CAPS OFF Commencement of MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy cadets on Feb. 18: Ladies represent lower than 2 p.c of the worldwide maritime workforce. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
CAVITE, Philippines — Filipino girls are strengthening their sea legs as they aspire for management positions within the maritime trade—as ship captains or chief engineers.
Though graduates {of professional} seafaring programs are nonetheless few, aspirants—no less than on the MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy (MMMA) in Dasmariñas, Cavite—have elevated nearly tenfold because the college opened in 2021, from 100 to 956 in 2024.
The newest graduates of MMMA included two girls skilled for future management positions in business vessels. Shaina Moriones, who graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) diploma, will begin her skilled profession within the maritime trade as third officer for the Princess Cruise Line.
Fellow graduate Alissa Jean Evasco will probably be working under deck, within the engine room, together with her BS in Marine Engineering (BSMarE) diploma.
With their newly acquired credentials, the ladies have the prospect to rule the bridge above deck or have command of the engine room under deck.
Breaking the glass ceiling
Michael Morales, MMMA president, notes that there’s a rising variety of girls holding the best ranks attainable within the deck and engineering fields.
“Ladies are given the identical probabilities as males of their profession development,” he studies.
MMMA has had 11 girls graduates thus far.
These embody just a few Filipino girls who’ve damaged glass ceilings within the transport trade to develop into captains or chief engineers.
Each Evasco and Moriones, who needed to full a yr of sensible work aboard vessels as a requirement for commencement, really feel assured that, like these earlier than, gender wouldn’t be a problem after they do develop into full-fledged seafarers.
Moriones says, “I didn’t really feel any discrimination as a girl [when I did my apprenticeship]. It’s simple to be accepted by exhibiting that I’m able to doing the job.”
Though initially she sensed some reservations about her capability to work on ship engines—together with murmurings that girls needs to be in places of work—Evasco says she was capable of persuade them she was as much as the duty.
Second batch
This yr’s commencement is the second to be held by MMMA, a joint endeavor of Japan’s Mitsui O.S.Ok. Strains (MOL) and the Philippines’ Magsaysay Maritime Corp. (Magsaysay).
A complete of 80 BSMT and 72 BSMarE graduates acquired their diplomas. They’re all assured employment onboard ships with accomplice transport firms MOL and Magsaysay.
Though feminine graduates with BSMT and BSMarE levels stay very low, curiosity in these programs is rising, as indicated by the numerous improve within the variety of girls making use of for MMMA admissions.
GUEST SPEAKER Former Sen. Manny Pacquiao on the MMMA second graduation workout routines on the MMMA campus in Dasmariñas, Cavite
This rising curiosity by girls in doing tougher jobs on board seagoing vessels apart from the normal galley and passenger providers work coincides with the rising gender-neutrality within the trade.
Morales provides, “Based mostly on the demand of [MOL] and [Magsaysay], the standing/angle towards girls seafarers could be very constructive. Each firms require 20 to 30 feminine cadets to hitch their firms this tutorial yr 2025-2026. Since extra feminine cadets are being required, there isn’t any discrimination primarily based on gender.”
Lower than 2%
He admits that girls skilled seafarers nonetheless stay a really insignificant a part of the trade. “Ladies represent lower than 2 p.c of the worldwide maritime workforce, so there’s a urgent want to handle the gender imbalance … Recruitment at MMMA stays open to all certified college students, and we acknowledge the underrepresentation of ladies within the maritime trade,” Morales provides.
“In the course of the early years of MMMA, solely 5 p.c of candidates had been girls. Thus, as a lot as we needed to simply accept extra girls, monetary, cultural and structural limitations remained main challenges for girls coming into the academy,” he says.
By actively selling the seafaring profession amongst highschool college students, by means of MMMA’s extension program, YLC (Youth Management Problem), Morales notes, “Over time, these initiatives led to a major rise in feminine enrollment, reflecting our ongoing dedication to breaking limitations and making a extra inclusive maritime workforce.”
However, thus far, the varsity has graduated solely 11 girls—six with BSMT levels and 5 with BSMarE levels. The explanations girls didn’t full the programs had been the identical as for male cadets (as the scholars are referred to as): well being and monetary, or choosing a unique profession path.
TOP BRASS Doris Magsaysay Ho (fifth from proper) with companions and colleagues —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Acknowledging that “given the traditionally male-dominated nature of the maritime trade, feminine cadets could face distinctive challenges in adapting to the tradition of maritime work,” Morales says the varsity attempt to assist as a lot as doable.
“To assist our feminine cadets, MMMA offers mentorship, management growth applications and initiatives aimed toward fostering inclusivity, protected area and confidence amongst feminine college students,” he says.
Pinoy delight
In the course of the MMMA commencement ceremonies, former Sen. Manny Pacquiao, the visitor speaker, encourages newly minted skilled seafarers “to go away a legacy of serving to and galvanizing future generations.”
He reminds the graduates that they carry the title of the Philippines and Filipinos had been recognized for his or her industriousness and skill.
Doris Magsaysay Ho, group president and chief government officer of A. Magsaysay Inc., says having overcome numerous challenges throughout their education, the graduates have acquired the power to “face any storm that life could convey.”
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Toshiaki Tanaka, consultant director, amongst different issues, of MOL, says MMMA upholds the excessive requirements of the worldwide transport trade, and the graduates are a testomony to the varsity’s pursuit of excellence, self-discipline and repair. —Contributed
