2010-May-Jun

2 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
I
3
WORLD’S SEAFARING CAPITAL
f there’s one major significance that
the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) Diplomatic Conference to Adopt
Amendments to the STCW Convention
and Seafarers’ Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping (STCW) Code in Manila
slated on June 21 to 25, 2010 would be
underscoring, it would undoubtedly be the
fact that the Philippines is the undisputed
manning capital of the world.
Having the Philippines as a venue for an
important conference, which has a great and
extremely important bearing on seafarers the
world over, only proves that the IMO greatly
recognizes the country for having the most
number of seafaring men onboard the global
merchant marine fleet as well as the crucial
role of the Philippines in the global maritime
industry.
Since several decades back, the
Philippines has emerged as the premier
supplier of competent, qualified and welltrained seafarers for international shipping
trade.
Everyone in the international maritime
industry knows that Filipino seafarers
approximately account for almost 30% of the
global seaborne manpower. These Filipino
mariners have served as the country’s ‘sailing
ambassadors’ in the world’s oceans and
seas, who in their own ways, are responsible
in proclaiming the best traits and attitudes of
the Philippines as nation and Filipinos as a
people.
Thus when the global problem of ship
officer shortage loomed starting a few years
back, all eyes were practically directed to
the Philippines to make the first move and
respond. Through the concerted efforts of
the major stakeholders of the local seafaring
industry, both from the government and the
private sector, the Philippines was able
to come up with various programs and
initiatives and now the problem is gradually
and calculatedly being addressed.
While the global economy is just stirring
up from its stupor as a result of the global
recession brought about by the US financial
crisis starting in late 2008, the kept the
national economy practically insulated from
the financial slumber.
The Philippines only knows how important
the 2010 STCW Diplomatic Conference is.
Apart from being yet another opportunity to
be put in the global limelight, other than being
carried or inspired by a Manny Pacquiao
IMO Diplomatic Conference in Manila Underscores
Philippines’ Status in Global Maritime Industry
boxing victory to it, it only underlies the
strength as well as the potentials of the
country as a maritime nation.
Likewise, the country places great
importance in hosting the 2010 STCW
Diplomatic Conference, not only because it
fulfills a Presidential commitment made with
the Secretary-General of IMO but also the
event comes at a time when 2010 has been
declared as the ‘Year of the Seafarer.’
In recognizing the significance of
the event, no less than Her Excellency
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be
delivering the keynote address of the fiveday conference at the
Philippine International
Convention
Center
(PICC), which shall
be opened by IMO
Secretary General His
Excellency Efthimios
E. Mitropolous.
As a matter of
fact, on April 2010
Malacañang
issued
Administrative Order
No. 283 designating
the Department of
Transportation
and
Communications
(DOTC) as the lead
agency for the hosting
of the IMO Diplomatic
Conference in the third
week of June 2010.
The
DOTC
subsequently formed
a National Organizing
Committee (NOC) to
discuss and iron out
all the preparatory
arrangements,
intricacies and minute
details
needed
in
hosting the international
event with the end
in view of reinforcing
the Philippines’ status
as one of the most
important
maritime
countries in the world
Filipino seafarers are the country’s sailing ambassadors.
as well as that of being the global center for
maritime education and training.
The Secretary of DOTC sat as chairperson
of the NOC with the Secretaries of the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and
the Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) as vice chairpersons.
Apart
from
several
government
departments including the DOTC, the DFA,
the DOLE, the Department of Tourism,
the Department of Health, and some of
their respective line agencies, the NOC is
composed of major stakeholders of the local
maritime industry from the shipowners, the
ship manning agents, the seafarer unions,
and major industry associations.
The NOC has actually set 10 meetings
beginning on April 5, 2010 up to June 19,
2010 to discuss and eventually finalized
all the arrangements and preparations for
the Philippines hosting of the 2010 STCW
Diplomatic Conference.
Lineup of Activities
The 2010 STCW Diplomatic Conference
shall of course be highlighted by the five-day
TURN TO PAGE 28
4 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY-JUNE 2010
Industry Clamor
Prompts PRC to Abort
WES Suspension
I
t took a united stand of practically all the
major stakeholders of the local maritime
industry and a subsequent plan of the
United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) to hold
a protest rally of thousands of Filipino
marine deck and engineer officers for the
leadership of the Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC) to reconsider its shortlived decision on the suspension of the
Walk-in Examination System.
On April 12, 2010 or about two weeks
after the face-off at the PRC offices
between the major stakeholders of the
local seafaring industry and the leadership
of the commission, headed by Chairman
Nicolas Lapena, the PRC has released the
schedules of the WES for Filipino marine
officers for the period starting April 20 to
May 14, 2010.
Accordingly, there will be eight sets of
two-day WES for Filipino marine officers
to be given during the almost three-week
period and shall have 125 slots per set.
This information was immediately
relayed to Engr. Nelson Ramirez, president
of the UFS, who likewise decided to put
off the union’s plan to stage a protest
rally at the offices of PRC regarding the
increasingly nagging issue on WES.
The UFS was thrown into the fray of the
WES issue as information and grievances
from Filipino seafarers started pouring into
its offices late in January this year.
Acting on the complaints of many
disgruntled Filipino marine officers who
had laboriously gone through review
classes just to be able to take the WES
and also reacting to recent reports from the
seafaring industry grapevine that the PRC
was contemplating the suspension (or has
in fact suspended WES as of March 2010),
the UFS spared no time in joining the Joint
Manning Group, the Masters and Mates
Association of the Philippines, and the
Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s
Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) in
calling the attention of the PRC leadership
on the issue.
Apparently, word had reached the UFS
that PRC decided on suspending the WES
because the system was allegedly tainted
with anomalies, from scheduling and
acceptance of WES takers all the way to
the examination results.
On March 29, 2010, while practically
everyone was taking it slow at the start of
the Holy Week, Engr. Ramirez was making
another type of penitence for the sake of
the Filipino seafarers and the local maritime
industry in general.
Through a formal letter addressed to
PRC Chairman Lapena and copy furnished
to all members of the PRC Boards of Marine
Deck and Marine Engineer Officers, Engr.
Ramirez and the UFS pointed out that
WES is an industry-wide noble idea whose
time has definitely come.
He added that the system is also one
of the most viable solutions in contributing
toward addressing the current shortage
of officers in the global merchant marine
fleet.
“Suspending the WES because of
alleged anomalies is like burning the entire
house because it is infested by rats. That is
certainly not the way to address the problem
on WES. If there are flaws in the system,
they must be corrected and not remove
the entire system altogether,” Ramirez
cited during the industry stakeholders’
meeting with Chairman Lapena and the
members of the PRC marine boards as
he personally handed the UFS letter to the
PRC leadership.
TURN TO PAGE 50
Engr. Ramirez explaining a point about WES to PRC Chairperson Nicolas Lapena as the members
of the PRC marine boards and other key stakeholders of the local maritime industry listen in.
MAY-JUNE 2010
T
TINIG NG MARINO
5
he Department of Labor and
Employment, through the Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration
(POEA), formally conferred on April 29,
2010 the prestigious industry performance
awards to 37 select licensed land-based and
sea-based recruitment agencies for their
outstanding performance
in
the
overseas
employment industry in
a significant ceremony
held at the Philippine
International Convention
Center.
POEA
Administrator
Jennifer
Jardin-Manalili
disclosed that the 2009
Agency
Performance
Award is a milestone in
the more than two-decade
overseas
employment
program as it confers Labor Secretary Roque, Usec Lagman and POEA
for the first time the Administrator Manalili, along with the recipients of the
Presidential Award of Excellence during the pre-event The three government officials being flanked by This time, surrounded by the recipients of the Top
Presidential Award of
recipients of the Awards of Excellence.
Performer trophies.
press conference.
Excellence to 13 agencies
who were given honors
1,336 total number of licensed agencies as of MARITIME SERVICES, INC., MANPOWER composed of BLUE MANILA INC., BRIGHT
by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at March 2010, Manalili said.
RESOURCES OF ASIA, INC., and MARITIME CORPORATION, CROSSWORD
Malacañang Palace on April 21, 2010.
SERVICES,
INC.,
DOHLEThe POEA chief indentified the nine OMANFIL INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER MARINE
The Presidential Award of Excellence, awardees from the sea-based sector, DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
PHILMAN MANNING AGENCY INC., INC.
created by virtue of Proclamation No. 1519 and four from the land-based sector
On the other hand, the five recipients for NAVIGATION COMPANY PHILIPPINES,
signed in May 2008, is granted to agencies as BSM CREW SERVICE CENTER the Awards of Excellence were four sea- INC.,
MAERSK-FILIPINAS
CREWING
for having been a recipient of Award of PHILIPPINES, INC., CAREER PHILIPPINES based agencies, namely: CF SHARP CREW INC., MARLOW NAVIGATION PHILS. INC.,
Excellence for at least five times and among SHIPMANAGEMENT,
INC.,
INTER- MANAGEMENT, INC., MAGSAYSAY MITSUI MST MARINE SERVICES (PHILS.) INC.,
the selected awardees for the same category ORIENT MARITIME ENTERPRISES, INC., O.S.K. MARINE, INC., OSM MARITIME NORTH SEA MARINE SERVICES CORP.,
during the evaluation period from 2005 to JEBSENS MARITIME, INC., MAGSAYSAY SERVICES, INC., SEA POWER SHIPPING SCANMAR MARITIME SERVICES, INC.,
2009.
MARITIME CORPORATION, NYK-FILSHIP ENTERPRISES, INC. and one land- ABBA PERSONNEL SERVICES, INC.,
Considered the cream of the crop in MANAGEMENT,
INC.,
PHILIPPINE based agency, INTERNATIONAL SKILLS ALL-PRO STAFFING & CONSULTING
the recruitment industry, the Presidential TRANSMARINE CARRIERS, INC., STOLT- DEVELOPMENT INC.
SERVICES, FRANCE ASIA INTERNATIONAL
awardees comprise only one percent of the NIELSEN PHILIPPINES, INC., WALLEM
TURN TO PAGE 53
The nineteen Top Performer awardees are
DOLE, POEA Bestow Recognition
to Top Recruitment Agencies
6 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
Tinig ng Marino (Voice of the
Seafarer) is published by the United
Filipino Seafarers, a duly registered
Philippine maritime union. Editorial
office: 4th/F Room 402, Gedisco
Terraces Bldg., 1148 Roxas Blvd.,
Ermita, Manila, Philippines; Telephone nos.: (632) 524-4888; 525-5806; Fax (632) 524-2336; E-mail: ufs_07@
yahoo.com; Website: http://www.ufs.ph. Materials published in this
paper may be reprinted provided proper acknowledgment to Tinig ng Marino
and the author, if indicated, is made.
Nelson P. Ramirez
Executive Editor
Rey Gambe
Managing Editor
Creative Consultant
Arianne Rodriguez
Sonia Inserto
Assistant Editors
Erik España
Roland Cabrera
Minabelle Siason
Artists
Capt. Arturo Cañoza
Belgium Bureau
Fr. James Kolin
Japan Bureau
New York Bureau
Sapalo Velez Bundang
& Bulilan Law Offices
Engr. Samson Tormis
Greece Bureau
Legal Consultants
Corry Llamas-Konings
Philip Ramirez
Bob Ramirez
Edilberto B. Filipino Jr.
Jordan C. De Lara
Ahrvie Valdez
Rotterdam Bureau
Production Staff
SOUNDING LEAD
EDITORIAL
CAPT. REYNOLD M. SABAY
Filipinos in the
‘Year of the Seafarer’
F
ilipino seafarers are again the centerpiece of a lot of issues
and agendas that have recently cropped up or will take shape
in the local maritime industry in the coming weeks. Rightfully
so, as this industry is nothing if not for these seafaring men and
women who have proven their mettle time and again onboard
international vessels sailing the great oceans of the world.
Since the Filipino seafarers have dominated the global seaborne
manpower supply almost three decades ago, the international
shipping and maritime community can only take their hats off to their
capabilities and significant contributions to global shipping amid
triumphs and tribulations.
At the height of the worsening officer shortage problem in the
global maritime industry since a few years back, foreign shipowners
looked to the Philippines as the likely place for their salvation as
they came up with various cadet sponsorship programs, officer
training and re-training activities, and other initiatives, all meant to
fill the all-important void in their shipping operations.
Although many seafaring nations have attempted to step up to the
plate in lieu of Filipino seafarers, like India, China, Eastern European
countries, Indonesia, Myanmar, and of late Vietnam, nothing still
compares to the hallmarks of seafarers from the Philippines onboard
vessels. Thus, the threat to dislodge the Philippines as the No. 1
supplier of seafarers for the global merchant marine fleet remains
nothing to this day but just that – a mere threat.
Despite perceived challenges and the so-called ‘threat,’ the
continued preference for Filipino seafarers by foreign shipowners
and the international maritime community is still very obvious to this
day and perhaps in the years to come.
As a matter of fact, this June 2010, two international maritime
industry events will take place in Manila precisely because the
Filipino seafarers are actually the major centerpiece of the initiatives.
Well, other seafarers from other seafarer-supplying nations are
involved as a matter of courtesy, but it is the huge number of Filipino
seafarers and the substantial prospects projected to be lured into
the profession in the next couple of years that are making the
shipowners and the industry excited.
First is the five-day International Diplomatic Conference of the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) to adopt amendments to
the 1978 STCW Convention and Code for Seafarers, as amended
in 1995, slated on June 21 – 25, 2010.
TURN TO PAGE 26
Can We Prevent Maritime
Disasters in Domestic Waters?
I
n the words of former MARINA
Administrator Madam Elena Bautista,
to solve the pestering maritime
disasters in Philippine domestic waters,
the graduates of the Philippine Merchant
Marine Academy (PMMA) must serve at
least two years in domestic shipping.
For whatever wisdom there may be
in this, the PMMA Alumni Association,
Inc. responded professionally by
spearheading the Forum on ‘Domestic
Maritime Disasters – Can We Prevent?’
The forum that was held at the Hyatt
Hotel Manila last March 27, 2010 was
attended by some 100 personalities
mostly from the seafaring sector.
The resource speakers were Exec.
Director Arnie Santiago of MARINA;
CDR Alan Dela Vega of the Philippine
Coast Guard; Capt. Demetrio Ferrer of
the Board of Marine Inquiry; Capt. Jaime
Quinones, President of the PMMAAAI;
and Capt. Hernando Eusebio, the
Forum Chairman.
The following were discussed
passionately during the forum:
1. Investigation Process – in the
Philippines you can find an
investigative body investigating
itself, so what can be expected
as a productive result of such
practice?;
2. Wooden-Hulled Vessels – to be
phased out, is there something
wrong with the wood, if it is a
steel-hulled vessel, will it not sink?
The Titanic was one of the most
formidable vessels ever built and
was believed that only God could
sink her, but she did sink and she
was not a wooden-hulled vessel.
3. Minor and Major Patrons vis-a-vis
Master Mariners – Is it the license
involved, is it the procedures, is it
the process of licensing or is it the
competence involved that must be
addressed?
4. Human Error – 80% of marine
accidents/disasters are caused by
human error but what we failed to
identify is the 80% of the 80% are
all management-controlled.
5. Safety of navigation, who is
responsible? In our country, is it
the PPA, is it the MARINA, is it
the PCG, or is it the shipowners?
Unless we identify who is
responsible, we will never prevent
the maritime disasters in domestic
waters.
6. Oil Spills was also mentioned but
only lightly, but we could imagine
the disaster and damage it can
inflict on our marine environment.
7. Mandatory
Pre-Departure
Inspections, is it really necessary?
Airplanes are not subjected
to
mandatory
pre-departure
inspections by the government
before taking off, buses that we
ride on from one place to another
are not subject to mandatory
pre-departure inspection before
leaving their stations, but vessels
are subjected to mandatory predeparture inspections before
leaving port but it is our vessels
that hold the highest record of
accidents.
8. VTMS – we have VTMS in
domestic waters although not
extensive, but mention of trained
personnel was not emphasized.
9. PCG Academy – I think it is the
beginning of future development
of competence of our Coast Guard
Personnel.
10. PCG Law – the newly-passed
PCG Law, RA 9993; in this law,
emphasis was made on the
authority of the PCG to conduct
investigations
of
maritime
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
disasters/accidents/incidents.
The BMI was used, overused
and abused, internally, externally,
nationally, internationally. Multiple
investigations have been done,
multiple
findings,
multiple
recommendations, but nobody
can say where these findings and
recommendations today.
Root Causes vis-a-vis Probable
Causes – what causes vessel to
sink is the ingress of water, what
causes the ingress of water is the
breach of watertight integrity of
the vessel, why was it breached
and what are the probable
causes? Why was the vessel’s
integrity breached? Is there a lack
of in policies? Is there a lack of
procedures? Is there a lack of
laws?
Lack
of
owner/management
support – as aptly mentioned by
Engr Nelson Ramirez, it all boils
down to the cost of operation, why
slow down, why stop if it will cost
money for the shipowners?
MOSD – Master’s Oath of Safe
Departure, a long-time practice in
domestic waters, is this any help
in preventing maritime disasters?
Has any Master been imprisoned
by breaching his own oath before
the authorities of the Republic of
the Philippines? The records will
show – none!
Passage Plan – our domestic
officers are complacent in
preparing a passage plan, and
who is supposed to implement
the passage plan? It is they who
actually prepare them?
It has also been mentioned that
the basic formula for prevention
– suitable education plus stringent
regulatory and enforcement of
TURN TO PAGE 51
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY-JUNE 2010
Engr. Nelson Ramirez
was among the country’s
labor leaders who went
to Malacañang Palace
and had an audience
with President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo
during the government’s
intensive preparation for
the Labor Day celebration
on May 1, 2010. PGMA
is shown having a
short chat with Engr.
Ramirez as other labor
leaders and government
officials including Labor
Secretary Marianito V.
Roque (right) look on.
The UFS, represented by its president, is part of the industry stakeholders who were named
members of the DOTC National Organizing Committee for the IMO Diplomatic Conference to Adopt
Amendments on the STCW Convention slated on June 21 - 25, 2010 in Manila. The committee is
chaired by Administrator Angelo Verdan of the Maritime Industry Authority(MARINA).
Engr. Ramirez of the UFS is
once again in his element as he
speaks before Filipino seafarers
at the Luneta Seafarer’s Center
to update them on the Walk-in
Examination System (WES),
the Seafarer Identification and
Record Book (SIRB) or seaman’s
book, and other developments
in the local maritime industry
crucial to their profession.
7
Leaders of the Philippine Association of Migrant Workers and Advocates (PAMWA), of which UFS
is an active member, recently had their courtesy call and brief meeting with the top labor officials
of the national government including Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, Labor Undersecretary
for Employment and Manpower Development Romeo Lagman, POEA Administrator Jennifer
Manalili, Usec, Lourdes Transmonte and OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimson. Officials of
PAMWA who took part in the face-off with the top government officials included Engr. Ramirez,
Ms. Fe. Nicodemus, Ms. Gina Espinosa, Mr. Luther Calderon, Sister Bernadette Guzman and Dr.
Mildred Yamson. Not in the picture is Commissioner Vic Balais.
The UFS president
shown raising a point
during the PMMAAAI
forum held at the
Hyatt Hotel Manila on
March 27, 2010 entitled:
“Domestic
Maritime
Disasters - Can We
Prevent?” In addition
to alumni of the PMMA,
major stakeholders of
the local maritime and
seafaring industry, both
from the government
and the private sector,
took part in the forum.
Philippine Coast Guard
Commandant
Admiral
Wilfredo Tamayo leading
an
informal
caucus
detailing the plan on
the continued retrieval
operations for the victims
of the sunken MV Princess
of the Stars. Those in
the huddle include Capt.
Reblora, Engr. Ramirez,
Commo. Luis Tuazon,
Atty. Percida V. RuedaAcosta, Chief of the Public
Attorney’s Office and Levi
Padua.
As in the past, the UFS once again joined
the most recent blood-letting drive of the
Philippine National Red Cross held at
the headquarters of the Philippine Coast
Guard. Shown are some of the UFS boys
who donated blood for the worthy cause.
The UFS was also at the forefront during
the Maguindanao Massacre protest
rally held recently in front of the office
of the Department of Justice in Manila.
Engr. Ramirez is shown voicing the
position of the UFS on the issue while
being flanked by placard-carrying UFS
boys. The labor union fully supports the
families of the victims of the infamous
Maguindanao Massacre and believes
that justice should be served.
The UFS president, as an adopted
member, joining several members
of the PMMA Class of 1967 during
the PMMA’s 190th Founding
Anniversary and Grand Alumni
Homecoming held at the academy
grounds on April 10, 2010. Batch ‘67
members were wearing their bright
yellow shirts from morning up to
the afternoon homecoming alumni
parade.
8 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
Service Excellence Carries NYK-FILThrough Success
N
YK-FIL Ship Management, Inc.
(NYK-FIL) has emerged as one of
the most successful shipmanning
companies in the Philippines. It recruits,
selects, and deploy thousands of Filipino
seafarers to vessels of NYK Line, one of
the oldest and largest shipping companies
in the word.
Established in August 1989, NYK-FIL is
a join venture of NYK Line and the Filipinoowned Transnational Diversified Group, a
fast growing conglomerate consisting of
more that 33 operating companies.
NYK-FIL, although a relatively young
player in the shipmanning business,
has carve a respectable niche in the
maritime industry for its accomplishment
in deploying quality seafarers which
were duly recognize as evidence by the
numerous awards it has received from the
Philippine government over the years.
Today, its pool of merchant marine
officers and crew can be deployed to almost
all types of ocean-going ships – from the
traditional carrier to high-modernized and
specialized ones such as big container,
product tanker, Liquefied Natural Gas
carrier, and chemical tankers.
NYK-FIL also deploys majority of the
hotel crew for Crystal Cruises, Inc. (CCI),
a wholly-owned subsidiary of NYK Line,
which operates the six-star luxury liners
province in the Western Visayas region of
the Philippines. The provincial office is an
added service to crew residing thereat and
nearby areas to enable them to save on
transportation and board and lodging costs
when reporting to the Manila office as well
as allowing them more time to spend for
their love ones.
NYK-FIL Ship Management, Inc. President
Josephine Francisco accepting the Presidential
Award of Excellence from President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo at Malacañang Palace last
April 21, 2010.
Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.
CCI has been consistently voted by
readers of the renowned travel magazine
Travel & Leisure as “World’s Best Largest
Ship Cruise Line.”
The company holds office in the city
of Manila in the Intramuros district. It
also maintains a satellite office in Iloilo
Commitment to Training
Much of NYF-FIL’s success stems from
its adherence to very high training standards
and compliance to its “No Training No
Deployment Policy,” which is realized
through the company’s in-house training
center, NYK-FIL Maritime E-Training Inc.
(NETI). Because of this, NYK-FIL officers
and crew are held in high regard because
of the quality of training they possess.
NETI, a recipient of the Kabalikat
Award from the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA),
offers mandatory courses for seafarers
that comply with international standards,
implements programs according to
requirement of local and international
maritime bodies and directorates as well
as develops customize training courses
suited to the needs of its principal.
It is also accredited by various local
and international maritime bodies and
directorates as well as the Flag State of
Panama, Vanuatu and Liberia maritime
authorities.
Awards and Recognition
NYK-FIL has gained practically all the
awards given to manning companies.
It was conferred a Presidential Award
of Excellence by Her Excellency President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in April 21, 2010.
NYK-FIL was one of only nine recipients
of the Presidential Award which was given
for the first time to outstanding manning
companies in the Philippines.
The criteria for this award state that
the recipient must have received the
Excellence Award given by the Philippine
Government for at least five consecutive
times; volume of deployment; financial
integrity; excellent human resources
development
programs;
innovative
strategies in employment promotion; and
have displayed effective and influential
industry leadership.
It was a POEA Excellence Awardee
from 1994 - 2001 and 2005
It won the POEA Top Performer Award
in 1991 - 1993
The quality crewing and training
services it provides earned for NYK Line
the Presidential Award of Distinction in the
Field of Training in 2002 and President
TURN
TURNTO
TOPAGE
PAGE51
56
MAY-JUNE 2010
TINIG NG MARINO
9
10 TINIG NG MARINO
SEPTEMBER
MARCH
- OCTOBER
- APRIL 2010
2009
MAY-JUNE
TINIG NG
NG MARINO
MARINO
TINIG
JULY- -JUNE
AUGUST
2009
MAY
2010
SEPTEMBER
- OCTOBER
2009
11
11
Zenith Tourist Inn Beacons as
Second Home to Seafarers, Tourists
S
eafarer-travellers or even budgetconscious tourists to Manila on the
lookout for an affordable yet cozy
second home that has the convenience
of location for their official business
matters as well as privacy need not look
any further with Zenith Tourist Inn.
Aside from having a convenient
location right at the heart of Manila,
Zenith Tourist Inn also provides the most
competitive rates among econo-hotels of
its class in the country’s capital.
What’s more, Filipino seafarers are
even entitled to a 10% discount every
time they check in to the hotel, since
Zenith Tourist Inn is actually an offshoot
of the increasingly growing endeavours of
Zenith Review Center and Allied Maritime
Services, owned and managed by C/E
Rodelio Lagat and his wife Mrs. Adela
Alimboyogen Lagat.
Zenith Tourist Inn metamorphosed
from the erstwhile Manila Tourist Inn
when C/E Lagat decided to invest and
usher himself into the hotel business early
last year. The hotel has been in operation
since June 2009.
The Lagat couple’s recent foray into
the hotel business is actually backstopped
by their sufficient experience in owning
and managing the Zenith Mariner’s
Dormitory located along A. Mabini Street
in the bustling Ermita District in Manila.
It is a medium-sized seafarer dormitory
that has 10 rooms, each capable of
accommodating as many as 12 persons.
