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ANGELES
CITY NEWS
June 2008 |
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FUND RAISER:
On the 19th of May we had a fund raiser for the
Tom Donnelly Medical Fund at the Wild Orchid.
We raised another P 67,500 which brings the total raised to just under P
1,000,000. Not a great success considering the food and beverages
put out by C'Italian and Margarita Station were
undoubtedly worth more than the 67.5k raised. Fortunately, most of
the beverages were donated and C'Italian generously donated the
great food they brought.
It was a nice sunny day in the beautiful Wild
Orchid pool area surrounded by some of Tom's friends. It gave
many of us time to relax and tell a story or two about good times
with Tom. He was one of the quiet, good guys that are very
rare in our dusty town and he will be missed by many people.
Besides the many EXPATS in attendance ,
we were joined by the girls and management from Stargate, Roadies,
Honey Ko's & Rhapsody. The girls provided some entertainment
with pool side games. Thanks to Neil, the top three bars got
trophies for the games. The results: Roadies 1st place, Stargate
2nd place, and Honey Ko's 3rd.
We also had a huge raffle with over 100 prizes.
James Murphy, winner of the top prize, a flight for two to Boracay.
generously gave that prize to Tom's widow, Divina. Lots of
other people won free hotel stays in Angeles, Subic, or Manila.
The full list of donations and prizes are on line at:
http://www.margarita-station.com/tom/
I can not
say enough good things about the support from the Dave, Kevin and
the rest of the Wild Orchid Group, Neil, Dennis and the staffs from
Stargate and Roadies, Dez and the staff from Honey Ko's, Will & Cel
and staff from Rhapsody & La Bamba, Ken from SEAIR, Eugene & Palmera
Gardens, Rodney and Swagman Resorts, San Miguel Beer, Gerard and ABC
Hotel, Ed and the staff at Medgar Apartelle, Bernd and the owners
at Arizona Hotel, Sherylie from
www.sherylie.com (for autographing
this months FHM magazine), Darrell from Tequila Reef and all the
individuals that have supported the fund raising efforts.
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Our good friend Sherylie was featured in
this months
FHM Magazine. We have a few copies that she autographed for
Tom Donnelly's fundraiser. These are on sale from our
cashier for P500. All profits go to the Tom Donnelly
medical fund. |
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ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT & PERIMETER ROAD NEWS |
JOJO GROUP EXTORTION:
Earlier this year I mentioned the
appearance of the mysterious "JoJo Group". These individuals
who are not officially representing any office or agency
of the city government are demanding huge payoffs from the bars the likes of
which has never been seen in Angeles City. Their
latest demands are:
| All establishments
to pay 10% on all EWR's (Early Work Release,
i.e., barfines) |
| All establishments
to pay 10% of all Ladies Drinks |
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All
establishments to pay P5 on all Customer
drinks. |
| All establishments
to pay an additional fee of P5,000 per month. |
This is all in addition to P35
additional fee that is paid for each girl each week
at Hygiene (with no receipt issued). Furthermore, they have indicated that the ACTA
(Angeles City Tourist Association) needs to be
replaced with one headed by a Filipino, specifically
Lewis from the Lewis Grand Hotel or Mr. Lewis would
replace the elected president of ACTA.
It should be noted that this info came from the Jojo
group and there is no indication that Lewis would
accept such a position. |
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Barangay Work Permits?
In addition to the extortion by the
Jojo Group, the Barangy Captain Rodelio "Tony" Marmac
has announced that all female employees of
"Entertainment and Amusement houses" in Barangay
Balibago must obtain Barangay Work Permits at the cost of P50 per employee. The Barangay states
that the funds raised would go into a 'Trust' to help
educate 100 local children. This is a totally new
fee and seems in line with Captain Mamac's campaign to
increase the "moral and spiritual values" of the
citizens of Balibago. I wonder what other fees
will be thought up to cover the costs of numerous
infrastructure projects that have been announce or are
already on going such as a new P12 million barangay
hall, a barangay police outpost, new canals & drainage
systems, public toilets and even a barangay hospital.
