OLONGAPO in the 60’s and 70’s
Was it a place that had a reputation that was overly exaggerated by the thousands of Sailors and Marines who had frequented it? Or maybe it was just a Dream!
In actuality what it WAS was a town in the Philippines with a seemingly unending row of Night Clubs and other establishments located in a tropical paradise that was situated just outside the Gates of one of the most critical and important U.S. Military Bases in the World. Most all of the Bars and Nightclubs there came complete with some of the best music I’ve ever heard anywhere, and each club had a bevy of beautiful women present who seemed to be almost Angelic……all there to provide company and comfort to lonesome sailors who had been too long at sea, and to help them relax and feel human again.
Each Night it was much like a carnival atmosphere for Adults Only…Music blasting from every doorway, Glaring Lights, Jeepneys and Tricycles belching Carbon Monoxide fumes and sounding their horns while transporting folks all around town, the Spicy Aroma of the many different foods being prepared along the sides of the road filling the Air, Occasional fist fights and altercations between Sailors and Marines that generally lasted no longer than it took for each side to realize that it was much more fun to drink beer and get laid than it was to fight with each other. Then there came the PARADE shortly before midnight..a nightly event where all who were going back aboard the base needed to get it in gear lest they wind up being too late for the Gate, the rest finding their way to other domiciles in order to spend the night with their HoneyCo.
Each Day awakened with the sounds of roosters crowing, and the hawking of vendors selling cold Orange Sodas and such to soothe the thirsts of many who were making their way back to their Ships after partying too heavily the night before.
For the record, I for one think it was WAS Paradise…..true, it was a bit “Rough around the Edges” type of Paradise, but nonetheless, it was indeed what I suppose many would classify to be a Paradise,
There was absolutely no place like it on earth…… Good People, Good Food, Cold Beer, Smiling Faces, Beautiful Women… and plenty of them, almost everywhere you looked. Not only were there many beautiful women there, most everyone encountered was super nice and hospitable.
I vividly recall my first trip there, I was but a young Sailor experiencing his first exposure to a foreign port, upon exiting the gate we were first greeted by the almost gagging smells emitting from “Shit River”, a stagnant and barely flowing open sewer with a bridge over it that connected Olongapo to the Base, a river in which kids dove from small boats into the rancid water in order to retrieve coins tossed to them by the sailors crossing the bridge into town, and then finally…..after listening to all the stories from my shipmates for many weeks……I entered Olongapo for the first time and I could not believe my eyes. Oh sure I had been told many times by the Old Hands of the many unique attractions of this Port but quite frankly I believed them mostly to be nothing but overly glorified memories of the ones relating them to me, WOW was I ever wrong, and I discovered that ALL they had told me was True.
In the later years of my Naval Career, while crossing the pond we often “Pumped Up the Newbies” with tales of what they could expect when we hit Subic Bay. It was during these times that I remembered back to when I was once like these young Sailors…..and now it was their turn, many of them had never even left their hometowns, and now in what seemed like they went at warp speed after exiting Boot Camp, they found themselves riding a fully armed US Navy Warship manned by a crew of seasoned sailors, churning across the big pond and traveling into adventures that they could never really conceive of without actually experiencing them. In being there with these young Sailors as they first exited the Gate at Naval Station Subic Bay, then crossed the RIVER and “The Bridge” that in many cases initiated their graduation from Boys into Men, I found great pleasure in escorting them into one helluva Port and at the same time recalling the days when I had first had that amazing experience.
Now unfortunately, gone are the days of Seventh Fleet Liberty in the World’s Greatest Port…..now changed and “Civilized” immeasurably from the way it was back in the days when young Sailors and Marines first met Dr. San Miguel, Fell in Love way too many times, and experienced the greatest Liberty Port in the World….Those days that I experienced long ago were extremely happy days, and when we got Liberty it generally involved maximum exposure to lots of Mud, Blood, and Beer as the Streets were unpaved and things got really WET and WILD during the Monsoons. They were happy days spent with beautiful people in a place that seemed to me to be a Paradise on Earth! I always have, and always will love ALL of the Philippines and I still visit there as often as I can.
Tales of an Asia Sailor 
never be anywhere else that will ever match it.It was very good the base gate was in walking distance.
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I was there numerous times in my 24 yr career. It was definitely a sight to experience.
