June 2013 PortFolio

June 2013

The Official Publication of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. • International Edition

AGCT receives 10 new equipment

I N T E R N AT I O N A L E D I T I O N

Directory

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

JUNE 2013

Contents

ICTSI Global Operations

4 7 8 12 16 17 17 19 AGCT receives 10 new equipment

PT OJA, Pelabuhan Indonesia II sign Cooperation Agreement

ICTSI Silver Run

Calibre Beinte Cinco

Staff Box

International PortFolio is published by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. for its employees, clients, and friends.

NARLENE A. SORIANO JUPITER L. KALAMBAKAL JOHN PAULO C. COSTINIANO ZINNO B. GUDEZ MARIE ANNALIE T. MARFIL MAVERICK A. JAVIER PAOLO MIGUEL S. RACELIS JUSTINO RAMON L. TAYAG III Photographers RONNEL P. JAVIER DEXTER F. LANDICHO EDWARD R. MILAG

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Associate Editor Researchers

Do Good

Meets and Greets

Correspondents Philippines Manila MICHAEL G. AGUSTIN ALBERT JOSEPH R. CANCERAN MA. BERNADETTE C. DE GUZMAN MA. CONCEPCION M. DIZON ROSE A. LOBRIN RICARDO D. PAREDES JESTONIE V. VINSON Davao City CHIARA MAY C. ATIS Gen. Santos City REJAMNA S. PANDANGAN Misamis Oriental KIRK KHURNYLLA S. RAYOSO

International Argentina Brazil China Croatia Ecuador Georgia Indonesia Japan Madagascar Mexico Poland USA

MIGUEL CHALAR FABIANA SOUZA APOLLO ZHOU IVA ROMAN KATTY OSSA BIANCHI BENJAMIN D. ROSARIO RINI HERAWATY TAKETOSHI TOYAMA MICHAEL RATRIMO PAMELA DE LA VEGA MICHAL KUZAJCZYK DAVID TRZYZEWSKI

Spotlight

ICTSI 25th Anniversary Feature

6 7 10 14 17 17 18 BCT turns 10

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

ICTSI deploys automated expertise

ICTSI 25th Year Golf Tournament

ICTSI Gala Night

On Board

Level Up

Ship Ahoy

If you wish to receive a copy of the International PortFolio, please write, call or e-mail us at: Public Relations Office, ICTSI Administration Bldg.

Manila International Container Terminal, MICT South Access Road Port of Manila, 1012 Manila, Philippines Telephone: +632 / 245 4101 • E-mail: jcostiniano@ictsi.com • URL: www.ictsi.com

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T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

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International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

JUNE 2013

ICTSI Newsbreak

AGCT receives 10 new equipment

Rainbows serve as backdrop for the discharging of the new quay cranes.

By Iva Roman

The new rubber tired gantries

Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (AGCT) received two post-Panamax quay cranes, six rubber tired gantries and two rail mounted gantries last 20 May, which arrived on board Zhen Hua 20.

The new equipment from ZPMC in Shanghai, China are seen to further boost port operations and pave the way for Rijeka to become one of the most competitive container ports in the Adriatic Region.

Commissioning of the €24 million investment is currently underway. With the two new quay cranes, AGCT will be able to handle 750,000 twenty-foot equivalent units annually using its newly extended 628-meter quay and expanded container yard. The new equipment fleet will also substantially increase productivity.

With the successful delivery of the new equipment, International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) investment in AGCT is now more than €30 million. ICTSI took over the terminal in 2011.

Before the arrival of the new equipment, AGCT completed the extension and expansion of its quay and container yard. The terminal now has an additional 320-meter quay, and the expanded storage has doubled its capacity. Meanwhile, depth alongside the new quay is 14 meters. This allows AGCT to berth the largest vessels sailing the Mediterranean.

Following Croatia’s accession to the European Union (EU), the transport time from origin to final destination within the EU will be significantly reduced as all border and customs controls will be carried out within terminal. AGCT is currently on track to become a new gateway to Southern and Central Europe.

