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The Getaway Hotel
Baloy Beach - Barrio Baretto

Subic Bay in the Philippines is one of the finest natural harbors in the world. In 1898, shortly after the conclusion of The Spanish American War, it fell to U.S. forces and a naval base was established. Other than in WWII when the forces of Japan overran and occupied the islands, the American Flag flew over the base until that infamous day of November 24, 1992, when it was hauled down forever.

Doc's Hooyah BAR - Barrio Baretto

During the late 1950's, numerous construction projects were begun and continued well into the next decade. The base soon became a massive naval installation and the finest in the Far East. It was the logistics and repair hub for U.S. Naval operations during the Viet Nam War, and provided R&R for war weary sailors far away from home. When the war was at it's most intense the harbor became a beehive of activity, with dozens of both navy and merchant vessels coming and going daily, and round-the-clock takeoffs and landings at the Cubi Point Naval Air Station.

A Champion Fighting Cock

If ever San Diego had a sister city across the Pacific Ocean it was Olongapo, adjacent to this great naval base. This little city, dear to many a sailors' heart, offered a safe haven away from their arduous and dangerous duties at sea. Many found sweethearts and wives there, and some enterprising sailors maintained families on both sides of the ocean.

The Old Shore Patrol Head Quarters

Strolling the streets of this city even today you see everywhere the evidence of past Navy involvement from the Marsden Matting of WWII used in construction, to the bright faces of many handsome youths bearing the unmistakable imprint of foreign fathers. Olongapo remains a bustling city, though not the sailor town of bars, night clubs, hotels, restaurants, and handicraft shops that it once was. The base is now the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and remains an entity all it's own, dedicated to commerce and industry.

Hendrix and his Cousin "JC"
In front of the American Legion Hall
Magsaysay Boulevard - Olongapo

Old Spanish Coaling Dock - II

Old Spanish Coaling Dock - III

Old Spanish Coaling Dock - IV

SUBIC SEAPLANE

Baloy Beach

Baloy Beach Home

Baloy Beach Home - II

Baloy Beach Home
Baloy Beach - Barrio Baretto

Kokomo's Hotel
Baloy Beach - Barrio Baretto

Johan's Hotel & SCUBA Resort
Baloy Beach - Barrio Baretto

Korean Shipyard Across The Bay

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© John Edwin Roberts and © San Diego Beachlife Magazine®