march - april 2013 - United Filipino Seafarers United Filipino Seafarers

TINIG NG MARINO
Unholy Alliance: Searching for Atty.Right
MARCH - APRIL 2013
Vol. XX
No. 2
MARCH - APRIL 2013
http:www.ufs.com.ph
1
p42
PHP 20.00
Milestones at Marina
Story on page 3
St. Pio Center:
Walk like Christ
►PAGE
43
2 TINIG NG MARINO
Manila Office
First Maritime Place 7458 Bagtikan Street, San Antonio Village
1203 Makati City Philippines
Tel: (632) 898 1142, (632) 898 1157 Fax: (632) 898 1107
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ptc.com.ph
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
3
Milestones at Marina
he country’s maritime administration
T
has undergone several changes as it
responded to the call of its new mandate
brought about by new developments
in the local and international shipping
arena.
Yet in spite of limited manpower and
resources the Maritime Industry Authority
(Marina) has rendered and are still
finishing a number of accomplishments
vital to both seafaring interests and to its
local shipping regulatory role.
Marina’s response to developments
Commission,
TESDA,
National
Telecommunications
Commission,
Commission on Higher Education, took
effect even without budget appropriation.
Yet under Marina OIC (Officer-InCharge) Nicasio Conti, it was able to
set up offices, hire competent marine
inspectors and assessors and execute its
plans and programmes. Conti, a lawyer
by profession, has since then grasped
the industry’s problems and solutions.
The country’s maritime education and
training, for instance, is being scrutinized
enforced.
Notably, Conti suspended the operating
permits of 187 domestic ships due to
safety violations in the first three months
alone after taking over the helm at
Marina. Violations of the vessels, which
are owned by 15 shipping firms, included
defects in engine and machinery,
navigational equipment, life saving
appliances, fire-fighting equipment and
crew documents.
Marina claims that it has been very
stringent in the implementation of cargo
stowage and securing which are vital to
ship stability on stormy seas. Many cases
of disasters in passenger-cargo ships in
the domestic trade had been blamed on
improper stowage – especially to vehicle
cargoes.
It also has enforced additional audit,
which covers crewmembers’ familiarity
with Safety Management System and its
functions.
Curbing administrative delays
led it to be the busiest among agencies
under the Department of Transportation.
For that, the department recently
bestowed on the shipping body the ‘top
performer’ award for those feats it had
shown over the last one to two years.
As
the
single
administration
designated by the DOTC in complying
with the revised Standards of Training,
Certification
and
Watchkeeping
(STCW) Convention, Marina opted to
absorb duties and functions from other
government agencies.
Infighting ends
The designation proved to be the right
move in a bid to end infighting among
state agencies that shared the functions
in the administration of seafarers’
certification and training. Now, as they
say, “the buck stops at Marina” when it
comes to complying with international
standard.
The transfer of STCW-related functions
from various agencies like Maritime
Training Council, Professional Regulation
by EC’s Directorate General for Mobility
and Transport (DG MOVE) following
the Philippine government’s inaction
to address corrective measures in its
system (See related story).
It is feared to create an economic
disaster for the country’s current position
as the world’s top supplier of maritime
labor if Marina fails to make up for the
shortcomings as final inspection from
the European Maritime Safety Agency
approaches.
No longer disastrous
Disaster has surely been attached
to the industry that the shipping body
regulates.
In the domestic trade, Marina has been
blamed for a lot of maritime tragedies
involving hundreds or even thousands
of casualties in a single accident. This
has been traced to lenient and ineffective
regulatory system on the domestic fleet.
Now the death toll seems to have
halted and unseaworthy ships grounded
since major efforts on safety standard in
both passenger and cargo shipping were
When it comes to crew, a shortage
in the availability of seafarer’s identity
record book (SIRB) also became a major
problem by the agency.
The problem was said to have begun
after Marina contracted SIRB printing
to a Hong Kong-based company during
the Arroyo administration. With about
200,000 SIRB it processes and issues
yearly, printing overseas apparently
failed to sustain the requirement that
resulted in usual delays in the delivery of
the vital seaman’s document.
Conti resolved to arrest the SIRB
shortage by ordering SIRBs from the
government printing body, the National
Printing Office (NPO), to ensure available
stocks and steady supply for the whole
year so that seafarers need not to wait a
number of days before they receive their
seaman’s book.
He added that the new SIRB is now
online-verifiable, meaning the entire
contents of the SIRB biographical date
can be viewed using an internet capable
device such as a computer or mobile
phone.
Delay has normally been associated
in transacting business with government
agency like Marina. But it has proven that
it could rid the agency of bureaucratic
‘red tape’ just like in the application of
registering a ship.
Ship operators for a long time
complained that it had normally taken
three months to register a newly acquired
tonnage. Now it only takes two days for
Marina to complete the task and rid the
owners of costly delays while the vessel
is docked for months at port.
Transparency and cooperation
Transparency and cooperation with
the private sector are some of the key
policies behind the transformation of the
maritime administration, some agency
officials say.
For the first time in many years the
country’s shipping regulatory body
presented its plans and programmes
with the private sector in its bid to achieve
long term reforms in the industry.
Marina carried out a planning workshop
with various groups in the shipping
industry, having their inputs and reactions
to plans and programmes noted in each
sector’s short-term and long-term goals.
Conti led the presentation and
discussion of the shipping body’s plans
last February. Industry leaders and
representatives from various sectors are
able to hear plans of actions in domestic
shipping, maritime safety, shipbuilding
and ship repair, overseas shipping,
maritime manpower, including legislative
actions.
Hurdling the EMSA threat
The Philippine government is confident
that it could hurdle the European Union’s
ultimatum over the required corrective
measures in the country’s seafarers’
certification and training system.
The Maritime Industry Authority
(Marina) foresees no hindrance with the
state’s compliance to the revised STCW
Convention, judging from cooperation
being taken by stakeholders in making
up for the shortcomings.
Industry officials, in the run up to “final
audit mission” by the European Maritime
Safety Agency (EMSA) this October,
have begun to double efforts finalising
deliverables crucial to the audit – from
enforcing memo of agreements with
state agencies and monitoring manual
(turn to page 10)
4 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
EDITORIAL
Choosing the right leader
Years ago, UFS President Nelson
Ramirez was attacking MARINA for
their lack of competency.
Under the leadership of Atty.
Nicasio Conti, MARINA now has
NPR’s full support, proving that what
was wrong with MARINA before was
not the office but their leader.
The indefatigable Atty. Conti has
earned the respect not only of NPR
but also of the maritime industry.
His determination in finding the
EMSA solution has been nothing
less but admirable. Conti however
is more than just EMSA. More than
anything, he has given the maritime
industry hope.
Now that we are under one
administration with a great leader,
doesn’t mean we can all just sit
pretty.
Lately we’ve been seeing people
painting bridges that don’t really
need painting, roads being fixed, new
waiting sheds being constructed…
It’s election time once again and
we the people of the Philippines are
the pawns to an endless game for
power.
There are things one should
remember during election:
First, the ones who spend the
most will most likely want their
money back after winning.
Second, those political dynasties
are not only addicted to power, most
likely they are hiding something.
Third, don’t base your precious
votes on what you see in movies or
tv.
This election UFS supports three
candidates: Sen. Richard Gordon,
Cong. Teddy Casino and Cong.
Emmeline Aglipay for reasons you
can read in this issue.
It is our responsibility to choose
the right leader because we also
have the responsibility to follow
them once they come into power.
We chose them; therefore we have
to live with them.
May we all choose right this May.
SOUNDING LEAD
CAPT. REYNOLD ‘BURT’ M. SABAY
Borderless MET
roviding
maritime
P
education and training in
a country like the Philippines
on a par with the world is an
interesting challenge. What
could have been the real
reason behind the success
of Filipino seafarers? Every
Filipino
seafarer
takes
pride in his craft out of his
perseverance, hard work and
dedication.
The policy makers would
like to believe that they have
charted the course of success
for every Filipino seafarer.
The
stakeholders,
more
particularly the employers will
take credence for providing
the opportunity of a lifetime
for every Filipino seafarer employment!
While education and training
are becoming more and more
borderless around the world,
and development is happening
in the Philippines, you cannot
get out of your region to get
quality education and training.
The government is bent on
enforcing the regionalization
policy on maritime education
and training. This will be good
for some training providers
in remote regions as they are
assured of captured market in
the area.
Many Filipino seafarers
are sent to Singapore,
Germany or Norway for
training even if such training
programs are available in the
Philippines. Ironically, many
foreign nationals come to
the Philippines for education
and training. It’s the same
case here: thousands of
students (if not millions) from
Mindanao and Visayas come
to Manila for education and
training despite the presence
of high quality colleges and
universities in their area.
Our soundings have even
revealed that for some local
architectural courses, the
educational trip is in Berlin
to witness what architectural
revolution is all about!
We
read
from
our
soundings
that
maritime
training in Metro Manila is
NOT allowed, even treated as
illegal, if one is enrolled in the
regions for maritime education
or vice versa. Other observers
call
this
undemocratic,
others call it unconstitutional
and others call it regional
protectionist policy.
A school that provides
maritime education services to
Filipino Seafarers in Visayas
and/or Mindanao and has
been outsourcing the services
for quality training from
providers outside its region
will now face a lot of problems.
A maritime school in a region
that has been outsourcing
training providers from outside
its region will now have to use
the facilities of its neighboring
competition. What is peaceful
co-existence? Answer: forceful
co-existence! It is really scary
to hear the advice to simply
close shop for those schools
who cannot comply with it.
We will take soundings
if this kind of policy will help
raise the bar of quality in
the regions. One reading is
already clear; the regional
providers are assured of
captured
market
thereby
raising the net.
Borderless quality maritime
education and training is yet
to be defined by our policy
makers!
MET – Out of border
While
the
seafaring
profession for the Filipinos is an
international issue, the process
of
acquiring
appropriate
education and training is
bordered. It is bordered in
the sense that one cannot go
outside the region of his school
for purposes of outsourcing
quality training services.
As mentioned, competition is
an issue disregarded, freedom
of choice an issue disregarded.
We wonder if this kind of policy
is part of the so-called outcome
based education.
If a group of maritime
students from the Visayas
and Mindanao will opt to pay
and train in a center outside
Visayas and Mindanao, will
they face the wrath of our
policy makers? This we simply
call maritime education and
training (MET) out of border!
“The illiterate of the 21st
century will not be those
who cannot read and write,
but those who cannot learn,
unlearn and relearn.” — Alvin
Toffler, futurist.
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.com.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
Arianne R. Rodriguez
Managing Editor
Andy Dalisay
Editorial Consultant
Renan Dela Rosa
Lay-out Artist
Neil Brian Zozobrado
Rendel Diono Reyes
Artists
Sapalo Velez Bundang
& Bulilan Law Offices
Legal Consultants
Romel J. Escarda
Production Staff
Myrna F. Virtudazo
James S. Mante
Assistant Editors
Fr. James Kolin
New York Bureau
Engr. Samson Tormis
Greece Bureau
Corry Llamas-Konings
Philip Ramirez
Bob Ramirez
Rotterdam Bureau
Minabelle Siason
Belgium Bureau
Capt. Arturo Cañoza
Japan Bureau
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
5
RICHARD GORDON CHAMPION OF
A MODERNIZED PHILIPPINE MARITIME INDUSTRY
Gordon wants maritime industry modernized before another sea tragedy strikes
Just before his term ended in 2010, Sen. Richard J. Gordon, then chairman of the Senate Blue
Ribbon Committee, proposed the modernization of the country’s maritime industry following
tragedies at sea that claimed thousands of lives.
“Our country holds the unflattering distinction for having the world’s worst peacetime maritime
safety record. Whenever a ship sinks, we conduct investigations left and right, but nothing really
happens. At the end of the day, after all the media hype, everything will be forgotten until another
ship sinks, and the cycle of tolerance for the incompetent, the unsafe and the greedy goes on,”
Gordon said.
“We are not going to allow that anymore. This committee will make sure that something will
happen out of this investigation. Our objective is to have a world class maritime industry, and
we can start by ensuring the safety of passengers traveling in our seas,” he added during one
of the hearings conducted by the committee.
After five hearings on recent maritime disasters, the blue ribbon committee identified several
lapses in the enforcement of maritime laws by government agencies and in the practice of safe
sea operations by shipping companies.
Gordon said that the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Philippine
Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) ought to ensure that all laws
relating to maritime operations and safety are being enforced properly.
He added that Marina and the Insurance Commission are not doing their job in protecting the
public interest because they allowed the implementation of a rule that passengers who are not
in the manifest but are victims of sea tragedies will not be covered by the insurance companies.
“We have to require ‘no fault insurance’. That means when a sea vessel sinks, even if the
passenger is not included in the manifest, as long as he is onboard that ship, the insurance
company will have to pay. The Marina can immediately impose that in order to protect the
public,” the then senator stressed.
“The Marina should impose stiff penalties for ships that do not provide complete
passenger manifest. We have to change the system. The manifest must be submitted
before departure,” he added.
Gordon also said that the government must apply international standards for
domestic shipping. On the other hand, private shipping lines should upgrade
the level of standards of their vessels and they must hire certified captains and
competent crew.
“We have to upgrade the shipping industry by providing incentives. When a
company acquires new ships, they should be given incentives for that. There
must also be a re-evaluation of major and minor patrons who man passenger
ships. We should know their capabilities and they ought to be assigned to posts
or duties equal to their nautical knowledge and capacity,” Gordon said.
The UNA senatorial bet also advised ship owners and operators to put extra
effort to ensure the safety of all ship passengers especially during holidays when
more Filipinos are set again to go on vacation like the Christmas holidays.
“This should be the number one thing that we must practice--extraordinary
diligence. When you operate a ship, especially a passenger ship where many
people are onboard, you must be extra careful because one simple mistake can
put all lives inside that ship at stake,” he said.
The former senator pointed out that more lives could have been saved during
the past sea tragedies or they could have been prevented altogether, if all the
necessary preparations and precautions had been in place before the vessels
involved left the port, such as the case of MV Baleno 9. It may be recalled that
Senator Gordon quickly responded to these past maritime tragedies.
WHO IS RICHARD J. GORDON?
-Is the incumbent Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross, now on his
2nd term. His work in the Red Cross was inspired by his own mother, Amelia
Gordon who, during her lifetime, was an active Red Cross volunteer in Olongapo.
He is a graduate of Ateneo de Manila with a degree of A.B. History (1966), and
finished his Bachelor of Laws in 1975 at the U.P. College of Law.
He was elected Senator in 2004 after his stint as Secretary of Tourism from 2001
to 2004, during which time, he created a new image of the country under his
“WoW Philippines” campaign.
Prior to 2004 he was the Chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
Virtually rising from the ashes after Mt. Pinatubo erupted and when the Americans
left Subic base, Dick Gordon rallied his people in Olongapo and attracted young
professionals to join him as volunteers to preserve what was left of the and
transform the place into a vibrant free port. This was by no means an accident of
history, as he has long envisioned the conversion of the base from purely military
use to a civilian and commercial use, attracting investors, which saw the rapid
development of the former naval base.
Recognitions:
- “50 Young Leaders of Asia” in 1994 by Asahi
Shimbun for his outstanding performance in
Subic
- “20 Great Asians for the Future” by
Asiaweek, in its 20th Anniversary issue
- “Asia’s Who’s Who” in 1995 by Japan’s
NHK TV
When he was Olongapo Mayor his programs
included:
- having cleaned up the city literally
- instilling discipline
- observing cleanliness among the inhabitants
- color-coding of public utility vehicles in
Olongapo
- and proper waste disposal long before this
practice was adopted in many places in
the country.
Some of the more significant events where
Dick Gordon figured while serving the
Philippine Red Cross\are:
1985 - M/V Asuncion tragedy
1987 - Ormoc flashflood
1989- Super typhoon Didang (Negros)
1990 - Earthquake, Cabanatuan
1991 - Baguio earthquake, Mt. Pinatubo
eruption (evacuation of 5,000 aetas
and residents)
1993 – Typhoon Rufing (Visayas)
1994 – Guzman Tech Building collapse
2000 – Rescue of Abu Sayyaf hostages
2002 – Mayon volcano eruption
2004 – Super Ferry fire
2005 – Valentine’s day bombing, rescue of Zambales fishermen
2006 – Wowowee
Ultra
stampede,
Ginsaugon tragedy,
2006- Typhoon Milenyo, typhoon Reming
(Albay, Catanduanes)
2007 – Glorietta Blast, Batasan bombing
2007 – Typhoon Lando, typhoon Minda relief
operations
2008 – Typhoon Frank relief operations,
2009 – Rescue of fishermen lost in Kalayaan
Islands
2009 – Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng
Among his notable accomplishments as a Senator:
- Republic Act No. 9369 or the Automated
Elections System
- Republic Act No. 9499 (Gordon’s Veterans Bill).
- Principal author of the National Tourism
Policy Act of 2009 or Republic Act 9593
- Republic Act No. 9728 Creating the
Freeport Area of Bataan
- Republic Act No. 9803 Food Donation Act
- Act No. 9851 An Act Penalizing Violations
of International Humanitarian Law
- Republic Act No. 9903 SSS Condonation
Law - Republic Act No. 10023 Extending
Free Patent to Residential Lands
- Republic Act No. 10072 Philippine Red
Cross Act.
-Republic Act No. 10073 Girl Scouts of the
Philippines Charter
- Republic Act No. 10121 Philippine Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Act
He is a recipient of numerous awards but
the following are the more significant that he
received:
- 2007 Gold Humanitarian Service Cross
Award
- 1997 Most Distinguished Alumnus UP
Alumni Assoc
- 1996 The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL)
- 1995 One of the 20 Great Asians of the
Future (Asiaweek Magazine)
- 1995 One of Who’s Who in Asia, NHK tv
- 1994 One of the 50 Young Leaders of Asia, Asahi Shimbun
- 1991 Gold Vision Triangle Award, National
YMCA
- 1983 Professional Award in the Public
Administration
- 1982 Ten Outstanding Young Men in
Public Administration, Phil Jaycees
6 TINIG NG MARINO
DIWA walks the talk
MARCH - APRIL 2013
Party List that
Diwa Party-list gave this ambulance
to the Municipality of Calatrava.
