114. 9 TAMBAY SPOTS IN PAMPANGA

Pampanga has been on the tourist map staple for a long, long time. Known for the majestic cooking of its people and its astonishing mix of country and cityscapes, the province also offers casual hangout spots perfect for the chill days, may it be for tourists or even locals.

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1. PORAC BAYWALK PARK, Porac

The serene Porac river view plus the fresh breeze of air is the perfect equation of a “tambay” spot. Porac Baywalk Park, also known as Porac Babo Robot, turns into a lively night market by sunset that offers the local flavors of Pampanga. With both tourists and locals enjoying the delicate Porac riverscape, various activities by the local government of Porac are held in this place throughout the year.

Photo from: Porac Government Page

2. MINALIN SUNSET PARK, Minalin

Situated between Minalin’s proud vast fish ponds, Sunset Park is an up and coming destination in the north of Pampanga. If you’re looking to spend the afternoon lazing around, watching the sunset and mingling with people, Sunset Park is a must visit. With expansion plans from the government, Minalin is looking to expand this beautiful stretch into an entertainment hub for the locals and tourists to enjoy in the future.

                                  Photo from: Sunstar 

3. CAPITAL TOWN, City of San Fernando

Capital Town is the best hang out spot if you want to experience both tradition and modernity at once. Situated along Capitol Boulevard in the heart of San Fernando, Pampanga. One of the most famous places to visit in Capital Town is the largest McDonald's branch in the Philippines; more importantly, this branch accommodates parks with traditional carriage, food carts selling low-cost street foods, and more. This hangout spot is undoubtedly among the best options for those on a tight budget. All you need to do is bring your picnic blanket and enjoy the fun experience at Capital Town.

                                 Photo from: Mega World

4. THE ORCHID GARDEN RESORT, City of San Fernando

The Jewel of San Fernando is only a short drive away from Capital Town and is one of the must-visit destinations when the ber-months approach. The Christmas Village Pampanga, which is part of The Orchid Resort, brings holiday fantasies to life with displays including nativity scenes, Santa's workshop, lights illuminating every corner, and special activities that can create cherished memories with your family. During the regular days, The Christmas Village turns into a resort and a recreational park that offers scenic dining experiences with its wide range of restaurants and establishments inside.

                                  Photos from: The Orchids Gardens

5. CLARK PARADE GROUNDS, Mabalacat

A place full of historical upbringing and a symbolic reminder of Philippines-United States friendship over the years, now serves as a park with natural scenery for families to enjoy. Clark Parade Grounds has made significant strides and now provides ideal leisure activities like jogging, biking, strolling, and picnics. The greenery and abundance of open spaces at Clark Parade Grounds made it one of the greatest places to unwind and chill out with your loved ones.

                                 Photo from: Feliix Inc.

6. BAMBOO HUB ECO PARK, Lubao

The Bamboo Hub Eco Park in Lubao, Pampanga serves as a hub for bamboo cultivation with its unique and environmentally-focused design to promote sustainable practices. Visitors can learn about the different species of bamboo, its ecological benefits, and how it can be used for various purposes. The park plays a part in reforestation efforts, encouraging the use of bamboo as a sustainable alternative to deforestation practices. Bamboo's ability to quickly grow and stabilize the soil makes it ideal for preventing erosion and improving biodiversity.

                                 Photo from: Pelago

7. CLARK GLOBAL CITY / WEST AERO PARK, Clark Freeport Zone

This area looks like a normal gasoline station full of car dealerships, but at night, this is where the car enthusiasts or “tambay” near Clark hang out. Clark Global City was a go-to place for Gen z’s, millennials, and even boomers when they wanted to chill out with their Barkadas, flexing their cars while drinking beer on their open trunks and camp chairs.

                                 Photo from: Skyscraper City Forum

8. NORTHWALK CLARK / SF2, Clark Freeport Zone

If you want to witness planes take off and land while drinking beer with your friends this tambay spot is for you. Due to its spacious parking lots, it’s been a go-to chill spot for different generations. The illuminating lights at night give a serene and comforting place for barkadas to sit, drink, and have deep conversations.

                                  Photo from: Foursquare

9. TABNUAN CULTURAL CENTER, Mabalacat, Xevera

Just February of last year, another hangout or chill spot in the outskirts of Pampanga emerged. Tabnuan Cultural Center is not only a heritage spot to visit but also a tambay must-see as it houses a magnificent view of Mabalacat City and offers a breather from the hustle and bustle of the city scene. Tabnuan is quite literally tambay-material with wide space and the fact that the name literally means “meeting place.” Various food stalls, local merchandise and affordable coffee hosted by Cafe Municipio will surely make your tambay more worthwhile. While you’re there, Balacat Tea is a must try!

                                            Photo from: Mabalacat City News Facebook

They introduce a new concept of these places may not be your usual tourist spots but they introduce a new concept of relaxation, not only for the locals but tourists as well.

