Comments Posted By John McCrarey
Displaying 31 To 60 Of 6,593 Comments
Brian, yeah, I’ll try landscape next time. It’s a little harder to hold the phone in that position, but I agree that the view is better.
Yeah, you never know. I doubt Lola will be able to afford proper schooling, but the kids seem well-mannered and happy.
Carrying a grudge is a heavy load, for sure. I’m getting better at just letting it go. If someone does me wrong, I’m thankful they showed me who they were.
As for the bars, Whiskey Girl, Queen Victoria, Alaska, and Hot Zone have the same owners. Following the recent passing of Dave Fischer, Wet Spot and Green Room (now renamed Rum Jungle) have a new owner. Voodoo closed but reopened in a new location with a new owner.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/October/2026 @ 5:18 pm
Daeguowl, well, not too bad at saying “hello” considering… 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/October/2026 @ 11:06 pm
Brian, yeah, it was a good time, if for no other reason than it was something different.
That post on the stairway to heaven climb was with the weekly hiking group, not the Hash. But of those pictured, only Scott and I are still regulars. I doubt either of us would be willing to take those steps up to the top now.
Regarding the video, most of the negatives were about unsafe (i.e. Muslim majority) cities in the notorious Mindanao region. Others were rated poorly because of noise and traffic issues. Still, it was poorly done and not very credible. Olongapo City made the list because it compares unfavorably to SBMA next door. That’s apples and oranges. Anyway, you were wise not to waste ten minutes watching it. I’ll do better in choosing in the future.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/October/2026 @ 8:58 am
What a day in the life looks like
Starbuck, glad you enjoyed it!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/October/2026 @ 10:03 am
Peter, nope, she is 100% woman, with a loving American husband who is also a doctor.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/October/2026 @ 10:03 am
Todd, I probably won’t quit my day job to become a full-time lyricist.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/October/2026 @ 7:19 am
Dr. Greg, when the water is out for 10+ days, a tank ain’t gonna do much good. I can wait out an hour or two of brownouts. The all day version gives me a good excuse to get out of town.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/October/2026 @ 10:05 am
Thanks for that, Dr. Greg. Gave me a chuckle. I shared it with Scott and he laughed too.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/October/2026 @ 10:03 am
Brian, yep, garbage everywhere. Welcome to the Philippines!
I had similar thoughts about moving elderly parents to the province life, no matter how cheap the housing is. Medical care would be a big concern. And honestly, if finding a house for less than $100 a month is a concern, they can’t afford to live here.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/October/2026 @ 10:03 am
Horrified, it must be a horrifying existence to go through life with that attitude of yours.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/October/2026 @ 10:00 am
Todd, it was a nice AI joke rendering that I laughed at. Pussy libtards like you need to take a long look in the mirror and say to yourself, “Fuck off, ya cunt.”
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/October/2026 @ 9:59 am
Steps in a different direction
Drain, thanks for the correction. I guess back in the Navy days the river was full of actual shit.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/October/2026 @ 9:57 am
Starbuck, thanks for your feedback. I’ll try to do a “day in the life” post next week that includes all the nitty gritty that fills the hours.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/October/2026 @ 10:08 am
Terry, I see lots of BIG gals on stage, but tall ones are indeed a rarity. Then again, the only thing better than long legs wrapped around your back are short legs trying!
I’m glad you are okay with the current blog format. I have been thinking it was time to update my “Bars of Barretto” series of reviews. Hold on!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/October/2026 @ 10:07 am
Dr. Greg, the link you posted won’t open.
Indeed, the path of life has no return, so you just got to enjoy it while you can.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/October/2026 @ 10:04 am
Terry, the landlord can’t help it if the water and power companies suck. She was happy to collect the rent for another year.
I’ll try to get some dancer pics, but most bars frown on photography. The ones I do post I sneak (usually pretending it’s a selfie) but I can’t use a flash and bar lighting doesn’t make for a good photo.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/October/2026 @ 10:02 am
Brian, yes, there is allegedly going to be a Barretto bypass road. I’d say they’re making progress at a snail’s pace, but I don’t want to offend any snails. We walk out that way every few months, but we don’t see a lot of activity. I’m no engineer, but it appears the road up to the ridgeline is going to be way too steep for trucks to ascend. Anyway, a viable alternative is needed, but I doubt I’ll see it completed in my lifetime.
Hey, if it weren’t for double standards, I would have no standards at all! But yeah, females do get a bum rap for promiscuity.
Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy lots of things that make you happy—young, hot chicks being just one example.
