VOL. 4, ISSUE 1
JANUARY 2008
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF SUBIC ENERZONE CORPORATION
■ Aboitiz Power acquired the entire stake of Subic EnerZone after buying out the shares of Team Philippines Industrial Power II Corporation for P92 million.
NEWS 3 SEZ completes Re-conductoring Project 4 Cover Story: SEZ now wholly owned by AP 8 SEZ invests P210M for new improvements 9 20MVA Power Transformer Rehab completed 10 Aboitiz group holds 1st Brand Forum 11 Caluza, Cawagas, Manalo Promoted CENTERFOLD 12 ChristmaSaya 2007 FEATURES 15 The Word 15 Kaibigan Movie Review 16 All in a day’s work 17 Ten tips on Career Advancement 18 Team Members’ Page 19 Karen Matawaran
an Aboitiz company
SPORTS 20 Basketball Trivia 21 Get Ready to Rumble! 22 Emerald crowned Sportsfest 07 Over-All Champion
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF SUBIC ENERZONE CORPORATION
STAFF BOX Raymund Tamayo Corinne Grace Manalo
John Louis Ducos Ethel Valerio Justin Jay Navarro Ryan Griva Mark Silos Jerry Mark Famanila
Mars Escobar
Editor/Layout Artist
SPECIAL NEWS 24 SEZ turns over P54M to SBMA
Writer/Finance Officer
Staff
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF SUBIC ENERZ ONE CORPORATION
This issue’s cover features the Subic EnerZone administration building. The company is now 100% wholly owned by Aboitiz Power Corporation after buying out the shares of Team Philippines Industrial Power II Corporation (formerly Mirant).
Editorial Consultant
Dante Pollescas
General Manager
Achilles Phill Balbuena
Circulation Officer
■ Aboitiz Power acquired the entire stake of Subic EnerZone after buying out the shares of Team Philippines Industrial Power II Corporation for P92 million.
This is another big step towards the very promising future of SEZ.
January 2008
Subic Flame
Taking care of business. SEZ linemen applies the finishing touches of the Re-Conductoring project, January 26.
BY JOHN LOUIS DUCOS
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ubic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ) completed its ReConductoring project last January 26. The project, under the Distribution Management Services Agreement (DMSA) with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), solved the problem of line-to-ground fault occurrences. Bare electric lines are prone to electrical faults. When these wires touch plants or tree branches, line-to-ground fault occurs that causes feeder circuit breakers to trip or burn the lateral cut-out
fuses. In the case of SEZ, this is especially true because of the extensive forest regions in the freeport zone. The project was spearheaded by SEZ project manager Danny Caro with the assistance of cadet engineer John Louis Ducos. Transmission and Distribution Department (T&D) supervisor Dick Cabrera and cadet engineer Ryan Griva organized the actual implementation of the designs of the project. Teams from the Power Metering Department (PMD), Substation
and Electrical Equipment Department (SEED), and SEZ contractor Power System Electric Cooperative (PSECO) were involved in the completion of this undertaking. A total of 5.6 kilometers of bare copper conductor lines were re-conductored as follows: 1 kilometer, Kalayaan housing area; 440 meters, NAS Switching Station; 1 kilometer, Binictican housing area; 3 kilometers, Pamulaklakin forest in Pastolan; 628 meters, upper Cubi to Naval Magazine; and 190 meters of additional lines. ♌
BY RAY
ast December 17, 2007, Aboitiz Power Corporation (AP) acquired the entire stake of Subic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ) after buying out the shares of Team Philippines Industrial Power II Corporation (formerly Mirant Philippines) for P92 million. (cont. on page 6)
YMUND TAMAYO
The Subic EnerZone administration building standing at the heart of the freeport’s Central Business District. Photo taken by Raymund Tamayo
Vol. 4, Issue 1
THE REMYFIELD CENTRAL CONTROL STATION (TOP PHOTOS) CONTINUES TO UNDERGO REHABILITATIONS AS PART OF SEZ’S UPGRADE PLANS TO COPE UP WITH THE FAST INCREASING POWER SUPPLY DEMAND IN THE FREEPORT ZONE.
