Plan your summer escapade now. Explore the North via the

Plan your summer escapade now. Explore the North via the SCTEX!
MARCH 2010 VOL. III BLG. III
BCDA prepares SCTEX
for Holy Week
What’s inside?
traffic spike
Find your Visita Iglesia:
Churches up North - p.3
Story on page 2
SCTEX Commendations
- p. 3
SBMA Calendar of Events
- p. 4
15th Hot Air Balloon
photo collage
- p. 4
Iwas “TIRIK” advisory sa SCTEX:
Para sa mabilis, matipid at maginhawang biyahe sa SCTEX, siguraduhing nasa tamang kundisyon ang inyong sasakyan. I-check
muna ang mga sumusunod: mga gulong, makina, tubig sa radiator, break, busina at iba pa.
Gumamit ng mga service areas (e.g. gasoline stations, comfort rooms) na matatagpuan sa North Luzon Expressway (NLEX),
MacArthur Highway, Olongapo-Gapan Road, Concepcion-Magalang Road, Tarlac-Sta. Rosa Road at iba pa bago bumiyahe sa SCTEX.
SCTEX Hotlines: (045) 865-2030 • (02) 362-9997 • (02) 362-2246 • 0920-96-SCTEX
2 MARCH 2010
BCDA prepares SCTEX...
from page 1
The Bases Conversion and
Development Authority (BCDA)
has already begun preparations
for the expected high volume of
Holy Week travelers who will pass
through the Subic-Clark-Tarlac
Expressway (SCTEX) on their way
to various destinations in Central
and Northern Luzon.
Robert C. Gervacio,
BCDA program manager for
operational support services and
spokesman, said the state agency,
in coordination with its interim toll
operator, the Tollways Management
Corporation (TMC), is ready with
travel advisories and is already
undertaking measures to facilitate
traffic flow which traditionally peaks
during Holy Week.
“We are looking at every
scenario to avoid queuing at toll
plazas and ensure a smooth flow
of traffic along the toll road,” he
pointed out. “However, motorists
themselves will significantly
contribute to the desired traffic
TOLLWAYS MANAGEMENT
CORPORATION (TMC)
Publisher and Circulation
ALOYSIUS R. SANTOS
Chairman, BCDA
GEN NARCISO L ABAYA (RET)
President and CEO, BCDA
AILEEN R. ZOSA
Executive Vice President, BCDA
BGEN ROBERT C GERVACIO (RET)
Editorial Adviser/SCTEX Program Manager
for Operational Support Services (OSS)
LEILANI BARLONGAY-MACASAET
Editor-in-Chief/BCDA Public Affairs Manager
ROY VICTOR R. ROSALES
Managing Editor/BCDA PRO IV
GARRY A. CATIVO
MICHELLE S. SAN JUAN
Writers and Lay-out Artists/BCDA PIOs
AGEM ALFAFARAS
Photographer/BCDA Media Production Personnel
Contributors:
MIKE VIVAS
JENNIFER MALLO
Balitang SCTEX
efficiency by getting ready with their
exact toll fees and SCTEX electronic
cards as they approach the exit
points.”
The BCDA said all 11
interchanges are now fully
functional. The recent opening
of the Porac and Floridablanca
interchanges is also expected to
help ease traffic as they provide
motorists with more options in their
travel itineraries.
Motorists may likewise
opt to use the Tipo, Dinalupihan,
Clark South, Clark North, Dolores,
Concepcion, San Miguel and Tarlac
City interchanges to go to various
destinations up north, Gervacio
noted.
SCTEX users are also
advised to attend to their rest room
and other personal needs before
entering the 94-kilometer tollway
for their own travel convenience.
Delays can also be avoided if they
have their vehicles checked to
ensure that they are in good working
condition before undertaking their
long Holy Week journey, the BCDA
spokesman said.
Tipo Interchange.
More traffic personnel will
be deployed and 24-hour roving
patrol units plus a customer service
hotline will be made available to
ensure motorists’ comfort and
safety along the country’s longest
toll road.
