BSCS Tour 2024

Exploring Subic: A Journey Through SBECC, PAGASA Weather Station, SBMA Seaport Department, and First Aviation Academy

By Sunshine O. Casido | June 18, 2024 Tue

Subic, Olongapo, Zambales is roughly a 3-hour ride from Metro Manila. I finally saw the tollway that was a meme on Facebook about how the people from the city would feel like artistas when they go back home to their province up in the north. I had to take the pictures going through Bulacan, Tarlac and Pampanga (as far as I know) while we were on our way to Subic. It was fun to travel while observing the Google maps with its accurate tracking. I remember our stop over at the Lakeshore Pampanga and I posted a story of my photo at it; I captioned it "Good morning, Bulacan!" We had a good laugh over it.

Lakeshore Pampanga, NLEX Tollway RFID, Roadtrip view

Subic Bay Exhibition & Convention Center

When we arrived to Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo, Zambales, Subic Bay Exhibition & Convention Center was the first landmark we visited. It was an amazing itinerary. We enjoyed the venue and the glorious paintings in their huge canvases. However, in all honesty, it was quite a short stop that we made there. So, unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to make a full round throughout all the exhibit. We could only take a few pictures and selfies of each other too.

We then took off in our bus and we met Ms. Karen Kayron Love Montenegro who guided and lectured us all about the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. She taught us its history and how it's been governed until today. She also mentioned that Subic Bay is tax-free or exempt from wharfage dues and export tax, duty, impost and fees and it is the Philippines' first free port. The United States used to operate a Naval base in Subic Bay, the largest naval installation in the Philippines. The area suffered heavy damage during World War 2. It was taken by the Japanese in and retaken. We passed by the mesmerizing views of the Subic Bay International Airport. Ms. Karen lectured that most establishments are built flat and wide because Subic Bay has a soft ground. These buildings are the remains of the US Naval base.

During our ride to Subic International Airport, Ms. Karen was guiding us through Subic when something amusing happened. She pointed and said, "There it is, the Subic Spanish gate," and I quickly snapped a picture of the white fortress-like building. However, moments later, we spotted another gate that's literally just right beside it, this one brown in color. Ms. Karen then clarified that the brown gate was actually the Subic Spanish gate. My friend and I burst into laughter at the mix-up.

First Aviation Academy

We then proceeded to its neighbor, the First Aviation Academy (FAA) where exhibits of aircrafts, two seater planes its parts, were displayed. There's also Redbird flight simulators inside FAA. It was really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be let in an aviation school where they had flight simulators. We were let out at their aircraft yard where we got to see memorable aircraft parts like propellers and its engines. We could take pictures while inside the cockpit of their light aircrafts. Sir Dave Del Rosario lectured us about the FAA if, in case, we were interested in enrolling at FAA. You can watch the video down below.

PAGASA Weather Station

At PAGASA Weather Station, we were lectured about the Practical Operation of Aeronautical Meteorology on Subic Bay International Airport for efficiency & safety of Air Navigation and Aerodrome Operation. I know, it sounds just like word vomit. But we were filled with knowledge of PAGASA operations especially in Subic Bay International Airport. Basically, they monitor the weather and read results which are information also accessed by the pilots and others concerned to keep everybody safe in the air until they manage to touchdown. The most memorable part of Mr. Arnel G. Gonzales's lesson to us was about the tailwind and headwind and why takeoffs and touchdowns sometimes blow people off if they are not in a safe distance from the airplane.

Vessel Traffic Management System

Our adventure ends in this last itinerary where we were lectured about the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS), a marine traffic monitoring system that uses Radar, in their office in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. At SBMA Seaport Department, we were guided by Engr. Jerome D. Saddi. Firstly, he let us inside their monitoring room where the VTMS monitors are all at. There were a few engineers working their, keeping eye on the Subic Bay territories. Taking pictures of the monitors wasn't allowed but I still remember how cool the VTMS looked. It mapped the entire Subic Bay until the borderline where they have rights and they know every ship and boat that goes around. All the ships have Automatic Identification System (AIS) with it which allows the SBMA Seaport Department to track local and foreign and take account for all kinds of information and intent. Basically, they play a big role for the security of the whole Subic Bay and its major ports.