Musical tribute to Filipino seafarers

Music  plays a special role on Filipino seafarers’ life,  whether at sea or on land.

A sunset environmental concert  dubbed as Harana  by the Bay of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) symphony band  pays homage to the oceans and seas  to keep our Filipino seafarers safe in their voyage  

Harana  is part of the celebration of the 24rd National Seafarers Day led by the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) Philippines and the 20th National Maritime Week.  

Harana was an exclusively nocturnal practice which gained popularity in the early part of the Spanish Period  that was widely practiced in many parts of the Philippines with a set of protocols, a code of conduct, and specific romantic  style of music. 

 Organized in  2000,  the  PCG band is composed   of  both junior and senior ranking non-commissioned officers who represented  the institution in the different parts of the country, be it for entertainment, advertisement and for keeping the PCG's vision, mission and primary functions thru musical entertainment.

It is also an understatement to say that karaoke is a central part of  pop culture of Filipinos , including   seafarers whether on board or in between contracts.

Karaoke is the clipped compound of Japanese kara (empty) and ōkesutora (orchestra)  that is an  interactive entertainment  in which an amateur singer sings along with recorded music  (or a music video)  using a microphone.

 Karaoke is indeed  a favorite past time of Filipino seafarers as one of the  coping mechanisms aboard international and domestic  shipping vessels to address stress and boredom.

The sea can’t stop the seafarers  in mastering the art of vocal mimicry from contagiously  belting out songs like the infamous “My Way.”

In between contracts,  Pinoy seafarers and maritime students  converging along Kalaw show their singing prowess through a weekly show organized by volunteers.

The Boses ng Marino Karaoke Challenge by the Luneta Seafarer's Welfare Foundation (LUSWEL:F)  was   included in the Pasiklaban  Musicfest of this year’s NSD  at the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, followed by the battle of the bands.

 The Philippines is considered as the major supplier of maritime labor globally as it is estimated that there is one Filipino seafarer for every four to five complements on board a vessel at any time.

 The estimated 337,502 deployed Filipino seafarers in 2018  remitted  $6.14 billion or around P318.55 billion. The sea-based 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.

However, away from his family and working on board vessels sailing non-stop for weeks or months the world’s oceans, the Filipino 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, the risks of his getting killed, injured or ill are high.

Former president Fidel V. Ramos issued on July 9, 1996 Proclamation No. 828 declaring Aug. 18 as National Seafarers’ Day aimed at giving due recognition to the vital role of Filipino seafarers towards the development of the Philippines as a maritime country. Later, Proclamation No. 1094 was issued in 1997 by President Ramos which moved NSD to every last Sunday of September every year.

The Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) Philippines was tasked to coordinate with the public and private sectors in activities related to the celebration of said event.

This year’s NSD is set on September 29, 2019  with the  theme “ Marinong Filipino- Kababaihan: Palakasin sa Industriya!” in line with 2019  World Maritime Day theme ( Empowering Women in the Maritime Community).

The Sunday masses during the NSD all over the country are offered to the Filipino seafarers.

Other weeklong NSD activities nationwide led by AOS include memorial at sea, novenas, oratorical/art /photo contest, film showings, search for  the Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines (TOMSP) and  the grand parade participated in by stakeholders.

 The NSD coincides with the National Maritime Week celebrated every last week of September spearheaded alternatively by the government agencies Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

***

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786).

Seafarer as gender neutral term in maritime industry

In the recent decades, the word “seafarer” has replaced the word “seaman” in the male-dominated  maritime industry. The term “seaman” was widely used to describe anyone working at sea.

This is perhaps   due to the actions   of the  United Nations (UN) in promoting gender equality, women have been taking part in industries that once belonged to men, the maritime industry included.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO)  noted that  women represent only two percent of the world's 1.2 million seafarers while  94 percent of female seafarers are working in the cruise industry.

Within this historically male dominated industry, IMO  stressed that it has been making a concerted effort to help the industry move forward and support women to achieve a representation that is in keeping with twenty-first century expectations.

IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim earlier  said  that the maritime industry needs more women because of the quality work they provide.  He underscored that women are a very important source of human resources, which would make for safer sea travel.

In the Philippines, the  Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)  has recorded 73,027 women seafarers or almost 10% of approximately one million Filipino seafarers issued with Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB) as of December 2018. SIRB used to be known as Seaman’s Book.

Describing them as  “bolder and highly driven”,  seafaring women have a propensity for not backing down from offers for higher positions, although   some   bear the social cost of their profession, according to  Marissa Oca, founder and president of Gig and Amazing Sampaguita Foundation, Inc (GASFI).

In 1991, Republic Act (RA) 7192, or the Women in Development and Nation Building Act was passed that   mandates the integration of women in various industries, including  the military,  to make them on par with men in terms of development and nation-building.

