I have been remiss in taking so long to write and I figured I better do something before we head into the holiday season and I get distracted again. I have been through a few medical adventures since I last communicated with you. Before the medical stuff I must admit that I did get a get a bit lazy and got hung up on Netflix. Man, that Netflix can be addictive but better than getting hung up on drugs. I found myself passing out on 3 different times, fortunately I was sitting each time. Then I was admitted to Medical City for 4 days with some sort of blood infection that really weakened me. They pumped me full of antibiotics that not only cured the infection but helped the pain go away on the infected tooth I had. When I got out of the hospital my feet were swollen up enough to make it tough to get my shoes on. My wife found some nice slippers that I did not remember having and put them on. The next day I had a doctors appointment and I had 3 relatives ready to help me get down the stairs. I was wearing those nice slippers which turned out to be quite slippery because as I took my first step down the stairs my foot slid right off the step and I fell straight down on my ass and that hurt so much that over a month later it still hurts. The reason I did not fall down the stairs and really damage myself is because the 3 guys helping me acted quickly.
Now, this Sunday we will be heading to Hawaii to attend my son’s 21st birthday. He is in the Army stationed at Schofield Barracks and regretfully may not get a few days leave due to being on a “Project”. He has not taken leave for nearly 2 years and it sure will be disappointing if he can’t get one while we are there. The Army works in strange ways. We will be flying out of Clark on Korea Airlines’ inaugural flight as they just moved to Clark from Manila. We will return on 15 Nov, just in time for Thanksgiving and also start preparing for out Charity projects.
That is my intro and bear with me if I have typos as I do not type as well as I used to.
PHOENIX HOTEL –
Closed its doors earlier this month and I will miss the place. I watched it being built as its first Manager, Owen Dolan stayed at our Hotel for the time it was under construction. Owen was a legend in this town as he represented the old days and had a million tales where he remembered names of bars, their owners and customers. He was a crusty Australian who liked a beer or two and was a popular manager for the Phoenix. Unfortunately he was accosted by thieves in his house and was murdered. Of course, this crime was never solved and the killers are probably still out there somewhere leading a life of crime.
Fortunately for the owner, he was lucky to find an equally popular, professional manager in Mike (Pig) Evans. I had know Mike for years and was happy to see him on board at the Phoenix. Regretfully, the owner of the Phoenix passed away last year and his wife made a feeble attempt to keep the place afloat, but she was not up to this task. One thing led to another and now the place has been closed up. Regretfully, I do not know what has happened to Mike and I would like to get in touch with him.
I hate to see this historical popular properties close or change hands. The Swagman closed and is still not operational, Randy Rams, renamed Sunset Gardens closed and only recently has been opened as a hotel under the banner of “Red Doorz” but it is not close to what it used to be.
This is old news but the ownership of Bunny Burger changed more than a year ago and I hear that the present owner is also one of the 3 lads running the VFW canteen so the food offered there must be pretty good, check it out.
Another place that keeps changing owners but still retains the same name is “Moons Bar” in Diamond Subdivision. I played darts there years ago and found it was a place that always had great friendly customers. I think since then they have had 3 or 4 different owners and they always have a great friendly, enjoyable guys on their pool team.
PHILIPPINE COINS –
I think the Philippine Government enjoys confusing its citizens and especially tourists. For years the P5 and P1 coins were easy to tell apart but them some wise Gov’t official decided to have a new P5 coin minted that looks very similar to the P1 coin, so much so that it was easy to give a 5 peso coin when you only meant to give one peso. After many complaints and anger officials finally realized they screwed up so now they announced they will mint a new P5 coin that definitely will be easy to identify. Great news! Ah, but maybe bad news too as they announced that they will replace the P20 note with a coin. I am not happy with that for now the change in my pocked will weigh me down a lot more. Of course all this will take a bit of time because the people and machines that print money will be moving to Clark in the near future. This is the first of many Government offices that will transfer to Clark from Manila.
