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.

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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).

2017: Twenty Second National Seafarers Day

The   Twenty Second  National Seafarers' Day was celebrated on  September 24, 2017    with the theme "MARINONG FILIPINO: NAG-UUGNAY SA MUNDO" . The Manila celebration was held at the Cuneta Astrodome. 

Former president Fidel V. Ramos earlier issued on July 9, 1996 Proclamation No. 828 declaring August 18 as National Seafarers Day wherein  the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) was tasked to coordinate with the public and private sector in   activities related to the celebration of said event. The purpose of the Proclamation is to give 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 #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 participated in by more than 4000 stakeholders from maritime schools, government agencies, manning agencies, training centers, maritime organizations, unions, families and private institutions

    The high mass was celebrated by  Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco while MARINA administrator Marcial Amaro III  was the guest  speaker.  

The  seventh    batch of   recipients for the Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines (TOMSP) search (in line with the National Seafarers Day) were awarded on that day.  It  gave recognition to students for being academically excellent, highly competent in practice, in good moral standing and active in their respective communities. 

Dionel Alfaro of Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) Pasay 

Ronald Christ Capindo of John B Lacson Colleges Foundation  Bacolod

Nelyvette Claire Dela Cruz of Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) Bataan

Janine Elican of John B Lacson Colleges Foundation  Bacolod

Eugene Mark Genilsa of John B Lacson Colleges Foundation  Molo

John Michael Ibanez University of Cebu  Lapulapu and Mandaue

Loren Negapatan of MAAP Bataan

Patrick Allan Peralta of MAAP Bataan

Karl Japeth Rosal of MAAP Bataan

Honey Grace Ysulan of Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA)