In 2005, I made a conscious decision to move to the Philippines permanently. It wasn’t until after I arrived in April of 2006 that I decided to make Olongapo City my home. Many factors led up to both decisions, some of which are too personal to write about. Here’s a little history for you.
The Rebirth of the Philippines and then Olongapo City
After the Japanese were defeated in 1945, the Philippines was granted independence from the US on July 4, 1946. The Philippines recognizes and celebrates the earlier Independence Day of June 12, 1898, when Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence after the Spanish-American war.
Unlike the rest of the Philippines, Olongapo City continued to be governed as a part of the US naval reservation until the lobbying efforts of James Gordon (half American-half Filipino) resulted in it being turned over to the Philippine government and converted into a municipality on December 7, 1959. Mayor James Gordon succeeded in having it reconverted to a chartered city on June 1, 1966, which administers itself autonomously from the Zambales province.
1992 was another rebirth of sorts. After the treaty for the Subic Bay Naval Station ran out, the son of the previous mayor and mayor at the time, Richard Gordon, succeeded in getting the land turned into the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Shortly thereafter, most of the places that catered to the service members closed down, causing a severe impact on the local economy. It wasn’t as severe as the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, which left 14 inches of wet ash on the city, but the city recovered from the eruption much more quickly than from the loss of jobs the base provided when it closed in 1992.
Since that time, new businesses both in Olongapo City and at the freeport zone have sprung up and the economy is better now than it was before, at least in my opinion.
My Neighborhood
Olongapo City is broken down into 17 administrative subdivisions called barangays, the smallest of the subdivisions in the country. Formerly known as barrios (from the Spanish history, and some areas are still called that), it’s the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward.
I live in the barangay of Santa Rita. I can’t tell you how big the barangay is, or even how big the city is, because there are no local maps [edit: found some in 2011]. When I was here in the 1980s, the real population of the city was estimated at between 50,000 and 100,000 people. As of the 2000 census, there were around 200,000 people and there could be more than 300,000 by 2010.
My wife and I bought the lot next to the lot we live on now back in 1987. My parents-in-law and her siblings moved there. In 2004 or 2005, I forget, we bought this lot. Our original intention was just to own it to prevent anyone else from building between the creek and their houses. In 2006, we built our house on this lot.
Hi RT,
It was actually Emilio Aguinaldo who acknowledged Phil. independence.
I remember all the classroom debates on my social studies classes in the time the Phil. senate was to vote to renew the US Bases.
I should say Subic is indeed one of the country’s booming business hub. And I think the people there have adopted to the way Americans live having been under the US Naval Reserve jurisdiction for a time, which is a good thing for Filipinos.
cyril’s last blog post… WEDDINGS IN THE MONTH OF JUNE
I stand corrected. I had the two names confused in my head. As a matter of fact, I was talking to my oldest sister-in-law this morning and she kept correcting me on the pronunciation of “Aguinaldo”, so I’m not sure why I typed in the wrong name. Anyway, I fixed it. Thanks.
Congratualations on the lot and the house building…Sounds like a nice place to live the Philippines.. Do you have any pics of the area..
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Not right now, it’s too hot (summer) to be walking around to get pictures. I hope to get quite a few when the temps come down in August-September.
Nice to know, I have always liked to know more about different places… But I found it quite difficult to do in the history classes :lol:
And would you like to read about my home : Hoshiarpur, The City of Saints (India) ? I wrote about it only recently :smile:
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Actually… I read yours and then wrote mine. :mrgreen:
Sounds like a cool setup. Whats the weather like?
Hot and Humid most of the time.
RT,
When and if you have the time or inclination I would love to hear more about life in the Philippines. Loved the post.
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I’ll try. I want to include pictures as I go, but it’s hard to do since I don’t want to get out of the car. :shock:
RT
If you happen to take some photos get some of Magsaysay and Gordon Ave. I’d like to see how the investments of most of my military pay in the 70′s are doing.
That should be happening pretty soon, I should think. Damn, and I thought I was getting old.
LOL What’s that supposed to mean?
My latest blog post: Another American Living in the Philippines
I guess you got a whole slew of us waiting to see pictures now :)
Other than the humid part and the insect part, it sounds great. Of course, we have humid with a billion mosquitoes and little black ants every summer in Alberta Can., but that only lasts a couple months. Then cold weather kills all the bugs. Yay!
Been in Olongapo and the Subic Freeport for a day last year. Really nice place. I like it more than Manila.
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great article. i would wanna know more about your life in the philipines!
That was a nice history lesson on the Philippines. I can’t imagine leaving the United States, and if I did, it would probably be to Canada or England, a country that is somewhat similar to the US.
Canada or England? Hum? Just make sure you are healthy as you can wait for two years to see a specialist. And don’t forget about the 60% tax rates in those countries, however the U.S. is not far behind with new soon-to-be Obamocare and the Obamaonomics.
I quite miss the Philippines. I’ve been in Olongapo City several times and I really love the place. If you guys want to know more about the Philippines, just let me know. I am a real Filipino.
Hmmm… did I ever indicate anywhere on this blog that I’m a true Filipino?
Hi RT, I too would like to see a picture of the ol’ homestead when you get a chance. I’m also wondering what you mean by “we built our house”. How much did you do yourself, and how much was farmed out, and was it different doing it in the Philippines instead of the US? Perhaps this could be the subject of a post when you’ve got the picture. I only ask because I have two friends that built their own houses (or really managed the construction to varying degrees). They did it to “save money”, but in both cases they were semi-nightmares. One now has a house, one is still in the works.
~ Steve
I married a beautiful young lady who was working in a gift shop in Olongapo,36 years ago, still married. She worked at Sally Gift Shop, 36 Magsaysay Dr. If you have a chance can you check out what is now at that address.
Thanks
I’ll look when I’m in that area. I rarely go on Magsaysay Drive nowadays.
I finally made it down to Olongapo today and managed to find # 36 Magsaysay. It is now a beauty parlor “Salon De Salle” I took 7 Photos. I’ll see if untwisted vortex can send them to you.
I have photos of the address you asked about, courtesy of VFW Post 11447, Subic Bay. Please provide an email address to get them. Or contact them at vfw11447@ymail.com, put attn: Dennis Doty
Tom, Dennis
Thanks for going to the trouble of taking the pictures and sending them to me. Wow, it sure has changed, we were in the Philippines at Christmas, but never made it to Olongapo. Now I want to go back and see it in person. If we ever make it back I will buy you both dinner.
Thanks Again
Cliff
Hi Cliff
Could you please contact me. I used to go to Sally’s
My latest blog post: Moving to the Philippines Because of the Economy
Were you stationed at Subic, or on a ship? What years were you there?
Hi guy’s, i was born in olongapo city :smile: It’s very nice place to go.I’ll go back in olongapo next year,see you there!!!!!!!!!!!
My older son was born here too, in 1980.
I lived in Olongapo for about 10 years in the day. Back then it was a true sailors dream. Can’t wait to get back in a couple of months to see how everything has changed.
My latest blog post: Dual Citizenship in the Philippines
You impressed me with your experience in Olonapo. I was born and grew up in Olongapo. After I finished college in Columban, I was able to get a job inside the base as a bank teller at American Express. and the base was instrumental to my residence here in the US. Keep up the good work RT I like the positive outlook that you share with other people.
Manny,
American express… awesome! You must know my sister in law Patty Carrillo.
hello im romanian i live 3 months in subic bay i lived in crown pic and olongapo was the best thing who happend in my entire life i wish to come back there but i dont now when i will have possibility im in love to this places i feel like a filipino
Hi danie if you don’t mind could tell me how Olongapo became the best thing that happened in your life? Did you find the love of your life?
My latest blog post: Another American Living in the Philippines
this is my email if some of you want to speak with me
I too would like to move to Olongapo City. At the present time I am searching for a very sweet lady I met in March 1968. I lasst saw her in August 1982 (I was married then). I am now a widower and am anxious to locate her so that she and I may be reunited. Her name is Virginia Empasis and she lived there in Olongapo City – I don’t know if she still resides there. I am not accustomed to living by myself, I need a companion badly.
Steve,
Can you give a description? Perhaps short, cute, brown eyes and black hair? This is a common joke, but yea… I married one.
Olongapo City PI I was there in 1971-72 when my ship the Coral Sea cv43 came to port. Had the best time of my life. Now it seems like a dream. Ill never forget the city. Back then it was a Navy town. All the fun you could have and then some. The monkey meat was great food and tasted really great, I really miss the city and all it had to offer and it had anything you wanted and then some, yes I wont forget OLONGAPO CITY PHIPPINES! One thing more when i was married I sponsored a boy over there. I followed him though high school till he went to collage, Ill really miss him also. so too the city and the young man take care of yourself, from a Navy man 71-72 Coral Sea cva43, bye for now, maybe ill see you in Heaven Danhftb@yahoo.com
:smile: take care Danhftb@yahoo.com
Hi Filipino Friend, I eat my heart out hearing about Olongapo. Fell in love with the Filipino people. I aften look for people looking for an American father from the USS Passumpsic AO107. They would be 34 to 35 years old. You know how young men are & where. I was there in 1972.
Hi,
My last name is Velasco. I lived in Olongapo for 2 different tours. My Dad was Filipino & Mom was American. Can’t remember address from 1st trip but wasn’t far from 220(?)Johnson where we had to move to after a mudslide happened where we were living that destroyed some houses and families up on a hill. While living in that area, some of us kids would ‘rodeo ride’ the Calibou that were being held next to our bus stop. Behind our place on ‘the hill’ was a house/business that did rataan work whose kids I played with and would watch them make stuff. I only have a couple old B/W pics now of the view from up there and it was nice. After the slide, we moved ‘down into town’ on what seems like Johnson. I can remember the 1st floor of our house flooding occasionally often also having fish & crabs in the living room! The open market catching on fire twice and being looted. There was a cockfighting areana just down the street. I became an entrapeneur selling gum, cigs, etc around the Fil-Am area all the way up to near the Main gate where ‘Pauline’s’ was located. Well, enough for now. Those were some days (last trip late 60′s). Take care to all.
