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Apostolatus Maris Apostolatus Maris Apostolatus Maris Manila NewsManila NewsManila News
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEA-MANILA Vol. 4, Issue 3 July—September 2013
There are no
strangers here,
only people we
have not yet met
MARINONG PILIPINO:
PATULOY ANG PAG-UNLAD! Mabuhay ang Filipino Seafarers! On
September 29, 2013, the 18th National
Seafarers’ Day (NSD) celebration took
place nationwide thus concluding the
14th National Maritime Week (NMW)
celebration.
Attended by more than 5.000 persons
from the maritime sectors, government
agencies, maritime students, seafarers’
families and nonetheless the seafarers
themselves. The filled-up Ninoy Aquino
Memorial Stadium, located in the City
of Manila, proved to be a good venue
for the NSD programe: the PMMA silent
drill, awarding ceremony of Western
Union’s 10 Outstanding Maritime
Students of the Year, key note speech by His Excellency Jejomar Binay and
the Holy Mass presided by His Eminence Cardinal Tagle.
What’s Inside?
AOS Quarterly report
AOS/SMCS/SCPM Staff Development
with Atty. Dennis Gorecho (SVBB)
Julius Arabejo Tongco
18th National Seafarers Day contests
winners
18th NSD photo Gallery
The Philippine Association of Maritime Training Center Inc. (PAMTCI)
is the largest network of maritime training center in the Philippines
providing world class training centers in the country exceeding
international standard and employing the latest method of training.
PAMTCI is the umbrella organization of thirty seven maritime training
providers offering basic and upgrading safety and security courses for
prospective and active seafarers.
Last August 6, 2013 Engr. Alfredo Haboc, PAMTCI
President, graciously accepted AOS invitation to talk
and share his insights on the persisting issues raised
by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and
its adverse effect in the maritime Industry and
foremost on seafarers.
THE EMSA AUDIT: A MOMENT OF TRUTH
Filipino seafarers
should not fear
EU audit in October
— VP Binay Written by Tribune
Monday, 30 September 2013 00:00
Vice President Jejomar Binay
reassured Filipino seafarers that
they would not be blacklisted from
European-flagged vessels amid the
coming audit of the European
Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in
October.
“Gusto ko pong ipaalam sa inyo na
hindi po tayo dapat mabahala (I
would like to remind you that we
should not worry about the coming
audit),” Binay said in his speech
during the 18th National Seafarers
Day in Manila.
Cont’d on page 2….
Cont’d on page 2…. Cont’d on page 2….
2
EMSA Evaluation: Toward a
Sustainable Development
EMSA evaluation in schools and training centers in
the Philippines aims also at checking if the Filipino
seafarers are developing the right attitude toward
a sustainable development.
The fact that the Philippines ranks number one
supplier of seafarers in the world demands quality
education, continuous skills development training
and upgrading of schools and training centers in
compliance with the International Standards of
Operation (ISO), which includes developing the
personal attitude toward a sustainable
development.
It may mean additional costs on the shoulders of
Mang Pedro and a burden to maritime schools and
training centers but all sectors and everyone will
benefit from it.
During the NSD celebration, the Vice-President
assured all seafarers that they will not lose their
jobs, provided that the stakeholders will be able
to comply with EMSA’s recommendations on
quality standards in schools and training centers.
“Sustainable development” in the maritime
industry is not a commodity, it’s a “must attitude”
a seafarer has to develop thru the educational
process he/she undergoes.
“I have been assured by the
businessmen in a meeting that
the Philippines would not be
blacklisted from European-
flagged vessels. This was again
reaffirmed to me last July by
the vice president for External
Affairs of the European
Chamber of Commerce of the
Philippines (ECCP) Henry Schumacher,” he added.
Binay said he met with businessmen in Germany last
June to discuss how the Philippine government is
taking the necessary measures to improve the
country’s maritime industry.
“I also asked the help of Germany upang makinabang
tayo sa kagalingan nila sa industriya. Ngunit,
pinakamahalaga, pinaalala po natin sa kanila ang
magiging epekto hindi lamang sa industriyang marino,
kundi sa pandaigdigang ekonomiya, kung tuluyang ma-
blacklist ang Pilipinas sa mga barko ng European
Union,” Binay said.
However, Binay also reminded Filipino seafarers not to
be complacent and instead build on this assurance to
further improve their skillset.
“These assurances are heartwarming, but should not
be reason for us to relax our drives or aims,” Binay said.
