks, factories and entertainment facilities, and the remnants of the former military base,” Camba pointed out.

“This is the reason why a lot of local and some foreign movies, as well as Filipino tele-novelas, are being shot in the Subic Bay Freeport,” she added.

Camba also noted that Tourism Promotion Board CEO Cesar Montano had recently noted that a movie and television studios can be developed in the Subic Freeport.

In an interview with entertainment editor Ricky Lo, Montano said that he told SBMA Chairman Martin Diño that Subic is a perfect place for some kind of a Universal Studios.

“Subic has everything you need,” Montano said, pointing out that it has an an airport, an ocean park, a rain forest, a zoo, a port, a highway and other things that a film location must have.

Amelia Torralba-Perez of the Mandala Video and Events Production, had also described Subic as an excellent place for location shooting.

“We can find everything here in Subic,” Perez said. “We have world-class accommodations, we have good food, and for the longest time we’ve been here, people in SBMA are not giving us a hard time. That is why we are coming back here with all of our projects.”

Perez was in Subic recently for the location shoot of the History TV series “Celebrity Car Wars”, an Amazing Race-like show with cars and celebrities from Asian nations who do extreme challenges on cars like drifting and off-roading.

Perez said that since 2005, she has been referring Subic as a location site for various television and movie production, such as the Discovery Channel, BBC, TV-series Jack Irish, as well as some American, Japanese and French shows.

In June this year, an episode of the documentary series entitled “Before the 90 Days” for American Network’s The Learning Channel (TLC) was filmed in Subic with contributors American Lawrence “Larry” Passariello and his Filipino girlfriend Jenny de Guzman.

Among the first movies shot in Subic was “Goodbye America” which was released in 1997. It was an action-drama that portrayed the closing of the U.S. military base at Subic Bay and how it affected the lives of the people in the surrounding communities and the Americans who had served in the base. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA posts P614.28-M earnings in just 4 months

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) continues to generate positive revenue figures this year, recording a total of P615.28 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in just the first four months of this year.

SBMA Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the Subic agency’s various strategic units contributed a total of more than P1 billion in operating revenues in the said period for a 9.5 percent increase over the P919.6 million posted last year.

Minus the operating expenses of P313.5 million and bad debts account of P78.2 million, Eisma said the SBMA managed a P56.9 million increase over the 2016 EBITDA of P558.3 million for a 10.2 percent increase in earnings.

“We’re very much optimistic that while 2016 was considered a banner year in SBMA finances, we just might be able to top that at the rate we’re going this year,” Eisma said.

“The SBMA is actually riding an upward trend that began in the past few years, and I believe we can sustain that and that further growth will continue,” she added.

According to a comparative report from the SBMA Finance Group, agency earnings increased further this year compared to 2016 records. The agency’s net income, for example, surged by 148 percent from P18.5 million in the first quarter of 2016 to P46.76 million in the first quarter of 2017.

The biggest revenue contributor among the SBMA business units as of end-April this year was the Port Authority Group, which delivered P476.4 million in the first four months. The Business and Investment Group followed with total revenue of P426 million; Public Services Group, with P67.5 million; Regulatory Group, with P18.38 million; the Chairman and Administrator’s Group, with P9.25 million; and Support Services Group, with P7.19 million.

The biggest increases as of end-April this year over figures in the same period last year came from the Business and Investment Group, which posted close to P55 million in variance, and the Port Authority Group, which provided an increase of P17.85 million.

Meanwhile, the SBMA Tourism Department reported a 28 percent increase in revenues from visitor and tourist arrivals, as well as hotel occupancy, from January to April this year.

A report from SBMA Tourism showed a total of 894,603 visitors and 161,046 tourists arriving in Subic in the first four months. These figures represented respective increases of 70,648 and 30,284 over 2016 arrivals.

The 2017 arrival figures included some 289,600 visitors who arrived in the Subic Freeport for the Holy Week.

According to the report, the increase in the number of visitors and tourists this year generated actual revenues amounting to P2.74 million, which is 28% higher than the P2.1 million revenue record last year.

Among the events that generated much tourism traffic in the first four months this year are the arrival of the luxury cruise ship MS Bremen, and the three-day Summer Siren beach music festival that was held here in May. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] A cargo ship unload at the New Container Terminal and the Sattler Pier in the Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Visitors saunter along the waterfront during the Summer Siren beach festival, one of the recent tourism crowd-drawers at the Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Freeport eyes more cruise ships

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is looking forward to the arrival here of more cruise ships under its “Tourism Star” development agenda to promote Subic’s tourism potentials and maximize its attractiveness as a world-class tourist destination.

