Beyond the Finish Line: Why Sustainability Matters to Sailing in Subic Bay

Subic Bay has always been a place where the sea tests you.

The wind shifts. The current surprises you. And every sailor knows that performance isn’t just about skill—it’s about understanding and respecting the water.

But over the years, something else has become just as visible.

Plastic.

From coastlines to open water, it’s there. And once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

That’s why, alongside the BPI Subic Bay Regatta, we continue to hold the Sustainability Talks—a space where we bring together science, solutions, and community action, all grounded in one idea:

If we sail these waters, we share the responsibility to protect them.

A Platform for Learning, Action, and Collaboration

Happening from April 8–10 at the Lighthouse Marina Resort, the Sustainability Talks is a 3-day program designed not just to inform, but to engage.

This year, we’re bringing together a diverse group of speakers—from marine scientists and policy leaders to innovators and community builders—who are all working toward a more sustainable future.

At the center of this is our keynote speaker, Dr. Deo Onda of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute.

Dr. Onda is the first Filipino to reach the deepest point on Earth—the Challenger Deep. But more importantly, his work helps us understand what’s happening beneath the waters we sail on every day.

His talk will give us a clearer picture of the state of our oceans—and what role we can play moving forward.

From Waste to Water: A Boat with a Story

One of the highlights of this year’s event is something you don’t usually see in a regatta:

A boat made from 250 kilos of discarded plastic sachets.

What was once waste—likely destined for landfills or the ocean—has been transformed into something that now floats with purpose.

It’s a simple but powerful reminder:

The problem is real. But so are the solutions.

Taking Action: Beach Cleanup with Real Data

Beyond the talks, we take things out of the room and into the shoreline.

We will be conducting a beach cleanup powered by PlastiZen, the first Filipino-developed app designed to monitor and track plastic pollution along our coastlines.

This isn’t just about picking up trash.

It’s about contributing to real data that can help shape better policies and solutions for our oceans.

Solutions That Work

Throughout the three days, participants will also hear from organizations working on practical, scalable solutions:

• Turning plastic waste into new products

• Composting food waste and reducing landfill dependence

• Rethinking packaging systems

• Recovering plastic from rivers before it reaches the sea

These are not just ideas—they are systems already being implemented.

Stories That Connect Land and Sea

On the final day, we will screen the documentary:

“The Foresters: A Story of Climate Keepers”

Set in the mountains of Zambales, the film follows the work of the Yangil Tribe and Subic Aetas in restoring forests through agroforestry.

Because what happens on land does not stay on land.

Healthy forests protect watersheds.

Watersheds protect coastlines.

And coastlines shape the waters we sail.

Why This Matters to Sailors

Sailing is one of the few sports that depends entirely on nature.

We read the wind.

We feel the current.

We trust the water.

And that connection comes with responsibility.

The Sustainability Talks is not separate from the regatta—it is part of what makes it meaningful.

Because beyond the finish line, what we’re really racing for is something bigger:

The future of the waters we all share.

Join Us

Whether you’re a sailor, a resident, a business owner, or someone who simply cares about the ocean—you’re welcome to join.

📅 April 8–10, 2025

📍 Lighthouse Marina Resort, Subic Bay

⏰ 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Free admission | Limited slots

👉 Scan the QR code on the poster to register.

Subic Bay has given us so much—wind, water, and a place to come together.

Now it’s our turn to give back.

We hope to sea you there!!!

This initiative is made possible through the support and collaboration of our partners:

Nature Spring, our Sustainability Partner, advancing circular solutions and responsible consumption;

Muovere Veloce Consultancy Inc. (MVCI), our Activation Partner, driving on-ground engagement and community action;

Lighthouse Marina Resort, our Venue Sponsor, hosting this gathering at the heart of Subic Bay;

In partnership with:

International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians (IYFR) through its Plastic Free Waters Campaign;

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), particularly SBMA Ecology and Tourism;

Hospitality Alliance of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (HAS);

Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC);

Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS).

and the Philippine Alliance for Sustainable Solutions (PASS).

Together, these organizations reflect a shared commitment to protecting Subic Bay and advancing sustainability through collaboration.