Aside from having excellent amenities,
Zenith Tourist Inn boasts of a relatively
quiet and calming ambience despite
being in the heart of Manila, ensuring
that guests would enjoy a soothing and
relaxing stay while at the hotel.
The four-storey hotel has a total of 19
rooms that are categorized into standard
twin or standard double and a deluxe
suite for those who crave for space and
added comfort.
It also has a sizeable function room
convenient for corporate meetings,
seminars or even a get-together party or
a closed-door private event.
Compared to other hotels in the
Manila area, Zenith Tourist Inn’s rates
are certainly quite affordable and this
has become very evident with the hotel’s
relatively high occupancy rates on a
monthly basis as well as the growing
list of its many returning and obviously
satisfied guests.
As expected, a good portion of the
hotel’s guests are Filipino seafarers,
many of whom are actually reviewees of
Zenith Review Center and Allied Maritime
Services located at Ermita Center Building
which is practically a stone’s throw away
from Zenith Tourist Inn.
Aside from its rather private ambience,
seafarer-reviewees find Zenith Tourist Inn
conducive to their knowledge assimilation
as they prepare themselves to take the
Zenith Tourist Inn boasts of excellent amenities, round-the-clock service, and convenient location at
very affordable rates.
PRC licensure examinations, regardless
whether it is the written one or the WES.
Still, ultimate convenience of the guests
is a priority in the hotel business so Zenith
Tourist Inn actually steps out of its way to
provide its guests with transport services
while they are billeted in the hotel to take
them anywhere they wish to go in the city
or even bring them to (or pick them up
from) the airport, just a couple of kilometers
away.
C/E Lagat says that since Zenith Tourist
Inn began its operations, it has become
virtually known as a ‘seafarer hotel.’
“That identity comes of course with
the knowledge that Zenith Tourist Inn
is a sister company of Zenith Review
Center and Maritime Allied Services.
But basically, the hotel is open to all
types of travellers who want value
for their money. Why should they pay
more in pricey hotels when they can
get the convenience and amenities
that they wish or deserve when they
chose to stay at Zenith Tourist Inn?”
proudly remarks C/E Lagat.
Other Business Initiatives
Zenith Tourist Inn is the latest among
several other business initiatives
ventured into by the Lagat couple as
a result of the continued operational
success of Zenith Review Center and
Allied Maritime Services, which now
has branches in Iloilo, Cagayan de
Oro, Davao and Cebu City.
Sometime last year, the couple
has also invested in a trade school in
Tarlac City, Tarlac in Central Luzon.
Known as the St. Gerald School of
Zenith Tourist Inn also has a spacious function room Arts and Sciences, the trade school
ideal for holding corporate meetings, seminars and offers TESDA courses to those who
want to get a crack at a good vocation
other special events.
but rather constrained by limited financial
resources.
As hands-on owner and manager,
the Lagat couple always takes time to
supervise and monitor the progress of their
business endeavours so they are regularly
seen at Zenith Tourist Inn overseeing
things.
And when there is an opportunity to do
so, they also find time to take a drive to
their trade school in Tarlac up north.
Still, the core of their growing enterprise
is Zenith Review Center and Allied Maritime
Services so its constant improvement
continues to rank high in their priority.
C/E Lagat disclosed that they have
started offering to Filipino seafarers the
Medical Emergency First Aid (MEFA)
course as they have recently been given
accreditation by the Maritime Training
Council. They have also started offering
the Engine Room Simulator Course for
marine engineers.
Zenith is obviously growing and it is just
a matter of time before it reach the zenith
of its business success.
12 TINIG NG MARINO
- JUNE 2009
2010
JULYMAY
- AUGUST
2010 Homecoming Enables PMMA Alumni
to Look Back to their Humble Beginnings
A
lumni of the Philippine Merchant
Marine Academy (PMMA), the
country’s
premier
maritime
institution, got the perfect opportunity
to proudly look back on their humble
beginnings when the academy marked its
190th Founding Anniversary on April 10,
2010 as the event was highlighted no less
by the 2010 Grand Alumni Homecoming.
“Ganito kami noon … Ganito kami
ngayon (We were like this before …. we
are like this today) was the fitting theme
for this year’s Grand Alumni Homecoming
as thousands of PMMA alumni along with
their respective families in tow returned
home to their Alma Mater to celebrate the
Vice Admiral Fidel E. Diñoso, President of PMMA, delivering the closing
academy’s 190th Founding Anniversary
remarks during the 190th Founding Anniversary and Grand Alumni
on a very high summer note.
Homecoming program.
Academy alumni and their families
braved the scorching
heat of the sun in
the vast campus
of PMMA in San
Narciso, Zambales
to reunite, rekindle
old acquaintances,
recollect and relive
their
good
old
midshipmen days at
the academy, and
more
importantly
be
thankful
for The homecoming program’s highlight - the silent drill of the PMMA Crack Platoon. Left photo shows the
serious part while the one at right shows the not-so-serious albeit fun part, for the appreciative audience.
the blessings and
headways most of them have gained in Capt. Quiñones, who is a member of the
“I’d like to take The PMMA alumni, grouped according to their respective classes,
their professional and personal lives after PMMA Class of 78, remarked.
my hats off to the basking in the limelight during the alumni homecoming parade.
emerging from the maritime institution.
“This is therefore the season for rejoicing, members of the Host
For the families of the alumni, it was a the season of hope, and the season of faith Classes for this year’s homecoming, many Tamayo is a PMMAer himself, being a
full day of fun, amusement, entertainment, - knowing that we all stood for the common of whom were here at the academy as proud and distinguished member of PMMA
excitement, and food as they immersed good of our Alma Mater and the common early as the Holy Week in the first week Class of 1973.
themselves in the array of activities and heritage of all brother alumni. We are one of April practically bleaching themselves
Serving as highlight during the
games that the Host Classes for this and shall remain solid and steadfast in our under the heat of the sun and working afternoon program was the silent drill of
year’s Grand Alumni Homecoming and quest for excellence in every aspect of our round-the-clock just to ensure that today’s the PMMA Corps of Midshipmen Crack
the academy have prepared for them.
respective endeavours. We are family and event would be a success. Their hard work Platoon, which drew amazement as well
Attendance figures was again at an we all belong together as PMMAers,” Capt. certainly paid off because the event is as occasional laughter and giggles from
all time high as more than 3,000 people Quiñones enthused.
obviously a success,” stated VAdm. Diñoso the appreciative crowd.
composed of alumni, their families, and
Vice Admiral Fidel E. Diñoso, PMMA in his short message during the program
The Philippine Marines Drum and Bugle
other guests trooped to the academy to President, could not contain his elation proper of the Grand Alumni Homecoming Corps also had their brief turn in exhibiting
join the important concelebration at the over the success yet again of the Parade in the afternoon of April 10th.
their prowess to the crowd following the
PMMA.
concelebration of the academy’s 190th
The program had Admiral Wilfredo D. silent drill which was likewise appreciated
Host classes for this year’s Grand Founding Anniversary and Grand Alumni Tamayo, Commandant of the Philippine and applauded by the audience.
Alumni Homecoming include the PMMA Homecoming.
Coast Guard, as special guest. Admiral
TURN TO PAGE 56
Classes of 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985,
1990, 1995, 2000 and 2005 with Capt.
Oscar Orbeta of Class 70 as the Overall
Chairman of the Steering Committee.
Capt. Jaime D. Quiñones, President
of the PMMA Alumni Association, Inc.
(PMMAAAI) explained the theme of this
year’s Grand Alumni Homecoming as a
fitting description to the transition of each
PMMA alumnus from his midshipman
years to what he is today.
“The yester years that were filled
with vivid memories in the academy, the
trying times and variety of ordeals that
each of us had hurdled, the acid tests
of endurance, and the transition of boys
to men, were but some of the lingering
legacy that enshrined the virtues of strong
Alumni families, especially kids, enjoying their hearts out during the fun games as the Host Classes offer a variety of entertainment through their
camaraderie and brotherhood among us,”
respective booth at the camp grounds facing the PMMA Administration
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
SEPTEMBER
- OCTOBER 2009
ENGR. NELSON P. RAMIREZ
Most Outstanding Marine Engineer Officer, PRC, 1996
Most Outstanding Student, ZNSAT, 1970
Outstanding Achiever of the Year, Province of Zamboanga del Norte, 2006
13
MEAN INDICATED
PRESSURE
Who Says You Have to Be in Congress to Serve?
Y
ou don’t have to be in Congress to
serve, either as an organization,
an institution, or as an individual.
Period.
You may not have “constituents” because
you are not an elected government official
but you certainly can have members or
followers who share your vision and your
goals. It is not the sole responsibility of
government and its officials to extend
a helping hand to those in need. It is
everybody’s shared task and common
obligation.
For some, serving and helping others
is a calling and a mission. These are the
people who have a genuine desire to help,
and do it, minus the talk.
Election season is over and we have no
shortage of promises that are expected to
be broken in no time. Ending poverty is on
top of the promises list but everyone knows
that poverty cannot be totally erased from
the face of the earth.
One needs only to look at first-world
countries and find that many of their citizens
sleep on streets, gutters, everywhere else,
except their own homes. And that’s just for
starters. We can go on and on and end
nowhere indeed.
This particular election has once again
shown the arbitrariness of our poll body
in accrediting many partylist candidates,
those who claim to represent certain
marginalized sectors of society. Many bear
funny names that defy credulity and too
many are outright redundancies.
Worse, some applicants who have been
serving important sectors for a long time
have had their applications rejected for the
most illogical and unbelievable reasons.
Many are crying “foul” and “money” in the
same breath.
One sector that has had very little
representation in government is the
maritime industry and it is one of the
country’s top dollar earners. As some of
the nation’s unsung heroes, many have
since lost hope that government could ever
look their way.
But like the constant onslaught of the
elements, the seeming rock-hard obstinacy
of government has somewhat been eroded
by the nonstop work of a friend and partner
of these silent workers. The United Filipino
Seafarers has been doing the work that
should have been the task of government.
Since 1994, the UFS has stood the
ground for its members and taken several
government agencies to task for a
multitude of violations and simple lack of
concern, work that many agencies or even
individuals dared not touch.
The UFS counts more than 40,000
members who are not charged a single
centavo for union dues. Yet over the
years, the UFS leadership has taken the
cudgels for its members. For instance, the
seafarer’s service record book has had
a welcome change in validity from three
years to five years. This was accomplished
in no time despite objections from many
sectors that had their own agenda.
When MARINA took it upon itself to
issue the SIRBs, the issuances took a
month, resulting in the loss of many job
opportunities. When the UFS took MARINA
to task, the SIRBs were released in one
day.
It had to take the death of Flor
Contemplacion and Sarah Balabagan
to have the Migrant Workers Act of 1995
(RA 8042) passed. The UFS religiously
attended the hearings and was awarded
a plaque of appreciation by the Gancayco
Commission.
The endless stories of illegal recruitment
counted many victims, but when UFS
stepped into the fray, many were sent to jail
and the problem became a dying ember.
Add to the sharp decline in the illegal
recruitment problem was the untiring
effort of the UFS to have Pre-Employment
Orientation Seminars instituted in the
country’s maritime schools.
I’m proud to add that perhaps, I’m the
only one to bother going to Luneta to talk to
applicant-seafarers; listen to their problems,
or even just to cheer them on. Many are
living witnesses (and beneficiaries) to our
humble efforts to accommodate those who
have no place to stay while processing
TURN TO PAGE 45
14 TINIG NG MARINO
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010
ICSW Sets ‘Party in
the Park’ for Seafarers
T
he International Committee on Seafarers
Welfare (ICSW) has arranged a ‘Party
in the Park’ for seafarers in Manila
on June 26, 2010 as part of its program to
promote seafarers’ welfare in celebration of,
and in support for, the IMO-designated “Year
of the Seafarer.”
The event will be held at the Luneta
Seafarer’s Center, a venue familiar to many
seafarers who gather there to look for work,
on the day following the conclusion of the IMO
Diplomatic Conference which will convene to
finalize amendments to the IMO Convention
on Standards of Training Certification and
Watchkeeping.
The party will include music, food,
entertainment and competition for seafarers
and their families, and will be attended by
the IMO Secretary-General, his staff and
delegates from the conference.
Local
government
officials
and
representatives from the Filipino shipping
community will also attend and take part in
the event.
ICSW Executive Director, Roger Harris
said: “ICSW wholeheartedly welcomes the
initiative by the IMO to designate this year as
the “Year of the Seafarer” because it supports
and endorses our work, and the work of our
members in promoting seafarers’ welfare.”
“Our members embrace employers, unions
and the organization - both faith-based and
secular - that are in the frontline of maritime
welfare provision. The IMO Year of the
Seafarer together with the ILO Marine Labor
Convention will raise the profile of the welfare
needs of seafarers. The ICSW ‘Party in the
Park’ is intended to supplement, support and
highlight the vital work undertaken by all those
regulators, employers, unions and voluntary
workers who work together to improve safety,
welfare, and labor standards for seafarers,”
he added.
Explaining the plans for the event, the
Head of the ICSW Program organizing the
‘Party in the Park’, David Dearsley, recently
retired from IMEC, said: “The IMO Year of the
Seafarer must place seafarers at the core of
many activities, and that is where they will
feature in our ICSW event. But not just the
seafarers. We will also involve their families
in everything we arrange. We want to provide
a carnival atmosphere where everyone can
have some fun and celebrate who they are
and the occupation they have chosen.”
“ICSW will provide the organization and
support for the event. But we wish to involve
all organizations and individuals who want to
contribute in any way – by entering teams in
the competition, serving the food, karaokesinging or simply by helping with clearingup afterward. Just contact me or ICSW on
our website to offer your support,” Dearsley
pointed out.
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
15
VAST HORIZON
C/ENGR. RODOLFO B. VIRTUDAZO
Outstanding Seafarer of the Year, NSD, 1998
Most Outstanding Marine Engineer Officer, PRC, 1999
Training Manager and Technical Superintendent, Southfield Agencies, Inc.
The Bangui Windmills from a Distance
I
t was a spectacular sight. The white
row of the gigantic Bangui windmills
breathtakingly emerged against the
backdrop of the blue sea and the mountain
silhouette.
There it was, so near and yet so far
from home as MV ASIAN VISION passed
by the northern part of the Philippines from
Japan en route to Singapore for bunkering
before proceeding to the ports of Europe.
I got so excited that I had to call home
to tell my wife that I could see the Bangui
windmills from our ship. Facing the South
China Sea, the 15 gigantic windmills could
be seen by the naked eye as they basked
in the glory of the sand, sun, and sky. The
windfarm was a sight to behold, stretching
approximately nine kilometers long,
considered to be the biggest in Southeast
Asia.
The Bangui windmills have a soft spot in
my heart. Being an engineer, I am amazed
at how the wind turbines capture wind and
transform it into usable energy by electrical
generators.
Back in December 2008, my wife and I
personally saw these gigantic windmills up
close when we decided to take a breather
and chose Pagudpud Beach where we
thought time could not reach us for a while
after a grueling assignment abroad.
I thought that it would be shooting two
birds with one stone – to enjoy the secret
paradise of Pagudpud, and at the same
time, to experience the awesome joy of
an encounter with the world-renowned
windmills of Bangui.
It was truly a very memorable
experience, an extreme adventure up
north to be exact. We hit the road at the
break of day and had our breakfast in one
coffee shop along the North Expressway.
We enjoyed the view along the way as I
drove our reliable Revo armed with a map
which we bought at a North Expressway
stopover shop, water, some sandwiches,
a stack of CDs, and my favorite Sungsung
peanuts. Of course, there were occasional
stopover that allowed us to rest and
refresh.
How happy we were when we reached
Laoag, as if we were already at the border
of heaven, because the next stop would
be Pagudpud at last.
In Laoag, we had an early dinner and
briefly surveyed the market where we could
buy some longganiza (sausage). After
more than an hour’s drive, we finally
reached Pagudpud, during which we
felt we were at the northernmost tip of
Luzon and realized that it was the farthest
geographical point from Manila. I was
driving for 12 hours!
We were up very early the following
morning, and soon after, were strolling on
the long stretch of white, soft, and powdery
beach. It was Mother Nature at its best
with the green mountains as its backdrop.
Though considered to be the Boracay of
the North, for us, however it was much
more tranquil at Pagudpud.
Gladly, the people have preserved its
idyllic charm – with its unspoiled and “uncommercial” natural setting.
The awe-inspiring landscape held
us breathless, much more so with the
beckoning silhouette of the Bangui
windmills at the horizon as we took a dip
into the crystal blue and cold water (a
storm had visited the place that left in a
hurry before we arrived).
The following day, we set out for the
town of Bangui to see for ourselves the
world-renowned windmills. As the towering
windmills came into view, my wife felt a
heavy pounding in her chest. She said
she could not contain the overwhelming
feeling, as if she was being engulfed by
a funny, nay, anxious attack of “windmill
phobia.”
Truly, the 23-storey high windmills were
amazing. We alternately took pictures and
videos of them and afterward, just stood
still and seized the moment, savoring the
scene in awe and wonder, almost with
respect, amid the gentle, cool air.
I learned that each wind turbine is
capable of producing electricity up to a
TURN TO PAGE 52
16 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
SAILOR’S CORNER
ATTY. AUGUSTO R. BUNDANG
Head, Litigation and Seafarers Department
Sapalo Velez Bundang & Bulilan Law Offices
When Cancer Strikes
C
an a seafarer be entitled to total
and permanent disability benefits
by reason of his colon cancer?
This is the question raised in the case
of Leonis Navigation Co., Inc.,et.al. v.
Catalino U. Villamater, et.al. docketed as
G.R. No. 179169 which was promulgated
by the Supreme Court on March 3, 2010.
On June 4, 2002, the seafarer executed
an employment contract with his employers
wherein he was hired as Chief Engineer for
an ocean-going vessel. On June 26, 2002,
he was deployed after undergoing preemployment medical examination wherein
he was declared “fit to work.”
Unfortunately, some four months
thereafter, he became ill and was
diagnosed in Germany with “obstructive
adenocarcinoma of the Sigmoid, with
multiple liver metastasis, possibly local
peritoneal carcinosis and infiltration of the
bladder, possibly lung metastasis, and
anemia; candida esophagitis, and chronic
gastritis’”
He
was
advised
to
undergo
chemotheraphy and continuous supportive
treatment, such as painkillers and blood
transfusion.
After he was repatriated to the
Philippines, the seafarer was referred to
the company-designated physicians who
confirmed the diagnosis and recommended
treatment abroad. One of the doctors
opined that his condition appears to be not
work-related but still suggested a disability
grading of 1.
The seafarer then filed a complaint
before the NLRC and sought payment of
permanent and total disability benefits,
among others.
The Labor Arbiter, the NLRC, the Court
of Appeals, and the Supreme Court all
ruled for the seafarer and found his illness
to be compensable up to the amount of
US$60,000.00 computed on the basis of
the schedule provided under the POEA
Standard Employment Contract (POEASEC).
The Supreme Court noted that under
Section 32-A of the POEA-SEC, only two
types of cancers are listed as occupational
diseases. Section 20 on the other hand,
states that those illnesses not listed under
Section 32, like the seafarer’s colon cancer,
are disputably presumed as work-related.
Section 20 should thus, be read together
with Section 32-A on the conditions to be
satisfied for an illness to be compensable.
The Court correctly observed that his
having contracted colon cancer was, at
the very least, aggravated by his working
conditions, taking into consideration his
dietary provisions onboard which were
mostly meat, high in fat and cholesterol,
his age of 58 years, and his job as Chief
Engineer who was primarily in-charge of
the technical and mechanical operations of
the vessel to ensure voyage safety.
The Court noticed that his employers
were silent about the type of food
provisions onboard when they argued that
the seafarer’s affliction was brought about
by diet and genetics.
Having said this, the High Court pointed
out that to establish compensability of a
non-occupational disease, reasonable
proof of work-connection and not direct
causal relation is required.
Probability, not the ultimate degree of
certainty, is the test of proof in compensation
proceedings.
It becomes clear therefore, that the
Supreme Court found colon cancer to
be compensable in this case when the
seafarer was able to present evidence
which convincingly showed the causal
connection between the nature of his
employment and his illness, or that the risk
of contracting his illness was aggravated
by his working conditions.
[Atty. Augusto ‘Tito’ Bundang is a
regular columnist of BusinessWorld
and a partner of Sapalo Velez Bundang
& Bulilan Law Offices (formerly Sapalo
& Velez Law Offices). He is also a board
member of the Maritime Law Association
of the Philippines (MARLAW). A graduate
of Ateneo de Manila University, he
heads its Litigation and Seafarers and
Department. Sapalo Velez Bundang &
Bulilan Law Offices is located at the
11th Floor of Security Bank Centre, 6776
Ayala Avenue, Makati City with Tel. No.
891-13-16.]
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY
20102009
JULY- -JUNE
AUGUST
17
Consistent Exemplary Performance Over the Years
Propels Interorient Maritime to the Top
S
ince the Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration (POEA)
instituted the agency performance
awards back in the late 80s to pay tribute
and recognize the contributions of landbased and sea-based manpower placement
agencies to the national economy, Interorient
Maritime Enterprises, Inc. has become an
institutional fixture itself in the award-giving
rites.
It is as if the POEA agency performance
awards would not be complete without
Interorient Maritime Enterprises in it as one
of the select and deserving entities; and
only rightfully so.
More than just setting up crewing
operations in the Philippines and maintaining
a good and reputable presence in the
country, Interorient Maritime Enterprises
is actually a living proof to the continued
preference of Greek shipowners on the
excellent skills and shipboard capabilities of
Filipinos as seafaring men.
Because of its consistent exemplary
performance over the years, the company
has practically piled up all possible
distinctions that the POEA or even the
national government can give to a local
manning agency.
As a matter of fact, within a span of 20
years, Interorient Maritime Enterprises has
raked in three Top Performer Awards, a Hall
of Fame Award, an Award of Distinction,
seven Awards of Excellence from the POEA;
and the latest, a Presidential Award of
Excellence given no less by President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo at Malacañang Palace on
April 21, 2010; and the Presidential Award
of Excellence – Elite Group awarded by the
POEA during the 2009 Agency Performance
Awards held at the Philippine International
Convention Center (PICC) last April 29,
2010.
Its principal Interorient Maritime Liberia
was also given consecutive Ministerial
Citations by Malacañang during the First
International Employers Awards in 2002
received by Mrs. Napala and Mr. Arnokouros;
and during the Second International Maritime
Awards in 2005 as accepted by Mrs. Napala,
Mr. Arnokouros and Capt. Agathocleous
Also during the 2005 Second international
Maritime Awards, Interorient was awarded
a Presidential Award of Distinction and
Capt. Agathocleous a Presidential Award of
Distinction for Shipping Executive by PGMA
herself.
A total of 15 awards in two decades
including the most coveted of them all would
surely leave industry upstarts or wannabes
green with envy; or better yet provide an
inspiration to those determined others
who have the potentials to stay long in the
competitive local manning industry.
For Mrs. Jasmin Arboleda-Napala
however, the latest awards that Interorient
Maritime Enterprises has added to its
burgeoning collection of accolades are clear
testaments to the consistency, hard work
and determination of the people behind
the company, including its many Filipino
This year’s roster of Presidential Awards of Excellence from the landbased and sea-based sector flank PGMA following the awarding rites.
Mrs. Jasmin Arboleda-Napala, President and General Manager of Interorient
Maritime Enterprises, receiving the Presidential Award of Excellence from
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the awarding rites held at
Malacañang Palace on April 21, 2010. Labor Secretary Marianito V. Roque
is shown at left looking on.
seafarers, to constantly strive to give their
best at all times.
“We have only been in the business
for 25 years and the numerous citations
that we have received from the Philippine
government over the years certainly give
us the unique honour because we are now
ranked alongside the local manning industry’s
elite group, most of which have been in the
business way before Interorient Maritime
Enterprises was established. We also feel
challenged every time we receive an award
because that means that we have to at least
maintain the level of performance we had the
year before. I am proud to say that over the
last 25 years, our yearly performance has
consistently surpassed that of the previous
year, ensuring the continued growth of the
company and its people,” Mrs. Napala
enthused.
Mrs. Napala was with Capt. Agathocleous
and Capt. Arnokourous, who flew all the way
from Greece, when President Arroyo handed
to Interorient Maritime Enterprises the
Presidential Award of Excellence last April
21, 2010 at Malacañang Palace.
Mrs. Napala, Capt. Agathocleous and
Capt. Jimmy L. Milano, General Operations
Manager of Interorient Maritime Enterprises,
accepted the Presidential Award of
Excellence – Elite Group during the 2009
POEA Agency Performance Awards from
Labor Secretary Marianito V. Roque,
Mrs. Napala proudly wears the POEA tri-colored sash representing
Interorient Maritime Presidential Awards of Excellence - Elite Group
during the 2009 Agency Performance Awards held at the PICC. Also
receiving the award for Interorient are Capt. George Agathocleous
(second from right), Chairman; and Capt. Jimmy Milano (right), General
Operations Manager. Shown with the Interorient officials are Labor
Secretary Marianito V. Roque (second from left), Labor Undersecretary
Romeo Lagman and POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili.
Labor Undersecretary for Employment and
Manpower Development Romeo Lagman,
and POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili
held at the PICC on April 29, 2010.
The Interorient lady president was
accorded the POEA tri-colored sash on stage
in recognition of the company as being part
of the manning industry’s elite group.
More than being elated over the latest
achievements of the company, the two Greek
officials were equally proud that Interorient
Maritime Enterprises have evolved into what
they have projected the company to become
when they put it up 25 years ago.
After two and a half decades of hard
work and dedication, Interorient Maritime
Enterprises has significantly increased its
manpower pool of marine personnel. At
present, it is providing the crewing needs of
some 265 vessels of various types including
bulk carriers, oil and chemical tankers, and
general cargo ships that are either owned or
managed by its foreign principal.