At least Cpt. Mamac is giving receipts for these "work
permits." |
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Ray Kelly shot
On the14th of
May at about 1:15 in the afternoon Ray Kelly was
shot through his jaw in front of Baretto's
Meat Store on Perimeter Road. Lots
of rumors on this one. The majority of the
people in town that know Ray were sure it was an
attempted assassination. But, Ray, insists
it was a simple robbery. One rumor has eye
witnesses saying Ray's ex-girlfriend was on the
back of the bike, but others say it was a guy
with long hair. One "witness" said a trike
tried to ram the motorcycle as it was fleeing,
but the motorcycle swerved out of the way (a
"hero trike driver"? What next, Elvis
sightings?). Still another story
about a EXPAT giving chase on a big motorcycle,
but abandoning the chase after being shot at
three times by the guy on the back of the bike
who was then using a .45 (but Ray was shot with
a .22).
The good news is Ray wasn't
seriously injured and he's already back to
warming bar stools in his clubs. |
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
2 charged for
robbing, shooting Aussie
ANGELES CITY -- The
Criminal Investigation and Detection Team (CIDT)
here has charged two men with robbery with
frustrated murder for allegedly robbing and
shooting an Australian national on May 14.
Police said the suspects, on board a
motorcycle, shot and grabbed the P90,000
bracelet of Australian Raymond Arthur Kelly,
56, businessman and a resident of
Hensonville Homes in Malabanias.
CIDT Provincial Director Florendo Saligao
identified the suspects as Michael David
alias Manok and John Stevenson who were
identified by the victim from the police
Rogues Gallery. Both suspects, who were
formally charged last May 22 before the City
Prosecutor's Office, are still at large.
It was not immediately known if the second
suspect is the same John Stevenson being
hunted by the police in connection with the
April 30 broad daylight robbery of Porac
Bank along McArthur Highway in Barangay
Dolores, City of San Fernando.
The Australian national was shot in the face
by the suspects who were riding in tandem
when they tried to rob him at gunpoint in
front of Bretto's Meat Shop and Restaurant
located along Don Juico Avenue in Clarkview,
Malabanias here.
After shooting Kelly, the suspects grabbed
his bracelet and fled towards unknown
direction.
The victim was rushed by witnesses to a
nearby hospital for treatment.
In the Porac bank robbery, bank employees
were able to identify Stevenson from the
Rogues Gallery. The robbery was also
recorded by the bank's close circuit
television system. Stevenson and his two
still unidentified companions in the bank
robbery are still at large.
The Porac bank robbery resulted in the
relief of City of San Fernando Chief Renato
Soria for not being able to comply with the
72-hour ultimatum given by Pampanga Police
Provincial Director Keith Singian to arrest
the suspects. (JAM)
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DOLLHOUSE RAIDED:
During a Wednesday night photo shoot in
early June the CIDG raided Dollhouse and took away 8 body painted
spotlight dancers. The Dollhouse was not closed
and eventually (about 3 am) the dancers were released
with no charges being filed. According to one
source, dancers that are painted are not considered
topless/nude.
As you can see from the advertisement
on the left, the Dollhouse Group isn't being discreet
about the weekly body painting. |
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Lost In Asia Still has a good line-up
for Perimeter Road, but it still
could win awards for the worst designed bar
in Angeles City. The management has
plans to renovate the seating area, but not
sure this is going to happen any time soon.
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Gecko's is one of the best early bars
in town. This club has one of the
highest ratios of staff per square meter of
any bar in Angeles. The stage is
always full and don't overlook the waitress
staff here! |
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EMOTIONS Has introduced a large
food menu which is available from 8 am until
late night. The menu selection ranges
from traditional breakfasts to pizzas.
On a recent night out one guy in our group
ordered some seasoned french fries.
They were so good everyone else in the group
ordered some. if you are really hungry
you can try their 3 pound Super Mega Burger
for P795 (eat it all and it's free).
