COLLECTIVE is a quarterly publication of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority. TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 BCDA, DND break ground for P1.5-B Army site in Tarlac 6 New Clark City named PHL’s top sports tourism venue 8 McDonalds PHL to give workers free jabs 10 PHL Army, BCDA inaugurate new fitness hub in Laguna 11 Snapshots: A round-up of events and milestones in the past quarter 12 GMR Group thanks BCDA, DOTr, PHL gov’t 14 Saving the Earth one ride at a time 16 A taste of Hong Kong in Manila 18 Of trails and treks
ON THE COVER
23
With its rugged trails and canyons, Clark is the thrill seeker’s next favorite spot.
BCDA, JHMC award lease agreement to Filinvest Group for Baguio property
24 Trudging through 26 Employees first 28 My Street High Street: Bringing back the pleasures of the outdoors 30 Icon: Clark Loop
Gregorio D. Garcia III CHAIRMAN
Vivencio B. Dizon PRESIDENT AND CEO
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Leilani
Barlongay-Macasaet EXECUTIVE EDITOR Vanessa Abellon MANAGING EDITOR Marie Therese Cimafranca ASSOCIATE EDITOR Valore Jaime Veneracion STAFF WRITER Denver Moreno CONTRIBUTORS Patria Iane Balilla, Chrisee Jalyssa dela Paz, Ryan Carl Mangubat, Mary Grace Padin Clark Development Corporation John Hay Management Corporation Poro Point Management Corporation PHOTOS Clark Development Corporation, Che Vienes Equine Photography,
McDonald’s Philippines, Gazebo View Park, Moovr PH, Kung Fu Master Cooking, Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation, Samuel Luke Galivo CIRCULATION Samuel Luke Galivo
@THEBCDAGROUP 2 Collective / Issue 12
EDITORIAL ADDRESS
BCDA Corporate Center 2/F, Bonifacio Technology Center 31st Street cor. 2nd Ave. Bonifacio Global City Taguig City, Philippines CONTACT NO.
(632) 8575-1700 FAX
(632) 8816-0996 E-MAIL
bcda@bcda.gov.ph WEBSITE
www.bcda.gov.ph
NEWS
BCDA, DND break ground for P1.5-B Army site in Tarlac By Valore Jaime Veneracion
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he Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Department of National Defense (DND) are targeting to transfer the Army Support Command (ASCOM) facilities in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig to a new P1.5-billion project site in Camp Servillano Aquino in Tarlac City by 2022. BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vince Dizon, Defense Assistant Secretaries Manuel Ramos and Josue Gaverza Jr., ASCOM Commander Major General (MGen) Glenn Cruz and Northern Luzon Command Chief Lieutenant General (LtGen) Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. led the groundbreaking rites on February 23, 2021, at Camp Aquino, paving the way for the construction and development of a 29.8-hectare lot there. Under the four-phase development plan, 44 structures will be built, including multiple headquarters facilities, officers’ quarters, barracks, a warehouse, student classrooms, and transportation and maintenance battalion areas. “BCDA has been working closely with DND and the Armed Forces over the years to make the vision of modern ASCOM logistical facilities a reality,” Secretary Dizon said. “We feel that this is a sound investment, which not only puts ASCOM in a better position to serve the military, but also opens up new opportunities for the national government to generate much-needed revenues by developing the 4 Collective / Issue 12
soon-to-be-vacated Army areas in Fort Bonifacio.” In line with its mandate, under Republic Act 7227, to generate funds for the DNDArmed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program, BCDA, together with its joint venture partner SM Prime Holdings, Inc., has been preparing the development of the 33.13-hectare Bonifacio South Pointe Property inside Fort Bonifacio. Of this prime lot, some 11.5 hectares is currently occupied by ASCOM, as well as the Service Support Unit (SSU) and the Division Administrative Command Center (DACC), all under the Philippine Army (PA). Under the BCDA-DND/AFP memorandum of agreement signed by Secretary Dizon and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in February 2017, both parties agreed that, “To implement the planned disposition and development of Bonifacio South Pointe by BCDA, there is a need to clear the property from its present occupants and existing facilities.” The DND and the AFP identified the relocation site in Camp Aquino. For its part, BCDA is responsible for the construction of structures and facilities, as well as the engagement of consulting services for engineering design and construction management. Speaking on behalf of the Armed Forces Chief of Staff LtGen Cirilito Sobejana,
LtGen Burgos Jr. said the AFP recognizes the role of the BCDA as a prime mover of national development by transforming former military bases into premier centers of economic growth. “The transfer of ASCOM here at Camp Aquino is very timely as it will not only boost the unit’s capabilities to carry out its mission and functions, but it also reinforces its thrust to sustain personal readiness and enhancement of its operations, and even gain momentum towards modernization,” LtGen Burgos said. He added, “ASCOM plays a very significant role in the Armed Forces and the PA because they provide the logistical support to all the Army units not only in Luzon but also in Visayas and Mindanao. This is why ASCOM should be situated in a strategic location, like here in Camp Aquino.” ASCOM Commander MGen Cruz said that compared to Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, Camp Servillano Aquino is a more strategic location for logistics support and
the deployment of support services. “Considering the congestion in Metro Manila, the ease of our movement and security of our access from one place to another has already been affected,” MGen Cruz said. “The new ASCOM area provides us with easier and more efficient logistics operations.” ASCOM’s mission is “to provide proactive, integrated, and sustained quality logistics support services to Philippine Army units.” Since May 1993, the BCDA has remitted PHP 71.99 billion to the Bureau of the Treasury and contributed a total of PHP 49.19 billion to the Armed Forces (as of 2020). The Armed Forces is the biggest recipient of the BCDA contributions to the government, bankrolling the military’s modernization program for nearly three decades. Collective / Issue 12 5