I moved to Sta Rita/Olongapo City in November 2008 after I visited my girlfriend, now wife in January 2008.
I plan on buying two Jeepneys to start a business.
I decided to move here from Ohio, USA. I grew tired of the double standards and political correctivness in the USA.
I am here with my beautifil Filipna wife and three wonderful step-daughters. My wife is expecting in May, 2009.
If you are tired of the same old crap in the USA and have some money saved, come and visit Olongapo. The people are mabait(kind) and treat you like a native.
Olongapo ROCKS!!
Hi Michael,
I never intended to retire and move to Olongapo, but circumstances prevailed. After watching both sons leave home, me and my wife spent way too much time looking at each other. The PC thing and more than double standards (more like three or four), along with some personal reasons, were the final things that sent me packing.
Mike,
GREAT post and I agree with you! Will join you in the city for a vacation this September. We are currently building in Zambales about 15 minute ride to the SBMA. This home is my emergency exit from the U.S. if the tax lovers reach any deeper into my wallet. I fully understand the double standards you speak of. I hear about the so called “corruption” in the Philippines but the USA has become the capital of corruption and is getting worse each day I listen to the news. Let me get this right, I have to pay more taxes for illegal alien health care, schooling, housing, transportation, for General Motors and all the other poorly run corporations? Hum, corruption sounds great in the Philippines by any comparison.
Did I read that you live in Sta Rita RT?
I am at Balic-Balic and Capricorn.
Please advise if you want to meet.
Take Care
I sent you an email.
Hi there enoy the site. I recently went to a Filipina American Christmas party and it got me thinking of the P.I. and Olongapo where I visited a couple times in 1990 abord the USS Carl Vinson. The girl who laid claim to me was Laura Ignacio. I didn’t realize that she was seriously intending to be my lady as I was young and thought that it was all a $ game to them. I wonder if she got married and is doing well today. How would one find out these things? Anyways your site is neat as you seem to have a good life there.
There’s no way to know. Tracking anyone by name only is practically impossible.
Concerning an earlier matter of authenticaying my US marraige with the Philippine Consulate:
I “Fed-exed” the required documents to my parents in Ohio. They then mailed these documents thru the US mail to the Philippine Consulate in Chicago.
About one week later ,the authenticated document was returned to my parents. My parents then Fed-exed them back to me here in Olongapo City.
I am now working on getting my Non-Quota visa. I will be going to Manila after Jannuary 1rst, as applying here thru Immigration in Olongapo City is much too expensive. Estimated between 30,000 and 50,000 pesos.
I’ll keep you updated.
Take care,
Michael A. LaPerna
You may want to reconsider. It isn’t any cheaper in Manila. That’s where I did mine and it ran about 50,000 pesos total.
Thanks for the info. We went to Immigration and Swagman Travel here in Olongapo.
Maybe it would be less hassle just to arrange it here if Manila is also expensive.
Please fill me in on details of this non-quota visa. Does it mean I do not have to leave the country.
Am I issued some type of card that allows me to stay?
Any help would be appreciated.
Do you still have my email addy? I’d like to have you over the house soon.
truckermikemct@aol.com
Ingat po,
Michael
Hi RT,
One thing I miss about America is eating raviolis.
Can’t find them anywhere here. Checked markets in Olongapo, Subic Royal and Freeport exchange in SBMA.
Even looked at the SM Supermarket in Pampanga.No luck.
I did see an Italian restaurant near Royal, but have not been there yet.
Any help would be very appreciated.
Thanks as usual,
Michael
The only ravioli I’ve seen comes in (yuck) Chef Boyardee.
Thanks. I forgot to mention that I saw in cans also.
I’m trying to locate the frozen ravs. Rosetto makes good ravioli. I wrote them and explained my situation. No response yet.
My mother offered to send some from Ohio, but has to be very expensive. So I don’t think that will work.
Thanks again RT
Things are looking up here in Olongapo City for my family and I.
We have had a van that we use for our personal transportation and the business.
Yesterday we purchased our first Jeepney, with hopes of purchasing another in the near future.
We have a child due in May, so the extra income would sure come in handy.
Will keep you posted.
Take care,
Michael
We are looking for a daily rental w/ driver for our September trip please give me an email. Navyphotographer@aol.com
Bill
There is a Italian restaurant in Barrio Barretto, on the left side just past the turn for the Suzuki Hotel. You will find much more foreigner friendly businesses here too…
Maraming salamat Tom. We do travel to Baretto once in a while. I’ll check it out next time.
Ingat,
Michael
You must like it thier because most people would not stay after volcanic eruption. I am suprised how many places want a US base out then have problems because they loose so many business owners. In the States they never want any base to close because of the money they get from it.
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Olongapo is a really nice town with friendly people. I lived in Olongapo over 25 years ago. I went to grade school in Santa Rita Elementary School and some of my family friends and relatives are still residing there. Last time I visited the town was in December 2001. I stayed at one of the Subic Base Lodging. I remembered dining at “Kongs” (a chinese-fiipino restaurant)located in downtown Magsaysay. They serve good tasting dishes for a fair price. Olongapo City has really grown from the time I left it. Anyway, it is nice to read about my hometown. I plan to visit there soon.
Yes i too have heard that Olongapo is nice place to live in. But i really doubt about the capability of this place to provide job and better career prospects to the people living in there.
Hi frogger
I was wondering why you would think that Olongapo wouldn’t be a good place for employement? For Filipinos it offers great career prospects. For Americans, unless they are operating their own business they can forget about making a living just about anywhere in the Philippines because I believe there is a law that states Filipinos must be hired first.
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I was a Marine in Olongapo during 1975, 1979 on a ship, 1986 – 1989. Station Dito! I met my asawa, a cebuana, in 1996 in the States, and we have been happily married ever since.
We go back to Cebu every other year. I love my wife’s family, but my heart belongs to Olongapo!
I cried like baby when I said “good-bye” for the last time to my friends in 1989 because I knew the base was closing down and I would never come back.
I turned 21 years old in an Olongapo City night club. The place is interesting and different! My last port visit was in 1990 on the USS Ranger. However, we are buildig a home in the area so we never have to say good bye. Nice post! Thanks!
I married a beautiful young lady who was working in a gift shop in Olongapo,36 years ago, still married. She worked at Sally Gift Shop, 36 Magsaysay Dr. If anybody that lives in Olongapo has a chance can you check out what is now at that address.
Thank You
Cliff
Cliff
Did you get my message to contact me? I wanted to talk to you about Sally Gift Shop.
My latest blog post: Moving to the Philippines Because of the Economy
Sorry, When were you there? I was there in late ’70 and early ’72.
My wife and I just returned from Olongapo and Manila a few weeks ago. You can view images of our visit by searching youtube at veteranphotographer (all one word).
The last time I visited the city was after Desert Storm in 1991. The place has changed for the good. However, the things that Sailors wanted back then are still available but more under cover. The “buy me drink” places are now video Kareoke (sic) clubs. One can see these all over the place.
Olongopo is not doing as well as the SBMA. Why? People travel right by the city and into the SBMA to spend tourist dollars. However, the city is doing well and as never looked so good. I remember the market being the same as in the early 1980s when I was strationed in the city.
My lovely bride of 27 years asked me to buy land and build her a home. I can never say no to her. We purchased some land in a place near Club Moracco called Costa Malaga. Since Donald Trumph invested a billion in the area I thought it would be good for me too! At any rate, on youtube you can see the beach area where we purchased property. Our home is currently under construction by a father and son team. I can’t mention their names or their organization’s names because the tax people in the Philippines will be all over them. At any rate, we are building an two story home using U.S. building standards. The walls will be cement and not hollow block. Hollow block has a strenght rating 10 times lower than an integrated cement wall system.
The major issue I noticed in the city were all the cars. Many privately owned vehicles and of course I noticed the new super hiway the Japanese built to subic from clark.
What a great place to live! If one has a $100,000 to blow, why not build a home! However, watch out, the home will belong to your filipina bride no matter what. She can sell it without the husband’s permission. If one has a good marriage go for it, if not DON’T DO IT!
Regards,
Bill
@RT and @Bill,
I wonder if either of you is in Olongapo / Subic betewen now and April 6, 2009. I am in Olongapo between this period on a volunteer assignment working towards identifying tourism marketing potential of the city.
If possible, I would like to do an interview (formal or in-formal, per your preference) with you to understand your views on the city and its potential.
If you are open to the idea, please let me know your contact details and I will reach out to you.
Regards,
Neeraj
I don’t really do interviews about stuff like that. My opinions are public on this blog and that’s about as far as I go with it. Besides, I don’t get out much when the wife’s not around and she won’t be back until May at the earliest.
Neeraj
I live in Barrio Barretto, Olongapo City, by choice.
I will make myself available for an informal interview if we can work out an acceptable schedule.
What organization / publication do you represent?
I am in Olongapo through a not-for-profit organization named Australian Business Volunteers and I represent IBM Foundation.
The interview is mostly for internal consumption and for developing my understanding of what are the possibilities for this city.
Are you listed in the city phonebook? I will call you to discuss.
Neeraj,
Sorry I missed your post. I will not be in the Philippines until september, 2009. Plz contact me by email navyphotographer@aol.com if you would like information. I can also provide my PI text number for a contact if you are in PO city.