“Passing the EMSA audit is important but it should only
be the first of many goals that we seek to realize. EMSA
is but a port of call as we complete our voyage of
reasserting the Philippines as a maritime powerhouse,
the first choice when it comes to seamen and marine
professionals,” he added.
Engr. Haboc pointed out the following:
The goal of the Department of Labor (DOLE) is
to “grab 40% of the market” in terms of
seafarers deployment; todays it stands at
around 25%;
There are many new players, competitors, and
the Philippines have to provide seafarers with
better training;
The Filipino seafaring industry has to be more
gender sensitive (more inclusive).
In the next visit to the Philippines the main issues
EMSA’s assessors will look at are:
the quality and standards of maritime schools
and training institutions;
the competence developed in the seafarers;
is the school curriculum and the training
institutions up to the international standards?
EMSA ….cont’d from page 1
18NSD ….cont’d from page 1
The contests such as Oratorical, Art and Photo were
held during the 14th NMW.
In the Oratorical Contest the Visayan region ruled with
Kim Fernandez of John B. Lacson—Arevalo, Iloilo
bested over the 22 contestants; in the On-the Spot Art,
West Bay Colleges, from the Luzon region, represented
by Rodrigo G. Soriano, grabbed the trophy; Marion John
Villasis of John B. Lacson—Arevalo, Iloilo, won the
Photo Contest Grand Prize. With the support of our
generous sponsors like Western Union, SMART Link,
Insular Life, PhilAm Life, AMOSUP and other donors the
celebration delivered its best.
Seafarers should not fear ….cont’d from page 1
3
HOSPITAL VISIT: by Sr. Cecilia F. Santiago,sjbp &
Sr. Vilana S. Laluan,sjbp
78 Visited patients
seafarers; family members at the AMOSUP Hospital
SPIRITUAL FORMATION:
360 seafarers in Stella Maris Centers — Ermita & Pius
188 departing seafarers were Prayed over
and 242 received Rosaries
Apostolatus Maris Manila News
Vol. 4, Issue 3 July—September 2013
SHIP VISIT: by Roberto Canta & Leonardo Servidad
(AOS Manila—Ship Visitors)
2246 Visited Crew
111 Ships in MICT
Quarterly Report: July-Sept 2013
PDOS: by Leonardo Servidad & Evelyn Del Rosario
192 Seafarers
from UPL
MASSES: by Fr. Paulo H. Prigol,CS
AOS Manila Director & Chaplain
& other invited priests
3060 Seafarers in seamen’s dormitories ,
ATI & Nuestra Sra. De Guia Parish
STELLA MARIS CENTERS: Number of Residents
Stella Maris Ermita Center
117 new; 403 returning
Stella Maris Pius Center
126 new; 488 returning
APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEA–MANILA
STELLA MARIS CENTER FOR SEAFARERS
On July 2, 2013, Atty. Dennis Gorecho, of Sapalo
Velez Bundang Bulillan Law Office, gave a training
seminar on Legal Aspects of
F i l i p i n o S e a f a r i n g
Employment . It was
conducted at the AOS-Manila
board room. Intended as staff
development and self-updating
activity for AOS-Manila, Stella Maris Seafarers Center
(Pius and Ermita),
and Scalabrini Center
for People on the
M o v e ( S C P M )
workers, the training
r e a c h e d i t s
objective. Special
mention on the
participation goes to Rev. Nic Tuban (based in
Manila) and Rev. Jasper Del Rosario (based in Subic)
of the Sailors’ Society.
After a short statistical presentation on the
worldwide supply of seafarers, he discussed the
“Sources of Seafarers' Right:”
1. Migrants Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of
1995 (R.A.No. 8042 as amended by R.A No.
10022.)
2. POEA Standard Employment Contract
3. Labor (P.D. No. 442 as amended)
4. Civil Code of the Philippines
5. 1987 Philippine Constitution
6. International Conventions/recommendations.
Atty. Dennis also discussed the most common claims
of Filipino Seafarers. They are:
(1) illegal recruitment
(2) illegal dismissal (on-board)
(3) non-payment of salaries and wages
(4) illnesses
(5) injury, disability and death benefits.
He stressed that by his personal experience as lawyer
on seafarer's problems and issues it’s important to
have good knowledgeable on the Standard
Employment Contract (SEC) of the Filipino Seafarers
on-board Ocean going, crafted by the Philippines
Cont’d on page 6….
