Filipino seafarers braving the uncertain seas

Our seafarers are world-famous. For their skills and hard work, they are among the most highly demanded to man ships that ply around the world.

It helps that our seafarers come from a country surrounded by so much seas and oceans. Our history is also replete with stories of our ancestors proudly sailing through the rough and calm seas, with their own constructed ships.

It is unfortunate that, since then until now, this country has not been captained by truly honorable public servants. As a result, millions of our people are pushed to get out of a sinking, if not sunken economy, by going abroad.

Of course, among our seafarers, there are those with dreams of seeing the world for free. There are those who love the sea. There are those who love even more the challenges posed by rough, uncertain, variable seas. The majority, however, are pushed to brave the seas to lift their families to better than subsistence, comfortable levels.

News about our seafarers often focus on the dangers and hardships they face and surmount. For example, recent news confirmed the release of 9 of our seafarers by Somali pirates who hijacked their ship last August 21.

DFA spokesman Claro Cristobal announced the release, September 11, Thursday, of the following Filipino seafarers who were aboard the M/T BBC Trinidad, the German-owned, Antigua-flagged container vessel: Antonio Calubiran, chief officer, 43, of Antique; Mark Anthony Abalos, 4th engineer, 32, of Rizal; Honorato Sotaridona, oiler, 48, of Pasig City; Ryan Abarientos, wiper, 26, of Cebu City; Jesus Cubil, able seaman, 36, of Cebu City; Elmer Langaman, ordinary seaman, 29, of Pangasinan; Arturo Nicolas, ordinary seaman, 43, of Makati City; Rodrigo Recto, ordinary seaman, 33, of Manila; and Arnold Asuncion, cook, 30, of Bulacan.

We join them and their families in thanksgiving for their release! However, prayers are still needed for 36 Filipino seamen who are reportedly still detained by Somali pirates: 20 of whom are crew of the Japanese-owned Stella Maris, nine from the Malaysian-owned Melati 2, five from Melati 5, and two from the Iran-owned Irandeyanat.

Another type of news about seafarers and other migrants show the undue focus and attention on their remittances for their families which are, in turn, saving this nation from completely drowning economically.

Like the rest of the migrants, however, they are remembered for their heroic contributions and celebrated for as long as they bring in the money. Once out of work and without international salaries, they are heroes no more, forgotten, abandoned, uncared for, shut out of national sight and memory, and sadly in the case of many, even from the intimate circle of their families and loved ones.

Thank God, however, for organizations like the Apostleship of the Sea ( AOS) with chapters all around the world, that remember and honor the seafarers and their families throughout their lifetime.

Fr. Ulysses "Yoyo" Desales, the new Port Chaplain and Spiritual Director of AOS-Cebu, is inviting seafarers and their families and friends to celebrate the fiesta of Mama Mary, the Star of the Sea on September 20th at the Stella Maris Seafarers' Center at Arellano Street, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City. Holy Mass will be at 10am on that day.

From September 11 to September 19, Novena Masses have been scheduled every 4pm to be followed by Holy Mass at the same center. Various private and public offices and organizations have been invited for each day of the Novena.

On Friday, September 19, starting at 6pm, a procession has been scheduled to start from the Stella Maris Seafarers' Center to Supercat, through Pier 4, Pier 5, and back to the Center.

Please help spread the news about this September 20 Fiesta for Mama Mary of the Sea as well as the novena masses which started September 11 and which will run through till September 19.

Fr. Yoyo and his staff at AOS-Cebu are most eager to welcome back the seafarers and their families to the Seafarers' Center. The invitation is extended to all. For more details, contact AOS-Cebu at 412-9392.

Fr. Yoyo and his staff, with Fr. Vic Labao, the National Director of AOS-Philippines, hope that September 20 will be one grand reunion as well for those seafarers and their families, the maritime students, the port workers, and all others who were very active at the Center during the term of Fr. Roland Doriol, the previous Chaplain, now back to his real loves: The sea and France.

* * *

Email: [email protected]