P.S: This was made by Center for Kapampangan Studies interns who love to tambay.

106. 12 SIGNIFICANT EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN CLARK

Clark Air Base’s history is intertwined with the history of the Philippines since that fateful day when the United States established its presence at the turn of the 20^th century—1902 to be exact--that was to last a hundred years. Here are some significant moments that happened in “Pampanga’s piece of America”.

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THE BOMBING OF CLARK, 8 December 1941

After the attack of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese forces, airstrikes against the U.S. were planned  on its military bases in the Pacific to prevent intervention of the the Far East Force (FEAF). Also, the capture of the Philippines was necessary to control the shipping routes between Japan and Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, which consisted of Japan-occupied countries during World War II. At Takao Naval Air Base, 27 Mitsubishi G4M Type 1 land attack bombers  of the Takao Kokutai took off  on 8 December 1945, at 9:30 a.m. with Clark Field as their target. At 12 noon, Clark Field received warning of the approaching airstrike. Thirty five minutes later, 53 Japanese bombers dropped down bombs on Clark Field, followed by the Zero pilots descending to strafe the field thoroughly. While a few American P-40’s were airborne, they could not provide counter attacks as they were poorly positioned.  Twelve of Clark Field’s seventeen   B-17 planes were destroyed, while 34 P-40s were destroyed on the ground and in aerial combat.

Earlier, 11 B-17s had been flown to safety to Mindanao before the attack, while 2 remained unscathed as they were on reconnaissance missions. The American forces regained Clark Filed on 31 January 1945.

THE FATAL CRASH OF PILOT CAPT. COLIN P. KELLY. 10 December 1941

 Capt. Colin Purdie Kelly Jr. (b. 11 July 1915/10 Dec. 1941) was a B-17 pilot who died in action against the Japanese forces in 1941. The Madiosn, Florida native was a West Point 1937 graduate  how as the first Army officer to fly the Boeing Flying Fortress in the Far East. On 10 Dec. 1941, Kelly took off from Clark Field in his B-17 plane with his bombardier, Sgt. Meyer Levin, to engage the Japanese in a bombing run. He managed to damage the Japanese cruiser Natori. Returning to Clark,  the Tainan Air Group A16Ms that were patrolling Vigan followed Kally’s plane and attacked it. Nearig Clark, his damaged aircract caught fire. Kelly ordered his crew to bail out but the plane blew up, killing him. Capt. Kelly was declared America’s first hero of WWII by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross For "extraordinary heroism" and "selfless bravery". The Kelly Theater in Clark, converted from an old gymnasium in 1947 was named after him. A memorial statue of the hero was inaugurated on the Kelly Theater grounds on 10 Dec. 2007—the 66th year of his passing.

PRES. MANUEL A. ROXAS DIES IN CLARK, 15 April 1948

On 15 April 1948, upon the invitation from Maj. Gen. E. L. Eubank, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, along with Sen. Pres. Jose Avelino, Speaker Eugenio Perez and Gen. Rafael Jalandoni, visited Clark Air Base. His tour was capped by a speech he delivered at the Kelly Theater. He felt faint after his speech, and so he was talen to the residence of Maj. Gen. Eubank to rest. It turned out that his condition was a prelude to a series of heart attacks that led to his death at 9:23 in the evening. The president’s body was brought to Manila the following day on a special train that reeached Malacañang at 9:20 a.m.

CLARK AS A LOGISTICS HUB DURING THE VIETNAM WAR, 1964-75

During the second phase of the Cold War, Clark grew into a major American air base, serving as an important logistics hub during the 20 year Vietnam War. Clark joined the war effort in March 1964; its  KC-135 tankers refuelled fighters enroute to Laos. Injured American soldiers were evacuated and flown weekly from the Saigon airport to Clark Air Base, to be treated or operated on at the Clark Air Base Hospital. Touted as “Asia’s Military Medical Center” when it opened in 1964, the hospital was the savior of thousands of American military men and their families, recognized for its exceptional medical services and treatment of soldiers. At the height of the War, 70% of the patients at the Clark hospital were soldiers who sustained varying degrees of injuries in the battlefields. The Clark Air Base mortuary also served as the place for the processing of Vietnam War casualties,  headed by a mortuary officer, who help ensured the dignified transfer of the body to a team of military personnel for conveyance to the port mortuary and finally to his family. In 1975, after the end of the ground combat, Clark Air Base was also used for the massive evacuation of Vietnamese orphan children, dubbed as   Operation Babylift. The operation expanded to include evacuation of adult refugees from Saigon, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane, and the humanitarian effort became known as “Operation New Life”.