NEWS
New Clark City named PHL’s top sports tourism venue By Patria Iane Balilla
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he world-class sports complex in the New Clark City was cited as the 2019 Sports Tourism Venue of the Year, at the 4th Philippine Sports Tourism Awards (PSTA), held on December 10, 2020, at the Clark Marriott Hotel in Clark Freeport, Mabalacat, Pampanga. Already on its fourth year, the PSTA recognized “exemplary sports initiatives from the public and private sectors,” which have shown “interest and deep conviction in promoting sports tourism in the country.” In a recorded message played during the award ceremony, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat noted that the Philippines successfully hosted the 30th South East Asian (SEA) Games in 2019, and the “New Clark City was put on the map as a world-class venue for sports tourism and a center for national sports development.” Secretary Romulo-Puyat added, “We’d like to thank Secretary Vince [Dizon] for that. Beyond sports, the city’s development of roads and infrastructure paved the way for its transformation into the country’s newest hub for business and government.” Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Vince Dizon highlighted that the New Clark City hub—the first modern sports complex developed by the government since the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex was built in 1927—will
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benefit present and future generations of athletes. “Our athletes and all our aspiring athletes and sports enthusiasts can use these facilities, train in them, use them for events,” Secretary Dizon said in a video message, played during the PSTA rites. “Our athletes no longer need to travel abroad to use world-class facilities and qualify for sporting events all over the world.” He added that the athletes can use these facilities and “show that the Filipino is a force to reckon with in international sports.” “Thank you very much to the Sports Tourism Awards for this honor and recognition,” he said. “And we promise all of our athletes that we will continue to develop this brand new city so that in the next couple of years, not only will we be able to host the South East Asian Games, but we can aspire to host bigger international sporting events in the future.” The award was received by the BCDA Vice President for Business Development Arrey Perez. The New Clark City was the main venue of the 2019 SEA Games, where the athletics and aquatics events were held. The sports complex features a 20,000-seater athletics stadium, with a 400-meter nine-lane track and field oval, a six-lane warm-up track, and an indoor track. The 2,000-seater
aquatics center has a 10-lane Olympic-size swimming pool, a diving pool, an inland diving training facility, and a warm-up training pool. The New Clark City also has its own 525-unit Athletes’ Village, which can accommodate up to 1,500 athletes. It is equipped with a basketball court, swimming pool, and fitness facilities. The New Clark City sports facilities will also be used by future student-athletes of the National Academy of Sports—which is targeted to be operational by October
2021—and other educational institutions to be established in the New Clark City. Clark Freeport Zone, meanwhile, was awarded Sports Tourism Destination of the Year by the PSTA for the third time. Clark was the venue for other 2019 SEA Games events, including archery, rugby, baseball, softball, dance sports, petanque and lawn bowl. A haven for cyclists, runners, triathletes, other athletes and sports enthusiasts, Clark received the same award in 2015 and 2018.
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NEWS
McDonald’s PHL to give workers free jabs By Chrisee Jalyssa dela Paz
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cDonald’s Philippines is one of several private companies that will provide free COVID-19 vaccines for its employees, to complement and accelerate the national COVID-19 vaccination rollout. This forms part of the whole-ofgovernment, whole-of-society approach that the national government has employed in its COVID-19 response. “We [McDonald’s] have procured enough vaccines for our employees for free,” McDonald’s Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Yang told over 300 employees and franchisees who attended a vaccination webinar, held on February 24, 2021. “We will also help our supplier partners and franchisees to secure vaccines for their organization. We will certainly point you to the right agency. [Being vaccinated against COVID-19] is something we owe not just to ourselves but to the society. This will help the country get back on its feet and rebuild what we have lost during this pandemic.” The vaccination webinar is part of the fast-food chain’s efforts to help the government fight the pandemic through the national vaccination rollout program. National Task Force against COVID-19 (NTF) Deputy Chief Implementer and Testing Czar Vince Dizon, Department of Health (DOH) Director Dr. Beverly Ho, 8 Collective / Issue 12
and member of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) Dr. Nina Castillo-Carandang, joined the virtual event to address concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, and to provide updates on the government’s vaccination rollout. Despite the limited global supply of COVID-19 vaccines, Dizon said the Philippines is still on track to vaccinate up to 50 million Filipinos by the end of the year: “About 80% of the vaccine supply for 2021 has already been taken up by more developed countries. Despite the challenge, we are ready in terms of supply and rollout.” He added, “The major driver of the nationwide rollout will be the local government units [LGUs]. The national government has also partnered with the private sector in terms of proper handling of the vaccines.”
