Christmas thoughts 2011

Four straight, no five consecutive Christmas and New Year spent not in home, four onboard and one outside Iloilo.

Christmas 2007 spent in our boarding house in Cembo, Makati. While our landlady and her family vacationed in Iloilo for Christmas Holiday, I, together with former college classmates and friends opted to stay in the house under Mommy’s first born who is a professionally unemployed and her third child who is a nurse dominance.

With not enough money at hand due to long unemployment (that time we had just passed the licensure examination and completing our trainings as pre-requisites for the coveted COC) we do not have much plan for the occasion.

“Ari gali mig pang nochebuna nyu sa paskwa” (here for your nochebuena) uttered by one of our senior before he took a cab to airport while handing me 1500 pesos taken from his wallet.

There, problem solves. We cooked sinigang na hipon that night and the rest of it Red Horse of course. I admit it’s not my choice to spend Christmas there, its just I don’t have a choice.

I considered it as one of the longest nights ever I had in my life. With a heavy heart I decided not to go home in Iloilo in order to save money. I was being practical at that time. We drowned ourselves in Red Horse to avoid being melodramatic.

That year a day before nochebuena, we welcomed our first born. Like any other first time dad I was very excited to see this cute little angel in flesh, too bad I don’t have much money to pay for the fare. To ease the loneliness I felt I decided to celebrate New Year in Nueva Ecija at my brother’s home leaving my friends at the boarding house.

This Christmas 2011 was a little bit different from other Christmas onboard I experienced. Last time we celebrate it in open sea so we had an ample time to prepare and to plan games and activities (though I really did not participate at all).

This time we were at anchored off Higashi- Harima in Japan with 0700LT pilot boarding scheduled the following day. The food was excellent (kudos to Mayor and his legion for a delicious dinner) and overflowing. They had fun at games facilitated by Chief Engineer. Me of course on my night watch at the bridge.

We Filipinos celebrate Christmas like no other. As ber- months come Christmas themed songs hit the air waves, malls decorated with Christmas symbols, lights gracefully dance to its music mesmerizing not only the youngs but also the olds, carolers soliciting for their party, exchange gifts, bonuses, long holiday (no work), 9 mornings (simbang gabi)

As for OFW’s this is the season were we become vulnerable to loneliness and to homesickness. No extravagant Christmas party can suffice and fill the emptiness felt during this time. A phone call or a chat can somehow slacken the solitude felt but the fact of being alone and far from loved ones bruised the heavy heart.

Listening to Jose Mari Chan’s Christmas medley made me felt at home though some songs triggered an upsetting tear. I thought 4 years of feeling this can eventually numb me. I was very wrong like saying we seafarers are used to violent waves. Its just we don’t have a choice but to face it.

Month of December doubled the lonesomeness I felt literally for it is not just a Christmas season but also the birthday of our son. He is 4 years old now, 4 birthday party I missed.

The Call

08 Sept 2011

            Its Mama Mary’s birthday today, as planned a week before, we woke up early to fix ourselves (me, my wife and my mom) to attend a congregation in honor of Her birthday.

            It took more then two hour bus drive to reach the far end of Northern Iloilo. Carles- the farthest municipality in the north. As our delegation disembark from 3 buses plus one L300 van the host welcomed and acknowledged our presence and direct to our allotted seats.

The program started with a doxology from local Parish Youth Ministry, followed by the singing of our Philippine National Anthem to which I notice I can count only those who put their right hand in their left chest. The belief that if there’s no flag no such custom.

The Datu of Carles again welcomed us all and one by one acknowledged the delegates from different towns in Iloilo. Also the father of the municipality expressed his gratefulness for choosing their humble town as this year’s host. He did not miss the opportunity to sell their famous tourism spot to all the guests. Then a dance number from again PYM members to the tune of Gary Valenciano’s religious song up to now the title I have no idea of.

As per the introduction of the guest speaker he hailed from Mina, currently one of the SM members and an obvious devotee of Mama Mary. He tackled mostly the importance and contribution of Mama Mary in our history, her ultimate sacrifice to gave up his son and what can we do to repay Her.

