Welcome to SBFCC!

The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, a member of the national Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is an independent, nonprofit, membership-funded organization founded in 1995 to serve and represent the interests of its member businesses. We are also an accredited marketer of the Philippine Retirement Authority.

We are actively involved in a number of areas and are in the forefront of issues affecting our member businesses, their employees, and their families.

The single distinguishing characteristic that sets SBFCC apart from other Chambers of Commerce is that our members come from some 20 countries around the world.

Freeport Economic Data

The Subic Bay Freeport's economic data that covers almost the full 2009 is now available in the Chamber Forum for Chamber members. Click here to access the info.

Also available are information related to the 2009-2010 Philippine Economic Briefing held last December 14 at the Holiday Inn in Clark, Pampanga. Click here to view the info.

Chamber Events

Networking Night

Midyear General Membership Meeting

Another successful mid-year general membership meeting was held this 29th of June. SBFCC President Danny Piano reported on three key areas: Membership and Financial Standing, Accomplishments, and Milestones achieved. SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, on the other hand, talked about the current state of the Freeport as well as discussed the various new investments that are expected to come in. Thanks to the Lighthouse Marina Resort for hosting the event. Click here to view photos during the event.

Donation of Rescue Life Vests

SBFCC President Danny Piano's personal donation of 10 rescue life vests, through SBFCC's Security, Safety, and Rescue Committee headed by VP Rose Baldeo, were officially handed to SBMA during the GMM.

6th SBFCC Golf Tournament

The Chamber held for the first time its annual golf tournament at the Hacienda Luisita Golf Course in Tarlac. In the past, this would have been a very lengthy trip frought with traffic gridlock. But with the SCTEx, travel time from Subic to Tarlac is now a mere hour and along beautiful sceneries, too. The golf course itself is beatiful and obviously well maintained. The Chamber tournament was again successful, thanks to our sponsors and players who participated. The list of winners can be viewed here while photos of the tournament can be viewed on our Online Forum's Gallery.

Subic-Clark Milestones and Prospects Forum

About 500 high ranking government officials, headed by President Arroyo, and businessmen from the Subic Clark corridor attended the Subic-Clark Milestones and Prospects forum at the Grand Ballroom of Holiday Inn Clark. Presentors include former SCADC Chairman Ed Pamintuan and GGLC President Dennis Wright. An Open Forum was also conducted with questions from the audience asked from panelists: SBMA's Armand Arreza, CDC's Benigno Ricafort, CIAC's Victor Luciano, GGLC's Dennis Wright, CILA's Simon Morley, and SBFCC's Danny Piano.

State of the Freeport Address

SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga and Administrator Armand Arreza (pictured below), in what could be their last SOFA, presented the many progress that happened inside the Subic Bay Freeport in the past year. Future developments extending up to five years were also discussed.

The SOFA is an annual event organized by the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce. More pictures of the event are in our Online Forum, click here to view.

Induction of 2010 Chamber Officers

Administrator Aramand Arreza inducted the 2010 officers of the Chamber during the recent SOFA. From the left are President Danny Piano, Vice-President Rose Baldeo, Corp. Sec. Omy Duran, Treasurer Lawrence Lusung, and Directors Tom De Bruin, Eloy Bermudes, and Lewis Strickland.

Recognition of Chamber Founders and Past Presidents

This year being the 15th Anniversary of SBFCC, the Chamber recognized its founders who had the vision to form the organization in 1995, and its past presidents who selflessly provided voluntary service during their terms. Pictured below is Ms. Susan Dudley, one of the founders, and Executive Director from 1995 to 2009.

New Golden Eagle Member of the Chamber's elite President Circle

PLDT-Subictel, the newest member of the Chamber's elite President Circle, was awarded their Golden Eagle Membership certificate during the SOFA.

PRA, SBMA, SBFCC Tripartite MOA

After almost a year of arrangements and negotiations, a Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement between the Philippine Retirement Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce is now official. The MOA commits the three organizations to continually help in the development and transformation of the Subic Freeport into a retiree-friendly destination. With the MOA, potential retirees can now apply, through the Subic Chamber, for PRA membership from Subic instead of going to Manila (click here for info about retiring in the Philippines). The Chamber can also provide assistance to establishments wanting to be accredited by the PRA.

