I have added several maps of the area to help with identifying photos.

People and Places Around Clark

On Sunday night, 18 July 2000, after our first visit to Wagner, we had dinner at the Holiday Inn.  We had a informal meetings with the President of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) responsible for managing the Clark Economic Zone (CEZ), and several others including the President of Mimosa Resorts (casino, golf course, villas, Holiday Inn), the Chief of Security for Central Luzon, and several other officials.

On Monday morning, VJ and I set out for a lunch date with Kokoy Romuldez (brother of Emelda Marcos) and the former Philippine Ambassador to China (Philippines first), Ambassador to the U.S. (at the time of Marcos exile and People Power), and the former Governor of Leyte.  We had met at VJ's Gomez family reunion in Angeles where we received our invitation.

It started as one of the first mostly sunny days we had seen since arriving the previous week, so we also took the opportunity to video tape our route and the various Clark and off base facilities we could remember from our own days in the area.

Starting from the Holiday Inn, we drove down Mimosa Drive (formerly east end of Bong Highway near the Officer's Club) past M.A. Roxas Highway (formerly O'Leary Avenue, which ran from the gas station to Mitchell Highway in my time) onto M.L. Quezon Ave. (Bong Highway) through the current PAF housing area.  We turned left on Gil Puyat Ave. (Marratt
Highway) heading easterly towards Mabalacat past the old picnic grounds and stables.

The east end of Puyat Ave. had been widened and improved to accommodate the anticipated traffic to the Philippine Centennial Expo from the Dau exit of the North Expressway.  Many businesses were located in the industrial parks to our right as we headed east.

After leaving the base at the Mabalacat Gate we continued to MacArthur Highway where we turned north.  The Ambassador lives in what is known locally as the Pampanga "White House" which is where we had lunch.

Ambassador Romuldez and wife were very gracious hosts and entertained us with many stories from the days of People Power and the subsequent exile of Marcos.  Romuldez is the brother of Imelda Marcos.

After a very nice lunch we headed for another business owned by Bruce and Carmen McTavish, the Angeles International Travel Office, located at the intersection of Malabanias St. and 21st St. (Fields Ave.) in Balibago.  It is almost directly across from the Clark Cemetery.

We partied again that night at the Holiday Inn (they have a great bar called "13th" Lounge with outstanding entertainment) and, of course, Fields Ave.  I was really getting to enjoy drinking San Miguel again!

Tuesday morning we headed for a meeting of the Clark Centennial Rotary Club at the Four Seasons.  VJ '70 was the scheduled guest speaker, but I ended up giving the club a summary of WHOA and our current plans for our San Diego Reunion and trip to the PI in late October.  I also gave a pitch for our sponsored charities.

The club is comprised of many Clark and local business people with the purpose of providing community services and support for several needy causes and charities.

Following the meeting, VJ and I were taken on a tour of a new orphanage located north of Angeles, sponsored by the Rotary Club Foundation.  Our host was Mark Cupitt, Club Secretary, who also filled us in on plans for the orphanage.

The orphanage will be a three story self supporting facility located within a very nice compound donated by other members.  It will house street children from all areas in a rather strict environment of life skills training, based on a successful orphanage in Manila.  Construction proceeds as donations are received.

We were impressed by the dedication the Club has to the improvement of the local community and I intend to recommend that WHOA consider adding their efforts to our list of sponsored charities!  Anyone interested in helping with coordination or other areas, please contact me directly.  This was one of several charities that I believe should be considered for WHOA sponsorship.  More later.

Coming next - Photos Part II, developing friendships, a thriving American, Australian, and European presence, the Mabalacat Rotary Club, helping the local schools, more partying, and much more!

Comments and Lessons Learned:

- Clark is in wonderful shape!
- the business communities in the area seem to be doing quite well in spite of the fact that Clark has not yet been opened as an international airport.  AOL and several large U.S. corporations are in place.
- I would definitely consider the area as a retirement choice.  Three bedroom villas are available on ten year lease plans for less than $300/month.  10 year visas are included.
- jobs are available on Clark and the surrounding areas, but wages are low compared to the U.S.  Starting pay for many can be as low as 50,000 PHP/month, about $1,100 USD, according to several Americans who recently relocated from the states.
- American dollars go a long ways on the local economy!
- several worthwhile charities that benefit the local schools and street children should be considered for WHOA sponsorship.
- I still love San Miguel!

John '65 and VJ '70 - Paradise Found Again