There has been a huge increase in power demand in SEZ’s Subic franchise area over the last few years with the Freeport Zone’s continuing growth. ●Page 6/ Page 7■
(Subic EnerZone now… cont. from page 4) The acquisition brings AP’s stake in SEZ to 100 percent, which includes the 35 percent stake held by its subsidiary Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC), in the company. The company earlier acquired 25 percent of SEZ from its parent Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., San Fernando Electric Light and Power Co. Inc. (SFELAPCO), Okeelanta Corporation, and Pampanga Sugar Development Corporation, through a share swap. Aboitiz Power previously acquired a 25 percent equity in SEZ from San Fernando Electric Light and Power Co., Inc., Okeelanta Corporation, Pampanga Sugar Development Corporation, and Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., through a share swap, pending approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). SEZ operates the power distribution system of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) under a 25-year distribution management services agreement with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), which SEZ won through competitive bidding in 2003. There has been a huge increase in power demand in SEZ’s Subic franchise area over the last few years with the Freeport Zone’s continuing growth, following the opening of the Subic-ClarkTarlac Expressway, the full operation of Subic’s new container terminal, and the recent opening for commercial operations of the first phase of Hanjin’s multi-billion shipyard project. To help serve this surge in power demand and
in anticipation of the influx of more investments into Subic in the next few years, AP together with Taiwan Cogeneration Corporation, is developing a 300-megawatt coal plant near the Hanjin shipyard. The plant is scheduled for completion in 2011. SEZ will also be implementing a P210-million installation and rehabilitation project to upgrade its distribution infrastructure and service in the freeport. Power consumption in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone had been increasing over the past few years, more rapidly than ever at the moment, with a total of 17.4 million kilowatt hours consumed in November of 2007. “This is why we have to upgrade the power system in Subic and put up additional generation facilities on top of Subic’s total output of 130 megawatts so that we could be more competitive,” said SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza. “Investors worldwide are looking for investment sites with stable but cheap power supply, along with accessibility and security, investment perks and skilled manpower,” Arreza added. He also said that Malacañang’s recent order to expand the coverage of Subic’s tax and duty free regime was expected to boost investments in the area and increase power supply in the Luzon grid. Arreza added that power projects were crucial to the growth of the Subic Freeport and the local economy because they could bring down the cost of electricity, address a projected increase in electricity demand, and help avert a potential power crisis in Luzon by 2012. ♦
MORE PICTURES OF THE RE-CONDUCTORING PROJECT COMPLETION IN KALAYAAN HEIGHTS
Vol. 4, Issue 1
SEZ invests P210M for new improvements
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ntering the new year, Subic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ) is set to invest P210 million for the improvement and rehabilitation of the Subic Freeport Zone’s power distribution system. Following the listing of the P19.32 billion 300-megawatt coal-fired Subic power plant project with the Board of Investments, SEZ is expanding its investment in the area in anticipation of higher demand to be brought about by the development. “We at Subic EnerZone have been continuously improving our services and reducing systems loss since we started operations in 2003,” said SEZ Vice President and General Manager Dante Pollescas. “This is our commitment to the free-
port zone,” he added. As of December 2007, SEZ systems loss is at 3.57% from 4.26% in 2006. Aboitiz Power Corporation (AP) has a 50 percent stake in the Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. (RP Energy), which is doing the Subic power plant project with Taiwan Cogen International. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand C. Arreza said SEZ will develop new substations, install new field and substation lines, additional circuit breakers and power transformers, and improve switchyards, while RP Energy will start the construction of the coal-fired plant. Arreza said by next year, SEZ would undertake the upgrade and rehabilitation program.
Subic EnerZone said power consumption in its Subic franchise area has been increasing over the past few years, with a total of 17.4 million kilowatt hours consumed last November. “This is why we have to upgrade the power system in Subic, and put up additional generation facilities on top of Subic’s total output of 130 megawatts, so that we could be more competitive,” Arreza said. Arreza pointed out that Malacañang’s recent order to expand the coverage of Subic’s tax and duty free regime is expected to increase investment projects in the locality and further tax power supply in the Luzon grid where a 1,950 megawatt shortage is projected within the next few years. ♦ RTamayo
Aboitiz to put up 300-MW Subic coal plant New Plant to Ensure Stable Supply of Electricity within Subic Freeport Zone
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argeting to ensure the stable supply of electricity within the Subic Freeport Zone, Aboitiz Power Corp. (APC) and the Taiwan Cogeneration Inc. is set to put up a 300-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant. “We recently came out with an announcement that we’re working with them (Taiwan Cogeneration) in putting up a 300-MW coal plant in Subic,” Erramon Aboitiz, APC president and chief executive, told reporters. The APC official admitted, however, that there is no concrete timetable yet. Aboitiz said putting up the power plant could cost close to $500 million using the per-megawatt thumb rule of $1.5 million to $1.6 million. Aboitiz said they are also looking at applying for pioneer incentives with the
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Board of Investments as an option. “At present, the free port zone of Subic uses close to 40 MW of power. So, we still have to look at other offtakers that are preferably nearby,” said Aboitiz. In July, APC announced that it entered into a 50-50 arrangement with Taiwan Cogeneration Inc. for a coal-fired power plant project in Subic. Aboitiz said that perhaps they will expand the plant’s capacity to its full capacity of 600 MW over time, or as the requirement comes in. The APC head also expressed optimism that there will be a demand for the plant’s output, saying that the demand is there and is actually picking up. Aboitiz added that they have observed that growth has really accelerated compared with the previous years and as the economy continues to grow.
On July 16 this year, APC made its initial public offering, opening at P6.20 per share and closing at P5.80 per share. APC officials said that proceeds of the sale to the public will be used to finance part of its plans to participate in the privatization of the National Power Corp.’s (Napocor) generating assets, particularly its hydroelectric and geothermal plants, as well as fund for APC’s greenfield power plant projects. “Apart from the Napocor’s assets privatization, we are looking at some greenfield projects as it will bring in the much-needed additional power capacity in the country in the very near future. And with the greenfield projects, we expect to help the economy in the requirements for additional power,” Aboitiz said. ♦ (Lifted from the Business Mirror, Dec 7-8, 2007 issue by Paul Anthony A. Isla)
Newly-installed brand new Siemens SF6 Gas circuit breaker and Happam disconnect switches to increase Remy Field’s reliability.
