After spending twelve years in the hot sunny Southwest Asia, being shot at by adoring fans, the big army has a new trip planned for me.
Drum roll please,, the Philippines for three months.

Big U S Army sends soldiers to all over the world to visit new places, meet new friends and get shot at. Several people have been tasked to travel along to fix all their "technical stuff". Apparently, the army has to much stuff for soldiers to fix so they need extra dummies to go along. We will working 5 days a week 10 hour days, and off on the weekends.

This leads to my question, what can several old fat men do in the country for entertainment. Now my dear wife is all excited I get to travel to the country, but I am not so sure. Suggestions are welcome as long as it does not require shots for said entertainment!!

Sensible caveat.

Stay north of Manila.

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50 Years of DSOTM

Sixty-odd years while employed by our uncle, I spent
2 years at Clark AFB, since given back to the PI in about 1980.
With a few days off, we’d catch a bus up to Baguio City to
the north. Mountainous and much cooler compared to
the lowlands. John Hay Base had a nice hotel, golf course..
and restaurants. A nice break from the routine
That was a long time ago, no guarantees what its like today.

Lots of beauty but remember you will be in a 3rd world country. As long as you know this you should be ok. Who knows, it may be like paradise after stints in SWA (been there/done that).

Where will you be? What's available depends on where you are - if you're in Zamboanga or Tawi-Tawi, you won't be allowed to go anywhere. If in Manila at he AFP camp in Metro Manila (Camp Aguinaldo), you can be stuck in traffic for hours to go anywhere at all along the main street (EDSA).

Baguio City and the old Summer Embassy is worthwhile (3 to 6 hours by road, the NLEX), as is the relatively safe Puerto Princesa on the long island of Palawan (you'll have to fly).

If in Manila, a Corregidor day tour is fun. - you ride a boat to the island, have a guided tour, lunch, then return to the very large Mall of Asia.

Be sure to check the Embassy website for threat warnings - they are dynamic.

Keep a wad of toilet paper in your back pocket - it can be hard to find.

You won't find nicer people anywhere than Filipinos.

I think the Nipa Hut is closed. Sorry.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

It's been a long time since we pulled in to the PI on the USS Midway . Back then it wasn't hard to find stuff to do , but it was hard to keep from getting in trouble , trouble with a capitol T . I know it was before your time , but this was an R&R spot for the VietNam war . You can imagine , anything and everything was available . I'm sure it's not like that anymore , probably toned down . It's a beautiful country and the people were very nice . The food is some of the best in the Far East . My memory is off , there was a VFW or American Legion right on main St. in town outside Subic Bay Naval base , but I don't know where it would be now . I'm sure other Navy and Marine vets can add more , though I'm sure they won't tell the whole truth about some of their adventures , I know I won't .

But Air Force One at Parañaque City is always open if you are willing!

If you like big, modern casinos, there is City of Dreams and the Solaire near Mall of Asia in the Pasay/Paranaque city area (Metro Manila) on the bay.

If you want to stay in 5-star hotels at USG perdiem rates, the Penninsula in Makati is superb, as is the Diamond Hotel on Roxas Blvd near the Embassy Chancery and north of the Embassy Seafront Compound (there is a VA clinic at Seafront).

crooked cab drivers were a big problem. I don't know if that is still a problem but be careful....

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Real men love cats!

Thanks for the suggestions, we won't know anything more until Friday. The big army might change plans once they see the bill for us to have an "exotic trip". The thing that torques me off, is in SWA you were paid 7 days a week, heck from fence to fence was 5 miles at some places and 200 yards at others. We worked everyday because there was nothing else you could do!!

I recently quit contracting, and you usually get 23 or 26 day contracts. I had not heard of 26 day contracts in PI except at limited sites in the Sulu Archipelago, where there are serious travel restrictions. You should get meal/lodging reimbursement for days off, as you can't very well just go home.

If you're contracting for DOD and eat at a DFAC, you may have to pay cash, but it's really inexpensive. Lodging in a CHU can make you crazy as well.

If you are in southern PI and for whatever reason you are standing at a counter (money changer, sale booth, whatever) and you see the proprietor drop to the floor, drop yourself right then too. It will save you a series of perforations. It's been just over 50 years since I was there. My son married a lovely PI girl, and she could tell you where to go and she will be polite about it too.

Stay out of the Upstairs Zan Zi Bar.............

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

I'd add that there are reliable ATMs everywhere in the PI; I had no trouble of any kind with BDO or BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) in 5 years.

