Catch you next month.

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June 2nd, 2001

    It's just after midnight June 2nd. USS Mt Rushmore, USS Wadsworth and USS Curtis just cleared out of Mango's as they had Cinderella liberty. Arriving on the 31st they were confined to SBMA (old naval base) until 1600 this afternoon. Subic City is currently off-limits.

    Never has security on the piers been tighter. They are all tied at Lava Pier. Two 50 calibers are manned on each ship facing the water and the pier. Men roam the decks with M-16's. Booms with floating buoys encircle the ships with nets hanging deep into the water. Patrol boats go back and forth outside this perimeter. What can we expect after the USS Cole? 

    In town too, security has been emphasized for days. There have been meetings with tricycle and jeepney associations, meetings with owners of businesses, radio broadcasts dwelling on making things safe for Americans. On the streets of Barretto are Filipino police in 2 men details in full uniform. Where groups congregate such as tricycle stands one patrolman is always present. From the front of Mango's we can count a dozen policemen. The locals welcome this and more ship visits and seem intent to make these visits safe and successful.

    The mojo is flowing. Wilma makes the best mojo in town and the Sailors and Marines can't get enough.  Those straw hats with a chicken feather stuck in them are on every third head. The rice sack shirts you only see when the ships visit are again a hit. In the Rock Lobster Room sailors take over the DJ booth and we get to hear new music since they bring their own CD's. Female sailors are in abundance from the Rushmore.  There's a related article on our Local News page.

    They are using the Midnight Rambler to stack passed out guys and gals. Amazing how utterly comatose some guys and girls can get. They dump them in a corner of the Rambler and then get a van and pick them up and take them back to the ship. Sounds a lot better than letting them stumble back themselves.  Nice to see shipmates looking after each other.

    The front of the building has been crawling with vendors since day one. The beach fence in the back of Mango's solved having them inside once and for all. On day one they rounded up all the Muslim vendors. Have not seen them since.  Shore patrol run by NIS (Navy Criminal Investigative Service), working out of Mango's. No uniforms. No arm bands. They just walk around.

    You probably know the bandit group Abu Sayaff has kidnapped 20 more people on the southern island of Palawan including 3 Americans. Details can be found on our National News latest page.  This partially accounts for the increased local security. It's a little different story however kidnapping Sailors or Marines versus unarmed tourists.  Last month the poor were storming the palace. This month it's kidnapping. No wonder Vietnam for the first time had more tourist arrivals than the Philippines. A headline in a local paper last week asked, "Would you buy a ticket to this country?"

    Mango's big event this past month was a billiard exhibition by Efren 'Bata' Reyes. He is currently in the top 3 money winners in 9 ball pool players worldwide. He's also the top sporting personality in the Philippines and his San Miguel beer commercials are the most popular on TV. He spent an entire afternoon at Mango's playing all comers while spotting opponents the 6 ball. He was very accessible signing autographs and posing for countless pictures. He is one of the country's more authentic personalities and a class act who deserves all the attention he gets. We limited entrance to 150 doing so by word of mouth. We did put up a streamer the day before but did not advertise on radio or TV. As it was Olongapo sent some policemen for crowd control even though we had hired private security. It was one of those wonderful days in Mango's where everything goes perfectly and everyone thoroughly enjoys themselves.

Wilma & Efran	Mama Beth & Efran	Autographs	The Master at work	All eyes on Efran	Wilma & Efran Again

    We had a real nice Mother's Day turnout.  Our special Mom's Day dinner included: 

Fresh Grilled Seafood: Prawns, Squid, Mussels, Oysters and Yellow Fin Tuna with a savory ginger citrus sauce. 

Beef Tenderloin: A choice cut of beef stuffed with onion, celery and mushrooms. Topped lightly with crispy fried garlic and brown sauce.

Also included was a glass of wine or frozen margarita, salad with choice of dressings, fresh sauteed vegetables, scalloped potatoes or steamed rice and ice cream.  We bought the seafood right off the boats Mother's Day morning. All that at a whopping price of P295 or $6. Same price as a big mac, fries and shake!