Bill
I was station at Subic on board the USS Sterett from 85 to 89. I married a beautiful Filipina and have three children, She is from Sta Rita Olongapo. I have been able to go back twice. My wife and two daughters are going back the last week of May to visit her family. I was planning to go back with her but I am changing jobs from the police department to the Sheriffs department. I have always loved the people of the Philippines. I have always had in the back of my mind to retire in Olongapo. I am going to have my wife look for property to invest in.
Sta Rita… yea the blue jeepney place!
yellow jeepney blue jeepney barretto
I am very interested in retirement in Olongapo. I would like to talk with anyone who can give my some information. I’m American, am I allowed permanent residency? What do I need to do ? Thanks for any help you can give me. I can be reached at billh99@yahoo.com
Hi! I was born in Sta. Rita OC and grew up their all my life until 1992 when I came to the U.S. I missed home so much and I’m home sick. Iba talaga if your home. My aunt lives in San Antonio Zambales and i now live in CO. and married to my wonderful AMERICAN husband for 8 yrs now. He is in the MIL. and we plan to retire over there someday if GOD permits I don’t mind. Considering the value of $ it will be worth it and we can live life to the fullest out there as long as we know how to budget. Well, I haven’t been home for year RT how’s OC now and how’s the economy out there? Were hoping to retire there someday and open up my own business or take my business to the next level. I have a website now and I sell designer handbags and I hope to put up my own designer store over there someday and oh! how’s Magsaysay Drive it’s always fun over there well tourist spot for Navy etc. I missed the night life over there too man I wish I was home well take care mabuhay. MJ
My website http://www.bellasboutiquellc.com
I’m no good for making comparisons. I didn’t move here until 2006 and I didn’t spend more than a couple of months total between 1983 and 2005. Sta. Rita has more paved roads, that’s for sure. The economy is different because it isn’t based on the military like it was before. Employment is increasing, slowly, with most of the jobs coming from SBMA or new businesses in OC. I’d still guess that 80 percent of the income is coming from OFW remittances.
RT,
The Korean’s are keeping wages low for filipinos at less than 350 P a day.
Bill
Mj,
Business start up opportunities are sparse. You need to find a specific nich in which to market your product. You would need to advantage differentiation in the product you sell as there are so many products available for very little money to include fake Coach Hand bags. You will need to develop a vision, mission, grand and generic strategy before attempting to go into business in PO city. Your functional tactics should be inline with your strategy. In other words, have some objectives you would like to attain. My recommendation is for you to leveral differentiation or perhaps uniqueness. You may also wish to advantagage an environmental analysis to leverage strenghts and weaknesses within your business start up.
Hope this helps.
Bill Lewis
I find Olongapo,to be a boring city
for a city that prides itself on tourism, you see garbage and human waste dumped into the rivers and Ocean… the same Rivers and Ocean that they fish out of and expect the tourist to go swim and scuba diving in… my introduction to it was a womans “maxi pad” floating next to me in the Ocean
I find the customer service in the Filipino based stores/markets in Olongapo to suck, Filipinos here have no concept as to where there pay check comes from,
need to pay a utility bill in Olongapo good luck, you have to show up directly to pay on most times wait 3 or 4 hours to pay a bill
pay late and they charge you interest.
SMBA…. DONT GO TO SMBA….talk about over priced and you still get taxed “duty free” i guess means something else in tagalog
and the guards are idiots talk about not knowing where your paycheck comes from, these guys turn away people, forgetting that the people who they turn away spend money, in the businesses that pay there wages
I find the Filipino people to be uneducated and ignorant, thats because being in school is a money grab for the schools, free education ya right… here is your next project dont have money for your project? o well cant graduate, top that off with not being allowed to graduate unless you go to the graduation ceremony (every grade you have graduation and ceremony) where thats another money grab
the local school took a 2 day break because the mothers were having a VBall tourney???
the only people that want anything to do with you are the poor Filipinos or criminals… and both want to either get something from you like money, food or property
and the Filipinos with money want nothing to do with you,
Speaking of rich, the richest people in this country are Chinese or descended from Chinese… being regarded as second class citizens and most came over here with little or no money in the last century
goes to show you how useless the Filipinos are as a people
Hello, Mr. Negativity. As an American, you would probably expect me to agree with at least one of your points. I can’t. You’re seeing the worst of the worst and basing all of your opinions on it.
I can argue the flip side of every point you made, but you won’t appreciate it unless you open your mind and your heart to the facts and the truth. Sure, the city has problems. Name one city in the entire world that’s perfect and I’ll call you a liar. The Philippines is an impoverished country with a history of occupation, corruption, and poverty. It doesn’t have the advantage of being ruled by one government for even a century, starkly contrasted with the US which has been ruled by one government for more than two centuries.
Education in the Philippines is not free and isn’t taxpayer supported, so I don’t know where you got the concept of free education from. As far as poor versus rich and whether they want to have anything to do with you, I haven’t seen what you describe at all. I can’t see your point in the rest of your opinions either.
Pollution is not unique to Olongapo or the Philippines. I was born in Houston, Texas. My parents used to talk about the time the Houston Ship Channel caught fire. And I grew up reading about the Love Canal and the associated birth defects. And I once worked on a construction project for 3M Company, and the ironworkers outside the building, and using a cutting torch to cut steel, actually set the dirt on fire. This was all in the highly advanced US of A. So I guess, compared to those things, give me a maxi pad in the ocean any day. At least you can see that. Keeping the environment clean is everyone’s responsibility. Complaining about it doesn’t help alleviate the problem. Just my two cents’ worth… Billy
Olongapo,
Thanks for the factual information. I found a completely different experience. Perhaps you should take a college course in process management to pay your bills. I would simply have a life helper go pay the electric and water bill. Or, at Gerry’s in the SBMA I fed a family of 14 for less than $100. The food was great and I invite anyone to view my youtube footage showing the outstanding customer service at the SBMA @ Gerry’s. As far anti filipino attitudes I would only ask you to read any book about the Bataan Death March. Here you will learn about the wonderful filipino people who risk their lives throwing rice at POW on the march in banana leaves. I find it interesting to debate ignorant people who think others are ignorant. And, I actually sign my name. Bill.
This is always an interesting topic. My friends in the states say, “You can’t buy property and build a home in the Philippines… too much corruption.” My only response is Jack Madoff. End of story!
Bill
Mr. Olongapo,
It is really nice that you can come up with these amazing comments about Filipino people and them being uneducated, when you yourself cannot spell all that well. Please do spell check and grammar check before you post anything online for people to read. It just comes to show that you are less educated than they are. With your ignorant comments and all, tell us readers that you are an ignorant Moron. My 12 yr old daughter and her friends can write better than you can any time any day. I know that a 7 yr old can spell better than you too.
It sounds like somebody had a bad experience in Olongapo. As for Filipino’s being uneducated and ignorant, I have a hard time with that. The Philippines has the 3rd largest English speaking population in the world, after the US and the UK. Interesting statistic for a place where English is a 2nd language. Fact is most Filipino’s are well educated and fluent in English. Sir, how fluent is your Tagalog? It sounds like you were treated poorly by local businesses, I live in the US and I’m quite sure if you go shopping here with the same attitude you’ll see the same kind of “customer service”. And there’s no such thing as “free” education. You can either pay as you go like in Olongapo, or the government will just take the money whether you are a student or not like in the US. Don’t be so cynical and negative, try to see the good that surrounds you… there’s a lot of it to see. Hope you have a better day tomorrow. Billy Boy
dosent change the fact they are a stupid people, when they graduate, it is like the rest of the worlds grade 10
so says the foreigners here to drink beer and sleep with the underage looking Filipinas…
everything must look so rosy through that San Miguel Beer bottle
You’re whole premise belies the fact that the very people you call stupid have some of the highest aptitude test scores in the world for math and science.
Sometimes when a person’s intellect causes them to frequently become confused or otherwise mentally agitated, the true source of their cognitive disfunction is their own innate lack of the ability to reason and think clearly. Many times this dimwitted person out of frusatration and not having the cognitive abilities to access the situation properly will get angry and frustrated at others and just call people names or accuse everyone else of being stupid. It is the sign of a true idiot.
Olongapo,
I would like you to write an educated piece on the subject of “Olongapo” and reference actual facts and name your sources to provide some measure of proof to support your opinion. As to your use of words “stupid people” this form of ignorance must run in your family sir. I will pray for you as it sounds like you were deeply hurt by someone in your past. The best way to get over this is forgiveness and move forward beyond your hurt feelings. You are calling the lovely and wonderful filipino people “stupid” sir but please look into the mirror. You are probably seeing the reflection of someone you do not want to be. Just how to you spell the word “dosent.” Perhaps you should develop a positive social structure to help get you over the hurt or see a VA counselor. Just remember, the odds are great that if you have health problems a lovely and educated filipina nurse in the states will probably take care of you.
Regards,
Bill Lewis
It’s ironic that your post refers to other people as under-educated and “stupid”. I can’t help but point out that your three-sentence comment contains not less than nine basic grammar and spelling errors, which would put it at about a third-grade level for English composition. So 10th grade is still a long ways off for you. Maybe you can hire a Filipino tutor to help you? Billy
Bill, ignore this person. I have two words for what he’s doing: Troll Alert!
I don’t mean to stir the pot, so I say this very, very carefully: most Pinoys do not appear to possess a “command” of the English language, but think they do.
Passable or conversational might be more accurate terms. Those of us that have lived among them will have no problems understanding even the worst engrish’.
Had a conversation with a nurse friend about an infection on my hand. Hydrogen peroxide came up and she advised against it because “it rots human flesh”. That’s not true and although she did know the correct reaction is capillary embolism, (which causes the temporary whiteness), she didn’t see my questioning her other term. Thats when our conversation turned to grammar and word usage – something neither of us are experts in.