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T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

The new rail mounted gantries

The new equipment on arrival at the Adriatic Gate Container Terminal

T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

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International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

JUNE 2013

ICTSI Newsbreak

BCT turns 10

By Michal Kuzajczyk

“When I came here for the first time 10 years ago, only the Port of Gdynia’s Chief Executive Officer, Janusz Jarosiński, was present at the agreement signing. Our transaction then was one of the first port privatization initiatives in Poland. Today, both Gdynia and the ICTSI Group look very different, just as the world around us is different.

People and times are changing, but our goal remains the same – to gain profit not just for our Group but also for the whole regional economy,” said Enrique K. Razon Jr., International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) Chairman and President.

“Those ten years passed by very fast because of massive changes that occurred in Gdynia. We built a solid base and amassed big profits during the first five years, which allowed us to go through the other five years of crisis without harm,” said Krzysztof Szymborski, BCT Chief Executive Officer. “Today, we’re still developing not only for us and ICTSI, but for the City of Gdynia as well. About 20 percent of the city inhabitants make their living from the port. Our main task is to create employment opportunities in order to help the rise of the regional economy,” added Mr. Szymborski.

“We are proud to show the terminal to the citizens of Gdynia. It

was a pleasant day for our employees as well as they were able to show their workplace to families and friends,” said Dagmara Łuczka, BCT Spokesperson.

Aside from Mr. Razon, also present during the anniversary festivities were other ICTSI officers Fernando Gaspar, Senior Vice President and Chief Administration Officer; Hans Ole Madsen, Senior Vice President for Europe and the Middle East; Martin O`Neil, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and Christian Gonzalez, Vice President and Asia Region Head.

Apart from taking part in a special board meeting in BCT, the ICTSI officers met Lech Wałęsa, Polish politician, human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner because of his role in the Solidarność movement. They talked about the Polish economy and its development since the fall of socialism in 1989, where Mr. Wałęsa took a leading role. After the meeting, Mr. Razon gave Mr. Wałęsa a ship model.

Last May, BCT held a photo contest called Gdynia: Port of the Future to showcase its history. The best photos were displayed in the center of Gdynia.

PT OJA, Pelabuhan Indonesia II sign Cooperation Agreement

More than 2,200 people turned up for Baltic Container Terminal’s (BCT) 10th anniversary celebration comprised of a gala night, terminal tours, equipment and operation demonstrations and bungee jumping, which were all held last 25 May.

PT PBM Olah Jasa Andal, an Indonesian indirect subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc., signed last 5 June a Cooperation Agreement with PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II (Persero) Tanjung Priok Branch for International Containers Stevedoring Services at Berths 300, 301, 302 and 303 of Tanjung Priok Port with a term of 15 years. Berths 300, 301, 302 and 303 of Tanjung Priok Port has a 600-meter quay length, seven-hectare container yard and an estimated current capacity of 400,000 twenty-foot equivalent units per year.

Enrique Razon Jr. (left), International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) Chairman and President, presents a gift to Lech Wałęsa, Polish politician, human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

A young visitor rides one of Baltic Container Terminal’s (BCT) reach stackers. Accompanying her is one of BCT’s equipment operators.

ICTSI deploys automated expertise

Walking the streets of Gdynia (from left): Fernando Gaspar, ICTSI Senior Vice President and Chief Administration Officer; Krzysztof Szymborski, BCT Chief Executive Officer; Christian Gonzalez, ICTSI Vice President; Mr. Razon; and Hans Ole Madsen, ICTSI Senior Vice President for Europe and the Middle East.

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International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has appointed Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC) to deploy its terminal automation expertise in conjunction with a number of projects, including new business opportunities, where the deployment of high-end automation is a logical step to raise operational efficiency and lower costs.