Safety inside the camp
Although the government has ramped up efforts to secure COVID-19 vaccines, concerns and public skepticism about the safety and efficacy of available vaccines remain. Citing surveys conducted by her group, Dr. Carandang said, “In the Philippines, 49.8% of individuals reported they will get a vaccine once available. Most
likely, influencers who will help increase vaccine acceptance are the World Health Organization (61%), health workers (53%), family and friends (44%), and politicians (24%).” Dr. Carandang added that NITAG would like the general population to achieve high and equitable uptake of COVID-19 vaccines by acquiring information from trusted sources, emphasizing the need to engage with local communities.
Message of love
For Dr. Ho, the common goal of public and private sectors is to ensure that all eligible Filipinos will be vaccinated. Dr. Ho assured that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines far outweigh the potential risks of adverse reactions, as well as the risk of developing severe COVID-19 or death. “Majority of COVID-19 vaccine adverse reactions are mild,” Dr. Ho said. “Reactogenic reactions include pain, tenderness, and swelling, and can be managed with supportive care. Mild
allergic reactions, such as rashes, can be managed with antihistamines.” She said that vaccination centers are well-equipped with the proper medications necessary to manage immediate allergic reactions. Doctor Ho added that while vaccine development is a long and complex process, which takes 10 to 15 years, “scientists globally and locally agreed that the EUA (emergency use authorization) approved COVID-19 vaccines today are safe and efficacious. We are in a state of emergency. At this point, the benefits of these vaccines outweigh the risks. Once you decline [to get inoculated], you just need to know it might take a while before you get your turn.” Vaccine experts concluded the webinar by urging McDonald’s employees and franchisees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, not just for themselves, but also for their loved ones and the community. “It is a message of love not of self care.” Dr. Carandang said. “You can make an informed choice. It is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. It is not only for you. It is for everybody else.” Collective / Issue 11 12
NEWS
PHL Army, BCDA inaugurate new fitness hub in Laguna By Ryan Carl Mangubat
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elping troops to stay physically fit during the pandemic, the Philippine Army’s 202nd Infantry (Unifier) Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) recently inaugurated a new fitness hub in Laguna province. Brigadier General Alex Rillera, commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade, led inauguration rites for the new facility on February 23, 2021, at the Army’s headquarters in Barangay West Talaongan, municipality of Cavinti. The project was initiated by former brigade commander, Lieutenant General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. The joint project was launched to foster fitness, fun, and strong bonding among the officers and enlisted personnel at the base, while keeping them physically ready to secure peace in the Calabarzon region. “BCDA is one with the military community in rising above the pandemic and the challenges that lie ahead,” BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vince Dizon said. “As a testament to BCDA’s commitment, our contribution to the Armed Forces of the Philippines over the past four years has already reached PHP 15.16 billion, exceeding the previous 10 Collective / Issue 12
administration’s PHP 13 billion overall contribution.” Dizon assured the brigade and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that the fitness hub is just one of the many initiatives that the BCDA, under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, has lined up to support and honor our soldiers’ sacrifices in the name of freedom and democracy. BGen Rillera said, “The BCDA has long served as our partner in rendering selfless service to the Filipino. Your continuous support has truly been helpful in the AFP modernization. This project will not only make our soldiers physically fit to face the vicious Covid-19, but it will also help them to relieve the stress brought upon by continuous hard work to serve our country.” As part of its mandate under Republic Act 7227, BCDA generates funds for the modernization program of the AFPDepartment of National Defense (AFPDND). It has contributed a record-high PHP 15.16 billion to the AFP in four years, under the administration of President Duterte— surpassing the previous administration’s PHP 13 billion overall contribution.
SNAPSHOTS
March 1, 2021
Symbolic vaccination at Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center and Sanitarium
February 28, 2021 Arrival of 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine
March 3, 2021
Symbolic vaccination at St. Lukes Global City
March 4, 2021 Arrival of AstraZeneca vaccine from COVAX
March 9, 2021
Symbolic vaccination at Ospital ng Malabon
Collective / Issue 12 11
SMART CITIES
GMR Group thanks BCDA, DOTr, PHL gov’t By Mary Grace Padin
ndia-based GMR Group, the world’s I fourth biggest airport developer, expressed thanks to the Bases Conversion
BCDA and Philippine government officials during the recent handover ceremony of the CRK-NPTB. The private consortium of GMR with and Development Authority (BCDA), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and Megawide Construction Corporation, known as Megawide-GMR Construction the Philippine government for enabling Joint Venture Inc. (MGCJV), wrapped up it to finish works on the New Passenger Engineering Procurement and Construction Terminal Building (NPTB) of the Clark (EPC) works on the 110,000-square-meter International Airport (location identifier: project in October 2020. CRK) in Pampanga, ahead of schedule. Bommidala expressed optimism that the Srinivas Bommidala, business chairman new passenger terminal will spur economic of the GMR Group, said that the timely growth across the Philippines. He said that completion of project deadlines despite the Clark International Airport will serve as the challenges posed by the pandemic would not have been possible without their the catalyst that will transform the larger Clark economic region and other areas. support and guidance. He added, “As an important gateway in “We [GMR Group] can very clearly the Philippines, Clark will be one of the see in the near future a bustling Clark key engines of economic growth for the region, supported by a capable airport country, and it is our honor that we have and rail connection for the Metro Manila region, both of which are products of your been able to contribute to this growth, and to the development of the Clark hard work and clear direction-setting,” Bommidala said in a video message to International Airport.” 12 Collective / Issue 12
“
Clark will be one of the key engines of economic growth for the country, and it is our honor that we have been able to contribute to this growth, and to the development of the Clark International Airport.
