AAP caravan goes to Clark and Subic
Participants of the AAP Lakbay Clark & Subic Caravan together with AAP staff and officers. The crew of the Aeromed ambulance that escorted the Caravan are seen at left with the PNP-HPG officers.
Over 100 people in 26 cars enjoyed a guided tour of Clark in Angeles City, Pampanga and Subic in Zambales during the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) Clark and Subic Caravan organized by AAP Tourism Committee Chair and former Tourism Secretary Mina T. Gabor on May 29, 2010.
“The caravan is an excellent opportunity for family bonding and renewing friendships. More caravan and drive tours will be developed by AAP for its members and the general motoring public to enjoy,” Ms Gabor told the caravan participants.
After registration at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, the participants drove in convoy to points of interest in Clark and Subic with the Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) leading the way and AeroMed, the official ambulance of the caravan, following behind as sweep car. Several Clark-based members of the Vintage Car Club of the Philippines joined the tour in Clark to display their cherished vintage cars: the red 1953 MG-TD roadster of Andrew Angeles, the green 1947 MG-TC roadster of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Smith, the blue 1968 Ford Mustang of Tantan Bautista, the 1968 Austin Healey roadster of Jane Ziegler and a 1963 Mercedes-Benz SL 233 coupe. At the Nayong Pilipino in Clark, a row of Chevrolet Impalas of 1962-1966 vintage and a 1960’s Chevelle were also displayed by their proud owners.
Clark Freeport Philippines
Clark Freeport Philippines, formerly the Clark US Air Force base, is now under the administration of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC).and is the site of one of the most modern airports in Asia, the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).
The caravan’s first stop was the Clark Museum where artifacts and relics of the history, heritage and culture of the people of Angeles City were displayed. Before proceeding to Nayong Pilipino, the caravan did a rolling tour that passed by the Parade Grounds, a 20 hectare field used as a cavalry post in the 20th century, the Barn Houses, the first permanent structure in Clark built in 1904 and the DMIA Terminal.
The caravan also passed by the flagpole and four memorial markers commemorating the 26th Philippine Cavalry, the US Army, the US Army Air Corps and the historic turnover to the Philippine government on November 26, 1991. The site where President Manual A. Roxas suffered a fatal heart attack also had a memorial marker. Other historical landmarks that the caravan drove by were the Monument of Col. John Stotsenburg and the Fort Stotsenburg Posts. Col. Stotsenburg was the commander of the 1st Nebraska Volunteer Regiment that was sent to the Philippines in 1899.
At the Nayong Pilipino’s Ifugao Village, the participants were welcomed with an Igorot folk dance..This was followed by a guided tour of the Nayong Pilipino where miniature replicas of Philippine landmarks and native villages are found. Afterwards, the participants toured the Zoocobia Fun Zoo where the kids and kids at heart photographed and fed the monkeys, ostrich, deer, bearcats and other animals.
Subic Bay Freeport Zone
At the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, which is operated and maintained by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the caravan did a rolling tour, passing by the Subic Gateway Park, Subic Bay Yacht Club, Central Business District, Subic Golf, Subic Housing, Subic Techno Park, Subic Bay International Airport, Subic Bay Protected Area, CUBI Area and the Pamulaklakin Forest Trail. The caravan also visited the future site of AAP Director Gabor’s International School for Eco-Tourism in Subic.
The highlight of the tour in Subic was viewing bats flying overhead at the Bat Highway. The participants experienced the thrill of watching thousands of fruit bats in flight. The fruit bats stay in the protected forest reserve of Subic which is said to be the biggest of its kind in the world.
The tour ended at Subic’s boardwalk area where gift certificates were raffled off to the participants. After a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk as the sun set, the caravan participants headed back to Manila, bringing with them pleasant memories of Clark and Subic.
For more information on AAP’s Drive Tours and Caravans, log-in to www.aap.org.ph or call Vanessa Mendoza at AAP 7230808. Other Drive Tours available are a one-day tour of Laguna and Batangas or a day tour with kayak activity at Taal Volcano or Ternate, Cavite.
