MARCH - APRIL 2009 TINIG NG MARINO

Transcription

1 MARCH - APRIL 2009 TINIG NG MARINO 1 MAY - JUNE PHP 15.00

2 2 TINIG NG MARINO MARCH - APRIL 2009

3 MAY- JUNE 2009 TINIG NG MARINO 3 I HUGGING THE LIMELIGHT t may be a belated show of concern for Filipino seafarers who were victims of piracy off the Somali coast in the Gulf of Aden in the past or the government simply had an absurd reality check knocked into its senses that it had to react and do something just to show the maritime industry that it was actually doing something. Regardless whether the reason was motivated by politics, media fanfare, or genuine concern, the local maritime industry certainly finds the government s decision to implement a Filipino seafarer deployment ban on international oceangoing vessels traversing the Gulf of Aden to avoid being held hostage by Somali pirates as ridiculously absurd and obviously done in haste. Instead of helping address the issue, what the government did only jeopardize the shipboard employment of many Filipino seafarers particularly on international merchant vessels plying the Asia-Europe trade and vice versa. No shipowner in his right mind would disembark Filipino crew members prior to entering a high-risk area, replacing them with other crew nationalities, and after successfully passing the pirateinfested area, have the old crew embarked again the vessel and continue the voyage from there. That is just too ridiculous to even consider, Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez, President of the United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) blurted out. Absurdity of Government Seafarer Deployment Ban on Vessels Traversing Gulf of Aden Jolts Industry If I am a shipowner, why would I embark Filipino crew from my vessel in the Port of Singapore for instance prior to going into the Gulf of Aden and then embark them again at Port Said in Egypt when my vessel safely passes the Suez Canal when I can simply hire other crew nationalities without bothering with a complicated and certainly costly crewing set-up?, asks Ramirez. Shipowners whose vessels traverse the Gulf of Aden regularly would rather employ seafarers from other countries than Filipinos to man their ships to avoid the operational hassle that the Philippine government virtually set forth with its seafarer deployment ban, added one key stakeholder of the local maritime industry, who requested anonymity. The national government s uncharacteristic concern on the issue of piracy in Somalia came at the heels of the successful rescue of American skipper Capt. Richard Phillips of Piracy has become a brisk business in the Gulf of Aden. MV Maersk Alabama in the first week of April by members of the elite US Navy Seals with support from no less than the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Prior to the rescue of Capt. Phillips, the US seems not intent on seriously bothering with the conflagrating problem of piracy in Somalia considering that the issue was never part of President Barrack Obama s platform of government within his first 100 days in office. Still, the US government maintains a token participation against piracy in the so-called Horn of Africa by virtue of its involvement with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It was only when the Somalia piracy began making the news headlines over at CNN and the entire US following the capture and eventual rescue of Capt. Phillips when the interests of the American government and the public were drawn to the issue. Subsequently, the Philippine government and some of its officials joined the bandwagon. Unfortunately, Philippine government officials decided to dip their hands on the issue without bothering to check for background information or even making proper consultation with the major stakeholders of the local maritime industry, most especially the affected Filipino seafarers themselves. So when the national government decided to officially impose the Filipino seafarer deployment ban on April 28, 2009, it actually sent shockwaves and jolted the entire local maritime industry, necessitating an emergency caucus of major stakeholders at the AMOSUP convention hall in Intramuros, Manila. TURN TO PAGE 30

4 4 TINIG NG MARINO MARCH - APRIL 2009 Port Workers, Informal Settlers Take Fight vs NH Privatization Project to Courts Members of the groups composed of North Harbor port workers and informal settlers air their sentiments to the public via the massive labor day rally held on May 1, I f their blazing red color shirts, huge number, as well as loud placards and streamers during the major Labor Day rally held last May 1, 2009 are any indication, it looks like the concerned port workers and informal settlers of the country s largest domestic port will give proponents of the 25-year Manila North Harbor Modernization Project the legal fi ght of their lives. This public display of sentiments came after the port workers and informal settlers of the North Harbor formalized their opposition in April 2009 against any efforts by the PPA to continue the processing of the bidding of the Manila North Harbor Modernization Project and possibly awarding it to the joint venture composed of Metro Pacifi c Investments Corporation (MPIC) and Harbour Centre Port Terminal, Inc. (HCPTI). In a press conference held in Manila in the first week of April, three major port user groups of North Harbor openly denounced the continuance of the processing of the bidding of the 25-year Manila North Harbor Modernization Project because it has practically become a direct negotiation between the PPA and the joint venture, which is quite contrary to the normal bidding procedures for major government infrastructure projects. The three major North Harbor groups, which account for substantial memberships, include the Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Pantalan, the Nagkakaisang Manileño Tungo sa Pagbabago, and the North Harbor Port Vendors Multi-Purpose Cooperative. The groups disclosed that they have already fi led two separate cases with two regional trial courts in Manila to seek declaratory relief against the project and have also filed a petition-to-intervention with the Supreme Court on a case earlier fi led by Nelson Ramirez against the PPA, MPIC and HCPTI. Nelson Ramirez of the United Filipino Seafarers lodged a formal complaint in March 2009 with the Supreme Court against the proponents of the North Harbor Modernization Project because he has enough reasons to believe and even has documents to show that the bidding was held in such a way that its outcome will eventually favor the joint venture of MPIC and HCPTI. Emilio B. Manaois, president of the Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Pantalan, cited that the bidding for the Manila North Harbor Modernization Project, is obviously illegal because it was carried out under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act when it should have been done through R.A or the Build-Operate Transfer Law, which has become the standard in bidding out and privatizing major government infrastructure projects. There will be no procurement on the part of the PPA and the agency has in fact did not include the project in its procurement plan during its conceptualization stage so the use of R.A as the governing law in the bidding of the project is obviously misplaced, Manaois said. He also added that when then President Joseph Estrada issued Executive Order 308 in October 2000, which was meant to fast track the privatization of the North Harbor, it was clearly stipulated in the directive that the privatization of the domestic port would be carried out in two phases. But the PPA lumped it together as one under the 25-year Manila North Harbor Modernization Project and bid it out altogether, he pointed out. Manaois also said that the implementation of the project would also jeopardize the security of employment tenure of thousands of workers and employees of com- TURN TO PAGE 22

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6 6 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 Tinig ng Marino (Voice of the Seafarer) is published by the United Filipino Seafarers, a duly registered Philippine maritime union. Editorial offi ce: 4 th /F Room 402, Gedisco Terraces Bldg., 1148 Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila, Philippines; Telephone nos.: (632) ; ; Fax (632) ; ufs_ 07@yahoo.com; Website: 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 Jose Jude Blancada Creative Consultant Erik España / Roland Cabrera Artists Fr. James Kolin New York Bureau Engr. Samson Tormis Greece Bureau Corry Llamas-Konings Philip Ramirez Bob Ramirez Rotterdam Bureau I Arianne Rodriguez Sonia Inserto Assistant Editors Minabelle Siason Belgium Bureau Capt. Arturo Cañoza Japan Bureau Sapalo Velez Bundang & Bulilan Law Offices Legal Consultants Kenneth A. Avelino Michelle P. Garabiles Louie M. Antonio Production Staff EDITORIAL The Ban n late April, Malacañang ordered a ban on seafarers sailing in nearby waters of Somalia, especially in the Gulf of Aden. On April 28, media quoted Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos as saying The ban is basically in effect. The DOLE has been directed to craft the guidelines. It simply means that a ban has been put in effect even without the implementing guidelines. And perhaps the only effective official intervention as of today is the sending of so-called naval liaison offi cers to coordinate with foreign naval forces in the Gulf of Aden. A week before the Palace insisted on the ban, the Department of Foreign Affairs asked shipping companies with Filipino seafarers to stay clear by at least 200 nautical miles off the 3,300-kilometer coastline of Somalia and to keep to the maritime corridor secured by the US-led force in the so-called Maritime Security Patrol Area. DFA also said that about 227 Filipino seafarers have already fallen into Somali pirate hands since By the third week of April, as the Department of Labor and Employment awaited to be officially informed of the Palace ban order, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration simply authorized additional pay for seafarers who chose to sail through the high-risk waters. Secretary Marianito Roque then opined that the ban might kill the industry. Roque added that DOLE may in turn use the seafarer s contract to mandate ship owners and recruiters to specify the (vessel) itinerary. Ooops! The Palace corrected media reports about DOLE opposition: Roque supported the ban. The United Filipino Seafarers opposes the seafarer ban for the following reasons: 1. Only United Nations-sanctioned vessels that bring food and relief goods to Somali nationals are engaged within Somali maritime territory. No other commercial vessels are legally going in or out of Somalia. As such, no ban could be imposed on something that doesn t exist. 2. Somali pirates operate in a fairly large area of over a million square miles. The waters off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden taper at the narrow passage of the Horn of Africa, much like the kill zone of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf that drew Iraqi oil terminal-bound vessels fatally close to Iranian territory. Such a big and wide area has also become a problem for the UN-sanctioned patrols from the big countries. 3. Seafarers sailing on the Europe-Far East trade stand to be left out of such trading vessels. It is fairly well-known that about 40% of the world s merchant marine fl eet with Filipinos as crew members traverses the Gulf of Aden. 4. Making seafarers disembark before reaching the area called pirate alley would be an unwise move by shipowners or their agents. That would make the ships and cargo more vulnerable to pirate attacks. 5. Seafarers, ships and cargo could be much more secured by sailing in convoys of 10 to 12 and escorted by patrol ships. This could be TURN TO PAGE 39 T he not-so-complimentary feedback against Filipino seafarers is assertiveness or the lack of it. Filipino seafarers, particularly our marine offi cers, have gone a long way to finally appreciate that assertiveness works and contributes to leadership. The fact that Filipinos have become the seafarers of choice may have been simply because there is no better choice. If this is so, it is about the perfect time to be assertive, not by the Filipino seafarers themselves but by the Philippine government. The Philippine flag registry in the last two decades nose-dived into its vertical limits downwards. The Philippine fl ag registry became unpopular during the era of bareboat chartering. Our government offi cials attempted to open up an avenue to increase the registry by way of ship management. But even this did not even reach fi rst base. Talking of flag registry, Panama became the biggest in terms of tonnage and come to think of it, Panama has no seafarers to boast of in the fi rst place. How did this happen? Why did this happen? Perhaps, because of simple assertiveness. A mirror case in fact is Liberia which is the second largest fl ag registry in the world. Liberia has no seafarers as well to boast of, but why the heck it became the second largest registry in the world? The Philippines is successful in the manpower business and as a matter of impression is now the manning capital of the world. It is about time to take this success to the next CAPT. REYNOLD M. SABAY SOUNDING LEAD Filipinos for Philippines level. It will be more than a blessing for the Philippines to successfully become the fl ag registry capital of the world. I glanced at the Preamble of the fi rst attempt to draft the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers in It said in effect equal work for equal pay for Filipino seafarers against their counterparts anywhere else in the world. This was one out of the box. Simply done would mean, a European Captain receiving a salary of USD 25, per month will be no different for Filipino Captain who must supposedly receive the same USD 25, per month. Just because of a simple issue on jurisdiction, the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers froze immediately. The Magna Carta is resurrecting. The issue is: Will the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers have any meaning at all for Filipino seafarers on board ships of another fl ag state? Out of the Box! When this column said Filipinos for Philippines, the reading of the soundings means Filipino seafarers to board Philippine-fl agged vessels only. If this happens, the Philippines will have full jurisdiction on the Filipino seafarers onboard Philippinefl agged vessels, regardless of ownership. What do we expect then from this out of the box thinking? The following possibilities are some readings from our soundings: 1.Ship owners will consider enlisting their ships under the Philippine fl ag registry. If we have a law requiring Filipino seafarers to board vessels fl ying Philippine fl ag only, ship owners have all the reasons to consider enrolling with the Philippine fl ag registry. The growth of Philippine shipping in terms of tonnage of registry will inevitably grow way beyond our imagination. The first thing probably the ship owners using Filipino seafarers for their ships will look for is a perfected law on Philippine International Ship Registry. 2. The Philippine political bureaucracy will be challenged to perfect the Philippine International Ship Registry Law (the way Panama and Liberia did). This can become the platform of certain presidentiables come The success of this law is almost ensured by the way Panama, Liberia and other countries demonstrated that International Ship Registry is real, doable and a tremendous boost to one s economy, particularly to a maritime country like the Philippines. 3. The Philippines will be on its way from maritime manpower to maritime power. Obviously, maritime activities and the economy will grow leaps and bounds. We have a lot of experienced marine superintendents, technical superintendents, ship managers, crew managers, shipping executives and of course, seafarers. Going to the next level is just about perfectly in order. The Philippines have so much potential for maritime activities being an archipelago, more so, a maritime country. Our resources abound from island to island and our seafarers are the seafarers of choice by practically the whole world. The time to do this is within the next fi ve years while the rest are groggy with what is going on with the world s economies. The perfect timing is now while others are just starting to educate and train their nationals to become seafarers, marine professionals and maritime experts.

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8 8 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 Senator Richard J. Gordon was the Guest of Honor and Commencement Speaker while Engr. Ramirez of the UFS was the special guest during the Commencement Exercises of Pangasinan Merchant Marine Academy (PAMMA) in Dagupan, Pangasinan on April 17, With the two guests at the VIP table on the stage are (from left) Dr. Joseph Toledo, PAMMA VP Admin/QMR; Ms. Michelle B. dela Cruz, PAMMA President; Mr. Michael dela Cruz, PAMMA EVP; Capt Imelda B. Dela Cruz, PAMMA Chairman of the Board and PCGA 705th Squadron Commander; and Dr. Joel Rey Decano, PAMMA VP Academics. The United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) recently forged a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the promotion of the use of DBP s EC Remit card among UFS members and other interested Filipino seafarers. Proudly showing the MOA and sealing the deal with a handshake are Mr. Articer O. Quebal (second from left) DBP Senior Vice President and Head of Remittance, and Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez of the UFS. At left is Mrs. Marilyn Ruth M. Ramirez, wife of Engr. Ramirez, while standing at right is Mr. Eleazar A. Reyes, DBP Assistant Vice President and Head of Domestic Remittance. As a constant advocate of reform and good governance, the UFS and its members actively took part in the mass rally during Labor Day, May 1, Shown joining major labor groups during the Labor Day march from QC Welcome Rotunda to Manila are the seafarer-members and cadet volunteers of the UFS. The Directors of the UFS as well as the labor union s staff held a Board Meeting of the union last March 13, 2009 onboard the house yacht Mahi-Mahi. The UFS is able to use Mahi-Mahi as venue for the Board Meeting since Engr. Ramirez also sits as President of Access Marine, which owns the house yacht. In order to strengthen their services and constant efforts to protect the rights of Filipino seafarers, the three maritime labor unions including the United Filipino Seafarers, the International Seaman s Mutual Labor Association (ISLA) and the Mariners and Allied Transport Employees Union (MATEU) have started merger talks on April 3, Shown during the meeting are (from left) Atty. Romeo J. Occeña, President of ISLA; Atty. Manuel T. Collado, President of MATEU; Beda T. Melgar, Treasurer of MATEU; and Engr. Ramirez, President of the UFS. The Office of the Presidential Assistant on Maritime Affairs initiated a blood-letting drive at the Philippine Coast Guard headquarters last March 17, Shown overseeing the activity are (from left): Mr. Louie Trinidad, staff of the Presidential Assistant on Maritime Affairs; CDR Romeo Balane, Chief Officer of SRV San Juan of the PCG; Capt. Evangelista of PCG; Hon. Generoso T. Mamaril, Presidential Assistant on Maritime Affairs; Engr. Ramirez of the UFS; and Capt. Reynold Burt M. Sabay, Founding Chairman of AKMA, and VP for Internal Affairs of PMMAAAI.

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10 10 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 T The UFS Seafaring Career Path: From Cadet Volunteers to Ship Officers he proof of the pudding is in the eating, most people say. For the United Filipino Seafarers (UFS), the proof of the success of its holistic efforts to help hundreds of aspiring young mariners to get gainful employment is actually seeing most of them become successful ship officers, capable of holding their own against anyone when it comes to seafaring. Since its establishment in 1994, the UFS has become the career springboard of many young men whose wishes then were to be able to board an international ocean-going vessel, earn dollars, and see the world for free. But the moment they stepped out of the UFS as honed cadet volunteers, they add a new dimension to their personal being the goal of not just becoming certified seafarers but full-pledge ship officers. That was what they were trained and harnessed to become while under the care and supervision of the maritime labor federation in the first place. The fi rst UFS cadet volunteer in 1995 is now a certifi ed chief engineer in the person of Fabian Borga. A number of others has followed suit including Allan Danghil, who is now also a chief engineer, just to cite a couple of example. In May 2008, former UFS cadet volunteer Alan A. Coronado topped the marine engineering licensure examination given by PRC for OIC. Several others silently made their own niche in their fields. Simply put, the roster of former UFS cadet volunteers who are now full-pledged ship officers is constantly growing. Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez, president of the UFS says, When the UFS recommends cadets to manning agencies from its roster of cadet volunteers, we make sure that they are not just capable of initially serving as cadet utilities on offices but are wellrounded enough to know the kind of work they will be taking on, the kind of working environment that they will be accustomed to, the industry that they will be part of for most of their lives, and most especially, the life of a true seafarer itself. While the UFS is quite elated to see all of its former cadet volunteers realizing their dreams of boarding an international ocean-going vessel and serving as certified mariners, nothing can compare to the jubilation and pride that the union feels when they become ship officers. It s the fruition of their determination and hard work in their chosen profession and UFS is just happy to have contributed in inculcating such values to their arsenal of personal attributes, Ramirez cited. This type of euphoria and pride was felt again by the UFS following the results of the written licensure examinations for deck and marine engineer officers given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) from late last year up to early this year as several former hard-working UFS cadet volunteers successfully made it as operational level officers, one of whom even made it to the prestigious Top 10 roster in the deck department. Sixth Placer Headlining the new batch of former UFS cadet volunteers who are now certified ship officers is 33-year-old 3 rd Mate Vincent Leyson who actually copped the 6 th place honors in the PRC licensure examination for OIC level given in November 8 9, 2008, with a rating of 90.3% A product of the Philippine Merchant Marine School in Las Piñas, Vincent had the humble beginnings of his seafaring career when he stepped into the doors of the UFS and served as cadet volunteer from July 1998 to February He was subsequently recommended by the UFS as utility to Bright Maritime Corporation where he finally got Vincent Leyson his very first shipboard assignment on September 1999 as messman. Because of the kind of hard work he has exemplified onboard, he got promoted to OS in July 2000 even before his contract expired. On his subsequent shipboard stint, he got promoted again as AB. Vincent s subsequent shipboard contracts were all with Bright Maritime and he has been employed through the company for more than 10 years already. He says it took him some time to finally take the written licensure examination and become an officer because he was helping to provide for the needs of his 13- TURN TO PAGE 17

