Did anyone visit the Phils during the Marcos era?

[Ako Si Jamie]

What was it like?

Bet you couldn't stroll off the plane and get a 3 week stay in those days!

[fred]

What was it like?

Bet you couldn't stroll off the plane and get a 3 week stay in those days!

Yeah you could... The visa process was just the same as it is now.
BTW... A cheap air ticket in 82 was around 400 Quid return..
Visiting since 80 but lived in Manila for Marcos`s final 3 years and in the thick of the peoples revolution!!
Good ole days!

[grahamw48]

I didn't get there til 1990, but other expats have told me that it was much more 'foreigner-friendly' pre-86...plus the Americans still had several large bases there, and Marcos was very pro-American.

Not as much crime because punishment was usually quick and often terminal.

The country generally was in much better shape financially during most of his era too....though a good deal of the cash ended up in the Marcos family Swiss bank accounts.

Having said that, robbing the country blind does seem to have been considered a perk of the job by more than one of the more recent Presidents.

[imagine]

i remember the news, all those shoes

[grahamw48]

I recommend you get the book 'Imelda' out of the library...a good read.

[Arthur Little]

[I think] Doc Alan MAY'VE visited the Phils in 1978 when he was on secondment (or something of the sort) to Malaysia as a young pathologist but cannot be 100% certain. *Marcos was President for 20 years from 1966-86 ... so, of course, if Alan WAS, in fact, there then, it would've been during *his regime.

Unfortunately, though, Alan's abroad on holiday right now, therefore it isn't possible to verify at the moment. Perhaps those interested might like to contact Alan on his return. Just a thought!

[Ako Si Jamie]

Yeah you could... The visa process was just the same as it is now.
BTW... A cheap air ticket in 82 was around 400 Quid return..

Really? Thought it might have been harder. And the flights were £400 thirty years ago? Pretty steep huh?

[fred]

Really? Thought it might have been harder. And the flights were £400 thirty years ago? Pretty steep huh?

Not harder...Easier because of how blatant the corruption was back then.. We had an English bakery and coffee shop which was bankrupt after just 6 months...
I was stranded in country for 3 years with no visa,selling dresses which I had made to order selling to bar girls in MH Del pillar...long story but eventually I got some funds from the UK and I got my visa`s fixed for 5k at MIA (Manila international airport) This was fixed by a local air force Colonel that I used to drink with on the Ermita strip.
These days it would cost a fortune and probably some time in an immigration hold.
SMB was 1.85 a bottle and a meal with rice was 10 Pesos.
A beach room in Puerto galera was 50 P a night.
I lived in a small room in Malati for 50 Pesos a month in my final year.. I payed 100.00 PHP per month but that included all my clothes washing. No electric bill.
Back then we had to very careful not to talk about politics in front of locals especially if it included negative Marcos comments.. Very dangerous if over heard by a barangay spy... Once reported,there was a good chance of being dragged into an alley and "Salvaged".. Apart from Manila, I lived in a small town in Bicol called Tigaon which was an NPA strong hold.( I didnt know that at the time!) After about 6 months there my mail was not arriving..Found out later that the NBI was investigated me as they thought I was a communist organizer.. Long story short,I was interviewed by them after they got me drunk on Tanduay.. 2 days later all my mail arrived..The envelopes had all been steamed opened and re closed.
Great days,and I learned more about life in those 3 years then any period before or since.. Nothing but fond memories and absolutely no regrets.
Cheers,
Fred.

[grahamw48]

I'm wondering if we've met Fred....almost certainly will have some mutual friends.

Ermita...happy days.

I also lived amongst the NPA in Bicol...for a few months (family of the ex ).

.
Here's a gentleman whom you may recall Fred....'Victor'...the belt man.
Currently running for Senator. . Picture taken in 1990 at the White House Pension.

.

[fred]

I'm wondering if we've met Fred....almost certainly will have some mutual friends.

Ermita...happy days.

I also lived amongst the NPA in Bicol...for a few months (family of the ex ).

.
Here's a gentleman whom you may recall Fred....'Victor'...the belt man.
Currently running for Senator. . Picture taken in 1990 at the White House Pension.

.

Did he sell the "amazing and fantastic" leather belts with a zip on the inside to hide Dollar bills? Used to see him in the Kangaroo club quite a lot whilst I was delivering pies.
Belts were quality.
My mate Jim Green used to own the Hideaway bar which was next to lovebirds and the Stoned crow..
Pool comp every Thursday.. Also used to drink at Roys bar.. Beers were a bit pricey though.. 10.00 bloody Peso!

PS... Not forgetting the Hollandia !! The bar and owner is still there. The last surviving drinking establishment from those days.

[grahamw48]

Yep...that's the guy....and yes I remember all those names and places.

You mean belts like these ...been wearing this one for quite a few years, of the several I've bought from him. He lives in AC now, still doing the same, but also pursuing some political dreams. Interesting and intelligent man.

.

[fred]

Yes Graham..Same quality belt and same guy.. He was very persuasive and had a great demonstration without being pushy... Unfortunately at the time his prices were out of my league!! If I ever see him again I will buy one for sure.. Picture now in hard drive! Cheers.

[Ako Si Jamie]

I don't know why you guys don't get together and write a publication via kindle about your time in the Phils. I'm sure it would make fascinating reading and you'd make a few quid in the process.

[grahamw48]

I wouldn't dare ! lol

....but a friend of mine who is married to a Filipina has been writing a really funny journal for years (his observations of life in the Phils and other Asian countries...with pictures).

[Doc Alan]

Arthur was correct, I did visit the Philippines during the Marcos era, in 1978. You may be interested to see my photos from that era ( http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....ht=Manila+1978 ).
I had been “ lent “ by Glasgow University to Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur. My visits to the Philippines were partly work-related. There were opportunities to work there, but at a very low salary. Martial law had been imposed in 1972, but it hadn’t obviously affected Manila’s frenetic night life – such a contrast to Kuala Lumpur. I didn’t at first realise the degree of press control - newspapers were very pro-Marcos. Traffic seemed horrendous then, but, looking back, obviously much less of a problem than now. Sharon Cuneta – mother of K.C. Concepcion – had first appeared in the Philippine pop charts at the age of 12 with “ Mr D.J. “, and Claire had a major hit with “ Sayang “. I stayed at the “ Regent of Manila “ on Roxas Boulevard – fire regulations weren’t a strong feature … the hotel burnt down a couple of years later.