Pacquiao to Fight Himself for Title

Confusion Among Boxing's Sanctioning Bodies Results In Manny Pacquiao Fighting Self For 3 Separate Belts

LAS VEGAS—The World Boxing Organization, International Boxing Federation, and World Boxing Association held separate press conferences Monday resulting in the eventual announcement that Manny "Pride of the Philippines" Pacquiao, a seven-time world champion, would fight Manny "The Mexicutioner" Pacquiao, considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, in a title bout on New Year's Eve. "We are proud to have the world's top welterweight fighting the world's best lightweight for the light-middleweight title of the world," an amalgam of press releases from the three bodies read in part. "This New Year's, the eyes of the boxing world will be on Atlantic City, Memphis, and San Juan. Also Las Vegas, if Pacquiao gains the weight to move up to the light-heavyweight division so he can finally fight Pacquiao." Meanwhile, representatives of the World Boxing Council have continued to struggle with staging their own world-title bout, which was marred when Floyd Mayweather, Jr. suffered a shattered cheekbone during his weigh-in, having struck himself repeatedly in the face before handlers could separate him.

Happy April Fools folks.

Velveeta Cheese Nachos

Comment from a reader on the post: Dos Amigos Subic is back open: 

Velveeta cheese for their nachos ?? You need to get out more if you believe their Mexican food even vaguely resembles the real thing. Papagayos has better nachos and better Margaritas....Iguana in Angeles is FAR superior to Dos Amigos. 

From the Bugle: Dos Amigos does have a lot of problems. One time we ate there, the credit card machine was broken. The next time, the lady who answered the phone didn't know what "take out" meant. Sometimes the food rises to the standards of mediocre but most of the time not. Papagayos is about the same when it comes to food quality but they have a nice view of the bay out back (though they aren't afraid to crank up the karaoke machine, which ruins the place). If you want good Mexican food, head to Angeles or Manila. 

Check Out Subic's New Free Ads Site

Comment from a reader: Just thought your readers might like to know that there's now a website dedicated to the Subic area. basically it's an items for sale site. The site is no cost to either seller or buyer but is there to directly introduce the 2 parties. It has the advantages of being no cost, more specific to our area than blue book, and more convenient than local notice boards. Check out subic flea-bay on facebook.  

From the Bugle: Search "Subic Flea Bay" within Facebook, or on Google search "Facebook Subic Flea Bay" to find this great site. 

My Country is Better than Your Country

Comment from a reader on: There is Good Medical Care in the Philippines: Just curious---you think that the Philippines is more "functional" compared to the US? Interesting...better political system? better medical care? infrastructure? garbage collection? traffic? pollution? police/legal system? education? opportunities? What? 

From the Bugle: I don't know if you've traveled much outside of the United States but generally when Americans (and Europeans and Canadians and Australians) are not very experienced international travelers they spend all their time comparing the country they are visiting to their home country. When you travel more, you learn to stop doing this and enjoy the country you are in. Head to the travel agent and do some traveling my friend.  

What a Rant!

Comment from a reader on the post: Foreigners in the Philippines are Low Rent and Low Class : 

What a rant from the author of, "Foreigners in the Philippines are Low Rent and Low Class"! I can only wonder if something like his 20 or 30 year younger female companion had just screwed him over and he was mad at the world? I'm an American and I have lived here a long time and while there are many problems here, this country is making strides to make things better, can he really say the SAME about the state of the US? This country has had 11 credit upgrades in the last two years. The US has had it's first credit downgrade since WWII. Many friends have told me that the US I grew up in is gone. That between political correctness, politicians selling out to special & corporate interests and the growing number of people living off the system instead of supporting it, that America is definitely backsliding. Yes 99% of the locals would be in the US if they could, but that's because they believe that America is like what they see in the movies. 

From the Bugle: We love both the United States and the Philippines and we are ready to call either country on its faults and praise either country on its successes. Some of our readers feel the only way they can love their country is to crap on other countries. 

You Can Afford Medical Care in the Philippines

From a reader: Medical costs in P.I. are extremely cheap and nothing when compared to Japan. I'm USNR and have to pay up front when I get medical care in Japan then file a claim with Tricare to be reimbursed. I would give anything to pay the low cost of medical care that you guys get charged down there. Try footing the bill here then you will have something to talk about. It's not cheap, especially with the yen to dollar rate being what it is, but it's one of the snags I have to put up with for choosing to live here. Plan ahead guys. As you get older you visit the doctor a little more, especially if your not living a healthy life style.

