by Thomas C. Utts
Angeles City outside Clark was where one could
find nearly anything, from
proper to decadent. It grew up with the base.
At this time Balibago
didn't exist--it was just a long Jeepney ride
though open fields.
1956
The sign over the
door says it all.
(Photo by
Len Silverman)
Didn't have to worry
about speeding tickets
from this cop.
(R) Those vintage Buicks made an impression on calisa ponies. (L)
The downtown market.
1956 -- Here's what most Jeepneys really looked
like. Waiting at the checkpoint
to take eager GI's on the long drive to the center of Angeles City
where all
the bars and clubs (like the famous Pauline's Club) were at that
time.
(Photo by Len Silverman)
1956
Outside the famous
Pauline's Club, with
the latest in fashionable
transport--PI style.
(Photo by
Len Silverman)
1952
From the 50's to the end of the 60's the most popular spot in Angeles
was
Pauline's Club. Unlike the usual hole-in-the-wall, dirt floor bar,
it was a clean, classy
place with a large spacious dance floor, good entertainment, plush
chairs and
tables, tile floors and girls that were attractive and well dressed
-- except
for the really ugly one in the back row, 5th from right.
(Photo sent by Bobby Rennick, 29th Radio Squadron Mobile)
New Years Eve
1950 or 1951.
(Sent in
by Ed Smith)
Another New Years
Party photo from
early 1950s.
General W. L. Lee,
13th Air Force CC
celebrating with
Leopoldo Paulino
and friends. See
the sky cops in the
back? Suppose they
checked the
general's ID?
(Sent by
Ed Smith)
1955
(L) Ed Smith said this was the third Paulino daughter, Helen, who
was a finalist in the
Miss Philippines pageant as Miss Visayas, though she never lived
there. (R) Ed Smith
enjoying an afternoon on the patio of Pauline's Club. The lady on
the right, Fely, later
became Mrs. Smith. In those days the military went to great lengths
to discourage Americans
from marrying women they met overseas. In Ed's case he asked for
permission in 1953. They
not only said no, then sent him TDY to Okinawa. In January, 1954,
he returned to Clark and tried
again. In April, several months before his tour was up, he was shipped
back to Langley
Field. There he asked for and was granted permission to get married.
Ed said
either the CO didn't check or just assumed he was going to marry
someone
he met there. Ee and Fely married in Los Angeles, in October,
1954. Seems to have worked, they are going on 46 years
together, and he said, "Still very much in love."
Another view of the jeepney station outside the main gate.
Getting there was half the fun . . . okay, maybe not.
Other transportation was always available.
Of course if you really wanted
to take it slow there were alternatives.
However you got there, Angeles City was a festival of many delights.
Several contributors mentioned
the Rotonda Kiosk as a popular
starting place for vill runs.
Apparently what it lacked in
ambiance, it made up for with
unbeatable prices for San
Migoo and fast foot, as
well as friendly service.
1967
Off duty sky cop
Bill Cobb, and two
buddies party on at
Pauline's with some
close personal friends
who also happened
to work there.
1963
Blue Day in Balibago.
(Photo by Phil Herrell)