Subic Bay, SBFZ, ex Naval Base

[Karl Welteke]

Subic Bay, 25 years have gone by that:

The Navy departed Subic Bay for good.

The Philippines have managed Subic Bay as the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ).

That is a long time, almost as long as my 30 year Navy career.

They did a good job, in my opinion! I was in Clark yesterday for the Veterans Day commemoration at the Clark Veterans Cemetery.

We gave up Clark Air Force Base a year earlier; my impression of the conversion of Clark to the Clark Freeport Zone by the Philippine Government and People is impressive. One sees all those huge buildings for manufacturing or other services. I walked thru the SM Mall in Clark and thought to myself. This Mall is outstanding, as good as anywhere in the world!!!!!!!!!!

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) which manages the SBFZ is celebrating and observing this 25 year Anniversary. This is the URL:

subicnewslink.blogspot.com/2017/11/sbma-kicks-off-25th-year-anniversary.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SubicBayNewslink+%28SUBIC+BAY+NEWSLINK%29

The below pictures and the write up is from the above URL:



Za361. SBFZ 25 Year Anniversary Celebration Kickoffs.

SBFZ 25 Year Anniversary Celebration Kickoffs.
PHOTOS:
(clockwise from left)

[1-2] SBMA officials led by Directors Tomas Lahom III, Stefani Saño and Julius Escalona lead the raising of the Philippine flag at the kick-off of the SBMA 25th Anniversary celebration on Monday, Nov. 6. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3] Tugboats execute a water salute near the Alava Pier during the kick-off of the SBMA 25th Anniversary celebration on Monday, Nov. 6. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[4] SBMA vehicles and a motorbike group join a motorcade during the kick-off of the SBMA 25th Anniversary celebration on Monday, Nov. 6. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

SBFZ 25 Year Anniversary Celebration Kickoffs, the article:

A helicopter dropping confetti from the air and tugboats giving water salute highlighted the opening of the month-long celebration for the 25th founding anniversary of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority on Monday.

Led by senior officials of the agency, the program officially started with a flag-raising ceremony that was followed by a motorcade from the SBMA administration building to the Harbor Point Ayala Mall where a job fair and a regional oratorical competition were held.
In his message during the opening program, SBMA Director Tomas Lahom III noted that the dream of transforming the former US Naval Base into a bustling free port like Singapore and Hong Kong has not yet been fully realized.

“Fortunately, the SBMA now has a chairman and administrator in the person of Atty. Wilma Eisma whose vision is that the agency can reach its target by the year 2022,” Lahom added. “So, perhaps, we should now aim to do in five years what we have thus failed to do in 25 years — the full development of Subic Bay.”

Meanwhile, SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations and 25th Anniversary Committee Chairperson Marcelino Sanqui said the theme “SBMA @25 Celebrating the Past, Forging the Nation’s Future” was chosen for the occasion in recognition of the historical role that the Subic agency has played in the economic growth of the country.

Sanqui pointed out that Subic literally rose from the ashes of the Mount Pinatubo eruption and the subsequent pullout of the US Navy in 1991 to become the premier free port in the country, and a model for military base conversion in the world. “If only for this, the SBMA has a very rich history worth remembering,” he added.
Under the month-long celebration, the SBMA has scheduled various events on the following dates: Nov. 11, 5:30 a.m. onwards — Color Run, Zumba Party, Water Salute (Waterfront Road); PAF Static Aircraft Display (Subic Bay International Airport);

Nov. 18, 7:30 a.m. onwards — SBMA LED Brass Band Exhibition, Games (Remy Field); SBMA’s Got Talent (Subic Gym); and Lighting of Christmas Tree (Boardwalk Event Center); Nov. 24, 8:00 a.m. onwards — Ecumenical Mass, Awarding of Pioneer Investors and Employees, Air Show, Water Salute (Bldg. 229/Waterfront Road); PMMA Silent Drill, PAF Band Drill (Mini Golf Open Field); Opening of Photo Exhibit and Memorabilia Display, Unveiling of New Museum (Harbor Point Ayala Malls); Float and Foot Parade (Waterfront Road); and Tribute to Volunteers, Fireworks Display (Volunteers Shrine).

Meanwhile, on Nov. 24 to 26, there will be the Subic Bay Grand Sale at the Remy Field and all tourism establishments in the Freeport, which shall also be the venue for the nighttime Entertainment Bazaar and Food Festival. The participating hotels, restaurants, theme parks, and shops will offer discounted prices on products and services, with booths offering items from Subic locators and the surrounding communities.



