Power of Three

2 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2010
MARCH-APRIL 2010
POWER
OF
THREE
PHIMLAC Emerges to Champion the Cause
of Filipino Seafarers Three Times Over
E
ven in the challenging work of
championing the cause of Filipino
seafarers, fighting for their rights
and welfare, and advocating for reforms,
dynamism is a must to go with heartfelt
motives and pure good intentions. Every
serious stakeholder in the maritime labor
front should be cognizant of their strengths
as well as their weaknesses in order to
constantly improve and effectively raise
the bar of excellence in providing services
to its constituents.
After more than a year of serious
discussions and careful considerations,
three of the most reputable maritime labor
federations in the country have officially
merged to form what is now known as the
Philippine International Maritime Labor
Center (PHIMLAC).
PHIMLAC is the formal merger of
the United Filipino Seafarers (UFS), the
Mariners and Allied Transport Employees
Union (MATEU), and the International
Seamen’s Mutual Labor Association
(ISLA).
PHIMLAC was officially ushered into
the local maritime industry during a simple
but very significant induction rites for its
officers held on February 25, 2010 at Jade
Vine Restaurant in Ermita, Manila.
While the three maritime labor federations
would still maintain their independent
identities and operations, PHIMLAC would
serve as the umbrella organization of the
three maritime unions that shall deal with
major issues affecting the plight of Filipino
seafarers or other relevant issues that have
significant bearing in the local seafaring
industry, particularly in tripartite meetings.
The officers of PHIMLAC include Engr.
Nelson P. Ramirez as President, Atty.
Manuel T. Collado as Vice President, Atty.
Romeo S. Occeña as General Secretary,
Beda L. Melgar as General Treasurer,
Mary Jane N. Borita as Assistant General
Secretary, Adalia L. Dinapo as Assistant
General Treasurer, C/E Isagani I. Valmonte
as Auditor, and Atty. Edwin C. Cacayorin Jr.
as Chief Legal Counsel.
Labor Undersecretary for Employment
and Manpower Development Romeo
C. Lagman was the guest speaker and
inducting officer for PHIMLAC but due to a
death in the family, he had to send DOLE
Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresa M. Soriano
to read his message and swore to office
the PHIMLAC officers on his behalf.
“It is indeed an honor to be invited to
witness a historic event in the Philippine
maritime history – three influential unions
in the country in solidarity of purpose and
unity of direction merged as one strong and
solid union. With this merger, I am certain
that the interests of Filipino seafarers in
promoting employment rights and welfare
will be strongly advocated,” states Usec.
Lagman.
“Labor unions are critical and significant
to the advancement of workers’ interests.
Usually, the persistence and commitment
exuded by union leaders have great
influence in the process. Undoubtedly,
with the reputation of your president, Engr.
Nelson Ramirez, as the vanguard and
champion of right and legal at the helm,
this merger will be a recognized force that
will influence the landscape of maritime
unionism,” he explained.
“I firmly believe that the formation of
PHIMLAC, with three reputable unions
as its solid foundation, with officers and
members animated by a common vision,
working closely with the government and
other stakeholders in the national and
international community, the domestic
maritime industry is moving towards a
better future for all Filipino seafarers,”
expressed Usec. Lagman as he wrapped
up his speech on a warm congratulatory
note.
Engr. Ramirez, President of PHIMLAC,
TINIG NG MARINO
3
in his opening remarks during the induction
program said: “The emergence of PHIMLAC
from the colorful and rich histories of UFS,
MATEU and ISLA is a testament to the
dynamism and continued evolution of the
local maritime labor front. As independent
maritime labor unions, each of the three
organizations has already made their
important marks as well as contributions to
the local maritime industry, particularly their
commitment as well as no-nonsense and
genuine concern for the plight and welfare
of Filipino seafarers and their families.”
“With its official establishment, PHIMLAC
is now the second largest maritime union
in the country, which can even give the
Philippines’ largest maritime union serious
thinking or consideration, to say the least.
This new maritime labor organization
promises to be more vigorous, more
vigilant, more vocal, more active, and more
relevant in the industry, all for the sake of
TURN TO PAGE 22
4 TINIG NG MARINO
The new members of the UFS Board of Directors are shown flanking Atty. Ignacio Sapalo (fourth
from left) moments after their oath-taking rites. They are (from left): C/E Isagani Valmote, Capt.
Walfrido Rivas, Engr. Nelson Ramirez, Capt. Eliezer Ramirez, Rey Juego, Paul Esber, Capt. Danny
Tampos, and Rey Gambe. C/E Rodolfo Virtudazo did not make it to the event because of prior
commitment related to his work.
New Set of Board of Directors
Strengthens UFS Resolve in
Fulfilling Mission for Seafarers
F
ollowing the successful celebration was agreed that the union would continue to
of its 15th year in the local maritime take an aggressive stand on various issues
industry late last year, the United affecting the welfare and rights of Filipino
Filipino Seafarers (UFS) has further seafarers. The union would likewise intensify
strengthened its resolve towards the its negotiations with prospective foreign
fulfillment of its mission and objectives for shipowners to have the vessels of the latter
the Filipino seafarers as well as its relevance and their Filipino crew enrolled under the
to the local seafaring industry at the onset of UFS Collective Bargaining Agreement.
2010 with a new set of Board of Directors.
The new officers and members of the
Seafarer-members of the UFS have Board of Directors of the UFS had their
spoken during the General Election of the formal oath-taking at Jade Vine restaurant
union’s National Executive Board held at on February 25, 2010 with Atty. Ignacio
the Asian Social Institute in Malate, Manila Sapalo of Sapalo Velez Bundang & Bulilan
last January 29, 2010.
Previously having a sixman Board, the UFS now has
a nine-man roster with the
addition of six new faces to
complement the three others
who got fresh mandates to
lead and serve as members of
the Board of Directors for the
next five years.
Engr.
Nelson
Ramirez
was re-elected to the Board, The UFS members making their voices heard during the
along with Chief Engr. Isagani union’s general assembly and election of Board of Directors last
January 29, 2010 at the Asian Social Institute.
Valmonte and Paul Esber. The
six new members of the UFS Board include Law Offices administering the oath of office.
Chief Engr. Rodolfo Virtudazo, Capt. The event also coincided with the induction
Walfrido Rivas, Capt. Eliezer Ramirez, rites of the Philippine International Maritime
Capt. Danny Tampos, Rey Juego, and Rey Labor Center (PHIMLAC) labor federation
Gambe.
of which UFS is one of the three prime
The nine-man UFS Board subsequently movers.
had its first meeting on February 8, 2010
Atty. Romeo Fortea of Sapalo Velez
where they elected among themselves the Bundang & Bulilan Law Offices served as
union’s new set of officers who would be chairman of the Commission on Election
serving until 2015. Engr. Nelson Ramirez during the UFS voting which was fast tracked
was re-elected as President, C/E Valmonte when the union members unanimously
as Internal Vice President, Capt. Walfrido agreed to do away with the secret balloting
Rivas as External Vice President, Rey after nominating nine persons to the UFS
Gambe as National Secretary, Capt. Eliezer board. It was seconded by Atty. Fontea
Ramirez as National Treasurer, and Paul since it was covered under the by-laws of
Esber as Auditor.
the union.
TURN TO PAGE 19
During the same UFS Board meeting, it
MARCH-APRIL 2010
MARCH-APRIL 2010
TINIG NG MARINO
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6 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
Tinig ng Marino (Voice of the
Seafarer) is published by the United
Filipino Seafarers, a duly registered
Philippine maritime union. Editorial
office: 4th/F Room 402, Gedisco
Terraces Bldg., 1148 Roxas Blvd.,
Ermita, Manila, Philippines; Telephone nos.: (632) 524-4888; 525-5806; Fax (632) 524-2336; E-mail: ufs_07@
yahoo.com; Website: http://www.ufs.ph. Materials published in this
paper may be reprinted provided proper acknowledgment to Tinig ng Marino
and the author, if indicated, is made.
Nelson P. Ramirez
Executive Editor
Rey Gambe
Managing Editor
Creative Consultant
Arianne Rodriguez
Sonia Inserto
Assistant Editors
Erik España
Roland Cabrera
Minabelle Siason
Artists
Capt. Arturo Cañoza
Belgium Bureau
Fr. James Kolin
Japan Bureau
New York Bureau
Sapalo Velez Bundang
& Bulilan Law Offices
Engr. Samson Tormis
Greece Bureau
Legal Consultants
Corry Llamas-Konings
Philip Ramirez
Bob Ramirez
Julius D. Bacang
Edilberto B. Filipino Jr.
Jordan C. De Lara
Rotterdam Bureau
Production Staff
SOUNDING LEAD
EDITORIAL
CAPT. REYNOLD M. SABAY
The Next Management
Level Courses
The Strength of the Union
C
hampioning the cause of the Filipino seafarers is a noble but
otherwise formidable task and any maritime labor federation
worth its salt knows this too well.
It is not just about being an advocate of reforms and policy
changes all geared towards affording the seaborne workforce
a stable, safe and productive working environment onboard
international oceangoing vessels; it is also about being there for the
Filipino seafarers or their families when they needed it most.
For the last 15 years, the United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) has
been true to its calling of not just being there as an advocate or a
voice for the Filipino seamen in matters that concern their profession
and the local maritime industry in general, but more importantly as
a wall to lean on, a shoulder to cry on, or even a friend to talk to in
times of distress.
The thousands of Filipino seafarers (and even land-based
workers) who have been victimized by illegal recruiters, abusive
manning agencies, shrewd shipowners, or just about any type of
vultures lurking in the business, can attest how the UFS came to
their rescue when they most needed it.
Not just content in rescuing them from their perils, dilemma or
the agony that the sad experience has brought upon them, the UFS
actually made the fight as its own, undaunted by death or whatever
form of threats, just to make sure that justice for the oppressed is
met and the culprits are made accountable for their misdeeds.
Being a vanguard for the Filipino seafarers, their concerns,
plight and welfare is a 24/7 job and even a grizzled maritime union
certainly needs a hand to keep it going and stay true to its mandate
and objectives. Just like the seafaring profession which continues
to evolve through time, the local maritime industry is also very
dynamic and new challenges keep on coming up in the horizon as
the years go by.
Thus, when the UFS was presented with the opportunity to form
an alliance and merge with two other maritime labor federations
namely, the Mariners and Allied Transport Employees Union
(MATEU) and International Seafarer Mutual Labor Association
(ISLA), it hardly spared precious time just to make the union a
reality.
While the idea has been floated as early as 2006, it was only
at the close of 2009 when talks of a formal merger were seriously
pursued by the three parties involved in the historic alliance. The rest
eventually became history as the Philippine International Maritime
Labor Center or PHIMLAC was officially born as a maritime labor
federation early this year.
TURN TO PAGE 33
W
e
will
soon
see
graduates of BS Marine
Transportation
and
Marine Engineering courses who
are qualified for the management
level but NOT for the operational
level. This is the foreseeable
scenario some five years from
now when the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) starts to
implement the Management Level
Courses (MLC) as part of the
curricula of the BS courses for the
maritime this coming school year
- another inclusion to the growing
“Only in the Philippines” list.
The industry players must now
prepare for another unprecedented
but clearly predictable impact
of the changes in the regime of
Philippine Maritime Education and
Training (MET). The CHED is bent
on taking over the infamous MLC
by implementing it as part of the
curricula of the BS courses for the
Maritime Deck and Engine.
At the beginning of the last
decade, CHED declared that it
was not in the position to develop
and supervise the MLC whilst MTC
took the cudgels. When the heat
cooled down after seven years of
battle in developing the MLC and
finally became accepted, here
comes CHED taking over. Very
convenient indeed!
The first challenge is to expect
a BS Marine Transportation or
Marine Engineering evolving into
at least a five-year course. From
our soundings, the intention of
CHED is to require the subjects
of MLC for returning cadets from
shipboard training. The present
system for the said BS courses is
following either 2-1-1 or 3-1 model.
The 2-1-1 model means two years
in school, one year shipboard
training as cadet and finally one
year back in school to finish the
course. This is the model for only
two academies in the Philippines.
The 3-1 model means three
straight years in school and one
year shipboard training as cadet
then the candidate graduates.
This model is followed by almost
all maritime institutions in the
Philippines.
We all know for a fact that
cadets do not go onboard
immediately after schooling. Their
joining schedules depend upon
so many factors such as vessel’s
trading pattern, schedules of the
cadet currently onboard, economic
forces, and more.
The present 3-1 model as
a matter of fact is producing
graduates way beyond the fouryear schooling requirements
already. When CHED implements
the MLC which is supposedly to be
taken after shipboard training, then
the disembarkation schedules of
cadets must be synchronized with
the semestral schedules. This
will present the initial challenge
assuming cadets from shipboard
training embark and disembark in
harmony with school’s semestral
schedules.
The 3-1 model will definitely
become at least 3-1-1.
The 2-1-1 model may use some
imaginations by way of innovations
in semestral schedules. They
might squeeze in the MLC
subjects during summer and
semestral vacation. Nevertheless,
we can still see the challenge on
how to finish the course within
the frameworks of a 2-1-1 model.
This will become 2-1-1-1, the last
one means another semester for
the MLC subjects, which by the
way require the heavy use of
simulators.
The second challenge is the
qualification of fresh graduates
from the BS maritime courses.
They
maybe
qualified
for
the management level upon
graduation but NOT for the
operational level. The present
system for certification of our
seafarers is not changing. The
candidates, after graduation from
the BS courses, take the licensure
examination from the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC).
After passing the board exams
for OIC level, the candidates are
then required to undergo certain
STCW courses to qualify for their
Certificate of Competency (COC)
as OIC. We have graduated
candidates that are qualified for
the management level but NOT
for the operational level. There
must be some better alternatives
in improving the Philippine MET.
How come CHED did not
include in the BS curricula the
STCW training courses for the
operational level in the first
place?
MARCH-APRIL 2010
TINIG NG MARINO
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8 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
Engr. Nelson Ramirez of the UFS was among the panel of reactors during the Symposium
2010 featuring the Proposed Amendments to the STCW Convention and STCW Code, initiated
by the Philippine Association of Maritime Training Centers, Inc. (PAMTCI) held on February
26, 2010 at the AMOSUP Convention Center in Intramuros, Manila. He is shown with other
reactors including (from left) C/E Alfredo Haboc of Philcamsat, C/E Mike Marasigan, Vice
Chairman of the PRC Board of Marine Engineer Officers; and Capt. Jesse Martinez of Global
Training System Philippines.
For
his
colorful
but
otherwise
straight-forward
commentaries
and jibes on the
erstwhile
MARINA
Administrator on the
issue of maritime
disaster,
Engr.
Ramirez was made
as a resource person
in the ANC public
affairs program ‘Top
Stories.’ He is shown
with program hosts
Tony Velasquez and
Twink Macaraeg.
The UFS President responding to a question of a UFS member during the General Election
of the Board of Directors of the maritime labor federation held at the Asian Social Institute
in Malate, Manila on January 29, 2010. Engr. Ramirez was eventually re-elected to the UFS
Board of Directors and was subsequently given a fresh mandate as President of the union
for a new five-year term up to 2015.
Consistent with the
position of the UFS
on maritime safety
and giving premium
importance on the
safety of life of
passengers and crew
as well as property
at sea, Engr. Ramirez
was one of the, if
not the most vocal
resource
person,
during the series of
hearings conducted
by the Senate Blue
Ribbon
Committee
on the issue. Upper
photo shows him
explaining a point
during the January 21,
2010 Senate hearing
while he is shown
at the lower photo
animatedly raising a
valid argument during
the January 14, 2010
Senate hearing.
Engr.
Ramirez
was
again
the
resource
person
on UNTV’s public
affairs
program
‘Serbisyo Publiko’
hosted by Annie
Rentoy and Joey
M. Collantes. The
segment focused
on
maritime
disaster and public
preparedness and
aired on February
25, 2010.
The UFS President was
among the ‘bottomliners’ in
Boy Abunda’s public affairs
program “Bottomline” on
Studio 23 last February
2, 2010. He is shown
explaining a point regarding
ship stability and maritime
disaster as Boy Abunda
and the other ‘bottomliners’
listen intently.
As part of the UFS’
intensified
PEOS
program in the different
maritime schools in
the
country,
Engr.
Ramirez facilitated a
one-day PEOS seminar
at Zamboanga State
College
of
Marine
Science and Technology
in Zamboanga City
on March 16, 2010.
He is shown being
flanked by C/M Nestor
Doyungan (left), the
school president, and
Jaime G. Jalon, Ph. D.,
the institution’s VP for
Academic Affairs.
MARCH-APRIL 2010
TINIG NG MARINO
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10 TINIG NG MARINO
SEPTEMBER
MARCH
- OCTOBER
- APRIL 2010
2009
MARCH-APRIL
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL
2010
SEPTEMBER
- OCTOBER
2009
ENGR. NELSON P. RAMIREZ
Most Outstanding Marine Engineer Officer, PRC, 1996
Most Outstanding Student, ZNSAT, 1970
Outstanding Achiever of the Year, Province of Zamboanga del Norte, 2006
11
UGONG NG MAKINA
AT IKT NG ELISI
Sukdulang Panggugulang sa Gobyerno?
K
ung ang isang babae raw ay buntis
noong panahong naisampa namin
ang kaso laban kina Mr. Sempio at
Mr. Malbog et. al., maaaring nag-aaral na
ang bata sa kindergaten school ngayon.
‘Yan ang nasambit ng pang-apat na hukom
na humahawak sa kaso namin laban kay
Mr. Sempio. Biruin mo ‘yan, sa tanda ni Mr.
Sempio na mahigit na 80 taon, mas ginusto
pa niya na tumagal ang kaso at kung
maaari ay dalhin na lang niya sa kanyang
huling hantungan. Tila nangangatog na ang
tuhod nina Mr. Sempio at Mr. Malbog dahil
sa darating na ikasiyam ng Hunyo 2010,
tatapusin na ang naturang kaso sa loob
ng isang araw. Sangkaterba ring dahilan
ang ginawa nila upang maantala lang ang
mga pagdinig. Wala na sigurong makitang
ibang hanapbuhay sina Mr. Sempio at Mr.
Malbog kaya kapit-tuko sila sa MEOAP.
Para bagang ang MEOAP na lang ang
kanilang sinasandalan para sa ikabubuhay
ng kani-kanilang pamilya. Sabagay, sino
ba naman ang kukuha kay Mr. Sempio
sa tanda niyang ‘yan at sino naman ang
kukuha kay Mr. Malbog sa industriya ng
mga marino pagkatapos siyang isuka sa
PMI.
Biruin ninyo, itinodo na nila sa dalawang
libong piso ang mandatory membership ng
mga marine engineers. Mahabaging langit!
Pati NAC certificates, pinagkakakitaan pa!
Kaya normal lang na walang maisagot
sina Mr. Sempio at Mr. Malbog pati na ang
kanyang asawa kapag minumura sila ng
mga makinistang piniga nila ang katas at
dugo. Alalahanin mo Sempio, matanda
ka na at lahat ng may pinagmulan ay may
katapusan. Hahabulin ko kayo hanggang
sa mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga
makinistang marino.
*******
Sobra ang Suwerte
May mga tao na sobra talaga ang
suwerte at ang isa sa mga taong ‘yan na
nabansagang “The Luckiest Man Alive” ay
si Rhegis Romero II. Maaaring marami ang
hindi nakakaalam kung bakit ko tinutuligsa
ang pagsasapribado ng North Harbor.
Ayon pa kay Sen. Miriam Santiago, ang
pagkagawa ng Manila Harbour Centre ay
binansagan niyang “Anak ng Amari.” Pera
ng mga OFWs mula sa pondo ng OWWA,
sa mga manggagawa ng gobyerno mula
sa pondo ng GSIS at sa pondo ng SSS
nanggaling ang pera sa initial development
ng port complex bilang bahagi ng Smokey
Mountain Development Program sa ilalim
ng dating Pangulong Fidel Ramos. Ang
naunang kasunduan ay papaunlarin at
gagastusan ni Rhegis Romero ang 40
ektaryang na reclamation project (sa
kalaunan, naging 79 ektarya ito). Nang
magdeklara si Rhegis Romero na wala
siyang perang pangtustos sa proyektong
ito, inutusan ni dating Pangulong Ramos
ang SSS, GSIS at OWWA na pondohan
ang naturang proyekto ng P3.1 bilyon
upang matapos ito at magkaroon na lang
ng profit-sharing sa nasabing contractor
na R-II Builders na pag-aari ni Romero.
