Ralph Barajan: True Courage in the Face of Adversity

It was a bright, sunny morning on November 7, 2019, with clear skies and calm seas. The horizon looked peaceful, promising a smooth voyage to the passengers of the M/V Siargao Princess towards their destination in Sibonga, Cebu.

Ralph Barajan was the last man to board the small vessel at Catagbacan Port in Loon, Bohol, unaware of the extraordinary event that lay ahead.

A registered nurse by profession, Ralph took a different path and became a non-commissioned officer of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Prior to this boat trip, he received an urgent call to report back to his assigned station in Southern Cebu.

On board the craft were families eager to reunite with their loved ones, individuals bound for the revered Birhen sa Simala, and others like Ralph, who had important errands and duties to fulfill.

As the ship sailed through the serene waters of the Cebu Strait, Ralph settled himself comfortably for a quick nap.

Everyone on board was in good spirits and eager to do their planned itineraries later that day. But no one ever expected that a tragedy awaited them in the middle of the sea.

An Unexpected Turn of Events

A loud commotion awakened Ralph and he saw the passengers and crew already in disorder. He noticed that strong, violent waves were constantly ramming against the ship. It was an unbelievable sight, given the sunny weather they witnessed since departure.

It was as if the sea suddenly transformed into a monster and battered them with no mercy.

Ralph started taking videos and sent them to his wife, Joy, telling her about their situation. He remained calm and observed the scene, thinking the chaos would subside and return to normal.

However, the waves persisted and water began to seep into the vessel, specifically at the front side, causing panic among the crew and passengers. Some were crying while others prayed fervently, feeling helpless in this situation.

“I knew then that something was wrong. I immediately took action to help restore order,” Ralph recalled.

He quickly introduced himself to everyone as an officer of the PCG, which brought back some confidence and calm to the terrorized passengers.

As the water gradually flooded the ship, Ralph instructed everyone to move towards the back. “But as time passed, the situation worsened,” Ralph stated.

The torrential waves kept on coming and pounding against the small craft. “I went to the captain and suggested abandoning the ship. But he refused and justified that rescue was coming.”

After failing to convince the captain, Ralph returned to the passenger deck and instructed everyone to wear life jackets. He contacted all available Coast Guard stations near the area, including the Cebu central office and station commanders for immediate rescue.

Despite the distress calls made, the ship was still in the middle of the sea, hours away from either Cebu or Bohol. It would still take time for the nearest rescue teams to arrive at their current location. Alas, the violent waves showed no signs of stopping anytime soon, and their ship continuously took in water. They were running out of time.

“At times like this, we’ll never know what happens next. I was already preparing myself for the worst-case scenario,” Ralph revealed. During this terrifying moment, emotions ran high, but he had no choice but to face the problems head-on.

Bracing for the Worst

When Ralph told everyone to wear life jackets, he noticed that only the adults were given the floating devices. “I had to ask the crew to distribute life jackets for the kids,” he recalled. As the crew emerged with new ones for the children, Ralph assisted in the distribution. He secured one for himself, but it turned out to be too small for him.

After securing everyone with life vests, Ralph reassessed the situation and realized that the ship would sink soon. He hurried back to the bridge to try convincing the captain to abandon ship. However, the captain insisted on waiting for rescue, citing the impending arrival of the Coast Guard. Ralph argued that time was of the essence and that they had to act quickly. Unfortunately, only the captain had the authority to declare when they need to abandon ship; thus Ralph could only continue Ralph could only continue to urge the captain to make the difficult decision. He knew that every minute that passed increased the risk of the ship sinking with everyone still on board.

Fortunately, the captain gave in and ordered the evacuation after witnessing the ship’s front side begin to submerge. “After the captain said his orders, I immediately informed everyone to jump into the sea and leave everything behind,” said Ralph. The crew assisted the passengers as they leaped into the churning waters in a race against time.

As the ship sank deeper, Ralph conducted a final search and found several elderly passengers huddled in a corner, resigned to their fate.

“When I saw them praying the rosary, my heart swelled with pity. But I refused to see them give up just like that, so I went and grabbed them despite their protests,” Ralph recalled.

Not On My Watch

Ralph dragged the older women outside and quickly pushed them into the sea. However, one was left behind and resisted, stricken with fear, as she held onto the bars with all her might.

But the ship was sinking fast. If they failed to jump quickly, they’d be sucked along with the craft and into the deep sea, gone forever.

“I had no choice but to whack her hand so she’d let go. Finally, we were able to jump. When I looked back, the ship was instantly gone,” Ralph recounted the devastating event.

Less than 10 minutes after the captain ordered to abandon ship, the Siargao Princess sank to the bottom of the sea.

But the ordeal was far from over. “The challenge then was to stay alive as we waited for rescue. The life rafts weren’t designed to carry people; all that survivors could do was to hold onto the edges and try not to slip away.”

Ralph instructed each crew member to man a raft, ensuring order and coordination, as well as assisting him in tying the rafts together to prevent them from drifting apart.