The DIWA Multipurpose Building in
Brgy. 76-A, Bucana, Davao City.
A projects of Diwa Party-list at San
Sebastian, Lagonoy, Camarines Sur.
DIWA School Bag Distribution in Sapian Elementary
School. DIWA Partylist representative Atty. Em Aglipay personally distributed the schoolbags to the students. Each of
the DIWA School Bags contain several school supplies that
can support the students’ academic requirements for the
upcoming school year.
Diwa Party-list Medical Mission in Brgy. Jesus Dela Pena,
Marikina City.
Relief Operations in La Paz, Tarlac. DIWA Party-list, represented by Congresswoman Emmeline Y. Aglipay, distributed
relief goods to victims affected by the floods caused by the
monsoon rains. DIWA conducted their operations to baranggays outside the metro where help is badly needed. A 10
-wheeler wing van was used to ensure that the relief goods
would arrive to the destination despite the flooded areas.
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
7
8 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
SAILOR’S CORNER
ATTY. AUGUSTO R. BUNDANG
Head, Litigation and Seafarers Department
Sapalo Velez Bundang & Bulilan Law Offices
T
The value of seafarer
he case of Career Philippines
Shipmanagement, Inc., et.al. vs.
Salvador T. Serna (G.R. No. 172086,
December 3, 2012) answered two
(2) important questions relating to
the value of a vessel’s logbook as
repository of all incidents that occurred
in the vessel, and the obligation
of the seafarer to report for postemployment medical examination
within three (3) working days upon his
return to the Philippines.
In said Career Philippines case,
the seafarer was employed as bosun
by his employers to board a chemical
tanker for several months. While on
board, the seafarer experienced
weakness and sought medical
attention but his request was denied
due to the busy schedule of his tanker.
Finishing his contract, he was then
repatriated to the Philippines during
which he reported to his employers
and communicated his request for
medical assistance. Unfortunately,
his medical assistance came only
after several weeks. While waiting
for his medical referral, he sought
the advice of two (2) independent
doctors who both diagnosed him to
be suffering from toxic goiter. When
it was the time for the companydesignated physicians to check him,
the latter diagnosed him with atrial
fibrillation and declared him unfit to
work.
Almost two years after he was
repatriated, he filed his complaint
for disability benefits and damages
with the National Labor Relations
Commission (NLRC). He also sought
a medical opinion from another
doctor who diagnosed him with heart
disease and gave him a disability
rating of Grade 3 classified as
permanent medical unfitness under
his employers’ collective bargaining
agreement.
The Supreme Court affirmed
the award of disability benefits to
the seafarer and ruled that there is
substantial evidence to prove that
the seafarer acquired his illness
during his employment. It disregarded
the claim of the employers that the
vessel’s logbook did not indicate any
record of complaint of any injury or
illness by the seafarer, noting that the
employers did not present the logbook
at all to support such claim hence, it
was considered hearsay. The High
Court held that it does not deem a
logbook to be a comprehensive and
exclusive record of all the incidents in
a vessel.
On the obligation of the seafarer to
be present for the post-employment
medical examination within three
(3) working days upon his return
in accordance with the applicable
section in the 1996 POEA-Standard
Employment Contract, the Supreme
Court found that such obligation
is not solely on the seafarer. Since
the POEA-SEC section partakes of
the nature of a reciprocal obligation
(i.e, obligations which arise from the
same cause and where each party is
effectively a debtor and a creditor of
the other) the mandatory reporting
requirement also imposes on the
employer the implied obligation to
conduct a meaningful and timely
medical examination of the seafarer.
Failure on the part of the employer
to perform this obligation rendered
meaningless the compliance by the
seafarer with the mandatory report.
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
9
10 TINIG NG MARINO
Milestones at Marina
MARCH - APRIL 2013
(from page 3)
for schools and training entities
to National Quality Standard System
implementation.
Other government agencies like the
Professional Regulation Commission,
TESDA,
Department
of
Health
and
National
Telecommunications
Commission have been supportive of
Marina’s conduct of its oversight functions
pursuant to Executive Order No. 75.
EO No. 75, which President Aquino
signed in April last year, has put Philippine
compliance on a “transitional phase” as
deems appropriate by the audit mission
from EMSA of the EC’s Directorate for
Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE).
The EO designates the Department
of Transportation through Marina as
the single administration responsible
for oversight in the implementation of
the 1978 Convention on Standards of
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping.
No other than the president of
European Commission Pres, Jose
Manuel Barroso, who has noted what
the Philippine authorities are doing to
“bring the Filipino system of training
and certification of seafarers in line with
international requirements.”
Barroso believes that the transitional
phase for the Philippines prior to
inspection “will have its time required to
address all the remaining shortcomings
of the system of training and certification
of seafarers,” he told President Benigno
Aquino III in a letter last February.
Though there are some issues to be
resolved, Barroso says, “these efforts
seem to be heading in the right direction.”
Failure to resolve the issues means
the threat of de-recognition of Philippine
certificates by the EU that could lead to
the displacement of about 90,000 Filipino
seafarers working on ships calling
European ports.
Official sources said the first audit
mission in April might not yet guarantee
the proper implementation of all
corrective measures, but it will provide
enough evidence as to what would be
expected during the next one.
Due to the unfavourable result in
EMSA’s previous audits, the Philippines
would have to consider the said audit
missions this year as its last chance to
comply with the noted deficiencies.
Focussing on corrective actions under
a new mandate, Marina has been dutybound to lead an intensified inspection
and monitoring activities of maritime
colleges and training institutions.
As a result, Marina and (CHED) have
tried to harmonise their outcomes-based
monitoring instrument that they would be
using in monitoring activities.
Marina has also been designated as
vice-chair of CHED’s Technical Panel for
Maritime Education, from which policies
on maritime education are formulated
and deliberated prior to approval of the
CHED en banc.
In addition to existing CHED personnel
and technical assessors, Marina needs to
provide CHED with competent assessors
and technical personnel in the conduct of
monitoring and verifying compliance of
maritime institutions.
Marina has also rid its pool of
assessors with “conflict of interest” to
existing maritime schools and training
centres, which had hindered the quality
of monitoring and assessment.
Marina administrator Nicasio Conti
has since insisted to reduce the number
of schools based on their academic
performance and retain the quality
ones.
CHED data shows that the more than
90 accredited schools that offer maritime
courses have more than 20,000 enrolees.
However, only 20% of these students
could finish the four-year course.
As with its interaction with PRC, Marina
has to designate a person who will
participate in the deliberation of rules and
policies by the PRC Boards of Marine
Deck and Engineer Officers on STCWrelated matters to ensure compliance
with the Convention.
Conti stressed that he finds no
obstacles in government efforts to comply
with international standard based on the
guidelines that they had formulated.
State agencies will be graded in
accordance with the enforcement
systems that they had set and followed
to meet the standard, Conti says.
Otherwise, failure to abide by the rules
the agencies themselves have set and
followed would lead to consequences of
their actions.
NTC, TESDA and DOH are among the
regulatory bodies that had been initially
cleared of “outstanding deficiencies” with
regards to compliance.
If the audit in April 2013 is an institutional
one that checks the corrective actions
taken by Marina and other concerned
state agencies, the upcoming inspection
in October verifies the compliance and
corrective actions taken by maritime
schools and training centres.
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
11
DSPC: Two decades of ship management in Manila
D
öhle Shipmanagement Phils.
Corporation (DSPC) marked
its 20th year in the Philippines,
a milestone that it opted to celebrate
in a simple but significant gesture of
kindness.
While the occasion is a cause
celebrate for the company it has turned
its attention to a pile of work needed
to be done, deciding to proceed to the
grandiose of things, perhaps, much later.
“We want to start the year at
full speed without any distractions so
we thought instead of having another
celebration so soon after the New Year
that would perhaps distract us from
the job at hand and the challenges
that we have to continue to manage in
the coming year, we would donate the
budget to a worthwhile charity instead,”
said Mr. Cliff Davies, DSPC president
and managing director.
A subsidiary of the Hamburgbased Döhle Group, DSPC commenced
operating independently in Manila in
1993 to ensure a steady supply of
officers and crew for its growing fleet.
In the beginning it partnered with
Philman Manning Agency on the same
year, and with Döhle Seafront Crewing
(Manila) in 2009. Over the years,
DSPC managed to grow in spite of
the prolonged unfavourable business
climate, some of it even the worst yet in
post-war history.
Now the company is one of the
major players in ship management. It
has 3,000 Filipino officers and crew
to various types of ships. It has even
retained a number of seafarers that
have been with the company for more
than 20 years.
For instance, one master mariner
who has been at sea for 22 years has
worked with Döhle in its early days in the
Philippines.
Managed vessels that have stayed
in the fleet also have been matched
Döhle Shipmanagement’s Executives hand-over the Php100,000.00 check donation to
GMA Kapuso Foundation’s Executive Director, Mr. Winifred Avendaño. From left are Rona
Gulmatico, Admin Manager-ETCC, Libby Cruz, HR Manager, Capt. Bethoven Saguid,
SVP/Gen. Manager, Mr. Cliff Davies , President & Managing Director, Mr. Red Avendaño,
GMAK’s Executive Director, Capt. Nilo Padiz, Döhle Seafront Crewing President, Ms.
Becky Hudson, Vice President-Crewing and Mr. Kerry Lamb , Vice President-Finance.
by loyalty of officers and crew, whose
retention rate has gone up by up to 95%.
Though there were variations lately,
the number of the company’s managed
vessels has increased. Despite a slump
in global trade DSPC’s crewed fleet
continues to grow.
Moreover, DSPC has gone beyond
crew management. It now provides other
important ancillary services to the global
operations of the Döhle Group, such as
technical management, procurement,
crew travel and IT services.
DSPC’s sustained growth only
indicates that the industry would see
more of its generosity to worthy causes
and a stronger presence in the local
manning community after the company
quietly turned 20 this year.
Instead of having a lavish party
for the occasion, the company donated
a substantial amount to support the
work of one of the more respected
nongovernment organizations engaged
in various noble endeavours.
“Rather than have a celebration for
the staff so soon after the Christmas and
New Year celebrations and festivities,
we donated the budget to a meaningful
and good cause,” revealed the DSPC
official. The company donated the funds
to GMA’s Kapuso Foundation in simple
ceremonies held at the DSPC office at
the Döhle Haus on Gil Puyat Avenue in
Makati.
Mr. Davies presented a cheque
worth
PhP100,000
to
Kapuso
Foundation for its good causes that it
has been doing for years. The donation
was received by Mr. Winifred Avendaño,
Executive Director of Kapuso Foundation
on January 11, 2013.
Before
selecting
GMAK’s
Foundation, Mr. Davies said DSPC
scouted for a suitable organization in
the country with a good record in using
funds efficiently and wisely.
“They (Kapuso Foundation) have a
number of very good programs going on.
You see the results of these programs in
their documentation, in their magazines,
and in their web sites.
Of course, we are very happy to
give them the donation that they can use
in an efficient way.”
That was not the first time the
company has made a kind gesture. Last
year, DSPC and its employees made
contributions to the National Red Cross.
Every now and then, the company and
its seafarers contribute to a fund and
solicit goods particularly clothes and
food stuffs for distribution to victims of
natural calamities in the country.
“We are very happy to do that, and
most of our employees are very happy
that we have done that for good causes
in the Philippines,” revealed the soft
spoken DSPC official.
In its 20th year in the business,
DSPC officials gathered their employees
at the restaurant of Döhle Haus on
January 7, 2013.
“It’s a very quiet celebration where
we met and talk with all the employees
and had a nice snack,” Mr. Davies said.
The simple get together nonetheless
was highlighted by the management’s
recognition of some of its loyal
employees.
Afterwards, “we awarded some
employees for their long service to the
company. We awarded one employee
for 10 years and two employees for five
years of service,” Mr. Davies added.
Every two years, the company
gives Loyalty Service Awards to its
officers and crew. It has been giving
the Loyalty Service Awards that
coincides with the Manning and Training
Conference in Manila in which principals
also visit the local office.
10-Year Awardee, Ms. Rio Marzoña from the
Building Admin Office, receive her plaque.
From left, Mr. Davies, Ms. Libby Cruz, Rio
Marzoña, Engr, Jun Anastacio, Building
Manager and Capt. Saguid
Ms. Libby Cruz with Mr. Cliff Davies
announces the Service Awardees during
the 20th Anniversary Celebration.
DSPC Staff celebrate the company’s 20th
Ms. Jenneth Ong and Mr. Quino Garcia of Travel Department receive their 5-Year Loyalty Year Anniversary with a simple but meaningful
Award. Left to right, Ms. Libby Cruz, Mr. Cliff Davies , Jenneth Ong, Quino Garcia Ms. get-together.
Elen Cauli, Travel Manager and Capt. Saguid
12 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
NCMB’s SENA keeps workplaces quiet, productive
he National Conciliation and Mediation Board
T
(NCMB) last January 2013 marked its 25th
anniversary as it looks up to 2013 as another year
of industrial peace wherein labor and employer
settle their differences in a neutral and peaceful
environment.
Holding together this fragile co-existence
between the working man and the capitalists is the
SENA program created by the labor department
for the NCMB.
SENA stands for Single Entry Approach (SENA)
conciliation-mediation dispute settlement wherein
the two parties, labor and capital, thresh out their
differences with dispatch -- outside the court and
sans the aid of lawyers.
The SENA, a DOLE flagship reform program on
labor adjudication, prescribes 30-day mandatory
conciliation–mediation services to effect fair and
speedy settlement of all labor related cases.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz
said the SENA provides workers speedy, impartial,
NPR with DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, former
DOLE Secretary Benny Laguesma and Atty. Allan Montaño
inexpensive, and accessible settlement procedure and growing acceptance as seen in the rising
of all labor issues or conflicts to prevent these number of cases submitted to it for resolution.
There were no actual strikes or strike notices
issues or conflicts from ripening into full-blown
registered during the first six months of 2012.
disputes.
The NCMB credited this “to the effective
Baldoz said the SENA approach, as an
alternative dispute settlement mechanism, has conciliation and mediation services to parties
benefited many workers since its inception in June involved in potential brewing labor disputes.”
To date, at least 2,092 Labor-Management
2010.
The SENA was debuted in 2010 through a Cooperation Committees or Councils have been
department order issued by nolessthan Secretary organized under the SENA program, promoting
Baldoz, who has also served as executive director both the welfare of workers and employers,
and “continue to benefit workers and employers
of NCMB.
Baldoz was succeeded by Reynaldo Ubaldo as through various projects on health and safety,
productivity, welfare, sports and recreation and
NCMB executive director.
The SENA conciliation-mediation is considered the like.”
NCMB said employers and workers currently
“prompt, non-litigious, and inexpensive form of
not seeing “eye to eye” should submit themselves
resolving disputes.”
Labor issues that could be brought before under the SENA solution and could bring their
SENA are: non-payment of salary; non-payment problems to any of the more than 13 SENA
of overtime, illegal dismissal, holiday pay and 13th mediation boards in the country.
To complement this and make SENA more
month pay; irregular payment of salary; unhealthy
and unsafe working environment; and non- accessible, the DOLE has also set up hundreds
coverage of Social Security System, PhilHealth, of SENA desks in all its labor offices in Manila and
in the regions.
and Pag-Ibig
NCMB has reported that SENA was behind the
zero strike regime that pervaded throughout 2012.
It was also instrumental in the happy settlement
of some 269 labor cases in 2011, putting some
P1.6 million worth of benefits and cash to the
pockets of the affected workers.
Coming from a record of only two labor strikes
in 2011, organized labor strikes were virtually nil
last year.
In 2011, only two of the 274 threats or strike
notices handled by the NCMB exploded into to
full-blown work stoppages.
The two strikes recorded in 2011 was a 75
percent plunge compared to those registered in
2010.
In 2012, NCMB reported a total of 921
accredited Voluntary Arbitrators, 164 of whom are POEA Administrator Atty. Hans Cacdac and NCMB Executive Director Atty. Rey Ubaldo signs Memorandum Of Agreein the active list.
Voluntary Arbitration continues to gain wide ment .
Former DOLE secretary Benny Laguesma and POEA administrator Hans Cacdac pose for posterity with NCMB employees.
NCMB staff during their dance presentation
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
13
UGONG NG MAKINA AT IKOT NG ELISI
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
Patay na si NAC, tinamaan ng leptospirosis!
S
a aking paglalakad sa T.M. Kalaw
noong March 08, 2013 papuntang
MARINA, inalok ako ng dalawang
beses na kumuha ng National
Assessment Certificate (NAC). Tuwing
nakakakita ako ng mga ganitong
buwaya sa ating propesyon, tumataas
ang aking blood pressure. Kaya nga
pinatay ko yang NAC na yan dahil
sinasalaula ng mga nagtitinda ng NAC
sa T.M. Kalaw ang dokumento ng mga
marino.
Tuwing iniimbitahan ako sa mga
pagpupulong sa Maritime Training
Council, hindi ko nakakalimutang
banggitin sa kanila na balewala ang
aming pagpupulong dahil nabibili din
naman ang mga NAC certificates
sa Luneta. Imposible namang hindi
ito alam ng mga assessor ng MTC
na naglipana na nagbebenta ng
dokumento ng NAC sa Luneta dahil
sinabi ko sa kanila na dumungaw lang
sila, makikita na nila ang mga tindero
ng NAC. Normal lang na maiisip
natin na nakikinabang at kasabwat
sila dahil wala naman silang
ginagawang aksyon upang masugpo
ang sindikatong ito. Kasama sa NAC
ang mga inter-island service record
certificate. Minsan pumapalo raw
ang isang transaksyon ng Php12,000
hanggang Php15,000.