Samakatuwid, ang P3.1 bilyong piso
ay galing sa gobyerno at dahil walang
perang pambayad ang contractor na si
Rhegis Romero ay binayaran ito ng Home
Guaranty Corporation na naging guarantor
sa pagawa ng Manila Harbour Centre. Ito
ay maliwanag pa sa sikat ng araw. Ang
hindi maliwanag ay kung papaano nangyari
na si Rhegis Romero na ang naging mayari halos ng proyektong ginastusan ng
gobyerno. Biruin mo ‘yan, binigyan na lang
niya ng 34% ang gobyerno bilang preferred
shares of stocks. Pagkatapos, sinampahan
pa niya ang ahensiya ng sangkaterbang
kaso dahil hindi “kuno” siya nababayaran sa
pamamagitan ng tinatawag na “advances”
ng gobyerno sa mga ginawa niyang mga
“developments.” Mantakin ninyo ‘yan,
isang proyektong ginastusan ng gobyerno
pero si Rhegis Romero ang naging mayari. Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit isiniwalat
ni Sen. Miriam Santiago sa Senado na
saan ka makakakita sa buong mundo na
ang gobyerno pagkatapos magbigay ng
bilyon-bilyong pondo sa isang developer
ay ipamimigay pa ang lupa sa developer
na walang pera? Ang sabi pa nga ni
Sen. Santiago, “This is not just corruption
spelled out in neon lights; this is sheer
cold-blooded wickedness.”
TURN TO PAGE 35
12 TINIG NG MARINO
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010
Romero’s Legal Assault on
HGC, Running on Empty
I
f the recent case filed by Atty. Jerome
Canlas, personal lawyer of Reghis
Romero II and his family, against Home
Guaranty Corporation (HGC) and its
officials is to be the basis of shrewdness
of a businessman to put one over the
government again and again, this one is
certainly for the record books.
Apart from being hallow and hardly
stands on firm legal footing, the case filed
by Canlas against HGC and its officials only
reflect greed on the part of his master, who
have been putting one over the government
and the public since it ventured into the
Manila Harbour Centre port complex more
than 15 years ago.
Canlas sued HGC and its officials for
allegedly selling land at Manila Harbour
Centre at bargain-basement prices
particularly the sale in 2008 of two patches
of land – a 10,000-square-meter lot and
another 28,900-square-meter property
inside the port complex to Lapaz Milling
Corporation – at PhP13,300 per square
meter.
Manila Harbour Centre is supposed to
be an investment haven for locators as
claimed and being marketed by Romero’s
real estate and developing firm R-II
Builders. But instead of making the place
conducive to locators, the Romeros are
actually making life difficult practically for
everyone.
Harbour Centre Port Terminal, Inc.
(HCPTI), the private port operator at the
port complex and sister company of R-II
Builders, has on record, been warned by
the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) no less
on several different occasions for grossly
abusing its rights not only as private
cargo handler but also for stepping on the
legal bounds of other locators in the port
complex. PPA has in fact interceded in a
couple of hotly-contested issues in Manila
Harbour Centre port complex.
The development commitment made by
R-II Builders to the national government,
to the PPA, to the port users, and to the
general public, is still wanting after 15
years. From a mere wasteland what
with its beginning as part of the Smokey
Mountain Development Program under
then President Fidel Ramos, the 79hectare Manila Harbour Center is hardly
even a shadow of what it once claimed
and continues to do so to this day as
the “country’s first fully-integrated and
masterplanned community – primarily a
world-class port facility envisioned to be
the hub of local and multinational trade
and business activity.”
TURN TO PAGE 40
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
13
VAST HORIZON
C/ENGR. RODOLFO B. VIRTUDAZO
Outstanding Seafarer of the Year, NSD, 1998
Most Outstanding Marine Engineer Officer, PRC, 1999
Training Manager and Technical Superintendent, Southfield Agencies, Inc.
An Inspirational Message to Southfield Scholars
I
have a favorite maxim in life that may
have helped me a lot in my work and
career. And that is: Nothing great in the
world has been accomplished without
passion. This beautiful maxim seems like
a fire that rages within me. The passion
I’m talking about is one’s strong attitude
towards something, which is more than
enthusiasm; more than eagerness; more
than dedication and devotion. We may
be over-qualified but without passion, our
work is half-baked if not unproductive.
The worldwide population of seafarers
serving on internationally trading merchant
ships is estimated to be in the order of
466,000 officers and 721,000 ratings.
According to the 2009 POEA statistics,
297,467 Filipino seafarers were deployed
onboard various types of vessels. In
Southfield alone, 3,705 Filipinos comprise
the workforce of sea-based personnel
(i.e. both onboard and on vacation). The
Philippines and India are very significant
maritime labor supply nations, with many
seafarers from these countries enjoying
employment opportunities on foreign flag
ships operated by international shipping
companies. China has also seen a large
increase in the number of seafarers,
but at the moment most of them work
on the Chinese fleet, meeting domestic
requirements.
We know for a fact that we are also
getting a stiff competition from the
international seafaring community; they
are the Croatians, Latvians, Romanians,
Bulgarians, and Ukrainians.
I have great faith in the Filipino seafarers.
They will continue to make waves across
the oceans as many shipowners believe in
us, affirming that we are still marketable.
They say that we are qualified, skilled,
hardworking, flexible, and proficient in
interpersonal communication compared to
other foreign crewmembers.
Besides, we also have the inherent
quality of close family ties. Our love and
attachment to our family has helped us rise
above the storms that we encounter in our
daily shipboard life in order to succeed.
But then again, let us not sit on our
laurels. With our edge, the more we should
strive hard to keep up with the demands
of times and high technology. The more
we should do our homework. The more
we should live up to our image, which the
Filipinos are known for all over the world.
And this is being passionate, not only in
love but also in work to be able to further
our career and also to make the company
strong, solid and successful.
Seriously, putting passion in our work
will benefit us in the long run, not only our
company. As the company grows, we also
grow. It will always put us on the map and
shine in the world’s seafaring market. It will
make us world-class.
In Southfield, we are very fortunate
that management takes good care of its
employees. Southfield culture dictates
that everybody is important. Whether he
is a cadet, an AB, a motorman, or a junior
officer, he deserves respect, dignity, and
concern.
Despite the crucial issue on our
maritime schools which produce too many
graduates annually (in fact, more than
what the country’s shipping industry can
accommodate), the Southfield scholars
and other regular cadets who have
successfully completed the in-house
training program are assured of a career
that is fully supported by management.
With a well-balanced juxtaposition
of determination and dedication, the
scholarship program was established three
years ago in collaboration with Manuel
S. Enverga University of Lucena City.
Southfield’s Scholarship Program seeks
to provide less fortunate but gifted high
school graduates, or out-of-school youths
who are determined to enter the seafaring
profession, with financial aid to support their
three-year maritime academic education
and one-year shipboard training. The
Scholarship Program seeks to develop the
grantees holistically by providing not only
quality education but also activities that will
inculcate values necessary to overcome
the hardships of the seafaring profession,
will mold their conscience, will develop a
TURN TO PAGE 19
14 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
SAILOR’S CORNER
ATTY. AUGUSTO R. BUNDANG
Head, Litigation and Seafarers Department
Sapalo Velez Bundang & Bulilan Law Offices
Understanding Disability Claims
S
ection 20, B (6) of the 2000 POEA
Standard Terms and Conditions
governing the employment of
Filipino seafarers onboard ocean-going
vessels (which is incorporated in the POEA
Standard Employment Contract) clearly
provides that in case of permanent total or
partial disability of the seafarer caused by
either injury or illness, he shall be paid in
accordance with the schedule of benefits
enumerated in Section 32 of the same
POEA Standard Terms.
Section 32 pertaining to the schedule of
disability or impediment for injuries suffered
and diseases including occupational
diseases or illness contracted, enumerates
the injuries and illnesses with their
equivalent impediment grades starting
from a high of 1 to a low of 14, which in
turn, correspond to specific ratings in
percentages of US$50,000.
If only to illustrate, in the case of NYK-
FIL Ship Management, Inc., et. al., v.
Talavera (G.R. No. 175894, November
14, 2008), the Supreme Court found the
seafarer to be entitled to disability benefits
following the second opinion of his physician
that he suffers from lumbar spondylopathy
categorized as partial permanent disability
with Grade 8 impediment based on Section
32 computed at, “US$ 50,000.00 x 33.59%,”
or amounting to US$16,795.00.
It should be understood nonetheless, as
pointed out in the decision of the Supreme
Court in Seagull Maritime Corporation,
et.al. vs. Jaycee Dee, et.al. (G.R. No.
165156, April 2, 2007), that the schedule
in the POEA-SEC does not contain all the
possible injuries that render a seafarer unfit
for further sea duties.
Now comes the question, how does
one become entitled to Grade 1 disability
benefits which amount to US$60,000 based
on the computation of “US$50,000.00 x
120%” under the schedule of disability
allowances stated in Section 32?
In the case of Philimare, Inc., et.al. v.
Suganob (G.R. No. 168753, July 9, 2008),
the High Court ruled that to be entitled to
Grade 1 disability benefits, the seafarer’s
disability must not only be total but also
permanent. The Court said:
“Permanent disability is the inability of
a worker to perform his job for more than
120 days, regardless of whether or not he
loses the use of any of his body….. Total
disability on the other hand, does not
mean absolute helplessness. In disability
compensation, it is not the injury which is
compensated, but rather the incapacity to
work resulting in the impairment of one’s
earning capacity. Total disability does not
require that the employee be absolutely
disabled, or totally paralyzed. What is
necessary is that the injury must be such
that the employee cannot pursue his usual
work and earn therefrom…..”
It becomes apparent that what is
compensated in the case of permanent
total disability is not the injury or illness of
the seafarer but rather his inability to work
resulting in the impairment of his earning
capacity.
Disability, as the Court observes,
should be understood less on its medical
significance but more on the loss of
earning capacity. In other words, if it can
be established that the disability of the
seafarer, as a result of his work-related
injury or illness during the term of his
contract, prevents him from performing
his usual work for more than 120 days,
regardless of whether or not he loses
the use of any part of his body, then his
entitlement to Grade 1 disability benefits
should more than ever become clear.
[Atty. Augusto ‘Tito’ Bundang is a
regular columnist of BusinessWorld
and a partner of Sapalo Velez Bundang
& Bulilan Law Offices (formerly Sapalo
& Velez Law Offices). He is also a board
member of the Maritime Law Association
of the Philippines (MARLAW). A
graduate of Ateneo de Manila University,
he heads its Litigation and Seafarers
Department. Sapalo Velez Bundang &
Bulilan Law Offices is located at the
11th floor of Security Bank Centre, 6776
Ayala Avenue, Makati City with Tel. No.
891-13-16.]
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2009
TINIG NG MARINO
15
16 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
UFS Members Enjoying Affordable
Medicines thru Med Express
K
nowing that you or your loved one is
sick always causes stress. The thought
of buying medicines from a drugstore
just adds more hassle. The problems and
inconveniences include the long and tiring
trip to the drugstore, the frustration of waiting
in line, getting exposed to other people who
may be sick, as well as the high cost of
medications. Being seafarers onboard, one
will always worry about the health and wellbeing of loved ones back home.
Fortunately, UFS members can worry
no more. They are now like the many wise
Filipino consumers across the country that
discovered that there is no need to go all the
way to the drugstore. Now, buying medicines
and all other drugstore needs is as easy
as picking up the phone and calling Med
Express, the Number One Delivery Service
Drugstore in the country.
Today, many happy and satisfied
customers regularly enjoy the hassle-free and
professional pharmacy delivery services from
Med Express. This service is now available to
UFS members and their love ones via special
discount and membership card wherein UFS
members and their family members who
call Med Express are automatically assured
of specific discounts and premium priority
treatments on all the products and services
provided by Med Express.
Simply by ordering through the Med
Express hotlines, they may now experience
the convenience of having all their drugstore
needs delivered at the comfort of their own
home or office. Med Express delivers in key
cities nationwide within Metro Manila and
affordable than other drugstores. Med Express
even honors the senior citizen discount card
when making purchases in the case of UFS
members’ elderly loved-ones.
Med Express carries a complete line from
prescription and over the counter medicines
other key provincial areas.
(branded
and
The
Med
Express
generics),
delivery hotlines are 643v i t a m i n s ,
3333 (Metro Manila), 416supplements,
2222 (Cavite and Laguna),
and even hard788-2222 (Laguna and
to-find specialty
Batangas),
523-2333
medicines (like
(Dagupan and Urdaneta,
anti-cancers
Pangasinan),
231-3000
products).
(Metro Cebu) and 225They
may
5555 (Metro Davao). Even
also purchase
if they want delivery outside
various medical
of the above mentioned
equipment and
Licensed and professional pharmacists frontline for
areas, UFS members can
supplies
like
all Med Express outlets in the country.
be assured that special
blood pressure
arrangements can be made for delivery monitor machines, blood glucose meters and
anywhere in the Philippines.
strips, and even supplies for dialysis.
What’s more, arrangements can also be
Med Express also delivers all kinds of
made even if a UFS member is abroad. Med infant and children’s milk formulas, diapers
Express is the expert at making sure that you and adult nutrition needs. The can also
or your loved ones receive the medicine and conveniently buy all personal care needs
services they need anywhere in the country. like hygiene products, toiletries, toothpaste,
Medicines and other urgent medical supplies soaps, energy drinks and more. All at
can also be sent by the family to the UFS affordable prices easy on the budget.
members abroad in the event of emergency
Med Express further offers a complete line
or urgent need.
of home-based and clinic-based laboratory
Med Express really maintains competitive and diagnostic services ranging from blood
prices compared to other drugstores. Buying tests, ECG, urinalysis, and even cholesterol,
is made even more convenient because hepatitis screening and X-ray services. Med
one also use cash, all major credits cards, Express brings the lab to its clientele.
Globe G-Cash and Smart Money when
Med Express also offers highly-skilled
paying for delivery orders. All UFS members and qualified doctors as well as medical
have automatic discount of at least 1% on consultation services. All UFS members are
all medicines purchases from Med Express automatically assured of affordable rates
on top of the already affordable prices Med plus priority and personalized services that
Express is known for.
are much better compared to the expensive
And Med Express prices are always more and impersonal treatment common at other
hospitals and clinics.
Medication safety to all its customers is
the primary objective of the Med Express
professional pharmacy service. Unlike other
drugstores where only regular sales clerks
are in the front, all Med Express personnel
are highly trained, licensed, board-certified
pharmacists who are fully qualified to attend
to all the medicine and medication counseling
needs of its customers and will ensure their
safety. No other drugstore in the country
provides this service except Med Express.
Med Express is the only drugstore chain
in the country that keeps a confidential
record of all the medication purchases of its
customers. This confidential record may be
accessed by the UFS member anytime to
help avoid future medication complications.
On top of that, Med Express offers UFS
members to avail for free the Med Express
Patient Medication Compliance Monitoring
System, wherein a Med Express boardcertified and well-qualified pharmacist will be
happy to contact and remind them when they
are about to or need to make a replenishment
of their maintenance medicines to avoid
missed doses and assist in the scheduling of
medicine intake.
Med Express will continually be coming
out with various programs and services for
the benefits of UFS members now and in the
years to come.
Med Express aims to assist the hardworking
seafarers and family by offering products and
services designed to make their lives more
convenient and easier. They can always rely
on Med Express to always provide medical
and personal care products as well as clinic,
laboratory and diagnostic services on a
consistent, affordable and good quality basis.
Whether one is at home or abroad on the high
seas, Med Express will always be there for
you and your family.
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
17
UFS Ushers Aspiring Mariners to the Industry through PEOS
I
n order to ensure the hassle-free entry
of several aspiring young mariners to
the seafaring profession and to the local
maritime industry in general, the United
Filipino Seafarers (UFS) has again went
out of its way to conduct a series of PreEmployment Orientation Seminar (PEOS)
in several maritime schools in the country.
As its name implies, PEOS is normally
given to graduating maritime students as
a preparatory instrument to make their
official transition from the maritime schools
to the mainstream maritime industry as
smooth as possible. The seminar is usually
conducted around or near the close of the
school year.
PEOS also ensures that the maritime
students would not be victimized by illegal
recruiters or any other types of vulture
looking for their unwitting prey in the local
maritime industry.
Even before POEA and premier maritime
schools in the county have started conducint
PEOS, the UFS already had a good head
start from the rest of the pack as it buckled
down to work since 1995.
This year, the UFS first took to task
the conduct of the one-day PEOS at the
Pangasinan Merchant Marine Academy
(PAMMA) on February 11, 2010, about the
same time when Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez,
President of the UFS, was invited to be
among the special guests during the
foundation day celebration of the maritime
school.
With the end in view of hitting two birds
with one stone for the long drive to and from local manning agencies as they begin their
Pangasinan, Engr. Ramirez recommended hunt for possible shipboard employment
conducting the PEOS to the graduating opportunities.
maritime students of PAMMA
and the school officials can only
welcome with open arms the
worthy proposal.
On February 23, 2010, Engr.
Ramirez
again
conducted
PEOS in front of hundreds of
graduating maritime students of
the Technological Institute of the
Philippines (TIP) in Quezon City.
After more than a week, the
UFS, through Engr. Ramirez
again, conducted a marathon
PEOS in three different maritime Speaking before maritime students of TIP in Quezon City.
schools in Central Visayas within
a span of three days.
He first conducted the PEOS
at Southwestern University on
March 4, 2010.
The following day, he facilitated
the same type of seminar at the
University of Cebu – Maritime
Education and Training Center
(UC-METC) in Mambaling, Cebu.
On March 6, 2010, he took the
early-morning ferry service from
Cebu to Tagbilaran to conduct
PEOS at PMI-Bohol, located at Facilitating the PEOS for students of UC-METC in Cebu.
the heart of Tagbilaran City.
Less than two weeks from
his grinding Central Visayas
PEOS schedule, Engr. Ramirez
flew again on March 16, 2010,
this time in Zamboanga City
in Mindanao, to conduct the
seminar at Zamboanga State
College of Marine Science and
Technology.
All by its own, the UFS has
already conducted PEOS in
several maritime schools in Luzon,
Doing casual discussion in front of students of PMI-Bohol.
Visayas and Mindanao and the
union is still more than willing
to accommodate or entertain
requests for free from interested
maritime schools should they
deem it necessary and fit for their
graduating maritime students.
On the part of the UFS, PEOS
is also one way of ensuring
that fresh maritime graduates,
particularly those from the
provinces, would not be awed
by what’s in store for them the
moment they come to Manila and
start knocking on the doors of Conducting the PEOS for students of Southwestern University.
United Filipino Seafarers
(UFS) Partylist
No. 180 in the COMELEC Official Ballot
18 TINIG NG MARINO
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
TANGGAPAN NG KOMANDANTE
(OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT)
PUNONGHIMPILAN TANOD BAYBAYIN NG PILIPINAS
(HEADQUARTERS PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD)
139 25th Street,Port Area
Manila
FEB.17, 2010
ENGR.NELSON P. RAMIREZ
President
United Filipino Seafarers
4th Floor,Rm 402, GEDISCO Terrace
1148 Roxas Boulevard,Ermita,Manila
Dear Engineer Ramirez:
The Philippine Coast Guard humbly expresses its grateful appreciation for your unwavering
support to the cause of the organization especially in the crafting of the PCG Law of 2009. After
years of lobbying with Congress,the PCG Law of 2009 was finally approved by the President
as Republic Act 9993 on 12 February 2010. Said law finally establishes the PCG’s rightful
character and niche in the bureaucracy.
It cannot be denied that your wisdom and experience in maritime governance played a
significant role in aiding lawmakers in the formulation and enactment of the new law. Your firm
resolve to make a better maritime environment, that is safe, clean, and secure, has proven to
be instrumental in the enactment of the PCG Law.
Rest assured of our earnest dedication to be of best service to the maritime industry and the
entire Filipino nation.
Very truly yours,
WILFREDO D. TAMAYO
Admiral, PCG
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
W
hen finances become the topic of
discussion, people tend to avoid
it for many reasons. Foremost
of which is the stress that comes with
managing day-to-day expenses.
Although our circumstances may differ,
with some experiencing sickness or death,
and others fighting an urge to spend, we
all need to face the issue of finances.
To face it, we should have healthy
savings accounts, not just ATM accounts,
to have ready cash when needed. So, it
is important to be financially well for our
pockets to have money and for us to lead
comfortable lives. Here are some simple
tips to financial wellness:
1. Be disciplined and live within your
means.
Discipline will help you control your
spending. It is important for you to
determine your needs and wants, and to
avoid items not included in your monthly
budget.
Achieving Financial Wellness
2. Pay off your credit card balance.
If your credit card puts you in debt,
pay off the full balance. This will help you
avoid paying interest rates that amount to
splurging in a high-end restaurant without
filling your stomach.
3. Plan major expenses.
Before indulging and committing to a
major expense, plan ahead and make
realistic effort to save for it so as not to
affect your monthly budget. At times, you
need to sacrifice something to meet this
major expense..
4. Pay yourself first.
Develop the habit of saving for your
short- and long-term goals as this will
benefit YOU. Delayed gratification is your
sweetest reward.
One way to develop the habit of saving
VAST HORIZON
An Inspirational Message
to Southfield Scholars
FROM PAGE 13
strong spiritual foundation, and build a new
breed of leaders in the seafaring industry.
I started it out with Southfield in 2000
as chief engineer on one of Hyundai’s bulk
carriers. I thought that I would remain a
plain chief engineer.
