15 July 2013 - The latest pride of the Philippine Navy, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, arrived safely to a warm Aloha welcome at the “Mike” port of Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam, 8:00 a.m. of July 12.

The 88-member crew of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz led by Captain Ernesto O. Baldovino, was warmly welcomed by officers and staff led by Consul Roberto T. Bernardo of the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, leaders of the Filipino American community, Filipino- American Navy personnel, the AFP Liaison Officer to US Pacific Command, Colonel Restituto F. Padilla, Jr., and base commanders Rear Admiral Richard L. Williams, Commander of Navy Region Hawaii; Captain Jeffrey W. James, Base Commander for Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam, and Mr. Bill Wesley, Pacific Fleet Director, Plans, Policy and Strategy.

As a unique Hawaiian tradition, the Filipino community attached a 100-foot ceremonial lei (garland) on the BRP Ramon Alcaraz’s bow. The Filipino officers and crew also exchanged pleasantries with their U.S. Navy counterparts, many of whom are of Filipino descent, after the formal welcome ceremonies.

The Consulate General will host a welcome reception onboard the ship on the evening of 12 July 2013 at 6:00 p.m., with members of the consular corps, some Hawaii legislators and the Filipino community and U.S. Navy.

The ship will be docked from July 12 to 16, and the crew will be hosted by various Filipino organizations during the weekend. The BRP Ramon Alcaraz will set sail for Guam on 16 July 2013 at 9:00 a.m. after a Holy Mass celebrated on board the ship and a Filipino breakfast in honor of the officers and crew. END