“
SRIVINAS BOMMIDALA, BUSINESS CHAIRMAN OF GMR GROUP
Gratitude to the president and CEO MGCJV Project Director Karri Lacha Reddi expressed thanks to Mr. Vince Dizon, BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer, for his guidance. “Sir [Vince], we will remember you for your inspirational hard work, and cycling around the holidays, and providing inputs for our improvement,” Reddi said. “I still remember that President Vince has installed a telescope to monitor our progress in his office at One West Aeropark [in the Clark Freeport Zone]. You are truly inspirational and made us believe in ourselves—that we can do it together.” A joint project of the DOTr and the BCDA, the Clark International Airport terminal project is the first hybrid publicprivate partnership (PPP) project under the government’s Build Build Build program. Bommidala commended the Duterte
administration for completing over 17 projects, which he described as an “unparalleled achievement.” Participating in the administration’s Build Build Build program, he said, “further increased the faith and commitment of foreign investors” in the Philippines. CRK-NPTB’s operations and management will be handled by the Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp. It is currently preparing the new terminal for full operations, targeted in June 2021. The Clark International Airport is envisioned to be Asia’s next premier gateway, and should help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila. With the new terminal, the airport’s passenger capacity will increase from the current four million to 12 million per year. Collective / Issue 11 12
LOCATORS
SCAN ME!
Saving the Earth one ride at a time By Vanessa Abellon
n 2017, Anna Moncupa had just come I back to the Philippines after finishing her post graduate studies abroad, when
the BGC, told us that a bike-share program has been in their pipeline since 2015. From then on, they have studied and met with an idea popped into her head. Back when several different bike-share operators, but she was living in Los Angeles, California, nothing much came of these meetings. It she made the most out of using personal wasn’t until Anna presented her team’s mobility devices (PMD) to make her way project proposal, when the plans started across the city. She figured: why not bring materializing. the concept home? The BGC, even during its planning stage, After formulating her plan, she and her has always been envisioned as a smart city. team started negotiating with various They have been one of the pioneers and providers, who could help them deploy an strongest advocates of traveling by foot or app-based, ride-sharing program. With due by riding a bicycle, a pertinent campaign diligence, they prepared the estimates and for a company that constantly aims for waited for the right time to launch. sustainability and environment-friendliness Fast forward to the year 2020, when the in its projects. Bonifacio Global City (BGC), in Taguig Anna says, “It was truly a partnership City— where Anna lives—began building with BGC, from incubation to more infrastructure that allowed for safe implementation. That’s the secret sauce cycling and personal transport inside the for me: having a partner that really works complex. “It was then, I knew, the time had alongside you, with the same values come for the Philippines to have such a and intentions. We wanted the same facility,” Anna recalls. things and had the same goal to bring inclusive mobility and simple solutions to ‘BGCitizens.’ We wanted to offer the best Partners for the environment The facility is called Moovr PH, the first possible ride-share program without the PMD-sharing application in the Philippines, unnecessary hullabaloo.” offering bikes and e-scooters for rent. Anna is the company’s founder and general Moovr PH manager. While Moovr PH is not the first bikeThe Fort Bonifacio Development sharing program in the country, it is the Corporation (FBDC), the main developer of first mobile app that offers both bikes and 14 Collective / Issue 12
e-scooters for rent. Anna reiterates, “We didn’t exactly reinvent the wheel. We just found a simple, yet elegant solution to put all these things together, and make it accessible to everyone.” The app is very much inclusive. The users just need to download it on their mobile phone, top up their wallet, and scan their preferred PMD to unlock and start a ride. Once they’re done, they can park their device on any of Moovr PH’s growing list of hubs around the city. The users are required to take a photo of the parked bike or e-scooter, to ensure that the devices are parked properly and that they remain in good condition. Moovr PH orders their e-scooters from Segway, and their bikes are imported and custom-made to dovetail with the requirements of the BGC. In harmony with their sustainability efforts, the bike locks are run by solarpowered batteries, and they can last for months, as long as they are under the sun. On a single charge, the e-scooters can run for 65 kilometers, and their batteries are swappable—this allows zero downtime, and 100% fleet availability at all times. Since inclusivity is one of Moovr PH’s core values, the rental rates are friendly. For bicycles, the app charges PHP 15 for every 15 minutes, or a fraction of that time. For e-scooters, the app charges PHP 50 for every 20 minutes, or a fraction of that time.