The next time I'm hungry on a bar hop I
think I'll try the JACK DANIEL'S TENDERLOIN
TIPS (P325) or the MEATLOAF baked in Jack
Daniels's sauce (P265). |
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NEW HOTEL:
Savannah Hotel
nears completion. It is located
between Honey Ko's and the Clarkton Hotel on
Perimeter Road. |
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RAINY
SEASON SPECIAL: While most of the prices
keep going up, the folks at
MEDGAR
APARTELLE have introduced a Rainy Season
Discount. Knocking almost 25% off their regular
rates for their Executive Rooms making them just P1800 a
night. This is great value for a room with an
American mattress, a Lazy Boy, small kitchen, in-room
computer with internet, and more. The hotel
has a huge generator and superb security. Best of
all it is just a short walk from Margarita Station. |
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BLUE NILE EXECUTIVE HOTEL WEEKDAY
DISCOUNT: For quite a while the
Blue Nile
Executive Hotel has been offering a 50% discount
from Sunday thru Thursday. Despite the changes in
management I have been assured that this discount will
continue. Just ask for complete
details when booking through
reservations@theville.com |
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PHOTO OF THE
MONTH |
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Great cellular phone holder spotted in Tropix nightclub. |
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OPENINGS - CHANGES - ETC |
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CRYSTAL PALACE
Opened in May in the former
Pick-Up disco/Heartbreaker building. The dance floor has
been moved to the right side and the place feels a bit like a
baby Dollhouse. |
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BLUE NILE GROUP RESTRUCTURING: After over a year of
negotiations, on 1 June the Blue Nile group was split
up into two groups. The investors under Peter Dunn took over Blue Nile, Blue Nile Executive Club, Neros, and
Bedrock. Richard will keep Cambodia, the Golden Nile
and the Blue Nile Hotel and Misty's. All the EXPAT
managers were terminated on 3 June. Bruce moved from Blue Nile to
Cambodia. Word is Rady is managing all of Peter's bars.
The photos are recent shots of Golden Nile, now
scheduled to open about 1 Sept? |
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CRAZY
HORSE CLOSED: In late May the current
"owners" of Crazy Horse stripped the club in the middle
of the night. The next day the staff lined up
outside wondering what had happened and if they would
get their back pay.
Most local EXPATS are calling this one
Poetic Justice
since these guys had pulled a fast one and had taken the
bar from the previous owner without paying him anything
for the rights. There were lots of promises over
the months, but apparently no money was ever paid.
One rumor said the former owner finally won a law
suit and these guys had to leave the same way they took
over, QUICKLY.
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Tom Cat
has been gutted and is being remodeled by the
Dollhouse Group |
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Touch of Class has renovated the rear of the bar.
It's a big improvement. And the full food menu
from Emotions is available in this sister bar. |
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Insomnia
was sold. The new owners took over on 1 June. No major
changes are expected as the layout of this club is IMO one of
the best in Angeles. |
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wee George's bar
had a soft opening on 14 June. The Grand Opening is
scheduled for Tuesday 17 June. This club is next to Roadie's on Perimeter Road. |
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cadillac jacks...I'm told
this fully renovated club will reopen soon |
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C-HOW-U-R
opened in Hensonville on 31 May across from the old SILVER
BULLET. Local drinks/beer is P45 and Ladies Drinks are
P100. The bar is open from 3 pm until midnight. |
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WORK STOPPED:
Construction on Gerard's new building near
checkpoint was stopped after only three of the 90+
support piles were driven into the ground.
Seems a rich neighbor complained to City Hall about
the vibrations and was able to get the work stopped
despite the fact that Gerard has all the proper
permits for the construction. |
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SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) |
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I recently did my first trip to Subic on the SCTEX. Once you get
on the new road it is a great relaxing drive to/from Subic. But, only in
the Philippines could someone design a road like this without making it
easily accessible from one of the three cities in the title of the road!
Leaving Margarita Station it takes 30 minutes to get on the SCTEX.
Driving through Clark and exiting the Mabalacat Gate you must turn right
on Mac Arthur highway and head back toward Angeles. About ten
minutes down Mac Arthur highway you can see the overpass connecting the
NLEX with the SCTEX. But, there is no ramp for people approaching
from the north, so you need to go past the overpass and then make
a U-turn to enter from the south. Next, you proceed about 1.5 to 2
miles toward Manila until you see the U-turn to head back to the SCTEX.
