At two o’clock this morning, we officially entered the Philippine area of responsibility. Yes, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF16) is no longer overseas. At this very moment whilst I am writing this entry, she is already steaming steadily on a course of 275 degrees on our very own waters. After almost two months of long journey from South Carolina, we can now confidently say that she BRP Alcaraz is finally home! Hurray! Although we can’t still see any land from where we are at the moment and we are still surrounded by 360 degrees view of nothing but the sea, just the fact that we finally entered our territory is enough reason for all of us aboard to celebrate. By the way, after many days of being alone at sea on our voyage from Guam to the Philippines, we finally came across with a commercial tanker going opposite our direction! It gave everyone of us a reason to cheer- it just feels good to know that we are not really alone in the vast sea after all. To the crew of that tanker ship that obviously heads to the Pacific Ocean, Good luck and God speed on your journey!
There is a meeting today at the wardroom. The agenda is about the final preparations of the ship for her arrival in Subic at the end of the week. Everything must be in place, not only for the formalities and ceremonies that will take place upon our arrival, but also for the series of activities lined up for the ship starting tomorrow.
Time check: 2pm, 01 August 2013
We are now steaming at the vicinity 141 nautical miles East off Casiguran, Aurora. With all her engines ahead standard, BRP Alcaraz cruises smoothly with 13 knots of speed, riding with the gentle waves of the Philippine Sea. It seems that nature is one with the country in welcoming us in our arrival- even with a developing Low Pressure Area that appears to be following us on our track; we are smoothly sailing with fair winds, clear skies, and following seas.
If today is our “homecoming” day, tomorrow will be the “reunion” day- it will be the grand reunion of the two sisters separated by their destiny. These tough sisters are both sea warriors- strong, skillful, and efficient. They served together side by side when they were still both Americans. They were both commissioned to the US Coastguard- patrolling not only the American waters but also the vast waters of the Atlantic. Tomorrow is a special day for them. They will meet again at sea but no longer in service to Uncle Sam. They will once again sail together but for the first time without the “stars spangled banner” flying on their respective masts. Tomorrow, they will be sailing together under the Philippine Flag. The sea warrior sisters, BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF15) and BRP Ramon ALcaraz (PF16) will be reunited at last! They will both cruise on former “foreign” waters of the Philippines, which they now both call home.
Yes, BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF15), her sister ship which was transferred to the Philippines in 2011 will be meeting with our ship tomorrow in our rendezvous area. She will escort us to Casiguran, Aurora where we will both participate in a “regatta” in celebration to the feast of the patron saint in that town. It will for sure be an exciting experience to be a part of a local “boat” parade which will not only highlight the celebration of the town of Casiguran but will convey a strong message to the Filipino people in general that she has arrived! Hurray for the homecoming of BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF16)! Mabuhay ang Hukbong Dagat Pilipinas!
