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.

Ang Videoke na bukas 24 Oras

       

       Isa marahil sa tipikal na katangian ng tahanang Pilipino ay ang pagkakaroon ng videoke system dahil bukod sa matipid at mabisang pampalipas oras, likas na hilig nating mga Pilipino ang pagkanta. Nasa tono man o wala, basta’t makakalibang at makakapagbigay saya, todo tayo sa pagbirit abutin man ng umaga.
  

       Dito sa BRP Alcaraz, isa sa naging pampalipas oras ng mga tauhan nito ay ang videoke. Sa tuwing naglalayag ang barko, pinapahintulutan ng commanding officer na magvideoke ang mga tao bago o pagkatapos ng kanilang duty. At dahil magdamagan ang paglalayag ng barko, 24 oras ding bukas ang videoke na pinagpapalitan-palitan ng mga tauhan ng barko.

       Naging mabisang paraan ito upang malibang ang mga tao sa haba ng biyahe sa dagat at pampaalis hilo na rin kapag binabayo ng malalaking alon ang barko.

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 lungkot 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, nanatili 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 naming 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 naming 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, bitbit 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.

Dances with waves: a lookout perspective

Filipino mariners are regarded in the international maritime industry as world class. It is believed that for every international commercial vessel, there is at least one Filipino serving as crew. In fact, many Filipinos are either captains or chief engineers of various types of vessels owned by international shipping companies.

A lot of Filipino Americans are also serving in the US Navy. Many of them are crew members of US Navy ships deployed throughout the world. They are hardworking and very efficient in their respective duties aboardship.

The Philippine Navy sailors are equally world class. Though they operate local Navy vessels, the training and discipline they acquire are patterned and has no difference with that of their US counterparts. Their sacrifices cannot be underrated because they work away from their families under various circumstances and sailing on different sea conditions.

Being a sailor is not just required by the naval profession but also a personal commitment of serving the country through maritime surveillance and coastal patrols to ensure that our territorial boundaries are protected from illegal activities and intrusion. They also work beyond their normal call of duty with utmost dedication.

Serving as pioneer crew of BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF16) is a unique experience. It is also a breath-taking adventure having struggled the rough seas of the Caribbean, crossed the Panama Canal and pushed forward by the waters of Costa Rica and Mexico along the Pacific Ocean.

Many stories have been or would be told about BRP Alcaraz’s commanding officer, executive  officer, engineer, gunnery personnel and other crew but never an experience of a port (left) and starboard (right) lookouts. The ship’s lookouts are personnel responsible to watch for dangers such as shallow water, crossing ships, floating containers and other circumstances that may cause trouble to the ship.

While sailing from San Diego to Hawaii, Seaman 2^nd Class Gilbert Belao acts as a lookout. While it is seldom appreciated, Belao contributes to the safety of the ship. He is exposed to the sun at daytime and to cold winds and sometimes rain at night time.

The daytime duty is easier. Even on his naked eye, he can see objects dead ahead of the ship. The agony is during night time, darkness overfilled his senses. He must never fail. The curiosity on blue waters excites him. The sound of the waves as it splashes to the keel of the ship. The sight of the stars on a clear night sky also seems enjoyable but the focus must be on any object that the ship may encounter.

But the environment condition is not always favorable. He recalls a zero-visibility situation. His anxiousness is exacerbated by the heavy rain fall, extreme waves and chilling winds. He pushed himself to see anything on the binocular, and double check it with his own eyes. He tightly holds his binocular while the ship’s bow moves up and down. He literally dances with waves.

After a few hours of struggle, he is ready to relay to the next duty lookout the prevailing situation, especially if there is a ship, land formation or shallow water along the route of the ship.

           SN2 Belao can now take a rest to regain energy for his next tour of duty. He looks forward for another quest on the sea condition. Another dance move on deck --- a move that synchronizes with the dance of the waves.

BRP Alcaraz nagsend-off sa San Diego

Magkahalong emosyon ang naramdaman ng mga tauhan ng BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF16) habang kinakawayan sila ng mga Filipino-Americans sa isang send-off ceremony sa Pier 2 ng Naval Base San Diego, San Diego, California, USA umaga ng July 5, 2013.