*** *** ***
Balak ko na sanang gumawa
ng kilos protesta sa harapan ng
opisina ng Maritime Training Council
at itataon ko ito sa pagbisita ng
mga delegado ng EMSA para lang
matuldukan ang mga tindero ng NAC
kung yan ang kinakailangan. Minsan
kasi, kailangang taga-ibang bansa
pa ang magsasabi sa atin para tayo
ay magbago. Ngunit napakiusapan
din ako ng ating mga kaibigan sa
DOLE dahil ang binabalak kong
gawin ay makakasama din sa buong
industriya ng magdaragat.
Sa pamamagitan ng Single
Maritime Administration, naniniwala
ako na mamamatay nang tuluyan
si NAC. Ngunit may mga ilan pang
tindero ng NAC at COC sa T.M.
Kalaw na bumibiktima ng mga
marino. Naglipana ang mga yan
dahil mayroon ding nagpapaloko sa
kanila. Sana, mabasa itong aking
panawagan ng ating mga kabaro
at ipasa ninyo ang balita sa mga
hindi pa nakakaalam na patay na si
NAC at huwag nang bumili ng ano
mang dokumento na nakikita ninyo
sa Luneta. Maawa naman kayo sa
ating propesyon para igalang naman
ang ating mga marino ng mga tagaibang bansa. Kung walang bibili
ng mga pekeng dokumento dyan
sa Kalaw, hahanap sila ng ibang
pagkakakitaan nila.
*** *** ***
Hindi maliit ang kinikita ng
mga assessor ng NAC sa mga
assessment center. May iba dyan
na nakabili kaagad ng condo at
magarang sasakyan. Yan ang
dahilan kung bakit itinigil na ng aking
kaibigan ang pagbibigay ng NAC
certificate dahil hindi niya mapigilan
ang mga tirador. Kung hindi kasi
makakapasa ang mga marino sa
assessment,
mapipilitan
silang
magbigay ng malaking halaga para
lang makuha ang kanilang NAC
certificate.
Isa pang mali dyan ay kung bakit
pinipilit ang mga bagong graduates
na magkaroon ng Certificate Of
Competency. Paano ka magiging
COMPETENT kung hindi ka pa nga
nakakasakay ng barko? Kaya ang
ginagawa ng mga tulisan ay bibigyan
ka naman ng ng pekeng sea service
record na kasama ang NAC.
Dahil sa maling patakaran,
nagkaroon ng puwang ang mga
tulisan. Ang maling sistemang yan
ang dapat nating palitan at nasisiguro
ko na mangyayari yan ngayon.
Patay na si NAC. Ang MARINA ang
(Turn to page 14)
14 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
from page 13
nagbibigay ng inyong Certificate of
Proficiency ( COP).
*** *** ***
Balikan naman natin ang mga
kuwento ng ating mga paboritong
“Ambulance Chasers” at ang
kanilang mga kliyenteng marino na
may mga kuwentong kababalaghan.
Ito yong tungkol sa “ Twist Of Luck.”
Ayon sa isang maestro amo na
wala pang isang buwan sa barko,
nadulas daw siya sa kubyerta. Sa
kanyang pagkakadulas, natanggal
ang kanyang sapatos at sa sobrang
malas, may twist lock na galing sa
alapaap na tumama sa daliri ng
kanyang paa kaya tuluyang lumala
ang kanyang diabetes.
Mayroon ding tungkol sa “
Sabado Nights.” Kuwento ng isang
maestro amo na nagsampa ng kaso
dahil sa sobrang sarap na pagkain:
“CrouchingTiger” ang isang chief
cook na ang trabaho ay pagbubuhat
ng spare parts at nakakaamoy palagi
ng usok sa makina at nakakarinig
ng malakas na ingay ng makina
at nagtatrabaho pa siya nang
nakayuko.
“Who The Hell Are you?” – ang
kwento ng isang marino na hindi niya
kilala ang abogado na nagsasabing
binigyan niya kuno ng Power Of
Attorney. Ipinagpilitan pa ni Atty.
Rebene Carrera na pinuntahan daw
talaga siya ng marinong yon sa
kanyang opisina.
*** *** ***
Madadagdagan na naman itong
ating kuwentong kababalaghan
tungkol sa isang A.B. na nagkasakit
kuno ng LEPTOSPIROSIS sa barko.
Ang dahilan, ayon sa salaysay ng
kanyang abogado na hindi naman
niya nakausap (dahil patay na siya
nang hinawakan ng abogado ang
kanyang kaso). Ang marinong ito
ay nagtatrabaho sa maintenance,
repair, at paglilinis sa kubyerta
na kung saan siya ay palaging
nakalantad sa mga lugar na kanyang
pinagtatrabahuhan ay malamang na
may tubig ulan na kontaminado ng
ihi ng daga. Mahabaging langit!!
Sa aking dalawampung taon na
pagtatrabaho sa barko, hindi ako
nakakita ng daga sa barko. Hindi
papasa ang barko sa inspection
ng quarantine at tiyak na matatali
ang barko. Sinasabi pa ng kanyang
abogado, na wala raw mapagpilian
ang marinong yon kung hindi
maglinis sa mga lugar na yon at
kasama pa ang paglilinis ng lifeboat
kaya nakalantad siya sa sinasabing
“bacterial infections.”
Heto pa. More often than
not, Sanchez suffered minor cuts
and nicks on both his hands while
chipping, scraping, cleaning and
priming the ships metal structures
which heightened his exposure to
water contaminated by rodents. In
fact, on several instances, seafarer
Sanchez had to clean-up and wash
down areas in the deck of the
vessels where he found decaying
remains of rodents. Madre mia. Que
horror. Ito ang kwento ng kanyang
abogado. Mga kabaro kong marino,
maniniwala ba kayo sa ganitong
kababalaghan?
*** *** ***
Sa kanyang mga pamatay
na pick-up lines. Ayon sa kuwento
ng ating magaling na abogado,
noong Enero 2012, ang marinong
si Sanchez ay nakaramdam daw
ng pananakit ng kanyang mga
kalamnan at nawalan ng gana
sa pagkain pero kahit iniinda ito
ni Sanchez ipinagpatuloy pa rin
niya ang kanyang pagtatrabaho
hanggang sa natapos ang kanyan
kontrata noong Febrero 5, 2012.
Pagdating niya dito sa Pilipinas,
pumunta daw siya kaagad sa opisina
ng manning agency at humingi ng
medical assistance ngunit hindi raw
siya binigyan ng ano mang tulong
at patuloy ang pagsakit ng kanyang
ulo at mga kalamnan. Noong Abril
10, 2012,
nagpatingin siya sa
doctor at nalaman ng doktor na siya
ay nagkasakit ng “Acute Kidney
Injury Secondary to Leptospirosis.”
Mahabaging langit.
Tinamaan
nga
ng
LEPTOSPIROCIS. Ang tanong,
kung ikaw ay tinamaan ng
LEPTOSPIROSIS sa buwan ng
Enero, aabot ka pa kaya ng Abril
bago ka mamatay? Kung ikaw ay
isang hukom, hindi ka ba gagawa
ng kahit kaunting pananaliksik bago
mo gawin ang hatol? Ang buong
salaysay lang ba ng abogado na
hindi man lang nakausap ang
kanyang kliyente ang paniniwalaan
mo? Kung ikaw ay isang hukom
hindi ka ba magtatanong man
lamang na kung ang isang marino ay
nagtitiktik kalawang o nagpipintura
ay nasusugatan ba ang kanyang
kamay? Hindi ka man lang ba
magsasaliksik na walang daga sa
mga barko na naglalayag sa mga
daungan na katulad ng Singapore,
Japan at Estados Unidos dahil itatali
ang barko at ikakwarantina kung
may nakikita silang mga insekto o
hayop katulad ng daga? Madame
arbiter, tuturuan kita. Kapag ikaw
ay tinamaan ng LEPTOSPIROSIS,
linggo lang ang bibilanganin mo,
tepok ka na. Hindi ka aabutan ng
ilang buwan.
Sinasabi ko na sa inyong mga
arbiter sa NLRC na mag-ingat kayo
sa inyong mga desisyon dahil hindi
lahat ng mga nasasagasaan ninyo ay
basta na lang mananahimik. Iba na
ang industriya maritima ngayon. May
mga matang agila na nagbabantay
sa inyo. Naniniwala ako sa katapatan
ni Chairman Nograles sa kanyang
tungkulin. Hindi niya palalagpasin
ang ganitong mga kawani ng NLRC.
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
15
16 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
VAST HORIZON
C/ENGR. RODOLFO B. VIRTUDAZO
Outstanding Seafarer of the Year, NSD, 1998
Most Outstanding Marine Engineer Officer, PRC, 1999
Technical Superintendent, SWAN Shipping Corporation
WHAT MAKES A GOOD INSTRUCTOR
With the full implementation
of the Management Level Course
some of my friends in the shipping
industry have aired their trepidation
as to who will be the MLC instructors/
trainers for the anticipated vast
number of trainees. So as to relieve
their anxiety, I assured them that
major associations in our manning
industry are unanimously stressing
and assuring that potential and
would-be instructors should be
fully capable and qualified to teach
such type of course. Towards
this aspiration, an industry-wide
cooperation to develop competent
instructors will form part of the
program to ensure that best results
are attained.
So what makes an effective
instructor? Based on my experience
and other people’s stories (most
of them I gathered from my sons
and daughters), it is not about the
teaching strategies or methods. Yes,
different teaching strategies are
crucial in maintaining the engaging
mood of a lecture or seminar. But
what are techniques when the
instructor just applies them just for
the sake of it? Being an effective
instructor is also a matter of attitude
towards the connection with the
trainees and one’s profession. I
want to clarify that I do not want to
isolate the two. I just would like to
stress that for those strategies to be
effective, one should be equipped
with the right kind of qualities.
We are dealing with adults
here, adults who may cringe at the
thought of participating in “corny”
activities, adults who may think so
highly of themselves, adults who
may still be putting up with his or her
inferiority complex.
An effective instructor must be
sensitive to his students/trainees.
He must be aware of the type of
audience he has. The instructor
should adapt to their needs yet
still be able to preserve the formal
ambience of the lecture. He must
also be prepared and must ask
himself
beforehand
questions
like, “How should I deal with slow
learners?” or “What will be my next
move if my audience won’t respond
or participate in my activity?”
Patience is also an important
factor. It tests your limitations
(tolerance may be another word for
that) as a teacher/instructor/trainer/
professor and it makes you feel more
human. Patience humbles a person.
I also teach. I get disappointed
and disgruntled when my students
are too relaxed, uncooperative,
and do not seem to get my point.
I expect something from them and
get exasperated when I don’t get
a single intellectual response. My
frustration would then remind me
that I am there to facilitate. That is
why in the first place I decided to
become part of the training center
in Southfield to facilitate change; to
improve the system and the mindset
of our seafarers.
A good maritime instructor
should be driven by his passion,
his goals. He should sincerely
believe in each of his trainees. He
should be able to help them draw
out their strengths and accept their
weaknesses. He should be able
to stir the potentials of a person.
Otherwise, he is just somebody who
sends young men out to sea.
Being open to corrections and
acknowledging one’s mistake is also
one thing. I remember a story my
youngest son told me. There was
one time in his science class when
he corrected his teacher. He told
her that dinosaurs are not heavier
than whales. It irked his teacher and
bore hatred on him since. According
to him, he tried to be as respectful
as he could and did not intend to
offend his teacher. My son was
devastated. My wife researched on
whales and true enough, my son
was right.
My reaction to his teacher’s
behavior is another story. What I
would like to point out is that even if
we are the ones who are supposed
to teach, we should remember not
to let our egos get to us. In fact,
we should thank our students for
learning something new.
Having a sense of humor helps,
it lets the audience relax and not feel
intimidated by the speaker. It should
not be forced, though. One should
not be pressured if he finds himself
having difficulty in channeling a
comical character. It’s all right. Not
all people are funny. Just laugh
with your audience. At least it goes
to show that you are in the same
level with them and not on a higher
plane. It will also release the tension
since they now know both of you are
comfortable with each other.
According to Marie F. Hassett’s
article at sabes.org, here are some
characteristics that a good teacher
exhibits:
Good teachers have a sense of
purpose
Know what your students
expect, and make plans to meet
those expectations. You, too, have
expectations about what happens
in your classroom, based on the
goals you’re trying to achieve. If you
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
want to prepare your students for
employment, you expect punctuality
and good attendance. If you teach
a GED class, you spend time
explaining the format of the test and
helping students to improve their
test-taking skills..
Good
teachers
have
expectations of success for all
students.
If we base our self-evaluation
purely on the success of our
students, we’ll be disappointed.
There are simply too many factors
in students’ lives for a teacher to be
able to guarantee success to all. But
if we give up on our students, they
will sense our lack of commitment
and tune out. Ask yourself: Did
I do everything that I could in this
class, this time, to meet the needs
of all my students, assuming that
complete success was possible?
As long as you can answer in the
affirmative, you’re creating a climate
for success.
Good teachers know how to
live with ambiguity
One of the greatest challenges
of teaching stems from the lack
of immediate, accurate feedback.
The student who walks out of your
classroom tonight shaking his head
and muttering under his breath
about algebra may burst into class
tomorrow proclaiming his triumph
over math, and thanking you for the
previous lesson. There is no way to
predict precisely what the long-term
results of our work will be.
Good teachers adapt and
change to meet student needs
A great lesson plan and a great
lesson are two entirely different
things; it’s nice when one follows
the other, but we all know that it
doesn’t always work out that way.
We teach so that students will learn,
and when learning doesn’t happen,
we need to be willing to devise new
strategies, think in new ways, do
everything possible to revive the
learning process. It’s wonderful to
have a good methodology, but it’s
better to have students engaged in
good learning.
Good teachers are reflective.
This may be the only infallible,
absolute characteristic of all good
teachers, because without it, none
of the other traits we’ve discussed
can fully mature. Good teachers
routinely think about and reflect
on their classes, their students,
their methods, and their materials.
They compare and contrast, draw
parallels and distinctions, review,
remove and restore. Failing to
observe what happens in our classes
on a daily basis disconnects us from
the teaching and learning process,
because it’s impossible to create
connectivity if you’ve disconnected
yourself.
Good teachers are comfortable
with not knowing.
If we reflect honestly and
thoughtfully on what happens in our
classes, we will often find dilemmas
we cannot immediately resolve,
questions we cannot answer. Live
the questions now. Perhaps then,
someday far in the future, you will
gradually, without even noticing it,
live your way into the answer. In the
same way, our teaching benefits if
we can live for a little while with a
question, think and observe, and let
an answer develop in response to
the specific situation we face.
Good teachers have good role
models.
Think back again to your
three best teachers. How has
your own teaching been shaped
by their practices? Think also of
the worst teacher you ever had.
Are there things you absolutely
will not do because you remember
how devastating they were to you
or your classmates? We learn to
teach gradually, and absorb ideas
and practices from a variety of
sources. We are not always aware
of the influences on our teaching,
good and bad; reflecting on the
different models of teaching we’ve
acquired, and looking at how we
acquired them, makes us better
able to adapt and change to suit
new challenges.
Good teachers enjoy their work
and their students.
This may seem obvious, but it’s
easy to lose sight of its importance.
Teachers who enjoy their work
17
and their students are motivated,
energized, and creative. The
opposite of enjoyment is burnoutthe state where no one and nothing
can spark any interest. Notice,
too, that enjoying your work and
enjoying your students may be two
different things. Focusing too much
on content may make students
feel extraneous, misunderstood,
or left out. Focusing exclusively on
students, without an eye to content,
may make students feel understood
and appreciated, but may not help
them to achieve their educational
goals as quickly as they should.
Achieving a balance between
the two extremes takes time and
attention; it demands that we
observe closely, evaluate carefully,
and act on our findings.
18 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
VIEW FROM HOME
CONGRESSMAN TEDDY CASIñO
Representative, BAYAN MUNA Partylist
Congress of the Philippines
[email protected]
Legislation for the People
I
t’s been more than a month since the
start of the official campaign period
since the last session day in Congress.
I have to admit that it feels good
to be able to spend more time with
constituents during the campaign trail
but at the same time I am disappointed
that
Congress
sessions
were
adjourned, amid the many legislative
measures pending. Nevertheless, it
was a good term for me.
In July 2012, the media reported on
a list of the most prolific lawmakers in
the Lower House and I found myself
in fourth place. I never really counted
the measures I filed but instead tried
my best to address the many problems
faced by the common folk and various
sectors in the country.
As of today I have 219 authored and
401 co-authored bills, many of which
address the prices of basic commodities
and services, social services and
salaries of private and government
employees. Among my authored bills,
several have been approved by the
House of Representatives and are
awaiting action from the Senate or the
bicameral conference committee of
the two chambers.
I am hoping that by June, some of
my bills will be enacted into law. At
present, there are several bills with
such potential.
In fact, one of them is already a law Republic Act 10366 which provides for
the establishment of accessible polling
places for persons with disabilities
(PWDs) and senior citizens.
I have filed a number of bills
addressing problems faced by PWDs.
Among them are House Bill (HB) 6509
which establishes city and municipal
rehabilitation centers for children and
youth with disabilities and HB 6709
which requires the use of Filipino Sign
Language insets in local TV news
programs.
It was in late 2010 that I started getting
involved with PWDs. From funding a
one-room rehabilitation center in my
home province of Aklan, I found myself
drafting bills for the deaf community. I
was invited to several of their forums
and was often asked about how the
government could be more inclusive
and sensitive to the needs of PWDs,
among them the lack of sign language
interpreters for news programs and
government proceedings. Hopefully, if
my bills are signed into law, parents will
not have to spend so much on therapy
and deaf people will be able to watch
AND understand television programs.
Once in the Senate, I will be pushing
for the approval of my numerous bills
for the benefit of workers. Among
them is a bill providing for a P125 daily
across-the-board salary increase for
employees and workers in the private
sector and another bill providing for a
P6,000 increase in the minimum pay
of those in the public sector.
