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Featured Story: BETTER STORAGE MEANS BETTER COFFEE October 22, 2013 |
 Ever wonder why gourmet and specialty coffee shops serve the best and, not to mention, the most expensive cups of coffee?
It’s a known fact that coffee is best served when it’s at its freshest. Freshness is a big deal especially in the coffee business...
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Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Olongapo City. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Olongapo City. Sort by date Show all posts
Posted on
Thursday, November 8, 2012
The Americans were the first to take notice of Subic Bay’s marquee location but not primarily for tourism purposes. The area is strategically facing the South China Sea with easy naval access to major ports in the region such as Manila, Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong. However, it’s not until the middle of the 20th Century that Subic Bay’s true potential was realized. From a small supply port during World War II, it became a major player during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. As it thrived, so is the City of Olongapo as jobs, money and supplies flowed into the city. The base too underwent a face-lift. More land was added and recreational facilities were built to accommodate the growing numbers of American Servicemen and their families. Outside, resorts and beaches reigned Subic Bay’s coastline becoming a favorite retreat for locals and foreigners.
While it boasts some of the best beaches in the Philippines and the world, Subic Bay houses world-class resort hotels, restaurants, shopping districts, theme parks and other tourist attractions. Truly, a haven for one seeking relaxation and recreation. Some popular attractions includes the Zoobic Safari Zoo, the Ocean Adventure Theme Park, the El Kabayo Equestrian Centre, shipwreck diving sites, The Subic Bay Lighthouse, The Subic Bay Marina and Yacht Club, Pamulaklakin Trail, The Old Spanish Gate, duty-free shops and major shopping malls, hundreds of restaurants serving local and international cuisines. The biggest city in the area is Olongapo with its many shops, parks, resorts and restaurants. The town of Subic offers beach resorts, a major fishing port and adult oriented forms of entertainment. Morong also features beach resorts and is currently being developed into a resort town by the Ayala Corporation.
About The Author
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| Subic Bay Lighthouse |
Subic Bay, a major Philippine port in Zambales, has undergone extraordinary transformations from its origin as a tiny fishing village into the thriving commercial and tourism capital it is now. Covering an area expanse that stretches from the port of Morong in Bataan to the protected forest areas of Dinalupihan and Olongapo and all the way to the port of the town of Subic, the Subic Bay Metropolitan area or Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) is exploding with so much tourism activities and attractions.
When the Americans left in 1991 following the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, the area was an utter wasteland of volcanic ash and sand. A plan to restore the old naval base was put in place and by 1992, Republic Act 7227 (Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992) was signed. The act establishes the creation of economic zones where the old American military facilities used to be. Today, Subic Bay (under the management of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) and its environs has become a tourism Mecca and a major industrial-commercial hot spot due to its maritime accessibility.
I personally grew up in the area and I can vouch for the people's warm hospitality, the beautiful scenery and the conveniences of being there. One of the things I love about Subic Bay, and Olongapo city in particular is the transportation mobility. Although not as advanced as other countries, people can commute without the hassles of traffic congestion. So travel, come visit us and enjoy everything we have to offer. You'll be sure to love it here.
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa spent over a decade working as business professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry. Degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and Honours Diploma from Eastern College.
Posted on
Monday, February 18, 2013
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Tip: It won't hurt to ask for certain freebies from the SM department store if you are aggrieved due to poor service or misinformation.
On Friday, 15 Feb. 2013 I bought a total of over $100 in clothes and other items for me and the wife to avail of the Valentine's Weekend Sale that should've totalled to about 35%.
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| SM City Olongapo |
On Friday, 15 Feb. 2013 I bought a total of over $100 in clothes and other items for me and the wife to avail of the Valentine's Weekend Sale that should've totalled to about 35%.
Unfortunately, two department managers made the costly mistake of giving me the wrong info that lost for me a small percentage of the promised discount.
After a long apology from management, I insisted that they compensate me for my troubles. They were hesitant at first until I told them that I'm not paying for any of the items.
Management relented and gave me a coupon for a free box of 12 brownies worth $10, discount coupons, extra raffle tickets (which management staff completed at my behest) and full management assistance for the rest of my shopping walk around. Yeah, I guess you could say they made the shopping experience and the hassle worthwhile.
After a long apology from management, I insisted that they compensate me for my troubles. They were hesitant at first until I told them that I'm not paying for any of the items.
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| My beautiful wife |
Management relented and gave me a coupon for a free box of 12 brownies worth $10, discount coupons, extra raffle tickets (which management staff completed at my behest) and full management assistance for the rest of my shopping walk around. Yeah, I guess you could say they made the shopping experience and the hassle worthwhile.
It was so good, I ended up spending $500 in the three-day span that covered the sale period. In the end, one of those raffle tickets won me a 50-inch flat screen TV. Yeah, I'm that blessed.
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa is
a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business
professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international
trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry.
Degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and Honours
Diploma from Eastern College. Currently based in the Philippines and
working as a professional writer for a multi-national business processes
firm.
Posted on
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Tags: local businesses, Olongapo city, Subic bay, Philippine business, merging
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For the past 20 or so years, Happy Valley Supermart has been an important and influential part of the local community, serving Olongapenos, and recently, Subic and Iba.
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| Happy Valley bounced back after a 2009 fire but failed to compete with national brand stores |
I am saddened to hear that the rising competition from bigger, national brand stores like Ayala and SM, are forcing local stores to close. On that note, Happy Valley Superstore is going out of business.
Local businesses are essential to our community. They help define the local identity. While I agree that a community needs a little bit of competition so as to inject change and improve existing and accepted ways of doing business, I hate to see national brand businesses monopolize and just take over this community.
National stores kill competition and effectively destroy the local entrepreneurial spirit. Local businesses should find ways to cooperate with each other through merging together or other means to create competitive businesses and bigger stores that can go toe-to-toe and head-to-head with the likes of Ayala and Sy. Only through by helping each other can local businesses compete with these giants and retain local pride.
Just my 25 centavos on the matter which could actually be worth a billion pesos.