Ang seremonya ay pinangunahan ni, Deputy Consul General Daniel R. Espiritu ng Philippine Consulate General’s Office na nakabase sa Los Angeles. “We are very happy na kahit papa’no we were able to acquire another vessel and this will be a big help to the modernization of our armed forces,” pahayag ni Espiritu  

“We, the Filipino communities especially here in San Diego, are very proud of the new ship of the Philippine Navy. We have around 200 thousand Filipinos here and a sizeable portion of that is in the US Navy,” dagdag pa niya.

Naging makapanindig balahibo rin ang send off nang pagtutugin sa PA system ng Naval base ang Pambansang awit ng Pilipinas habang nasa sea detail stations ang mga tauhan ng naturang barko. Ito ay hudyat ng paglisan ng barko sa pantalan  at bilang pagbibigay pugay sa ating bandila.

Makasaysayan ang paglagi ng BRP Alcaraz sa San Diego dahil sa pagbisita ng mismong asawa at mga anak ng yumaong Commodore Ramon Alcaraz  isang araw bago ang send off kung saan binigyan ng pagkilala ang kabayanihan ni Alcaraz.

Si Alcaraz ay naging commanding officer ng Q-boat noong WWII at itinuturing na bayani dahil sa pagpapabagsak nila sa tatlong eroplano ng Hapon. Kalaunan siya ay dinakip at ikinulong sa Malolos kung saan ipinamalas niya ang kanyang malasakit sa mga kapwa niya Prisoners of War (POW) nang hiranging siyang pinuno ng mga preso.

Matatandaang nanggaling ang naturang barko sa Charleston, South Carolina kung saan ito inayos at kinabitan ng makabagong equipment.  Doon rin nagsanay ng lampas isang taon ang buong crew ng PF16 sa mga navigational equipment, main propulsion, generator, at  iba’t-ibang kagamitan at systems ng barko.

Ang BRP Alcaraz ay maglalayag patungo ng Pilipinas ngunit magkakaroon ng port stop sa Hawaii at Guam.  Inaasahang darating sa Pilipinas ang barko sa unang lingo ng Agosto 2013.

Public Affairs Team ng Philippine Navy, nakasakay na ng BRP Alcaraz

Umaga na ng July 5, 2013 nang makarating sa BRP Alcaraz na nakatali sa Pier 2 ng Naval Base San Diego ang Public Affairs Team ng Philippine Navy na kasamang maglalakbay patungo ng Pilipinas..

Ang PA Team ay kinabibilangan ni Cdr Gilbert Pacio, Lt Marineth Riano PN at Ltjg Errol Dela Cruz. Sila ang pinadala ng Navy na magdodokumento sa paglalayag ng naturang barko mula San Diego hanggang Hawaii, Hawaii papuntang Guam at Guam patungo ng Subic sa Pilipinas.

Lumipad ang team mula Manila hanggang Los Angeles at nagbiyahe naman papunta San Diego.

BRP Ramon Alcaraz nasa San Diego na

Mula sa dating homeport nito sa Charleston, South Carolina, naglayag ang BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF16) at ngayon ay nasa Naval Base San Diego, California upang mag-refuel, rewater at magsagawa ng open ship para sa mga Filipino community doon bago ito magpatuloy sa paglalayag patungo sa Pilipinas.

Mula San Diego, California, baybayin ng barko ang dagat Pasipiko patungo naman ng Hawaii at Guam bago tuluyang makarating sa Pilipinas. Bubuksan din ang barko para sa mga Flipino community sa Hawaii at Guam.

Isa sa mahalagang kaganapan ng barko sa San Diego sa pamamagitan ng ating embassy ay ang paganyaya at pagbibigay ng importansya sa pamilya ni Commo. Ramon Alcaraz bilang pagkilala sa kanyang kabayanihan noong Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig at bilang pagbibigay karangalan sa pagpapangalan ng BRP Alcaraz.

Ang pagkakaroon ng BRP Alcaraz na isang high endurance cutter ay isa lamang panimula sa mas malawak na modernisasyon ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas at ito’y magsisilbing paraan upang maiangat ang patriyotismo at mapagbuklod tayong lahat tungo sa iisang hangaring makamit ang ganap na kaunlaran ng ating bansa.

Ang pagbili ng BRP Alcaraz (dating USS Dallas) ay bahagi ng narebisa at pinalawak na AFP modernization at capability upgrade program na pinirmahan upang maisabatas ni Pangulong Aquino noong nakaraang taon.