If You Are Warm, Order Leche Flan

Comment from a reader on the post "It takes more than slogans":

It would probably work just fine if it were true."Amazing Thailand" was convincing for me because... it was! Thailand was actually MORE fun for me (I am a permanent foreign resident of the Philippines) because the Hotel and Restaurant Industry really seem to "get it" with what foreigners really want. Perhaps because of the relatively long history of German/ European presence there? I'm not quite sure why (I am American). However, the restaurants I visited there (Phuket, Kho Samui) were wonderful! Freshly cooked by German/Austrian-trained kitchen staff, and more importantly- they appeared to be supervised well, along with the waitress staff....great service! I'm sorry, but I cannot say the same of many of the bar/restaurants' staffs here in O.C. (By the way, it's not for a lack of staff, staff seems plentiful!) So I maintain, the slogan is fine, as long as they can back it up. Example- I recently ordered a "Leche Flan" in one of the local restaurants here in Olongapo, it was on the menu. I was brought an "electric fan"... come on guys, get with it!

SBMA Keeps Us Guessing with ID Signs

Comment from a reader on the post "Another Reason to Not Visit Subic":

The signage that the writer was referring to has been removed and it is not being enforced as of 15 Feb

And from another reader:

The gate guard said it was only for freeport merchants and residents, etc.

From the Bugle: That doesn’t make sense. How would they know who are merchants and residents, and who are visitors? That’s SBMA logic for you.

Good Heart Doctor in Subic?

I’m thinking of retiring to Subic. It sounds like a great place to live, and I have fond memories of it during my time in the service. But with my old ticker, I need to live near a good cardiologist. I know there are some good hospitals and clinics in the area, but can anyone specifically recommend the name of a good cardiologist in the Subic area?

Zapata's in Angeles: Bland but Good

 It’s not easy to find good Mexican food in the Philippines. Most Mexican cuisine has been modified for local tastes, making it bland, ketchupy and sweet. Real Mexican food is none of those things.

Zapata’s, on perimeter road near Friendship gate (look for the Screaming Eagle bar sign next door) is a cut above the rest. Its food doesn’t stand up to the great Mexican food found in the United States and Mexico, but it is outstanding for the Philippines.

The ambiance is right on target. Bright, comfortable and great, intricate decorations. The service is very good and the food presentation is excellent: the food looks great on the plate!

The dishes are not ketchupy or sweet. It is good solid Mexican fare and very reasonable prices. And after you eat there, you feel like you are supposed to feel after a Mexican meal: like you ate a brick and have been hit by a tranquilizer dart.

The food is bland, but that is understandable. Most people in the Philippines don’t eat spicy food. One huge blunder by management is that they have NO SPICY OPTION AT ALL. They have two sauces available: mild and very mild. The only peppers they have to offer are the sweet, pickled jalapenos, none of the spicy ones.

That said, Zapata’s is still one of the best Mexican restaurants – if not the best – in the country. Just bring your own hot sauce!

Burrito Thursday's

The Bugle was out last Thursday and noticed a new signboard out in front of  Papagayo's advertising Burrito Thursday's.  What caught my eye was the price, burritos for 60p, what a great deal.  Being as it was around lunchtime I decided to check out the special.  I went in was promptly seated and asked about their burritos.  The waiter informed me that I had my choice of beef, chicken, or fish.  I decided on one beef and one chicken and a cold SMB to enjoy while waiting.  The food arrived and I was impressed they were filled with a multitude of fresh vegetables, refried beans, and the requested meat.  There was also the requisite condiments, (i.e. sour cream, salsa, and hot sauce) to enjoy with my food.  All in all a pleasant dining experience at a very inexpensive price.  Check it out one of these Thursdays

What Would Jesus Do?

Wal-Mart, Shoe Mart, Ayala. All these economic beehmouths destroy communities and the people who live there. In a recent article, "Always Low Wages," Brian Bolton declares that Jesus would not shop at Wal-Mart, since the company's employee pay scale is not up to Sojourners' standards. Furthermore, he all but declares it a "sin" for Christians to patronize the store because it imports cheap goods made by people who make even less money than Wal-Mart employees. As Bolton writes, "lower prices equal lower wages."

Should Christians shop at malls that exploit people?

