RAO Subic Office will be closed on the following Philippine and/or U.S. Holidays below:

• May 1, 2023 (Monday) - Philippine Labor Day
• May 29, 2023 (Monday) - U.S. Memorial Day

• June 12, 2023 (Monday) - Philippine Independence Day
• June 28, 2023 (Wednesday) - Eid al-Adha

As dozens of migrants check in to Orange County, New York hotels, the county’s executive has sued to stop the immigration surge after watching veterans get kicked out for migrant vacancies.

"We're waiting, hopefully, today to get a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court. We're in front of a judge right now, we're waiting for her to make a decision which would help us, but we are really on our own," Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus said on "Varney & Co." Monday.

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My apologies, in my haste to get the word out on Richards services, I inadvertantly left out some very important family members. Please see last paragraph of post for correction.

Services for Richard Alan Hall - EMCM U.S. Navy Retired, age 73, who passed away unexpectedly in Subic, Zambales on the 20th of April 2023. The Rendering of Military Honors will be held Thursday the 18th of May 2023 at 10:a.m. at the Hall of Flags and following Military Honors the Fallen Comrade will be Laid to Rest with an Inurnment Burial at Clark Veterans Cemetery, CFZ, Angeles City.

Richard who was a long time resident of the Subic Bay area, was very popular and strongly admired. Born in England and then moving to the U.S. at an early age,, Richard dedicated his life to his adopted country, serving 30 years in the U.S. Navy, and later to many in the Philippines. Loving, caring, and giving, are the words most heard when Richard was discussed. A man of many talents too voluminous to list, Richard was a friend to all in need.

Coincidentally his inurnment date will be on th anniversary of the Mt. St. Helens eruption in Washington state, where he resided for some years. Richard was not a stranger to adversity caused by nature,, as during his time in the Philippines Mt. Pinatubo erutped and he spend many hours shoveling the ash from neighbors roofs, so they would not collapse.

Richard will be remembered by his shipmates as a friend and mentor, and by his fabulous and loving sister Janie, his brother Michael, his very loving and wonderful daughter Nicole, and his fabulous Mom Hazel, a 102 year old powerhouse. Fair winds and following sea's Brother!

Burial for Robert Kuehl has been confirmed for 0930 11 May. Richard Hall has been delayed at the request of the family to permit friends living outside Phil to attend. Will publish new date when confirmed, Thank you.

Remember the good old days when you only received a text from a friend or family member? Well, sadly, those days are gone. Now it seems like every week, I get mysterious texts that come out of nowhere, claiming to be from my bank or another financial institution – or even an advertisement for something – yet I am never sure whether they are legit. Right now, cybercriminals are working overtime to target and take advantage of us with what's known as a smishing scam.

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If you own an Android, you already know that there are tons of tricks you can do within your smartphone that can make using it much easier. However, there may be some hidden ones that you’re unaware of, and we’ve got 5 great tips for you to start using with your Android right now.

Note: Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Click here to read more.

Throughout U.S. history, brave men and women have fought, bled and died for our country and freedom. All those who have ever served honorably deserve the highest respect. Yet there are times when some rise above the call of duty and perform their service in a way that makes them legends among heroes.

Medals and decorations differ between time periods, as well as between branches of the military, so it is impossible to say exactly who the most decorated or most highly decorated service members are with absolute clarity. In fact, the only thing tougher than these brave men is trying to compare them.

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RAO Subic will be closed on 21 May (Friday) and 1 May (Monday) in conjunction with the U S Embassy closures. Those who planned on seeing the Taxman will need to reschedule for the following Friday Please be aware the VA will also be closed these days. Thank you.

Below you'll find a listing of those members who our records indicate have not renewed their CY-2023 membership. We have in respect for their privacy and anonymity listed them by first name.

To find if you are on the list, scan the first name column and corresponding box number. If listed, our records indicate you have not renewed. Effectively, you are no longer listed as a member of RAO Subic. We are now into the fourth month of the year and in order to project our viability we need to see where we stand operationally toward the end of the year. If you should have mail in your box, we cannot legally hold mail beyond a few days. Therefore we must return it to FPO, for further return to the sender. We also have to advise FPO to not forward any further mailings to us to closed boxes. We will then begin reassigning these box numbers to newly joining members. We are sure you are aware of the problems this may cause to former members, as they will no longer receive checks, correspondence and medications, through FPO. If you do appear on this list you will need to take immediate action in notifying your senders of your new mailing address.