Za362. SBFZ Head Quarter Water Front for 25th Anniversary.

In front of the former Navy and present SBFZ Headquarters are signs and stages rigged in connection with 25th founding anniversary of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Left is the Hellships (or Hell Ships) Memorial. The decorations over the street are Christmas Lights which are put up all over the facility.




Za363. A stage in front of the SBFZ Head Quarter waterfront for the 25th Anniversary.

A stage in front of the SBFZ Head Quarter water front has been installed for the Anniversary of the 25th founding anniversary of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.




Za364. The Hellships Memorial is repaired and maintained.

The Hellships (or Hell Ships) Memorial is repaired and maintained, a week earlier I noticed that about 5 marmor panels were removed at the right entrance of the memorial and are remounted now. All the caulking is repaired or redone. I wondered what is going on. I contacted FAME but they did not know. I asked the workers. They said they were contract personnel from Olongapo and they were doing it for the SBFZ. That is significant to hear that the SBMA is doing this task, I was very glad to hear that.




Za365. The 12 Senators Monument who voted against retaining the bases.

The 12 Senators Monument who voted against retaining the bases is also being renovated.. It is also located at the waterfront in front of the former Navy and present SBFZ Headquarters. I notice a dredge, that is also significant, the waters at the end of the Alava Extension Dock are being dredged..

[Karl Welteke]

Time does not stand still in Subic Bay.



Za369. A US MSC Ship is in SBFZ, Subic Bay

This is one of many US Navy ships that visit the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ). It is an oiler type logistic ship but has much other stuff on board to supply the US Fleet. MSC stand for Military Sea Lift Command and it is run by the Navy. In the last 10 days I could recall about 10 vessels that have visited here. The sign in front says: Don’t Drink and Drive. It is that time again to remind people, the Philippines now have a law in effect, don’t do it!




Za370. A white US MSC Ship is in SBFZ, Subic Bay.

This is one of many US Navy ships that visit the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ). This must be a research ship. MSC stands for Military Sea Lift Command and it is run by the Navy. In the last 10 days I could recall about 10 vessels that have visited here.





Za371. Alava Wharf in SBFZ, Subic Bay.

Alava Wharf in SBFZ, Subic Bay, notice that MSC oiler and white MSC Research Ship. Notice all the sand along the sea wall; soon we will have a beach here, right? That landing in front is special to me. This was the enlisted boat landing; I stepped ashore here, for the first time in the Philippines in 1962. And I remember my first night ashore because I had Shore Patrol duty. At that time the Alava Wharf did not exist and our many ships always had to anchor.








Za372. A US war ship is leaving Subic Bay 2017-11-11.

The day earlier she was moored to the Alava Wharf; she had the hull number 93. The USS John S, McCain was here also a few days ago. And I seen 2 MSC ships way out, one must have been an Ammo ship.





Za373. A Dredging Barge in Subic Bay 2017-11-11.

The dredging barge is actual dredging and is discharging into a lighter barge. This is at the end of the Alava Wharf Extension. My ships, relative small Rescue, towing and Diving Ships, moored on this side (the inside) of the wharf and we certainly had to pay attention to the sand along the sea wall. I am glad to see the dredging being done.





Za374. The seawall, 1928 in the former US Naval Station Olongapo.

This is the seawall, 1928 in the former US Naval Station Olongapo. Later it became the Subic Bay Naval Station and then the Subic Bay Naval Base. I present this image to show that the sand along the seawall was not a problem yet as today in 2017. And the new Subic Bay management, SBMA is dredging around the Alava Wharf of the SBFZ.

[Karl Welteke]

USS John S. McCain Correction

I previously reported that she left Subic Bay. Sunday on the 12th of Nov. A friend reported that the lift ship Adventure with the USS John S. McCain just changed anchorage to the north end of Subic Bay and out of my sight.

I did not have time until the 16th Nov. to look for her.

Another friend said that the ship is waiting for installation of some sensor devices before heading to Japan.

Another acquaintance seen welding sparks.




Za375. The Lift Ship Adventure with USS John S. McCain on board at the North End of Subic Bay 2017-11-15.

This picture was shot from the Subic Town Calapandayan, which we Sailors used to call Subic City. Wow, that would have been a dream comes true, anchored of Subic City and one practically could swim to liberty at this infamous/famous Liberty Site/Place.




