IN THIS ISSUE…..
Hot and Fresh. Just in case you haven’t heard, this is true: for every MR, an MBF. For every Maritime Review, there is a Maritime Breakfast Forum, a Maritime Lunch Forum occasionally, depending on the calendar or gastronomic preference of the MBF host. the first copies of the Review in the hands of the attendees of the Forum, hot off the press or fresh off the boat, as in the case of our last issue when both MR 16-2 and attendees to MBF 110 were on the same boat from the Manila Yacht Club to Kamaya Point, Mariveles, courtesy of the host, the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific and its genial Vice Admiral Eduardo Mar Santos AFP (Ret).
This one, MR 16-3, should be in the hands of the attendees of MBF 112; yes, hot off the press but not fresh off the boat, in spite of the fact that the host is the Philippine Navy.
Questions, Questions. Will the Philippines follow in the wake of Japan in the ‘50s as well as in the late ‘50s thru the 90s in leveraging shipbuilding as a major engine of growth of the Philippine national economy?
If and when the government finally decides to do so – avail of the capability of local shipyards to build naval surface combatant ships for the Philippine Navy in lieu of engaging foreign shipyards – what must the local shipyards and shipbuilding ancillary industries know firsthand to be adequately prepared for such decision?
No, Victoria, these questions do not come from the same source nor from the same article in this issue. The first one, Commodore Carlos L. Agustin AFP (Ret), asks in our regular feature, Chairman’s Page, where the ML chair dwells on “Maritime Issues 2016.” The second, Captain Tomas D. Baino PN (Ret) asks in his introduction to this issue’s cover story, where the naval architect and former commander of the Naval Shipbuilding Facility of the Naval Sea Systems Command of the Philippine Navy writes on “The Warship: Design and Construction Parameters.”
Another Question. It’s a question simpler than Commodore Agustin’s or Captain Baino’s: What do you think?
Through this feature which could be a regular one in future Reviews if/when we obtain positive feedback, we ask our readers what they think about the Philippine Navy having a submarine, even as low-tech as the caricature shown on the page. And to help them along with their thoughts and feedback, Commodore Carlos Agustin shares his experience on the subject while he was in active naval service.
Certain Uncertainties. He was upbeat the last time Up Periscope had its sight on General Fidel V. Ramos AFP (Ret), former President three Dutertes ago – and of course, Chairman Emeritus of the Maritime League. And for good reason. MR 16-2 was published in February, the month of EDSA and naturally, the photo that came with Word from FVR came with a photo of his victory – his patented jump we called LEDSA, Lundag EDSA.
Hardly upbeat in this issue, he is certain about continuing uncertainties throughout the world, dissecting them in two parts: one, military dangers and economic risks; two, environmental calamities, military threats and other risks. In his conclusion, however, he offers some silver lining. Using his oft-quoted catchphrase, “Kaya Natin Ito!” FVR asserts that the Philippines, its very technically proficient young professionals in particular, could play a major role in fighting mankind’s enemies in the 21st century.
Bureau of Coast Guard and Transportation under the Department of Commerce and Police. August 6, 1967. the Philippine Congress enacted Republic Act 5173 creating the Philippine Coast Guard as a major unit of the Philippine Navy. February 12, 2010. The Philippine Coast Guard was created as a separate service with the approval of Republic Act 9993. Three milestone dates in PCG history, the transition between the latter two dates, the subject of the article of Rear Admiral William M Melad PCG, Remembering VADM Mariano J. Dumancas Jr.
VAdm Dumancas passed away the other month. RAdm Melad remembers him and his “statesmanship and professionalism” as FOIC of the Philippine Navy that “clinched the deal” for the separation of PCG from the Philippine Navy, of course, along with so many others, notably the President and Commander-in-Chief, Fidel V. Ramos.
AND MORE…..
The 3rd edition of Marine Philippines 2016, Shipbuild Philippines 2016, Offshore Philippines 2016 will be held on June 6-8 at the SMX Convention Center (see ad in this issue).
Booth 200 flanked by the booth of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard will be occupied by an exhibitor with this company profile:
A non-profit organization established in 1990, The Maritime League advances, in tandem with government agencies concerned, the interests of the Philippine maritime community:
- the shipping sector and allied industries;
- maritime education and training institutions;
- merchant mariners; and,
- other major stakeholders in the maritime component of the country’s development.
It produces The Maritime Review, a magazine that covers matters on these interests.
Allied with it, is The Maritime Forum, whose membership comprise some members of The Maritime League, and selected representatives from the public and the private sector of the maritime community. The Forum conducts regular monthly conferences for discussion and reporting on issues, concerns and other matters relevant to the Philippine maritime community.
Yes, Victoria, that’s us!
Perchance you’re one of our readers with an eagle eye and notice the change in date of the 1st Maritime League Golf Tournament (see Save the Date in this issue}, that is not a typo error. Indeed, the date has been changed to October 14 from October 21.
And yes, Victoria, the Maritime Review has gotten itself a Business Manager. Her name: Dorcas Apud. Dorcas isn’t a typo error either.