11 MAY- JUNE 2009 N agulat ako nang malaman ko kamakailan na hindi pala gumagamit ng produktong OMARSOFT ang mga dating UFS volunteer staff na ngayon ay mga matataas na opisyales na ng barko. Ang dahilan anila ay ang OMARSOFT software ay parang jukebox na hindi tumutugtog kung hindi huhulugan ng pera. Pangalawa, ibinebenta ito na parang piyesa-piyesa lang, kaya napakamahal kung ikukumpara ito sa katulad niyang software. Sa kaso ng jukebox, hindi mo ito binibili. Kinukuha lang ng may-ari ng jukebox ang kita. Ang kaso sa OMARSOFT ay iba. Bagamat nabayaran mo na ito nang buo, habang buhay ka pa ring magbabayad kay Leuel Oseña dahil kapag naubos na ang bars ng binili mong software, bayad ka na naman ulit. Biruin mo, 25 pesos ang bawat bar. Ito ika ni Oseña ang kanyang pagpapahayag sa kanyang pagmamahal sa mga marinong Pilipino. Ganyan ang nangyari sa mga computer ko sa opisina na pinalagyan ko ng OMARSOFT software. Nabigyan nga 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 ako ng 50% discount dahil magkaibigan daw kami, hindi ko naman ito nagagamit ngayon dahil wala nang load. Para bang ang ibig niyang sabihin, magpasalamat ako dahil naging kaibigan ko siya kaya hindi niya ako pinatay. Nilumpo lang. ******* Walang anumang software o anumang produkto sa buong mundo na habang buhay mong babayaran kapag ito ay nabayaran mo nang kumpleto. Ito ay naaayon mismo sa R.A. Act 7394 o ang Consumer Act of the Philippines. Ang ibig sabihin nito ay maaring makasuhan si Leuel Oseña ng estafa kapag siningil pa niya ulit ang isang marino sa paggamit ng kanyang software kung ito ay nababayaran na nang buo. Kapag siningil pa kayong muli ni Leuel Oseña, pagsabihan ninyo ang inutil na yan na labag sa batas ang kanyang ginagawa at magsumbong kayo sa opisina ng UFS. Bibigyan ko kayo ng libreng abogado. Sinuman ang nagsasamantala sa ating marino ay dapat managot sa ating batas. ******* TINIG NG MARINO UGONG NG MAKINA AT IKOT NG ELISI Huwad na Pagmamahal sa Marinong Pilipino Noong una ko pa lang makilala si Leuel Oseña, naikuwento niya sa akin na inalok daw siya ng Texas Instuments ng 10 milyong dolyares o mahigit limang daang milyong piso noong panahong iyon upang bilhin ang kanyang software. Ngunit tinanggihan niya ang nasabing alok dahil natatakot daw siya na baka magamit ng mga dayuhan ang kanyang software at mamemeligro ang ating mga marinong Pilipino. Mamemeligro raw kasi ang mga marinong Pilipino kapag ginamit ang kanyang OMARSOFT software lalo na ng mga Vietnamese at Intsik. Ang OMARSOFT daw ay ang kanyang kontribusyon sa industriya maritima at sa mga marinong Pilipino. Sa matagal na panahong iyon, napaniwala ako ni Leuel Oseña na mahal niya ang mga marinong Pilipino. Sa katunayan, nang binilhan ko ang aking anak ng laptop computer, dinala ko agad ito kay Oseña upang makargahan ng ipinagyayabang niyang produkto. Binigyan pa niya ako ng 50% discount na ipinadaan sa exchange deal sa pamamagitan ng advertisement ng Omarsoft sa Tinig ng 11 Marino. Ang problema, walang ikinarga na anuman si Oseña sa laptop ng anak ko ngunit nakuha pa rin niya ang exchange deal niyang advertisement. Kung ako na dati niyang kaibigan ay nagawa niyang lokohin, ano pa kaya ang ibang mga marinong Pilipino na hindi niya kakilala? Kung talagang mahal niya ang mga marinong Pilipino, bakit binibentahan niya ng produkto na parang jukebox o prepaid cellphone na hindi magagamit kung hindi huhulugan o kakargahan ng load? Walang anumang kumpanya sa buong mundo ang gumagawa nito. Maging ang Apple, Microsoft, Linux, Macintosh MC-OS, Unix, at ano pa man. Bukod-tangi si Leuel Oseña. Subukan mong magtanong sa ibang nagbibigay ng kaparehang produkto at serbisyo at malalaman mo na hindi nila ginagawang parang bakang gatasan ang kanilang mga customers. Ngayon ko lang nalaman ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit sinusumpa ng dating mga customers ng OMARSOFT ang nasabing produkto. ******* TURN TO PAGE 19

12 12 TINIG NG MARINO MARCH - APRIL 2009

13 I MAY- JUNE 2009 t has been a summer season like no other. First of all, I was glad that once more, I was home to participate in the observance of Holy Week especially during the solemn Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday, in which I get to be assigned to assist in carrying the big cross toward the altar where the people may venerate it after the ceremony. Holy Week was extra memorable for me this time because my family and I did the Visita Iglesia on the evening of Holy Thursday which I have not done for eons. After the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and Washing of the Feet, we went ahead with our planned route to the seven churches which were signifi cant for us, like where my wife and I got married, like where some of our children were baptized and confirmed, etc. It was also our chance to thank God in a special way for the double celebration of our children Mark and Maria Loren s respective graduation in high school and in elementary, respectively, last March. We relived the moments of our family milestones in those C/ENGR. RODOLFO B. VIRTUDAZO Outstanding Seafarer of the Year, NSD, 1998 Most Outstanding Marine Engineer Officer, PRC, 1999 A Summer Like No Other churches and asked them to pray fervently to God for our special intentions. I was awed and amazed at the throngs of people at each of the churches and was truly blessed by their faith. Seeing my teens pray earnestly was for me a sanctifying moment. On the other hand, I was a bit amused with my young son who still obediently followed us and made his way through the crowd of people to get near the Altar of Repose where the Blessed Sacrament was entombed despite feeling tired (and thus was sleeping in between especially when traffi c was at a standstill). Summer had been extra special and joyful because at last, my family and I were able to fulfi ll our long time plan to go swimming in a private hot spring in Pansol, Laguna. Since it was part of our double celebration for our graduates, we decided to hold it after Holy Week so that everybody would be available. Gladly, it was our 33rd wedding anniversary on April 24 and it was also the birth month of our two children. It was just like shooting many birds with one stone since the present times demand that we spend our money prudently. Although it still went a bit over the budget a stopover at one of the burger stations at the South Luzon Expressway for the eight of us famished souls cost me a fortune it was all worth it. Anyway, allotting resources for some quality time with our loved ones is a very wise investment as I would experience later. The clean and spacious three-bedroom rest house seemed to be really reserved for us despite the fully-booked swimming getaways in Pansol. It was heavenly seeing my children enjoy the night away at the warm pool. Mark, my high school graduate, was right. When made to choose between celebrating in a restaurant or an out-of-town swimming, he chose the latter because he said that it was a great way to bond as a family since there would be enjoyable activities, unlike celebrating in a restaurant when we would just go home after fi lling our tanks. Hmmm, I saw his wisdom being applied at its best when everyone immediately dropped their baggage, donned his/her swimming TINIG NG MARINO 13 VAST HORIZON suit, had a quick shower and made one splash after another at the swimming pool. Not long after, laughter and shrieks filled the air as I headed for the jacuzzi to soothe my weary muscles from the long-hour drive. Everybody lent a helping hand: JV and Mhyre took care of the food to be grilled, while their mom was preparing kinilaw na isda (pickled fi sh) which for me was more than caviar especially when paired with boiled saba (a type of banana), while the rest went ahead to swim. Then when it was time for dinner, Maan and Ren-Ren fixed the food and drinks on the table, while Errol and Mark cleared it afterwards. It was heavenly to see everyone having fun and capturing each other s funny and amazing stunts while suspended in the air as if defying gravity for a moment with our digital camera before making a big splash. This time, computers, cell phones and work took back seats. As promised, we swam the night away but grabbed some sleep at dawn to renew our energy before going home. I am surely glad that before summer ended (and before leaving for a one-month stint on board LPG/C GAS INSPIRATION on April 24), I had the time of my life having fun and quality time with my family. Nowadays, no one would like to talk about having many children. But for me, our six children are a wonderful gift from God and I d like to cherish every moment with them. I can t thank God enough for choosing me to be their father.

14 14 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 I n case of illegal dismissal, how much is a seafarer entitled to receive from his employers? His salaries for the unexpired portion of his employment contract or his salaries for three (3) months for every year of the unexpired term, whichever is less? The recent ruling of the Supreme Court in the case of Antonio M. Serrano vs. Gallant Maritime Services, Inc. and Marlow ATTY. AUGUSTO R. BUNDANG Head, Litigation and Seafarers Department Sapalo Velez Bundang & Bulilan Law Offices Illegal Dismissal Benefits Navigation Co., Inc. (G.R. No , March 24, 2009) has brought clarity and defi nitiveness to the issue of entitlement to benefi ts of a seafarer in case he is illegally dismissed. It made certain that the seafarer should receive his salaries for the entire unexpired portion of his contract, and not just for three months. In the said Serrano case, the petitionerseafarer was hired as Chief Officer for a period of 12 months. On the date of his departure however, he accepted the downgraded post of Second Officer upon the assurance of his employers that he would be made Chief Officer in less than two months. His employers however, reneged on their commitment, resulting to petitionerseafarer s refusal to stay on as Second Officer. He was then repatriated to the Philippines after less than three months of work. Formally complaining to the Labor Arbiter, the latter, among others, declared his SAILOR S CORNER dismissal as illegal but only awarded petitioner-seafarer a lump sum amount based on his salary for three months of the unexpired portion of his contract. On appeal, the petitioner-seafarer eventually questioned the constitutionality of the 5th paragraph of Section 10, Republic Act No (otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 ) which took effect on July 15, It reads; Sec. 10. Money Claims.-xxx In case of termination of overseas employment without just, valid or authorized cause as defined by law or contract, the workers shall be entitled to the full reimbursement of his placement fee with interest of twelve percent (12%) per annum, plus his salaries for the unexpired portion of his employment contract or FOR THREE (3) MONTHS FOR EVERY YEAR OF THE UNEXPIRED TERM, WHICHEVER IS LESS, (underscoring supplied) The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) sustained in principle the Labor Arbiter s decision although it modified the computation of the award. The Court of Appeals likewise affirmed the NLRC decision. The Supreme Court took the side of the petitioner-seafarer by affirming the illegality of his dismissal and awarded him his salaries for the entire unexpired portion of his employment contract covering nine months and 23 days. Moreover, in an unparalleled initiative, exercising its power of judicial review of the acts of Congress, the Supreme Court declared the 5th paragraph of Section 10 of RA 8042 as violative of Section I, Article III (right to due process and equal protection), Section 18, Article II and Section 3, Article XIII (protection of rights of all Filipino workers, whether deployed locally or overseas) of the Constitution. The High Court observed that the questioned clause has a discriminatory intent against overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at two levels, i.e., OFWs with employment contracts of LESS THAN 1 YEAR vis-a-vis OFWs with contracts of ONE YEAR OR MORE, and OFWs vis-a-vis local workers with fixed-period employment. The clause only limits the monetary awards of OFWs, whose contracts have an unexpired portion of one year or more, to their salaries for three months or for the unexpired portion thereof, whichever is less, but does not bother OFWs with unexpired contracts short of one year. The Court concluded:.the subject clause contains a suspect classification in that, in the computation of the monetary benefi ts of fixed-term employees who are illegally dismissed, it imposes a three-month cap on the claim of OFWs with an unexpired portion of one year or more in their contracts, but none on the claims of other OFWs or local workers with fixed-term employment. The subject clause singles out one classification of OFWs and burdens it with a peculiar disadvantage. (underscoring supplied) TURN TO PAGE 17

15 MARCH - APRIL 2009 TINIG NG MARINO 15

16

17 MAY- JUNE 2009 The UFS Seafaring Career Path: From Cadet Volunteers to Ship Officers FROM PAGE 10 member family. Vincent is the eighth in a brood of 11 and when he started earning money as a seafarer, he provided for the educational needs of his younger siblings. He is proud to say that his brother next to him is now a graduate of Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering courses, and the brother after that is now a certified 3 rd Engineer, having graduated from the University of Cebu. Their youngest has also completed Hotel and Restaurant Management course from UC. He was about to take the exam in 2006 but decided to postpone it again after his father died due to gall bladder complications. After completing his latest shipboard contract with Bright Maritime in July 2008, he fi nally decided to move up the ranks to become an offi cer. He underwent review at Argonaut Maritime Consultancy and Tutorial Services from September 3 to November 5, 2008 and when he was about ready, he took the test on November 8 9, Vincent says he felt that he made good on all the three functions of the written examination but it was in Function 2 (cargo handling) where he fared excellently with a rating of 95% to 96%. Just to further prove his capability in hurdling the test, he actually took up the Walk-in Examination System (WES) for OIC-level officers on November 10 11, 2008 where he got a rating of 82%. The PRC deck board considered the result of his written licensure exam over his WES exam result because of the higher rating. Nonetheless, Vincent proved that he was a certifi ed OIC-level offi cer twice over. And as expected, he subsequently passed his practical assessment on January 8, Vincent says the keys to passing the licensure exam are experience, determination, constant study, and prayer. Now married to Melba and a father to a fouryear-old kid and seven-month-old baby (as of this writing), Vincent s family now resides in their own home in Cebu. He expects to be able to use his newlyacquired license onboard another bulk carrier with another principal of Bright Maritime Corporation. Grizzled Marine Engineer Another former UFS cadet volunteer turned - ship offi cer is 31-year-old 4 th Engineer Beanstin Afaga, who successfully passed the written licensure examination for OIC-level given by the PRC marine engineer offi cer board on January 24 25, Beanstin started as a cadet volunteer of the UFS in early 2000 where he served for a total of 14 months. He was assigned to handle the membership database of the union. Subsequently, he was recommended as cadet utility by the UFS to Bridge Marine Corporation and got his fi rst crack of shipboard duty on November 2002 where he served as messboy onboard the chemical tanker MT Crane Bright. His contract was initially for 12 months but because of his good performance, he was extended to work for 20 months. He was also promoted as Oiler right on his very first shipboard contract. His next three shipboard contracts where all onboard the chemical tankers of Bridge Marine s Korean principal where he served as Oiler with varying contract lengths of eight months, 11 months, and 10 months. Beanstin s last contact is onboard MT Bestari where he served as 4 th Engineer under the Panama upgrading scheme. He alighted only on October 29, He then underwent a thorough review at Newpoint Technological and Marine Engineering Services starting in November He admitted that he did not find Functions 1 to 3 of the written licensure examination that difficult but got challenged by Function 4, which focuses on MARPOL. Beanstin says that his experience, whole-hearted review, and determination enabled him to hurdle the exam with flying colors. Married to Epifania Magno of Nueva Ecija, Beanstin now has two daughters: five-yearold Ace and three-year-old Bea. They live in their very own 884-square meter property in Barangay Sicayap in Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte. Emotion-Filled Accomplishment The path taken by 35-year-old 4 th Engineer Felix Edondo was a rough-andtumble one but due to his hard work and passion to succeed, all his efforts are now starting to pay off. After getting his three-year associate degree in Marine Engineering in 1993 from John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation in Iloilo City, Felix, who hails from Jordan, Guimaras, got the chance to work onboard a Taiwanese fi shing vessel for his one-year apprenticeship. But opportunity has since been very elusive for him to continue his seafaring career. So rather than getting idled, he decided to take on menial jobs just to help his family, who had nothing much in life except dignities and farm chores. Felix worked as houseboy for two years starting in 1995, then as a laborer in a garment factory, and also as a tricycle driver. Then, he was employed by Capt. Eugene Ynion as a driver and was eventually recommended to work as helper to his son Rommel s purified drinking water business. In order to ensure that Felix puts his educational background to good use, Rommel then recommended him to Engr. Ramirez as cadet volunteer to the UFS. He was serving as cadet volunteer with the UFS during the day and goes home to Rommel s purified water business at night or during holidays so that he can continue working there as delivery staff. After working as cadet volunteer with the UFS for six months, he was recommended to serve as cadet utility for Continental Marine. Eventually, he got his first shipboard contract starting on November 25, Felix was teary-eyed recalling that significant day of Hard work and determination strengthen the resolve of Felix Etondo to fulfi ll his dreams. his life because it actually fell on his 30 th birthday and he was very thankful that all his hard work has finally bore fruit. His first contract onboard the bulk carrier MV Princess Natalie as engine cadet was supposed to be for 12 months only but he got extended to work for 25 months and 25 days. But Felix did not complain because he got promoted from engine cadet to Oiler right on the fourth month and he was also happy to be a seafarer. He got his second shipboard contract with Seaworkforce, the successor of Continental Marine, on August 26, 2006 where he again served for 15 months as Oiler onboard MV Cape Athos. On his third contract, Felix was again assigned to work onboard MV Princess Natalie from March 5 to October 23, After his third shipboard contract, Felix decided that it s high time for him to become an officer, notwithstanding his age. From December 2008 to January 2009, he undertook the extensive 10-week review course with Newpoint Technological and Maritime Consultancy Services. He was quite ready when he took the written licensure exam on January 24-25, 2009 although he found difficulty with Function 2, which dwells on Electrical and Electronics. Even before he could officially take his oath as a 4 th Engineer, Felix got his fourth shipboard contract on February 9, 2009 with Brilliant Seas onboard MV Global Arrow which shall traverse the Japan-America route. He says that he will focus on getting his certification after completing his latest nine-month shipboard stint. He had to juggle his limited time late in January 2009 after taking the examination and preparing for his next shipboard assignment because he had to attend to his father who suffered an accident in their farm as the thresher equipment fell on his father s knees. Despite being a late bloomer TINIG NG MARINO 17 SAILOR S CORNER Illegal Dismissal Benefits FROM PAGE 14 The Court likewise added that the clause violates the petitioner-seafarer s right to substantive due process for it deprives him of property, consisting of monetary benefi ts without any existing valid governmental purpose. With the above ruling, the Supreme Court has reverted to the old, simple, and logical manner by which claims of illegally dismissed OFWs are computed, i.e., their basic salaries multiplied by the entire unexpired portions of their contracts, and accordingly disregarded any distinction relating to the OFWs contract periods or the unexpired portions thereof. [Atty. Augusto Tito Bundang is a regular columnist of BusinessWorld and is 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, Security Bank Centre, 6776 Ayala Avenue, Makati City with Tel. No ] professionally, Felix is undaunted and continues to dream of becoming a chief engineer someday in order to realize the goal of finally owning a farm in their province. He says he has learned a lot from his past experiences, especially with the UFS. The secret he says is to never stop absorbing new learning and knowledge while onboard as he has grown fond of perusing and reading materials while spending his idle time onboard. Experience counts a lot but the determination to succeed is very important too, Felix remarks. FOUR MORE UFS SHIP OFFICERS. Four more former UFS cadet volunteers have joined the growing ranks of ship offi cers produced by the labor union following their successful hurdling of the OIC licensure exams for deck officers given by the PRC last March Shown during their oathtaking last April 8, 2009 at the Manila Hotel are (from left): Alkene Tokong, Jerome Guilaran, Oliver Santiago (proudly holding a copy of Tinig ng Marino) and Rene Quimba.

