My father once told me that ‘the military is the noblest of all professions’. I still believe it so.


Recently, I had the rare opportunity to board the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar docked here in SBMA. Having been involved in the past with the Canadian Navy, this is one prospect I was very excited to be part of.


The tour gave me an opportunity to speak to our brave mariners. Over coffee served hospitably by the ship’s mess crew, stories of bravery and heroism poured out.


The ‘Goryo’ and his courageous crew did saw action last year against China in a standoff at the disputed Scarborough Shoal. Goryo scared away several Chinese fishing vessels in the island knowing that a fleet of Chinese Navy ships are close by for an encounter.


While that effort may have been nothing to some, it must have been a precarious position for a crew still learning to operate and navigate a relatively modern ship. With very little experience and limited training, the crew could have been easily overwhelmed given the fact that they are up against a formidable force just waiting for them to make the slightest mistake.


A ranking naval officer I interviewed told me that the crew was ‘the real heroes of the Philippine seas’. Their bravery and valor shall not go unappreciated. Thank you, guys.


The BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and his twin, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, which was personally welcomed by President Aquino recently, were part of the Excess Defense Article program that we share with the United States. The vessels are free but the cost of transferring them, the upgrades, and other extras such as armaments are paid for by our government in its armed forces modernization initiative. Both are decommissioned U.S. Coast Guard cutter-class ships known for their ability to handle rough seas and remain on patrol for up to 30 days.


The Goryo looks good. Its slender frame makes it perfect for speed. The ship is equipped with both Diesel engines and gas turbine (jet) engines, which aligns with our ‘anti-nuclear’ energy policies. It has enough weapons and surveillance systems to matter. While there are still much needed improvements and upgrades, it is a good looking ship that will get us eventually to our ultimate goals.


Comparing them to Canadian ships I boarded like the HMCS Ville du Quebec and the HMCS Toronto, I can tell that the Goryo has a longer shape, it is quite roomy and moving around inside is not as hazardous (I’ve knocked my knees a few times on Canadian day tours climbing those stiff hatches). Its massive size shows American standards unlike the British-designed Canadian warships that are more compact.


As I was talking to the crew, I can tell the dedication and willingness of these brave men and women. They are, after all, the crème de la crème of our navy and their commitment to defend our nation is simply inspiring to say the least. However, the unfortunate realization that our navy lacked necessary tools, machineries and experience makes their noble mission a challenge.


Our navy never had equipment like these before. Aside from a few small patrol boats, the navy is in dire need of modernization. The arrival of these ships marks an exciting yet turbulent era when we are engaged in building a fleet to protect our borders – a fleet that we can all be proud of.

A ranking naval officer I interviewed told me that the crew was ‘the real heroes of the Philippine seas’. Their bravery and valor shall not go unappreciated. Thank you, guys.

As the crew hurriedly learns the ins and outs of these twin vessels, more upgrades are on the way. Six riverine patrol boats capable of shallow and open water deployment arrived recently for the Philippine

Marines to further buff up our maritime lineup. We are also expecting our first frigates by 2019. After that perhaps our first destroyer-class ships will arrive shortly.


It takes time to modernize the armed forces especially for a country going through major socio-economic changes such as ours. It takes funds and know-how and both of which are in limited supply. Funds are also needed to recruit the manpower for this undertaking. Knowing well these challenges, I feel that the acquisition of these cutters for the first phase of our naval modernization is ‘tactically’ and ‘strategically’ advantageous to us.


Based on the discussions, I concluded that there is a real need for schools, more outreach programs, and heightened recruitment. We need to strengthen our tactical, operations, and engineering schools that teach our naval recruits the specific courses they require for their respective naval trades.


To do this, I believe that we need to start outreach programs to get the support of our local politicians and leaders who will lobby for investing in these schools. Outreach programs could also expose our youths to potential careers in our navy.


Manning the seas and protecting our borders from potential foreign threats take courage. The brave men and women of the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar are few in number, but proud. To me, they are real-life heroes who put their lives on the line as a sign that our nation will not be bullied; that we will fight for the integrity of our borders.


This experience to me was an eye opener. There are certain realities exposed in our talks about the sort of cold war we have with China. There are certain realities and limitations articulated about the current relations of our country with our allies. Some of these realities are good but for the bad ones, it’s just heartbreaking.


In the end, it is still down to us Filipinos to defend our nation. If that time comes, are we ready?



A Great Time at Tropical Bay


My kid recently celebrated his sixth birthday at the newly-opened Tropical Bay Restaurant along Magsaysay Rd. I’d like to say hi and thanks to Ms. Lailani V. Strickland, her kids and her friendly staff for taking care of us that night.


We had a marvelous time. I tried their U.S. porterhouse steak, my wife had the tilapia, and the kid feasted on chicken wings. The food was simply amazing!


The acoustic set they had playing perfectly complements the light atmosphere and the overall dining experience. Finally, I appreciate the thoughtful birthday cards the kids prepared for our son.


You guys are simply awesome and I look forward to coming back someday soon.


For those looking for a wholesome family venue, you can contact Tropical Bay Restaurant at (047) 223 7777.