NO: 123 September - December 2004 A NEW SEAFARERS’ CENTER ... · The center is open seven days a week, from 6 PM to 11 PM. During off-hours, the center’s telephone booths and

Parola no.123 - September - December 2004 - Page 1

NO: 123 September - December 2004

A NEW SEAFARERS’ CENTER IN ROTTERDAMThere’s a new center for seafarers in the Port of Rotterdam. Nested in the scenic

nature park of de Beer, this ‘home away from home’ for seafarers is now open for business. Welcome to the new International Seafarers’ Center in de Beer!

Hundreds of seafarers have already visited the center since it’s doors opened on November 1st. Greeting their new seafarers’ club with much enthusiasm, visitors said they will be coming back soon, and pledged to spread the great news about the center to fellow sailors. Their positive response had happily overwhelmed the center’s personnel, who are only just beginning to put together the services and facilities of the center.The new center is under the management of the Stichting International Seafarers’

New seal of quality: Come visit your new club in Rotterdam

Center de Beer. PSAP-PAROLA is part of new management. After the Stichting (foundation) assumed control of the old center premises on November 1st, workers and volunteers immediately set to work to prepare the building for its new mission. The center offers relaxation and recreation facilities that are set to dramatically expand in the coming months.

Excellent Welfare Services

The new center is located amidst the bustling Europort terminals of the harbor, and enjoys the quiet and restful atmos-phere of the de Beer nature reserve. The green and spacious surroundings of the center are shared with the Hotel de Beer, whose luxurious cosmopolitan amenities are also available to seafarers.

The famous “Port-able Seafarers’ Club” of PSAP-PAROLA has been incorporated in the programme of the new center.The sports facilities of the center include a football field, a basketball-cum-volleyball court, two lawn tennis courts, and an indoor swimming pool situated in the hotel. The recreational equipment inside the center includes a large screen

video and karaoke unit; two billiard pool tables; table tennis; darts; and a small open shelf library. A port doctor’s clinic is housed right inside the center.

Six telephone units have been installed for use by seafarers. The telephone lines have been configured to accept inexpensive calling cards that are so popular among seafarers. In the next couple of weeks, an internet café will be set up to provide further communica-tion and learning platforms for seafarers.

The new center’s bar services offer inexpensive drinks and re-freshments. The new management has made it a policy to price over-the-counter drinks at a much lower rate than what seafarers

Daily Management of the new center: (L-R) Ed Langenberg, Facilities Manager; Fr. Frits Maas, Board Treasurer; Mr. Antoine van Esch; Executive-Director; and PSAP’s Dr. Peter Payoyo, Board Secretary.

continued page 4

PHILIPPINE SEAFARERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME, ROTTERDAM

parola 123.indd 1 13-12-2004 23:03:49


Sometime in 2003, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration promulgated the “Rules and Regula-tions Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Seafarers” (RR). The date of promulgation of the RR is not mentioned in the POEA website (www.poea.gov.ph), where the text of this document can be seen. The POEA does not also say when exactly the RR officially took effect. However, in the recently published 2003 POEA An-nual Report, the POEA claims that the RR were adopted and already implemented in the course of 2003, and that these RR “are aligned with international standards”.

The Rules and Regulations consolidate all pertinent provisions relevant to overseas employment for Filipino seafarers. It lays down a system of licensing for manning agencies and the registration or accreditation of their foreign principals. It also draws the procedures to be followed when agencies or principals violate their obliga-tions, and specifies the administrative penalties to be imposed on them.

Recruitment-related offenses that can be committed by manning agencies fall in three categories: serious, less serious, and light. It is not clear what criteria were used to classify particular offenses under any of these headings. But it is obvious that many offenses enumerated under the RR are subsumed under “less serious” and “light” offenses. The unmistakable impression conveyed is that the RR give manning agencies a very liberal and favorable treatment. “Light offenses”, which entail the punishment of “reprimand” for first-time offenders, for example, would include acts that would otherwise be regarded as vicious, such as disregarding orders of the POEA, influencing any person not to employ any seafarer who has not applied for employment through the offender-agency, failure to deploy a seafarer without good cause, and coercing a seafarer to accept prejudicial arrangements. It should also be noted that the notorious practices by manning agencies of “blacklisting” and “watch-listing” have not been identified as punishable acts.

