"sUbIc FrEePoRt" a Subic Travel Page by mlt_t

Located northwest of Manila, Olongapo is where the huge US naval base, Subic, used to be stationed.

In a controversial move, the Philippine Senate decided in 1992 not to extend the Military Base Agreement that had been in place since the end of WWII.

Some historians claim that the handover of the base to the Philippine government was the true moment of independence from the US for the Philippines.

After the handover, the transformation of the base into the Subic Bay Freeport became a national priority. The base was huge, with much of the area covered with virgin rainforest.

The Americans put that to good use for survival training, while now it's open to sightseers.

Subic Bay is a great area for divers, with 20 wrecks strewn across its floor.

The highlight is the wreck of the USS New York, sunk in 1941 and lying at a depth of 27m (89ft). Olongapo is a two or three-hour bus rides from Manila, with Subic another 12km (8mi) by jeepney Short flights are also available.

Capones Island is a popular resort, located offshore from San Antonio, which is now bypassed by the main highway, while there are a number of smaller resorts

you have to pay 20 pesos or 50 cents only for the entrance fee... very cheap.