Of the almost 300 vessels it is manning
for its principal, Interorient is manning about
100 of them by full Filipino crew complement,
attesting yet again to the continued preference
and trust of its principal on the proven skills
and mettle of Filipino seafarers.
In 2008, the company has deployed a total
of 5,013 Filipino seafarers. The following
year, it has raised the figure a notch higher
by having a total deployment figure of 5,127
Filipino seafarers, at time when practically
the entire global shipping industry was
reeling from the impact of the US financial
crisis.
Of its total seafarer deployment figure,
30% to 40% are officers which greatly reflect
how Interorient provides not just rewarding
employment stints for its crew but also
assures career advancement opportunities
to those who are determined and qualified.
From January 1 to April 30, 2010,
Interorient has already deployed a total of
1,645 Filipino seafarers and is obviously
on course to logging in yet another banner
year in terms of deployment by the close of
2010.
Interorient also ranks high in terms of
family and social awareness and it is quite
evident by the collegial atmosphere that it
maintains at its offices in Ortigas Center,
Pasig City. Just like every officer and staff
of the company, every Filipino seafarer,
is considered and treated as part of the
constantly growing ‘Interorient Family.’
With the latest round of prestigious
accolades safely tuck and already displayed
in its awards cabinet, Interorient Maritime
Enterprises is looking forward to continuously
increasing its yearly deployment figure and
Mrs. Napala is just excited to second guess
the POEA or the national government on
what type of award it will be giving to the
company in the next awarding rites.
18 TINIG NG MARINO
JULYMAY
- AUGUST
- JUNE 2009
2010
Top Performer Award Bolsters
Scanmar’s
Scanmar
’s Status as Crewing Specialists
T
he quest of Scanmar Maritime
Services, Inc. to become the best
crew provider in the Philippines
took a major stride towards full realization
when the company was recently honored
by the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA) with its first Top
Performer Award.
Top officials of Scanmar Maritime
Services led by Capt. Hans J. Haase,
Director;
Mrs.
Lorraine
Antonina
Banta, VP-Operations; and Mr. Julius
Noche, Fleet Manager and QMR;
proudly accepted the company’s first
ever Top Performer Award from Labor
Secretary Marianito D. Roque, Labor
Undersecretary for Employment and
Manpower Development Romeo C.
Lagman, and POEA Administrator
Jennifer Manalili during the 2009 Agency
Performance Awards held at the Philippine
International Convention Center.
Scanmar’s first Top Performer plum
is obviously a clear testament to the
company’s excellent and consistent
deployment capabilities. The company
has an annual deployment of more than
5,000 Filipino seafarers including officers
and ratings. Scanmar services a wide
range of shipowners and ship managers,
majority of them based from
Northern Europe and Scandinavia,
which have a combined fleet of
approximately 225 ships of all types
and sizes from conventional cargo
ships to floating offshore units.
An excellent quality policy
combined with dedicated and
capable shore-based staff working
in spacious offices conveniently
located in Makati City, Scanmar
is obviously equipped with the
right tools to service its Filipino
seafarers and its principals effectively and
productively with the goal of increasing
its market share.
The latest accolade in Scanmar’s
collection of distinctions as an abovepar Philippine manning agency only
reinforces the company’s vision to be
the leading marine crew provider to the
international shipping industry. The very
same vision which the company has
inculcated time and again and reiterated
among its officers and staff during the
General Assembly of Scanmar Maritime
Services and sister firm Skanfil Maritime
Services, Inc. last February 2, 2010.
In addition to citing the major
milestones that both companies have
had in 2009, the General Assembly also
laid out the vision and plans for 2010
firmly believing that same and sustained
actions shall also bear same positive
results.
Among the Scanmar’s significant
milestones in 2009 were the launching of
its new aesthetically-designed and user-
with integrity, the company shall provide
shipowners with qualified seafarers to
ensure timely, cost effective and quality
operation of their vessels.
The company’s working environment
is conducive, safe, sound and healthy
to ensure that its employees grow
together with the company.
Scanmar also exerts all efforts
to ensure that its Filipino seafarers
consistently maintain their excellent
shipboard
qualities
for
which
shipowners worldwide have made
them their first choice for crew
including that of being well-trained and
competent, hardworking and loyal to
their responsibilities as crewmembers,
English-speaking
workforce
who
can adapt to multi-cultural working
environments, and dedicated and
motivated workers who are willing to go
the extra mile to provide high standards
all the time while maintaining positive
work ethics and values.
The company aims to maintain a
Ms. Lorraine Antonina Banta, VP-Operations of Scanmar holds the Top Performer trophy for Scanmar pool of qualified seafarers through
beside Capt. Hans J. Haase, Director of Scanmar. They received the award with Mr. Julius Noche (right), continuous upgrading, training and
Fleet Manager and QMR of Scanmar. Shown with the Scanmar officials are Labor Secretary Roque education, always conforming to all
(second from left), Labor Undersecretary Romeo Lagman (left) and POEA Administrator Manalili (second regulatory/statutory
national
and
from right).
international maritime requirements.
Scanmar is committed to comply
supplements each other’s
expertise and professional with its quality objectives in order to
capabilities,
together provide full customer satisfaction. More
building an effective and than just its no-nonsense commitment to
reliable corporation serving quality and excellence however Scanmar
the international shipping is the kind of manning agency who walks
the walk, talks the talk, or practices what
industry.
Since its establishment it preaches.
During its General Assembly in
in 1982, Scanmar has
consistently maintain high February 2010, Scanmar has adopted
standards in the selection, a new logo and moniker as ‘Crewing
recruitment, training and Specialists.’
No doubt, the company is certainly
supply of the best qualified,
friendly web page, the production of the experienced, and duly-certificated Filipino one and is consistently good at being
quarterly Scanmar/Skanfil News Bulletin, seafarers to the vessels of its foreign one. That attribute of Scanmar Maritime
the conduct of bi-monthly meetings among principals.
Services is punctuated no less by a Top
crewing staff, major improvements in office
Attesting to Scanmar’s operational Performer trophy.
facilities, and involvement in socio-civic standards
in
activities as part of Scanmar’s corporate ship manning,
social responsibility initiatives
its
crew
Scanmar firmly believes that in order to m a n a g e m e n t
achieve its plans for 2010 and gain headway system
has
in its vision, every member of its team, both in fact, been
the office personnel and sea staff, should certified by Det
live and ‘operationalize’ the company’s Norske Veritas
core values that include: customer focus, to conform to
integrity, respect for people, innovation, the ISO 9000
teamwork, performance, community and standards
as
leadership.
early as 1995.
The company also believes that its
S t r i c t
strength lies in human resources, excellent adherence
to
quality systems, and commitment to quality is very
excellence, where motivation among its much the gist
Filipino seafarers and shore staff reflects of
Scanmar’s
Scanmar’s good relationship with its quality policy.
principals and clients.
Through hard
Its board of directors of Filipino and work
and The Scanmar staff during their one of their teambuilding activities.
Scandinavian
marine
professionals professionalism
MAY -- JUNE
20102009
JULY
AUGUST
TINIG NG MARINO
19
Hanjin SM Introduces New Set of Filipino Junior Officers
S
outh Korean shipowner Hanjin SM
Co., Ltd. has concretized its trust and
confidence on the capability of Filipino
seafarers by investing on junior officers who
shall form the core of the company’s next breed
of management level officers to man some of its
vessels several years from now.
On May 7, 2010, Hanjin SM formally
introduced the new set of Filipino apprentice
officers, both for deck and engine, touching off an
eight-day conference for junior officers, hosted
by Korpil Shipmanagement and Manning Corp.,
Hanjin SM’s manning agent in the Philippines.
Korpil is currently providing the crew
requirements of seven of Hanjin SM’s vessels
but the figure is expected to double starting in
the middle of this year. Korpil’s conference for its
apprentice officers was actually patterned after
Hanjin SM’s typical conference in South Korea.
No less than Mr. Jae-Min Lee, present 3rd
Officer of one of the vessels of Hanjin SM,
formally introduced the new batch of junior deck
and engine officers for the year 2010.
The event was graced by key personnel from
Hanjin SM Co., Ltd., including Mr. Hyun-Chul
Jeon, Team Head of Crew Resource Management Hanjin SM Co. Ltd.’s Filipino junior officers join top officials of Hanjin SM and Korpil Shipmanagement and Manning Corp. as well as other guests from other
Team; Capt. Ho-Jung Kang and C/E Tae-Hyung Korean maritime firms in this pose for posterity.
Kim, Hanjin instructors; Mr. Jang-Il Lee, Managing
achieve by imitating
Director of Korpil, Mr. Elias Y. de los Reyes III, or adopting the
Korpil’s President and General Manager, Mr.
business
policies,
Chae-Pil Yu, Korpil’s Superintendent, Mr. Heework discipline and
Jun Lee, Korpil’s Technical Consultant; Several
attitude of South
other Koreans from other maritime companies
Koreans, which have
were also on hand to grace the important event
become the envy
including Mr. Jae-Sin Shim, President of Solpia
of many nations in
Marine and Ship Management, Inc.; Mr. ChongSoutheast Asia.”
Pal Kim, President of Foscon Shipmanagement,
“We do not mind
Inc.; Mr. S.H. Yang, General Manager of STX expressing
our
A junior officer is shown at right photo receiving his certificate from Mr. HyunPos; and Mr. J.W. Yang, Director of Wooil Travel desire to make South The Filipino junior officers delivering their pledge.
Chul Jeon of Hanjin SM. Left photo shows Hanjin SM and Korpil officials
Agency Corp.
Korea a role model;
offer each junior officer warm congratulations after getting their certificates.
In his opening remarks during the program
we are even willing to train prospective seafarers
years ago where they
to start off the conference, Mr. Jae-Min Lee
to work under your (South Korean) guidance until
identified cadets who
said: “I am thankful for this event because this
we achieve our success. As you know, Filipinos
have the potential to
actually means that Hanjin SM will continuously
are willing to learn and embrace the teachings of
be in their program.
support, not only our shipping agency but the
the South Korean culture so that we can establish
Those selected cadets
shipping industry as a whole, wherein seafarers
peace and harmony among our mixed crew of
still had to hurdle an
will be continuously expecting more jobs and
Filipinos and Koreans onboard most of Hanjin SM
examination
before
opportunities to become a member of the Hanjin
vessels,” Mr. Delos Reyes stated.
they were included
SM fleet.”
“This may not be easy, but we assure you that
in
the
program.
“I am likewise thankful to all our new junior
our Christian calling and warm spirit of hospitality
Hanjin SM provided
deck and engine officers for their support on
will conquer the hardship leading us to perfection of
the
apprenticeship
Hanjin SM’s endeavour. We expect that all the
good harmonious relationship and understanding
requirement of the
trainings that they have completed would mean
between Filipino and Korean crews onboard your
accepted cadets and
personal improvement as seafarers which
vessels,” the Korpil President added.
supported them until Hanjin SM Co., Ltd. and Korpil Shipmanagement and Manning Corp.
shall eventually become the key to success of
“We hope that our incoming junior officers and
they complete their officials led by (from left) Mr. Jang-Il Lee, Capt. Ho-Jung Kang, Mr. Hyuneverybody. The wisdom in going through this
engineers will bear the same attributes in mind
course, pass the exam Chul Jeon, C/E Tae-Hyung Kim, Mr. S.H Yang (guest from STX Pos) and
endeavour means a sign of good work and good
as they go on their formal shipboard work. We
and become junior Mr. Chae-Pil Yu.
attitude,” Mr. Lee pointed out.
trust that they will continue to strive hard, the way
officers.
a stipend of US$10 per day during their
Mr. Jeon, speaking on behalf of the CEO of
most, if not all of them did while they were still
Hanjin SM and Korpil believe that their
apprenticeship training and review for the board
Hanjin SM during the program, rallied the new
studying, have the right degree of patience and
apprentice officers program is one viable solution
exam. “I am thankful for Hanjin SM – Korpil for
set of Filipino junior officers by saying: “I have
perseverance in their professional goal, which is
to address the officer shortage problem still being
their apprentice officers program because they
high expectations for your future growth, You
to become excellent management level officers in
felt globally these days. Deck Cadet Juniel P.
have given me and several others the opportunity
have excellent talents, and if you try hard enough,
the near future,” Mr. Delos Reyes expressed.
Nuñez from University of Cebu recalls that there
to become really good ship officers in the not so
you will become more brilliant. Hanjin SM offers
Also serving as highlight of the program was
were actually 23 cadets selected from their school
distant future,” he said.
various programs to help promote your growth.”
the pledge of loyalty to Hanjin SM delivered by
for the Hanjin SM program but only 10 of them
Engine Cadet Michael Ed Solito from John
In concluding his message, Mr. Jeon
each of the Filipino junior officers.
have passed the examination. Subsequently, a
B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University,
welcomed the new set of Filipino junior officers
top official of Hanjin SM – Korpil conducted the
meanwhile recalls that he was just one of the five
to the company. “I am really excited that you
interview of those who passed. He took his oneout of 50 vying cadets that were taken into the
Rigid Screening Process
have joined us. Together, let’s make Hanjin SM
Hanjin SM, through Korpil, follows a rigid
year apprenticeship onboard one of Hanjin SM’s
program by Hanjin SM – Korpil. After hurdling the
better.”
recruitment and screening process for its
bulk carrier – MV Hanjin Melbourne.
ensuing IQ exam and interview, E/C Solito took
For his part, Mr. Elias Y. Delos Reyes,
apprentice officers program. The company
Hanjin SM sponsored their training and review
his apprenticeship last July 24, 2008 onboard
President of Korpil Shipmanagment and Manning
usually visit maritime schools all over the country
for the board exam under a ‘train now, pay later
Hanjin SM’s MV Keoyang Majesty.
Corp., in his brief message during the program,
to select potential cadets. For this year’s batch
scheme’ which they can certainly do when they
E/C Solito honestly thinks that he will retire
said: “While it would be very difficult to transform of apprentice officers, they actually visited John
become officers onboard Hanjin SM vessels and
as a seafarer with Hanjin SM because it’s
a country like the Philippines to a more productive
B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University in
starts earning real money.
the company which gave him the priceless
nation like South Korea, we can nonetheless try to
Iloilo and the University of Cebu a couple of
D/C Nuñez said that Hanjin SM gave them
opportunity to swiftly become a junior officer.
20 TINIG NG MARINO
- JUNE 2010
JULYMAY
- AUGUST
2009
BSM CSC Philippines Cops
Presidential Award of Excellence
T
he President of the Republic of
the Philippines Gloria MacapagalArroyo conferred a Presidential
Award of Excellence to BSM Crew Service
Centre Phils., Inc last 21 April 2010 at
Malacanang Palace. The 1st “Presidential
Award of Excellence” is given to deserving
recruitment companies in recognition of
the exemplary performance in promoting
decent and quality overseas employment
for Filipinos as well as for pioneering
achievement, industry leadership and
entrepreneurial initiatives.
As of March 2010, BSM CSC Phils.,
Inc. is deploying 5,000 seafarers annually
onboard 500 vessels and has a total active
pool of 8,000 seafarers. The company
continues to build on the invaluable
experience so far gained and have good
standing with Government Agencies,
Maritime Unions, Manning Associations,
Training Centres, Medical Clinics, P&I
correspondents and the likes.
BSM CSC’s reputation was rewarded
in 1989 when the company was elevated
into the POEA Hall of Fame and it
continues to frequently receive Awards of
Excellence and Citations from POEA with
total count of eight to this day.
BSM CSC Philippines has maintained
high seafarer retention rate and its career
development prospects for young Filipino
seafarers is one of the best in the industry
because of its remarkable upgrading
programs. BSM offers free training for
cadets and young officers assisting and
supporting them to become ship officers
at management level.
True to the company’s slogan “The
Employer of Choice,” BSM CSC Phils.,
Inc. has continually lived up to its quality
management standards. New goals are
continually set by BSM CSC, aimed at
always maintaining close coordination
with its Principals. The company is an
BSM CSC Phils. President Mr. Narcissus Duran proudly holding the Presidential Award of Excellence, as he is accompanied by
other BSM officials including Capt. Igor Segeda (left), Principal’s Representative of BSM CSC Phils; Mr. Arvind Sharma (second from
left), BSM Group Director (HR Marine); and Capt. Vicente Dayo (right), Fleet Operations Manager of BSM CSC Phils; in flanking
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo following the company’s receipt of the award at Malacañang last April 21, 2010.
ISO 9001:2000 certified firm by Lloyds
Register.
As part of its commitment, BSM CSC
Phils., Inc recognizes the important role of
the seafarer’s family and holds programs
and seminars for their wives to further
enhance the quality of their lives through
learning new skills, and enhancing others.
Mr. Duran accepting the Presidential Award of Excellence from Her Excellency
PGMA at Malacañang as other government officials, including Labor Secretary
Marianito Roque and POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili, look on.
BSM CSC Phils President Mr. Narcissus Duran wears the tri-colored POEA sash
representing the Presidential Award of Excellence - Elite Group during the POEA
Agency Performance Awards on April 29, 2010 at the PICC. He is shown with
Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque (second from left), Labor Undersecretary
Romeo Lagman and POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili.
MAY-JUNE 2010
TINIG NG MARINO
21
22 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
UFS Lauds Normalize Processing of Seaman’s Books
T
he Maritime Industry Authority
(MARINA)
under
its
new
administrator Angelo Verdan has
taken cognizance of the petition of the
United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) on behalf
of the thousands of Filipino seafarers and
the local maritime industry on the issue
regarding the processing of the Seafarer
Identification and Record Book (SIRB) or
the seaman’s book.
Following the computerization of the
SIRB processing early last year, it has
figuratively smashed into a brick wall a few
months later because of the apparent short
supply of printed SIRB booklets, which
according to some insiders then, were
being sourced by MARINA from abroad.
Prior to the streamlining of the SIRB
processing, long queues of agitated and
irate Filipino seafarers were an almost
daily fixture at the offices of MARINA at
Masagana Building along Taft Avenue in
Manila.
The UFS did not take the matter sitting
down as usual and had in fact staged
several protest rallies in front of the MARINA
offices to call the attention of the agency’s
leadership especially considering that the
delay in the processing of the seaman’s
books has been wreaking havoc on the
deployment of many Filipino seafarers
and eventually put a dent on their income
opportunities for their respective families.
Although the computerization had
The UFS President, in a meeting with Administrator Angelo Verdan and MARINA Deputy
Administrators Atty. Nick Conti and Col. Primo Rivera.
indeed improved the SIRB processing,
the UFS still chided MARINA, under its
then administrator and now Presidential
Management Staff chief, Ma. Elena
Bautista, for lack of foresight with regard to
foreseeable problems on the streamlining
process.
When Administrator Angelo Verdan
assumed the leadership of MARINA vice
Bautista in the first week of March 2010,
the first order of battle for Engr. Nelson
Ramirez, president of the UFS, was to have
a courtesy call on the new administrator.
Ramirez frankly and openly laid down to
the table all the issues and complaints that
the UFS and the local maritime industry
have against MARINA or its systems
with focus on the SIRB processing and
the crucial albeit, controversial issue of
maritime safety enforcement.
Verdan took the information in a
professional manner and promised the
UFS president that he would act on the
matters once he got a firm and clear grasp
of root causes of the issues for MARINA to
be able to address them.
On April 20, 2010, Administrator Verdan
announced to the maritime public that
MARINA already has about 65,000 printed
SIRB booklets available at the moment
with about 20,000 more for delivery within
the next couple of weeks. He said that the
supply would be enough to process the
outstanding seaman’s book applications or
renewal of a number of Filipino seafarers
within the next couple of months, and that
the SIRB processing would be back to
normal before the end of April 2010.
He also reported that MARINA had
already taken additional delivery of a
number of special printers needed for the
processing of seaman’s books. “SIRB
processing would return to its normal pace
soon.
Seaman’s book would be ready for
release within two to three days from the
date of application, and one day for those
subscribing to the expedite process,”
Verdan stated.
Ramirez and the UFS acknowledged
the swift action of the new MARINA
administrator on the issue and also
lauded Verdan for making it a top priority
considering that the plight of thousands
of Filipino seafarers and their families is
involved.
Verdan also assured Ramirez and the
UFS that he would act on the other issues
brought to him during their first meeting. He
even informally authorized Ramirez and
the UFS to become MARINA’s sounding
board in the local seafaring industry so
that whenever the union comes across
problems or issues in the industry that
need MARINA’s attention or action, it can
bring the matter straight to him anytime.
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
a
23
Thome, TSM Group Inaugurate Headquarter Extension
W
orld-renowned
ship management
company Thome
Ship
Management
Pte
Ltd and the TSM Group
of Companies reaffirmed
their
commitment
to
the Philippines as the
undisputable center for world-class seafarers
with the formal opening and inauguration of
their headquarters extension in Dian Street,
Makati City last March 14, 2010.
The significance of the event was made
doubly meaningful as it actually coincided
with the 22nd anniversary of TSM Group in
the Philippines.
Indicative of the high importance of
the event, TSM Group Chairman Olav
Eek Thorstensen led the formal opening
celebration, with Ambassador Knut Solem,
Norway’s Ambassador to the Philippines, as
guest-of-honor.
In his brief remarks during the inauguration
rites, Mr. Thorstensen disclosed that the
headquarters extension demonstrates not
only the continuing operational growth of
Thome and the TSM Group in the Philippines
but more importantly their collective
determination to educate and employ worldclass Filipino seafarers.
The extension of TSM Group Headquarter,
which is the seven-storey 1753 Building, has
added 1,056 square meters of space to its
existing offices and shall be occupied by
Thome and TSM Group of Companies executives and special guests led the formal inauguration
of 1753 Building, which is the extension of TSM Maritime Centre, last March 14, 2010 along Dian
Street in Makati City. Shown are (from left) Ian R. Garcia, President, TSM Equities & Holdings,
Gloria Garcia, Norwegian Ambassador Knut Solem, Marianne Thorstensen, Olav Eek Thorstensen,
Chairman of TSM Group; Claes Eek Thorstensen, Director of TSM Group; and Capt. Alfonso del
Castillo, President of TSM Shipping and TORM Shipping.
the Shared Services Center of the Regional
Operational Head Quarters (ROHQ) of
Thome Ship Management Pte Ltd.
Thome’s ROHQ opened in the Philippines
in 2007, headed by its Managing Director,
Capt. Ivar Thomasli.
With the expansion of its operations, it is
Utkilen and Mowinckel.
Last April 29, 2010, MST Marine Services
was distinguished by the Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration (POEA) as a Top
Performer in terms of consistent deployment
of Filipino seafarers to its foreign principals.
The prestigious award was received by
TSM Group officials led by Ian R. Garcia,
President of TSM Equities and Holdings;
Capt. Alfonso del Castillo, President of TSM
Shipping and TORM Shipping; and Capt.
Benjamin Katipunan, President of MST
Marine Services.
Also serving as highlight to the March 14
inauguration rites was the formal introduction
by Mr. Thorstensen to the attending principals
of the latest batch of Filipino seafarers that
were trained at the TSM Maritime Centre.
“These cadets were selected as the
very best from hundreds of young people
who come to TSM every year looking for a
careers at sea. TSM is able to pick the very
best and I am sure that the latest batch of
cadets is going to be a great success, just
like the previous batches before them,” Mr.
Thorstensen confidently stated.
“This reflects our and our principals’
significant commitment to the Philippines and
we shall continue to invest in the recruitment
and training of Filipino seafarers in the years
to come,” the TSM Group Chairman added.
The TSM Group has a budget of around
US$2 million for training this year and the
main part of the amount is allocated to the
Philippines.
The inauguration of the headquarters
extension of TSM Group touched off the first
expected that Thome’s ROHQ will likewise
increased its manpower complement to about
80 employees within a year’s time.
That figure shall bring to more than 230
the total number of Filipino staff that Thome
and TSM Group are employing at the TSM
Group Headquarter along Dian Street in
Makati City in addition to the more than 7,000
Filipino officers and ratings the group has
been deploying to almost 300 vessels at any
given time.
Thome was established
in Singapore in 1976 and
has since grown to provide a
complete range of services
including ship management,
crew management, crew
agency, newbuilding and
technical
consultancy,
ship
conversion
project
management, ship lay-up
maintenance and reactivation,
ship inspections, voyage
repairs and ship agency.
Norwegian Ambassador Knut Solem (middle), Mrs. Gloria Garcia
It is now one of the world’s (left), and Mrs. Marianne Thorstensen cut the ribbon to formally
leading managers with more inaugurate TSM Group’s headquarter extension in Makati City.
than 100 vessels under full
technical management. Thome’s principals, of the three-day event to mark the group’s
associates, and clients are from Japan, successful 22 years in the Philippines.
Europe, America, Indonesia, Hong Kong,
On March 15, 2010, the TSM Group of
Australia, and Singapore, most of whom are Companies had its Annual Officers and
very prominent in the international shipping Principal Conference at the Peninsula Hotel
community.
Manila in Makati City attended by over 150
TSM Group meanwhile is composed officers and management staff from the
of TSM Shipping, MST Marine Services, TSM Group and Thome and around 70
Jo Tankers Philippines, TORM Shipping representatives from its foreign principals.
Philippines, Solvang Philippines, Norden,
The theme: “Creating Sustainable Value
during Troubled Times,” is reflective of the
strategies of Thome and the TSM Group to
withstand the economic challenges being
felt in the global shipping industry. The
conference had Congressman Albert S.
Garcia as guest-of-honor.
The third day was the internal officers
meeting of Thome Ship Management.
Indicative of how hands-on and personalized
the leadership and management style of TSM
The unveiling of the 1753 Building marker was
Group Chairman Olav Eek Thorstensen is,
lead by Ian R. Garcia, Claes Eek Thorstensen,
he actively took part in all the major activities
and Chairman Olav Eek Thorstensen
in those three days.
24 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
Developing the Habit of Saving
N
ow that 2010 is here, everyone is busy
preparing for better things ahead, like
shedding off unwanted weight.