20MVA Power Transformer Rehab Completed he corrective maintenance of the 20MVA Power Transformer No.2 at the Subic EnerZone (SEZ) Remy Field Central Control Station was completed last December 13, 2007. It was then energized with load on December 19, 2007. Under the Distribution Management Services Agreement (DMSA) with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the Remy Field Substation will undergo rehabilitation with the provision of replacing the 69kV Oil Circuit Breakers of the two 20 MVA Power Transformers. The 35-year old transformer was improved in its overall insulation level and other vital electrical functions. Tests were made and it was refilled with brand new mineral oil. The On Load Tap Changer (OLTC) was also serviced and refilled with brand new insulating oil. Initial insulation resistance test showed that the resistance is below standard of both SEZ & Westinghouse, the transformer brand. The transformer oil was drained, hot oil flushing commenced,
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sludge purging, vacuum drying, and finally, hot oil circulation. After servicing, electrical tests were conducted. The results were still below standard values which were affected by the age of the transformer and degradation of its insulating oil. It was then decided to change the oil with new mineral oil. Another week of servicing was needed to complete the project. Because of this, the life span of the transformer is extended for another 10, 15, or 20 years, which means tremendous savings for the company. Included in the rehabilitation were the said replacement of the old 69kV Oil Circuit Breaker into a brand new SF6 Gas Circuit Breaker, installation of new Happam Double Side Break disconnect switches at the line and load side, and some line hardware. All these upgrades added more safety and ease in the operation. The transformer was also re-painted to enhance its physical structure. The maintenance was awarded to SEZ accredited service provider Trans
by Justin Jay Navarro Power Systems Corporation. The success of this project was a team effort of the following groups: Planning, T&D and SEED. ♌
Goodbye. The bulky 3.8-ton 1978 model 69kV Westinghouse Oil Circuit Breaker finally retires.
Vol. 4, Issue 1
Aboitiz Group holds 1st Brand Forum Lifted from Aboitiz Eyes December 2007 issue, page 37 by Paula Viegelmann-Ruelan
The Hunks. (from L to R) DLPC AVP for Branding and Corporate Communications Ross Luga, CLPC VP & Resident Manager Cris Ferolino, SEZ Subic Flame editor Raymund Tamayo, and SEZ Engineer 1 Justin Jay Navarro of the Power Group during one of the activities in the Brand Forum.
rand task team representatives from Aboitiz & Company, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Aboitizland, 2GO, FBMA Marine, Metaphil, Davao Light, Cotabato Light, Subic EnerZone, Hedcor, Pilmico, Fil-Am Foods, City Savings Bank and the Aboitiz Group Foundation participated in the 1st Aboitiz Brand Forum held last Nov. 1516 at the Casino Español, Cebu City. The forum had the following objectives: assess current brand activities & initiatives and translate this into brand insights that can be applied to a focused roadmap for implementation; increase participant’s sensitivity to the different factors that affect the brand equity of Aboitiz, and provide participants a venue
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for creating and implementing innovative brand strategies and tactics. Txabi Aboitiz, SVP for Group HR, kicked off the two-day event with opening remarks that focused on explaining management’s perspective in aligning all branding activities groupwide. He also challenged everyone to inculcate branding as a way of life. Professor Jose Jesus “JJ” Roces, Asian Institute of Management faculty member and consultant for marketing, strategic brand management and organizational development was the workshop facilitator. Lectures on how to deliver value, aspects that affect brand equity as well as brand DNA were tackled on the 1st day of
the forum. One of the forum highlights was the sharing of best brand practices from four selected companies – ACO/ AEV, Pilmico Foods, Davao Light & Power Corp and City Savings Bank, from which the rest of the participants were asked about their learnings and insights based on the three phases of brand delivery. At the end of the workshop, each company was asked to present the results of its Brand Report Card, which is based on the Brand Scorecard Ranking, Brand Score Card Self and Other Rating computation. The priority areas were then identified and the brand initiatives needed to respond to these priority areas are what the brand task teams have been asked to include in their respective brand planning per company. After the forum, the brand task teams are now expected to come up with their respective brand roadmap and brand plan to be submitted to the Brand Management Team for consultative alignment and review. They are also encouraged to come up with brand maintenance activities to sustain the learnings from the forum as well as to have a quarterly brand task team meeting to monitor progress on the brand roadmap. ♦
All smiles. Justin and Raymund with CLPC CorCom and Branding Officer Donjie Vertuoso.
January 2008
TUP, UNC visit SEZ ubic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ) played host for field trips conducted by Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) last January 23 and University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) last January 24. Some 100 students and faculty members from TUP’s College of Industrial Technology/Electrical Department, toured the company’s administration building and Remy Field central control station as part of their whole-day activity. Meanwhile, 30 graduating Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering students and 2 professors from UNC’s College of Engineering and Architecture
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also visited a day after. SEZ Administration Manager Edgar Caluza and HR Supervisor Mars Escobar welcomed and gave some company orientation on the delegates , while Eng’rs John Louis Ducos and Justin Jay Navarro acted as their tour guides. The TUP students were headed by faculty members Engr Dennis Aguinaldo, Engr Rolando Martin, Engr Teresita Nora, and Professor Connie Aunario, while UNC was led by Engr Manuel Balaquiao and Engr Francis German Nano. TUP is a state university in Manila and UNC is a university in Naga City. ♦ RTamayo
Subic Flame
Newsbriefs SEZ holds Tree Planting Activity ubic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ) held a Tree-Planting Activity at the El Kabayo Falls inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, October 31, 2007. VP/GM Dante Pollescas led the SEZ team members in the activity, which was done in celebration of SEZ’s fourth anniversary. They were joined by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Ecology Department headed by its manager, Ms. Ahmet dela Llana-Kobal. ♦
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SEZ hosts annual Media Night t has been the tradition of Subic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ) to host Media Nights during the Christmas season. Now on its third year, SEZ held the event at The Lighthouse Marina Resort inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, December 18, 2007. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) journalists and correspondents from different national dailies attended the event. Also present were the SBMA Public Relations team led by its manager, Ms. Armi Llanas. ♦
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Visitors. (left photo) Students from TUP headed by AMPERES org president Radelyn May Asis (5th from left) with Substation Engineer 1 Jay Navarro and HR Supervisor Mars Escobar. (right photo) Students from UNC inside the SEZ conference room for a little company orientation.