18 18 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 T Ramirez Seeks to Take the Sting out of Oseña s Lies he procrastinated word war that began with an out-of-this-world economic prediction by a know-it-all false prophet and eventually turned ugly between Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez, president of the United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) and Capt. Leuel Oseña, the soothsayer-president of Amigos Marino, has taken on a new level following the decision of Ramirez to bring the matter to the court. On April 22, 2009, Ramirez formally lodged a libel complaint with a Manila regional trial court branch against Oseña for publishing a lietainted and baseless story on his educational background on the March 31, 2009 issue of The Maritime Observer. Our exchanges over the internet have been entertaining in a way but I want to show to the maritime industry who between me and Oseña can audaciously lie between the teeth. Not that I earnestly wanted to clear my name from what Oseña was painting me because I am quite sure that many in this industry hardly believe him. But more importantly, I want our legal system to unmask Oseña as a lie-pedder, a master of deception, and a whacko storyteller rolled into one, Ramirez points out. Ramirez s formal complaint against Oseña actually came in between Oseña s 10-day grace period within which Ramirez was supposed to answer him for allegedly orchestrating and distributing flyers entitled Babala Para sa mga Marino detailing of how Oseña s maritime software are turning out to be rip-offs, and merely out to squeeze money from unwitting seafarercustomers. From the ultimatum given by Oseña to Ramirez, it appears that the former was also intent on suing the latter to make him answerable for his supposed actions through a court of law. But as of this writing, Oseña has yet to fi le a formal case against Ramirez. The UFS president however keeps on daring and egging him to put his words into action. This libel complaint is just the fi rst of my many legal salvos against Oseña because I am not the type who telegraph my punches so he should be well-prepared to face the music. I have walk the talk but he has yet to draw fi rst blood, says Ramirez with a wry smile. More importantly, I am also planning to eventually sue Oseña on behalf of several of his Filipino seafarer-customers for his clear violation of Republic Act 7394, otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines. All the while, he keeps on saying that he loves the Filipino seafarers and that what he has been doing is meant to serve them. Yet here is his company Omarsoft selling maritime software and programs that can only be constantly used if they keep on perpetually loading it with so-called load amount from Omarsoft as well. What a rip-off! Ramirez explained. The moment a seafarer buys a maritime software from Omarsoft, he is practically hostage by Oseña for life. He simply cannot use it continuously because it has bars indicating the usage consumption with corresponding cost. Well, unless the seafarer decides to totally discard it and forget about his investment in buying it, which I know several Filipino seafarers who did just that, including my son, he further elaborated. Ramirez also got wind of information direct from several Filipino seafarer-members of the UFS who pretended to show keen interest on Omarsoft software that Oseña is actually marketing a total of 22 maritime programs with prices ranging from as low as PhP1, to as much as PhP6, Buying the complete Omarsoft package of maritime software will entail the seafarer a signifi cant investment of PhP79,556. The almost PhP80,000 are just the basic software including mensuration, draft survey, etc, but in order to continuously enjoy the use of these software, one still has to load them with bars, which is tantamount to hidden costs in the sale of consumer goods, a clear violation of the Consumer Act of the Philippines, Ramirez pointed out. Omarsoft also has several major, not to mention expensive, software that were designed by Oseña for navigation, seamanship and marine engineering that range from PhP 7,000 to as high as PhP 19,000. But his major software seems to be eating dust from competition, settling for only 5% of the market while the competitor lord it over with 95% and still gaining further ground. Upon receiving the summon from the fi scal offi ce for the libel complaint filed by Ramirez against him, Oseña fired another detailing of how he was a grizzled veteran of a previous procrastinated legal battle that took him several years to settle. Oseña claimed that he had to survive the opposition who used 20 firstrate lawyers against him. To this, Ramirez said: I remember practically almost all the celebrated legal cases in this country in recent years. The Vizconde Massacre case, the Maureen Hultmann case, the Claudio Teehankee case, the Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez rape case, the Romeo Jalosjos rape case, and even the trial of former President Joseph Estrada, did not involved 20 lawyers. At most would be less than 10. So I simply couldn t believe a legal case defended by 20 lawyers but did not make it to the news headlines. Oseña must really be a firm believer of his own lies. I also recalled the time when Oseña once bragged to me that Texas Instruments offered to buy his maritime software packages for a cool US$10 million. Subsequently, he got another offer from a supposed European partner for US$50 million. He said he refused those offers because the buyers are intent on selling them to the Chinese and would jeopardize the Filipino seafarers, discloses Ramirez. How can Texas Instruments even attempt to buy a software when it is engaged in the production of hardware like calculators and educational devices? I could not also believed that Oseña would refuse a US$10 million, much TURN TO PAGE 19

19 MAY- JUNE 2009 Ramirez... FROM PAGE 18 more a US$50 million buyout offer when he did not even let the opportunity to earn a measly PhP 5,000 from me when I bought a software for him around that time for my son? He could have been a billionaire ahead of Manny Pacquiao, says Ramirez. In that same rejoinder of Oseña, he also asked Ramirez, through a so-called friendly reminder to do the right thing so that they can forget their differences and move on from there. He even urged Ramirez to make a public apology to escape possible jail detention. Ramirez laughed off the statement saying: How can I face jail detention, when he is the one whom a legal case was lodged against? Is that lunacy creeping into Oseña s head already? The UFS president then mouthed off his corresponding reminder, albeit stern warning, to Oseña by quipping: He should be the one contemplating about making a public apology for all the lies and deception he has been peddling in the local maritime industry. Unless he kneels before me and apologize, and have the photo of that penance published in the front page of The Maritime Observer, I will not back down and I will guarantee Oseña that I will take him to the gutters. Several stakeholders from the local industry are also supporting Ramirez for his legal move because they simply have had enough of Oseña. One industry personality, who requested anonymity, was even quoted as wittingly stating: You can do whatever you want to Oseña, grill him, ridicule him, maim him, or even crucify him, but you cannot just take the air or the boastfulness in him, unless you kill and bury him. Boasting is part of the man s pride. UGONG NG MAKINA AT IKOT NG ELISI FROM PAGE 11 Ipinagmayabang pa man din sa akin ni Leuel Oseña na kamuntik na raw sila magpirmahan ng isang European partner niya sa negosyo sa Netherlands at doon babayaran siya ng 50 milyong dolyares sa kanyang produkto. Ngunit umatras siya nang malaman niyang gagamitin ito ng mga Intsik. Wow! Naunsyami ang pagka-bilyonaryo ni Leuel Oseña dahil sa kanyang pagmamahal umano sa marinong Pilipino. Maniniwala na sana ako sa kanya, ang kaso lang, sino ang hindi mag-iisip ng kakaiba kung bakit niya pinatos ang halagang limang libo na hindi nailagay na software para sa computer anak ko samantalang tinatanggihan niya ang inaalok sa kanya na bilyones? Para sa kaalaman ng lahat, napag-alaman ko sa aking pananaliksik at pagtatanong sa aking mga kaibigan na may kaugnayan sa Texas Instruments na ang nasabing kompanya ay hindi nagbebenta ng software. Bagkus ang Texas Instruments ay nagbebenta ng calculators, children s educational devices, at iba pang mga hardwares. Hindi software Samakatuwid, hindi nila kailangan ang software ni Oseña. ******* Kamakailan, may tumawag sa tanggapan TITLE III. Protection against Deceptive, Unfair and Unconscionable Sales Acts or Practices CHAPTER I - Deceptive, Unfair and Unconscionable Sales Acts or Practices ARTICLE 48. Declaration of Policy - The State shall promote and encourage fair, honest and equitable relations among parties in consumer transactions and protect the consumer against deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts or practices, grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one-sided in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller. In determining whether an act or practice is unfair and unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be considered: a) that the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller took advantage of the inability of the consumer to reasonably protect his interest because of his inability to understand the language of an agreement, or similar factors; b) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, the price grossly exceeded the price at which similar products or services were readily obtainable in similar transaction by like consumers; c) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, the consumer was unable to receive a substantial benefi t from the subject of the transaction; d) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, the seller or supplier was aware that there was no reasonable probability or payment of the obligation in full by the consumer; and e) that the transaction that the seller or supplier induced the consumer to enter into was excessively one-sided in favor of the seller or supplier. ARTICLE 49. Implementing Agency - The Department of Trade and Industry, hereby referred to as the Department, shall enforce the provisions of this Chapter. REGULATION OF SALES ACTS AND Huwad na Pagmamahal sa Marinong Pilipino ng UFS tungkol sa bagong memorandum circular ng MARINA na pinapatawan ng isang taong suspensyon ang mga marino na mahuhulihan ng tampered o peke ang kanilang Seafarer s Identifi cation and Record Book (SIRB). Kaagad gumawa kami ng sulat ni Capt. Adonis Donato kay MARINA Administrator Elena Bautista dahil kapag nawalan nga naman ng trabaho ang isang marino sa loob ng isang taon, talagang para mo na ring pinagbawalan na kumain ang kanilang pamilya at pahintuin sa pag-aaral ang kanilang mga anak. Agad kaming kinondena ni Oseña at pinagbibintangan pang may kinalaman sa mga anomalya sa MARINA. Nagtataka ako kung bakit ganyan katindi ang galit ni Oseña sa ating mga marino na hindi man lang inalam kung ano ang puno t dulo ng pangyayari bago siya nagtatalak. Ang katotohanan, may nawala na mahigit isang libong SIRBs noong isang taon. Malamang napunta ito sa kamay ng mga sindikato at inaalok ng mga fi xers sa MARINA sa mga marinong gustong makakakuha kaagad ng kanilang SIRBs. Sino ba namang marino ang gustong maghintay ng isang buwan sa kanilang SIRB? Nararapat lang na parusahan ang dapat parusahan. Pero, bakit hindi pinaparusahan kung Excerpts from Republic Act No. 7394: THE CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES PRACTICES ARTICLE 50. Prohibition against Deceptive Sales Acts or Practices A deceptive act or practice by a seller or supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this Act whether it occurs before, during, or after the transaction. An act or practice shall be deemed deceptive whenever the producer, manufacturer, supplier or seller, through concealment, false representation of fraudulent manipulation, induces a consumer to enter into a sales or lease transaction of any consumer product or service. Without limiting the scope of the above paragraph, the act or practice of a seller or supplier is deceptive when it represents that: a) a consumer product or service has the sponsorship, approval, performance, characteristics, ingredients, accessories, uses, or benefi ts it does not have; b) a consumer product or service is of a particular standard, quality, grade, style, or model when in fact it is not; c) a consumer product is new, original or unused, when in fact, it is in a deteriorated, altered, reconditioned, reclaimed or second-hand state; d) a consumer product or service is available to the consumer for a reason that is different from the fact; e) a consumer product or service has been supplied in accordance with the previous representation when in fact it is not; f) a consumer product or service can be supplied in a quantity greater than the supplier intends; g) a service, or repair of a consumer product is needed when in fact it is not; h) a specifi c price advantage of a consumer product exists when in fact it is not; i) the sales act or practice involves or does not involve a warranty, a disclaimer of warranties, particular warranty terms or other rights, remedies or obligations if the indication is false; and j) the seller or supplier has a sponsorship, approval, or affi liation he does not have. ARTICLE 51. Deceptive Sales Acts or Practices by Regulation The Department shall, after due notice sino mang may hawak ng SIRBs noon katulad nina Ms. Arlene Romero at Mr. Efren Borce dahil sila ang may kasalanan? Bakit napunta sa kamay ng ibang tao ang nawawalang SIRBs at napunta ito sa mga fi xers na naglipana sa labas ng tanggapan ng MARINA? Bakit ang mga marino ang kaagad paparusahan samantalang ang gusto lang naman nila ay hindi maantala ang kanilang pagsasaayos ng kanilang mga dokumento at totoo namang inaabot ng kanas-kanas bago nila makuha ang kanilang SIRBs sa MARINA. ******* Noong mahigit libo ang nakapila sa pagkuha ng kanilang SIRBs ay kaagad gumawa ang UFS ng isang kilos-protesta sa harapan ng tanggapan ng MARINA. Kaagad naman itong kinontra ni Oseña at nagpakalat ito ng impormasyon sa pamamagitan ng na mabilis na raw ang pag-isyu ng SIRBs samantalang kuhang-kuha sa telebisyon ng ABS- CBN-2 at GMA-7 ang mga nagwawalang marino na nakapila para sa kanilang SIRBs. Ang pinagtataka ko lang ay bakit halos dilaan na lang ni Leuel Oseña ang takong ng sapatos ni Elena Bautista para lang magawang mandatory ang paggamit ng kanyang OMARSOFT gadgets? Bakit kinakailangang humantong pa ito sa hangganan na ipagkakanunulo pa niya ang kapakanan ng mga marinong Pilipino na sinasabi niyang minamahal niya? Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa mga marinong Pilipino kung bakit ipinakilala ko si Oseña kay Elena Bautista at dinala ko pa siya sa Lloyds Manning and Training Conference. Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa mga marinong Pilipino kung bakit tinulungan TINIG NG MARINO 19 and hearing, promulgate regulations declaring as deceptive any sales act, practice or technique which is a misrepresentation of facts other than those enumerated in Article 50. ARTICLE 52. Unfair or Unconscionable Sales Act or Practice - An unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice by a seller or supplier in connection with a consumer transaction violates this Chapter whether it occurs before, during, or after the consumer transaction. An act or practice shall be deemed unfair or unconscionable whenever the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller, by taking advantage of the consumer s physical or mental infi rmity, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of time or the general conditions of the environment or surroundings, induces the consumer to enter into a sales or lease transaction, grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or gross one-sided in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller. In determining whether an act or practice is unfair and unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be considered: a) that the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller took advantage of the inability of the consumer to reasonably protect his interest because of his inability to understand the language of an agreement, or similar factors; b) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, the price grossly exceeded the price at which similar products or services were readily obtainable in similar transaction by like consumers; c) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, the consumer was unable to receive a substantial benefi t from the subject of the transaction; d) that when the consumer transaction was entered into, the seller or supplier was aware that there was no reasonable probability or payment of the obligation in full by the consumer. e) that the transaction that the seller or supplier induced the consumer to enter into was excessively one-sided in favor of the seller or supplier. ko siyang makasama sa IMO Convention dahil ito ay ginawang behikulo ni Oseña para isulong ang pagiging mandatory ng kanyang gadgets na siya namang ikinagalit ng kanyang mga Pilipinong nakasama sa nasabing convention. Ngayon ko lang napag-isip-isip na gagawin ni Oseña ang lahat maibenta lang ang kanyang OMARSOFT na kasalukuyang inaamag na. Nakikiusap ako kay Oseña na kung gusto niyang palitan ang luma niyang laptop na ginagamit niya sa pagde-demo ng kanyang software at ang mga lumang Tamaya calculators, huwag naman sana niyang ipahamak ang kapakanan ng mga marinong Pilipino. Hayaan mo na tayo na lang ang magsagupaan at harapin mo na lang ang isang katerbang kaso na isasampa ko sa iyo sa pag-iimbento mo ng kuwento. Sa korte ka na lang sumagot at nalalapit na ang paghihimas mo ng malamig na rehas na bakal. ******* Ilang beses ko nang hinamon ng pustahan si Oseña na kung gusto niyang patunayan ang kanyang mga isinusulat ay magkita kami sa Luneta o di kaya y sa National Press Club at doon namin lalagdaan ang kasulatan sa pustahan sa harap ng maraming marino. Hinamon ko siya na ilabas niya ang kanyang natitirang naiipon na pera na napiga niya mula sa katas at dugo ng mga marino pero bumahag ang kanyang buntot at nagtago sa palda ni Elena Bautista at ipinagpatuloy ang kanyang pagsusulat ng kababalaghan. Kaya para matuldukan na ang kanyang pagbabalatkayo, sa korte na kami maghaharap. Ngayon, malalaman na ni Leuel Oseña na ang perang ibinigay ni Taning ay babawiin din ni Taning.

20 20 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 E xperience water, sun and total relaxation in Bahay Kubo ni Capt. Conveniently located in the pristine shores of Taal Lake in Talaga, Batangas, Bahay Kubo ni Capt is a total haven for those who just want to bond, have fun, and relax. From the resort, one can see the side of the famous Taal Volcano and get to see Tagaytay from the lake below. My family and I all took a short leave from the hustle and bustle of Manila and travelled all the way to Bahay Kubo ni Capt in Batangas, owned by Capt. Jaime Ricohermoso of Sagrada de Corazon Clinic, an accredited and reputable medical clinic for Filipino seafarers undergoing pre-employment. The weather on that 22nd day of April was very unpredictable. The searing heat with intervals of strong drizzles that comes with uncomfortable humidity was really annoying. That made going somewhere to leave the polluted city of Manila and its heavy traffi c really a welcome escape. All those irritations ended when we reached our destination and saw for ourselves the enthralling Bahay Kubo ni Capt. The house itself was like something you d only see in society magazines. Everything you need is there. A two-storey mansion with seven bedrooms, Bahay Kubo ni Capt is a perfect getaway that offers the Bahay Kubo ni capt Offers the Most Refreshing Getaway side of the mansion itself, that are suited for couples or small families. While my parents, my husband and my kids were all gushing about how big and cozy the house is, I went straight to the By: Arianne Blanche R. Rodriguez just breathtaking! It s like a whole new different world out there. Now, if you re not in a soul-searchingmode, don t fret because there are so many fun things you can do at Bahay Kubo sprinkled with crystals with the wind blowing your hair and the gentle waves cradling you in her arms (well the experience can turn anyone into a poet), all this while you re running at seven knots. It was just pure heaven! For those who are more adventurous, you can try out the banana boat experience where four of us sat on a rubber boat shaped like (you guessed it!) a banana which was tied to a speedboat. It was like a rollercoaster ride minus the 360-degree turns of course. You have to make sure that you have the strength to hold on tight though lest you would bounce off into the water. Three of us were girls and one was a boy, guess who screamed the loudest? If you prefer a tamer ride, you can try out the speedboat or go around Taal Lake in a motorized banca. The view is surreal; it can make you understand how water nymphs can lure helpless seafarers into the sea. There s really nothing to complain about in Bahay Kubo ni Capt. The staff are also very accommodating, friendly and hospitable, especially Edgar who put his life in danger by teaching me how to Jet Ski, Emily who was always smiling even though my kids were very noisy and makalat, Mang Max who took us around the island and the kids, Caloy and Joel, who patiently watched over and assisted us while we Jet luxurious convenience of a fi rst class resort while maintaining a unique edge in terms of picturesque view. For the cost-conscious vacationers, Bahay Kubo ni Capt also has a couple of airconditioned rooms and bahay kubos, out- shower room to check the water heater. I was glad to see that they didn t skimp on that. Call me extremely paranoid, but after the accidental death of a well-known actress boyfriend due to a faulty water heater, I just had to make sure we re safe in the shower. Bahay Kubo ni Capt isn t just an average and extremely refreshing rest house though, it also offers a view that can de-stress even the most stressed out person in the world and I m not exaggerating at this. Taal Lake is ni Capt. There s a pool on the front end of the house, where even little kids can swim, in case you don t feel like swimming in the lake. There s even an elevated videoke hut offering a sweeping view of the Taal Lake, which I didn t dare use to avoid ruining everyone s day. The best part for me though was the Jet Ski experience in Taal Lake itself. I was hesitant to try it at first because well, I can t even ride a bicycle. I felt really silly though after I found out that Jet Skiing has nothing to do with riding a bicycle or a motorcycle. It s one of the most liberating experiences I ve ever had. Just imagine the lake sparkling like it was Ski. Bahay Kubo ni Capt is the brainchild of Capt. Ricohermoso who also owns Sagrada de Corazon Clinic. According to Capt. Ricohermoso, Bahay Kubo ni Capt has been in operation for three years already. He intended it to be his retirement home but decided to rent it out to friends and people who are recommended by people he knows. He mentioned his future plan of adding para-gliding and wake-boarding. Sounds like more fun! So is it worth going to Bahay Kubo ni Capt? Definitely! Let s put it this way: despite being extremely sunburned, our kids had big smiles on their faces and that makes it more than worth it.

21 MARCH - APRIL 2009 TINIG NG MARINO 21

22 22 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 Workers, Settlers Take Fight vs NH Privatization Project to Courts Members of the groups from North Harbor, including women and children, took to the streets to air their sentiments against the North Harbor Modernization Project among other major issues during the Labor Day rally. FROM PAGE 4 panies currently operating in the North Harbor. While the project s bid documents provide a safety clause of 36 months to workers and employees the moment the PPA turns over the management of the port to the winning bidder, the same document also state that from the 37th month onwards, the employment fate of workers and employees will be left to the discretion of the winning bidder, which goes against the security of tenure provided for under the constitution, he noted. Nenita H. Reli, President of the Nagkakaisang Manileño Tungo sa Pagbabago, and Mary S. Bertolano, President of the North Harbor Port Vendors Multi- Purpose Cooperative, also cited that the project does not have a specific relocation plan for the informal settlers within the port zone. While the PPA did gave us an assurance that all informal settlers will be relocated accordingly, there is nothing in the project s bid documents nor its terms of reference to indicate how it will be carried out, which clearly goes against the provision of Republic Act No or the Urban Housing Development Act of 1992, they jointly pointed out. We would like to make it clear however that we are not against the privatization of the Manila North Harbor because on the contrary, we have been and are still strongly pushing for it. What we are opposing is the process by which the current bidding has been undertaken or seems to be going and we believe that the PPA should re-start it on a clean slate to shed whatever image of anomaly the bidding has taken on, the leaders of the three groups said.

