ABW March 2024

D
uring the dark, sad days of Covid, the then
Commodore said to me, “what we need is a little
Christmas! “since then the Subic Bay Yacht has
gone all out for holiday decorations, each year
surpassing the last. From the early days of September, the
first “ber” month, elves have been scurrying about the club
workshops, welding, painting, building a true Traditional
Christmas Village, the theme of the 2023 event.
I sat in awe as each day a new structure was erected, small
houses, a life size church with steeple, a miniature railroad
train, and village people scattered about. Thousands of lights
were added, and the miracle Christmas village was complete
and as they say (rarely) on time and on budget!
Hundreds gathered for the big night, the night the lights all
come on October 25th. The electricians and club staff can
be seen praying and holding their breath as the big switch is
hit and wow it all worked, the miracle of lights!
Dignitaries attending the event were SBMA Chairman,
Jonathan Tan, SBYC Commodore Eduardo Alino, and highranking
members of the Catholic clergy. Blessings were made,
hands shaken and speeches made, all while the spectators,
each with a lit white candle looked on and took thousands
of pictures. The little train rounded the corner tooted its
whistle and we all knew Christmas was near.
The merriment continued with the annual competition to
decorate the four dock entry ramps. The sailors, boat boys
and captains of each dock raise funds from the yacht owners
and try their best for the big prize, 10,000pp cash and
another 10,000pp certificate for a celebration of the winners.
Dock workers buzz about, spying on the competition, all in
good fun. Again this year the creative genius of the H/I dock
crews created a master piece, easily taking the prize.
Not forgetting the real reason for this holiday, there is a
formal Catholic Mass held each evening prior to Christmas.
The dock area in front of the club house becomes a cathedral
as the faithful gathered for the nightly blessing.
Words by BRIAN CALVERT
Photographs as Credited
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