Recently I went to the visit the Subic Bay Metro Area, one of the common names for the former US Navy base on Subic Bay, Olongapo City. I was favorably impressed. One of the things that occurs when peace breaks out is that governments close bases and this has been a major problem for many Amer4ican communities, certainly no less of a problem for the Philippines.
The government set up quasi corporations to convert and redevelop the bases and in the case of Subic, they have done quite well. There are two major shipyards already building ships and employing thousands, a deep water container port, an international cargo airfreight operation, hotels, longer-term residential leasing, restaurants and dozens of retail stores. The area is clean and very secure, something new-comers to the Philippines worry about a lot.
Hotels were the major focus of this trip … my son was in-country for a short visit and we decided to put our feet up for a few days at Subic. We chose the Bayfront hotel in an area called the Boardwalk (there are no boards) or sometimes called Moonbay Marina (there are several marinas on Subic, but none are near the hotel. Welcome to the Philippines 
The hotel is quite nice … more expensive that most Philippine accommodation but a decent bargain in US terms, our total bill including rooms, excellent cooked buffet breakfast served for 4 solid hours in the morning, taxes, mini-bar drinks and snacks, etc. came to $61 a night per person/room. I felt it a good bargain.
What can you do if you visit Subic? A lot. Parasail behind a fast speed boat (P 1500 per pax), rent a jet ski, hike through native jungle (guided by instructors from the former military survival school), swim … dozens of open beaches … gamble (at least two government-operated casinos), drink beer (P 30) in a number of decent clubs, many on the beach, eat (more on that later … no way could I ever get around to all the restaurants … and shop until you drop.
Recommended, especially for first-time visitors to the Philippines … kind of a half-way house between the two cultures. The SBMA facility is nestled closely into Olongapo City … 5 minutes walk to the main gate, and Olongapo stands on it’s own as a very well-run, decently clean and workable small Filipino city. Several hospitals used to dealing with foreigners and foreign insurance and many dentists (did you know if you need a crown or two you can probably save the entire cost of your trip to the Philippines at the dentist? And don’t forget to check with your tax advisor about what is or isn’t deductible).
If it sounds as if I am bullish on Subic, you’d be right. There is nothing else as oriented to the tourist anywhere in the Philippines that I’ve found yet .. and there’s now a brand new expressway connection to Manila, about 90 minutes from Manila to the Subic Tipo gate, with very little traffic … speed limits of 100 kph most of the way and you can actually drive 100 kph.
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Hi Bob,
RE speed limits … yes you can drive as fast on those expressways in actual fact … the NLEX recently got government authorization to buy a speed gun … probably around 2010 they will get an appropriation to buy it. Those two roads are unique, though, becuase you actually _can_ drive at those speeds, miles after mile … no villages, chickens, tricycles, dogs, rice drying on the shoulder, etc. It’s a shame there aren’t more roads like that … theywere both built with private money as a profit-making venture and the NLEX makes so much they have reduced the tolls … the constant ‘we have no money’ refrain is more harmful to the Phils than the actual facts of finance … you _can_ build roads and even make aprofit ith them if you ignore what ‘they’ say.
I was impressed with Subic’s facilities. I drive through there often on the way to a relative’s home, but this was the first time I ever stayed there … and ate there. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it as a destination spot, it’s very foreigner-friendly.
Lots of work for those folks bound and determined to saddle themselves with a J*o*b as well … there are dozens of English schools for the Koreans there that are always looking for native English speakers (Philippine ‘code’ for non-Asians) … it’s tough work but a person can earn a small but living wage.
Hi Philly – Speed limits? What are those? Down here in Mindanao we just drive whatever speed we want! ha ha…
It is good to hear that Subic is so resilient, and is thriving after the closure of the base.