Losing weight is a challenge. And so is
learning the habit of shedding urges to spend
your hard-earned money.
Most of our new heroes or the Overseas
Filipino Workers face the challenge of getting
over urges to easily spend their hard-earned
money. Overwhelmed with the exchange of
currencies, they begin to think that they can still
achieve their dreams and reward themselves
even by spending money without control. After
all, they still have work to go back to.
Unfortunately, when an economic crisis
strikes, a lot of people, especially our new
heroes who lost jobs and houses, and who
were left with not enough savings, become
dumbfounded.
Like losing unwanted pounds and inches on
the waistline, there’s no quick solution to help
you learn the habit of saving. It takes planning,
habit, patience, and a lot of perseverance and
hard work to make it work for you.
The secret to saving is simple yet it is easier
said than done. Below are some steps you can
follow:
1. Set your mind on saving.
Convince yourself that you need to save for
your future and for the fulfillment of your dreams
and of your family’s.
2. Plan the habit.
Set a record of how much you want to save
each day to reach your target, preferably a
specific amount, not saving loose coins only.
3. Do the habit everyday and jot down
your expenses.
This will keep a record of what the things you
are spending your money on and how much you
are saving in a day, a week and a month.
4. Engage in recycling.
Reuse old bottles to save money and save
the environment. Your wide-mouth bottles can
be converted into canisters that you can use
when buying cooking oil in pouches.
5. Evaluate your records every week and
every month.
This will challenge you to identify the needs
from the wants. It will improve
your expenses and savings in the
following weeks and months.
6. Invest.
One way not to spend your
savings with unnecessary wants
is to put it in a reliable investment
vehicle, such as Pru Life UK,
for you to get good returns on
investment.
Pru Life UK’s investmentlinked life insurance products offer
protection as well as savings that fit
your dreams and goals. Expert fund
managers, who use combinations
of fixed-income securities, money
market instruments, and local
equities, manage your investments
to allow you to enjoy the benefits
of insurance protection and good
returns on investment.
For more product details, you
may contact AILEEN T. ELLO, a
licensed Pru Life UK Financial
Adviser, through her mobile
number: (+63) 920 9510388,
office number :(+632) 8422007,
or through her email address at
[email protected].
Reference: Shedding Off Holiday
Pounds, Health and Fitness
Planner, Business Mirror and
Medical Observer, Dec 2009
25
UFS Fires Latest Salvo
on Manila North Harbor Row
The UFS is one of the most vocal groups questioning the bidding process of NH privatization.
T
he United Filipino Seafarers (UFS)
has accused the Manila North Harbour
Port, Inc. (MNHPI) the consortium
company of Harbour Centre Port Terminal
Inc (HCPTI), and Metro Pacific Investments
Corporation, of resorting to falsehoods and
gross misrepresentation in order to defend
their controversial takeover of the Manila
North Harbor.
Ramirez was reacting to a published
report in one major daily early this week
where the article stated that the local
maritime industry and some of the key
stakeholders whose name were indicated
therein fully support the modernization of
Manila North Harbor and MNHPI’s formal
takeover of the port.
“The MNHPI camp must be desperate,”
said United Filipino Seafarers (UFS)
president Nelson Ramirez. “They are trying
to impress on the public that they have the
support of the maritime industry when in fact
that support is non-existent.”
“The supposed support is a blatant lie,” he
exclaimed. “I contacted Rear Admiral Adonis
Donato of the Maritime Forum Inc. (MFI),
Atty Romeo Occena of the International
Mutual Labor Association (ISLA) and Russel
Bernales of the Marine Ratings Association
of the Philippines (MRAP), whose names
were all mentioned in the report. They all
denied issuing any statement on North
Harbor or being formally interviewed by any
news reporter about the matter,” Ramirez
disclosed.
“Leo Santiago, a long-time maritime
journalist, though talked to them earlier about
the North Harbor development but they did
not say anything to Santiago or expressed
any notion that they are fully supportive of
the Manila North Harbor takeover,” Ramirez
added.
In fact, Russel Bernales visited the office
of UFS early today where he told Ramirez that
he will not issue such a statement because
he had been supporting the North Harbor
workers who will surely be affected in the
takeover. MRAP which was conceptualized
in 2008 had only 30 members and had been
dissolved immediately because they didn’t
even have an office.
The fund which was supposed to be used
to register the association with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) was
used for other purposes, Bernales said.
He revealed that Santiago just called him
over the phone and told him of reviving
MRAP but he answered that it was next to
impossible because they didn’t have any
funds. The next thing he knew, his name
already came out in a published article
fully supporting the Manila North Harbor
takeover.
Ramirez added: “How could Atty.
Occena involve himself in the North Harbor
controversy when he had been ill for some
time and his union has joined forces with
UFS and MATEU to form the Philippine
International Maritime Labor Center
(PHIMLAC)?” In fact, Atty. Romeo Occeña
is the General Secretary of PHIMLAC of
which I am the president. If ISLA would be
throwing itself into a controversial issue,
it would surely ask the consent of the
PHIMLAC.
The UFS leader also dismissed the
alleged support for MNHPI by two other
individuals named in the news article.
“These two fellows has no following and
both have a bad reputation in the maritime
industry. One was a part-time consultant
for a shipping firm involved in a horrible
maritime disaster and the other one has a
pending case of illegal recruitment.
He added: “The truth is that almost
everyone is against the takeover by MNHPI
of Manila North Harbor - the shipping lines,
the truckers the North Harbor unions and
even the lowly vendors inside the port. The
full-page advertisement of the Philippine
Liner Shipping Association in one major
daily the following day was an obvious
proof of such.
The UFS shares the same stand. We
support the development of Manila North
Harbour but the manner on how it was
bidded out was tainted with anomalies yet
the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) allowed
it under its very nose. It’s just a shame that
such a noble project would be hounded by
unnecessary controversies just because it
did not follow procedures.
Ramirez described the news article in
question as part of MNHPI’s “fumbling”
public relations campaign. “They should
know better than to have their PR handled
by a wanna-be journalist who gypped
several maritime executives of substantial
sums of money for a coffeetable book that
never saw print.”
26 TINIG NG MARINO
EDITORIAL
MAY - JUNE 2010
Filipinos in the ‘Year of the Seafarer’
FROM PAGE 6
Having the Philippines as the venue
for adopting revisions to the international
maritime industry’s ‘bible’ for seafarers is
obviously a recognition by IMO no less of
the great importance of the Philippines and
the Filipino seafarers to the international
shipping and maritime industry. It’s like
having a homecourt advantage in an allimportant meet.
Subsequently,
the
London-based
International Committee on Seafarers
Welfare (ICSW) will hold a ‘Party in the
Park’ for Filipino seafarers on June 26,
2010 at the Luneta Seafarer’s Center,
or immediately after the IMO Diplomatic
Conference, to obviously pay tribute once
again to the continued contributions of
the Filipino seafarers in the international
maritime industry.
ICSW even welcomes the initiative of IMO
to designate 2010 as “Year of the Seafarer”
as it supports its efforts to promote seafarer
welfare and well-being.
While the upsides on recent industry
issues and developments far outweigh
the downsides relative to Filipino seamen,
it is still baffling to note that most of the
problems being faced by our seafarers are
domestic and local in nature; self-inflicted
to say the least.
Cases in point: the delay in the processing
of the Seafarer Identification and Record
Books (SIRBs) or seaman’s books and the
aborted plan of the Professional Regulation
Commission
to
suspend the Walk-in
Examination System
(WES). If not for
the
timely,
albeit
crucial
intervention
of the United Filipino
Seafarers (UFS) on
these issues, Filipino
seafarers and the
local maritime industry
would surely be the
silent
or
discreet
laughing stocks during
the two international
events come June
2010.
There have been
reports that some
people in the PRC are
once again planning on
a ridiculous imposition
for deck ratings. It is
the local industry’s
wish that these are just
murmurs and nothing
more. It’s time to give
the Filipino seafarers
a break in the “Year
of the Seafarer” from
all these unnecessary
hassles.
The global maritime industry never
seems to run out of adjectives to describe
the contributions of the Filipino seafarers;
but here in the Philippines, some people
never waver one bit from their vested
interests and agenda to capitalize on our
seafarers.
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
27
PISOBILITIES
FRANCISCO J. COLAYCO
Chairman, Colayco Foundation for Education
Entrepreneur, Venture Developer and Financial Advisor
Sidelines at Internet
R
esponsibilidad nating lahat na
palawakin ang ating kaalaman at
hasain ang ating karunungan. Ito
lang ang paraan para magkaroon tayo
ng oportunidad na kumita ng pera. Anuano nga ba ang mga oportunidad na ito at
anong klaseng dunong at kaalaman ang
kailangan para magamit sila?
Ilang beses na akong nakatatanggap ng
sulat mula sa mga maybahay na gustunggustong makatulong sa kanilang mga
mister na tustusan ang pang-araw-araw
nilang pangangailangan at paginhawahin
ang kanilang mga pamilya. Gusto nilang
kumita rin ng pera, pero di nila alam kung
paano. Ang tanong nga ng isang 38 years
old na maybahay, “Saan ba ako dapat
magsimula? Wala pa naman akong sapat
na pahahon dahil ang buong araw ko’y
nauubos sa pag-aalaga sa aking mga
anak. May paraan ba talaga para kumita
ako ng pera?”
Maraming paraan para kumita at
makatulong sa pag-iipon ang isang
maybahay. Puwedeng bawasan mo
na lang ang iyong gastusin, o puwede
rin namang magtayo ka ng sarili mong
negosyo. Ang una mong dapat gawin ay
isipin kung saan ka magaling. Ano ba ang
iyong mga natatanging husay o talento?
At ano ang talagang gustong-gusto mong
gawain?
Kapag nagkaroon ka ng libreng oras,
mag-ikut-ikot ka sa inyong barangay o sa
mga villages at subdivision sa kapaligiran
ninyo — baka sakaling may mahanap
kang puwede mong pagkakitaan.
Halimbawa, baka maraming bata o
mga dayuhan sa inyong komunidad na
nangangailangan ng tagaturo. Kung
gayon, hindi kaya magandang magtayo
ka ng tutorial services? Magsimula ka
nang maghanap — magugulat ka na lang
na nandiyan lang right under your nose
ang mapagkukuhanan ng extra income.
Marami rin sa mga serbisyong
nakasanayan na natin noong ating
kabataan ang wala na ngayon, gaya ng
shoe shine. Dati-rati, ang mga batang
shoe shine ay nag-iikot sa mga bahaybahay upang linisin at pakintabin ang
ating mga sapatos, pero ngayon wala na
sila. Hindi mo ba naiisip na puwede mo
itong buhayin at pagkakitaan muli?
Kahit sa isang barangay o subdivision
lang, o sa condominum, maaari ka nang
magkaroon ng maraming parokyano na
katumbas ng dalawang libong pares ng
sapatos kada buwan. Kung sisingil ka ng
P30 isang pares, kikita ka ng P60,000
buwan-buwan! Bakit nga ba walang
gumagawa nito?
Ang isa pang magandang gawing
negosyo ay ang laundry — napatunayan
na na malaki ang kita dito. Tingnan mo na
lang ang Lavandera Co. at iba pang katulad
nila. Napakarami nang nagsulputan sa
buong Metro Manila, at marami sa kanila
ay kumikita. Ang ginagawa lang naman
nila ay ang pagbibigay ng serbisyong
kailangan ng lahat pero wala na halos
napagkukuhanan. Ganyan din ang gawin
mo. Tumingin ka sa paligid mo — marami
pang iba diyan.
Balik sa Pag-aaral
Isa pang maaring bigyan ng pansin ay
ang pagbabalik sa pag-aaral. Maraming
mga kursong maiigsi na maaring pasukan
ng isang maybahay. Baka ito pa nga ang
magbigay sa iyo ng pagkakataong magkasideline.
Halimbawa: dressmaking,
haircutting, baking, flower arrangement
atbp. Piliin lang ‘yong medyo kinahihiligan
para mabilis matuto.
Paggamit ng Internet
Sa panahong ito, kailangan ding
matutong mag-Internet. Halos lahat
kasi ng bagay ngayon ay matututunan
o matatagpuan dito. Puwede kang magaral sa iba’t-ibang institusyon; puwede
kang kumuha ng mga babasahin tungkol
sa halos lahat ng bagay; puwede ka pang
humingi ng payo sa mga dalubhasa.
At ang importante sa lahat — maaari
kang makipag-negosyo, mag-invest at
makipag-ugnayan kahit kanino sa buong
mundo sa Internet. Lahat nang ito ay
puwede mong gawin sa napakaliit lang na
TURN TO PAGE 38
28 TINIG NG MARINO
- JUNE 2010
JULYMAY
- AUGUST
2009
WORLD’S SEAFARING
CAPITAL
FROM PAGE 3
conference to discuss, finalize and adopt the
amendments to the STCW Convention and
STCW Code for seafarers.
In addition to plenary presentations to
thresh out and agree on all the relevant
issues related to the amendments to the
STCW Convention and STCW Code, there
will also be round-table discussions and
group workshops on maritime education and
training.
There will also be visits to maritime
schools and maritime exhibits to be prepared
by the local maritime industry stakeholders
for the conference delegates as well as visits
to foreign and local training ships berthed at
the Port of Manila.
A courtesy call to President Arroyo in
Malacañang by the conference delegates is
also slated in the morning of June 23rd.
One important highlight of the event is the
DOLE-initiated and sponsored ‘Search for the
Most Outstanding Filipino Seafarer,’ which
has been drawing raves as well as excitement
all over the local maritime industry, especially
among Filipino seafarers.
The event’s welcome dinner for the
delegates to the 2010 STCW Diplomatic
Conference shall be hosted by the Secretary
of the DOTC on June 21st while the farewell
dinner on the 24th shall have the Secretary of
DOLE as host.
As many of the conference delegates shall
be coming to the conference along with their
spouses, a separate program of activities for
their better halves has also been mapped out
where they will be given a tour of Manila’s
tourist attractions or nearby provincial
outskirtswhile their husbands or wives are
busy at the conference.
The DOTC has also slated an IMO golf
cup for interested conference delegates to
be held at the Wack-Wack Golf and Country
Club slated on June 26th.
To cap off the almost week-long event is
the Seafarer Fiesta to be held on June 26th
at the Luneta Seafarer’s Center under the
auspices of the International Committee on
Seafarers Welfare (ICSW) in cooperation with
local maritime groups, manning agencies,
and other maritime industry stakeholders.
The 2010 STCW Diplomatic Conference
is a major international event that is worth all
the hoopla and hype that it deserves given
its scope and magnitude. More importantly,
the event is crucial and very important to
the Philippines because apart from focusing
on the so-called ‘bible of seafarers,’ it shall
actually reinforce the Philippines’ status as
the undisputed seafaring capital of the world
bar none.
MAY-JUNE
2010 2009
JULY - AUGUST
TINIG NG MARINO
29
30 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
INC JOINS ROSTER OF THE ELIT
I
f there’s one thing that the company’s first
Top Performer Award from the Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration
(POEA) proved, it is no other than the fact
that INC Navigation Company Philippines,
Inc has officially joined the roster of the elite
manning agencies in the Philippines.
The company was already ushered into the
higher categorical echelon of local manning
agencies as early as November last year
when it was honored as Outstanding
Maritime Manning Agency for 2009 by the
United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) during the
7th Tinig ng Marino Awards.
On April 29, 2010, INC officially
became part of the distinguished,
reputable and select list of Philippine
manning agents when the company
was bestowed its first Top Performer
plum for the four-year period starting
on July 1, 2005 up to June 30, 2009
during the POEA Agency Performance
Awards held at the Philippine
International Convention Center.
INC was among the 10 Top
Performer awardees from the seabased sector honored by the POEA
during the occasion and indicative
of how the Philippine government
appreciates contributions of the local
manning agencies, no less than Labor
and Employment Secretary Marianito
V. Roque led the award-giving rites,
assisted by Labor Undersecretary
for
Employment
and
Manpower
Development Romeo Lagman and
POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili.
The three top officials of INC
Navigation Company Philippines led
by CEO Capt. Jerome Delos Angeles,
President Reynaldo Ramirez, and
Financial Director Rose Mesina formally
accepted the prestigious POEA award
from the government officials on stage.
Capt. Delos Angeles could not
contain his elation over the company’s
first Top Performer award as it obviously
signified that INC’s consistent efforts
in deploying competent and qualified
Filipino seafarers onboard the vessels
INC Navigation Company Philippines officials led by CEO Capt. Jerome Delos Angeles (second from right), P
holding the Top Performer trophy) are shown being flanked by Labor Secretary Marianito V. Roque (left), L
POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili (right) during the 2009 POEA Agency Performance Awards held at the
of its foreign principals is being
appreciated and recognized by the
government.
“INC has obviously arrived in the
circle of the elite in the local maritime
industry and we plan to stay here for
the long term through our consistent
performance year in and year out,”
proudly quips Capt. Delos Angeles,
moments after receiving the award.
Performance Par Excellance
INC was bestowed a Top Performer
Award by the POEA for maintaining a
remarkable annual deployment figure
of 1,600 Filipino seafarers, both officers
and ratings, which accounts for 30% of
the award’s main criteria, during the fouryear coverage period.
Now on its 31st year of operation in the
Philippines, INC has grown from its humble
beginnings in 1979, starting off only with four
staff providing seafarers to a just a couple of
vessels managed by its principal Interorient
Marine Services, based in Limassol, Cyprus.
Today, INC has transformed into a very
dynamic entity with some 30 staff in its Manila
office and four employees in its Cebu branch
office. The company now provides seafarers
to over 150 owned and managed vessels of
its principals. This attribute has also enabled
INC to rank high on the next criteria for the
Top Performer Award which is technical
capability, which accounts for 25%.
The future appears to be even brighter
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
TE WITH
31
TOP PERFORMER PLUM
mates and engineers.
The company has been regularly
holding frequent events not just to
drumbeat its recent accomplishments
but more importantly to honor the
contributions of its Filipino seafarers to
the continued growth of the company
over the years.
Because
of
these
initiatives
among others, INC has obviously
fared excellently on compliance with
recruitment rules and regulations,
welfare programs and allied services,
and human resources development
plan, which accounts for 25% of the
criteria for the Top Performer Award.
In terms of marketing capability, which
accounts for 15% of the POEA award,
INC has apparently established its own
niche in the local maritime industry with
its distinct and unique brand of crewing
services that have become familiar to
many Filipino seafarers, their families
and of course to its satisfied and
contented principals.
INC has also ranked high in terms
of social awareness and responsibility,
which accounts for 5% of the award, as
the company is usually in the forefront
of socio-civic initiatives meant to help
the needy or underprivileged members
of the local society.
As a matter of fact, during a
devastation wrought by a typhoon in
the Western Visayas in May 2008,
INC provided financial support to local
institutions at the forefront of relief
and rehabilitation efforts to help those
people whose lives and properties
were practically shattered by the
calamities.
During the Holiday Season of the
same year, instead of throwing a lavish
Christmas celebration for its staff, INC
decided to do away with a grand party
and instead initiated a gift-giving and
feeding program at a local orphanage
in Mandaluyong City, ensuring that the
joy of the Christmas season is felt by
over 200 underprivileged kids.
A performance for tops indeed and
INC Navigation Company Philippines
deserves all the recognition and credit
for it.
President Reynaldo Ramirez (third from right) and Financial Director Rose Mesina (third from left, and proudly
Labor Undersecretary for Employment and Manpower Development Romeo Lagman (second from left) and
e Philippine International Convention Center.
for Filipino seafarers at the employ of INC
Navigation Company Philippines or those
who aspire to belong to the company sooner
than later.
Because of the anticipated increase in
its tanker and bulk carrier business in the
near future, Interorient Marine Services,
through INC, has in fact, initiated a one-ofa-kind cadet sponsorship program with the
University of Cebu for high school students
with great potentials to become marine
professionals.
Come June 2010, INC’s cadet sponsorship
program will enter into its third year at the
University of Cebu – Maritime Education
and Training Center (METC) in Mambaling,
Cebu. The program now has a total of 100
cadets equally divided into 50 deck and 50
engine cadets.
Beginning in April 2010, the first
batch of 50 INC cadets went onboard
for their one-year apprenticeship as
part of the 2-1-1 scheme of the fouryear cadetship program, where the third
year of the learning is spent entirely
onboard for greater assimilation of
seafaring knowledge.
INC is slated to accept 50 more
cadets into the program beginning in
school year 2011 – 2012.
In addition to its scholarship program,
the company has been employing
deck and engine cadets since 2006.
Based on its records, INC has already
employed a total of 126 cadets. More
than half of them are now junior deck
The concrete testament to INC’s splendid performance as a local manning agency, which is also
the company’s ticket in joining the roster of the industry’s elite.
32 TINIG NG MARINO
I
NC Navigation Company Philippines,
Inc. joined the Class ’80 of the Philippine
Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) in
hosting the country’s premier maritime
institution’s 190th Founding Anniversary
and Grand Alumni Homecoming last April
10, 2010.
INC’s active participation in this year’s
PMMA event stemmed from the fact
that the company CEO, Capt. Jerome
Delos Angeles, is a proud alumnus of the
academy and a member of Class ’80.
PMMA’s concelebration of its 190th
Founding Anniversary and Grand Alumni
Homecoming had eight Host Classes,
ending in 0 and 5, beginning in 1970 up
to 2005, including Class ’80, who dubbed
themselves as the Roaring 80’s.
INC was one of several manning
companies and maritime firms in joining the
PMMA Roaring 80’s booth in sponsoring
fun games and setting up food kiosks
for academy alumni, their families, and
guests in making the morning of April 10
highly-entertaining at the camp grounds
fronting the administration building.
Those participating firms had PMMA
Class ’80 alumni as top brass and like
INC, their participation were demonstrated
by their respective corporate tarpaulin
banners at the Class ’80 booth.
INC provided corporate giveaways
including caps, umbrellas, and shirts
which were used as prizes in the fun
games as well as distributed to the
members of the PMMA Class ’80, who
were uniformly wearing their sparkling
fuchsia shirts during the event. Even some
family members of Class ’80 were clad in
Roaring 80’s uniform.
Almost 30 years after they left the
academy, a good number of Class ’80
members roared back in full force and
were in fact appeared to have the batch
that had the most number of returning
alumni especially notable during the
afternoon parade, where Capt. Delos
Angeles also took part in.
Records indicate that the PMMA Class
’80 had a total of 165 members when each
of them successfully marched to the then
newly-built multi-purpose gymnasium of
the academy during their graduation on
August 1, 1980.
Members of Class ’80 had to face the
rough and tumble times after emerging
from the academy because the 80’s was
actually the decade when the shipping
recession happened. It was a time when
ships were few and shipboard jobs were
even fewer.
But with grit and unwavering
determination, many had risen to the
challenge and were able to successfully
make it to the top of the merchant marine
profession, including INC’s Capt. Delos
Angeles. After 10 years at sea, Capt.
Delos Angeles eventually thought it was
time to take on a shore-based position.
He eventually ‘returned home’ to INC
on August 1, 2008 as its CEO and he has
since been effectively and productively
holding sway as the head honcho of the
company, further reinforcing the reputation
of INC as one of the most sought-after
employers of choice for a good number of
Filipino seafarers.
JULYMAY
- AUGUST
2009
- JUNE 2010
INC Joins Class ’80 in Hosting
PMMA 2010 Alumni Homecoming
INC is just one of several local maritime industry firms who supported the
Roaring 80’s in sponsoring the PMMA Grand Alumni Homecoming and 190th
Founding Anniversary. INC’s banner is just one of the many on display at the
crowd-drawing Class 80 booth at the PMMA camp grounds during the morning
of April 10, 2010.
Capt. Delos Angeles is just one of the
Overall however, most
three officials of INC who are certified of them have become
graduates of PMMA. Capt. Nesias Rondina good mentors to the new
Jr., INC’s Operations Manager is also a batches of ship officers in
graduate of the academy and a member of their respective companies
Class ‘86 but he was not able to attend the as well as perfect examples
PMMA alumni homecoming because of an for the younger generation
earlier commitment.
of PMMAers to emulate.
Apart from Capt. Delos Angeles, 2nd
Many of these core
Engr Edison Batalla of PMMA Batch 2000 values that he obtained from the academy
was also at the academy to take part in the and nurtured in the practice of his profession
foundation and homecoming celebration over the years, Capt. Delos Angeles
as a member of Host Class 2000.
brought home to INC Navigation Company
Capt. Delos Angeles says that his most Philippines upon his return. Together with
recent return to his Alma Mater brings back a very supportive management team
a lot of memories during his midshipman these have significantly contributed to the
years at PMMA beginning in 1976.
continued evolution of the company as one
“We had to go through a lot of challenges. of the most pro-active manning agencies in
We had to hurdle a lot of obstacles. We the country today.
had to literally thread through unchartered
The continued operational growth of
territories just to make it through. But with INC in the international shipping arena
our collective tenacity to succeed and our and its sustained rise to prominence in
unparalleled commitment to remain true the local maritime industry over the last
to the ideals and values that the academy couple of years is punctuated no less
had inculcated in us, most of us managed by the company’s recent receipt of its
to come out victorious,” proudly remarked very first Top Performer Award given
Capt. Delos Angeles.
by the Philippine Overseas Employment
Many of the
PMMA
Class
’80 have joined
as executives of
shipping
firms
or put up their
own
manning
businesses
p r o v i d i n g
employment
to
many
Filipino
seafarers, while
several
others
chose to stay
active as mariners
and continue to Members of the PMMA Class 80, including INC’s Capt.
sail to this day.
Delos Angeles, during the homecoming parade of alumni.
Administration (POEA) during the 2009
Agency Performance Awards held
last April 29, 2010 at the Philippine
International Convention Center.
