Subic Bay Yacht Club's Christmas tree lighting ushers in Yuletide Season

Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC) has officially ushered in the Yuletide season with its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the SBYC front driveway.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino and SBYC Commodore Eduardo Aliño spearheaded the ceremonial switching of the light.  

 

Paulino said that the lighting of the Christmas tree along the half-a-block long decorations in front of the SBYC is a Subic Bay Freeport (SBF) tradition to kick off the Yuletide season here, which the SBYC has been known for—making the biggest Christmas decorations in the entire SBF.

The lighting ceremony was also graced by SBYC Vice Commodore Ronnie Del Rosario, and was celebrated by Bishop Most Revered Bartolome Santos from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Iba, with hundreds of SBYC staff, guests, and tourists flocking the event.

The Olongapo City National High School Performing Arts sang Christmas carols during the event, as hundreds of on-lookers gathered at the façade of the SBYC.

 

This year, all departments of the SBYC presented their own Christmas decor concepts, ranging from the classic are the Nativity Scene, huge Santa Claus, a Winter Forest, a Christmas train coming out of large boxes adorned with polar bears, a snow globe with a life-sized Santa Claus, and a Frozen themed boat.

During his message, Paulino said that the only time people around the world observe ceasefires from conflicts is during the Christmas season. He said he is hopeful that everyone would forget their personal differences and become one with God during this season.

Meanwhile, Commodore Aliño expressed his gratitude to the chief executive for supporting the event, citing that the agency has always been on board and provides the necessary assistance in its endeavors, which helps in the promotion and development of companies inside the SBF.

The display, which is an annual project of SBYC employees, is supported by certain Freeport corporate sponsors, and is lighted up each day at 6:00 p.m.  This is also open for public viewing. (MPD-SBMA)

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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)

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Subic jumpstarts Christmas season with Hawaiian-themed Christmas display

A Hawaiian-inspired Christmas display at the Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC), with a giant yellow pineapple forming the centerpiece, jumpstarted the Christmas season in this Freeport and provided a cheerful preview of the coming holidays despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, together with SBYC Commodore Juan Miguel Macapagal Arroyo, switched on the Christmas lights last Friday and toured the outdoor displays laid out along one block of Subic’s main thoroughfare, the Rizal Highway.

Aside from the two-story high pineapple, the lighted displays included a native-themed Nativity scene, stars, as well as Hawaiian tiki masks and palm trees.

The display is an annual project of SBYC employees, with support from some corporate sponsors in the Freeport.

During the switching-on ceremony, Eisma expressed hopes for a better holiday season celebration this year, pointing out that the continuous vaccine rollout by the Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with the SBMA had resulted in more Freeport workers and residents being vaccinated.

“I am very, very happy to note that Covid has not stopped us from observing this tradition, which has always ushered the Christmas season here in Subic. And this is a very, very good sign because it points us to one direction—and that is, to try to get back to what normal is,” Eisma said.

Arroyo, meanwhile, stressed that the intention of the displays is to lift the spirits despite the pandemic.

“For us, the lighting of the Christmas tree in Subic, specifically the Subic Bay Yacht Club, has been an uplifting experience spiritually because it connotes the coming of the Christmas season,” Arroyo said. “During this season, we are reminded of God’s glory. And we need it more than ever due to Covid.”

Arroyo also thanked Eisma for her leadership and for the SBMA’s Covid response, and for getting workers vaccinated so that business may go on as usual.

The Subic Bay Yacht Club Christmas displays are lighted each day at 6:00 p.m. and are open for public viewing.  (MPD-SBMA)

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