Construction of 'Holy Land' theme park starts in Subic Freeport

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -Construction of the P250-million "Holy Land Subic" theme park formally kicked off over the weekend at the heart of a 20-hectare project site near the security plaza of this free port's Tipo gate.

Inspired by biblical events and carefully planned to fit the natural terrain of the area, the Holy Land Subic Theme Park and Sanctuary project is expected to make Subic a unique pilgrimage destination, said Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza.

"This will be the first of its kind in the country," Arreza said during the project groundbreaking. "We expect that after about one year of construction work, visitors would be enjoying Bible tours right inside the forests of Subic," he added.

According to Ma. Basilia "Maribi" Garcia, project proponent and concept director of the non-stock, non-profit Holy Land Subic Foundation, Inc., the park "will become the new Jerusalem in this part of the country."

"This is the realization of our dream of having a place like you could find in Jerusalem," said Garcia, who is also co-founder and president of Bethesda Healing Ministry. "We thought it should be constructed near Manila so that more local and foreign tourists could visit without worrying about accessibility. And Subic just came to mind," she said.

Garcia also recalled that when she proposed the project to SBMA officials in June 2003, she was given 10 areas inside the free port to choose from, but for some reason she didn't pick any.

Thereafter, while looking for a perfect location for the Holy Land project, Garcia reportedly dreamed of "Mama Mary" giving her guidance about the location. Two weeks later, Bethesda conducted an outreach mission in Pastolan, an Aeta community inside the free port, and it was then that the tribal council offered them a portion of land as site of the project.

"It was the perfect place," Garcia said, after seeing the offered location.

In February 2010, the SBMA board of directors approved the proposal for the project and a contract was signed between the foundation and the SBMA.

According to the project proposal, the theme park will be divided into two areas: a rest and recreation center, and a prayer and reflection sanctuary that will be both operated as non-profit facilities.

"There will be only very minimal entrance fees to pay for the service crews and utilities. Part of the earnings will be used for food for the soul and body of underprivileged Filipinos," Garcia noted.

Among the attractions to be seen in the park are a Bible Museum, an amphitheater for concerts, Noah's Ark, a "Jonah and the Whale" facility for kids, a Bible Theater for puppet shows, a "David and Goliath" rock climbing facility, a "Trip to Heaven" obstacle run, and a "Sea of Galilee" fishing area.

There will also be larger-than-life sized "Way of the Cross" features leading to a mountain where a giant-sized figure of the Resurrected Christ will be built as the fourteenth station.

Meanwhile, Jewish foods will be sold in food carts manned by Aeta tribesmen who will be trained under the Bethesda Spring of Hope Livelihood Program for the Indigenous People.

"Most of our crews will be hired from the Aeta tribal community as our way of thanking them for helping us find this place," Garcia said.

Aetas will also be hired as forest rangers, jungle guides, foot massage therapists, housekeeping staff for hotels and housing units, and park attendants.

This park, Garcia assured, will be a unique creative interpretation of the Bible that will be "made fully alive through sight, sound, touch and the quiet atmosphere of a sanctuary."

"It will complement, rather than become a replica of, the real Holy Land in Jerusalem. May it be a crowning glory for God and the Philippines," Garcia said. (30)