Decent Watering Holes in Subic

Comment from a reader on the post: "Where are the decent watering holes?":

Only 2 places in Barretto I would take my wife and kids.  One is the time honored Mango's, but only at the beach area.  It has changed owners and is not the family friendly place as before, but it is acceptable.  The other would possibly be the pool side bar at the Arizona Hotel.  All the rest would not be acceptable.  There are a few small non-girlie bars but they are small and the language gets really rough sometimes.

Most of the Baloy beach hotels would suit your needs.  There are no girlie bars and no bar fines, all have access to the beach and usually some type of entertainment.  But of course, just getting there on their dilapidated thing they call a road will wear you out and put all in a bad mood.

There are very few "Bars" on SBMA.  Most are located in the larger hotels and the ambiance and character of those places is zero.

Try Ettan and Aresi's also for great places to eat pizza in Subic

Comment from a reader on the post "Best Pizza in Subic":

Ettan Pizza on Baloy. Aresi's on the base are all great places to eat pizza

From the Bugle: 

Okay, but why? For all we know, you like catsup sweet pizza with hot dogs on it! Give us some more info!

Follow up from the reader:

Probably two of the best for authentic Italian style pizza. Thin crust and quality ingredients.

From the Bugle:

Thanks for the good info! 

Mall Rats Will Eat Our City

The city fathers sold our souls to the devil when they let these malls invade our city. These mall operators do whatever they please, blocking off streets and rerouting traffic and inconveniencing residents. All done so they can build a big mouse trap to lure people into buying crap they do not need. The wages they pay are absurdly low, turning workers into serfs and slaves who they can abuse at will. These malls should have been left in Pampanga, not invited into our city to loot the community.

What will you do to support local business and stand up to the mega malls?

New Overlords

From a contributor:

I am writing from the United States. I happened to be aboard one of the last ships to leave Subic Bay back in 1993. I always loved the Philippines and its people. In fact I was one of the few sailors who thought it was a good idea to return the bases to the Filipinos themselves. But from what I now perceive the Philippines just traded one overlord for another. Without mentioning nationalities some Asian countries seem to be dominating areas all over the country.  Subic, Puerto Galera, Boracay, Manila other Asians just replaced the US imperialists. And from what I see on television (we get Philippine TV here in Virginia) these other cultures are not nearly as kind as I remember my countrymen being. Rudeness and cultural insensitivity seem to be the norm from the new masters running the show.  Oh well, "what will be will be." More power and god bless.

It takes more than slogans

It is mildly amusing that the Department of Tourism (DOT) has decided to change their tourism slogan. Somehow it’s hard to imagine that going from ‘Wow Philippines’ to ‘More fun in the Philippines’ will result in one more tourist arrivals. Things like clean airport restrooms and ease of tourist visa renewals result in more tourists. Taxi drivers using their meters and money changers giving proper exchange rates result in more tourists. Slogans are just new wrapping paper on recycled, unwanted gifts. If we were less polite, we would say, perfume on a pig.

What do you think of the new tourism slogan?

Please Send Me An Angel

Thank God for the Bamboo Bugle! I've written to other Subic websites asking for help with my problem but no one answers me. Perhaps one of your readers can assist me. I was in the US Navy stationed in Subic from 1981-1984. I used to frequent the Sky Club which was in upper Cubi. There was a waitress there named Tessie. (can't remember her last name)  She was 20 years old at the time. We had kind of a thing going on that ended when I shipped out in January of '84. For all these years I have never stopped thinking about her. Even after I married in the states and had two children she never left my mind. Now my wife and I have separated and I'd really like to reconnect with her again. I can't afford to fly there and look for her but would pay for someone to try and find her for me. It really should not be that hard. She lived near St Joseph school in Olongapo and walked past the church every afternoon. I am sure that if someone spent just a few hours some afternoon looking for her it would not be that difficult. She would be in her late 40's now but she always liked her hair long and she walked with a slight limp. Please if someone is interested in helping me they can contact this site and we'll work something out in compensation. I am praying to God for someones help. God bless. 

