SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Despite the heavy torrential rain that clattered on the roof of the venue, Spartan Philippines represented by their race coordinator Mike Reyes together with SBMEI (Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc.) co-founder Scott Sharpe and SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) Chair & Administrator Amy Eisma opened the press conference for the Spartan Trifecta Weekend at Camayan Beach.

The two-day event which is scheduled for September 15 and 16, will feature all three signature Spartan courses (hence the Trifecta name): Sprint, Super, and the much awaited Beast race – which will be held for the first time in the Philippines.

Mike Reyes related that Subic Bay Freeport has long been considered as a destination for the Spartan race. With its picturesque scenery and remarkable terrain strewn about with both man-made and natural structures, he said that the Freeport perfectly suits its role as the venue for the finale of the months-long Southeast Asia leg of the Spartan Race. He also disclosed that he is very much looking forward to how the racers will react to the course and gave assurance that it will be something that Spartans will enjoy.

As the representative for SBMEI’s multiple brands (Ocean Adventure, Camayan Beach, and Adventure Beach), Scott Sharpe expressed his appreciation for the amount of support he has received from the SBMA. Earlier in the week, the joint team reviewed the proposed route for the race which will originate from Camayan Beach. Together with representatives with various SBMA Offices and Departments, the organizers also thoroughly discussed the arrangements they have to set up to ensure that all considerations (traffic issues, parking, accommodation, ecological, logistics) are taken care of.

Atty. Eisma conveyed her gratitude to Spartan Philippines for choosing Subic Bay Freeport as the venue for the Trifecta Weekend. With over 5,000 participants expected to partake in the race, the whole event serves to solidify Subic Bay’s role as the endurance sports capital of the country.

While she had no plans to join the race, she related her and her office staff’s penchant for organizing and running through their own Obstacle Course Races (which they did just the previous week at the tennis center). According to her, the experience is always reminiscent of her childhood play activities around her neighborhood.

In the end, she reminded the organizers that while she wishes for the success of the event and the enjoyment of the participants, safety must be paramount. With the monsoon season still at its height, she cautioned against the perils of holding an activity in inclement weather. The organizer thoughtfully agreed and assured her that the event can be rescheduled in such extreme cases and that there are emergency plans in place.

After the press conference, representatives from Spartan Philippines, as well as registrants from the audience, ventured out of the function hall into the heavy rain for the free workout session. True to the Spartan spirit, the participants’ soldiered on and enthusiastically performed their drills despite the weather. It was a sight to behold and a preview of the activities for this coming September.

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FPB 72 MKII. The first of 4 new patrol boats for the Philippine Coast Guard arrives on August 8, 2018. Photos by the Philippine Coast Guard.

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) first of 4 new patrol boats from France arrived in Subic Bay Seaport on Wednesday, August 8.

This is the first of 4 new boats made by French shipbuilder OCEA for the Coast Guard. Two others will be arriving this year and another one next year.The FPB 72 MKII is a 24-meter fast patrol boat with a maximum speed of 28 nautical miles per hour and a capacity for 12 crew members and 16 passengers.

The boat that arrived Wednesday is slated for commissioning on August 23 at the Coast Guard headquarters in Manila.

Aside from the patrol boats, the PCG will also buy an 82-meter Offshore Patrol Vessel.

The overall acquisition cost is P5.142 billion.

The patrol boats were acquired through an agreement between the Department of Transportation and French shipbuilder OCEA on September 9, 2014.

The deal includes training, provisions of spare parts, and technical assistance.

The 2nd and 3rd patrol boats are expected to arrive in September and November this year. The 4th vessel is expected to arrive in January 2019. – Rappler.com

Source: Rapler

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(left to right) SBMA Chair & Administrator Amy Eisma, Spartan Philippines Race Director Mike Reyes, and SBMEI founder Scott Sharpe answer questions during the press conference for the Subic Bay leg of the Spartan SEA Championship.

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Spartan Race, the world’s largest obstacle race and endurance brand, is coming to Subic Bay this September 15 and 16 for their inaugural Trifecta Weekend in the country.

The two-day event which will commence at Camayan Beach will feature all three Spartan races: The Spartan Sprint, a 6 km+, 20-obstacle+ course; the Spartan Super, a 13 km+, 25-obstacle+ course; and the Spartan Beast, a 21 km+, 20-obstacle+ course. Participants who are able to complete all three courses will obtain the much sought-after Spartan trifecta medal.

The event serves as the grand finale for the Southeast Asian Championship which kicked off last March at Singapore. Moreover, the Subic Bay leg of the SEA Championship will offer the only Spartan Beast course in the entire series. As such, Spartan racers from around the country, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, as well as from Australia and Europe, will be coming to the Freeport.

