When I was stationed at Subic Bay in 70’s and 80’s a Philippine haircut was something you didn’t want to get. Let’s just say nothing above the waist was cut and it wasn’t done by a licensed barber. But after I was stationed there for awhile I started going to a small barber shop for my weekly haircut to conform to Navy regulations. Although the Americans hair was a little different than Asian hair the barbers did an outstanding job. Throw in the neck and back massage and the neck cracking and you had the makings of a real haircut in my book. And I can’t leave out the shave with a straight razor which always had thoughts running through my mind of what could happen if this guy was having a bad day or didn’t like Americans.

These haircuts were just the same kind of haircuts my father or grandfather got in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s and they probably paid the same, about $1. These days in the States the small barbershops are far and few between and a good haircut costs $7-10. If there is not a small barbershop close by you will end up going to a hairdresser and paying upwards of $20 per cut.

In the Philippines I understand the small barbershop is still around, more so than in the States and the price hasn’t changed that much. You still get the great service and personal attention that I believe is one of the best things about the Philippines. One of the first items on the agenda when getting back to my home in Laguna is to find the best small barbershop around. There are a couple of malls within trike or walking distance of my house so I will have to pass them up in my quest and find that hidden gem within the small shops surrounding Pavillion and SM malls. Anyone know of any good shops in that area?