American Embassy Out Reach in Subic and Olongapo

SUBIC FREEPORT SCHEDULE:

    Friday, February 17, 2012

    8:00am until 10:00am

VIP Room #1, Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, Efficiency St., Subic Bay Gateway Park, Olongapo City

            U.S. Embassy representatives from the American Citizens Services of the Consular Section; Department of Homeland Security-Citizenship and Immigration Services; Social Security Administration and the Veterans Affairs Office will be in

OLONGAPO CITY SCHEDULE

Friday, February 17, 2012

VIP Room #1, Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center

Efficiency St., Subic Bay Gateway Park

Regular outreach activity: 8:00am to 10:00a

                                                                                                             

For more details, visit American Citizen Services at (02) 301-2000 ext. 2246

A Good Walk Ruined

On these nice January and February mornings I like to walk the Waterfront and Canal Road area of the Freeport. The break of the waves, the cawing of the crows and the chirping of the geckos makes it a tranquil setting conducive to thought and meditation.

Recently however the obnoxious SBFZ taxi drivers have been shattering the tranquility by yelling "Hey you, do you want a ride?" Or beeping their horns which apparently is supposed to convey the same question. Between Pier One and Gerry's Grill this occurred five times today. It only escalated at the ships loading dock and in the Traders/Meat Plus vicinity.

Also in the act are the Muslim vendors hawking beads and trinkets, fake old coins and not so fake endangered shells. Fortunately they are on foot or bicycle and so not quite as annoying.

I used to wonder why people would pay 10 pesos to walk in circles around Remy Field. I now realize you are not paying for the track but for the fence that keeps the knuckleheads out. 

Not the Shoe Polish

I want to write and express my feelings toward one of the best business concerns on SBMA. One of the most difficult things to find locally is a mechanic to consistently do quality work or your car or truck or van. Near the Kalaklan gate is Korean Auto Works. (KIWI) They have changed my oil, done tune ups and auto body repair. They even rebuild an engine for me although admittedly it was a KIA vehicle. (they should be good on Korean cars) While definitely not perfect they come so much closer than any places I have used on or off the Freeport.

A Third Mall Coming to Subic?

Is there any truth to the rumor that the Gordon Ave Market is going to be replaced by a Robinson’s Mall?

Happy Valentine's Day

Every woman knows that there are days in the month when all a man has to do is open his mouth and he takes his life into his own hands! This is a handy guide that should be as common as a driver's license in the wallet of every husband, boyfriend, co-worker or significant other!
About dinner:
DANGEROUS: What's for dinner?
SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?
SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner?
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine.
About clothes:
DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?
SAFER: Wow, you sure look good in brown!
SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine
About money:
DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?
SAFER: Could we be overreacting?
SAFEST: Here's my paycheck.
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine.
About food - dieting:
DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?
SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
SAFEST: Can I get you a piece of chocolate with that?
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine.
About her day:
DANGEROUS: What did you DO all day?
SAFER: I hope you didn't over-do it today.
SAFEST: I've always loved you in that robe!
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine.

Other Good Place to Eat Pizza

Comment from a reader on the post "Best Pizza in Subic":

Ettan Pizza on Baloy. Aresi's on the base are all great places to eat pizza

From the Bugle: 

Okay, but why? For all we know, you like catsup sweet pizza with hot dogs on it! Give us some more info!

Another Reason to Not Visit Subic

Comment from a reader: 

I was handed this yesterday at back gate of SBMA. 

"Effective feb 15, the "NO STICKER, NO ENTRY POLICY" shall be implemented.  Please secure your "SBMA VEHICLE DECAL" at MVRO, regulatory bldg, Labitan corner Rizal hiway.  Bring photocopies of OR/CR SBMA ID AND DRIVERS LICENSE"

What is this crap?  It's not a top secret site and LTO has already signed off on most of this and I have no idea what an SBMA id is. Add to this, does this mean that folks coming up from Manila or Olongapo for the week-end have to go through this also?  If it is only for those who either work or reside on SBMA, then maybe I can understand it.  Otherwise, it’s just another way of collecting money and making it more difficult to visit.

Tipo Toll Booth Revenues Going Toward Purchase of More Traffic Cones?

Comment from a reader on the post "The Tipo Highway Roadblock":

It's a bottle neck and a real pain for locals and visitors alike. Either expand the toll booth or combine it with the other tolls.

What is the purpose of that toll anyway? 

The road signs aren't clear and there's always cones in the way. Is that where the money is going?

The Bamboo Bugle is Living in the Past!

