First my grandson Jaden and my daughter Yhen (Ymir Thea) had return from church in a Trike, next to riding in a car this is Jaden’s biggest pleasures. Mayang and I are waiting to whisk them to the Pancake House on Subic Freeport for breakfast, something we do normally on a Sunday but I had forgot it was “Easter Sunday” any person who had any money from Manila was already on the Free Port collecting tickets and driving like they were on Edsa heading to the mall.
The Free Port Police are dedicated to drivers obeying all traffic rules and Pesos wrapped around you driver’s licenses are never accepted. Manila’s anarchy type driving on their road is simply not tolerated. The classic is our four way stop signs located throughout the base. Nothing confuses the Manilaites more than that; it reminds me of Abbot and Costello “Who’s on First” So on the weekends they must assign a traffic warden with radio to point to each car and tell them it’s their turn to go. Plus a motorcycle cop with a radio to pull over the malefactor that just won’t listen.
The Pancake House is overflowing, with a 30 minute wait, but on Easter Sunday that should have been anticipated, but guess who forgot it was Easter? Into the thick of mayhem I blindly ventured. Breakfast completed we sallied forth to the Harbor View mall, but as we got closer Easter Sunday was in full effect, if you wanted a parking space, you would have had to buy a parked car and then had it towed.
The family looked at me, I looked at the family and back to out quite mountain was instantly agreed on. Up the new road to the back gate, I noticed traffic was getting slower and slower with 80% of the cars switching lanes to jockey closer to the front. I stayed in my lane and passed each lane changing car in succession. They will never learn.
As we crept up the hill to the Subic-Tipo Security Plaza Exit I spied out of the corner of my right eye a sign that said Holy land 2000 meters. Hmmm I wonder what that is? Next sign said Holy Land 1500 meters; my curiosity was peaked traveling in the bumper to bumper traffic. 1000 meters 500 meters and there to the right was the entrance to Holy Land, and the road was empty as it was not the way you would go to get to Manila.
There were hundreds of cars in front of me, each demanding to squeeze into the 5 Free Port exit check points and the empty road to my right, promising salvation in the Holy Land. My brain quickly calculated that this was only the entrance and the exit had to be on the other side of the check point. And for once I was right. I won. I had beat all those people trying to use my road to get back to Manila, I could hear a Heavenly Choir singing, I saw a lone star in the sky guiding my way. Then Mayang and our daughter beamed: “Look Jaden, Lolo is taking you to visit Holy Land!”I prayed to myself; Oh my dear lord, why hath thou planed this for me, was it because I forgot to keep this day Holy?
“Yes my family” I announced, “That indeed is my plan, on this most Holy Weekend to spend the afternoon touring Holy Land.” After I said that I was hesitant to get out of the car as a strong fear of being struck by lightning passed over me. There to my left was the exit to the Free Port road, but with a policeman to stop any nefarious person who had the same plan as I. I’m now wholly (Or should I say “Holy”?) committed to visit this wonderful roadside attraction. The ladies and grandson were so pleased I smiled and took full credit for this wondrous plan. There should be a special place in hell for people like me.
First it is 100% ran and staffed by the indigenous people or the Atea’s of the Subic Bay rainforest, I was wearing a retired Navy cap which was a plus as there was always been a bond between the Atea and the US Navy for as long as we had the Base, the Navy left them alone in the rainforest to live the way they always had.
Our golf cart driver that picked us up at the parking lot, which was almost full, (I’ll assume the same thing happened to those other drivers) and it took us to a chapel that had a full size reproduction of the Last Supper. The rest will be pointed out in the photos attached so I won’t describe anymore. You can thank me in the comment section.
There before us was a hill with well cared for steep gravel paths; it represented the 14 Stations of the Cross, which is a depiction of the crucifixion of Christ.
I opted out of the long climb to the top of the hill and sat drinking cold water with our driver. Next we traveled to the River Jordan (Which was not muddy and wide as per the song) but a refreshing little creek flowing off the mountain and beside it a wishing well, where you may toss money and make the Atea’s wishes come true. Why not!
Next was a golf cart trip to a group of buildings that display other religious dioramas that surprisingly were very well done. So all in all it was quite, if not by accident, a very nice day. Wife, Daughter and Grandson, well pleased, Mayang very pleased with her husband’s well planned family outing, Paul still laughing at Paul for outsmarting himself. And a good afternoon was had by all, yes even me.
Back to the parking lot and then it dawned on me that so far (Except the bottled water) no money had changed hands. Not a centavo. I asked my driver and guide what was the deal with that, and was informed that a donation for the use of the golf cart was welcome but no charge in general. I’m thinking the Wishing well could never cover the cost, so I gave a sizeable donation to the golf cart fund. The driver smiled and said; “Another reason we like the Navy and you sailors.”
Now the policeman allowed us to get ahead of the still backed up traffic, I was smiling until I remember the 2 stall toll booth 2 kilometers ahead. Hell I’ll get home eventually and the Manilaites will get to their home about five hours later. The lord does work in mysterious ways.
Hi Paul,
When driving I never get lost. I only experience unexpected interesting diversions.
Except for that time in South Chicago…
Jade
Jade;
My father told me that if your fuel tank is over half full, you’re not lost, your just exploring.
Paul,
Very nice story! Sounds like you had a good time. I wouldn’t mind seeing pics of the Subic Freeport Zone. I just remember what it looked like back in the 1980’s. I’ll bet it has changed since then. To include ‘Shit River’ that separated the base from Olongapo? They ever clean that thing up?
When I get back there I’d love to tour that entire area to see the changes.