Caluza, Manalo, Cawagas promoted ormer Customer Service Department supervisor Edgar Caluza was promoted to Administration Manager effective January 1, 2008. Promoted with him were former accounting staff Corinne Grace Manalo and former billing and collection staff Yolanda Cawagas as Finance and Regulatory Department supervisor and Customer Service Department supervisor respectively. The promotions started July 9, 2007 for Manalo while Manalo
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January 1, 2008 for Cawagas. Meanwhile, former Transmission and Distribution Department supervisor Frederick Coronel was appointed as SEZ Performance-Based Regulation (PBR) team technical head. With him were former Powering Metering Department cadet
Cawagas
Coronel
engineer Isagani Madrid as technical staff and former accounting staff Claire Emelie Ujano as financial staff. Also part of the PBR team was former SEZ Administration supervisor Ramny Guatelara as financial head. ♦ RTamayo
Madrid
Caluza
Subic EnerZone observes Christmas 2007 and its 4th Anniversary in one grand celebration. BY CORINNE GRACE MANALO ubic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ) celebrated its Christmas party and 4th anniversary last December 7, 2007 at the company’s administration building with the theme “ChristmaSaya”. “Because we are a monopoly and people do not have a choice, you must always think more towards the customers,” said SEZ president Jim Aboitiz, as he addressed the team members during his message. “Going the extra mile. Doing more than what we should do. That is passion,” he added. “Also, we seem to be getting younger and younger… and more women,” he quipped, which drew laughter from the crowd. The party was also graced by EVP/COO Benjie Cariaso Jr. and VP/General Manager Dante Pollescas. One of the highlights of the party was the raffle draw done throughout the program. This marks the first time SEZ held a raffle as a way of giving Christmas presents to its team members. The four lucky winners who got the major prizes were: 4th prize, DVD player, Achilles Phill Balbuena; 3rd prize, washing machine, Aniceto Rodriguez; 2nd prize, 14” colored television, Jeremy Picones; and 1st prize, 6 cu. ft. refrigerator, Ryan Griva. Consolation prizes are rice cookers, oven toasters and electric fans. “We have an extremely bright future ahead
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of us,” Aboitiz said. “2008 will be an even better year. Good things for you, for me, for all of us,” he ended. Service Awardee The night was also extra special for VP/ GM Dante Pollescas as he was recognized for his 15 years of service in the Aboitiz group. A special 30-minute audio-visual presentation was shown during the recognition as a tribute to Pollescas. It included short interviews of his family, parents, sisters, and high school and elementary teachers. Greetings and testimonies from former colleagues in Davao Light were also shown, plus video clips from his colleagues around the freeport. Kiddie Christmas Party A Kiddie Christmas party was also held for the team members families last December 15, 2007. A musical presentation using “banduria” for the doxology was performed by the Children’s Joy Foundation. Two puppets, Garfield and Piglet, performed a dance number to the tune of “Papaya” that drove the kids’ attention. The party included some booths for face painting, cotton candy, ice cream, and bubble machine. Dance numbers were also performed by the Casimero and Caseja children. The highlight of the event was the reenactment of the birth of Jesus Christ wherein team members played biblical characters of Joseph, Mary and the wise men. They are the ones who gave the gifts to the kids. This way, the company showed the kids that gifts do not come from Santa Claus or anyone else, but from Jesus Christ Himself. ♦
CHRISTMASAYA 2007 ♦ CHRISTMASAYA 2007 ♦ CHRISTMASAYA 2007 ♦ CHRISTMASAYA 2007 ♦
CHRISTMASAYA 2007 ♦ CHRISTMASAYA 2007 ♦ CHRISTMASAYA 2007 ♦ CHRISTMASAYA 2007 ♦
KIDDIE CHRISTMAS PARTY 2007 ♦ KIDDIE CHRISTMAS PARTY 2007 ♦ KIDDIE CHRISTMAS PARTY
January 2008
Subic Flame
THE WORD
REAL WISDOM “He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed .” - PROVERBS 13:20 PROVERBS judges every thought or action by one standard: “Is this wise?” The word wisdom brings up pictures of gray-haired old men muttering obscure philosophic maxims. But that is almost the opposite of what Proverbs means by the word. Real wisdom is above all practical and down to earth. Young people as well as old can and should have it. Real wisdom teaches you how to live. It combines understanding with discipline – the kind of discipline an athelete needs in training. It also adds a healthy dose of good common sense – except that as we all know common sense isn't, and never has been, common.
