Subic Bay – Page 83 – Philippine-Sailor

Media Category: Subic Bay

This category encompass, the former Subic Bay Naval Base,-Naval Station,-Naval Air Station Cubi Point, the former Olongapo Naval Station,-the prewar Olongapo Town and the present Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) under the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Zo955

Zo956. The Philippines was the host country in for the 2019 South East Asia Games. The games were conducted in several different venues including Subic Bay. This Subic Gym building is located along the Aguinaldo St., our sailor’s former Liberty Route to the main gate. It was built by the new Management, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) after the Subic Bal Naval Base was returned to the Philippine Authority. This building is located on the Remy Sports Field and was renovated for these 2019 Games.

Zo954

Zo954. Last year, perhaps Sep. or October 2019 Shoe Mart Malls (SM) opened a new and large mall next to the Marikit Park. That is the location of the old Olongapo Hospital which was several post WWII Quonset Buildings. It was also the sight of the Olongapo City Convention Center. It is about 1 block towards the former U.S. Naval Base from the Olongapo City APO Circle.

Zo953

Zo853. Barrio Barretto has now a Highrise, maybe 10 floors. It is called Central Park Reef Hotel. This is the bottom floor, Lobby, Bar, Restaurant and Pool Floor. It opened in 2019; because of the China Virus, it may be temporarily closed right now.

Zo960

Zo960. This new hotel Dennito in Barrio Barretto is located on the grounds of the former Marmont Hotel, only one of three new entities now, of and on the former Marmont Hotel grounds. My friend Carlito reports that our VFW 11447 Post is moving here into the Baker’s place. The old VFW location suffered problems because of the National Highway widening project, the front of building had to go. A conflict arose as to who pays for that.

Zo959

Zo959. This is a current picture of the former Subic Bay Naval Base main gate bridge. The former Base is now called the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) and it is administered by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). The bridge has been secured for vehicle traffic a few years now and a plan to replace it is in the works. It seems the virus pandemic from Red China has slowed down the project. This picture is from the First SM Mall, they have parking on the upper floors. We see the Main Gate vehicle guard shack and I marked in some other landmarks for your orientation. If you look closely, you also can see the Philippine Flag, where ours and theirs flew jointly in the past.

Zo958

Zo958. This is a current picture of the former Subic Bay Naval Base main gate bridge. The former Base is now called the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) and it is administered by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). The bridge has been secured for vehicle traffic a few years now and a plan to replace it is in the works. It seems the virus pandemic from Red China has slowed down the project. At right is the first SM Mall built on the former Olongapo City Lot 21 and then the Olongapo City Mall.

Zo957

Zo957. The Philippines was the host country in for the 2019 South East Asia Games. The games were conducted in several different venues including Subic Bay. This view is from the Burgos St., across the Remy Sports Field in the direction, towards the main gate. I believe the running track was redone, and the spectator seats were replaced and this time there is a cover against the elements. It was built by the new Management of the former Subic Bal Naval Base, now the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). For your orientation you can see the first, not the new SM Mall which is located in Olongapo, just across the main gate bridge.

Zo956

Zo948

Zo948. The NLEX Corporation reports the capacity expansion of the 8.2-kilometer Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX) is significantly progressing! Picture and text are curtesy of the NLEX Corporation.

Zo952

Zo952. (#3) This is the intersection of Del Pilar St., going off to the right towards the former Marmot Hotel in Barretto and the National Highway. The project here is to put large culverts in, under and across the National Highway from the inland side to the bay side, that must be part of the highway widening project. That is about time, rain and flood drainage has become a problem here, at this intersection, in the last few year.
Apparently, the new hotel Denito sign is being moved, maybe just temporarily because of the widening and drainage project. That building at right is the new Rico’s Restaurant; it seems to be popular with local and tourists alike.
Across the street in 1990 at that corner used to be the Pirate Coves Bar and next to it the Iron Butterfly Bar, very personal memories there. This corner has changed a lot since those days.