Amerasians

[Leatherneck 693]

Yes, that river that turned into a flowing septic tank

I crossed that river many times between 1984-1986, I take it you crossed it also?

Yeap, that big ole smelly city sewer, aka sh!t river...you never forget it once experienced.

[Kang 22]

I crossed that river many times between 1984-1986, I take it you crossed it also?

Yeap, that big ole smelly city sewer, aka sh!t river...you never forget it once experienced.

Fortunately, no. Never been there. LOL. I passed through Clark though after the bases closed when they were converting it to some economic zone

[Kang 22]

Camp John Hay used to be the coolest former base in the 1990's, but now they have torn down the coolest things The only thing I think they preserved are some old country style houses (very few), the bell theater and the "pet cemetery" (too bad they charge for it too now). I think they even remodeled the golf course.

[Leatherneck 693]

Camp John Hay used to be the coolest former base in the 1990's, but now they have torn down the coolest things The only thing I think they preserved are some old country style houses (very few), the bell theater and the "pet cemetery" (too bad they charge for it too now). I think they even remodeled the golf course.

Yeah that was the getaway place for many American service members and DoD employees back in the old days to escape the awful heat. That is a shame they tore it down. I have not been to baguio in 26 years, now I feel old.

How was it you found yourself in the Philippines? Not the place most Americans (I assume you are) vacation.

[Kang 22]

Yeah that was the getaway place for many American service members and DoD employees back in the old days to escape the awful heat. That is a shame they tore it down. I have not been to baguio in 26 years, now I feel old.

How was it you found yourself in the Philippines? Not the place most Americans (I assume you are) vacation.

Because...

I am not American though I live in the US. Grew up in Baguio. The old base was great even after the closing when it was handled by the local government. When they handed it to the private sector, things become uncool and too "typical". I'm am not anti-capitalist or a communist but the city government handled the conversion well than the private sector.

Are you familiar with the tree in the middle of the road?

[Leatherneck 693]

Fortunately, no. Never been there. LOL. I passed through Clark though after the bases closed when they were converting it to some economic zone

I understand they built some hotels and casinos on old Clark base. Boy, I spent many nights on Fields Ave and MacArthur Hwy bar hoping. Now I'm reminiscing.

[Kang 22]

I understand they built some hotels and casinos on old Clark base. Boy, I spent many nights on Fields Ave and MacArthur Hwy bar hoping. Now I'm reminiscing.

Not sure how is it now but I do remember the duty frees out there. I think there is a domestic airport.

[Leatherneck 693]

Because...

I am not American though I live in the US. Grew up in Baguio. The old base was great even after the closing when it was handled by the local government. When they handed it to the private sector, things become uncool and too "typical". I'm am not anti-capitalist or a communist but the city government handled the conversion well than the private sector.

Are you familiar with the tree in the middle of the road?

I do not remember the tree, after 26 years, things start to fade a little.

Glad you're an anti-capitalist, I'm a capitalist to the core.

Not sure how is it now but I do remember the duty frees out there. I think there is a domestic airport.

Yeah, Clark is an airport now.

[Kang 22]

I do not remember the tree, after 26 years, things start to fade a little.

Glad you're an anti-capitalist, I'm a capitalist to the core.

Yeah, Clark is an airport now.

No, I am not anti capitalist (I think I have to reread my previous statement, LOL) though there are UNcreativeness business entities there.

The tree in the middle could just be a local thing though as it is on the road outside the John Hay. It's an urban legend, that tree. Too bad, even that, they cut it down. LOL

Edited October 22, 2011 by Kang

[Leatherneck 693]

No, I am not anti capitalist (I think I have to reread my previous statement, LOL) though there are UNcreativeness business entities there.

The tree in the middle could just be a local thing though as it is on the road outside the John Hay. It's an urban legend, that tree. Too bad, even that, they cut it down. LOL

You made it very clear about your capitalist position...I screwed that up, I get you are not anti-capitalist.

We might have to take this pm, I have questions.

[Kang 22]

You made it very clear about your capitalist position...I screwed that up, I get you are not anti-capitalist.

We might have to take this pm, I have questions.

okay. Yeah, we went too off topic here

[Leatherneck 693]

okay. Yeah, we went too off topic here

Off topic, off the road and into the ditch...yeah we did.

[Kang 22]

Just PM me your questions

[Kang 22]

It was 1988 when he was stationed in Subic. Most of his experiences I find it quite hilarious. Most of the time, they had to go out in a group coz they were being told that going alone isn't safe at all. One time they went into a bar and local girls started talking to them, the girl that my husband was talking to looked very young and was the daughter of the bar owner (he didn't know at first), the father approached their table and asked if he wants to marry his daughter...LOL

I have multiple thoughts about the whole issue of the movie. It saddened both me and my husband how the film was presented. Reality wise, some of those service men had a serious relationship with women who were not sex workers but for some reason that we don't know and not for us to judge, lost communications with each other after the Base was closed.

Although almost at the end of the movie they showed few White Amerasians too but I wish it was presented clearly on the movie why the 4 stories only evolved on black Amerasians? I kinda understand that probably they tried to portray the struggles of the black amerasians to fit in in Filipino society or in any society in general. For a country that is deeply rooted from Hispanic values and beliefs, ..."the whiter you are the prettier you are..." When you are an illegitimate child of white father you don't get the same criticism as of those child with black father.

In the case of Margarita, I think what the director implied is the cause and effect of the situation. MAYBE if Margarita's grandpa didn't abandoned her dad (just an assumption since it wasn't specified in the film) they should have a better life? Just a thought...

I wish the director and Robert (the journalist in the film) has blog of where they can answer all our questions.

I think Robert has a blog: left-by-ship.blogspot.com

And you can reach the filmmakers at their facebook pagr, just search for left by the ship at facebook