However, five years ago, I took over the
job of a Training Manager of Southfield.
But the biggest surprise of my life came in
April 2003, when I was offered the position
of a Technical Superintendent for Patt
Manfield, our Hong Kong-based principal
which employs only British masters, chief
engineers, and electricians.
I need not mention these achievements
but I’m sharing them in all humility and
gratefulness. I just would like to drive home
the point that aside from our marketability,
we will gain respect and dignity as Filipinos
by doing our utmost best.
Yes, it is possible for all of us to reach
greater achievements. Not only me but all
of us. Why? One special reason is that we
are privileged and blessed to be under the
19
wings of Southfield who believes in their
people.
They give break to their employees
according to their capability. They take
notice and appreciate their good works,
and allow them the chance deserving of
their career. One good example is Marlon
Manalo, a Southfield scholar who was
my engine cadet when I served as an
emergency relieving chief engineer for one
month last year onboard MV Hyundai No.
202.
Based on my actual evaluation, I am
optimistic that in 10 years time, he will
definitely succeed as one of Southfield’s
young breed of chief engineers.
When my wife informed me that I was
one of the lucky nominees who made
it to the list of eight awardees during the
National Seafarers Day, I was not really
excited. I was just doing my job, I thought.
Then, upon arriving home, my children
presented me the two plaques of recognition
from the Apostleship of the Sea and the
other from Tinig ng Marino.
I was touched and moved. The two
is to get PruLink, a variable insurance
that will give you not only protection
from uncertainties but also returns on
investment that enable you to fulfill your
long-term goals like traveling to Europe,
buying property or even preparing for your
retirement.
5. Be educated and talk to a licensed
financial adviser.
You can always make your own research
on financial strategies and management
but it helps to have someone you can talk
to.
A Licensed Financial Adviser is
someone you can trust, who can assist you
to manage your savings, and guide you in
prioritizing your expenses.
You can get in touch with AILEEN T.
ELLO, a licensed financial adviser, through
her email address at aileen_ello@yahoo.
com, mobile at +63 920 951 0388, or
office number at +632 842 4007.
6. Review your progress.
Like in school, we need to have a
report card on our financial portfolio.
This includes what we own (both savings
and tangible items), and what we owe,
which will give us the numbers on our
financial net worth. Compare this with
your financial portfolio in previous years.
You’ll find out that if you are committed
to increase your net worth, you will stick
to your plan and avoid unnecessary
expenses.
Are you ready now to achieve your
financial wellness? Contact AILEEN T.
ELLO, your licensed financial adviser for
a more detailed discussion.
plaques mentioned about “uplifting the
image of the Filipino seafarers.” And I said,
yes, why not?
The following year, I also received the
much coveted award from the Professional
Regulation Commission as an Outstanding
Professional in the field of Marine
Engineering.
We as Filipinos should also make
strenuous efforts so that we will continue
to shine despite the stiff competition
worldwide.
Most of all, lest we forget, as seafarers,
let us remember to entrust our work, our
company and our family to the greatest
seafarer of all, no less than Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Saviour. Who can be against
us if God is with us? As we accomplish our
shipboard duties, let us pray to God as if
everything depends on Him, and work hard
as if everything depends on us.
New Set
of Board of Directors
Strengthens
UFS Resolve
FROM PAGE 4
The UFS election became badly needed
early in 2010 as the Board has been shorthanded for nearly two years already as
the erstwhile Internal Vice President is an
active seaman while the former Treasurer
has already migrated to the US, leaving
the Board with only four members. The two
former UFS officers eventually tendered
their resignation late in 2009. When Engr.
Ramirez as President appointed two interim
members, it was contested by a then Board
member, leaving the leadership
to call for a vote for early election
to fill up the vacancies. The
result was three-to-one in favor
of having the election.
Engr. Ramirez has strongly
pushed for the election of the
UFS Board of Directors as
the union is looking forward to
implement major projects in
the next few months of 2010,
and cannot simply proceed
being hampered by supposedly
constitutional
impediments
anchored on differences in
opinion.
One of the major projects
currently in the pipeline is an
income augmentation project
for displaced Filipino seafarer
members of the union which
the UFS availed from the
Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) but has yet
to fully implement.
With the new set of Board
of Directors, the UFS can now
move forward and serve as the
local maritime industry’s active
vanguard for Filipino seafarers,
the way it has been for the last
15 years.
20 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
Shipowner Piqued by NLRC Decision on Seafarer Disability Claim
I
t’s not the first time that Tinig ng Marino
has came across this story or report
direct from a foreign shipowner but action
needs to be taken by proper government
agencies pretty soon before shipowners
start employing seafarers other than those
coming from the Philippines.
On October 22, 2009, Tinig ng Marino
received a four-page letter from Capt. Farhat
Shamim, Vice President for Operations
of Star Clippers Monaco, a cruise ship
company, who recounted that they have
been at the losing end of a severe financial
disadvantage and penalty as a result of
grossly unjust legal Philippine system,
particularly in the granting of disability
claims to Filipino seafarers.
Capt. Shamim narrated how their
company employed Tito Tuibeo onboard
several of their cruise ships as waiter
for a period of 13 years, via a number of
shipboard contracts. For his loyalty and
dedication to the company Star Clippers
Monaco provided Tuibeo some privileges
including employing him further despite
elevated levels of blood pressure and
cholesterol levels. The company was
confident that the disease can still be taken
care of by proper medication. So Tuibeo
was able to finish his contract without any
hassle.
However, on his next shipboard contract,
Tuibeo was no longer able to obtain a “Fit
for Duty” medical certification because his
hypertension had become worse. All the
while, Star Clippers Monaco was thinking
that Tuibeo would not contest the medical
findings. They were surprised later on when
Tuibeo filed a petition
with the National
Labor
Relations
Commission (NLRC)
for
full
disability
payment, which was
eventually awarded
by the commission to
the tune of US$62,800
and attorney’s fees of
US$6,280.
What was surprising
in the decision was
that the disease in the
issue only involves
hypertension.
But
NLRC awarded the
seafarer the entire
amount
for
full
disability, much to
the chagrin of Star
Clippers Monaco.
“While
we
understand
that
various organizations
in the Philippines
and
the
national
government seek to
advocate the continued
and
increased
employment of Filipino
seafarers
onboard
foreign ships, it is tragic that increasing
litigation against foreign employers for huge
compensation amounts based on frivolous,
abusive or perverted use of the law remains
unabated seriously undermining such
TURN TO PAGE 22
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
21
PISOBILITIES
FRANCISCO J. COLAYCO
Chairman, Colayco Foundation for Education
Entrepreneur, Venture Developer and Financial Advisor
Warning sa mga Magulang
na Todo-Gastos sa Pag-aaral ng Anak
A
ng akala ng karamihan sa mga
magulang, ang pinakamagaling
na klase ng edukasyon ay yung
pinakamahal. Kaya tuloy kapag mahal ang
sinisingil na matrikula ng eskuwelahan,
iniisip nila agad na mataas ang kalidad nito,
at garantisadong kapag sila’y nagtapos
ay makakakuha sila agad ng magandang
trabaho at gaganda ang buhay nila.
Itinuturing nila ang edukasyon na puhunan
para sa kinabukasan ng mga bata.
Pero paano kaya kung titingnan natin
ang edukasyon bilang isa lamang talagang
puhunang pinansyal? Karamihan sa ati’y
halos magpakamatay na sa pagtatrabaho
mabigyan lang ng mamahaling edukasyon
ang mga bata, kahit na mapabayaan na
ang iba pang pangangailangan. Bakit?
Dahil nakundisyon na ang ating utak na
kapag mas malaki ang ipinuhunan mo sa
edukasyon, mas malaki rin ang balik. Ang
mas masama pa, maraming naniniwalang
huhusgahan sila ng lipunan batay sa kung
saan nag-aaral ang kanilang mga anak.
HINDI ITO TOTOO!
Kung kita o tubo sa puhunan ang
pag-uusapan, dapat nating kwentahin
at ihambing ang halaga ng gastusin sa
pormal na edukasyon at ang perang
kikitain ng nag-aral habambuhay kapag
siya’y nakapagtapos. Kasi patuloy nating
pinakukuha ang ating mga anak ng mga
kursong walang gaanong pinansyal na
pakinabang kundi ang makakuha ng
trabahong katamtaman lang ang kita.
Minsan ay hindi na kailangan ng
titulong pangkolehiyo para kumita at
magpayaman; mukhang ang kailangan na
lang ay abilidad at galing sa pagsasalita
o sa komunikasyon. Sa panahon ngayon,
ang pinakamainam na klase ng edukasyon
ay yung entrepreneurial o may kinalaman
sa negosyo pero nakatungtong pa rin sa
liberal arts; ito ang susi sa tagumpay na
pinansyal. Importante ang liberal arts dahil
tinuturuan tayo nito kung paano magisip, kung paano suriin ang problema at
maghanap ng mga solusyon, kung paano
gumawa at magdagdag ng halaga. At
ang mas importante, inihahanda nito ang
ating isipan para maging punla ng ating
intelektwal na kapital, na para sa marami sa
atin ay siyang tunay na panghabambuhay
na kapital.
Kung tatanggapin natin ang mga
katwirang ito, malinaw na hindi talaga
kailangan ng pormal na edukasyon para
kumita nang malaki. Mas maigi pa siguro
kung paghaluin na lang ang pormal
at impormal na pag-aaral, at hindi na
kailangang gumastos nang malaki para dito.
Halimbawa, maaari mong pakuhanin ang
iyong anak ng pandalawang taong kurso
sa communication arts at suportahan pa ito
ng kursong pagsasanay sa pagnenegosyo
o di kaya’y ibang kursong vocational sa
halagang kalahati lang ng gagastusin mo
sa ordinaryong kursong pangkolehiyo.
Hindi nga lang siguro ganoon kahangahanga ang magiging kurso ng anak mo,
pero puwede naman siyang kumuha
ng iba pang diploma o sertipiko ng mas
bigating kurso anumang oras niya piliin
sa hinaharap. Basta’t kung pakukuhanin
mo siya ng pormal na kurso, payuhan mo
rin siyang sabayan ito ng pagsasanay o
praktikal na karanasan sa trabaho.
Sa ganitong kombinasyon ay mas
marami siyang mahalagang bagay
na matututunan at mahahasa pa ang
galing niya sa pagnenegosyo. At ang
pinakamaganda, dahil hands-on ang
pag-aaral niya, siguradong hindi lang
ito magiging kapaki-pakinabang para sa
kaniya kundi masaya at kaiga-igaya pa!
Anong kurso ang dapat para sa anak
mo?
Kung kolehiyo ang pinakamainam na
edukasyon para sa iyong anak pagkatapos
ng high school, may mga bagay na dapat
nating alalahanin bilang magulang. Marami
kasi akong kilalang gustong magnegosyo
na nagtapos ng kursong hindi naman
talaga nila gusto at kinuha lang nila para
TURN TO PAGE 44
22 TINIG NG MARINO
JULY - AUGUST 2009
DOLE Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresa M.
Soriano swearing into office the officers
of PHIMLAC including (from left): Engr.
Nelson Ramirez, Atty. Romeo Occeña, Atty.
Manuel Collado, C/E Isagani Valmonte,
Adalia Dinapo, Mary Jane N. Bonita, and
Atty. Edwin Cacayorin Jr. Not in photo is
Beda L. Melgar. Left photo shows several
local industry personalities gracing the
historical occasion.
POWER OF THREE
FROM PAGE 3
the maritime labor force, which is no less
than the Filipino seafarers,” Engr. Ramirez
stressed.
He further pointed out that PHIMLAC
shall work on championing the cause of
the Filipino seafarers the way its parent
organizations have worked so hard in the
past, ensure their protection and welfare
and that of their families too, and fight for
advocacies and reforms in the local maritime
industry to provide Filipino seafarers with
their much-deserved working environment
and conditions.
“There is a formidable task up ahead
for PHIMLAC and its new set of officers.
But with our dedication and commitment to
the noble cause for the Filipino seafarers,
I know that PHIMLAC shall be able to
pull through in no time at all and the local
maritime industry shall bear witness to
its eventual growth and success,” Engr.
Ramirez confidently stated.
Atty. Occeña wrapped up the induction
program with his poetic closing remarks
read on his behalf by Atty. Jesus Gentiles,
Legal Counsel of ISLA.
“Tonight, we took the first giant leap
over the mountains of waves of the dark
and unchartered seas of our destiny.
What tomorrow will bring, only the events
will teach us in its hour. The only limit to
our realization of tomorrow is our doubts
of today. Let us meet the challenge of the
future because it is in the blood of Filipino
seafarers never to retreat nor to surrender
despite the overwhelming odds,” Atty.
Occeña emphasized.
“In the name of PHIMLAC, let us move
forward with strong and active faith to the
seaman’s covenant. That there was a time
in our lives that men of good will found a
way to unite and produce PHIMLAC, to
fight and destroy the forces of ignorance
and intolerance in the international world of
seafaring, is an indomitable feat by itself,”
he ended on high note.
Indeed, with the formal entry of PHIMLAC
into the local maritime industry, the power
of three shall certainly be a force to reckon
with when it comes to championing the
cause and pushing for advocacies for the
Filipino seafarer lot.
Shipowner Piqued by NLRC
Decision on Disability Claim
FROM PAGE 20
efforts,” Capt. Shamim cited.
“The meager protection clauses inserted
in the POEA Standard Employment
Contract are easily overcome by specialist
‘ambulance chasing’ attorneys who use
every loophole, twists and turns in the law to
bring ludicrous claims against shipowners
to a readily-compliant NLRC,” he stated.
“The highlight and ramifications of
this case will be reverberating with the
employment industry circles worldwide, we
are nonetheless conscious that ultimately,
we shipowners have a choice and we will
abide by the choice that is most sensible,
prudent and safe for us,” Capt. Shamim
concluded in his letter, alluding that if
worse comes to worst, they might opt for
hiring seafarers other than Filipinos to work
onboard their ships.
It is not just Star Clippers Monaco
that has had a sorry experience with
seafarer disability claim as several foreign
shipowners had their share of great disbelief
over past NLRC decisions on seafarer
disability claims.
“NLRC, with some of its ridiculous
decisions, is only making some shipowners
think that hiring Filipino seafarers is a risky
proposition in crewing,” says one local
maritime industry stakeholder.
MARCH-APRIL
JULY - AUGUST2010
2009
TINIG NG MARINO
23
24 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
INC Manila Opens Doors to
Filipino Seafarers in Cyberspace
A
“INC is financially
sound and strong
despite the prevailing
crisis in the global
shipping
industry
because of effective
asset and investment
management over the
last couple of years
and the company
now ranks as one
of
the
strongest
in the industry. It
will
continue
to
be supportive of
endeavours for its
Filipino crew. The
state of our ships is The INC Fipino seafarers, who have been accorded their loyalty service
very good and that’s awards, displaying their certificates and wrist watches, with the top officials
because of your hard of INC Manila and Mr. Richard Schultze of Interorient Marine Services.
work,” he explained.
Capt.
Jerome
Delos
Angeles,
CEO of INC Manila,
pointed out that while
the INC head office
has long established
its
presence
in
cyberspace
where
INC Manila is part
of, it is only now that
the Philippine crew
management
office
of the Cyprus-based
shipowning
and
shipmanagement
company
would
have its own distinct
INC Manila staff who received their ‘good performance’ plaques are
website.
shown with the top officers of INC Manila and Mr. Richard Schultze,
“Just like the website Fleet Personnel Manager of Interorient Marine Services.
of our head office, INC
Manila’s website is also interactive. Filipino they may be in the country or anywhere in
seafarers who are interested to become the world.
part of our company can post or submit their
Recognition of Loyal Seafarers and
application online. The website is now on its
Good-Performing Staff
final finishing touches and would officially
be uploaded into cyberspace around the
The launching of the INC Manila
middle of May 2010
to open yet another website was actually half of the celebration
company door to that day as the second portion of the
Filipino
seafarers program focused on the recognition of 11
and
the
local loyal Filipino seafarers who have worked
and
international onboard INC vessels for a period of 10
maritime industry,” to 15 years. Seven INC Manila staff were
Capt. Delos Angeles also handed special awards for their good
performance during the past year.
cited.
AB Renato Panganiban headlined the
In his opening
remarks during the seafarer loyalty awardees that day, having
short program, Capt. served onboard INC vessels for 15 years.
Nesias Rondina Jr., Chief Cook Jose Jerry Cordero was the
Crewing Manager of second on the list with 14 years of service
INC Manila, added followed closely by Chief Cook Jesse
that the new website Gregorio who has logged in 13 years of
of the local crewing dedicated work to the company.
Three ABs in the persons of Daniel
office is yet another
The entire INC Manila standing behind the top company officials including
medium for INC to Nicolas, Jason Laysa and Carlito Platon
(from right), CEO Capt. Jerome Delos Angeles, Mr. Richard Schultze,
were all awarded for rendering 12 years
Financial Director Rose Mesina, President Reynaldo Ramirez, and Crewing reach out to Filipino
seafarers wherever of service to the company. Likewise, three
Manager Capt. Nesias Rondina Jr.
s part of its continued thrust to
show to the local maritime industry
the unique and excellent brand of
crew management services it offers, INC
Navigation Company Philippines, Inc. has
officially launched its own website that
is distinct from its parent company, the
Limassol-based INC Cyprus.
In a simple but meaningful ceremony
held at its offices in Ortigas Center, Pasig
City on March 12, 2010, INC Manila led
by its officers and staff, along with a
number of its Filipino seafarers, formally
toasted the official entry of INC Manila on
the worldwide web, with a short program
aptly titled “INC in the Web.”
The occasion was also graced by
Mr. Richard Schultze, Fleet Personnel
Manager of Interorient Marine Services,
as the program’s special guest. Mr.
Schultze was in the country during the
entire week to conduct the two-day predeparture orientation seminar for the first
batch of 50 INC cadets at UC-METC in
Mambaling, Cebu.
Having spearheaded the team that
worked on the establishment of the INC
Cebu office, Mr. Schultze also spent
some time to have a look-see at the INC
Cebu branch office where he found it to
be working according to plans with welltrained and committed staff.
INC Cebu branch office is now getting
an average of about 200 seafarerapplicants per month.
“Over the last five to six years, Filipino
seafarers under the employ of INC have
tremendously increased from about 600
to approximately 2,000. Filipino seafarers,
from the masters down to the messmen,
have developed a reputation as reliable,
hardworking, and dedicated crew onboard
the vessels of INC. They are a big part
of the continued success of the company
and they are certainly now considered
as backbone of INC,” elaborates Mr.
Schultze.
Mr. Richard Schultze delivering his message during the
program as special guest.
INC Manila CEO Capt. Delos Angeles wrapping up the
program with his closing remarks.
others were given loyalty citations for churning
in 11 years of work with INC and they included
AB Henry Haresco, AB Eduardo Dimaapi, and
Steward Ronilo Sabilla.
AB Herbert Suarez and Messman Charlie
Garcia brought up the rear in the roster of loyalty
awardees with their 10-year service awards.
The good performance special awards for
the seven INC Manila staff were the result of
deliberation and decision of the management
team.
The INC Manila staff who were cited as
good performers included Jennifer C. Arana,
for having attained a performance rating of
exceeding expectations for the year 2009; Ma.
Cristina B. Abundo, for being the most efficient
in crew transaction for the year 2009; Blas
B. Magno, for his dedication and reliability in
company’s networking design, infrastructure and
implementation for the year 2009; Anita M. Tena
for good performance and devoted service for
2009; Cherrily C. Dayawon, for good performance,
resourcefulness and conscientiousness for 2009;
Butch Botavara, for unselfish dedication to the
company and willingness to perform additional
tasks; and Kristel Patag, for good performance
and willingness to perform additional tasks.
Serving as entertainment highlight to the
program is the dance number of four INC Manila
lady staff to the dance hit ‘Nobody’ as popularized
by a Korean girl group, which drew appreciation
and applause from the INC officers, staff and the
Filipino seafarers who were more than happy
to have been part of the short but meaningful
celebration.
Typical with INC celebration, lunch was served
to Filipino seafarers after the short program to wrap
up yet another important chapter in INC Manila’s
never-ending quest for crewing excellence.
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
R
eflective of the premium importance that
INC Navigation Company Philippines, Inc.
places on its cadets at the University of
Cebu – Maritime Education and Training Center
(UC-METC) as well as its confidence in seeing in
these aspiring mariners the next breed of future
officers for the fleet of its principal, the company
fully prepared its first batch of 50 cadets from
the university through a two-day pre-departure
orientation seminar.
The local manning agency, which was recently
cited as Outstanding Maritime Manning Agency
for 2009 during the 7th Tinig ng Marino Awards
at the close of last year, is fully supported by
its principal towards such goal. This was quite
evident as two of the company’s top officials
from the head office in Cyprus were actually the
major resource persons during the forum held on
March 8 – 9, 2010 at the multi-purpose room of
UC-METC in Mambaling, Cebu.