Could be worse, at least they're not sending you to Chicago or Detroit.

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OGCA Member.

Things to Do in Clark, Pampanga | USA Today

Things to do at Clark-

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...ila_Luzon.html

Things to do in Manila-

Its been 40 years since I left the P.I. It was a great experience, just be careful and talk to people from your job who have been there before to get the latest info. (If you can)

The beer was good, the food was good, a beautiful country,the people were nice and most speak English so no problem communicating, you will be in a country where most people like America and Americans.

Enjoy your trip and thank you for your service.

Spent two wonderful weeks in Olongapo City, summer of '68, well actually Cubi Point at Subic Bay. I heard that Paulines burned down sometime in the 70's. We were not allowed to leave the main street while visiting the city. Farthest I ventured was up to the hospital. Went to some island and had a great time. The Enterprise was in port but the crew was restricted to the ship. Seems they had too much fun the last time they were in port. Went onboard the USS Roosevelt. The flight deck was crazy and it was in port. I can imagine what it was like out in the ocean launching planes. No thank you. The highlight of the tdy was seeing a U2 take off and land.

You wouldn't recognize Subic or Olongapo City these days. When we left, so did the economy. Only the 'Excrement' River remains as an odorous landmark.

We are slowly going through the process to go there, only problem is no money yet!! We have to do mandatory training on how to survive if lost or trying not to get caught. Not once did it mention, "Hey Siri or Alexa where the hell are the good guys"!! I mentioned to my boss that maybe the locals don't like American's anymore!!

Appreciate the update. You have been posting awhile and I always send good thoughts for you on your in theatre operations and in general. Thank you for what you do and come back safe. I hope my small contributions over a decade ago helped. Best to you and yours, TH.

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Rather be outdoors

Will they make you do the counter-threat course before deployment? CT650 is GREAT fun!

Back in the 50's I was a young dependent living on the hill above Subic Bay. We had no TV, per local laws. Seemingly the National Govt felt that TV could be used for political propaganda. Looking back, we had no need for TV anyway. How does that pertain to here and now?

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"Don't Give Up the Ship"

Are the Huks still active there? They killed my CO in the early 70s..........

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

Nope. The primary threats are the New People's Army (NPA) actual Maoist Communists that really just rob the people for cash, which exist in the hinterlands on Luzon and a few other more isolated places, then the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) that is periodically violent in parts of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, and finally the remnants of the IS-affiliated Maute Group (currently the Turaifie group), more in western and central Mindanao.

The southernmost places I'd feel safe without security would be the beautiful island of Palawan, and Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, and Surigao City on Mindanao. You want to stay awake in those places, as lidnapping is the way NPA, and the Islamic groups make money.

I was in MCB133 and the dirt guys were making a perimeter rd around the base at Subic and they attacked the CO my co commander and a driver and killed them as they were unarmed............

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

Upon completing tech school I filled out my "Dream Sheet". I was asked to list 5 choices (by preference) of duty bases I would like to be assigned to.

They gave me #6.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

My uncle was stationed in the Philippines until mid-1942. After taking a well known stroll with some of his Army friends, he had the opportunity of taking a cruise ship to Japan where he enjoyed the comforts and hospitality of Japan. His vacation time in Japan ended in mid-August, 1945. He never forgot about his time enjoying the comforts and hospitality of Japan, and it would frequently be in his dreams.

Reading this thread, I was wondering what Olongapo was like lately. I haven’t been there since ‘83, but it sure was a fun place back then

The last 5 graduates in the alphabet of my recruit school went to one duty station, after (of course) matching individuals specific wants and capacities first.

I really lucked out in that department. I remember having 3 choices (or maybe only filled out 3). I picked Key West, Mayport (Jacksonville), and Charleston. I wanted to stay fairly close to home, or so I thought. I ended up going to a Frigate based in Pearl Harbor. A lot of the guys in my class ended up going to Norfolk.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

Be careful in Birmingham, if you can believe the news, it's murder city.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

My trip has been delayed until FEB 23rd, the Philippine's Govt has made entry easier and this helps getting us there just before the big military exercise begins. On the other hand they are still arguing whether we work 5 days or 7 days a week. If we are stuck in the jungle we ought to get paid for every fun moment there!!

I haven't been back to the PI since the whole pandemic nonsense started. The wife is from there and we have built a house in the Province where she is from.
If you're going to be in Manila there is plenty to do as it's very Americanized. Lots of traffic and lots of people there. Like was said there are some shady Taxi drivers so you need to be careful. Over all the people are some of the friendliest you will meet and everyone speaks english so there is no language barrier to deal with for the most part. Do make sure you are in a group of people and do make sure you're not all drunk at the same time. It's like anywhere else where people will take advantage of a drunk.

