Filipino seafarers honored, remembered
MANILA – Another emotional event took place this morning at the Manila Bay as families of seafarers who lost their lives at sea were remembered in prayers and floral offering, an important tradition for the past 25 years as the country observed National Seafarers Day.
Assisted by the Philippine Coast Guard led by Admiral George Ursabia, the families of the missing seafarers from the ill-fated MV Gulf Livestock 1 last September 2 were on hand and joined the emotional and meaningful rites. It will be recalled relatives of the missing seafarers called on the Philippine government to request the government of Japan to continue its search operations which was stalled by a strong typhoon during the first week of the month.
The Philippine Coast Guard and the church-based Apostleship of the Sea hosted the event with different stakeholders. Marine Deputy Administrator Rene Medina turned over the symbolic torch to Admiral Ursabia as the Philippine Coast Guard accepted the responsibility of hosting and organizing the 26th National Maritime Week in 2021.
In his message, Admiral Ursabia said as the country celebrates the National Seafarers Day, “we recognize and express our sincerest gratitude for their (seafarers’) invaluable contribution to the national economy.”
“Our humble prayers of hope and strength for the bereaved families, most especially of those departed Filipino seafarers who spent their last days manning Gulf Livestock 1 before it went missing in the waters of Japan on September 2,2020,” he added. (Melo M. Acuña)
Relatives of the departed seafarers offered flowers during this morning's 25th National Seafarers Day jointly hosted by the Philippine Coast Guard led y Admiral George Ursabia, Marina Deputy Administrator Rene Media at Apostleship of the Sea with Fr. Paulo Prigol, Cs. (Philippine Coast Guard photos)
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