Currently, the app is geofenced, which means the devices can only be used within the BGC complex. The company reveals that they are planning to expand the project to reach a nationwide scope, starting with areas that are adjacent to the BGC. According to Anna, since launching in January 2021, they have already seen growth in their “ridership.” They have also received good responses from their riders—many of whom use the ride-sharing app not only to commute around BGC, but also to get a dose of cardio workout in their day. The BGC adds that the Moovr PH has been providing intracity mobility to their service crew and personnel, who need to move from one site to the next: “We believe that as BGC is getting its footing as a smart and progressive city, it has been a benchmark for other cities to follow. We hope that this example will be replicated, that we’d be able to realize inter-city connectivity with PMDs.” Anna says she couldn’t think of a better spot to launch a forward-looking app that’s grounded on the environment’s welfare. She concludes, “The BGC is a city that fosters growth, and I’ve experienced this first hand. No other place would be more fitting when it comes to new ideas. That and their customer-centered values was the deciding factor for me to launch here. They have always prioritized the people that make up their community, which is very apparent with its infrastructure and various programs available.” Collective / Issue 12 15
LOCATORS
A taste of Hong Kong in Manila Photos courtesy of Kung Fu Master Cooking
By Denver Moreno
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cKinley Hill in Taguig City is the M largest township development under the Megaworld Corporation. Built
ingredients, and they always ensure their customers’ satisfaction. Among the best-selling food on their menu are the roast peking duck, roast and inspired by the sophisticated culture pork belly, kung pao chicken, adobo potato of Southern Europe, the property houses several locators—proof that McKinley Hill chicken, pork intestine stew, and double cooked pork. Noodles and canton are also is a perfect venue for investment growth. The McKinley Hill experience, however, served—the prices range from PHP 188 to PHP 318. will not be complete without the mouthThey also offer the all-time favorite, watering food offerings in its vicinity— aside, of course, from its “Instagrammable” hand-made dumplings, such as their chive and shark’s fin dumplings. sites. One of the must-visit restaurants in the Order now area is the Kungfu Master Cooking, which Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kungfu features Chinese cuisines, with a spotlight Master Cooking offers al fresco dining, on their roasted dishes. take-out, and delivery options for their The restaurant has captured the Filipinos’ penchant for Chinese food when customers. They are located at GF, 123 West Campus, Mckinley West, Taguig City, and they opened their first brand in 2017, in are open from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., Makati City. They have since relocated to Monday to Friday. McKinley Hill because of the township’s To ensure the safety of their staff and strategic location. customers, and to minimize face-to-face transactions, the Kungfu Master Cooking Kungfu-rrific taste restaurant encourages everyone to order via The appetizing list of meals on their online food delivery services, or by calling menu are made from authentic ingredients, them at (02) 8654-1776, or at 0917-705-7171. and are cooked upon ordering. While travel restrictions are imposed, The crowd-favorite dim sums cost less this is a great way to get a taste of Asian than PHP 200. But don’t be fooled by their cuisines, while staying safe here in Manila! affordable prices. They don’t scrimp on Xie xie! Collective / Issue 12 17
Of Trails and Treks
The next travel adventure destination is barely two hours away from the city By Vanessa Abellon
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A
dventure junkies have a certain intimacy with nature that no amount of virtual workout, or Youtube videos, or fitness applications can surmount. Getting their heart pumping, feeling a rush of adrenaline in their veins, facing the unpredictable are not just fleeting needs. But in times of mask-wearing and seemingly endless levels of quarantine, convening with nature alone—even without the adrenaline—feels like a gift, and a privilege. So when an opportunity to feel the actual wind and the sun’s rays opens, the only rational option is to grab it.
Clark, the modernist, sustainable metropolis in Pampanga province, has forged what could be the adventure seeker’s next favorite spot—a vast spot, that is, as the entire area occupies more than 33,000 hectares of land. In this city that boasts of being built for the people, the terrains and rough roads coalesce seamlessly with progressive buildings and landscapes, powered by the latest technology. The visitors will revel in the scenery and the food. Adventurer’s will free and exhilarated as they wander around the wellpreserved areas—by foot, or by bike, or by riding a horse. Collective / Issue 12 19
Cross-country River Trail
On the fringes of Dolores, a barangay in the city of Mabalacat, Pampanga, flows the Dolores River, which extends for miles and cuts across some of Clark’s most beautiful sceneries. It runs parallel to the bigger Sacobia River, and beside the Creekside Road. For the third phase (Phase 3) of Clark’s bike lanes project, dubbed the “New Clark City Non-Motorized Transport System to Clark Freeport Zone,” a clearing operations on the Dolores Riverside is in the pipeline. It is one of two projects that were planned to focus on bikers’ experience. While Clark, since its opening, has been a haven for cyclists—with the most popular lane being the paved road enclosing the 22-hectare CDC (Clark Development Corporation) Parade Grounds—part of Phase 3 will give experienced bikers a more challenging route to take. In fact, the offroad section was conceptualized by a group of local bikers. Called the Clark Cross-Country River Trail, this new trail would excite cyclists that love steering toward places that are off the beaten path. The clearing of the Dolores Riverside would increase the terrain, thereby increasing the level of difficulty for cyclists.