    We changed the structure of our national news pages.  The national news link will always point to the most recent news.  Links to archived articles will be at the top and bottom of all pages.   These news pages load a little slow, 60 - 90 seconds.  But where else can you find all this news below collected in one easy spot.

Last minute update:  Philippine hostages escape amid heavy fighting

    Other site updates include:  

Updated recipes: 

• Mango Melon Colada
• Mango Barbecue Sauce
• Mango & Raspberry Crisp
• Mango and Red Onion Salsa
• Hot Mango Chutney Cheese Spread

Only in the Philippines

• The Last Crucifixion of Pampanga Christ
• Money/Democracy
• Stars In Their Eyes
• Dog Meat Ban Ruins Tradition

Philippine Stories

• Jailed Rapist Re-elected

The Wisdom Of Andy Rooney

    Thinkin' about starting a Philippines / Subic memorabilia page.  Need to get our hands on enough material.  For starters here's a couple old postcards we came across.

	Subic City - Prince Oliver's Club		Olongapo - Magsaysay Drive

    On a personal note we finally posted some pictures from Dutch's Memorial Service held back in February.  Again, how do we thank the so many who remembered him then and still do? We greatly appreciate it.

    Gotta roll. Liberty for the ships starts at 1600 today. Of course we'd buy a ticket to this country!!! Catch you next month.

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May 5th, 2001

Greetings from Barrio Barretto,

   "STATE OF REBELLION" screamed the headline from Philippine Star on the morning of May 2. You probably saw the mobs storming Malacanang Palace on the 1st of May. Let me say again. We watched it on TV too. Not one rock landed in our living room in Santa Monica subdivision in Subic Zambales. Still, this will be the usual disaster for tourism. As soon as one foot heals in this country they load up the pistol and start blasting the other one.

   To recap: In January President Joseph Estrada was chased out of power in what is called EDSA Dos. His impeachment trial had been aborted when 11 senators loyal to him had voted not to open a crucial envelope containing evidence of massive bribes he received from gambling lords, looting of the Social Security System, tobacco kickbacks, manipulating the stock market to his advantage and building mansions for his mistresses. Angry Filipinos by the millions swarmed the EDSA shrine, site of the 1986 uprising against then President Marcos. Within days it became clear Estrada had lost his mandate to govern and so deserted the palace. Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was then sworn into office.

   Macapagal Arroyo completed her first 100 days as President this week. Former president Joseph Estrada was arrested and jailed this week on the non-bailable offense of plunder. About 70,000 of his supporters began massing on EDSA in Manila calling for his release. These people were the poor who Estrada had cultivated since his show business days. The crowds listened to Senators Enrile and Honasan who along with Miriam Santiago shamelessly incited them with provocative speeches. By Sunday night April 30 things escalated as boatloads brought in from other provinces arrived in the capital. News accounts say they were paid P5000 for their participation. The existing crowds had been being paid P500 daily and supplied with meals.

   A coup also became a possibility. Philippine Star columnist Max Soliven wrote, "....proposals call for the Armed Forces to step in and take command to prevent the contending political factions from tearing the country apart. Prominent salons connected with the defense establishment and the military in the past have been trying to recruit support among serving officers of the armed forces. The going "rate" being dangled by them is P5 million to P8 million ($100,000 to $160,000) for each battalion commander (whether major or colonel) who joins their conspiracy. Why such a large amount for battalion commanders? Because they are the officers who actually command troops. The purported rate for captains and other company commanders is P500,000. ($10,000)"

   After midnight on May 1 as most of the nation slept the crowd began to move across Manila heading for Malacanang Palace and home of current president Arroyo. News reports have said that much of the group was intoxicated on liquor or shabu (westerners refer to this drug as ice) Later scenes of people oblivious to pain seem to bear this out as do drug tests run on those arrested. In any case a six hour rock fight was finally ended when the military moved in and dispersed them. 4 people were dead. That day Arroyo declared a "state of rebellion." Ponce Enrile has been arrested as has former ambassador to the US Ernie Maceda. Gringo Honasan and Ping Lacson are still at large. All of these people are running for the senate and all are trailing badly in the polls.