Fools, in modern English, are people who lack brains. But the word has a different meaning in the Bible. Fools may have high IQ's. People may admire their reputation for success. Yet a wise person views them as a disaster. One of the Bible's worst insults is “You fool!” People become fools by ignoring the real wisdom God offers them, preferring to follow the crowd or their own conceited opinions. They may think themselves very clever, but their cleverness will land them in trouble. Proverbs aims its sharpest warnings, not against acting immorally, but against becoming a fool. If you develop such a character, no set of rules can keep you
TITIS Directed by: Jenny Flores Written by: Jenny Flores Main
Actors: Jeremy Picones and Anielou Gelacio
“Titis”, the fourth and final Kaibigan movie, was shown last January 11. “Titis”, a slang term for a cigarette butt, is a tragic love story about Anton, played by Jeremy Picones, and Annie, portrayed by Anielou Gelacio. A classic tale of a poor guy falling in love with a rich chick with unfavoring par-
ents. Anton met Annie at the university where he was a varsity basketball player. They quickly got along very well and became friends. As their friendship blossomed, love also blossomed in their young hearts. But with loving comes the need to surpass all the trials of love. Not only was Annie’s par-
out of trouble. A wise person ought to learn to recognize a fool from far away, and stay out of his or her path. “A fool utters all his mind: but a wise man keeps it in till afterwards.” Proverbs 29:11. How do you become a wise person? You must first begin to listen. Real wisdom is freely available to those who will stop talking and start paying attention – to God and His Word, to parents, to wise counselors. Anybody can become wise, Proverbs says. Real wisdom is not reserved for a brainy elite. But becoming wise requires self-discipline to study and humbly seek wisdom at every opportunity. Wise people are rich in humility. ♦
MOVIE REVIEW ents unfavorable of Jeremy, she was also arranged to be married to JeriPol, a son of a family friend. This forced Annie to go away with Anton, but the union was short lived because their whereabouts were soon found out by Annie’s parents. They were forced apart, and Annie was sent to America. To make matters worse, Anton was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was given no chance to survive. When Annie came back from the US, she found out about Anton’s death as all her dreams flew away, leaving her only with memories of her love for him. ♦ RTamayo
VIEWER’S SURVEY: “Nakaka-touch yung movie. Buhay na buhay ang mga characters, lalo na si Kuya Toni.” - John D. “Cool… ok yung actress & supporting actress.. the story, nice.” Betsy “Kaibigan’s final blow!!!.” - Jerry Mark Famanila “I like the writer… and the new projector is so clear… ang daming laman ng movie.” - Mark Silos “Ok ang acting ng actress especially nung sinigaw niya ang name ni Anton, he he he… At ang tapang ng nanay din ni Annie, he he he… Okay ang acting, pangbest supporting actress talaga.” Ethel “Good job by the new guys. Well done.” - Emon “Best performance by an actor & actress.” - Jeff “Ok si Jeremy, pang-best actor in an animal role.” - Zaido Pink
Vol. 4, Issue 1 14. Holler random numbers while someone is counting. 15. Adjust the tint on your TV so that all the people are green, and insist to others that you "like it that way." 33 WAYS TO ANNOY PEOPLE
16. Staple papers in the middle of the page.
1. Leave the copy machine set to reduce 200%, extra dark, 17-inch paper, 99 copies.
17. Publicly investigate just how slowly you can make a croaking noise.
2. Sit in your yard pointing a hair dryer at passing cars to see if they slow down. 3. Specify that your drive-through order is "to go." 4. If you have a glass eye, tap on it with your pen while talking to others. 5. Sing along at the opera. 6. Insist on keeping your car windshield wipers running in all weather conditions "to keep them tuned up." 7. Reply to everything someone says with "that's what YOU think." 8. Practice making fax and modem noises. 9. Highlight irrelevant material in scientific papers and "cc" them to your boss. 10. Make beeping noises when a large person backs up. 11. Finish all your sentences with the words "in accordance with prophecy." 12. Signal that a conversation is over by clamping your hands over your ears. 13. Disassemble your pen and "accidentally" flip the cartridge across the room.
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18. Honk and wave to strangers. 19. Decline to be seated at a restaurant, and simply eat their complimentary mints by the cash register. 20. TYPE ONLY IN UPPERCASE LETTERS. 21. type only in lower case letters. 22. don t use any punctuation either 23. Buy a large quantity of orange traffic cones and re-route whole streets. 24. Repeat the following conversation a dozen times: "Do you hear that?" "What?" "Never mind, it's gone now." 25. As much as possible, skip rather than walk. 26. Try playing the William Tell Overture (The Lone Ranger theme) by tapping on the bottom of your chin. When nearly done, announce, "No, wait, I messed it up," and repeat. 27. Ask people what gender they are. 28. While making presentations, occasionally bob your head like a parakeet. 29. In the memo field of all your checks, write "for sensual massage." Then, wait for an IRS audit and the look on the auditor's face.
30. Stomp on little plastic ketchup packets. 31. Go to a poetry recital and ask why each poem doesn't rhyme. 32. Ask your co-workers mysterious questions and then scribble the answers in a notebook. Mutter something about "psychological profiles." 33. Tell your friends 4 days prior, that you can't attend their party because you're not in the mood. ANYTHING YOU CAN DO I CAN DO BETTER Jesus and Satan were having an ongoing argument about who was better on his computer. They had been going at it for days, and God was tired of hearing all of the bickering. Finally God said, "Cool it. I am going to set up a test that will run two hours and I will judge who does the better job." So down Satan and Jesus sat at their keyboards and typed away. They moused. They did spreadsheets. They wrote reports. They sent faxes. They sent e-mail. They sent e-mail with attachments. They downloaded. They made graphs. They made cards. They did every known job. But then, minutes before their time was up, lightning suddenly flashed across the sky, thunder rolled, the rain poured and of course the electricity went off. Satan stared at his blank screen and screamed every curse word known in the underworld. Jesus just sighed. The electricity finally flickered back on, and each of them restarted their computers. Satan started searching frantically, screaming "It's gone! It's all gone! I lost everything when the power went out!" Meanwhile, Jesus quietly started printing out all of his files from the past two hours. Satan observed this and became irate. "Wait! He cheated, how did he do it?" God shrugged and said, "Jesus saves." ♦ (taken from www.mckuen.com)
January 2008
Subic Flame
Everyone of us wants to have a good career. We don’t have to be complacent if we already have a job. We also have to strive hard to be able to get the position that we always longed for. Nowadays, it's up to you to take control of your professional future and make sure you are progressing wisely down the right career path. Here are 10 proven strategies to help you get started
4. Sharpen your people skills. Having strong interpersonal skills plays a crucial role in gaining the respect of your boss and coworkers, as well as attracting the notice of outside influencers who might open new doors of opportunity for you. Be friendly, outgoing, and personable. Listen carefully to people and practice being a clear, effective communicator.
