More than two hundred and fifty Filipino-Americans, led by the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, and other well-wishers including Rear Admiral Richard Williams, Commander of Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH), Captain Jeffrey James, the Base Commander for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) and Consul General Young Kil Suh of the Republic of Korea, and several key base commanders welcomed the officers and crew of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz in a warm Aloha reception in the evening of 12 July 2013 onboard the ship itself.

Honolulu is the third port stop of the ship since it left Charleston, South Carolina on her to the Philippines. The BP Alcaraz will have its fourth and last port stop in Guam before reaching her final destination, the Philippines.

In his welcome remarks during the reception, Acting Head of Post Roberto T. Bernardo said that the acquisition of the BRP Alcaraz “is in response to the need to preserve the freedom of navigation in this important region, and most of all, to defend the territorial waters of the Philippines”. He also expressed that the greatest asset of the Philippine military “is not only in equipment, modern weapon, aircrafts or ships, but in their hearts. It is their courage and determination to defend our 7,107 islands and its good, peace-loving people, despite the odds”.

Captain Ernesto O. Baldovino, the ship’s first commanding officer and Guest of Honor for the event, conveyed his sincerest appreciation to the Consulate, the Filipino community and the JBPHH and US Navy officers for hosting a reception for the BRP Alcaraz and for its eighty-eight officers and crew.    He also informed the attendees that the ship will be open to the public during its five-day stay in Honolulu.

The highlight of the evening was a presentation by Hawaii Vice Speaker of the House John Mizuno of a Congressional Resolution officially welcoming the BRP Ramon Alcaraz to the City of Honolulu and the State of Hawaii. The framed Resolution was given to Captain Ernesto O. Baldovino, the ship’s first commanding officer, as a memento of its visit.

The Filipino community gave each of the sailors a token of appreciation in the form of boxes of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts. The Filipino community came in full force, complemented by groups of US Navy personnel of Filipino descent. US Navy officers also attended the reception.

The BRP Alcaraz sailors were treated to a sumptuous dinner, entertainment with songs and a Hawaiian hula and Tahitian dance number by Ms. Alyssa Reyes, 2010 Miss Teen Hawaii-World. Miss Oahu Hawaii Filipina, Erika Ordonez, also graced the occasion.

The event, including the ship’s arrival in the morning of 12 July, was covered by local news media and television. (END).