Kuyas In The City
Here are some familiar people and scenes from the PI and some sights that will have some, if not all of us, have a flood of pleasant memories. There are pics of Chit and the Madisons, the Market in Angeles City, the Dirties, cockfights, Kalesas, the California Bus Line, checkpoint and others that make me want to put on my flip-flops, put pesos in my pocket and run for the bus to Town! Hope you enjoy the pictures courtesy of Steve "Jeepney" Carpenter. (Click on the picture for a larger view. The first three pictures were taken with a fisheye lens so the Kuyas aren't really too freaky in real life).
Jack DuBrian
Jack DuBrian's Brain on Anejo Rum
One of the Kuyas' most cherished sights - the CBL is heading our way and it will only be moments before we dig out our nickel fare and head to Town! The call goes out and we all scramble to get our clothes on and put on some stinky juice.
The CBL passes the 6922nd bus stop at Building 5204 and will turn around at the hospital, pick up Kuyas and head to Town. Is that Si Bob at the bus stop?
We made it to the Gate and getting ready to head into Town!
That guy looks like he's limping as he leaves base. Just wait and see what he looks like comin' back!
One intrepid Kuya is leaving base with his Honeyko-for-a-Day. He checked all of the boxes and hopes for his reward.
Jack DuBrian (upper left), Dickie Myers (upper right), and Steve "Jeepney" Carpenter doing something weird. This is kind of a vision you might have after a night on the Town!
Tony Leffin and Norm Collins wait patiently in the Little Brown Jug for the Kuyas to arrive. Note the intensity. Hell! There haasn't been a fight in at least an hour! Why are they at the Jug early? If you ask them, they'll tell you they won a daywatch dit-chasin' competition. We all know better.
One last look back at base reveals the Warning sign informing all it is unlawful to enter without permission of the Commander, Clark AB and they are subject to search. Babala, Kuyas!
Chit getting into a song. Please don't let the song be "Bye, Bye G.I." That would mean one of my Kuyas or, horrors, me will be "Leaving On A Jet Plane".
The Madisons are playing for a 6922nd shindig. The Kuyas knew them...Burt Velarde, Pancho Mercado, Rudy Genasby, Chit Mercado, Moody Reyes. The Kuyas will see them tonight at the Blue Eagle after getting warmed up running Town.
The Dirty Dozen
This is for the older Kuyas. There were a group of bars at the end of town known as the Dirty Dozen or, familiarly, the Dirties. Sawdust floors and buildings shaking when a train passed by because the tracks ran through the Dirties. The Dirties didn't quite have the ambiance of the Jug, Buckaroo, Derby, Blue Eagle and many of the finer establishments in Balibago. No johns but you could go either out the back door or on the sawdust floor.
The Market Area of Angeles City
Kuyas rarely spent much time here except to take their latest honeyko to buy new flip-flops, baloots, fruit or that especially tasty fish sauce, bagoong. There was plenty of activity with jeepneys, kalesas, putt-putt motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. Check out the 50 gallon drum litter can that asks "Keep Our City Clean".
Bus Ride to Baguio and Olongapo
The Kuyas would often take the White Rabbit Bus to Baguio and stay at Camp John Hay. Another less popular destination, especially when the fleet was in was Olongapo (Subic Bay Naval Station). The prices went up substantially when the fleet was in town and many swabbies in their dress whites had been christened by the local kids with caribou crap on their uniform backs. Serves them right for making the kids dive for coins in Shit River.
Return to Base
Well, it has been a long day in Town. After the Dirties, the Market and general sightseeing, The Kuyas are headed back to base to get to the chow hall (it's close to payday and money is tight - free chow). We'd rather stay downtown and save the nickel fare on the CBL (10 cents roundtrip). So, we'll see what delightful meal the chow hall will serve, replenish our peso supply, change into night club duds and return to our favorite locations. Chit and the Madisons will be playing at the Blue Eagle and the San Miguel is cold....Life is so Good!
The race is on to get back to base, by scooter and kalesa.
Get out the ID card and wait for the CBL bus to head back to 5204.
This page was last updated: June 25, 2021