The prestigious Top Performer Award
from the POEA also came at the heels
of INC’s distinction as Outstanding
Maritime Manning Agency for 2009
during the 7th Tinig ng Marino Awards
given last November 2009.
INC is certainly on course to go the
distance in the local maritime industry in
the years ahead.
With a PMMAer at its helm adhering to
no-nonsense core values, the company is
surely destined for more accomplishments
in the future.
MAY --JUNE
20102009
JULY
AUGUST
TINIG NG MARINO
33
34 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
Parola, Lambat Join Sagip-Kapamilya’s Outreach Program for Kids
I
ndicative of its great social concern,
Parola Maritime Agency Corporation
and LAMBAT, a non-government, nonprofit and non-political group of concerned
Filipino seafarers of Parola and their
wives, joined an outreach program of ABSCBN’s Sagip Kapamilya on April 10, 2010
in Rosales, Pangasinan meant to help
underprivileged kids in the area.
During the socio-civic undertaking,
members of LAMBAT and several staff of
Parola, with the support of Capt. Bum Chil
Heo, Chairman of Parola Maritime Agency
Corporation and an honorary member
of LAMBAT, joined the development
workers of ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya
in distributing bags and school supplies to
underprivileged children coming from 20
barangays in Rosales, Pangasinan.
In addition, the kids were also provided
with shoes, slippers, clothes, and some
groceries to go with the school supplies.
Subsequently,
a
feeding program was
also held ensuring
that the kids were
not just filled to their
heart’s delight with
the gifts that they just
received but their
stomachs as well.
LAMBAT
was
established
on
August
4,
2006
while its founding
members
were
onboard MT Bunga
Melati Satu owned
by MISC Berhad. The
founding members of
Members of LAMBAT and deck cadets of Parola Maritime during the distribution
of school supplies and goods for kids in Rosales, Pangasianan.
the group were Capt. Manolo B. Ebora , C/E
Clarence Dacanay, C/E Francisco G. Libo-
on, C/O Hilario C. Martinez, 2/E Macarione
TURN TO PAGE 50
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
35
PTC Receives Presidential Award of Excellence
P
hilippine Transmarine Carriers
(PTC), Inc. was conferred the
Presidential Award of Excellence
during a ceremony held last April 21,
2010, at the Malacañang Palace.
The award was given in recognition
of the company’s sustained level
of excellence in providing gainful
employment to Filipino seafarers.
A nine-time POEA Awardee of
Excellence since 1984, PTC was
one of only nine sea-based and four
land-based agencies to be given this
honor.
To have achieved this important
status in the industry without being
affiliated with any foreign partner is a
proud testament to what a truly Filipino
company can achieve in a global
industry.
Established in 1979, PTC is today
a leader in the Philippine maritime
industry and one of the largest crew
management companies in the
country, deploying more than 30,000
seafarers annually on over 600 vessels
worldwide.
PTC’s
deployment
capability
covers a wide range of vessels:
Chemical Tankers; Product, Oil and
PTC’s overall Crew Management
philosophy and business model is
anchored on the principal of establishing
“partnerships of equal interest” whose
primary focus is the overall development
of the Filipino Global Maritime
Professional.
To date, PTC has developed this
approach with over 80 Principals who
are industry leaders in their own regions
– Europe, Asia and North America;
with whom PTC shares a common
focus on seafarer welfare and career
development, and who are one with
PTC’s commitment to inspire lives, build
futures and move the world.
At the Malacañang ceremonies,
Mr. Carlos Salinas, Chairman and
CEO of PTC, received the award from
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
assisted by Carmelita Dimzon, OWWA
Administrator; Jennifer Jardin-Manalili,
POEA Administrator; and Marianito
Roque, DOLE Secretary.
Mr. Salinas was invited to give
the response on behalf of the 13
awardees.
The 13 awardees were again
recognized at the POEA Agency
Performance Awards held on April 29,
PTC Chairman and CEO Mr. Carlos Salinas, receiving the Presidential Award of Excellence from
PGMA at Malacañang as Labor Secretary Marianito Roque and POEA Administrator Jennifer
Manalili look on.
The PTC Chairman and CEO, along with his family and other top officials of the company, are
joined by Labor Secretary Roque in this pose following the company’s receipt of the prestigious
award from PGMA.
Crude Tankers; VLCCs; LPG and
LNG; Bulk Carriers; General Cargo;
Containers; Roros; Offshore; Car
Carriers; and Cruise Liners. The
company’s services have evolved to
include crew management, education,
training, medical diagnostics, housing,
chartering and logistics, husbanding
and freight forwarding, land-based
deployment,
technology-driven
engagement and other allied services.
2010 at the PICC, where Awards of
Excellence and Top Performer Awards
were given to other outstanding seabased and land-based companies
The Presidential Awardees of
Excellence were given special POEA
sashes to distinguish them as elite
awardees.
PTC’s
Vice-President
for Operations, Capt. Ronald Enrile
received this recognition on PTC’s
behalf.
PTC’s Capt. Enrile, wears the tri-colored sash as Presidential Award of Excellence - Elite
Group.
36 TINIG NG MARINO
JULY MAY-JUNE
- AUGUST 2010
2009
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY
20102009
JULY- -JUNE
AUGUST
37
Filipino Master Takes Helm of MISC’s Largest Chemical Tanker
A
Filipino Master has taken the helm of
the 45,000-DWT MT Bunga Bakawali,
the largest tanker newbuilding to have
joined MISC Berhad’s constantly growing
fleet.
Capt. Nicolito U. Sepulvida, who is just
one of the many competent and qualified
seaborne personnel that Eagle Star Crew
Management Corporation, MISC’s crewing
partner in the Philippines, consistently
deploys onboard the vessels of MISC and
AET, took command of MT Bunga Bakawali
on March 16, 2010 when the company
formally took delivery of the vessel over at
the SLS shipyard in South Korea.
Capt. Sepulvida and Mr. Yoon of MISC
personally accepted the turnover by signing
the delivery documents of MT Bunga
Bakawali at the offices of SLS shipyard in
South Korea after making sure that every bit
of vessel construction details was according
to what was stated in the contract. MT
Bunga Bakawali is the first in a series of four
chemical tanker newbuildings contracted by
MISC to SLS Shipyard of South Korea.
The SLS officials were able to heave a
Capt. Sepulvida blowing the ship’s horn during
her maiden voyage ceremony at Bintulu.
MT Bunga Bakawali during her sea trials at South Korea
sigh of relief for a job well done on MT Bunga
Bakawali with three more similar chemical
tankers still in the works at its shipyard.
Subsequently, Mr. Yoon formally turned
over the reign of the ship to Capt.
Sepulvida for her preliminary sea
trials the following day.
Fresh from the shipyard, the
vessel made its first shipment of
palm oil from Tong Yeong in South
Korea to Bintulu in the island of
Sabah, Malaysia.
In order to highlight the
coming into service of MT Bunga
Bakawali,
MISC’s
Chemical
Business Unit organized on March
Mr. Yoon and Capt,. Sepulvida perusing over the vessel 25, 2010 a dedication ceremony
delivery documents.
for the chemical tanker that was
highlighted by a maiden voyage
ceremony.
The
significance
of
the
event was emphasized by the
participation during the maiden
voyage ceremony of key people
from the Malaysian port authorities
and local cargo handling firms
as well as from some of MISC’s
chemical business unit major
clients including Shell and Wilmar.
Representatives
from
the
Bintulu Port Authority, Bintulu Port
Sdn. Bhd, Biport Bulkers Sdn. Bhd,
Jabatan Laut, Jabatan Imigresen,
Mr. Yoon formally accepting the delivery documents of MT
Jabatan
Kesihatan,
Agensi
Bunga Bakawali from SLS officials.
Penguatkuasa Maritim Malaysia
were also in attendance during the important
occasion.
Capt. Sepulvida blew the ship’s horns
during the maiden voyage ceremony to sort
of announce to the entire Bintulu shipping
community that ‘MT Bunga Bakawali has
arrived.’
In the short program onboard during the
maiden voyage ceremony, Capt. Sepulvida
proudly stated that MT Bunga Bakawali is the
most technologically-advanced vessel he has
been on and expressed confidence that he
would be able to effectively and productively
helm the vessel on its early voyages.
Capt. Sarjit Singh, Senior Manager Far
East – America Services of MISC Chemical
Business Unit, thanked the MISC customers
for their continued support and long-term
Mr. Yoon turns over the reign of MT Bunga
partnership with the company.
Bakawali to Capt. Sepulvida.
A short doa recitation by the vessel Admin
Officer Engr. Norman Alang ensued to bless
the ship on its journeys. A tour of the state-ofthe-art chemical tanker led by Capt. Sepulvida
wrapped up the short program onboard
highlighted by the showing of the vessel’s
milestones near the office of the master.
MISC Berhad, one of the world’s leading
international shipping lines, is on course
towards expanding its global presence in the
chemical transportation business with the
coming into service of MT Bunga Bakawali.
Early in March, MISC also saw the
delivery of another of its chemical tanker,
MT Bunga Alpinia. The vessel, the fourth of
eight 38,000-DWT chemical tankers ordered
by MISC from the STX shipyard in Pusan,
South Korea was delivered on March 10,
2010.
The coming into service of MT Bunga
Alpinia and MT Bunga Bakawali brings the
total of MISC’s owned and in-chartered fleet
to 159, of which 22 are chemical tankers.
Out of this, MISC currently owns a total of 12
chemical tankers.
The aggressive chemical fleet growth
will provide MISC with the critical mass
required to better serve its growing list of
global customers in the vegetable-oil and
petrochemical industry.
Capt. Sarjit Singh of MISC’s Chemical Business Unit thanking the company’s customers during
the maiden voyage ceremony onboard MT Bunga Bakawali.
Representatives from the
local port authority and port
and shipping communities in
Bintulu were on hand during
the maiden voyage program.
Upper photo shows MT Bunga
Bakawali Chief Officer Amrit
Singh, explaining the vessel’s
cargo controls to guests.
38 TINIG NG MARINO
- JUNE 2010
JULYMAY
- AUGUST
2009
Parola Maritime
Initiates Innovative
Engine Cadetship
Program
I
n order to increase the number of young
and potential marine engineer officers
in the vessels of its Japanese principal
Kukokah, Parola Maritime Agency
Corporation has initiated an innovative
engine cadetship program for graduates
of Bachelor of Science in Electrical
Engineering (BSEE) and Bachelor of
Science in Mechanical Engineering
(BSME) who wish to venture into the sea
and usher themselves into the seafaring
profession.
Parola’s innovative engine cadetship
program stemmed from the fact that the
local industry is finding it difficult to get
marine engineering cadets outside of cadet
sponsorship programs in maritime schools,
since many prefer to take up the Bachelor
of Science in Marine Transportation
(BSMT) or the deck course.
It is also the company’s unique way
of offering a viable solution to the officer
shortage problem now being felt in the
global maritime industry.
Parola’s engine cadetship program
is open to all electrical engineering and
mechanical engineering graduates from
the country’s technical schools. Since
the start of the program, most of its
cadets who passed the qualifying exam
were graduates of Mapua Institute of
Technology.
Once cadets are accepted into the
special program, Parola will provide their
training related to their likely deployment
onboard the vessels of Kukokah. The
company is even going out of its way to
commit assistance as they prepare for or
take their respective board examinations.
Apart from ensuring their employment,
Parola will also monitor their progress and
support their career growth onboard so
that they will eventually become marine
engineer officers with the potential of
becoming technical superintendents for the
company someday.
The engine cadetship program is being
supervised by Chief Mate Isauro Sanchez,
Crewing Manager of Parola Maritime
Agency, with the full backing of Chairman
Capt. Bum Chil Heo and the Kukokah
management.
On February 18, 2010, the first batch
of four cadets from Mapua Institute of
Technology were formally accepted into the
innovative engine cadetship program by
Parola Maritime Agency through a special
memorandum of agreement signed at the
Makati offices of the manning agency.
The four engine cadets were delighted
to be welcomed to the Parola family by
Capt. Heo and other top company officials.
PISOBILITIES
Sidelines at Internet
FROM PAGE 27
halaga, kung alam mo kung paano. Buti
na lang hindi naman mahirap matutunan
ang paggamit ng Internet, lalo na kung
desidido ka.
Naaalala ko nga noong 1994, labingapat na taon na ang nakalilipas, nang
nagsimulang magkaroon ng texting ang
Globe. Noong panahong iyon konektado
ang asawa ko sa Globe kaya kami ng mga
anak ko’y mayroon nang mga cell phones
at nakakapag-text na sa isa’t-isa. Wala pa
halos nakaaalam tungkol sa texting noon
at kahit nga ang Globe ay ilang libo pa
lang ang subscribers.
Walang nakakaintindi sa ginagawa
namin at may mga nagsabi pa ngang
pagsasayang lang ito ng oras. Lalo
na ’yung mga medyo may edad na
— ang sabi nila, hindi raw nila ito pagaaksayahan ng panahon at hinding-hindi
nila kakailanganin.
Pero ngayon, milyun-milyong tao na
sa buong mundo ang nagte-text, at ang
Pilipinas pa nga ang tinaguriang “Texting
Capital of the World!” Ang pagte-text ay
parte na ng pang-araw-araw na buhay
nating mga Pinoy. Lahat tayo, bata man o
matanda, dito man sa Pilipinas o sa ibang
bansa, nagte-text. In fact, many meetings
and events would not be possible without
texting.
Ganito rin ang nangyayari ngayon sa
Internet. Marami na naman sa atin, lalo
na ’yung mga may edad, ang natatakot
dito at nagsasabing kahit kailan ay di sila
matututo.
Hindi lang kasi nila alam na isang
malawak na bagong mundo ang
naghihintay sa kanila kung pag-aaralan
lang nilang gumamit ng Internet.
Napakaraming maaaring magturo
sa atin at napakarami ring pagkakataon
para matutong mag-computer. ’Wag sana
The first batch of four cadets from Mapua accepted by Parola Maritime Agency on its innovative
cadetship program are shown standing being flanked by company officials led by Chairman
Capt. Bum Chil Heo (standing, second from left), Simon Heo (left), Director of Eagle Star Crew
Management Corp., and Chief Mate Isauro Sanchez, Crewing Manager of Parola. Sitting are the
proud and happy parents of the four cadets.
As part of the engine cadetship program,
the cadets were made to undergo the basic
safety and SOLAS courses for eligiblity and
were subsequently issued their respective
Seafarer Identification and Record Books
(SIRBs) or seaman’s book by the Maritime
Industry Authority (MARINA).
Although this is not the first time that
a local manning agency has deployed
graduates of other courses onboard oceangoing vessels, Parola Maritime Agency
has formally ushered a new dimension
in its crew management program with
technically-capable people who are willing
to take on the challenge of seafaring even if
it was not their first choice as a profession.
The parents of the four cadets were also
on hand to give their full support to their
respective sons who will soon be taking
their technical knowhow and savvy in the
ocean onboard the vessels of Kukokah.
They were also quite proud that their
sons were given the premium opportunity
by Parola to work overseas and earn
precious dollars.
“This program is part of Parola’s
continuous thrust to source only the
most competent and qualified personnel
to be deployed on the vessels of our
principal. Apart from competence and
qualifications, we need to ensure that
the crew whom we will be deploying
are committed to the work and to their
task onboard even at their young ages
and eventually to the company whom
they shall be working for a good portion
of their career or maybe even for good,”
expressed Capt. Heo.
nating sayangin, dahil kung marunong
tayong gumamit ng computer at Internet,
madali tayong makahahanap ng paraan
para kumita at umunlad. Marami rin
tayong malalapitan upang hingan ng payo
ukol dito.
Pero dapat ding mag-ingat, dahil
gaya ng sa totoong buhay, may mga
manloloko rin sa Internet. Hindi lahat ay
dapat paniwalaan agad. Dapat pa ring
kumonsulta sa totoong dalubhasang kilala
ninyo at gamitin ang sentido kumon. Mas
mainam na alamin mula sa mga ahensya
ng gobyerno tulad ng Securities and
Exchange Commission, Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas, at ng Department of Trade
and Industry kung hindi ka nakasisiguro
sa katotohanan ng mga nakikita mo sa
Internet.
Kapag natutunan mong mag-email,
madali na ring makipag-kuwentuhan sa
mga kamag-anakan at kaibigan kahit
saan pa sa mundo sila naroroon. Magingat rin, maraming scams sa email.
Kung may matalik kang kaibigan na nagemail na humingi ng tulong na magpadala
ng pera, mas mabuting tawagan mo
kaagad ang nag-email sa iyo bago ka
pa magpakapagod sa pag-iisip kung
papaano ka makakatulong.
Sa kalahatan, napakasaya ng email,
maaari ngang maubos ang oras sa
pagbabasa at pagsasagot. Kung wala
kang panahon, hindi mo naman kailangang
sagutin. Maaari mo ring huwag pansinin.
Nasasa-iyo ‘yan. Kaya’t ngayon pa lang,
mag-aral nang gumamit ng Internet!
Please pass this message.
Si Francisco J. Colayco ay isang
entrepreneur, venture developer, at
financial advisor. Siya ang Chairman
ng Colayco Foundation for Education
at may-akda ng tatlong bestsellers:
Wealth Within Your Reach (tinanghal
na 2004 Book of the Year for Business
and Economics), Making Your Money
Work (nominado bilang 2005 Book of
the Year for Business and Economics),
Pera Palaguin Workbook, at ngayon
ang Money for Kids. Para sa iba pang
impormasyon tungkol sa kaniyang
mga itinuturo at adhikain, pumunta
sa www.colaycofoundation.com o di
kaya’y magpadala ng e-mail sa info@
colaycofoundation.com.
MAY
20102009
JULY--JUNE
AUGUST
TINIG NG MARINO
39
MST Marine Services Honored as Top Performer
O
wing to its consistent
performance
as
a
manning company from
the evaluation period from July
2005 to June 2009, MST Marine
Services (Phils.), Inc. was honored
by the Philippine Overseas
Employment
Administration
(POEA) as Top Performer at
the 2009 Agency Performance
Awards held at the Philippine
International Convention Center
last April 29, 2010.
The company’s Top Performer
Award was received by TSM
Group officials led by Ian R.
Garcia, President of TSM
Equities and Holdings; Capt.
Alfonso del Castillo, President
of TSM Shipping and TORM
Shipping; and Capt. Benjamin
Katipunan, President of MST
Marine Services.
They accepted the award
from Labor Secretary Marianito
D. Roque, Labor Undersecretary
for Employment and Manpower
Development Romeo C. Lagman,
and POEA Administrator Jennifer
Manalili.
MST is part of the TSM Group
of Companies which is composed
also of TSM Shipping (Phils.),
Inc., TORM Shipping Phils.,
Inc., Jo Tankers Phils., Inc. and
Solvang Philippines, Inc.
MILESTONES of
TSM Group of Companies
1988 TSMSHIPPING(PHILS.)INC.wasestablishedasajointventurecompanywiththeTHOME
GroupofCompaniesinSingaporewhichcombinestherecognizedNorwegiantraditionof
shipping ad the well-known Asian drive to succeed.
TSMstartedoperatingoutofasmallrentedofficeatLPLMansion,SalcedoVillage,Makati.
The company started with 5 office staff and had 10 accredited vessels.
1990 TSMtransferredtoitsownofficepremisesattheGroundFloor,TuscanBuildinginLegaspi
Village,MakatiCity.Injusttwo(2)yearssinceitsestablishment,thecompanyincreased
its staff to 19 with 1,200 seafarers deployed.
1992 TSMsetupitsfirstdivisionwithJOManagementASBergenforthecrewingof14vessels
with about 250 seafarers.
1993 TheDOLE-POEArecognizedTSM’scontributiontothepromotionanddevelopmentof
overseasemploymentopportunitiesforFilipinoseafarersbygrantingthecompanytheTop
Performer Award for 1992.
Capt. Benjamin Katipunan, President of MST Marine Services proudly holds
the Top Performer Trophy from the POEA. He received the award with Mr.
Ian Garcia (third from left) and Capt. Del Castillo (second from left). The TSM
Group officials are shown being flanked by Labor Secretary Roque (left),
Labor Undersecretary Romeo Lagman and POEA Administrator Manalili.
MST was established in 1994.
Since it began operations, the
company had grown enormously
with 130 accredited vessels, of
which 70% are tankers and has a
pool of over 3,000 Filipino Officers
and Ratings, above 1,900 of them
are onboard.
The company provides crew
for various types of vessels i.e.
VLCC, LNG, LPG, chemical and
product tankers, crude oil and
asphalt tankers, bulk carriers,
container vessels and offshore
vessels.
MST crews are highly trained
and motivated to meet the latest
industry demands while complying
with all regulatory and statutory
requirements.
All crew must pass the strict
recruitment and selection criteria
enforced by the principals.
MST is certified by Det
Norske Veritas in compliance to
International Quality Standards.
C.F. SHARP CREW MANAGEMENT, INC.
A Proud Recipient of the
POEA 2009 Award of Excellence
F
rom its modest beginning,
C.F.
Sharp
Crew
Management
has now
become a maritime conglomerate
on the strength of its vision and
enterprising spirit.
The company pioneered and
supported the growth of Filipino
manning which today is considered
as the major source of seafarers to
international shipping.
C.F. Sharp Crew Management
promotes and nurtures core
values of service excellence,
discipline, honesty and loyalty. It
provides equal opportunity in the
development and advancement of
thousands of Filipino seafarers.
The
company not only
develops people and skills,
but moreso, assists them in
establishing successful careers
onboard.
Along with the cooperation and
partnership of its distinguished
principals, the company plays a
leading role in the development
of the Filipino seafarer market.
1994 MSTMARINESERVICES(PHILS.),INC.wasestablished,cateringtothesupplyofseafarers
to Thome Singapore’s technical managed vessels.
1995 TSMattainedacertificationofconformitytothequalitysystemstandardISO9002:1994
foritsCrewAgencyServices.TSMistheeighthrecipientoftheISO9002certificatein
the Philippines.
TSMandJOManagementASBergendecidedtofurtherstrengthenandenhancetheir
business relationship by setting up JO TANKERS PHILS., INC.
1996 TSMmarkeditseighthyearofoperationswiththeinaugurationofitsownbuilding,TSM
House,tomeetthecompanies’requirementsforadditionalspaceandbetterfacilitiesfor
its expanded operations.
TSM received the prestigious DNV Certificate for Crew Manning Offices.
1997 TSMaligneditsorganizationalstructurewiththeprincipal’soperationstofurtherenhance
itsabilitytorespondeffectivelytotheirneeds.AllofThomeSingapore’sfully-managed
vesselswereaccreditedtoMSTMarineServices(Phils),Incwhilstallothervessels
remained with TSM Shipping (Phils.), Inc.
1998 Tenyearssinceitbeganoperations,thecompanyhadgrownten-foldwith100accredited
vessels, 50 office staff, and 2,200 seafarers deployed.
1999 MSTMARINESERVICES(PHILS.),INC.wascertifiedbyDNVincompliancewiththeRules
of Crew Manning Offices.
2000 Denmark-basedA/SDampskibsselskabetTORM,NordenASalsoofDenmarkandNorway’s
TeamShipManagementASestablishedNordicAlliancewithTSMSHIPPING(PHILS.),INC.
2001 Anewbuilding,MSTHouse,wascompleted.ThefourstoreybuildingservesastheTSM
Group of Companies’ Training Center.
2002 DOLE-POEAgrantedTSMSHIPPING(PHILS.)INC.theTopPerformerAwardfor2002.
2004 TSMandDenmark-basedA/SDampskibsselskabetTORMestablishedTORMSHIPPING
PHILS., INC.
2005 TSMSHIPPING(PHILS.)INC.wascertifiedtoISO9001:2000andre-certifiedtoDNVRules
for Crew Manning Office.
MST MARINE SERVICES (PHILS.), INC. was certified to ISO 9001:2000.
2006 TSMSHIPPING(PHILS.)INC.andMSTMARINESERVICES(PHILS.),INC.wasgrantedTop
Performer Award for 2005 by DOLE-POEA.
2007 The1751building,anewsixstoreybuilding,wasinauguratedduringthe19thanniversary
ofTSM.IthousestheTSMShipping(Phils.),Inc.,MSTMarineServices(Phils.),Inc.,and
Jo Tankers Phils., Inc.
2008 20yearssinceitsoperations,TSMGrouphadgrownenormouslywithover250accredited
vessels, more than 160 office staff, and above 6,700 seafarers deployed.
TSMSHIPPING(PHILS.)INC.andMSTMARINESERVICES(PHILS.),INC.werere-certified
to ISO 9001:2000
Ms. Aurita Milanco, Senior Manager of
C.F. Sharp Crew Management, Inc. holds
the Award of Excellence (close up at left)
trophy
moments after receiving the plum
from government labor officials led by Labor
Secretary Marianito D. Roque (second from
left), Labor Undersecretary for Employment
and Manpower Development Romeo Lagman
and POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili. Ms.
Milano was joined on stage by Mr. Kjell Hjartnes,
Director of C.F. Sharp Crew Management Inc.
TSM SHIPPING (PHILS.), INC became a member of Philippine Business for Social
Progress(PBSP),thelargestcorporate-led,non-profitsocialdevelopmentfoundationin
thePhilippines.PBSPisattheforefrontinthefightagainstpovertythroughtrailblazing
corporate citizenship programs developed and implemented.
2009 GroundbreakingoftheTSMGroupofCompaniesnewbuilding–asixstoreybuildingwitha
Multi-Purpose Hall at the roof deck and the 4th building of the company.
TSMSHIPPING(PHILS.),INC.establishedbranchofficeinIloiloCitytostrengthenthe
recruitment and crewing operations of the company.
2010 Inaugurationof1753Building–tohousetheThomeShipManagementPte.Ltd.Shared
Services Center, the group’s major principal Regional Headquarters Office.