Welfare of the Child Comes First

Comment from a reader on: Subic Resident Arrested in New York 

Thank you for sharing. Certainly one of the most emotionally charged aspects of your divorce concerns your child or children. Tragically, children all too often get caught in the cross-fire of divorcing parents, when what should be ultimately important to everyone concerned is the welfare of the child. - child support attorney Suffolk county, NY 

Get Ready to Fight the Tricare Reimbursement Battles

Comment from a reader on: Will I Be Covered When I Retire to the Philippines? Get on the phone and call the Tricare overseas for info that you need (or visit their website). You are in for a big surprise with the new Tricare in the Philippines. We all should get a campaign ribbon for fighting the Tricare reimbursement battles.

I Grow Weary of My Miserable Life

Comment from a reader on: Will I Be Covered When I Retire to the Philippines? 

Honestly, if I were you, I would totally forget about moving here. The corruption is beyond belief, the quality of medical care here is a joke, and the only thing of concern to these people is money. People are inconsiderate, the pollution is as bad as you will find in any country, and if you have any existing medical conditions, they are sure to worsen. The majority of the people look at you, and their eyes flash with dollar signs, and their mouths drool like your going to be the next meal. I took the chance, came here and established a very successful business, purchased an island with my wife of 25 years, but if I could sell it all today, I wouldn't hesitate for 1 second. I have grown weary of having to constantly watch behind my back around everyone, and really tired of having to pay off people who think they are entitled to what I have earned. That's my advice, however if your one of the kind of people who plan to hang out in the bars and drink the rest of your life away. 

From the Bugle: Take some personal responsibility for your screwed up miserable life and stop blaming the Philippines. You know you would be a miserable angry screw up in your own country as well. Boo hoo I can't sell my island and no one likes me!  

 

Personal Health Insurance Rather Than Tricare?

From a reader: Personal health insurance here in the Philippines excludes pre-existing conditions for at least two years, and sometimes never covers them. The majority of the policies end at age 65, with a few extremely expensive ones covering until 70. If you have a history of diabetes, heart attacks, and several other diseases there is no coverage available for a price a retiree could afford. Even if other insurance was available for those with pre-existing conditions, why should retirees have to pay extra to get it? We have already earned the right to Tricare coverage. All we ask for is that they cover us without throwing up extra barriers and making it almost impossible to collect on claims. However, the biggest problem with this new program is that they have excluded the right to use any certified doctor, laboratory, pharmacy or hospital unless they are in the new closed network. That excludes hundreds of Tricare-certified providers that retirees were able to use prior to this program. If a retiree in a covered area continues to use a Tricare-certified doctor (who may be considered the best in his field but is not in the new closed network), or if they go for treatment to an excellent Tricare-certified hospital that is twenty minutes from your home (instead of the two hours it will take some to reach an inferior hospital in the new closed network), their claims will not be paid...period. Tricare has said they might consider some exceptions, but from their track record here in the Philippines, there is no way they will budge on this. Claim denied!

Memories of the Base Days

Comment from a reader on: What Can You Tell Us About This Subic Photo? 

Back in 86 I was a tourist and me and guy I was traveling with sat upstairs at the New Pussycat Bar. From upstairs you could get a 180 degree view of all the goings on. A double decker bus loaded with hot girls taking in the ride going by, bars across the street, with a group of black guys with various basketball clothing on all drinking San Miguel. Women coming and going and just about everywhere. Unbelievable ! I recall some rowdy jarheads across the room that were provoked and were accosted by some big MP's wielding batons who charged up the stairs creating pandemonium and cracked some skulls dragging their prey out to a paddy wagon. Crazy. Like living in a movie or something. I recall a super sweet little GRO there called Cherry who met me after work at about 2:00 am and kept me 'up' all night at the low budget Bayside Hotel. What a sweetie. What a great memory. Nice photo!