The highlight of the celebration is the Mass in honor of her. 4 celebrants took turns in celebrating the mass. On the sermon part the celebrant commended the efforts of the participants in attending despite the very remote location of the venue. Other participants took 3-4 hour ride. He condemned the laziness of his brother in cloth for not attending.

We took our lunch on the same spot we seated during the program and by 1400H we were on the same bus ready to head back home.

Due to long journey and lack of sleep we had that day we decided to sleep early on that evening. We were about to doze off when my phone rung, registered number calling indicating my crewing officer was on the line.

I listened and savored every instruction she had given after 4 times of on and off conversation with my wife giving that kind of look. I am expecting her call but not that early.

Later on that night all was clear, ill be joining on the 13^th of September probably a week early of our supposed embarkation.

There’s a twist I had to be in the office the following day so that I can process my GOC (I signed a nine months contract ending on June next year while my GOC expires on March next year) in NTC.

Since it is impossible for me to get there the following day I promised to renew it on Monday 12^th Sept 2011.

Coasting Belgium

2400/0000 4th/5th of May 2011 finished my night watch for the day. Had to sleep the soonest for early morning we will be arriving in Zeerugge, Belgium.

0300H, 5^th of May got a call for standby, any moment from now (usually 30 minutes from the call) tugs will come and my presence is needed in the aft station.

At 0410 ships bow is entering the lock with our tugs aft fastened 20 minutes earlier. We stayed in the lock for more than half an hour.

After a few minutes we safely berthed in Zebrugge. As soon as the ramp down, a gang of stevedores started unlashing cars.

1430H just an hour nap I got a call again for undocking. We were clear in the lock quarter past 1700. Took a fast dinner, quick warm shower to keep my spirit alive don my merchant marine uniform and relieved second officer as the OOW. Supposedly it was chief officers watch but since she asked me to take over who am I to refuse?

Before midnight we arrived in Antwerp, all fast quarter to 0200H. We stayed for an hour in the lock for we waited for small ships and bunker barge to get to the lock gate before it closes.

One stern line was adjusted in order for the ramp to go down, miscalculation and fucked up judgment call. Chief Officer understood the fact that for the three of us I was the one who had not rested well.

The fact is I knew that the position is not 100% sure but hearing the tone of Captains voice when I asked for another meter to go ahead and he said he thought it was okay I did not insist further. He was one of the calmest Master I had worked with.

One meter clearance of the flap of the ramp from the nearest bollard where my stern lines are fastened is not ideal; a tendency that one line would be hit by the ramp is of greater possibility.

I go to bed around 0230 to rest and gather as much energy for the morning cargo operation so ashamed of myself for not insisting. It’s not a major mistake for them but for me it’s a big deal.

 I rest my case although I knew I could have done better. Prior to moving ahead I already suggested that it was better to move astern than to move ahead. He agreed but when we get near to the berth he changed plan.

The cargo operation during my watch ran smoothly no damage to ship and to cargo listed. At 1700H we were on stand by for station while having our dinner,  pilot will board 1730 as per the latest information.

We finished station 15 minutes before 2000H. Had my tooth brushed don again my uniform and started my evening watch with pilot onboard (River Flushing Pilot). Upon reaching Flushing point I escorted a sea pilot that would take us to the entrance of Germany. The first plan is to pass by Steenbank about 21 miles shorter compared to the route we’ve taken which is north of Zeebrugge, Wandelaar Station.

I slept around 0030 the following day after handing over the watch to 2^nd Mate. What a very long 2 days for me.

Canakkale Transit

0745H- One last look at myself in the mirror fixing my merchant marine uniform. Though I love my profession, wearing uniform during watch hours makes me uncomfortable. I have no choice, as per company's policy it is compulsory during the presence of pilot on the bridge and in port stay during meal time.

0847H- Contacted Cannakkale pilot on ch 71, confirmed our ETA 1000H 21st of April, boarding arrangement says starboard side 1M above sea level and to call back when 5 miles away from Kumkale Lighthouse for final instruction.

