Holy Week arrivals rise at Subic Bay
World-class facilities, easy access and unique experience bring more visitors to Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -"Fully-booked and filled to the rafters." This was how tourism facility operators described the Subic Bay Freeport as they noted the huge volume of visitors that arrived here during the recent Holy Week.

Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (SBFCCI) president Danny Piano said that all of the hotels and housing facilities in the free port had registered a 100 percent occupancy rate during the Holy Week.

"All the hotels and housing facilities in the free port were already occupied as early as Wednesday. And those who couldn't find a room here stayed in Olongapo City or Subic town," noted Piano, who himself was not able to book some rooms for his guests who arrived from Manila on Holy Thursday.

Piano said that although there is almost no new attraction in the Subic Bay area, the popularity of the place as a tourism destination in the region is already a byword.

"You can compare Subic to Hong Kong, which introduces nothing new to tourists. Like the popularity of Hong Kong as a shoppers' haven, the Subic experience has already spread by word of mouth among travelers," Piano explained.

He added that most of the visitors from Metro Manila and Central Luzon were looking for a destination that provides easy access, world-class but affordable accommodations, shopping facilities, and a clean and secure environment.

"All these they could find in Subic," Piano noted.

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) deputy administrator for business Raul Marcelo, the convenience provided by the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) continues to drive tourism in the Subic Bay area.

Citing statistics released by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), Marcelo said that a total of 34,128 vehicles entered the Subic Bay Freeport from March 28 to April 4, bringing in an estimated 136,552 visitors based on a conservative estimate of four passengers per vehicle.
"While some of these vehicles just passed through the Freeport on their way to Olongapo City, Subic town or other places in Zambales, a lot have returned here for the duty-free shops, night life and entertainment, theme parks, and even their favorite food," Marcelo noted.

Marcelo added that this year's visitors were either regular visitors, or may have heard about Subic's popular Lenten tradition.

The Holy Week activities included a re-enactment of the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, which Catholics refer to as Palm Sunday; the "Pabasa" or chanting of the life, passion and death of Jesus Christ; the Mass of the Last Supper; the Visita Iglesia; the Good Friday grand procession; the 14 Stations of the Cross; the Veneration of the Cross; "Salubong", and the dawn Holy Mass on Easter Sunday.
Also part of the Holy Week observance in Subic were performances at San Roque Chapel by virtuoso violinist Coke Bolipata and the Pundaquit Virtuosi of Casa San Miguel on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

The public was also treated to "Heal Me Lord" healing concert on Good Friday at Subic's Boardwalk Park area. This featured popular singers like Jose Mari Chan, Karylle, Christian Bautista, Ricky Davao, Iza Calzado, Jacky Lou Blanco, and Kyla. (30)