Relationship of navy ship crew mirrors Phil-US ties

CEBU, Philippines - The working relationship among the crew of USS Russell (DDG-59), a US Navy destroyer, mirrors the ties between the United States and the Philippines, said Lt. Sunel Chandrance.

Chandrance and Navigator Cris Gostel led a group of Cebu journalists in yesterday’s special tour on board the ship. The USS Russell is currently anchored off the shore of Talisay City.

It is here in Cebu to support the US Embassy’s “America in 3D” program.

Chandrance and Gostel said 10 percent of the more than 300 crew members are Filipinos, one of whom is Ensign Shawn Villar, an anti-submarine warfare officer who is considered an expert in detecting a submarine.

The ship’s culinary specialist is Christian Uy, 22, whose family is based in California but whose wife and child are living in Pangasinan. His wife and child are able to be with him on board the ship while in Cebu.

Uy revealed that adobo is the favorite Filipino food of the US Navy personnel every time he cooks for them.

“Maganda ang pakikitungo nila, walang problema,” said Uy who has been working with the ship for the past two and a half years.

Some ship officials and crew joined US Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr. and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in yesterday’s ceremonial turnover ceremony of the Gawad Kalinga project in Tunghaan, Minglanilla.

Chandrance said the turnover was part of their four-day mission to engage in community relations activity and community service projects here.

The USS Russell participated in the bilateral Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise in the Philippines in 2004.

The “America in 3D” program is open to the public until today at SM City Cebu. The three-day event will highlight American culture and values and services the US is offering in the Philippines.

Among the events are musical and dance performances of American genres, including blues, country music, hip-hop, Broadway, and contemporary hits.

America in 3D is a nationwide initiative that takes the Embassy on the road throughout the Philippines in order to deepen the relationship between Americans and Filipinos.

The USS Russell is the second US Navy ship to bear the name. The original Russell (DD 414) was laid down in 1937 and participated in the liberation of the Philippines in 1944 and 1945.

The first ship also saw action in Tacloban, Alabat Point, San Pedro Bay, and Leyte Gulf and prevailed in an “extraordinary number of battles” during World War II.

The current USS Russell was built in 1992 with Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as its home port.

Its 32 officers and 251 enlisted personnel is being headed by Commander Joseph Carrigan, Commander Officer, and by Commander Gary Cave, Executive Officer. — /JMO (FREEMAN)