0952H- I called the pilot as per previous instruction and informed us that he will board abeam of lighthouse at a speed of 6 knots.

1020H- i went to pilot ladder to pick up the pilot leaving the con to the Master.

1025H- Official pilot boarding time. this is the second time that i will be transiting this starit the first from my previous ship. that was night time before so i did not noticed the scenery before me then. this time its different, i was amused to see the beauty of the nearby island.

i wanted to capture it but the presence of pilot who often gave different engine command prevented me to leave the engine sonsole. this is the point where i say i hope there is next time for me.

We alongside the following day in Derince, Turkey. before captain turn over the con to me when we departed the port he told me that ETA to Gelibulo pilot station will be 0700 of the23rd, this means this is the next time that i hoped before.

 Transiting this strait is tiresome for me but the view before me became my energy.

TIRRANNA

 

Introducing her highness (naks), MV Tirranna, one of the two Large Car Truck Carrier the company owned, managed and chartered.

 

the unveiling of her name during naming ceremony

 

Welcome onboard her beauty, part of the reception hall where crew meeting always held.

cofee table for iba nga lahi ah aside sa mga pogi

Safety Control Room pwd man matawag Chief Officers Office

ang pool nga talagsa lng nagamit kay pirmi malamig

Ships Lobby last yuletide season

Staircase leading to ships cabin

Kag syempre ang mga soldiers nga nagdugang duag sa manaya naya nga palibot sang hulot nga ini

Fremantle, Australia

 

Seen this one afternoon while strolling in Fremantle.

 We often call this place but this is the first time decided to roam around the city.

The first sun glass I bought after my eye check up (near- sighted) in one of side walk stores in which ' The way you look at me' as sung by Christian Bautista blasting the store's speaker.

 

I consider visiting this place as the highlight of my shorepass

Monks Brewery

What made this place special is their own brewed beer served at different alcohol percentage.

 I drained one glass only for its too pricey for me, 1 glass there can get you 1 case already if you buy beer at home with pulutan pa..

On the way to Monks Bar we stopped by in this stall in which personalised shirt with interesting prints caught my attention, was not able to get one for again the price is not right.

Why I love Japanese people...?

“No doubt”, I told myself after completing my first trip to circumnavigate the world, that the Japanese stevedores are the best in the world.

Working with these nationals during cargo operation is a breath of fresh air for us vessel crew.

Funny thing is that because of them, I learn how to master the art of sign and sketch language. They hardly speak or understand English but it does not deter our communication with each other. Message is conveyed through sign, samples of what they needed and sketch of the things they want from our side.

Working with them every time we call for Japan makes me appreciate them more and more. I am just standing there watching these small built people working the job more satisfactorily compare to those twice or thrice their size in the other parts of the world.

I don’t see anyone of them complaining or arguing to their superiors when the latter corrected the way they work with cargoes, lashing, stowing, loading or discharging.

If something obstructs the smooth cargo operation like scattered chains, dunnages rubbers in the cargo hold, the first stevedore to notice it will clear it.

They keep themselves busy always, no hand on waist or prolong standing in one location while others already sweating profusely working their ass off like in other countries.

And most especially what I admired to them is their high regard for safety. Their uniform includes a hard hat, an over-all, high intensity vest, working gloves and safety shoes some even managed to wear knee and elbow protectors.

In ideal place of a cargo hold, signaling lights were posted to emphasize the presence of an obstruction aside from the cones provided by the ship. Traffic enforcers distributed in every ramp deck to organize the loading and unloading operation to further prevent untoward accident.

These and that could not be seen in other ports of the world we called for.

An offline message on facebook from a friend drove my curiosity to surf the net for the latest news. There in bold and all block letters headline the 8.9 magnitude earthquake followed by tsunami devastated Japan.

My heart pounded heavily seeing in youtube the buildings shattering. Coastal Island swept away, cars riding in waters without drivers, warehouses swimming, slave of the mighty current, no direction or precise destination.