Compare this with the strict, if not militaristic, disciplinary regime that applies to seafarers. The RR expand and complete Section 33 of the POEA Standard Contract. (Seafarers: check if there is a Section 33 “offenses and penalties’” in your contract, and you’ll see a very long “don’t do or else” list; if you have no Section 33 in your contract, the provisions in the RR applies to you anyway). Loss of employment will immediately follow prohibited conduct like disrespect to superior officers, concerted action to breach contracts, destroying harmonious relationship with the company or the good name of the company and the vessel, and inciting others to insubordination. Such grounds for heavy disciplinary action are quite sweeping and could be applied arbitrarily. For this and othe reasons, these provisions have been bewailed by advocates of seafarers’ rights, like the Seamen’s Church Institute in New York.

The huge burden of the admistrative procedure against seafaers is, moreover, quite evident. The RR now confirm that the mere filing of a complaint against a seaman before the POEA immediately disqualifies the seafarer from further employment. The seafarer is already deemed disqualified from employment even before he can answer the complaint lodged against him in the POEA.

The ease with which anyone can file a complaint against a seafarer contrasts sharply with the procedural and logistical difficulties encountered by a seafarer who would wish to file a complaint against his manning agency or the foreign principal. And as if to add insult to injury, the RR provide for the expeditious resolution of cases against agencies and principals, but there is no corresponding provision that would force the POEA to dispose pending complaints against seafarers as soon as possible.

One of the concerns frequently expressed by international shipowners and managers is the perceived lack of confidence and assertiveness of Filipino seafarers and officers. Ship managers and captains say they would very much like their Filipino crew to overcome the “Yes, sir” mentality or culture. But how can Filipino seafarers be inspired to be more skillful and professional in that sense, if the POEA and industry bosses in the Philippines continue to treat seafarers as a potentially undisciplined herd of troublemakers?

The RR, like the standard POEA contract, had pushed the human rights condition of Filipino seafarers back to the medieval age. This, at a time when the ILO is about to take a giant step forward, with the adoption of the Magna Carta for international seafarers which responds to the call for decency and human dignity in the globalized world of the 21st century.

POEA’s New Gift to Filipino Seafarers

EDITORIAL

parola 123.indd 2 13-12-2004 23:03:49


RP is world’s top manpower exporter

It’s official: With one-tenth of the country’s population currently working abroad, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has acknowledged the Philippines as the world’s top manpower exporter.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported yesterday that the ILO has officially recognized the Philippines as the No. 1 exporter of migrant workers in the world. Quoting ILO migration specialist Manolo Abella, DOLE said that the country has already surpassed Mexico as the largest source of migrant labor in the world at present. (Ebalita, 21 Oct. 2004)

Large demand for OFWs noted

Notwithstanding the ban on the deployment of workers to Iraq, the Labor department said there was big demand for Filipino labor in the Middle East as well as the United States and Europe.

A Labor Market Intelligence Report from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority indicated the strong demand for skilled overseas Filipino workers in the international labor market.

The report recommended to the labor department the need to strengthen the necessary skills and knowledge of the local manpower pool, to cater to the specific requirements of the foreign labor market. (Ebalita, 13 Aug. 2004)

Seeing his crop ruined, farmer tries to kill self

The suicide attempt of a 24-year-old farmer in Oriental Mindoro has become a graphic illustration of the despair of calamity victims when their livelihood and future vanish before their very eyes.

The Philippine National Red Cross told yesterday the story of Jonathan Magpantay who stabbed himself in the throat when he saw his palay destroyed by floods caused by typhoon “Unding,” the first “killer typhoon” which Oriental Mindoro residents had experienced in 10 years.

Magpantay, a resident of San Vicente, apparently could not bear seeing his hard labor swept away by the strong rains and winds in an instant.

Magpantay was rushed to the provincial hospital where he was given a blood transfusion. (Phil. Star, 3 Dec. 2004)

Church to macho men:Don’t fool around

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has warned against the possible emergence of a new sexually transmitted disease that is far deadlier than the acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS.

“Sex has developed a truly powerful self-defense against its violation. It

is not simply gonorrhea, syphilis and the like; it is AIDS. It will be interesting to watch out what’s next,” said the outspoken Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz of Lingayen, Pangasinan.

The former CBCP president aired the warning to persuade promiscuous Filipinos to treat sex with respect and not as a favorite pastime. He explained that sex is synonymous with marriage and should be treated as sacred.