40 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY-JUNE 2010
TINIG NG MARINO
JULY- -JUNE
AUGUST
MAY
20102009
41
OSM Maritime Services Inc.
Epitomizing an Excellence Awardee
O
SM Maritime Services, Inc. may
have only gotten its first Award
of Excellence from the Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration
(POEA) during the 2009 Agency
Performance Awards last April 29, 2010
at the Philippine International Convention
Center. But by the way it dominated
practically all the criteria for the selection
of award recipients, it really appears that
the company is an epitome of what an
excellence awardee should be.
Rear Admiral Adonis B. Donato,
President of OSM Maritime Services,
explicitly made this clear when he delivered
the response for the recipients of POEA
Awards of Excellence during the event
at the PICC. “We’ve worked hard to earn
the award but that does not mean that we
would be resting on our laurels. On the
contrary, the excellence award shall only
reinvigorate our efforts and drive to do
even better in the years to come,” RAdm.
Donato cited.
OSM Maritime has previously copped
three consecutive Top Performer Awards
from the POEA in 2000, 2002 and 2005.
It was likewise give in 2005 a citation for
exemplary welfare programs for family
services, which the company has continued
and in fact expanded to this day.
In terms of deployment which accounts
for 30% of the criteria for the award, OSM
Maritime is certainly one of the leaders of
the pack with an annual deployment of
close to 4,000 competent and qualified
Filipino seafarers.
As a matter of fact, during the evaluation
Rear Admiral Donato, President of OSM Maritime Services, Inc. is shown proudly holding the
latest Award of Excellence for his company. He is shown with Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque
(second from left), Labor Undersecretary Romeo C. Lagman, and POEA Administrator Jennifer
Manalili.
The company utilizes state-of-the-art
technology in its day-to-day operations. It
is one of the first manning companies in the
Philippines to introduce online application
for Filipino seafarers as well as office
teleconferencing with its foreign principals.
Established in 1989 with the objective
of creating the best ship management
company in the world, OSM Maritime is
the manning center of the OSM Group. It is
in fact, the biggest recruiting offices of the
OSM Group worldwide.
OSM Group is headquartered in
Norway with 23 offices around the world
managing a fleet of more than 430 oceangoing vessels and offshore units. OSM
Group employs more than 7,000
skilled and motivated workers
from around 30 nations and is
an independent marine services
provider offering high quality ship
management and consultancy
services, navigation, engineering
solutions, and financial planning.
In terms of compliance with
recruitment rules and regulations
and welfare programs, which
accounts for 20% of the award,
The recepients of the Awards of Excellence, including OSM Maritime is also tops.
OSM’s Read Admiral Donato (standing, second from right),
Apart from providing its
flank the government officials in this posterity pose.
Filipino seafarers with a lucrative
period from July 2005 to June 2009 for compensation packages, OSM Maritime
the POEA’s latest agency performance also provides them with medical benefits
awards, OSM Maritime has deployed more that has a US$1 million maximum
than 31,000 sea-going staff on more than hospitalization coverage, by far the highest
in the local recruitment industry. What’s
430 vessels under its management.
OSM Maritime also leads in the area of more, the Filipino seafarers are covered
technical capability, which also accounts not only while they are on active duty at
for 30% of the criteria for a POEA Award sea but also while they’re on vacation on
land. The same benefit also extends to the
of Excellence.
OSM Maritime Services’ latest sense of pride
family members of the seafarers.
- the Award of Excellence.
OSM Maritime has also set up a
seafarers’ pension fund derived from the providing support to the Kiwanis Club
monthly contribution of its principals. Thus together with other social organizations
the company sea staff can certainly look and voluntarily helps local communities
forward to a substantial retirement package particularly the children of poor families by
when they decide to leave the profession providing them free access to education,
for good without having to contribute any health services and guidance to build selfesteem and confidence.
single centavo to the fund.
The company’s other socio-civic
The company is really committed to
its sea staff and RAdm. Donato is in undertakings in the country already speak
fact one of the proponents in the local for themselves. In addition to setting up the
maritime industry strongly lobbying for OSM Learning Center to provide free prethe permanent employment of Filipino school education in a barangay in Laguna,
seafarers. This position has tremendously OSM Maritime also extends its scholarship
boosted the company’s employer-employee program to other underprivileged children,
relationship and took it a notch above the engages in medical missions, undertakes
gift-distribution to street children in Manila
normal level.
Industry leadership accounts for 15%
of the criteria for the Award of Excellence
and OSM Maritime obviously has got an
inside crack on it because of its remarkable
reputation as an innovative, dynamic and
pace-setting company in the local maritime
industry.
OSM Maritime also leads when it comes
to corporate social responsibility. Social
awareness and responsibility actually
complete the criteria for the Award of
RAdm. Donato, delivering the response on
Excellence with a weight of 5%.
behalf of the Award of Excellence recipients.
As one big family, OSM sees itself as
a long-term partner for its customers, a during Christmastime, and conducts
home for its people, and a difference- coastal clean-up. The company also
maker in the communities where it has sponsors monthly livelihood seminars for
presence. Inspired by these missions, seafarers’ wives and families.
No doubt OSM Maritime Services
OSM is actually giving support to the Save
the Children Foundation that has programs paces the local maritime industry as an
in Cambodia, Guatemala, and Southeast Outstanding Ship Manning company.
Clearly an epitome of what a POEA Award
Asia.
In the Philippines, OSM Maritime is of Excellence recipient should be.
42 TINIG NG MARINO
- JUNE 2010
JULYMAY
- AUGUST
2009
Marlow Navigation Phils., Inc. Sustains
Momentum with Third Top Performer Award
O
nce something really good gets
going, it’s really hard to stop
especially if it has something to
do with consistently providing competent
and qualified Filipino seafarers onboard
international ocean-going vessels of
foreign principals.
And with two Top Performer Awards
from the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA) given in 2002 and
2005 to certify its deployment consistency
and reliability as a ship manning agent,
not even a change of name as part of a
global brand building initiative can stop
a company from coveting its third Top
Performer plum.
Marlow Navigation Phils., Inc. (MNPI)
just did that during the 2009 Agency
Performance Awards of the POEA held
at the Philippine International Convention
Center (PICC) last April 29, 2010 by
copping its third consecutive and certainly
much-deserved Top Performer trophy.
Proudly accepting the award for MNPI
from Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque,
Labor Undersecretary for Employment and
Manpower Development Romeo Lagman,
and POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili
are the company’s two major stalwarts in
the persons of Mr. Antonio Galvez Jr., CEO
for Administration, and Capt. Leo Tenorio,
CEO for Operations.
While the name of MNPI is rather new in
the industry and the POEA awarding rites,
as it has only been officially recognized on
June 18, 2007, the company’s presence in
the Philippines has long been emphasized
by its predecessor, Crewserve, which has
been in the ship manning business since
July 1, 1996.
And even before Crewserve, Marlow
Navigation already has a renowned but
otherwise calculated presence in the
country through two other reputable local
manning agencies.
Today however is a different story.
Marlow Navigation, through MNPI, has
grown from being a low-profile and lowkey ship manning company into one of the
most dynamic, most reputable and most
admired firms in the business owing to its
consistency and resources needed to offer
holistic crewing services. In addition to its
very own building in Malate, Manila, MNPI
also has its own training center and seafarer
dormitory in the same compound, depicting
the tremendous headway the company
has gained since its transformation began
in mid-2007.
Quality management system has been
one of the strong points in the durability
and continued growth of Marlow Navigation
in the Philippines. Despite being a then
fledgling Crewserve organization, its
quality assurance was already certified
to conform with the standards of the
American Bureau of Shipping as early as
December 17, 1997. On August 11, 2009,
as MNPI already, the company’s quality
MNPI CEO for Administration Mr. Antonio Galvez Jr. (middle) and CEO for Operations Capt. Leo Tenorio shares the third Top Performer trophy for
the company as handed out by labor officials. The two MNPI officials are shown being flanked by Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque (left), Labor
Undersecretary for Employment and Manpower Development Romeo Lagman (second from left) and POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili.
management system has been certified
to conform to the high standards of ISO
9001:2008.
The company is also an active member
of the Philippine Association of Manning
Agencies and Ship Managers (PAMAS)
and its principal is likewise a major mover
in the International Maritime Employers
Committee (IMEC).
MNPI
is
currently
manning
a
substantial
number
of
vessels with
more
than
5,500 Filipino
seafarers
onboard
at
any
given
time. Most of
the vessels MNPI is managing are modern
tonnage and equipped with state-of-theart technology as well as highly-innovative
communication, cargo and navigational
equipment and propelled by modern and
sophisticated engines.
Its clientele are mainly German and
Dutch-owned vessels mostly container,
bulk, multi-purpose, heavy-lift and tankers.
MNPI views crew management as
a working partnership with its principal,
Marlow Navigation Co. Ltd of Limassol,
Cyprus, which is dedicated to providing
consistent level of high quality professional
services around the globe.
MNPI’s philosophy goes: “Commitment,
reliability and effective management
warrants total customer satisfaction and
cost efficiency rendering valuable services
for a mutually-beneficial enterprise.” This
philosophy transcends beyond the company
and its officials all the way down to its office
staff
and
sea-borne
personnel,
ensuring that
every member
of the MNPI
team performs
in accordance
to what is
expected of
him or her at
all times.
It is in this context that MNPI provides its
clients with a continuous program of vision,
improvement and innovation. Apart from
continuously offering its mostly satisfied
clients with very competitive crewing
packages, MNPI places high emphasis in
providing personalized and tailor-made
services to meet the requirements of even
the most discerning client.
Mr. Galvez of MNPI says that the third
Top Performer Award from the POEA only
indicates that the continuous hard work that
they have been pouring in to the company
to satisfy the requirements of its principals
and serve its thousand of Filipino seafarers
and their families is being appreciated by
the national government.
“More than just being a testament to
our company’s significant contribution to
the government and the local maritime
industry, the third Top Performer Award
actually reflects that all the painstaking
efforts by our team including our office
and sea-based staff to make MNPI
what it is now, is really bearing fruit. Of
course, there is always the constant
and unwavering support of Mr. Hermann
Eden, Chairman of Marlow Navigation Co.
Ltd., whose faith and confidence on the
Filipino seafarers is almost unmatched,”
Mr. Galvez stated.
For his part, Capt. Tenorio has this to
say: “It is a nice feeling to be recognized
and be part of the local maritime industry’s
elite. We at MNPI however see this
accolade as yet another challenge for us
to do even better in the years to come not
only for the government but also to our
principals and more importantly to our
Filipino seafarers and their families.”
Indeed, MNPI is now recognized
in the local maritime industry as a
reliable, dedicated and client-conscious
organization. MNPI is the kind of company
that strives to ensure that it can deliver
on every commitment it makes; quite an
exemplary performer no less.
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
T
he almost unparalleled commitment of
Marlow Navigation Phils., Inc. (MNPI)
to the plight and welfare of Filipino
seafarers and their families will be once
again on display come June 26, 2010.
The company shall be opening its doors
and facilities to the maritime industry public
and serve as extension of the ‘Party in the
Park’ for seafarers that the International
Committee on Seafarers Welfare (ICSW)
has slated on the same day at the Luneta
Seafarer’s Center.
“We will be having an ‘open house’
here where our offices, training center and
dormitory will be made available for viewing
to the maritime industry public, particularly
to Filipino seafarers and their families, who
will be participating in the day-long ‘Party
in the Park’ for seafarers to be initiated by
ICSW,” discloses Mr. Antonio Galvez Jr.,
CEO for Administration of MNPI.
The ICSW event is slated on June
26, 2010 to mark the culmination of
the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) Diplomatic Conference to Adopt
Amendments to the Standards for Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW)
on June 21 – 25, 2010 at the Philippine
International Convention Center.
“While the event falls on a Saturday,
practically every staff of MNPI will be on
hand to welcome guests, Filipino seafarers
and their families to our offices, give them a
tour of our facilities, and perhaps offer some
interactive learning to some interested
seafarers at some of our state-of-theart equipment in our training center,” Mr.
Galvez explained.
Capt. Leo Tenorio, CEO for Operations
of MNPI, said that just like the ICSW event
at Luneta, there will be a festive atmosphere
during the entire day at the MNPI offices.
“We will prepare several things here for the
Filipino seafarers and their families during
the day, like fun games for their kids, among
other activities. We are still ironing out the
minute details at the moment,” the MNPI
CEO for Operations said.
“It’s our way of showing MNPI’s strong
concern for the welfare not only of the
seafarers on our employ but the general
Filipino seafarer populace,” Capt. Tenorio
expressed.
The Strengths of MNPI
Since evolving from the erstwhile
Crewserve, MNPI has grown today as one
of the most reputable, financially stable,
and most sought-after crewing companies
in the Philippines, from the standpoint of
many Filipino seafarers that is.
Having been in the crew manning
business since 1996, MNPI values its
Filipino seafarers as the wealth of its
own resources. The company is an equal
opportunity employer and thus every Filipino
seafarer at its employ, whether he/she is an
officer or a rating, is treated fairly, equitably
and with respect.
Every seafarer-applicant of MNPI passes
through a rigid screening and selection
process and his/her acceptance to the
company is primarily based on his/her skills
and qualifications.
MNPI also treats every crew member
as a family member, so always keeping
in touch with its ex-crew on vacation is a
primordial concern, and is in fact, one of the
company’s greatest strengths.
43
MNPI Offices to Serve as Extension
of ‘Party in the Park’ for Seafarers
The company also provides welfare
assistance to family members of its
Filipino seafarers in times of calamities
and emergencies to ensure that the crew
are insulated from worrying about the dire
status of their respective families ashore. In
that way, they can focus on their shipboard
work.
Training and focus on safety are also tops
on the priority of MNPI. The company ensures
that all its manned vessels are provided
with competent, qualified, and well-oriented
Filipino seafarers to guarantee utmost
satisfaction of owners and principals.
MNPI’s training arm, Marlow Navigation
Training Center, Inc. (MNTC) provides the
necessary upgrading courses to ensure the
stability and continuity of employment of
all its seafarers and likewise provide them
sufficient room for personal growth and
professional advancement.
MNTC provides trainings on safety,
practical and hands-on training on
navigation and engine operations, as well as
classroom lectures on physical science and
English. The center also offers upgrading
programs that are substantiated by a wide
selection of computer-based training (CBT)
softwares and video viewing from Videotel,
which is primarily designed to enhance
the competency of all deployed MNPI
seafarers.
It also has an in-house culinary training
to facilitate and augment the screening and
evaluation of MNPI’s cook applicants and at
the same time upgrade the skills of those
who have been in the service of Marlow
Navigation Co., Ltd for a long time.
In close coordination with the country’s
top maritime schools, MNPI is being supplied
with highly-qualified deck and engine cadets
for its Cadetship Program. The company is
also open to accepting qualified Hotel and
Restaurant Management graduates for its
holistic Culinary Program.
MNPI indeed has everything that it takes
to live up to its slogan: “We train good
seafarers to be better.” Thus, it is no longer
a secret why many Filipino seafarers these
days want to become part of the MNPI
family.
44 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY-JUNE 2010
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
MEAN INDICATED PRESSURE
Who Says You Have to Be
in Congress to Serve?
FROM PAGE 13
their documents in Manila. Our office
has become the humble abode of many
seafarers for which they are not charged
a single centavo, an act of kindness they
never forget.
The UFS also had a large contribution
in the drafting of the Philippine Merchant
Marine Act, a claim that can be attested to
by Captains Donato, Pimentel and Sabay
who were present when the Act finally
became a reality and after the rallies that
we staged to encourage the Act’s passage.
Among other things, the UFS had a big hand
in convincing the Professional Regulation
Commission to raise the passing grade (for
the exams) to 50%.
Many seafarers have had the misfortune
of being illegally dismissed; victims of
unpaid salaries, withheld benefits and
many other cases that have been contrived
against them. The UFS has actually
become the court of last resort for these
victims, in effect, acting as a big brother to
many hapless victims.
The controversial Management Level
Course imposed on Filipino officers died a
tragic death when UFS took it upon itself
to discredit the plan which it found to be an
unfair and unnecessary burden; same with
the two-level written examination as well
as the walk-in examination system.
The recent sea tragedies resulted in
thousands of deaths and again, the UFS
took agencies to task, going as far as filing
lawsuits against Sulpicio Lines and then
MARINA Administrator, Elena Bautista.
Only the UFS religiously attended the
hearings, two of which were held when
those concerned were enjoying their
Christmas vacation. And now, there is the
North Harbor privatization case. The UFS
is in the forefront once more fighting for
those who are about to lose their jobs and
for the informal settlers who are threatened
with the demolition of their homes. Yes, the
UFS takes on the more unpopular and
thankless jobs, yet it does not expect any
rewards. It is simply a mission, an advocacy
that pays nothing.
The UFS takes on many giants too.
One of these is Panama. Its Panamanian
Maritime Directorate has been milking our
workers for so long simply by requiring
Filipino officers to undergo an examination
before being allowed to board Panamanianregistered ships. The UFS finally put its
foot down, putting an end to this patently
one-sided regulation.
Absentee voting and dual citizenship?
When the bills were passed one group
came forward to claim that they did it singlehandedly. But when they were showed
photos of UFS with the Kaibigan ng OFW
and Women in Development, to their credit,
they meekly bowed their heads; same with
the bills exempting seafarers from paying
taxes and the airport terminal fee.
The Anti-Money Laundering Act spinoff,
the Financial Action Task Force, enabled
the positive result for seafarers, granting
them concessions. Otherwise, remittances
could have been subjected to unnecessary
scrutiny that could have jeopardized the
country’s millions of beneficiaries. Again the
UFS was out there, convincing 23 senators
to sign the bill, with only one abstention.
These are just some of the many
battles that the UFS fought on behalf of its
thousands of members who are charged
nothing for their union dues. It is really
important for voters to choose those who
can really help, minus the talk.
Finally a grateful member, who has
been the beneficiary of many UFS efforts
has written us. Here are some excerpts
from a letter by Captain Benedict Lodriga,
now with the Hartmann Group:
“…What seafarer organization or
individual would sacrifice their career and
precious time to help seafarers with their
personal needs and problems? Which
organization or individual would uplift the
careers of hundreds of seafarers and shelter
those who have no place to stay in Manila?
Who has the courage to sue substandard
maritime schools and institutions? Which
organization has concern and cares deeply
for the seafarers’ retirement, pension plan,
and livelihood? Whether you go to Congress
or not, doesn’t matter. For me, you don’t
need to be addressed as “Honorable.”
You have proven to be honorable in the
real sense of the word so many times. You
don’t need the title, because you already
are. Mabuhay ka Nelson!
45
Many others have become witnesses to
the sacrifices I have made. We don’t talk.
Instead, we walk the talk. And all these
efforts have the requisite documents,
photographs, CDs and all forms of proof
and evidence. These efforts resulted in
countless libel suits I have been slapped
with; the threats, the harassment and the
constant pressures that prompted me to
move my family elsewhere for security
reasons.
On top of this, I wasn’t paid a cent for
more than five years and had to sell my
properties just to get by. All this, has given
me no material wealth but the psychic
rewards I have reaped for pursuing my
advocacies have no price tag whatsoever.
And this is what drives the entire United
Filipino Seafarers organization whose
members want no less. The UFS believes
in what Jesus said: “Whatever you do to
the least of my brethren, you do unto Me.”
Thank you all for your support!
46 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
Consistency Propels Jebsens to Presidential Award of Excellence
I
n the very competitive business of
crewing, durability is often measured by
consistency of performance and a solid
reputation that has stood the test of time.
Jebsens Maritime, Inc. (JMI) has
certainly measured up to both attributes with
plenty to boot. Thus, when it was time for
the Department of Labor and Employment
and the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA) to honor the
country’s top recruitment agencies this year
for the performance evaluation period from
July 2005 to June 2009, JMI was a shooin to receive the Presidential Award of
Excellence.
On April 21, 2010, during significant
awarding rites at Malacañang Palace,
JMI Vice President for Crewing Arleen
V. Asuncion
personally accepted the
Presidential Award of Excellence for the
company from President Gloria MacapagalArroyo.
JMI was among the nine sea-based
agencies from a total of 13 local recruitment
agencies to receive the first ever and quite
certainly very prestigious Presidential Award
of Excellence.More than a week later, the
Labor Department and POEA paid tribute
to the contributions of the country’s top
recruitment agencies by honouring 37 of
them during the 2009 Agency Performance
Awards held at the Philippine International
Convention Center on April 29, 2010. JMI
Mr. Ole Stene, Managing Director of JMI, wears the tri-colored sash representing the Presidential
Award of Excellence - Elite Group for JMI. In receiving the award from government officials, Mr. Stene
was joined by Ms. Arlene Asuncion (second from right), Vice President of JMI, and Ms. Geraldine
Massalang, Operations and Business Development Manager.
was again part of the honor roll.
Mr Ole Stene, Managing Director of JMI,
received from Labor Secretary Marianito D.
Roque, Labor Undersecretary for Employment
and Manpower Development Romeo C.
Lagman, and POEA Administrator Jennifer
Manalili the tri-colored sash representing
the company’s unique distinction as part of
the Presidential Award of Excellence – Elite
Group. Mr. Stene was joined by Ms. Asuncion
and Ms. Geraldine Massalang,Operations &
Business Development Manager, in accepting
the accolade from the government officials.
Having been in the crewing business
for more than 28 years, JMI’s consistent
performance as a high calibre manning
agency can be attested by its seven Top
Performer Awards and five consecutive
Awards of Excellence from the POEA,
qualifying it outright for the Presidential Award
of Excellence during the latest evaluation
period.
JMI is the crewing arm of Aboitiz Jebsen
Bulk Transport Corporation, a joint venture
company between the Aboitiz Group of
the Philippines and Jebsens Shipping
Group of Norway. At present, JMI provides
professional crew management services to
344 ocean-going vessels of various types
and sizes with an annual deployment figure
of over 7,000 competent and qualified
Filipino seafarers, both officers and ratings.
In addition, it has a standby pool of some
7,700 Filipino officers and ratings.
With offices in Manila, Cebu, Iloilo
and Davao, JMI provides holistic and
personalized crewing services that include
recruitment and selection, career pathing
and development, support and family welfare
services, training and upgrading, and travel.
JMI, just like its principals, is known for
giving high premium on the welfare of its
seafarers and their families. In fact, some
of the business partners and principals of
JMI were also honored by the Philippine
government with a Ministerial Citation and
Presidential Awards during the Second
International Maritime Employers Awards
held in 2005 precisely for prioritizing the
welfare of seafarers, of which a good number
of them are Filipinos.
An exemplification of performance
consistency is how JMI is reputed in the
local maritime industry today. It appears
that JMI would continue to hold sway with
such remarkable reputation in many years
to come.
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
ENTERTAINMENT
47
By ARIANNE BLANCHE R. RODRIGUEZ
Lorna Tolentino:
I
Timeless and Ageless Star
f you haven’t heard of Lorna Tolentino,
you are not a Filipino.
When you hear the name Lorna
Tolentino, one can’t help but be starstruck.
A multi-awarded, highly-respected
actress, LT has proven to us that she is
way more than just a pretty face. She
has what every aspiring actress and
many younger actresses would want to
have - staying power.
Meeting Lorna is quite an experience.
After all, she is already an institution in
showbiz.
Unlike some aspiring actresses
though, Lorna is very unassuming. She’s
down-to-earth and is actually very easy
to talk to like she’s just another average
person, not a well-known celebrity.
One of the most striking things you
notice when you meet Ms. LT aside
from her flawless skin, is how calm and
collected she is. Not calm, no-emotionwhatever-happens calm but calm in a
way that she exudes peacefulness. Like
she has found her place in this world
and is reveling in it.
So without further ado, it is with great
honor for Tinig ng Marino to present to
you Ms.Lorna Tolentino!
TNM: You’ve been an actress for a very
long time. How did you start?
Lorna: I started young. There was this
contest “Search for Little Susan Roces.”
I joined it and was chosen from among
hundreds of contestants. Everything
started from there.
TNM: You’re a multi-awarded actress
already, what is your most memorable
role?
Lorna: For me, all my roles have been
very memorable. I’m the type of person
who really gives my all when I’m given
a role. I can’t play favoritism among my
roles because I really gave everything I
could give in every role I tackled.
TNM: I watched you in “Mano Po” and
you were so mean to Susan Roces.
Lorna: (laughs) I know! That was a little
hard for me to do but I really had to
transform myself.
TNM: I was watching you in that movie
and I was thinking to myself that no
other actress could give justice to that
role but you. With your sweet face,
it was really unique to see you in that
role.
Lorna: Thank you! You should watch
the Mano Po with Angel though, I was
funny there.
TNM: Will do! How do you prepare
yourself for a role?
he’s very committed to his craft. He
really looks for different ways to tackle
a role. He brings his acting to a different
level. Bea Alonzo is also very passionate
about her acting. She really takes her
work seriously. John Lloyd Cruz, you can
really see a different level of maturity
in his acting. You can see naman eh
those who really strive hard to better
their craft.
Lorna: When I tackle a role, I am not
Lorna Tolentino. I am the character
I play. I put myself in my character’s
shoes. Of course experiences really
help a lot.
TNM: You’ve been a model of Crystal
Clear for a long time already.
Lorna: Yes, we’ve been loyal to each
other. Please just make it clear; I am not
the owner of Crystal Clear! (laughs)
TNM: How different is the entertainment
industry then and now?
Lorna: Well, before during my time, it’s
mostly movies. Actresses and actors
got known through the movies they’ve
made. Now television rules so actresses
and actors who have television shows
are the ones who are really well-known.
I’m not saying that’s bad, it’s just
different from before.
TNM: Do you still get affected by
rumors?
Lorna: (laughs) No, I don’t get affected
anymore. When I was younger, I’d really
cry but at my age now, rumors don’t
affect me anymore. We just laugh at
them na lang. I guess at some point you
really get over being conscious about
what people say about you. Besides
ano pa ba ichi-chismis nila sa akin?
