Future maritime leaders graduate from MMMA

 

MMMA top graduates, from left: Cadets Clifford Quisto, Alissa Jean Evasco, Shaina Moriones, and Jeramil Dela Cruz. 

Japanese firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and the Philippines’ Magsaysay Maritime Corporation (MMC) continue to produce its own roster of reliable, talented Filipino seafarers through MOL-Magsaysay Maritime Academy Inc. (MMMA).

The merchant marine academy, established in 2018, held its 2nd commencement exercises ceremony on February 18 attended by special guests former Senator Manny Pacquiao and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya, together with MMC CEO Doris Magsaysay Ho and MOL Executive Vice President Toshiaki Tanaka.

Celebrating the achievements of MMMA’s second graduating class of students who completed the entire curriculum, including shipboard training, Tanaka expressed his deep appreciation to the school community and the families of the graduates for their support.

“Make the most of the knowledge and experience you have gained while in the academy and play an active role in the vessel’s safety operation,” he told the graduates

“By pursuing safe operations, I hope you will protect the lives of people around the world as the topmost priority also ensure the safety of cargo and the environment, and contribute to global development,” Tanaka added.

Likewise, boxing icon Pacquiao encouraged the graduates to pursue their dreams and aspirations no matter what. Citing his life story as an example, he also urged them to go the extra mile, “hindi lang maging mahusay, kundi pinakamahusay” in their chosen profession and seek the guidance of God.

MMMA sits on a 13-hectare campus located in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Built with state-of-the-art facilities, MMMA offers a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSMarE) to prepare cadets for their professional careers in the maritime industry. 

About half of the graduates will work onboard MOL Group-operated vessels as third officers and third engineers after obtaining their maritime licenses, working their way up to captain and chief engineer, while the other half goes to Magsaysay. MOL and Magsaysay announced this during the press conference which took place immediately after the graduation ceremony.

MOL, Magsaysay officers joined the press conference after the graduation ceremony

Attended by Tanaka himself along with Mitsuhisa Tanimoto (MOL Chief Safety & Quality Officer and Director-General, Headquarters of Safety Operations), Dr. Michael C. Morales (President of MMMA), and Magsaysay-Ho, and Marlon Roño MMMA announced upcoming projects including the possibility of offering mastership maritime courses.  The MOL Group will continue to develop highly skilled seafarers who can be immediately effective through their four years of training and basic education at MMMA which provides scholarship (with partner sponsors) and study now pay later program.

Four of the graduating cadets, Clifford Quisto, Alissa Jean Evasco, Shaina Moriones, and Jeramil Dela Cruz also answered questions from the media attendees. Evasco and Moriones shared their experiences studying and working in the male-dominated industry. Instead of being treated inferior, they are treated as one of the boys and are therefore accorded with respect and equal opportunities they said.

The day was capped by a campus tour visiting the five-storey MV Spirit of MMMA, a "ship in campus" which houses a Lathe Machine Workshop; the ME-C Engine Area (housing a two-stroke electronic engine diesel main engine, MAN BMW); the Lifeboat and Davit Area; the Mooring and Windlass Deck; the Physics Laboratory; the Auditorium; the Welding Workshop; the Engine Control Room and Main Switchboard Laboratory; the Diesel Generator Area; the ECDIS Simulator Room; the Electrical-Electronics Room; the Olympic-size swimming pool, the Chart Room, and the Radar Room.

This writer joins the media group during the graduation ceremony and campus visit of MMMA on February 18

MMMA also houses a Full Mission Bridge Simulator Room as well as two Ship Handling Simulators which houses Konigsberg full and mini mission bridge simulators that provide students with real-life working environments.  The academy also has a student complex, an academic center, and a dormitory where students stay for their three-year academic studies.