   We have nationwide elections scheduled for May 14th. The country is littered with campaign paraphernalia. Every square inch of every vacant wall is covered with posters. Jeepneys with loudspeakers travel the highways blasting music and speeches. Locally mayors of Olongapo and Subic City will be decided as well as the provincial governor and congressman. As during all elections roads are being repaired and rivers dredged. The old base (SBMA) is packed with local tourists as are the beaches through Barretto, Baloy and Zambales towns. It is the Philippine summer and our area will be crowded with folks fleeing the heat of Manila until school begins in June. On the other hand the European, Australian and North American exodus of people back to their countries of origin has already begun.

   If all of this interests you we've made it pretty easy on you.  A complete recap of all the major stories are posted on our May 2001 National News page.  It's going to take a little over a minute to load at 56K but we wanted to keep these closely related stories and photos on a single page.  

   One new humorous picture of the US apology to China regarding the P3 plane incident on our Humor Page I page.  Scroll down a bit, there's a new label beneath it.  

   One new post on our Humor Page II.  A little thing about "Why Beer is Good".  

   Five new pictures on our Main Page you may have seen when you logged on.  Any past pictures from there have as always been moved to the Image Archive Page.  We've had one recent visitor here running around for about a month taking hundreds of pictures with a digital camera.  He's headed back to Austin, Texas in a week where our Web Master hides out so plenty of new pics will follow.  

   During all this serious stuff some kind soul lightened our day and gets "Letter of the Month Award":  

"Question for you concerning a sauce I once had in Olongapo and Subic. Am curious as to what ingredients are in the recipe for the spaghetti sauce that was served at the diner located at Cubi Point across from the PX/Exchange at the top of the hill. Was told the same ingredients were used at T's in town. Please help." 

Sorry. That diner and T's were both closed in 1992. 

   Things have got to improve next month. Don't they? People have probably been saying the same thing since Magellan landed near Cebu.  Adios.

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April 1st, 2001

Greetings from Barrio Barretto,

   School is just about out for the year. The Philippine summer is here and it's hot. Mango's (The fruit) are still plentiful and cheap. Tomatoes are in season and cost about 8 US cents per 2.2 pounds. We're making and freezing our spaghetti sauce now. Holy Week and everything that accompanies it in a Catholic country is just two weeks off. 

   Over Christmas and also in the first few months of this year we've noticed how many more families have been visiting the Subic Bay area. Most have come from the US and Australia. We've found ourselves in the position of finding things for these families to do that are fun for parents and children. Amazingly there are more things to do than you think. Let us cover some of these outings.

   Sundays at Mango's has always been Pool League Day. (Some things never change in Barrio Barretto) We have expanded on it by making it Kid's Day too. We have put a chain link fence around our beach area keeping out vendors, dogs, kidnappers and other various pests. We keep a whole range of beach toys around for digging, playing and swimming. Mothers have responded by bringing pot luck feasts on Sundays. Often there are as many as 30 kids of all ages spread over our sand and water area. Mango's Day Care! At around 4 PM when the day is cooling the big kids come in and entertain with beach volleyball. 

   One of the more obvious things for a family to do is rent a banca boat. For about 8 US dollars you can get a boat and driver for 4 hours and tour the bay past White Rock, around by Subic City, past Philseco and on to Gaines Beach. An hour lunch stop with a swim and a trip back across the bay and you've had a real outing.

   Just opened on Subic Base is Ocean Adventure. Located at the former ammunition pier, deep in the Naval magazine rain forest at Camayan Wharf it's Subic's newest attraction. The ride through Nav Mag, so long off limits and shrouded in secrecy and rumors of nuclear weapons is worth the time. What a glorious triple-canopied jungle! Ocean Adventure itself is still in the construction stage but it has lots of potential and is pretty cool. What they currently have is whale viewing and whale encounters. Using 'False Killer Whales' which are slightly larger than dolphins (7-8 meters) they do a show of jumping the animals and petting and playing with them. These marine mammals are confined in pens built out into the sea. Also on site are aquariums with many species of fish native to our area but rarely viewed like this. The area is 10% complete. Soon to come are sea lions, dolphins, seals and sharks. Admission is a whopping $3.

