first set foot in the Philippines? For me it was January 1967. Was not suppose to go to the Philippines, had eng. problems enroute to Japan from Pleiku and diverted to Clark. Spent 4 hours on a taxiway apron watching the war planes going and coming. Then on to Japan to refuel and the long one back to Travis AFB and the world. The next time I set foot in the PI was Oct. 1987. Came here to marry a Dumaguete girl.
June 1989 took a space available flight from Okinawa, Japan to Clark AFB for three days of vacation with two of my buddies after my "then" wife decided to get a boyfriend...it was the best three days of my life! I planned on returning on a regular basis then Mount Penatubo happened...
July 2005. Was married to a Filipina for 10 years and finally came to meet her Family. Fell in love with the Phils from day 1. Second visit was July 2008 and 3rd was January 2019 to stay for good. If I ever need to exit I will in no way go back to the West. I will visit a multitude of Asian Countries in stead.
2005 as well. Came to give divorce papers to a runaway wife in Olongapo. Didn't find her but thoroughly enjoyed the trip (Angeles and Barrio Baretto) and kept coming back. I did eventually track her down and got her signature on divorce papers.
1997 on a Cathay Pacific All Asia Pass. First time over the Pacific with visits to Bali, HK, BKK and Cebu.
1988 to get married. One thing that surprised me was the soldier guarding the plane as passengers disembarked at Sibulan. As I recall, there was still a curfew in Dumaguete, 10:30 pm I believe. Cory was the new President and made her SONA in English. Siquijor was dirt roads, only important people such as the parish priest had a motorcycle and the according to the graph in the PROSIELCO office, 25% of homes had been energized. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Jan/Feb 1988 to meet my Pinay penpal (Yes, boys and girls, writing letters to one another instead of using internet!!). Went back in May 1988 to get married in Victorias and returned home with my new wife a week or so later. Been back several times to travel around the country and visit the in-laws, and retired in Bacong almost 8 years ago.....
