This is the fourth installment of the Spread The Impact series – a collection of travel narratives and guides to less-traveled places in the Philippines, with the aim to spread human impact to the environment as well as uplift the lives of communities through tourism.

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What was once a the site of a United States Navy facility, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), or Subic Bay, now stands as the Philippines' first successful conversion of a military base into a tax- and duty-free zone. Being one of the points in Region III's Growth Triangle (the other two being Clark, and Tarlac), it supplies the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, and Zambales of products and services.

Related: The Simple Reason Why April 9 is the Best Time to Visit Bataan

Subic Bay lies 110 km north of Metro Manila, with the Manila Bay and the Bataan Peninsula separating the former from the metropolis. Its waters extend to the West Philippine Sea, and its harbor faces the Zambales Mountain Range. This same mountain range, plus the deep harbor, provides natural protection from typhoons. 

Beyond its reputation as a haven for shopping – it has numerous outlet stores and duty-free shopping centers – and an all too common venue for educational tours, SBFZ has also been a long-time practitioner of eco-tourism. Combine these with theme parks and places for a night cap and you're sure to spend a bang-for-the-buck weekend just a few hours from Manila.

Spend a Day Learning Survival Skills
If you're into mountaineering and life in the outdoors, JEST Camp should be on top of your to-do list whenever you're in Subic. Short for Jungle Environment Survival Training Camp, JEST Camp boasts a reputation of being the most famous (and toughest) survival school in the Philippines. 

An instructor demonstrating how to get kindling from bamboo

Fire from nothing but bamboo

Learn life skills like building a fire, making utensils out of bamboo, and finding sources of fresh water. You can either opt for a brief live demonstration or enroll in one of JEST Camp's multi-day courses.

Convene with our Feathered Friends
Named after the bird from the Filipino legend called "Si Malakas at Si Maganda", the Magaul Bird Park is located within the vicinity of JEST Camp. It is home to hundreds of birds, from deadly raptors to timid pigeons. 

Blue-and-gold macaw found at the Magaul Bird Park

Take the Bird Walk where you'd get to see and learn about the park's feathered residents. There is also a Walk-in Aviary where you can directly interact with these magnificent creatures. Be sure as well not to miss the "Wings of the World" bird show every 11:30AM, 1:30PM, and 3:00PM every day.

Almost 500 birds are featured in "Wings of the World"

Go For a Dose of Adrenaline Rush
JEST Camp is such a sprawling property that even with a bird park and a survival camp already in place, there's still room for a team-building venue. 

Angry Birds Arena

Fun and adrenaline-inducing activities include rope courses (complete with a zipline), the Goliath Swing, Sumo Soccer, and a real-life Angry Birds Arena. 

Up the Goliath Swing

Have Fun with Mirrors and the Dark
Located along Corregidor Road, Funtastic Park is perfect for kids (or any fun-loving adult, in fact). This indoor recreation facility has quirky attractions such as the 3D Mirror Maze, the Enchanted Forest, and the Dark Room.

Who is that girl I see?

It also has 3D illusions and an inverted room, plus a play area complete with toys and a chalkboard. You can also enjoy taking pictures on a rainbow stairway, finding your way through a hedge maze, and appreciating art pieces made from recycled materials over at the outdoor space. Oooh! There is even a trampoline and a grass slide! 

Defying gravity!

See the Aeta in Their Own Turf
Perhaps my favorite among Subic's attractions would be the Pamulaklakin Forest Trail owned and managed by a community of Aeta. It's a less commercialized, more on-the-ground version of JEST Camp. Trek around the forest with a native guide and learn the names of trees and plants as you go. You may also spend your night and camp out in the forest. 

Nature Walk with an Aeta guide

Related: Why It's Important You Take the Cuyambay Route When Climbing Mount Paliparan

The most interesting feature of the Pamulaklakin Forest Trail is Tatay Nestor – an elder Aeta and a legitimate Survivor (the TV show) trainer who's already been featured in Time magazine and other notable publications. He demonstrates and teaches survival skills in traditional Aeta raiment and delights visitors with his anecdotes and witty jokes. 

Tatay Nestor demonstrating another way to make fire from bamboo

Optional: Go on a Bar Crawl
If you're into partying, go to Harbor Point and sample every bar and pub in the area. But if you have to go to just one, go to the Soluna Sky Bar in BUMA Hotel and Restaurant. I consciously avoid drinking alcohol but their signature drinks and cocktails taste so yummy, I seriously couldn't tell there was alcohol in them. 

