29 July 2013 - Philippine Consul General in Guam Bayani V. Mangibin formally sent off the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the newly-acquired Hamilton-class cutter of the Philippine Navy, at ceremonies held Pier “X-Ray”, Guam Naval Base in the afternoon of July 28.
Joining the Consul General in the simple but formal send-off ceremony were Col. David B. Riano of the Guam National Guard, the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General and their families, some Filipino-American military officers and members of the Filipino-American community in Guam.
Col. Riano presented a small wooden replica of the Latte Stone, a symbol of Guam, to Capt. David as a token of remembrance from the Guam National Guard.
Capt. Baldovino, on the other hand, presented a certificate of appreciation to Col. Riano for the invaluable assistance and coordination extended by the Guam National Guard to BRP Alcaraz as well as a plaque of appreciation for the Filipino Community of Guam, headed by its President, Mr. Roy Adonay.
In his departure message, Consul General Mangibin wished Captain Baldovino and his crew a safe travel as BRP Alcaraz’s takes its way to the Philippines where many are now awaiting its arrival. He also expressed to Col. Riano the Consulate’s deep appreciation for the great assistance extended by the Guam National Guard, headed by Major General Benny Paulino, in coordinating all the necessary activities together with the Guam Naval Base Port Operations Center to ensure that the services needed by Capt. Baldovino and his crew and the BRP Alcaraz are well attended to. He also thanked the Filipino Community of Guam and all those who extended help and hospitality to Captain Baldovino, his officers and crew to make their short stay on Guam memorable.
Before they finally boarded the vessel, Rev. Fr. Romeo Convocar, a former Philippine Navy Chaplain in Manila from November 1997 to March 2007 and now a pastor of San Isidro Catholic Church in Guam, offered a prayer for safe voyage and blessed the officers and crew.
The BRP Alcaraz, commanded by Captain Ernesto O. Baldovino and manned by 88 officers and crew, finally started sailing out of Pier “X-Ray”, Naval Base Guam at exactly 4:00 in the afternoon of July 28, for the last leg of voyage to the Philippines. END