A day following CPO baseball game where a San magoo has to be consumed each time you got on base or at each base. Following the following morning by your now uncanny ability to shit through a screen door at 10 paces after the beer worked its magic on your guts. Monkey meat on a stick. (Silly youngsters thought it was bbq beef). Does anyone ever remember seeing any dogs running loose around town? I didn’t. It’s cuz they were on the end of that bamboo skewer you scarfed up before going back in the gate. Those were the days. Baloot salesmen in the morning.
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I encountered Subic as an 18 year old newbie SN. It was truly a thrilling port. We stopped there 45 times on our way to and from the line…Nevery missed a single stop for Liberty. Truly Olongapo defined the word LIBERTY!
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Best overseas liberty i ever had.
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It was the “Pearl”/Shithole of the Pacific. Everything had a price, and it was cheap.
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WTF…1980’s?
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There was a club on the West End that had s band called the Eltro Maniacs. One of the best bands I ever heard. We enjoyed San Migoos and music all night long.
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Yes I agree with you all, Olongapo is one of the best Liberty port in the west coast, Pathaya beach! In Thailand is only second. Too bad we leave the Philippines the new sailors will not experience what we enjoyed in our younger age,.
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Frankly, after we left the Philippines, I don’t know why ANYONE would have re-enlisted! Career Counselors must have been suicidal!
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Po City! No place like it. Landed there multiple times on the Ticonderoga. Dodge City, KS in it’s rowdiest days would not have held a candle to Po City. It was some kind of crazy. You name it and it happened. Wall to wall party city! Manila wasn’t bad either. Flew in there from NAS Subic on Philippine Air Lines. Went to the R&R center there. The guys manning the R&R center met us at the plane with a bus with an iced down cooler full of San Magoo. Took us to the downtown R&R center. They gave us a VD indoc lecture (like we had never had one before…only about 50 times), then briefed us on the 24 hour going rate for a hooker and hotel, told us that if we got stiffed (no pun intended) by a hooker to call them 24 hours a day and they would fix it (get a replacement). Took the launch from the American Embassy across Manila Bay to NAS Sangley Point, took the bus back around the bay to Manila. The bus ride was right out a movie. There were people in the bus, hanging on to the side of the bus, on top of the bus…there were chickens and and goats in and on top of the bus…the bus driver knew two speeds, flat-out, and stop, nothing in between.The roads were dirt and full of potholes. Spent more time off the seat than on the seat…it was one heck of a ride! Back in Manila got laid for 24 hours for $15. Po City and the PI was one heck of a liberty port, nothing else like it. Still makes me smile.
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It always reminded me of a cross between Magnum P.I. and Gunsmoke shows. Fights, wild stuff going on, everything. And then there were the gun fights between the different constables groups.
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Like I mentioned before, my first and last dog meal that I ate was in Olangapo. Three of my shipmates went to the EM Club next to Shit River. Well one said he was going to the head and when he didn’t came back one of the other guys went to look him up. After all 4 gugs left and I was the only one left. they bought me the bill. not having the money to pay the bill I noticed there was a side door of the second floor of the club. When I thought the staff were out of sight I went for the door. After I opened the door I made a dash for the opening and felt myself flowing in space, there were no stairs and I landed in the river. I was wearing my whites, but you couldn’t tell. I got out and walked to the gate. The SP wouldn’t let me in and made me strip down and that is the way I reported to the ship.I will never forget Olangapo, loved it.
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I see the many stories and memories the guys post and they remind me of the many, many stories and experiences that I too could tell. I don’t really bother posting that many because we have all seen them before as written by some other very fortunate fleet sailor that got to pull liberty in the ‘Po and better yet the Barrio and Subic City. I do have a couple that only a hand-full of us could possibly have experienced and may someday post them for all to enjoy or to be shocked by. Yes, shockers even for Subic City. More to come later but thanks to Garland and all the contributors for rekindling some memories of old.
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Very interesting place in 60’s. Heard the story of police finding the head of a CPO floating under the bridge. Damn monkey meat on the grill after a night out and police cruising in jitneys with machine guns under their arms! Met up with Filipino recently whose parents own a resort that is now there.
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In 1965 the club was called the Shamrock and the house band was the Honey Sisters.
Best beer,women and lumpia.
It seemed to make the world less complicated!
