A Filipino-born sailor has returned to the Philippines aboard HMAS Tobruk to assist with the ADF’s Operation PHILIPPINES ASSIST clean-up effort at Ormoc, Leyte.
Leading Seaman Maritime Logistics-Supply Chain Erik Catada said he was thankful to be able to give something back to his old country.
“I feel blessed to be able to come back and help,” he said.
“Teachers at the school we were cleaning up said they couldn’t believe I was a Filipino in the Australian Navy and were pleased to meet an Australian sailor who could speak their language,” he said.
Leading Seaman Catada came to Australia nine years ago “looking for greener pastures.”
“My dad and two brothers are still in the Philippines but are in a different province and unaffected by Typhoon Haiyan,” he said.
“They don’t know I’m here, but I know they’re fine.”
