Very nice photos. Olongapo looks a lot more peaceful than when I was there in ’78. Back then it was almost like the wild, wild west, only there weren’t any gunfights (that I saw). Marcos had the country under martial law and the people hated it, but they so open and friendly. It’s prettier than I remember. Is that public market down by where the Navy shipyard was? So long ago…
oh wow, that is incredible. I’d love to hear more about your experiences here during Marcos’ regime.
Yes, the Navy Shipyard is near the market- about one jeepney ride away or so!
Well, let’s see, where to begin. I take it from your comment that you live in the PI? I was there twice, May of ’78 and August of ’78, on our way over and back from deployment. At the times I was there Subic Bay was in it’s heyday as our most active shipyard overseas, so naturally Olongapo was running wide open. I met a lot of Filipinos (not all of them women!) and found them to be very friendly, outgoing people. I remember one time over at a friend’s house, partying just like in the States with Zeppelin and REO blasting on the stereo, when there came a knock at the door. Our host answered and exchanged words with someone, then came in and rounded up his buddies who all went back outside with him. We could hear a terrible fracas going on and were just about to leave when they came back in, sweaty and flustered. It turns out that some of the neighborhood guys had taken offense at our being there and wanted our host to turn us out so they could kick our Yankee butts; instead our friends went out and kicked theirs. We apologized for bringing trouble to his door, and he waved our apology off. “I’ll have over whoever I want, and if these punks don’t like it I’ll deal with them.” We had a great time and returned on several other occasions without incident.
As far as during Marcos’ regime went, things weren’t so good for the Filipinos. Most of the ones that I got to know didn’t like Marcos and his repressive ways (like martial law) and desperately wanted change. Their economy was a mess due to the governmental corruption; my girlfriend had her BS in engineering but had to work in the bar because their were no engineering jobs for women under Marcos.
In later years I was deeply saddened when Benigno Aquino Sr. was murdered because he was very popular with the people and really cared. So needless to say, when his widow Corazon challenged Marcos and won I was chanting “Cory! Cory!” right along with them.
I found the Filipinos to be a brave, wonderful people, loyal allies, hard working and just plain great! We hung out on Grande Island with our girlfriends whenever we could, but I didn’t get out of the area much. Hopefully someday I can go back and maybe see some old friends!
Hope this wasn’t too long… It’s easy for me to get carried away. And I loved the old jeepneys and the motorbikes with sidecars, what do they call them? Nice to hear from you. Do you live over there (please excuse me for being nosy)?
wow! that is incredible- it never ceases to amaze me how wonderful Filipinos can be. Once you are their friend, you’re family- and there is no way they will allow anyone to harm family!
ah, the motorcycles with side cars are called “trikes” or “triceys”. I’m sure you can still hear their voices ringing in your ear calling “hey Joe! Trike ride, my friend?!”
Yes, I currently live in the Philippines. I trained for my U.S. Peace Corps service for three months, and have now moved to Legazpi City in Bicol. Both have been wonderful cities to live in.
Trikeys! Now it comes back to me. Yep, I can still hear their voices calling out “Hey Joe!” That’s pretty cool getting to live there while in the Peace Corps. I had a friend off my ship who liked it there so much that he re-enlisted if they guaranteed him four years shore duty – they did! I found some good pictures of Subic and Olongapo from back then online, if you like I’ll copy them and forward them on to you. Bad flooding around Manila, I see. I was always very impressed by the Filipinos, so much so that I’ve been a rather ardent supporter of their causes ever since, much to the amazement of some of my friends. “I just smile and tell them that they had to have been there to understand! Enjoy Korea!
Hi, I just wanted you to know I sent you those photos on facebook. Take care…
brynacaroline 
Very nice photos. Olongapo looks a lot more peaceful than when I was there in ’78. Back then it was almost like the wild, wild west, only there weren’t any gunfights (that I saw). Marcos had the country under martial law and the people hated it, but they so open and friendly. It’s prettier than I remember. Is that public market down by where the Navy shipyard was? So long ago…
oh wow, that is incredible. I’d love to hear more about your experiences here during Marcos’ regime.
Yes, the Navy Shipyard is near the market- about one jeepney ride away or so!
Well, let’s see, where to begin. I take it from your comment that you live in the PI? I was there twice, May of ’78 and August of ’78, on our way over and back from deployment. At the times I was there Subic Bay was in it’s heyday as our most active shipyard overseas, so naturally Olongapo was running wide open. I met a lot of Filipinos (not all of them women!) and found them to be very friendly, outgoing people. I remember one time over at a friend’s house, partying just like in the States with Zeppelin and REO blasting on the stereo, when there came a knock at the door. Our host answered and exchanged words with someone, then came in and rounded up his buddies who all went back outside with him. We could hear a terrible fracas going on and were just about to leave when they came back in, sweaty and flustered. It turns out that some of the neighborhood guys had taken offense at our being there and wanted our host to turn us out so they could kick our Yankee butts; instead our friends went out and kicked theirs. We apologized for bringing trouble to his door, and he waved our apology off. “I’ll have over whoever I want, and if these punks don’t like it I’ll deal with them.” We had a great time and returned on several other occasions without incident.
As far as during Marcos’ regime went, things weren’t so good for the Filipinos. Most of the ones that I got to know didn’t like Marcos and his repressive ways (like martial law) and desperately wanted change. Their economy was a mess due to the governmental corruption; my girlfriend had her BS in engineering but had to work in the bar because their were no engineering jobs for women under Marcos.
In later years I was deeply saddened when Benigno Aquino Sr. was murdered because he was very popular with the people and really cared. So needless to say, when his widow Corazon challenged Marcos and won I was chanting “Cory! Cory!” right along with them.
I found the Filipinos to be a brave, wonderful people, loyal allies, hard working and just plain great! We hung out on Grande Island with our girlfriends whenever we could, but I didn’t get out of the area much. Hopefully someday I can go back and maybe see some old friends!
Hope this wasn’t too long… It’s easy for me to get carried away. And I loved the old jeepneys and the motorbikes with sidecars, what do they call them? Nice to hear from you. Do you live over there (please excuse me for being nosy)?
wow! that is incredible- it never ceases to amaze me how wonderful Filipinos can be. Once you are their friend, you’re family- and there is no way they will allow anyone to harm family!
ah, the motorcycles with side cars are called “trikes” or “triceys”. I’m sure you can still hear their voices ringing in your ear calling “hey Joe! Trike ride, my friend?!”
Yes, I currently live in the Philippines. I trained for my U.S. Peace Corps service for three months, and have now moved to Legazpi City in Bicol. Both have been wonderful cities to live in.
Trikeys! Now it comes back to me. Yep, I can still hear their voices calling out “Hey Joe!” That’s pretty cool getting to live there while in the Peace Corps. I had a friend off my ship who liked it there so much that he re-enlisted if they guaranteed him four years shore duty – they did! I found some good pictures of Subic and Olongapo from back then online, if you like I’ll copy them and forward them on to you. Bad flooding around Manila, I see. I was always very impressed by the Filipinos, so much so that I’ve been a rather ardent supporter of their causes ever since, much to the amazement of some of my friends. “I just smile and tell them that they had to have been there to understand! Enjoy Korea!
Hi, I just wanted you to know I sent you those photos on facebook. Take care…