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From
U.S. Naval Base to SBMA - the facility today |
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I know a lot
of you former Marines and Sailors haven't had the opportunity to return
to
Subic or Olongapo since the base was
handed over to the Philippines. I was last there over
five years ago myself, and the change
even then was dramatic. But a recent ASAWA visitor,
Marcus Perkins, has been to the area
very recently and took a few photos. He's gone
out of his way to scan these images
and email them to me to share with you guys, so I'm
including them here, along with his
own comments. You should click on the photos for larger and much
clearer images. Enjoy!
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you can see, Hot City was converted to Star City TV and Appliances.
The upstairs glassed in area, where the girls used to gain the attention
of passersby, is now the Toys and Sporting Goods section. I got a real
chuckle when my wife and I went up there and bought toys for the kids.
Former Metallica and unknown club follow this pic.
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Les
Chateaux Barracks is
my nickname for the former enlisted barracks that have since been converted
into a 3 star hotel of suites.
At first, I thought they look like
the typical Air Force barracks I've seen throughout the world...not so.
The other pics are of familiar monuments that still remain throughout the
base. You see these little touches of the past of which most Filipinos
have no clue of their significance, but guys like us pick them out and
immediately recognize them.
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| I'm sure you
can relate to the mirror pic to the right. My wife and her childhood friend
are in the reflection. Try to imagine the look on her face when I explained
to her how hundreds of sailors and Marines passed this way from the Wharf
(their ship or gator freighter) and stopped to checked their "GIG lines"
. The other pic is of the Bat Kingdom North in the housing areas.
It is still a great tourist attraction. A sign is posted there that warns
of a city ordinance alluding to a $100 US fine for frightening the bats.
And you still can't feed the monkeys... hahaha. |
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Federal
Express and DHL are the prime contractors
of the former NAS Subic. It is now the Hub for all parcel delivery in the
Western Pacific. Acer Computer Corp of Taiwain built a PC manufacturing
plant on what is now called Subic Industrial Park in SBMA utilizing Fed
Ex to supply most of its daily parts needs. Acer employs more than 6,000
Olongapo City citizens. Both the Enlisted and Officer beaches have been
transformed into beautiful resort style family picnic areas. Each contain
buoyed underwater chain-linked fences placed about 50 yards out from the
beach so as to protect swimmers from dangerous sea-life and sharp shell
and coral life. I can attest that you can walk in the water and the bottom
is very soft.
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| I found these
quaint little military houses in the hills that are now sold part and parcel
to the rather wealthier Filipinos in Olongapo City. SBMA villa, 5 star
grand hotel on SBMA not far from the Subic Yacht club, famous for catering
the meeting of the G-6; 6 largest industrial powers...including former
President Clinton. And 2 great shots of the Main gate. Pedestrians are
allowed to purchase duty free items on base, but cars are searched for
larger, more expensive items like TV's etc...which are heavily taxed....so
it pays to live in one of he many new housing developments on SBMA.
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Here
you'll find a pic of the Spanish Gate and a beautiful sunset cascading
a shade of pink in the sky. Next is a picture of what some of your brother
sites have speculated about. Etched in stone above the door is the name
"Spanish Gate Cafeteria".. Following that is a pic of the night market
and a busy traffic circle on north Magsaysay. The night market to me typifies
an evening out with a Pinoy family. Simple pleasures such as purusing the
many stalls at the Olongapo night market. haggling over pirated-movies
and CD's makes me smile. Such a wonderful simple people who take so much
joy from the smallest of delights. Things we take for granted, a Filipino
savors like cool water to a thirty man.
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| During my
visit to SBMA, I witnessed to the striking of the colors ceremony performed
daily. This National flag is the largest in the entire country. It
resides on a flag pole that is 96 feet tall, which represents the years
of America's dominance of the Philippines. The pole stands on a base that
is 8 feet high which represents the 8,000 volunteers who reformed and rebuilt
the base into SBMA. It takes about six uniformed men to catch it. Oddly
my first reaction when the Filipino national anthem was played was a natural
anger at the loss of this base. But as all the citizens stood with hands
on hearts and the security forces lowered this enormous flag ,and
caught it...while saluting, I was filled with a sense of awe. The
striking of the colors reminded me of the way I was taught to strike the
ensign in the Navy. I realized that even though America was gone, its traditions
lived in the hearts and minds of these people. |
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