Upon reaching the Subic area you pay the P112 toll and then about 1/2
mile down the road you reach the Subic-Tipo section of the NLEX and you
must pay another toll of P19. Sound confusing ? It is. |
Approach to SCTEX from Subic-Tipo Expressway |
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very light traffic |
Max speed is 100KPH. I actually had a safety
vehicle come up behind me and turn on his police style
lights until I slowed down to 100kph. |
The only exit is at Dinalupihan. |
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lots of open road |
This is the only exit with signs of
construction. Unfortunately it is close to Dinalupihan and a
long way from Clark |
Only about 15 minutes from Subic Mt. Arayat
comes into view |
Just west of Clark is another exit with no
signs of construction |
Nice view of Mt Arayat
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Approaching the Friendship gate, but sadly it
will take over 30 minutes to get back here off the SCTEX. |
Friendship area from the SCTEX |
less than 1 mile to the main gate, but 30+
minutes by road! |
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OTHER NEWS |
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Thursday, May 22,
2008
Aussie robbed, killed
By Reynaldo G. Navales
ANGELES CITY -- An Australian
national was killed inside his apartment at Villasol Subdivision
in Barangay Anunas here, a police official said. The
victim was identified as Keith Joseph Cook, 68, of Unit 3 Jessie
Magbag Apartment 4-26, California Street, Villasol Subdivision,
Barangay Anunas in this city. Chief Inspector Rene Aspe of the
Angeles police said Cook's body was chopped into several pieces
and placed inside a traveling bag before it was left inside his
own room by three suspects.
The suspects were identified as Jay Cris Magtalon, 27; Kiko (not
his real name), 17; and Rose Marie Velasquez, 31. The three are
presently residing at Unit 4 of said apartment where the slaying
transpired. Chief Inspector Luisito Tan, Angeles
Police-Station 4 deputy police chief, disclosed that the murder
was committed during the heavy rains on Saturday night.
The suspects were arrested inside their apartment by policemen
here after a witness, Apple Jenny Dagumdan, 20, decided to
report the incident to police authorities in Olongapo City where
she lives. The witness is the sister of Kiko and stepsister of
Magtalon.
Dagumdan claimed that she and her boyfriend, Jayson Haman,
visited the suspects in their apartment a day prior to the
crime. According to her, she saw her stepbrother Magtalon and
little brother wearing gloves and both armed with knives.
The two told her that they will be going to rob and kill Cook,
who lives next door. Dagumdan said Magtalon threatened to
kill her and her boyfriend if they tell anybody about their
plan.
Terrified, Dagumdan and Haman decided to hastily go home to
Olongapo City. Bothered by their conscience, they finally
reported the incident to the Olongapo City Police after four
days. Aspe said they received information last Tuesday that a
male foreigner was found dead inside his apartment. While
cordoning the foul-smelled crime scene, he received a call from
the Olongapo City Police that a witness (Dagumdan) to the crime
had reported the incident.
Upon getting the full details from his colleagues in Olongapo
City, Aspe and his men proceeded to the victim's neighboring
apartment to seize the suspects, who tried to lock themselves
inside but were eventually arrested. The victim's body was taken
to the Indiongco Funeral Parlor for autopsy.
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Superintendent Felixberto Castillo (center),
officer-in-charge of the Angeles City Police
Office, presents to the media live-in partners
Jay Cris Magtalon and Marie Velasquez, main
suspects in the gruesome murder of Australian
Keith Joseph Cook. (Sun.Star Pampanga/Chris
Navarro)
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According to
Harry the Horse
the killers got away with a computer
monitor, speakers, IPOD, and an MP3 player. They also obtained a laptop but ended up burning
it because it was already covered with the victim's blood.
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Monday, June
09, 2008
Robbers kill businessman
MABALACAT -- Three motorcycle-riding men
shot dead a businessman in a village of this Pampanga town
last Friday afternoon and carted away the P191,000 the
victim had just withdrawn from a bank in Balibago, Angeles
City.
Members of the Citizens Crime Watch-Pampanga led by Eddie
Boy Santos, who cordoned off the crime scene, identified the
victim as Bernardo Faelnan, 61, resident of Villa Teodora
Subdivision in Barangay Dau.
Investigation showed that at 1:20 p.m., the victim was
driving his Mitsubishi Space Gear on his way home from the
bank. Upon reaching a curb along Dona Anicia Subdivision,
armed men flagged him down and banged on his window.
