Story & photos by Recto Mercene
THE captain of Mexico’s multi-sailed sailing ship, ARM (Armada República Mexicana) Cuauhtémoc, recently hosted a dinner for the country’s top military, diplomatic and local government officials in a night marked with camaraderie and goodwill on August 4 at the Manila South Harbor’s Pier 15.
While the lively “Guadalajara, Guadalajara” ditty wafted in the air, tequila was passed around as guests gathered in groups.
Some surveyed the tall ship, a three-mast sailing vessel to train future admirals on the intricacies of seamanship.
In the course of its circumnavigation of the globe, Cuauhtémoc, labeled by her crew as “Ambassador of the Seas”, had picked up crew members from different countries as guests sailors, especially from the US, Europe and South American countries.
These guests later disembarked at some distant ports, while the Cuauhtémoc sailed on. Its last stop was in Singapore prior to dropping anchor in Manila.
“We are [made up of] 230 male and female crew members, and this is the fourth circumnavigation trip of this boat, but its first docking in the Philippines,” announced commanding officer Capt. Rafael Antonio Lagunes Arteaga to invited guests, which included Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, Rear Adm. Gaudencio C. Collado Jr., Argentine Ambassador to the Philippines Roberto Boschi and a representative of Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana.
“We have visited Panama, Boston in the US, Spain, Italy, Greece, Egypt, India, Singapore and now for the first time, we are in the Philippines. From here, we are going to Shanghai in China, South Korea, Japan, Hawaii, Los Angeles and finally in Acapulco, Guerrero,” Capt. Arteaga narrated.
He said this latest round-the-world trip was to celebrate the centenary of the Mexican Constitution, as well as 25th anniversary of the ship.
“She has about 34 generations of cadets from the [Mexican] Naval Academy,” Arteaga boasted.
Quoted in earlier interviews, Arteaga mentioned the prospects of joint training with Filipinos, but not an immediate one.
“It may take some time, but Mexico is optimistic on bolstering the once-dormant relations with Manila.”
“These projects may range from holding joint military training in confronting natural disasters to dealing with various security issues, including war on drugs,” he noted.
“Generally, we have the same problems. We have similar situations. We are so far away but our problems are quite similar,” Arteaga was quoted as saying.
In his speech, the ramrod-straight Mexican sailor said the ship’s visit to Manila is “to attest to the renewed long-standing ties that join Mexico and the Philippines together, not only as partners but as sister nations.”
“Cuauhtémoc left Acapulco, Guerrero, its home port, on February 6 and would be back again on November 21 after a journey of nine and a half months.”
He said his young crew members “are applying all the theoretical and knowledge they have learned in the past four years in classroom. They have plenty of interactions with the weather so they can learn to respect [and] understand the very basics of nature.”
Arteaga emphasized that the ship “as a ‘school’, was meant to teach [her crew members and let them] experience life at sea, where they learn [varying conditions as they go on their] way to their professional careers.”
“That is why this ship is still alive—a sailing vessel that tackles whatever we want as long as they understand nature. This vessel promotes values lacking nowadays. This school ship is really a treasure that has to endure [the test of time]. That is the beauty and mysticism and charm of this beautiful ship,” he enthused.
Message from Manila
FOR his part, Manila City Mayor Joseph E. Estrada, through his representative City Administrator Ericson Alcovendaz, offered the key to the city.
“To our friends in Mexico, we extend our warmest welcome to the capital and gateway to our colorful and rich history,” Alcovendaz said, as he relayed Estrada’s message to the Mexicans.
“Your arrival deepened our relations [despite] the passing of more than two centuries. The last time a Mexican navy ship sailed into the Philippines was in 1767—250 years ago. At that time the fate of our nation was in the hands of a foreign power.
“Today, we stand as a proud sovereign nation, free of any influence save that of the people we serve,” the Manila city administrator added.
“We are charting our destinies; our leaders are working to give our nations voices in international and global affairs so that we may bring progress and prosperity to our people.”
“Tonight I hand to you the key to our city. It is a symbol of our solidarity with you and the people of Mexico, and an assurance of the warm welcome you will always look forward to in our city,” Alconvendaz declared, on behalf of Estrada.
Life at sea
TWO young sailors, David Ferreira and Lt. Christian (his last name escaped this reporter’s memory) who are in their early 20s, said they experienced the worst kinds of weather sailing the Atlantic Ocean, where huge waves whipped up by terribly strong winds pushed their ship to her limits.
A video from the ship showed this occurrence, when hurricane-like winds stirred the ocean to form a foaming cauldron.
Despite the marine maelstrom, the Cuauhtémoc sailed onward, meeting crashing waves head-on.
Another sequence pictured the ship wrapped in thick snow, apparently after sailing near the southern hemisphere, while her crew was clad in thick arctic outfit.
“In those instances where the winds are very strong, we scramble up the ratline, lower the sails and let the ship travel along, still at terrific speeds,” Ferreira said.
(This reporter “Googled” the term and found out that the ratline are the ropes forming a rung of ladder on a ship for sailors to gain access to the upper level of the masts.)
A question was posed to both young sailors: “Is love allowed to bloom in the tight confines of this ship”?
The two, smartly attired in crisp uniforms, and a little bit tipsy from the flowing tequila, visibly blushed and fumbled for an answer.
It was Ferreira who summoned the courage to say what could be going on in a ship, filled with young and good-looking men and women who are far out at sea for weeks on end and can do nothing but throw glances at each other.
“Well, no, it is not allowed. But maybe [one] can chat here and there, snatch some personal touches, and [form friendships] while onboard. Later on, after the trip is over, the male crew member can continue with his courtship,” pertaining to the 43 young female counterparts on the trip.
Envoy’s felicitations
Mexican Ambassador Gerardo Lozano Arredondo, who flew in a few hours before to be at the event, said: “This visit is a historic one, after the Galleon de Manila, where for 250 years, we were trading goods [across] America, Europe and Asia, while we allowed communication and travel across continents.”
He said that was our colonial heritage, and Cuauhtémoc today “is a messenger of peace and goodwill of Mexico.”
“This ship represents a token of appreciation of the Mexican people to our Filipino brothers and sisters, bringing not only joy and friendship but also hope and confidence in our bilateral relations.”
“We are very proud to confirm the excellent political dialogue in our bilateral relations, as well as the importance that the Philippines offers Mexico as a gateway to Asia and the Pacific region.”
“With confidence in the Philippines, as a great partner and regional leader of Asean, which is proceeding this year, we wish all success in its national and international endeavors,” he concluded.
According to Philippine Navy Spokesman Capt. Lued Lincuna, the Mexican ship was a former sail-training vessel of the Mexican Navy, named after the last Aztec emperor Cuauhtémoc (meaning, “one who has descended like an eagle”), who was captured and executed in 1525.
She is the last of four sister ships built by the naval shipyards of Bilbao, Spain, with a design similar to the 1930s of the German firm Blohm & Voss, like that of Gorch Fock, USCGC Eagle and the NRP Sagres.
With additional reports from Priam F. Nepomuceno and Kathryn Villamayor, PNA
Image credits: Jimbo Albano