HPC is an independent company within the Germany-based Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) Group. HPC was intimately involved in the set up of HHLA’s Container Terminal Altenwerder in Hamburg, which has set ground breaking standards in the deployment of container terminal automation. It is also involved in the current upgrade of terminal systems at HHLA’s Container Terminal Burchardkai, which promises to further extend automated capability and has deployed its automated expertise on behalf of various clients worldwide. HPC is recognized as a leading force in container terminal automation and green port technological innovation, drawing its expertise from a terminal operating background rather than a theoretical basis.

“We are confident that deployment of HPC expertise in conjunction with nominated projects will assist in delivering the higher performance levels that we seek to achieve. We are independently acknowledged to be in the front rank of delivering terminal efficiency.

Our goal is to push on from this strong position and deliver a new, higher level of operational excellence to our clients on the waterside and landside,” said Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI Head of Asian Region.

T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

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International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

JUNE 2013

ICTSI 25th Anniversary Celebration

ICTSI

Silver Run

2 June, Bonifacio Global City

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T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

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International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

JUNE 2013

ICTSI 25th Anniversary Celebration

ICTSI 25th Year

Golf Tournament

10 June, Sta. Elena Golf Club

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T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

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ICTSI 25th Anniversary Celebration

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

JUNE 2013

Calibre Beinte Cinco 11 June, MICT

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T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

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ICTSI 25th Anniversary Celebration

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

JUNE 2013

ICTSI Gala Night 14 June, Solaire Grand Ballroom

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T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

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Do Good

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

JUNE 2013

On Board

ICTSI-FI inks MOU on solid waste management for Parola

By Marie Bernadette de Guzman In a joint effort to implement Republic Act 9003, known as Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, in its Parola host communities, ICTSI Foundation, Inc. (ICTSI-FI) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippine Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Baranggay (Village) 20-Parola Tondo and Baranggay 275-Parola, Binondo last 10 April.

This MOU covers the development and implementation of an Ecological Solid Waste Management System (ESWMS) for the two Baranggays.

Dubbed as Parola Solid Waste Management Project, this initiative aims to address the indiscriminate dumping of garbage within Parola communities and along South Access Road which gravely affects public health and the environment. The project activities aim to heighten the residents’ awareness on climate change and the mitigating effects of proper waste segregation, recycling and disposal.

Another part of the project is the development of livelihood opportunities out of garbage through technologies available from DENR.

At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on solid waste management for Parola (from left): Willy Masakayan, Baranggay 275 Parola Binondo Chairman; Danilo Tanael, Baranggay Chairman 20 - Parola Tondo; Narlene Soriano, ICTSI Foundation, Inc. Executive Director; Jacel Paguio, Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development-NCR Assistant Regional Director; and Atty. Juan Miguel Cuna, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau Director

Parola leaders undergo DENR Solid Waste Management seminar By Marie Bernadette de Guzman Two batches of select Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) parent-leaders and purok (town) heads from Baranggay (Village) 20 - Parola Tondo and Baranggay 275 – Parola Binondo attended a two-day Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) seminar on Solid Waste Management and Community Leadership last 10 to 11 April and 24 to 25 April.

The seminar tackled topics on climate change, proper waste Information Officer III; Salvacion Solis, DENR-EMB National Ecology management, recycling technologies and livelihood opportunities out Center Project Development Officer II. of solid wastes. The attendees were also taught leadership skills, In her opening remarks, Filip Laurena, ICTSI Foundation, Inc. which they will need in disseminating information on solid waste Deputy Executive Director, expressed her optimism about the Parola management in their respective communities.

Solid Waste Management project, which is an initiative to plant the The DENR resource speakers were Engr. Eligio Ildefonso, seeds of change that can address the indiscriminate dumping of solid National Solid Waste Management Commission Secretariat, Deputy wastes within the Parola communities in the two baranggays affecting Executive Director; Patty Licup, DENR-EMB National Ecology Center public health and the environment.

ATyagi named ICTS (India) Pvt. Ltd. General Manager International Container Terminal Services, Inc. recently named Ajay Tyagi as ICTSI (India) Pvt. Ltd. General Manager.

