Olongapo Hotels

Outstanding Olongapo

According to local legend, Olongapo got its name from the hysterical cries of a boy who found a tribesman’s head spiked on top of a bamboo pole. This cosmopolitan Philippines city is now considerably less barbaric, but rich tradition still lies within the throbbing metropolis and picturesque Subic Bay surrounds. ... Read more »

Beastly behaviour is now predominantly confined to the small-but-awesome Cubi Point Zoo, a place that houses everything from monkeys and boars to butterflies and turtles. More amicable is Friendship Park, a long and narrow expanse of green that sees locals and tourists coexisting peacefully. Lastly, don’t pass up a visit to the Royal Subic Duty Free Mall. There are epic bargains to be found – and if you’re going to get your claws out anywhere, this is the place to do it!

Olongapo’s Top 10

10. World Peace Memorial This monument welcomes you into Olongapo, and was erected to honour those who fought in the Battle of Zig Zag Pass during WWII.	5. Grotto of our Lady of Pardon This isn’t a grand church by any means, but it’s very special to the locals.
9. Gordon Memorial Park This picture-perfect park is also the burial place for the ‘Father of Olongapo City’, Mayor James Gordon.	4. US Naval Base This old US Navy support base now houses one of the most important pieces of national history, the Spanish Gate.
8. Subic Extreme Adventure Park Abseil down a cliff and get some extreme white-water action!	3. Olongapo City Museum A quick way to explore the city’s history and learn about its traditions.
7. Bat Kingdom Look out for the teeny-tiny native bamboo bat amongst the thousands of other bats going about their daily business.	2. Hill 394 At 394 metres (1,292 feet) high (hence the name), this is a popular spot for views and romancing.
6. Subic Bay Lighthouse Set your camera to ‘panoramic’ and climb to the top of this lighthouse for awesome city views.	1. Magsaysay Drive and Rizal Avenue These iconic CBD strips are home to all the best places to eat and drink your money away.

Olongapo History

Ulo ng Apo – The name means 'Old Man’s Head' and represents a symbol of unity of the warring tribes that once lived in the area to which the modern city owes its name.
Olongapo Lighthouse – Enjoy a leisurely, scenic drive to the old lighthouse located in Subic Bay.
World Peace Memorial – Upon entering the city of Olongapo, the memorial not only servers as a greeting but a memorial to those that fought in the Zigzag Pass during World War II.
James L Gordon Memorial – Erected to the local hero and first mayor of Olongapo, the statue is located in Marikit Park.
Spanish Gate – This gate is now inside the US naval base and serves as a poignant reminder of Spain’s dominance in the 19th century.

Olongapo Art & Culture

Olongapo City Museum – The museum opened in 2003 with paintings, dioramas and artifacts detailing the city’s history.
La Naval Festival – Beginning on December 5, this nine-day religious festival celebrates the Virgin Mary.
Bonifacio Day – This celebration on November 28 is held in honour of Filipino leader Andreas Bonifacio.
Ulo ng Apo Festival – Locals celebrate Olongapo history during this popular October festival.
Grotto of Our Lady of Pardon – Located in Barangay Mabayuan, it is a sacred place where many Catholics pay homage to the Lady of Pardon.

Olongapo Shopping

Olongapo City Mall – A shopping centre that caters to the more affluent.
Royal Subic – The largest store in Olongapo, carrying numerous and sundry items.
National Bookstore – Houses a small café and stocks a large variety of magazines and books for sale.
Bretto’s – A meat shop that sells ground beef, chicken sausage and steaks.
Pure Gold – A large warehouse in which a wide range of goods and items are always available.

Gay & Lesbian Olongapo

Cross Road Disco Bar – Gay bar with male performers, serving drinks and appetizers.
Club Government – A dance hall, bar and disco in Olongapo that caters to the young gay community.
K Salon – A gay salon that is open to everyone. Security can be a problem, so be careful.
Golden Peacock – The original location of the Silver Star, it is now a gay club.
Pier One Bar and Grill – A gay-friendly restaurant located in Moonbay Marina.

Olongapo Events

January’s Santo Nino Festival is an important two-day event held in honour of the Holy Child. It features more than 200 pieces of Jesus portraiture.

Holy Week is celebrated in March/April with Senakulo, a festival marked by parades, religious plays and a re-enactment of Jesus’ life and death.

If juice isn’t running down your chin, you’re not doing the Dinamulag Mango Festival properly. It’s held every April to celebrate/promote Zambales’ mango industry.

In September, the city partakes in the nationwide Tourism Week. Celebrating all things Filipino, this fiesta is packed with traditional performances, parades, firework displays and a mountain of native food.

The Ulo ng Apo Festival in October is probably the city’s biggest event. If you don’t recognise the Filo celebs, you’ll appreciate the street parties and free-flowing booze.

When To Go

June to October is Olongapo’s wet season, bringing storms and lots of rain.
For warmth and sunshine, head to Olongapo between March and May.
May’s humidity can, however, be a rough ride – and temperatures often get close to 37.5ºC (100ºF).

Getting Around

Victory Liner buses are fast and well priced, but have limited stops. For travelling around the city centre, though, they are a good option.
Jeepneys aren’t the fastest of vehicles but they are a fun and cheap way to get around.
The traffic in Olongapo is rough, so don’t bother hiring a car.

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