Gervacio said traffic volume
along the BCDA-run SCTEX is
expected to swell in the last two
weeks of March until early April due
to the observance of Holy Week
which, this year, will start on March
29, Holy Monday, and end on April 4,
Easter Sunday.
Yearly, pilgrims and tourists
visit religious destinations such as
Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan
or hold retreats in places like the
Bataan Technology Park during Holy
Week. Others take advantage of
the long Lenten break to go to their
favorite summer hang-outs.
SCTEX
COMMENDATIONS
FROM: JENKINS CHUA
January 28, 2010
“Last January 14, 2010, me and my 3 colleagues were going to Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales for a business trip
when our vehicle encountered an overheating problem about 20 kilometers after entering SCTEX Mabalacat Interchange.
Fortunately, a patrol vehicle passed on the opposite lane asking for our problem and which then called another patrol to help
us. It only took 10-15 minutes before a patrol vehicle came to the rescue. They offered us water for the vehicle and suggested
we cool down the engine. They also offered to call AAP for towing services just in case the vehicle won’t work after the cool
down. For our safety, they diverted the traffic into one lane using traffic cones. After an hour, we tried to crank the engine
but it failed to work due to radiator problem. As promised, they helped us call AAP to tow our vehicle to Subic Bay. They
even offered us a ride. Thank you very much to the traffic management of SCTEX especially to PC Tiglao, SG Dela Cruz, PC
Cabagnot, SG Torres, PC Torres and SG Facun. More power and keep up the good work!”
FROM: ARNOLD DAVID
January 20, 2009
“On January 16, 2010, our delivery truck (CNU-247) encountered engine trouble as it made it’s way towards the Dinalupihan
Exit. The L300 delivery truck went to a sudden stop. Members of the SCTEX patrol group were very helpful. I’d like to express
my gratitude to PC R. Santos Jr. and SG Reyes for going out of their way to help secure the vehicle until it exited the tollway.
Cheers to all of you who keep our tollways safe!”
SCTEX Community Relations
JOSHUA BINGCANG
SCTEX PMO for Engineering
JERRY MENDOZA
SCTEX Greening and Environmental Management PMO
MA. CECILIA VILLARUEL
SCTEX Operations and Maintenance PMO
Ang Biyaheng SCTEX ay ang opisyal na pahayagan ng SubicClark-Tarlac Expressway, proyekto ng Bases Conversion and
Development Authority (BCDA) na inilalathala ng Tollways
Management Corp. (TMC). Matatagpuan ang opisina ng SCTEX
sa Toll Operations Center Bldg. (TOCB) Dolores, Mabalacat,
Pampanga.
FROM : BONIFACIO LOZADA
February 8, 2010
“Last February 7, 2010, my family and I we’re on our way home to Olongpo City from NAIA Centennial Airport when the van
we hired suddenly stopped along SCTEX, a few kilometers from Tipo toll plaza. Our driver said it was due to faulty filter. Just
then, patrol crews PC R. M. PINGOL and SG M. F. FACUN arrived, complete with their uniforms and equally colorful vests.
I started with my most cordial and friendly conversation as they to give us an exemplary assistance. Showing a cheerful
disposition and sincere attitude in explaining their duties and responsibilities as patrol crews, our hearts fill with gratitude
despite the biting heat of the sun. They made us feel important and comfortable until our son-in-law arrived with his van.
Please extend our profound and sincere gratitude to these patrol crews for making our misfortune a blissful experience. The
way they conduct and discharge their duties and responsibilities were outstanding.”
Lakbay SCTEX
Find your Visita Iglesia: Churches up North
MARCH 2010
3
By: Michelle San Juan
Researcher: Brigitte Antonio
In Filipino Catholic tradition, Holy Thursday during the Lenten season is the time for Catholic devotees to do the Visita Iglesia, which
literally means “church visit.” Devotees honor the Blessed Sacrament by contemplating on the fourteen stations of the cross while visiting
various churches. It is best to have a well-planned Visita Iglesia trip weeks before the Holy Week period begins. Here are some of the
churches you can visit in the different provinces of Central and Northern Luzon.