Comment from a reader on the post "Do We Live in a Community or a Mall?":

All malls suck...in your opinion. That's okay. If you cannot buy it in the Bajac-Bajac market then you don't need it....thanks for deciding that for everyone. On innumerable occasions I have not found some very basic things I needed there. If you like the years-old market mold/rot stench oozing from the pavement and drains, the heat and humidity, the poor (sometimes phony)crippled/blind folks and homeless/ neglected street kids bugging you for a peso (or more), and being charged double or triple for items because you are a foreigner- the Bajac-Bajac market is for you. You want to boycott the malls? What's your point? Put them out of business? The malls here in O.C. are providing jobs for thousands of unemployed citizens here and improve their lives. What would be your alternative plan to employ them? Burglary? The military withdrawing was a tragedy....for you. For me, entering and leaving the main gate after they were gone and no longer being jerked around by American and Philippine military security grunts because of my earring, flip-flops, t-shirt, etc. or too many packs of cigarettes (i.e. "merchandise control")....it was over in '92 pal, and it ain't comin' back. Lovin' it, baby! You're livin' in the past, dude.

US Air Force Band Performs in Olongapo Tonight

Catch a performance by the military rock band “U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific”.

  

·         Saturday, February 11, at 5:00 p.m. -- Main Entrance of SM City Olongapo

The PACAF Band is a traveling military rock band that performs across the Pacific region.  They perform popular, country, Top 40, classic rock, and dance music as they travel from Southeast Asia, to India, to Australia, and even the Polynesian Islands.

For more information on the band, please visit their website, at:

http://www.bandofthepacific.af.mil/index.asp .

Battle of the Bands Tonight at the Beach Bash

On the big stage at the Barrio Barretto Beach Bash tonight: 

Saturday Feb 11 6 PM        Cosplay competition

Saturday Feb 11 8 PM        Battle of the Bands

A Deal with the Devil

Very sad situation for powerless and injured workers...everyone here knows Hanjin is a dangerous place...but no choice for breadwinners...and the Philippine government is of course complicit because they are desperate for foreign investment....biggest single foreign employer in the Philippines, around 20K local jobs ...people will inevitably be injured in on the job accidents in dangerous occupations like shipbuilding, but a company as big as this can surely afford to give them a modicum of compensation, that's the deal between ownership and labor in most civilised countries...many Koreans are abusive arrogant mannerless animals...they were the worst of the prison guards used by the Japanese in the POW camps in WW2...and because of their economic clout, they have been given free rein in Subic and in Clark they are everywhere, slowly but surely muscling out other foreigners, many of them are Korean mafia here in Angeles, in bed with the corrupt police...they do pretty much whatever they want...that's what Philippines gets for throwing the US bases out in 1991...they didn't like American control? We see how they like the Koreans...a deal with the devil...

Dance Competition Tonight at the Beach Bash

On the big stage at the Barrio Barretto Beach Bash tonight: 

Friday Feb 10 6 PM            Dance Competitions

Malls Save Us Money

Comment from a reader on the post: "Do We Live in a Community or a Mall?":

Then again, before malls people routinely paid too much for items because there was no competition. Local merchants often soaked people for items, just because people did not have the option of buying in a larger market. While no one likes the aesthetics of malls, most of them save people money. It is somewhat cavalier to say what people need and don't need. You said it best: let them vote with their wallets or handbags. I may not like them, but people here seem to like those air conditioned nightmares full of crap you don't need.

Mayor Gordon and his band play tonight

On the big stage at the Barrio Barretto Beach Bash tonight: 

Thursday Feb 9   6 PM       Mayor Bong Gordon and his band will open the Beach Bash

Love It or Hate it, It's Open!

From an article about the new mall:

With the SM Department Store and SM Supermarket as its major anchors, it also features SM mainstays like the SM Appliance Center, ACE Express, Watsons.

Eating out options include popular international and local food chains like Pizza Hut, KFC, Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, Chowking, Savory Classic, and Hainanese Delights. Banking services and three state-of-the-art digital cinemas – the first such theaters in the city – complete the shopping experience.

For customer convenience, SM City Olongapo has allotted three levels of parking with more than 300 slots, as well as a color-coded jeepney terminal just across the mall.

