Author’s Note: This article uses virtual reality technology to provide an immersive experience. Click the images to view the 360-degree VRs. Adobe Flash 10 or higher is required. Average VR size is 2.0Mb each.

The Colombian naval training ship, ARC Gloria visited the Philippines from July 31 to August 2, 2009. Docked at Pier 13 of the South Harbor, the ship promotes international goodwill between Colombia and other countries.

The ship’s crew is composed mostly of cadets and under the command of Captain Luis Jorge Tovar Neira.

Construction of the ship started in April 1967 and was undertaken by Spanish Naval Construction Company of Bilbao. The three-mast brigantine sailing vessel was completed in September 1968.

I arrived on Pier 13 at around 2:30PM as the ship was preparing for departure. Having come from the wake of former Pres. Cory Aquino in LaSalle Greenhills, it was fortunate that the good captain still permitted this writer to take a quick tour of the ship amidst their hectic schedule.

There were a few dignitaries present, some well-wishers, representatives of our Philippine Coast Guard, and a band of Ati-Atihan dancers bidding adios to the ship as she set sail to her next port call – Australia.

All VRs taken on August 2, 2009.
The author can be reached at: fung@firefly.ph