Za376. The Lift Ship Adventure with USS John S. McCain on board at the North End of Subic Bay 2017-11-15.

This picture was shot from the Subic Town Calapandayan, which we Sailors used to call Subic City. Wow, that would have been a dream comes true, anchored of Subic City and one practically could swim to liberty at this infamous/famous Liberty Site/Place. Zoomed in.

Note 1: Since the 12th of Nov. I was unable to access my web page where I host my forum pictures and I could not even see the older pictures when I opened this forum. Finally my internet provider showed up today and fixed some my problems, but not all yet.

Note 2: The last time I looked for the USS John S. McCain and saw her was on Thursday the 16th Nov. and I don’t know whether she is still here or not.

[Karl Welteke]

25th Anniversary, Subic Bay is back under Philippine Control

In Nov. 1992 The US returned Subic Bay to the Philippines.

A SIGNIFICANT MILE STONE in the history of Subic Bay!

This news item and these 6 pictures came from this URL, I subscribed to it. Maybe you would like to do it also:

subicnewslink.blogspot.com/2017/11/sbma-recalls-past-struggles-in-building.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SubicBayNewslink+%28SUBIC+BAY+NEWSLINK%29

2017-11-28
Hundreds of former volunteers and current employees and officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Friday recalled the hardship they overcame in building the first Philippine free port and renewed their commitment for a sustainable and more progressive Subic.

In a ceremony graciously attended by former heads of the agency, participants and guests in the culminating activity of the month-long SBMA 25th Anniversary Celebration remembered momentous events since Subic Bay Freeport was established in 1992.

If you like to read the whole article you have to go to the above URL.


PHOTOS:



Za463. Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, National Historical Commission Executive Director Ludovico Badoy and SBMA Deputy Administrator for Administration Ruel John Kabigting,


[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, assisted by National Historical Commission Executive Director Ludovico Badoy (left) and SBMA Deputy Administrator for Administration Ruel John Kabigting, unveils a marker authorizing the permanent hoisting of the Philippine national flag at the Subic Bay Freeport during the SBMA 25th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, Nov. 24. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)



Za464. SALUTE TO SBMA: Tugboats execute a water salute while Philippine Air force planes do a pass-by.


[2] SALUTE TO SBMA: Tugboats execute a water salute while Philippine Air force planes do a pass-by overhead during the SBMA 25th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, Nov. 24, at the Subic Bay Freeport. AMD/MPD-SBMA)



Za465. SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma and SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Ramon O. Agregado return a salute.


[3] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma and SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Ramon O. Agregado return a salute by honor guards during a pass in review held on the SBMA 25th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, Nov. 24. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)




Za466. Senator Richard G. Gordon, opens an SBMA memorabilia exhibit at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall

[4] Senator Richard G. Gordon, opens an SBMA memorabilia exhibit at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall during the SBMA 25th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, Nov. 24. Assisting him are, from left: former SBMA COO Rodolfo “Inky” Reyes; SBMA Directors Julita Manahan, Maria Cecilia Bobadilla-Bitare and Benny Antiporda; former SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza; SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations Mar Sanqui; and SBMA Port Marketing manager Ronnie Yambao. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)




Za467. Senator Richard G. Gordon and former SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza.


[5] Senator Richard G. Gordon and former SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza peruse SBMA memorabilia exhibited at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall during the SBMA 25th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, Nov. 24. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)



Za468. SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma joins a parade


[6] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma joins a parade of employees during the SBMA 25th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, Nov. 24. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[Karl Welteke]

In Subic Things Change All The Time



Za520. The Subic Bay Naval Station around the Main Gate in about 1980.

A friend sent me this picture recently and said it was from the 1980s. I lean more that it was in 1980





Za521. The Subic Bay Naval Station around the Main Gate in about 1980, marked-up copy.

A friend sent me this picture recently and said it was from the 1980s. I lean more that it was in 1980. I marked up this copy of things that I identified as still being here in 2017 and I can see, the CPO Club and the Sampoguita Club still stand but one can not see them from this vantage point.






Za522. The ex Subic Bay Naval Station (now it is called SBFZ) around the Main Gate in 2017, marked-up

Just outside the ex Naval Station Subic Bay the Shoe Mart Company (SM) built a 7 storey mall, I shot this picture from the 5th floor, one of the parking floors. I present it here to compare it with the 1980 picture. This is the reduced in size and marked-up copy.