No less than Mr. Richard Schultze, Fleet
Personnel Manager, and Mr. Stephen Hardy,
Quality and Marine Department Manager, both
of Interorient Marine Services, alternated in
discussing crucial issues and information needed
to equip the company’s first batch of UC cadets
to familiarize themselves with their work, duties
and life at sea as apprentice mates.
Backstopping the two INC Cyprus officials
during the forum were Capt. Jerome Delos
Angeles, CEO of INC Navigation Company
Philippines, and Capt. Michael H. Sarthou Jr.,
Branch Manager of INC Cebu office.
Capt. Delos Angeles explained that the twoday seminar for the INC cadets is different from
the usual pre-departure orientation seminar
or PDOS required of Filipino seafarers by the
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration
(POEA) prior to their respective deployment.
Mr. Hardy’s powerpoint presentation on safety awards
wide smiles from the INC cadets.
“We are conducting this as an in-house
company initiative to effectively prepare our
cadets as they embark on their apprenticeship
onboard. This is part of their learning process
because we want them to fully maximize and
utilize the experience and eventually make each
of them realize their potentials as the company’s
future ship officers,” he explained.
Following Capt. Delos Angeles’ brief welcome
remarks to start the program, Mr. Schultze
touched off the series of ensuing discussions
by elaborating on the purpose of the event
and providing a general overview of INC as a
shipowning and shipmanagement company.
Mr. Hardy then followed suit as he tackled
several crucial topics including Interorient’s
Safety Management System; Health, Safety
and Security Policies; Drug and Alcohol Policy;
and Environmental Policy. While some of the
topics were rather new to the INC cadets, the
25
INC Fully Prepares UC
Cadets for Life at Sea
Mr. Stephen Hardy, Quality and Marine Department Manager of Interorient Mr. Richard Schultze, Fleet Personnel Manager of Interorient Marine
Marine Services, explaining a point to the UC cadets during the first day Services discussing to the UC cadets the salient details of the Employment
of the orientation seminar.
Contract.
to succeed if we just do our part well,” he
Equipment.
After the mid-morning break, Capt. said confidently.
For his part, engine cadet Mark Gil
Sarthou talked about US Visa Application
before Mr. Schultze dwelt on Onboard Sapid says that he is both excited and a bit
Training. Capt. Delos Angeles facilitated wary for his upcoming deployment being
the question-and-answer portion after the his first time but with the training given to
close of the discussions after each day them and the all-out support by INC, he is
to recap the learning and information that positive that he would be able to make the
adjustment quite easily.
were acquired by the cadets.
Most of their fellow cadets share the
Having completed
their sophomore year same mixed feeling as regards their
at UC-METC, the upcoming deployment.
INC has a second batch of 50 cadets
first batch of 50 INC
cadets,
composed at UC-METC who has completed the first
of 25 deck and 25 year of their four-year cadet sponsorship
engine cadets, will program at the close of school year 2009be
deployed
by 2010.
Once the first batch of 50 UC cadets
INC on its vessels
around
mid-April return from their onboard apprenticeship
2010 for their one- to school for their fourth year in school
year apprenticeship. year 2011-2012, INC will then take in
After serving one another 50 qualified freshmen cadets into
year onboard, they the program.
With a very supportive shipowner
will go back to school
for
another
year to back them up, the INC cadets are
drawing Mr. Schultze raising an important point regarding INC’s Drug and to
complete their certainly on-course toward becoming the
Alcohol Policy which cadets should put to heart.
BSMT and BSMarE company’s new breed of officers in the
very near future.
of Familiarization focusing on the cadets’ courses.
first 24 hours and days onboard, Health
It is likely that one deck
and Hygiene, Work and Rest Hours, and cadet and one engine
Environmental Requirements.
cadet would be deployed
Capt. Sarthou also handled two on the same INC vessel.
presentations that afternoon including All of the INC cadets
Joining and Departure Procedure and the are already very excited
touchy issue of Getting Along with Others, about their upcoming
Cultural Differences, and Appreciation of deployment but also a
Others.
bit nervous that is quite
Mr. Schultze took charge for most of typical for first-timers.
the topics discussed during the second
Deck
cadet
Junel
day, which was just a morning affair as Mr. Mantilla from Southern
Hardy had to fly overseas to attend to a Leyte is already very
quality management work. The Interorient excited and almost can’t
Fleet Personnel Manager discussed wait for his onboard
the all-important topic of Safety – from apprenticeship. “INC is
Thinking about Safety to Risk Assessment very supportive of us
to Hot Work / Enclosed Spaces Entry to from the very beginning Capt. Sarthou, INC Cebu Branch Manager, discussing cultural
differences and how the cadets should handle it onboard.
Tool Box Talks up to Personal Protective so we are all guaranteed
presentations were supported by visual
aids, photos and occasional witty one-liners
from the resource persons that made the
discussions lively and quite interesting.
In the afternoon session, Mr. Schultze
discussed the topics about Employment
Contract,
Onboard
Structure
and
Grievance Procedure while Mr. Hardy
had concise discussions on the issues
26 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH - APRIL 2010
MOL Unveils Low-Emission Car Carrier Design
M
itsui OSK Lines (MOL) has unveiled
details of its next generation
environmentally-friendly car carrier
which could burn only about 50% of the fuel
used by comparable existing designs. MOL
is still working on concepts for other new
designs, including ferries, bulk carriers,
tankers, and containerships.
MOL has named the car carrier design
Ishin-1 (Innovations in Sustainability
backed by historically-proven, integrated
technologies). The Ishin-1 generates no
carbon dioxide emissions in port by using
large capacity solar-power panels and
rechargeable batteries. At sea carbon
dioxide emissions are reduced through
the use of solar-generated electricity to
provide
The new design uses several other
technologies which MOL has been
developing. The propeller arrangement is
unusual. Two propellers are fitted in line,
rather than next to each other. MOL says
this system allows
the after propeller to
absorb the rotation
energy
of
the
forward one, greatly
increasing efficiency.
MOL has already
fitted its in-house
energy
saving
device
Advanced
Propeller Boss Cap
Fins (PBCF) on
more than 1,700
vessels and the most
advanced model will
be installed on the
Ishin-1 vessels.
Other innovations include a streamlined
above-water design to reduce wind
resistance and use of an ultra-low friction
ship bottom paint. By trapping water on
the coated surface, this paint eliminates
friction drag caused by minute patterned
indentations formed on conventionally
painted surfaces.
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
27
Kishanta, Good
Investment for OFWs
A
boitizLand’s finest development in
the south, Kishanta offers a stunning
view of the coast and mountain. It
has a unique Zen and values of tropical
design that offers a relaxing feel to all its
patrons.
AboitizLand has a good track record for
value appreciation, one of the reasons why
OFWs trusted the fruits of their hard work
to its developments. Kishanta Vecinos
(Spanish for neighbors) are mostly for
OFWs and Balikbayans. Record shows
that almost 50% of its Vecinos are owned
OFWs and Balikbayans.
Howell Rey Balcos, a Kishanta Vecino
owner and a seafarer for more than five
years said: “Living in a community that
values your family’s well being is truly hard
to find. In Kishanta, we experience it every
day.”
Kishanta is a haven of peace and
pleasure. Playcourts, swimming pool,
view deck, clubhouse, Zen garden, and
exercise stations are few of the amenities
in Kishanta. The beauty of nature is well
kept; adding to the line is the two-hectare
nature corridor, a view park and pavilion,
picnic grove and outdoor activity area.
Kishanta is indeed a real estate diamond.
Created with value and truly made for life.
Catherine O. Relosa
28 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL
JULY
- AUGUST 2010
2009
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL
JULY - AUGUST2010
2009
eagle star, Parola Strengthen
Eagle
Star
Crew
Management
Director
Simon W.S. Heo (second
from
left),
who
also
represented Capt. Bum Chil
Heo, Chairman of Parola
Maritime Agency Corp. to the
signing, and Mr. Jonathan
Diokno (second from right),
First Vice President and
Head of BDO Remittance
International
Operations,
seal the MOA between the
three companies with a
handshake. Also on hand
as principal witness were
Capt. Md. Bakri Baharudin
(left), Eagle Star Principal
Rep and Ms. Maria Lourdes
D.
Candelario,
BDO
Remittance Senior Manager
and Head for Shipping
Business Development.
Remittance Program for Crew
I
n their combined and continued thrust to
swiftly and effectively meet the remittance
needs of Filipino seafarers under their
respective employ with the end in view of
ensuring that their crew’s allotments get to
their families on time and without a second
of delay, Eagle Star Crew Management
Corp. and Parola Maritime Agency Corp
recently forged a partnership with BDO
Unibank, Inc.
Eagle Star and Parola jointly formalized
their partnership with BDO Unibank with the
signing of the Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA) for ‘BDO Remit’ program on February
3, 2010 at BDO Building along Sen. Gil J.
Puyat Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas in
Makati City.
‘BDO Remit’ is BDO’s remittance service
brand specifically meant to cater to the
remittance needs of sea-based overseas
Filipino workers and the partnership with
Eagle Star and Parola brings to forth under
the program the more than 1,600 Filipino
seafarers currently at the employ of the
two increasingly growing local manning
agencies.
The MOA for the remittance program
between the three companies was formally
signed and sealed by a handshake between
Eagle Star Director Simon W.S. Heo, who
also represented Capt. Bum Chil Heo,
Chairman of Parola Maritime Agency Corp.
to the signing, and Mr. Jonathan Diokno,
First Vice President and Head of BDO
E
Remittance International Operations
Those who stood as principal witnesses
for the MOA signing were Capt. Md. Bakri
Baharudin, Eagle Star Principal Rep and
Ms. Maria Lourdes D. Candelario, BDO
Remittance Senior Manager and Head for
Shipping Business Development.
Simon Heo says that Eagle Star and Parola
decided to avail of the BDO Remit program
because both companies want to effectively
address the remittance needs of its Filipino
seafarers and their families with a swift, timely
and convenient remittance system.
“We want the allotment of our Filipino
seafarers get to their respective families on
time and without any hassle. So instead of
having them choose their own remittance
system that is usually course through our
offices here, we decided to have a uniform
remittance system for them. After carefully
looking into the market, we found the offer
of BDO to be the most competitive so we
decided to avail of it,” explains Simon Heo.
“As we take on the BDO Remit program for
our Filipino seafarers, Eagle Star and Parola
also do away with the processing functions in
our offices thus giving our administrative staff
more time to focus on the operational aspects
of crew management,” he added.
Apart from offering the most competitive
rates available in the market today, BDO
Remit has the advantage of real-time 24/7
remittance.
BDO is now the largest unibank in the
29
country and has branches practically in every
nook and corner of any city in the Philippines.
What’s more, it is the only local bank that
is open from Mondays to Saturdays (even
Sundays on SM Malls) giving the seafarerfamilies here the everyday convenience of
getting their allotments anytime and practically
anywhere.
BDO is also part of the SM Group, thus
giving Filipino seafarers and their families
the add-on value of shopping convenience at
any SM malls located almost everywhere in
Metro Manila and in other major cities in the
country.
Several officials of Eagle Star Crew
Management Corp. were also on hand during
the MOA signing and subsequently after the
formal signing of the MOA were given a tour
of the BDO Remittance offices as escorted by
Mr. Diokno.
Mr. Simon Heo and the other Eagle Star
officers were introduced to the key people
in the BDO Remittance offices who shall be
handling the remittance functions and work
for the Filipino seafarers under the employ
of Eagle Star and Parola.
The partnership with BDO Unibank is yet
another reflection of the firm commitment of
Eagle Star Crew Management Corp. and
Parola Maritime Agency Corp. to provide
the most convenient and satisfactory crew
support services to their Filipino seafarers
and their families.
In that way, each of their Filipino crew
deployed onboard foreign ocean-going
vessels would no longer be wary whether
their allotments get to their families on time
or not to address their financial needs, they
can just focus on their work onboard as
professional seafaring men.
UROTEL, one of the country’s leading
standard hotels, starts 2010 with
more than the usual promotional activities
expected of a hotel chain. Through the
way to help the city and its people,
Office of the Managing Director, William
we want to lessen our demands on
Go, the hotel is reinforcing its commitment
the water system by creating our own
to the environment – with the forthcoming
source and at the same time, investing
opening of its branch in Baguio City this
our money and other resources wisely.
coming April 2010.
After all, rainwater is free! There is
Eurotel’s strong commitment will
‘green economics’ there and we hope
integrate systems and policies to be more
that this practice will inspire other
environmentally-friendly in its operations.
hotels as well.”
“Eurotel recognizes how its operations
Eurotel wants to ensure that their
impact the environment, particularly where
“business growth goes hand in hand
use of water, electricity, and detergents
with environmental principles and
are concerned, and therefore strives hard
social awareness and participation.”
to incorporate environmentally-friendly
They believe that the hotel has an
As part of its initiatives for the environment, Eurotel recently
principles and practices in its operations,” sponsored an Eco-Walk for kids at the Busol watershed of important role as well in helping
Go emphasized.
Baguio City, where the hotel chain would open soon open its push for a strong Philippine economy
Go said that, “We were all humbled by newest branch.
through the tourism industry.
Ondoy, and then later by Pepeng. We need However, we know those are not enough.
“The economy is facing tremendous
to seriously do something about how we They are good starts but eventually, we challenges. We in the hotel industry should
all contribute to environmental damages. know we have to do more.”
be more aggressive, innovative, creative
Somehow, in some ways, we need to do
more
environmentally-sensitive.
In the pipeline is a plan to harvest and
something now before it becomes too late. rainwater for their operations in the Baguio Gone are the days of sacrificing the
The floods are just nature’s reminders that City branch, which they plan to open to the environment just because we want to
we have been abusing our stay here on public this second quarter of 2010. The be No. 1.
earth already. We have to work together system, if eventually incorporated in the
Being ‘world-class’ should start
now, and the hotel industry should be there design of the building, will harvest rainwater by being sensitive to what we leave
at the forefront.”
and stored in tanks that will be connected behind, our environmental footprint,
While Eurotel is beginning to make to the hotel’s toilet flush systems. The including our carbon emissions.”
its environment and social development rainwater will also be used for cleaning and
Eurotel now has five branches
commitment felt by its people through their plant-watering purposes.
in Metro Manila — Araneta Center
small activities in areas where they operate,
Go said that this is a concrete step in the - Quezon City, Las Piñas, Pedro
Go feels that they still have a long way to right direction, given that there is already Gil (Ermita), Chino Roces Avenue
go. “We have been conducting tree-planting a water shortage problem in Baguio City. (Makati) and North EDSA (in Guests get a feel and taste of Europe every time they enter
activities and crafts-making seminars in “Admittedly, Baguio City has to do more front of SM North)—and currently or check in to any of the five Eurotel branches in Metro
Baguio City and we hope to do more. about the fragile watershed system. As our building its Baguio City branch. Manila, and soon in Baguio City.
Eurotel Vows to Lead in Hotel Industry’s Greening
30 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL
JULY
- AUGUST 2010
2009
PCG Law of 2009 Fortifies PCG
Services Towards Nation-Building
T
he Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
Law of 2009, which was officially
enacted into law when President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic
Act No. 9993 on February 12, 2010,
finally put the long-sought dream of the
PCG into reality in effectively discharging
its functions in the specialized fields of
maritime safety, maritime security and
marine environment protection.
Not only did the PCG Law properly
defined the functions of the Philippine
Coast Guard, particularly on the
contentious issue of enforcement of
maritime safety laws and regulations,
especially in light of the spate of maritime
disasters that seem to have plagued the
country’s waters, it further strengthened
the resolve of the maritime agency as it
finally found a niche for its multi-pronged
mission in the grand scheme of maritime
development and resource preservation.
As per official documentation of the
14th Congress, RA No. 9993 is officially
described as “An Act Establishing the
Philippine Coast Guard as an Armed
and Uniformed Service Attached to
the Department of Transportation and
Communications, Thereby Repealing
Republic Act No. 5173, as Amended, and
for Other Purposes.”
Thus, the entire PCG organization has
all the right to be thankful and they could
Erstwhile DOTC Secretary, now Executive Secretary, Leandro Mendoza and DOTC Undersecretary for Maritime Transport Thompson Lantion were
the guest-of-honor and special guest respectively during the Thanksgiving program of the PCG for the enactment of the PCG Law of 2009. The two
honorary guests are shown in the photo at right with PCG Commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo during the unveiling of the historical marker at the
PCG headquarters.
and elated for the passage of the PCG
Law of 2009 as he not only contributed in
lobbying for its passage during the 14th
Congress, the milestone also happened
during his tenure as Secretary of the
DOTC.
Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, Commandant
of the PCG, in introducing Secretary
Mendoza, clearly specified the role of the
latter in the passage of the PCG Law of
2009 by quipping: “Our guest-of-honor
and speaker for today is the man who has
been the driving force behind the steady
development of the
Philippine Coast Guard.
Having served in the
uniformed service for
most of his career, no
other person may have
the wisdom to better
understand the needs of
the PCG than our guestof-honor.”
“He
personally
nurtured the agency and
we are all witness how
it has grown to what
it is today. Words are
Members of the entire PCG organization from the top down to the
probably not enough to
ranks during the Thanksgiving Mass to start the celebration.
describe his passion
not have shown it better than through a and zeal to have the passage of the PCG
fitting event aptly titled: “Thanksgiving Law of 2009 to finally become a reality,”
for the Enactment of PCG Law of Admiral Tamayo noted.
2009” last March 3, 2010 at the PCG
“It is indeed a fitting way to leave a
headquarters in Port Area, Manila, with legacy as good as the PCG Law of 2009 for
then Transportation and Communications the local maritime industry as I relinquish
Secretary, now Executive Secretary, the Transportation and Communication
Leandro R. Mendoza as guest-of-honor portfolio and take on bigger responsibilities
and speaker.
at Malacañang Palace,” says Secretary
It was a full-packed event as expected Mendoza in his inspirational message
as not only the entire force of the PCG during the Thanksgiving program.
and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary
He then extended his congratulations
(PCGA) were present but other officials to the entire PCG organization and urged
from other maritime agencies took time them not to rest on their laurels but instead
out to extend their congratulations to the used the PCG Law of 2009 to make the
PCG for finally finding its own identity PCG more relevant and dynamic as it takes
in scheme of things in the maritime on greater challenges that lie up ahead.
industry.
“There is a saying that nothing is so
Secretary Mendoza was quite proud powerful as an idea whose time has come.
Today, we celebrate our thanksgiving consequential trust that is now bestowed
because that idea has not only come, upon us, as manifested in our renewed
that idea has finally turned into reality enforcement powers that are assigned to
with the enactment of RA 9993,” states us by the new Coast Guard Law of 2009,
Admiral Tamayo during his remarks at the places us in a stronger position to improve
Thanksgiving program.
our services even further,” expressed
Admiral Tamayo then elaborated on the Admiral Tamayo.
history of the PCG and how the move to
He added that the PCG is now better
have the PCG law began up and running in poised to respond to the needs of the
the ground, consistent with the presentation maritime sector even as it performs its
made during the program entitled “The commitments to the local and international
PCG Through the Years.”
maritime industry, and face the emerging
“Under RA 9993, in times of peace, challenges of the times.
the PCG shall be attached to the DOTC.
“More importantly, I enjoin all Coast
But in times of war, and this is extremely Guard personnel to take to heart our oath
important, the PCG shall be under the of public service, and commit to deliver
Department of National Defense,” Admiral to our country a maritime industry that is
Tamayo pointed out.
vibrant and able to sustain the economic
“Through this very important and development which is now thriving as
historical piece of legislation, the a result of the innovative programs of
indispensable role of the PCG in the our President, Her Excellency Gloria
development of the maritime industry and Macapagal-Arroyo, which of course
nation-building in general, is now given legal includes Her Excellency’s remarkable
fiat. Because we have consistently shown Strong Republic Nautical Highway
our perseverance and dedication to our project,” Admiral Tamayo enthused.
sworn duties and capability to consistently
“With the continuing support from
oversee the safety of maritime transport and the national government, the Philippine
navigation, provide marine environmental Coast Guard shall continue to match the
protection measures, perform maritime determination of Her Excellency, President
law enforcement operations, and conduct Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in bringing
marine casualty investigations nationwide,
TURN TO NEXT PAGE
the PCG is now renewed
with the mandate to
deliver these services
in the primary, rather
than mere deputized
capacity or function,”
explains
the
PCG
Commandant.
“And so for all of
us in the PCG, this
is a clear source of
institutional pride. We
celebrate this occasion
because our collective
efforts at providing
consistent quality public Secretary Mendoza being accorded the arrival honors by the PCG
service has been given corps at its headquarters in Port Area, Manila.
due recognition. The
MARCH-APRIL
JULY - AUGUST2010
2009
FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
about an era of safety and economic
development for our country. We therefore
look forward to years of fruitful service to
our people. After all, service excellence in
the Coast Guard is not only a commitment;
it is a way of life,” the PCG Commandant
stressed matter-of-factly.