Open Season on Swerving Motorcycles

Comment from a reader on the post: "Should it be legal to run over motorcyclists?":

I like when motorcycles noodle in front of you at a light, so that when it turns green you can wait behind these bikes with the acceleration of my grandmother with crutches. I tell them to wait their turn and try to come close to hitting them whenever possible. They really do drive with little or no regards for their lives; they even drive like that with their children on the back going to school. I think you put a motorcycle lane right beside the bus lane and drivers are not at fault if they hit a motorcycle outside of its designated lane. In this way, they know that it's open season on them if they don't stay in their lane and wait their turn in traffic, just like the rest of us.

2012 PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA

2012 PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
Feb 9 Thursday	First Fiesta Day
5.00-5.45 am	Philippine Flag jump
5:50-6:00am	PAF High Speed Opener and SF260 Fly By
5.45-7.00 am	Hot Air Balloon flight
5.45-7.30 am	RP / Malaysian / Spain/Australia Paragliding Exhibition
7.30-8.30 am	ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights and Flour Bombing
8.30-9.00 am	Meynard Halili  Aerobatic Show
9.00-9.30 am	AFP/PNP/Brunei/Malaysia Sky Diving Exhibition
9.30-9:45 am	Radio-controlled model aircraft demonstration
10.00-11.30 am	AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition
11.30-12.00 nn	KAP / KTP Kite Flying Exhibition
12.00-12.30 pm	Airlink / WCC / Omni /Aviators/ Alpha flyby
12.30-1.00 pm	Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Demo
1.00-1.30 pm	Skydiving and Tandem jumping Exhibition
1.30-2.00 pm	Ultralight Flour bombing demonstration
2.00-3.00 pm	AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition
3.00-3.30 pm	FEATI/PHILSCA Rocketry Demonstration
4:00-4:30 pm	Philippine Air Force Silent Drill and SPOW Bomb Sniffing Dog Exhibition
3.30-4.00 pm	ACFC Ultralight/Microlight aircraft formation flights
4.30-5.00 pm	Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
5.00-5.30 pm	RP / Malaysian / Spain/Australia Paragliding exhibition
5.30-6.00 pm	Hot Air Balloon Fly-In

Where are the decent watering holes?

From a contributor:
I’m planning on returning to Olongapo with my Filipina wife of 17 years and our two children 9 and 11. I am familiar with the single male bar scene and while I once enjoyed that side of things I am now looking for something different. Are there decent bars where I can take my wife? What about the children? Are there family oriented bars and restaurants on or off the old naval base where they will be welcome, comfortable and amused? We are especially interested in beach areas. 

What are Subic's most family friendly bars? 

Nice Punctuation!

As part of our continuing review of graffiti in the freeport, we present an option with saltier language today.

We’re not sure what message is intended here, but we have to give credit to the taggers for their suspiciously good use of punctuation. Note the correct use of capitalization (except the capitalized T) and the proper use of the exclamation mark. We also like how they spray-painted around the bus schedule. Very polite!

We’re guessing these kids were educated at one of the nearby international schools.

Good spelling, punctuation and manners! 

It is a bit of a mystery why SBMA doesn’t take 10 minutes and a can of white spray paint and cover this stuff promptly. We imagine it requires filling out three forms in triplicate and assigning a special cleaning unit to get it done.

Don’t the SBMA officials in charge of housing notice this like the residents and tourists do?  

What do you think about graffiti?

Let's Party on the Beach!

From a reader: 

Hopefully your forum can let your readers know about the VFW 20th annual Beach Bash. It will be held on the beach behind Mango's in Barretto February 9-12.
 

The first Beach Bash was held in 1993 when the barrio looked like a ghost town. Pinatubo volcano and the US Navy departure had left Barretto with bombed out empty buildings and vacant structures. The only watering holes were Midnight Rambler, Dixie, Night Riders, Tides, Fantasy and Visions. 

 

The first Beach Bash was held to break the boredom and monotony of the time. Since then it has enlarged and blossomed.

 

Below you can click on the actual scheduled events and times and persons to contact to participate or watch. Briefly there are pool, dart, volleyball, horseshoe, trivia, table tennis and dice tournaments.

 

Daily there will be food and beverage booths, snow cones, cotton candy and margaritas, girls tug of wars, blood pressure checking stations, raffle drawings and awarding ceremonies.   