The Philippine Merchant Maritime Academy (PMMA) then   started offering to women Marine Engineering (MarE), Marine Transportation (MT)  and other maritime courses  in 1993. Several maritime institutions followed thereafter.

Since it started in 2011, eight female students were awarded during the annual nationwide    search for the Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines (TOMSP)   of the   National Seafarer’s Day (NSD).

The  search 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.

Four female  winners came from the  Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP), namely   Shiela May M. Diaz ( 2014,BS.MarE),  Shiela Mae R. Rosales (2015,BSMT) Nellyvette Claire B. Dela Cruz (2017,BSMT)  and Loren C. Negapatan (2017,BSMT)

Thaddea Pearl M. Hangad  (BSMT)  of University of Cebu, Lapu Lapu & Mandaue won in 2012.

Laarni Grace R. Pangilinan (BSMT) of Philippine Merchant Marine Academy(PMMA)-Zambales

won in 2013.

Sabrina Mccoy Villaruz (BSMT)  of  Colegio De La Purisima Concepcion-Roxas won in 2016

Janine H. Elican (BSMT) of  John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation- Bacolod won in 2017.

More women have recently filled officer positions such  the ranks of chief engineers or master mariners unlike in the past decades, women on board cruise ships were confined to the housekeeping and food and beverage departments.

Former president Fidel V. Ramos issued on July 9, 1996 Proclamation No. 828 declaring Aug. 18 as National Seafarers’ Day aimed at giving due recognition to the vital role of Filipino seafarers towards the development of the Philippines as a maritime country.

Later, Proclamation No. 1094 was issued in 1997 by President Ramos which moved NSD to every last Sunday of September every year.

The Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) Philippines was tasked to coordinate with the public and private sectors in activities related to the celebration of said event.

The estimated 337,502 deployed Filipino seafarers in 2018  remitted  $6.14 billion or around P318.55 billion.

This year’s NSD is set on September 29, 2019  with the  theme “ Marinong Filipino- Kababaihan: Palakasin sa Industriya!” in line with 2019  World Maritime Day theme ( Empowering Women in the Maritime Community) in support of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #5 which is to achieve gender equality and empower all women.

The Sunday masses all over the country are offered to the Filipino seafarers.

Other weeklong NSD activities nationwide led by AOS include novenas, oratorical/art /photo contest,  Concert by the Bay, karaoke challenge, and  the grand parade participated in by stakeholders.

***

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786).

Filipino Seafarers as disciples of the church : 24th National Seafarers Day

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle has acknowledged the role of  seafarers, Filipino mariners in particular, in propagating the teachings of the church, and  not merely major contributors to the country’s economic growth.

Speaking during the holy mass of the 24^th National Seafarers Day (NSD) at the Paco Arena, Tagle noted that Church has always been interested in seafarers since Christ first gathered his fishermen-disciples around him who later  disseminated his teachings.

Andrew, Peter, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were fishermen.  The bible relates that Andrew and Peter were fishing, plying their trade when called, and James and John were mending nets with their father. The bible also  states that James and John  weren’t just fishermen, but business owners, along with their father, for they employed others in the business.

Thomas and Philip may have also worked as fishermen, for they were all together and fishing when Jesus appeared to them following his resurrection.

Tagle also earlier noted in a previous NSD celebration that Filipino seafarers  are  ‘saint potentials’.  The archbishop was referring to Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod as he noted that these two martyrs of the Philippine Catholic Church were seafarers and missionaries at the same time before they became saints. He added that Ruiz and Calungsod sailed to other countries and died for a mission: “to teach the Good News.

He likewise reminded the faithful not to be blinded and numb by comfort, wealth and luxury.

“As we strive to make our lives better, may this not lead us to forgetting our roots, neglecting those who need our help. Real progress also means progress in sympathizing and helping our fellowmen. But if it leads us to becoming numb and blind to the needs for others, then you cannot call it real progress,” Tagle stressed.

The estimated 337,502 deployed Filipino seafarers in 2018  remitted  $6.14 billion or around P318.55 billion. The sea-based sector’s remittances 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.

“If you are already well-off and live a comfortable life and you deny the Philippines and forget where you came from, that is not progress. That is regression. That is not the attitude of an upright person. And that is not the kind of Filipino I know,” Tagle added.

Tagle underscored that the pain brought by separation is a sign of  the seafarer’s  love, strength, and faith for the good of his  family and the country.

"Even if you feel pain when you leave your family and your country, that suffering is not a reason for you to be ‘paralyzed,’ but inspire you to strive for more,” said Tagle adding  that their hardships will not weaken them but make them even stronger.

The Philippines is considered as the major supplier of maritime labor globally as it is estimated that there is one Filipino seafarer for every four to five complements on board a vessel at any time.