In concluding his remarks, Admiral
Tamayo stated: “With our new charter, let
us adapt to meet the inevitable changes
and challenges ahead of us. To my fellow
Coastguardsmen, let us heed what
Charles Allen aptly said: ‘Remember
that we are needed. There is at least
one important work to be done that will
not be done unless we do it.’ Unless the
Philippine Coast Guard does it.”
“Finally, I congratulate everyone for this
new beginning, new challenges, and new
trust extended to us by the government
and the Filipino people. In closing, on
behalf of the officers, the men and women
of the PCG, let me thank you all for the
passage of RA 9993,” Admiral Tamayo
wrapped up.
Also highlighting the PCG Thanksgiving
event was the unveiling of the historical
marker before the start of the program led
by Secretary Mendoza, Undersecretary
for Maritime Transport Thompson Lantion
and Admiral Tamayo, immediately after
the arrival honors accorded to the two
special guests.
Also worth mentioning during the
program is the mass oath-taking of the
men and women of the entire PCG
organization to the Coast Guard’s new
mandate that was clearly provided in RA
9993 as officiated by Secretary Mendoza.
Vice Admiral Ramon C. Liwag, Vice
Commandant for Operations of the PCG,
gave the welcome remarks during the
Thanksgiving program while the PCG
Band started it by leading the singing of
the national anthem.
TINIG NG MARINO
31
PCG Law of 2009 Fortifies PCG
Services Towards Nation-Building
Secretary Mendoza administering the mass oath-taking of the Coastguardsmen led by PCG Commandant Admiral Tamayo.
typhoons that visit the country
agency’s vessels, construction,
on the average annually and
operation and maintenance of
the non-traditional challenges
lighthouses, and the prevention
such as piracy, terrorism, human
of smuggling.
trafficking,
money-laundering
On December 9, 1913,
and drug-smuggling.
Commission
Act
2308
The most recent typhoons
abolished the BCGT and the
that
brought
widespread
country went without a Coast
devastation in the country due to
Guard until 1967.
floods provided the PCG with the
It was then President
opportunity to show its relevance
Marcos who revived the
to support national welfare
Coast Guard with the signing
particularly in times of disasters
of Republic Act 5173 known
and extreme conditions.
as the “Coast Guard Law of
With the signing of RA 9993,
1967,” which defined the threethe PCG has finally legitimized its
fold objectives of the PCG
– the promotion of safety of Admiral Tamayo handing a special token to Secretary Mendoza as guest- presence as a bureau, through a
legal instrument, under program
life at sea, the enforcement of of-honor and speaker for the Thanksgiving program.
and policy coordination with the
maritime laws and regulations,
and the development of aids to marine government agencies and transferred the DOTC as an attached agency.
This provides the PCG with a higher
PCG from the DND to the Office of the
navigation and rescue facilities.
degree of autonomy with which to
On October 10, 1967, the PCG was President by virtue of EO 475.
On April 15, 1999, the PCG was manage its personnel, resources and
finally activated. It was initially placed
under the Philippine Navy with the intent of transferred from the Office of the President activities.
History of the Philippine Coast Guard
More importantly, RA 9993 finally puts
to the Department of Transportation and
separating at a later date.
and the Passage of the PCG Law
As early as 1991, a resolution of the Communication (DOTC) by virtue of EO to rest the issue on authority, responsibility,
capability and accountability on specific
The PCG had its humble beginnings on Shipping and Ports Advisory Council 477.
PCG has since undergone a lot of issues on vessel safety which has cast
October 17, 1901 as the Bureau of Coast (SPAC) called for the transfer of the
Guard and Transportation (BCGT) under PCG from the Philippine Navy to a more improvements in terms of
then Department of Commerce and Police appropriate location in the bureaucracy organization, equipment,
by virtue of the Philippine Commission Act that could enable the agency to perform personnel and training.
266. The creation of the BCGT stemmed numerous functions whether mandated by Relocated outside the
from the need to address issues of law or deputized by another agency, which Defense Department, the
PCG received numerous
national interests including the delays are not military in nature.
This situation was defined by Senator grants, donations, and
in mail delivery due to lack of transport
facilities, construction and operation of the Rodolfo Biazon as a ‘confused state’ is in soft loans that resulted to
fact the very solution to vessel acquisitions and
the ailing maritime safety eventually upgraded its
issue which requires the capabilities.
On May 3, 2004, RA
need for a round-theclock and multi-mission 9295 or the Domestic
sea-going government Shipping Development
agency with an in- Act provided for the legal The PCG and PCGA force along with guests from the local and
international maritime industry during the Thanksgiving program.
depth
understanding transfer of regulatory
of the intricacies of functions to the Maritime Industry Authority doubts and even fear among the users
commercial
shipping (MARINA). With the bulk of the regulatory of maritime transport due to recent tragic
that can regulate erring functions transferred to MARINA, the PCG accidents.
The PCG can now unilaterally, with the
seamen and identify meanwhile developed its capabilities to
vessel safety violations. address the equally pressing problems effect of the law, assert and exercise what
On March 30, 1998, on maritime security law enforcement and it has been doing historically in the past
to promote and ensure safety of life and
President Fidel Ramos environmental protection.
The PCG was also faced with addressing property at sea and once again regain
invoked the presidential
Secretary Mendoza inspecting the PCG’s K-9 unit.
authority to reorganize traditional challenges such as the 22 the confidence of the riding public.
32 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
33
Beware of Raymond Wang Chua: Master of Misrepresentation
B
ecause of its earnest commitment to
be of service to many Filipino seafarers
and their families to have possible
income fallback and financial sustainability in
the near future, the United Filipino Seafarers
(UFS) recently fell victim and was unwittingly
used by a hoodwinking Chinese middle-aged
fellow, who have probably mastered the art of
misrepresentation.
Raymond ‘Mon’
Wang Chua used
his
accidental
acquaintanceship
early last year with the son-in-law of Engr. Nelson
Ramirez to be able to ‘sell’ income-generating
projects and other ideas to the UFS meant for
the Filipino seafarers and their families.
Mon Chua, who claims to be a graduate
of Xavier School, is the alleged owner of
various local business enterprise including La
Germania, Med Express, Generica, Samsung,
LG, Rocky Mountain Coffee, San Pio Chapel,
Victory Mall in Caloocan City, Ilonggo Grill
food chain, several McDonald’s and Jollibee
outlets, at least 1,000 gasoline stations all over
the country, and several factories in Mainland
China.
He also claimed that he is a major stockholder
of two international insurance firms, Manulife
and Sunlife of Canada.
He also said that his family owns 20 houses
in Forbes Park, the same number in Corinthian
Gardens and hundreds of buildings all over the
country.
Those are what he claimed to the UFS and
Engr. Ramirez when he first broached a possible
partnership with the union around April 2009.
His first business proposition with the
UFS was the franchising of Rocky Mountain
Coffee and its coffee machines in April last
year. Because of the substantial financial
requirements to start off the business, it did not
fell through.
Then there was this 1,000 hectare piece of
land in San Rafael, Bulacan that was made up
for grabs at one hectare each for interested
Filipino seafarers who would wish to venture into
farming which is really a sustainable idea if and
EDITORIAL
The Strength
of the Union
FROM PAGE 6
More than just a symbol of unification,
PHIMLAC is also a testament that in
unity, there is strength. It so happened
that PHIMLAC is composed of three
maritime labor unions, and combining
them altogether, the strength is obviously
three times better.
This development augurs well not only
for the local maritime industry but more
importantly for the Filipino seafarers as
this would mean more initiatives, more
advocacies, and more active voice to
represent their concerns among the key
stakeholders in the business.
Dynamic organizations and leaders
are necessities in a dynamic sector like
the maritime industry, and PHIMLAC has
all the instruments to chart its own course
and make its own contributions as well.
After all, it exemplifies the strength of the
union.
when they reach the twilight of their seafaring
careers. The farm lots were made available
to interested Filipino seafarers payable in 25year or 30-year terms. That proposal did not fell
through as well.
Subsequently, Mon Chua proposed a tie-up
between UFS and Med Express, the country’s
No. 1 medicine delivery service provider. UFS
and Engr. Ramirez
agreed
to
the
deal as that would
mean discounts to
the
38,000-strong
Filipino seafarer members of the union and
their families every time they purchase drugs
from Med Express. On the other hand, UFS
offered Med Express a gateway into penetrating
the local maritime industry through consistent
advertising exposure in Tinig ng Marino.
And finally, there was this foreclosed multistorey building in Malate, Manila which Mon
Chua claimed that his family bought from a
bank which he is offering to
the UFS to become the union’s
seafarer center and dormitory.
That did not materialize as Mon
Chua’s misrepresentation antics
was finally blown to the UFS.
Mon Chua has this ability
to misrepresent himself to
both parties. In the case of the
partnership between UFS and
Med Express, he claimed that
Mon Chua
he is the owner of Med Express.
On the other hand, he claimed to Med Express
officials that he is the owner of the UFS. So
when an executive of Med Express called up
UFS to verify and talk to Engr. Ramirez, the UFS
president was flabbergasted and vehemently
denied Mon Chua’s claim. He stated that the
UFS is a non-stock and non-profit maritime
labor federation and as such, has no owner, but
only Board of Directors.
From there, Engr. Ramirez started putting
the pieces of the puzzle on
Mon Chua and the master
of misrepresentation is fully
unmasked. Engr. Ramirez and
Mon Chua even have a last
meeting at the UFS office in
mid-February 2010 where Engr.
Ramirez warned Chua of his
misdeeds and any future incursion
into the same modus operandi,
would cost him dearly as the UFS
would no longer take the matter
sitting down. The UFS is now issuing a warning
to the local maritime industry and the public to
be wary of dealing with Mon Chua just in case
they came across the fellow by chance.
And if ever they do, Engr. Ramirez is advising
them to get in touch with UFS right away so that
appropriate legal action could be taken against
Mon Chua. In the same light, the UFS will not
be held liable for any transaction entered into by
Mon Chua supposedly on behalf of the union.
34 TINIG NG MARINO
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
UGONG NG MAKINA AT IKOT NG ELISI
Sukdulang Panggugulang sa Gobyerno?
FROM PAGE 11
Ang North Harbor
Bagamat sandamakmak na problema na
ang kinasasangkutan ni Rhegis Romero sa
Manila Harbour Centre, katulad ng mga hindi
nabayarang kontratista, at mga may-ari ng
barges at tugboats, hindi nagawang dredging,
alikabok ng mga kargamentong coal at mga
kakulangan sa equipo, pinasok na naman niya
ang pagsasapribado ng Manila North Harbor,
ang pinakamalaking domestic port ng bansa.
Hindi ako sumasalungat sa modernisasyon
ng Manila North Harbor at walang sinumang
may matinong kaisipan ang hindi sasangayon sa rehabilitasyon ng napakalumang
daungan sa Tondo. Ngunit sa simula pa lang
ng negosasyon, nabalutan na kaagad ito
ng sigalot at anomalya. Unang-una, kanino
ba manggagaling ang pera para gamitin sa
modernisasyon,
kay Rhegis Romero na
naman? Mahabaging langit! Bayaran niya
muna ang mga kontratistang nalugi at nagsara
na lang dahil hindi nababayaran ang kanilang
serbisyo ng kumpanya ni Romero. Hindi ba
dapat magkahiwalay ang bidding ng Manila
North Harbor? Iba ang sa Pier 9 hanggang
12 at iba rin ang sa Pier 14, 15 at vet yard.
Hindi ba kasama ang mga ilalagay nilang mga
gantry cranes at kinakailangang mayroong
tinatawag na independent watchdog na iendorso ng isang pribadong sektor katulad
ng Philippine Chamber of Commerce and
Industry na kumakatawan sa mga gumagamit
ng Manila North Harbor para mangangasiwa
sa pagsasapribado at sa proseso ng bidding
ng PPA?
Ang PPA nga naman! Hindi man lang
hiniling ang mga detalye kung anong klaseng
imprastraktura ang ilalagay sa Manila North
Harbor. Hindi ba dapat mayroong detalyadong
engineering investigation, survey and design
na ipapakita ang mga bidders bago ang
lahat? Hindi ba dapat ipinagbabawal pa nga
na magkaroon ng komunikasyon ang mga
sangkot sa Bids and Awards Committee?
Hindi lang nila sinuway ito, nagkaroon pa sila
ng tinatawag na “compromise agreement.”
Halatang-halata na kung anuman ang
nangyayari sa Manila Harbour Centre ay
ganoon din sa pagsasapribado ng Manila
North Harbor.
Hindi nangyari ang mga ipinangako ni
Reghis Romero na gagawing world-class ang
Manila Harbour Centre katulad umano ng
Darling Harbour ng Australia at ng Fisherman’s
Wharf ng San Francisco sa Estados Unidos.
Maraming mga locators ang na-onse at
nakabili ng lupa sa Manila Harbour Centre
sa halagang PhP15,000.00 per sqaure
meter hanggang PhP22,000.00 per square
meter sa pag-aakalang mangyayari ang
mga ibinabandera ng Landtrade Properties
and Marketing Corporation na magkakaroon
ng hypermarts, festive malls, hotel and
restaurants, high-rise buildings dito sa
tinatawag nilang magiging makabagong
commercial and business district sa Manila.
Pinagsamang Makati at Ortigas
Sino nga ba naman ang hindi mahihikayat
na maging locator sa Manila Harbour Centre
kung ang ipinangako nila ay gagawin itong
parang pinaghalong Makati at Ortigas?
Dito mo raw makikita ang iba’t ibang klase
ng fashion brands, restaurant, specialty
shops, night markets, center for amusement,
culture and arts, limang ektaryang shopping
center, financial district, schools, hospitals,
government agencies, ferry services and
latest communication services. Dagdag pa
nito na mayroon daw itong “modern and worldclass terminal designs na may passenger
lounge and customer service facilities, latest
equipment and cargo handling facilities,
separate parking spaces for private vehicles,
dedicated parking spaces for 500 cargo trucks,
public utility vehicle stations, terminals at
commercial spaces sa sinumang gagamit ng
naturang pier. Ito ang ipinapakita ng brochures
ng R-II Builders pati na sa isang advertisement
nito sa Lifestyle Asia Supplement. Mantakin
ninyo yan! Ano ba ang nakikita mo ngayon sa
Manila Harbour Centre? Hindi ba’t tila parang
mga nakahilerang junkshops lang na taliwas sa
kanilang ipinangakong mala-paraisong lugar?
Naunsiyaming Pangako
Hindi mo na kailangang maging isang
dalubhasa sa negosyo ng real estate para
malaman mo na ang isang real estate
property ay bumabagsak ang presyo sa halip
35
na umaangat kung walang development na
nangyayari dito. Puntahan mo na lang ang
pinangako ng Landtrade Properties, ang
marketing arm ng nasabing industrial park
at makikita mo na ang major roads ay lubaklubak at ginagamit ng kanilang sister company
na HCTPI ang pampublikong lansangan para
gawing sarili nitong warehouse. Ang mga
kargamentong iron ore, coal, buhangin, silica
at iba pang mga produktong bulk ay nagkalat
at wala man lang takip. Naglipana ang alikabok
sa tag-araw at putik naman kung tag-ulan.
Nakakatakot maglakad sa lugar na ‘yan kung
gabi dahil sa kawalan ng ilaw. Kahit ang mga
trucks na hindi pag-aari ng mga mga locators
ay pinapayagang mag-parking kahit saang
sulok. At ang mga drivers at ang kanilang
mga pahinante ay pinapayagang magluto,
matulog, umihi at dumumi kahit saan dahil sa
kakulangan ng pasilidad. Ang pinapangakong
“first rate communication” ay hindi nakikita
at nanatiling pantasya lang pati na ang
sinasabing mas maluwag pa kaysa EDSA na
sistimatikong traffic scheme. Biruin ninyo na
ipinangako pa nilang ang nasabing industrial
park ay magiging lugar ng mga luntiang kahoy,
halaman at mga bulaklak. Sa ngayon, wala
kang makikita sa mga sidewalk kung hindi
ang mga walang kuwentang damo. Sinasabi
pa nila na sa bandang gitna ng industrial park
ay magkakaroon ng “Shophouse District” na
bubuksan sa taong 2000. Ito ang ipinapakita
nilang larawan na katulad sa Singapore Quay
na may mga low-rise buildings para pantapat
sa mga industrial factories.
Kamangha-Mangha
Kamakailan lang sinampahan ng kaso ng
abogado ni Rhegis Romero na si Atty. Jerome
TURN TO PAGE 40
36 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
GSM-MSI Crew Enhancement Conference
on Health, Safety, Security and Environment
C
ontinuously
enhancing
the
competency of its seafarers, MSI
Ship Management Pte. Ltd. in
partnership with Great Southern Maritime
Services Corporation (GSM) conducted
the MSI/GSM Crew Enhancement
Conference last January 7 - 8, 2010
at the Times Plaza Building, Manila,
Philippines.
Participated by 60 officers and guests,
information on the latest issues and
developments on vessel operations,
crew matters and especially particular
concerns on Health, Safety, Security
and Environment (HSSE) were given
importance during the forum.
Welcoming all HSSE participants, Engr.
Sammuel T. Lim, President and General
Manager of Great Southern Maritime
With the HSSE as main
focus of the seminar, Mr.
James Samuel - Director for
HSSE of IMC Corp talked
about Incident Investigation Participants listening intently to the discussions.
and
Root
Cause
Analysis and IMC No
leak Policy; Capt. John
Anthony
General
Manager
for
Crew
Operations of MSI Ship
Management discussed
Crew Performance and
Participants to the MSI/GSM Crew Enhancement Conference.
Expectations;
Capt.
Services Corporation highly praised the Harbans Singh - General Manager
officers for their dedication and commitment for Safety and Quality of MSI Ship
towards a more sustainable development Management dwelt on Environmental
with valuable career opportunities and Protection Needs for Further Action Mr. James Samuel talking about Insurance Claims.
further challenges ahead in the year 2010. and Case Study on Alleged MARPOL company “no leak” policy and other
The
internal Violations; Mr. Bjorn Skaar- Senior Vice related incidents that need special
enhancement
conference President of HDI Gerling focused on Hull attention for crew injury prevention or
is held annually to sustain Insurance Underwritters and Dr. Solomon even loss of life onboard were thoroughly
MSI crew’s awareness of Ching - Medical Director of MICAH talked discussed.
relevant issues affecting the about Healthy Lifestyle Onboard as the
With the actual rapid changes
global shipping industry as distinguished speakers during the two-day and incidents that take place in the
well as to develop highly- activity.
shipping industry, indeed, training is
qualified and committed
With
the
active
discussion
of an indispensable tool for achieving the
professionals playing an participating crew, related safety issues, true development for Filipinos seafarers’
The speakers and participants are joined by the officers and staff
important role onboard its good housekeeping and hygiene onboard, safety and careers being MSI/GSM’s
of GSM at the close of the two-day conference.
vessels.
loss prevention on grounding and collision, primary concern.
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
ENTERTAINMENT
37
By ARIANNE BLANCHE R. RODRIGUEZ
Versatility Makes Iwa Moto a True Bida for Fans
F
or some actresses, getting the lead
role would be a dream come true. We
are not new to rumors about what an
actress would do to be the leading lady.
Iwa Moto however prefers to stay as
second-lead.
Some actresses would even kill
(haven’t happened yet but I’m sure some
have thought about it) to keep their sweet
and innocent image, even to the point of
adding top PR people, showbiz writer, and
whoever to their staff list.
Iwa would rather be true to herself.
She might be intimidating to some
people but who among us would really
want to be with an actress who’s just faking
her niceness?
Iwa Moto faces everyone with confidence
knowing who she really is and without any
pretensions because really, when you’re
Iwa Moto you wouldn’t want to be anyone
else but yourself.
Iwa may play a contravida on television
but for Tinig ng Marino, she’s 100% bida.
Here’s why:
TNM: You were discovered in Starstruck.
What made you decide to join it?
Iwa: Katuwaan lang talaga ‘yun. It was
our enrolment so my friends and I had
our papers. Kumpleto, nandun ‘yung birth
certificates naming ganun. Then we went
to the mall, we didn’t know pa that time na
may audition so when we saw a lot of people
and we realized na meron ngang audition,
nagkatuwaan at sumali na rin kami. Trip
lang talaga. Tapos ayun nagtuluy-tuloy.
At one point, I really wanted to give up
already pero bigla kaming nasunugan sa
Davao. We lost almost everything. When
I found out, parang ayaw ko na lang ding
maging pabigat kasi talagang back to zero
kami eh kaya I just continued na lang ‘yung
sa Starstruck para makatulong na rin ako
sa family ko.
TNM: Buti hindi ka nag-quit, I mean, a lot
of guys were already rooting for you. Ang
dami na ngang may crush sa iyo, eh.
Iwa: (laughs) Siguro kasi that time uso si
Sandara Park eh so chinita, ganun. Akala
nila sweet din ako kagaya ni Sandara.
TNM: Do you know how to speak
Japanese?
Iwa: No, I didn’t grow up kasi with my Dad.