Za523. The ex Subic Bay Naval Station (now it is called SBFZ) around the Main Gate in 2017

Just outside the ex Naval Station Subic Bay the Shoe Mart Company (SM) built a 7 storey mall, I shot this picture from the 5th floor, one of the parking floors. I present it here to compare it with the 1980 picture. This is the unmarked-up copy and it is larger.

[Karl Welteke]

The cruise ships are coming to Subic Bay, 2018-02-16



Za597. Cruise ship Costa Atlantica in Subic Bay, courtesy of subicnewslink.blogspot.com

Warmly welcomed by the Subic Bay community, the Italian-flagged cruise ship Costa Atlantica arrived here at 7:00 in the morning Saturday bringing in more than 2,000 passengers, mostly Chinese, to the Freeport.


Costa Atlantica’s visit is just the first of some 15 cruise ship visits expected in this Freeport for the year.

This is the URL of the news article:

subicnewslink.blogspot.com/2018/02/subic-becomes-next-cruise-ship.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SubicBayNewslink+%28SUBIC+BAY+NEWSLINK%29




Za598. Cruise ship Costa Atlantica in Subic Bay 2018-Feb. the 11th.

The news article is dated 2018-02-16 but I saw this cruise ship on the 11th Feb. 2018.in Subic Bay.

[Karl Welteke]

USS Bremerton (SSN 698) arrived at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone March 1




Za651. USS Bremerton (SSN 698) arrived at the Subic Bay

PHOTO:

The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Bremerton (SSN 698) arrives in Subic Bay Thursday morning, Mar. 01, for a routine port call after its deployment at the Indo-Pacific region. The visit of the 362-ft long vessel will be a chance for its 140 sailors and crew to have a few days of rest and recreation in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)


Photo and story is from this webpage:

subicnewslink.blogspot.com/2018/03/uss-bremerton-visits-subic-bay-during.html


Note from Karl: I saw the conning tower above Alava Extension Wharf on that date but due to operator error was unable to use my webpage for a few days.

[Karl Welteke]

VICTORY Liner announced bus services from Clark Airport to Subic Bay!



Za708. A Victory Liner Bus

VICTORY Liner Incorporated (VLI), one of the biggest bus companies in Northern Luzon, announced the start of Point-to-Point (P2P) bus services from Clark International Airport to Subic Bay in Olongapo and the City of Dagupan in Pangasinan.

P2P buses pick up and drop off passengers only at designated terminals. VLI operations manager Ronald Sarmiento said Victory Liner decided to provide this service to allow overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales and Pangasinan to travel to and from Clark International Airport, instead of having to go to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The picture and announcement came from our Subic Bay News Service –subicnewslink- Read the details here:

subicnewslink.blogspot.com/2018/03/victory-liner-starts-p2p-services-in.html

[Karl Welteke]

Subic Bay Images, Nov. 2017

I walk a lot and take pictures sometime. I put 26 images into this Photobucket album.

s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Philippines/No%202%20Phil%20Events%20Group%20Albums/2017%20SB%20OC%20BB%20ZAM/Subic%20Bay-Barretto%20Nov%202017?sort=9&page=1

Here are 7 sample images:





Za713. 2017-11-16 Baloy Beach, Barrio Barretto, Arizona Club started a new floating Bar from the bottom up.









Za714. 2017-11-16 View of the north end of the bay of Subic Bay

Za714. 2017-11-16 View of the north end of the bay of Subic Bay , we see the Subic Shipyard, associated with Singapore. They repair ships, it was the former PHILSECO Shipyard.





Za715. 2017-11-16 View of Hanjin Shipyard in the bay of Subic Bay.

Za715. 2017-11-16 View of Hanjin Shipyard in the bay of Subic Bay. That was the Green Beach before, the U.S. Marine training area and was home to the village Agusuhin.





Za716. 2017-11-17 The new or the 2nd SM Mall is rising in Olongapo City.

Za716. 2017-11-17 The new or the 2nd SM Mall is rising with Full Steam Ahead in Olongapo next to the Marikit Park. 





Za717. 2017-11-22 View of the mouth of the Matain River at the end of Baloy Beach, the ex Dizon Port.


Za717. 2017-11-22 View of the mouth of the Matain River at the end of Baloy Beach, notice the pilings for the mooring of Dizon Port, where ore of the Dizon Mine was loaded. The mine is across the Olongapo Mountains, north east, but can only be reached thru San Marcelino by car.