“I look forward to a fulfilling and rewarding stay in this terminal, where we can work jointly and help each other in achieving our organizational and personal objectives, and make this terminal the benchmark of our industry in all parameters,” Mr. Tyagi said.

Mr. Tyagi brings to ICTS (India) over 20 years of experience in logistical supply chain of cargo and containers such as railways, shipping lines, container ports, ICD and CFS. He previously held management positions in Sealand India, PNO Nedloyd Australia, CSAV Norasia Hong Kong and Concor, Nhava Sheva as Terminal Manager. He had experience working in ports and terminals such as Nhave Sheva international Container Terminal, Mundra International Container Terminal and Chennai Container Terminal within India. At the global level, he served APM Terminals’ Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia and Port of Salalah in Oman, where he was involved in operations, sales, port automation, innovation and process excellence, safety, port audit, terminal design, revenue generation, inventory reduction and cost-saving initiatives.

Meets and Greets

Timor Leste government officials visit NCT-1 Key government of officials of Timor Leste recently toured the New Container Terminal-1 in Subic, Zambales in the Philippines last 8 June. Among the visitors were Hon. Jose Luis Gutierres, Minister of State and for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; Hon. Emilia Pres, Minister for Finance; Hon. Antonio da Conceicao, Minister for Commerce, Industry and Environment; Hon. Gastao de Sousa, Minister for Public Works; and Hon. Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, Minister for Tourism. With them during the tour were SBMA Officials headed by Chairman Garcia; H.E. Juvencio de Jesus Martins, Timor-Leste Ambassador to the Philippines; and H.E. Aileen H. Bugarin, Philippine Ambassador to Timor Leste.

Level Up

Basic Life Support and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation seminar Attendees: ICTSI Emergency Response Team members; Venue: ICTSI Training Room; Date: 27 to 28 May; Facilitators: Philippine National Red Cross-Manila Chapter volunteers (Paulo Penalba)

Spotlight

The beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s 4Ps

The parent-leaders of Baranggays 20 and 275

Erratum

In the May issue, in the story titled ICTSI-FI promotes volunteerism among ICTSI employees on page 11,we inadvertently wrote that the series of orientations pushed through last 6 to 10 May. Unfortunately, the orientations were postponed. We apologize for this error.

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Ajay Tyagi, ICTS (India) Pvt. Ltd. General Manager

CGSA joins 3rd Logistics and Katty Foreign Trade Exhibit By Ossa Bianchi

containerized cargo and perspectives for the transportation of reefer cargo in the region.

Mr. Muñoz shared with the attendees his insights on the growth of reefer modality for the current and upcoming year and underscored the importance of dredging the access channel to Guayaquil.

Contecon Guayaquil SA (CGSA) recently took part in the third Logistics and Foreign Trade Exhibit held in Guayaquil, which gathered about 100 exhibitors such as shipping lines and agencies, cargo agencies, local ports, exporters and authorities from all over the world.

Coinciding with the exhibit was the XXX ALACAT International Congress (Cargo Agents and International Logistics Operators of Latin America and the Caribbean).

During the congress, José Miguel Muñoz, CGSA Chief Executive Officer, was one of the panelists who discussed the trends for

At the 3rd Logistics and Foreign Trade Exhibit (from left): Juan Carlos Jairala, APG Manager; Jose Miguel Muñoz, Contecon Guayaquil SA (CGSA) Chief Executive Officer; Viviana Alcivar, APG Advisor; Eduardo Arosemena, CGSA Chief Financial Officer; and Javier Franco, Consulegis Attorney

T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

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Spotlight

JUNE 2013

ICTSI 25th Anniversary Feature

Africa rising: ICTSI Africa’s presence at the World Economic Forum Africa 2013 & 1st Med Ports Conference and Exhibit

By Carolin-Carmen Neubauer Jens Floe, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) Senior Vice President-Africa, recently spoke at two key events in Africa.