If you get the 'Grab' app, it's the company that bought out Uber in Manila and Cebu. I used them 2x to 4x daily and never had trouble.

I have been here in Cabanatuan for a week now and travel daily to the Philippines Army base to take care of computers.
As we drove up from Subic bay I realized as we got closer the motorized tricycles were thick as flies at a picnic.
I googled the town so I could spell it correctly and found out this fact, it is the Tricycle Capital of the Philippines!!

Cabanatuan - Wikipedia

Now they must have a class where you develop mad max skills to avoid each plus all the cars and trucks. Our Pilipino drivers are very accomplished NASCSAR drives from the way they weave through traffic and play chicken with oncoming traffic.
Oh, I went to the army location found the diesel generators had no fuel. A army truck was filled up with a bunch of 5 gallon fuel cans and after 4 hours it did not return even then the fuel point was at the same camp!
Here are some pictures.

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Also I should mention we have all had to deal with TSA rules when we fly, oh the Army, never mind those regulations when your on a charter plane!!
We flew from Hawaii to Guam for refueling and off loaded into the passenger terminal and waited. The TSA workers went on board to do a carry on baggage check and went crazy!! They found knives, Gerber's surgical scissors and the most dangerous all MRE chemical heaters. We were terrorist in training!! So we had remove all of our carry on baggage and they searched each bag.
Four long hours they had filled a 18 inch box full of contraband, we were actually surprised that I was one of the few drug dealers on the plane. TSA man singled me out and asked why I had two months supply of medication. Politely I mentioned that I would be in the Philippines that amount of time. Also I said that my check bag was searched and the drugs could of been stolen.
Now the gentleman cut me some slack as all of the drugs were FOR OLD PEOPLE!! No big demand for cholesterol, high blood pressure meds.

,

Try to get to Bagiuo City if you can - it's not too far and is really, really nice.

Have a piece of buko pie for me!

The security levels in all major building are high. Armed security personnel are verifying covid cards and searching bags going into major shopping malls and each big store have them at all entrances. Now I have to chuckle because I noticed that they all have holsters but few have firearms. Shotguns are prevalent in the parking lot plus bomb checks occur before you can park in parking lots.

I am sure why my pictures are posting sideways??

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That's been true since the 2009 bombings.

Well I finally got back to Seattle last Friday. The countryside was pleasant to visit, and the people were friendly we stayed in Cabanatuan and worked at the Philippine Army camp thirty miles away. Manila was any other big city in the world with traffic and pollution.

The airport customs people went nuts over all of us showing up the exit the country without passports stamped that we entered the country!!
It took a while to find someone to understand there was no customs people to meet the military charter plane that we flew in on. We all made it back home safely.

Watch out in Seattle. It has turned into a first rate hellhole.

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NHI, 10-8.

Well after 28 years of federal service I am retired today!! I got used to looking at Mount Rainer (when visible) so I am taking it back to San Antonio!!

Congratulations on your retirement!

How many trips is that going to take?

Congrats on pulling the pin.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

"Mount Rainer found being dragged to Texas see last post"

You mean this'un?

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Ever had the "This is the last straw" moment?? They forced three of us to leave Texas and come to Seattle last summer. my wife teaches in San Antonio so I left all the family there.
Four months ago they backfilled our positions in Texas and even though I had already told them I needed to get closer to home. So now we have the new people bugging us for help.
I told my bosses at Fort Hood and Fort Lewis that they did to us was wrong, fortunately I had enough years to retire.

"Last straw moments"? Yeah I had them about once a week for about 10 years before I retired.

Congrats on pulling the plug!

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I sure did, but I called it the "mental kick in the pants" that I needed to assess my position in life. I got called into the boss's office and was told by the most senior partners that I was going to get what I called an "unfavorable reassignment." That night I sat down at home and took pencil and pad (I'm old school) to figure out what I would really put in my pocket if I stayed working under the unfavorable reassignment as opposed to retiring. The upshot was that I figured that for commuting 90 miles a day and risking my neck on the Baltimore Beltway I would get a whole extra $20 a month. Guess who put in for Social Security the next day?

Just leaving Washington will save me about $1700 a month in rent, utilities and food. After we figured it out my retirement per month will be around $600 so it was a no brainer.