Sensing danger, Faelnan drove away. The robbers fired three
times at the retreating vehicle, and one bullet hit the
Space Gear's front tire while the other hit Faelnan on the
left side of the body.
The victim's vehicle rammed onto an electric post.
The still unidentified men then ran towards the vehicle and
destroyed its left front window. They took the bag
containing the P191,000 and fled in the direction of
McArthur Highway. They even waved their guns as if warning
bystanders and witnesses that they were armed and ready to
shoot anybody who would stand in their way.
Bystanders rushed the victim to the nearby San Rafael
Hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival by attending
physicians.
Witnesses said the robbers' faces were covered with
handkerchiefs.
Policemen later found three empty shells of a .45 mm caliber
pistol in the crime scene.
A few days ago, four unidentified carjackers stole a Honda
tricycle owned by Nicolas de Leon. It was parked in front of
his residence in Sitio Talimundok, also in Barangay Dau,
which is just some 100 meters away from a police station.
Also last week, armed robbers broke into a residence in
Barangay Dau, hogtied the housewife of a foreigner, and
carted away money, jewelry, and other valuable items.
Concerned citizens here revealed that there are a number of
unreported crime incidents in the town. "Many victims choose
not to report to the police anymore because they feel that
nothing fruitful would happen even if they report (the
incidents) to the police," a community peace and order
brigade member in Barangay Dau said.
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Another increase in the minimum wage!
In early June the minimum wage will be increased again for the
3rd time in less than a year. This makes the minimum wage
we pay our trained employees P291.00 a day vs. P55 a day when we
opened our doors 15 years ago. Despite strong labor laws
you'd be surprised how few businesses in the Philippines
actually pay their employees the minimum wage. When you
dine at Margarita Station you can rest assured that our
employees get paid at or above the minimum wage. Additionally,
they all receive overtime pay, holiday pay, and a proper 13th
month bonus at Christmas time. This "small" increase in
the minimum wage will raise our annual operating expenses by
approximately $12, 380. |
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The SOUTHERN CROSS SHUTTLE BUS
has a new schedule. This comfortable bus now makes daily runs
between Angeles & Manila and also daily rips between Angeles &
Subic. See schedule ----------> I have received
so many good comments on this bus that I may break down and take
the bus down to Manila one day soon just to see what all the
buzz is about. |
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ANOTHER SUBIC SHUTTLE SERVICE:
The Arizona Hotel has announced a daily Baloy Beach--Angeles
shuttle service. They will be utilizing a new 2008 Toyota
Hi-Ace 14 passenger van. The van will depart Baloy Beach
at 10 am and depart Angeles at 12:30 pm. Cost will be P400
each way. |
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Click on
Photo for lots more photos and info |
Speaking of
SUBIC!
I recently had the good fortune to visit the
WILD ORCHID BEACH RESORT on Baloy Beach
for their grand opening. This is the first
hotel in this area that is truly a modern resort
hotel with top shelf rooms. If you are
looking for a cheap room in the Barrio, then
this isn't for you. But, if you want
spotlessly clean rooms, good air conditioners,
large LCD TV's with DVD player, a jacuzzi, and
the best swimming pool on the west coast of
Luzon, then this is the place for you. And
soon they will have the Barefoot Bar open right
on the shore of Subic Bay. |
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Keith Cook, 68 year old Australian. See "other news"
above |
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John Mytko, a 63 years old retired USAF
NCO, was buried on 17
May. John passed away from
multiple organ failure.
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Grace, who has handled the outdoor
bar at The Alaska Club since it opened in 2005, passed
away on Friday,6/13/08, apparently of liver cancer.
She was also a long-time waitress at Alaska's predecessor,
The Bahama Mama's Outdoor Bar.
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SERVICED
HOUSE FOR RENT It is now fully booked thru
1 Sep 2008. We only have one, so book early.
You
can rent one bedroom and have the entire house to
yourself, or a group of 3 guys can have a party house
much cheaper than 3 hotel rooms. You'll
probably want to rent a Balibago Buggie or a motorcycle,
but trikes are available close to the house. For more
details see
http://www.margarita-station.com/house.html |
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