In the picture from left to right are: Susan Dudley, former SBFCC executive director and instrumental in crafting the MOA; SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga, PRA Chairman Gen. Edgardo Aglipay; Prof. Danny Piano, SBFCC President and CEO of ASI-Phil Branch; Rose Baldeo, SBFCC Vice-President and CEO of Global Development; Lawrence Lusung, Chamber Treasurer and Senior Manager of the Bank of Commerce; and USN Capt. Eloy Bermudez (Ret), SBFCC Director and General Manager of Subic Dry Dock Corporation.

Locators' Congress

Once a year, the Subic Chamber provides the opportunity to its members to meet face to face the SBMA Administrator, Senior Deputy Administrators, and department heads all in one room -- and ask them questions to clarify issues and concerns. This year, the panelists include SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza himself, SDA Stef Sano, Engr. Mar Sanqui, DA of PWTSG, and Maj. Teng Tolentino of, Chief for Operations of LED. Not in picture but present are more than a dozen more SBMA officers.

We thank the SBMA officials for taking the time out from their busy schedules to meet with us.

Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge Multi-Sector Meeting

In an effort to obtain and disseminate definitive information about the closure of the old Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge, and in an attempt to persuade collaboration between the various stakeholders to alleviate the expected traffic congestion, the Subic Chamber organized a multi-sector conference involving SBMA, the City of Olongapo, the Metro-Olongapo Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau.

Christmas Party

Fun! This was what members of the chamber had during the recently held Christmas party last December 11 at the Global Terminal. Great food catered by Rali's Grill, lots of gifts and prizes raffled away, games, and music by Vanity band... not much else to ask for.

Annual Blood Drive

Thank you to everybody who participated in the Subic Chamber's Annual Blood Drive. There were 210 donors who came in, 45 were deferred due to various issues (high blood pressure, etc.), and 160 who successfully made the donation. Big thanks to the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA), SBMA's Fire Department, and Lindbergh for coming in with the biggest contingents of donors. There were also around 50 volunteers, from nurses to doctors, who helped out.

The Chamber also wishes to thank the sponsors of the event including Rose Baldeo of Global Terminal, Raul Peralta of Rali's Grill, Brent School, and the Rotary Club of the Freeport Zone.

For detailed information and to view photos taken during the Blood Drive, please visit the Chamber's Forum by clicking here.

5th Annual SBFCC Golf Tournament

The recently held golf tournament at the Mimosa Golf & Country Club was a complete success! Several companies sponsored the event and a total of 69 players participated. The weather also cooperated and was perfect that day! Click here to see the list of winners and here to see the list of sponsors. A gallery of pictures taken during the event can be viewed by clicking here (you must be a registered member of the SBFCC Forum).

SBFCC Relief Operations for Typhoon Victims

The recent typhoons that hit many areas of the Philippines wrought havoc to the lives of hundreds and thousands of Filipinos. The Subic Chamber, since early August asked for donations from its members where many good-hearted individuals and companies responded positively. Goods were purchased, repacked, and sent to Botolan, Manila, and Pangasinan. Click here to see the topics in the Chamber Forum related to the disasters and the relief operations made.

Memorandum of Understanding between SBFCC and GSBTB

The Subic Chamber and the Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau headed by George Lorenzana recently signed a MOU for better collaboration on improving the tourism capability of the Freeport and surrounding areas.

Subic Bay International Airport Revival Committee

The transfer of FedEx to China not only is a big blow to SBMA's income but also affected hundreds of employees who were laid off and even affected several companies that used to provide services to the courier company. To help lessen its impact, the Chamber's Business Development Committee, headed by Prof. Danny Piano, formed a sub-committee tasked to countermand the situation. The committee is composed of locators, SBMA, and various stakeholders from within and outside the Freeport. Some are members of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce and some are not; but that is beside the point since we are all in this together and have to work hand in hand to revive the Subic International Airport.

