Farewell...MV Doulos!

MV Doulos is back in Manila!

I don’t exactly remember how I first got the information that MV Doulos was back in the Philippines. But as soon as I read from a travel and photography blog that this might well be the last time the said ship may visit the country, I made plans to ensure that my family doesn’t miss out on such a historic trip.

The following weekend, my wife Odette along with three of our four kids and I went to Manila’s South Harbor port area to go on board a very remarkable sea vessel. Junior was inn Tagaytay in a bonding overnight excursion with co-graduating classmates. Luckily for him, he was with us during our first visit to Doulos sometime after the turn of the millennium.

We arrived early before people were even allowed into the docking area. So we first ate merienda at a Chowking restaurant in Roxas Boulevard. By the time we came back, a long line had already developed. I think this was the usual scenario since it opened its doors on March 6, a day after it arrived back in Manila. Logically this was also to be expected considering that Sunday we were there was the second to the last day left for the general public to visit Doulos.

The long line to the vessel starts here

With Faith and Joshua

Kuya Sonny takes care of younger siblings






The long line moves slowly

What makes the MV Doulos special?

MV Doulos happens to be the world’s oldest active sea-faring passenger ship. Built in 1914 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in the United States, it was first named the SS Medina. Previously an Atlantic freighter, she also served with the US Coast Guard during World War II.

A Panamanian company bought her in 1948, renamed her as the SS Roma and converted her into a passenger ship. In 1952, it was resold to an Italian company that converted it from a steamship to a motor vessel and now christened it as the MV Franca C. After years of carrying passengers between Italy and Argentina, the Franca C was later modified to operate as a cruise liner primarily in the Mediterranean area.

Youth volunteers from various countries from MV Doulos greet the incoming visitors

In 1977, the German charity Gute Bücher für Alle (Good Books for All) bought the Franca C and renamed her MV Doulos. Presently manned by a Christian volunteer crew she visits sea ports around the world as a floating bookshop and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

After more than three decades of Christian service to the nations of the world, it is sad to know that the MV Doulos in currently on its last world tour and is scheduled to be de-commissioned next year.

Visitors are charged a minimal entrance fee of 10 pesos but kids
aged below 16 get to go on board for free

A young volunteer poses with Faith and Joshua

I understand that that the volunteers in MV Doulos who come from more than 40 countries do not earn from the ship. Instead, some even pay an amount (around $ 400) to be part of its crew and mission.

Up the stairway...

... and unto the boat!

A peek into the vessel's machinery

For a vessel which was built at the onset of the First World War, it still looked very sea worthy, especially compared to many of our sea vessels in the country which are much, much younger.

The people here came in droves

Whoa! People inside the Doulos looked like packed sardines! All that trapped exhaled carbon dioxide turned the heat up inside the bookshelves area.

A major reason people I believe why many people keep coming aboard the MV Doulos when it visits their country is the cheap prices of their books.

Among the books I bought during this visit was a coffee table book on the movie “The Passion of Christ” which had a cover price of around $ 25 though I only paid 150 pesos which by current exchange rates is roughly only a little less than 3 US dollars!

The hard bound Hardy Boys Volume 1 book I bought was more expensive at 250 pesos. I didn’t mind considering it was a collectible that I couldn’t find in regular bookshops like National Bookstore.

The MV Doulos holds the present record of being the world’s biggest floating library. It is estimated that it typically has around 3,000 to 5,000 books on its bookshelves and another 500,000 in the hold.

My kids look at the numerous children's books

Majority of the books we saw were children’s books, general reference and Christian literature.

But there were other good stuff being sold like CDs, tumblers, and office supplies. I bought Doulos collectible items like 2 plastic cups, a neck cord (ID holder) designed with flags of various countries and a nice looking dark blue cap.

My major frustration – no Doulos mugs were on sale when we were there. I guess the ones I saw on the Internet got sold very fast in the last few days with the ship being on its last visit and all.

By all accounts, this appears to be a normally sized crowd that visits Doulos everyday

My family (only Junior was absent) poses beside Faith's favorite character
- Dora the Explorer!

Too many books...so little time!

After buying some stuff in an elbow to elbow environment, finally some fresh see breeze!

The poster says it all --- MV Doulos is a bookshop which has something for everyone!

Artistic performances and alike are held at the ship's deck

Going around the ship, you see short programs being staged; face paintings for the kids and some book reading. So much to offer. But alas, so little time.

I’m really sad to realize that this is the last time we will be seeing the MV Doulos.

My hope is that another ship shall be commissioned next year to continue the evangelistic tradition started by the MV Doulos.

We start the long way down

Farewell...MV Doulos! You have served your Master well!

So long….farewell MV Doulos!

Your noble decades of service is worthy of your name! *

* (Doulos is the Greek word for ‘servant’)