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I flew into Clark then took that crazy bus ride to Subic in 1967 to report to Connie with 3 other FT”C” school classmates. Connie returned to Yankee Station instead of Subic because of the Forestall fire. Being a 20 year old fresh from the land of the blonde, blue eyed round eyes I never went into town after seeing all the drunk, dirty sailors and the filth during the 8 days I spent on base. I ended up flying to Japan to catch Connie and made it back to Olongapo for my 21st birthday. For the rest of that cruise & 2 more to soon follow, I couldn’t keep away from the town. Great food, beer, hostesses and regular Filipino people made it my favorite fun liberty port
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5 cruises, in and out of Subic many times and spent 6 months on the beach det at Cubi in ’69. No other place like it. My last time there was in ’84. Most people would never believe a place like that existed.
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After being in Olongapo, life in the STATES did not feel real. . . The vivid intensity and energy of the place and the people filled my life and my senses. The only other time I could feel that way was when I was in a situation where my life could end at any moment. . . All things considered, I’d rather be in Olongapo!
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I was stationed at Cubi Pt all of 67 and 68,I have read all your comments,this bullshitter has been outdone.Only 99% of that stuff was true.Duffy
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Steven K recalls….i landed at recsta out of basic training to await my new ship….i had no clue…a guy there took me out and our first stop was a bar called The After 6 club. As soon as we sat down, girls started showing up. The house band, De Split Ends, opened up with “Pony Express” by the Amboy Dukes and blew my mind by how good they were. You had to be there…seriously.
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Remember my first time in ’68 on Ranger. One day in port to pick up liberty launches for Hong Kong…whites were stained with mojo, first Filipina honey, and passed out at 12 midnight muster…my last name is Pia, and got baptized P.I.🤣🤣🤣
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My first liberty 1971: RD2 Danny Alimashi took me accross the bridge(stilll wearing ‘whites’) to a place the ‘scope-dopes’ frequented, the GEISHA culb (left side of the St. just before the JOY CLUB). I was fixed-up w/a small girl w/a pug nose and short, straight hair. At closing time we went to the near by Maryln hotel. When that girl took off her top, I thought I just won the freaking lottery!!
I did two WestPacs and a WestPac midshipman cruise on Vancouver (LPD-2). I took 30 days leave at the end of the Midshitman cruise, and flew back to ‘Diego. I wound up shipping-over for a 24 month tour in Subic. That ended up being a 30+month tour at NAVMAG. I turned-down orders for shore duty to get on the next Amphib headed west. As soon as I reported aboard, I put in for TAD orders to 7thFLTSPDet, Armed Forces Police Philippines. I extended my enlistment to finish my tour in P.I.
Everything you said about Olongapo is true. Wonderful friendly people (I was much more at home there than in the States.), great food the best beer and the warmest, wldest women in the world! Never got over it . . .
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First liberty alone, walking into Olongapo a young Filipino boy appeared putting something on my shoe. After wiping it off demanded shoeshine payment. I refused – he pointed across the street to his friends saying they would beat me up. I clenched my fist. He left me to continue my walk into town. Welcome to Olongapo!
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You wrote a great intro. Rob Leininger wrote a great book “Olongapo Liberty.”
Robs novel catches the true spirit of the place, and has several good sub-plots.
I made three cruises on the Vancouver (“Boncouber” in Tagalog!) (LPD2). I took 30 days leave at the end of my final WestPac to stay in P.I. longer. Then shipped-over to get a 24 month tour of duty at Subic. . . It lasted almost 36 months. I turned-down shore duty to catch the next amphib squadron deploying to WestPac. I put-in for TAD orders to 7thFltSemi-PerminentSPDet Armed Forces Police as soon as I reported aboard Duluth (LPD-6). I extended my enlistment to complete the assignment. Of course I took another 30 days leave before returning to the States.
Life was so good, so exciting, so meaningful In Olongapo. My daily life was intertwined w/so many others in the local community. I was part of more than one “extended family.” I belonged! Some servicemen have their lives adversely affected by negative traumatic events that they expienced. On the other hand, I never got over how GOOD life was there. The intensity, the palpable energy of that place was unique in my life. I left the Navy and went to fight in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia. Being in an environment where your life (or someone else’s) could end at any moment gave a similar intensity.
I never got over it . . . My body came back to the States, but my mind and my heart are wandering arround Magsaysay Drive in search of what I once knew. . .
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I was stationed at San Miguel Communications Station north of Subic. All I have to say is one day I lost my footing and fell into the Shit River. I had to swim about 50 feet to find a spot I could get out. Bottom line, I’m 74 now so it evidently didn’t have any lasting bad effects. I still have my base drivers license that still has the stain from that dive….LOL
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First time in Olongapo 1971 last time 1987. We had a saying when leaving for WESPAC: “Time to leave the family behind and go see the loved ones!”
