Gaines Beach - Revisited
During my trip to the Philippines in the year 2000, I followed up on a request to investigate the former Gaines Beach. If you ever partied at this location, or knew Ernest Gaines and his wife personally, I'm sure you will find this trip of mine interesting.
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#1
The sign that we found posted along side the highway in Barrio
Barretto. Note that the sign says "Former Gaines Beach"
and that the beach is now named "Pines Beach Resort".
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#2
A bar we found located between the highway and beach area. Not
sure if this bar was there during the time of Gaines Beach. The
sign above suggests the name of this bar as "Bamboo
Inn".
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#5
These photos shows what the beach area looks like in Subic City
where we hired the boat that took us across to Gaines Beach. This
location is directly next to White Rock Beach.
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#6
A look at our transportion we hired for the trip across water to
Gaines Beach.
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#8
Getting prepared to set way for Gaines Beach.
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#9
Our navigators for the trip to Gaines Beach and back. Subic City
in the background.
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#11
A look at White Rock Beach as we were departing for Gaines Beach.
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#15
Coming up on Pequena Island on our way to Gaines Beach.
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#16
Passing Pequena Island on our way to Gaines Beach.
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#18
Arriving at Gaines Beach.
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#19
Beach area. Note painted sections on trees done by former Gaines
Beach.
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#21
Remnants from the former Gaines Beach.
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#22
Pond located not far from the former bar area of Gaines Beach.
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#23
Former Gaines Beach Rooms. Still in good condition and being
used.
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#25
The outdoor partying area located next to the former Gaines Beach
Bar.
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#29
Former bar of Gaines Beach. This I found to be a sad site.
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#30
Another out building located behind the bar location. Not sure
what this building was and no one could tell me. Tons of over
growth making it impossible to approach this building
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#31
We asked to see the location for the resting place of Ernest
Gaines. This is a photo of our guide.
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#33
Now for the saddest part of our trip to Gaines Beach. The resting
place of Ernest Gaines himself. We found two American Flags
located on the site. One flag had showed age. The other was much
newer. We made sure to place the flags uniformally over his
resting place before leaving. A prayer and salute was also
rendered.
PAST HISTORY - GAINES BEACH
Remembering one of the finest former delights of the Philippines. Seems just like yesterday, (1977) that me and my "niece" streaked the bar one night and Ernie got quite a kick out of it. Of course, 'Momma" disapproved. He started out with a Banca Boat factory, from the remains of the WWII Sub Base. His workers, not understanding the difference between 220V and 110V promptly burned up most of his stateside tools. So much for the boat enterprise.
Because of its somewhat sheltered location, boaters started to visit there for picnics on the beach. Capitalizing on the potential for a new source of income, Ernie and his wife built about 4 duplex nipa huts for the visitors. Later, he built several singles for the visiting servicemen from Subic. All he officially served at his beach house was beverages but with sincere pleading from his regulars, he did provide a limited menu for adequate sustenance until we returned to town. Although he could have exploited his property into a first class resort, he chose to keep it mostly morally clean and aimed at the family trade instead. But he did make exceptions for friends.
Only the ones who have experienced Gaines' Beach, (and its sheltered waters) can fully appreciate the true Tropical Magic of their experience. Totally Priceless! Those times are missed and so is Ernie. Don
PHOTOS FROM THE PAST - GAINES BEACH
1978 - #001 -
k -
1978 - #002 - k -
1978 - #003 - k -
1978 - #004 - k -
1978 - #005 - k -
1978 - #006 - k -
FINAL BITS OF INFORMATION
We inquired the present tendents of the former Gaines Beach to the where abouts of Miss Gaines. It was thought that she sold the bar shortly after the death of her husband, came to the US and remarried.
There was also a building built close to the beach toward the Subic side of the former Gaines Beach Bar area. It can be seen in photo #17 back in the trees. The ramp you see extending out to the water, in that same photo, looked to be from a lane out of a bowling alley.
There did not seem to be much activity at this location. Looked to be all Filipino that worked or lived in the area. No Americans were seen.
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