BOB HOPE’S USO SHOWS IN CLARK AIR BASE, 1966, 1967, 1972, 1987

From 1964 to 1972, the famous stand-up comic Bob Hope entertained U.S. troops in Southeast Asia, in his annual Christmas USO (United Services Organization) shows. The one-man moral booster machine took his shows to Vietnam, Laos, Guam, Thailand. Diego Garcia, Wake Island, and Clark Air Base in the Philippines, which he described as the “Country Club of the Pacific”. In January 1966, Hope arrived in Clark and was welcomed by the base commander Lt. Gen. James Wilson. His show that year featured Phyllis Diller, Chris Noel, Joey Heaherton and regulars Les Brown and his Band of Renown. By Christmas 1967, the number of American military in Vietnam had reached almost 500,000, resulting in massive crowds  and making Hope’s appearances even more important for boosting morale. He was welcomed by gen. Benjamin O. Davis in Clark where his shows featured Raquel Welch , Barbara McNair, Phil Crosby and Miss World, Madeleine Hartog Bell. His last stop in Clark was for his 1987 USO show which was taped for TV entitled “'Bob Hope`s USO Christmas from the Persian Gulf-Around the World in Eight Days”.   Guests included Barbara Eden, Lee Greenwood and Connie Stevens.

POWs HOMECOMING,  12 February  1973

In 1968, RichardM.Nixon was elected as the new U.S. president and he began move to end the conflict in Vietnam. The number of American forces in Southeast Asia was also substantially reduced. His policy was to give continued support to non-communist SEA  countries, while lessening military presence in the areas. One immediate U.S. demand to North Vietnam was for the full release of American POWs and an accurate accounting of  servicemen missing or killed in action. It was in 1972 that an agreement was reached for the repatriation of prisoners, and Clark Air Base as designated as the point of the POWs return from Hanoi.  “Operation Homecoming” thus began on 12 February 1972 when  a C-141A Starlifter transport jet took off from Hanoi and the first flight of 40 U.S. prisoners of wars began their journey home. Arriving at Clark at around 4:15 P.M., the POWs returned to a hero’s welcome, received by Adm. Noel Gayler, Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Command; Lt.  Gen. William G. Moore, 13th  Air Force Commander; and Air Force Sr. Master Sgt. Homer E. Henderson, Joint Information Bureau Asst. Non-comm. O-I-C. A second group followed on February 18, until all the 591 POWs were returned home by late March 1973. On 6 April 1975, the Clark Air Base Peace Garden was dedicated to the memory of those who died or were declared "missing in action" in Southeast Asia.

THE PHILIPPINE ADMINISTRATION OF CLARK AIR BASE, 7 January 1979

A pivotal period in Clark Air Base history began in the year 1979, when the government of the Philippines began assuming administration of the Asia’s biggest American military base. When the revised 1947 Military Bases Agreement was ratified on January 7, it was put into effect immediately and on February 16,  the command and security command and security of Clark and other American bases was officially turned over to to the Philippine government. The size of the Clark reservation was also trimmed from 156,204 acres to 131,000 acres, while the base size remained the same at 9155 acres. On March 25, Clark's third major labor strike occurred.

PRES. FERDINAND MARCOS FLEES THE COUNTRY VIA CLARK, 25 February 1986

When the People Power street rallies turned into a nationwide revolution, the desperate Marcos called the office of the U.S. president, and managed to talk to Senator Paul Laxalt. He asked the senator if the State Department’s advice for him to step down was valid, further asking if there was a way for him to share power with Mrs. Cory Aquino, whom he beat by rigging the snap elections. When Sen. Laxalt told him it was time “to cut and cut cleanly”, the embattled Marcos agreed to give up the presidency to avert further violence and possible bloodbath. Marcos was given a safe passage with helicopters from Clark Air Base's 31 ARRS picking him up at his Presidential palace, and flying him to the Clark airport. There, he and his retinue transferred to a C-9A and were flown first to Guam’s Hickam Air Force Base enroute to Hawaii

FILIPINO EMPLOYEES’ STRIKES ROCK CLARK, 1971, 1983,  22 March 1986

The first time that Filipino employees went on strike in Clark was when they stage a walk-out on 3 March 1971. This came a time when ant-American sentiments was at its most high. The strike was ended after 3 days, but only 4 months later, on July 25,  a bigger strike followed that lasted for 25 days. Another strike happened in October 1983, when thousands of Filipino workers went on indefinite strike today over demands for wage increases. Pres. Reign was due to visit that year, but the trip was called off. But the most serious civilian employees strike was stage on 22 March 1986. Thousands of Filipino workers  blockaded the gates of both Clark and Subic on 25 March in a