I have long been involved with the
workers’ sector. After graduating from
the University of the Philippines in Los
Baños, I became part of the Kilusang
Mayo Uno, where I learned from
(turn to page 27)
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
19
PISOBILITIES
FRANCISCO J. COLAYCO
Chairman, Colayco Foundation for Education
Entrepreneur, Venture Developer and Financial Advisor
Usaping Pinansiyal para sa Kababaihan
I
pinagdiriwang ang buwan ng Marso
bilang Buwan ng Kababaihan
mula pa noong 1911 sa Europa.
Noong mga panahong iyon, naging
malaking usapin ang mga karapatan
ng kababaihan dahil ni hindi sila
pinapayagang
bumoto.
Pero
pagdating ng 1960s, nagkaroon ng
higit na kalayaan ang kababaihan at
binigyang pansin ang kanilang mga
naging kontribusyon sa kasaysayan.
Naging tradisyon na halos sa
buong mundo na ang asawang
lalaki ang kumakayod nang husto
para buhayin ang kanyang pamilya.
Ngunit hindi naging kaugalian na
turuan ng mga gawaing-bahay ang
mga batang lalaki. Ang mga batang
babae ang inaasahan sa mga
responsibilidad sa tahanan bukod
sa kanilang pag-aaral. Kahit pa
mayroong mga kasambahay, ang ina
ang inaasahang gagabay sa mga ito
at titiyaking nasa ayos ang lahat.
Subalit sa panahon ngayon,
kailangan nang magtrabaho rin
ang mga babae para madagdagan
ang kinikita at matugunan ang mga
pangangailangan ng pamilya. Maaari
namang nababagot na ang ilang
maybahay kaya nagpapasiyang
magtrabaho. Ngunit anumang uri ng
trabaho, permanente man o sideline,
ay dapat pag-ukulan ng panahon
at lakas. Natural lamang na mas
nadadagdagan ang kapaguran ng
mga babaing nagtatrabaho dahil
bukod pa ito sa pamamalakad ng
tahanan na kung tutuusi’y isang full
time na responsibilidad.
Para mapanatili ang kaaayusan
at katahimikan sa tahanan, dapat
pag-usapan ng mag-asawa ang
dagdag na trabaho ng babae.
Kung kailangang mamasukan ang
maybahay para dagdagan ang
pantustos ng pamilya, dapat lang
na tumulong naman ang lalaki sa
mga gawaing-bahay. Kung pansarili
naman ang kikitain ng babae, hindi
siya dapat magreklamo sa magiging
dagdag na hirap niya sa pagaasikaso
pa rin ng kanilang tahanan. Pansarili
man ito, hindi tamang lustayin ang
kanyang kikitain sa mga luho o bagay
na hindi kailangan. Mahalagang
magtabi ng bahagi ng kikikitain.
Importante ring turuan ang mga
anak na babae at lalaki ng mga
gawain sa bahay. Magiging kapakipakinabang sa lahat ang kaalamang
magtrabaho sa loob at labas ng
tahanan.
Itinatakda ng tradisyon na ang
sistema ng pamilyang Pilipino ay
nakasentro sa ina (matriarchal).
Nakapagtataka kung bakit kahit pa
ang ama na sinasabing haligi ng
tahanan ang siyang inaasahang
kumayod
upang
buhayin
ang
pamilya, karaniwang ang desisyon
pa rin ng ina ang sinusunod. Ilang
henerasyon na ang kumikilala sa
ganitong kalakaran. Marahil ay dahil
ito sa paniniwalang mas matagal
ang buhay ng mga babae kaya
ang nakikita ng mga anak ay ang
pagsusumikap ng ina na buhayin
sila
matapos
mamayapa
ang
ama. Maaari ring ang ina ang mas
madalas na namamahala sa tahanan
dahil ang ama ay nasa labas at
naghahanap-buhay.
Katuwiran
nga, tutal ay panggastos sa bahay
ang malaking bahagi ng kinikita ng
lalaki, kalimitang babae naman ang
(turn to page 20)
20 TINIG NG MARINO
(From page 19)
bahalang magbadyet nito para sa
mga pangangailangan ng buong
pamilya.
Nakasanayan na sa maraming
lugar sa mundo na ang mga magulang
na nagretiro na ay namumuhay
nang sarili gamit ang kanilang mga
pensiyon. Pero sa Pilipinas maging
sa ilang bansa sa Asya, umiiral ang
extended family system kung saan
pinapayagang umasa sa mga anak
ang mga magulang na wala nang
kapasidad magkaroon ng sarili
nilang kita. Ang totoo, ang ganitong
sistema ay mabigat para sa anak
na babae lalo na sa manugang na
babae. Bukod sa pakikisama, mas
MARCH - APRIL 2013
mahirap para sa kanila na balansehin
ang kinikita at ang mga gastusin ng
pamilya.
Naniniwala
ako
na
hindi
dapat
balikating
mag-isa
ng
mga maybahay ang ganitong
responsibilidad. Dapat ay maging
kabahagi nito ang asawa, mga
magulang, mga anak at lahat ng
naninirahan sa iisang bubong. Ang
ama ang dapat na magtakda ng
alituntunin na “Sangkot ang buong
pamilya sa usaping pinansiyal.”.
Bago pa man ang paghaharapharap at pag-uusap na ito, kailangang
ayusin ng mag-asawa ang badyet
ng pamilya sa isang paraan na
mauunawaan ng lahat. Ipakita na ang
KITA bawasan ng IPON ay mag-iiwan
ng PANGGASTOS. Sa madaling
salita, mahalagang malaman ng lahat
kung magkano ang dapat itabi bago
gumastos. Ngunit gawing malinaw
lalo na sa mga anak na ang itinatabi
o iniipon ay para sa pagreretiro ng
mag-asawa at hindi para gastahin ng
sinuman. Nasa pagpapasiya ng magasawa kung hindi nila idedeklara ang
lahat na aktuwal nilang kinikita. Pero
kailangang maging maliwanag na
pinaglalaanan ng mag-asawa ang
kanilang pagreretiro para hindi sila
umasa sa mga anak sa kanilang
pagtanda. Maging maingat lamang sa
mga sasabihin lalo na kung kaharap
sa pag-uusap ang mga biyenan na
kasama sa bahay. Tiyaking alam nila
na tinatanggap ninyo ang kanilang
pagtira sa bahay at kailangan ninyo
ang kanilang tulong bilang miyembro
ng pamilya.
Hangga’t
maaari,
gawing
detalyado ang badyet at ihiwalay
ang mga PANGANGAILANGAN
sa listahan ng mga luho o DI
KAILANGAN sa mga gastusin. Isama
sa talaan ang mga hindi buwanang
gastusin gaya ng edukasyon, buwis o
amilyar, bayad sa mga hinuhulugan,
alokasyon
sa
emergency,
pagmamantine ng bahay at sasakyan,
atbp. Kailangang makibahagi ang
bawat isa sa paggagawa ng badyet.
Dapat magbigay ng kontribusyon sa
panggastos (Cash In) ang sinumang
may kinikita. Ang mga walang trabaho
ay kailangang magsabi kung paano
sila magtitipid para mabawasan ang
mga gastusin (Cash Out).
Sa ganitong paraan ang buong
pamilya ay kasali sa pag-babadyet.
Habang mas bata ang isang
tao, mas madali para sa kanya ang
pag-aralan at matutunan ang mga
bagong konsepto at ideya. Bilang
patunay nito, mapapansing kakaiba
ang kakayahan ng mga batang
matuto ng iba’t ibang bagay na
kadalasan ay sabay-sabay pa. Mas
mabilis ang pagkatuto kung paulitulit na ginagawa ang isang bagay.
Kaya nga ba, lahat ng myembro ng
pamilya lalo na ang Ina kung siya
ang may hawak ng badyet ay habang
bata, kailangang magkaroon ng
kaalamang pinansiyal.
Kung walang tiyaga ang lalaki na
turuan ang kanyang asawa, dapat pa
rin siyang magbigay ng kaukulang
suporta gaya ng pagbili ng mga
libro at paghikayat sa maybahay na
dumalo sa mga seminar. Pero higit
na mahalaga na bukas ang isip ng
babae sa kahandaan na matuto.
Dapat ding magkasundo ang magasawa na isabuhay ang anumang
matututunan. May kasabihan nga na
“practice makes perfect.” Sa kabilang
banda, masasayang lamang ang
anumang pag-aaral kung hindi
ito ipatutupad sa tunay na buhay.
Mabilis makalimutan ang anumang
natutunan kung hindi ito gagamitin
at magiging mahirap nang mag-aral
kung tumatanda ang isang tao.
Sabi nga, “You can’t teach an old
dog new tricks.”
Dapat rin pilitin ng kababaihan
ang kanilang sarili na magkaroon
ng kahandaang pag-aralan “street
smart” at isabuhay ang kaalamang
pinansiyal. Hindi ito nangangahulugan
ng
pagpapakadalubhasa
sa
matematika. Ito ay ang kaalaman
tungkol sa kung ano ang resulta ng
bawat aksiyon na may kinalaman sa
pag-iipon, paggastos, pagpaplano,
pamumuhunan at pamamahagi.
Bukod sa mga napag-usapan
natin dito, maglalabas ang Colayco
Foundation ng bagong libro na
itinala ni G. Francisco J. Colayco
mula sa daan-daang artikulo tungkol
sa kaalamang pinansyal na naisulat
niya sa pahayagang “Bulgar.” Ito ay
pinamagatang “Ang Easy Money
– Para sa Kababaihan. Pera Mo,
Palaguin Mo!”
Ito ay isinulat para sa mga
Kababihan
para
siguradong
matutunan kung paano: Humawak
ng Pera, Magpalago ng Ipon at
Mag-invest upang marating ang
kalayaang pinansyal.
Pumunta
sa www.colaycofoundation.com at
maaaring i-deliver diretso sa inyong
tahanan.
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
21
22 TINIG NG MARINO
I
MARCH - APRIL 2013
t all started with a single photo.
Engr. Procis Aquino, then a
cadet at the Philippine Merchant
Marine Academy (PMMA) and his
fellow seniors ordered their junior cadets to find them dates for their ball.
The event came; Procis and Lyn
went to the ball with their own dates.
After a couple of days, Procis saw
a picture of his junior officer taken
during the ball who happened to be
Lyn’s date.
He was so mesmerized with her
photo, he instructed his junior officer
to bring him other pictures of Lyn.
“Nagka-crush ako sa kanya
agad nung makita ko yung litrato.
Inutusan ko yung junior na kumuha
ko sa kanya.”
Perhaps it was his military background that made Lyn’s father like
Procis. He liked the young cadet so
much that it was his dying wish that
his daughter would end up with him.
The couple first got married in
1997 in a quiet ceremony facilitated
by a judge, with some witnesses and
Lyn’s mother attending.
Like any marriage, theirs was
peppered with ups and downs but
still they held on to each other. While
Lyn was happily married, she still
yearned to have her dream wedding.
Procis promised her one on their
20th anniversary but Lyn of course
wanted it a little earlier.
ko right time na kaya sabi ko na
ituloy na namin sa fifteenth anniversary namin which was in two years
that time.”
Then and there Lyn dropped everything and proceeded to planning
her dream wedding.
“Hindi talaga ako nakatulog
nung gabing yun.Siyempre gusto ko
talagang perfect siya,” Lyn bemuses.
The bride really took time to
research to assemble her dream
team. She wanted everything to be
well and perfect. She made sure that
even the smallest details were communicated well to her coordinators
and suppliers.
“Talagang nagbasa ako nang
pa ng ibang litrato.Tapos ang sabi
nila nagkakilala daw kami nung party,
pero hindi ko talaga matandaan…”
recalls Procis.
Procis instantly liked Lyn after
looking at the pictures given to him
and decided to visit her and formally
court her.
Lyn admits she wasn’t really into
Procis that time. A real stunner, she
had the luxury to choose from her
many suitors.
Procis however didn’t give up.
If he wasn’t able to win Lyn immediately, he won over her father in a
heartbeat.
“Noong unang dumalaw yan
sa bahay namin pinagtaguan ko pa
siya,” says Lyn. “Sinabi ko sa tatay
ko na wag papasukin pero pinapasok
pa rin siya. Na-impress talaga tatay
“Tuwing may ina-attend-an
kaming kasal talagang kinukurot ko
siya,” giggles Lyn. “Talagang tinatanong ko siya palagi tapos lolokohin
niya ako na kailangan pa naming
magkaanak ng lalaki para may ring
bearer o anak na babae para maging flower girl. Para ka-sing kulang.
Iba pa rin talaga kung sa simbahan
ang kasal.”
Fifteen years and three kids
later, Lyn already gave up on having
her dream wedding earlier than their
20th year. That’s why it came as a
surprise when one breakfast, Procis
suddenly changed his plans.
“May kausap siya tungkol sa
mga kasal-kasal tapos narinig ko
sabi niya na matagal pa
daw
kami. Hindi ko alam
kung bakit pero naisip
nagbasa ng mga bridal magazines
and talagang hands-on ako sa planning kaya I lost weight din,” says
Lyn.
When the stress from planning
their big event would get to her, Procis would always remind her, “There
is no perfect wedding.”
Come January 19, 2013 Procis
and Lyn took their vows before hundreds of guests. The wedding indeed
was spectacular with the maritime
industry calling it, the wedding of the
century!
St. Therese of the Child Jesus’
church was solemn and magical following their theme of black, fuchsia
and crystals.
Lyn looked absolutely stunning in
her Elizabeth Saddi gown and Bambbi
Fuentes make-up, while Procis was
dapper in his marine gala uniform. The
guests were all regal in black.
“Naiyak talaga ako when the
door of the church opened. Everyone
was in black. I was so touched that
they granted our simple request to
wear black kahit na sa mga superstitious belief eh bad luck siya, pinagbigyan pa rin kami ng mga guests,”
Lyn said.
The wedding sponsors are composed of maritime stakeholders and
politicians Sen. Richard Gordon and
Cong. Teddy Casino.
The couple was then flown by
a helicopter to One Esplanade near
the Mall of Asia.
Ushers and usherettes in sailor
costumes greeted everyone to the
main area where a big façade of a
boat was docked near the stage.
Following the nautical/under the sea
theme were mermaids nestled on top
of the tables and lighting effects making the whole ambiance surreal.
The Halili Cruz ballet dancers
gracefully presented the beautiful
cake followed by a parade of food
by the Josiah Catering’s waiters and
waitresses.
Former teen sensation, model
and product endorser Judah Paolo
who hosted the event kept everyone
on their toes with his surprise games
and raffle draws.
Everyone was entertained by
Angeline Quinto and her superb
vocal prowess.
It was a special experience
indeed for everyone who witnessed
the grand wedding!
For Procis and Lyn, more than
the grandness of everything, it was
a special evening to culminate their
love story which started more than a
decade ago with a single photo.
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
23
24 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
Aegean Experience and SCANMAR host
Crew Family Party for M/V Aegean Odyssey
hristmas may have come
C
late to the Filipino crew
working on the M/V Aegean
Odyssey but it thankfully
came nonetheless. Thanks
to the combined efforts of
two prominent players in
the Philippine commercial
maritime scene, the Aegean
Experience and SCANMAR
Maritime Services, Inc., a laidback time was had by all at the
M/V Aegean Odyssey Family
Crew party last January 17 at
Pier 15 in Manila South Harbor.
M/V Aegean Odyssey docks
in Manila for the first time
The M/V Aegean Odyssey
is a premium class cruise
ship that has been regularly
plying the coasts of central
and eastern Mediterranean for
the past two years. Recently
refitted and enhanced due to
guest demand, it now boasts
of expanded cruise itineraries
which now include stops along
notable ports in Asia.
Coming from Hong Kong,
this is the first time that the
M/V Aegean Odyssey has
docked at Manila. Owner
representative Nicos Turvas
shares that the main reason
for including Manila in the
ship’s regular route is to revive
the thoughtful tradition of
company-sponsored
family
crew parties. He explains that
since the company began,
every time a ship travels
within the vicinity of any
Philippine port, the company
management will always make
arrangements to throw a family
crew party where the onboard
Filipino crew members can
invite an unlimited number of
family members.
It takes a lot of logistics and
coordination to make these
efforts possible. The majority of
the company’s seafarers have
always been Filipinos and so
giving them time off from their
duties requires the remaining
crew members to take up
the slack. In the case of the
M/S Aegean Odyssey crew,
which happens to be 75%
Filipino, there were only 25%
of personnel remaining to see
to the vessel and the remaining
guests while the ship was
docked and the family crew
party was happening onshore.
The non-Filipino personnel
willingly pulled double shifts
and overtime just to give their
colleagues a chance to bond
with their guests.
To make this precious time
all the more enjoyable for the
attendees of the crew party, the
company organized a familystyle event which featured a
filling buffet, colorful balloons, a
photo booth, and goodie bags
for the kids. The ship’s Maitre’d
Carlos Sousa oversaw the
serving of roughly 400 portions
of burgers, salad, pasta and
desserts to the crew and their
guests. In a nod to the Filipino
palate, there was also stir-fried
rice and the ubiquitous adobo.
All were painstakingly prepared
onboard the ship kitchen.
Giving
back
to
the
community: An onboard party
for the Virlanie orphans
While most of the ship’s
crew was enjoying their party,
the Department of Tourism
(DoT) commemorated the M/S
Aegean Odyssey’s first Manila
docking with a festive display
of local culture. The cruise
passengers were greeted with
colorful straw hats and leis
upon embarking and presented
with Higantes and Ati-atihan
dancers before boarding a
short tour of notable sights in
Manila. And as the passengers
went off in shuttle buses under
the care of their tour guides,
two busloads of orphans from
the Virlanie foundation were
invited for an unforgettable
chance to party onboard the
luxurious cruise ship complete
with colorful balloons, games,
and dessert bars; the food was
catered by a popular fastfood
chain.
Family time is precious time
Correspondents of Tinig
ng Marino briefly sat at the
table of 2nd Officer Ray
Razonabe and his sister Ms.