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Some of the best times I ever had. Everything written here is true.
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12 days of wild debotury then I found the 6th sense club. 64 years later I’m still married to one of the few virgins in olongapo. My fortune she just arrived from Manila. Place was the Adult Disneyland.
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Nice and accurate report. Marine here, in Cubi point 1968. So many fond memories. Still married to my Filipina wife.
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Stationed at the top-secret base called San Miguel from January of 1966 to July of 1968. I was an RM3 and worked in what they called Relay. Olongapo made Las Vegas appear to be boring. Nothing ever compared to Olongapo. Every chance that I had liberty I would go there. I had a girlfriend at the Geisha Club called Lita. I later had another girlfriend named Vicky Flores. Turned out that I tracked her down, as she married a man from West Virginia. Victoria Flores died at the age of 61 from Alzheimer’s while living in West Virginia. I live in Palmer, MA and am now 75 years old.
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I married mine. Still with her.
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Reading all the comments and memories maybe laugh cry remembering my youth times in the Philippines were like a dream sometimes. Still have every so often memories that come streaming back Love the pi
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Nothin here but the truth
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I married mine. Still with her.
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Pingback: Olongapo City Bars 1970? Best 115 Answer
I turned 20 there and it was some of the best times of my life. I miss it still. God bless the Philippines and the Filipino people.
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I was sent to NavComStaPhil (San Miguel) in July 1964 straight out ET “A” school. I was immediately sent to detachment in Cubi Point to maintain the transmitterReceiver sites there and what ever other duties we were assigned to support Cubi Point/Subic Comm Centers. I left in May 1967 with my wife and daughter.
Everything that was mentioned in this post is absolutely true. I have been married for to my gorgeous Filipina wife for 57 years. It was a paradise.
We only had 15 or 16 E-6 and below stationed there at any one time. My Navy buddies at American Legion tell endless sea stories of our times in Olongapo.
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I was a Marine with VMFA 122 at Cubi Point. 1969.
19 years old. Fresh off the farm.
The Filipina is the most beautiful women in the world.
Never in my short life had I seen such a city.
Short version. My Pinay and I spend our time between California and a home we built in the Province.
My biggest complaint after marriage was, “please, baby girl, stop cooking so much, I’m getting fat. Lol
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In the last half of 1969 we would go on station for 25-40 days at a time. The upshot is that when we came into port we had all day liberty on all days except for duty days. So you were there for morning muster and then soon after liberty was called. Crazy times, don’t think I could have survive permanent duty there.
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My name is Frederick Smith. I have another entry up above. I was stationed at San Miguel from January 1966 to July 1968 and worked as a Radioman in a department called Relay. I just want to mention all the names of people that I remember from San Miguel, and especially the guys who worked in Relay. I know that many of these fellow sailors are now gone. And if anyone wants to contact me, my email address is: rs.js.ss@verizon.net Here goes. Keith Clark, Jerry Terwilliger, Larry Say, Marvin Wixom who died, Nickerson, “Marty” Martinez, “Pancho” Acosta, Colin Friend, Bernie Metz, Ron Ferguson, Richard Cohutt, Glover, Richard Valerie, Carl Wendt who I know has died, Guerra from NY, Tom Loudermilk, Randy Cooper, Dewitt, Doug Smith, Austin Egley who I also know who died, Gregg O’Hara, “Mike” Saine, Molson, Petty – RM1, Shephard – RMC, McClendon – RMCS, Steve Aranjo also died, Kramer USNR RM1, Nichols, “Kentuck”, Lukasiewicz, LaFave, Sasso from RI, Harold Henderson, Wessel, Bob Leary, Chenault, Frank Bertino who died, Tony Taylor who died, Llewelyn, Coffey who married a Filipina, Kenny Melson who died, and Dave Rovelto. I’ve been known to have a good long-term memory even though I had a brain aneurysm surgery in 1985. Spending all of my liberty days in Olongapo were the highlight of my life.
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1962 the best duty station ever , best chow at subic bay base. as a marine we use to take carton of smoke to papa san at the shagrala resturant.which we were not suppose to do almost got caught by the M.P. at the gate that was new , but another marine that was on duty and who went thru boot camp with us was on duty saved us from going to the brig. myself and another marine had a good relation with the girls that worked at the restaurant and they begged the phil solders to allow us to go up into the mountains to meet there parents , the solder said he was going to allow us , but told us to always be with the girls,, I truly enjoyed the Philippines
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