MT. PINATUBO ERUPTION ENDS AMERICA’S PRESENCE IN CLARK

As early as April, pilot in Clark have reported seeing ominous smoke emanating from Mount Pinatubo, a volcano that has not erupted in 500 years. When it was clar that an eruption was imminent, Clark mounted a massive evacuation  of 15,000 U.S. personnel and their dependents on June 10. The major June 12 eruption dumped tons of ash on Clark.  But another eruption in June 15, exacerbated by passing typhoon Yunya, further cause massive damages, and all but buried the military base in a sea of ash, mud, pyroclastic materials and lahar. About 2,500 servicemen and women stayed on to provide security and try to maintain basic services. Meanwhile, the extension of the Military Bases Agreement was rejected by the Philippine Senate, and was due to expire on September 16. Driven by budgetary realities (it would tae $500 million to rehabilitate Pinatubo-damaged Clark)  and nature's explosive whims, the U.S. did not renegotiate anymore and agreed to leave Clark Air Base in 1992 but keep the sprawling Subic Bay Naval Base for 10 more years. The U.S. Air Force formally transferred entire Clark to the Philippines on 26 November 1991, ending its 100 years in the Philippines. On 24 November 1997, the last U.S. forces left the Philippines.

THE CLARK AIRPORT BEGINS COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS, 1995

The airport was rehabilitated from the damaged US Clark Air Base that was  closed in 199. After two years of cleaning up debris and lava, the Clark Special Economic Zone was opened on the site with the airport at the center. In 1995, the Clark International Airport Corporation was established to manage the airfield facilities. In 1996, limited air service from Clark to Hong Kong began, signaling the first international flight. Renamed Disodado Macapagal Airport by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2003  to honor her father, it reverted back to Clark International Airport in February 2012. Today, Clark hosts 490 flights per week (332 Domestic flights, 158 International flights), with  19 local and 11 international destinations, as of June 2018.

CLARK HOSTS APEC MEETING 2015

The Philippines hosted the year-long Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in 2015. It was held against the backdrop of Chinese intrusion f islands in the South China Sea, contested by several countries, like Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The First Senior Officials' Meeting and Related Meetings were held at the Fontana Leisure Park, Clark Freeport, Angeles City and Subic Bay, Zambales, from 26 January to 7 February 2015. Kapampangan DFA-Undersecretary Laura Quiambao-del Rosario was chair of the summit.

SOURCES:

CLARK BOMBING: https://bataancampaign.wordpress.com/2014/12/08/the-japanese-juggernaut-unleashed/

CRASH OF CAPT. KELLY: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Kelly

ROXAS DIES: https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1431/today-in-philippine-history-april-15-1948-president-roxas-died-of-heart-attack-in-clark-air-force-base

CLARK AS LOGISTICS HUB:

THE STARS AND STRIPES ARCHIVES “Vietnam wounded go 1st class on air ambulance (1965), U.S. SOLDIERS IN VIETNAM”: https://www.stripes.com/news/vietnam-wounded-go-1st-class-on-air-ambulance-1.292349

Operation baby Lift Affects Wagner: http://wagner7580.blogspot.com/2016/02/operation-babylift-affects-wagner.html

BOB HOPE: Bob Hope, The USO One Man Morale Machine https://www.uso.org/stories/154-bob-hope-the-uso-s-one-man-morale-machine

Bob Hope Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLLP0D3gLfk

Bob Hope Special January 19th, 1966: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75jUL2E6tEQ&t=4120s

AMERICAN POWS: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/109716/operation-homecoming-for-vietnam-pows-marks-40-years/

PHILIPPINE ADMIN OF CLARK: : http://www.clarkab.org/history/

MARCOS FLEES PHILIPPINES: https://www.apnews.com/25ef78113ad707b046226114a25c037d

CLARK EMPLOYEES’ STRIKE: http://www.clarkab.org/history/

The Washington Post, “Filipinos Strike at U.S. Base” https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1983/10/04/filipinos-strike-at-us-base/6a003fd0-acc3-423d-84d2-9a0d680b7e9e/?utm_term=.11cff6a0866d

MT. PINATUBO ENDS AMERICA’S PRESENCE: http://www.clarkab.org/history/

CLARK AIRPORT: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_International_Airport
Photo: I Remember Clark Air Base FB page

CLARK HOSTS APEC MEET:

Photo courtesy of Mick Basa/Rappler.

https://ph.news.yahoo.com/apec-2015-senior-officials-meeting-000000371.html

69. 10 PLACES IN CLARK AND THE NAMES BEHIND THEM

When one goes to Clark today, he passes avenues like C.M. Recto, G. Puyat, M.A. Roxas, K. Laxamana---all names of Filipino statesmen, heroes and personalities. But in the not-so-distant past, when Clark was still a piece of America in Pampanga, its  major thoroughfares and buildings bore ‘stateside’ names like Dyess, O’Leary, Kelly, Levin, Mitchell, Wagner among others. Not many Kapampangans know the faces behind these names today, so here are a few of them.

