FEATI News

IT'S FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR THE COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION

Every year in the month of September, a grateful and concerned nation remembers its seafarers.  In keeping with this tradition, FEATI University College of Maritime Education celebrates Maritime Week. This year’s celebration, from September 19-25, 2011, served as the anchor of National Maritime Week (NMW) as promulgated by Presidential Proclamation No.1560. A significant related event is the observance of “National Seafarers’ Day (NSD)” on the last Friday of September. As is usually the case, National agencies such as the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and even the Cebu Ports Authority join forces to create a swell of interest that attracts stakeholders from schools, the government, and the private sector to recognize the significant contribution being made by our seafarers.

So on September 19, 2011, it was anchors away for CME starting with a parade of the cadets in full uniform. The cadets then headed for the activity center for the opening program. Present were Dean of Student Affairs Sr. Nicetas M. Favorito, DC, Deputy CEO for Maritime Affairs Capt. Hernando Eusebio, Assistant to the Superintendent and CME Faculty Member Deody Fabroa, the current crop of student officers of The Pirates, other school officials, and the entire CME family.

Capt. Eusebio opened the program with a message of optimism for College and its students. The Pirates’ Vice-President Cadet Mainard Cinco and Sgt-at-Arms Cadet Warren Tanedo were both present to lead the CME student body in a program that showcased the prowess of the cadets in sports and physical attributes in competitions such as “Mr. and Ms. CME” and the “Ultimate Model Cadet”. The week that followed saw a literal deluge of activities in the University but CME saved the best for last when on September 25, 2011, when along with thousands of participants from maritime higher education institutes, maritime training schools, maritime-related associations, government agencies, and manning and shipping companies, CME cadets participated in the grand parade of the 16th National Seafarers’ Day: “Marinong Pilipino: Lakas ng Pagkakaisa!” that spanned Luneta, Kalaw Street, and ended at the Manila Cathedral with a mass officiated by His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop of Manila.
In a homily that was delivered in Filipino the Archbishop of Manila said, “"Sa inyong pagalalayag ay dala ninyo ang katangiang Pilipino - kasipagan, pagmamahal sa pamilya at paniniwala at takot sa Diyos.”  (In your seafaring, you carry within you the characteristics of a Filipino – diligence, love of family and belief in and fear of God.)  His eminence further emphasized the significance of the seafaring profession both in the Philippine economy and the lives of the stakeholders. He amusingly shared that one can recognize a Filipino seafarer on board a vessel by looking into his cabin and seeing pictures posted on his cabin wall – a picture of his family along with that of Jesus Christ, Mary or any other saint, signifying the source of his strength amidst the hardships and challenges of his profession.

The demand for Filipino seafarers continues to grow according to POEA data. In 2009, 330,424 Filipino seafarers were employed by the industry (this constitutes 30% of the global demand for maritime labor). In 2010, dollar remittances from Filipino seafarers amounted to US$3.8 billion.

“We are very fortunate to have Maritime programs at FEATI University because we know that our students won’t be waiting a long time to find a job. The global demand is there and it continues to grow. Our observance of CME week and our participation in the 16th National Seafarers’ Day as mandated by former President Fidel V. Ramos, and as organized by the Apostleship of the Sea provided us with the perfect opportunity to promote FEATI’s College of Maritime Education as an ideal vessel to educate, train and equip seafarers of the future,” says Capt. Eusebio.

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