23 MARCH - APRIL 2009 TINIG NG MARINO 23

24 24 TINIG NG MARINO MARCH - APRIL 2009 Managing your Savings A nybody who has a lot of money would likely choose to retire early, to pursue his lifelong dream of traveling around the world, to buy his dream house with many rooms and a swimming pool, to purchase beautiful cars, or even probably, to sponsor one of the boxing fi ghts of Manny Pacquiao and to stay at the same hotel where he stays. These may seem impossible, especially since not all of us were born rich; but then, our dreams can happen if we work hard and start saving. Here s a simple computation to guide you on how to assess your current savings and the cash you need to meet your goals to protect you and your family in case eventualities strike you or one of your loved ones. YOU Current annual income Percent of income to save A. Desired Income to be saved (annually) B. Number of years to provide for family (22 less age of the youngest dependent) C. (A x B) Income replacement D. Current unprotected liabilities (loans, mortgage, credit card installments, etc.) E. (C + D) Total requirement F. Less estimate from existing plan(s) G. (E F) Shortfall Planning your future and that of your family s is important. Spend time to plan on how to manage your savings. Life insurer Pru Life UK can guide you in fi nding out how much you need to achieve your dreams and how long your income earning capabilities will last. Take stock of what you already have and determine the best solution to close the gap. Pru Life UK s licensed fi nancial adviser, Aileen T. Ello, can discuss with you how you can manage your savings and protect your family in the future. You may contact her at mobile number (+63) , office number (+632) , or through her address at aileen_ello@yahoo.com. Disclaimer: The article was prepared by the concerned fi nancial adviser and does not necessarily, in any way, represent the views of Pru Life UK.

25 MARCH - APRIL 2009 TINIG NG MARINO 25

26 26 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 R INC Recognizes First 3 Full Filipino Cre eflective of the continued trust and confidence on the competence and dependability of Filipino seafarers to man its modern and highly-sophisticated fleet of tankers and bulk carriers, Limassol-based Interorient Navigation Company of Cyprus has formally entrusted to INC Navigation Company Philippines, Inc. the manning three of it s tankers with full Filipino crew. And it is just the beginning. With a newbuilding program of tankers and bulk carriers through 2011, INC Navigation Company Philippines is poised to get a big chunk in providing for the manning requirements of those new vessels. Thus, it was quite fitting that when the company held its Recognition Party for its first three full crew vessels at it s office in Ortigas Center last April 24, 2009, the theme of the celebration was Capt. Jerome Delos Angeles, CEO of INC Navigation Company Philippines, gives his message. appropriately titled: 3 and Counting. Capt. Nesias S. Rondina Jr., Operations Manager of INC Navigation Company Philippines, in his opening remarks during the short program cited: These three full Filipino crew vessels are just the beginning of the manning path that our company will be taking from hereon. Pretty soon, we expect to have full crew vessel No. 4, No. 5, No. 6, and so on and so forth on our roster. There will certainly be plenty of shipboard opportunities around like these with INC so I encourage you all to work hard in order to get your shot at these slots, Capt. Rondina said, encouraging the INC Filipino seafarers who were present during the event. Just like in previous company celebrations, INC Filipino seafarers were made integral part of the program of activities for the Recognition Party as the event was actually meant to recognize them as well as continue to motivate them to always strive to give their best onboard the vessels of INC. The huge number of Filipino seafarers that practically fi lled the seafarer s waiting lounge of INC Manila where the event was held joined the entire company offi cers and staff during the celebration. Typical of INC Manila, the event initially began with the celebration of a Holy Mass offi ciated by Father Estanislao Amper of the Rosario Parish Church in Pasig City. All of the INC Filipino seafarers were more than elated being part of the Recognition Party as they were updated on the developments and prospects regarding the INC Manila Operations Manager Capt. Nesias Rondina Jr. delivering the opening remarks. INC company, further knowing that they are working for a well-established and global shipping organization that continuously looks to expand and grow well into the future. INC Manila s fi rst three full Filipino crew vessels include the tankers MT Baltic Advance, MT Nordamerica and MT Baltic Monarch. MT Baltic Advance is now being manned by a full Filipino crew complement of 21 headed by Capt. E. Siose and C/E C. Luciano. MT Nordamerica is manned by Capt F. Montesclaros together with C/E M. Basobas whereas MT Baltic Monarch, although already under Filipino command together with other colleagues nationals employed by the Group is well into transition of being fully manned by all Filipino crew. This clearly indicates that Interorient is an equal opportunity employer. In his short message during the program, Capt. Jerome Delos Angeles, CEO of INC Navigation Company Philippines, Typical of INC Manila, a Holy Mass started off the celebration. could not have elaborated the confidence and trust of INC Cyprus on the Filipino seafarers any better when he stated: Amid the global financial crisis that has been affecting many in the shipping industry, INC will go ahead with its dynamic newbuilding program. Filipino seafarers would certainly play a crucial role in manning those ships. While a number of shipping companies are currently reeling from the impact of the global financial crisis, INC remains strong and stable and will continue with its investment and growth projections within the next couple of years. This reflects the kind of firm foundation that INC has which can certainly provide a secure future for those who wishes to belong to the company for the long term, explains Capt. Delos Angeles. Consistent with the strong belief of INC on the Filipino seafarers as openly expressed by Mr. Themis Papadopoulos, the CEO of Interorient Group, we will continue to tap the services of highlyqualified Filipino crew for us to be able to offer first-class service to our customers worldwide, Capt. Delos Angeles pointed out. This only means that there will be plenty of shipboard opportunities for competent and well-qualified Filipino officers and ratings onboard the vessels of INC in the near future. In fact, we expect to man several more vessels with full Filipino crew within the next couple of months and the current three will constantly increase as the years go by, he added. INC Filipino officers and crew actively too It was also during the event that INC Manila introduced two new key m team in the persons of Capt. Gil Saballa (left) as Branch Manager of galado as Crewing Offi cer. New Key Personnel Since assuming the top helm of INC Navigation Company Philippines as CEO in August last year, Capt. Delos Angeles has been consistently focusing on intensifying the crewing operations of the company to be able to make known in the industry the excellent career opportunities as well as the lucrative benefi t schemes that INC has been known to provide to its Filipino seafarers and their families. In line with the company s efforts to beef up its crewing activities outside of Manila, INC Navigation Company Philippines has formally established just recently a branch offi ce at Ayala district in Lahug, Cebu City. And to ensure that it will be able to live up to its goal of employing more competent and Father Amper blessing the offi ces of INC and subsequently the coins proverbial luck to the company.

27 MAY- JUNE 2009 TINIG NG MARINO w Vessels; On Course to Adding More k part in the event. One master mariner was quite vocal enough to state that he has had numerous shipboard experiences with other shipping and manning companies but none can compare with the experience and the level of treatment he received working for INC. I am proud to be serving INC because it is the best shipping company in the world, he states, drawthat were eventually thrown among the staff and Filipino seafarers to bring the The INC Manila officers and staff were likewise in full force. qualified Filipino officers and ratings from the south, INC has tapped the services of veteran master mariner in the person of Capt. Gil Saballa to serve as Branch Manager. Over at its head office in Manila, INC has also embers of its crewing operations INC Cebu offi ce and Jerrold Re- fortified its crewing operations by employing a new Crewing Offi cer in the person of Jerrold Regalado. Capt. Delos Angeles and Capt. Rondina also made the Recognition Party for its fi rst three full Filipino crew vessels as the perfect opportunity to formally introduce the new key personnel of the company as the new officers will constantly be dealing with Filipino seafarers. In his short speech following his introduction, Capt. Gil Saballa thanked Capt. Delos Angeles and Capt. Rondina for giving him the opportunity to work for a prestigious shipping organization like INC. I was still actively serving onboard not too long ago when Capt. Rondina offered me the position. I ve had several offers from other companies but I took the one being offered by INC because apart from being familiar with the key personnel of the company, I also know that I will be working with a reputable organization where I can certainly entrust my future and that of my family s, explains Capt. Saballa. An alumnus of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, Capt. Saballa has over 15 years of sea & shore experiences that includes quality management of fl eet of dry cargo vessels. Capt. Saballa said that he is more than willing to take on the challenge of intensifying the crewing activities of INC Navigation Company Philippines in the province of Cebu as well as in other nearby provinces in the Visayas and possibly from Mindanao. In that way, seafarers need not travel to Manila to process their documents because the Cebu branch of INC is already capable of doing that for them. The Cebu offi ce will also be a good focal point to regularly meet seafarers and their families to discuss offi cial matters and concerns and more importantly, to strengthen their bonds with one another, he said. Part of the role of the INC Cebu office is to also oversee the company s cadet sponsorship program over at UC-METC, which currently has 50 cadets. Starting this June 2009, a total of 50 more qualifi ed freshmen cadets will be added to the program, which is personally regarded by UC President Augusto W. Go as the most holistic and the best cadet sponsorship program in the Philippines. A Seafarer Event as Usual Following the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Ms. Rose Mesina, Financial Director of INC Navigation Company Philippines, along with other officials and staff of the company, ushered Father Amper to bless the offices of INC, whose blessings seem to continue despite the current economic slowdown in the world. Subsequently, the program proper ensued. In addition to the speeches of company officials, also serving as highlight of the Recognition Party are the impromptu testimonials of several active INC Filipino officers. Practically all of the INC Filipino officers who gave their respective testimonies expressed their elation for having been part of the company, with a couple of them even stating that they are looking forward to end their seafaring careers with INC, which means that they intend to work for INC until they retire. 27 ing loud applause and felicitations not only from the company offi cers and staff but most importantly from the throngs of Filipino officers and ratings present. Fun games were also held as part of the program specifically for Filipino seafarers where winners get to win special souvenir items from INC. Apart from stirring their competitive juices as well as the excitement that it brings forth, the fun games are also meant to strengthen the camaraderie among INC Filipino seafarers and more importantly, their warm and cordial relationship with the company officers and staff. In that way, seafarers will most certainly feel that they belong to the INC family, not just as an outside member, but a very important one at that. Typical with INC celebrations, Filipino seafarers were all treated with snacks and lunch during the program that lasted for four hours. Capt. Rondina wrapped up the program by delivering the closing remarks. He called on every INC Filipino seafarer s hard work, dedication and loyalty Three of the active INC Filipino senior ship offi cers who gave their impromptu testimonies collectively praising the company to high heavens. in order to foster a continued and harmonious working relationship with company. You should all grow with the company. As you know, INC s approach to its seafarers has always been on commitment and loyalty. If you can reciprocate or work hard to match the same level of commitment and loyalty, you can all be sure that your future and that of your families are well-secured with INC, remarks Capt. Rondina. As usual, each INC Filipino seafarer came out of the Recognition Party very happy and satisfied, knowing too well the level of concern and importance that their company is giving them, their careers and also their families. Each of the INC senior officer, who delivered their personal testimonies, receive a token from INC Manila through Capt. Gil Saballa.

28 28 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 F UFS Paves Way for Seafarers to Venture into Farming ollowing the successful implementation of its farm project in Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte for Filipino seafarers who have been displaced from their shipboard jobs as a result of the current slowdown in shipping, the United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) has received a formal offer from a major property owner in the country to possibly replicate the same in a vast farmland in San Ildefonso, Bulacan. Apparently, after getting wind of the feature article on the UFS farm project in the January February 2009 issue of Tinig ng Marino, it sparked the interest of the major property owner to have the union managed and possibly replicate what it did in Zamboanga del Norte on about 900 hectares of the total of 1,000 hectares rolling property in Barangay Kalawacan in the municipality of San Ildefonso, Bulacan. Located near Angat Dam, the vast property is still pristine and untouched by modern development. It is certainly a perfect place for anyone who wants to venture into farming and commune with nature at the same time. The owner also owns many properties all over the country including several hundreds of hectares in Tagaytay and other major places. While the property owner has been receiving countless offers from major businesses including one from a big local conglomerate who wants to put up a plant in the area for its bottled tea business, he has been simply turning it Part of the vast farm property in Barangay Kalawacan in San Ildefonso, Bulacan. down because he does not want to industrialize the area as it would defi nitely ruin its natural and scenic beauty. We envision the property to stay the way it is and the only way to do it is to have it maintained through farming. Thus, we are making available the 90% of the 1,000 hectares of the land to be used for farm purposes. We can assure those who will show interest that we will help them start-up their farm projects. Apart from a green house in the area, where practically all types of farm seedlings are there, we also provide farm equipment and technical people to those who intends to develop a farm in this area. We will also give them the needed training, the owner said. The area has a water table that can provide for the irrigation needs of those who intend to develop a farm in the place. The property is so pristine that there is even a waterfalls there whose water has been found by studies of many technical experts as clear and clean, without having to undergo fi ltration, he added. After seeing how the UFS turned a sevenhectare property in Zamboanga del Norte into practically a model farm, we thought that the union could possibly help us replicate the same by convincing Filipino seafarers and other interested stakeholders of the local maritime industry to venture into farming as sort of affordable yet prolifi c investment for the long term, he added. Thus far, the only development we have allowed in the 100 hectares of the area that we will be maintaining is the establishment of the agri-tech branches of De La Salle University and St. Scholastica. As anyone can note, it is not a modern development per se because those facilities will still be engaged in farming similar to International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in UP Los Baños, he disclosed. The property owner has formally tapped the UFS to market the 900-hectare property for those who have keen interests in farming particularly to Filipino seafarers, who are looking for viable long-term investments. We will help them from the start-up process including the facilitation of necessary documentation and dealing with government offi ces all the way to the time when they already own the property. All A pristine waterfalls can also be found in the vast property. they have to think about is making the farm productive for their own benefi t, says the owner. Each hectare of the 900-hectare farm property is being made available to interested parties for eventual ownership over a 30- year period through soft payment terms. If an individual for instance is interested to acquire a hectare of the property, he just have to make an investment of P300,000 that will be good for three years. From the fourth year up to the eighth year, he only needs to pay the owner P5,000 per month. Then from the ninth year up to the 30 th year, he would have to shell out P10,000 per month. After the completion of the 30 th year, he will become the eventual owner of the property and the title and the deeds of the lot will be turned over to him. This is a worthy farm investment in whatever way any one looks at it. Because if the person is really serious in venturing into farming, he can actually recover his P300,000 investment in three years time and start earning from there if he maintains his productivity level, cites Engr. Nelson Ramirez, president of the UFS. The good thing about this is the fact that there is the potential to become the eventual landowner while being productive. Just imagine how much is P5,000 in fi ve years time or P10,000 in 10 years time, so those monthly payments would appear to be just tokens, he noted. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is now in the works between the UFS and the property owner. Once the union is able to draw several interested seafarers or other parties to the viable investment project, an MOA shall also be signed where it will be detailed that the party who wishes to develop the property shall only engage himself in farming. In that way, the land is made productive and the environment is preserved at the same time.

29 MARCH - APRIL 2009 TINIG NG MARINO 29

30 30 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 FROM PAGE 3 HUGGING THE LIMELIGHT The decision of the national government to implement the ban came at a time when the Filipino Association for Mariners Employment (FAME), the country s largest and most influential group of manning agents, was actually in the process of cooperating with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on how to come up with ways in order to reduce the threat of piracy to Filipino seafarers, as much as possible. Industry stakeholders are one with the plan in asking President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to reconsider the national government s decision on the issue because of the possible ill implications it may bring forth to the local maritime industry and the employment of Filipino seafarers. For the UFS and its outspoken leader however, the seafarer deployment ban is merely a poor attempt by the government to jump into the issue without really thinking about the implications of its decision. Mas mabuti pa kung sinabi na lang nila sa mga shipowners at manning agents na pag dating ng mga barko ninyo sa Gulf of Aden, gawin niyo na itong mga submarino. O kaya ay lagyan nyo ng mga pakpak at paliparin niyo para makatawid sa Gulf of Aden at makaiwas sa mga pirata. (The government would be better off if they just tell shipowners and manning agents that when their vessels are about to enter the Gulf of Aden, turn them into submarines or put wings onto them and have them fl y over until they cross the Gulf of Aden so that they can evade attacks from pirates), said Ramirez sarcastically. Obviously, the government jumped into the issue as part of a publicity stunt. Now that the national election is just around the corner, everybody wants to make their respective attempts on the name-recall list of Filipinos even at the expense of ridicule and shame. It simply means that every one in the office is making respective pitches towards hugging the limelight. Popularity after all, is still the name of the game during Philippine elections, Ramirez observed. In 2006, Tinig ng Marino ran a story about the ordeal of 20 Filipino seafarers of the tanker MT Lin 1 that were held hostage for 108 days by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden between March to July We were made privy to the details of that particular hostage incident because more than half of those 20 Filipino seafarers came to the UFS office afterwards when they returned to the Philippines, recounts Ramirez. One of the Filipino crew members of MT Lin 1 was actually a former UFS volunteer cadet in the person of deck cadet John Aldarete. At that time, they actually sought the intercession of the UFS to ask assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) after going through a traumatic ordeal. They actually got none then because they were told that it s the obligation of their shipowner, continued Ramirez. In 2006, there were about 227 Filipino seafarers who were abducted in the Gulf of Aden as a result of attacks by Somali pirates on commercial vessels. The figure was a bit lower in 2007 but last year, about 208 Filipino seafarers fell into the hands of Somali pirates as captives of the lawless elements vesselattacking and hostaging in the Gulf of Aden. In all those piracy incidents in the past and even those that happened early this year, not once did the Philippine government dip its hands on the issue. Well, except for the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs to send the Filipino seafarers immediately back to the waiting arms of their families in the Philippines after their release from their Somali captors, the national government was never involved in the issue at all, points out Ramirez. The bottom line of the story is that aside from being late, the concern of the national government on the issue of Somali piracy for the Filipino seafarers is obviously misplaced, states Ramirez. Filipino seafarers are the most susceptible crew lot from among other crew nationalities when it comes to piracy because they make up more than a fourth of the world s merchant mariners. In fact, there are only a handful of vessels in the entire global merchant marine fl eet that do not have Filipino seafarers on them. Since about 40% of the world s fl eet plies the Asia-Europe trade lane that is under threat from piracy in the Gulf of Aden, it follows therefore that a significant number of Filipino seafarers are actually at risk as well, explains Ramirez. But danger and hazards are integral parts of a seaman s job. Most Filipino seafarers know that. The risk for those same vessels and seafarers was even more imminent and dangerous during the Gulf War in the 90s. So having the Philippine government come to their rescue when they least expect or need it is the last thing that they need at this point, he added. Every vessel-hostaging case in Somalia is an issue between the Somali pirates and the shipowner because they are the parties who make the negotiations. The vessel and its crew members are just pawns in this real-life chess game. Not once did any government got involved in any negotiation, the UFS president cited. Since last year, various governments decided to get involve in the issue of Somali piracy not by meddling with negotiations between the shipowners and the Somali pirates, but by sending naval patrols in the area to escort the commercial ships fl ying their respective fl ags as they cross the Gulf of Aden. Among those countries who have fi elded warships and frigates in the Gulf of Aden to serve as security Increasing naval patrols in the Gulf of Aden will help minimize the attacks of Somali pirates on commercial vessels. escorts include France, Germany, Malaysia, Korea, plus a few more. But like any security escort services, it comes with a price, which is judiciously cheaper for shipowners compared to paying ransom money to Somali pirates. The Philippine government was also technically misinformed with the imposition of the seafarer deployment ban because Somali pirates operate not only within the 200-nautical mile radius from their country s coastline in the Gulf of Aden but way beyond that. They attacked commercial vessels sailing 450 nautical miles from their coastline or even more, Ramirez said. In fact, just last May 2, 2009, Somali pirates struck again and captured a Greek ship carrying soya in the Indian Ocean, which is way beyond the borders of the Gulf of Aden. So aside from being bold and daring, the pirates from Somalia are broadening the horizon of their operations, he further elaborates. The government would also be hardpressed to penalize violators to this so called deployment ban. Assuming just for the sake of argument that a vessel with several Filipino seafarers were caught and held hostage by Somali pirates in the next couple of weeks after the offi cial imposition of the ban, who would the Philippine government penalize? The shipowner? The manning agent? The Filipino seafarers? And how would they monitor this ban? You know your solution is off target when they bring you more questions than answers, berates Ramirez. Beginning of Piracy in Somalia Piracy in Somalia began in the 1980s as its citizen s reaction to other countries illegal fi shing and toxic dumping along the Somali coast. The Somalis in the high seas were initially border patrol guards preventing the pillage of their natural resources by nations far larger and stronger than them. From righteous beginnings however, these men transformed themselves and their movement into one of the most brutal criminal professions in history piracy. The fall of the Somali government in the early 1990s helped push pirate criminality forward. Since shipping companies were paying ransom initially in the thousands of dollars and now in the millions, it encouraged the trade and more Somalis started making it their profession. The hapless seafarers, mostly Filipinos, manning the target ships were considered collateral damage. For the poor Somali people however, piracy became a lucrative livelihood. Poverty and national chaos led to organized and perhaps competing structures of piratical activities. The rest is history, although at this point, Somali piracy seems to be just peaking in terms of global recognition.