TNM: Who among the young stars now
do you think have the X-factor to stay
really long in showbiz?
Lorna: Marami. Among those I have
worked with I think Jericho Rosales,
TNM: Will mention that. By the way,
you seem ageless. You have clear
skin, women half your age envy and
talagang parang time froze for you.
Lorna: Hindi naman, may mga changes
din talaga. Well I believe that your
thoughts, your feelings, they will reflect
on the way you look. I believe in thinking
positive. Nakakatanda talaga ang
stress and when you think negatively
pati itsura mo bibigat. So you really
have to take care of your spirituality
also. Physically, I exercise. I do yoga.
TURN TO PAGE 52
48 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
PULUTAN
WRONG TIMING
PEDRO: Anong pulutan nyo kahapon sa
birthday mo?
JUAN: Pata!
PEDRO: Wow! Anong klaseng pata?
JUAN; PATA-galan ng kuwento!
RENE: Dok, bakit lagi akong nadudumi
kapag 6:00 AM?
DOK: Aba ! Mabuti nga ‘yan. Ano’ng
problema mo dun?
RENE: 7:30 AM kasi ako nagigising, Dok
e.
ITIGIL NA
WALANG TAO
Wife:Dear...nahihirapan akong huminga....
Husband: Dear...kung nahihirapan ka na, e
di itigil mo na! O, di bah!
The girl texted her boyfriend, “Mahal,
punta ka sa bahay, walang tao...”
Nagmamadali umalis ang boyfriend!
Pagdating sa bahay ng girlfriend ... katok
siya nang katok! Walang ngang tao!
JOB TITLES
Mga job titles na dapat nang palitan:
PRESIDENT- pasimuno
VICE PRESIDENT- kunsitidor
SECRETARY- palsipikador
TREASURER- kubrador
AUDITOR – kasabwat
PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER - tsismoso
REPRESENTATIVES – pahamak
SPOKESMAN - bolero
SGT-AT-ARMS - tirador
ADVISER - tagasulsol
POLITICAL SONG
ADVANCE TIME
Pedro na-late sa klase …
Titser: Pedro late ka na naman!
Pedro: Late po kasi relo ko.
Titser: Problema ba yun? Edi i-advance
mo!
Pedro: Opo?
Titser: O saan ka pupunta?
Pedro: In-advance ko na po ‘yung relo ko
Maam. Uwian na!
PROBLEM ON AIDS
BEWARE! Survey proved that senior
male citizens are the greatest carrier of
AIDS!
They have Walking Aids, Hearing Aids,
Breathing Aids, and most important of all
- Erection Aids.
EYE WITNESSES
A song for our Honorable (DAW!) na
Senators,
Congressmen
Governors,
Mayors, and elected officials:
”BOOM CORRUPT, CORRUPT
BOOM CORRUPT, CORRUPT
KURAKOT, KURAKOT
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!”
A man robs a bank and takes hostages.
He asks the first hostage, “Did you see me
rob the bank?”
First hostage says, “Yes”, and is
immediately shot.
The robber asks second hostage, “Did you
see me rob the bank?”
Second Hostage, “No, but my wife did.”
QUOTES FROM GREAT
WARRIORS
“Veni! Vidi! Vinci!” - Julius Caesar
“I shall return!” - Douglas McArthur
“You give me peace in a lifetime of war!”
– Achilles
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!”
- Muhammad Ali
“I will fight iniwahn, iniwer, initaym!” Manny Pacquiao
ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES
1. Doctors go back to school to be nurses
abroad.
2. Rats are normal house pets.
3. Soap opera is reality and news provides
the dramas of life.
4. Actors make the rules and politicians
provide the entertainment!
TRANSLATION
BAKIT MAALAT ANG DAGAT
Anak: Dad, bakit ba maalat at may asin sa
dagat?
Ama: Sinadya yan ni Lord para sa ganun
hindi mapanis ang mga isda.
IN ENGLISH: Eat all you can, don’t be shy,
feel at home!
IN TAGALOG: Kain lang kayo nang kain,
mga walanghiya kayo, pakiramdam nyo
bahay nyo to!
SPEAKING OF HALF
ENRIQUE ZOBEL: half Filipino, half
Spanish
HENRY SY: half Filipino, half Chinese
JUAN FLAVIER: half Filipino, half Igorot
RAUL ROCO: half Hawaiian, half Polo
JOHN OSMENA: half Filipino, half Filipina
MIKE ARROYO: half Filipino, half Pork
AI AI DELAS ALAS: half Filipino, half
moon
GMA: half…
MAY - JUNE 2010
TINIG NG MARINO
49
Filipino Master Applies Evasive Maneuvers to Spoil Somali Pirate Attacks
P
resence of mind and strategic
evasive maneuvers applied by
the Filipino master of MV Delmas
Nacala, a cargo ship managed by Marlow
Navigation Co. Ltd., spoiled several waves
of Somali pirate attacks while the vessel
was approximately 600 nautical miles off
the coast of Seychelles in Northeast Africa
last March 31, 2010.
Composure and grace under intense
pressure was at its best in Capt. Jeffrey
J. Federigan, the Filipino master of MV
Delmas Nacala, when their vessel came
as close as eight miles to the pirate mother
ship and subsequently chased by two skiff
boats which were being steered by pirates
wielding high-caliber firearms including
rocket-propelled grenades (RPG).
Capt. Jeffrey Federigan is the son
of Capt. Jaime M. Federigan, a former
Port Captain/Marine Superintendent of
Orient Bulk Line, a multi-national shipping
company based in Singapore. His father
was also a former President/General
Manager of JMF Marine Upgraders and
Operations Manager of El Victor Shipping
Philippines.
The Antigua and Bermuda-flagged MV
Delmas Nacala was on its voyage from
Salalah to Reunion when they chanced
upon the suspected pirate mother ship.
Capt. Federigan immediately altered his
vessel’s course and began to sail at full
speed at 18.5 knots.
Suddenly, two skiff boats, one running at
22 knots and the other
cruising at speed of 21
knots, began chasing
after their vessel.
Bridge
personnel
onboard MV Delmas
Nacala noted that one
skiff boat was carrying
six pirates but they were
not able to account
as to the number of
passengers on the
other.
MV Delmas Nacala
contacted UKMTO and
issued distress alert by
sending three rocket
parachute flares to warn The young Capt. Jeffrey Federigan of MV Delmas Nacala
the pirates.
Some 12 minutes later, the vessel got a Delmas Nacala, Capt. Federigan began
call from Deputy CSO Franck Jungenkruger to make zigzag maneuvers creating large
who advised them to do whatever is waves thus preventing the skiff boats to
possible to evade the pirate attacks until come even closer but not before the one
on the port side launched another round of
help arrives.
Because of the higher speed of the skiff RPG.
All of a sudden, the skiff boats were no
boats, both managed to catch up with MV
longer in pursuit of MV Delmas Nacala as
Delmas Nacala.
The skiff boat that was coming on the it appeared that they ran out of fuel.
However, when MV Delmas Nacala
port side of the vessel has in fact fired
several shots on the vessel’s superstructure was already some three to four miles off
including one from an RPG. The other skiff the skiff boats, the officers on the bridge
boat, coming in to the starboard side, was noticed that they started to pursue again,
after obviously completing their refueling.
about to do the same.
MV Delmas Nacala’s superstructure were riddled
When one of the skiff boats came as
TURN TO PAGE 58 with bullets from the attacking Somali pirates.
close as 10 meters to the stern of MV
50 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
Industry Clamor Prompts
PRC to Abort WES Suspension
FROM PAGE 4
Majority of the members of the PRC
marine boards also support the clamor
and the position of the local maritime
industry on the issue.
The UFS president also disclosed
during the meeting that he received word
that the problem with the WES is actually
originating from within the agency itself,
and allegedly orchestrated by people
who are in charge of the LERIS, or the
PRC computerization project. He asked
Chairman Lapena to look into the matter
and possibly start a house-cleaning should
he deem it necessary.
The PRC chair acknowledged the
information and assured Ramirez and the
rest of the maritime industry stakeholders
that he would look into it.
Ramirez also finds it ironic that the
PRC has suspended the WES just
because many Filipino marine officers
are passing the exams compared to the
written examination system.
“Unlike the written examination system
which is norm-based, WES is criterionbased and as such, is more realistic. It is
only here in the Philippines why we always
get worried when we have more passers.
Shouldn’t we be glad instead that more
are already learning?” Ramirez queried.
“If there are bugs in the system,
eradicate the bugs. And if there are people
who are responsible for putting those
bugs with the intention of conniving with
scheming individuals outside the walls
of PRC to earn money from the pockets
of unwitting Filipino seamen, then they
should also be given the boot,” Ramirez
said.
Persistent Problem
About a week later after the face-off at
PRC, seven Filipino seafarers trooped to
the offices of the UFS to complain about
the difficulty of getting a viable schedule
for the WES exam vis-à-vis their review
and deployment schedules.
During the meeting at PRC, Chairman
Lapena personally stated that WES has
a 60% utilization capacity and practically
the entire local maritime industry thinks
it’s a mystery why many Filipino seamen
are still finding it difficult these days to get
an exam schedule.
The complaining Filipino seafarers said
that they have begun reviewing for WES
as early as January this year. One was
even given an examination date of March
15, 2010 only to be told that there were
no scheduled WES examination on that
date.
All of the complaining Filipino seamen
are asking the PRC to reconsider its
decision suspending the WES because
they have already invested time and
money reviewing for it.
Some of them have also sacrificed their
deployment schedules just to be able to
take the WES exam.
“WES was supposed to address
the scheduling problem caused on the
deployment of Filipino seafarers by the
written examination system because one
can supposedly take it anytime or during
his availability while on vacation. But
these days, WES is proving to be a thorn
in the deployment schedules of a number
of Filipino seafarers,” Ramirez cited.
All the seven seafarers expressed
support to the UFS and the local maritime
industry stakeholders for interceding on
their behalf and assured the union of full
support toward such end.
But as it turned out, the impending
protest action was no longer necessary, at
least in the immediate future.
Parola, Lambat Join Sagip-Kapamilya’s
Outreach Program for Kids
FROM PAGE 34
Pacione III, 2/O M. Apistar and Electrician
E. Sablaon. They were organized with
the cooperation and support of Parola
staff that included C/O Albert G. Soriano,
Engr. Arnold Vilaalba, Jessica De Asis and
Marielle Avila.
On August 4, 2009, or three years
after LAMBAT was formed, Capt. Ebora,
its founding president, in coordination
with the existing members and the new
members who were then working onboard
MT Kohzan Maru in the persons of C/E
Arnold Atienza, Capt. Nestor Perrero, and
2/E Herbert Fernandez, revised the goals
of LAMBAT.
The Filpino deck and engine crew of
MT Kohzan Maru were also accepted as
volunteer-members of LAMBAT.
Currently, the main goal of LAMBAT is to
upgrade the seafaring profession with the
added objectives of sharing knowledge and
experience with Filipino seafarers either on
land or at sea as well as help those who
are in need of financial support through
voluntary donation of its members.
Deck cadets of Parola Maritime, Capt. Ebora’s
family, Mr. Paul S. Segui, and Ms. Cecil of ABSCBN Sagip-Kapamilya, Macky Pacione’s family,
wife and kids of C/E Dacky Dacayan, and friends.
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
SOUNDING LEAD
Can We Prevent Maritime Disasters?
FROM PAGE 6
standards.
17. Issues have been raised on money and
corruption – this practically pollutes
the stringent enforcement of regulatory
standards.
18. The PMMA has mentioned education and
training of officers – the PMMA is graduating
approximately 150 marine deck officers and
150 marine engineer officers every year, our
supply to the world shipping is about 350,000
at the moment, what percentage can PMMA
do?
19. Recommendations from PMMA – again strict
law enforcement.
20. Adequate life-saving equipment - this is
actually not a prevention but a reaction to
maritime disasters;
21. Funding support for maritime education for
domestic shipping;
22. Re-Testing of stability conditions – repeatedly
discussed the alterations and modifications of
vessels imported second-hand, the hydrostatic
tables are disregarded, and respected is the
stability booklet signed by MARINA officials
and Naval Architects developing new Stability
Booklets superseding the original hydrostatic
tables;
23. The Philippines is considered the Manning
Capital of the World, a knowledge known
to everyone, 32% of the world’s shipping
manpower is from the Philippines; in the same
manner, the Philippines is also known as the
Maritime Disaster Capital of the World;
24. The law must apply to all otherwise to none at
all;
25. The re-currency training was also mentioned
vis-a-vis management level courses, recurrency training is refresher training, the
advocacy of other groups, as long as it
costs money for the seafarers, it must not be
implemented;
26. The ongoing assessment at MTC and NAC
which was also raised, anything can be done
to assess and certify seafarers as long as it
will not cost any money to the seafarers, but
who will pay? Are shipowners willing?
27. Suitable ships for suitable cargoes, a
passenger vessel carrying dangerous
cargoes, not a matter of question but already
a matter of fact;
28. Cargo Securing Manual – why it is not being
implemented; there is an existing Code
of Safe Cargo Securing Manual but the
implementation was suspended because it
will cost money for the shipowners;
29. Safety against Commercial Pressure – If it
costs money, don’t do it!
30. ISM Code versus political will – the Master’s
overriding authority, vessel’s modifications
and alterations, when vessel is applied
for registration, already altered, already
modified;
31. The worst of all – the BLAME CULTURE
– the first speaker started his presentation
defending his organization because his
organization is being blamed, and who is
to be blamed? I think Blame Culture will
not prevent maritime disasters in Philippine
waters;
Much has been said during the forum, unfortunately,
nothing much has been done.
51
52 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
MMAP CORNER
CAPT. RODOLFO A. ASPILLAGA, M.M.
President, Masters and Mates Association of the Philippines (MMAP)
Take This Opportunity as a Challenge
A
t the joint oath-taking and induction
ceremonies of new marine deck
officers and new MMAP members
held on April 15th this year at the Fiesta
Pavilion of the Manila Hotel, I was deeply
honored to talk to the newly-inducted
officers as president of the Merchant Marine
Officers Association of the Philippines.
Perhaps, no moment can compare to the
elation and joy each new officer feels after
several years of challenges, frustration
and sometimes, dismay. Add to that the
suffering, mostly financial in nature.
The oath-taking is therefore the
culmination of so many struggles. This
is the same with the newly-inducted
management level officers as they will now
venture on a more challenging job.
Yet, the oath-taking also marks a new a
beginning in an officer’s life.
After being weaned from the guidance
and support of the officers of the ships
that they had been with, the new officers
nervously tread on another territory,
walking as it were, on eggshells. Doubts
and misgivings greatly contribute to the
fear and insecurity and those who have
been in this place before, know the feeling
only too well.
I’ve always felt that I am a father figure to
all the members of the Masters and Mates
Association of the Philippines and as such,
I feel obligated to dispense with advice and
guidance, solicited or not. I feel strongly
for each member because I’ve been there
long before I’m again faced with a fresh
batch of graduates.
For this particular batch, I not only gave
them a generous dose of congratulations,
I also told them that this occasion meant
that they performed their assigned tasks
competently, and that they succeeded in
their endeavors by not failing their loved
ones and all those who supported them all
the way.
On that occasion, I outlined to the fresh
officers some of my goals. I urged them to
look at improved communication as one
of the more potent weapons we can ever
have. I invited them to make a head start in
creating the MMAP website.
This way, I emphasized that we can
reach out to our brother and sister seafarers
more efficiently. This way, we can make
our presence and our feelings known and
share all sorts of significant information
with one another.
In addition, I was happy to announce
that during the first regular meeting of the
Board, it was agreed that the benefits due
our members of good standing would be
defined more specifically. Details of this
new list of benefits, whether monetary or in
kind, will be made available very soon.
My ardent desire to build a home for
MMAP was something that we should all
aim for. Like any father, providing a home
for his sons and daughters is a primary
concern. Besides, who doesn’t want his
own home? The enthusiastic response that
I got told me that this dream would soon
become a reality.
I proposed that we could launch incomegenerating projects that would make sure
that members’ contributions could remain
intact which would eventually be given
back to members as concrete benefits. I
told them that we will save the bulk of our
earnings until we can afford to build our
dream house.
I reassured them that we are all wellmeaning and hardworking people and that
we want to see MMAP grow, flourish and
prosper. Furthermore, we want MMAP
to be recognized all over the world as an
association of highly respected, capable
and competent Filipino seafarers.
To be sure, I didn’t want to sound
simplistic and I urged them to look at the
plus side. With dogged determination,
we could make this dream come true.
I also cautioned them that we may not
accomplish this during my term, or even
in our lifetime, but the seed we plant now
could be nurtured and reaped by those
who come after us, those who share our
common dream and vision.
As a PRC-accredited professional
organization, we are a big brotherhood
composed of thousands of marine deck
officers which I lovingly refer to as the
MMAP family.
We are all comrades in arms, so to
speak, and what should prevent us from
achieving our goals and making sure that
the seeds we sow today will yield the fruits
that the next generations will enjoy?
Many more plans and programs will
form the core of our association’s priorities
and for all of these, I encourage you to
participate whole-heartedly, with lots
of enthusiasm, prayers and a sincere
desire to care for the well-being of future
generations of Filipino seafarers.
Thank you and God bless us all!
VAST HORIZON
The Bangui Windmills
from a Distance
FROM PAGE 15
maximum capacity of 1.65MW,
totaling to 24.75MW in all.
Having a six-meter diameter
base, they have three verticallyoriented rotor blades on top of a
50-meter high tubular tower.
The nacelle (casing), which
encloses the generator, the gear
box and the yaw mechanism
(which turns the blades into the
wind), is at the rear of the rotor
blades.
For the information of
TNM readers, “The Bangui
windmills are located in Bangui,
Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The
windmills, officially referred
to as the NorthWind Bangui
Bay Project, is a project by
the NorthWind Development
Corporation as a renewable
energy source to help reduce
the greenhouse gases that
cause global warming.
The project is the first
“Wind Farm” in the Philippines
consisting of wind turbines onshore facing the South China
Sea and considered to be the
biggest in Southeast Asia.
The project sells electricity
to the Ilocos Norte Electric
Cooperative (INEC) and provides
40% of the power requirements
of Ilocos
Norte via
Transco
Laoag.
In 2006 alone, NorthWind
Power Development Corporation,
the Manila-based company that
runs the farm, reported a P70million annual savings passed
on to consumers in the form of
cheaper power rates.” (Source:
Bangui Windmills, Wikipilipinas)
In this era of heightened
environmental consciousness and
urgent call to respect and defend
life including that of the earth and
our natural environment – the
seas, the forests and the lands
– windmills are a blessing to our
planet which God created for us
mankind because they do not
cause pollution and require no
fuel.
I hope to go back to Pagudpud
with a side trip to Bangui Bay. But
next time, with our children, so that
they too, may enjoy the beauty of
our country and at the same time
be inspired and enlightened about
the grandeur and beauty of God’s
creations, and thus, preserve and
respect them.
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY
20102009
JULY- -JUNE
AUGUST
DOLE, POEA Bestow Recognition
to Top Recruitment Agencies
FROM PAGE 5
the recipients were Labor Secretary Roque,
Labor Undersecretary for Employment and
Manpower Development Romeo Lagman
and POEA Administrator Manalili.
The Top Performers and Awardees
of Excellence received trophies for their
accomplishment while each of the Presidential
Awardees were awarded tri-colored sash
representing the colors of the POEA that
distinguished them as the elite group from
among the awardees.
The awardees also get to enjoy a
package of incentives that include extension
of validity of their license, exemption from
authentication/verification by the Philippine
Embassy/ Philippine Overseas Labor Office,
and related perks depending on their awards
category.
INC., GRAND PLACEMENT & GENERAL
SERVICES CORP., LWV CORPORATION,
STAFFHOUSE
INTERNATIONAL
MANPOWER SERVICES, INC., and YWA
HUMAN RESOURCES CORPORATION.
Labor
and
Employment
Secretary
Marianito D. Roque hailed the awardees for
their valuable contribution to the betterment
of the lives of many overseas Filipino workers,
the excellent and professional conduct of their
business affairs, and their steadfast resolve
to help keep our economy afloat.
“Although most awardees have previously
been recipients of the honors, the 37
agencies, represent three percent of the total
number of licensed recruitment agencies,
have continuously proven worthy
of emulation by the very sector
they represent,” Roque added.
Manalili further cited that
the awardees were evaluated
on the basis of the following
criteria: volume and quality of
deployment, technical capability,
compliance with recruitment rules
and regulation, welfare program
and allied services and human
resources development plan,
industry leadership, marketing
capability, social awareness and
responsibility.
Erik Santos, a son of an OFW, renders the entertainment
Handing out the awards to during the jampacked POEA awarding rites.
53
Former PRC Deck Board Official Nabbed
A
Quezon province
former official of the
and Mindoro.
Professional
Regulation
“I am not aware
Commission (PRC) Board
of those charges,”
of Marine Deck Officer, who is
Erorita during his
facing a string of criminal and
inquest at the Manila
civil cases, was apprehended by
Police
District
police authorities last May 21,
headquarters while
2010 at Manila City Hall.
waiting to post
Retired Captain Herminio
P12,000 bail in
Erorita, 73, a former Chairman
the falsification of
of the Board of Marine Deck
public documents
Officers, was nabbed while he Capt. Erorita
case against him.
was about to attend a conciliatory
meeting with officials of Cargo Safeway, He said he was a former president of
Inc., at the mediation board of the Manila the Philippine Association of Board
city government. Erorita is one of the Examiners and he would not tarnish his
name.
stockholders of Cargo Safeway.
He also showed to the media his NBI
The policemen brought a warrant
of arrest issued by Metropolitan Trial clearance dated May 13, 2010 showing
Court Branch 16 Judge Crispin Bravon he has no pending criminal records with
against Erorita for falsification of public any law enforcement authorities.
However, a letter issue by Emelyn
document.
According to Police Chief Inspector Aonan, officer-in-charge of the NBI’s
Erwin Margarejo, Erorita is facing various EPD division, stated that Erorita’s
charges, ranging from violation of the clearance” is a fake and was not issued
bouncing check law to swindling. “He is by the NBI.”
Police are still looking into reports
also facing violation of the anti-graft and
corrupt practices act before the Office of that Erorita is also engage in illegal
recruitment of Filipino seafarers.
the Ombudsman,” Margarejo said.
Filipino seafarers and other concerned
Documents obtained by Tinig ng
Marino showed Erorita is facing several stakeholders of the local maritime
other criminal and civil charges before industry are warned against dealing with
the courts in Makati City, Parañaque City, Erorita as he is currently out on bail.
54 TINIG NG MARINO
B
right Maritime Corporation (BMC)
president Desiree P. Sillar could
not have put it in better terms when
she said that “This third Top Performer
Award means so much to us because it
only shows that our company’s hard work
and dedication towards continuously and
consistently providing gainful employment
and opportunities to thousands of Filipino
seafarers to improve their lives and that of
their families are really appreciated by the
government.”
The statement was part of the remark
made by Ms. Sillar during the 2009 Agency
Performance Awards of the Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration
(POEA) last April 29, 2010 at the Philippine
International Convention Center (PICC) as
BMC was given the opportunity to make
the Awardees’ Response for the Top
Performer awardees for the sea-based
sector.
BMC got wind of the formal notification
from POEA that it was pre-selected for
the Top Performer Award on February
11, 2010 and was required to submit
the questionnaire back to the POEA on
February 12, 2010. Despite the time
constraints, the company, under the
initiative of Ms. Nancy Ebron, Executive
Vice President, Financial Director, and
QMR Head, fully complied with the
requirements.
Indeed BMC was again at its shining
best in copping its third Top Performer
plum in a row primarily for deploying a
staggering 19,239 Filipino seafarers during
the four-year period covered by the award,
specifically from July 1, 2005 to June 30,
2009.
The third consecutive Top Performer
Award also signifies that BMC is fully on
course towards achieving an Award of
Excellence in the next recruitment agency
recognition rites, based on the level of
citations by the government.
Still, the deployment figure only
accounts for 30% of the criteria for the
Top Performer award. BMC also fared
excellently well in the four other criteria
for the prestigious accolade including
technical capability, which accounted for
25%, compliance with recruitment rules
and regulations, welfare programs and
allied services, and human resources
development plan, which accounted for
another 25%.
Marketing capability accounted for 15%
and the remaining 5% of the criteria was for
social awareness and responsibility, and
obviously BMC more than satisfactorily
meet the requirement and thus was
more than qualified for bagging the Top
Performer award for the third consecutive
time.
The award also punctuated BMC’s
official status in the local maritime industry
after marking its 15th year in the business
late last year as a manning agency which
is obviously in the company of the elite.
After all, BMC is just one of the 10 Top
Performer awardees from the sea-based
sector and one from a total of 28 local
manning agencies honored by POEA that
night.
Captain Georgios Stefanou, Chairman
of the Board of BMC, proudly accepted the
JULY - AUGUST 2009
BRIGHT MARITIME CORP. Well
On Course to Excellence Status
BMC Website:
www.brightmaritimecorp.com
Capt. Stefanou and his daughter beam with
pride for BMC’s accomplishment
Top Performer award from Department of
Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito
V. Roque, Labor Undersecretary Romeo
Lagman and POEA Administrator Jennifer
Manalili.
Capt. Stefanou was accompanied by his
lovely daughter, and the dynamic duo, the
ladies who have been very instrumental
in ensuring that BMC keeps on shining
brighter as the years go by, BMC President
Desiree Sillar and BMC Executive Vice
President, Finance Director, and QMR
Head Nancy Ebron.
