 Located at the southern entry point to Zimbales province and at the north-western edge of Subic Bay, the city of Olongapo shares a place on the island of Luzon with Manila, the capital of the Philippines.
This growing urban area of more than 400,000 residents is situated approximately 70 miles north of the capital city. With a land area totalling more than 18,500 hectares, it comprises 17 districts (barangay), including the resort area of Barrio Baretto, the Negrito resettlement areas and a former US naval base.
 The terrain surrounding Olongapo City is largely mountainous: on three sides the Zambales mountains rise steeply above the city, and Subic Bay forms the border to the southeast. The city’s growth from a small fishing village to a sizable city has been the result of a steady influx of migrants from many parts of the country, originally attracted by work at the naval base and in the shipping industry, and later at the booming industrial base and the Subic Bay Freeport.
Olongapo City boasts accommodation choices that range from modest, inexpensive hotels to five-star deluxe resorts. Most of the resort properties are located at Barrio Barretto. During peak tourist season, accommodations fill up quickly. It’s important to make reservations in advance of your arrival during peak periods. In addition to plenty of hotel options, there’s an excellent variety of restaurants and an active nightlife that includes clubs and casinos.
 Each year greater numbers of domestic and international tourists come to Olongapo and Subic Bay, drawn by the spectacular diving opportunities afforded by the many shipwrecks at the bottom of the bay. The transformation of the Subic naval base into a free port and the expansion of tourism infrastructure, recreational and eco-tourism options have led to Olongapo’s popularity. Olongapo is the perfect base from which to explore the coastline around Subic Bay, Mount Pinatubo and Bataan.
History
Olongapo’s story has a number of variations, but the most widely touted is the tale of a beloved chieftain by the name of Apo, who was beheaded and impaled on a bamboo pole in a small fishing village. His tribe was demoralised by his demise and the gruesome discovery, but this act rallied them to become more unified. Their lovely village on the shores of Subic Bay took its name from the event Ulo ng Apo, which translates as ‘head of the chieftain’.
By the late 19th century, this small fishing village with its deep, protected natural harbour had attracted the attention of Spanish explorers, and was chosen as a port for their ships. Over time, the base developed as the headquarters for a sizable naval fleet and the site of a major shipyard.
 From the time the Spanish arrived in Olongapo, the history of all of the Subic Bay area was shaped by foreign occupation. American forces took control of the region near the turn of the 20th century, establishing an important naval air station at Subic Bay. A few decades later, during WWII, Japanese forces occupied the facilities they found here, and utilised the shipyard to produce patrol boats.
Throughout the war and in the period following the end of WWII, the area experienced a growing military presence that required increasing numbers of civilian support staff, factors which contributed significantly to the local economy.
The small provincial village of Olongapo had soon grown into a bustling community. By late 1959, after the US had turned the naval base over to the Philippine government, the village was elevated to municipality status. By 1966 Olongapo was declared a city, becoming the first area of central Luzon to become urbanised.
The city has continued to grow, and in recent years has begun to attract diving enthusiasts from around the world. The shipwrecks at the bottom of Subic Bay provide seemingly endless opportunities to explore the ruins of 27 ships, most of which sank during WWII. In addition, the variety of attractions and the natural beauty of the mountainous and jungle terrain continue to lure international tourists to the region.
Weather
From late October through February, the weather in tropical Olongapo is relatively cool. Temperatures increase slightly from March to May, which are the warmest months of the year in this part of the Philippines. The rainy season begins in June and continues through October. At times rains are heavy and flooding can occur. Temperatures range from an average of around 25°C degrees in November to around 28°C in May.
Olongapo is at its best for tourists between November and February, when the weather is dry and daytime temperatures range from cool to warm. This is the driest time of the year, and conditions are most favourable for all types of outdoor activity. This is also the most popular time of year with visitors to the area, making it a good idea to make travel plans, including hotel reservations, in advance.
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