Sante Barley rules Unilad Active Tri United 1; PLDT is 2nd

SANTE Barley Tri Team aggregated 26 hours 36 minutes and 11 seconds as it emerged the inaugural team champion of the Unilab Active Health Tri United 1 series at the Subic Bay Freeport over the weekend. PLDT Bike King clocked 26:47:27 at second spot, with Fitness First (27:11:53) rounding out the podium finishers. Times of Mervin Rencel Santiago, Robinson Esteves, Jojo Macalintal, Jason Paul Gaviola, Junrox Roque, Lylian Grace Banzon, Julla Timan, John Patrick Rivera, Robert Jonah Rivera and Jesus Joey Marcelo counted for the winning squad. Pre-race...

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All Set For Tri United

Over 600 triathletes from across the nation will vie for supremacy in the Unilab Active Health’s Tri United 1 on Sunday at the Subic Bay Freeport. Organized by Raul Cuevas’ BikeKing and held in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department and presented by Unilab Active Health, the event will officially kick off the 2013 season of the 4-leg Tri United series. Events on tap are Standard Distance (1.5 Km swim, 40 Km bike,10 Km run), Sprint (750 M swim, 20 Km bike, 5 Km run) and Teens (750 M swim, 20 Km bike, 5...

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Uzbeks among early arrivals for Asian boxfest

THE Uzbekistan youth team is flying in Thursday ahead of everybody else in preparation for the 2013 ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships which fires off March 10-17 at Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) gym. The Uzbeks are expected to be led by recently named national coach Mars Kucharov who steered the Korean boxing team to a silver medal finish in the London Olympics. Kucharov has also previously trained boxers in Taiwan...

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Subic to host ASBC Youth boxing tourney

Scenic Subic Bay will provide a breathtaking backdrop to the fierce action set to break out March 10-17 when the ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships kicks off in this coastal municipality of Zambales. With 26 Asian countries sending their fighters 17-18 years of age for the 10-weight division slugfest at the Subic Bay gym, no less than officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority are getting ready for the forthcoming ring combat and the influx of foreign athletes. “We want to highlight this as a world class event,” said...

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TRAP program comes to the fore in Subic tilt

THE Triathlon Association of the Philippines’ successful technical resources development program comes to the fore when the K-Swiss Subic Bay ASTC Asian Triathlon Championships 2013 is staged on April 27-29. Tom Carrasco, TRAP president and POC chairman, said the association has been “focusing on the development of technical officials since we started the Subic Bay International Triathlon in 1993 and its heartening the see fruits of our efforts.” TRAP secretary-general Mon Marchan, a level 3 ITO (the apex of the International Triathlon Union...

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Foreigners impressed with Subic’s transformation

Dignitaries from India and the Myanmar visited this free port on separate occasions recently and left visibly impressed with the transformation of Subic from a military base into a bustling economic haven. Indian Ambassador Amit Dasgupta, who met with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia, said they are giving Subic high importance in terms of business potentials. “It is a great place and I think it contributes...

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Tri United race returns to Subic

ANOTHER season of excitement and endurance is all set to start with the launch of Unilab Active Health’s 2013 Tri United series of races with Tri United 1 at Dungaree Beach, Subic Bay Freeport on March 10. Other than an all-new, scenic location, endurance tests await 600 participants who have signed up to compete in the Standard Distance (1.5 Km swim, 40 Km bike, 10 Km run), Sprint Distance (750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run) and Teens Distance (750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run) events. Swimming and transition will be at Dungaree Beach while...

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More Subic Bay Investors Eyed

The Subic Bay Development Management Center (SBDMC) disclosed that if this premier Freeport could provide an increasing supply of reliable and cost-effective power, more investors are expected to establish their businesses here. According to SBDMC President Jeff Lin, administrator of the Subic Bay Gateway Park (SBGP), power costs represent a huge chunk of the cost of conducting business here. The Subic Bay Gateway Park is a world-class industrial park offering approximately 150 hectares of prime industrial land, and is host to about 80 direct...

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2013 a productive year for Subic - SBMA chief

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia announced several huge projects for Subic Bay Freeport this year. Garcia said most of the negotiations with different investors done last year would be pushing through in 2013. Resom Resort Co., Ltd project in Minanga, in Morong, Bataan was sidelined because of a land dispute but this year, but Garcia said it will pursue three major builds. Garcia said the first will be a multi-million dollar luxury hotel at the former mini golf area along the famous waterfront road. The...

