Clark Air Base Scrapbook

d'Ville -- in the 70s

by Thomas C. Utts

From Mt. Arayat's
majestic peaks . . . .

              . . . . to Balibago
             somewhat less
             majestic streets . . .

. . . and night time was always
the right time. Once more
around the park, driver!

A photo essay on Balibago--1972,
by Tom Utts

1972
MacArthur Highway
through beautiful
downtown Balibago.
(Photo by Tom Utts)

1972
The only thing more harrowing
than riding in a Jeepney was
risking life and limb in a calisa.
(Photo by Tom Utts)

1972
Balibago main drag--MacArthur Highway, on the right Johnny's Supermarket
(Photos by Tom Utts)

1984
Same street, different era. Note Johnny's Supermarket on the right.
Does anyone have a post-Pinatubo picture of the same corner??
(Photos by Everett Dominey)

            1973
    And those wonderful
    Art Galleries. Everyone
    who still has a black
    velvet Elvis painting,
    raise your hand!
    ( Photo by Tom Utts)

Rex Beeter was there from March 1974 through January 1976, as a precision
measurement technician in the 3rd Avionics Maintenance Squadron. After his family
joined him the Beetners lived off base at 32-24 Malaysia Street in Don Bonafacio
Subdivision. On Thanksgiving Day 1974 Typhoon Irma hit Clark 99 mph sustained
winds. The back third of Beetner's house was de-roofed in initial onslaught. They moved
to temporary quarters (below right) for 2 1/2 weeks while the house was repaired.

Original pictures taken with one of those funky little 110 cameras.
Later, Beetner got a good 35mm.

Now does this bring back memories? Rattan furniture and
capice shell lamps--Nancy Beeter on the right.

1979
Easter in the PI!
Bunny Rabbits At Play,
Easter Egg Hunts, and,
of course, the traditional
holiday crucifixion.
(Photo by Mike Wright)

            Okay, now not all PI Jeepneys
            were quite as well tricked
            out as these. But that's the
            way I like to remember them.

Or how about a
little shopping.
Did you bam-boo?
No, I rat-tan.

The next photos are from 1974 to 1979, taken while I was at Hickam at the the
Pacific Communications Area for AFCS. The job was a really killer, had to live in
Honolulu and make staff assistance visits to every Air Force base in the Pacific,
including Clark, several times a year. You know how it was--somebody had to do it.

On TDY to Clark my favorite holdup was the Kangaroo Club/Clarkton Hotel.
The restaurant/bar by the pool had the best South Seas ambiance
I ever found, including Honolulu.
All photos by Tom Utts

Looking back from
the pool to the main
hotel building and
the wonderful open
air bar/restaurant.

           South seas ambiance,
           and cute waitresses, a
           winning combination.

Along with great
atmosphere, good
food and decent
service, you just
never knew what
unexpected delight
you might happen
on next.

And afterward, a nice
dip to cool down.

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WEB MASTER: Tom Utts
Zcap@usa.net

Update: 2001