Economic considerations?????
Just a few observations gentlemen:
I do not wish to start a fight but I don;t see where tourism is suffering because of this current spat with GMA and her detractors. If anything I have noticed and increase in Foreign faces, this after a four year tenure in the PI.
Someones observed that this thing in Subic is more BS, well I agree with that, while GMA may have a PHd in economics, it isn't being applied to the economy. As long as the RP has the current laws governing foreign investment, land ownership and other such restrictive measures, the economy ain't goin nowhere.
And who owns the Subic????? Mostly the big time Filipino politicians (GMA included) or the fortunate few which consist of about 400 families that own the rest of the country. And while GMA (god bless her) has gotten on the moral high horse about prostitution, it flourishes because the local mayors, Pols and cops receive more than their share of the profits from the bars, so the bars may open up again in Subic or they may grow no matter what happens to the special economic development zone.
Cheers
Spamhog
Things to do in Olangapocity
Hi there,
Just read the few reports here from Olanagpo city. I was there last year December between christmas and new year with my expat buddy and his and my gf and I liked it very much for some reasons.
Of course, speaking bout bars and nightlife compared to AC, Olongapo is nothing compare to it.
I stayed in Arizona Hotel, room for 1500p, figured out that swagman travel is just opposite, so if you go by fly-the-bus, the bus just seems just to stop there.
For great food, speacially seafood highly recomanded, we went to Johans at Baloi beach, sit at the beach at night and enjoyed the silence. Until 2 filipino singers showed up, LOL. But it was ok, after some SM we joined them singin.
After I put my gf to sleep I went out and walk along the mainroad in olangapo city. First thing I have to say I found it very save to walk there and I also have to say no stupid comments from pinoys, specially if me and my friend were acccompanied by our gf (non working gurls! ) This is what really pi. S me off when I'm in AC. I guess its the fact that Olangapo doesnt seems to have as many as drugaddicts then as in AC, just my opinion on this.
I went to some bars, but gurls doesnt really impressed me, one bar had solodancers, didnt rember the name and that was more intersting for me, Dancers don't look bad. When I look around, I also found western females there, and asian guys, maybe some locals, cant say defenetil, cause the whole place was kinda dark, but SM was cheap I think 50 pesos. Havent asked bout BF there, but if I would be alone I would ask to take the gurl to my room.
Next day we went to Oangapocity, driving around subic free port and visiting the SUBIC ZOO (ca. 400 pesos each) for seeing the tigers. I highly recomand this trip, we had really fun. After that we went to Subic freeport and had some food and snacks and cocktails at Pier 1 (also have branch in Boracay), later on we had dinner at Joahans again.
My friend has a car, so it took us only 2 hours to go there from Angels city. Olangapo was a really nice getaway from Angels city. The city is much cleaner, less noise, you can say what you wana say about Gordon, but he really disciplined the people there, also the traffic. I noticed that, cause my friend didnt use a smuch f. Words as he does when driving in AC or Manila LOL.
I didnt went to Subic, which was 5 or 10 km to go from my place, my friend who lives in PI since 15 years says that they have also some bars there, next time I will try that and report here.
I'm sure I will do the Olangapotrip again, cause its the fastest getaway from AC and one option to go there quick by car if looking for a beach.
They also have the water park with whales, dolphins etc. But my friend saw that allready so we skip that thing.
Happy hunting!
Blink157
Warning Theft from hotel in Subic Bay
If you plan to stay in the Subic Bay area, please avoid "westbay" hotel
I stayed there in December last year and kept my money in the safetybox at the reception. When I checked out 75000 peso was missing
The hotelempoyees has spare key to the boxes and steal money from their clients at a regular basis. When I reported the theft to the police they said they could do nothing due to lack of evidence. But they did confirm that theft from safetyboxes had ocurred numerous times and that the manager is aware of this "Business". She declined any responsibility and of course refused to return the money
Security at this hotel cooperates with the staff at the frontdesk and the manager gets her share of the money stolen
Name and adress of this hotel: Westbay (formerly marmont) 15 westbay inc 15j. Montelibano Barrio Barretto Zambales Phillippines 2200 tel (047)2224628