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CAMP STOTSENBURG, named after Col. John Miller Stotsenburg

The future Clark Air Base started as an unnamed camp established six miles northwest of Angeles town by soldiers of the 5^th U.S. Cavalry regiment on Dec. 26, 1902.  It was the tradition to name camps after American soldiers killed in the Philippine-American War, and that was how Col. John M. Stotsenburg, killed in action on April 23, 1899 near Quinga, Bulacan, came to be immortalized when the cavalry post was named after him. A graduate of West Point (1881) and  the Infantry and cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (1897), Col. Stotsenburg was assigned to the Philippines to lead the 1^st Nebraska Regiment as their battalion commander. In an unplanned engagement on April 23, Col. Stotsenburg ordered an immediate advance to fight the Filipinos. Moments later, he was shot in the chest and killed; he was only 40 years old.

CLARK FIELD, named after Maj. Harold Melville Clark

The first airplane landing field were just long dirt landings scraped from the ground in 1919. Eventually, a more expansive airfield was built, asphalted and expanded before World War II. The airfield would be named after Maj. Harold M. Clark, a Philippine-educated American (Manila High School, 1910, future president Manuel A. Roxas was a classmate), who received his pilot’s wings in March 1917. One of the first aviators in Hawaii, Clark was flying his seaplane in the Panama Canal Zone when it crashed on May 2, 1919. The young pilot was killed but his name would live on, overshadowing the original camp name, and by the 1960s, the camp complex  together with its airfields, would be known Clark Field or Clark Air Base.

BOBBITT THEATER, named after Col. Aubrey Malcolm Bobbitt

The popular movie house of Clark that was favorite of  American servicemen, their families, as well as Wagner High teens, screened the latest blockbuster films from the 60s thru the 90s--from “The Thing” “Saturday Night Fever” ,”Jaws”, to “American Werewolf in London”. Bobbitt stood next to the BX, across from what used to be the main gas station, in the same parking lot of what was once the American Express Bank. It was named after Col. Aubrey M. Bobbitt (b. Jan. 25, 1940/d. Aug. 29, 1971), base commander and the commander of the 6200^th Air Base Wing, in September 1972. Col. Bobbitt had an illustrious 29-year career in the U.S. military, serving in Newfoundland, Europe and the Philippines. He died at the USAF Hospital of heart attack. Bobbitt Theater, post-Pinatubo, it became a hotel, a cocktail lounge (“Forbidden City”), and is  now part of the Widus Hotel and Casino complex.

BONG HIGHWAY, named after Maj. Richard Bong  (now Manuel L. Quezon Avenue)

Bong Highway has such a local ring to it, sounding much like a common Pinoy nickname. But this major Clark road which leads to the Mimosa main gate (now a Filinvest  property),was named after a World War II Medal of Honor recipient, Major Richard Ira "Dick" Bong (b.Sep. 24, 1920/d. Aug. 6, 1945). One of t host decorated fighter pilots, Major Bong is known for downing 40 Japanese aircrafts in his lifetime. Tragically, he died in California while testing a jet aircraft before the war ended.

DYESS AVENUE, named after Ofcr. William Edwin Dyess (now, C.M. Recto Highway)

William Edwin "Ed" Dyess (August 9, 1916 – December 22, 1943) was an officer of the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He was in command of the 21^st Pursuit Squadron tasked to defend Clark. He was captured after the Allied loss at the Battle of Bataan and endured the subsequent Bataan Death March. After a year in captivity, he escaped and spent three months on the run before being evacuated from the Philippines by a U.S. submarine. Once back in the U.S., he recounted the story of his capture and imprisonment, providing the first widely published eye-witness account of the brutality of the Death March. He returned to duty in the Army Air Forces but was killed in a training accident months later.

KELLY THEATER, named after Capt. Colin Purdue Kelly Jr.
One of the historic buildings in Clark Air Base was the Kelly Theater, constructed in 1953, the only cinema house in Clark and the venue of many stage plays and cultural shows. There was an earlier Kelly Theater built earlier—in 1947—that was converted from an old gymnasium. Both theatres were names after B-17 pilot Capt. Colin P. Kelly Jr. (b.Jul. 11, 1915/d. Dec. 10, 1941)  who died in action against the Japanese forces in 1941. Kelly’s damaged plane, while returning from a bombing run, blew up near Clark Field after being engaged by enemy forces. Capt. Kelly was declared America’s first hero of WWII by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  The memorial statue of the fallen captain was inaugurated on the theater grounds on 10 Dec. 2007—the 66th year of his passing. Kelly Theater, located at the cor. Ninoy Aquino Ave. and Foxhound St., survived Mt. Pinatubo, but eventually everything from the seats to the roof and front walls were stolen.

