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White Rock seeks to revive its old glory
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: Rachel C. Barawind
Date: 2007-03-18
 
For decades, the White Rock Beach Hotel has been among the staple attractions of Subic’s resort town in the city of Olongapo, Zambales. Every summer, hordes of vacationers from Manila would flock to the resort already bursting with holiday revelers at the seams. Oftentimes, guests had to be turned down.



Named after two big, 11th century white volcanic rocks, which were remnants of the first Mt. Pinatubo eruption, the White Rock Beach Hotel has long been a testament to Subic’s early tourism history. For one of the oldest beach resorts in the area, White Rock has certainly withstood the test of time - including Subic’s rapid development as a major tourist destination for the country.

Located within the original Subic town (not the Freeport Zone, which was said to have only borrowed its name from this town) in Barangay Matain, White Rock Resort is ideally set in a picturesque coastline at the heart of Subic Bay, which forms part of Zambales’ 173 kilometers of beaches with fine sand ranging from gray to black in most areas and white in a few locales. It is now easily accessible from Manila, being a merely two-hour drive past the North Luzon expressway, farmlands, and scenic landscapes.

Resort chairman George Lorenzana recalled White Rock’s steady rise to popularity which began after he purchased 1.9-hectare property about 27 years ago for only R2 million.

Business flourished until the devastating Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991 covered the resort with lahar and temporarily halted its operations. But just as soon as it has recovered from this natural tragedy, White Rock was again faced with a stronger opponent — the rise of five-star hotels inside the fast-developing Subic Freeport Industrial Zone.

"We even had to sell our house in Corinthians and infuse all our money on the restoration of the resort after being damaged by the lahar," Lorenzana recalled.

White Rock struggled and learned to deal with the competition. It also managed to cultivate an ever-growing clientele of mostly domestic tourists and large corporations.


BACK ON TRACK

To regain its old glory and remain competitive, White Rock has constantly reinvented itself by adding new rooms and facilities, and refurbishing existing ones to cater to the needs of modern-day travelers.

Today, White Rock is back on its feet, fully recovered and once again proving visitors queue for its postcard-perfect vista of tranquil, azure waters surrounded by Subic’s magnificent mountain ranges. These mountains have also safeguarded the resort from storms and floods all these years.

Now expanded to a sprawling 5.7-hectare property, White Rock has 200 rooms spread in various areas of the resort — at the beachfront, beachside, village, bayside and dockside.

Guests may engage in watersports like jet skiing, kayaking, or banana boating. Or take a relaxing siesta on a hammock in one of the resort’s Mediterranean-style cabanas or in its verdant garden. Lazy afternoons may be spent at the playground with the children, while those searching for adventure can test their skills at various sports like archery, bowling at the 10-lane bowling alley or golfing at the resort’s driving range.

Nightlife is as vibrant with live band entertainment serenading guests while having dinner at the Sunset Café or the Plaza Seaside Restaurant. A perfect nightcap can be had at the Karaoke lounge for music lovers or at the Sanctuario Spa for those who need to rejuvenate one’s body after a day of beach activities.


SUBIK-SUBIK FESTIVAL

As one of the pioneers in the hospitality industry in Subic, White Rock has taken a more active social role by being at the forefront of promoting and preserving local tourism.

Lorenzana, who is also a member of the North Philippines Visitor Bureau, has spearheaded the Subik-Subik Festival which seeks to further promote tourism not only in the Freeport but in Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan as well.

He said the "k" in the ‘’Subik’’ has been deliberately spelled instead to differentiate it from the Subic that most people know. Subik-Subik pertains to a tourism event that covers all these areas, not just one.

Lorenzana, concurrent chairman of the Greater Subik Bay Tourism Bureau and member of the multi-party monitoring system that protects the Subic Bay, explained that the festival showcases the many natural and cultural attractions of these four places, at the same time raises awareness and rallies support for its preservation.

The three-day Subik-Subik festival which is slated on June 8-11, will not be a typical festival found in other provinces because its focus will be on sports-related events like eco-adventure activities with the participation of visitors as well as investors in the respective areas.
 

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