SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Ayta community at Barangay Cawag in Subic, Zambales became the beneficiary of the 2018 Jetski and Boat Charity Fun Run, as organizers donated P250,000 collected from participants in the event held on Saturday by Freeport locator Networx Jetsports.
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma and Cawag Ayta tribal chieftain Antonio Cabalic formally received the P250,000-check during a simple beach-side ceremony conducted after the event at the Silanguin Cove in San Antonio, Zambales.
Eisma said the money will be used as “seed capital” for the Cawag Ayta Tribal Cooperative, with the fund earmarked for the establishment of micro and small businesses for members of the Cawag Ayta tribe.
The Subic tribesmen, who used to live a nomadic existence, now subsist mostly on hardscrabble agriculture and gathering of forest products.
According to organizers of the Jetski and Boat Charity Fun Run, around 380 participants joined the activity that involved 83 jet skis and 31 boats.
The fun run started from the Boardwalk Area of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and then headed towards Silanguin Cove and back.
“It was a great feeling seeing all these wonderful people coming from different places and gathering together for this one great event. We are happy to inform everyone that we have beaten the record last year which had 77 jet skis and 30 Boats,” Networx Jetsports officials stated.
This is the ninth time that the company conducted this event, showing that charity can work hand-in-hand with a water sports event, especially in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
The annual event is spearheaded by company honchos William Ang, Emmanuel “Dong” Arcilla and BJ Ang.
Established in 1997, Networx Jetsports caters to the needs of jet-ski enthusiasts. Founder Emmanuel Arcilla, an avid jet-ski racer, believed that the market was open for a superior and focused jet-ski dealership and service outfit.
In 2000, jet-ski racer and businessman William Ang joined Arcilla in spinning off Jetsports from its parent Networx Auto Detailing Corporation. Together, they expanded the business to reach more people who are into water sports.
Aside from jet skis and jet boats of different brands, Jetsports also sells various parts and accessories for jet skis. (Dante M. Salvana)