I WOULD IF I COULD
Hey, guess what? My first “I would if I could” in a hell of a long time. Of course she can be found at Thi-Hi (one of these days I will remember the new name). Her name is Avanna, 23 years old and a very personable lady. She has worked only about one month going on two and speaks very good English. She has a young 4 year old child living in the Province. I did not use my camera as I bought a a cell phone that allows me to take pictures and transfer to my friend who knows how to load it to this column. Maybe one day I will learn how to do it myself. I should live so long.
AMERICA’S FIRST CANNABIS CAFE
Opens in California, in West Hollywood, of course. The cafe has a filtration system that managers say will scrub out the smoke and ensure that no diners go home high for free (shit, that messed up my plan for a freebie sample). This place is has backers the likes of Miley Cyrus, actor Chris Rock and comedian Sarah Silverman. The “joint” ain’t small, hell, they can seat 240 potheads at a time and can order from a cannabis menu just like a wine list. I bet my son has already driven from Arizona to California to check it out. I doubt that we will never see anything like this in Angeles City because the cops still like to set up people for arrest on marijuana possession. It supplements their income. Hey, you have to google search this Cafe and see what a great layout it is.
TAPS
Apologies on this one as I am way late. I am still adding it because he was a friend and a very loyal VFW member. Gerald (Jerry) Prinz (WO4) age 80, passed away 26 Sep at his residence in Angeles City. He was cremated on 27 Sep and rendering of military honors was conducted on 3 Oct. Every time I went to the VFW in the AM I could depend on seeing him sitting at the bar reading and having his coffee. He was one of the old timers here and may he RIP.
NO SMOKING
Many months ago I wrote about the no smoking rules established by the President of the Philippines and enforcement thereof. For bars it was hard to put into effect because it did have a negative affect. But I kept hearing about bars that still allowed it and I wrote that I would like to know the names of any bars/clubs that might still allow smoking. I had one reader of this column write in to say many Korean bars allow blatant smoking. He said he witnessed this in Korean bars named Bad Boy, Soyu, and Ace, This was a few months ago so maybe they are in compliance now with the election of the new Mayor. James T., sorry it has taken me so long to pass on this info. It is not fair to fellow bar owners if most comply and adapt to less business and a few are non-compliant.
The new Mayor hit the ground running. Right away you can see street vendors being moved, sidewalk obstacles removed, traffic obstacles removed, etc… He urged bar owners to improve worker’s quarters and for sure that is much needed.
The SEA games will be held at New Clark City athletics Stadium. The Manila and Clark Int’l Airport authorities have assured the readiness of the two International Gateways for the expected surge air passengers arrival. The 12 day regional games begin on Nov 30th. We can only hope all is prepared in time as they are really going all out on the construction site. You better believe that the automobile traffic on and off the base will be a nightmare during the 12 days of the game.
Will it really happen? For years we have been waiting for the train from Manila to Clark. The PI and Asian Development Bank signed a $l.3 billion loan towards the building of the Malalos – Clark Railway Project (MCRP). The Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) with additional funding of $2 billion for the rolling stock and the railway systems. Once finished the MRCP is expected to cut travel time from Manila to Clark Int’l Airport to less than an hour. It is projected to be partially operational in 2022
Partially? Hell, what does that mean? Maybe it will only be operational for 500 meters. Partially could mean another 10 years to reach Clark or more. I wonder how much money will disappear on this project.
POPEYES – KUYA J Group, one of the country’s (PI) fast rising food chain is investing P1.5 billion initially as it plans to build more than 100 Popeyes restaurants in three years. There is already one located in Pasay City.
You will notice that I did not write any Political Rants though I have many. As a Trump supporter and conservative you can guess my feelings. I will wait and vote and hope for the best. I am too old to do anything else.
Vina and I will be flying to Hawaii this Sunday to attend the 21st birthday of our son, Jason. He is in the Army at Schofield Barracks. We had booked flights to Las Vegas and then on to Hawaii but after medical problems we figured it might be too hard on me. On Sunday we will fly the inaugural Korean Airline flight out of Clark. Before you had to go to Manila to fly Korean Air. This will be the first time I have ever flown an inaugural flight on any airline. We return to Clark on 15 Nov, in time to start work on our charities.
Will write again after we get back, meanwhile be kind to horses.
Philippine Peso Exchange Rate
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