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Navajo code talker John Kinsel, Sr. celebrated a major milestone earlier this year — his 106th birthday.

Who were the World War II Navajo Code Talkers?

During World War II, the U.S. Marines selected a group of Navajo men who created an impenetrable code based on the "complex, unwritten Navajo language" according to Intelligence.gov. They became known as the Navajo Code Talkers.

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Please be advised that until further notice, all outpatient and inpatient hospital care at James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City, Subic, Philippines will not be cost-shared by the TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP), as this facility is currently reviewing agreed standards and responsibilities with International SOS Government Services, Inc., the TOP Contractor. As a result, TOP beneficiaries interested in receiving medical care from James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital will be required to pay upfront. To find other Certified/Preferred Providers in the Philippines near you, please use the Philippine Provider Search Tool.

Patients will no longer need to fast for most routine blood testing at VA medical centers and outpatient clinics.

The announcement came from the VA office of Clinical Services, which highlightes that most routine blood tests, including those for managing high cholesterol and diabetes, no longer require overnight fasting for the results to be accurate.

This is not yet in effect at VAOPC, when it is we will publish it

Hey Lads and Lassies, guess what tomorrow is... Time to break out the green beer, Saint Patrick's Day.

Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland.

Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, lit. 'the Day of the Festival of Patrick'), is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. 385 – c. 461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland.

Some family friends in Olongapo need O negative blood. If you can help, please msg me.

Good PM friends! I would like to ask for your help. Our family is in need of a type O-(negative) blood. If you happen to know someone or where we can find this type of blood please help to pm me. Really appreciate the help and kindness. Thank you and God bless!!

Message for U.S. Citizens: Social Security Administration Remote Services at Consular Agency Cebu March 21 – 23, 2023.

U.S. Embassy representatives from the Social Security Administration (SSA) will conduct a remote services event at the Consular Agency in Cebu from Tuesday, March 21, through Thursday, March 23, 2023.

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Two new email phishing scams are on the rise for those who use Facebook or have an Apple product. Evidence confirms that scammers are trying to get a hold of your personal and private information, and I want to tell you how to stop them.

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A popular artificial sweetener, erythritol, could raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, a new study from the Cleveland Clinic revealed.

Researchers evaluated more than 4,000 people in the U.S. and Europe. Those who consumed high amounts of erythritol had a greater risk of developing major adverse cardiovascular events, which could include stroke, heart attack or death.

The study, published in Nature Medicine, found that erythritol may contribute to the formation of blood clots, a major trigger for cardiac events.

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WASHINGTON — Beginning March 1, VA is increasing the maximum amount of life insurance coverage available to Veterans and service members from $400,000 to $500,000 for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) and Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI). This increase in coverage reflects the current cost of living and helps ensure that the families of Veterans and service members will have the financial support they deserve after their loved ones pass away.

Veterans who are under age 60 and currently enrolled in VGLI will be able to purchase additional coverage in $25,000 increments up to $500,000. All active duty, guard, and reserve service members eligible for SGLI will automatically receive the increased coverage on March 1.

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Some of our members are running into problems getting meds now that VA is closed down. A member has forwarded the below info regarding a Dr friend of his who is interested in helping our vets. The member has known him for years and vouches for him enthusiastically!

The RAO does not know him and can't endorse but if you need help give him a try and see.

DANIEL SALVADOR L. REDOÑA, MD

Ophthalmologist-Natural Medicine

09281952272

Clinic Address: JH ORIENTAL MEDICAL CLINIC Blk 48 Lot 10 Friendship Highway Bgy Cutcut, Angeles City 2009 Pampanga

Making Subic Experience Awesome! SubicGo.com is a tourism portal designed for local and international tourists visiting the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

SubicGo

GREAT NEWS!
Its official, as of today 16 August 2018, Ace/Baypointe is authorized to accept Tricare patients under the Preferred Provider category. You will have to check with the HMO office to ensure your Dr. is also on the Preferred Provider list. There are currently 31 Dr's who are, but check to be sure or you will have to pay the Dr's fees.

And oh by the way, please resist the urge to repeat the bad news bears (you know the ones who have their names stenciled on the back of their bar stool) who are spreading rumors about ACE BAYPOINTE and Medical City Clark suspending FMP due to non payment. IT DIDNT HAPPEN! Medical city Ortigas did due to non payment by FMP. Come to find out they gave FMP the wrong mailing address to which FMP mailed the payments. All is fixed now and they have withdrawn the suspension.Â

Old saying better to be quiet and be thought a fool, than opening mouth and leave no doubt.