Philippine Retirees Relegated to Low-Grade Care

From a reader: There is good care available here but Tricare says we can't use the better doctors or hospitals. We are being relegated to 2nd class hospitals when better ones are down the street and the same with doctors. We understand the limits here and accept them. What we don't accept is the deliberate roadblocks placed in front of us by people in Washington that have never been here and have no idea how the system works. These roadblocks are not applied in any other country, 3rd world or not. They cry fraud but they helped to create the environment for fraud by ignoring it for ten years while veterans were reporting it to them. Then their own contractor got involved in fraud which was also reported but mostly ignored. They promised to place an employee here so they could understand the local system but as with most promises they just forgot the promise. In all other countries with major veteran populations they have representatives but not here.

Expat Investment Horror

Comment from a reader on: Foreign Investors Should Steer Clear of Clark and Subic : why isn't the Bugler rushing to the defense of the beloved Philippines? Because the comment is indisputably true...a zillion horror stories of naive ex pats enmeshed in business venture disasters in the Philippines... 

 

There is Good Medical Care in the Philippines

From a reader: I'm retired to the Philippines and I’m happily married and I don't drink. Why don't I live in the US anymore? Look at the political system that is so dysfunsional it's tearing our country apart as there is no longer integrity or compromise in our system.When a Senator piped out and called our Commander in Chief a Liar at his swearing in I knew it was time to leave. I came here to live close to my wife's family and am outr, in the past. I'm enraged you would clump us all into this type of catagory. I'm a 100% combat wounded and have watched our country deny the WWII Filipino veterans their promised benefits time and again for the last 50 years. There is very good medical healthcare available here ( Medical City in Malate and St. Lukes hospital in Manila. Evidently your another adherent to the garbage called "American Exceptionalism". You can't micromanage a system half a world away without understanding the culture and there should be a committee including those who have to use the system here. Must be nice to live in an area with so many active duty bases that you can also use. If you'd do a little research, you'd find that Champus IS a program promised to military retired personnel, regardless of us living in one of the old US territories.

Impolite but Right

Comment from a reader on: Comment from a reader who hates the Philippines 

I bet most of the readers agree with the reader and not the "we" and "us" comment from the Bugle... the reader is right...perhaps not politely stated, but right... 

Tricare is a Benefit Not a Privilege

From a reader: The simple fact is that Tricare is shorting US military retirees of their EARNED benefits. This benefit is not a privilege...it was earned through years of service. No retiree should have to "calculate" anything into where they live when it comes to Tricare. Tricare puports themselves to be good throughout the world. All the retirees living in the Philippines want is that Tricare live up to its responsibilities to the retirees (and provide them with the benefits they earned)...the same as retirees in every other corner of the world would expect. If anybody reading this doesn't think that this is a problem, I sincerely hope that you live in the next country where Tricare decides to steal the earned benefits of military retirees. Tricare has treated retirees living in the Philippines like bastard stepchildren for years. This program is just one more step in the wrong direction. The ONLY thing that retirees living in the Philippines want is to be treated equally with every other retiree in the world. If you don't think that is right, then I feel sorry for you...because if you stand idly by while others are robbed of their rights, there will be nobody there to help you when your earned benefits are stolen as well.

Why Do You Live in the Philippines?

From a reader: If your medical care is that bad in the Philippines, why on earth would you choose to live there? For one it is considered a 3rd world country, and like ALL 3rd world countries it struggles with health care. You should have calculated this into your decision about living there in the first place. If you want the same medical benefits as retired folks in the U.S. have, then move back to the states. It's as simple as that. Don't blame Tricare. Blame yourself for making an unwise choice of living in a place with sub-standard medical care.

Imagine

Comment from on reader on: It Wasn't Extortion

How ungrateful some Filipinos are...imagine yourself speaking Spanish or Japanese right now, without a country to call your own?