Fritzie Razonabe, who also
happens to be the ship’s Head
Bartender. Ms. Razonabe
shared that the Filipino crew
onboard had spent the entire
holiday season at sea. She,
in particular, was actually hard
at work during Christmas and
New Year, helping make sure
that the cruise passengers had
a great time at the parties. She
laughingly shares “Siyempre
pag nagtatrabaho ka sa barko,
talagang malalayo ka. Kaya
pag may pagkakataon na
ganito, sinusulit na. Eto na
yung pinaka-Pasko namin.”
(Working on a ship means
going far away, so when there
are chances like this, we have
to make the most out of it. This
party is roughly the Christmas
get-together we missed.)
2nd Officer Ray Razonabe
and Head Bartended Fritzie
Razonable would be the first
to agree that the company
really looks after its Filipino
employees; and with more
family crew parties like this
in the future, the company’s
dedication to their morale is
only too obvious.
And goodbye for now
As the afternoon wore on,
the tourists were brought back
to the port by their shuttle
buses, the kids from the
Virlanie Foundation were sent
home happy with gifts, and the
merry family party began to
wind down. There were more
hugs, kisses and snapshots as
the crew once more prepared
to take their posts onboard
the M/V Aegean Odyssey.
From Manila, the graceful ship
will proceed to Sandakan,
Malaysia and continue on to
the various ports of call on the
Far Eastern leg of her itinerary.
Note: for those who want to
apply as crew members for
the M/S Aegean Odyssey,
you can send your inquiries to
Fleet Manager Juliet Esma of
SCANMAR Maritime Services,
Inc. at [email protected]
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
25
Dare the difference!
W
hat is the big difference between Tinig ng Marino and
other maritime newspapers?
It’s helluva lot of a difference. In terms of volume and
readership reach, Tinig ng Marino can stand and challenge all
other maritime papers including the glossy ones as to which is
widely circulated or attained an optimum pass-on readership.
The 2 Philippine Seafarer Congress
nd - OCTOBER 2012
SEPTEMBER
Vol. XVIII
No.5
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2012
http:www.ufs.com.ph
TINIG NG MARINO
1
p32
PHP 20.00
Philippines ratifies
Maritime Labour
Convention
Danita
Paner
Alternative
Princess
Story on page 3
TURN TO PAGE 40
As the biggest and the widest in circulation, it can take
any challenge by counting the number of copies that Tinig has
printed for each issue. It also reaches the various corners of
the world where Filipino seafarers set sail and confront the
high seas.
Over the years, Tinig has been consistent on the issues it
has fought for, particularly on its advocacy to inform the public
about the real things that is happening in the industry.
It has fearlessly published what other maritime papers
have failed to do. As it exposes anomalies, it also publishes
the good things about this dynamic sector.
Most of Tinig articles are even exclusive because we are
there where the action is -- as one of the players in the industry.
Being the official publication of the United Filipino Seafarers,
Tinig ng Marino has been influential in the the many changes
occurring in the country’s maritime industry. The evidence can
be easily verified by browsing the UFS website.
It need not engage in cutthroat competition by bringing
advertisement rate down and employing sexy marketing
managers. Tinig clients knew they get their money’s worth.
It would be unfair to compare Tinig ng Marino to other
maritime newspapers just as if one were comparing a choice
between Rolls Royce and a Kia Pride.
Season’s Greetings
Vol. XVIII
No.6
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2012
http:www.ufs.com.ph
PHP 20.00
Seafarers hail
congress a success
Story on page 3
TIN PATRIMONIO
A real
sweetheart
ENTERTAINMENT
►PAGE
42
TNM Exclusive:
Unholy
Alliance 4
►PAGE 22
26 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
For inquiries on pursuing a career as a crewmember with Teras
Offshore, we invite you to contact our local agent
SSM MARITIME SERVICES, INC.
925 C. Aragon cor. L. Guinto St., Malate, Manila
Tel.# (02) 536-4321, 536-8746, 526-6031, 521-3245
email: [email protected] or
[email protected]
Sining Binhi artists
hold successful Fort
Santiago exhibit
Sining Binhi Artists Group, in cooperation with
Intramuros Administration and United Filipino Seafarers,
held its successful opening last March 12 of its art exhibition:
“Sining Pasyal ng Pinoy: Paraiso ang Bayan ko” at the
Intramuros Visual Center in Fort Santiago, Intramuros.
Among those who graced the ribbon-cutting event was IA
Administrator Jose Capistrano, Sen. Ralph G. Recto, Sen. Manny
Villar, former Surigao Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, former Manila Rep.
Harry Angping, Senate Deputy Secretary Jose Banas, PNR chief Jun
Ragrario, Asec. Zaldy de Layola, UFS president Nelson Ramirez, Deputy
Director Mariano Rodriguez, Engr. Gemo Cruz Jr, veteran broadcaster
Popoy Pagayon and Congressional CTRP Oversight panel officers
(turn to page 28)
MARCH - APRIL 2013
(from page 18)
VIEW FROM HOME
and lived with workers. It was there that I truly
understood the issues faced by Filipinos, from
low wages and contractualization to poor working
conditions. I have since vowed to do something
about this through mass campaigns in and outside
Congress. Public support will hopefully push the
government to grant these much-needed wage
increases and reforms.
Meanwhile, we are also working on pushing for
genuine agrarian reform and the development of
local industry, as well as numerous bills to lower
the prices of basic necessities and services.
Three terms in the House of Representatives
has indeed been a long fight. While we are still
struggling to see substantial changes in the
system, I am happy that little by little we are
winning our small battles with the marginalized
sectors in society. In the last several years, I was
able to author laws for the common folk such as
the strengthening of the Public Attorney’s Office
(PAO) and expansion of its free legal services to
poor litigants (R.A. 9406), the Tax Relief Act (R.A.
9504) which exempts minimum wage earners
from withholding taxes, and the Rent Control
Act (R.A. 9653) which put a cap on rent for lowincome earners.
Hopefully soon the common folk will have their
own representative in the Senate.
TINIG NG MARINO
27
28 TINIG NG MARINO
(turn to page 26)
Atty. Alan Quebral and Atty.
Alemar “Budji” Mosquito.
MARCH - APRIL 2013
Members
of
the
Intramuros Visual Artists of
the Philippines (IVAP) led
by Nemiranda and officers
of
event
co-organizer,
Newsbarbers
Co,
also
attended the opening night.
The painting exhibit,
which showcases at least 40
art pieces by members of the
Sining Binhi Artists Group,
will have a run until March
25, 2013.
The art show was
sponsored by Vista Land
&
Lifescapes,
Smart
Communications, JTI, Office
of Sen. Ralph Recto, San
Miguel Corporation and Tinig
ng Marino.
ERRATA
In TNM November-December page 34 “PAVA elects new
officers.”
The new set of PAVA officers are as follows: Delia Uy,
president; Alfredo Olvida, EVP; Angel Ancheta, VP NCR;
Napoleon Areñas, VP Luzon; Atty. Enerio Sabulao, VP Visayas;
Jose Suan, VP Mindanao; Catherine Son-Lauzon, secretary;
Marita Balloguing, treasurer; Rodolfo Aspillaga, auditor; and
Paterno Menzon, PRO.
In TNM issue January-February page 3;
“Outstanding
Academy”
Maritime
School:
NYK-TDG
Maritime
Continuous Learning through Quality Training
at Most Competitive Training Fees
COURSES OFFERED:
ACCREDITED COURSES
DAYS
IN-HOUSE COURSES
Ship Security Officer (SSO)
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Vessel General Permit for Ratings – (VGP-R)
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4 DAYS
Risk Management And Accident Investigation And
Analysis – for Officers – (RM)
Medical Care (MECA)
5 DAYS
Risk Assessment for Ratings – (RA)
Consolidated Marpol (MARPOL I – VI)
5 DAYS
IN-HOUSE COURSES
DAYS
1 DAY
2 DAYS
1 DAY
REFRESHER COURSES
International Safety Management Code –
ISM Code for Officers – ( ISM )
2 DAYS
International Safety Management Code –
ISM Code for Ratings – ( ISM-R )
1 DAY
International Safety Management Code –
ISM Code for Officers – ( ISM )
2 DAYS
International Safety Management Code –
ISM Code for Ratings – ( ISM-R )
1 DAY
Port State Control - ( PSC )
1 DAY
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Vetting Inspection – ( VTI )
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2 DAYS
Maritime Leadership And Behavioral Development –
( MLBD )
2 DAYS
Pre-Departure Familiarization On Safety – (PDFS)
2 DAYS
Maritime Safety Awareness – (MSA)
1 DAY
ASSESSMENT FOR NAC – Certificate of Proficiency
Maritime Leadership And Behavioral Development –
( MLBD )
2 DAYS
Pre-Departure Familiarization On Safety – (PDFS)
2 DAYS
Ship Security Officer (SSO)
Basic Computer Training – (BCT)
3 DAYS
Medical Emergency First Aid (MEFA)
Vessel General Permit for Officers – (VGP-O)
3 DAYS
Medical Care (MECA)
ACCREDITATIONS
MARINA
FOR RESERVATIONS & QUERIES, CONTACT US THROUGH
601 ORTIGAS BLDG., ORTIGAS AVENUE
(in front of Meralco Bldg)) PASIG CITY, PHILS.
Tel. Nos: 914 0571/914 0572 /914 0722/ 914 0771
Cell Nos: 0939-9381543/0915-3724318
Fax Number: 914 05 73
E-mail Address: [email protected],ph
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LIBERIAN
MARSHALL IS.
MARCH - APRIL 2013
MAERSK - FILIPINAS CREWING INC. TINIG NG MARINO
Excellent remuneration and loyalty benefits
Very young and technologically advanced diverse fleet of vessels
Long term continuous employment with round year wages
In house specialized training for career progression
Onboard personal fitness & wellness program
Attractive contract employment also available
29
Flexible Tenure Option
Senior Officers - 3 months on & 3 months off
Junior Officers - 5 months on 2.5 months off
On board family carriage
Internet Facilities
Excellent remuneration and loyalty benefits
Flexible Tenure Option
Very young and technologically advanced diverse fleet of vessels
Senior Officers - 4 months on & 2 months off
For our rapidly expanding young & modern fleet we invite applications from NEW OFFICE ADDRESS
Long term
continuous
employment
round year wages
Junior
Officers
- 5 months
oncor
2.5 months off
9F One E-com
Center,
Ocean Drive
qualified
Merchant Marine
Officers forwith
the following:
Sunset
Ave.,
Mall
Of
Asia
Complex,
Pasay
City
In house specialized training for career progression
On board family carriage
Office:02-479-0800/0861/ 02-217-8326
LNG:
CAPT, C/O, C/E, 2/E
Onboard personal fitness & wellness program
Internet
facilities
Mobile: +63917
559 3309/ +63917 596 0336
LPG :
C/E, G/E
Email: [email protected]
Attractive contract employment also available
PCTC:
C/O, C/E, 2/E
CEBU OFFICE
OIL CHEM:
C/E, 2/E, 3/E, 2/O, 3/O
RATINGS:
PMP, A/B, O/S, MTM/OLR, 2CK, CCK preferred with US VISA
11F Skyrise 2 Building,
Asiatown IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City
Telephone No: +63 32 2367456
Email: [email protected]
For our rapidly expanding young and modern fleet we invite applications from qualified Merchant Marine Officers
for the following:
For further information log on to: www.maersktankers.com
POEA Lic No 006-SB-062606-R
CONTAINERS: C/O, 2/E
RATINGS:
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NEW OFFICE ADDRESS
9F One E-com Center, Ocean Drive cor
Sunset Ave., Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
Office: 02-479-0800/0861/ 02-217-8326
Mobile: +63917 559 3309/ +63917 596 0336
Email: [email protected]
For further information log on to: www.maersk.com
CEBU OFFICE
11F Skyrise 2 Building,
Asiatown IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City
Telephone No.: +63 32 2367456
Email: [email protected]
POEA Lic No 006-SB-062606-R
30 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
Protect Marin
Marine: Bringing training
where seafarers are
Protect
A high-tech training center has
been set up in which a considerable
portion of the country’s seafarers
have been sourced from.
Tucked near the rolling hills and
along the beaches of Carcar, Cebu
is the new Protect Marine Deck and
Engine Officers of the Phils. Inc.,
the newest addition to its string of
high standard training centers.
Last February 2, 2013, Protect
officially launched the training center
in Cebu attended by stakeholders of
the maritime industry and MARINA
boss Atty. Nicasio Conti.
The event started with a
welcome address by Engr. Gascon
and Mayor Nicepuro Apura followed
by a message from Atty. Conti who
was very impressed with what he
saw. He said he would like to bring
the EMSA assessors there when
they come here.
The launching also served as
the blessing of the place with Fr.
Dela Peña officiating.
Protect cadets also showed off
their expertise with a presentation of
practical evolution of various safety
courses.
Protect’s Chief Engr. Antonino
Gascon Jr. said he first thought of
the training center after attending
several meetings and discussions
on the STCW convention particularly
on training and education.
Gascon, an “Outstanding
Marine Engineer” recipient, a board
member of the United Filipino
Seafarers (UFS) and a force in the
maritime industry, said the training
center will start with safety courses
that are in accordance to Chapter 6
of the STCW Code.
Still on the STCW compliance,
Gascon said the training center
is built as close to being real as
possible, complete with a fast
rescue boat that can carry out
maneuvering along the shores of
Carcar.
He also assures that all the
equipment are guaranteed new and
certified by a certifying body and
a member of IACS (International
Association of Class Societies). The
training instructors are composed of
marine officers and retired officers
of the Philippine Navy. All of whom
have undergone at least a year
of training before the February 2
launching.
While Gascon admits that
putting up this training center
required a lot of investment, he also
sees it as a long-term project.
“Our job now is to
prepare
also
other
training
modules
that can be
given
to
utilize the
31
TINIG
NG MARINO
MARCH
- APRIL 2013
MARCH - APRIL 2013
ne in Cebu: Ato ni bay!
big training pool. I’m talking about
oil spill and the Hewette helicopter
training because we have that
hydraulic boom that can carry like
helicopters.
Such high-end project opens a
question to some, why Cebu?
“When I first opened my branch
in Cebu offering Management
Level Course, I was the first one.
A few months later another one
opened, followed by yet another
one. So why are they opening
there?
It has always been my opinion
that majority of Filipino seafarers
are from Visayas and Mindanao.
I have always considered Cebu
as the center of maritime schools
and training centers. Opening in
Cebu will be of great advantage to
seafarers in the South also for the
schools that don’t have training
centers,” Gascon answers.
“Also, it will make
Cebuanos
feel
closer to home.
Minsan
isinasama nila sa training ang mga
pamilya nila just to spend more time
with them. Now, we brought the
training center to them rather than
going far,” he adds.
Residents near the area
welcome the training center with
open arms, as one Cebuano
commented “murag nahagbungan
ug grasya ang Carcar” (it’s like a
blessing from above for Carcar)
as this will also open the area to
progress and provide residents in
the vicinity more income generating
opportunities.
The
3.2-hectare
property
boasts of a three-decker “vessel”
on a gigantic 3,000 sq. meter
swimming pool. The facilities can
accommodate 150 students while
the dorm can hold 200 people.
The training center opened its
doors to students last February 18.
“murag nahagbungan ug grasya ang Carcar”
(it’s like a blessing from above for Carcar)
32 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
SEAFARERS’ HEALTH
Carlitos N. Orola, MD
What are the complications of GERD?
(Continuation from last issue)
Ulcers
The liquid from the stomach that
refluxes into the esophagus damages
the cells lining the esophagus. The
body responds in the way that it
usually responds to damage, which
is with inflammation (esophagitis).
The purpose of inflammation is to
neutralize the damaging agent and
begin the process of healing.
Strictures
Ulcers of the esophagus heal
with the formation of scars (fibrosis).
Over time, the scar tissue shrinks and
narrows the lumen (inner cavity) of the
esophagus. This scarred narrowing
is called a stricture. Swallowed food
may get stuck in the esophagus
once the narrowing becomes severe
enough (usually when it restricts the
esophageal lumen to a diameter of
one centimeter).
Barrett’s esophagus
Long-standing and/or severe
GERD causes changes in the
cells that line the esophagus in
some patients. These cells are
pre-cancerous and finally become
cancerous. This condition is referred
to as Barrett’s esophagus and occurs
in approximately 10% of patients with
GERD. The type of esophageal cancer
associated with Barrett’s esophagus
(adenocarcinoma) is increasing in
frequency. It is not clear why some
patients with GERD develop Barrett’s
esophagus, but most do not.
Barrett’s esophagus can be
recognized visually at the time of
an endoscopy and confirmed by
microscopic examination of biopsies
of the lining cells.
Inflammation of the throat and
larynx
If refluxed liquid gets past the
upper esophageal sphincter, it can
enter the throat (pharynx) and even
the voice box (larynx). The resulting
inflammation can lead to a sore throat
and hoarseness. As with coughing
and asthma, it is not clear just how
commonly GERD is responsible for
otherwise unexplained inflammation of
the throat and larynx.
Inflammation and infection of
the lungs
Refluxed liquid that passes the
larynx can enter the lungs. The reflux of
liquid into the lungs (called aspiration)
often results in coughing and choking.
Aspiration, however, can also occur
without producing these symptoms.
With or without these symptoms,
aspiration may lead to infection of the
lungs and result in pneumonia. This
type of pneumonia is a serious problem
requiring
immediate
treatment.
When aspiration is unaccompanied
by symptoms, it can result in a slow,
progressive scarring of the lungs
(pulmonary fibrosis) that can be seen
on chest X-rays. Aspiration is more
likely to occur at night because that
is when the processes (mechanisms)
that protect against reflux are not
active and the coughing reflex that
protects the lungs also is not active.
Fluid in the sinuses and middle
ears
The throat communicates with
the nasal passages. In small children,
two patches of lymph tissue, called
the adenoids, are located where
the upper part of the throat joins the
nasal passages. The passages from
the sinuses and the tubes from the
middle ears (Eustachian tubes) open
into the rear of the nasal passages
near the adenoids. Refluxed liquid that
enters the upper throat can inflame
the adenoids and cause them to swell.
adults
How is GERD diagnosed and
evaluated?