Fellow passengers also willingly helped to keep an eye on other survivors, especially the young and elderly. He remembered a certain seaman from Carmen, Bohol who readily assisted him after asking for help.

“As we struggled to survive at sea, strong waves constantly hit us. They were as tall as the ones surfers ride on. We had to hold our breaths after each surge, or else we’d drown and die. It felt like we were inside a washing machine,” Ralph described the horror they endured. Everyone had to regroup after the raft flipped due to the huge waves. In addition to the torment, the scorching heat from the sun caused sunburn to survivors.

Despite the dire situation, Ralph remained a beacon of hope, swimming tirelessly from raft to raft, checking on the survivors and offering assistance wherever needed. “Whenever I see a bag placed on the raft, I throw it away. When there’s a child, elderly or sickly person floating on water, I hoist and place them on the raft,” he said.

“A mother approached me, exhausted and desperate. She thought she had lost her two children. I offered words of comfort and reassurance. I was glad she didn’t waver,” he recalled. Thankfully, her children were found safe on another raft.

“Perhaps that was one of the moments people remembered about me. They’d come looking for a big man with tattoos and say he was the one who helped them survive,” said Ralph. “But it wasn’t just because of me; it was also thanks to the crew and others who offered assistance in ensuring everyone’s safety.”

A Moment of Despair

As the only person who didn’t have a life jacket, Ralph soon felt exhausted. He admitted he wanted to swim away and reach the nearest land. “Sometimes, I thought of swimming back alone to seek help. The land was already visible ahead of us. But the heart-wrenching cries of other survivors made it difficult to leave them behind,” he disclosed.

Depleted in energy, Ralph wallowed in despair as he let himself float on water. He thought about his family in Bohol, especially his wife and his daughter. He remembered the last message he sent to his wife bearing the words, “We’re going to sink.” It must have been a heartbreaking message that may never be answered. He contemplated at the thought that he might not see his family again.

Ralph’s mind raced with regrets and fears. What if he couldn’t make it? Where would his wife find money for his burial? Would his daughter end up growing up without a father? More questions popped inside his head. It was a matter of time before he and the other survivors succumbed to despair and surrender to sad fate.

Hope Has Arrived

As Ralph drifted away in dejection, he suddenly heard a whistle from the crew. He saw a ship approaching them.

“I couldn’t help but rejoice that they found us. I instantly swam directly to the ship since I didn’t have a life jacket, not even a raft,” he said. He also had to ensure his survival and make it back to his family alive.

Soon, he learned they were lost at sea for three hours as rescue teams searched for them. They were further away from their last known location and ended up near the shores of Carcar, a neighboring city of Sibonga.

“It was a good thing that we tied the rafts together, making it easier for them to rescue us,” said Ralph.

He also credited and praised the crew and other fellow passengers who lent a hand during this terrifying nightmare.

The Pride of Bohol

Ralph, Joy and I attended the same university in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. After reading Joy’s post on social media about Ralph’s situation, I felt devastated. The hours seemed to pass by slowly, as we waited for updates from the search and rescue team.

Finally, everyone rejoiced as soon photos of the rescue operation emerged from media outlets, bearing the news that all passengers and crew survived the terrifying ordeal. That also meant Ralph made it. But there was more.

Suddenly, news of Ralph’s extraordinary acts of courage and leadership spread like wildfire, igniting a wave of pride and admiration across his hometown of Bohol. Amid all the celebration, Ralph quietly exited the scene. What he desired most at that time was to go home to his family, since he didn’t have any means to contact them. He managed to hitch a trip back to Bohol and spent days recuperating before returning to his post.

Meanwhile, everyone was looking for the man who resembled Maui (from the movie Moana) because of his tattoos and praised him for his bravery and resilience. Survivors wanted to thank him for his courage and compassion. If it weren’t for his leadership and quick thinking, they might not have made it alive.

Ralph’s bravery and selflessness that helped save 62 lives, including himself, gained worldwide recognition. He received the 2020 International Maritime Organization for Exceptional Bravery at Sea, together with two other recipients from Brazil. He also earned a promotion as a reward for his exemplary service.

An Unforgettable Legacy

As Ralph embarks on a new chapter in his life, he dedicates more of his time to his family and nursing career after tendering his resignation from his post in May 2023.

Looking back at the event four years ago, Ralph carries with him the invaluable lessons learned from his experiences at sea. “Humans are inherently kind. Sometimes, all it takes is a catalyst for people to start caring for others and show empathy,” he emphasizes.

Despite the fame and prestige he garnered after the incident, Ralph remains grounded in his core values as someone who swore an oath to protect the lives of his fellow men. “Let’s be more kind and humane towards each other. It’s what we are meant to do as stewards of our planet and fellow human beings.”

Ralph Barajan’s legacy is one of courage and commitment. His story will continue to inspire generations to come, serving as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, the human spirit can prevail, lighting the path towards a better future.

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