15 minute read
PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN WHO MOVE THE WORLD
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From working on board to ensure the successful transport of essential goods across the seas, to serving on-shore - training aspiring seafarers, looking after the deployment, careers and well-being of our global maritime professionals; or being reliable and nurturing wives and mothers, the women of the PTC Group are proving that there are no limits to what they can achieve. We dedicate these next pages to pay tribute to an extraordinary group of women who are making a difference as they move the world in more ways than one.
3/E Micah De Guzman
Grindrod Shipping
3/E Micah De Guzman made history as the fi rst female from the Mapua-PTC College of Maritime Education and Training (CMET) to pass the MARINA Theoretical Exam for Engine Management Level - Chief Engineer. She currently sails with Grindrod Shipping.
Micah believes that she was destined to be at sea and to excel in the seafaring profession. “I will not romanticize this profession; the reality is that this job is very demanding and has its own set of challenges,” she shares.
“However, it was through the unpredictability of the sea that I discovered my physical and mental strength. I realized that I could remain calm and focused even when faced with challenges, and this is something that aspiring female seafarers can also learn to develop.”
2/O Jean Pontila
Exmar Shipmanagement
home-grown PTC
Atalent, 2/O Jean Pontila is the first female graduate of the Mapua-PTC College of Maritime Education and Training (CMET) to pass the MARINA Theoretical Exam for Deck Management - Chief Mate in 2018. Currently sailing with Exmar Shipmanagement, Jean shares that she initially had difficulties trying to adjust to life at sea as a cadet onboard her first vessel: a 3500 GT LPG tanker vessel.
“I actually cried on my first day of sailing, realizing our immense responsibilities onboard and imagining the next few months away from my family. But I told myself that I can do it and with the help and support of my officers and crew, I quickly adapted to the working environment and worked really hard to achieve my dream of becoming an officer.”
She advices aspiring female global maritime professionals to never be afraid to step out of their comfort zones and to continuously challenge themselves to achieve excellence. “Don’t let anyone block your dreams. There may be hindrances but believe that you can overcome them.”
3/O Jennifer Buloron
Exmar Shipmanagement
For 3/O Jennifer Buloron, getting to where she is at right now was never smooth sailing as she experienced gender-related challenges along the way. A scholar of the MapuaPTC College of Maritime Education and Training (CMET), Jennifer realized early that being a female in a male-dominated industry will never be easy.
“It is difficult to be a female onboard a ship. You can sometimes be misunderstood when giving orders. But I try to be patient and understanding with my crew because they come from various cultures and backgrounds.”
Jennifer is hopeful that more companies will be open to diversity and inclusion because this is the only way forward to a sustainable future. “I love being a seafarer, despite the hurdles I face, I know every contract and crew will be different. What is important is to be flexible and learn to adjust to any situation so you can always have good working relationships with your crew. Remember, they will be your family as you sail for months at sea.”
Olga Nova
Culinary Instructor, PHILCAMSAT
Currently an instructor for the Culinary Department of the Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training, Inc. (PHILCAMSAT), Olga started her career working in the hotel and restaurant industry.
“I eventually became an instructor and assessor at TESDA which was instrumental in what I am currently teaching here at PHILCAMSAT which is the Mess Hall service.” Teaching has always been her passion and being in maritime allows her to feel ever more fulfilled especially when she gets feedback from her former students who have landed jobs onboard vessels or found fulfilling careers all over the world.
3/O Angela Manaog
IVS Grindrod
Back when she was a cadet on her fi rst vessel, 3/O Angela Manaog was already determined to challenge herself and exceed expectations. “There were times that my offi cers would not give me the same diffi culty of work as my male counterparts onboard,” she shares. “Probably because they did not yet have confi dence in my abilities as a young, female seafarer.”
“That is why I worked doubly hard to show them that they could count on me and that I was committed to pull my weight onboard.”
Her career would, however, face an unprecedented challenge as her second contract took effect during the pandemic. It was her first stint as an officer onboard.
But despite this, Angela still enthusiastically says that she would recommend seafaring to other women. “If this is your dream, then go for it. Do not limit yourself just because there aren’t a lot of women in this profession. The maritime trade serves a significant role in moving the world and developing the world’s economy so I am sure other women will also find that being a part of this industry is definitely a fulfilling and rewarding experience.”
4/M Leslie Evardone
Seaspan Shipmanagement
4/M Leslie Evardone has always had aspirations of exploring the world as a seafarer. Even though there were hardly any female seafarers in her hometown of General Santos, Leslie was determined to make her dream a reality. In 2016, Leslie received her first vessel assignment as a deck cadet onboard MV Cosco Philippines of Seaspan Shipmanagement.
“I performed actual field work, assisting our officers and crew in the daily operations and maintenance of the vessel as we sailed from Asia to Panama and North America,” she says recounting her experience. “While this may have been challenging in the beginning, it allowed me to acquire new skills and valuable onboard experience that has been instrumental in my growth both as a maritime professional and as a person. I am thankful for the help of my senior officials and crew who helped me navigate this period in my career and allowed me to gain a better appreciation of the seafaring profession.”
3/M Jenellyn Obrero
Seaspan Shipmanagement
Igrew up in the small town of Belison, in the province of Antique, Visayas,” shared 3/M Jenellyn Obrero. “Life there was simple and my world consisted of just my family and friends from school. But I knew a greater and bigger world was waiting for me beyond that small town. That is why I became a seafarer.”
Jenellyn was recently on board Cosco Philippines of Seaspan Shipmanagement during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was difficult being at sea at the time when cases of COVID-19 were at its highest.”