7. Sell yourself. Learn the fine art of selfpromotion. If you have had major accomplishments or created successful programs, make sure people know about it -especially those in influential positions who could help you advance professionally. Let it be known that you are seeking a promotion or the next step up in your career.
1.Talk to your boss. Sit down and have a very direct and pointed conversation with your boss about your future in the company. Stress that you want your job per-
5. Be innovative. Never be afraid to think outside of the box and put your business acumen to work. Stay on the lookout for creative solutions to problems that will make you -- and your boss -- look good.
8. Keep learning. A proven way to advance in your career is to be continually acquiring new knowledge. Stay on top of trends or developments in your field and
formance to meet the company's goals. Share your own career goals with him or her. Your boss will respect this display of confidence and maturity.
6. Find a mentor. Develop mentoring relationships, either inside or outside the company. Recent studies have shown that
2. Ask for more. Volunteering to help out other departments or teams -- or simply asking for more responsibilities -increases your value within the organization. Asking for additional work shows an interest and desire to help your department and company to succeed. It also puts a spotlight on your value to the business. 3. Volunteer for boards. If you have your career set on something beyond what you are doing in your present position, seek out opportunities to volunteer or serve on advisory boards, where you can build a reputation as someone who is passionate and dedicated to your particular industry.
Sit down and have a very direct and pointed conversation with your boss about your future in the company. Stress that you want your job performance to meet the company’s goals. four out of five promotions are influenced by a mentor higher up in the company. Mentors are also great sources of information and career guidance.
make sure that your current résumé reflects the needed skills. 9. Network. Strengthen your personal network by joining professional organizations, attending industry conferences, and even volunteering. The more people who are aware of your strengths and abilities, the better your chances of hearing about any new opportunities that might arise. 10. Build your reputation. In business, your reputation is the most valuable thing you own. Be known for being dependable, professional, and cooperative. Act and look the part by dressing professionally. Make a name for yourself by attending conferences, delivering speeches, or writing articles. ♦ (Source: AllBusiness.com Inc.)
Vol. 4, Issue 1
TEAM MEMBERS’ PAGE
Probationary team members (from L to R): Kristine Pulido, billing & collection staff; Jerry Paul Mendez and Jeremy Picones, cadet engineers, Power Metering Group.
New Regular team member: Jayson Bondad, cadet engineer, Line Services Group.
Transfer (from L to R): Achilles Phill Balbuena, stockroom staff to purchasing staff; and Raymund Tamayo, purchasing staff to stockroom staff and corporate communication
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January 2008
Subic Flame
KAREN MATAWARAN The billing and collection staff talks about her appreciation for work, dealing with customers, and her ideal man. How would you describe your job here in SEZ? I find it quite challenging. I started here in SEZ as a teller and I thought it was just a simple job. But it’s not and you really need to be careful because it involves money. After that, I think more than a year, I was transferred to billing. I can’t imagine myself doing this job dahil nga hate na hate ko ‘to before. Ethel knows that… hehehe… ganoon yata talaga, kung ano yung kinaaayawan mo iyun ang mapupunta sa’yo. But now, I appreciate my work, kailangan eh. (laughs) Are your expectations met? Some of my expectations are met. The changes in my work make me want to prove something to myself.
part of the SEZ family.
What do you think is the biggest benefit of working for SEZ? The biggest benefit is that the work helps me be more competitive, and it enhances my self confidence. And also the “KAIBIGAN BONDING”, iba talaga dito sa SEZ. Is it difficult being a frontliner (as a billing and collection staff)? You are hands-on “in touch” with customers. Are there any difficulties and how do you handle them? It’s not that difficult as long as you really know your job. But there are times na parang hindi na kaya dahil sa mga customers na pilit ini-insist ang gusto nila. Siyempre kahit na ganoon, we just try to explain to them in the nicest way we can. On a lighter note, it’s obvious that you
seem very friendly with quite a pretty face. Do male customers make a pass on you? How do you react? Hehehe… meron ba? Wala naman nagkakamali, kuya… buti na lang… hehehe… Any co-team members who do the same? How do you feel about it? Alam mo naman dito sa office, kuya, tuksuhan eh. Pero okay lang, katuwaan lang ba. Pero syempre hanggang doon lang yun, we should know our limitations di ba? Do you feel privileged to be part of the SEZ family? Of course, I feel so privileged to be a
On a personal note, can you describe to us what do you look for in a man? Ah… anu nga ba? Hehehe!!! Siyempre yung responsible, God-fearing, a man with a word. Ayoko ng mayabang, grabe hate na hate ko yun. Have you found him already? Yes, I found him already. Hehehe!!! He he. Thank you for being such a good sport. Any final messages to our Kaibigans? I just want to leave a simple quote to our Kaibigans: “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” Thanks, Kuya Mon. You’re welcome, Karen. ♦
Vol. 4, Issue 1
BASKETBALL TRIVIA The Islanders
