Olongapo SubicBay BatangGapo Newscenter

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Synergizing local tourism through Subik-Subik

Synergizing local tourism through Greater Subik’s grand festival

Fortifying Central Luzon’s dominant role in revitalizing local tourism, the Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau (GSBTB), in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and participation from the local governments of Olongapo, Bataan and Zambales, spearhead yet another milestone contribution as they crown the region’s continued dynamism with a colorful three-day monumental fete.

Dubbed Subik! Subik! ’07 Festival, slated for Nov. 2 to 4, the grand social affair will feature a rich collage of day and night fun activities for all types of people. Originally conceptualized to formally launch the refashioned name Subik, which collectively refers to all provinces under the Greater Subic Bay, the “mother celebration” will gather various festivals and events regularly held in Subik to drum up both local and foreign travelers’ interests on the region’s vast tourist destinations and special vacationing come-ons. Aside from the panoramic sceneries and plethora of historical insights, non-stop entertainment, unique shopping experiences, tempting food specials and adrenalin-pumping water sports also await lucky pilgrims.

The festival will officially commence with an exhilarating 2.5-km and 5-km Fun Run competition, followed by the MOA signing among officials of SBMA, Olongapo City, Bataan and Zambales, to be witnessed by the Department of Tourism headed by Sec. Joseph “Ace” Durano, DTI, North Philippines Visitors Bureau (NPVB) and GSBTB at the Freeport Boardwalk, committing to continue the development of Subik into a major tourism destination. Premium commercial and dining experiences are also up for grabs, starting off with the formal opening of the three-day Subik! Trade Fair, which will showcase Bataan-Olongapo-Subic-Zambales (BOSZ) products and various presentations of BOSZ tourism activities, culture and attractions.

Foodies, chocoholics and wine aficionados will surely have their flavorful exploration at the featured commencement of The Great Subik Chocolates, Wines and Liquor ATBP. Sale!, a special three-day sales event for participating stores that promise to offer the lowest prices for premium chocolate and spirits. The commencement of The Great Subik Food Specials, a three-day affair, will also feature the Great Subik Buffet Lunch-Dinner special offering in participating hotels and restaurants at P299 net for buffet and P199 net for full-course meals.

Sightseers, meanwhile, can get a view of an ultimate street celebration through the Best of Subik Parade, a lively march from Magsaysay Boulevard to Boardwalk that will feature the synchronized exhibition of the Philippine Merchant Marines, a poignant historical reenactment of the Battle of Bataan, an original Ita-Itahan (Aetas), and floats of pageant beauties, among others. To capture the explosive initial phase of the festival, a stunning 30-minute fireworks display at the Boardwalk is set to delight evening spectators, with the runway competition of Miss Gay Subik…Queen of the Ramp and live band programs ensuing next.

Action-packed activities are day two’s treat for Subik’s sport buffs, starting off with an open water swim event (one-mile and 100-meter) at White Rock Beach. TRACMA Martial Arts Exhibition at the Boardwalk, meanwhile, will give karate fans a rare chance to meet Trovador Ramos, the country’s martial arts icon, who is the only man to beat Bruce Lee. Divers, on the other hand, can have free training on Wreck and Reef Check Training Program at the Scuba Shack. For non-sporting vacationers, free guided tours of BOSZ are available at the parking lot of Subic Diamond Casino. Unique holiday experiences for tourists further await at Dewey Avenue, SBFZ, for the event’s harness racing, followed by a dance showdown and battle of the bands at the Boardwalk.

Culminating the grand festival is day three’s main event: the banca and water sports races with free rides at Driftwood Beach in Bo. Barretto, Olongapo City, and the continuation of free guided tours.

“All are invited to join the Subik! Subik! Festival as it is bound to thrill everyone with its diverse activities. Guests not only get to explore Subik’s famed beauty; they are sure to embrace the whole event package, from the street-style merrymaking up to the amazing display of rich culture that can only be found in Subik,” George Lorenzana, GSBTB chairman, noted.

GSBTB, a private organization composed of proactive hotel and resort industry prime movers in Central Luzon, single-mindedly aspire to transform the provinces under Subik—namely SBMA, Olongapo City, Bataan, and Zambales—into “sustainable, ecologically sound tourism and vacation havens in the Asia Pacific region.”

GSBTB is closely working with the SBMA and the NPVB as they passionately strive in broadening Subik’s revenue-generating scope by attracting more inbound tourists. Apart from local balikbayans, also among Subik’s ardent foreign visitors are nationals of South Korea, Taiwan, the United States, and Europe.

“With DOT studies noting that 2007 is a significant year for the Philippines, we are positive that through our efforts in the Subik! Subik! ’07 Festival our fellow stakeholders in the various regions will also collectively and aggressively pitch in their vital share in further elevating the country’s tourism,” Armand C. Arreza, SBMA administrator, said.

NPVB’s Trustee Renie Ticzon of Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), in expressing their company’s participation, stressed that Subik! Subik! is a significant step towards rediscovering North Luzon as a major tourism destination.

GSBTB members include various stakeholders from tourism council officials and executives of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Ocean Adventure, Subic Safari, El Kabayo Riding Stables, Victory Liner, Duty Free Shops, all major hotels and restaurants; and members of the Bagac-Morong Resort Association, Bataan Hotel and Restaurant Operators Association, Olongapo Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Olongapo Chamber of Commerce and the Zambales Resorts Hotels Association.

Subik! Subik! Festival ’07 is also supported by Pepsi Cola, SMART, and the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS).

For more information on the upcoming Subik! Subik! ’07 Festival, you may call (047) 252-5212 or log on to www.greatersubik.com.

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