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HK yachtsman wins Subic Bay to Boracay Race

Hong Kong-based yachtsman Frank Pong made mincemeat of the competition to snatch provisional honors in the Subic Bay to Boracay Race on Monday. Pong steered his Reichel Pugh 76 Jelik to the unofficial victory with a time of eight hours and 59 minutes, just a fraction of the time it normally took a yacht to navigate the 210-nautical-mile course. Jelik was ahead of Geof Hill’s Smith 72 Custom Antipodes. Filipino businessman Jude Echauz’s TP52 Standard...

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PPA calls for serious study on decongesting Manila ports

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) yesterday sought a more thorough study on how to make “more utilizable” the largely under-utilized Subic and Batangas ports. Such study, the PPA said, would balance the interests of such stakeholders as port and terminal operators, exporters and other shippers, shipping lines and cargo forwarders. Decongesting traffic to and from the Manila ports and rerouting cargoes to Subic and Batangas ports “is a way to go forward,” PPA general manager Juan Sta. Ana admitted in news briefing as he announced the holding...

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Subic Bay to Boracay race begins

The race from Subic Bay Freeport to Boracay Island is on! Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) deputy administrator for tourism Raul Marcelo sounded the horn here at 12:00 noon on Saturday to mark the start of the Subic Bay to Boracay Race, sending sailors to take advantage of a good easterly breeze of 20-22 knots to position themselves ahead of the pack. Local and foreign yachtsmen from the Asian Yachting Circuit are participating in this...

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23 countries vie for ASBC Youth crown

Powerhouse China, North Korea, former Soviet republics, and the Middle Eastern bloc, including war-torn Syria, are among 23 countries that have confirmed their participation in the 2013 ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championship set March 10 to 17 at the Subic gym. As many as 25 nations, including host Philippines, are expected to send their finest boxing youths to the tournament, and this early Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Macau, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Chinese Taipei, Turkmenistan, Iran, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia,...

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Elite triathletes due for Subic event

A BIG field of more than 300 elite and age-group triathletes coming from 27 Asian countries will converge at the Subic Bay Freeport in late April to compete for honors in the K-Swiss Subic Bay ASTC Asian Triathlon Championships 2013. Set on April 27-29, the event has attracted among others, 2012 SUBIT champion and London Olympian Bai Faquan (China), Yuichi Hosoda (Japan), Jiang Zhihang(China), Ryosuke Yamamoto (Japan), Harunobu Sato (Japan), Kim Ji Hwan (Korea), Shohruh Yunusov (Uzbekistan) and former ITU world champion Dimitriy Gaag (Kazakhstan). Leading...

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Futsal fever invades Subic

Futsal, the five-versus-five indoor variant of football, has reached Subic Bay with no less than Ayala’s Harbor Point Mall serving as venue for a 10-day football clinic for kids who wanted to learn what is touted to be the world’s most popular game. Argee Gomez, Harbor Point marketing manager, said the Harbor Point Futsal Clinic will be held at the mall’s activity center from March 5 to April 4. It will be open to kids aged six to 12. The twice-a-week...

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Subic Maintains Competitive Port Fees

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) decried reports claiming that shipping costs in this premier Freeport will increase as soon as the government reroutes their traffic from the port of Manila to here. SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said contrary to figures being floated around, the SBMA services are as competitive as that of Manila’s. He said that Subic’s rates are meant to attract ship operators to use the Port of Subic. With an aggressive stance in promoting this premier Freeport as the go-to cargo and container port terminal in Central...

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Strike Hampers Subic Port Operations

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – A strike by employees of the Malayan Towage and Salvage Corporation (SALVTUG), led by the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), almost crippled this seaport operations here over the weekend. Six vessels, including a US naval supply ship, were left at the open sea waiting for their escort tugboats that were docked due to a strike initiated by SALVTUG employees. The loss of service to these vessels would have meant a loss of millions of pesos worth of income for the government. In a text message, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority...

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Subic Freeport hosts 1st SEA Marine Mammal Stranding Network Symposium

Marine biologists from ten Southeast Asian countries pooled their expertise here since Monday to establish a network that would effectively deal with the growing incidence of marine mammal stranding in the region. The 1st Southeast Asian Marine Mammal Stranding Network Symposium and Workshop held at Camayan Bay Resort here on February 4-9 drew 50 marine mammal stranding experts and scientists from the Philippines, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Japan,...

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Subic tourism school holds eco-kayaking course

Kayaking enthusiasts from various provinces in the country took to the water here recently, not to compete in a race, but to learn about how their favorite activity could help in promoting tourism in the Philippines. The course, spearheaded by the Subic-based International School for Sustainable Tourism, consisted of a three-day training on kayak paddling, kayak guiding, and kayak safety with an emphasis on eco-tourism. The course took advantage...

