PHILIPPINE NAVY: NAGLALAYAG PARA SA KAPAYAPAAN.mp4

WHO SAYS WE CAN’T: A SAILOR’S TALE OF UNQUESTIONABLE COURAGE AND DEDICATION

On our sixth day of roll-and-pitch sail in the Pacific Ocean from Hawaii to Guam, we had written almost all the stories about BRP Alcaraz; except of course the required daily chronicle of the ship’s journey. I’m afraid we are losing topics but when I had a breaking dawn chat with some of the crew while we are healing seasickness at the fantail due to big rolling swells, I realized we still have a lot of things to write about. What caught my attention and sealed into my imagination was the challenge the crew received from their counterparts in the US Coast Guard.

BRP Ramon Alcaraz, formerly named USS Dallas, is a high endurance cutter designed and previously manned by more than 200 US crew members. With 88 Philippine Navy officers and enlisted personnel assigned to the ship after its acquisition from the US government, I hate to say this but the USCG personnel raised doubt if the PN sailors can bring the ship to the Philippines, considering the moods of the Caribbean Sea and the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. Well, I know the word doubt is a big deal; but I can see the greatest challenge that the ship’s command team will face. I know 88 is just a number, but the quality of these 88 sailors is three times or even five times, and their courage and dedication is closes to infinity.

I remember a dialogue from the American movie “The Great Debaters,” delivered by and between the characters Dr. James Farmer Sr. and his son James Jr. The father said “what is the greatest weakness of a person,” and the son answered “doubt is the greatest weakness of a person.” Surely any doubt if the PN sailors can bring Alcaraz to the Philippines became a challenge and an underlying motivation for the crew to accomplish the voyage mission. Even retired and active Fil-Ams in the US Navy lamented that Filipinos can perform multi tasks so whether or not the 88 personnel off BRP Alcaraz can bring the ship to the Philippines is no longer a concern because they know that each and every PN personnel can make a difference.  

Filipinos are fast learners. With more than a year of training and interaction with the USGC personnel, the crew of BRP Alcaraz is more than capable to sail the ship to Philippines. To think that they themselves took turns in assembling the engine and in conditioning the other machineries on board.

The courage and dedication of BRP Alcaraz’s crew is exemplary. Along with these is the true commitment and nationalism that are entrenched in their hearts. This is why no one among the crew members of the ship deserted his post to stay illegally in the US. That, I think, is the greatest display of nationalism. No one among them became selfish and was able to prove his oath of making the Filipinos proud of them. The officers and men of BRP Alcaraz just enjoyed the opportunity of being part of the crew of the ship and will stay committed to their sworn duties and responsibilities in the Philippines
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MOONLIGHT IN THE PACIFIC

With only two nights remaining, we will be arriving Guam, the fifth and final port stop of BRP Alcaraz before she proceed to its final leg of her voyage to the Philippines.

We have been sailing for 10 days now. I’m not aware of the time. I just rely on my body clock. I always wake up very early and hang out on my favorite place aboard – the fantail. For four straight days, I have been spending the dawn in the fantail with a full view of the stars and the moon. With great visuals of these astronomical elements, I am sure the duty personnel at the bridge can practice celestial navigation.

Observing the position of the moon just above the ship, I assume the time is past midnight, just like at noon time when the sun is dead above us and our shadow is right down at our feet. If not on my body clock, I would also think I have sleeping disorder. But it’s not.

When I check on the local time, it’s 5 a.m. I wonder why is the moon so shining just above me yet it’s near to sunset. Well, I guess that’s the wonder of nature.

The moonlight and starlight bring me back to my childhood memories where I love watching the night sky, wishing upon the stars and praying that the moon will give me powers and make me a superhero. But that’s a childish thing. In my more than four decades of existence, I never realize I would do that thing again. But this time, I’m wishing for a new day of fair winds, clear skies and following seas/ I also wish for a better future for the Philippines so our Navy can acquire more ships and more public affairs officers can be sent to experience what I have I have enjoying so far – the moonlight in the Pacific.

As I gaze upon the moon and the stars and imagining bright future for my country and my family, I didn’t notice that the sun is rising and ready to steal the limelight. The stars are all gone but the moon is still up above. I know that in a little more time, the sun will deprive the moon her shining glory.

Sailing in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is not easy. One has to endure the long journey and overcome the loneliness of being away from his family. Gazing at the moon and the stars is a great relief from boredom. It somehow gives me strength to conquer the great adventure of honorable service to our maritime nation. Like the sun, the lunar energy from the moon powers up my spirit as a public affairs officer, as ship’s rider, ad as a Navy officer.

IBA 'PAG MAY DUGONG PINOY

Tinatayang milyun-milyong Pilipino ang nakakalat sa buong mundo. Sila ang mga itinuturing nating bagong bayani dahil sa kanilang remittances na isa sa bumubuhay sa ating ekonomiya. Mapamigrante man o overseas worker, kinakikitaan sila ng husay dedikasyon, talento at sinseridad sa kanilang trabaho bukod pa sa galing nilang makibagay at bilis na matuto ng iba’t-ibang lengwahe.