 

The big stage events are:

 

Thursday Feb 9   6 PM       Mayor Bong Gordon and his band will open the Beach Bash

 

Friday Feb 10 6 PM            Dance Competitions

 

Saturday Feb 11 6 PM        Cosplay competion

 

Saturday Feb 11 8 PM        Battle of the Bands

 

Sunday Feb 12 6 PM           Miss Beach Bash Beauty Contest

 

The Beach Bash is designed for the entire family. Stop by for a fun time!!!

Best Pizza in Subic

Subic is historically known for great pizza, but it is surprisingly hard to find a good pie in the area. There is no Pizza Hut (thank goodness) and the other chains are pretty marginal. Shakey’s empties the salt into their pies. Yellow Cab isn’t bad but isn’t great for what they charge. And of course there are all the ketchup and fake cheese pizza places on Magsaysay in Olongapo.

A’Tavola in the Freeport, near Royal supermarket, does a good gourmet pizza, but are they even still open?

The best pizza we have found is a small place near the 7-11 on the national highway in Barrio Barretto. Shamboli’s Pizza (tel. 0928 635 5720) uses real cheese, has gotten the crust figured out nicely and has excellent sauce. Prices range from a 12 inch cheese for 270 pesos to the 16 inch Pacquiao Knockout pizza with just about every topping you can imagine for 650 pesos. 

Have a pie and support good food (and local business) in Subic!

What’s the best pizza in Subic?

Should it be legal to run over motorcyclists?

Anyone who has driven a car in the Philippines has had the same frightening experience many times. Just as you start to change lane, a motorcycle zips into your path. Or one whizzes past you, inches from the side of your vehicle. Or a swerving motorcycle takes two lanes, or several motorcycles ride down the center lane, blocking two lanes of traffic. You slam on the breaks or hit them.

Generally, motorcyclists in the Philippines have no regard for their lives. We should agree with them on that. We should be allowed to drive on without stopping if we hit a motorcycle, or maybe just stop and collect from them the money they owe for the damage they have done to our paint job and the drive on.

And also, take off the helmets! If you’re going to drive a motorcycle like a swerving idiot, there’s no reason to protect your empty head.

Have you nearly hit a swerving, undisciplined motorcycle driver recently?

Independent's Day (and Night)

As Subic’s nightlife scene has taken off, more big players from Angeles and elsewhere have moved in. They are providing the big nightclubs, bigger menus and more options that bring in more tourists. 
 

Support independent bars in Subic. 

But there is still something great about a visit to a good-old fashioned independently run bar in Barrio Baretto. The old war documentaries that play in the General’s Command Post, the controlled chaos of the Hot Zone, using the outhouse at the Sandbagger’s Bar. These are the bars with personality. Let’s support them while they are still around!

What’s your favorite independently-owned bar in Subic?

Do We Live in a Community or a Mall?

All malls suck. If you cannot buy it in the Bajac-Bajac market then you don't need it. The three biggest tragedies to hit Olongapo/Subic in the past three decades are 1) Pinatubo volcano 2) the withdrawal of the American military naval base 3) the invasion of our city by Shoe Mart and Ayala mega maniacs. Boycott them!

Are you ready to vote against the malls with your wallet?

The Tipo Highway Roadblock

The fancy modern SCTEX Highway between Subic and Clark is not much use as long as they keep that outdated old toll both for the Tipo Highway. A deal has been cut to combine SCTEX and NLEX under one manager, which means travelers from Manila will have a fast, seamless trip… until they hit the Tipo highway logjam.

Every weekend and holiday, long lines of travelers can be seen waiting, sometimes for more than 30 minutes, at the dilapidated old toll booths while the toll takers fumble with change. 

Welcome to Subic. Please wait 30 minutes to enter while 

we move our cones around and fumble with change.

Why can’t this toll booth be incorporated into the existing SCTEX/NLEX system?

Is the goal to discourage visitors to Subic? The incompetent management by SBMA of the Tipo highway is the first impression of visitors to Subic. That impression is one of slow service, long lines and poor management.

Subic new tourism slogan might be: It’s more fun waiting in line at the toll booth!

What do you think about the Tipo highway toll system?

Pet Adoptions in Subic

As part of our public service initiatives, we will be offering pet adoptions in Subic. We are working with a partner organization in the United States. Please consider adopting this pet in need:

 Will you adopt Pinky?