Bill
Bill;
As different as night and day from the 80’s, the river is still there and they haven’t figured out how to stop people from throwing garbage into it, but the smell is gone.
Resorts, restaurants, mall’s, theme parks (Albeit they are small) but it’s differently not the Subic or Olongapo that we remember, it most ways it is far better.
Aside from all the industry (Well hidden) it is mainly a tourist destination now and popular with locals and international crowds alike.
I think you’d enjoy it and some of the old stuff is there if you know where to look.
Nice story Paul. I’d sure love to see some pics of the Subic Freeport Zone. I bet that has changed quite a bit since the late 80’s.
Bill Asberry;
If you Google it you can get a pectoral idea of what is there now, there is so much to see and do. And please don’t forget “HOLYLAND.”
Just love your “planned” shortcut to Holy Land, it made me laugh.
This lane shifting will almost always be a delay, instead of a faster lane. The same happens in Suprmarkets, when you wait in a lane to the register. “Hey…that lane is shorter, i change there” What happens – someone will pay with credit card or it’s time to change the cashier. Big bummer, now i stick with my first choice.
For sure you got a huge credit at the family, by touring in Holy Land, and it’s the first time i hear something is free, only volunteer donation. That’s the true spirit of Christianity 🙂
Axel;
At a toll booth people will always get out of the line that has busses and trucks, thinking the line with just cars is the fastest. A bus takes up the room of four cars and only pays ONE toll. I know which line is shorter.
As for Holy Land, it was a pleasant afternoon, even if it was an accident that we were there.
.
Paul,
I recall being on the Subic base in 1986 and played miniature golf there. I doubt that miniature golf course is still there as it was rather rudimentary but fun.
Going over the s*** river bridge there was the first bar on the right side of the road called the Urgent Bar I always chuckle at the name. Gotta love the Philippines for appropriate names.
And the sign at the cross roads entrance exam to Olongapo “Aim High Olongapo”.
And the beautiful hand laid retaining walls leading to Barrio Beretto on the cliff side of the road.
But the Holy Land park probably was in the future then.
Glad your family enjoyed your diversion.
Jade
Jade;
Another bar that cracked me up was the “Mariposa Bar” (Butterfly in Spanish) and no sailor ever caught the connection.
The Aim High sign is still there, it’s like the Hollywood sign in California, a landmark.
The Riff rap stone walls are beautifully done and seem to last forever..
Holy Land is only a couple of years old.
Paul – “Aim High Olongapo” is one of two signs that reminds me that I’m back in the Philippines. The other is, “Bawal umihi dito.” 🙂
John;
I need no signs, my neighbor’s 30 plus roosters tells me where I am, albeit sometimes I get confused and think I’m back in Puerto Rico.
entrance exam…cross out exam… stooped auto correct
Jade;
I really can’t argue with that.
Paul, perhaps you were thinking of your sailing days, and this holy ground described by the Clancy Brothers. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=61sMrJOI9_4
Take care,
Pete
Pete;
As a Boston Irishman, I know and love the Clancy Brothers very well, but. I couldn’t get the video to open so I went to my music files and played it anyway, to remember what a great song it is.
Who knew that Jesus and the disciples sat on the same cheap plastic chairs we have today! “Take, eat… because my a@% is numb” never made it into the gospels for some reason… go figure.
John;
In the Babylonian Empire, 10,000 years BC beer was discovered, and it was further discovered that it seemed to taste better while one was seated,, hence the need for plastic chairs.
Really enjoyed the story Paul — you are one of the few people I know who can continually fall into a bucket of S*`t and come out smelling like roses. Must have something to do with your great attitude, or maybe just the SMB’s.
Loren;
That was a totally SMB free day, Cars and Grandson were involved. I hope you enjoyed the May snowstorm there in Colorado, now I know why they legalized smoking dope there.
Hi Paul
In a recent comment I think Mindanao Bob commented something to the effect that in The Philippines you have to learn to roll with the punches. This article is certainly an example of that LOL. Last week when I mentioned a ” pedal Car ” for Jayson you brought me up to date telling me they are all electric now. The pic in this article of little dude behind the wheel of his car ? No wonder things are getting banged up in the house if that is what he is driving around in. Thanks for another entertaining and informative article.
Bob (NY);
Ha Ha The golf cart driver let Jaden sit on his lap, but you already knew that. Because if that was the case I’ve have my food delivered to the second floor, there’d be no way I’d ever go to the first floor.
Paul
Sounds like a good time was had by all and thats all you can ask for. Any rain yet up your way.
Randy;
May 21st and not a drop, but hot as hell, my son-in-law need the rain to fill his fish pond and plant the rice. Wait and see.
So, Paul, what event do you dread the most in Subic/Olongapo as far as traffic congestion Easter Sunday, or All Souls Day?
John;
All Souls Day I never leave the house, In Puerto Rico it was a two day party, but just having a picnic in a Cemetery in the hot sun with a thousand strangers is not my cup of tea.
I want to be cremated and my ashes spread on Subic Bay, so the family can have a beach day on All Souls Day.
Great story as usual Paul, enjoyed it!
Heinz;;
Thank you!
Hi Paul,
Nice story and picture I enjoyed reading and looking at them! We went to a Tarsier preserve and the did not take admission either. They had a donation box and a gift shop. I put a couple hundred pesos in the box and bought some stuff at the gift shop. I think they did not take admission because it was government run, but I am actually not sure. Do you think that Holy Land is run by the government or privately? I am just curious.
Jay;
I’m not sure who owns or runs Holy Land on the Subic Freeport. But I do know the ACLU would go off in Biblical Proportions if the US Government tried something like that. But I’ll ask around and see if I can come up with an answer.