Doomed to Failure

From a reader: The problems with Tricare could have been prevented by meeting with the Retirees here and getting their input on the local medical system. Instead, we were shut out and the Project was conceived and implemented with no regard to the differences between the U.S. medical system and the one in the Philippines. At one of the closed meetings with attendance restricted to 30 Retirees to announce the project, their ignorance was glaring. For example, the Tricare reps were shocked to learn that Philippine doctors do not make appointments, nor do they have office staffs to do the billing. Deferred billing is not customary here and payment for services is due when care is received. Setting up a system here based on a U.S. model will fail due to the differences between the two. Here, if you do not have cash, you get no treatment, period. You won't be seen even at an Emergency Room. Also, if you cannot pay your bill in full for treatment in any other setting other than a ward, you may be physically restrained from leaving the hospital until you do. Hospitals routinely do not stock drugs and surgical supplies so you must send someone to a Pharmacy to buy them and bring them to you in the hospital. As Tricare has steadfastly refused to put anyone in the country as a Representative who could learn the system here and advise them, this Project is doomed to failure. With the Retirees being denied access to needed medical care, it will only be a matter of time before we start dying of accidents and diseases that could be easily treated if a system were in place to ensure that doctors and hospitals were paid promptly and Retirees were reimbursed promptly for their treatment. Instead, we get pronouncements from on high in the U.S. where they smugly sit back and congratulate themselves on adding yet another stumbling block to a failed system. Sending out self-serving surveys that pat themselves on the back with no space for comments does not get the job done.

The US Navy Will Do What is Right

Comment from a reader on: What is the Culpability of the Government?

The US Navy is made up of people and support organizations. Mistakes are made from time to time. I am confident that the US Government and the US Navy will do what is right and remedy the mistake that was not intentional. In doing so, I am happy to see that they are not allowing the corrupt politicians and other groups down there to hold them hostage in order to line their own pockets from this "accident".

No One is Forcing You to Use Tricare

From a reader: No one is twisting your arm to live in PI and certainly no one is forcing you to use Tricare. If you don't like Tricare use another provider. Show me a rule, regulation, or law that says you must use Tricare. Stop whining about a system that you feel is inferior or unfair and find yourself another option. I certainly would.

Where is the Subic Fire Investigation Report?

Comment from a reader on: More Fire from the Dryden Fire

When are we going to see some kind of official investigative report on the fire. That will answer a lot of questions and stop some of the speculation and finger pointing.

I Hate Ignorant People

Comment from a reader on: Comment from a reader who hates the Philippines

I don't hate the Philippines...just ignorant people. 

From the Bugle: You've got so much hate to share and thank you for sharing it with us on a daily basis!

The Trolls Don't Know

Comment from a reader on: The Fine Gentleman Sold His Good Name

It is not the same business! More like the Nadir/Zenith opposite of what Drydens was when sold. Those folks that have been here long enough to remember, know that; those that are Trolls don't!

There is Plenty of Tricare Fraud in Other Countries As Well

From a reader: The benefit being denied to military retirees in Philippines is that Tricare pays claims at far less then he 75% they are required to pay if they pay at all. Of course they pay in Japan, Thailand, Germany and every other country in the world except Philippines. Don;t even say they don;t pay here because of fraud. There is plenty of Tricare fraud in the USA and anywhere government programs are in operation. Let me make it easy to understand. No group of military retirees should be singled out for discrimination, but those in Philippines are. If tricare pays in Japan it should pay in Philippines; just that simple. Even you should be able to figure that out.

Subic Dumping Scandal Was Manufactured

Comment from a reader on Comment from a reader who hates the Philippines

He may not hate the Philippines, maybe he just hates certain aspects of it. I agree with some of his rant, every ex pat who has lived in PHILS has gone ballistic over their illogical yes stupid and dishonest ways at times. And the writer who suggested there might be a US covert operation aspect to the minesweeper landing on the reef could be right. Truth is stranger than fiction sometimes. With modern technology its hard to believe that could happen in the absence of a total screw up- OR - there is more to the story. Same as the so called Subic dumping deal. THAT was manufactured by local rival contractors and played into the hands of anti VFA commies and the rest. And how anyone would suggest that US would simply arrogantly crash on the reef or dump toxic waste in Subic Bay should not go back to the US and deserves the PHILS as a home if they think the PHILS is better. Don't worry, the locals will use this to try to extort every centavo from the US, despite their own 50 years of reef. 

From the Bugle: The guy being referred to a is a regular commenter and he definitely hates the Philippines, blames the country for all his failures. As for the Subic dumping, we haven't taken a side on way or the other, but it is interesting how the anti-VFA commies have gotten the US military to fake an investigation that resulted in this contract being fanned from further federal contracts. Those must be some powerful commies... or maybe there was some wrongdoing on the part of the contractor.