Za718. 2017-11-25 View of Barrio Barretto Beach towards the start of Baloy Beach

Za718. 2017-11-25 View of Barrio Barretto Beach towards the start of Baloy Beach, notice parts of the 1945 Navy Cargo pier sticking out, at low tide, in the foreground.



Za719. 2017-11-25 The Blue Rock Resort at Baloy Beach has a show event planed.

Za719. 2017-11-25 The Blue Rock Resort at Baloy Beach has a show event planed. Notice the Floating Bar behind the barrier. Once upon a time the Blue Rock was started by a fellow Chief Boatswains Mate and he called it Heaven II. He had run the Heaven Bar in Barrio Barretto during our Glorious Navy Days in Olongapo!

[Karl Welteke]

The Cruise Ship Costa Antlantica Visited Subic Bay on the 20th March 2018.

A friend wrote me this about the Costa Atlantica:

Guys,
Say good bye to the U.S. Navy ships, and say hello cruise liners. The cruise liner “Costa Atlantica” arrived this morning for a 9 hour (8am to 5 pm) stop over. With more than 2,000 Chinese tourist on board.
They had numerous tour busses to show them around the base, and the Ayala mall was packed with Chinese. I didn’t see any of them wondering off base.



Carlito


Then a few hours later he wrote me this:
Guys,
No sooner did one cruise ship leave, and another one pulls into Subic. This one was just a little bit smaller with only 1,500 passengers on board.

www.starcruises.com/ph/en/ships/gemini

Carlito

I saw the ship also and took pictures and I established an album in Photobucket:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/SBFZ%20Ex%20Naval%20Base%20Subic%20Bay/SBFZ%202016%20to%202019/Costa%20Atlantica%20in%20Subic%20Bay?sort=9&page=1

In Facebook, it has this URL:
www.facebook.com/karlwilhelm.welteke/media_set?set=a.10213363493555511.1073741860.1643946293&type=3

In this forum presentation I show you 6 images, the last one is from Carlito Pickering a long, long time friend:





Za729. Cruise ship Costa Atlantica in Subic Bay 2018-03-20.

Za729. Cruise ship Costa Atlantica in Subic Bay 2018-03-20. This photo was shot from the 5th floor, the parking floor of the 1st SM Mall in Olongapo. It is located just over the bridge from the former Naval Base Main gate.





Za730. Cruise ship Costa Atlantica in Subic Bay 2018-03-20.


Za730. Cruise ship Costa Atlantica in Subic Bay 2018-03-20. This photo was shot from near the ex Naval Base Fire Station; note the Spanish Gate.





Za731. Cruise ship Costa Atlantica in Subic Bay 2018-03-20.

Za731. Cruise ship Costa Atlantica in Subic Bay 2018-03-20. The cruise ship Costa Atlantica, looking thru the entrance gate to the Alava Extension Wharf. Notice the street signs at left. Left used to be the Naval Supply Depot HQ.





Za732. Cruise ship Costa Atlantica in Subic Bay 2018-03-20.

Za732. Cruise ship Costa Atlantica in Subic Bay 2018-03-20. The cruise ship Costa Atlantica, looking thru the entrance gate to the Alava Extension Wharf.; zoomed in. The building at bright is now a hotel and in the bottom is a 7/11 Store. To the right of that, out of view, is the former Naval Base Harbor Control Building.





Za733. Cruise ship Costa Atlantica in Subic Bay 2018-03-20.

Za733. Cruise ship Costa Atlantica in Subic Bay 2018-03-20. The cruise ship Costa Atlantica, alongside, moored to the Alava Extension Wharf, in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), the former Naval Base Subic Bay, zoomed in. To the left, out of view, is the former Naval Base Harbor Control Building.





Za734. Cruise ship Costa Atlantica in Subic Bay 2018-03-20, photo is from Carlito Pickering.

Za734. Cruise ship Costa Atlantica in Subic Bay 2018-03-20, photo is from Carlito Pickering. View of the cruise ship Costa Atlantica across the waters of the former Port of Olongapo, then the Naval Base and now the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ). I can’t help it but I have to add the following: In this direction, maybe 200 yards this way from the Costa Atlantica rests another cruise ship on the bottom, sunk in WWII, the Oryoku Maru. It started out from Manila with about 1500 Allied POWs in Japanese hands. When the war was over, less than 200 of those POWs survived, that is why the post-war war criminal trials were necessary!