31 MAY- JUNE 2009 T he United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) believes that the recent decision of Maritime Industry Authority (MARI- NA) Administrator Ma. Elena M. Bautista to put on hold the phase-out of domestic wooden-hulled vessels is both bereft of logic and also against the law itself. Sometime in early April 2009, Administrator Bautista was telling the whole local F maritime industry that she intends to revive the moribund local shipbuilding industry as part of MARINA s high-profi le 10-point program. Now comes her decision to postpone the phase-out of wooden-hulled vessels. Either she woke up again at the wrong side of her bed or she does not really know what she is saying, states Nelson P. Ramirez, president of the UFS. How can you promote the local shipbuilding industry if you are willing to stick with remodeling and maintaining the old wooden vessels? Most of these woodenhulled vessels, particularly the small ones are actually bereft of real navigation and marine engine equipment so allowing them to continue sailing would put more lives and properties at risk, says Ramirez. Administrator Bautista s decision to shelve the scheduled phase-out of wooden-hulled vessels practically goes against the law because it is clearly provided under Republic Act 9295 otherwise known as the Domestic Shipping Development Act of The law is quite clear in that respect when it stipulated that woodenhulled vessels should be upgraded, the UFS president pointed out. The decision of MARINA to defer the phase-out of wooden-hulled vessels also comes with a backup plan to have them follow new standard designs to ensure safety with the technical help of the members of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SONAME). Administrator Bautista apparently arrived at this decision in an effort to help local shipping operators ride out the shipping downturn. How can MARINA promote new investments in domestic shipping if it will continue to allow the operation of old vessels that are even 30 years old or more? asks Ramirez. The agency is also wasting the technical capabilities of SONAME because instead of having these technical people focus on designing new and modern ships, MARINA is asking them to simply improve old ship design. Where is the professional challenge on that? If I intend to operate vessels on the domestic routes, why would I put money on investing on fast crafts, ro-ros, and modern ferries when the competition can simply ollowing revelations made by North Harbor port workers and informal settlers on the fi nancial incapability of Harbour Centre Port Terminal, Inc. (HCPTI) to even consider bidding for the 25-Year North Harbor Modernization Project, and using only the fi nancial strength of its joint venture partner Metro Pacifi c Investments Corp. (MPIC) as a cloak, a number of port users are now starting to call the attention of Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Atty. Oscar M. Sevilla Jr. to seriously look into the permit to operate of HCPTI. HCPTI was granted a fi ve-year permit to in 1998 by the PPA on the condition that it would pour a substantial investment in operating the 79-hectare Manila Harbour Centre in Vitas, Tondo. Sources revealed that HCPTI, through its President Reghis Romero, was able to secure a PhP 200 million loan from the Bank of Commerce on that same year, which was supposedly meant to be infused to the private port. Now, these same sources are asking whatever happened to the amount because it seems that there was hardly any improvement in the port after it was granted a permit to operate by the PPA. One insider was even privy to the fact that only 10% of the loaned amount from the Bank of Commerce was used by HCPTI to improve its infrastructure and equipment which hardly meant anything at all in a business like port operations. The same insider disclosed that HCPTI is now practically moving heaven and earth to try to pay off its loan with the Bank of Commerce because the company has been in default from its fi nancial obligation for quite some time. It is thus no wonder that HCPTI has been trying to impose various port charges and dues, without the approval of the PPA, to some of its locators in order to possibly raise funds to pay off its mounting debts. The PPA temporary permit-to-operate has already lapsed in 2003 and as expected HCPTI was not able to comply with the condition set forth therein. Sources are now asking what the PPA GM has done, is doing, or intends to do about it. The PPA GM should actually check whether the allegation that HCPTI is in a serious fi nancial bind is true or not. They should verify whether the company is now having diffi culty in paying off its contractors and suppliers and other port ancillary services providers because it may be allowing a private port operator to wash its hands from the mess that it has created itself, one source said. TINIG NG MARINO UFS Rebukes MARINA on Deferment of Phase-Out of Wooden-Hulled Vessels Administrator Ma. Elena Bautista In Serious Financial Mess? stick to the old and cheap wooden vessels? The Filipino boat-riding public may have a choice in terms of affordability but are they safe and secured with their choice? The decision of Administrator Bautista would also have a telling impact on the business of domestic shipbuilders so she is actually not promoting it as she says she would, Ramirez further notes. To think that MARINA even spent a huge amount of money to publicize and advertise, even on national TV, its MA- RINA Making Waves 10-Point Program. The money should be better off being used to improve the agency s services to the domestic shipping sector and the Filipino seafarers and not on extravagant promotions campaign, the UFS president added. MARINA s attempt to involve the public 31 on its maritime safety programs with its text initiative for passenger-riding public in exchange for P50 SMS load appears to be misplaced as well. How can the public cite vessel deficiencies when they do not have the technical know-how to understand what the defi ciencies are about? asks Ramirez. MARINA should concentrate instead on regularly inspecting domestic vessels like what was done late last year onboard the Sulpicio Lines vessels in the aftermath of the capsizing and sinking of MV Princess of the Stars last year, where defi ciencies were found to be aplenty, he added. Since practically time immemorial, the lack of cargo lashings and absence of plan maintenance have become the usual problems of domestic vessels, Ramirez noted. The MARINA Administrator should also be consistent with her statements and programs because she complicates things all by herself, observes Ramirez.

32 32 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 UFS, Access Marine All Set to Launch New Passenger Fast Craft C oming at the heels of the successful launch of Mahi-Mahi, the fi rst-of-its-kind house yacht in the Philippines and perhaps the whole world, on February 20, 2009, the United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) and Access Marine are all set to formally launch to the local maritime industry the fi rst in a series of modern and innovative passenger fast crafts that will soon be plying local routes. As of the last week of April 2009, the fast craft has already been launched to the water from the marine slipway of Access Marine s shipyard in Navotas. Once the fi nishing touches are completed on the fast craft s exteriors and interiors as well as its engine equipment, it will be formally launched by the UFS and Access Marine through an auspicious ceremony in the local maritime industry similar to the one it did for Mahi-Mahi. When it goes into operation, the fast craft is expected to become the most modern and most innovative passenger water transport medium in the Philippines. It is expected to give any competition a strong run for their money in terms of design, aesthetics, and more importantly, fuel consumption. It will be the fi rst in a series of innovative fast crafts that Access Marine is lining up to eventually ply various fast craft routes possibly like Manila- Bataan, Cebu-Tagbilaran, Cebu-Ormoc, Cebu- Access Marine s fast craft is now on its finishing touches. Dumaguete, Iloilo-Bacolod, among a few others. In addition to the fast craft projects being lined up by UFS and Access Marine, which are expected to contribute in revolutionizing the domestic shipping business, a plan is also now in the works with another major local investor to develop an international yacht club adjacent to the Manila Yacht Club near the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex in Pasay City. Plans and initial paper-pushing are now in the works for the development of Venezia de Manila, which will attempt to live up to its name and replicate the most prestigious yacht clubs in the world.

33 MAY- JUNE 2009 S hore-based People Phils., Inc. (SPPI), the newest member of the OSM family, has recently obtained its license from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) as a manpower and recruitment agency SPPI was established in February 2009 to conduct recruitment and selection of workers and other professionals from the Philippines for land-based industry and special offshore positions overseas. SPPI s primary focus will be on the healthcare, engineering, shipbuilding, offshore and the building and construction industries. Rear Admiral Adonis B. Donato sits as Other sectors to President of SPPI be considered by the company are IT, fi nance and administration, technical/marine and heavy industries. For its initial campaign, SPPI recently tied up with OSM People Norway and Manila Doctors College (MDC) to bring Filipino nurses to Norway. Through the OSM Academy in Manila, some 30 nursing graduates from MDC are currently undergoing a nine-week training on Norwegian language, culture and health system in preparation for their employment as nurses in Norway. Cesilie Tveit oversees the training with Jorunn Gundhus, Anariza Flaten and Capt. Eddie Berueda as guest instructors. Already a second batch of training is scheduled in Cebu this May SPPI is headed by Rear Admiral Adonis B. Donato as President, who concurrently holds the same position with OSM Mari- TINIG NG MARINO SPPI Emerges from OSM s Recruitment Wings Guest Norwegian language teacher Jorunn Gundhus helps nurse graduates from MDC learn Norwegian as a second language in preparation for their employment as nurses in Norway. time Services, Inc. SPPI offices are on the 4th floor of VNP Building, 479 Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, Manila, with telephone numbers and Like its sister agency OSM Maritime Services, Inc., SPPI is a non-fee charging agency. 33 The OSM Group Chairman Jan Morten Eskilt (center) with the first batch of nurses currently undergoing training on Norwegian language, culture and health system at MDC. Beside the Chairman is MDC President Teresita O. Turla.

34 34 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 T he 189 th Foundation Day of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) and this year s edition of the Grand Alumni Homecoming held on April 3 5, 2009 will certainly go down in the history of the academy as the most successful and colorful ever. In terms of number, the 850 PMMAers who came along with their families to take part in the three-day alumni homecoming and foundation anniversary celebration was by far the biggest draw that such an PMMA President RAdm. Fidel E. Diñoso acknowledging the huge draw of this year s alumni homecoming. event was able to muster based on recent memory. Including families and friends of PMMA alumni, there were almost 2,000 guests who trooped to the academy and actively be involved in the unique fi esta ambience that permeated all throughout the threeday festivities at the maritime institution s vast campus in San Narciso, Zambales. Rear Admiral Fidel E. Diñoso, President of PMMA, could not contain his elation over the huge success of the event owing to the signifi cant attendance citing it as the most unprecedented during the four-year history of PMMA alumni homecoming held at the academy s campus. This only shows the love and loyalty of the PMMAers to their alma mater, which means a lot to our dear institution. Only when we work together hand-in-hand can PMMA shore up its foothold in the maritime industry and truly become an instrument of change, RAdm. Diñoso cited. Don t ever let the fi re of unity and brotherhood within you be extinguished by petty differences that sometimes crop up PMMA Plays Host to the Most Successful Alumni Homecoming Event The fiesta-ambience of the celebration was present during the games and the homecoming parade. and instead, make it as a catalyst to make our bonds stronger than ever, ready to face any challenges that come our way, the PMMA president rallied the alumni. Credit for the successful Grand Alumni Homecoming goes also to the PMMA Alumni Association, Inc. (PMMAAAI) under the leadership of the effective and soft-spoken Capt. Jaime D. Quiñones and the active current set of officers of the association, and also the host classes for this year s celebration namely the classes of 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, and With the PMMA Class of 1969 as lead host and having Vice Admiral Reuben Lista as overall chairman a l s o served the homecoming well because he made sure that each one made their part in ensuring that the invitation to become part of the Grand Alumni Homecoming be heard not only in the local maritime industry but all throughout the world through cyberspace. In fact, as early as January 2009, every PMMA alumni who is part of the PMMA alumni yahoogroup has already been made aware of the program of activities in the Grand Alumni Homecoming as initiated by the host classes and ably supported by officers of PMMAAAI. Unlike in previous alumni homecoming, Capt. Jaime Quiñones, elaborating on the projects of the PMMAAAI. this year s PMMA Grand Alumni Homecoming was a homegrown affair by itself as there was no special guest from the government to serve as keynote speaker or guest of honor. Every PMMA alumnus and their family members were considered the special guests during the TURN TO PAGE 35 The PMMA alumni, by batches, making the parade of the PMMA quadrangle, which was a show of strength in itself with their huge numbers The silent drill performance of the PMMA second class midshipmen was among the spectacle during the alumni homecoming program.

35 MAY- JUNE 2009 TINIG NG MARINO 35 PMMA...FROM PAGE 34 three-day fi esta-themed event. During his inspirational message at the Grand Alumni Homecoming program held on April 4, 2009, Capt. Quiñones lauded each and every PMMA alumnus for heeding the call to participate and become part of the 189 th Foundation Anniversary of the academy. Your attendance today has made this event truly a huge success, he pointed out. Capt. Quiñones then elaborated on the various activities being lined up by the current set of offi cers and board of directors of the PMMAAAI that are all expected to redound to the well-being of each PMMAer and the PMMA. On top of the major projects being lined up by the PMMAAAI is the Alumni Centre, which would give the association its very own home in the heart of Manila, courtesy of Marlow Navigation Philippines, Inc. He also lauded the present efforts to establish housekeeping within the alumni association because that will surely work towards strengthening the bonds among PMMAers and ensure professionalism within their ranks through a manual of procedures in the operations of the association. The alumni association president also cited the importance of putting up a welfare fund to support possible assistance projects for alumni who were not fortunate enough to be blessed with opportunities and good earnings that some others are enjoying. He said such initiatives are important especially during these critical times when the economy is in the middle of a crisis and also in times of emergencies. Capt. Quiñones also took the opportunity to recognize the host classes for this year s Grand Alumni Homecoming headed by Vice Admiral Reuben Lista of Class of 69. Host classes for this year s alumni homecoming are those batches ending in 4s and 9s. You guys have achieved something that will be diffi cult to surpass by the next host classes, namely those ending in 0s and 5s. Nonetheless, the PMMAAAI president challenged the next host batches to work doubly hard in trying to equal if not surpass the remarkable accomplishment achieved by this year s host classes. the day resembling that of a typical fiesta celebration in the Philippine countryside. While kids focused on catching a piglet as part of the many games, the alumni played tug-of-war, among other fun- and laughterfi lled activities. The main program for the Grand Alumni Homecoming ensued where the PMMA President commended all the alumni who took part in the event, most especially those early batches from the Philippine Nautical School, who gamely took part in the activities despite being in their twilight years. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist started off the celebration of the second day. At left shows some of the PMMA alumni batches in their colorful attires making their best pose for posterity. Highlighting the program proper was the pass-in-review where each batch of PMMAers, wearing their own colored uniforms or attires, took part in the parade. It was in that portion of the homecoming program where it became obvious to everyone that this year s alumni homecoming event was the most attended in recent years. The nightcap came in the form of a shipwreck party which was highlighted by the raffl e of a brand new Starex van. On April 5, Class picnics were also held in the academy grounds for alumni and their families who made the most out of the three-day celebration to relax and unwind. Airsoft competition for alumni enthusiasts of the game capped off the activities on the last and final day of the celebration. A Fun-Filled Homecoming The fi esta-themed ambience of the 189 th Foundation Anniversary and Grand Alumni Homecoming of the PMMA further accentuated the three-day celebration that started off with the bonfire at the academy grounds on the evening of April 3, Highlighting the bonfire program is the recognition of honorary PMMAAAI members, boodle fi ght, class cocktail, as well as several entertainment numbers featuring ethnic presentation and the performance of the PMMA band. A holy mass started the second day followed by the open house and tour of the PMMA by alumni and their families. Exhibitions by the drum and bugle corps and the crack platoon together with the silent drill of the PMMA cadets in the early afternoon generated the usual oohs and aahs from the crowd. Fun and games were also held during

36 36 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 A Ventis Maritime Corporation Marks Two Decades of Success n almost unparalleled commitment to excellence, a corporate culture based on fi rm and well-defi ned vision, integrity, respect, professionalism, and teamwork these are the superb attributes that carried Ventis Maritime Corporation to two decades of success in the maritime industry. It was thus quite fi tting that when the company marked its 20 years in the industry last March 9, 2009, Ventis Maritime Corporation was well on course towards its goal of becoming one of the best, if not the best crewing company in the Philippines, offering superior manning services. Held at the spacious seventh fl oor of the towering K Line Building at the Central Business Park in Pasay City, the 20th Anniversary celebration of Ventis Maritime Corporation was a well-attended grand event. Offi cials and staff of Ventis came in full force to welcome with pride top offi cials of K Line who took time off from their busy work schedules in Japan just to join the milestone celebration of their prolifi c crewing partner in the Philippines. Highlighting the accomplishments of Ventis over the last 20 years are photographs and mementos of its accomplishments and major activities displayed in conspicuous corners of the venue. Those certainly served as keepsakes not only of the important milestones that Ventis has achieved over the last 20 years but also the lasting memories of hard work, dedication, perseverance, and determination that it has thrown into the mix to be able to succeed and carve its distinct niche in the local maritime industry. In his message during the eventful program that highlighted the celebration, Ventis Maritime Corporation president Mr. Jose Ramon Monchu R. Garcia paid tribute and recognized the contributions of the hard-working and dedicated personnel of the company as well as their Filipino seafarers for helping Ventis stay the course towards the realization of its vision and mission in the manning industry. Despite the global fi nancial crisis that has practically swept the whole world off its feet, we will not be cowed into taking our eyes off the future. Because it still brings a lot of promises of continued growth and sustainability. As much as tough sailors will continue to take the proper course, steady the helm of the vessel with all its crew on high alert especially during stormy conditions in the high seas, Ventis will continue with its own voyage of success. We will stay the course to ensure that we get to our destination safe and sound, Monchu explained. On behalf of Ventis, Monchu likewise lauded partners from K Line, friends, partners, and guests from the local maritime industry for attending the event because it was certainly a historic moment for the company. Mr. Katsue Yoshida (fifth from left), Senior Managing Executive Offi cer of K Line, leads the ceremonial toast to mark the successful 20 years of Ventis Maritime Corporation in the maritime industry. He is shown being fl anked by top offi cials of Ventis Maritime Corporation led by Chairman Ramon C. Garcia (fourth from left) and President Jose Ramon C. Garcia (third from left), along with other important guests during the celebration. Mr. Yoshida presenting a gift to Mr. Ramon C. Garcia after receiving one from the Ventis Chairman. He mentioned that it was quite a pleasure to share with everyone the success that Ventis Maritime Corporation has reaped in the maritime industry over the last two decades with great hopes of taking more giant and signifi cant strides in the next 20 years or more. Having offi cially assumed the helm of Ventis Maritime Corporation as its president on April 17, 2007, Monchu is quite confident that with the same level of dedication, hard work, determination and commitment to excellence from the company officers, staff and its Filipino seafarers, Ventis is well on course to chalking up more milestones towards another 20 fruitful years and continued success in the local and international maritime industry. It was also worth noting that since Monchu took over the helm of the company in 2007, the number of vessels being manned by Ventis Maritime Corporation has signifi cantly increased. There are clear indications that the current figure of 66 vessels being manned by the company will double by the year 2010, which would only mean more employment opportunities for competent and qualified Filipino seafarers onboard the modern and sophisticated vessels of its principal the globally-known K Line group. Ventis remains committed to its goal of becoming the most superior manning agency in the Philippines because we have the right tools, personnel, partners, attributes, and most importantly attitude, to make that happen, he beams with pride. For his part, Ventis Maritime Corporation chairman Mr. Ramon C. Garcia used his keynote address during the program to initially take a trip down memory lane, recalling the humble beginnings of the company 20 years ago. We started only with just three staff and merely three vessels to man. Today, Ventis Maritime Corporation has in its roster a total of 42 employees, 66 vessels to man for two major foreign principals, and more than 1,000 Filipino seafarers b e i n g deployed on our manned vessels. Those figures speak a lot about the growth of the company over the years and I am proud that despite the many challenges and obstacles along the way, The father and son tandem of Chairman Ramon C. Garcia (right) and President Jose Ramon C. Garcia behind the successful voyage of Ventis in the mariitme industry. Mr. Katsue Yoshida, Senior Managing Executive Offi cer of K Line, delivering his message of congratulations to Ventis Maritime Corporation on behalf of the K Line Group of Japan. we were able to pull through, Mr. Garcia expressed. Ventis will continue to play a significant role as a major supplier of competent and qualified Filipino offi cers and crew for the K Line Group. We will continue to focus on customer satisfaction as we look forward to maintaining our brand of excellent service in this dynamic industry, Mr. Garcia added. This occasion is also a celebration of the things that have not changed with Ventis ever since we put up this company 20 years ago. And these are our commitment to excellence, our corporate culture anchored on a solid foundation, integrity, respect, professionalism, and teamwork. We likewise toast our Filipino seafarers who always give their best in their work onboard, and also for our longstanding partnership with Kawasaki Kisen TURN TO PAGE 37 The Ventis 20th Anniversary celebration was a well-attended affair from its friends, partners, and guests from the local maritime industry.