I might not be wording my ideas the best, but I think its those little things where the words are ‘close enough’.
Here in the Philippines, if someone says “I can have a cheesburger”, I know they’re asking for a CB. It’s passable but it’s not correct and would get nothing more than a blank stare or questions in a Micky Dees stateside.
Heheheh funny comment. I usually get a blank stare at Micky Dees here in the US. I once asked “what’s the price if I get onion rings instead of fries with that?” and the kid got all flustered and said “I don’t know, I just work here…” True story.
I think it all depends on where in the Philippines you are. In Olongapo, most English speakers read and write English very well. I’m going to assume it’s because of years of close contact with the American military. I’m also going to assume that it won’t always be the case because American contact has dwindled tremendously since the base closure in 1992.
Amazingly, one of my nephews (born in 1985) speaks better English than most Americans (he’s half Filipino) and he has never been outside this country. He works as an appliance store salesman and is pending an OFW assignment in Qatar. He turned down one for Saudi Arabia because they offered to pay him less than he makes now (on commission).
I know, I sidetracked, but I just wanted to point out that what you see and think you know isn’t always the case.
I plan on visiting Olongapo the second week of June would like to no where I could find photos of Magasasay and the area from the early eighties
Hi Patrick
Try this site http://www.subicbaypi.com It is not my site and it has been around for a long time.
My latest blog post: Philippines Dual Citizenship Update
would like any info on rentals/leasing agents in the area. We are planning on re-locating in July. Thanks
I’m sure they exist, but I’m not aware of them. There aren’t any listed in the phone book.
We’ve opened an office in Davao City and I can’t wait to get back for training and to see how everything has progressed. I don’t like the heat, but I do like the country.
My latest blog post: Think Outsourcing Sucks? 5 signs you may lose your job overseas.
I had the privelege and honor to spend a three month stretch in Olongapa;albeit it under grevious circumstances. I was stationed onboard the USS Whiteplains (AFS-4), homeported in Agana,guam. On May 09,1989 a mainspace fire took the lives of five of our crew. Disabled,the ship was towed from the Sea of Japan to Subic Bay. Subic Bay was a routine port of call for ship (but not for extensive stays). During that three month stay I was able to mingle with the locals in Olongapo. As with any impoverished nation there are individuals who will try to swindle and some that mean to do harm. Than again,the same things happens in the most prosperous of nations. I,personally,had an enjoyable experience. I also met a young Pilipina lady who work at a bar… ended up marrying her. She was originally from Bicol province. While working in Olongapo she lived in Santa Rita,not too far from the Victory Liner bus terminal. As a squid (sailor) I loved the night life in all its aspects; the culinary street vendors,Kong’s Chinese Restaurant,the bars and those beautiful ladies! My favorite bar was a place called “Snoopy’s.” It was located on Gordan Avenue;the first right after crossing the bridge that linked Subic Bay Naval Station with Olongapo city. And once Mamasan found out I was engaged to a Pilipina,albeit from a different bar,she put me off-limits to the other ladies. Once married and my wife residing in Guam … same rules applied. When in Olongapo Mamasan -(Snoopy’s lounge”)- kept me on the straight and narrow. I really admired and respected that woman! anyway,enough of my days of yore. I wanted to comment on the obsurd comments given by one “Olongapo” on May 01,2009. Time 4:40 a.m. Calling anyone stupid,especially on a collective level is extreme ignorance! Oh,wasn’t that another term he used regarding the Filipino people? His comments about the education system had some hint of truth to it. Unless things changed for the better(?) free public education was available only up to the sixth grade. Afterwards,sadly,continuing education were for those who could afford to send their children to school. As one of the most impoverished nations on Earth the Philippines has its fair share of prostitution. And since “Olongapo” likes to make light of and degrade these ladies of unfortunate circumstances,well,again,he left out some very insightful facts. Aside from prostitution being tolerated by the U,S. goverment and the Philippine government,it did generate a lot of monetary gain for the community. During the time I was there the Mayor of Olongapo,who educated in the U.S. not that that makes a difference,had used those monies make improvements to Olongapo City. My fiancee and I were riding in a Jeepney one day when she pointed to the side of the road where workers were digging a ditch to install sewer lines… she said,”honey,that’s the Mayor!” Guess what? The Mayor was ass and elbows in there with the work crew. Tell me,how many Mayors do you know of who would exert physical energy unless there was media personnel to take note? Again,I got off track. Back to these awful bargirls. Have conversed with quite a few of them,there stories were numerous. Some wanted to marrying an American simply to escape poverty. Yet many more worked the bar scene to support their parents and to ensure their siblings could continue their education. When I met my fiancee she had been working at bars for three years. Yes, she wanted out of the Philippines but she was putting her younger sister through college. Even after leaving the Philippines she supported her sister’s college. There are also ladies working at bars in order to send themselves through college. But,in my opinion,most work to survive and support family! Those ladies selflessness sacrifice should not be trodded upon by the likes of “Ologapo” and anyone else not educated on the reality of life for the average citizen in the Republic of the Philippines. This Mr. “Olongapo should count his lucky stars that he does,in fact, live in a prosperous nation. Ignorance is not innate,it is an arrogant,learnt trait. In closing I would like to thank Mr. Olongapo. Although through no fault of hers,my wife and I are no longer together. But I am proud of her and will always love her. You see, for a lady who is uneducated (6th grade),ignorant and a so-called whore… she now works in the healthcare profession as a dietician. And she did so without degrading those less fortunate than her. Nor was she envious of those more fortunate than her. lastly. Thank you RT Cunnungham for sharing your site!!
Mike,
Enjoyed your posting! Wow! What a comparison! American prostitutes work for drugs, but the bar girls in the Philippines could earn three years salary each month by working in the clubs in PO City. You are thoughtful man your lady made it from rags to riches! What a story!
I just want to say thank you to you Mike for your kind words. I too grew up in Olongapo. I am half American/ half Filipina and use to be teased in school because of it. People automatically assumed that my mother is a prostitute just because my mother married an american(sailor). I use to get into a lot of fights because of it growing up. Just like you said majority of the comments about Filipina in Olongapo City is based on ignorance. People forget that there are other jobs in Olongapo. I just wanted to add that not every Filipina in Olongapo are prostitutes, there are teachers (yes! Olongapo City has schools), there are waitresses (bars/restaurant) and retail vendors. I too work in Olongapo City as a waitress in the bar called Rolling Stones. I remember wearing a spaceship looking uniform in order to be separated from the prostitutes that work in that bar. I got that job because the manager of that bar is a closed family friend. In that bar we have somebody that we called nanay( she is the one that usually go out there to do errands for us , like buying us our food so that we can eat during our brakes. I still have her picture with me because she made that much of an impact in my life and no she is not a prostitute), in that bar we have bartenders(female & male), DJ’s and a lot of cocktail waitress. Yes! they also have prostitutes and I was lucky enough to get to know them and just like you said, each one of them has their own amazing story to tell. I know one particular girl that becomes prostitute in a very early age (13 yrs old). She use to be roses and balloon vendor, but when her father got really ill and cannot provide for the family, she decided to become a prostitutes to provide for her family against her parents will . She told them that she has too or they are all going to starve. I was able to come with her to her house one day ( she is about my age) and heading over there is quite a junt. But when we got there I was amazed of how little they have. Their house is made of bamboo we called Nipa hut that is build in the top of the mountain . The house is so small to fit 8 members of the family together, there is no separate room for each kids and no separate room for the parents either. However, you can definitely feel the strong love in that family. This is one of the few stories I personally know as I slowly get to know this girls and become their friends. I left the Philipines in 1990 as an American Citizen having an American dad has its own advantages. I however still missed the Philippines. I too know people in USS White Plains and one of them is Shane Mccormick. I also remember the bar called Snoopy. I remember that time when your guy’s ships broke down for a long time and you guy’s are stuck in the Philippines for 6 months(I think).
i was in olongapo in the late 60′s (68-69)olongapo at that time was a great place matter of fact i look at olongapo as the best place on earth and still do my place to party was the Rio club up stairs was off the wall had so meany great time there you talk about the bar girls there was meany times we would buy the girls out of the bars just to party with thim there was meany time sex wasent even in the picture so those girls where great but i must say there was the girl that tryed to run a scam but after awhile the good girls would let us know the bad from the good ones so again i respected thim thin and still 41 years later i feel the small PS IF THERE ANY ONE OUT THERE THAT READS THIS IF YOU KNOW A LADY IN OLONGAPO HER NAME WAS ROSEMARY DELLISRAYAS AM NOT SURE OF THE SPELLING OF THE LAST NAME BUT SHE WORK AT THE RIO CLUB IN 68 69 SO AGAIN IF YOU KNOW HER OR CAN HELP ME FIND HER SEND AN E-MAIL @lozcoz2005@yahoo.com THANK YOU
I love that guy who call himself Olongapo. I hope our path will never cross.
I lived 32 years of my life in Olongapo City but got my Electrical Engineering degree in Manila. I worked in Subic Naval Base PWC as an Electrical Engineer doing Electrical Design. I did a lot of facilities in Subic. Like most Filipinos I also dreamed about going to the States to seek for greener pasture. I had the opportunity of migrating to the states in 1986. Work was hard for somebody who doesn’t have local experience. I joined the Navy and retired for almost 3 years now after 20 years of dedicated service. I will definitely go back home for good early next year and will use my GI bill there. I also have good retirement pay plus 70% percent disability pay. I know “I can live there like a king”(quote from most American Sailors). I know a good investment there will be an open bar like Pier One in SBMA. I have been there for numerous occasions and the place is always packed with tourists. The location is nice because you can see the ocean from there. The place is owned by the brother of the late Filipino actor Rudy Fernandez.
