Just one visit to Angeles City and you will never be the same. There are no taboos here and just about everything is accepted openly. In many ways better than the restrictive culture of America, where almost all forms of behavior are questioned by one group or another. Yes, it is a culture shock when you arrive here and see countless middle aged men walking down the street hand in hand with a lovely young beauty (or two). The women here are openly friendly and hopeful of meeting an American man for friendship and a possible relationship.
None of that cat and mouse game you play at bars in America. If a girl likes you, she lets you know. And you can feel comnfortable to walk up and talk to any single woman you see. They will not reject you, and even if they have a boy friend, they will inform you right away. It's no wonder so many ex-pats are living over here. And the fact you can rent a nice apartment for $200 to $300 a month! A house mught cost you four to five hundred. With the streets lined with bars, and a motley crew of refugees from all over the world walking around, you would think there would be trouble aplenty. NOT THE CASE at all!
There are NO fights over women because there are so many available. And no fights over money, because everyone feels rich over here. I just had a big breakfast (American style) for under $3. And my nice hotel room here is costing me about $22 a day. And everywhere guys walk around with a pool cue on their arm. Last night I played with Singapore Johnny, the best player in Angeles, except for the pro Rolando Garcia. Many people watched us spar, he was a former sub on Singapore's Asian Games team. He was a top flight Snooker player before taking up pool when he arrived here 14 years ago. We played 9-Ball on a good Kangeroo (filipino) table, which resembles a Gold Crown.
I had trouble adjusting to the cloth, which was some off brand, and the table speed baffled me even after two hours of play. What happened to the old Jay who could figure out any table in 30 minutes or less? We played Ring Game Ten Ball first with Darryl Nordquist and a man named Dave from the U.S. I know Darryl from years ago in Long Beach, CA where he was one of the better players. His wife is filipino and they have lived here over 15 years now. He is the second best player in town after Johnny. Dave looks like a guy who has played pool all his life and must have been a reasonably good bar table player once upon a time. That's how I read him.
I think I may have come out on top in the Ring Game along with Johnny, so we made a date to meet that night in the local pool hall called Horizons. I know I backtracked a little here. Horizons also had a Kangeroo table, that was the one I had trouble adjusting too. And Johnny pummelled me in 9-Ball, probably winning two thirds of the games. No bet was involved, only citywide supremacy.
I am NOT the best player in Angeles! It's Johnny. Someone asked me if I play for money and would I be willing to play Johnny. I said he could bet what he wanted at One Pocket or Banks. End of conversation.
I hope I don't offend anyone with my tales of Angeles City, but I try to tell it just like I see it. No holds barred. I am staying just around the corner from where Ted Lerner lives, my co-commentator on the recent WPC TV shows. He has a nice 3BR house where he lives with his lovely wife Aurora (filipino) and 13 year old daughter Shanti. He first visited 17 years ago and has lived here for 14 years now. He has encouraged me to think of a move here, but my family and business in the states make that impossible now. Maybe some day. I like it here, not quite so crowded and much cleaner air. And far less expensive than Manila.
