Subic Bay is not only well renowned for its various attractions but also for the establishments that sells imported and local goods. The items here are tax free so the prices are considerably lower. Make sure that you have enough money whether dollars or pesos so you can shop until you want. Here are some of the establishments that will allow you to enjoy Subic Bay shopping.
Freeport Exchange Mart is located between Puregold Duty Free and Royal Subic. It offers middle brand items and caters to the C & D market. Operating from 9 am to 9 pm daily, the store offers a wide range of products. The most popular products here are export overruns of brand names such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Gap, to name just a few.
Like its other stores, Puregold Duty Free Mall offers similar stuff, except for some items. The store caters to the B, C, & D market. If you are working on a budget, this is the best place to go shopping. The items sold here are not luxurious but offers items like Mars, Revlon, to name just a few.
Arirang Mart represents the emergence of the South Koreans in the Philippines. It is a Korean mini mart catering to the South Korean market as well as the employees of Hanjin Shipping Corporation, the biggest Korean company in the country. It offers a wide range of Korean products such as assorted seasonings for galbi, japchea, sangyeopsal, or beers,
Likewise, you can find assorted kimchi products since there are 35 different kinds of kimchi in Korea. However, you will need the help of an interpreter as most of the products do not have English labels.
Owned and managed by the Rustans Corporation, Royal Subic mall is the largest duty free shop in Subic Freeport. Located just 15 meters to the right of Puregold Duty Free Mall, it is the best place to go if you prefer luxury shopping. It boats of having in its stock some popular brands such as Guess, Lacoste, and Havianas. It has the biggest stocks of all the duty free malls in Subic Bay.
If you plan to purchase duty free items in Subic from Manila, think twice. It is not recommended as you would need to spend more than 2000 pesos. The best way to enjoy Subic Bay shopping is to go on vacation than just shop for tax-free products.
I was in my first (1st) year in my secondary education (or high school) when I was able to 'set foot' at Olongapo City, particularly in Subic Bay. It was another wonderful experience for me since the place was a bit advance than the usual city settings in the Philippines in terms of design and overall facilities.
Since the Americans left the base, they left high class infrastructures and facilities and it is up to the assigned or appointed chairman of the place how to maximize these state of the art 'junks' they left behind as well. Since then, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority or SBMA had become an icon of progress in the Philippines. The place was able to sustain jobs and businesses making it a vital factor in the economic venture for the Philippines.
During our stay in SBMA, we were informed that we would be setting our camps outside the barracks. We were so excited that we would be able to assemble our own individual tents. Nonetheless, our senior scout leaders forgot to remind us something about the tents. Unfortunately, they were not really waterproof. The announcement was quite late and we were already set up. As for plan B, we were asked to occupy the empty barracks. None of us, at first, would like to move a muscle to transfer until Mother Nature forced us to relocate because of the rain. When we entered the barracks, we were in unison saying, 'parang sa palabas lang o sine lang ito!' (It is like in the movies or films!) We then raced to hop in and occupy a bed that was bigger than the average bed we have in our homes. The best part of it was the management allowed us to us their air condition units. It was indeed a 'cool' camping!
Since we were boy scouts, we hiked our way to the Jungle Environmental Survival Training Camp (or JEST Camp). The name of the place had already explained itself since the camp was meant for jungle survival. The Aetas or indigenous people of the place were the ones teaching the ways of the jungle for survival. They were very accommodating indeed! I would definitely not forget the trainer, a native, who handled and gave us some pointers how to endure the harsh jungle environment or scenario. He was Freddie Friday (as the Americans called him; his real name is Freddie Biernes or Viernes which literally means 'Friday'). He showed and demonstrated for us how to cook meat without fire by simply clamping or fixing it between your armpits and go on with the usual activity. After two (2) to three (3) hours one can now enjoy 'burger ala pit'. I was not sure if he was kidding or joking but I believed that one could do anything for survival. We were able to learn the value and versatility of the bamboo and its usage. Practically speaking we were taught to cook and make fire just using bamboo. The best part of it was when Freddie gave us a chance to taste at least a drop or two of water from a stem of a plant that could hold water.
