With the blessing of the former President, “Big Dick Gordon” stepped in with plans to turn the crumbling military rubbish dump into a port to rival Singapore. Courting Clinton and US corporate dollars he had an exemplary record in attracting investment. But unfortunately for Dick his newest political enemy - incoming President Estrada, did not share his ideas. The former ‘B’ movie star is a man of the Filipino masses. For him, the base and the prostitution it spawned in near-by “Sin City” were a debasing symbol of US domination. When Estrada tried to sack Dick he refused to leave and locked himself in the Bay’s office. But with the help of the anti-terrorist squad they soon had Dick out on the street along with a few frightened investors. This film picks up from here. Interviews with Gordon following the incident reveal his emotional attachment to Subic Bay, still clearly hellbent on gaining control of the port once more. The seedy past of the port is also revealed, with the reporter speaking to Catholic missionary who claimed to have been followed by the Gordon family after criticising Subic Bay for its involvement in the sex industry. An intriguing report on Filipino politics, American foreign control, and the successes and failures of the Subic Bay itself.

Produced by ABC Australia