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On February 23, 2021, the construction of Phase 3 began. It was planned and designed by the CDC-Engineering Services Group, with the support of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). From the corner of C.M. Recto Avenue and Creekside Road, the four-meter-wide, 7.96-kilometer asphalt pavement (with markings), would stretch out to Panday Pira Avenue, to Mabalacat Gate, and from Gil Puyat Avenue to Prince Balagtas Avenue, at the Marcos Village. Along the River Trail, the proposed Clark Bike Pit Stop would serve as a one-stop shop for cyclists—and in case bike parts burst apart after going through some rough roads. The area will have retail spaces, some of which could offer services for bikers, like parts and repair shops, self-service cleaning kiosks, and a first-aid clinic. The cafés and food kiosks in the area would be a good place to hang out and cool down.
A fork in the road
The expanse of Clark and the numerous paths have attracted not only cyclists but also people who thrive in the outdoors. Many of these trails lead to happy surprises, and literal bumps along the way. For instance, on the way to Haduan Bridge, a 120-meter hanging bridge, a cyclist would need to descend down a steep, winding path that is partly unpaved. After crossing the bridge, there is a challenging walk down towards the river that runs under it, followed by riding along the riverbed, molded by rocks and jagged land. The trip is a gratifying mix of cycling, trekking, and plodding through puddles of water and rivers, and it ends when the Haduan Falls comes into view. Then there’s the Puning Hot Spring, the thermal springs along Sacobia River, with temperatures that range from 40 to 70 degrees Celsius. “Puning” means Mother Nature, in Mag-antsi, the language spoken by the Aetas, the indigenous people who live in Mabalacat City.
The non-cyclists—or cyclists who want to take on another adventure—may rove about this trail using a different mode of transportation: a sturdy 4x4 off-road jeep. Serving as a take-off point for this ride is the Sapangbato, one of the largest barangays in Angeles City, Pampanga. The road to the Puning Hot Spring is submerged in remnants of lahar that Mt. Pinatubo spewed when it erupted in 1991. Lining the trail on both sides are alternating hills, mountains, and tall trees. The paths narrow and widen as travelers go through canyons, rivers, and rock-strewn roads. The end of the long journey is a rewarding, therapeutic thermal bath in the warm Mt. Pinatubo spring, a sand steam sauna with mud pack, and a sumptuous buffet, set in a nipa hut. Other biking destinations include the Batson Trail, or the ascending Lily Hill, or the Gazebo View Park. The last one is a camping and picnic site, located on the hills of Sacobia, with views of Clark and Mt. Arayat. At night, campers put up tents and share meals around bonfires.
Ride or Trek
While bikes have almost become the go-to transportation within Clark, visitors may experience the view without getting on anything with wheels. Trekking along the terrain, for one, is a more pleasing option for some adventurers. They may also visit the El Kabayo Stables, which offers guided horseback riding tours along the mountains and riverine trails of Clark. The 20thCentury-American-themed attraction is home to thoroughbreds, quarter horses, and small ponies. Leisure rides and trail rides are available. Thrill seekers may also explore the Sacobia riverbed and marvel at the lahar-sculpted landscape on a 4x4 ATV—
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although the vehicles are only available upon request, for now. When the long, adrenaline-filled day ends, and going back to the city doesn’t sound so appealing yet, visitors may stay at one of the hotels in the area. Clark allows staycations, as long as guests follow the health and safety protocols implemented in the city. A burgeoning place like Clark shows us that environment itself was made resilient, if only we work hard to preserve it. Once we deeply understand our responsibility to nature, it wouldn’t take a lot for it to rouse us and fill us with awe. Then, all we have to do is gear up and allow it to take us for a ride.