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n 1936, a new sport was being introduced into the Olympic program. It was called basketball. But basketball was very different from the way it is being played today. First of all, they competed on soil, which made it very difficult to execute a play in the driving rain. Secondly, there were no shot clocks, threesecond areas, or three-point shots either. If you started a game, you would only be replaced if you weren’t coming back in. It was a very hard game to play. A group of young men from a very small country far away came to an agreement. They would play basketball in the Olympics! Coming from very disparate backgrounds, they didn’t know what would come out of this, but it was worth a try. Back then, the Olympics were still considered an adventure only for the privileged, the well-educated. These boys, barely into their twenties, were baseball players, track athletes, aspiring lawyers, and so on. As a group, they had very limited experience in playing this new sport. They boarded a ship for Germany. There were no transcontinental flights then, so they would have to endure a 35day boat ride. There was no rice on the ship, their primary staple back home. They experienced severe sea sickness. They couldn’t practice, especially after their ball fell into the ocean. They suffered immensely. But, on that ship, they had reached out to each other. They had no one else to lean on. They realized that they could accomplish something no one had done before. They could be winners at this game. They arrived with barely a day before the tournament would begin. All their
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opponents would definitely be bigger and more experienced. And remember, Adolf Hitler was using the Olympics as a showcase for Aryan supremacy. If you weren’t German, forget it. What chance did a bunch of boys from a tiny country have? Finding their land legs again, they won the first game. Then, something strange happened. Something about the way these young basketball players carried themselves on and off the court caught the fancy of the stiff German press. They were named “the Islanders.” Teenage girls would shriek whenever they would pass by. Children asked them for autographs. They were constantly being invited out for dinner. And they kept winning. In fact, the only defeat they tasted was at the hands of the mighty United States. And so, it was with a deep sense of satisfaction that they boarded a ship for home. They had undergone a tremendous ordeal, and had been forged into
the strongest of alloys. They had gone beyond all expectations and fulfilled their dreams. They returned to a grateful nation having etched their names into history, for all time. The Islanders. Filipinos. This is a true story. ♦ (taken from Scoreboard Magazine, circa 1997, by Bill Velasco,)
Why they’re known as cagers
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popular slang term for basketball players over the years has been “cagers”. Many people think the nickname somehow came from the hoop and the net. Not so. The story is a little stranger than that and goes back to the early pro game. Back in the first 2 decades of the 20th century, a number of basketball courts were surrounded by either netting or a wire cage — which led to the name “cagers”. The purpose was to keep the ball from going out of bounds. But these cage and net games brought up a number of interesting possibilities.
With the rather rigid cage, basketball games sometimes resembled hockey games, with players being slammed into the cage or running into the night with all kinds of bumps, cuts, and bruises. Players often wore hip pads, an aluminum cup, and elbow and knee guards. It was a rough game and the early pros had to be rough customers. Players occasionally leap, grab the net, and pull themselves up high in the air to grab a pass and put it in the hoop. The net could be a great help. ♦ (source: The Kids’ World Almanac of Basketball by Bill Gutman)
January 2008
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ubic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ) starts its new Sportsfest season anew with the opening of the 2008 basketball tournament on March 1. Four teams again will compete for this year’s coveted title and were named after UAAP schools: Blue Eagles, Green Archers, Yellow Tigers, and Red Warriors.
Same categories as last year’s will be implemented this year, except for the addition of volleyball. Team managers and their assistants are as follows: Edgar Caluza and Danny Caro, Blue Eagles; Frederick Coronel and James Binoya, Green Archers; Dick Cabrera and Mars Escobar, Yellow Tigers; and Dexter Villanueva and Ruben
Subic Flame
Yellow and Green. The Red team doesn’t have to pick anymore because they are all composed of PSECO contractors. The company’s security guards joined this year’s games and were also selected via the draft. Sportsfest commissioners for the year are as follows: Ryan Griva, Robin Geronimo and Jay Navarro, basketball;
SEZ Sportsfest 2008 kicks off this March The 2008 SEZ Sportsfest will formally kick-off on March 29 during the company’s annual summer outing. Twelve sporting events will be featured this year with the re-inclusion of volleyball. Other events are basketball, badminton, table tennis, cycling, and marathon for the first half of the season (March to May, with volleyball); chess, games of the generals, darts, billiards, scrabble, and dama for the second half (June to September).
Quelestino, Red Warriors. The Red Warriors are composed of Subic EnerZone’s accredited contractor the Power Systems Electric Cooperative (PSECO). A player draft was held at the SEZ administration building conference room last January 25 to determine the members of each team. Team managers and their assistants drew lots for the pick succession. The Blue team got the first pick, followed by
Jeff Figuerrez and JM Famanila, volleyball; Jeremy Picones and Jerry Paul Mendez, badminton; Picones and Jayson Bondad, table tennis; John Ducos and Kheng Balbuena, marathon and cycling; Geronimo, chess and dama; Mendez, games of the generals; Navarro, darts; Anielou Gelacio, scrabble; and Fritzi Ryan de Leon, billiards. Over-all Sportsfest Commissioner is still Raymund Tamayo, with the Human Resources Department (QHRD). ♦
Vol. 4, Issue 1
Emerald crowned Over-All Champion
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he Emerald Arresters were crowned Sportsfest 2007 Over-All Team Champion during the Kaibigan Movie Awards at the SEZ administration building, February 15. Led by team manager Frederick Coronel, the Arresters hauled a monstrous 25 medals (9 golds, 8 silvers, and 8 bronzes) en route to the title. A distant second were the Turquoise Polymers with 13 medals (5 golds, 6 silvers, and 2 bronzes). Although both with 4 golds, the Tangerine Ampact Warriors edged out the Crimson Connectors for third place with more silver medals at six. The golds amassed by the Arresters were the following: Glecelio Lendio, marathon; Jay Navarro, badminton men’s singles; Jay Navarro and Jenny Flores, badminton mixed doubles; Manny Tabradillo, cycling road bike category; Jeff Figuerrez, table tennis class S singles; Frederick Coronel, table tennis class A singles; and Mars Escobar, games of