37 MAY- JUNE 2009 Ventis Maritime Corporation Marks Two Decades of Success FROM PAGE 36 Kaisha and Rayomar Groups, cited the senior Garcia. In concluding his motivational message, the Ventis chairman said: Where the winds are favorable, hold the course, obviously referring to the goal of the company towards accomplishing its vision of continued success in the maritime industry in the next 20 years or even more. Important Guest Representing K Line during the occasion was Mr. Katsue Yoshida, Senior Managing Executive Offi cer, who expressed his warm felicitations to the offi cers, the men and women, and the Filipino seafarers, who made Ventis Maritime Corporation what it is today. Ventis may still seem a young company but it has produced many accomplishments and proved to be a good leader in this industry. More than the awards that the company has received, you should all congratulate yourself for the success of Ventis over the last 20 years. You should also be proud for bringing people around the world and most especially for making a difference in their lives, Mr. Yoshida pointed out. Mr. Yoshida likewise acknowledged the important contributions of Ventis to K Line as the Japanese company pursues its global vision. Ventis has been providing worthy offi cers to man our vessels. It is truly a great partnership. You have become an important partner to us. Let us carry on and continue what we have achieved and gone through thus far, he cited. Ventis Vice President for Finance and Admin, Mr. John Tioco, served as emcee for the historic event that evening that was also fi lled with sumptuous food, fun and entertainment, and of course, the many successes of the company to toast and talk about. Mr. John Tioco, VP for Finance and Admin, poses before a photo collage depicting the company s history. TINIG NG MARINO 37

38 38 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 MARINO T his is one movie that Filipino seafarers and their families should not miss to watch. A new indie fi lm entitled Marino will be out really soon. Marino is produced by ATD Entertainment Productions in partnership with CDP Events and Entertainment Production. Allen Dizon who s a co-producer of First Full-Length Film Depicting the Lives and Loves of Seafarers Out Soon the fi lm, joins the powerhouse cast which includes award-winning actor Emilio Garcia, Ara Mina, Krista Ranillo, Bangs Garcia, Marco Alcaraz, Mike Tan, Rico Barrera and Jan Nieto. The cast also includes Victor Basa, Jaja Gonzales, Benjie Felipe, Nella Marie Dizon and Lui Manansala. Jan Nieto sings the theme song Bakit Kailangang Lumayo? composed by none other than Ogie Alcasid himself. The movie tackles the lives of seafarers and the families they leave behind, a first in Filipino fi lmdom. It is directed by Ateneo graduate and Cinemalaya alumnus Paul P. Sta. Ana, who also wrote the script. The fi lm s coproducer, Carina Pagcu believes this is the fi rst time a film would really follow the lives of seafarers. There have been many movies about soldiers, policemen and even criminals. There are movies that mention seafaring or have a character who is a By: Arianne Blanche R. Rodriguez seafarer but this is really the first time wherein the whole duration of the movie would be about seafarers and the families they leave behind. The movie shot their scenes in the Bulacan towns of Paombong and Malolos and in Bangkok, Thailand. It can be said that the film s director, cast and crew did their best to keep this movie as real as possible so our Filipino seafarers and those who are connected to them and the maritime industry can relate to the characters of the movie. Marino aims to screen in maritime schools and maritime groups all over the country to show maritime students how challenging the lives of seafarers are and to also pay homage to our Filipino seafarers, the most preferred seafarer nationality in the world. They have also brought the Philippines to manpower fame as the No. 1 seafarer-supplying country in the world. Finally, a marino movie for our Filipino seafarers! It would certainly be a once-in-a-bluemoon treat for everyone in the maritime industry, most especially Filipino seafarers and their families. So don t miss it!

39 MAY- JUNE 2009 TINIG NG MARINO 39 T By PAUL ESBER Auditor, United Filipino Seafarers P_esber@yahoo.com he liberty to write and publish any matter of public interest without punishment or harassment is the essence of constitutional freedom of speech and of the press. It is a way of expressing discontent and dissent. James Adams said: No form of society can be reasonably stable in which the majority of the people are not fairly content. People can not be content if they feel the foundations of their lives are wholly unstable. ******* The Alliance of MARINA Employees and members of United Filipino Seafarers have recently been staging mass actions against the policies of the new MARINA administrator Maria Elena Bautista. The two unions opposed the transfer of the personnel handling the processing of seaman s book (to the other section) while in the process of investigation of the alleged irregularities committed by some employees. The UFS was discontented to the manner of processing the seaman s book. Madame Bautista s style of leadership is confronted by many controversies. Her guts and brilliant mind will not be enough to easily solve the problems. She should understand the psychological traits of the deviant behavior of her subordinates inclined to challenge new gender authority figure. Applying the approach of positive discipline through education and training will be more egoistically acceptable rather than enforcement and punishment. She should also consult other seafarers union like the UFS regardless of the degree of differences as a sign of reconciliation and good governance. The Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004 transferred all inspection of vessels in compliance with safety and security measure from the Philippine Coast Guard to MARINA. After every serious marine accident, the media, the politicians and public ride a wave of distrust of ship owners, and government agencies like MARINA, and Philippine Coast Guard who are often portrayed as skimping on safety in the interest of gain. The never ending sea tragedies will put our country in the Guinness Book. Perhaps the 2008 sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars will be the last sea disaster and the wheel of justice will grind full speed ahead. The proud seafarers took the disaster as an affront to their seafaring reputation. The safety of passengers has remained a prime objective of MARINA. However the expensive television PUNTO DE VISTA Discontent and Dissent commercial about PASAHERO as one of the agency s 10-point program of the so called MARINA MAKING WAVES might end into ningas kugon. It is like a voyage without destination unless the profit-hungry ship owners and some Philippine Coast Guard and MARINA personnel allegedly involved in lagayan system have already undergone moral and cultural revolution to be able to understand that the safety of life is more important than money. Nevertheless, the modernization of the Philippine Coast Guard and increasing the budget of MARINA will certainly make the sea safe for travel. ******* Lobbying is a technique to influence a legislator to pass or defeat a bill. It is an organized action in the interest of a special group, professional, union, etc. The most common methods of lobbying are letter -writing, text brigade, and dialogues. Attending committee hearings and staging mass actions could be considered effective extra legal method. Several bills have been pending in Congress for approval. Some laws need to be amended. Concerted action and lobbying must be done to propose favorable amendments or to oppose an acceptable provision. Here are some of the controversial bills that may affect the family of seafarers: I The Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers This will regulate Education and Training. If this bill will be passed into law, it will stop irrelevant maritime course like the Management Level course. II The Magna Carta of Women in the Lower House version. On Human Rights of Women, All rights of women shall include all rights recognized under international instruments duly signed and ratified by the Philippines which are not violative or in conflict with the provision of the EDITORIAL Constitution and other existing law. Cong. Lagman wants to dilute the clause which are not violative or in conflict with the provision of the Constitution and other existing laws in the pre-bicam House meeting. He also reportedly wants to dilute the words in consonance with the Philippine Law in the Senate version on the same subject. The clause must stay. III- The Anti trafficking Act of 2003, specifically Section 7 of Republic Act 9208 states At any stage of the investigation, prosecution, and trial of an offence under this act. law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, court and medical practitioner, as well as parties involved shall recognize the right to privacy of the trafficked person and the accused. The loopholes of the provision could not disclose the identity of the accused to the public. The accused could easily get away and continue the crime of trafficking. **** The month of May has significant event in the world History. It was the birth of the labor movement, the period of protest, the cry of dissent and discontent against capitalism. MAY DAY and MAYDAY have two important meanings for the Seafarers. First, it is the first day of May that celebrates the empowerment of the Seaman s Union for a just Collective Bargaining Agreement to the ship owner. The second meaning of MAYDAY is an international Radio Telephone distress call that a ship is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requesting for immediate assistance. In the United States, May Day is usually the first Monday of September, originally set aside as holiday of labor. Some greedy capitalists in the United States do not want to remember May 1, their first defeat to the working class. This victorious day of the mass action of hundreds of thousand of workers of America started the spread of dissent and discontentment throughout the world against the ruling class. On May 1st 1886, the 400,000 workers of Chicago staged a strike demanding of an eight-hour day work started the May Day that became international Workers day. The fruit of their sacrifices are now enjoyed by all workers in all nations of the world. However we should not be contented of what we have now. The working class must continue their struggle to demand justifiable benefits. The Ban FROM PAGE 6 a much better deterrent to pirate attacks than making seafarers scarce on said ships altogether. Nevertheless, it is understandable why the Palace, DOLE and DFA seem to be in quandary as to the safety of Filipino seafarers in the Gulf of Aden. Such a policy of banning seafarers will predictably reduce the number of Filipino seafarer hostages in Somalia. Consequently, there will be less headaches for those charged with looking after the lives and limbs of Filipinos working abroad, notwithstanding their own performances in Iraq, Kuwait, Nigeria, Singapore, and Sabah, among the significant examples. Securing the freedom of hostages and prisoners abroad and repatriating them, together with other victims of criminal incidents, is an important consular duty that a Philippine foreign mission should undertake. Given the sheer number of expatriate Filipinos, Philippine diplomacy takes on greater consular weight. And if we may be pardoned for asking: Why should DFA most likely in the name of Malacañang tell DOLE what to do? Can t DFA simply coordinate with and complement the role of DOLE? In this yet unfolding drama of global financial and shipping crisis chronicled everyday and everywhere else in the developed world, an additional crisis of leadership coordination is the most unwanted sign that indicates the government s ability or inability to help seafarers in distress. It may be that good intentions paved the way to the ban brouhaha but we must resist this proverbial road to hell for our own sake. One Palace spokesperson said that the ban was the most logical policy option. If the reason that supports the Palace choice is seafarer safety, then seafarers can call to mind what William Shedd said: A ship is safe in harbor, but that s not what ships are for.

40 40 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 Own Training Center Manifests Epsilon s Belief on Filipino Seafarers E psilon Maritime Services, Inc., the Philippine offi ce of Epsilon Hellas Crew Management and Training, has further reinforced its growing reputation towards providing dedicated quality crew management services by recently putting up its very own in-house training center in the Philippines. Aimed at enhancing the shipboard competitiveness of its Filipino crew to ensure their effi ciency and productivity onboard at all times, Epsilon s inhouse training center got its full accreditation from the Maritime Training Council on February 5, Subsequently, the company offi cially launched its in-house training center through an auspicious ceremony on March 9, 2009, attended by selected guests from the local maritime industry. The establishment of the in-house training center also augurs well for the continuously expanding crewing operations of Epsilon in the Philippines amid the global financial crisis. As a matter of fact, the company s branches in Cebu and Iloilo, not to mention its Manila office, currently have its hands full in terms of recruitment for competent and qualifi ed Filipino seafarers to man the vessels of its principal, Epsilon Hellas, based in Piraeus, Greece. For over eight years, Epsilon Hellas has been recognized in the global shipping arena for its remarkable dedication to offering quality crew management services. It has been constantly acknowledged by its peers in the global maritime industry for the excellent and professional manner by which it accomplishes its job. Epsilon s strength lies on providing tailormade crew manning and crew management services based on the needs and requirements of its principals. The company Epsilon is known for providing dedicated quality crew management services. can work on simply providing a skilled seaman to a vessel of a principal or can go all the way to providing its full manning needs regardless of the type and size of vessel. Epsilon certainly has the right and skilled manpower resources to do it on short notice that is why many ship owners and ship managers have took cognizant of the importance of working in synergy with the crew management company to ensure that they don t have to worry about shipboard personnel most of the time. Professionalism and excellence have been the constant challenge posed by Epsilon Hellas Founder Managing Director Gregory C. Galanakis on all those personnel, whether shorebased or sea-based, who are part or those who wishes to become part of the global crew management company. Epsilon, after all, has been known for providing personalized and quality services in all its network of offices around the world. Apart from its offices in the Philippines, Epsilon has strong crew management presence in Odessa and Mariupol, Ukraine where full mission bridge and engine simulator are in operation under Epsilon certifi ed training centre; Novorossisyk, where liquid cargo handling simulator is in operation; Moscow, Russia; Warsaw, Poland; and Jakarta, Indonesia. Epsilon is a member of the International Maritime Employers Committee (IMEC) represented by Greg Triantafi llou, Director of Epsilon Hellas. Epsilon s training center is equipped with a 180-degree view Transas full-mission bridge simulator. Enhancing the Skills of Filipino Crew It is the belief of Epsilon that people matter that is why the company takes no-nonsense approach to training. The company considers training as very significant towards ensuring the safety of the vessels of its principals as well as the protection of the marine environment. Thus, it pays so much attention to the constant training and upgrading of its seafarers. The establishment of its in-house training center in the Philippines is just being consistent with the fundamental belief of the company on people, particularly on its Filipino crew. The Epsilon training center shall provide quality training and upgrading to all its Filipino offi cers and crew under the able tutelage of Training Director Randy M. Ladera and experienced and well-rounded instructors Capt. Levy Capayas and C/M Arthur Sandoval. Mr. Ladera is also part of the training committee of the local IMEC. The training center features a TRANSAS 180-degree view full mission bridge simulator with polished 3-D graphics. It can create navigation scenarios with almost realistic sights in order to train deck offi cers on how to properly maneuver any type of ship under practically any type of weather, sea, or port conditions. The bridge simulator courses being offered by the Epsilon training center includes Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork (complete BTM course), Operational use of Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), Bridge Resource Management, Bridge Team Management, Ship-Handling and Maneuvering, Shipboard Safety Offi cer course, Steering course. The training center, which is certifi ed by the SGS of the United Kingdom for ISO 9001:2000 training standards, also offers Training Director Randy M. Ladera discussing to Epsilon crew and cadets the topics covered by the Steering Course following the formal launch of the Epsilon Training Center. radar navigation and radar plotting courses with the use of Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA) for operational level offi cers. It also has an enhanced version of the same course that includes search and rescue for management level offi cers. It also provides specialized course for offi cers on how to embark and disembark passengers and cargos of roll-on, roll-off (roro) passenger ships as well as other type of passenger ships. The training center also offers ship security plan and shipboard personnel familiarization course as well as the Marlin s English test to enhance the communication skills of its crew towards ensuring greater understanding among mutli-cultured personnel onboard some of its managed vessels. Epsilon is currently evaluating the possibility of offering Environmental Management System Course to its Filipino offi cers and crew. The course is still under review for relevant accreditation by MTC. Capt. Renato Maiquez, Vice President for Operations and Administration of Epsilon Maritime Services, Inc., said during the formal launching of the in-house training center that: Filipino seafarers being employed by Epsilon already have this training center as a unique professional advantage going with them because they can be sure that they will not stagnate with the company. We want all our Filipino crew to move up the ranks and become management level officers, consistent with the trust and confi dence on them by our principals. Our in-house training center is basically meant to cater to the Epsilon crew because we want them to continue to remain competitive at all times while onboard because those are the hallmarks of Epsilon crew the world over. Eventually, we may plan on offering special training courses to non-epsilon seafarers if there is a demand for it but we want to take it slow and easy. Because our focus for now is on the continuous training and upgrading of our Filipino crew, explains Capt. Maiquez.

41 MAY- JUNE 2009 MANSHIP Expands for the Better A s it proudly announced at the start of this year, Manila Shipmanagement & Manning, Inc., also known as MANSHIP, is robustly expanding. Beginning with some recent restructuring in the organization: setting up its executive management committee, reorganizing departments, positioning managers and additional personnel for more effi cient The reception lobby of Manship s new office in Makati City manned by its cordial staff. Some of Manship s staff show their best smiles during the blessing of Manship s new office. and effective work fl ow, Manship is indeed, progressively moving towards providing better and better service for its mariners and principals. In line with its ongoing expansion plans, Manship celebrated the blessing of its newly-renovated offi ces on the 4th of May Manship s offi ce is located at 104 Princess Bldg Esteban Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City. It has set headquarters in the fi rst fl oor of the Princess building. Recently, Manship has extended its offi ce to the second fl oor of the building as well. The Manship headquarters includes a computerized classroom to accommodate the mariners computer training programs, an offi cers lounge for visiting Manship mariners, additional conference rooms and workrooms for visiting representatives of its affi liate companies and principals. On the same date, Manship also proudly launched its newly-constructed website. The website was developed with the aim to impart Manship s vision, mission and services. On this website, mariners can send their applications online. Future plans include a blog for mariners. Manship s website address is TINIG NG MARINO 41 Left: Manship s Management Team headed by (from left) President & CEO, Atty. Christian Gerona, Director for Administration, Ms. Haidee Dirilo, and Vice-President & Director for Operations & Training, Capt. Albert Bartilad about to cut the ribbon. Top: The priest baptizes the ribbon prior to its formal cutting.