   We just re-visited the former Jungle Environment Survival Training (JEST) area and zoo this past week. Besides the monkeys, wild pigs, turtles, eagles and snakes there is a new area called the Butterfly Garden. Contained by high netting through the upper trees the enclosure boasts hundreds if not thousands of species of butterflies in every imaginable color. You walk along rock trails across miniature bridges with babbling brooks flowing quietly alongside, amid landscaping done with gorgeous plants and flowers. Sometimes in the Philippines you see something really done right. The Butterfly Garden is one of them. Entry to the JEST area is 75 US cents. 

   APO Resort has been open for about 2 years. 5-10 minutes from Barrio Barretto it is located in the area behind Santa Monica Subdivision. It has a golf driving range. But it's most impressive feature are two large swimming pools and smaller baby pool. 3 concrete slides run into the largest pool. Surrounding these pools are nicely groomed lawns. Shaded cabanas are rented by the hour or day. There are clean bathrooms and changing areas. We have used it for children birthday parties and the VFW held their Christmas party at Apo last year. Admissions is $1.00 for adults and 60 US cents for children. You can bring your own food and drinks but there are additional charges for the cabanas.

   Subic Seaplane is another interesting outing that a family can enjoy. Run by experienced pilot Mike O'Farrell you can see scenic Subic from the air. Then just a short hop and you view the infamous Pinatubo volcano and it's surrounding lahar fields. The plane seats 3 plus the pilot and costs $150 and hour. Mike will pick you up in the Barretto or Baloy area. He'll even pull the plane right up to Mango's.  You can walk out our beach, hop in the plane and walk right back in to Mango's afterwards.  This seaplane is also available if you want a quick ride to or from Manila.

   All of the above and more is covered in our completely revamped Things To Do In Subic Bay section.  So let's recap:  tomatoes 8 US cents per 2.2 pounds;  banca boat ride 8 US dollars; Ocean Adventure admission a whopping $3.00; JEST  75 US cents; APO Resort  $1.00 for adults and 60 US cents for children.  All indicative of how much you'll spend on vacation here.  On the other hand you can go to Disney for about US$300.00 for 4 for a day.  Once upon a time Subic was the playground of the US Navy and sometimes it still is. But in addition we now have something for everyone. 

   Promising news on special visas for foreign retirees.  The Bureau of Immigration has approved in principle the issuance of special visas for foreign retirees who want to stay in the country for at least one year.  Board of Investments (BOI) governor Antonio Leviste said the approval came after an agreement was reached during a conference among officials of the BI, BOI, Department of Tourism and representatives from the private sector in the tourism industry. The implementing rules and regulations of the special visa are now being worked out by an inter-agency committee composed of BI, BOI and DOT. Leviste said the government could attract retirees in the United States receiving a monthly pension of $1,000 a month but cannot enjoy comfortable living due to the high costs of living in their country. According to the American Association of Retired Persons, about 54 million are retirees in the US.  We've added this info to our Travel Page which we also just put a facelift on.  There are handy calendars and some new links too.

   Got our hands on a couple more Pinatubo before and after pics.  The two shots in question were taken from identical vantage points and really show the effect of Pinatubo.  More importantly they also show how sharp Barrio's lookin' today.  We also dropped these shots onto our Barrio Today page. 

   Couple new tunes on the Greatest Hits II page featuring Aussie Rockers INXS.

   Updated National News includes:

   Updated Local News includes:

    Letter of the Month:  Just wanted to say thanks for the great info you have on transportation from Manila Airport, I only wish I read it before I went to the PI. Sure enough, we got hosed by the coupon taxis not once but twice because we didn't have your invaluable information. The first time we were told that our taxi was ready to go and then were told it belonged to someone else. So after waiting 30 minutes, we decided to get a refund and then were baffled with more B.S. on how we had to find the guy that took our money, so 15 minutes later I told them I was calling their company and then miraculously we instantly got a taxi. The second time we were told P2000 to Angeles and then we told them we have only US dollars and they said okay $50. Of course that is more than P2000. So thanks to you, next time we will know how to do it better. Feel free to pass on our "buffoonery" if you like to warn others. Also, please pass on we enjoyed Mango's very much--great food and staff and we'll be back. Have a good one!