4
18th NSD Photo Gallery
Vol. 4, Issue 3 July—September 2013
Apostolatus Maris Manila News
Julius Tongco… a seaman with a future
Julius Tongco dreamed to see the world while earning a living so he became a seafarer. He
worked as a boatswain in a log ship that plied the Far East and Africa. In August 2004 during
his vacation he meted a freak accident while cooling off from the oppressive
heat of the season. He climbed a tree on the river bank and when he was
about to dive, he slipped and lost his balance. He fell head first into the shallow
part of the creek silted with sand which is only about 4 feet deep. He sustained
fracture of C6 (neck vertebra) and dislocations of C5 and C7. Julius was
completely paralyzed from shoulders down to his feet. For the next 8 months he underwent intensive
treatment for his spinal injury, physiotherapy and rehabilitation. During in one of his visit to the hospital
he saw a mouth painter practicing his craft.
Julius thought he could try it too even without any art lessons. Seeing his desire and
positive outlook in life his parents rigged a small table in front of his wheelchair, papers,
colored pencils, cheap brush and children’s water color set.
His skill overshadowed by his passion was reinforced with the
help of John Turner, his aunt’s husband and an art teacher in
London. John gave Julius better coloring materials and started
his basic art lessons. He also gave Julius art books and one of
these was an old copy about the lives of some Mouth and Foot painters which inspired Julius
more to progressed by leaps and bounds. From that day on all he wanted to do was to paint.
His artistic expression gave him a new found purpose in life, he says: “All I want to do is
paint, I want to be recognized as an artist and not as an invalid. I also want to become a
worthy member of the Mouth and Foot Painters Association.”
His paintings are now available for sale.
To the many seafarers who suffer due to physical injury /
incapacity, do not stop and despair: there is always another
purpose God offers you.
“One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy
and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.” – Lucille Ball
5
Apostolatus Maris Manila News
Vol. 4, Issue 3 July—September 2013
18th NSD Photo Gallery
6
Apostolatus Maris Manila News
PRAYER FOR SEAFARERS
Dear Lord, ruler over waves and sea, keep your blessed
hand over all seafarers and their families.
Help them to keep on the right
course and always reach their
port of destination.
In your power Lord, protect and
defend all seafarers from any
kind of illness, accident,
hardship or misfortune.
In your goodness Lord, look
after their families so that they
can enjoy their work and live in
harmony with their co—workers.
In your wisdom Lord, inspire and guide them in their
decisions.
May our Lady Star of the Sea protect, intercede and guide
all seafarers and their families, through Christ our Lord.
Amen!
Apostolatus Maris Seafarers Center, Inc. Apostleship of the Sea—Manila
Apostleship OftheSea Manila
https://www.facebook.com/apostleshipofthesea.manila
ERMITA — MetroBank Bldg.
1149 A. Mabini cor A. Flores Sts.,
Ermita, 1000 Manila
Philippines
Tel No. 63 2 525 9435
PIUS — Pius XII Catholic Center
1175 United Nations Ave. cor.
Correa St., Paco, 1007 Manila
Philippines
Tel No. 63 2 527 0337
1175 United Nations Ave. cor. Correa St., Paco,
1007 Manila Philippines
Tel/Fax No. 63 2 527-2638
Vol. 4, Issue 3 July—September 2013
Ministry to departing seafarers
Prayer-Blessing for
departing seafarers for
employment on board-
ship is done regularly,
specially on Fridays in
both Stella Maris
Centers after the bible
sharing and praying of the rosary.
Seafarers who are about
to be deployed are
called for the special
prayer and blessing by
the Sister in-charge and
their co-seafarers.
L i kew i s e t h i s
prayer is held in
the Pagoda and
Fe l i x Huer tas
dormitories after
the regular masses
on Mondays and
Wednesdays.
Overseas Employment Administration
(POEA). The staff should help
seafarers to fully understand these
“simple” and specific points on the
contract, since they are source of
many claims:
Seafarers’ complete name
name of agent and principal
name of the ship and its' flag
length of service
position on-board
basic monthly wages (US$)
hours of work per week
overtime and rate of payment
vacation leave with pay
point of hire.
Clarifying these “simple” and basic
points to seafarers, will help them
not only to assert their rights, but
help them to avoid becoming easy
prey of unscrupulous recruiters or
shipping companies.
Legal Aspect ….cont’d from page 2
7
Apostolatus Maris Apostolatus Maris Apostolatus Maris Manila NewsManila NewsManila News
There are no
strangers here,
only people we
have not yet met
Breaking news!