Capt. Stefanou was of course brimming
with pride in accepting the award. After
all, their company has been working hard
over the last 15 years to keep their Filipino
seafarers and their families satisfied and
Capt. Georgious Stefanou holds BMC’s third Top Performer Award as bequeathed by Labor
Secretary Marianito V. Roque (2nd from left), Labor Undersecretary Romeo Lagman (left), POEA
Administrator Jennifer Manalili (4th from right). Capt. Stefanou was accompanied to the stage by
Ms. Desiree P. Sillar (3rd from right), BMC President, Capt. Stefanou’s daughter, and Ms. Nancy
Ebron (right), BMC EVP, Finance Director and QMR Head.
happy being gainfully employed by BMC
and their principals, contented with
their Filipino seafarer’s performance
onboard resulting to efficiency and
productivity.
As the man who convinced
principals to replace an all-Romanian
crew with an all-Filipino crew, Capt.
Stefanou believes in Filipino seafarers,
citing Filipinos’ diligence, dedication,
intelligence, commitment and loyalty The dynamic duo behind BMC’s consistent growth
as underlying factors that encourage - Ms. Desiree Sillar (left) and Ms. Nancy Ebron.
shipowners to make them a preferred that is in addition to the numerous training
choice as crew.
programs the company has conducted for
Capt. Stefanou also credits BMC’s its Filipino seafarers to ensure that they
exemplary officers and staff for successfully continuously improve and harness their
and consistently running their company shipboard skills and craft.
based on standards lofty set by its laudable
Receiving the award for the third
quality management systems.
time is not an easy feat but with BMC’s
Not one to rest on his laurels though, determination along with its experience,
Captain Stefanou said that he and the rest nothing is impossible. As such, an
of BMC will work harder to continue serving Award of Excellence is obviously in the
the Filipino seafarers and their principals in offing for BMC in the next POEA agency
order to preserve the company’s growing performance awards.
reputation in the Philippines and in the
international shipping industry.
Continuous Professional Development
Training is also an important facet in
BMC is also a company that puts
BMC’s continued pursuit for operational premium on the professional growth and
excellence. In fact, during the four-year personal development of its staff, be it
period covered by the recent POEA award, shore-based and sea-based. Training is
Bright Maritime has conducted 17 training
TURN TO PAGE 55
programs for their office personnel. And
TINIG
TINIG NG
NG MARINO
MARINO
MAY -- JUNE
20102009
JULY
AUGUST
55
BMC Well On Course to Excellence Status
FROM PAGE 54
one of the strengths of the company in
ensuring that it only provides the most
competent, qualified and well-trained
Filipino seafarers to man the vessels
of its principals. Its office personnel are
very capable in handling administrative
and documentary matters related to the
deployment of seafarers.
The company’s management team
is also one of the most admired in the
business for maintaining harmonious,
cordial, and family-like atmosphere in
the continuously-expanding BMC offices
located at Ortigas Center in Pasig City.
As a reward for doing an excellent job in
steering BMC to newfound heights in the
local maritime industry, attested of course
by its growing number of recognitions
both from the government and the private
sector, and also to add on to their continued
personal development, Capt. Stefanou
treated the company’s four senior officers
to a tour of Greece recently.
In addition to Ms. Sillar, and Ms. Ebron,
Ms. Rhoda Taboada, Legal Claims Officer;
and Ms. Elsa Montero, Foreign License
Manager, were part of the four-person
BMC contingent that went sight-seeing
on some of the reputable attractions in
Greece.
While the trip was supposed to be for
The BMC ladies pose before the Acropolis ruins.
Inside the archaelogical museum torture chamber.
The BMC ladies having the time of their lives
touring Greece.
pleasure, work was still thrown into the mix
as the four BMC officers also had a couple
of meetings with some of BMC’s foreign
principals in Greece to discuss some official
business matters with the end in view of
course, in continuously improving BMC’s
services to its shipowner-clients.
Looking Back and Beyond
During its humble beginnings in 1994,
BMC was a five-man workforce working on
a 60-square-meter office space with only
one vessel under its helm. Within the same
year though, four more vessels were added
to its roster.
The company’s meteoric growth began
some two years later as it was given by its
principals the formidable task to man a total
Waiting for the roro going to Aegina.
of 83 vessels necessitating a bigger office
space, additional staff, and of course more
Filipino seafarers.
After 15 years in operation, BMC is now
one of the leaders in the local maritime
industry manning almost 300 vessels
of various types and sizes for various
principals.
It has become known among its
principals as provider of well-trained,
competent and quality Filipino crew at the
right time. Among its Filipino seafarers,
BMC has become known as a rewarding
and caring employer, ready to provide
the support they or their families need
whenever the situation calls for it.
With the pun hopefully excused, the
future of many Filipino seafarers and
their families really look brighter with
Bright Maritime Corporation. Truly a Top
Performer by any language.
56 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
2010 Homecoming Enables PMMA Alumni
to Look Back to their Humble Beginnings
FROM PAGE 12
The afternoon belonged to the PMMA
alumni as they all took centerstage during
the 2010 Homecoming Parade and Review
where they were grouped according to the
year they graduated from the academy.
The parade was of course paced by the
veterans of the Philippine Nautical School
(PNS), the predecessor of the PMMA, with
the Class of 2008 bringing up the rear.
The Host Classes were among the most
applauded during the parade because they
obviously came in full force as they brought
their respective families with them to lead
in the ‘cheerleading chores.’
The revelry at the academy began with
the celebration of the Holy Mass at the
PMMA Chapel in the morning of April 10.
Subsequently, it was fun games and
amusement for the alumni and their families
at the campgrounds near the administration
building. Among the fun games that were
made available in the booths of the Host
Classes were the Fun Golf – Nearest to
the Pin, Dart Competition, Shoot that Ring,
Table Tennis, Miniature Horse Racing, a
couple of games for kids, and a lot more.
The alumni and their families had lunch
at the PMMA mess hall complete with a
cultural show. A bingo social ensued where
special prizes were given away to lucky
game winners.
Capping off the eventful concelebration
was the open-air Alumni Night dinner
at the PMMA stadium grounds that was
highlighted by the handing out of the PMMA
Alumni Achievers and Commendations
and the raffle draw, which was certainly an
anticipated moment because at stake as
grand prizes were two brand-new Toyota
Vios cars.
A grand display of fireworks capped
off the celebration that lasted late in the
evening.
Service Excellence Carries
NYK-FIL Through Success
FROM PAGE 8
Award of Distinction and the Ministerial
Citation in 2005 during the International
Employers Award hosted by the Philippines
government.
Quality System
Quality is a way of life at NYK-FIL. It
is a well-guarded tradition that guides the
company toward its continuing journey
for service excellence. It is a proud ISO
9001:2008 certified company for both
its manning and training operations. In
2005, the Philippine government awarded
the company with the Philippine Quality
Award (PQA), the country’s highest level
of national recognition for exemplary
organization performance. It specifically
earned the PQA Level III (Recognition for
Mastery in Quality Management).
With the PQA, NYK-FIL became the first
in the ship manning industry and the entire
maritime sector to win the award. It also
became the first company in the service
industry to have won the award which had
been previously conferred to organization
in the manufacturing and semiconductor
industries.
But NYK-FIL believes that the path
to excellence is a never-ending journey.
It has always advocated the Japanese
concepts of Kaizen and Kaikaku. Kaizen
for continuous improvement and Kaikaku
for innovation and radical change.
A year after, in October 2006, the
company vied for and was successfully
conferred the international Asia Pacific
Quality Award (IAPQA) “Best of Class
Distinction” in Sydney, Australia. The
IAPQA was established by the Asia Pacific
Quality Organization (APQO), a nonprofit organization that seeks continuous
improvement of the quality of good and
services and the quality of life in the Asia
Pacific Region. With the IAPQA, NYK-
FIL became the third Philippine-based
organization that won this award since it
was introduced in 2000. NYK-FIL won the
award in 2008 anew.
Human Resource
Development Program
NYK-FIL has a very strong and viable
Human Resource Development Program
and Cadetship Training Program (CTP)
which produce its own pool of well-trained
and competent officers who are homegrown with its corporate values of integrity,
innovation and intensity as well as loyalty,
discipline,
hard
work and service
excellence.
In 2005, NYKFIL took a bigger
step toward the
development
of
its future officers
when it gained the
approval of NYK
Line and TDG for the
establishment of the
NYK-TDG Maritime
Academy (NTMA) in
Canlubang, Laguna.
Through NTMA,
NYK-FIL is assured
of a long-term supply
of well trained and
competent officers.
Further, NYK-FIL also
considers NTMA as a
social responsibility
undertaking to help
uplift the quality of
maritime education
in the country and
thereby
maintain
the dominance of
the Philippines in
the
international
maritime industry.
Amid the blistering summer heat, the
day-long event was all worth it for the
returning PMMA alumni and their families
as it not only gave them time to bond
with one another but more importantly,
a good reason to realize and appreciate
that success is not achieved overnight
but a product of years of hard work and
determination, the way many PMMAers
have proven time and again.
Lorna Tolentino:
Timeless and Ageless Star
FROM PAGE 43
TNM: You suffered a terrible
heartache with the demise
of your husband Rudy
Fernandez. Personally I don’t
think I can handle that.
Lorna: People have been
asking me how to move on
from a situation like that, but
you know what? You don’t. I
The writer interviewing LT.
don’t think you can possibly
move on from something
like that. You can cope but
you cannot move on. There would
always be a hole in your life. Kami ni
Rudy we used to do a lot of things
together kaya until now there are
a lot of things that remind me of
him. Masakit kung may occasion
kasi kulang na kami. Prayers help a
lot. Until now I feel that he is with us.
Nandito pa rin siya.
TNM: What is your message to all
Filipino seafarers?
Lorna: Good luck sa inyong work! I
know mahirap ang trabaho ninyo.
Mahirap maging malayo sa pamilya.
Just pray and think positive palagi.
Salamat sa inyong patuloy na
pagsuporta. God bless!
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
57
Baon ang mga Natutunan sa UFS
Too Many Assessments,
Too Little Sence
We are publishing herewith the letter-rejoinder of UFS member C/E Arnold Masaoay to
the letter of the Maritime Training Council published in the January-February 2010 issue of
Tinig ng Marino because the issue about the National Assessment Center (NAC) and NAC
certificates is an interesting topic for many, if not all, Filipino seafarers. - Editor
To the NAC Assessors
National Assessment Center
TESDA Compound
Taguig City, Metro Manila
Dear Sir,
I felt flattered that my letter published in the November – December 2009 issue of Tinig ng
Marino was given attention by experts in the National Assessment Center (NAC). At least you
have spared time in painstakingly responding to my letter stating the general opinion of the
seafaring community on the uselessness of NAC.
Upon reading the response to my letter, it is actually only now that I have learned that the
National Assessment Center was created because of our country’s accession to the 1978
STCW Convention. I don’t exactly know as to when the NAC office was created. But if my
memory serves me right it is not in the 80s as you have mentioned because of the 1978 STCW
Convention itself.
Perhaps Sirs, you are talking about the L.O. 1404 which paved the way for the creation of
the Maritime Training Council which was tasked to implement the provisions of the 1978 IMO
STCW Convention.
Now Sirs, may I ask you something? How many times must a person be assessed? How
many times will my certificates be assessed? Once, twice or thrice? If NAC was really created
to comply with 1978 STCW Convention, how many countries are having three government
institutions doing the assessments of their seafarers? I am just asking Sirs because I don’t
know the answer. I am not the expert Sirs. You are.
I have never questioned your competence as assessors Sirs, but may I know if it is proper
that some of you asked some cadets to demonstrate swimming by swimming on the floor as
what C/E Rodolfo Virtudazo mentioned in his column in Tinig ng Marino several years ago
that some of the Southfield cadets were asked to swim on the floor? I know for a fact that it did
happen in the NAC assessment office.
I never question the credibility of NAC certificates but why it is being peddled in Luneta and
sold for PhP 3,000.00 Sirs? Doesn’t your office know about this? Go to Luneta Sirs, and you
will see for yourself that these certificates are being sold openly. As NAC assessors, I believe
you should have done or must do something to stop this. Or are you just contented doing your
assessment in your offices and do not give a damn what is happening outside the walls of your
offices?
Thank you also Sir for informing me that NAC certificates cost only PhP 200.00 and not
PhP 350.00. Why is it that MEOAP is asking PhP 1,200.00 for NAC certificate and you are not
doing something to stop this? Obviously, it is anomalous because you yourself stated that NAC
certificate should cost only PhP 200.00. For whatever purpose the PhP 1,000 excess they are
charging, only the leadership of MEOAP knows. But then, they are obviously milking Filipino
marine engineer officers doing so. I’m just asking Sirs, because I am as concerned as you are
for the Filipino seafarers.
I may still be wearing diapers Sirs when you started sailing but I have earned the bars in my
epaulets the hard way like the way you did and all of us has the right to say something what
we believe is right. There are so many things that are required here but not in other countries
like in Europe. I know this because we compare certificates with the other nationals. Didn’t the
UFS questioned the implementation of the Management Level Course and brought it to the
Senate? Maybe we will just wait for the next congress and bring this matter to the Senate Blue
Ribbon Committee again. There are so many things that are happening in our country without
the consultation of the seafaring sector who is most affected. I believe this is just one of the
many examples Sirs.
By the way Sirs, I would also like to know what government agency initiated giving
assessment and endorsement certificate and why it was transferred to the Professional
Regulation Commission and TESDA? I just wanted to know because I was still wearing diapers
during that time.
Do you also know who were involved in the final drafting of R.A 8544? I don’t know because
I don’t profess to be among those who have helped in molding the maritime industry. Probably
you can educate me on this and make my day. Do you know what organization questioned
MARINA in their endorsement certificates? Were you among those who questioned MARINA
about this Sirs?
If you really believe that NAC assessment will give credibility to the certificates of our
seafarers, then why are we having these maritime disasters in our country? Were these
seafarers not assessed by you?
If they don’t have NAC assessments, then why are they allowed to sail? If they are assessed
Bago ang lahat,ay nais ko munang batiin kayo ng magandang araw diyan Sir Nelson, sina
Ma’am Marilyn, Sir Rey, Ma’am Maricar, at si Ma’am Che pati na sa mga cadet volunteers na
naririyan pa sa ating opisina.
Habang ginagawa ko ang sulat kong ito ay nakadikit po ang aming barko sa puerto dito sa
Ulsan, South Korea. Nakasampa po ako sa MT Princess Crystal bilang isang Deck Boy sa
pamamagitan ng Bridge Marine Corporation.
Taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa UFS, lalong-lalo na sa inyo Sir Nelson dahil
kung hindi dahil
sa tulong ninyo
ay
hindi
ko
matutupad ang
aking pangarap
na
maging
isang tunay na
seaman.
Lahat po ng
mga natutunan
ko sa UFS na
mga
pangaral
at kaalaman ay
nagagamit ko na
ngayon dito sa
barko. Malaking
bagay talaga ang
mapabilang sa
hanay ng UFS
at ako’y taos-noo
na sabihin kahit D/C Roel Aglibot, proudly holding a copy of Tinig ng Marino, is shown along
kanino na galing with some of the Filipino and Korean crew of MT Princess Crystal.
ako sa UFS.
Sa mga UFS volunteers na naririyan pa, ang maipapayo ko sa iyo ay pakakatandaan niyo
lang palagi ang mga sinasabing mga pangaral at kaalaman sa inyo ni Sir Nelson dahil para
lahat iyan sa ikabubuti ninyo. Malalaman niyo lahat iyan sa oras na sumampa na kayo ng
barko.
Nagpapasalamat din po ako kay C/E Isagani Valmonte at sa buong staff ng Bridge Marine
Corporation sa pagtitiwala sa aking kakayahan at pagbibigay ng oportunidad na makasakay
sa barko bilang isang Deck Boy. – D/C Roel A. Aglibot, MT Princess Crystal
Isang malaking kasiyahan para sa UFS at para sa akin na malaman Roel na nagagamit
mo na diyan sa barko ang mga pangaral at kaalaman na iyong natutunan habang ikaw ay
nandidito pa dati sa UFS. Layunin ng UFS na hubugin ang mga cadet volunteers upang
sila’y maging mahuhusay na marino pagdating ng tamang panahon.Ipagpatuloy mo lang ang
iyong pagsisigasig at siguradong malayo pa ang iyong mararating bilang marino. - Editor
by your Sirs, then why don’t they know about the basic rules of the road? Can’t you tell our
government agencies about these lapses Sirs? I am just asking because again, I don’t know
the answers. I am not an expert. You are.
Furthermore, haven’t you noticed that there were so many certificates issued by the maritime
centers even without attendance in the mid 80s? Have you done something to expose these
anomalies, or you just watched and looked when these things happened? I am just asking
Sirs because I was still wearing a diaper at that time. When maritime schools sprouted like
mushrooms all over the country and any Tom, Dick and Harry can have their diplomas in
maritime courses provided they just pay the tuition, have you done something about this Sirs?
I am just asking because I would like to follow your footsteps being the leaders in the maritime
industry in this country. You are my idol, you know.
What I am suggesting Sirs, is that the assessment must be done only once just like in other
seafaring countries. By the way Sirs, what government agency issues the accreditation of the
training centers, is it not the Maritime Training Council? Why do they issue accreditation? Is it
not because these training centers complied with the standards set by the MTC? Are we not
being assessed by our instructors in the training centers before we are given the certificates
of the trainings we had?
Will it not suffice if it will be stated in those certificates that the assessment was also done
after the trainings that we got? Would it not be that simple? If that is the case Sirs, I don’t even
need the TESDA and the NAC assessment. Well, this is just my understanding of the issue
like what other countries are doing in compliance with the 1978 IMO STCW Convention as
amended in 1995.
You know Sirs, IMO STCW Convention in this country has a thousand and one interpretations.
You may ask the so-called experts in MARINA who had been bragging that they had attended
several conventions and they will tell you another thing. Isn’t it that many years ago there
were so many training centers offering Maritime English? Did it improve the English of our
seafarers? Definitely not.
There is not even an animal called Maritime English in the whole IMO STCW Convention.
But we have this course in the training centers of our country Sirs. So many things have
happened in the maritime sector of our country because we allowed it to happen even if it is
not within the bounds of the law.
Good day Sirs. You really made my day.
Respectfully yours,
(Sgd) Chief Engr. Arnold Masaoay
58 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2010
Daig pa ang Kamag-anak sa Pagtulong
Hindi Nakakalimot sa Pinanggalingan
Una sa lahat ay binabati ko po kayo ng magandang araw Sir Nelson at sana nasa
mabuti kayong kalusugan pati na ang iyong pamilya sa pagtanggap niyo nitong liham
ko. Medyo matagal na akong hindi nakasulat sa inyo Sir. Hindi ko na po babanggitin
kung ano ang dahilan sapagkat mahaba po ang kuwento. Ang mahalaga po ay hindi ko
kayo nakakalimutan dahil kayo ang nagbigay ng liwanag sa maraming katulad kong mga
marino na halos nawalan na ng pag-asa na makasampa sa barko.
Bilang isang produkto ng United Filipino Seafarers, patuloy pa rin ang isang daang
porsyento kong suporta sa inyo sir at sa mga pinaglalaban ng ating union. Buo rin ang
suporta ko sa Tinig ng Marino, ang ating pahayagan na nagbibigay sa aming mga marino
ng mga makabuluhang impormasyon ukol sa ating ginagalawang industriya maritima.
Palagi rin po akong nagbubukas ng website ng UFS sa internet kung saan marami rin
akong impormasyon na nakukuha ukol sa industriya sa loob at labas ng bansa.
Hindi pa rin ako nagsasawa sa pagsabi sa inyo ng taos-puso kong pasasalamat.
Salamat sa inyo Sir at nagkaroon ng liwanag ang aking tinatahak na landas patungo sa
magandang kinabukasan.
Sa kasalukuyan ay naglalayag po ang aming barko patungong Chiba, Japan upang
magkarga ng chemical na propylene oxide. Maayos naman po ang sitwasyon namin dito
sa barko. Maayos din ang aming samahan dito.
Muli, maraming-maraming salamat po Sir. Mabuhay po kayo at ang UFS! – 3/O Dante
H. Panado, MT Princess Crystal, UFS Batch 2001 - 2003
Mabuti naman Dante at hindi mo pa nakakalimutan ang iyong pinanggalingan. Alam mo
at nang nakakarami na ang paglingon sa iyong pinagmulan ay isa sa mahahalagang
susi sa iyong tagumpay bilang isang ganap na marino. Natutuwa rin kami sa iyong
patuloy na pagtangkilik sa UFS, sa ating pahayagan at sa ating UFS website na talaga
namang hitik sa impormasyon at mga balita ukol sa industriya maritima. - Editor
Good day Sir. Kumusta na po kayong lahat diyan, kina Ma’am Marilyn, sa mga staff, at
sa mga cadet volunteers na naririyan pa?
Isa po ako sa mga cadet volunteers na natulungan ninyo at ng UFS para matupad
ang matagal ko nang pinangarap sa buhay. Hindi pa naman po totally natupad ang aking
mga pangarap sa buhay pero dahil sa inyo at sa UFS, nasimulan ko na pong tahakin ang
landas para sa ganap na katuparan nito.
Ako po ay nakasakay ngayon sa MS Norwegian Star sa pamamagitan ng C.F. Sharp
Crew Management Corp. Isa po itong cruise ship. Habang ginagawa ko ang liham na ito
ay naririto ang aming barko sa Cabo San Lucas sa Mexico.
Gusto ko pong ipaabot ang aking lubos na pasasalamat sa inyo at sa UFS dahil kung
hindi dahil sa inyo at sa UFS ay wala ako sa kasalukuyan kong kinalalagyan. Kahit mga
marino po ang mga tiyuhin ko, hindi rin naman nila ako natulungan upang maipasok sa
kani-kanilang mga manning agencies.
Tanging kayo at ang UFS lang ang nakatulong sa akin upang ako’y makasampa
sa barko. Sa katunayan, hindi ko maipaliwanag ang kasiyahan ko dahil sa sobrang
kagandahan ng loob ninyo Sir sa pagtulong sa mga marinong Pilipino na nangangailangan
ng tulong mo at ng UFS. Kahit hindi niyo kami kamag-anak, bukas-palad niyo kaming
tinulungan. Buti na lang talaga Sir at naririyan kayo at ang UFS para tulungan ang mga
kagaya kong pawang naghahangad lang ng magandang kinabukasan sa pamamagitan
ng pagbabarko.
Sana po ay lalo pang tumatag ang UFS at bigyan pa kayo ng Panginoon ng malakas
na pangangatawan at mas mahaba pang buhay. Nawa’y kahit sa maikling liham kong ito
ay maipaabot ko sa inyo ang aking lubos at walang-sawang pasasalamat.
Maraming-maraming salamat po Sir! – Arnold Ochea, MS Norwegian Star
Ang pagtulong Arnold sa mga marinong Pilipino ay matagal nang ginagawa ng UFS,
simula pa nang ito’y matatag noong 1994. Ganunpaman, nagiging ganap lang ang
pagtulong ng UFS kung gagampanan naman ng tinulungan ng wasto ang kanyang
trabaho sa barko. Sa ganitong paraan, mapapatunayan din ng UFS kung nakatulong
nga ba ito sa paghubog ng magandang kinabukasan para sa marming mga marinong
Pilipino. – Editor
Master Applies Evasive Maneuvers
to Fend Off Somali Pirate Attacks
FROM PAGE 49
Some of the avid fans of Tinig ng Marino onboard MT Princess Crystal including (seated, from
left), AB Glenn C. Cuardo, Chief Cook Oscar A. Antolin, OS Ricky L. Penalber, and 2/O Francisco
D. Bayani. Standing at the back (from left) are UFS Boy D/C Roel A. Aglibot (Batch 2008 – 09) and
UFS Boy 3/O Dante H. Panado (Batch 2001 – 03).
; PROVOCATIVE
; INFORMATIVE
; RELEVANT
; CONTROVERSIAL
; ENTERTAINING
seafarers’ newspaper
The two boats began speeding towards MV Delmas Nacala’s stern and started shooting
again on the vessel’s superstructure.
One of the skiffs came very close to the vessel that the pirates were in fact already
preparing to board using an aluminum ladder.
Capt. Federigan made a new round of evasive maneuvers and the result was successful
again as the pirates’ attempt to board the vessel failed.
Some 20 minutes of continued pursuit, the skiff boats ran out of fuel again and decided
to discontinue their assault.
MV Delmas Nacala subsequently changed course to easterly direction until the
two skiff boats were completely out of its radar screen. The vessel safely reached its
destination.
While the vessel sustained plenty of bullet holes on the superstructure, no crew
member were injured in the course of the two waves of pirate assault.
Marlow Navigation Co. Ltd. and its local crewing office Marlow Navigation Phils., Inc.
lauded the initiative and skillful maneuvers of Capt. Federigan to ensure that MV Delmas
Nacala does not fall into the hands of the pirates.
Simultaneous to the assault on MV Delmas Nacala last March 31, 2010, another group
of pirates were actually attacking FV Reiman, a Taiwan-flagged vessel with Taiwanese
and Indonesian crew onboard, just several miles off. It was able to evade the pirates as
well but one of its crew suffered a leg injury in the process.
Now available in selected newsstands in Manila!
Published
everyto
two
months,
ng Marino is also distributed in
Subscribe
now
Tinig
ngTinig
Marino!
more than 400 ports and hundreds of seamen’s centers and Filipino-manned vessels around the world.
Name:____________________________________
Address :___________________________________
Single copies (Air Mail)
Metro Manila-Php 35
Province-Php 45
Asia - U.S$ 4.00; Europe - U.S$6.00
Africa - U.S$6.50
IMPORTANT: Please make cheque bank draft payable to the United Filipino Sea- One year rates: (6 issues, Air Mail)
Philippines:P300.00
farers,
Asia - US$24.00
Room 402, Gedisco Terrace Building, 1148 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, PhilEurope - US$36.00;l Africa
MAY - JUNE 2010
TINIG NG MARINO
59
60 TINIG NG MARINO
MAY-JUNE 2010