BRP Ramon Alcaraz Joins The The Fleet

Image Courtesy: jbongsky30

His Excellency Benigno Aquino III, President of the Republic Of The Philippines, will visit Subic Bay Freeport on 6th August to officially welcome the Philippines' second patrol frigate to the port: BRP Ramon Alcaraz. Saluting the frigate upon arrival will be yachts from the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailors (SAGS) sailing club that have been specifically invited to participate in the ceremonies.

BRP Ramon Alcaraz is a Hamilton Class, high endurance cutter, originally launched for the United States Coastguard as the USCGC Dallas.

Image courtesy Girlie Cervantes

The Philippine Independence Day Anniversary Regatta in Subic Bay started as a very local sailing affair organised by and for members of the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailors (SAGS) – a motley band of sailing enthusiasts who wanted to sail in Subic Bay despite the challenges posed by fickle yacht club rules and the weather. They just went out and did it.

Significantly supported by Jun Avecilla's Lighthouse Marina Resort Hotel, the Philippine Independence Day Regatta is now the best off-season competitive sailing event in the Philippines, and possibly the best in Asia in June.

Photo courtesy John Smart

Following the success of the Independence Day Regatta in June, Subic Bay Yacht Club and the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailors (SAGS) sailing group have chosen their next big event to be on the National Hero's Day – the traditional August Holiday – weekend, 29 - 31 August, 2009, which will follow the Ninoy Aquino Anniversary Day Regatta 21 - 22 August, at the same venue. Nineteen boats competed in the June event, making it the largest sailing event in Subic Bay for Philippine club boats in more than a decade; more are expected in August.

The National Hero's Day Regatta in Subic Bay will attract all sizes of sailing boats. If you do not have a boat but want one then there will be boats available for rent and for hire; if you want to be crew the