MEYER LEVIN GYMNASIUM, named after Master Sgt. Meyer Levin

The gymnasium facility on Dau Avenue, east of the Parade Ground was named after Meyer Levin in 1955, a master sergeant of the U.S. Army Air Corps. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Levin (b.Jun 5, 1916/d.Jan. 7, 1943)—who had wanted to become an aviator—became a bombardier and flew with Capt. Colin Kelly after the Japanese attack of Clark Field. During his last mission on January 7, 1943, Levin volunteered to bomb the Japanese convoy ships that was approaching Australia. The weather worsened, and as the plane used up its fuel, the crew bailed out as the planed ditched the water. Levin remained in the plane to release the rafts that saved his crew. He died in the crash and is listed as one of those missing at Manila National Cemetery. Levin was awarded the  Distinguished Flying Cross (for successfully bombing the Japanese warship “Haruna”) and a Purple Heart for his heroic war feats.

MITCHELL HIGHWAY, named after Brig. Gen. William Lendrum Mitchell,  (now J. Abad Santos Avenue)

One of the most travelled roads in Clark—the Mitchell Highway-- stretches all the way from the Mars Station, then passes close to the Parade Grounds, and leads all the way to the Friendship Gate. It was named Philippine-American war veteran, Gen. William “Billy” Mitchell (b.Dec. 29, 1879/d.Feb. 19, 1936), regarded as the father of the United Sates Air Force. Gen. Mitchell also saw action during World War I in France, and even commanded the American air combat units in that country post-war. In 1924, he returned to Pampanga to revisit  Camp Stotsenburg where he even gave flying lessons to Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, whom he had helped capture. The North American B-25 Mitchell—an American military aircraft design—was also named in his honor.

WAGNER HIGH SCHOOL, named after 1^st Lt. Boyd David Wagner

The beginnings of Wagner High School and Middle School could be traced back in 1957-58 when the Grades 7-12 of Wurtsmith High transferred to individual wooden buildings at the former Chapel Center. That site that will eventually be renamed Wagner High School. The school was named after 1st Lt. Boyd David Wagner, of the U.S. Army Air Corps, who commanded the 17^th Pursuit Squadron that was ordered to protect Clark. On Dec. 14, 1941 shot down four Japanese airplanes, and 2 days later, downed another enemy aircraft at Vigan. Thus, he became the first American World War II Ace, and for which he earned him a Distinguished Service Cross. Wagner was nearly blinded in the Lingayen Gulf battle, but survived and evacuated to Australia where he recovered.Later, he was sent back to the U.S. to train new fighter pilots. On  Nov. 29, 1942, Col. Wagner disappeared while on a flight from Florida to Alabama. His plane wreckage was found six weeks later, some 4 miles north of Freeport, Florida. His remains are buried at Grandview Cemetery, Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

WURTSMITH MEMORIAL SCHOOL, named after Maj. Gen. Paul Bernard Wurstmith

 The Clark Dependents’ School opened in 1947 to accommodate school-age children. In 1950, it was moved to another used office building that would be renamed in 1954 as Wurtsmith Memorial  High School. It was name in memory of Maj. Gen. Paul Bernard Wurtsmith (b. Aug. 9,1906/Sept. 13, 1946), who became a flying cadet in 1927. Over the next 13 years, he served in command positions and his fighters’ feats include downing 78 enemy aircraft in the defense of Darwin in Australia, against the Japanese. In 1945, he commanded the 13^th Air Force in the Southern Philippines campaign. Wurtsmith was killed when his plane crashed in the mountain area near Asheville, North Carolina. The Clark school that bears his name would have a new air-conditioned building on the former site of the Stotsenburg base picnic grounds in 1961. Construction of an expanded campus complex began in 1989, and the newly-renovated Wurtsmith High opened for schoolyear 1990-1991. The Pinatubo eruption (which occurred just a week before the end of the school year) forced the transfer of the graduation rites to Subic. The school was later demolished and replaced with Fontana Casino.

BONUS!

A hill in Clark bears a peculiar name, because it was not named after a person, or even after a flower, as its name suggests.

LILY HILL

Lilly Hill first appeared on an 1898 map, and is thought to have been derived from the Kapampangan  word “lili”, which means “lost”. The Americanized name was apt because it was easy to get lost on that hill which stood separately from other hills in the area. Used as an observation point by Americans from 1903--42, it was also used by the Japanese for the same purpose. It would become the stronghold of the Kembu Group which defended Clark from late 1944-45. Post-war, a USAF aircraft warning and control unit was put up in the summit until 1962. A Buddhits shrine was built on the hilltop by the Japanese in 1998 on  the 54th commemoration of the Kamikaze. It features a large 5-ton granite statue of Kannon, the "Goddess of Peace ".