Symptoms and response to
treatment (therapeutic trial)
The usual way that GERD is
diagnosed—or at least suspected—
is by its characteristic symptom,
heartburn.
Heartburn
is
most
frequently described as a sub-sternal
(under the middle of the chest) burning
that occurs after meals and often
worsens when lying down. To confirm
the diagnosis, physicians often treat
patients with medications to suppress
the production of acid by the stomach.
If the heartburn then is diminished to a
large extent, the diagnosis of GERD is
considered confirmed. This approach
of making a diagnosis on the basis of a
.
Endoscopy
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
(also known as esophago-gastroduodenoscopy or EGD) is a common
way of diagnosing GERD. EGD is a
procedure in which a tube containing
an optical system for visualization is
swallowed. As the tube progresses
down the gastrointestinal tract, the
lining of the esophagus, stomach, and
duodenum can be examined.
Biopsies
Biopsies of the esophagus that
are obtained through the endoscope
are not considered very useful for
diagnosing GERD. They are useful,
however, in diagnosing cancers or
causes of esophageal inflammation
other than acid reflux, particularly
infections. Moreover, biopsies are the
only means of diagnosing the cellular
changes of Barrett’s esophagus.
Esophageal acid testing
Esophageal acid testing is
considered a “gold standard” for
diagnosing GERD. As discussed
previously, the reflux of acid is
common in the general population.
to be continued....
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
33
34 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
35
36 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
Masters and mates’ new home
by Gabrielle Borromeo
LONG LIVE LIFE!
The Inauguration and Blessing of the Master and
Mates Association of the Philippines (MMAP) house
last 7th of February 2013 at 1729 F. Agoncillo Street,
Malate Manila was the befitting illustration of what
the salutation “Long Live Life” stands for, celebrating
the successfully built house which began its
construction last May 2011.
The event, hosted by Ms. Gee Canlas started
at 4:30 in the afternoon right in front of the MMAP
house itself.
The Inauguration began with a prayer of blessings
from Father Jojan Joseph for the MMAP House. This
was followed by the ribbon-cutting, the singing of
the Philippine national anthem’ Lupang Hinirang and
the throwing of coins right on the doorsteps of the
MMAP House for a measure of good luck.
The program went on with the guest
acknowledgements from the Treasurer of MMAPSimeon E. Flores, the welcome remarks from
the Secretary of the MMAP-Capt. Edwin M.
Itable and finally the ceremonial toast from the
Founder and the First President of MMAP-Capt.
Carlos Aguba. The main messages
c a m e
from
the
Commissioner
of
t h e
Professional
Regulation
Commission (PRC)-Jennifer
Manalili on behalf of Hon.
Teresita A. Manzala and
Mrs. Rosario Conti, on behalf of her husband Atty.
Nicasio A. Conti, who was at that time recovering
from sickness. MMAP’s current president Capt.
Rodolfo Aspillaga, MMAP’s also gave his message
recalling MMAP’s past struggles and achievements
that led them into this event.
“Ito po ay nagsimula noong panahon ni Captain
Aguba. Naniniwala po ako na ang isang pangarap
ay nagsisimula sa mga contributions ng bawat isa sa
inyo magmula nung kayo ho ay itinayo; so lahat po
kayo ay dapat natin palakpakan,” says Ms. Manalili
in her speech.
Mrs. Rosario Conti in her speech conveyed her
appreciation of the new building saying “This building
now speaks for itself and for the MMAP, today and
tomorrow. Your officers in the past, who have dreamt
of building a home and your present leadership
who have realized that dream deserve all our
praises, commendations and appreciation. Ladies
and gentlemen, join me in giving them a round of
applause for the significant accomplishment.”
She also reminded the audience of the many
people who have expended a lot of effort and time to
make the building a reality.
“As you inaugurate this building, I offer you my
best wishes for MMAP to continue upholding the
principles by which it was established and standing
at the voice of marine deck officers in the area of
policy, development and formulation. Well it is true
that our marine deck officers, have successfully
conquered the world’s deepest oceans, I salute all of
you for serving as our nation’s sailing ambassadors.
You have not only shown the best traits of the
Filipinos before the global maritime community, but
also manifested your patriotism to our native land
by reason of your huge contributions to the national
economy...”
Before the closing of the event, entertainment took
place to hype up the crowd along with a raffles’ draw
with prizes like Samsung Galaxy and a grand prize
of an Apple Ipad 4 followed. A mouth-watering dinner
buffet followed.
As the ending came to a close, Capt. Victor S.
Del Prado, a Board Member of the MMAP said his
closing remarks and bid everyone a good evening
and a blessed year.
The event of the Inauguration of the MMAP
House may have ended on the day it began, but
the blessings and the start of another journey has
definitely just began.
Mrs.Roanna Conti delivers the message in behalf of Atty. Nick Conti
Comm. Jennifer Manalili of PRC, Capt. Rodolfo Aspillaga,
Mrs. Roanna Conti and Capt. Carlos Aguba
Comm. Jennifer Manalili exults MMAP for the
landmark achievement
From left: Capt Rey Casareo, NPR, Capt. Adonis Donato,
Capt. Nanding Eusebio, Capt. Oscar Orbeta, Comm. Jennifer Manalili, Capt. Rodolfo Aspillaga and Mrs. Roanna Conti
Former MMAP president and current president Capt. Carlos Aguba the founding president of MMAP and
of PHILSCAPT Capt. Victor del Prado delivers Capt. Rodolfo Aspillaga handed plaques of appreciation to
an inspirational message
Comm. Jennifer Manalili and Mrs. Roanna Conti
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
37
MSML holds 7th Annual Crew Conference
Safety is linked to several factors
in a workplace. Neglecting safety
endangers not only an individual crew’s
life but also that of his colleagues. It also
poses serious complications on one’s
health and even the marine environment
not to mention financial losses and down
time.
Balancing technical and human
factors lessen the incidence of accidents.
Among the two, it’s easier to “measure
and test” the results of technical skills
training.
However between the two, 60-80%
of accidents is caused by human factor
which unfortunately takes time to improve
and cannot be measured easily.
The responsibilities to avoid
accidents flow from the top of the
organization, down to the crewfrom the shore establishment to the
master.
Mideast Ship Management Ltd, held
its 7th annual Crew Conference for Junior
Officers for the year 2013 last March 1-2
at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel.
With the theme “Safety Begins
with Teamwork,” the two-day-seminar
incorporated a one - day Crew Resource
Management program adapted from the
airline industry by Flight Deck Safety
Initiatives (FSi), of Houston, Texas.
Their course brings together safety best
practices from a variety of ‘high risk’
industries in order to help clients gain
better results. Any crew can benefit
from FSI’s broad and deep experience
by applying CRM in demanding, realworld business environments. MSML
are already seeing the change of attitude
amongst their officers that have attended
this seminar.
The MISSION of this training is to
increase the Knowledge and Competency
(Skills) to positively affect a shift in the
Attitude or behavior of the crew before
boarding.
“Basically we are trying to
encourage our junior officers to take
more responsibility and to be able to
communicate and give feedbacks to
their senior officers. We continue to
promote the advantages of teamwork
and communication,” Fleet Personnel
Manager Mark Buchanan said.
Mr Buchanan believes that
Filipino seafarers already have the
qualities owners look for. They are,
loyal, hardworking and unquestionably
knowledgeable. However, while Filipinos
can speak English very well, as their
second language, they tend to be less
assertive when it comes to facing their
superior officers.
As there is a number of factors
contributing to human errors, the crew
is trained to recognize links in their error
chain. Without relaying these errors to
their superior officers though, nothing
will happen and accidents won’t be
prevented.
The problem, Mr Buchanan says,
is not the language barrier but lies on
the Filipino’s lack of assertiveness
in communicating with their superior
officers.
“Filipinos may be less assertive
while Europeans tend to be more forward
forthcoming. Sometimes sometimes this
leads to misunderstandings that can have
negative outcomes,” says Buchanan.
Still he remains positive, saying, “In
the last few conferences, I can see a lot
of improvement with the confidence levels
of our Filipino officers. This is due to a
number of factors, which include our robust
Recruitment Process, our continuous
skills updating program and of course the
sharing of ideas and information at our
annual conferences. I’m looking forward to
our next event late 2013.”
38 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
39
40 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
KAWASAKI KISEN KAISHA
donates to Typhoon ‘Pablo’ victims
through the SAGIP KAPAMILYA
Last December 3, 2012, typhoon Pablo
(international name Bopha) hit the provinces
of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley
in Southern Mindanao. It was rated as one
of the strongest storms to hit the region and
PAGASA classified the storm as a category 5
super typhoon. It was also categorized as the
strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2012.
After making landfall at Baganga, Mindanao,
the storm continued to wreak havoc to the
rest of Southern and Central Mindanao. She
proceeded to knock out power in majority of
the region as well as cause landslides, disrupt
communication lines and halt transportation in
the area. A major part of business in the area
which is banana growing was also hit. Since
this part of the country seldom experiences
typhoons, it was the adequate place to start
plantations and build the banana growing and
export business.
However, typhoon Pablo changed all of
that as most of the plantations and farms in
the area were badly affected. This resulted
in positive, saying, of plantations and caused
a halt in regular commerce in the area. Over
the course of the typhoon, the cost incurred by
loss of business, destruction of property and
infrastructure was estimated at USD900 million
or about PHP37 billion. But the monetary loss
pales in comparison to the lives affected by
the storm. It was approximated that more
than 1200 people lost their lives because of
the wrath of Pablo and countless families were
displaced by the calamity.
Because of this, several governments and
various local and international institutions
contributed funds for the relief and
rehabilitation efforts in Mindanao. Kawasaki
Kisen Kaisha Ltd (K Line) also did their part in
providing relief for the people affected by the
typhoon. K Line donated used clothes to the
relief efforts through the Rayomar Outreach
Foundation (ROFI). The turnover was done
by KKK owners’ Representative and KPH
President Katsumi Teranishi last December
20, 2012 and received by ROFI board member
Ms. Jacqueline Fedalizo. All in all, a total of 10
boxes of clothing was donated by K Line to aid
the people of Southern and Central Mindanao
cope with their current situation and help in the
rebuilding their lives which were dramatically
influenced by the recent events in the area.
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
41
42 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
Unholy Alliance: Searching for Atty. Right
by: Atty. Geraldine Borromeo
hoosing the right lawyer is key
C
in beginning a legal action and
bringing it to a fruitful completion. For
maritime cases, the stakes are higher
than a land based labor claim. All the
parties involved, the ship owner, the
seafarer, the lawyers for both parties
and even the manning agency, are
required by law to act in accordance
to its precepts. The seafarer who has
less resources should have first in
foremost a good criteria for choosing
his legal representative.
The mark of a good lawyer, is one
who is not only professional, creative
and competent but one who is also
sincere in pursuing a legal remedy in
accordance with law. The following
are the basic questions one can ask
to determine if the seafarer and the
maritime lawyer make a good fit:
1. Find out the area of specialty
in the maritime field of the lawyer
and exactly how many years he has
practiced in that area of specialty. This
will show the depth of knowledge and
expertise that the lawyer has in the
case you are pursuing;
2. Ask what year the lawyer
passed the bar and you can check
this in the Supreme Court website to
verify that indeed they are bona fide
practitioners of law in the Philippines;
3. Check for candor when
the lawyer is presenting his or her
credentials. When a lawyer boasts in
a fantastical manner of 100% win in
all cases or in settlements, ask right
away if these cases were won on the
merits or if these settlements were on
the level? If any hint of impropriety or
corrupt influence is made, allow the
meeting to come to an end and start
scouting for another lawyer. If a lawyer
admits to unscrupulous practices in
the courts, then how sure are you that
he will be honest and upfront with you?
4.Overpromising
and
guaranteeing results is also another
telltale mark of an unscrupulous
lawyer. Since there are many factors
that determine the success of a claim,
the best that an honest lawyer can
promise is that he or she will pursue
every available legal remedy to help
win a case. The outcome of the case
cannot be guaranteed unless extra
legal measures are taken. Getting
involved in such schemes can prove
to be one’s undoing as the costs for
such guarantees are high, money and
moralwise.Ask the lawyer the specific
area of expertise in maritime cases.
A maritime case has many aspects.
It can run from administrative - within
the shipping company or manpower
agency’s level to judicial - the labor
court. Even if a case has reached the
labor court, some lawyers expertise
is in negotiation and settlement,
while others are in trial proper and
appeal. Knowing the specific area/s of
expertise of your prospective lawyer
will help you ascertain if they are well
and able to handle your case at the
level it is in.
5. Do not be shy in asking these
questions. The relationship between
a lawyer and client requires utmost
confidence between them and laying
the cards on the table is a promising
start.
6. Next be clear about the legal
fees to commence the lawyer-client
relationship. If the lawyer requires
an acceptance fee, find out if the fee
covers the acceptance of the case for
negotiation and settlement only, trial
only, or it covers appeal at all court levels
or only for one court level. Otherwise,
you might find yourself without a lawyer
if your case goes on appeal and you
can no longer shell out more money for
another acceptance fee.
7. Also find out if each legal
step requires a fee or if a project fee
covers all steps to avoid surprises in
additional charges. Some lawyers
have a basic rate card which can
help clarify the fee structure and there
should be a stipulation that for every
additional work, the lawyer should
obtain the consent of the client before
commencing legal action.
8. The grant of a success fee
on top of all legal fees should also be
discussed, if any will be given to the
lawyer, depending on merit, meaning
the level of success achieved. This
way, no surprise demand will be made
at the successful conclusion of the
case.
9. An obvious mark of an
ambulance chaser is one who keeps
on asking for additional fees that have
not been agreed upon and one who
uses dramatic or shock tactics to bait
the engagement of a client.
10. If the fee is contingent, as is
most of the case when the
client is
relying on the outcome
o
f
a case to enable payment of legal
fees, the exact percentage should
be agreed upon and the schedule of
payment specified. The lawyer who
guarantees the outcome of the case
will also take a larger chunk of the
award, leaving the claimant with much
less than expected.
11. Charges for expenses should
also be made only after proper
accounting of the expenses, itemizing
the relevance of the expenses to the
case. A mark of an ambulance chaser
is one who will not be willing to account
for expenses that he or she will
charge the client rather. The demand
for a lump sum for expenses without
an offer to liquidate expenses and
account for expenses with receipts to
the extent possible means that these
expenses will constitute a big chunk
off the award.
12. One must also watch out who
the companions of the lawyer are
during meetings. The lawyer may only
be accompanied by the legal staff in his
or her law office as the matters to be
discussed are confidential in nature.
Further, if the lawyer is accompanied
by suspicious looking characters who
show that they are armed, one must
be cautious in dealing with that lawyer
unless there is good cause for the
lawyer to be having bodyguards who
must have a permit to carry firearms.
Under the Code of Ethics, a lawyer:
1. Canon 1 - shall uphold the
Constitution, obey the laws of the land
and promote respect for law and legal
processes;
2. Canon 2 - shall make his
legal services available in an efficient
and convenient manner compatible
with independence, integrity and
effectiveness of the profession;
3. Canon 7 - shall at all times
uphold the integrity and dignity of the
legal profession;
4. Canon 8 - conduct himself
with courtesy, fairness and candour
toward his professional colleagues,
and wall avoid harassing tactics
against opposing counsel;
5. Canon 9 - shall not not directly
or indirectly, assist in the unauthorized
practice of law;
6. Canon 10 & 11- owes candor,
fairness, good faith and maintain
respect to the courts and its judicial
officers, and insist on similar conduct;
7. Canon 12 - shall exert every
effort and consider it his duty to
assist in the speedy and efficient
administration of justice;
8. Canon 13 - shall rely upon
the merits of his cause and refrain
from any impropriety which tends to
influence, or gives the appearance of
influencing the Court;
9. Canon 14 - shall not refuse his
services to the needy;
10. Canon 15 - shall observe
candor, fairness and loyalty in all his
dealings and transactions with clients;
11. Canon 16 - shall hold in trust
all moneys and properties of his client
that may come into his possession;
12. Canon 17 - owes fidelity to
the cause of his client and he shall
be mindful of the trust and confidence
reposed in him;
13. Canon 18 - shall serve his
client with competence and diligence;
14. Canon 19 - shall represent his
client with zeal within the bounds of
law;
15. Canon 21 - shall charge only
fair and reasonable fees taking into
consideration the time spent; the extent
of services rendered; the novelty and
difficulty of the questions involved;
the importance of the subject matter;
the skill demanded; the probability of
losing other employment as a result
of acceptance of the proferred case;
the customary charges for similar
services and the schedule of fees of
the IBP chapter to which he belongs;
the amount involved in the controversy
and the benefits resulting to the client
form the service; the contingency
or certainty of compensation; the
character of the employment, whether
occasional or established; and, the
professional standing of the lawyer;
and
16. Canon 21 - shall preserve the
confidence and secrets of his client
even after the attorney-client relation
is terminated.
Thus, any hint or act of deviation
from these canons is already an
indication that a lawyer is violating
his oath as a member of the legal
profession. This is already an
indication that the lawyer may nor truly
serve the cause of his client and may
in the end become unfaithful in the
pursuit of the case and worse, unjustly
benefit from the case to the prejudice
of his client which he is under oath to
serve.
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
St. Pio Center: Walk like Christ
O
n March 25-30, 2013, the St. Pio Center in Libis,
Quezon City will be open to those who want to
glimpse a sliver of Christ’s “via dolorosa” towards
Cavalry. As per St. Pio Center tradition every Holy
Week, those who want to do the station-of-the-cross
there may carry a cross as they go around and pray
in the 14 stations.
This year will be different as larger than life
photos of the chapel’s depiction of Christ’s sufferings
will be all over the place.
“This is going to be very gruesome!” exclaimed
director extraordinaire Mr. Fritz Infante who
conceptualized this event along with St. Pio Center
founder/president Mr. Ramon E. Rodriguez.
“For some people, Holy Week is just a
long vacation to be spent shopping or lounging
in beaches. We want to shock the people, to let
them remember that Holy Week is more than that.