 Former president Fidel V. Ramos issued on July 9, 1996 Proclamation No. 828 declaring Aug. 18 as National Seafarers’ Day aimed at giving due recognition to the vital role of Filipino seafarers towards the development of the Philippines as a maritime country. Later, Proclamation No. 1094 was issued in 1997 by President Ramos which moved NSD to every last Sunday of September every year.

The Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) Philippines was tasked to coordinate with the public and private sectors in activities related to the celebration of said event. The Sunday masses all over the country were offered to the Filipino seafarers.

This year’s NSD was set on September 29, 2019  with the  theme “ Marinong Filipino- Kababaihan: Palakasin sa Industriya!” in line with 2019  World Maritime Day theme ( Empowering Women in the Maritime Community).

Other weeklong NSD activities nationwide led by AOS include the grand parade participated in by stakeholders,  memorial at sea, novenas,  and the search for  the Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines (TOMSP) as well as oratorical, art, photo and singing contest ..

The NSD coincides with the National Maritime Week celebrated every last week of September spearheaded alternatively by the government agencies Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

***

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786).

West Philippine Sea and the 2019 Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines

The West Philippine Sea issue was one  of  the questions I asked to the  aspirants for the 2019 Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines (TOMSP) in line with the 24^th National Seafarers Day (NSD).  

 They were also asked what single personal item they will save if they were on board the damaged  Filipino fishing boat FB Gem-VIR  that  a Chinese vessel rammed on June 9, 2019 near the Reed (Recto) Bank.

Some of the answers given cellphone, rosary, bible, family pictures, and notebook with prayers.

Out of the 25 hopefuls, the following students were declared the winners: D/C Ma. Toiza Boriba Gorantes and  D/C Ryan Anthony Bretana  both from John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU)  Arevalo;   E/C Peter Matthew Bibera of JBLFMU Molo  and  D/C John Kevin Buenaventura  and D/C Zayber Araya of John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (JBLCF Bacolod). D/C Keith Aiken Pajarillo and D/C Aldrin Ulep both of  Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific – IMMAJ Campus;  D/C Christian Khen Torreliza of  Baliwag Maritime Academy; D/C William Catacutan of  University of the Visayas ( UV Main Campus) and E/c Dustin Ryan Veridiano, of University of Cebu (Lapu Lapu/Mandaue).

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  search gave recognition to students for being academically excellent, highly competent in practice, in good moral standing and active in their respective communities.

From 2011 to 2019, ninety students have received   the TOMSP award.

The largest number of winners came from  JBLCF – Bacolod with fifteen students.

They are followed by   eleven students from  Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) IMMAJ Campus   and another eleven  11 from  from  MAAP CGSO  campus.

Ten winners came from JBLMU– Arevalo.

Seven students came from Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA)-Zambales while another seven came from University of Cebu (UC) – Lapu Lapu and Mandaue.

Five students came from JBLMU – Molo.

Four students came from Mariners’ Polytechnic Colleges Foundation.

Three students each came from Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS), Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) Manila and  DMMA College of Southern Philippines.

Two students came from Malayan Colleges Laguna.

One student came from each of the following schools: Baliwag Maritime Academy, Colegio Dela Purisima Concepcion Roxas, Lyceum International Maritime Academy Batangas,   Manuel Enverga University Foundation, Inc.,  NAMEI Polytechnic Institute, Philippine Merchant Marine School (PMMS)  Las Pinas, Southwestern University Maritime Regiment, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta,  and University of the Visayas.

With this year’s NSD theme "Marinong Filipino-Kababaihan: Palakasin sa Industriya!", nine  female students were awarded since the TOMSP search begun in 2011 wherein four came from the MAAP , one each from University of Cebu, PMMA, Colegio De La Purisima Concepcion-Roxas, JBLCF Bacolod and latest winner   from JBLMU-Arevalo.

Higher maritime education usually consists of 4-year college degree programs for either marine transportation or engineering. Most commonly, the students go through a 4-year structure (3 - 1) which stipulates 3  years of academic study prior to onboard job training in the final year. An alternative approach is a 2 – 1 – 1 structure which schedules the onboard job training for the third year. After the one year job training, the students go back to school to finish their last year.

The almost 90 maritime schools annually produce some 40,000 graduates while a  2018  study by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)  showed that an average of  about 18% of enrollees manages to complete the full academic three years.

Former president Fidel V. Ramos issued on July 9, 1996 Proclamation No. 828 declaring Aug. 18 as  NSD  aimed at giving due recognition to the vital role of Filipino seafarers towards the development of the Philippines as a maritime country. Later, Proclamation No. 1094 was issued in 1997 by President Ramos which moved NSD to every last Sunday of September every year.

The Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) Philippines was tasked to coordinate with the public and private sectors in activities related to the celebration of said event. The Sunday masses all over the country were offered to the Filipino seafarers.

***

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786).