Military retirement pay will go a long way in the Philippines because everything is cheap and fresh unlike here in the states where most food are frozen and expensive. In Olongapo you can go for “All you can eat” for $3.00 here your lucky if you can find one for $15.00. Food business is still the best investment in Olongapo with Karaoke bar.
I WAS ONE OF THOSE SERVICEMEN THAT THE CITY CATERED TO.(84-88) I LOVED “PI” THEN AND I STILL DO ! I’VE BEEN THERE 15 TIMES AND PLAN A TRIP SOON.(SEPT/OCT.) I STILL HAVE MANY FRIENDS THERE AS WELL AS MANILIA. MY LAST TRIP THERE(PI) WAS IN DUMAGETTI(CEBU) HAD A BLAST!!! STILL LOOKING TO SETTLE DOWN THERE.
I’M NOT A “BUTTERFLY”…I’M JUST LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT WOMAN
I think its so romantic that you saved the lot from another skyscraper.
Mark from buy to let interest rates
Olongapo, I understand what you’re saying but I see also your comments are taken as insults by many here. A lot of visitors to Olongapo never make it 2 blocks past the bridge and judge a whole nation by their experience they had whilst staggering from the bars back across the river to the cab waiting at the gate. Not everyone leaves with a favorable experience. I know lots of people who think New York is the most vulgar place on earth and the people of the city are vile and disgusting and to a degree they may be right however that’s their own perception.
I hope you know that the vast majority of the workers at the freeport are “volunteer”. That’s right they work free. Many people working in town such as security guards for clubs work for tips and they work every day and every night putting up with the worst because that is their job. Even in many of the old bars when you would buy a girl a drink she didn’t get even one centavo unless you gave her a tip. If she didn’t like it she could go somewhere else and in some of the bad places the girls had NO OPTION to leave. Yes there was a very ugly side, maybe that’s all you saw, maybe you were drawn to it.
On the Old Base the deal is that if they do a good job, when there’s an opening and Dick decides they can afford to hire somebody they might get hired so from clerks to grass cutters (those people you see cutting grass with scissors) to security guards many of them are unpaid labor. Then you have the selling of base property to Rich Foreigners for personal profit, Just go to the old base housing and take a look around. A lot of what Dick did there after the base left was pure unadulterated greed and opression and I know a lot of people are bitter. After all some people were promised their Family Land back that the US seized when they built the base when the US pulled out but that sure didn’t happen. Now, I know or should I say knew Dick Gordons Nanay and she was a fine woman and I think they are a fine family but I think how he handled the situation after the US pulled out was just wrong and the practice of briing to get anything done is revolting. Yes I know he still holds a grudge over what happened to his sister years ago but he needs to let it go. So yes you can run into unpleasant people in Olongapo or anywhere else in the world and it sounds like you did but I find most people are respectful and polite unless you come across like a flaming ass and for those who aren’t, I generally move on and don’t dwell on them.
I would love to move to Olongapo, I’m certain I could get a permanent Visa or immigration status because my Wife’s family is a respected old line Family there plus I own a very Nice House there or rather my wife does. However my wife will not move back because the opportunities just aren’t there compared to where we are now plus her family has been steadily migrating to the US over the years.
Olo Ng Apo is a great area with a rich history and fine people for the most part.
Thank you C for a very good post. I can see you are very well up to date on Olongapo. I am an American who owns a house (my wife does)not in Olongapo but that woould be my second choice. I’d rather stick to the BIG city for now because I love the hustle and bustle but not the traffic of Manila.
.-= My last blog: Another Talent Show and Another Filipino Talent =-.
Olongapo City… Like everywhere else on this earth, if you go there with an open mind and open eyes, you will find many good people and many good places to visit. And like everywhere else in the world, if you go looking for the seamy side with a negative attitude, you’ll find exactly what you looked for. But whether you see good or bad, remember it’s coming from within you, not from what’s around you. If you surround yourself with bad things, then bad things will surely happen to you and it won’t matter what city or country you are in. Me, I like everything about the PI, and especially Olongapo. I like the weather (yeah it’s hot and humid, so what) and I like the food. I find most of the people to be good hearted and friendly, which doesn’t mean I’d ask them to watch my camera while I run inside a store. The people are for the most part poor, and putting food on the table isn’t something they take for granted. Maybe the reason I see so little of the bad things is because I’ve never been in the bars, never hired a bar girl to go home with me, and I don’t shoot my mouth off like a lot of drunk, arrogant foreigners do. So Mr. Olongapo… remember, like they say in Texas.. “If you f*** with the bull, you get the horn”.
Great posting “C” (7/06,11:15pm) and “Bill” (7/07),12:01am) Well RT,it looks like username “Olongapo” continues to be a big hit! I am beginning to think he just likes to stir-the-pot. At first I was irked by any and all his comments. Now? Now I realize more shit comes out of his mouth then all the sewage accumalated in shit-river. If you are out there Mr. “Olongapo” I truly hope your comments are not sincere. Still,for every offensive comment you post,there are multitudes of us willing to defend Olongapo City and PR against such nonsense. If nothing else you do keep us entertained. It must be entertainment because I cannot take your comments seriously!
Michael,
Good post! Yea you’re right. He reminds me of one of those “fake” so called “veterans” that stand on the side of the road with a sign that states: “disabled veteran, please help.”
: )
Bill
Ha ha ha, this made me laugh – “Now I realize more shit comes out of his mouth then all the sewage accumalated in shit-river”. But seriously, people should be careful with the comments they make about certain places and people; lots of other people won’t find them funny or amusing.
.-= My last blog: Pomegranate and Prostate Cancer – Fermented Juice Therapy for Prostate Cancer =-.
I’m interested in finding information about some friends I had there back in the 70s. Can anyone direct me to a reputable source?
I just get to thinking about those amazing days. Not much chance I’ll ever return though.
Will appreciate any assist.
tyvm
Rune
For Navy look up a website called http://www.togetherweserved.com as I found many of my friends there… Use your cruse book for the names.
Thinking of moving to Subic Bay for retirement. Can you provide any information concerning housing, medical, etc. Retired Navy.
Thank You
I Am Looking For Safe , Inexpensive Hotel ($8-$12)… Santa Rita (?) Olongapo ,,, Or Angeles City … I Think I Would Prefer The Beach … Just Returned From 3 Months In Thailand ,,, And Heard About Angeles City And Santa Rita (barangay)In Olongapo … Can You Offer Any Suggestions On Where To Start ??? THANK YOU … Lenny
Hi Harley, I am retired US Navy. Moved here a few months after retirement in 2007. Subic has changed a lot since the Navy Base was operational. I was stationed here 1989-92, so I am familiar with the area before and after the bases pulled out. There is much you should know before you move, especially re/medical, Tricare, availability of housing, and recommendations for places to retire. You can contact me directly and I will try to answer your specific concerns.
Would you send me the information also please.
Mitch,
I was assigned to the USS Samuel Gompers (AD-37)and was in and out of subic in the early 70′s. I have retired and considering moving to the PI, most likely Olongapo. Can you also email whatever information you may have?
Thank you!
Have gotten mixed info on availability of Tricare in the Olomgapo area. Is it actually available, and if so, under what conditions? (both MIL RET and dependants?)
I don’t have any info on it here, sorry. I’m not enrolled.
you should look at contacting the RAO there as well as checking out thier site. They will be more than happy to help you and any US serviceman.
Site is located at – http://www.raosubic.com/olongaposubicinfo.html
Wonderful post. Thank for sharing news about my country.
Hello,
Where could I find a pet shop of dogs in Philippines either on Olongapo,Pampanga,Clark,Cavite or manila?
Really great post, enjoyed reading it. Thanks,
Barry
They have plenty of pet stores. Manila has a giganitic selection in Cartimar
Is Harley a first name for a Navy guy who studied minerals who went by the name Tom?
That’s cool, seems like a nice place to live, I know another person who made the same move.
should you need a decent but reasonably priced accomodation inside the former US naval base (subic Bay) subic holiday villas may be the answer to your search. beautifully constructed villas The land is formerly subic bay high school. for details, contact robert ramilo 001163 916 750 0374
I too agree the economy and the city attitude seems better now. I had a chance to visit about a year and a half ago while on leave to attend by wifes fathers funeral in the provence(BILIRAN,LEYTE). It brang back alot of memories to me I spent 20 years in the navy alot at Subic I was on the WHITE PLAINES and we where in subic all the time. My daughter was born in Burgos st pagasa and fredie agalar was my wifes neighbor. When i was there for her bithday and baptismal at COLUMBAN church we had a party at Baloy beach .at that time we lived at sta.rita on Sampaquita st.at all the neighbors went to it. we tried to find our friends the last time there but everythimg had changed and had no luck.I love it and cant wait to go back.
I spent a lot of time in Subic/Olongapo during the Vietnam war while stationed on a replenishment ship. I met my wife there, and two of my children were born there. I returned to the Philippines and was homeported at Subic while on a cruiser for 3 years as a navy officer.
I lived in Subic/olongapo from 1982-85, the last years of the Marcos era. I was there when Benigno Aquino was shot at the airport. All these things have added up to a very strong emotional tie to the country and the region.
I would love to return at least for an extended vacation to re-soak up the Filipino lifestyle, the warm friendliness, the great food, and possibly play some golf, and enjoy the beaches. But, at this time, I have absolutely no idea of how to go about making this dream come true. Any ideas?