FREEPORTS AND ECOZONES
BCDA, JHMC award lease agreement to Filinvest group for Baguio property By Mary Grace Padin
T
he Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) awarded a 25-year term lease contract to the Filinvest Hospitality Corporation (FHC), for the use of a 5,700-square-meter property in Baguio City. BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Vince Dizon, JHMC President and CEO Allan Garcia, and FHC Senior Vice President Francis Gotianun signed the lease agreement during a ceremony in Taguig City, on Dec. 9, 2020. In a statement, FHC said the pact will allow the company to develop a new 200room hotel at the heart of Camp John Hay (CJH) in Baguio City, thereby strengthening its hospitality presence in Northern Luzon. FHC said it will be the first dual-brand property under the Grafik and Quest hospitality brands, to be managed by Chroma Hospitality Inc. (CHI). “We thank BCDA and JHMC for trusting Filinvest,” Gotianun said. “Being the center of the Cordillera Region, Baguio City has always been one of the company’s top priorities. This unique opportunity will allow us to develop a full-service hotel in CJH, one of the most prime locations
in Baguio. It offers the whole package: exclusivity, nature, and panoramic views in the heart of Baguio.” He added, “This year may be challenging, but we continue to look ahead and see a bright future. The hotel will be ready to welcome guests in three to four years, in line with the full recovery of the tourism sector. As early as now, since the loosening of the lockdown and implementation of more efficient health and safety protocols, we are beginning to see signs of that recovery.” Gotianun expressed confidence that Baguio City will remain a top tourist and business destination due to its climate, culture, tourist attractions, and accessibility. He added that the city has become more accessible as the completion of the TarlacPangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) has significantly cut travel time from Manila to Baguio City. FHC is a wholly owned hospitality development and asset management subsidiary of Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC). CHI is a joint venture, full-service hotel management company between FDC and Archipelago International of Singapore. Collective / Issue 12 23
FREEPORTS AND ECOZONES
Trudging Through By January Guia Caringal-Bawat
T
he Thunderbird Resorts and Casinos Poro Point, located at the heart of La Union province, is the only five-star hotel in Region 1. With a breathtaking view, overlooking the West Philippine Sea and the San Fernando Bay, the 65-hectare, Santorini-inspired resort has its own private beach, hotel rooms and villas, swimming pools, restaurants, recreational facilities, event center, casino, and a ninehole golf course. Thunderbird Pilipinas Hotels and Resorts, Inc. (TPHRI), which owns and manages the Thunderbird Resorts & Casinos Poro Point, started its journey at the Poro Point Freeport Zone in 2005. It officially started its casino operations in April 2006, while its hotel and golf course opened in May 2008. From 2016 to 2018, the resort and casino had massive expansion projects: the casino expansion, golf clubhouse construction, driving range renovation, event center expansion, main swimming pool expansion, beach club construction, chapel construction, construction of 45 units of two-bedroom villas and two units of three-bedroom villas, including the infrastructure development 24 Collective / Issue 12
and construction of eight units of executive suites. These expansions paved the way for the Thunderbird Resorts & Casinos Poro Point to be granted the five-star accreditation status.
In 2020
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has made a huge impact on the tourism and leisure industry—and Thunderbird Resorts & Casinos Poro Point was not spared from it. The pandemic led the company to suffer a huge decline in revenue, forcing it to downscale its resorts and gaming operations. Once the Province of La Union was put under the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) in June 2020, the Thunderbird opted to re-open. It strictly enforced policies and guidelines on health and safety, in accordance with government protocols, as embodied in pertinent resolutions of the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFEID) and various government agencies. Operating at only 50% capacity, the resort imposed such measures as temperature check, registration before entering the
premises, proper hand washing, and social distancing. All employees were required to wear safety gears. Hotel rooms, restaurants, kitchens and all other offices, and facilities were regularly disinfected and sanitized. In the early days of the pandemic, the Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC), which manages the Poro Port Freeport Zone, spearheaded a free RT-PCR testing program at the Poro Point Freeport Zone (PPFZ). The Thunderbird Resorts & Casinos Poro Point took the opportunity to have their employees tested for COVID-19. During these trying times, the Thunderbird Resorts & Casinos Poro Point has changed its marketing strategies. It shifted its focus on the local market, and created value-for-money promotions to encourage repeat business. This includes lowered rates, sale programs, membership promos, and customized packages. Soon,
local guests began to visit the tourist spots, like the Tulips by the Sea, a bed of around 10,000 tulip-shaped LED lights, located along the resort baywalk, and the Urban Lights, La Union’s version of the famous Los Angeles street lamps art installation, “Urban Light.”
Take-out and delivery services
As the City of San Fernando, La Union was placed under Modified Enhance Community Quarantine (MECQ) for the period of April 10 to 23, 2021, the Thunderbird Resorts & Casinos Poro Point has only accommodated guests with a legitimate purpose. Hence, all other hotel and casino facilities temporarily closed during this period. To continue operating, its restaurant and deli shop offered take-out and delivery services. Thunderbird Resorts & Casinos Poro Point is hopeful that with the emergence of vaccines, the pandemic will soon be over, and the tourism and leisure industry will start to thrive again. Collective / Issue 12 25
FREEPORTS AND ECOZONES
Employees first By Zyrelle del Prado
W
hile most people have been working remotely since the start of the pandemic, PJ Pest Control Services (PJ Pest Control for Brevity), a locator of the John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC), continued their operations to meet the unprecedented surge in the demand for their disinfection services. The company is a sole proprietorship 26 Collective / Issue 12
based in Baguio City, with operations in some parts of Luzon. It provides disinfection applications and pest control management in workplaces and residences. As the spread of the coronavirus advances, the services of PJ Pest Control have become indispensable in maintaining a clean and virus-free environment. Peter Panuncio, owner and manager,
lives by the company’s mission of providing excellent quality service to all its clients. Panuncio says, “We made adjustments in our workplace. We have living quarters for my workers. They are all staying in to minimize and prevent their exposure to the virus. If one is infected, at least the virus is contained.” He adds, “They have been away from their families for quite some time. I have explained to them how the virus can spread, and its effects and consequences when one is infected. After every disinfection or deep cleaning project, my workers are swabbed. Then, they are quarantined for fourteen days, even if their tests yield negative results. As they complete this period, my other workers who had completed the same procedure would take care of the operations, and the cycle goes on.” Panuncio proudly says that since the pandemic, no worker has tested positive. He credits this feat to their very strict household rules. He also adopts the best practices of other business establishments that are similar to PJ Pest Control.