Catch you next month - Your Friends at Mango's.

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March 1st, 2001

Greetings from Barrio Barretto,

   The political climate has continued to stabilize over the past month and we've entered a period that passes for normal here. (if it was too normal we wouldn't like it) The peso has leveled out at around P47-48 to the dollar.

   In the Barrio the big event this past month was the VFW Beach Bash. It was held over the President's Day weekend so was a 3  day affair. For the past 8 years it had been held over the 4th Of July. The change did not have any effect on participation. The crowds were huge. There was an additional beach added so the event spread across the back of Bos'n Locker, Little Wheel, Islanders and Mango's. There were food booths, vendors, a dunk tank. The stage was set up behind Mango's. Don West of General's Gym handled the arm wrestling which included men and women competitions in various weight classes. It was a crowd pleaser. Our own Wilma Barasan Myers won her weight class. Also on stage was a Little Miss Beach Bash the first day, a Teen Beach Bash the second day and the Big Girl Miss Beach Bash on the final day. Bands played during intervals. There were karate demonstrations and other entertainment.

   Mango's are just coming into season in the PI. They are rich and juicy and priced at 30 pesos a kilo. ($0.60 for 2.2 pounds)!

   Letter of the Month: "I hope someone out there can help me. I need a copy of my marriage certificate from the record hall in Olongapo City. I was stationed there for 1986-88. I was married in Olongapo on 27 July 1988. My name is ****** *******. Please e-mail me at****** ".

   The new place to play golf here is at BASA Air Base on the back road to Angeles City but nearer to Subic. It is only a 9 hole course but has different driving positions so you make it into 18 holes. The cost is $5 for the golf and $5 for your caddy. They are still at work adding 9 holes to the San Miguel course so that remains closed.

   New articles on our local news page include:

• Senate President vows to block confirmation of Gordon
• Arroyo sends police to dismantle barricades at Subic
• Payumo hit for barring ex-Subic execs funeral 

In case you didn’t know, we have three brand new studio apartments on the second floor of Mango’s.  They are very nice.  Queen size California beds, reading lamps, air conditioning, big TVs, refrigerators and microwaves.  They are all decorated with a Southeast Asian flair.  There is an outside deck with tables, chairs and canopy all overlooking an unobstructed view of Subic Bay.  You’re a minute from the bay by stairs but only a second if you jump.  We prefer you use the stairs.  They are competitively priced by the day, week or month.  Besides the single male we encourage small families and have extra beds to accommodate.  When you combine the sleeping arrangements with our restaurant, beach bar and night club, why go anywhere else!

   You now know about our apartments, and you know about our friendly beach bar, quality night club and friendly staff.  But if you haven't been here in a while you may have forgotten just how good our menu is.  Here's some of the restaurant favorites.  Click on the pictures for blow ups.  Click here for our entire menu.  If you're coming to visit and have any special meal requirements, let us know, we can get what you need.

American Breakfast	Eggs Benedict	Huervos Rancheros
Two large fresh eggs cooked the way you like them. Choice of ham, bacon, or sausage.  Served with hash brown potatoes, toast, butter, preserves and fruit.	The classic .... Rich hollandaise sauce smothering ham, poached eggs and toast.  It's awesome!	Two eggs cooked over-easy, on a fresh flour tortilla & topped with rich tomato salsa (light, medium or industrial strength).  Served with rice, beans and sour cream.
Mango's Burrito	Mixed Grill	Chicken Cordon Bleu
A large flour tortilla stuffed with chicken or beef, cheese, beans, rice, and vegetables. Topped with Mango's own salsa and sour cream.	A real house favorite. From our grill comes a combination of fresh seafoods, marinated chicken and tenderloin of beef served sizzling hot with a special dipping sauce. Comes with rice or choice of potato.	Boneless chicken breast stuffed with ham and cheese. Served with fresh vegetables and rice or potato.