“We couldn’t help but get anxious hearing of mortality rates on the news, worrying about our family back in the Philippines and of course dealing with all the challenges that the pandemic brought to our industry,” admits Jenellyn. “But I was thankful to still have been blessed with a job and that allowed me to take care of my family. I am also proud to be part of an industry that kept the world supplied and helped deliver essential goods to people all over the world especially during that crucial time.”
Mai Sotelo
Branch O ce Manager, PTC Iloilo
Mai heads PTC’s Iloilo offi ce where she helps build the careers of aspiring seafarers from the country’s Visayas Region. “I am very proud to be part of an industry that carries 90% of the world trade and I have a soft spot for GMPs,” she shares. “Seeing them fi nd jobs, build their careers and create better lives for themselves, their families and their communities inspires me to do more and work harder.”
While she has devoted 22 years of her life connecting applicants to meaningful careers, she continues to improve and develop her skills so she can help more maritime professionals become part of PTC. “I may not be the one onboard the vessel, but I am happy to do my part in moving the world by providing PTC’s brand of service and care for our seafarers.”
Nors Magtibay Opelanio
Wife of PTC GMP Ronaldo Opelanio, Chief Cook at Exmar Shipmanagement
Nors Opelanio, married to Chief Cook Ronaldo Opelanio, is the epitome of a modern superwoman. Working full time with the city government of Tanauan, Batangas, Nors is also a hands-on mom to her three kids, a dependable partner to her husband as he works at sea, and an effi cient manager of her household all at the same time. “It was never easy,” she confesses.
“For the most part of our married life, my husband has been onboard ships, working hard to provide a good life for our family. Long-distance parenting may be challenging for both of us but we are proud to have made this work for over 20 years now.”
“My advice to wives, especially those with seafaring husbands, is to make God the center of your relationship, manage your time wisely and take care of the hard-earned money of your husband. To this day, I am grateful to PTC and Exmar for giving us the opportunity to provide a good life for our family.”
Hanna Claire Samiano
3rd Year Marine Transportation student Mapuá-PTC College of Maritime Education and Training (CMET) Malayan Colleges Laguna
As the only female scholar of the PTC CSJ-TK Foundation Scholarship Program at CMET, Hanna Samiano knows that a lot is expected of her. Pressure doesn’t faze her, but motivates her to succeed.
“I feel blessed and honored that PTC-CSJ and CMET see my potential as a future maritime professional,” she says. “Mrs. Carla S. Limcaoco, President of the PTC-CSJ Foundation, told us that they want to see more females excelling in seafaring and I don’t want to disappoint them so I am determined to work hard. My teachers at CMET are also very encouraging and they tell me that as long as I can do the work onboard, then gender should not matter.”
Now on her last term for her classroom instructions, a requirement for the onboard training phase of the maritime program, Hanna is excited to go on shipboard training to qualify for graduation. After this, she is eager to take the board exam, acquire her licenses and sail onboard as an offi cer, setting her sights on eventually becoming a captain. “I always want to be one step ahead and remain focused on my goals. I know that if I make them my priority, I will be able to achieve all my dreams one day.”
2/O Adelyne Aquino
MCC Palawan, Jebsen PTC
Adelyne Aquino is currently a second officer onboard MCC Palawan, a container shipmanaged by Jebsen PTC. She started with the company as a deck cadet and has been in the shipping industry for 12 years now, onboard domestic or inter island vessels in the Philippines.
Adelyne admits that much like any profession, seafaring has its own set of challenges and these were heightened during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “One of the most difficult things that we had to face was being unable to go ashore to visit our families.”
“Some of us also experienced anxiety due to everything that was happening around the world during such uncertain times,” she explains. “But we are still thankful that compared to seafarers plying international routes, we were at least in the same country as our loved ones and can communicate with them via phone or social media. This makes the stress a bit more manageable and has definitely helped us cope with the pandemic.”
Normita Hernandez
PTC Family and Crew Relations Manager
Normita Hernandez, fondly called Normie by her colleagues, has been tirelessly serving PTC Global Maritime Professionals through the company’s Family and Crew Relations department for the past 15 years as she spearheads a lean and mean team committed to providing purposeful lives not only to our Global Maritime Professionals (GMPs) but also to their families.
She helps initiate the company’s financial management, health, and wellness programs, as well as entrepreneurship seminars across the families of PTC’s GMPs and takes pride in the success stories that they in turn share with her. “Whenever I hear success stories of our allottees or GMPs, whether this is about their family or their work, it makes me feel fulfilled knowing that all of PTC’s endeavors have made a difference in their lives.”
Flory A. Tabio
Executive Director, PTC-CSJ Foundation, Inc.
Flory has served as the Executive Director of PTCCSJ since 2010, the same year that the Foundation was established. With the Board’s guidance and support, and the “tres Marias” team that she is part of, together with President Mrs. Carla S. Limcaoco and Project Officer Annie Japsay, Flory leads the Foundation in “moving hearts to action” to help propel social change in the areas of education and the environment.
“Change does not happen overnight. Over the years, we have seen partners and beneficiaries – individuals – who have improved and are doing better, due in part to the Foundation’s initiatives. These include undernourished students who now have normal weights and are learning better, baseball players who have become scholars in private high schools, a young boy who has learned to appreciate his father’s work as a seafarer, scholar Fred Perez now on his first ship as a Global Maritime Professional and aiming to be a Captain one day, and many others. Through them and the Board, I myself am inspired to be a better person and to do better.”