In the meantime Thailand’s “condom king”, Thai Senator Mechai Viravaidya, who was in the Philippines to promote his advocacy said that this contraceptive device will “help Filipinos stay alive.”

Mechai urged Filipinos to use condoms in spite of directions to the contrary from the conservative Catholic Church.

“The Philippines doesn’t think it has larger (HIV-AIDS) numbers than Thailand, and that may be true,” Mechai said. “But how far behind are you?” Government estimates were usually lower than the actual figures, he stressed, because “it’s part of the stage of denial.”

In the Philippines, the Department of Health’s HIV-AIDS registry shows only 2,121 persons living with AIDS - a third of them overseas Filipino workers, particularly seafarers. International health agencies, however, say the real figures could be three times as high as the official count.

Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit said

cont’d page 5

parola 123.indd 3 13-12-2004 23:03:49


Your New Club in Rotterdam, contd.have been charged previously, or what they are being charged elsewhere. Seafarers, ever conscious of value for their hard-earned money, have certainly welcomed this bonus with a big smile. A wide range of souvenir items and goodies are also on sale in the center.

The center is open seven days a week, from 6 PM to 11 PM. During off-hours, the center’s telephone booths and the automated drink dispenser are accessible to visitors.

Call or text any Parola staffer on how you can get there. For free transport to and from the new center,please call + 31 (0181) 261-555.

Thanks to months of intensive preparations by the new management, the Center will soon launch a most comprehen-sive programme of welfare services, finally within easy reach by seafarers. The components of this programme are: recreation, relaxation and entertainment; pastoral care, spiritual counseling and religious observance; social and cultural interaction; sports; health care and information; communication; remittance and other financial services; and on-shore education and skills-acquisition

The New Management

The motto of the new center is best captured by its adopted logo, which consists of a bear (“de Beer”) protectively cud-dling a buoy, essential to a mariner. The new management of the center has taken the auspicious challenge of delivering the best and most caring welfare services to seafarers in the biggest port in the world.

The Stichting ISC de Beer has a uniquely structured management system which recognizes the need for input and participation by the many stakeholders involved in the welfare of seafarers. In keeping with local demands and inter-nationally recognized standards, the Stichting has established a representative Welfare Board to set the policies and priorities of the center.

A significant cross-section of the seafarers’ welfare community in Rotterdam have joined the Welfare Board of the ISC de Beer. All church missions, both local and foreign, Catholic and Protestant; the unions; the private sector, and welfare organizations like the Stichting de Beer and the Philippine Seafarers Assistance Programme, have teamed up in the Welfare Board to develop a common mission. More stakeholders will be associated with the Welfare Board in the very near future.

When in Rotterdam, come over and visit your new center. You don’t have to be in any other place. Seafarers can surely look forward to a lot of fun, excitement, and great company at the International Seafarers Center de Beer.

Managers, Welfare Board Members, and Volunteers at work ... .... Seafarers at play (or at least having fun with the karaoke).

From America... South Korea ... and Malaysia

Pinoys from MS Bravery, Stolt Endurance, and Pride of Brugges

parola 123.indd 4 13-12-2004 23:03:55


a study from December 2003 to October 2004 found that the rate of HIV infection in the country had risen to about 200 cases annually from the previous level of 100 cases in 2001-2002.

The World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has warned that low condom use in the Philippines, along with a widely dispersed sex industry and poor knowledge of AIDS among the youth, could trigger an epidemic. (Ebalita, 18 Oct. 2004; PDI, 28 Sept. & 20 Oct. 2004; Phil Star 2 Dec. 2004)

19 Filipinos facing death penalty abroad

Nineteen Filipinos are facing the death penalty abroad, including two who have been convicted by “final judgment,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

DFA Undersecretary Jose Brillantes said that as of August, 13 Filipinos in Saudi Arabia were facing alleged homicide/murder charges, five in Malaysia for drug trafficking, and one in the United States for murder.

Brillantes said the 2,856 Filipinos in jails abroad constituted less than a third of one percent of the estimated eight million Filipinos overseas. (Phil. Daily Inquirer, 18 Aug. 2004)

$400 M more in OFW remittancesexpected before yearend

At least $400 million more remittances are expected to be sent home before yearend by the steadily increasing number of Filipino workers currently employed in various countries abroad, according to Acting Labor Secretary Manuel Imson.