Thanks
I don’t know how much you have to spend on a dream like this, but you can stay for a month on just your passport and then get a 59 or 60-day visa for around $30. You can rent a nice apartment or house for less than $200 a month (in Olongapo City), but you’ll spend a lot more if you want to stay at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
A dream vacation like this in the Philippines can cost a minimum of $3000 a month, that is, if you’re only spending for yourself and a partner with you. No extended family or opportunist “friends” tagging along. :)
Hey Guy, I was there the same time you were, I was with Subic Bay Marines. My Wife is a filipina and we visited there in 2006 I suggest Flying Philippine air out of california, their are no layovers,hire yourself a private driver,my wife has a cousin ( loddy) who is a driver his number is(011) 63-9212983062 he can meet you at the airport and take you to olongapo. Their are a number of places to stay at very reasonable prices in barrio baretto, its just up the road where all the beach resorts are at. Do yourself a favor look up www. mangossubic.com he has all the listings of hotels, bars etc.you will enjoy the website its a bunch of retired navy living the good life there. I hope this information is of help, good luck with you adventure.
Hello guys,
For those of you, who’ve gone here in Olongapo City Subic esp. navy personnel and in Angeles City and wishing to go back for a visit and memories of the years back looking for a family and friends. I am willing to help to go around with you. I was born in Zambales and grew up in 17th/Harris Street East Bajac-Bajac graduated in Coloumban College and worked as Bellboy in Old Gold Hotel, infront of B-29 Restaurant/Glenmore Shoes, Zigzag Club & Shakeys Pizza, beside Sierra Club corner of Rizal Avenue & Magsaysay Drive. I moved in Mandaluyong City after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and due to Naval Base pull-out in 1991.
I have a taxi which can be rented, I’ll fetch you up to Airport and bring you directly to Subic or Angeles City. Just pay my daily rate and toll fees.
Here is my e-mail ads ac_alonzo@yahoo.com contact number +639192957511
I’m retired from USN. Deployed three different times to the area. As I visited the city of Olongapo,and the Phillipines, I fell in love w/the beauty of the city and the surroundings. I always thought about retiring there but never really though I would do it. Things have recently changed in my live over the pats 2 1/2 years. I recently got divorced from my wife of 30yrs my son and my grandchildren have also divorce me and last but not least my father passed away. I’m thinking it’s time to make the move.
I guess my questions are: Any jobs available? Homes for rent on the cheap side? I have a car should I ship it or can I buy something there reasonably priced and runs reasonably well. Are there things not mentioned I will need? If so please provide a list of necessities I might need. Please send me as much info as you deem I should know, along with points of contacts.
This would be great I would like to move by this coming May 2011 it’s when my lease expires.
Please contact at your earliest.
Thank you,
Tim McIlvoy
SK1,USN,Ret.
By the way if you can think of something you need from the states, just let me know.
Tim, Your name seems familiar! were you on subs and if so which boat?
Hey Harley, please provide as much info as possible, I will be moving Apr or May 2011
Thanks,
Tim
Harley, I’ve done a terrible job at putting this message together for you. Please read “TIM SAYS” from November 24, 2010 @ 5:13pm and also read “TIM SAYS” from November 24,2010 @5:24pm.
Sorry for the confusion.
Thanks,
Tim
Forget about jobs unless you want to work for about P 5,000 a week. That is equivalent to $113 a week working full time. If you can afford to ship your car then you should just sell it and buy one here because if would cost the same maybe more to ship. You can find condos and apartments for around P 10,000 a month which is about $227. The electricity is about P 2,500 a month, water P 600, and cable/internet P 1,000 per month. I’m DAV-VFW-Iraq and so I know what it means to live frugal off the VAs monthly check. The standard exchange rate is $1=P44. Hope this helps.
Hello,
What is required for residence in the Philipinnes? I read somewhere on the net, that if you stay over 90 days they will arrest you.
You read wrong. You can stay up to 30 days on your passport alone, and then you can extend your stay for 59 days and then again until you’re a little less than a year. Then, you leave the country for 24 hours (like hanging out in Guam for a day) and start the process all over again. That’s the single way. If you’re married to a Filipina/Filipino, and that person has filed an affidavit with the Bureau of Immigration, you can get permanent residency – that’s what I am.
thanks for all the useful information.
i am also looking to move to PH in May 2011.
can you tell me if there are financial requirements for either obtaining the single-visa, or the $$ requirements for the filipina who sponsors a US citizen for the Perm. Res?
thank you!
I did part of it in the US. The immigration stuff done here ran me about $1000 when converted to pesos.
Hi RT, When I inquired at immigration in Olongapo about aquiring my “permanent visa, I was told it would take 5-7 months from date of application and cost between 13 and 15,000 P. Much less than your cost.
They don’t tell you everything. I got mine at the BOI in Manila. I had to stand in one line for hours, then pay fees. I then had to stand in another line, then pay fees again. I returned and got the visa one month later.
Wrong you can stay on tourist till almost 2 years. then leave the country and you can come back the same day . If you want to retire go for sveg visa.
Accually you can stay up to 21 days on your passport alone before you start getting your extensions up to a year. The cost of each extension is supposed to be about P 4,000, but I was one day late and had to pay P 6,800. I’ve been here in Manila for 6 weeks now. If your coming here to wait for a Visa for your wife/fiance then try to rent a place close to the U.S. Embasy because everytime you get into a taxi and on the roads here you put your life at risk of injury. I know you may think you do the same in the states as well, but here the traffic is so bad that you could not possibly get to a hospital as fast as you can in the states. Traffic is terrible, drivers think the rules only apply to the other person and on top of that the taxi drivers want to price gouge you for every peso you have. So rent a place close to whatever business you have here even if you plan on buying a car or motorcycle.
21 days. I stand corrected.
It may look and be scary out on the road, but I’ve seen very fewaccidents.
I have been trying to locate a very nice lady whose name is “VIRGINIA EMPASIS”. I last saw her 20 years ago (I was still married), now, I have been a widower over seven years. So for that amount of time I’ve been trying to locate her so that I may return to her and hopefully live happily everafter. Please help me locate her through the newspaper or whatever other means available. Your help is very much solicited and appreciated. Thank you and God bless you always.
Respectfully,
Steve
To whom it may concern:
Again, I need your undivided assistance in locating Ms. Virginia Empasis who lives(ed)in Olongapo City. Today she should be my age (64). She had two kids, Felix and Thelma. Please help me locate her so that I may return to the Philippines soon. Your cooperation and solicitation is very much needed and appreciated. Yhank you very much and God bless you!
Respectfully,
Steve Castañeda
Looking for anyone who knows Jeaneth Parena from Angeles City.
Hey Im a disabled veteran – I want to know can i live comfortable on 2400 a month and where is the best place? can you fly one way? do you extend your visa once you get there? is angeles, manila or olongapo the best place to start?
can you also extend your passport?
$2400 per month is more than enough to live in the Philippines. At todays exchange rate, that equals about 103,000 pesos. I lived in Olongapo city for 2 years and couldn’t wait to get out. Too busy and too much pollution. I haven’t been to Angeles City yet, but I was told it is very clean. From what I understand, you need to purchase a two way plane ticket. Your return flight does not need to be to your home country. It just needs to be out of the Philippines. As was written in the earlier posts,after your first 21 days, you can extend for two months at a time. If you have a filipina wife, and you leave the country at any time together, you can get a “balik-bayan” upon your return at immigration at the Manila airport which you will give you a one year free stay in the Philippines. I hope I was helpful and I hope I am corrected if any of my statements are false.
As for extending your passport. If you’re American, you can extend through the US Embassy in Manila.
You should be fine with that amount of money. Just make sure you save up for initial expenses when you get there. Someone more current could let you know what that would need to be. Also, just let your wife or someone local you trust do all the buying without you there as prices will differ many places and bartering is usually expected. You’ll find your money will go a LOT further that way. If you are a Foreigner or look like you have money they’ll be less willing to deal.
Also for anyone wanting to have an agent handle your paperwork I highly recommend Piping Dizon IF his travel Agency is even still open. He used to be on Magsaysay. Years ago when there was a flood washing out the bridge and I couldn’t get to the Airport or Embasy, I overstayed and didn’t have the money to renew my paperwork unless I cashed my ticket which I couldn’t do and he helped me out for free. He is “well connected” and can help in difficult situations and you don’t have to worry about it. Some of the agencies know who to pay and get things done.
For those having Embassy Staff Problems, I can only offer the following from my experience in dealing with those turds numerous times since the 1970′s when they refused to give my Son who was born @ CUBI a passport and I had to literally buy a ticket and Fly over there to handle the situation in person which they told my wife I needed to “be there in person”. ( I was discharged from Active Duty and my Wife couldnlt use the Facilities on Base) I got people fired over that shit. The people at the Embassy are generally crooks looking for $Pasalubung$ which will make things happen. They’ll generally drag their ass on everything and make it inconvenient for you unless you grease their palms and the U.S. Civilian Staff at the consulate are generally fully aware of it too. It’s a festering puss bucket. Of course on occasion someone is doing their job and things actually run smooth and effecient but that’s rare. Also if you are a US Citizen, you shouldn’t wait in line with the Locals and/or Non Us Citizens because you are processed differently, they SHOULD tell you that but don’t.
If you find out the name of the actual Ambassador at the Consulate and drop that you are going to mention the slovenly service that will usually get a change of attitude real fast, of course I have no idea who the current dork in charge is. You can usually get current info from the State Dept, also find out exactly what fees you need to pay and don’t let the moneygrubbers make up extra crap because they will and they’ll make you pay the same fees repeatedly if they can get away with it. When my Nephew immigrated to the US they made it hell for him making him come back over and over and pay and pay and pay. When I found out about it I dropped the Ambassador a letter and he got telegram telling him to come back, an apology and was in and out in just a few minutes on his next trip. Then when his Mom came over that process repeated. In other words, if you are getting crappy screwed you can complain. Writing or Calling your State Senator can do wonders too unless they’re lazy scum and ignore you. All they usually do is draft a cover letter and fwd your letter to the Consulate requesting a reply which then makes your case something they want to get taken care of expeditiously without complaints. Those jobs are hard to get and the people working there know they are easily replaced and can get fired if they’re screwing around but they are making a killing in the meantime.
