Last March 30-31, 2012, our office held its annual teambuilding at White Rock Waterpark and Beach Hotel inSubic, Zambales. The place is ideal for companies and organizations that are looking for summer getaway without the hassles of long road travels.
White Rock shoreline.
How to Get There
Since it was an office activity, we had no problems getting there courtesy of the bus arranged by the Transportation Committee. (Side note: We have committees every time there’s a big office event. I’ve been a part of the venue committee for the office’s past two teambuildings). The group left Bicutan at around 8 AM. We arrived at Puregold in SBMA proper at around 12 NN already due to the heavy traffic we encountered in EDSA.
Front lobby.
If you are going there via public transportation, all you have to do is a board a Victory Liner bus going to Olongapo. Travel time is about four to five hours depending on the traffic. From the Olongapo terminal, you have to walk a bit to the main highway then board a “red” jeepney. White Rock will be situated on your left just after the strip of beaches in barangay Baretto.
Accommodations and Dining
White Rock beach offers several accommodations. There are rooms/cabanas which are situated near the beach front the pools. For our group, we opted to be housed at the main building since the rooms were cheaper and nearer the buffet area. For our group of 60, the office paid about Php 3,000 per head inclusive of three buffet meals.
Roomie!
Rooms were spacious enough to house 4 people per room. Some of my officemates complained that their room was small for them but I was contented with the room assigned to me and my roommates.
All our meals were served through assisted buffet at main building’s Sunset Café. The buffet usually consisted of rice, three dishes, dessert and drinks. While the breakfast served to us on our 2nd day was okay, the food during our dinner on the 1st day and the lunch on the 2nd day was too bland for my linking but for someone who got to stay at the resort for free, what right do I have to complain?
Dinner time.
The Café also serves dishes to regular resort visitors. I am not sure if the food package is automatic when you book a room but I’ve seen some visitors ordering and paying on the spot at the café so I assume their booking did not come with food packages.
Facilities and Amenities
This is the aspect of the resort which I can is definitely say is worth your money. Aside from the beach proper, White Rock has several pools. I got to try their standard four-foot deep pool and their two wave pools. The resort also has three whooping slides.
PCHRD chain at wave pool. 🙂
The white beach was actually far from white but it was definitely better than some of the beaches I’ve been to in Subic. Water activities such as kayaking and banana boat rides are offered but be sure to watch your pockets as I found them to be quite expensive. I only tried kayaking and for someone who doesn’t know to swim, I survived.
This is where the resort got its name.
Teambuilding Proper
For the teambuilding proper, we have our ever reliable program committee. They took care of the all the materials and amenities that will be used. We were grouped into four and we are asked to prepare a group cheer. I was assigned to group “Calayo” and our cheer went like this:
Feel the heat, feel the heat, Calayo!
Mainit, mainit, rah!
What's next?
LOL. Whatever that is. Afterwards, we tackled several activities which included tower building, searching for coins in the pools, kayaking, taking turns in the slides and obstacle course.
Teammate on the run!
Nikothea! 😀
During the night time, we had socials and group presentations. Our group just prepared some hilarious taglines. Sample:
Person 1: Straw ka ba?
Person 2: Bakit?
Person 1: Kasi plastic ka na, sipsip ka pa!
Giling girls.
Yeah. It made me cringe also! Sadly, we did not win the grand prize but it was still a heck of a day. The young ones (which include me) also prepared presentations. We did our own renditions of boyband hits with yours truly singing F4’s Can’t Lose You. Ha! We finished the first day by doing a small tribute to an officemate (who is actually my supervisor) who’s about to leave the office already. Sigh. People do come and go.
"Spice Boys"
Parteh time!
On our second day, we just enjoyed the resort. Swim, wave, kayak, slide, EVERYTHING! I also took it as opportunity to play with my new toy, Lucio and practice by supposed-to-be good eye for photography.
Sunset daw.
Early morning shot of the beach.
Another panoramic shot.
Overall, it was another heck of teambuilding! 8.5/10 for for White Rock. Sans the food, I strongly recommend it not just as a venue for teambuilding but for a total experience of what fun in water means.
Jump.
Flaunt.
Finally, define what love means. =)
Bow.
Apart from the pictures I took, credits also to Zen Ramos, Ate Ron Gordo, Shei Grijaldo for the awesome pictures!
A Thoughtful Paper 