One of the delicious signature drinks of Soluna Sky Bar

FOODS TO EAT AND SOUVENIRS TO TAKE HOME

When in Subic Bay, one must try the traditional dishes of the Aeta: rice, and sinigang na manok both cooked in bamboo. You can try this in the Kawayan Kitchen in JEST Camp or have the Aeta in Pamulaklakin Trail cook them for you. 

Rice cooked (and still) in the bamboo

Try also the cupcakes and milkshakes in the Bird House in JEST Camp. Aside from the delicious offerings, you'll get to dine among birds. 

The Bird House is hard to miss

Bird  House's yummy menu

Related: Cupcakes at Kim Is Hungry

For a proper fancy meal, head down to BUMA Hotel and Restaurant in Marina Moonbay and try their Bagnet Kare-kare and the all-time Pinoy favorite Crispy Pata. It is heaven, believe me. 

A feast by BUMA

BUMA Burger

For souvenirs and pasalubong, make like a balikbayan and stock up on chocolates and imported goods from the many outlet stores and shopping centers in Subic Bay. You can also get some handmade bows and bamboo crafts from the Aeta. 

HOW TO GET THERE

Take a Victory Liner bus from the Cubao Terminal heading to either Iba, Zambales or Olongapo. Make sure you take the one passing through SCTEX. You may also ride a bus from the Pasay or Caloocan terminals. From the terminal in Subic, there are jeepneys and tricycles that will take you around the area. There are also buses beside the Harbor Point Mall that will pass by the destinations mentioned here. 

Related: The Quintessentially Laid-back Town of Alabat, Quezon

SAMPLE ITINERARY

3 Days, 2 Night
Day 1
07:00 to 11:00 - Cubao to Harbor Point
11:00 to 11:20 - Walk to Buma Hotel and Restaurant; Check in
11:20 to 13:00 - Lunch
13:00 to 20:00 - Free Time
20:00 to 22:00 - Hang out at the Soluna Sky Bar

Day 2
09:00 to 14:00 - JEST Camp (Magaul Bird Park, Survival Skills Demo, Kawayan Kitchen, Rope Courses, Goliath Swing)
14:00 to 14:30 - to Funtastic Park
14:30 to 16:30 - Explore Funtastic Park
16:30 to 17:00 - Back to Buma
17:00 to 18:00 - Clean up
18:00 to 19:30 - Dinner at the hotel restaurant
19:30 to 21:00 - Walk around Harbor Point
21:30 - Lights out

Day 3
07:00 to 07:30 - To Pamulaklakin Trail
07:30 to 09:00 - Nature Trek
09:45 to 10:45 - Tatay Nestor's Demo
10:45 to 11:15 - Back to Buma
11:15 to 13:30 - Check out/ Lunch
13:30 to 17:00 - Departure from Subic Bay to Robinsons Galleria

EXPENSES AND BUDGET

Bus fare (Cubao/Caloocan/Pasay vv. Subic; Php200 to Php220 x 2) Php400 to Php440

Entrance Fees
JEST Camp - for rates and packages, go to their website. 
Funtastic Park - Php250; kids 2ft below is free
Pamulaklakin Trail - 

Accommodations
For Buma Hotel and Restaurant rates, go here.

CONTACT DETAILS

JEST Camp
JEST Area, Upper Mau Cubi Point, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales   
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun; 9AM- 6PM
Landline: +63 47 252 1489

Funtastic Park
Bldg. 2070, Corregidor Highway, Ilanin Forest East District, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun; 9AM to 6PM
Mobile: +63 998 530 9377
Landline:  +63 47 250 3099.
Email: funtasticparksubicbay@gmail.,com

Pamulaklakin Forest Trail
Binictican Drive, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
Landline: +63 47 252 4151

Buma Subic Hotel and Restaurant
Block 3 Lot 2B Moonbay Marina, Waterfront Road Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, Philippines
Landline: +63 47 250 8282
Mobile: +63 917 855 7569

This trip was made possible by BUMA Subic Hotel and Restaurant. For luxury within your reach and a hassle-free way to get around Subic Bay, check in here, and avail of their tour packages!