42 42 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines 30 Years of Commitment to the Filipino Seafarers with Still Plenty to Offer I f the major company events of April 4, 2009 are any indications of how Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement intends to further augment its crewing presence in the Philippines, then the Germany-based shipowning and shipmanagement company will defi nitely remain committed to the local maritime industry and the Filipino seafarers. The reiteration of this high level of commitment could not have come on a more appropriate time than on the 4th of April as BSM conspicuously marked its 30th year of successfully serving the Filipino seafarers and the Philippine maritime industry, through BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines, Inc., the most prolifi c among the company s 14 crew service centers worldwide. As employer to more than 7,500 Filipino offi cers and ratings, which is approximately half of the company s multinational crew manning its owned and managed fl eet worldwide, BSM has certainly lived up to its reputation as the employer of choice. BSM offi cials and Manila Mayor Lim with Fr. Dela Cruz pose during the groundbreaking rites. Underscoring the great emphasis that BSM puts on its Philippine operations and the Filipino seafarers, top company offi cials fl ew to Manila and actively led the major events last April 4, 2009 to signify BSM s constantly growing enthusiasm and commitment to further strengthen its presence in the country in the years to come. No less than Dr. Heinrich Schulte, Chairman of the Board and Mr. Ian Beveridge, Chief Executive Offi cer of the Hamburg-based Bernhard Schulte GMBH & Co. KG; and Mr. Andreas Droussiotis, Chief Executive Offi cer of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement took their time off from their hectic schedules to join the offi cers and staff of BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines in marking the company s three successful decades of crewing presence in the country. The two-part milestone events for BSM began in the early morning of April 4th as the company hosted the groundbreaking BSM offi cials raise a toast to the company s successful 30 years of crewing presence in the Philippines during the anniversary dinner. ceremonies along Leon Guinto Street in Malate, Manila for the eventual construction of 12-storey building that will eventually become the very own home of BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines. Apart from serving as the eventual home to its Manila crewing offi ce, the new 12-storey edifi ce shall also house the company s training facilities as well as a roomy dormitory to accommodate BSM Filipino seafarers living in far-fl ung provinces. Dr. Schulte and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim led the lowering of the time capsule and subsequent shoveling of soil that highlighted the simple groundbreaking rites, which also drew the top company officials of BSM including Mr. Droussiotis, Mr. Beveridge, Capt. Helmut Sallaba, Chairman of BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines; Capt. Igor Segeda, BSM Owner s Representative in Manila; and Mr. Narcissus Duran, President of BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines. Prior to the groundbreaking rites, Rev. Fr. Dela Cruz of the Parish of St. Anthony Padua offi ciated the short blessing rites to ensure the success of the project under God s guidance. In his short remarks during the program, Mayor Lim was more than glad to welcome BSM to the City of Manila as the company shall not only contribute to the economic activities of the country s capital but more importantly provide more employment opportunities to Filipino seafarers, which usually equates to improved lives to their families. Fr. Dela Cruz blesses the capsule prior to the laying rites led by Dr. Schulte and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. Despite the not-so-rosy climate that is prevailing in global business these days, we will continue to strengthen our presence in the Philippines and invest on Filipino seafarers. While other companies are feeling the crunch of the global officer shortage, we at BSM are proud to say that we are enjoying a significant resource base of ship officers from the Philippines. Filipinos now account to more than half of the 15,000 seafarers under our employ and we expect that figure to further increase in the next few years, points out Dr. Schulte. BSM Owner s Rep- BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines offi cials and staff, as well as guests, enjoying an entertainment number during the anniverary dinner. resentative in Manila Capt. Igor Segeda quipped: The number of ships being owned and managed by BSM is constantly growing despite the global economic slowdown. With these developments, we have to get more efficient people to productively man these ships. Mr. Droussiotis however was a bit forward-looking as he cited that the new office shall not only handle recruiting and crewing operations but most likely ship management operations in the future especially if the Manila staff are up to the challenge. The staff will be properly trained and equipped with modern technology so they will surely be ready when that time comes, the BSM CEO said in confidence. Rich Company History BSM had its humble beginnings in Hamburg in Despite being a small company, it has survived many economic challenges in the past including the Great Depression of the 1930s and two World Wars. The company now owns about 90 ves- TURN TO PAGE 43 BSM offi cials led by Dr. Schulte, Mr. Droussiotis, Capt. Sallaba, and Mr. Duran honor local offi ce staff Ester Alicano and Bosun Victor Rodriguez, represented by his wife, for their 30-year service loyalty to the company.

43 MAY- JUNE 2009 TINIG NG MARINO Years of Commitment to the Filipino Seafarers with Still Plenty to Offer FROM PAGE 42 sels and manages over 500 vessels of various types and sizes for a select group of ship owners. BSM manages container ships, conventional bulk carriers, gravityfed self-unloading bulk carriers, through Panamax, post-panamax, handy-size, roro, pure car carriers, crude tankers, chemical tankers, LNG tankers, LPG tankers, heavy-lift vessels, semi-submersibles, and FPSOs. BSM s constant expansion in the late 70s eventually brought it to the Philippines through the establishment of its manning agent Philippine Hanse Shipagency in But its continuously expanding crewing requirements necessitated the establishment of another crewing fi rm in Hammonia Marine Services, Inc. two years later. The two companies were eventually merged into one as Philippine Hammonia Shipagency Inc. in 2003 to harness their synergy in serving the crewing needs of BSM. After giving it a careful and decisive thought, BSM decided to enhance its global brand and effi ciency by integrating its four wholly-owned subsidiaries Hanseatic Shipping, Dorchester Atlantic Marine, Eurasia Group, and Vorsetzen Bereederungs-und Schiffahrtskontor into one. The massive reorganization resulted in the establishment of a network of 10 service delivery centers (SDCs) and 14 crew service centers (CSCs) worldwide to effectively cater to the needs of its clientele virtually anywhere in the world. Capt. Sallaba, the chairman, and Mr. Duran, the president, are leading the company since BSM officials and guests letting their hairs down with the BSM staff during the party s nightcap. wife received the special award on his behalf. Capt. Segeda and Ms. Loida Duran, Chief Accountant of BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines, then facilitated the raffling off of special prizes for BSM staff and Filipino seafarers. A personal and heartfelt testimony by Capt. Ruben Roble, the skipper of a BSM-managed vessel that was held hostage last year by Nigerian pirates, also drew loud applause from the audience as he described how the company ably stood by them during their ordeal. Subsequently, Atty. Antonio Velicaria, Director of BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines, led the anniversary toast but not before saying a mouthful of how remarkable the growth of BSM is amid all the challenges that came its way. Everyone then had their sumptuous buffet dinner as the Zyncxation Band performed live music. It was an evening worth remembering all right but for BSM, it was just setting the stage for making more milestones in the Philippines. The Anniversary Dinner During the evening of April 4th, BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines celebrated its 30th year of success in the country through a lavish anniversary dinner held at The Peninsula Manila in Makati City. BSM offi cials from abroad as well as offi cers and staff of the Manila offi ce came in full force along with their families. Several off-duty BSM Filipino seafarers also joined the party that serve as a fi tting crescendo to the company s muchdeserved celebration. Dr. Schulte and Mr. Droussiotis both gave their messages during the dinner program, focusing on the commitment that BSM has on the Philippines and the Filipino seafarers since the company first ventured in the country 30 years ago and continues to increase up to this day. The two BSM offi cials, along with Capt. Sallaba and Mr. Duran, also took the stage to honor and personally hand out the loyalty awards to two individuals who have served the company for all of its 30 years in the Philippines. One is offi ce staff Ester Alicando and the other is Bosun Victor T. Rodriguez. Indicative of the remarkable loyalty of Bosun Rodriguez to BSM, he was actually onboard at the time of the awarding so his

44 44 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 A THIRD PARTY If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go shopping. If you want happiness for a lifetime, don t get married. But if you want happiness despite a marriage, have a party.. a third party! MAHIRAP NA LOLO: Noong araw, kapag may bente ako nakakakuha na ako ng polo, pantalon na maong, t-shirt, medyas at sinturon. APO: Ngayon lo? LOLO: Mahirap na. May surveillance camera na ang mga malalaking malls e. MAS MAGULO ANG BUHAY TASYO: Pre, ang gulo ng buhay ko ngayon. TIKYO: Kung gulo lang ng buhay ang paguusapan mas magulo ang buhay ko. Nakapag-asawa ako ng biyuda na may anak na dalaga. Pinakasalan ni tatay ang anak. Ngayon, yong anak ng asawa ko naging nanay ko na at si tatay naging anak ko na pero ang asawa niya ay naging anak ko rin. Ang asawa ko naging manugang na ngayon ni tatay at kung manganganak sila, maging lolo na ako sa aking mga kapatid. Mas may gugulo pa ba sa buhay ko ngayon? GANDA LAHAT If RUSTOM PADILLA is now BEBE GANDANGHARI, then PIOLA PASCUAL will be PAULINE GANDANGPAPA! SAM MILBY will be SAMANTHA GANDANGDYOSA! MAY BABAE KA NOH? INA: Anak, tawagan mo nga ang tatay mo sa celfone at pauwiin mo dito. (Pagkatapos tumawag..) ANAK: Nay, babae po ang sumagot. INA: Sinasabi ko na nga ba, may tinatago yang tatay mo, eh! Ano ng sabi? ANAK: You only have zero pesos in your account... Hindi ko na tinapos Nay, mukhang matapobre! AHAS AT LANGGAM TANONG: Bakit takot ang ahas sa langgam? SAGOT: Kasi kapag kinagat siya ng langgam, wala siyang kamay na pangkamot! GARDEN OF EDEN ADAN: Lord, hindi ko na talaga kaya ang tukso ni Eva. LORD: Maging matatag ka lang. Papaano ka ba tinutukso ni Eva? ADAN: Sumisigaw siyang: Bakla!! Bakla!! Bad girl talaga yang si Evahh. Di bah Lhhord? Chorvahh. LIGAW BATANGAS-STYLE BATANGUEÑO: Ano ga ang dapat kong gawin para ako laang e iyong sagutin? BABAE: Akyatin mo ang mga bundok, languyin mo ang dagat, at ibigay mo sa akin gang mga bituin sa langit. BATANGUEÑO: Ala! Ika y aking igagapos at ika y luka! SECRET AGENT PARI: Sasali ka ba sa Army of God? JUAN: Member na ako niyan, Father. PARI: Ganoon ba? Bakit hindi kita nakikita sa misa at hindi kita nakitang nakauniporme? JUAN: Secret agent po ako, Father. SIMPLENG PANGARAP TONYO: Gusto ko maging nurse para makatulong sa kapwa. GARDO: Ako duktor para makagamot sa kapwa. KIKO: Ako Superhero para makasagip sa nagigipit na kapwa. NILO: Ako mayor para makapaglingkod sa kapwa. JUAN: Ako, gusto ko maging kapwa para tibang-tiba. Sahod ko lahat ng biyaya.

45 MAY- JUNE 2009 s I have recounted in the fi rst part of my article last Aissue, the global shortage of ship offi cers shifted the balance in favor of the seafarers from the vantage position being enjoyed by the shipowners or employers not too long ago. Subsequently, eye-popping and headturning high salary offers from different manning agencies here and there intoxicated a lot of offi cers even those coming from retirement to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of getting rich the faster way. By getting rich, I mean, literally rich in a span of only about six to eight months. And why not? Unprecedented lucrative offers as much as 10,000 faces of Benjamin Franklin bills (USD10,000), or even more, went up for grabs and regrettably overshadowing, or easily brushing aside the virtue of loyalty in exchange for quick prosperity. As a result, as we all know, a vicious wage war has exploded. Poaching became the name of the game. Agency-hopping became a fad and employers found themselves at the mercy of these moonlighting offi cers. It might be correct for them (offi cers) to say that they are but just human to demand all these things as the opportunity comes 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 but once in their lifetimes and considering that this is the fi rst time that such amazing employment conditions for the seafarers emerged. And who would anyone in his right mind say no to these offers? Yet, it must also be realized that our principals suffer and endure the crisis just to give in to these unreasonable demands. Furthermore, it has already reached a critical level. Eventually, it has become very difficult for many shipowners to sustain these demands. But as some industry experts, learning from the past, put it, the situation could never be for long. And indeed it was not. For so much so, another crisis loomed unexpectedly which the world was never really ready to address the global financial meltdown. The U.S. recession which started early last year triggered the global financial crisis and so what has been earlier favorably predicted during the boom years of shipping tremendously went almost down the drain. Banks suddenly stopped releasing letters of credit, manufacturers either closed down or dramatically reduced production and transport of products, bulk cargo, and car carriers owners found themselves without charter hires, new ship orders were TINIG NG MARINO 45 ON THE BRIDGE OF M/S MMAP Most Elusive Balance Yearned Resultant Product of Global Crisis (Conclusion) cancelled, thousands of ships were laid up, and worse, employment contracts were cut short. Repatriation followed as an aftermath. The world felt the domino effect of the economic slump. Moreover, high salaries of ship officers are slowly beginning to go down to more realistic levels. The situation is now reaching an equilibrium and the evasive balance sought is fi nally being seen coming as equalizer to both the seafarers and the shipowners the desired resultant effect of the two crises. Fortunately, the wet market remains stable for now. These are the tankers and offshore industries. And just as expected, seafarers on the dry cargo trade are starting to convert their competencies to the wet market. But as to how long will the wet market trade remain stable is still a question yet to be answered. These seafarers need more training to get into the tanker industry and more expensive training to get into the offshore. Those who cannot afford it will surely be jobless for the meantime. Unfortunately, those who have been disloyal to their agencies will have to learn their bitter lessons. But the industry will not just stand by the side and let things get any worse. Recently, the Filipino Association for Mariners Employment (FAME) had initiated a symposium on shipping crisis. The move was to help both the seafarers and the shipowners create the needed balance. There are proposals to lower the present wage scale. The crew members on dry cargo are being encouraged to accept lower wages instead of getting jobless. Now, the balance is already shifting to the owner s side. Since by this time the balance has already shifted both to left and right, it will now find its own level of equilibrium or the so-called equalizer. Both ends have realized their laxity during market developments in shipping in recent decades. Now they have realized that supply and demand will have to be treated with equal balance and fairness. Shipowners have realized the importance of ship crew. On the other hand, the seafarers realized the value of their benefactors or employers. They both realized that they must come together for a common good. They realized that they must work together hand in hand in the spirit of mutual respect and full cooperation. Both parties should treat each other with fairness and genuine concern. In this regard, we appeal to all the members of the Masters and Mates Association of the Philippines, Inc. (MMAP) and likewise to our counterpart, the Marine Engineer Officers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (MEOAP) to take the initiative and the lead in enlightening the minds and hearts of our Filipino deck and engine officers about the realities and complexities of the international shipping business and the important role that the seafarers play in this arena. This is the time when we must show how the Filipino ship officers should conduct themselves with utmost professionalism and consideration to the benefactors. We must prove that we are not only protecting our career and livelihood but moreover that we are rendering service to humanity and working for the economic progress of the world. The members of MMAP and MEOAP should stand at the forefront of the maritime profession. Hence, we should learn to balance the situation and learn to accept the proper wages the shipowners can afford both in times of plenty and in times of financial difficulty so as not to hamper the world trade through shipping. The full support and commitment of all concerned is paramount at this point in time of our history. We know that Filipinos are the most preferred seafarers in the international shipping world and the Philippines still enjoy its enviable position as the manning capital of the world. Let us keep that in mind to guide us in our decisions and to help us deal with our benefactors and employers, the shipowners, in a more level playing field for the survival of both the shipping industry and our seafaring profession. They say there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests. I say there is more to that. There is no permanent crisis; there is no permanent supply and demand. But one thing is sure; in any crisis, opportunity will always arise, and there will always be the balance of things to come.

46 46 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 TINIGSPORTSTINIGSPORTSTINIGSPORTSTINIGSPORTSTINIGSPORTSTINIGSPORTSTINIGSPORTS UFS Holds First Basketball Tournament Team of UFS Ex-Crew Bags Championship Plum I n order to foster camaraderie and strengthen the bond among the seafarer-members of the United Filipino Seafarers (UFS), whether ex-crew and cadet volunteers, the labor maritime federation held its first basketball tournament that began on Valentine s Day, February 14, 2009 and culminated through an exciting downthe-wire championship game on April 4, As part of their efforts to keep themselves in shape while waiting for their next shipboard assignments, the ex-crew of the UFS normally do morning joggings every weekend at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex. The UFS cadet volunteers likewise do the same as part of their regular exercise drill with the union. The UFS boys took the next step further by coming up with an idea to hold a The Plaza Tower 501 Team that bag the championship basketball tournament among themselves since they have the numbers going for them. It was ex-crew and UFS member Richie Bulalat who fi rst broached the idea and subsequently got the nod and support of the organization and the staff. As they have had onboard experiences already, not to mention the financial capability to support the idea, the UFS ex-crew took the initiative to generate the initial fund needed to start the tournament rolling. With a little support from the staff, the organization, and token contributions from the cadet volunteers, the first basketball tournament of the UFS was underway in just a short time. The tournament was composed of eight competing teams, all UFS boys, evenly divided by their room assignments in Plaza Tower and at Gedisco Terraces. The UFS cadets from Maersk Line also fielded their own team. Games were held every Saturday afternoon at the basketball court at the back of the CCP After a single round-robin, the Maersk Line team came up on top with seven victories to boot. The team from Plaza Tower 510 was a close second with six victories against one loss. The top two teams eventually vied for the championship on April 4, After the first half of the championship game, the Maersk Line team seemed to The Maersk Line basketball quintet that settled for the tournament s runner-up honors. be in full control on course to sweep the tournament as it led the Plaza Tower 510 team by six points with the halftime score pegged at But the Plaza Tower 510 team was undaunted and put the pressure on their opponents at the start of the second half. Led by ex-crew Archie Araguin, the Plaza Tower 510 team finally snatched the lead from the Maersk Line team at the closing minutes of the game through the score There was a heated exchange of baskets afterwards but the Plaza Tower 510 team managed to hold on to get the hard-earned one-point championship victory, The Maersk Line team settled for the 1 st runner-up trophy. The 2 nd runner-up honors went to the Plaza Tower 203 team. A short awarding program was held after the championship game followed by a small celebration at the UFS office. Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez, president of the UFS, lauded the UFS boys for their initiative as their efforts certainly contributed in enhancing their relationship with one another on course to ensuring that all of them will be in synergy with the goals and programs of the UFS for its seafarermembers.

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48 48 TINIG NG MARINO MAY - JUNE 2009 ENTERTAINMENT By Arianne Blanche R. Rodriguez W hat started out as a childhood dream has now turned into an international success story. Charmaine Clarice Pempengco, nicknamed Charice, was born on May 10,1992 in San Pedro, Laguna. At the early age of four, Charice has already started singing with a voice said to be unmistakenly inherited from her mother, who herself was known to be a talented singer among friends and relatives. Charice then started joining singing contests with the help of her mother, who was then juggling her job in a factory and taking care of Charice and her younger brother Carlo as a single parent. After joining more than 80 local singing contests, Charice joined her biggest contest through ABS-CBN s Little Big Star hosted by Sarah Geronimo. Having been eliminated at the fi rst round, Charice was thrilled to fi nd out that she was invited back as a wild card a few months later. Taking advantage of her second chance, the then 13-year-old Charice reigned over each round. She only got third place during the grand fi nals though due mainly to low text votes. Sad and terribly discouraged, Charice decided to just pursue a nursing career. An avid fan with the online name False Voice posted videos of Charice s performances in Little Big Star and other guestings in the popular video site YouTube. The site got several hits which made Charice an internet sensation. Charice was then invited to record 10 songs in Sweden for Ten Songs Productions. It was when the producers of Star King, a South Korean talent show viewed False Voice s video that made Charice s dream take fl ight. On October 13, 2007, Charice took over the stage and the hearts of South Koreans when she performed for Star King. Koreans were so awed with her, prompting one man in the audience to comment: It s like the stage wasn t big enough for her. Charice Pempengco Wows the World with her Singing Prowess The Star King guesting triggered Charice s fl ight to hyperspace fame which got into the attention of legendary music producer David Foster, who helped Charice realize her dream of seeing her idol Celine Dion perform live in Las Vegas. Unfortunately that time, Charice wasn t able to meet and greet Celine. When it rains, it really pours because, a few days from watching Celine perform, Charice, who was in the United States that time after receiving a call from Ellen Degeneres herself, performed in The Ellen Degeneres Show with a very riveting introduction from Ellen: You are going to be blown away. This is the most incredible gift of all the stuff we re giving you today. You re going to witness something that you re going to go say: I was there that day that girl was on the show. Her name is Charice Pempengco and she is amazing. Thanks to David Foster s recommendation, Charice was invited to perform at The Oprah Winfrey Show. Everyone was entranced with her performance with the queen of talk show seen dabbing her eyes. Oprah was so mesmerized with Charice s performance that aside from christening Charice as The Most Talented Girl in the World and The Little Girl With the Big Voice, Oprah herself pledged to support Charice s career. After conquering the US, Charice and her mom fl ew directly from Chicago to London for Charice s guest appearance at The Paul O Grady Show, a very popular daily program in England. Charice s performance that day earned the fi rst standing ovation in the program s four-year history. One of the highlights of Charice s career came when she had her coming-out party at the grand one-night only concert of Hit Man: David Foster and Friends at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. The concert featured the likes of Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Josh Groban and Katherine McPhee. Bocelli was so impressed with Charice s performance that he personally congratulated her in her dressing room after her performance. She told him how it s always been one of her dreams to sing with him one day. Two months later, Bocelli personally called Charice to ask her to perform with him in Italy for his birthday concert in Tuscany viewed by around 80,000 people. Charice performed on Oprah for the second time with David Foster on the piano singing her idol Celine Dion s famous song My Heart Will Go On. Oprah then shocked Charice when she introduced her to Celine Dion through a live video feed. When Celine herself invited Charice to perform with her, everyone was just overwhelmed. It was a very touching moment for Charice, her mother, the audience and all the people who watch her rise to international fame. The highlight of Charice s year came when she performed with her idol Celine Dion at the Madison Square Garden. Her wildest dream fulfi lled. Celine Dion was at awe of Charice s performance, everyone at the audience was mesmerized. One of those who have seen it has dubbed it the greatest performance ever. The year ended with numerous performances in both the Philippines and the United States and a performance with her mentor David Foster on Good Morning America and then on a fl oat during Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade wherein American Idol fi nalist David Archuleta was so greatly impressed he blogged about how magnifi cent it was to watch her perform. The year 2009 is starting well for Charice with her performance for US President Barack Obama. But what Charice would always remember is how the year 2008 brought her to fame, of how dreams do come true.