Mr. Floe joined the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa, which was held at the Cape Town International Convention Center last 8 to 10 May. More than 900 participants from 60 countries participated in the 23rd staging of the WEF. Key leaders and influencers such as President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria as well as other leaders from countries such as Kenya, Tanzania and Benin graced the event.

Businessmen and African heads of states and governments exchanged views on how Africa can position itself as a key player in the emerging markets. With an expected annual growth of five percent in 2012-2013, sub-Saharan Africa continues its transformative journey from a developing continent to a hub of global growth.

During his engagements at the WEF, Mr. Floe spoke on the topic titled Connected Africa – Can We Get There Faster, discussing infrastructure opportunities as a tool to accelerate growth in the area.

Prior to this event, Mr. Floe was a key speaker at the 1st Mediterranean Ports Conference where he gave his in depth insight on regional container port and terminal developments in the Mediterranean and North Africa.

The conference was held in the City of Alexandria, Egypt, one of the oldest port cities in the world as the first port development goes as far back as 1900 B.C. In his speech, he emphasized that governments would do well to create conditions where private-sector engagement is encouraged, particularly through public-private partnerships, as this would stimulate economic growth in the region.

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

Jens Floe, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) Senior Vice PresidentAfrica, at the 23rd World Economic Forum on Africa

25 and running: The making of the ICTSI Silver Run

By Maverick Javier

Many ICTSI employees inquired as early as 2012 about the plans for the Company’s anniversary celebration. I knew that many of them were expecting something big and extravagant. Admittedly, I was one of those who was very curious and excited about the celebrations. So when our team was finally tasked last February to come up with ideas for the silver anniversary celebration of ICTSI, my paper was first to meet the desk.

The storyboard I had several items on my list. But I am glad that my idea of a fun run, which I shared with my colleague, Paulo, was picked. Events and running are just two of the things I really enjoy doing. I was ecstatic!

We started planning right away. We contacted an event secretariat, divided the responsibilities, set a date, prepared a timeline and scouted for a venue. Boy, I was so elated that even late at night I was drafting singlet designs!

Alas, more than two months have passed and there was still no approval for the project. I started to accept the reality of it getting shelved and that all efforts will be put to waste. But you know life,

it’s full of surprises. And the sweetest surprise comes when you least expect it.

So one day while surfing the internet to see the election results, I received a text message from my boss. “We’re a go for June 2 at The Fort.” Awesome! That particular moment was like a scene in a movie where everything moved slowly, a ray of light appeared above me, clouds opened in the sky, angels sang in jubilation in the background… But everything abruptly disappeared in a second when I realized, “Wait. That’s just about two weeks from now?!”

We had to move fast. Meetings were held, site visits were done and payables were rushed.

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Ship Ahoy

MICT Line: NYK; Capacity: Date: 10 May; Photo (from left): Fidem Sigaya, NYKFJSC Terminal Manager; Alexander Pawig, Vessel 3/O; Reynaldo Achay, Vessel Chief Officer; Wilfredo Baliwag, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) Operations Superintendent; Rolando Regino, Vessel Master; Teodoro Villamor, Vessel Chief Engineer; Arnel Macalaguim, ICTSI Operations Superintendent; Carlito Bulawan, NYKFJSC OICTerminal Operations of; Carmela Rodriguez , NYKFJSC Operations Manager; and Francis Dacasin Jr., NYKFJSC Boarding Officer. (Eric Deligencia) Line: NYK; Capacity: Date: 11 May; Photo (from left): Daniel Ventanilla , NYKFJSC General Manager; Carmela Rodriguez, NYKFJSC Operations; Wilfredo Baliwag, ICTSI Operations Superintendent; Mubasher Akram, Vessel Master; Arnel Macalaguim, ICTSI Operations Superintendent; and Ariyanto Tri Ahmad Surary, Vessel Chief Officer. (Eric Deligencia)

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T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .

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ICTSI 25th Anniversary Feature ◤ 25 and running...

Casting the stars Because the fun run is the first event in the series of activities slated in June, we wanted everyone who contributed to the successes of the Company to be a part of it. We invited employees, clients, suppliers and business partners to register. The response was overwhelming!