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2012 BIR & BOC tax remittances hit P7.62 billion in Subic Freeport

Tax collection agencies in this country’s premier free port have turned over to the national treasury a total of P7.62 billion in taxes collected from January to December 2012. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia said the amount was derived from taxes collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Garcia said the combined collection of BIR and BOC here has consistently increased in the last four years, showing growing profitability among Freeport-registered locators. ...

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USS Stockdale to Arrive in Subic Bay

MANILA – USS Stockdale (DDG-106), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, will arrive in Subic Bay on Tuesday, February 5th for a routine port visit. This stop in Subic will permit the Stockdale to replenish supplies as well as offer its crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation. “Visiting Subic Bay provides us with a great opportunity to continue the long-term relationship between the Philippines and the United States and that is...

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SBMA releases P72-million revenue share to neighbor LGUs

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will release this month a total of P72 million in revenue shares to the seven municipalities and one city that are located near this premier free port. According to SBMA chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia, the funds to be given to neighboring local government units (LGUs) were derived from two percent of the corporate taxes paid by registered Subic Freeport enterprises from June to December 2012. Since August 2010, the SBMA, under a new tax collection scheme, began directly receiving two percent...

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SBMA Targets $800-M 2013 Investments

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) expects $800 million in investments this year, a strong turnaround from an estimated $200 million in 2012, with two new shipbuilding facilities to be established by EU firms and major tourism projects. SBMA chairman and administrator Roberto V. Garcia said this year would be a turnaround year from the poor investments performance last year. "We expect $800 million in new investments this year because more investors are coming in. Last year was poor because all we have were mostly inquiries from foreign...

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Patillan, Echauz Top YOG Elims

Olongapo bet Jimuel Patillan outlasted Cebu's Justin Liam Chiongbian in a wild rush to the finish to rule the second Youth Olympic Games (YAG) qualifying tournament yesterday at the Dungaree Beach in Subic. In topping the event, Patillan summoned his remaining energy in the final 200 meters to beat out his rival. Organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department, the race was staged in a new distance of 500-m swim, 20-k bike and 2.5-k run with Patillan...

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USS Cheyenne arrives in Subic Bay

USS Cheyenne (SSN 773), a Los Angeles-class submarine, arrives in Subic Bay today (February 1st) for a routine port visit. This stop in Subic will permit the Cheyenne to replenish supplies as well as offer its crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation. The USS Cheyenne, named after the town of Cheyenne, Wyoming, is assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet. It is home-ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The Cheyenne, commissioned in 1996,...

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2 European firms to invest $600M in shipbuilding

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Roberto Garcia yesterday reported that two European companies will invest $600 million building small ships in Subic, encouraged by the success of Hanjin Heavy Industries. Garcia declined to elaborate further, saying that inquiries were made last year. Garcia said during a break in the Philippines Ports and Shipping Conference at the Manila Peninsula yesterday that Subic has become an ideal investment destination for maritime and tourism. He also reported that SBMA was able to turn around from 2011’s...

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Subic Hosts SEA Marine Symposium

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT - With the frequent stranding of whales and dolphins in the country, many wildlife conservationists will be holding the first-ever Southeast Asian Marine Mammal Stranding Network Symposium and Workshop here. Slated in the first week of February, the two-part event is made possible by the Ocean Adventure, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong and Wildlife in Need in collaboration with the University of the Philippines, Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology and the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network. An...

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International sailing races return to Subic Bay

Subic will again host prestigious international regattas this year when the Subic Bay to Boracay Race kicks off here in February and the Commodore’s Cup promises to wow spectators and sailors alike in April. The Subic Bay to Boracay Race, which is followed by the Boracay Cup Regatta, will be held on February 15-22. The two races are jointly organized by the Saturday AfternoonGentlemen Sailing (SAGS) group based at The Lighthouse Marina Resort...

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Budget allocation eyed for locators’ subsidy

The government will seek budget allocation to continue the subsidy enjoyed by three big projects in Clark and Subic. Outgoing Trade Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio said the government is preparing a program that would effectively continue the industry competitiveness fund (ICF), providing it with a strong legal support like including it in the succeeding general appropriations act (GAA) of the country. The ICF, which expired in March 2011, was granted to Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp. Philippines in Subic Freeport, Texas Instruments Philippines...

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Subic solar energy firm gets DOE accreditation

A company based in this free port is gearing up to become a leading player in the country’s renewable energy program after receiving accreditation from the Department of Energy (DOE). Bandacorp Solar, Inc., a registered locator here in the Subic Bay Freeport, was granted a DOE accreditation that entitles it to avail of incentives such as zero-percent value added tax rate, tax- and duty-free importation of components and parts and materials, and...

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