My wife helped SO Many people over the years who had some ignorant legal Officer screw u their Immigration Paperwork it’s not even funny. I NEVER met one of those clowns who actually know or cared what they were doing. At Cherry Point they had an actual Immigration Office and the idiot there never gave out correct info making the whole process take longer and more difficult. He knew better too and was obviously doing it with specific intent. Of course he had a connection with a scum officer doing work on the side for $$$, they’d suggest go to such and such a place and they can make things go smoother etc. So get current info and regs in advance because some of those people are there to help themselves and not you, at least then they will know you won’t just be an ATM.
Kelly. Yes. You can fly one way. I’ve done it. You just have to tell the lady at the ticket counter that you have a contact there in the Philippines and/or a place to stay. Not sure if you have to prove it or not cause I haven’t had too. You have 27 days to extend your visa once you get there (to avoid late charges, make sure you do before the 27 days expires). $2,400 a month is way more enough to live off of there; that is equivalent to P 105,600 pesos. You can go to craigslist and select Philippines and click on the city you want to view prices of places for rent or sale depending on what you are looking for.
If you can locate Ms. “Virginia Empasis” I would be on my way to Olongapo City today. So if you can locate her and tell her I am looking for her I would be thankful to you and appreciate it so very much. Please locate her and email a recent photograph of her, her daughter and son so that I may verify that it is truly her. Thank you very much!
Sincerely,
Steve Castañeda
I have always been amazed by the beauty of the Philippine Islands and it’s people. The people are really hospitable. Glad to hear someone appreciates Philippines as well.
I’m thinking about moving to the Philippines permanently as well, but for different reasons. My family lives in Davao City and I honestly just love the people. I’m Filipino and was born in the states, however I love how people treat one another back home. Everyone is so polite and well-mannered. Men open doors and greet women accordingly, and it’s just so pleasant to live in that type of community. I know it’s only one reason, but when you’re around impolite people everyday for 20 years of your life, you start to appreciate those 1 to 2 week vacations at a place where people are just raised to be well-mannered.
I love histories! Thank you for this. :)
I have interacted with a few Filipinos online and I think they are amazing people. I wanted to go on vacation there late last year, but had a change of mind due to some personal reasons……this article has just re-ignited my desire to visit the country.
I was in Olongapo from 1983-1986 and left a lady behind named jenny florez she worked in a dance hall there. I have been thinking about her ever since and wondered how she made out. If anyone can tell me how to find people there I would love to see how she is and if she has a family.
I didn’t know Philippines where part of the States – I definitely need to brush up on my history. It’s amazing there is no data on the size of population in your city. Pretty brave of you living so close to volcano.
@all
I’m sure you’ll love the philippines when you visit there, lots of festival happening from every where. The foods are great and the people are very hospitable.
Thank you for share this. The histories is very interesting to lern ; I love histories!
hey
You say “My wife and I bought the lot next to the lot we live on now back in 1987.” I appreciate your sense of long-term vision.
James
How To Increase Your Blog Performance
Hi just wondering if you can help me. I am trying to find the city hall in subic bay or trying to find out the name of the woman my father married in the Phillipines from this area. I do not know her name but need to find out if there is a city hall I could contact to find a marriage certificate. If you know of the city hall there could you please let me know a contact number. Thanks
You can find the information yourself: http://www.olongapocity.gov.ph/
HI TO THE PI AND OLONGPO CITY, WHICH WE USED TO CALL PO TOWN… AND OTHER AFFECTIONATE NICK NAMES OF THE USA AMERICAN FLEET CIRCA VERY EARLY SEVENTIES THRU THE FALL OF VIET NAM IN 75… I AM A RETIRED CHIEF PETTY OFFICER USN WHO WAS ON AIRCRAFT CARRIERS STARTING IN 1957 THRU 1975… I WAS ALSO STATIONED AT CUBI POINT NAVAL AIR STATION IN 1961… MY AGE THIS COMING MARCH 15 WILL BE 80…. I WROTE A NOVEL CONCERNING YOUR FAIR CITY BACK IN THE YEAR WHEN MARCOS DECLARED MARTIAL LAW… THE NOVEL WEAVES ITS WEB ABOUT THE PO TOWN NITE LIFE AND THE ENLISTED MENS CLUBS AT SUBIC AND CUBI POINT… THE BOOK WAS NOT PUBLISHED IN 1985 BECAUSE THE MARKET WAS FLOODED WITH VIET NAM RELATED STORES… I PLAN ON A REWRITE AND WILL ATTEMPT TO PUBLISH AGAIN IN THE NEAR FUTURE…. PRIOR TO THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT OLONGAPO TO GET A TASTE OF CONTEMPORARY FLAVOR… TO SAVOR THE JEEPNEY RIDES AND SMELL OF THE STREET VENDORS BARBECUE MEAT SMELLS AND TASTES… DRINK SOME SAN MIIGUEL..
I USED TO HAND OUT AT THE PLAZA HOTEL… I UNDERSTAND THE HOTEL HAS BEEN EXPANDED… DOES IT STILL HAVE THE UPSTAIRS CASION… WITH THE BANK VAULT DOOR AND GUEARD WITH HUGE DOGS GUARDING THE ENTERANCE??? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE PLAZA FOR A TWO OR THREE WEEK VISIT… THANKS RICHARD….
There are much better hotels there now. Inside the old Navy base there is a huge selection…even some of the old barracks have been converted into hotels. You can do a web search for more information. If you want to stay in Olongapo itself, Barreto has some really nice beachside places to stay. In a pinch, there is a pretty cheap and clean hotel right in front of the Victory Liner station.
Would love to read your book when it is published.
Hi Richard, My name is George, People call me Mr. G .I remember when I was just a young Marine, back in 1975. Had some good times in Olongapo , met a lot of good people there. Would like to buy a copy of your book when its published. Please contact me by e-mail when its published. Maybe one day I will go back to Olongapo . Thanks, Mr. G
SIR: THANKS FOR THE SPEEDY AND INFORMATIVE REPLY… I SHALL KEEP IN TOUCH AND LET YOU KNOW HOW THE NOVEL DEVELOPS AND MY POTENTIAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS.
I WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATIVE ON ANY DOCUMENTED DATA OF WENT ON IN OLONGAPO AND ANGELUS ON THE NIGHT MARCOS DECLARED MARTIAL LAW BACK IN 1972… I HAVE A LOT OFMARTIAL HISTORY OF MANILA… IONLY HAVE A VAUGE RECOLLECTION OF THATMARTIAL LAW NIGHT IN OLONGAPO… I HAD BEEN DRINKING IN TOWN AND THE SHORE PATROL ROUNDED US UP AND SENT US BACK TO SUBIC… THANKS!!!!
I HAD VISITED SUBIC ON USS RANGER CVA 61 1968; USS BON HOMME RICHARD CVA 31 1961 AND MIDWAY CVA 41 1971 AND
1972 . WAS ALSO AT THE OLD CAVITE TOWN AND SANGLEY POINT OF SEAPLANE FAME
I WAS A CHIEF AVIATION ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN AND CREW MEMBER OF AD5W, AD5Q AND E2B AIRCRAFT… WHILE STATIONED AT CUBI I LIVED IN THE BARRACKS AT THE TOP OF THE HILL AND LIVING I IN THE BARRACKS UP ON CUBI POINT.. YEARS LATER FREQUENTED THE CPO CLUB “TOP OF THE MART” BEFORE HITING TRIP DOWN TO SUBIC AND OVER THE RIVER TO PO TOWN..
WAS ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF NAVY AWACCS AT FLEET COMPUTER PROGRAMING CENTER PACIFIC, SAN DIEGO AND COMPUTERS SUCH AS THEY WERE BACK THEN…RETIRED AND BECAME A FIELD ENGINEER FOR LITTON INDUSTRIES. WHERE I DEVELOPED MANUALS AND TRAINIG MANUALS AND LEARNER GUIDES FOR THE PROPULSION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE SPRUANCE CLASS DESTROYERS. TAUGHT THE FIRST CREW IN PASCAGULA MISSIPI A LOT OF AFFECTIONATE MEMORIES THANKS RICHARD
I retired as a Senior Chief Yeoman in 2004. My first duty station if you can believe it was Cubi Point. I said “if this is the Navy I am staying for 30 years” hahaha too bad everything was downhill after that until I hit rock bottom on my last ship USS SAFEGUARD (ARS 50) – more appropriately known as slaveguard. I redeemed that experience by getting a job in Manila after I retired from active duty…however there is a five year limit on tours so unfortunately I am back in the U.S. and hating life.
My wife remembers martial law….they didn’t even know what it meant hahaha. Her father got caught one night after curfew and had to spend the rest of the night in the PNP camp in Barreto. They made them kneel the entire time. Bad times which really put that country in the hurt locker
It was still under martial law when I was here in ’83 and ’86. Marcos was ousted later in ’86.
RICHARD, I WAS STATIONED AT SANGLEY PT, CAVITE CITY FROM 67-69, WAS THE BEST DUTY THERE IN THE PHILIPPINES, LATE I WAS ALSO STATIONED AT CUBI PT. I WENT BACK AND LIVED AT BALOY BEACH, BAR. BARRETTO FOR 5 YEARS AND ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH. I REMEMBER MANY OF THE PLACES YOU HAVE MENTIONED. ENJOYED IT. ALSO RETIRED CHIEF RADIOMAN.
