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.