Prostitutes Olongapo
The Contemporary Scene
Olongapo City Ladies are featured on FilipinoCupid.com. There are about two dozen girly bars (or go go bars) spread along the main coastal road (Olongapo-Bugallon Rd), plus many more smaller venues tucked away in side streets. Prostitution in the Philippines is illegal, although somewhat tolerated, with law enforcement rarely targeting sex workers directly. This situation reflects the ongoing saga of exploitation surrounding the former US bases. The Olongapo Subic Lady Walk Facebook group appears focused on adult entertainment, specifically prostitution and sex work. Books like “Sheridan – Women In History / World History” might cover similar contexts. Although recognized as illegal, prostitution in Olongapo is widely practiced, often actively backed by the state through euphemisms related to the sex trade. Her eyes betrayed no shock at the sights of the quay, familiar with the area’s reputation.
Military Foundations and Scale
Works like “Prostitution and the Bases” (BS Go, 1987) or studies from Sheridan, WY, document that in the 80s and early 90s, prostitution was the primary means of survival for most women in Olongapo City, situated near the Subic Naval Base. Military prostitution boomed during the US base era. Studies (LM Moselina, 1979) highlight that alongside the huge influx of American seamen came significant problems of prostitution and drug abuse. By the end of the 1980s, there were an estimated 500 brothels and 15,000 prostitutes in Olongapo servicing the naval base demand. Clark Air Base nearby had a similar scene. Surveys (Virginia A. Miralao, Celia O. Carlos, etc.) detail that estimates suggested 50,000 to 55,000 women worked as prostitutes during the base era. Sex drove the economy outside the base, creating boom towns like Olongapo.
Enduring Impact and Response
This environment contributes to emerging patterns of HIV infection. Clubs in Olongapo are registered, and women working in them have permits, yet prostitution itself remains illegal. This institutionalization means women are employed by bars under hospitality guises. The large number of prostitutes and servicemen produced many Amerasian children. Organizations like Buklod Center (established 1987) work as drop-in centers offering support and alternatives. YWAM Olongapo has rescued women from prostitution and provides housing. Stories like Pia Agustin Corvera’s, who became a prostitute at age 9, are tragically common. Reporting from the 1980s noted 16,000 prostitutes; now there are far fewer (around 500), though the trade persists through freelance escorts and bars in areas like Barretto.
*TAGS* – Subic Naval Base prostitution, Amerasian children legacy, bar women permits
