1 August 2011-The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that history was made when the 95 men and women of the Philippine Navy aboard the Philippine Navy's newest ship, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, sailed into Pearl Harbor, Honolulu on July 27 and were met by the members of the Filipino-American community in Hawaii, including Filipino-American members of the United States Air Force, Army, Marines, Coast Guards and well-wishers.
Laden with leis, Hawaii's quintessential symbol of warm aloha, the Consulate and the Filipino community leaders, led by Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii (PCCCH) Vice Chairperson Melga Gendrano, welcomed the officers and crew of BRP Gregorio Del Pilar led by Captain Alberto Cruz.
The Consulate and the PCCCH hosted a reception later in the evening on the deck of BRP Gregorio Del Pilar in honor of its officers and crew.
Oahu Filipino Community Council President Maria A.F. Etrata, in her invocation, expressed gratitude in being a witness to this historic event of welcoming the very first Philippine Navy ship to Pearl Harbor by the large Filipino community in Hawaii.
The Filipino community in Hawaii has its roots from the hardworking Filipino sacadas who came to work in Hawaii's sugar and pineapple plantations more than a century ago.
In his welcome remarks, Acting Head of Post and Deputy Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes thanked Commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) Capt. Jeffrey James, Navy Region Hawaii Command Master Chief Marc Sibal, and AFP Liaison to the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) Col. Restituto Padilla, Jr. for their support and assistance.
He spoke for all when he highlighted the special feeling the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar has inspired, "for gently nudging me, reminding me, to keep my Pinoy pride overflowing."
The Bulacan Circle and Associates, led by its President, Ms. Angie Santiago, were overcome with emotions in seeing their fellow Bulakenyo's name, Gregorio Del Pilar, in the Philippine Navy's newest and first ever ship to dock in the historic Pearl Harbor.
President Benigno S. Aquino III , in his July 25 State of the Nation Address, hailed the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar's acquisition and voyage in the Pacific as an augur to the long-held vision to enhance the capabilities of the country's armed forces, stating "Literal na pong naglalakbay sa karagatan papunta rito ang kauna-unahan natin Hamilton class cutter, isang modernong barko na magagamit natin para mabantayan ang ating baybayin."
The BRP Gregorio del Pilar is making its maiden voyage to the Philippines following a three-month training of its total crew from Alameda, California on July 18.
A former US Coast Guard Hamilton cutter, BRP Gregorio del Pilar is an acquisition of the Philippine government from the US under its Foreign Military Sales program.
Once the largest ship of the US Coast Guard, the Hamilton is the first gas-turbine jet engine-powered vessel in the Philippine Navy fleet, making it the fastest, biggest, most powerful, and the flagship vessel of the Philippine Navy.
It is "a high endurance cutter with a close-in weapons system" and features a helicopter flight deck with a retractable hangar, giving it capabilities for rescue operations and maritime law enforcement.
It remained in Honolulu until July 29. END