I haven’t watched The Bachelor, but the episode you describe reminds me of this story: I asked a sexy Filipina what attracted her to me. She said, “To be honest, it was that bulge in your pants.” I looked proudly down at my crotch, and she said, “No, not that one,” and pointed at my wallet.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/October/2026 @ 12:40 pm
Jerry, you and the gang go ahead without me. If I selfishly stop drinking, who is gonna keep the bars in business?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/October/2026 @ 9:32 am
Brian, no, there didn’t appear to be any guests at the Kamana Beach Resort during our visit. Granted, it was Wednesday morning, so maybe not that surprising. If I had to guess, I’d say their customer base is likely upper class Filipinos coming up from Manila. Although the resort is off the beaten track, it is relatively close to other tourist attractions like Ocean Adventure, Zoobic Safari (a wild animal park) and it has one of the nicest beaches I’ve seen.
Yeah, it’s been amazing seeing the difference even an hour later makes. Last night, some large groups came into the bars just before 9 p.m. New faces and a whole different vibe in the bar. I think I’m going to enjoy a later schedule. Might even stay out for some of the live music.
The litter problem remains one of my pet peeves about the Philippines. After all these years, I can mostly ignore it, but I still get rankled frequently. I’m sure trash is one of the reasons tourism is down these days.
I’m looking forward to trying my hand at 9-ball. I get it that there is skill involved in making the shots (or in my case luck). What I liked was that you are never really out of the games. You could miss your first eight shots, and your opponent could miss the 9-ball shot, so you still have a chance to win. I understand that you’ve got to hit the number sequence ball first, but I’m fantasizing a scenario where I do a combo shot (my proper ball knocking the 9 into the pocket). If I understand the rules, that’s permissable.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/October/2026 @ 9:31 am
Cactus, you are making a ridiculous assumption. There is nothing unusual or wrong with a Filipina spending time with her family. Why would I “interrogate” her? The foundation of any relationship is trust. She has mine.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/September/2026 @ 8:23 am
Drain, yeah, I picked up on that “holier than thou” attitude, too. It seems to me that money knows no borders, so local and foreigner tourists should be welcomed equally.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/September/2026 @ 12:42 pm
Brian, the thought did cross my mind that these might be side effects, but other than the acid reflux, I doubt it.
Those vertical videos pop up pretty regularly in my Facebook feed (but only when I’m using my phone). They are mostly AI crap, but somewhat entertaining. They try and hook you with a free episode or two, the ask you to subscribe. Nope, I ain’t gonna pay to watch them.
I wonder what happens when one of those self-driving cars violates a traffic law. Surely, you can’t hold the passengers responsible.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/September/2026 @ 2:41 pm
Seamus, Yes, indeed. I’m not a whiskey drinker, but I’ve done that whiskey-laced hot drink thing before. Actually considered it yesterday, but stuck with beer anyway.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/September/2026 @ 2:35 pm
Thanks for the feedback, Willem. I could certainly live a healthier lifestyle. Then again, that voice in my head keeps saying, “What’s the point of living if you can’t do (and eat) the things you enjoy?”
» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/September/2026 @ 2:33 pm
Brian, I was thinking in terms of one of those small two passenger elevators that would be attached on the outside of the building. Then maybe having drunks in a elevator might not be a good idea, someone gets hurt and the bar owner is liable.
Yep, that guy has Champs, Whiskey Girl, Crazy Horse, Voodoo, MacArthur’s, Tryst, and BarCelona. Two other venues he purchased have already shut down. That money laundering thing has also crossed my mind.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/September/2026 @ 2:46 pm
Brian, yeah, that’s a fair point. BarCelona never lived up to its potential. I always said the should set up meat grilling on the open-air patio. Come for the food, stay for the beer. And yeah, I think a small elevator would pay for itself eventually.
I can’t figure out the motivation of this guy who is buying all the bars. From what I’ve seen, there isn’t enough business to pay the rent, let alone make a profit. It’s a common saying in the PI that if you want to be a millionaire, start with two million.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/September/2026 @ 12:53 pm
Thank you, Seamus. I hope it turns out that way. I still don’t have good discipline about not eating what I shouldn’t, but at least my appetite is reduced, so I don’t eat as much.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/September/2026 @ 12:48 pm
Sean, I’m not sure if I’m ignorant or apathetic, but I don’t know and I don’t care.
Actually, I know that a quad bike is an four-wheel all terrain vehicle (ATV). You prior comment was deleted because it was not related in any way, shape, or form to anything I’ve posted on the blog. Them’s the rules.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/September/2026 @ 3:00 pm
Robert, I don’t know what Cliff said because he spoke in a normal voice, and I couldn’t hear him. The other guy screamed and cursed at the top of his lungs, but he made no intelligent arguments. Most of the left-wing people I encounter don’t seem to care about anyone with contrary viewpoints. They’re often unkind, stupid, and bigoted toward anyone outside their tribe. As for the elephant in the room, perhaps you’re looking in a mirror?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/September/2026 @ 3:35 pm
«« Back To Stats PageTerry, I hope Karma bites those violent punks big-time.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/September/2026 @ 12:37 pm