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Silver medalists were: Coronel and Karen Matawaran, basketball 2-ball challenge, Emerald; Rene Eldian, basketball skills challenge, Crimson; Bulaon, basketball 3-point shootout, Turquoise; Nonoy Ballejos, marathon, Tangerine; basketball, Tangerine; Richard Fernandez, badminton men’s singles, Turquoise; Yolly Cawagas, badminton women’s singles, Emerald; Coronel and Kheng Balbuena, badminton doubles, Emerald; Dodong Gumba and Gina Pollescas, badminton mixed doubles, Turquoise; Ricky Aranas, cycling road bike category, Tangerine; Egay Magalang, cycling mountain bike category, Emerald; Balbuena, table tennis class S singles, Emerald; Celiz, table tennis class A singles, Tangerine; Ryan Griva, table tennis class B singles, Emerald; Balbuena and Navarro, table tennis doubles, Emerald; Bulaon and Kristine Pulido, table tennis mixed doubles, Turquoise; Rene Gariando, darts, Tangerine; Escobar, chess, Emerald; Raymund Tamayo, games of the generals, Crimson; Celiz, billiards, Tangerine; Corinne Manalo,
the generals, scrabble, and dama. Gold medals for the Polymers were: Dan Alesna and Corinne Manalo, basketball 2-ball challenge; Noel Batingal, basketball skills challenge; basketball; Wilson Gayagaya, cycling mountain bike category; and Richard Bulaon, darts. The Ampact Warriors collected the following gold medals: Teresa Tiu, badminton SEZ SPORTFEST 2007 women’s singles; Ramny Guatelara and Chris Celiz, OFFICIAL MEDAL TALLY table tennis doubles; FINAL RESULTS James Binoya and Ethel Valerio, table tennis mixed doubles; and Chris Celiz, chess. G S For the Crimson ConEMERALD 9 8 nectors, the gold medals were: Jerome Reyes, basketball 3-point shootout; TURQUOISE 5 6 JM Famanila and Macky Silos, badminton doubles; TANGERINE 4 6 Macky Silos, table tennis class B singles; and Jerome Reyes, billiards. CRIMSON 4 2
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13
6
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Champions. The Emerald Arresters, headed by team manager Frederick Coronel (6th from left), receives the Over-All Team Champion trophy from SEZ VP/ General Manager Dante Pollescas (extreme left) during the Kaibigan Movie Awards. Others in the photo were (from left to right) Manny Tabradillo, Karen Matawaran, Ryan Griva, Yolly Cawagas, Justin Jay Navarro, Robin Geronimo, and Jeff Figuerrez.
scrabble, Turquoise; and Danny Caro, dama, Turquoise. Gold and silver medalists received cash prizes. The Over-all Team Champion also received a cash prize. ESCOBAR CAPTURES GOLDS IN SCRABBLE, DAMA Emerald Arresters’ Mars Escobar continued his board games dominance this year as he captured 2 more gold medals in Scrabble and Dama. Escobar outlasted a very formidable scrabble playing field by scoring 125 points against Turquoise Polymers’
Corinne Manalo’s 118 points (silver) and Crimson Connectors’ Raymund Tamayo’s 114 points (bronze). Meanwhile, he trounced Danny Caro of the Turquoise Polymers, 2-1, in a best-ofthree dama finals at the SEZ administration building. Robin Geronimo, also of the Emerald Arrester, secured the A man’s game. Emerald Arresters’ Mars Escobar intently thinks on his next move as Turquoise Polymers’ Danny Caro waits his bronze medal. ♦ turn during the final round of the 2007 SEZ Dama tournament. Escobar won the gold, 2-1.
JANUARY 2008
Canal Road corner Labitan St., CBD, SBFZ Tel. No.: (047) 252-7392 Fax No.: (047) 252– 7397 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF SUBIC ENERZONE
P54 Million Hand Over. Subic EnerZone vice president and general manager Dante Pollescas (left) hands over to SBMA administrator Armand Arreza a check for P54 million, representing service fees for operating power distribution facilities in the Subic Bay Freeport and the use of properties and services provided by SBMA. Arreza said the upgrading of power systems in Subic would generate more investments in the freeport.
SEZ turns over P54M to SBMA BY RAYMUND TAMAYO
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ubic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ) recently turned over a P54-million payment to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as part of its commitment stipulated in the Distribution Management Service Agreement (DMSA) for the privatization of the power distribution system in the freeport. SEZ Vice President and General Manager Dante Pollescas handed over the ceremonial check to SBMA Administrator and CEO Armand Arreza during a breakfast meeting at the SBMA board room on November 19, 2007. SEZ pays P40 million annually to SBMA for the service fee in operating and managing its power distribution facilities in the Freeport Zone. Also stipulated in the agreement is the
yearly payment of P14 million during the first five years of SEZ’s operation for properties and services provided by SBMA. “Based on the agreement sealed between EnerZone and SBMA, EnerZone should pay P40 million for service fee in operating and managing its power distribution facilities in the Freeport zone and P14 million for the company’s operation of properties and services provided by SBMA,” Arreza said. He congratulated SEZ saying it has never failed to upgrade the level of efficiency of its power distribution in Subic Bay since it took over the management and operation of the company in 2003. “It is our commitment in Subic EnerZone to deliver what is expected from us when En-
erZone and SBMA have signed the DMSA for the privatization of the power distribution system in the Freeport,” Pollescas said. Pollescas noted that EnerZone has continuously improved its services since it started operations in Subic, while promoting corporate professionalism which has raised its level of efficiency that helped to attain 5.5 percent drop in its system loss ratio. Accordingly, system loss or electrical system loss is a measure of a utility’s efficiency. The difference between the electrical energy purchased and electrical energy sold, therefore, any drop in system loss would mean reduction in power or electricity consumption of the consumer per kilowatt-hour. ♦