Mas malaki man ang kinikita nila kumpara sa Pilipinas, kapalit naman nito ay labis na kalungkutan at pagdadalamhati sa pagkakalayo nila sa kanilang pamilya. 

Sa Amerika, masuwerte na lang ang mga Pilipino kung kasama nila ang kanilang pamilya. Tulad na lang ng mga Pilipinong pumasok sa US Navy nung mayroon pang US Naval Base sa Pilipinas. Pero sa palagay n’yo ba, ganap kaya ang kanilang kasiyahan? Sa tingin n’yo, ganap ba ang kanilang pagkaPilipino?

Sa maikling panahon ng paglagi ng BRP Alcaraz sa San Diego Naval Base hanggang sa pag-alis nito, naging saksi ako sa mainit na pagtanggap at suporta ng mga Filipino community roon. Isang tipikal na ugaling Pinoy na pwede nating maipagmalaki sa buong mundo. Kahit matagal silang nawala sa Pilipinas, nananatili pa rin sa kanila ang malalim na malasakit sa kanilang kababayan.

Ang mga Filipino Americans ang nagsilbing pamilya namin at ng mga tauhan ng BRP Alcaraz sa San Diego at Charleston. Sila ang nagpupuno sa aming mga kakulangan. Sila ang naging driver at tour guide namin at ang mga sasakyan nila ang service namin. Mga bahay nila ang aming tambayan na puno ng pagkain, inumin at lahat-lahat ng kaya nilang ibigay.  Sa bawa’t kuwentuhan, sa tuwing may masasambit na ninanais mong bagay, biglang itong darating sa harapan mo tulad ng mga damit, sapatos, golf set, souvenirs, dvd player, bike, LCD TV at marami pang iba. Nakaimpake na at bibitbitin na lang.  Nakakahiya man pero binibigay nila ang mga ito dahil sa katuwaan na nakakita sila ng mga Pinoy sa Amerika. Mga Pinoy na napunta lamang doon upang magsanay.

Nakakatawang isipin na sa isang malayong lugar, tanging mga kababayan mo rin ang iyong magiging sandigan. Minsan nakakaramdam na kami ng hiya sa sobrang pagaasikaso nila samin pero yun talaga sila, hindi nagmamayabang bagkos tumutulong lang.

Malungkot kami ng iniwan namin sila. Ang mga Pilipino sa Amerika na naging magulang, kapatid at barkada namin. Nagsilbi silang inspirasyon samin na tumulong din sa iba. Pero sa lahat ng kanilang kabutihang loob, mas tumatak sa puso’t isipan ko ang mga binitawan nilang salita. “Huwag kayong mahihiya samin. Pinili naming iwan ang Pilipinas at magsilbi sa US Navy. Ito na lang ang paraan namin para mapagsilbihan din ang bayan. Kayong nasa Philippine Navy ay mga bayani dahil kahit maliit ang suweldo n’yo ay mas pinili n’yong manatili sa Pilipinas at magsilbi sa bayan. Ang pagtulong namin sa inyo ay para na ring pagtulong namin sa bayan.”

Hanggang makabalik kami sa Pilipinas, bitbitin ko ang mga salitang ito. Mga salitang nagpapatatag sa’ting kultura. Tunay ngang masasabi ko na kahit sa’n tayo magpunta at makakilala ng iba’t-ibang nasyonalidad, iba pa rin makasama ang mga kababayan natin, iba pa rin pag may dugong Pinoy.

LIPAD SA TAKIPSILIM

Matapos ang 40 araw at 40 gabing unos, bagyo at bahang nagwasak sa sangkatauhan, pinalipad ni Noah ang isang ibon upang makakita ng kahit anung tanda ng kalupaan. Nagbalik ang ibon na may kagat na dahon. Ibig sabihin, humupa na ang baha at mayroon ng kalupaan. Siyempre, di naman nasabi sa Bibliya kung gano kalayo ang  nilakbay ng ibon kung kaya’t pananampalataya na lang ang hawak ko upang paniwalaan ang kuwento.

Palaisipan pa rin sakin ang isang tagpo sa BRP Alcaraz habang naglalayag ito sa Dagat Pasipiko patungong Guam. Ninais kong masilayan ang takipsilim, nagtungo ako sa hulihang bahagi ng barko upang makalanghap naman ng hangin mula sa madilim at airconditioned naming tulugan na ang tawag ay “cabin.”

Habang minamasdan ko ang paglubong ng araw, dalawang ibon ang namataan kong lumilipad kasabay sa galaw ng barko. Labis ang pagkamangha ko. Naisip ko ang kuwento sa Bibliya. Kung mayroong ibong lumilipad sa gitna ng Dagat Pasipiko, mayroon din kayang lupa na malapit sa kinaroroon ng barko. Pero wala akong makitang kalupaan. Tinignan ko ang nautical chart pero wala akong makitang kalupaang malapit sa barko. Inisip ko na kung galing pa ang mga ibon sa Hawaii, sobrang layo na ang kanilang nilakbay upang masundan nila kami. Pang apat na araw na namin noon sa paglalayag at ni isang barko ay wala kaming nasalubong o natanaw man lang.