SOURCES:

Camp Stotsenburg:

Pix of Camp Stotsenburg: Alex Castro Collection

Pix of Col. John Stotsenburg:

Clark Air Base:

Pix,:Harold Clark: An Annotated Pictorial History of Clark Air Base,  by David Rosmer

Bobbitt Theater:

Pix of Bobbitt Theater: www.margaritastation.com

Pix of Aubrey Bobbitt: https://stalagluft3.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/stalag-luft-iii-newsletter-august-2015-reunion-agenda/

Bong Avenue:

Pix: Welcome to Clark Air Base, Guardian of Philippine Defense booklet

Pix of Richard Bong: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Bong

Dyess Highway:

Pix: Welcome to Clark Air Base, Guardian of Philippine Defense booklet

Pix of  William Dyess: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_E._Dyess

Kelly Theater:

Pix: An Annotated Pictorial History of Clark Air Base,  by David Rosmer

Pix of Colin P. Kelly: Aces of WW2, http://acesofww2.com/bombers/41/

Meyer Levin Gym:

Pix: An Annotated Pictorial History of Clark Air Base,  by David Rosmer

Pix of Meyer Levin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meyer_Levin_(military)

Mitchell Highway:

Pix: Welcome to Clark Air Base, Guardian of Philippine Defense booklet

Pix of Gen. Billy Mitchell: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Mitchell

Wagner High School:

Pix of Boyd Wagner: Photograph by Carl Mydans for TIME & LIFE Pictures),  (Colourised by Doug)

Pix: Wagner High School, 1971, collection of K. Morgan

Wurtsmith Elem. School:

Pix of Wurtsmith School: http://www.clarkab.org/history/

Pix of Gen Paul Wurtsmith: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Wurtsmith

Lily Hill:

Pix: An Annotated Pictorial History of Clark Air Base,  by David Rosmer

Images: 
Pix; clarksubic.com

http://www.angelesmap.com/parade-ground.html

63. INSIDE CLARK AIR BASE: 13 VINTAGE IMAGES FROM THE 1960s

Clark Air Force Base, straddling parts of Angeles and Mabalacat, is the headquarters of the U.S. Thirteenth Air Force. This modern, fully equipped air base is the nerve center of the Unites States Air Force operations in Southeast Asia. Let's take a look at what's inside Clark, in the 1960s.

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1. OFFICERS’ OPEN MESS

The tastefully furnished, air conditioned CAB Officers’ Club holds events like dances, variety shows, game nights, bridge tournaments, buffet and family dinners. The club is famous for its charcoal broiled foods and excellent services available at the downstairs “Rathskeller”. Adjacent to the main building, one can find a barber shop, beauty salon, an outdoor patio and a swimming pool.

2. THE ‘TOP3’ NCO CLUB

Touted as ‘the finest in the air force’, the NCO club has an indoor patio that can seat 1100 persons. It features a beautifully-decorated bandstand manned by a 16-piece dance band which plays 6 times a week, while Western music holds forth the other night. The plush cocktail lounge—"T-Bar-3 Room"—is a fine place to relax and bask in the Western-style atmosphere complete with cattle horn décor and Western rug. The NCO Club also has a Stag Room and an air-conditioned barber shop.

3. AIRMEN’S CLUB

The Airmen’ Open Mess, established in 1954 on Bong Highway,  is a favorite spot of ‘lower four’ airmen. Recently remodeled in the early 1960s, it has a Stag Room, cocktail lounge, TV and game room, an enlarged dining area and a ballroom with a distinctive tropical motif. The club features dancing nightly, Sunday breakfasts, floor shows, game nights, and a weekly “Mr. Big Shot” contest where the winner gets a free all-expense paid weekend in Manila. This facility was later renamed Coconut Grove.

4. SILVER WINGS SERVICE CLUB

The Silver Wing Service Club is a recreation center, constructed in 1949, that provides a host of activities for personnel and their dependents—from games, pool, billiards, ping pong, shuffleboard, badminton, plus card and games of all types.  The Mars-o-Gram, the base telegraph office, is also housed in this club. The spacious main lounge is equipped with a stage and a superb dance floor. Weekly programs include Sunday morning coffee hours, square dancing, USO Shows, Grand Ole Opry entertainment and Manila specialty attractions. One of the most popular is “Stateside Calling”, where base personnel can send messages and requests to their loved ones via their hometown radio, through the facilities of the Clark radio station.

5. ARMED FORCES RADIO AND TELEVISION STATION

Clark TV is available on Channel 8, and offers approximately 8 hours of TV enjoyment every day, with special presentations such as sports events, feature movies, and canned popular U.S. TV series, like “Perry Mason” and “Rawhide”. The best in stateside viewing from the 4 major TV networks can be seen daily. In addition, local talent shows, such as Pantomime Teens and others are also shown.  Round the clock radio—1220 on the dial is provided. UPI (United Press Int’l) and AP (Associated Press)  wires and over 250,000 transcribed musical selections offer the best for everyone’s pleasure.