I know how to speak Bisaya though since I
lived in Davao for three years plus my mom
is from Butuan. Wala lang talaga akong
practice now kasi wala akong makausap
eh pero hawod kayo ko mu-Bisaya.
TNM: How was your experience in
Starstruck?
Iwa: Well, mahirap din. Unang-una, I didn’t
have a car that time eh. I live in Las Piñas
tapos I had to commute to GMA bitbit-bitbit
ko pa yung giant maleta ko. I had to ride a
tricycle, a jeep, tapos MRT. That time uso
pa ‘yung mga bomb threats so talagang
binubuklat ng mga guwardiya ang maleta
ko. That time din medyo nakikilala na
kami so minsan habang nakaupo ako sa
MRT bitbit ang aking giant bag eh may
magtatanong sa akin “Ikaw ba si Iwa
Moto?” Sasagutin ko ng “Ay naku hindi po!
Kamukha ko lang po siguro.” Hindi pa kasi
ako sanay sa limelight that time.
TNM: How about now?
Iwa: Siyempre, I have to cope with it.
Ngayon immune na ako kasi five years
na rin naman ako so parang talagang
kelangang kahit papaano eh sanay na ako.
Hindi naman puwedeng hindi ka rin magadjust sa bago mong sitwasyon, di ba?
TNM: What do you miss most sa pagiging
normal person before you became an
actress?
Iwa: Namimiss ko ‘yung naglalakad akong
mag-isa. ‘Yung kahit saan ako magpunta
okay lang. Minsan ‘yung driver ko
pinapauna ko tapos nagko-commute ako,
naglalakad ako nang mag-isa. Namimiss
ko ‘yung dating Aileen.
TNM: Ah so your name is Aileen?
Iwa: Oo my real name is Aileen Iwamoto.
So parang they cut my family name kasi
para mas catchy daw.
TNM: What’s the worst chismis you’ve ever
encountered?
Iwa: Kasi bago pa ako nag-showbiz, nachichismis na buntis o may asawa na ako.
Dumaan kasi ako sa all-girls school eh.
TNM: Oh yeah, I get it. Mahirap talaga sa
all-girls school!
Iwa: Oo! Sinabi mo pa! Minsan mag-aabsent ka ng two days, machi-chismis
ka nang buntis ka. Kaya pagdating ko sa
showbiz parang wala lang. Sanay na ako
sa mga issues. I don’t really care what
they say as long as hindi nila idadamay
ang family ko. Once they include my family
that’d be the time I’d fight back.
TNM: How did you adjust to the crazy
schedule of showbiz?
Iwa: Na-train kami sa “Starstruck.” Ang
routine ko kasi dati was to wake up at 6 am
kasi may school ako at 7 am. Hanggang 4
pm yung classes ko eh. Sa house namin
pag 6 pm wala ka pa, nakakandado na ang
gate so bahala ka sa kalye matulog. Ang
laking adjustment when I joined Starstruck
kasi sometimes we end at 4 am. There
were times that I had to sleep in GMA. It
was hard pero eventually nasanay din
kami. Talagang na-train kami.
TNM: There was an issue before about
your stint in Starstruck.
Iwa: Ah yung nagmura ako? Kasi naman
eh…(laughs) I’m not kasi the type who
can pretend. When I feel inis, talagang
mahahalata mo sa kilos ko na naiinis ako.
Hindi ko kayang magpanggap na sweet
ako, inosente ako kasi vocal akong tao eh.
That time talagang nagwala ako. I don’t
know. Maybe dahil sa pressure. Pressure
sa trabaho, pressure sa family. I wanted to
quit na that time but they were telling me
not to.
TNM: Oo kasi sayang.
Iwa: Kasi final four na talaga ‘yun. Noong
time na ‘yun nagalit talaga ako sa kanilang
lahat kasi feeling ko inaapi ako. Hindi ko rin
naman talaga gustong manalo. Of course
now okay na kami.
TNM: You have really challenging roles,
like in Darna.
Iwa: Ay naku, pag nakita mo ‘yung costume
ko maaawa ka. First kakalbuhin nila ako
so lalagyan nila ng rubber latex. Sobrang
init! As in pagtanggal nun para akong
bagong ligo sa sobrang pawis. Tapos ‘yung
costume ko, rubber talaga siya kaya puro
ako allergies.
TNM: Grabe! Ang hirap nga!
Iwa: May body paint pa talaga. ‘Yung body
paint takes four hours to put on so isipin
mo nakatayo ka lang for four hours.
TNM: Wow! What if you like to relieve
yourself?
Iwa: Pinaayos ko naman ‘yung costume
ko para hindi ako mahirapan when I go to
the rest room. Tapos aside from that, may
contact lens pa ako na palaging umiikot at
kailangang dutdutin ko ang mata ko para
umayos. Tapos may ahas pa ako!
TNM: Omigosh! Totoong ahas?
Iwa: Oo, totoong ahas. Ang problema nga
hindi kasi masyadong gumagalaw ang
mga ahas eh. So talagang pinapagalaw
nila ‘yung snake.
TNM: What was it like to pose for FHM?
Iwa: Siyempre nakakakaba. Me kasi, I
won’t pose na sobrang halos ipakita na
ang lahat. I mean never talaga akong
magpapakita ng special part of my body.
Paano na lang when you’re old na kung
may mga apo ka na? Litrato ‘yun eh.
Makikita at makikita ‘yun eh. Fine you’re
hot now pero papano kung matanda ka na,
kung 50 years old ka na? Puwede namang
seductive na wala kang ipapakita di ba?
TNM: Now you’re not packaged as like
other actresses na puro pa-sexy lang.
Your roles have more meat. Pero parang
nalilinya ka yata sa mga contravida roles?
Iwa: Eh naman, sa itsura ko pangkontrabida ako. Hindi ako bagay sa mga
TURN TO PAGE 41
38 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
Because as far as I know: “Ang baliw
kahit anong tawa niya, hindi pa rin siya
gumagaling!”
man daw at magaling, ang chakachaka pa rin.”
WITNESS
PAMANA
HINDI TUMATANDA
Lola: Apo, alam mo naman na
matanda na ako. Kung mamamatay
ako, ipamamana ko sa iyo ang aking
sakahan, prutasan, bahay at mga
hayop.
Apo: Salamat po, Lola. Saan po ba
iyun?
Lola: Sa Facebook apo. Ang e-mail
address ko e hot_lola143@yahoo.
com at ang password ko ay ganda143.
Click mo lang bookmark na Farmville.
Mrs: Naniniwala ka ba na ang babae
habang tumatanda ay gumaganda?
Mr: Oo naman.
Mrs: Sa tingin mo, gumaganda ba
ako?
Mr: Sa tingin ko, hindi ka tumatanda.
Pulis: Sino nakakita sa aksidente?
Witness: Ako po sir.
Pulis: Buti naman may witness. Nakita
mo ba ‘yung plate number?
Witness: Oho, nagsisimula ho sa 4.
Pulis: Ano ang kasunod?
Witness: Registration po.
HINDI MAKATULOG
MISTER: Wala akong tulog dahil naiisip
ko P500K na utang ko kay pare.
MISIS: Madali yan! Tawagan mo
si pare, sabihin mong hindi ka
makakabayad sa utang mo para siya
naman ang hindi makatulog!
BE PROUD
ANG KAHALAGAHAN
NG BALLPEN
* Kung malaki ang eyebags mo, huwag
mong ikahiya kasi pinagpuyatan mo
‘yan.
* Kung amoy putok ka, be proud!
Pinagpawisan mo yan eh!
Kapag walang ballpen, walang notes.
Kapag walang notes, walang pagaaral.
Kapag walang pag-aaral, walang
diploma.
Kapag walang diploma, walang work.
Kapag walang work, walang pera.
Kapag walang pera, walang pagkain.
Kapag walang pagkain, magugutom.
Kapag nagutom, papayat.
Kapag pumayat, papanget.
Kapag pumangit, walang gf/bf.
Kapag walang gf/bf, walang asawa.
Kapag walang asawa, walang anak.
Kapag walang anak, madedepress.
Kapag nadepress, magkakasakit.
Kapag nagkasakit, mamamatay ka.
Kapag namatay ka, wala ka na.
Kaya, ingatan mo yang ballpen mo!
MANGYAN
QUESTION TIME
SELOS
Sa akin ka nga nakahawak nang
mahigpit, sa kanya ka naman nakatitig.
– Mouse, nagseselos sa Monitor
Sen. Cayetano: It’s now the turn of
Sen. Lapid to ask witness Jun Lozada.
Sen. Lapid: Ha? Pass muna ako!
Sen. Cayetano: Hindi puwede. Dapat
lahat tayo, magtanong! Huwag ka nang
mahiya, sige tanong na, huwag mahiya.
Sen. Lapid: Ha? Eh, kaanu-ano mo
si Ike Lozada?
NOT THE BEST
MEDICTINE
Don’t ever believe that ‘laughter has
always been the best medicine.’
KASABIHAN NG
MAGAGANDA
Makabagong kasabihan: Kagandahan
edition
1) Para sa magaganda: “aanhin mo ang
ganda, kung wala ka namang papa.”
2) Para sa gustong magpaganda/
retokada : “kung gusto mong lumandi,
tiisin mo ang hapdi.”
3) Para sa mga feeling magaganda:
“talbog ang matigas na tinapay sa
tigas ng mukha ng nagmamagandang
inday.”
4) Para sa mga walang ganda: “mabait
May isang Mangyan sa Jollibee.
Mangyan: Pabili ng pulot (honey).
Crew: Wala po kaming tindang pulot.
Mangyan: Kayabangan mo! Laki-laki
nung bubuyog sa labas!
ANO KA NA NGAYON?
Ama: Hindi ka na nahiya. Junior pa
naman kita. Bading ka ba?
Anak: Opo, Daddy.
Ama: (Dinuldol sa harina si Junior).
Ano, bading ka pa ba?
Anak: Hindi na po.
Ama: Eh ano ka na ngayon?
Anak: Geisha na po! (Ang taray!)
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
MAS MAHALAGA
BERTO: Ano ang mas mahalaga, pera
o asawa?
ROMY: Syempre, pera! Kasi ang
pera habang tumatagal, lumalaki ang
interes. Ang asawa, habang tumatagal,
mawawalan ka ng interes, tapos,
inuubos pa ang pera mo.
The robber asks second hostage,
“Did you see me rob the bank?” Second
Hostage, “No, but my wife did.”
MANGGAGAMIT
Guwapo nag-text: Luv, pa-load naman
P100.
Bakla:
Okay!
(Nagmamadaling
naghanap ng loading station).
Bakla: Narecieve mo na luv?
Guwapo: Hu u?
ON DIET
Lasing: Hoy! Sinong matapang?! Labas!
Lalake: Ako! Bakit? Lalaban ka?!
Lasing: Pare, ihatid mo naman ako sa
bahay, natatakot ako kay misis eh.
Sa isang restaurant:
Waitress: Sir, akala ko ba nagda-diet
kayo?
Customer: Oo nga. Gusto kong
pumayat. Kaya nga rito ako kumakain
sa restaurant ninyo, kasi hindi masarap
ang pagkain kaya konti lang ang
nakakain ko!
NAGPUMILIT
MAGTAGALOG
“Alem nenyo mge enek ko?
Pegnemetey keyo, kung mabute keyo
se lupe, pegdeting nenyo se lengit,
seselubungen keyo neng mge enghel
na meleleke eng pekpek.....”
NO NEED FOR LONG LIFE
Man to Doctor: Is there a way for long
life?
Doc: Get married.
Man: Will it help?
Doc: No, but the thoughts of long life
will never come to your
mind again.
LUMABAS ANG MATAPANG
An American missionary at his Sunday
Bible Study, decided to show his
proficiency in Filipino, so he began:
Nanay: Putragis, kahit ba sinong
Poncio Pilato ang bumuntis sa iyo.
ipakukulong ko. Sabihin mo! Sino?
Anak: Nay, marami po eh. Group
project po kasi.
39
GROUP PROJECT
Nanay: Langya! Anak buntis ka?
Anak: Opo, Nay.
Nanay: Sinong may gawa nyan?
Anak: Nay, project po ito tungkol sa
miracle of life.
CONSCIOUS ROBBER
A man robs a bank and takes
hostages. He asks the first hostage,
“Did you see me rob the bank?” First
hostage says, “Yes,” and is immediately
shot.
WHEN DOCTORS BRAG
Three surgeons talking:
Doc 1: I operated the arm of this guy
and he’s now a famous basketball
star.
Doc 2: I operated the leg of this guy
and now he’s a famous marathon
runner!
Doc 3: That’s nothing. I put a mole on
the face of this idiot and now she’s the
president!
40 TINIG NG MARINO
UGONG NG MAKINA
AT IKOT NG ELISI
Sukdulang
Panggugulang
sa Gobyerno?
FROM PAGE 35
Canlas ang Home Guaranty Corporation (HGC)
sa kadahilanang ibinenta nito ang dalawang
piraso ng lupa sa Manila Harbour Centre
sa mabababang halaga. Nalugi umano ang
gobyerno ng PhP 300 milyones sa bentahang
ito dahil ang halaga raw ng lupa sa lugar ay
hindi dapat bababa sa PhP 25,000 per square
meter. Totoo kayang naniniwala si Rhegis
Romero at si Atty. Canlas na ang halaga ng lote
sa Manila Harbour Centre ay Php 25,000.00
per square meter? Mahabaging langit! Para
sa kaalaman ng lahat, suriin natin kung sino
talaga ang nagmamay-ari ng Sunglow Land
Inc. Noong taong 1997, 40% nito ay pagaari ng Freight Links Express Holdings Ltd.
Noong taong 2002 nagbago ang istruktura ng
Sunglow Land Inc. Naging pag-aari na ito ni
Michael Romero na anak ni Rhegis Romero.
Si Michael Romero mismo ang pumirma ng
mga deeds of sale para sa Sunglow Land Inc.
sa dalawang pirasong lupa na nabili mula sa
National Housing Authority sa pamamagitan
ng R-II Builders bilang sales agent sa MMG
Resources.
Noong taong 2002 din, nagkaroon ng
kapangyarihan si Michael Romero na
makipagnegosasyon at magbenta ng mga
pag-aari ng Sunglow Land Inc.. Taong 2002 din
ibinenta ni Michael Romero ang isang parsela
ng lupa na Lot 14, Block 4 ng Manila Harbour
Centre na may lawak ng 4,246 square meters
sa MMG Resources Inc. sa halagang PhP
6,072.44 per square meter at may sumatutal
na PhP 25,783,560.00. Ang zonal valuation
sa DO#93-96 noong Disyembre 24, 1996 ay
PhP 7,500.00. Ibinenta ito ni Michael Romero
na mas mababa pa kaysa sa zonal valuation.
Ang ibig sabihin lang nito, si Michael Romero
mismo ay hindi naniniwala na ang halaga ng
lote sa Manila Harbour Centre ay pumapalo
sa PhP 25,000.00 per square meter. Ibinenta
pa niya ang isa pang lote na may lawak na
4,247 square meters noong Pebrero 26, 2004
sa halagang PhP 6,000 per square meter.
Noong taong 2006 nagbenta rin ang Sunglow
sa LAFIL Group ng 4,000 square meters sa
halagang PhP11,250 per square meter. Noong
2007 naman ay 15,000 square meters sa
Oceanic Container Lines sa halagang PhP
8,000 per square meters.
Ang mga bentahang ito ay nagpapatunay
lamang na naniniwala si Rhegis Romero na
ang halaga ng lupain sa Manila Harbour Centre
noong panahong iyon at magpahanggang
ngayon ay PhP 6,000.00 per square meter
lang at hindi PhP 25,000 per square meter
dahil siya na mismo ang bibili nito at ibebenta
niya ito sa mas mahal na presyo. Makikita
natin ang mga bentahang ito sa record ng BIR
CAR for sale of properties.
Noong taong 2008, ibinenta naman ang
10,000 square meters at 28,900 square
meters sa Lapaz Milling Corp. sa halagang
Php 13,300 per square meter. Sa loob ng
anim na taon, ito lang ang mga transakyon
na ating mapagbabasehan. Bakit naman ang
transaksyon na naganap sa taong 2001 ang
pinagbabasehan ni kagalang-galang na Atty.
Canlas sa kanyang isinampang kaso laban sa
HGC? Hindi ba ito kamangha-mangha?
MARCH - APRIL 2010
Romero’s Legal Maneuverings on HGC over
Port Complex Lots, Running on Empty
FROM PAGE 12
While Canlas and Reghis Romero
II claim in their case against HGC that
property at the Manila Harbour Centre port
complex should not be sold below its fair
market value of PhP17,500 per square
meter, the records of the complex show
otherwise.
And no less than sportsman Dr.
Michael ‘Mikee’ Romero, Reghis son,
put an indelible mark on the continuously
depreciating value of lots inside the Manila
Harbour Centre port complex over the
years due to the absence of development
that they themselves committed.
Certified true copies of deed of sales of
properties sold at Manila Harbour Center
port complex since it began operating in
1997 showed that no less than Michael
Romero, through his company Sunglow
Land Incorporated, made the sale of 4,246square meter property to MMG Resources
in 2002 at PhP6,000 per square meter,
more than 60% below what his father and
Canlas claim in their case against HGC.
Two years later, Mikee did it again with
the sale of another 4,247-square-meter
property also to MMG Resources.
No sale was recorded in 2003 and
2005. But in 2006, R-II Builders sold to
Lafil Group a 4,000-square meter property
inside the port complex at PhP 11,250 per
square meter.
The following year, it sold another
15,000-square-meter property to Oceanic
Container Lines at PhP 8,000 per square
meter.
Canlas and Reghis are questioning the
sale of properties by HGC worth P13,300
per square meter yet since 2002, they have
been selling lots inside the Manila Harbour
Centre port complex at far lesser value.
It is not clear how on earth did Canlas
and Romero come up with their suit against
HGC but based on records, their case is
obviously running on empty. And no less
than their very own Mikee Romero gave
the paper trail that shall seal the doom of
their whimsical legal case, which many in
the port community believe that it is meant
more to put one over HGC yet again just like
what they’ve been doing to the government
agency time and again.
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
Versatility Makes Iwa
Moto a True Bida for Fans
FROM PAGE 37
pa-tweetums. I mean tingnan mo si Marian,
maamo ang mukha. Siyempre pag umiyak
siya maaawa ang mga tao. Ako pag umiyak
baka magmukha pa akong nagtataray.
Kahit balde-baldeng luha pa ang iiyak
ko hindi pa rin nakakaawa ang itsura ko.
That’s why I’m thankful na hindi ako nanalo
sa Starstruck kasi ayaw ko talagang magbida. Masaya na ako sa supporting roles.
Kasi ayaw kong ma-pressure, kapag ikaw
ang lead tingin ng mga tao kasalanan mo
kapag hindi kumita ang palabas mo.
TNM: How do you stay grounded?
Iwa: You know I’m the type of person na
sobrang daling pasayahin. Simple lang
ang gusto ko. I still hang-out with my
friends at talagang tinatanong ko sila from
time to time kung nagbago na ba ako, kung
yumabang ba ako? Sinasabi naman nila
na ganun pa rin daw ako nagkapera lang
daw ako kaya’t nalilibre ko na sila.
TNM: What’s your message to all our
readers?
Iwa: Thank you! Kasi ang daming naitutulong
ng mga Filipino seafarers sa ating bansa.
I’m looking forward to actually meeting you.
Sana patuloy nating suportahan ang Tinig
ng Marino dahil talagang pinaghihirapan
siya. Biruin ninyo
pinuntahan
pa
ako dito sa bahay
para lang mainterview. More
power sa inyo
and God bless!
41
42 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
ON THE BRIDGE OF M/S MMAP
RADM. ADONIS B. DONATO, PCGA M.M.
Reelected President, Masters and Mates Association of the Philippines (MMAP)
Reelected President, Philippine Federation of Professional Associations (PFPA)
Outstanding Seafarer of the Year, NSD, 2003
Topnotcher, PMMA Class 67
B
“I Have Fought the Good Fight, I Have Finished
my Course, I Have Kept the Faith”
y the time this column is
read, it is most probable that
the Master and Mates Association
of the Philippines (MMAP) election for
the new Board of Directors is over, and
therefore, new MMAP president, officers
and directors have been elected. That
being the case, I would like to convey my
sincere congratulations to the new leaders
of MMAP. I have been in the helm of MMAP
as president for six years now, having been
re-elected for the second term (one term is
three years).
Thus, I deemed it appropriate not to
run for another re-election, even in the
board of directors, to give one more slot
for new aspirants. I myself is an exponent
of dynamism as I believe that in order to
make an organization more vibrant and
healthy, there should be some movement
– both horizontal and vertical within the
organization, and that new blood should
be injected in the leadership and governing
body of this government accredited
professional association of marine deck
officers in the country.
