My "by chance" Meeting with Boylan in Olongapo at Mangos in Olongapo City, Philippines. In tribute to Boylan, who I met only once, and I know is a close and long time friend of Daryl's, I would like to share this experience.
I had been living in Manila for about 8 years. I had come to know what this town is all about, as I've had my share of problems here. A couple years back, things really escalated to the point where I considered it was time to leave Manila and head out to greener pastures of the provinces. And, of course, I consulted Daryl regarding this quest. "Go to Olongapo" says Daryl," meet my friends there, take a look at real life in the Philippines." Knowing Daryl for many many years, I take his advice. I pack up the car with the wife and kids and head for Olongapo. I figure, if nothing else this will be a great outing for a weekend away from the various plagues of Manila. Upon arriving in Subic we're like kids in a candy shop. We go all over the place, and eventually end up in the Barrio Barretto. Check into a hotel on the beach, and it would later turn out to be just a few doors down from Mangos, and head out for Tom Myers's place of business and entertainment. I had no idea who I was looking for or what these "friends of Daryl's" would be like. But being the adventurers sort of person I am, I headed out to find Mangos. I found it, and thus the story unfolds.
The timing of my trip could not have been better. I met Tom and his wife, and so many other people who knew Daryl, it was almost as if I was in Daryl's home town. The beers were lined up all over the bar. Stories flying back and forth about experiences everyone had had with Daryl that my head was spinning. We started at around 4:00PM and by now its about 9:00PM. I'd had a river of piss and decided its time to start on my preferred spirit - Jack Daniels on ice with a side of coke - known in Australia as a "delicious." Next thing I know I'm being introduced to Daryl's brother, Brian. Just arrived, illegally (having rowed in from their luxury cruise liner or whatever). And he then commences to knock em back and fill me full of stories of Daryl, their mutual love of music, and different views on life. About this time, Tom comes back over and says to me, "Ron, you've just about met everyone in Daryl's world of family and friends from his time in the Philippines and in particular Olongapo." I'm feeling really good about now. These folks have welcomed me, made feel as a part of the group, and have just been down right friendly. I'm ready to call it a night, get some sleep, and get ready for some house hunting the next day. All of a sudden, Tom is tapping my shoulder again. "Ron" he says, "there's one more guy I'd like to introduce you too, a good and long time friend of Daryl's, this is Boylan."
I look at Boylan, and I make this association with Gilligan from the "Gilligan's Island" TV Show. Minus the hat. The hair and the eyes are the same. I say hey Boylan nice to meet you, I know you through Daryl. Have a seat. The rest is history as they say. The piss started to flow - first San Miguel, then tequila, then sambuca, then - I don't remember. What surprised me about Boylan was Daryl's previous character descriptions of him ( I guess in jest). I was expecting a desperate, forlorn character. The person I met was anything but. Fun loving yes, and highly intelligent as well as committed to his work in the Philippines. We talked and drank for I don't know how many hours. (The next day Tom told me he couldn't believe how many shots were logged in the books.) Boylan and I talked about everything - my problems in Manila, Boylan's suggestions, his work in Bicol, my suggestions, Philippine politics, Philippine culture, language, women, and on and on and on.
We had a great time! And the amazing thing was, in addition to the intensity of the discussions, was that Boylan never seemed to change - from his first drink to the last. Boylan projected an incredible, but yet friendly presence, from the beginning to the end of our time together at Mangos. I finally realize enough is enough, and I am respectfully trying to call it a night and say good-bye to Boylan as well everyone else still at Mango's, I remember Boylan saying, "Ron, I'll be coming to Manila. I'll e-mail you and let you know." Boylan, still as apparently sober as when he walked into Mangos and I first met him. I'm thinking - how the hell does he do it. Then I think, Daryl is right - Boylan is a very special guy. I would later realize I had met a true mate, as the Australians would say. But unfortunately, I was never able to get together with Boylan again. Boylan - it has been a pleasure and honor to have met and known you. We will meet again friend. Until then, ...Ron