A number of castaways from Manila faced a 3 day and 2 night challenge at Subic. Included in the castaways are 3 MEM faculties namely, Ms. Karen Cua, Mr. Marty Teng and Mr. Eddie Wong, and a former MEM faculty Mr. Edgardo Guison. The other castaways are Junior MEM students. The said Plant Visit was organized by the Junior SME officers. It is actually the first time of the Juniors to have an overnight plant visit. Instead of just bringing one luxury item, the Juniors brought as many items that they could fit into the compartments of their vehicles. Likewise, instead of prohibiting the food to be included in their luggage, as one of the Survivor rules, they brought as many groceries as they liked.

Day One – March 7, 2002

The first survivor challenge is to arrive safely at the Forest Hills. The said challenge was fulfilled after a number of U, left and right turns. The next destination was Electruck Pacific. Electruck Pacific manufactures cranes. According to the guide, ABS-CBN has become one of their clients. Here, the challenge so far is to outlast the noise generated by the machines and not to be lured to look at the bright sparks of the welding being performed. Likewise, we had the chance to take a look at the production plans. Then, off we go to the Subic Bay Industrial Park where we headed to Tong Lung Metals. Tong Lung Metals manufactures the EZSETÔ doorknobs. The guide was very ecstatic in answering all of our questions. After all the challenges, we had a reward. We ate our lunch at the Pag-Asa Restaurant. Our next stop is the Jyung Myung Fishing Rod Mfg. which produces fishing rods obviously. The challenge here is to survive the smell of paint and as well as the varnish. The said manufacturing company is not just as high-tech but they sure use improvised home-made gadgets that are low-cost but efficient in meeting the demands of their production.

Day Two – March 8, 2002

The first Survivor challenge for this day is to outwit your “villa-mates” in using the bathroom. After breakfast, the next stop is Subic Bay International Airport. The guide explained to us the details on the features of the airport. The said airport uses TLS and it is the first airport in Asia to use such kind of technology. After, our visit to the airport, from there on starts the official free time. After a little rest, some of the Juniors had gone for the Grande Island Cruise experience.

Day Three – March 9, 2002

The final day has come. For this day, the outcasts mission is to complete the inventory checklist. This procedure as a pre-requisite in checking-out of the villa prohibits us from taking home some items like towels as one would usually do when you’re checked in at a five star hotel. The very last challenge would be going home safely back to Manila.