FORMER employees of the US Naval Base, Subic Bay marked the 3rd day of their 1st Grand Reunion ever with the launching of a Photo Exhibit at Harbor Point and a “shindig” or no-host party at Pier One in the former base site, now Subic Freeport, 22 years after the US military pull-out resulting from the Philippine Senate’s rejection of a treaty that would have extended US Military basing rights in the Philippines.
The reunion came at a time amid calls for increased US military presence in the face of China’s move to grab Philippine territories in the West Philippines Sea, also known as South China Sea.
Sentiments are presently seen as high in the Philippines, especially in Olongapo City and nearby communities, for the return of the US Bases but the current constitution does not allow any foreign military base in the country.
However, the former US Base Workers, their families and descendants, favor increased US military presence under the existing PH-US Visiting Forces Agreeement (VFA) as a viable alternative, both as deterrent to Chinese aggression and for economic reasons.
PHOTO EXHIBIT. Olongapo City First Lady SBMA Director Cynthia Paulino (2nd frm R) and SBMA First Lady Marivi Garcia (L), assisted by Reunion Executive Committee members Roberto Flores (2nd frm L), Betty Fielder (3rd frm L) and Ben Arellano (R), cut the ceremonial ribbon to launch the Photo Exhibit at Harbor Point Ayala Mall on the 3rd day of the 1st Grand Reunion of US Naval Base, Subic Bay former employees. The exhibit will run through until the end of March. SBNphoto by Vic V. Vizcocho, Jr. SHINDIG. A no-host dinner/party was held tonight at Pier One, SBFZ as part of the ongoing 1st Grand Reunion of Former Employees of the US Naval Base, Subic Bay. Participants were both from the Philippines and many balikbayan from the US, Australia and other foreign countries. SBNphoto by Vic V. Vizcocho, Jr. Ernesto Tawatao, co-chairman of the 1st Grand Reunion of Former Employees of US Naval Base, Subic Bay pose with SBMA First Lady Marivi Garcia during the launch of the Photo Exhibit at Harbor Point Ayala Mall that will run through up to the end of March 2014. SBNphoto by Vic V. Vizcocho, Jr.SHINDIG. A no-host dinner/party was held tonight at Pier One, SBFZ as part of the ongoing 1st Grand Reunion of Former Employees of US Naval Base, Subic Bay. Participants were both from the Philippines and many balikbayan from the US, Australia and other foreign countries. SBNphoto by Vic V. Vizcocho, Jr. Former US Base Workers residing in the US and other foreign countries who came home to attend the 1st Grand Reunion were honored with leis during the shindig at Pier One, SBFZ. SBNphoto by Vic V. Vizcocho, Jr.SHINDIG. A no-host dinner/party was held tonight at Pier One, SBFZ as part of the ongoing 1st Grand Reunion of Former Employees of the US Naval Base, Subic Bay. Participants were both from the Philippines and many balikbayan from the US, Australia and other foreign countries. SBNphoto by Vic V. Vizcocho, Jr. SHINDIG. A no-host dinner/party was held tonight at Pier One, SBFZ as part of the ongoing 1st Grand Reunion of Former Employees of the US Naval Base, Subic Bay. Participants were both from the Philippines and many balikbayan from the US, Australia and other foreign countries. SBNphoto by Vic V. Vizcocho, Jr.