Marahil dumapo ang mga ibon sa BRP Alcaraz at lumipad lamang nung kami’y naglalayag na. Sa kinatatayuan ko na nakaharap sa Kanluran kung saan palubong ang araw, itim ang kulay ng mga ibon. Di ako alam kung anung uri iyon ngunit nang lumipad sila sa gawing Silangan, may pagkaputi naman ang kanilang kulay. Pero kahit anung uri sila at saan man sila nanggaling, masaya ako na nakakita ako ng kasabay namin sa paglalayag. Alam kong mapapagod din sila at magpapahinga sa matataas na istruktura ng barko pero alam ko rin na sa susunod na mga araw, sigurado akong mayroong mga ibon na muling lilipad sa takisilim, maghahanap ng pagkain at nagpapalutang-lutang sa hangin upang masasaksihan ang paglubong ng araw at pagsulpot ng mga bituin at ng bagong buwan sa kalangitan – katotohanan sa likod kapangyarihan ng kalikasan.

BRP ALCARAZ ARRIVES IN NAVAL BASE GUAM

NAVAL BASE GUAM. Led by Consul General Bayani V. Mangibin and the Naval Base Commander Capt. Mike Ward, the Filipino-American community here tendered a warm welcome to the officers and crew of BRP Alcaraz upon their arrival at Pier X of the base at 9 a.m. July 27, 2013.

After a quick formation of troops at the dock and short remarks from the Consul General and the Base Commander, the Fil-Ams gave each crew member lei made from tiny shells. “Being the consul general, I consider this as a monument of friendship between the Philippines and US. And, it came at the same time that we really need such platforms back home in safeguarding our territorial waters,” Consul Mangibin said in an interview.

He added that for every three Guamanians you meet, one of them will definitely have a Filipino heritage. The Filipino ancestry here constitutes a huge percentage of the population in the Island. It is a source of pride for us and we are proud and honored.

Meanwhile, Capt. Ward also expressed his positive reception of the Filipino sailors. “It is wonderful to have BRP Alcaraz here in the base in Guam, which is always a stopping port for different ships from different Navies all over the world, and BRP Alcaraz is an example to that. It is good to foster partnerships and camaraderie with other allied navies,” said Capt. Ward

The arrival ceremony was followed by a Command briefing at the ship’s wardroom. Thence, a short tour at the bridge and mess deck pursued.

The Filipino Community also hosted a lunch for the crew of BRP Alcaraz at Leo Palace Resort in the Mangilao area. It was the chance where the sailors and Fil-Ams got to know each other personally and had a good conversation.

“I am very proud that there is a new acquisition in the Philippine Navy. It is a good signal for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This ship obviously has the technology and system that is essential in the advancement of our Navy. We should be proud that our government is showing great steps in really organizing the AFP. This ship will help us in so many things such as in disaster situations as well as in the protection of our maritime territory and the country in general.” Deputy Consul Edgar Tomas Auxilian said during conversations.

Guam is the fifth port call of BRP Alcaraz before her final voyage to the Philippines. She is expected to arrive in the country first week of August 2013.

Hawaii Fil-Am community welcomes BRP Alcaraz

HONOLULU, HI -  Commander of Joint Base Hickam Pearl Harbor here, Capt. Jesse James along with Col. Restituto Padilla, AFP Liaison to US PACOM, led a crowd of Filipino-American navy personnel and civilians in giving a warm welcome to the officers and crew of BRP Alcaraz when the ship arrived in Pier Bravo 26 July 12, 2013 early morning.

Capt.  James and Col. Padilla and the rest of the welcome party gathered early to formally welcome the crew of BRP Alcaraz in a simple ceremony at Pier Bravo 26. “I love the Philippines. I love having Filipinos here. I hope they’ll have a good time,” said Capt. James.

Consequent to the ceremony, a briefing on the base regulations was conducted to the Philippine Navy sailors. Thence, an emotional meet and greet with the Filipino-Americans came about to build up Filipino solidarity and nationalism.

The whole day is bursting with activities for the ship’s crew. Aside from hauling of food provisions, re-watering, and other admin and logistics activities, the ship’s command team is scheduled to pay a courtesy call to Rear Adm. Williams, the Commander of Navy Region Hawaii.

The ship will also be open for public while in the evening, there will be a potluck party organized by the Filipino-American community, which is expected to be filled with fun, music and various entertainment.

Hawaii is the third port stop of the ship since she left Charleston, South Carolina on her journey to the Philippines. She made her previous port stops in Panama and San Diego. She is set to have a port stop in Guam prior her final destination, Philippines.