   For those of you who knew Dutch Myers, we had a memorial for him in Mango's on February 3rd. The VFW and Shriners both had ceremonies and several people spoke. Following the memorial close to 70 people boarded three boats and Dutch's ashes were dispersed in the South China Sea as he had requested. Thanks to all of you who contributed flowers, thoughts, prayers and love.  As Dutch would have it there's a light-hearted synopsis of his service on his page.

Talk to you in  a month or so - Tom, Wilma and your Mango's Staff

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February 1, 2001

Greetings,

    Well. if you logged in via the Mango's main page you may have seen a spot regarding Dutch Myers.  Dutch passed away this week at the age of 80.   If you have been a fan of Whisky River, Rock Lobster, Love Shack or Mango's you knew the man. He was our Godfather. He was the Barrio elder. He was a Father and a Friend.  We'll have more on this as it becomes available. Check out the Myers Family Photo section or Dutch's page for recent photos of "Papa" Dutch.

    Life goes on as Dutch would have it.  We had an exciting month is the Philippines. At the beginning of January the Philippine Senate restarted the impeachment trial of President Estrada that had stopped for a Christmas break. He had been impeached by the House Of Representatives in November on charges of taking bribes from illegal gambling, pocketing tobacco excise taxes and reaping benefits from stock market manipulations amounting to millions of dollars. The whole country came to a halt from 2 in the afternoon until 8 at night as the Senate trial was televised live to the nation. Every barrio was in stereo as the proceedings played on and on with revelation upon damning revelation. 

    On Tuesday the 16th it all came to a screeching halt as 11 Senators, loyal to Estrada, voted not to open a crucial envelope revealing clandestine bank accounts of the president. The Senate president then resigned and the House prosecutors refused to continue as Cory Aquino and Cardinal Sin called for the people to take to the streets. The crowds grew through Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday the 19th through the afternoon and evening the crowds continued to swell on Espiratu de Los Santos Avenue. TV commentators began calling it EDSA DOS after the 1986 revolt that toppled then President Marcos. By early Saturday the military had joined the stage calling for the President to step down. This proved to be the final domino. The peso immediately fell from 55 to the US$ back to a manageable 47.

    Early Sunday morning serious protesters began a march to Malacanang Palace, home of acting presidents, to seek Estrada's physical removal. Most of Estrada's supporters had abandoned him by then and Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had already been sworn into office. As the afternoon waned Estrada and his wife and children and remaining loyalists could be seen on national television boarding a barge to cross the Pasig river to waiting limousines which whisked them to his home in a Manila suburb. By any measure it was a triumphant moment for the Philippines and the Filipino. Once again the people by sheer numbers and with no firepower had managed to kick out a corrupt ruler that they had elected less than 30 months earlier.  You can find much more detailed and better written accounts of the events by visiting our National News section which includes:

• Arroyo sworn in as president of Philippines  

• Garbage crisis adds to Philippines' mounting woes   

• Fresh Philippine Protests Brew, Extra Police Deploy   

• Another Crony Fidgets   

• The Thrilla in Manila   

• No pardon for Rowe killers   

• Living the High Life in Manila   

    Our Local News page has the following new articles:

• 'Martilyo gang' strikes; robs Norwegian, kills caretaker 
  
• Charges of graft and corruption filed against Gordon
  
• Gordon describes charges as recycled trash

    So how does this affect Subic Bay and tourism? Well for one, former Olongapo mayor and former SBMA chairman Richard "Dick" Gordon has been named Secretary of Tourism by the new President. By all accounts the stock market and the Philippine peso have made amazing rebounds. We're operating on euphoria right now but President Macapagal has made some inspired choices for cabinet positions. Hopefully Philippine citizens and those of us who love the PI and enjoy it's charms can look forward to a much deserved period of peace and prosperity in these islands.

