Subic's Surprises

It was a bit of a surprise visiting Subic with good friends June Recto and Wena Bradley. I had come from the Manila City Hall to work on the release of my Mayor's Permit which I had to wait a week for. I have to go back again on the 16th of July,Friday of next week to recieve my City Health ID. Meantime, there was a trip that was previously planned for the Thursday which did not push through. So on Friday morning I called myh friend to tell him I was done with my errands. Guess what? We were going on a road trip...

The pick up point was June's house at 1pm . We proceeded to Subic on board Wena's van and arrived there around two hours later. Surprise, surprise! Subic is still evolving and shows continued development. From it's high profile background as a former American military facility, the base now serves as an exporft processing zones housing industries that manufacture anywhere from household products to industrial parts.

In my time, the areas around Subic and Clark were associated with establishments of ill-repute. Especially Olongapo, which was designated as a Mecca for wine, women and song. Many a serviceman on furlough would gallivant around the areas of Clark and Subic looking for thrills of the sensual kind. When the Americans were sent back home it seemed time stood still. The girly bars lost its patrons, the women eventually settled down and raised families or made good by turning a new leaf.

Nowadays, Subic and its environs have evolved into an urban center with lots of recreational facilities that caters to different interests. Hotels have sprung up. Casinos have started operating. Fun adventures fit for family affairs are aplenty to entertain and educate guests. Even its environs boast of prime beach resorts and even a cultural haven like Pundaquit.

Here are some of my favorite spots in Subic:

Pamulaklakin Forest Trail - Learn the Aetas' way of life and how they survive using indigenous materials culled from the forest trail...


Tree Top Adventure- Enjoy zipping from one tree to the next. Have fun walking or flying through the tree tops. Or simply enjoy a leisurely afternoon sipping coffee or having snacks way up in the arbod ledge.

Zoobic Safari - enjoy various animal encounters and have an exciting time feeding the tigers in specially equipped vehicles while you drive around rough terrain amid the biggest cats in the world.


Aqua Adventure - Get wet and have fun watching whales and dolphins do tricks and delight kids with these lovable aquatic animals.

Red Dragon Restaurant - Enjoy scrumptous Chinese dishes at the Red Dragon restaurant and watch the waistline go with delicious, nutricious meals...


And then of course... there's always the shopping!!! Originally a port where American goods are brought over for the consumption of the reserved forces stationed at the base, the consumer products found its way into the commissary to be lapped up by Filipinos who could afford top-dollar prices. Now everyone's welcome to shop at the stores that sell American goods.

Every visit to Subic can be summed up in one catch-phrase: "the more things change... the more they stay the same..." =)