Picture below standing from left to right are: Paul Gan of Chungnan Textile, Louis Kuo of Subic Technics, Myra Morales of Hanafil Golf & Tour, Kenneth Peralta of SBFCC, Prof. Danny Piano, President of SBFCC, Victor Prieto of Pacific Commerce, Sammy Chou of Limech and Chairman of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, George Lorenzana of Mountain Woods Hotel and White Rock Resort and also Chairman of the Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau, Jeff Lin of SBDMC, Jimmy Chen of Limech; and sitting down are Yvette Ocampo of Jungle Joe’s World, Jean Verzosa of Subic Park Hotel and GSBTB, Baby Dela Llana of Tender Touch and Board Member of the Province of Zambales, and Michele Johnstone of Hanafil Golf & Tour. Bottom picture also includes Dr. Teresa Yap of GSBTB, Charles Davis of Seahorse Tours, and Mar Santos, Rey Guevarra, Zharrex Santos, Cel Racel, and Nelia Diloy of SBIA.

Mixer Nights

Dozens of name cards are always exchanged and contact info shared between members. Friends, old and new, enjoy these evenings. Many members of the Chamber are not only businessmen looking for business connections, but have cultivated real friendships with other members as well.

Message from the President

Your Business, What is it?

Sure, you know the business you are in. How can you not? You had it all figured out when you started. If you have a hotel then you must be selling overnight stays, if you have a Mercedes Benz dealership then you must be selling luxury cars, if you bake cookies then you must be in the cookie business. Right?

Well, not exactly.

Marge Hefernan of Business Net tells a story about the Boston-based Dancing Deer Baking Company. The company, headed by Trish Karter, is famous for its unbelievably delicious and exquisitely presented cookies. Their molasses clove cookies is their best seller and the winner of the food industry’s Best Cookie Award in 2007. The bakery had become famous for fantastic indulgences and gorgeous packaging. But, like many entrepreneurs, Karter struggled with the company’s growth, especially with the markedly seasonal nature of her product — sales usually peaked between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day.

But, that pattern revealed a different truth: Dancing Deer isn’t a bakery — it is a gift shop. Most people bought their products as presents. Their famous and award winning cookies: the molasses clove, caramel pecan brownie, and strawberry shortcake are not only great eats but are seasonal gifts as well. But of course, if you give cookies one year, you probably don’t want to give the same gifts the following year to the same persons.

So, unless Dancing Deer offered a great variety, their customers would move on. This revelation was important. It meant that variety was key to the business and that the talent and effort Karter had always poured into packaging was crucial, not peripheral. It also identified partners and marketing channels previously invisible. In short, it changed the way the company thought about building customer loyalty. It adapted and continues to be successful.

So you see, what you might have originally thought your business was, might no longer be. You must, therefore, be always on your toes because what you think the business you are in, could be looked at as another business by your customers.

Dealerships of Mercedes Benz automobiles should know that their customers are not simply buying their cars because they are luxurious, comfortable, and safe. Their customers are also buying the enhanced image such cars confer. A high-end car, such as a Benz, is a status symbol and a sign of success — at least as perceived by many, most especially the buyer.

If you are in the hotel business, why do your customers come to you instead of the other hotels, cheaper even, beside you? What is that value that people see in your offering that they think they won’t be getting from others? If people who are not hotel guests eat in your restaurant, doesn’t that tell you something?

Many people don’t want Wrigley’s Doublemint gums just so they have something to chew on — they want a fresher breath. Pietro Ferrero, an Italian confectioner, probably saw the “product” that many people are buying and created the highly successful Tic-Tac. Not chewable as a gum but a breath freshener nevertheless.

As multi-awarded and legendary Harvard Business School marketing professor Theodore Levitt puts it, "People don't want to buy a quarter-inch drill; they want a quarter-inch hole!" In business, it is not always the product itself that is all-important, it is the benefit that the customer derives from the product. Remember, a customer will only buy the product or service if s/he thinks the value of what you offer is more than the value of the money s/he is parting away with.

Do not be blindsided by a competitor or by the waning interests of your customers. Know what they want and be aware of the “product” you are selling.

Know the business you are in.

Prof. Danny J. Piano

President

Click here for Archive of President Messages

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