49 MAY- JUNE 2009 Paalala Para sa mga Gumagamit ng SSB On behalf of the full Filipino crew of MT Liquid Crystal, an oil/chemical tanker being manned by BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines, Inc, allow me to send my felicitations to you Sir Nelson, to Rey Gambe, Managing Editor of Tinig ng Marino, and to all the staff and cadet volunteers of the UFS. I would just like to make a rejoinder to those mariners who are fond of using Channel 16 of Single Side Band (SSB) radio to air their personal views on certain personalities in the maritime industry and also on various issues. Ito y isang magandang paalala sa inyo mga kaibigan sa dagat (marino) na mahilig manggulo sa radyo lalo na sa SSB, Channel 16. Doon pa kayo nag-iingay at nanggugulo kaya pati mga matitinong marino nadadamay dahil lang sa mga ginagawang kalokohan ng iba diyan. One time, narinig ko mismo na sinisiraan si Engr. Ramirez sa Channel 16. Nagtataka ako sa mga marinong iyon dahil marami nang nagawa si Ramirez na magaganda para sa ating mga marinong Pilipino samantalang sila ay mga nakakubli lang sa kani-kanilang mga SSB radio at puro lang sila daldal at ngakngak. Sino ba ang lumalaban sa mga katiwalian sa mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan na may kinalaman sa mga marino? Sino ba ang nag-iingay kapag karapatan na ng mga marinong Pilipino ang natatapakan? Meron ba sa inyo? Meron siguro pero hanggang reklamo lang at mangilan-ngilan lang. Tulad noong ginawa ng Panama Maritime Directorare na one year na lang ang validity ng kanilang mga training certifi - cates. Ipinaglaban iyon ni Ramirez at ginawa iyong fi ve years muli. Wala ni isa man sa inyo ang kasali sa pakikibakang iyon. Ang hirap kasi sa iba diyan, may masagap lang na kuwento sa kung saan at hindi pa sigurado kung totoo ba yun o hindi, gagamitin na iyon para magpuputak sa radyong pandagat. Ang payo ko sa inyo mga kapatid ko sa hanapbuhay, kung gusto ninyo talagang malaman ang mga totoong istorya sa likod ng mga isyu ukol sa ating industriya, pumunta lang kayo sa UFS offi ce sa anumang oras na libre kayo. Doon ninyo malalaman ang tunay na mga detalye sa bawat isyu na bumabagabag sa ating industriya. Nang sa ganoon ay hindi kayo naliligaw ng landas na tinatahak at wasto ang impormasyon at kaalamang inyong nakukuha. At kung maaari, huwag nang manggulo at gamitin ang Channel 16 sa SSB para mag-ingay o manggulo pa. Puwede naman tayong magkuwentuhan sa pamamagitan ng ibang paraan at siguradong mas mainam yun kaysa i-broadcast pa natin sa buong Channel 16 dahil lahat ng mga marinong Pilipino na nasa dagat ang naaapektuhan niyan. Ang masama pa diyan ay kung hindi tama o kulang ang impormasyon na inyong pinagkakalat. Pabayaan na lang natin ang ibang lahi na mag-ingay sa Channel 16. Sana mga kaibigan at kabaro ko ay naiintindihan ninyo ang gusto kong iparating sa maikling paalala kong ito. Salamat sa inyong pagbabasa at pang-unawa at sana pagpalain tayong mga marinong Pilipino palagi. Dapat magkaisa tayo at labanan ang mga pagpapatupad ng mga trainings na hindi naman kailangan. Makiisa tayo sa UFS, para masupil ang mga anay sa ating industriya na walang-sawa sa pagpapahirap sa buhay ng mga marinong Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng pagdadagdag ng mga training requirements. Isipin ninyo na lang na imbes na kasama natin ang ating mga pamilya sa oras na makababa tayo sa barko, sa trainings pa nauubos ang oras ng bakasyon natin. Muli ang panawagan ko sa ating mga kabaro, magkaisa tayo para sa ikabubuti nating lahat na mga marinong Pilipino. C/E Arnold Masaoay, MT Liquid Crystal The full Filipino crew of MT Liquid Crystal pose on the deck of their vessel including (standing from left) 3/M Jay Seazar, 2/M Renato Rosette, C/M, Pedro Advincula Jr, Capt. Edwin Francisco, C/E Arnold Masaoay, 2/E Ferdinand Macias, 3/E Jose Mendoza, 4/E Sofronio Valencia, EE William Villaflor, AB (former Bosun) Adonis, Enrico Aquino, Fitter Romie Aritcheta, and Pumpman Celso Tolentino. In squatting position from left are Chief Cook Ben Avillanosa, OS the gifted child Brian Juanillo, AB Joven Barimbao, OS Romeo Tabujara Jr., Oiler Fex Pedrina, AB Fernando Hubahib, Camera man-messman Japheth Santos Ce and Santos Son. Maraming salamat Arnold sa iyong magandang paalala at panawagan para sa ating mga kabaro. Hindi naman talaga masama ang mag-ingay basta tama lang ang impormasyong kanilang kinakalat. At kung talagang bukal sa kanilang kalooban ang tumulong sa ating mga marinong Pilipino, dapat maging aktibo sila sa pakikipaglaban natin sa bawat isyu kung saan apektado ang propesyong pagbabarko gaya nga ng ipinakita mong suporta Arnold noong dinala natin ang laban sa MLC sa Senado noong nakaraang taon. - Editor TINIG NG MARINO Nakasakay sa Pinakamalaking Containership sa Mundo 49 Magandang araw sa inyo Sir Nelson. Kumusta na kayong lahat diyan sa UFS, lalonglalo na sa inyo Sir Nelson at kay Ma am Marilyn. Sana po ay nasa mabuting kalagayan kayo palagi. Kumusta na rin po kina Ma am Sarene, Ma am Che, at Ma am Blinky. Okay lang po ako dito sa barko sir kasi mababait ang mga opisyales namin dito. Habang sinusulat ko ang na ito ay nandito po kami ngayon Sir sa Belgium. Ang barko pong aking nasakyan ay ang pinakamalaking containership in the whole world. Eto po ay may LOA na 394 meters, breadth na 56 meters, at taas na 60 meters. At ang carrying capacity po nito ay 12,000 containers. Proud po ako Sir at nakasampa ako dito sa barkong ito at iyon ay dahil sa tulong ninyo. Masaya rin po ako sa barko dahil marami kaming mga Pinoy na tripulante dito at tuwing Sabado ay mayroon po kaming Barbecue Party kung saan sabay-sabay kaming lahat na mga crew na kumakain ng aming hapunan. Muli, maraming salamat, Sir and Gob bless you and the UFS! Noel Bruno Nival. Kami ay nagagalak Bruno na maging bahagi ka ng kasaysayan dahil sa iyong pagkakasakay sa pinakamalaking containership sa buong mundo. Ganunpaman, ang iyong sipag at tiyaga pati ang iyong determinasyon na maging mahusay na marino ang magdadala sa iyo sa magandang hinaharap sa napili mong propesyon. - Editor Proud to be from UFS A pleasant day to you Sir Nelson and to your wife Ma am Marilyn as well as to the four beautiful staff of the UFS. Si Archie Labrador po ito na ngayon ay onboard na sa isang barko ng Maersk Line bilang isang steward. Medyo mahirap ang trabaho dito sa barko pero okay lang naman dahil kaya ko naman. Hindi ako makapaniwala na sa wakas ay nandito na ako at naka-onboard na sa isang barko kasi dumating na ako sa punto noon sa buhay ko na akala ko hindi na ako makakasakay ng barko. Pero dahil sa tulong nyo Sir Nelson, natamo ko rin ang pinapangarap kong makasakay ng international ocean-going vessel. Nagpapasalamat po talaga ako sa inyo Sir Nelson at sa buong staff ng UFS dahil sa mga tulong at gabay na inyong ipinagkaloob sa akin habang ako y nagisisilbing cadet volunteer pa lang sa tanggapan ng UFS. Para sa mga kadeteng nandidiyan pa ngayon sa UFS, huwag kayong magmamadali na makasakay at sigurado akong darating din ang oportunidad para sa inyo. At huwag kayong maging pasaway diyan at sa halip ay disiplinahin ninyo ang inyong mga sarili dahil para naman iyan sa kabutihan ninyo. Importante rin sa trabahong pagbabarko ang sariling disiplina. At kung makasakay na kayo sa barko, huwag ninyong kakalimutan kung saan kayo nanggaling. Dahil ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan. Ingat kayong lahat diyan. I wish all the staff good health, especially to Sir Nelson and Ma am Marilyn. I will always be proud to have been part of the UFS. See you all next time. Archie P. Labrador, MV Nicolai Maersk Ikinatutuwa rin namin Archie na proud kang naging bahagi ng UFS at marunong kang lumingon sa iyong pinanggalingan dahil ilan iyan sa mga susi ng iyong tagumpay bilang isang marino, lalo na kung sasamahan mo ng sipag, tiyaga at determinasyon na maging mahusay sa iyong propesyon. - Editor Thankful for Realizing His Dream Good day to you Sir Nelson. Me, I m looking good as always. Hehe. Sir, I wrote you this note to express my whole-hearted gratitude for the help that you have given me so that I can finally realize my dream of becoming a full-pledge seafarer. Because of you and the UFS, my dreams and motivation in life have been realized and I will always be proud to have been a UFS cadet volunteer. I ve learned a lot of things while with the UFS. My skills and understanding of my chosen profession has deepened with my stint with the UFS. I am now working as a deck painter for MV Sally Maersk of Maersk Line. I would also like to say thank you to Ate Carmela Huelar for bringing me to the doorsteps of the UFS and meeting you. I wish you good health always Sir and also to your family. Again, thank you very much! UFS Boy Donde E. Mijares You are just on the initial phase of the realization of your dream Donde so you have to work harder and persevere some more. But it s always good to know that you are aware of the fundamentals needed to make you a successful seafarer. Good luck and God bless you. - Editor

50 50 TINIG NG MARINO MAY- JUNE 2009 On Spending the Holidays in the Ocean Good day to the United Filipino Seafarers, most especially to you Sir Nelson and to your family. Napakalungkot po pala talaga Sir ang mawalay sa pamilya lalo na sa tuwing sasapit ang Pasko at Bagong Taon. Ganito pala ang buhay ng mga mambabarko. Madalas ko ngang naririnig iyan dati sa mga marino lalong-lalo na yung sumasampa sa barko sa buwan ng Kapaskuhan. My case was no different because when I boarded my fi rst vessel in December last year, it also became my fi rst time to celebrate Christmas away from my family and relatives. My fi rst experience of Christmas right in the middle of the ocean is obviously quite lonely but I take pride of the fact that despite the sad feeling, I am quite happy knowing that this comes with something in return. At least I know my family is happy because they know I am pursuing my lifelong dream to become a full-pledge seafarer and I could also help them provide for their needs the way I planned it to be. I m now here onboard MT Princess Ruby serving as a Deck Cadet. And everything was due to you Sir Nelson. Isa ka sa mga nagbigay ng tiwala at pagkakataon sa akin at sa marami pang katulad ko na hirap makapasok sa manning agency at makasakay ng barko. Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa mga magagandang pangaral na ipinamahagi ninyo at mga aral na natutunan ko habang ako y nagsisilbi pang cadet volunteer diyan sa UFS. Nagpapasalamat din po ako sa pagtitiwala at oportundidad na ibinigay sa akin ng Bridge Marine Corporation sa pamumuno ni C/E Isagani Valmonte pati na ng lahat ng staff na bumubuo ng kumpanya. Napagtanto ko na ang trabaho sa barko ay mahirap sa umpisa pero unti-unti na akong nakaka-adjust at natutunan ko na nang mabuti ang aking trabaho dahil na rin po sa tulong PROVOCATIVE INFORMATIVE RELEVANT CONTR OVERSIAL ENTERTAINING seafarer s newspaper The Filipino crew of MT Princess Ruby posing at the mess hall of their ship during meal time. UFS Boy Adam Lester Esclamado (proudly holding a copy of Tinig ng Marino) is shown with (seated, from left) 3/O M. Egmilan, 3/AE G. Castañares, (standing from left) AB Dela Pina, Chief Cook W. Casica, AB R. Clemente, Oiler R. Dipasupil, Oiler J. Monteras, AB I. Guirit, Messboy E. Galolo, and standing tall at the back is OS G. Villaver. UFS Boy Adam Lester Esclamado is shown (half-sitting, second from left) along with his Filipino crew colleagues of MT Princess Ruby including offi cers 1/AE Pinar, 3/O M. Egmilan and 3/AE G. Castañares (each holding a copy of Tinig ng Marino), and Messboy E. Galolo (half-sitting, left). Those standing at the background include (from left): Chief Cook W. Casica, AB I. Guirit, Oiler J. Monteras, Oiler R. Dipasupil and OS G. Villaver. Make your day! at gabay ng Poong Maykapal pati na ng aking mga kasamahan dito sa barko. Sir Nelson, this will not be the first and certainly not the last time that I will thank you for everything, but just one of the million thank you s that I would be giving you from hereon. It may still not be enough considering the kind of help that you have given me but I can assure you that I will always be around to support UFS and my fellow brothers. God bless you all and long live the UFS! See you all soon. UFS Tinig Boy Batch 2008 Deck Boy Adam Lester Esclamado, MT Princess Ruby Kasama sa pagiging marino ang kalungkutan Adam. Ang mawalay sa kanyang pamilya ang pinakamalaking sakrispisyo na ginagawa ng mga mambabarko kaya natutuwa kami na habang maaga pa ay nakaka-adjust ka na at nauunawaan ang klase ng buhay ng iyong propesyon. Tama ka, lahat ng iyong pagsisikap at pagtitiis ay may kapalit kaya ipagpatuloy mo lang ang iyong pagsisigasig upang umangat ka sa iyong propesyon. - Editor Pasasalamat sa Mahalagang Tulong Magandang araw po sa inyo Sir at sa mga staff at cadet volunteers ng United Filipino Seafarers. Si Richard Games po to Sir at nais ko pong magpasalamat sa inyo sa ipinagkaloob ninyong napakalaking tulong sa akin upang makasampa ako sa barko. Onboard na po ako ngayon Sir sa barkong MV Alexander Maersk bilang isang deck painter. Sana po ay marami pang matulungan ang UFS na mga kagaya ko dati na salat sa pagkakataon. Nang dahil sa inyo Sir ay natupad ang aking pangarap na maging isang ganap na marino. Sa mga cadet volunteers na katulad ko at naririyan pa sa UFS, ang maipapayo ko lang sa inyo ay lagi kayong magsipag at magtiyaga. Dagdagan pa niyo ang pagsusumikap at determinasyon sa inyong mga trabaho diyan dahil magiging susi ang mga iyan sa katuparan ng inyong mga ambisyon at pangarap sa buhay. At higit sa lahat ay magdasal kayo sa Panginoon palagi. Huwag kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa at huwag magmamadali na makasampa. Good luck na lang sa inyong lahat at sa buong UFS. Uulitin ko lang po Sir, maraming-maraming salamat po sa tulong ninyo. God bless you and the UFS! - Richard Rufino Games Ang tulong na ipinagkaloob sa iyo Richard ng UFS ay para lang mapasimulan mo ang pagsasakatuparan ng iyong pangarap na maging ganap na marino. Nasa iyo pa rin ang susi ng iyong tagumpay gaya ng sinabi mo kaya pag-ibayuhin mo pa ang iyong pagtatrabaho at nang makamtam mo rin ang iyong mga pangarap sa buhay. Editor Biktima ng Dugo-Dugo Gang Good day Sir Nelson! I m Farley Alalim, presently onboard as 3rd Officer of M/ T Leyte Spirit, managed by Teekay Shipping. Kababasa ko lang po ng Tinig ng Marino January - February 2009 issue nang makita ko ang picture ni Gilbert GalleneroTuliba. Naging biktima po ang misis ko ng Dugo-Dugo Gang noong May 2004 sa halagang P80,000. Tamang-tama at pauwi na ako noon kaya napahuli ko ang tatlong mga kasamahan niya - dalawa sa Baliwag, Bulacan at isa naman sa Calamba, Laguna. Pero nakapagpiyansa po ang mga suspects. Hindi nahuli ang mastermind na bakla na may pangalang Jun Ricocorba, na sa aking paniniwala ay si Gilbert Tuliba rin. Kung maaari Sir, baka makapagpadala kayo nang picture ni Tuliba ko para ma-identify kung yan ba ang mastermind dahil pareho lang ang kanilang style. Ang misis ko po ay si Sonia Alalim at handa po siyang makipag-ugnayan po sa inyo ukol sa bagay na ito. Maraming salamat po. - Farley Maraming salamat sa impormasyon Farley pero napadakip na natin sa NBI si Tuliba nitong Enero pa. At kung kaya ng misis mo, magsadya lang siya sa tanggapan ng UFS para lalo pang dagdagan ang patong-patong na kaso ni Tuliba nang masigurong hindi na ito muling makakawala sa kulungan. - Editor Now available in selected newsstands in Manila! Published every two months, Tinig ng Marino is also distributed in more than 400 ports and hundreds of seamen s centers and Filipino-manned vessels around the world. Subscribe now to Tinig ng Marino! Name: Address : IMPORTANT: Please make cheque bank draft payable to the United Filipino Seafarers, Room 402, Gedisco Terrace Building, 1148 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, Philippines 1000 Single copies (Air Mail) Metro Manila-Php 35 Province-Php 45 Asia - U.S$ 4.00; Europe - U.S$6.00 Africe - U.S$6.50 One year rates: (6 issues, Air Mail) Philippines:P Asia - US$24.00 Europe - US$36.00;l Africa - US$39.00

51 MARCH - APRIL 2009 TINIG NG MARINO 51

52 52 TINIG NG MARINO MARCH - APRIL 2009