The Spartan Beast, which will be held on September 15, will offer the elite, age group, and open categories while the Spartan Sprint and Super course, both of which will be held the following day, will only offer the open category.

The top ten male and female racers from the elite category, the top five male and female finishers in the 14 – 17, 18 – 24, and 50+ age groups, and the top ten male and female entrants in the 25 – 29, 30 – 39, and 40 – 49 age groups will earn their spots in the 2018 Asia Pacific Championships in Johor, Malaysia on December 2018.

In addition, the top three racers in both the elite and age group categories will qualify in the Regional Championship as well as the World Championships in Lake Tahoe at the end of the year.

For more information on Spartan Race Philippines, visit the official website at www.spartanrace.ph.

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By JONAS REYES

Photo Credit: www.luxuo.com

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – A Swiss cruise line plans to make this Freeport its next cruise destination.

The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Cruises, led by Port Operations Assistant Ian Meachem, met with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Wilma T. Eisma and other officials last week.

Eisma welcomed Meachem and Wallem Philippines Shipping, Inc. Asst. General Manager Antonio Calingo Jr. as the three parties discussed the possibilities of MSC Cruises making Subic Freeport one of its port stops in Asia.

Meachem said there are certain requirements that need to be fixed before the company commits to making Subic one of their ports, but added that the tourist spots in Subic and around the freeport are enticing.

Eisma presented the officials of the cruise company and the shipping company the areas where most of the tourists can visit. She added that SBMA has plans to make the town of San Antonio, a contiguous municipality, a cruise ship docking area near the pristine beaches of Zambales.

MSC Cruises, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is the world’s largest privately owned cruise company and the number one cruise line in Europe, South America and South Africa.

The company offers a vast array of year-round sailings in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Seasonal itineraries cover northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, Cuba and the French Antilles, South America, southern Africa, and Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman.

source: pressreader.com & Manila Bulletin

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DEATH OF DEMOCRACY? Supporters of Olongapo Mayor Rolen Paulino brought in front of city hall 3 signifying the death of democracy in Olongapo. Photos by Randy Datu/Rappler

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines – Olongapo City Mayor Rolen C. Paulino, Vice Mayor Aquilino Cortez, Jr., 8 city councilors, a former councilor and 5 department heads subject to six months suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman signified their intent to refuse the service of suspension of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) until the Court of Appeals decides on their application for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).

Speaking before government workers and officials during the flag ceremony on Monday, August 6, Paulino said the Ombudsman’s decision to suspend them for 6 months over misconduct was unfair.

“While we respect the rule of law, we will not step down until our appeal has been decided by the CA,” said the two-term mayor.

Paulino and Cortez are joined by the following:

Councilor Noel Atienza
Councilor Linus Bacay
Councilor Benjamin Cajudo II
Councilor Edna Elane
Councilor Eduardo Guerrero
Councilor Alreuela Bundang-Ortiz
former councilor Ellen Dabu,
ABC president Randy Sionzon
IP representative Egmedio Gonzales Jr.
City administrator Mamerto Malabute
City planning chief TK Balde
City accountant Cristiflor Buduhan,
City legal head Ana Florentino Sison
City budget chief Joy Fernandez Cahilig
They were earlier ordered suspended for 6 months by the Office of the Ombudsman for Simple Misconduct in relation to the city government’s lease of land to SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPHI). There were alleged irregularities in the 25-year lease of government property to SMPHI.

Paulino claimed the heavy punishment over a minor procedural lapse was unjust.

“Such offense normally merits a penalty of a mere reprimand to one month suspension at the most, the mayor said. “Why impose 6 months suspension on us?” he asked.

Paulino clarified all the original charges filed against them have been dismissed by the Ombudsman.

He appealed to the authorities to respect their decision as they want to wait for the CA’s decision on their appeal.

“We believe the decision to suspend us for 6 months was unfair but if the CA says otherwise, then we will follow, but not until the court rules on the TRO,” Paulino said.

Supporters of Mayor Paulino have started arriving and have massed infront of the city hall since morning after rumors floated around saying the DILG will serve the notice of suspension on Monday.

Some supporters even placed 3 coffins infront of the city hall, which Paulino followers say is a symbol that democracy in Olongapo is dead.

Cortez appealed to the crowd who for support as he reminded them of the year 1998 when he was with Sen. Dick Gordon, then Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chair, who was being ousted by an Administrative Order No. 1 of President Estrada.

The vice mayor, however, said the difference with that period is that now he is on the opposite side as he and other city officials attempt to fight what they consider an unfair order by the Ombudsman.

Both Cortez and Paulino were formerly two of Gordon’s assistants at the SBMA.

source: www.rappler.com

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