Jesus died for us and it wasn’t a painless death. He
was tortured severely he cried tears of blood!” the
project’s photographer Jose Rodriguez IV of Jarian
Studios said.
This unconventional depiction of the station of
the cross will also have another twist.
Designer to the stars Eric Pineda who made all
the costumes for the project says “one of the things
I like about this is that I was allowed to tweak the
costumes. The designs were pretty simple because
we didn’t want to take away the essence of the story
but it’s going to be meaningful to those who will go to
St. Pio and see the photos.”
Infante had Jesus garbed in Indian inspired
clothing. Mother Mary’s dress is inspired by the
Philippines as “inang bayan” interpreted in Our Lady of
Lourdes colors. “The idea behind that,” Pineda says,
“is that she will also represent every Filipino mother.”
Simon the Cyrene, the man who was compelled
by the Romans to help Jesus carry the cross, was
inspired by typical Filipino workers.
The three-day-shoot itself was very emotional
for everyone, even the crew.
“All of the actors didn’t have any background
in acting but all of them gave a great performance,”
Infante said.
The most difficult role fell on the shoulders of
Tess, Fritz and Jarren
Jose “Jarren” Rodriguez V who played the most
important role of Jesus Christ. With no background in
acting, Jarren had to go through acting workshops with
Infante who kept challenging and discouraging him
from accepting the role. Aside from the workshops,
Jarren also went on a strict diet and exercise to make
his body look leaner like someone who grew up to be
a carpenter which Jesus was during his days here
on earth.
For three days, Jarren had to sit for at least
three hours to do the make-up and prosthetics.
“Each wound had to be at the same part of his
body in every shoot, so each is marked and matched
every day. The process is long and removing it is Mr. Ramon E. Rodriguez
painful so we really have to assist him,” explained
one of the make-up artists of the world-renowned
Baktotoy’s group.
To say Jarren was uncomfortable during the
whole process would be an understatement.
“The experience was really heavy emotionally, it
wasn’t a joke. I was already feeling stiff, the make-up
and prosthetics became painful when they dried up
and stuck to my skin. I could hardly see with my right
eye but all of those discomforts are nothing compared
to what Jesus went through. It was very humbling,”
Jarren said.
Another difficult role to tackle was that of
Mary, mother of Christ, played seamlessly byTess.
The meek middle-aged St. Pio devotee is a cancer San Pio devotee, Tess
survivor and has since then been serving at the St.
Pio Center as one of the volunteers.
Also without any background in acting, Tess
had to play arguably, the most emotional role in the
project.
Mary, more than anything else is a mother.
Imagine her suffering when she saw what was being
done to her son Jesus. Every mother knows Mary’s
own personal torture in Calvary. She herself was in
so much pain.
“The moment Jesus was born, Mary already
knew that one day she would have to let him go but
that day in Calvary, seeing what was left of Jesus her
son after being tortured and then dying on the cross,
(turn to page 47)
Ron with famous designer
Eric Pineda
Director Fritz Infante
Jose Rodriguez IV
Prepping up for the
crucifixion scene
43
44 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
45
MMAP CORNER
CAPT. RODOLFO A. ASPILLAGA
President, Masters and Mates Association of the Philippines (MMAP)
MMAP’s new home
L
ike any important edifice that
comes into existence, the MMAP
House has its own story to tell.
I am sure that those who have
built this House have also their own
accounts to share as well as our
officers and members who have
dreamed, conceived and put into
realization this noble undertaking.
What I am most certain is that, if
you would ask the many people who
have been involved in the realization
of this project, they, too, have probably
their own stories to tell, particularly
those events that transpired here
at 1729 F. Agoncillo Street, Malate,
Manila.
It has been a very long journey
for us. It’s also been a long journey for
me and it seemed that this project had
given me more weight in the process
and I cannot simply imagine how we
were able to transform this vision into
a reality.
Ladies and gentlemen, this MMAP
House is the only construction project
that the Association has undertaken
so far. Along the way, we had our
own share of challenges and tough
moments, whether the project had
enough funding, or its construction on
track including the installation and the
full operation of its facilities.
And I would like to thank all those
who assisted in the planning and
construction of this project for all their
hard work.
We can now officially celebrate
the completion of this building
and to open its doors to the whole
membership of this Association and to
our relevant partners.
Aside from housing the MMAP
Secretariat, this building will serve
as the venue for members to avail
themselves of their benefits such
as free dental services; training and
education grants; free legal assistance
for those who are confronted with legal
problems. The officers and members
of the Board of Directors will consider
other forms of assistance that it can
offer to its members.
It’s really an honor to be
celebrating this inauguration with you
all today, and humbling to imagine
about what this building will hold on for
the future. Together, we have built this
structure that will carry on and uphold
upon MMAP’s vision and mission
to promote the general welfare of its
members and to protect the integrity of
the maritime profession from any force
that would undermine the integrity and
competence of its members.
With the inauguration of its
home, MMAP will strive its best to
be pro-active in serving its members
nationwide and to strengthen its
(Turn to page 46)
46 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
(A campaign born out of LOYALTY, HONOR and RESPECT)
THE TEN DOLLAR MEN AND WOMEN OF PMMA
“No leaders, no followers, no
indifference, no politics, no fraud.
just us dictated by our own honest
conscience united for pmma” - The ten
dollar men & women for PMMA.
It was in the early part of August 2012,
in one Facebook group where alumni from
the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy
openly discuss their endeavors, interests,
past experiences and other relevant ideas.
A typical huddle was brought forth when
an alumnus expressed his concern on the
plight of some cadets from the institution
increasingly worried about their supposed
shipboard training.
As it is instituted in the academe’s
system, each cadet must be able to go
through a 12-month shipboard experience
on their second class year as midshipmen.
Some cadets who have been promised
slots by certain companies for their
cadetship training program now find
themselves running against time.
Several suggestions came and a few
more ideas were brought out. It was at this
juncture that one of the ideas discussed
was how each willing alumnus can help
or give assistance for PMMA to regain her
stature as the country’s premier maritime
institution.
Taking cue from an alumnus Capt.
Ely Diaz of Crossworld, a brilliant idea was
introduced.
A campaign was launched to enable
PMMA alumni who are willing and able to
help voluntarily contribute $10 dollars each
thus the name, $10 MEN AND WOMEN
FOR MY BELOVED PMMA. These funds
would be utilized for projects that would
benefit PMMA wholly, primarily its cadets/
cadettes improve its quality system, make
PMMA alumni proud, improve employees’
livelihood and other relevant projects to
best serve PMMA’s welfare and integrity.
The reaction of the groups’
members although not the majority, was
convincingly positive. At a certain degree,
alumni having different mindsets met at a
common point. With this initiative, more
and more alumni can now look forward
to a better chance of finally uniting for a
common cause and be able to help PMMA
regain its rightful place. By regaining her
glory, her sons and daughters would once
again put themselves in the midst and
join forces with those who are genuinely
concerned to rid the industry of corrupt
practices, nepotism, enhance the training,
elevate the standards and raise the bar of
our country’s maritime profession. Once
this is realized, our ultimate wish of making
Republic of the Philippines a maritime
power (not just a mere manpower
supplier) would be at hand. Just as our
forerunners blazed their way to the seven
seas, in the same manner we may now lay
a brand new solid foundation onto which
we preserve the maritime industry for the
next generation of worthy seafarers.
With the $10 MEN AND WOMEN
FOR MY BELOVED PMMA Campaign,
we boost our drive in regaining her old
glory. With a resurgent PMMA, more of her
graduates could help clean and eliminate
the industry of unwanted corrupt practices
and unscrupulous individual whose
sole interest is to make money from the
seafarers making a mockery out of the
maritime industry. Better maritime industry
can in turn pave the way for a stronger
Republic.
“WE, THE TEN DOLLAR MEN &
WOMEN FOR PMMA, stand to preserve,
uphold and defend the time-honored
traditions of the Philippine Merchant
Marine Academy, observe the laws,
promote the general welfare of its Alumni,
and sustain the union, integrity and service
for the benefit of common good .”- The Ten
Dollar Men & Women for PMMA
MMAP CORNER
(from page 45)
collaboration with various government
agencies, particularly in the sharing of
the technical expertise of its members
especially in the development and
formulation of meaningful policies that
would promote further the general
welfare and competitiveness of Filipino
seafarers.
The establishment of the MMAP
House comes at a time when the
country’s maritime education and
training is currently saddled with
serious concerns which impact directly
on the competence of a Filipino
marine officer. MMAP, as the largest
association of marine deck officers, can
now use its home to collaborate efforts
with relevant government agencies to
assist find solutions to these concerns.
In this way, MMAP has sailed beyond
the oceans by coming back ashore to
help fix the house.
In closing, MMAP will remain
steadfast in cooperating with all its
partners in order to ensure that the
country’s overseas seafaring industry
will maintain its position as the premier
provider of qualified, trained and
properly certificated marine officers.
Thank you and mabuhay po
tayong lahat.
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
(from page 43)
St. Pio Center: Walk like Christ
it is too much for any
mother,” says Infante.
For her part Tess really
changed the way she looked at
Jarren.
“I didn’t look at him as
Jarren, the kid I always work
with as a volunteer in St. Pio. I
looked at him as my son Jesus.”
Each crew was tearyeyed while shooting their
scenes especially the one
where Mary was grieving over
her dead son’s body.
“You can really feel the
pain in her. She was a mother
who just lost her son, said one
of the guests of the shoot.”
Simon the Cyrene was
played by a St. Pio volunteer
(Mang Nani) who also played
one of the soldiers in black
mask and garb.
It is said that Simon,
who was just an onlooker,
didn’t really know who this
Jesus of Nazareth was
although he may have heard
of him once or twice. He was
at first angry at what he was
about to do because carrying
the cross didn’t just mean
physical strain, it also meant
he would be seen as unclean
for carrying the cross of a
convicted man and therefore
would be deemed unfit to eat
the Passover meal. He didn’t
want to do it but he was also
afraid to disobey the Romans.
Then he saw what was left of
Jesus and his anger and fear
turned to pity.
“This is more than just
what the industry calls “raket’”
explains Pineda. “All of the
people involved did this out of
love.”
Ron, the St. Pio volunteer
chosen to play Veronica shares
the same view, saying, “I didn’t
expect any talent fee and when
I found out that there was, I
am donating it all to the St. Pio
Center to help others.”
Ron whose daughter was
miraculously healed believes
that it was more than enough
blessing for her already.
Mr. Infante who has
passionately led this project into
fruition says he really visualized
and has foreseen it in what he
calls his “third eye.” He looks at
this as his legacy, something to
be immortalized in the coming
years. “It is my offering to God,”
Infante says.
Something so grand and
unconventional will surely stir
both positive and negative
reactions from the thousands of
people who will do the station of
the cross at St. Pio.
Mr. Fritz Infante welcomes
any reaction saying, “Love it
or hate it as long as you feel
something for it!”
Address: 2517 Isagani St.Sta Cruz Manila
Tel. no. : (632) 9984276 (632) 5018164 (sun) 09437012153
(smart) 09189469037 (globe) 09178257079
Email Add: [email protected]
• Free Wifi Access
• Fully Air Conditioned room
• Complete bedding supply
• With Locker
• 24 hours water supply
• Discounted price
for Monthly accommodation
• Accept Laundry job
• Family room available
• With restaurant
47
48 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
CADETS’ CORNER
Malapit nang maabot ang pangarap
I am Engine Cadet Jesus P.
Cabonce, 21 years old, designated
as a junior leader of all UFS
cadets and a member of the CBA
deparment.
Sa unang araw ko sa UFS
halu-halong emosyon and aking
naramdaman. Una ang takot dahil
hindi ko alam ang mga gagawin sa
opisina. Nang mapili akong maging
isang Junior Leader dobleng takot ang
aking naramdaman. Inisip ko kung
anong gagawin ko para makuha ang
kanilang tiwala at respeto. Natutuwa
naman ako dahil nagampanan ko ito
nang maayos. Habang tumatagal
ako sa UFS maraming mga bagaybagay akong natutunan .Dito din ako
nahasang maging isang huwarang
leader sa kabila ng mga emosyong
aking naramdaman. Masaya din ako
dahil sa bawat araw na lumilipas dito
sa UFS iba’t – ibang mga kaibigan
ang aking nakikilala. Nagkaroon ako
ng pangalawang pamilya na handing
tumulong sa akin at magtanggol, yun
ang UNITED FILIPINNO SEAFARER!
Nandito po ako sa UFS para maging
handa, tapat sa tungkulin at matatag
na officer o seafarer balang araw.
Salamat! Malapit ko nang maabot
ang aking pangarap.
Aljun E. Galvez
***********
Nang magtapos ako sa Eastern
Visayas State University, Tacloban
City, nagsimula ang aking plano
sa buhay. Lumuwas ako ng Manila
kahit na nahirapan akong malayo sa
aking pamilya. Laking pasasalamat
ko sa aking Mama na sumundo at
sumama sa akin papunta sa bahay
ng pinsan ko. Pati na rin kina Ate
Angeli, Kuya Marvin na taos pusong
nagpatira sa akin sa kanilang bahay.
Tinulungan din po ako ni Kuya
Marvin na maipasok sa kanilang
kompanya.
Napagdesisyonan ng aking
pinsan, sa tulong ni kuya Aron
na ipasok ako dito sa UFS. kaya
sinamahan nila ako dito sa UFS para
mag-exam. Laking pasalamat ko sa
Panginoong Diyos dahil tinanggap
nila ako as volunteer ng UFS.
Dito ko nakilala ang aking mga
“Bro” mula din sa iba’t ibang lugar.
Dito ko rin natutunan ang tamang
disiplina at pagrespeto sa mga
seniors pati na rin sa kapwa tao. Ito
ang mga bagay na dapat naming
dalhin at baunin kahit saan man kami
mapadpad sa mundo.
Nakilala ko rin ang taong
matagal nang nakikipaglaban para
sa kapakanan ng buong marino na
walang iba kundi si Engr. Nelson P.
Ramirez.
Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa
UFS dahil sa nagkaroon ng pag-asa
ang mga cadete dito na maabot ang
kani-kanilang mga pangarap. At ako
po ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat
sa lahat ng mga taong tumulong sa
akin at sa lahat ng aking ka- “Bro”
dito sa UFS. Maraming salamat sa
pakikisama nyo sa akin.
At
kay
“Toto”
maraming
salamat sa’yo sa mga payo at
(turn to page 53)
ACCREDATION BY THE MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY MARINA - STCW
TRAINING SITE PICTURE
MANAGEMENT LEVEL COURSE (MLC)
DECK OFFICERS
FUNCTION TITLE
FUNCTION 1 - (Navigation at the Management Level)
FUNCTION 2 - (Cargo Handling and Stowage at the Mgnt. Level)
FUNCTION 3 - (Controlling the Operation of the Ship and Care
for Person on Board at the Management Level)
NO. OF DAYS
11 DAYS
11 DAYS
11 DAYS
MARINE ENGINEERING
FUNCTION 1 - (Marine Engineering at the Management Level)
15 DAYS
10 DAYS
FUNCTION 2 - (Electronic and Control Engineering at the
Management Level)
FUNCTION 3 - (Maintenance and Repair at the Mgnt. Level)
5 DAYS
FUNCTION 4 - (Controlling the Operation of the Ship and Care for
11 DAYS
Person on Board at the Management Level)
IMO MODEL COURSE
NO. OF DAYS
Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork with BRM and Practical
5 DAYS
Assessment
Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)
5 DAYS
Radar Navigation, Radar Plotting and Use of ARPA
5 DAYS
Ship Security Officer’s Course (SSO)
3 DAYS
Ship Security Awareness (SSA)
1 DAY
MARPOL Consolidated I to VI
5 DAYS
Engine Room Simulator Course with ERM and Practical
5 DAYS
Assessment
PREPARATION COURSE FOR PRC PRACTICAL EXAM
Ship Bridge Familiarization Course & Practical assessment
2 DAYS
Engine Room Familiarization Course & Practical Assessment
2 DAYS
MANAGEMENT LEVEL COURSE (MLC)
DECK OFFICERS
FUNCTION TITLE
FUNCTION 1 - (Navigation at the Management Level)
FUNCTION 2 - (Cargo Handling and Stowage at the Management
Level)
FUNCTION 3 - (Controlling the Operation of the Ship and Care
for Person on Board at the Management Level)
IMO MODEL COURSE
Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork with BRM and Practical
Assessment
Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)
NO. OF DAYS
11 DAYS
11 DAYS
11 DAYS
NO. OF DAYS
5 DAYS
5 DAYS
Radar Navigation, Radar Plotting and Use of ARPA
5 DAYS
Ship Security Officer’s Course (SSO)
3 DAYS
Ship Security Awareness (SSA)
MARPOL Consolidated I to VI
1 DAY
5 DAYS
PREPARATION COURSE FOR PRC PRACTICAL EXAM
Ship Bridge Familiarization Course & Practical assessment
2 DAYS
SAFETY COURSES UNDER CHAPTER 6 OF THE STCW ’78
COVENTION, AS AMENDED
FUNCTION TITLE
Basic Safety Courses with NAC (ordinary processing only)
a. Elementary First Aid (IMO Model Course 1.13)
b. Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (IMO Model Course 1.20)
c. Personal Survival Techniques (IMO Model Course 1.19)
d. Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (IMO Model Course
1.21)
Advanced Training in Fire Fighting (IMO Model Course 2.03) with
NAC (ordinary processing only)
NO. OF DAYS
8 DAYS
Medical Care (IMO Model Course 1.15) with NAC (ordinary
processing only)
5 DAYS
Medical Emergency First Aid (IMO Model Course 1.14) with NAC
(ordinary processing only)
4 DAYS
Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats (IMO Model Course 1.24) with
NAC (ordinary processing only)
3 DAYS
Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (other than Fast
Rescue Boats) (IMO Model Course 1.23) with NAC (ordinary
processing only)
4 DAYS
MAIN OFFICE
5 DAYS
925-C, Aragon cor. L. Guinto Sts., Malate Manila
Tel no. (02) 527-4783 / Cell No. 09202707112
CEBU BRANCH
Rm. 250, Colon Development Corporation Bldg. II
D. Jakosalem cor. Colon Sts. Cebu City
Tel no. (032) 505-4469 / / Cell No. 09175324962
TRAINING SITE
Sitio Bonbon, Brgy. Ocaña
Carcar, City, Cebu
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
714-7337 / 715-7430 / 716-5530 / 716-5532
49
50 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
MSCI Gentlemen’s
Cup 2013 at
Club Intramuros
MSCI Gentlemen’s Cup, in honor
of their members born on January and
February, had a special tournament
last February 16, 2013 at Club
Intramuros.