Hi Richard;
My wife and I were married on Sept. 22, 1972, and had our wedding reception at the Cork Room in Olongapo, the night that martial law was declared. We cut our reception short, and got everyone home before midnight.
I lived in the Subic area from about July, 1971 till April, 1973. I was working there as a Technical Representative for the Magnavox Company, working on ECM equipment for the F4 Phantom Aircraft. As such I occasionall spent time on almost every carrier that operated in the theater. My time in the Navy was from 1964 to 1968, and I served on the USS Ticonderoga, CVA-14, with 16 months in the combat area.
My Filipina wife and I now live in Indianapolis, Indiana, and have 2 children and 4 grandchildren in Indiana. She was originally from Gamu, Iasbela, and we contemplate moving there in a couple of years. She owns a home there that was built new in about 2000. We visited Subic in about Sept. of 2011, and had a nice lunch on the waterfront at the Sea Food by the Bay restaurant. The changes there are amazing. We drove by a new SM mall there and lots of new things are now happening there. A new freeway enables easy driving from Manila into the Subic Freeport area, and enters the former base not far from the Acer Computer factory. Sadly the old Cubi point office3r’s club on the hill overlooking the bay appears to be closed and abandoned. There is a nice park on the hill there though.
The Subic International Airport ( old cubi point air base) is not active very much now, but does have some activity. For a time it was the Asia hub for Federal Express, but they have moved to China.
I recommed you visit there again and see for yourself.
Actually, I’m pretty sure they’re going to close the Subic airport and convert it to a museum. The cargo carriers like FedEx and DHL can use Clark’s airport anyway.
Yes, there are definitely changes. The “Harbor Point” Ayala mall on SBFZ is the latest addition.
Nice article ! I haven’t been there , but I heard it’s a very lovely place . Hope in the near future I can go there .
Anyone who is completely honest will tell you Olongapo is not lovely. The former U.S. Navy base at Subic has some nice areas but Olongapo City itself is run down. It was run down and dirty when I was first there in 1980. It is still run down now (albeit cleaner) now. It just has a decrepit look to it which I never understood because – especially during the Navy days – there was millions of dollars a month flowing into the city….but reparing or just repainting a house or building never seemed to be important
It depends on which part of the city you’re in, just like anywhere else. Downtown Olongapo City is only a third of it.
Not trying to be disagreeable but it really doesn’t matter what part of the city you are in. There is no area of Olongapo that is “nice” in the way most readers from first world countries would think of. Gordon Heights was perhaps the closest at one time, but no longer. My wife is from Bajac Bajac and I just left the Philippines in April after living there for five years so I know what I am talking about.
Sure and you see what you expect to see. I’ve been living here myself for more than five years and I was here in the 80s. “Nice” is a matter of perspective and compared to other “third world” countries, I consider many parts of the city nicer than I would expect.
I agree “nice” is a matter of perspective. I live in Barrio Barretto, been here over 8 years. I am retired US Army and was never stationed in the Philippines but spent 6 years in Korea when it was considered third world. Other than the rats nest of telephone and electrical cables, and the mode of public transportation Olongapo could be a poor southeastern town in the US.
I live in a nice apartment in a nice section of town and enjoy my lifestyle very much. I also own a travel agency that brings tourist to the subic bay area . Our guest enjoy the area also
I was stationed in Subic 1959-1960 aboard the AFDL10 &11 with a first class named Cunningham who made Chief….got pictures of us dumping him in the tugboat basin. I was at the ceremony that turned Olongopo over to the Philippines in 1959. Have the paper and program. I will be there 1st or 2nd week in June of 2012 hope to visit the spot where the two drydocks were….and Kessing st. where I lived for several months.
i think olongapo is the best place in Philippines
I enjoyed Olangapo while aboard USN Fleet Oiler USS Ponchatoula (AO-148) 1969-1970.
Once saw 2001 A Space Odyssey in a converted church in town. Loved filet mignon wrapped in bacon at Papa Gaio’s.
I’m trying to find a friend from Hawaii – Steve Chandler. He’s likely “raising chickens” somewhere in the PI.
We worked at Wang Labs together in the Asia Area Region. Nicest, smartest & funniest person I’ve met so far.
Steve: Give me a shout one day!
Kudos on a great site.
Aloha to all!
I
Someone ought to put a Website together for Filipinas looking for old Service members, where they can post a pic and who they knew. The only thing i have found is Ameraisian Children looking for their fathers.
I would like to know how an old girlfriend is but have no idea how to find her. Maybe if someone could put a site together where people can post their names and who they are seeking??
Just a thought but how would you advertise it around Olongapo?
T
Yes, a website is pretty easy to do, but getting it advertised in the right places would be virtually impossible.
hi i was wondering if you can help me me and my kids will be relocating there in aug and i need to know the name of the school just right by the gate not the one by sm the other gate i need to contact them soon and all i know they call it first something. any info you can give me will be appreciated..thanks
I think is called the First School of SBFZ.
Hi Richard,
I stumbled across your site while doing research for a book. It got me thinking about the “old days”. In 1976 I was a young BMSN stationed on the USS Samuel Gompers, AD37. Venturing off the Subic Bay Naval Base for the first time was truly an assault on the senses. It was an assault on the senses with sights, sounds and particularly the smells as we crossed over the bridge from the base into Olongapo. Sometimes we tossed coins to the “river queen” girls wearing their best “evening gowns” while perched in their tiny row boats. It’s something one never forgets. It still makes me smile to remember those days and mostly nights when my buddies and I wandered Magsaysay Blvd venturing in and out of our favorite clubs always greeted with pretty girl shouting “Bar-B-Que!” every night on the boulevard next to a red fire truck and waking up to the old women hollering “balut!” in the early morning hours.
Let us not forget the girls and the clubs. I still have a photo of a guy in one of the clubs who played the Jimi Hendrix version of the Star Spangled Banner on the guitar. Man, that guy could shred. I recall many nights hanging out in the Cork Room, with their garlic peanuts and San Magoo just to escape the craziness of most of the clubs.
Similar to many others, I even had a couple of not so good personal experiences with martial law that still make me shake my head and wonder how I survived. In spite of some sketchy moments, in my mind, the many times we sailed into Subic generated memories that still make me smile and shudder at the same time. True, Olongapo was not considered a garden spot in those days but for those of us who where there, most of us have to admit, it was a cool place to be for a young man just learning about the world.
I read the dates when people were stationed in Olongapo and I feel like I am ancient . I was at Cubi Point from 1952 to 1953 when the first CB’S started construction of the facility. We lived in tents up on the hill. I was a CM and assigned to the field lube crew.
I stumbled into this website while looking for the latest news about Olongapo, especially the flood on August 7, 2012. It is nice to know that many of the servicemen who were stationed there have not forgotten their Olongapo life.
I was born in 1958 in Olongapo City, and spent my life there until i came here to the US. Olongapo used to be beautiful, really. We have a house in Sta Rita where i grew up. I remember that in the 60s, clean water run the creek behind our house and we would catch fish from that creek after every rain. The creek is connected to a tiny body of water from the mountainous part of Bataan from the east and Mabayuan River, Kalaklan River, Subic Bay, and South China Sea to the west. Since the water would really be crystal clear after every rain, i remember that some of the members of my household would wash bed sheets there, similar to washing clothes in a river in the countryside.
Life in Olongapo back then was simple but pleasant. You could count on your fingers the number of people who were really considered poor because even the poor had something. The US Naval Base was already in existence when I was born, my father was already working there “inside” in the Fire Department and my mother was teaching high school and college subjects at the school nearby, Columban College. Life, for me, was easy and so it was for most of the people I grew up with.
I observed the start of Olongapo’s deterioration in the 70s. People never cared about the importance of preserving a good environment. All they cared for was earning more money. Tell me about a city in the Philippines that has not become like it. The advantage of Olongapo over other cities is its proximity to beaches and the mountains. But an advantage that local people have no appreciation for. Here in the US, I’ve observed that people, if they had the means, would opt to live near the beach or in the mountains.
Talking about when Martial Law was declared, i was then in high school. The streets became so quiet, there was curfew. People were not allowed to roam around after 6 pm. Us students were told to walk only in pairs. Any group of more than two people would be questioned. Then on my senior year, we were the first batch of students to learn basic military training. The system of government was trying to copy Mao Tse Tung’s system of governance. We quickly got used to the system because, in a way, as long as we stayed obedient, nothing harm would come to us. Public speaking and expression was controlled if not totally stopped. So us, in our teens, forgot what the real freedom of speech and freedom of the press really meant.
When I went to college, things changed. Many students were on the streets, in rallies to oust Marcos; so too were rallies for the removal of US military bases that were blamed for many of the social ills that came to the Philippines. I have nothing against the military bases because it brought jobs to many people. But the real root cause of the problem was the Philippine’s lack of control or willingness to control those ills. Finally, when Mount Pinatubo erupted, the military bases in Clark and Subic closed. Did that change Olongapo? Has it become better? From my observation the last time i was there in 2009, nothing changed. But i know things would improve if there would arise a good leader whom the people would respect and follow.
For those who are planning to go back to Olongapo to settle, it is not impossible to help this city improve and be a better place.
I recently visited Olongapo City and was impressed with the construction that’s going on over there. The new Harbor Mall is pretty impressive. Now about the river that runs through there. They need to clean it up.
I’m also looking into purchasing some property in the nearby area.
It’s not actually a river and serves the purpose for which it was originally intended, a drainage canal. Still, it’s nasty and we’d be better off without it.