    Also in January: The Midnight Rambler hosted their annual Britannia party on the night of January 10th. It was a raucous evening complete with their famous punch out of 55 gallon drums sipped from half-shelled coconuts. 

    Tommy Shrader had his 53rd birthday party on the beach behind Little Wheel and had a live band on the sand. Many of his friends made the pilgrimage from Yokosuka for the event.

    Letter Of The Month: "I'm planning on a trip to the Philippines and enjoy fishing. Could you tell me if there are any fish in the Pinatubo volcano and what kinds they are?"

    On February 16, 17 and 18 the VFW will hold it's annual Beach Bash. This is in it's 9th year. It has always been held in conjunction with the 4th of July. But last year the event was seriously rained out so the dates have been altered to take advantage of February weather. It will begin with a parade through Barretto on Friday morning the 16th. A large stage will be set up behind Mango's. Food and curio booths and tents and a dunk tank will be spread about on the sand behind Little Wheel and Islanders. Over the 16, 17 and 18 will be arm wrestling contests, big and little girl beauty contests, pool, dart, horseshoe and volleyball tournaments. If you're in the area it will be a good time.

    We're also having a "fun triathlon" in Subic on February 10th. As the flyer states, "This is a call to all 3rd class athletes who are just fit enough to take a day out for a self challenge. You must be broad minded, flexible and prepared to jostle alongside an assortment of pickled humanity from many walks of life." There is no running. It consists of swimming, cycling and kayaking and short distances at that. It will finish at Mango's and include a pool (billiard) tournament for additional points. For more information contact Bruce Curran at brucemcurran@hotmail.com 

    Mango's in cooperation with Dave Lessard hosted Red Cross CPR classes in January.  This first run was mainly for local divers and Mango's employees.  Depending on feedback we receive we may try to do this more often and extend it to the community, friends and family.  You can get the details on our Community Support page where you'll also find CPR instructions for Adults, Children and Infants.

     We updated the Manila-Orion Ferry Schedule and Information on our travel page.  

    We've got a new page called Subic Today with pictures of Subic Base as it looks today.  The pictures are all extracted from a slide show program which is available on the page.  Simply download the 1.55MB file and run the program.  It will run a slide show from which you can customize the show and even save the images as wallpaper on your desktop.

    Some useful new links we've added to the links and travel page:

• Interesting articles and perspective at Subic Bay-Olongapo City Memorial    
• Convert just about anything at Conversion and Calculation Center

• For fast and effective web searches go to All the Web, All the Time FAST Search Engine

 Catch you next month - Mango's

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January 6th, 2001

Happy New Year from Mango's!

How good was the holiday season here at Mango's?
It was so good we forget to write down what happened and therefore don't have much in the way of updates!

Actually Christmas season in the Philippines can be a real ruckus between the holidays, keeping Mangos running and keeping it fun and so many out of town visitors.  Nothing much changes in December in the Barrio anyway so there's really not too much new to report on.

Obviously foremost on everyone's minds is the impeachment and bombings in Manila.  We'd like very much to sit here and say that none of that affects us here in Barrio Barretto but that's not the case.  National events in Manila have an immediate impact on the Subic area and occasionally affect us here on the beach.  The most important thing being the rate of the peso.  The current rate means your money goes a lot further so there's never been a better time to come visit us!  Check out our currency converter on the Travel Page for the latest rates.  As of this writing the rate was 50.9 to the US dollar.

The Philippine National news made worldwide news so often this month we really couldn't keep up with it as quick as the news web sites could.  For the most up to date news go to www.cnn.com | click on World | click on Asia Pacific | click on Southeast Asia.  That'll get you to not only the Philippines latest news but the entire region.  The latest travel advisories can be found at the US Embassy website.

While we may not have much in the way of news to report there are some changes to the web site we'll be happy to point out.

    Check out our  Halloween Page for Halloween 2000 pictures.

    Our Visitor's Page has been neglected despite the many folks who many of us know rolling through here.  We'll try to pay closer attention to that.  For now we've added shots from Keith Emerson's most recent visit.  If you know Keith, Steve Jury, John Gamber, Garth Wallin and others you'll enjoy these shots.