SBMA Administrator and CEO Wilma Eisma made this announcement on Monday following the arrival here of MS Bremen, an expedition ship operated by the German tour giant Hapag Lloyd Cruises.

“With the recent port call of the MS Bremen, we have proven once again that the Subic Bay Freeport can easily be a preferred destination for cruise ships,” Eisma said.

“This is really fortuitous for us, because under our Tourism Star program, the SBMA seeks to promote Subic as the next cruise ship playground, alongside other objectives like creating a Subic tourism brand and expanding existing tourism programs,” she added.

The 111-meter long MS Bremen docked at the Alava Wharf last Friday, bringing more than 150 tourists, as well as a complement of ship crew that included some naturalists.

The visitors were welcomed at the dock by the SBMA brass band, as well as tourism staff waving flaglets. SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma was also around during the reception and gladly received a ship memento from Ship Captain Roman Oprist.

“This is the first time that we had docked in Subic Bay Freeport,” Oprist told Eisma. “We have already travelled to Java and Borneo, and this is our next stop.”

Oprist said the MS Bremen is a cruise ship operated by Hapag Lloyd since 1993. He said the ship is an expedition ship of a special kind because it was designed to navigate where other cruise ships fail — on thick ice or in shallow waters.

He added that the four-star vessel carries only a maximum of 160 guests during its cruise.

During its Subic Bay visit, some passengers of MS Bremen visited the Pamulaklakin Forest Trail where they witnessed demonstrations of jungle survival techniques by the local Ayta tribe, while others went to the Zoobic Safari theme park.

Eisma said that with plans to upgrade the ports and wharves inside the Subic Bay Freeport, the Agency is working to attract more cruise ships to this premier Freeport and tourism center.

“Subic has got what it takes to be a cruise ship playground. And the arrival of Bremen is a good sign,” Eisma added. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTOS: (Clockwise)

[1] The Bahamas-registered MS Bremen cruise ship is moored by dock hands at the Alava Pier during its arrival on Friday at the Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] A brass band welcomes the arrival of the MS Bremen cruise ship at the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday, signalling a warm welcome to this tourist destination that aims to become the next cruise ship playground in Southeast Asia. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3] SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma receives a ship memorabilia from MS Bremen captain Roman Oprist, following the arrival of the Bahamas-registered Hapag Lloyd Cruises vessel at the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[4] An Ayta elder at the Pamulaklakin Ayta Village in the Subic Bay Freeport demonstrates tribal bushcraft to tourists from the MS Bremen following their arrival in Subic Bay on Friday. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Freeport gears up for holy week events

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PHOTOS:

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

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

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Subic Freeport gears up for summer-long activities

With the successful holding of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Beach Volleyball Tournament and the Tribal Games here, this premier Freeport once again showed that it is now prepped for summer-long activities.

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator, Atty. Wilma Eisma, the agency’s Tourism Department has planned numerous summer-fun activities that will maintain this Freeport as the top tourist destination of Luzon.

The Summer Siren Festival rises in Subic Bay on May 12-14

“Aside from the usual crowd drawers like the Ocean Adventure Marine Theme Park and Zoobic Safari, Subic Freeport has much to offer. One of the highest number of tourist activities is the occupancy of hotels that have swimming pools and beaches,” she said.

And with the addition of the new Moonbay Marina Wave Pool, expect the influx of tourists to increase, she said. She also pointed out that the area is home to some of the pristine beaches in Luzon, including the Camayan Beach Resort, Adventure Beach, All Hands Beach and the Anvaya Beach Resort.

“There is really never a dull moment when you’re here in Subic Freeport. If you plan to have a more adventurous summer vacation, you could stop by at the Networx Jetsports Subic Bay that has a hoverboard, parasailing, and jetski rentals,” she said.

                                            The new Moonbay Marina Waterpark and Resort

Other fun activities that tourists can do during their stay in the Subic Freeport are to go to Tree Top Adventure and try the rides high above the ground. Zipline rides such as the Canopy Ride, the Superman Ride, the Silver Surfer, and Interactive Freefall are just some of the activities tourists can enjoy.

Meanwhile, for the tourist who is more into nature, Subic Freeport offers a glimpse of how to live like an Aeta tribesman of the old where they can cook food and rice using bamboos, go trekking at the Pamulaklakin Trail that is full of trees, or just simply go bird watching at the Apaliin Trail.

“With these much activities, we will surely be hailed as the top tourist destination in Central Luzon, and probably be among the top tourist destination in Luzon,” Eisma said. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

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