I have taken the opportunity to compile a list of what Drs, and Specialties AT ACE BAYPOINTE, to the best of my knowledge are also certified as preferred providers. The hospital is in the process of adding to this list. As you all are aware this list changes without notice, so before getting treatment it would be to your benefit to check with the hospital HMO office to ensure the Dr you will receive treatment from is in fact still certified as preferred. The HMO can be reached at 047-250-6070 ext 283 or 507.

Name Name	Specialization Specialization	Gender Gender
Ablang, Alberto Mariano, MD	Pediatrics, Critical Care	Male
Ablang, Marietta, MD	Internal Medicine, Cardiology	Female
Aguila, Beverly, MD	Internal Medicine, Cardiology	Female
Aguila, Beverly, MD	Internal Medicine, Cardiology	Female
Aguilar, Rodrigo	Gastronology/Int Med	Male
Alconga, Rudy	Pediatrics	Male
Bernal, Gerald, MD	Internal Medicine, Cardiology	Male
Bongco, Jesusa	Anesthesiology	Female
Bongco, Rosario	Endocrinology	Male
Bustamante, Rodrick	Anesthesiology	Male
Calapatia, David, MD	Family Medicine	Male
Cepeda, Armando, MD	Surgery, General	Male
Cepeda, Monette, MD	Neurology	Female
De Castro, Felicisimo, MD	Ophthalmology	Male
De Castro, Ma. Gloria, MD	Obstetrics & Gynecology	Female
Dela Cruz, Anthony, MD	Internal Medicine, Diabetology; Occupational Health	Male
Dela Paz, Emmanuel, MD	Orthopedics	Male
DeLeon, Roberto	Gen Surgery	Male
Edejer, Karl Erjon, MD	Anesthesiology	Male
Guevara, Luis, MD	Radiology	Male
Hipolito, Charina	Internal Medicine, Pulmonology	Female
Mallari, Lourdes	ENT Ear, Nose,Throat	Female
Mangahas, Rolan	Opthamology	Male
Manuel, Jesse Jewel, MD	Surgery, Orthopedic	Male
Mendoza, Arturo, Jr., MD	Surgery, General (Laparoscopic)	Male
Ocampo, Armida, MD	Internal Medicine, Pulmonology	Female
Pasqual, Jeanette	Orthopedics	Male
Rojo, Margaret, MD	Anesthesiology	Female
Santos, Wilfredo, MD	Surgery, General ; Surgery, Oncology	Male
Soriano, Maria Agnes, MD	Internal Medicine, Diabetology	Female
Tablan, Apolonario Jr	Urology	Male
Velchez, Carlos	Hematology/Int Med	Male
Hipolito, Charina	Internal Medicine, Pulmonology	Female
Villareal, Paolo, MD	Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology	Male

FMP/Tricare

We continue to see vets who are receiving EOB's and checks for treatment at Medical City and Baypointe (ACE). Please be aware you should not cash these checks. They should be given to the hospitals. Should you cash the check a few things can happen, 1st FMP or Tricare may demand repayment, if you don't they can notify the IRS and either a garnishment or 1099 will be received and they get their money in the end possibly including interest. It can also be placed on your credit report. Secondly, you may be refused future treatment at the hospitals as you have an outstanding balance. Worst of all we may lose the hospitals as providers for FMP or Tricare. Sure wouldn't want to be the guy who causes all your fellow vets to lose that, they might be a little pissed when they find out it was you! You know how quickly word spreads around here!

Videos

Just want to draw your attention to some very useful videos being offered for free through va by psycharmor. View their catalog at PsychoArmor Institute.

Urgent Update: Reimbursment Checks:

It appears there is a malfunction with both TRICARE and FMP regarding reimbursement checks. They incorrectly recently have been sending the checks to the veteran vice the provider. Both have been notified this is the incorrect way to handle these checks! If you receive a check for a claim that was filed by the Hospital, please do not cash it. The hospitals participation was negotiated so that the hospital would receive payment. If they do not we will lose their services. The payment must be taken to the hospital and signed over to them to be encashed.

Special thank you to police station 6 Barrio Baretto for notification of recently deceased American Citizen! Their handling of situation was extremely professional, thanks SPO De Leon.