As most probably this would be my last
article in this column, allow me to look back
at my two-term tenure as MMAP president
and what challenges our administration
had faced, as well as the accomplishments
we had made in the past six years.
attending to these concerns, I gladly played
From the very first days of my assumption the role of a peacemaker between feuding
of my first term from then outgoing key personalities in the group and fortunately
president Capt. Vic Del Prado, I was won over the goodwill and cooperation
already confronted with the association’s of some people previously critical to the
failure to comply with the reportorial and association. I used to say to my colleagues
documentary requirements in connection in the MMAP Board, who at times think I
with MMAP’s registration with the Securities am being too soft in resolving conflicts
and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the among colleagues in the profession and
past years resulting to
the industry, that the
the suspension of its
price for peace is quite
“Among the major
registration.
high, and therefore if
Of course, taking achievements of MMAP is the we have to bend a little
advantage of the reduction of the whole marine or go out of our way or
precarious
status officers examination system, take the extra mile to
of MMAP, certain
turn an adversary into
from its original four-level
individuals used this
a friend, it was worth
examination
system
to
twoas main ammunition
doing just that.
level examination system.”
to file a case for
As expected, being
cancellation
of
the only professional
accreditation of MMAP
association recognized
with the PRC. So, with me taking the lead, by the PRC for marine deck officers,
my administration gave top priority in MMAP was deeply drawn in the forefront
working with the SEC for the reinstatement of the controversy over the Management
of our association’s accreditation, which Level Course (MLC), which eventually
after complying with all administrative reached the committee hearings in the
requirements including penalties, we finally Senate. MMAP was at the forefront in
got back our SEC registration and we were overhauling MLC’s original course contents
able to put the house in order so to speak. to make it more responsive to the current
While I was having my hands full in needs of management level officers. Our
efforts did not let up until
the new MLC was finally
implemented
through
the duly MTC-accredited
training providers.
Over and above this,
MMAP, sitting in the
CHED Technical Panel
for Maritime Education
(TPME), spearheaded the
revision of the present
BSMT/BSMarE curricula
to incorporate the MLC
in the final year prior to
graduation – as this is truly
supposed to be the proper
and eventual placement
of MLC - in the college
curriculum. Such BSMT/
BSMarE new curriculum
is hopefully expected to
be implemented beginning
school year 2010-2011 or
or 2011-2012 at the latest.
Almost at the same
time, MMAP, together with
the PRC board and the
manning industry, figured
prominently in the drive
to implement the long
overdue and yearned
Walk-in
Examination
System (WES) for marine
deck and engine officers in our bid to
enhance the integrity of the licensure
examinations and hasten the production
and promotion of more competent marine
officers. To keep our members continuously
informed on current events relevant to
our profession, we conducted series of
seminars and consultations as well as
served as the bridge between PRC, MTC,
MARINA, PCG, and other government
maritime agencies and our members on
various important issues.
Among the major achievements of
MMAP, and in a more personal note my
long time advocacy and dream is the
reduction of the whole marine officers
examination system, from its original fourlevel examination system to eventually
two-level examination system. The
advent of STCW ‘95 has paved the way in
reducing the examinations to three instead
of four ( by introducing the OIC exams that
essentially incorporated the previous 3/M
and 2/M or 4/E to 3/E exams to one), thus,
making the examination for operational
level officers to one.
Having done this, and taking the
opportunity of the global shortage crisis
for marine officers, I articulated on behalf
of MMAP and the manning industry with
the PRC Boards for Deck and Engine the
necessity for a single licensure examination
for the management level officers. In short,
no more examination for the master’s or
chief engineer’s license. This seemed to
be an almost impossible task back then
as certain groups allegedly with vested
interests together with some PRC insiders
stood their ground, fiercely opposing the
move for many years. But MMAP and the
industry did not give up until PRC saw the
wisdom of such proposal and finally made
it possible last year.
In line with this, we also worked closely
with the PRC Boards to remove the D4 and
E4 categories from the license/certificates
and automatically start with D3 and E3 for
the OICs or operational level officers. Thus,
the one-stripe shoulder boards for OICs
have been changed to two-stripes shoulder
boards indicating that the OICs who have
served onboard as 3/O can be promoted
to 2/O onboard without the necessity and
trouble of having to wait his signing off and
apply for upgrading to D3/E3 license with
PRC.
Another important milestone that MMAP,
under my administration has achieved,
is that the marine profession was finally
recognized by the various professional
disciplines of our society. Having been
elected as president of the Philippine
TURN TO PAGE 44
TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
T
he way I see things, the way I see life, I
see it as a struggle, and there is a great
deal of reward, I have gained coming to
the understanding that existence is struggle.”
This quotation from Harvey Keitel made me
realize that my purpose in writing is to share the
significance of struggle.
I believe that the important thing in life is
not triumph but struggle. Sometimes struggle
is exactly what we need in our lives. If we were
to go through our life without any obstacle, we
would be crippled. We would not be as strong as
we could really become.
Just like other columnists, my purpose in
writing is to disseminate factual and relevant
information. It is also to express my opinion to
current events. It is my task to call the attention
of concerned government agencies or persons
involved in issues I am raising, for them to either
institute reforms or rectify their mistakes.
When I was a college managing editor and
Filipino columnist of the Technizette (EARIST)
and staffwriter of The Philippine Artesian (T.U.P.),
I attended several seminars and workshops on
journalism sponsored by the College Editors
Guild of the Philippines (CEGP). I have learned
and experienced different forms of struggles as a
student writer. Those were the days when it was
so easy for us to convince our readers to take a
particular course of action after presenting our
arguments to the issues that affect the students.
Today the situation has changed. I am now
dealing with seafarers who are highly-educated
and responsible readers, who have proven
their nationalistic and civic consciousness on
legitimate issues. These seamen have shown
their stand to the different issues during the 70s,
80s and 90s. They participated in parliament
of the streets with regards to the extension
of seaman’s book and other issues. They
shouted “Dare Struggle, Dare to Win” in several
mass actions on the issues that affect their
profession.
To my mind, the seafarers in Luneta are
politically-matured voters who are now ready to
use the power of the ballots in choosing the right
Partylist that will continue the seafarers’ struggle
in Congress.
*******
For the seafarers to take cargos and
passengers to the sea onboard vessels and
hardly minding the risk is a struggle againts the
perils of the sea.
I remember when I was teaching Deck
Watchkeeping at Philippine Seafarers Training
Center. It was my task to emphasize the
importance of preparing for the sea. The master
is responsible in ensuring that proper passage
plan is made from berth to berth. It must be
commenced as soon orders for next voyage are
made. Chart and publication must be made as
soon as voyage orders are known.
Routes prescribed by the ocean passage of
the world and sailing directions must be followed.
Officers must know the rules applicable to all
fixed and floating marks especially the marked
areas where the ship must not enter. The
navigational equipment and bridge apparatus
must be checked and tested. All life-saving and
firefighting equipment must be checked and
last but not the least, all communication system
must be operational and must be duplicated.
However, in the domestic shipping industry, all
requirements for preparing for sea voyage could
be ignored to assure bigger profit.
I received an e-mail from a prominent Master
Mariner that “one or both vessels did not follow
the traffic separation scheme.” He was referring
to the collision between the motorized banca
MB Catalyn and fishing boat FB Anatalia late
in December 2009.
MB Catalyn should be navigating on the
south-bound/western portion of the traffic zone
while the fishing vessel FB Anatalia should be
navigating on the north-bound/eastern portion
43
PUNTO DE VISTA
By PAUL ESBER
Auditor, United Filipino Seafarers
P_esber@yahoo.com
Dare to Struggle; Dare to Win
of the traffic separation zone. This analysis
to dare to struggle with prayers in order to win
supports the comments of some marine deck
battle.
officers in Luneta and implied that they are not
*******
satisfied with the findings of the Board of Marine
Some of the seafarers in Luneta support
Inquiry (BMI) on the accident.
former MARINA Administrator Elena Bautista
The problem is the masters of both vessels
in her struggle against some of vessel owners
are not aware of the basic rules of the road.
who have been ignoring MARINA memorandum
The captain and the chief mate of FB Anatalia
circulars that promote better safety standards
admitted to the Board of Marine Inquiry that they
for ship owners and operators. But little did they
just bought their fake license and they were not
know that some of those memorandum circulars
even high school
were
misplaced
graduates.
The
and uncalled for.
“If
the
reason
for
demanding
the
MARINA enforcer
It was not wise for
and Philippine Coast
the then MARINA
resignation of Bautista
Guard
personnel
administrator
is incompetence, I believe
may have not been
to order that all
majority of the Filipino seafarers
strict enough to
lifejackets onboard
check if the license
domestic
vessels
will agree because the most
those
mariners
must be replaced
qualified professional to run
are holding are
and the lifejackets
MARINA must be a Master Mariner must be ordered only
authentic.
or a Chief Engineer.”
MARINA
may
from one supplier.
have issued major
How about those
patron
licenses
lifejackets
which
without giving any examinations to them. These
were prescribed and approved by MARINA and
types of master mariners of small vessels were
still in good condition, do they have to replace
not graduates of nautical schools but they were
it as well?
allowed to command a vessel carrying more
The president of United Filipino Seafarers
than a hundred passengers.
questioned and even filed a case against the
These people handling the navigation of
former MARINA Administrator on the lifting
small boats and fishing vessels were apparently
of the suspension order of the MV Princess
just high school graduates and do not know the
of the South and MV Princess of the Earth
maritime regulations and probably even the
because both vessels are only covered with
basic Safety of Life at Sea or SOLAS. Perhaps
local insurance worth $1.5 million.
accident collision could have been avoided if we
A case in point is the MV Princess of the Stars
have adequate navigational buoys and markers
which became a navigational hazard because
with lights in the traffic separation zone of the
the cost of the wreck removal is $7 million and
south channel of Corregidor Island. Apparently, so
the wreck removal insurance is only $1.5 million.
many bouys and markers with lights were stolen
If it had been covered with P&I insurance, it could
by some unscrupulous
fishermen.
Most of the maritime
countries have installed
navigational buoys in
their traffic separation
zones
and
other
areas with danger to
navigation. Of course
the Philippine Coast
Guard cannot put those
equipment
without
budget
allocations
from Congress. The
sinking of MV Baleno 9
where many lives were
lost can be blamed
also to MARINA and
the Philippine Coast
Guard.
I wish to add that
every time a ship sinks,
the shipowner always
gets
compensated
by
the
insurance
companies by two or
three times the cost of
their insured vessel.
For the families of the
victims of the almost
unending
tragedies
in our country, let me
remind you that in
every struggle, there is
sacrifice and you have
have been removed immediately even if the cost
of the wreck removal is $500 million.
Local insurance is a liability insurance that
the family of the victim has to file a case in court
and win the case before they can get the death
or disability benefits. Unlike the P&I insurance
which is an all-risk no-fault insurance.
However, Ramirez does not adhere to the
idea that even a vessel of 25 tons or a tugboat
costing one million pesos must be covered with
P&I insurance worth $15 million. No shipowner
in his right mind will agree to that kind of
insurance.
The move of the National Coalition of
Shipping Organizations to oust Bautista from her
previous post by having a maritime holiday could
be considered a wake up call for the maritime
stakeholders to get involve. It is also a challenge
to government authorities to implement the laws
properly. The demands of the domestic ship
owners and operators call for maritime unions
and associations to make a stand on the issue
of maritime safety as well.
In my analysis after hearing both sides, I
could say that some vessel owners are only
concerned with profit. It is only in the Philippines
where some ship owners do not want to
purchase quality lifejackets to ensure the safety
of its passengers.
If the reason for demanding the resignation
of the former MARINA Administrator is
incompetence, I believe majority of the Filipino
seafarers will agree because the most qualified
professional to run MARINA must be a Master
Mariner or a Chief Engineer. A maritime lawyer
could also be acceptable. It will be ridiculous
however to agree for her resignation just because
the Board of Directors of MARINA issued such
memorandum circular.
44 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
PISOBILITIES
Warning sa mga Magulang
na Todo-Gastos sa Pag-aaral ng Anak
FROM PAGE 21
magkatitulo at “bahala na.”
Kahit nung nag-aaral pa ako, maraming
para bang nagising na lamang na nasa
kolehiyo na sila at ni walang ideya kung
ano talaga ang gusto nilang gawin sa
buhay at kung ano ang kanilang mga
talento’t kakayahan.
Basta’t pumasok na lang sila sa
kolehiyo o unibersidad na pinapasukan
din ng mga kaibigan nila o di kaya’y pinili
ng mga magulang nila. Ang mga kinuha
nilang kurso ay yung pinakamadali o yung
pinakapapular. Mas simple naman kasi ang
buhay noon at madali rin silang nakalipat
sa gusto nilang propesyon sa di kalaunan.
Pero hindi na ganito kadali o kaluwag ang
sitwasyon ngayon.
Sa panahon ngayon, ang buhay ay
mas komplikado, mas maigting ang
kompetisyon, at mas mahal lahat ng
gastusin. Karamihan ay hindi kayang
magwaldas ng panahon, pagod at pera sa
isang edukasyong hindi naman bagay sa
kanilang kakayahan at personalidad.
Kaya nga importanteng habang
maaga’y engganyuhin na agad natin
ang mga batang mangarap kung ano
ang gusto nilang maging paglaki. Bilang
mga magulang at guro, dapat natin
silang bantayan at obserbahan nang sa
gayon ay magabayan natin silang gawin
ang mga bagay kung saan naroon ang
kanilang talento at talagang nasisiyahan
sila. Dapat sa pagtuntong pa lang nila ng
high school ay naghahanda na sila para
sa kolehiyo. Importante talaga ito lalo na
dahil matindi ang kompetisyon sa entrance
examination.
Nais kong ulitin na napaka-importanteng
tunay na nasisiyahan ang bata sa napili
niyang kurso dahil isa sa mga susi ng
tagumpay ay ang pagiging masaya sa
iyong ginagawa. Madaling pag-aralan
ang mga detalyeng teknikal pero ang
kaligayahan ay sa kanilang sarili lamang
puwedeng manggaling.
Praktikal na Pagtitipid para sa
Edukasyon
Paano kayo makapag-ipon para
sa matrikula at iba pang gastusin sa
eskuwelahan o kolehiyo?
Kadalasan, ang matrikula’y puwedeng
bayaran nang taunan, kada kalahating
taon, o kuwartuhan, o kahit buwan-buwan.
Minsan, nagbibigay ang eskuwelahan ng
diskwento kapag makapagbayad ka na
kaagad bago pa magbukas ang klase. Kung
ON THE BRIDGE OF M/S MMAP
“I Have Fought the Good Fight, I Have
Finished my Course, I Have Kept the Faith”
FROM PAGE 42
Federation of Professional Associations (PFPA), the umbrella
organization of 43 accredited professional organizations (APOs) of
PRC, wherein MMAP and MEOAP are members representing the
marine deck and marine engine officers, substantial progress have
been made with regards to the relationship and partnership of the
PRC, the Philippine Association of Professional Regulatory Boards
(PAPRB), and the PFPA.
Before, PRC would only talk directly to the APOs, but now
PFPA is being consulted by PRC and PAPRB regarding almost all
programs and activities involving the APOs.
And having served the longest PFPA president (three years /
three terms), we were also able to put the house in order – SEC
current registration and even the amendment of the organization’s
By-Laws – thereby leaving an indelible mark in the Federation’s
history for MMAP.
Now having just finished the elections for the new Board of
Directors and Officers of MMAP, wherein as I earlier said, I decided
not to run even in the board to give one more slot for the new
blood in the governance – I am sincerely congratulating the new
president CAPT. RUDY ASPILLAGA, together with other officers
and directors and wish them fair weather and full speed ahead in
their voyage bound for enhancing the stability and progress of our
seafaring profession.
To all my valued readers who have been following my column
“On the Bridge of M/S MMAP” for many years, I would like to
say THANK YOU and FAREWELL for now. Most probably, my
successor, the new MMAP president, will continue this column or
otherwise make his own column.
In closing, may I borrow the words of the Apostle Paul – “I have
fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the
faith.” God bless the maritime profession and the Philippines!
may sapat kang pera at ang diskwento ay
higit sa isang porsyento, na siyang interes
ng short-term savings deposit, maiging
kuhanin mo na ito.
Siguraduhin mo nga lang na ganoon
nga ang makukuha mong diskwento.
Suriin mong mabuti ang mga kasulatan na
ibinibigay at huwag mahiyang magtanong
para maintindihan mo kung anu-ano
ang mga binabayaran mo. Minsan kasi’y
di malinaw na nakasaad ito sa bill ng
eskuwelahan.
Halimbawa, kung ang halaga ng
matrikula sa isang taon ay PhP10,000 at
ang buwanang singil ng eskuwelahan ay
PhP1,000 sa loob ng sampung buwan,
malinaw na walang ibinigay na diskwento
kahit bayaran mo pa ang buong matrikula
agad-agad. Pero kung ang buwanang
bayad ay PhP1,100 sa loob din ng sampung
buwan, ibig sabihin ay makakakuha ka ng
10 porsyentong diskwento kung ibibigay
mo na kaagad ang buong PhP10,000.
Para ka na ring “namuhunan” sa
pagbayad ng matrikula at kumita ng 10
porsyento, na higit na mataas kaysa sa
isang porsyentong interes na kikitain
ng pera mo kung ilalagay mo lang ito sa
ordinaryong savings account.
Kung wala rin naman iniaalok na
diskwento sa pagbabayad ng buo, mas
maigi pang magbayad ka na lang ng
hulugan. Pero meron pa ring kadahilanan
kung bakit dapat mong piliing magbayad
nang buo kung may pera ka rin lang
naman. Narito ang dalawa:
1. Siguradong hindi mo magagastos
ang pera. Madali kasing “utangin” muna
ang perang pangmatrikula kung hindi
mo ito ibabayad agad nang buo, at baka
pagdating ng oras ng bayaran ay wala
kang mahanap na pangpuno at mapilitan
kang mangutang.
2. Baka malimutan mo pang maghulog
at mapatawan ka pa ng multa para
sa huling pagbayad, at di lang ’yon,
mapapahiya pa ang anak mo. Karaniwan
kasi’y hindi pinapayagang kumuha
ng mga importanteng pagsusulit ang
mga estudyanteng hindi pa bayad ang
matrikula.
Mga paraan sa pagkuha ng impormasyon
habang nasa ibang bansa:
1. Bago umalis, tumawag o magpasyal
sa aming opisina para makakuha ng
impormasyon tungkol sa mga promo namin
(habang may stock lang) para sa iyo at sa
iyong mga kamag-anak.
2. Pag-aralan ang Kapatiran sa
Kasaganaan Service and Multipurpose
Cooperative (KsKCoop) sa www.kskscoop.
com. Kung ikaw ay may interes, maaari
kang, habang nagbabakasyon ka, o ang
kapamilya mo, magpunta sa aming opisina
upang asikasuhin ito.
Si Francisco J. Colayco ay isang
entrepreneur, venture developer at
financial advisor. Siya ang Chairman
ng Colayco Foundation for Education
at may-akda ng tatlong bestsellers:
Wealth Within Your Reach (tinanghal
na 2004 Book of the Year for Business
and Economics), Making Your Money
Work (nominado bilang 2005 Book of
the Year for Business and Economics),
Pera Palaguin Workbook at ngayon
ang Money for Kids. Para sa iba pang
impormasyon tungkol sa kaniyang
mga itinuturo at adhikain, pumunta
sa www.colaycofoundation.com o di
kaya’y magpadala ng e-mail sa info@
colaycofoundation.com.
MARCH-APRIL 2010
Karapat Dapat Sana sa Kongreso
Sino ba ang tao at organisasyon na laging may nakahandang boses sa tuwing
may naaapi na marinong Pilipino? Mga kapatid ko sa hanapbuhay, matagal na nating
hinihintay na magkaroon ng boses tayo sa Kongreso at napakagandang balita sana
kung pinahintulutan ang UFS Partylist na makatakbo ngunit naunsyami lang sa huling
pagkakataon. Ganunpaman, dapat patuloy pa rin ang suportang ibubuhos natin sa UFS
at sa pangulo nitong si Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez na laging bukal sa kanyang kalooban
ang pagtulong sa mga marinong Pilipino para na rin sa kapakanan nating lahat.
Ano nga ba ang nagawa
ng UFS at ni Nelson Ramirez
para sa mga marinong
Pilipino para umani ito ng
ganito kalakas na suporta
mula sa hanay ng mga
mambabarko
at
kanikanilang mga pamilya?
Ang UFS at si Nelson
Ramirez ang nakipaglaban
sa Panama upang mawaksi
ang mapanupil na pagsusulit
na kanilang pilit na isinaksak
sa mga baga ng marinong
Pilipino na magsisilbi sa
mga barkong may taglay
ng banderang Panama sa UFS boys at the engine room of MT Liquid Crystal, manned in
loob ng mahigit 10 taon. the Philippines by BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines, Inc.,
Ang validity ng seaman’s (from the front to rear) including 3/E Mendoza, Oiler Sevilleno,
C/E Masaoay, 2/E Santiago, Oiler Lacorte, 4/E Macabale, Oiler
book, naging five years ‘yan
Baricuatro, Fitter Juada and Electrician Villaflor.
dahil sa pakikibaka ng UFS
at ni Nelson Ramirez sa
MARINA.
