Thousands of Filipino seafarers, maritime students and their families gathered last Sunday, September 25, 2016 for the nationwide celebration of the 21st National Seafarer’s Day organized as a fitting tribute to the maritime community for their invaluable contribution to the country.
One of the highlights in the Manila event in SMX Mall of Asia is the Grand Parade participated in by more than 4000 stakeholders from maritime schools, government agencies, manning agencies, training centers, maritime organizations, unions, families and private institutions
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) data showed that there are 44L,826 Filipino seafarers with POEA approved contract deployed in 2014. On the other hand, , the deployed seafarers in 2015 brought in US$5,792,459,000 as dollar remittances. The seabased sector’s remittance comprise at least 22% of the total dollar remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). These remittances help spur domestic consumption in the Philippines and a key ingredient in the country’s drive to achieve higher but sustainable growth. Filipino seafarers are the top choice in the international maritime industry because of their industry, compassion, resilience and good grasp of the English language.
However, away from his family and working on board vessels sailing non-stop for weeks or months the world’s oceans, the Filpino seafarer is physically, mentally and emotionally stressed. Constantly exposed to fluctuating temperatures caused by variant weather changes of extreme hot and cold as the ships cross ocean boundaries, not to mention harsh weather conditions, the risks of his getting killed, injured or ill are high.
Father Paulo Prigol, chaplain of AOS Manila said in the SAMBUHAY missalette: "The seafaring profession, by its nature, is marked by circumstances that create ‘abysses’ like family separation and isolation, lack of communication, travelling the world but being seldom at home, being considered or called ‘one day millionaire’, etc. thus, to cross this abyss seafarers and their families need support, or using the maritime language, a compass. The compass gives direction....The compass brings the ship and her crew members to the port of destination...The faith and courage of Juan’s family and millions of other families were tested next to the extreme, but like Lazarus, they never gave up and kept sailing till safe shores."
Also gracing the event were the sixty (60) foreign delegates of the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA), who had arrived in the country to enable them to know the culture in order for them to assist Filipino seafarers wherever they are in the globe.
Fr. Bruno Ciceri, representative of the Apostleship of the Sea International at the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People in Vatican City, said he deeply grateful that they have been given the chance to lead the National Seafarer’s Day celebration in the Philippines.
He said members of the ICMA look forward to meeting the Filipino seafarers, maritime officials and students for them to be able to assist them when they are in other countries. “Many of the delegates are here in the Philippines for the first time and it a learning experience for them,” he said.
The NSD coincides with the National Maritime Week last week of September spearheaded alternatively by the government agencies , to wit Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
The celebration gives tribute to Filipino seafarers nothwithstanding the 2015 report of the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) on the manpower situation in the global shipping industry. Globally, there are 1,647,500 seafarers inclusive of both officers and ratings. Despite the large number Filipino ratings, the country only ranks number two—next to China—as the world’s largest provider of seafarers across all ranks.China is now ranked as number one supplier of officers while the Philippines is the top source for ratings.
The search for the #TenOutstandingMaritimeStudents #TOMS started in 2011 and gave recognition to students for being academically excellent, highly competent in practice, in good moral standing and active in their respective communities. The chosen students are seen as the embodiment of the "ideal seafarer," displaying "integrity, passion, assertiveness, dependability and camaraderie" that will allow them to become globally competitive Filipino seafarer. The 2016 TOMS are:
1. Mark Kelvin C. Abarado Marine Transportation Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific
2. Andre’ Chad C. Acosta Marine Transportation Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific
3. Prince Noel C. Cainap Marine Transportation John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation-Bacolod
4. Jan Carlo A. Carpio Marine Transportation Southwestern University-Maritime Regiment
5. Prince Nani A. Co Marine EngineeringJohn B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo
6. Manasseh M. Disto Marine Engineering University of Cebu-Lapu lapu and Mandaue
7. Juelle Jade B. Espiritu Marine Transportation Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific
8. John Marwin D. PalmaMarine Transportation Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila
9. John Carl T. Tagulalap Marine Transportation John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Arevalo Inc.
10. Sabrina Mccoy Villaruz Marine Transportation Colegio De La Purisima Concepcion
The #NSD22 #NSD2017 activities nationwide led by the #ApostleshipoftheSea ( #AOS ) include the Memorial at Sea, High Mass, Oratorical/ Art/ Photo Contest, Harana by the Bay, Boodlefight, Karaoke challenge, and the Search for Top Ten Outstanding Maritime Students. One of the highlights is the Grand Parade to be participated in by more than 4000 stakeholders from maritime schools, government agencies, manning agencies, training centers, maritime organizations, unions, families and private institutions
I never knew seafarers are being celebrated yearly. Thank you! Being in a cruise ship job sure is rewarding. Do these events also include people working at North Sea Marine?
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