Then a 2012 movie revealed in the screen but this time it’s not a CGI and actors playing, instead a real nature’s wrath and unaccounted victims exposed before my eyes.

On a dinner talk with colleague later that afternoon we bumped into this topic, expressing our opinions and feelings to the recent catastrophe. It did come to a point where I asked why these humble and industrious people have to suffer this calamity.

In the light of this unfortunate incident, again Japanese continue to shine in the world with their way of dealing the crisis at hand.

In of their local news as shared in the net forum, there’s an elderly man in an almost empty grocery store took the remaining 10 pieces of bottled water. As he gets near to the counter he returned the other bottles thinking that there are others who needed it also. No panic buying, they are still thinking of their comrades.

Even in the coldness of winter March, their discipline prevails in queuing for food ration. No incident of someone stealing the line of others. No drama of distressed family complaining about the limited supply of ration to their government. All patiently waited in the queue.

Another remarkable attitude of Japanese is their resilience. Damaged has been done and now moving on is the next step. The clearing of debris on streets started right after the incident. Acceptance of their fate, dwelling on what they can do to help their government and not what their government can do to them.

windstruck

i gotcha....

The movie scene opened with a lovely girl on the edge of a high building ready to jump any moment. Melancholic soundtrack playing on the background adding more salt on her wound. She needs not to say her dialogue. The look on her face bares it all. She was not happy and she meant to end it.

Then a jovial narration from a male character not captured by lens tells how he met the love of his life.

Unlike most featured in movies in which a female character would fall for a hunky male character especially in uniform for being her so-called knight, saving her from badass extras that teased or make fun of her, this one is different.

She was in uniform and he was a meek teacher in an all girl institution. Their world crossed one day when she mistakenly thought that he was the snatcher. She brought him to the precinct.

Then like a typical com- movie which make fun of our brothers in law enforcement (police), instead of being hard on him he befriended all of them except her.  They asked him to draw/sketch them; again all had their sketch except her. He can make wonders with his pencil. After a funny interrogation he was exonerated.

He asked for an apology she gave him none.She surprised him when she visited his workplace. Instantly she declared in front of his students that they were lover which of course invited tease and ridicule from them.

They took a road trip which eventually led to disaster, a vehicular accident which knocked him off, unable to escape from their sinking car.

With all her might she managed to take him out in the water and dragged him to

a highway which luckily an army truck passing bringing them to a hospital. She nursed him back to health- that almost near death experience for him glued their relationship firmly.

When she finally had the led to whereabouts of one notorious escapee she hurriedly rushed to it and attacked without backup. Meanwhile he was seated in a restaurant, patiently waiting for her arrival. Then his phone rung, she was on the line telling him she can’t be with him for she is chasing this notorious escapee.

His gut feeling told him she needed help. Just in time when he showed up, she fired her gun, it hit him hard. He died and she can accept it. She blames herself for his demise.

That’s why she was on the edge of the building meaning to end her life also. Then two teens who run away from home called her attention. They begged her for money before she jump said them. Other even asked her to have sex before she leap. What a waste they said.

She was insulted.

Chased the two.

Offered them foods and thanked them.

Superstitious belief taught her that a dead soul will resurfaced on the 49^th day after death date for final appearance.

Before he died he mentioned to her that if he did die she should not worry, he’ll become wind and will blow with her always.

It did happen on the last day of October, the 49^th day after his death. She misses her so much.

She could feel his presence. The sorrow manifested in her face. She cried with her heart. No wall or floor crying scene, her wail was enough to convey to her viewers how she felt. He told her to move on.

He left her a note telling her that on that particular day she will met the person she will love again as she did to him. That’s how the other guy met her.

I must say Korean music and movies fever failed to invade me but this particular movie, watched for a reason that no other choice available changed my views towards Korean films.

Downside, I did not like scene where he shouted at her. Just trying to convince her that he was dead already. Maybe it was their nature to shout when making points, but for that particular instance I can’t get it.

Generally I recommend everyone to see this film.