and accepting bookings through calls and text messages, and through walk-in clients. He says this kind of relationship with customers has sustained his business since 2008, and has earned him respect and a good reputation. To date, the PJ Pest Control is sought by mostly high-end hotels and developers like the Hillsford Property, one of the locators inside JHMC. While his workers earnestly comply with all the documentary requirements before entry, he admits that social mobility remains a setback. The imposition of varied community quarantine status for cities and provinces restricts their client engagement. Now, Panuncio is looking forward to the availability of vaccines to his employees. As his workers are all confined inside the walls of his premises and rarely visit their families, the vaccine is their hope for normalcy. Given a chance, he would want all his employees vaccinated, but he leaves the final decision to them. Further, to lessen the stress of “cabin fever” and restricted physical activities outside of his premises, he encourages his Sticking to the old ways workers to exercise. While most companies shift to digital Panuncio believes that the success of his operations, Panuncio maintains an old business lies in the well-being of all his school method of doing business: receiving employees. Collective / Issue 12 27
A DINER’S DIGEST
My Street High Street
BRINGING BACK THE PLEASURES OF THE OUTDOORS By Marie Therese Cimafranca
l fresco dining season in the country A runs all year round, because the Philippines is fortunately blessed with a
Although the pandemic has reshaped our outdoor activities, High Street remains a go-to destination for people who crave for warm climate. And without doubt, the wide open spaces—especially after months of areas of the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is being urged to stay at home. among the best places to dine in the open air. BGC’s My Street High Street—a weekend In the lands of Metro Manila, ridden activity dedicated to al fresco dining, with steel and concrete structures, BGC is strolling, and biking along the car-free 5th like an oasis—a patch of lush vegetation Avenue on weekends—has recently revived blended with modern architecture—with their outdoor initiative, which started in streets designed for people rather than 2015. This is part of their big efforts to bring cars, and with parks nurturing the restless back the vibrant BGC street life. business district. Its DNA easily became the blueprint for emerging townships in the Al fresco on weekends Philippines. The BGC greatly benefits from its wellThe outdoor spaces of the Bonifacio planned surroundings that allow open High Street, a boulevard line, is one of spaces to conveniently be converted into BGC’s most popular hubs. High Street, as an al fresco dining set-up. Following the its name suggests, is a fully pedestrianized government’s recent orders to prohibit green strip that cuts right in the middle of dining inside restaurants, High Street, BGC, surrounded with fine dining, casual without question, has redeemed the dining, family style restaurants, pubs, hip businesses in distress. cafés, shops, pop-up stands, and interactive “We have about 10 to 12 of some of art installations. To the younger crowd, the most beloved Bonifacio High Street the High Street is a big playground where merchants who set up pop-up booths,” says one can bask in the sun on weekends. To Sean Luarca, Fort Bonifacio Development the grownups, it is the perfect spot to take a Corporation (FBDC) marketing and community relations head. “Some of the breather after a long day of work. 28 Collective / Issue 12
frequent participating restaurants are Din Tai Fung, Va Bene, and Tiger Sugar, to name a few.” The vibrant High Street, through the My Street High Street initiative, has bestowed a sanity break for both the people and the businesses—with strict health and safety protocols in place. Luarca adds, “While this initiative has been around since 2015, we expanded it further last year. It is part of our new normal solutions, to provide safe al fresco dining spaces for customers, and at the same time, lend support to businesses and restaurants, who have been deeply affected by the pandemic due to restrictions on dining in restaurants.” Besides bringing back a sense of normalcy in casual dining, BGC’s cameraready milieu will spring your social media back to life. Charming al fresco setups can also be experienced at the Garden StrEAT on 7th Avenue, or at the Parkside Dining areas, and The Terraces, in One Bonifacio High Street. High Street’s Project BUYanihan The Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation, the BGC’s non-stock and non-profit social responsibility arm, urged its partners to partake in the “Project BUYanihan” program—a significant step intended to support social entrepreneurs amid the challenges, to keep up with the
temporary collapse of our consumer-driven economy. “BGC has always been a pedestrian-first city and this program aims to take back streets and convert them to open spaces, where our community can safely converge, walk their pets, stroll, dine al fresco style, bike, play, or grab their essentials,” explains Luarca. Apart from bringing back outdoor activities, the initiative stretches further into bolstering small and big businesses deeply wounded by lockdowns. Among the most sought-after stalls in My Street High Street is the social enterprise, Benguet Collective Farmers. Fresh produce from displaced farmers of Benguet fill up the small kiosk, and are offered at an affordable price. Another gem at the 5th avenue weekend market is the Mask for a Cause, which offers various handwoven essential products, while helping Filipino weavers gain leverage in the new market. Moving forward The outdoor activities in BGC are here to stay, post-pandemic. “Once the situation gets better, and government restrictions ease a bit, we also plan to put up art fairs, music, and entertainment,” Luarca assures. The BGC remains optimistic, that it will soon be as vibrant as it was. But the question that needs to be asked is, “How soon?” Collective / Issue 12 29
Clark Loop Clark Loop was launched in November 2019 as the pilot operation of a bus rapid transit network that will soon expand to provide a seamless and efficient connection via public transport between the Clark Freeport Zone and the New Clark City.