We were flooded with participants on the first day. We set up two registration areas, but both sites were filled within minutes. In about three hours, all the race packs readied for the day were taken.

The next couple of days were no different. People started to line up an hour before we even opened! And although the registration was scheduled to last for six days, we had no choice but to officially close it on the third day as all slots have been filled. Over 1,500 running enthusiasts registered!

Preparing the set I really planned to sleep early the night before. But there were still a few details that needed checking. Hence, I barely had three hours of rest before we hit the road. My colleague and I had to check the venue at two in the morning to make sure that everything was ready – the stage, baggage and loot bag areas, freedom wall, exhibitors’ and VIP tents, portalets and, more importantly, the start and finish line. I am glad that our event secretariat was very cooperative and helpful.

They managed to set up ahead of time.

My host arrived at four in the morning. We ran through the script as there were last minute changes. In less than 10 minutes, we were good to go. We also tested the PowerPoint presentation, which I was only able to finish some hours ago.

Everything seemed ready. People started coming in 30 minutes before the program. By that time, my adrenaline started pumping up.

I knew many runners could not wait any further, too.

We were set. Our host started gathering everyone.

Lights, camera… go!

We opened the program at exactly five o’clock. Just like any other running events, we welcomed our enthusiastic participants, and gave them a few tips for a safe and enjoyable running experience.

Then there was the warm-up. Oh how we loved seeing everybody dance! There was never a dull moment as all runners gave in to the upbeat music readied by our fitness instructor. Finally, after 12 minutes of non-stop adrenaline-pumping and body-sweating warmup, we asked everyone to ready themselves in the starting line.

All 10K runners were asked to position first. The sun started to come up by then but we got to stick to our schedule. At precisely 5:30 a.m., our Public Relations Head, Nana Soriano, led the gun start indicating the actual start of the race.

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You could see in the face of the competitive runners their goal of winning the cash prize. Well, who wouldn’t when over PhP100,000 cash prize was at stake?

Five minutes later, our 5K runners flooded the streets of Bonifacio Global City. This group was the largest, and they were just as competitive as the previous.

Then there came the most electrified of the group – the 3K runners. Most participants in this category were first timers. They were the most excited, most talkative and most fun to watch. They may not be very competitive as the others, but they were very determined to finish the run.

At 5:45 a.m., all participants were on the road. Yet soon, one by one, a few runners started to cross the finish line. They were all huffing and puffing, and sweaty but you couldn’t deny the satisfaction from their faces. They were all smiles as they approached the venue to receive their kits and enjoy the activities on site.

We resumed the program around seven o’clock. There were preliminary raffles, a dance number and a cheer dance exhibition to entertain the crowd. While everyone was having a good time, our team was running like a bunch of headless chicken, jumping from one place to another to ensure that the program ran smoothly.

We secured the raffle stubs from the finish line, searched for our managers who will do the raffle, and transferred the prizes from the tent to the stage (there were over a hundred items!). Whew! It really felt like I finished a 10-kilometer route.

Finally, the awarding proper came. It was for me the culmination of all the hard work we put into this event. To see all the finishers receive their medals, prizes and certificates felt like I also won the race. We were simply glad that we were able to organize an entertaining and enjoyable activity for everyone.

But the program didn’t end there. The most anticipated part of the day was perhaps the grand raffle where ICTSI gave away 21 top-of-the-line gadgets! These included digital cameras, music players, tablets and smartphones. The winners were mostly employees, suppliers and business partners. And while not everyone went home with a prize, I know that the experience these runners had was something that they will remember for a long time.

Credits The ICTSI Silver Run was the first of its kind for the Company.

The success of this event would not have been achieved if not for the fervor of everyone who made it possible. On behalf of the organizers, we are very happy and thankful for the support given to this project.

I’m sure, this is just the start of many “firsts” that we’ll all be part to be proud of in the coming years.

T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l S e r v i c e s , I n c .