Celebrants sponsored the feast,
trophies and entertainments.
Low gross champion is Mr.
Robert Vargas with gross 70 while Net
Champion is Capt. Jess Morales with
gross 78 handicap 14 net 64 with 4
birdies.
Class A champion Mr. Beda
Melgar with gross 80-16 net 64 with
runner-up CE Alex Estabillo with gross
80-15 net 65 with 2 birdies.
Class B champion is Mr. Rey
Amper with 84-19 with net 65, runnerup Dr.Jeg Gonzales with gross 82-16
with net 66 with 2 birdies.
Class C champion is Mr. Ado
Zoleta with 92-24 with net 68, his
runner-up Capt. Don Marfil with gross
92-23 with net 69.
Seniors champion Mr. Ed Rivera
with gross 76-10 = net 66 with 1 birdie,
runner-up is Capt. Wally Rivas with
gross 79-13 net 66.
For the ladies’ division Ms. Timi
Basilio gross 89-20 net 69 her runner
up is Ms. Eva Bautista with gross 9626 net 70.
Congratulations to Alex S. Estabillo for making a hole in one at the Philippine Navy Golf
Course in hole No. 10 with distance of 145 yards using 8 irons and Callaway golf ball.
Capt. Jimmy Boado, NPR, Capt. Jess
Morales, Capt. Wally Rivas and Capt. Jolie Pelayo at hole No 10
MGAP 2nd Tourney for 2013
The January birthday celebrants blow Capt. Rivas’ tee shot at island green
the candles
Now in its 31st year and still
going strong, the Maritime Golf
Association of the Philippines
(MGAP) held its second tournament
for this year at the Philippine Navy
Golf Club last February 27, 2013.
Among the 41 golfers, Nemie
Pagtakhan with 72-12-60 came
out as the champion for the Class
A division followed by Jan Coching
with 76-15-61. Class B Champion is
Mon De Leon with79-23-56, runnerup is Joel Iligan 84-25-59. For Class
C, Noli Mendoza won with 82-30-52
his runner-up is Erik Dizon 85-30-55.
Guest champion is Francis Reyes
82-12-69.
Participants were treated to a
sumptuous feast at the Clubhouse
where the awarding of trophies and
raffle drawing also took place.
Major
sponsors
for
the
tournament are Mercury Steamship
Agencies Inc. under Terry Capistrano
and Mercury Freight International
Inc. under Bayani Coching.
The winners of the MSCI Gentlemen’s Cup Tournament proudly shows their
trophy with the smiling Go Girls.
From L-R : Bobit Aquino, Bayani Coching, Noli Mendoza, Joel Iligan, Mon De Leon, MGAP
President Terry Capistrano, Nemie Pagtakhan, Jan Coching, Francis Reyes (guest), Erik Dizon
and MGAP Vice President Willie Monillas.
MARCH - APRIL 2013
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MARCH - APRIL 2013
IT’S A BLONDE
At a local Winery cellar door, the
regular taster died and the director
started looking for a new one to hire.
A drunkard with a ragged, dirty look came
to apply for the position.
The director of the warehouse
wondered how to send him away.
They gave him a glass to drink.
He tried it and said, “It’s a muscat, three years
old, grown on a north slope, matured in large
old barrels. Low grade but acceptable.”
“That’s
correct,”
said
the
boss.
Another glass....
“It’s a cabernet, eight years
old, a south-western slope, new oak
barrels, matured at 8 degrees. Requires
three more years for finest results.”
“Correct.”
A
third
glass... “It’s a nonvintage pinot champagne, high grade
and exclusive,” calmly said the drunk.
The director was astonished. He winked
at his secretary to suggest something.
She left the room and came back with
a glass of urine. The alcoholic tried it.
“It’s a blonde, 26 years old, three months
pregnant and, if you don’t give me the job,
I’ll name the father.”
Trust your husband
There comes a time when a woman just has to trust her husband... For
example… A wife comes home late at night, and quietly opens the door to her
bedroom.
From under the blanket she sees four legs instead of two. She reaches for a
baseball bat and starts hitting the blanket as hard as she can.
Leaving the covered bodies groaning, she goes to the kitchen to have a drink.
As she enters, she sees her husband there, reading a magazine.
“Hi Darling”, he says, “Your parents have come to visit us, so I let them stay in
our bedroom. Did you say “hello”?
QUALIFIED FOR DISABILITY
A re tired gentleman went i nto the social security office to apply for Social Security.
After waiting in line for a long time, he finally got to the counter. The woman behind
the counter asked him for his drivers license to verify his age. He looked in his
pockets and realized he had left his wallet at
home. He told the woman that he was very sorry
but he seemed to have left his wallet at home.
“Will I have to go home and come back now?”
he asks. The woman says, “Unbutton your shirt.”
So he opens his shirt revealing lots of curly silver
hair. She says, “That silver hair on your chest
is proof enough for me,” and she processed
his Social Security application. When he gets
home, the man excitedly tells his wife about his
experience at the Social Security office. She said,
“You should have dropped your pants, you might
have qualified for disability, too.”
I HAVE A BRAIN
Doctor:
I
regret
to tell you that you
have a brain tumor.
Mr.
Bean:
Yes!!!
(jumps
with
joy)
Doctor: Did you understand
what I just told you?
Mr. Bean: Yes of course,
do you think I’m dumb?
Doctor:
Then
why
are you so happy?
Mr. Bean: Because that
proves that I have a brain!
SHOW YOUR BADGE
A DEA officer stops at a ranch in
Texas, and talks with an old rancher.
He tells the rancher, “I need to inspect
your ranch for illegally grown plants.”
The rancher says, “Okay, but do not
go in that field over there,” as he
points out the location. The DEA officer
verbally explodes saying, “Mister,
I have the authority of the Federal
Government with me.” Reaching into
his rear pants pocket, he removes his
badge and proudly displays it to the
rancher. “See this badge? This badge
means I am allowed to go wherever
I wish, on any land. No questions
asked or answers given. Have I made
myself clear? Do you understand?”
The rancher nods politely, apologizes,
and goes about his chores.
A short time later, the old rancher hears
loud screams and sees the DEA officer
running for his life and being chased
by the rancher’s big Santa Gertrudis
bull! With every step the bull is gaining
ground on the officer, it seems likely
that he’ll be gored before he reaches
safety. The officer is clearly terrified.
The rancher throws down his tools, runs
to the fence and yells at the top of his
lungs… “Your badge. Show him your
BADGE!”
WE WERE FRIENDS
In a crowded city at a
busy bus stop, a beautiful
young woman who was
waiting for a bus was
wearing a tight mini skirt.
As the bus stopped and it
was her turn to get on, she
became aware that her
skirt was too tight to allow
her leg to come up the
height of the first step of the
bus. Slightly embarrassed
and with a quick smile to
the bus driver, she reached
behind her to unzip her
skirt a little, thinking that
this would give her enough
slack to raise her leg.
Again, she tried to make
the step only to discover
she still couldn’t. So, a
little more embarrassed,
she once again reached
behind her to unzip her
skirt a little more, and for
the second time attempted
the step, and, once again,
much to her dismay, she
could not raise her leg.
With a little smile to the
driver, she again reached
behind a third time to unzip
a little more and again was
unable to make the step.
About this time, a large
Texan who was standing
behind her picked her up
easily by the waist and
placed her gently on the
step of the bus. She went
ballistic and turned to the
would be Samaritan and
yelled, “How dare you
touch my body! I don’t even
know who you are!” The
Texan smiled and drawled,
“Well, ma’am, normally I
would agree with you, but
after you unzipped my fly
three times, I kinda figured
we were friends!”
MARCH - APRIL 2013
CADETS’ CORNER
TINIG NG MARINO
(from page 48)
pagdidisiplina mo sa amin.
Sa mga sandaling ito, patuloy pa
rin kaming nagtitiyaga’t nananalangin
sa Panginoong Diyos na sana balang
araw maabot rin namin ang aming
mga pangarap.
Maraming salamat po… Good
luck and bless us..
By: E/C Claro P. Supiengco Jr.
***********
Ako po ay si Aljun E. Galvez,
20 taong gulang, nakatira sa Agoo,
La Union. Ako po ang panganay
sa amin. Nakapagtapos po ako ng
kursong Bachelor of Science in
Marine Transportation sa tulong ng
mga tita at tito
Pumunta po ako dito sa Manila
nang magtapos ako sa college.
Lumibot po ako sa mga manning
agency para mag-apply bilang kadete
ngunit sa kasawiang palad sa halos
lahat ng aking pinuntahang manning
53
with the staff of ufs and other cadets
agency, pagbungad palang sa guard
hahanapan na agad ng “backer.”
Kapag sinabi naming walk-in lang
kami hindi na kami pinapapasok sa
loob ng opisina.
Isang araw may nagsabi sa amin
na puwede kaming tulungan ng UFS.
UFS? Ano ba ito? Sabi ng
kasama ko na ang United Filipino
Seafarers ang tumutulong sa mga
marinong walang backer sa mga
agency. Di na ako nagdalawang
isip pa at pumunta ako agad at
nagtanong kung puwedeng magexam sa UFS. Sa awa ng Diyos ako
ay natanggap po ako sa UFS bilang
volunteer cadet.
Dito ko nasubukan kung paano
makisama sa iba’t ibang kasamahan
ko, gayundin ang pagtitipid ng pera.
para makikapwa sa mga kasamahan
ko at makihalubilo sa iba’t ibang tao.
Na-realize ko kung ganun kahirap
ang malayo sa mahal sa buhay.
Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa sa
UFS kung wala ang UFS paano na
ang mga bagong marino na walang
inaasahan na tumulong sa kanila?
I’m proud to be a volunteer
cadet of United Filipino Seafarers!
54 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
Channel
Channel
Channel
Channel
9
68
9
37
-
55
Destiny
Sky
Dream
UHF
Every Wednesday at 5:00 P.M.
NPR explains the rules of procedure in the administrative investigation of cases
involving violations committed by maritime training institutions and seafarers
and the corresponding table of penalties. With co-host Annie Rentoy,and guests
Capt. Reynold “Burt” Sabay.
The WOMEN IN THE MANNING INDUSTRY Ms. Desiree Sillar and Ms. Nancy
Ebron with Ms. Annie Rentoy and “ Tinig ng Marino” NPR .
Discussing the new guidelines on the implementation of IMO-STCW Convention
in maritime training institution with Capt. Burt Sabay of New Simulator TrainingCenter.
OWWA Administrator. Carmelita Dimson explains the benefits of the Filipino sea- Accredited Voluntary Arbitrator (ABA) Atty. Jesus S. Silo explains the significance
farers via phone patch to Ms. Annie Rentoy and NPR.
of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board in the maritime industry.
Online
56 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
Greetings!
It is my pleasure to write again in
this prestigious paper. I am very
much thankful to Sir Nelson for
all his help to all the seafarers,
especially for making my career
a successful one. I am now on
vacation from my six-month
contract with the vessel Torm
Ragnhild of Torm Philippines. I was
promoted as 1st Engineer in the
said vessel. It was my first time
to work with Croatians, Danish
and other races. Working with
them is very challenging. I had to
learn to adjust to their ways and
cultures to make our work smoothsailing. I also had to improve my
communication skills as well. Even
though there were problems and
conflicts once in a while, I was able
to manage because of our Filipino
way of “pakikisama” . I am proud to
be a Filipino because they look at
us as hardworking and admire our
perseverance in an industry where
we work amidst trials and storms
in our personal lives.
On behalf of the Rm.309 boys,
we are so grateful to Sir Nelson
for helping us and leading us to
success in seafaring. Without any
hesitation, he extended his help to
us through UFS. We truly salute
your kindness to ordinary people
like us.
I would also like to extend my
best regards to C/E Leandro J.
Dapal, C/E Manny N. Relato and
Capt. Daniel Fejelagutan. May we
all have more blessings to come!
Sincerely yours,
1st/E Felipe P. Delgado
MT Torm Ragnhild Kobenhavn
LNG Carrier “S.S. Seri Ayu”
YEAR 2012
Top (From left) : A/B Noel Molina, O/S Aster Mendoza, 2nd Cook Ariel Aquino,
O/S Emmanuel Cueto, Wiper Jeffrey Aganan
Bottom : Mess Boy Algen Cagara, A/B Arnel Gelladuga, A/B Vincent Hervias,
3/O Jeremiah Nelson M. Ramirez
Hello my fellow
Tinig
ng
Marino
followers!
Let me share
what we experienced
at the area of Aleutian
Islands and Bering
Sea area where we
encountered trouble
with our main engine
turbo charger.
With a crew of
MARCH - APRIL 2013
TINIG NG MARINO
57
Good Day Sir,
We
are
avid
readers of Tinig Ng
Marino
Newspaper.
Our Manning Agency
in
Manila,
Cordial
Shipping Inc. regularly
send issues of Tinig Ng
Marino to our vessel.
In behalf of my Officers
and Crew of MV Eishun,
we wish you to publish
our Picture on your next
issue of Tinig Ng Marino
Newspaper.
Truly Yours,
Capt. Raul Gabriel M.
Firmo Jr
Sitting from left - 3/O C. Condez, 2/O Q. Pinto Jr., C/O R.M. Dadula, Capt. R.G. Firmo Jr., C/E M. Vedeja, 1/AE S. Pajanoy, 2/AE E.
Javier, 3/AE J. Arado. Standing from left - Bsn R. Bautista, M/M L. Miranda, C/CK V. Mata, Olr R. Reginio, A/B K.L. Dongon, D/C K.
Tabiolo, O/S E. Sunico, A/B R. Papilleras, O/S D. Delan and Olr A. Tupas Jr.
20 men, our ship
departed at port of
Fukuyama, Japan last
Jan 18, 2013.
On the 25th of
January around 0445
local time, the duty
engineer reported to
our chief engineer that
there was an unusual
noise and vibration
from the main engine
turbo charger. The
weather at that time
was still good.
At 0530 local
time our main engine
was stopped stopped
temporarily for further
investigation by the
engine department.
At around 1245 in the
afternoon we restarted
our main engine to
continue our voyage
to Prince Rupert,
Canada but we didn’t
use our turbo charger
to prevent further
damage to the main
engine. Our company
instructed us to go
to
Dutch
harbor,
Unalaska part of the
Aleutian Islands for
emergency repairs.
At that time the
wind was getting
stronger and stronger,
35 to 45 knots, and our
ship’s speed wasjust
3.2 knots. During the
turning maneuver, our
vessel was unable
to counter the effect
of bad weather. We
adjusted our course
to minimize her labor
and waited for the
weather to improve
and
gain
speed.
Unfortunately,
that
didn’t happen.
All
mariners
know
that
this
season in Aleutian
Islands and Bering
Sea area is where a
lot of storms pass by.
From 25 January till
03 February we were
pounded by two low
pressures with storm
force signal and two
low pressures with
hurricane force.
Just
imagine
going tthrough those
storms and hurricanes
with our engine almost
disabled. That was the
longest week of my life!
Thank God we
survived and reached
our destination safely!
That experience will
not be forgotten for
the rest of my life.
Thanks to Tinig
ng Marino staff for
letting me share my
experience with you
guys.
Consulate of the Republic of Panama in Manila
The Consulate of the Republic of Panama in Manila presents its
compliments to all owners, operators, and/or manning agents under the
Panamanian Registry and has the honor to inform you of the option that
the Panama Maritime Authority is providing, the opportunity to obtain a
new or upgrade a Panama Certificate of Competency (COC) through
the assessment process from the Panama Maritime Authority.
Having a Panamanian Certificate of Competency (COC) is an
opportunity for any international seafarers who want to upgrade
and improve his competence and further his career opportunities on
Panama-flagged vessels.
A competency and career advancement opportunity also applies
to ship’s ratings who want to become an officer aboard the Panamaflagged vessels. Interested applicant should contact us at the provided
numbers for the list of required documents for the assessments.
The Consulate of the Republic of Panama in Manila avails itself
of this opportunity to renew to all owners, operators, and/or manning
agents under the Panamanian Registry the assurances of its highest
consideration.
Please contact the Consulate in the following address:
11TH FLOOR, NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE BUILDING. 6762 AYALA AVENUE, MAKATI CITY
1200, PHILIPPINES.
TEL. #: (+63 2) 328-3810 LOC. 102 / 892-6601 FAX #: (+63 2) 338-8841
EMAIL: [email protected] / [email protected]
58 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2013
With Gretchen Fullido of ABS-CBN during the ANAK TV SEAL fun walk in U.P.
Dilliman campus. Tinig ng Marino is an ANAK TV SEAL awardee
Los compadres: Admiral Reuben Lista, Commo. Richard Ritual, NPR and Sen.
Richard Gordon during the wedding of C/Engr. Procis Aquino
Engr. Sammy Lim, NPR, Mr. Erickson Marquez and POEA Deputy Administrator
Jaime Jimenez during the launching of the Seafarer Center at SM Manila.
Engr. Nelson Ramirez delivers the message to the seafarers in Luneta as to why NPR with the stakeholders of the maritime industry during the Maritime Industry
DIWA party list is the only choice for the maritime industry being the only party Tripartite Council consultation at the AMOSUP convention hall
list who can walk the talk
NPR with government officials and the maritime industry stakeholders in a consultation meeting at the MARINA boardroom
NPR with former DOLE secretary Benny Laguesma, POEA Administrator Hans
Cacdac and NCMB employees at Bayview Hotel
MARCH - APRIL 2013
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