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Captain Romeo Muaje
Romeo has been on boats most of his life. He began working on outrigger boats when he was a small boy and gathered plenty of experience plying the seas of New-Guinea and all over the Philippines on big fishing vessels. He worked as a quartermaster, boatswain and chief mate before becoming a captain.
The last few years he decided to be closer to his wife and four children and was put in charge of one of the passenger ferries between Puerto Galera (Sabang) and Batangas. By no means an easy job had he chosen, dealing with severe currents and waves on a daily basis.
You would be hard pushed to find a more experienced captain than Romeo in these waters.
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Chief Engineer Chris Castillo
Chris is a native from Big La Laguna, one of Puerto Galera’s beautiful beaches, and started to work in the early 80’s for the very first dive shop in the area “Reef Raiders.” He learned everything from filling tanks, fixing compressors, boat engines and dive gear and also how to be a capable boatman.
When Reef Raiders closed down he decided to become a Captain on the ferry boats from Puerto Galera to Batangas and did that for ten years.
Andy Norman from Asia Divers noticed his mechanical skills and hired him eight years ago and Chris worked for him and Asia Divers for six years.
Two years ago he decided he was missing the ocean and the adventure too much and started to work on Rags II.
We are glad to have him onboard because Chris knows the boat inside out and keeps her in tip top shape! |
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First Mate Marlo Cusi alias Alo
With his 31 years he is the youngest crew member, but that doesn’t mean he lacks experience! Being a native of Dalaruan, a village near Puerto Galera, where everybody lives with, on or from boats he is a natural for the job.
He was working on the Puerto Galera – Batangas route for seven years before joining the crew of Rags II and has never looked back since.
Once the mooring line is loosened you see a big smile on Alo’s face and it usually never disappears during the trip. He is always ready to lend a helping hand and is strong like a bull.
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Engineer Wilfredo Baladjay alias Boy
Boy originally hails from the beautiful “marble” island of Romblon, but has lived most of his life in Puerto Princessa, Palawan(starting off point for diving trips to Tubbataha Reef).
He used to be a seaman on fishing boats and worked his way up to become an engineer, but he much prefers working on a diving boat.
Boy used to work with Ralph on the now almost legendary live-aboard “Tabibuga”, so he was a natural choice for the job.
He likes meeting people from all over the world and travelling to the most beautiful areas the Philippines have to offer.
When Rags II is not cruising around the South China Sea, Boy takes good care of the boat and considers her his seventh baby!
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Assistant Divina Abit
Divina grow up on a tiny island between Cebu and Leyte and learned how to swim and fish before she could even walk. She loves boats and the sea, but treats it with respect, because she lost two brothers to the ocean.
Funny thing is that she still gets seasick on almost every trip, despite working on a liveaboard before and cruising all over the Philippines for a long time. This malady doesn’t slow her down one bit and everyone who has suffered from this condition - knows what achievement this actually is.
Divina loves cooking and helps out in the kitchen, serves the food and keeps cabins and bathrooms spick and span. She doesn’t mind to lend a helping hand when divers come back from a dive and handles gear like a pro, because she also loves to dive herself and considers every chance to join a dive as a highlight of the trip! |
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Cook Sonny Lalongisip
Sonny was born in Abra de Ilog on the western side of Mindoro Island. He lives on Big La Laguna Beach now since fifteen years and decided that cooking is his passion ten years ago. He learned to please every palate that passes through Puerto Galera from typical European dishes to Korean, Chinese and even Siberian fish stews for our Russian guests.
Watch him preparing ten different kinds of breakfast in record time - simply amazing!
You better diet before or after the trip, because you will surely not be losing weight during a week with Sonny !! |