As for me, my experience at Subic had left an impression that improvement and advancement are possible. With the aid of foreign investors and right management of the local government of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, nothing could hamper this place's economic growth. Since it has been a landmark for tourists, SBMA continues to maintain and improve its status. My latest visit in the place manifested that things were really getting better.
In the early 1990’s, the United States Armed Forces said their farewell to the locals of Olongapo, particularly to the place known as Subic Bay. The said place was described to be as one of the most strategic location for military base or fortification. History attested that there were many fateful naval battles that could be related to the area. Nonetheless, the years of the American occupation of the place had drastically changed it. American Army had left state-of-the-art facilities and thus giving the locals their economic advantages.
The SBMA Health and Safety Group provide excellent outpatient and round the clock emergency health concern services. It has three (3) medical channels in the region - the New Terminal Clinic at the Subic Bay International Airport and the SBMA Dispensary at Dewey Ave. and in Cubi. The group also carries out health inspection, precautionary health plans and training courses to employees through pre-employment and annual physical examinations.
Peace and order is professionally preserved in the Freeport. The SBMA Law Enforcement Department efficiently implements traffic rules and regulations, and upholds a border defense through standard canine and mobile watches all around the area. As part of its Law Enforcement and physical security roles, the Law Enforcement Department (or LED) also remains a special ranger guard group to defend the area’s forests from being misused.
International Banking Organizations proffer financing amenities, investment services and electronic banking. Facilities such as internet service providers, postal and courier (along with easy access to all forms of mass media), connect residents of the Subic to the world.
The presence of international schools and notable educational institutions (colleges, graduate schools, computer schools, science schools and technological institutions) at Subic had made the place a suitable area for education. Special Education or SPED is also available for exceptionally brilliant, mentally talented and skillful individuals.
The use of internet or the World Wide Web has been a very practical tool for the continual growth and progress of Subic Bay area in terms of economy and tourism. The http://www.sbma.com/ is a good reference online which provides an overall view of what Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is all about. It gives information about the commercial and industrial area known as the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. This site is a-must especially for first time tourists or potential business entrepreneurs.
The Subic Bay Freeport Zone is a place commonly visited by individuals who go to Subic or just happen to be passing through. Perhaps the reason for this is that Subic Bay is considered a melting pot of different cultures. Subic Bay also has several great beaches and the fresh sea breeze is just hard to resist. When in Subic Bay, there are excellent hotels that one can stay at to help one maximize one’s visit to this area.
This Subic Bay hotel won an award in 2006 for having the highest number of bookings annually. Found on Moonbay Marina and almost as if it’s built on water, each of the rooms at Subic Park Hotel provides a scenic view of the beach and watching the sunset is breathtaking. All the rooms at this Subic Bay hotel are fully self-contained with its own fridge and mini-kitchen, a bathtub, IDD telephone, WIFI, cable television and an option between a queen or king sized bed. The rooms at Subic Park Hotel are also affordable, the standard room rate starting at US$ 53 per night. The most expensive room at the Subic Park Hotel is the Oceanfront room and these look out directly to Subic Bay with ceiling to floor windows. Oceanfront rooms of the Subic Park Hotel start at US$ 95 per night. All rates quoted for this Subic Bay hotel includes dinner.
Subic Park Hotel is also right in the center of where it all happens. Aside from the beach, there are many restaurants and bars that are walking distance from it but for those who don’t want to wander far, this Subic Bay hotel also has its own restaurant.
The central business district of Subic Bay is very accessible from the Majestic Hotel which is a 10 minute walk to downtown. What’s good about this Subic Bay hotel’s location is that it is also very near the boardwalk and waterfront where the restaurants, bars and casinos are. The Majestic Hotel is proud of its commitment to constantly improve their services and they are constantly renovating to provide better facilities for their guests.
Majestic Hotel is motel type accommodation that’s very affordable and looks out to landscaped gardens that are frequently maintained. This Subic Bay hotel used to be a military building so one is assured that the structure of Majestic Hotel is very sturdy. The staff is friendly and always willing to please. Majestic Hotel is an ideal Subic Bay hotel for families, honeymooners and businessmen.