6. CHAPEL 1

Clark Air Base has 3 base chapels with 8 staff chaplains of different denominations to cater to spiritual needs of Clark servicemen and their families. They are used daily and weekly by members of all religions and for various services (Protestant Sunday service, Sunday School, Episcopal, Christian Science, Jewish Service, etc.). Catholic Mass is said 7 times on Sunday, and twice daily. Baptisms, weddings and other religious ceremonies can also be conducted in the chapels. The Chapel 1, which started as a single standing structure along Dyess Highway (now Recto Ave.), was expanded in the 1960s and installed with air conditioning.  Damaged by the Pinatubo eruption, Chapel 1 underwent a series of rehabilitation and improvements, and is now known as the Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies.

7. CLARK AIR BASE HOSPITAL

Opening its doors in December 1964, the new, $5 million Clark Air Base Hospital was built over a period of 4 years to answer the primary health care of U.S. military personnel and their dependents stationed not only in the Philippines, but all over Southeast Asia. It was equipped with the most modern facilities for almost all kinds of medical care , except heart surgery and neurosurgery. It had a Laboratory, X-ray facilities, a Pharmacy, and an efficient Emergency Room open 24/7. The hospital personnel is mostly American, including its nursing staff. Interestingly, the hospital also offers specialized training services to Filipino medical residents in the fields of veterinary medicine, sanitation, immunization and public health care. Now in ruins, the hospital was featured by the US TV show, “Ghost Hunters” for supposed paranormal activities happening in there.

8. HOBBY SHOP

The base hobby center, along Marrat Highway,  comes complete with equipment and instructors, plus many departments that cater to every type of major hobby: Woodworking, Leathercraft, Photography, Ceramics, Graphic and Fine Arts, Hi-Fi and Electronics, Lapidary, Model Building and even Automotive. Two hobby stores are maintained at the center for arts and crafts supplies. The model center has all the materials and tools needed to build models of just about everything, with a flying circle for model airplanes and a model car track.

9. BX (BASE EXCHANGE) AND COMMISSARY

The Base Exchange facilities in Clark includes a spacious main building and surrounding support buildings that contain every solution to almost every shopping problem. In the main store alone, on O’Leary Avenue, 10,000 items are offered. There are 7 BX branches scattered around the base for shopping convenience, all carrying many imported items as well as standard stateside purchases. The main BX is surrounded with fresh vegetables stores , jewelry and watch repair shop, shoe store, travel agency, radio-TV shops, tailors, barbers and beauty salons. Also in operation is a modern service station that offers standard services as well as motor,  scooter and U.S. spare parts sales. Adjacent to the BX is the local commissary with food stocks, frozen meats, canned goods, fresh produce, egg and poultry. A bakery, milk and ice cream plant are also on the BX grounds to supply bread, cakes and dairy products  of ” stateside quality”. A new Base Commissary along Dyess Highway was opened in April 1984, containing state-of-the-art equipment and marketing concepts, built at a total cost of $6.2 million.  At the time of its construction, it was the largest in the world.

10. PERMANENT AIRMEN’S QUARTERS

Housing in Clark began in 1919 with the creation of dormitories for servicemen. Modern in-base housing in the 60s already included buildings like this 2-storey, permanent airmen’s quarters, designed to make the most of the tropical breeze. These are furnished with the most essential items of furniture. Married officers and eligible civilians can plan on a 9-month delay in getting government quarters. The majority of the people obtain housing off-base until government housing becomes available.

11. BACHELOR OFFICERS QUARTERS

Bachelor-type quarters are available for single officers an those awaiting their families. Generally, these consist of a furnished room complete with refrigerator and bathroom facilities. They are designed for tropical living, with louvres and very little glass to allow unhindered ventilation. The Bachelors Officers Quarters are in the hill area, near the club annex, and are equipped with carport areas beneath them.

12. EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

Elementary, secondary, vocational and college level courses are conducted in on-duty and off-duty classes at the base. The Wurtsmith Memorial School (1954), a modern school designed for “tropical teaching and learning”, is tuition-free to school-age dependents of military and civilian personnel at Clark. All textbooks, work books and other supplies are furnished to the students free of charge; papers and pencils are issued on regular schedules to meet their needs. Wurtsmith would be renamed Wagner High School in 1962. A decade earlier, in 1953, a branch of the University of the Philippines was established as a base residence program leading to a liberal arts degree.

13. SPORTS FACILITIES

Complete sports facilities include the Meyer Levin Gymnasium (built in 1955), just east of the Parade Ground, with courts for handball, squash, basketball and volleyball. A brand new football stadium called “Bamboo Bowl” and a well-lighted baseball diamond  are also available for use. The  sprawling Clark Golf Club with a challenging 18-hole course, practice green, driving range an club house is a must-stop fpr golf enthusiasts. There are 3 swimming pools in the base, where swimming classes are conducted regularly. A year-round program of sporting events have been developed to appeal to active athletes and spectators alike: from King Football, Little League baseball, Interservice League competitions, Powder Puff softball, basketball, volleyball and golf tournaments to boxing bouts, target shooting, horseback riding, diving exhibitions.

SOURCE:

Welcome to Clark Air Base Philippines booklet, ca. 1965