UFS din ang umalma
nang in-obliga nila ang
Maritime English para sa
mga marinong Pilipino. Pati
ang Basic Safety Course na
gusto sanang gawin ng ilan
na Basic Safety Training,
inangalan din ng UFS at ni
Ramirez kaya hindi natuloy
ang balak nilang panibagong
pagkakakitaan mula na
naman sana sa bulsa ng
mga marinong Pilipino.
Isa rin ang UFS at si
Ramirez na nagbukas ng The engine crew of MT Liquid Crystal led by C/E Masaoay
kaalaman para sa Walk- (seated, right) and 2/E Reynaldo Santiago (seated, left). With them
are (from left) Oiler Sevilleno, 3/E Mendoza, 4/E Macabale, Fitter
in Examination System
Juada, Electrician Villaflor, Oiler Lacorte and Oiler Baricuatro.
at ng Two-Level Written
Examination System na ngayon ay matagumpay nang inaani ng ating industriya. Hindi
ba maganda na ngayon ay dalawang pagsusulit na lang kumpara sa dating apat?
Ang Management Level Course o MLC na dapat sana ay para sa mga Kapitan at
Hepe de Makinista na kukuha at magre-renew ng kani-kanilang mga COCs at nilipat sa
OIC level, hindi rin nagtagumpay na iobliga dahil sa maagap na pagkilos ng UFS. Ngayon
ang MLC ay hindi na mandatory para sa mga marinong Pilipino at sa halip ay isang
upgrading course na lang. Napaganda pa nga dahil ang mga Chief Mate at mga Second
Engineer na may two years na experience pataas ay puwede nang ma-promote bilang
Kapitan at Chief Engineers na hindi na kailangang kumuha pa ng pagsusulit. Kailangan
nilang kumuha ng ilang mga trainings kasama na ang MLC.
Mga kabaro, sana ay hindi tayo makalimot sa mga tao at organisasyong nagbigay
sa atin ng mga kaginhawaan na ngayon ay atin nang tinatamasa. Sampu ng ating mga
pamilya, dapat patuloy nating suportahan ang UFS at si Engr. Nelson Ramirez para
patuloy nilang maisulong ang mga pakikipaglaban para sa ating hanay.
Sa dami ng mga hinarang ng UFS na maiitim na balak ng ilang mga mapagkunwari
laban sa ating mga marinong Pilipino kagaya na lang halimbawa ng patuloy na pagoobliga ng training na hindi naman dapat at nakakabawas lang ng oras nating mga
TINIG NG MARINO
45
AVID SUPPORTERS. The full
Filipino crew of MT Minerva
Clara expressing their allout support to UFS Partylist
and to Tinig ng Marino in
a group picture onboard
their vessel. Led by UFS
member 2/M Alex Miranda
(in maroon), the others in
photo include 3/E Joseph
Bulaong, 3/E Robert Lero,
Bosun Joaquin Geonanga,
Pumpman Bernard Argel, A/B
Romeo Vasquez, A/B Elviro
De Guzman, A/B Alan Viesca,
OS Jim Saclao, OS Xavier
Cariño, OS Rennie Boy De
Guzman, Oiler Eric Dorado,
Wiper Jay Faustino Galvan III,
Chief Steward Joselito Aseo,
Cook William Dacanay, and
Messman Nelson Alambat.
marinong Pilipino sa ating mga pamilya sa tuwing tayo’y nakabakasyon, panahon na
para suklian natin ito ng suporta.
Sa ganang akin, ang isang seaman ay mas marami ang natutunan sa barko kumpara
sa mga binibigay na training ng ilan sa mga maritime training centers. Nandun ang aktuwal
na gawain at sitwasyon kaya imposibleng mas may gaganda pa dun. May mga alam pa
nga akong mga nagtuturo ng training para sa mga marinong Pilipino gayong hindi pa
mismo nakatuntong ang mga ito sa gangway ng isang barko. Kung may magtuturo man
sa mga marinong Pilipino, dapat ay ‘yung may mga eksperiyensa na bilang mga marino.
Hindi ‘yung hindi pa nakikita ang anyo ng tunay na barko. Subukan nating paakyatin ang
mga iyan sa barko at tinitiyak kong mangangamote ang mga iyan.
Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagtulong in advance at walang humpay na suporta
para sa UFS at kay Engr. Ramirez. – C/E Arnold Masaoay
Maraming salamat Arnold sa iyong paglalahad ng ilan sa mga accomplishments ng
UFS para sa hanay ng mga marinong Pilipino. Ang mga kagaya mong walang humpay
ang suporta ang siyang nagbibigay sa UFS ng lakas ng loob para ipagpatuloy nito ang
pakikibaka para sa karapatan at kaginhawaan ng mga marinong Pilipino at ng kanilang
mga pamilya. Sana dumating din ang araw na magkaroon din ang mga marinong
Pilipino ng boses sa Kongreso na tunay na maglilingkod para sa kanila. - Editor
Gustong Suklian ang Tulong
Magandang araw po sa inyo Sir Nelson, sa mga staff ng UFS, sa mga cadet volunteers
na naririyan pa sa ating opisina, at sa mga tagasubaybay ng Tinig ng Marino.
Maraming salamat po Sir Nelson dahil kung hindi po dahil sa inyo at sa UFS ay
malamang hindi matutupad ang aking pangarap na maging isang ganap na marino.
Maraming salamat din sir sa mga payo at pangaral niyo sa akin. Tunay ngang nagbigay
ng lakas ng loob ang lahat ng mga ito para hindi ako mawalan ng pag-asa na maging
ganap na marino.
Messboy po ang trabaho ko sa barko naming MV Paschalis, isang bulk carrier.
Labing-apat po kaming mga Pilipino na ratings dito at pito naman ang aming mga
opisyales na pawang mga Griyego. Habang isinusulat ko ang liham na ito ay kasalukuyan
pong nagdidiskarga ang aming barko ng iron ore dito sa Qingdao, China. Pagkatapos
naming magdiskarga dito ay bibiyahe po kami ng Australia. Australia-China lang po ang
karaniwang ruta ng aming barko.
Ang buong akala kong nung una ay hindi na ako makakasampa ng barko pero nung
sandaling mapabilang ako sa mga UFS volunteer cadets, nagkaroon ako ng panibagong
pag-asa. Sa UFS po nahubog ang kakayahan ko at diyan ko rin natutunan ang maraming
mga bagay na ngayon ay nagagamit ko na dito sa barko.
Maraming salamat po Sir sa kabutihan niyo sa akin at nagpapasalamat din po ako sa
Panginoong Diyos dahil ginawa ka niyang instrumento sa buhay ko at sa marami pang
iba na kagaya ko. Hindi ko po alam kung paano masusuklian ang inyong kabutihan.
Nais ko ring ipaabot ang aking pasasalamat sa Marsaman Manning Agency lalong-lalo
na kina Ma’am Tonette Mabelo, Capt. Lakhsman, Safety Manager Sergio Magno, Ma’am
Mabel Lima pati na sa mga staff at Marsaman boys, dahil sa kanilang pagtitiwala sa akin
at pagbibigay ng oportunidad na makasampa sa barko.
Sa mga volunteers diyan, huwag niyong pababayaan ang inyong mga trabaho.
Huwag din kayong makakalimot sa Panginoong Diyos. Lagi kayong magpapasalamat
sa Kanya at magdasal na sana’y patuloy Niya kayong gabayan at bigyan ng malusog na
pangangatawan.
Maraming-maraming salamat po ulit Sir at sana marami pa kayo at ang UFS na
matulungan sa darating na panahon. Pakipaabot na rin ng aking pangangamusta kina
Sir Rey, Sir Toto, Ma’am Cherry at Ma’am Maricar. I wish you all good health. God bless
us all! – Rowel Pasol, UFS Distribution Boy, MV Paschalis
Hindi mo naman kailangang suklian Rowel ang tulong na ibinigay ng UFS sa iyo.
Kuntento na kaming malaman na nagagamit mo ang itinulong namin sa iyo upang
umasenso sa buhay at maging susi sa maaliwalas na buhay para sa iyong pamilya.
Ipagpatuloy mo lang ang iyong magandang simula bilang marino. - Editor
46 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
Ever Thankful Magician
Good day to the United Filipino Seafarers, to all the staff, to all the cadet volunteers
who are still there, and most especially to Sir Nelson and his family. I hope you are all
fine in God’s grace.
Sir, wala po akong sawang nagpapasalamat sa inyo dahil sa tulong ninyo at ng
UFS kung kaya unti-unti ko nang nakakamit ngayon ang aking mga pangarap bilang
isang ganap na marino.
Marami na po akong mga
bansang napuntahan at
halos naikot ko na rin
ang buong mundo. Higit
sa lahat ay kumikita na
rin po ako ng dolyar.
Nagpapasalamat
din
po ako sa ating Poong
Maykapal na Siyang
nagbigay ng daan na
makapasok ako bilang
cadet volunteer ng UFS
at siya namang naging
susi sa aking pagiging
ganap
na
marino
ngayon.
Some of the Filipino crew of MV Maersk Bulan including (seated in
Nasa Maersk Line front, from left) UFS boys Benjie ‘The Magician’ Aclo, E/E Primitivo
na po ako ngayon Sir. Gatus III, and OS Leonardo P. Salmasan. Second row from left are
Kasalukuyang isa pa 3/e Rowel M. Carnay, Rdrm Willmar M. Revera, Rdrm. Ronaldo M.
ako sa mga tripulante Peralta, and 2nd Cook Alan A. Ramos. Standing from left are: O/S
Leo R. Hidalgo, AB Regino A. Batoctoy Jr., E/E Christopher Roman
ng
isang
container C. Chua, and Chief Cook Germidel D. Vergara.
vessel ng Maersk Line
na may bigat na 35,000 gross registered tons. Medyo bago pa po ang barkong ito dahil
2008 lang po ginawa. Mixed crew po kami dito – may mga Indians, Malaysians, Chinese,
Indonesians pero pinakamarami kaming mga Pilipino.
Gusto ko sanang magbigay ng payo para sa mga naririyan pang cadet volunteers
sa UFS. Kaunting tiyaga at sipag lang mga kapatid dahil habang kayo ay nasa UFS,
nakatitiyak akong makakasampa rin kayo ng barko hindi maglalaon.
Muli, maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyo Sir Nelson, sa inyong pamilya at sa
UFS. Mabuhay kayong lahat and God bless us all always! - Benjie ‘The Magician’ C.
Aclo, MV Maersk Bulan
Maraming salamat Benjie sa iyong magandang payo sa mga cadet volunteers natin
dito sa UFS. Wala namang pangarap na imposibleng makamtan kung pagsusumikapan
at pagtatrabahuan lang. Ipagpatuloy mo lang ang iyong pagpupursige at nakatitiyak
kaming malayo pa ang iyong mararating bilang marino. - Editor
Binigyang-Daan ang Pangarap
Good day Sir Nelson. Kumusta na po kayong lahat diyan? Nais ko pong ipaabot ang
aking pangungumusta kina Ma’am Marilyn, sa lahat ng staff ng UFS pati na sa mga cadet
volunteers na naririyan pa.
; PROVOCATIVE
; INFORMATIVE
; RELEVANT
; CONTROVERSIAL
; ENTERTAINING
seafarers’ newspaper
Bagamat hindi pa naman natutupad nang lubusan ang aking mga pangarap, ako’y
nagagalak dahil sa tulong niyo at ng UFS ay napasimulan na ito. Maraming salamat Sir
sa mga pangaral ninyo sa akin noon. Ngayon po ay nakasakay na ako sa MS Norwegian
Star, isang cruise ship na CF Sharp Crew Management ang manning agent sa Pilipinas.
Habang sinusulat ko itong aking liham ay nasa Cabo San Lucas po ang aming barko
sa bansang Mexico.
Gusto ko ring ipaabot ang aking walang humpay na pasasalamat dahil kung hindi
dahil sa inyo at sa UFS, wala po ako ngayon sa aking kinalalagyan. Kahit marino rin po
ang aking mga tiyuhin, tanging kayo lang po ang nakatulong sa akin upang makasampa
ako sa barko kung kaya hindi ko maipaliwanag ang aking lubos na kasiyahan sa inyong
mabuting kalooban, Sir. Kahit hindi niyo po kami kamag-anak, bukas-palad niyo kaming
tinulungan upang makamit namin ang aming mga pangarap na maging ganap na
marino.
Sana po ay lalo pang tumatag ang UFS at nawa’y bigyan pa kayo ng Panginoon
ng malakas na pangangatawan at mahabang buhay dahil nakatitiyak akong marami pa
kayong matutulungang mga kagaya ko. Maraming-maraming salamat po, Sir, at sa UFS!
– Arnold Ochea
Ang pagbibigay-daan sa iyong pangarap Arnold at sa marami pang iba ay siyang
layunin ng UFS. Nasa sa inyo na iyan kung paano ninyo isasakatuparan ito upang
ganap ninyong makamtan ang inyong mga mithiin sa buhay. Ipagpatuloy mo lang ang
iyong pagsusumikap at pagsisigasig sa iyong trabaho dahil hindi malayo ang asenso.
- Editor
Malapit Nang Sumuko
Good day to you, Sir Nelson. I trust that you are in good health upon receipt of this
letter. Ako po si Dexter C. Jiagarap, nakatira sa 388 H. Lopez sa Balut, Tondo. Ako po ay
35 taong gulang at may asawa na.
Ako po ay nakapagtapos ng kursong BS in Marine Transportation o BSMT. Kakagraduate ko lang po noong taong 2008. Kaya naman po umabot sa ganito ang edad
ko bago ako nakapagtapos dahil sa financial problem ng aming pamilya. Matapos kong
maka-graduate e nagkadete po ako mula August 2008 hanggang August 2009.
Nais ko po sanang maging isang ganap na marino, lokal man o abroad. Kaya lang,
dahil nga po sa edad ko, wala pong tumatanggap sa akin na manning agency. Marami
na po akong in-apply-an na agencies pero wala pa ring tumatanggap sa akin. Dahil dito,
nawawalan na nga po ako ng tiwala sa aking sarili. Parang pinanghihinayangan ko ang
pagtapos ko ng kursong hindi ko naman pala magagamit.
Madalas po akong magawi diyan sa Luneta kaya nga nung mabasa ko sa Tinig ng
Marino ang ilang mga liham ng mga bagitong marino na inyong natulungan, nagbakasakali
po ako na lumapit sa inyo at sa UFS.
Nagsadya na po ako minsan sa inyong tanggapan pero sinabihan po ako ng isang
kadete na nakausap ko na may age limit daw po ang mga tinatanggap ng mga manning
agency ngayon. Para pong nanghina ang tuhod ko habang pababa ng hagdan mula sa
inyong opisina.
Sir Nelson, humihingi po ako ng tulong sa inyo na sana ay mabigyan niyo pa po ako
ng kahit kaunting pag-asa sa pamamagitan ng UFS. Gusto ko rin pong maging bahagi
ng inyong organisasyon at ayaw ko naman po na manatiling pangarap na lang ang aking
mithiin sa buhay na maging isang seaman.
Lagi po akong nagdarasal sa Diyos na sana ay marinig niyo ang aking panawagan
dahil wala na talaga akong mahihingan pa ng tulong.
Maraming salamat pong muli. God bless you, your family, UFS, and Tinig ng Marino.
– Dexter C. Jugarap
Totoo naman ang sinabi sa iyo ng kadete ng UFS Dexter na may age limit na ang mga
tinatanggap na marino ngayon lalo’t nagsisimula ka pa lang gayong 35 ka na. Sadyang
mahirap na matanggap ka ng manning agency para i-deploy sa international na barko
dahil isang malaking sugal para sa kanila iyon. Ganunpaman, puwede ka pa siguro sa
lokal. Subukan mong magsadya sa opisina namin dala ang iyong mga kredensyal at
dokumento at pag-usapan natin kung paano ka namin matutulungan. – Editor
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TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010
T
he Pangasinan Merchant Marine
Academy (PAMMA) marked its
41st year in the maritime education
and training front in an almost week-long
celebration on February 9 – 12, 2010 at
its vast campus in Dagupan, Pangasinan,
proud of its contribution in continuously
churning out properly-educated and welltrained young mariners to the local and
international seafaring industries.
Having been recognized by the United
Filipino Seafarers (UFS) as Outstanding
Maritime School in 2009 during the
7th Tinig ng Marino Awards held on
November 6, 2009, the accolade has only
strengthened the resolve and commitment
of PAMMA to do even better as a maritime
school in the years ahead.
Indeed, over a period of over four
decades, PAMMA has effectively evolved
as one of the most prolific breeding
grounds for well-rounded, highly-motivated
and dedicated aspiring seafarers through
holistic education programs on Marine
Transportation and Marine Engineering.
It has continuously upheld the standards
of excellence in maritime education and
training in the Philippines and its constantly
growing roster of board topnotchers in
both the marine deck and marine engine
government licensure examinations year in
and year out is a clear proof of the calibre
of the maritime school.
PAMMA’s maritime education and
training also conform to the international
standards as prescribed by the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) and is actually
certified by Det Norske Veritas.
47
PAMMA Marks 41st Anniversary
of Producing Topnotch Seafarers
passenger cruise ships.
Because of the education
demands
in
Pangasinan
and other nearby provinces
in
Northern
Mindanao,
PAMMA has also diversified
into offering other nonmaritime bachelor courses
in Criminology, Secondary
Education,
Elementary
Education, and ladderized
Hotel
and
Restaurant
Management. It also offers
vocational courses including
the two-year Associate in Hotel
and Restaurant Management
and the one-year Automotive
Technology course.
PAMMA officials led by
its visionary president Mrs.
Imelda Dela Cruz is all too
proud of the accomplishments
of the maritime school over
the last 41 years but that does
not deter them from aspiring
to do even better in the years
ahead.
“PAMMA will remain true to
its commitment to be of service
to the local maritime industry
by continuously churning out
properlyeducated
and
wellt r a i n e d
mariners
that can hold
their own in
the
ranks
of
worldclass Filipino
seafarers
now sailing the great
oceans of the world
onboard
international
ocean-going
vessels,”
remarks Mrs. Dela Cruz.
Engr. Ramirez of the UFS speaking before graduating maritime
“We will constantly
students of PAMMA during the day-long PEOS on Feb. 11, 2010.
strive in raising the level
Thus, PAMMA has all the right to of excellence in maritime education and
entice young and interested high school training because we believe that in so
graduates to take on maritime courses. doing, we will be able to continue making
“Start your seafaring career with us,” is the a difference in the lives of many young
Filipinos and their families, the way that
proud and fitting call of PAMMA.
PAMMA also offers the four-year BS
Maritime Bridging Program for Mechanical
Engineering and Electrical Engineering
graduates who wish to cross and venture
into the seafaring profession. Likewise, the
school also offers the one-year Seafarer’s
Rating Course.
In addition, PAMMA specializes in
providing short-term maritime trainings
including the 10-day Basic Safety Course or
the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) training,
as well as certificates of completion for
commercial cooking, food and beverage,
bartending, housekeeping, front office
service and baking for graduates or
professionals who wish to work onboard
PAMMA has been doing for the past 41
years,” adds the PAMMA lady president.
Four-Day Celebration
The four-day 41st foundation day
celebration of PAMMA began on February
9, 2010 with a Thanksgiving Mass, thankful
for the blessings of the Lord Almighty and
for constantly guiding the maritime school
to remain true to its noble vision, mission
and goals.
The rest of the activities during the
first day included a
motorcade, the daylong PAMMA Olympics
and ballgames, and
capped off by the Battle
of the Bands in the early
evening.
The
second
day
of
the
foundation
celebration
became
doubly meaningful as
PAMMA also marked the
birthday celebration of
its president, Mrs. Dela
Cruz.
The day began with
the arrival honors given
to the school officials
led by Mrs. Dela Cruz
and its guests from the
local maritime industry
including Engr. Nelson
P. Ramirez, President of
the UFS.
It was followed by the
display of fancy drill by
PAMMA’s ROTC corps.
A PLC presentation, a
comedy show and a prepageant show completed
the second day of the
celebration.
Engr. Ramirez of the
UFS took centerstage
on the third day of the
PAMMA foundation day
celebration by conducting
the
day-long
PreEmployment Orientation
Seminar (PEOS) for
the graduating maritime
students. The pageant
night capped off the day’s event where
Engr. Ramirez also served as one of the
judges in the talent show.
The fourth and last day of the
foundation celebration was the morning
MSAP presentation of the sophomore
students of BSMT and BSMarE,
completing yet again a meaningful toast
for the continued success of PAMMA, with
high hopes of even more accolades and
accomplishments in the years to come.
The Pageant Night on Feb. 11 highlighted PAMMA’s 41st foundation
anniversary as it showcased the wide array of talents in the institution.
48 TINIG NG MARINO
MARCH-APRIL 2010