The Tricare Situation in Japan

From a reader: I pay in upfront in Japan for Tricare. I submit my claim and get reimbursed minus my deductible. I'm probably paying way more for health care then you could ever imagine with the yen to dollar rate, but I have set aside money to do so incase of an emergency. I choose the doctors I want to see which is allot more harder then you think. The majority of doctors here do not speak english like they do in PI. Fortunately I speak Japanese. If it got to the point that I thought I could not afford it, I would return to the states for medical care with the added benefits of living in the states. Like I said it is your choice to live in the PI. I've been there all during the 70s and 80s, so I know what it is all about. Look at the bright side. You have some form of healthcare. Millions of Americans do not. To be truthful, show me in writing anywhere that the military promised you a lifetime of free or affordable health care for the rest of your life. You won't find it. It's not law. It was simply a false promise your recruiter made to you. Trust me I know what I'm talking about. Oh and the reason this all started was because some retirees, in team with thier doctors in the PI, were scamming the system for years. This was part of the reason Tricare lost so much money. False claims or over charged claims where both the retiree and the doctor skimmed money. I applaud Tricare for doing the best they can to make a crooked situation a just one for all. If you don't like Tricare as a health care provider try Blue Cross or sone other provider. I'm sure the PI has others to offer and rather affordable too. I know Japan does.

Dryen Group to Change Their Name?

Comment from a reader on The Fine Gentleman Sold His Good Name

There is a plan afoot to change the name once they get everything back up and running.

All We Want is Equal Treatment

From a reader: The problem in the Philippines is not about care quality but Tricares failure to meet its obligation to provide retirees with their earned healthcare benefit. All retirees in Philippines want is the same benefit accorded to other military retirees residing anywhere else around the world. We military retirees in Philippines will demand equal benefits period.

Total BS

Comment from a reader on The Fine Gentleman Sold His Good Name

It is not the same business as it was before. Before the business consisted of a restaurant and hotel. Today it consists of a "point point" food stand and bars with dancers. BIG DIFFERENCE! Let’s not criticize drunken old farts. That’s our core demographic! - THIS IS TOTAL BS!

I Was On the USS Guardian

Comment from a reader on: on Reef Grounding was a Conspiracy

I was on the ship back in Dec 2011 and the crew is now all civilians with just a few sailors, divers and communication types The Chief Engineer was drunk most of the time, we should rethink replacing sailors on our ships. This will cost us big time.

Philippine Retirees Help Your Brothers in the United States

From a reader: The truth is, only the individual is responsible for his or her health and the health of their family members. It is your responsibility to research the most affordable and available healthcare plan you can find, not to mention quality. You reap what you sow, to coin a phrase. Tricare, like all healthcare programs has its flaws, but it's only an option among many. You fellows in the Philippines are fighting a losing battle that may cause you only health problems in the long run. Do you honestly think 30 retirees, in a closed and restricted meeting, telling their stories will even make a dent in a system as big and bureaucratic as Tricare? Their focus is not on the minority overseas but the majority in the United States. For those of you who are from the Philippines you may be better off then those who are not. You know the culture and healthcare systems better than anyone. Help those retirees who are looking for alternatives to healthcare. Create a network of brothers and sisters assisting each other. I tend to agree with Crazy in a way. Find yourselves alternatives to Tricare or leave the area you are residing in. Your options are limited, but that is the choice you made when you retired in a country other then the U.S. It is unfare, I agree, but there are perks and sacrifices wherever you go.

The Law Doesn't Apply to You

Comment from a reader on Coral Reef Outrcry is Hypocrisy

These people are real gems aren't they! Anything with a dollar sign attached to it, is of immediate concern and has number one priority. Seeing how there is no money attached or involved in stopping the dynamite fishing, they turn a blind eye, and head off to karaoke. If you want to survive here, you have got to be like the Filipino, otherwise you will drive yourself nuts...so, go out and make kids you cannot afford, throw all of your trash, and your neighbors trash, after you rummage through it of course, in the street or drainage ditch. Take a kid fishing...don't forget your dynamite and cyanide, and become a rude self centered ass with no concern for anyone other than yourself...and don't forget, the law doesn't apply to you...just everyone else.