“With the steady growth in number of Filipino workers abroad, we expect our dollar remittances this year to reach (the) $8 billion mark or $400 million more than last year’s figure of $7.6 billion,” he said. (Philippine Star, 7 Dec. 2004

Exodus of doctors

The continued migration of Filipino doctors for better-paying jobs as nurses abroad can cause the country’s health care system to collapse, according to Dr. Marilyn Lorenzo, who heads the University of the Philippines’ Institute of Health Policy and Development Studies.

Lorenzo said 3,657 doctors left the country from 1996 to 2002.

Records of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) showed 2,956 physicians went to the United States, 393 to Canada, 197 to Australia, 83 to New Zealand, seven to Japan, six to the United Kingdom, three to Germany and 13 to other countries from 1996 to 2002.

Over the years, it has become a trend for practicing doctors, and even dentists, to take up nursing because nurses are more in demand in developed nations.

The Philippines is the world’s top exporter of nurses, with many of them skipping the official recruitment for overseas Filipino workers, according to a study by the National Institute of Health.

POEA data showed that 91 nurses left for the United States in 2000, 304 in 2001 and 320 in 2002. The United States is one of the top destinations of Filipino health workers. In the last four years, more than 50,000 nurses and doctors left for abroad.

The Philippines is now the biggest exporter of nurses abroad and the second largest exporter of doctors next to India. (Phil. Star, 5 Sept. 2004; Inquirer, 20 Oct. 2004)

OFW News cont’d.

Bayview Park Hotel, Manila, Philippines December 16-18, 2004

An initiative of the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch

parola 123.indd 5 13-12-2004 23:03:55


Life in the Spirit

BEING RICH AND BEING A FOOL

Here’s an interesting story I heard from the television.

A rich young man was driving down a country road when he spotted a big flock of sheep in the meadow. He decided to stop for awhile and look for the herder. When he found the herder, he said “Hello. You have so many healthy look-ing sheep. If I tell you exactly how many sheep you have here right now, will you give me one?” Thinking that this rich-looking stranger couldn’t possibly figure out how many sheep were ex-actly in the field, he replied, “Yes”.

The stranger reached for his high-tech cell phone in his pocket, called somebody and told someone at the other end “I’ll send you a pic-ture and my location. Get the exact number of sheep.” About a minute passed when the man was beeped with a message on his phone which he read out, “The total number of sheep is 1366”. The shepherd, full of amazement, ad-mitted that it was indeed has 1366.

Feeling sorry for himself that he was about to lose one of his sheep, which he was now push-ing inside the car trunk, a thought came to the shepherd and said, “What if I tell you what you do in life, would you give me your car and eve-rything in it?” The young executive smiled and said, “Why not?” thinking that this simply-minded herder would not possibly know anything about him and the modern world. “You are a financial consultant!” blurted the shepherd. Awe-stricken, the young man lost his car.

Here’s another story to recall recently, I’ve heard from Capt. Jay of M/V Anastasis. While on vacation in the Philippines, he brought some brochures of Mercy Ships in the Luneta Park, a place not only for lovers but also popularly known as the job market for seafarers. There

Engr. Felix Pulmano

he announced that three Mercy Ships are in need of skilled seafarers and technicians to be involved in missions. He was quickly encircled by a large group of seafarers curious to know more about how to apply for the Mercy Ships vacancies. But when Capt. Jay explained that Mercy Ship is not a commercial ship and all who work there were considered as volunteers and no salary, one by one the crowd moved away. Someone loudly commented, “You’re crazy and a fool! Don’t you know how hard and difficult it is to do emergency repairs like pulling out pistons and cylinder liners if that ship is ever stranded in the middle of the sea? And then you are saying no pay for that kind of work?” Someone even yelled at him, “You’re a captain, you should know by now how much you are losing if you work in that ship”.

Captain Jay was so disappointed but he de-cided not to argue. Deep inside, he assured himself that people are generally self-centered and always looking for material gain: “pay first, before getting service”. From the huge crowd, there was only one that stayed on and seems to be interested. When Capt. Jay asked him why he did not leave like the others, the guy said, “You’re talking about mercy and compassion to others. I’m interested to work in Mercy Ships. But will you pay for my lunch, today?