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH
Calumpit, Bulacan
BARASOAIN CHURCH
Malolos, Bulacan
APALIT PAROCHIAL CHURCH
Apalit, Pampanga
HOLY ROSARY PARISH CHURCH
Angeles City, Pampanga
Built in 1572, St. John the
Baptish Church is the oldest
church in Bulacan. A point of
interest in this church is the
tunnel where priests hid their
gold, religious statues and ornate
jewelries from treasure hunters
during the Spanish era.
It is known as the “Cradle of
Democracy in the East” because
of the important historical events
that occurred here. This was the
place of the First Philippine Republic.
It is considered the most important
religious building in the Philippines
and is renowned for its architectural
design and internal adornments.
Famous for the painting on
its ceilings and dome, this
church was designed in Baroque
architecture. The structure of
the façade is similar to European
classic churches which makes it a
must-see church this Holy Week
season.
Known for its twin towers, this
church is the most distinctive
landmark in the City of Angeles.
This church was made through
“Polo y Servicio” or better known
as forced labor system imposed
by the Spaniards to Filipino
peasants.
OUR LADY OF MANAOAG CHURCH
Manaoag, Pangasinan
Known as the “Shrine of the
Nuestra Senora de Manaoag,”
it is the most-visited religious
place in North Luzon. Thousands
of people come here especially
during Sundays and other
religious occasions to pray for
healing, good fate and other
requests knowing that the Lady
of Manaoag is famous for its
miraculous acts.
PAOAY CHURCH
Paoay, Ilocos Norte
BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF CHARITY
Agoo, La Union
Considered as the most beautiful
church in La Union, this Basilica
enshrines the miraculous image
of Our Lady of Charity. It reflects
a Mexican-Baroque architecture
which makes it remarkable among
other churches in the North.
BOTOLAN CHURCH
Botolan, Zambales
Located at the south of Iba, this
church was made of coral blocks
in 1700 and it is said to be one
of the oldest standing colonial
churches in the Philippines.
Paoay Church can be called
the best-known “earthquake
Baroque” church in the country.
Its architectural design using
large coral stones on its
lower level and bricks on the
upper levels makes a perfect
description of Gothic, Baroque
and Oriental composition.
SOURCES: http://pampanga.islandsphilippines.com/religious.php; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki; http://www.andropampanga.com
http://www.paraisophilippines.com; http://en.wikipilipinas.org; http://www.bulacan.gov.ph; http:///www.google.com.ph
4
Impormasyong SCTEX
MARCH 2010
SBMA CALENDAR OF EVENTS
DATE
EVENT
MARCH 3
Tour of Luzon 2010 Philippine Premiere Cycling
League
Crowne Peak Garden
MARCH
6-7
Beach Football - Beach
Football Association of the
Philippines (BFAP)
Boardwalk
MARCH
11-13
Kitchen Wars: Culinary &
Flairtending Grand Pix 2010
- Blue Spoon
Remy Field
Sport Fishing Tournament
- Philippine Sport Fishing
Club, Inc.
Access Road / NCT
MARCH
18-21
Mitsubishi Service Caravan
- Carworld, Inc.
Royal Subic Parking Area
MARCH 27
Invitational Inshore Races
2010 New Year Series Race
4&5
Subic Bay Waters
APRIL 1-4
Holy Week Activities
San Roque Chapel /
Boardwalk
APRIL 2
Healing through the Way of
the Cross Concert
Boardwalk
APRIL 2-5
China Sea Race - Subic Bay
Yacht Club
Subic Bay Waters
MARCH 14
15th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
February 11-14, 2010
AFP Grounds Clak Freeport Zone, Pampanga
Hot Air Balloon Night Glow
Kite Flying
SCTEX MAP
VENUE
Paragliding
A large crowd gather at AFP Grounds to watch
kite flying.
by: BCDA Public Affairs
Hot Air Balloon Flights
Local dance group entertains the crowd.
Hot Air Balloon Flights