Super Typhoon Yolanda,
the aftermath! From the Vatican, November 13th, 2013
Prot. n. 7423/2013/AM
Re: AOS special Fund for the Philippines
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Once again, we have witnessed the catastrophic power of the nature that in less
than one month hit the same area twice (Central – Southern Visayas) in the
Philippines. On October 15th, a devastating earthquake and then on November
7th, the Typhoon Haiyan hit the Nation, sweeping away people and property in
its course. The death toll is in the thousands, while the survivors struggle to put
together what is left of their lives.
Our prayers and solidarity go to all the Filipino seafarers miles away from their
loved ones, not knowing their fate. We praise many of our AOS Centers around
the world that have provided free telephone cards and internet access to allow
Filipino seafarers to contact their families. Many of our AOS chaplains have
celebrated Masses for the deceased, and have helped the seafarers make sense of
such devastation and turmoil.
We appreciate that Carnival Cruise has requested AOS deploy Catholic
chaplains on board of several of their ships to support Filipino crews.
The great family of AOS would like to show its closeness and manifest
its solidarity to the Filipino people. Therefore, as it was done for the
tsunami that struck the coast of Japan in 2011, the Pontifical Council for
the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, which is responsible
for the overall direction of the Apostleship of the Sea, has decided to set
up a special fund with an initial contribution 10,000 (ten thousands) US
dollars. The fund will support long -term reconstruction projects, to be
realized in cooperation with AOS – Philippines, benefiting the people of
the sea in the affected areas when, after the initial weeks of emergency,
people will have to return to their “normal” life.
Attached, you will find the instructions for your donations in US$ or in
Euros (See next page). Please be kind enough to inform our office
([email protected]) of any transfer of funds.
We would also be grateful if you could share this initiative, giving it all the
exposure that you deem fits. In advance, we express our sincere thanks for your
support and generosity, asking Mary, Star of the Sea, to bless this initiative.
Antonio Maria Card. Vegliò
President
Joseph Kalathiparambil
Secretary
Images lifted from http://
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-24899001
8
AOS FUND FOR THE PHILIPPINES
Remittances in EUROS
Bank: DEUTSCHE BANK
TAUNUSANLAGE 12-21
60262 FRANKFURT
COD.SWIFT: DEUTDEFFXXX
IBAN-Nr.: DE56500700100935424200
Account no.: 935424200
Beneficiary: IOR (Istituto per le Opere di
Religione)
00120 Città del Vaticano
Details of payment: Pontificio Consiglio Migranti –
AOS Fund for the Philippines - account no. 22 52 70 03
NB – It is very important to specify the Details of
payment in order to make sure that the money is
effectively transferred to the account of the Pontifical
Council.
********
Remittances in US-dollars
BANK: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY
AMERICAS
60 Wall Street 1005 New York N.Y. U.S.A.
COD.SWIFT: BKTRUS33XXX
Account n. : 04023-904
Beneficiary: IOR (Istituto per le Opere di Religione)
00120 Città del Vaticano
COD. SWIFT: IOPRVAVXXXX
Details of payment: Pontificio Consiglio Migranti –
AOS Fund for the Philippines – account no. 22 52 70 04
NB – It is very important to specify the Details of
payment in order to make sure that the money is
effectively transferred to the account of the Pontifical
Council.
Dear Natalie and Roger, thank you for keeping me on the loop.
In Manila we have Fr. Paulo Prigol AOS chaplain and he is managing four dormitories that could eventually provide temporary accommodation to returning seafarers before proceeding to their hometown. Here is his e-mail address: [email protected] . You can contact him for any assistance on the ground in Manila. Fr. Paulo could assist you to get in contact with several government offices and provide local staff if needed.
In Cebu there is Fr. Ulysses Desales The director of the Stella Maris Center located near Pier 4 where usually you take the speed boat for Bohol. You can contact him at his e-mail address: [email protected]
In Tagbilaran - Bohol we have the port chaplain Fr. Vic Bompat, I was able to talk with him soon after the earthquake last October 15, I have being trying to contact him to get a better picture of the situation.
I will appreciate if on the Good Practice Guide on the sentence: Individuals wishing to donate can do so via the Mission to Seafarers or Sailors Society. you could add also the Apostleship of the Sea. AOS International we are launching a fund raising campaign to provide funds for the reconstruction.
The AOS Centers around the world like many Others are providing free phone cards and internet access to Filipino seafarers.
For further information contact Roger Harris at ISWAN [email protected]
I hope in the next few days to provide additional information directly from the chaplains on the ground.
Regards,
Bruno