These stories tell us about riches and about being a fool. Riches can surely make fools out of people. This is the lesson from the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21. But people can make even worse fools by being selfish and shutting themselves from the opportunity to serve others. Proverbs 11:24-25 “Some people give much but get back even more, others don’t give what they should and end up poor, who-ever gives to others will get richer, those who help others will themselves be helped.”

parola 123.indd 6 13-12-2004 23:03:56


With the coming into force of the ISPS last July 1, 2004, the right of the seafarers to shore leave has been put in limbo. In Rotterdam, shore-based welfare services, in-cluding PSAP, have encountered serious difficulties in gaining access to ships and seafarers on board. The majority of the ports and terminals are now off -limits to ship visitors, except ship agents who have already secured port key passes. This is the main reason why ship visitors from PSAP- PAROLA have instead diverted their ship visiting activities to shipyards and ship parking quays.

ISPS Situationer in Rotterdam

Kabayan Sofie Hofmann-Estolloso, based in Switzerland, redesigned and created the new

PSAP website. A friend so near yet so far, Maraming Salamat at Mabuhay Sofie!

Surf and come visit www.psap-parola.org

Featuring: news, photo galleries, net resources,ship and crew of the month, e-discussion fora,

past parola issues, links, and much more.

www.psap-parola.org. . . this is also your home on the web.

PSAP launches new website

Greetings from Pastor Martin Otto in HamburgMartin Otto is the author of Seafarers: A Strategic Missionary Vision

Would you like a free Tagalog or English bible study book? You can write Pastor Martin anytime at:

Martin OttoWildkatzenweg 13D-21147 Hamburg

Germany

From the wife of a pinoy seaman: “I

wasn‘t interested in your ministry

until

I read your book. My husband didn‘t

really tell me how hard life

on a ship is,

but when I read your book, I c

ried and

prayed. I thank you for coming into his

life. Your book has taught me to pray for

him earnestly.”

From a Filipino seaman: “I read

your book and hardly controlled

my tears. It was like a seafarer had

written the book himself.”

parola 123.indd 7 13-12-2004 23:03:56


Worldwide accord on 24-hour box rule

Sixty governments have agreed in principle to a new worldwide maritime security system designed to reduce the liner shipping industry’s exposure to terrorist attack. Signatories to the Proliferation Security Initiative recommended the global introduction of the US- inspired advanced cargo declaration regime as a way to better surveying of maritime boxes which may contain weapons of mass destruction. The PSI forum, consisting of government defence experts and set up by the US last year, was meeting in Oslo after consulting liner shipping at a two-day seminar in Copenhagen. (Lloydslist.com, 06 August 2004)

2 Seamen free after 7 years in jail

Two Filipinos jailed in Dominican Republic for almost seven years have been released, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced. Released on August 14 were Teodoro M. Santos Jr. and Efren G. Caballes, crewmembers of the MV Super Asia.

For a drug-related offense, they had been jailed at the La Victoria National Penitentiary in Sto. Domingo since December 1997.

Santos and Caballes’ release brings to five the total number of Filipino seamen in South American prisons who have been released since the start of the year. The other three were Gonzalo A. Garcia Jr., Vicente O. Caro Jr., and Newton C. Vinteres of the MV Laconia who languished in a Cuban jail since 1998. (PDI, 18 Aug. 2004)

360 rescued from stranded ship

Fishing boats towed to shore an aging ferry with 360 people on board after its propeller broke off while traveling between islands in the Philippines

The steel-hulled M/V Milagrosa J3, with 331 passengers and a crew of 29, was en route to western Palawan when it suddenly stopped in calm waters.

Crewmembers later discovered that the ship’s propeller was missing and radioed for help. The ship could have sunk had it stalled in rough seas. (Philippine Star 16 Sept. 2004)

Bungling pirates left to sink or swim

Six armed masked men who tried take over a tug and tow off the Indonesian coast in the Malacca Strait ended up in the water after a botched pirate attack.

According to the ICC International Maritime Bureau’s weekly piracy report the men approached the tug in a speedboat and attempted to board it. During the manoeuvre the speedboat collided against the tug and capsized. The tug continued its voyage.

Meanwhile, two Filipino seamen seized by pirates in the Straits of Malacca on October 2 aboard the MV Erna have been freed, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. (Maritime Global Net, 13 Oct. 2004; Phil Star 27 Oct. 2004 )

ILO super convention still not a done deal

The ILO claims to have taken a significant step toward the creation of a major new international labour standard that provides a “Seafarers’ Bill of Rights” for some 1.2 million maritime workers by consolidating a wide range of maritime standards adopted since the 1920’s.

But the new, so-called Super Convention is not yet a done deal. An ILO statement said: “However, some specific areas of concern to governments, shipowners and seafarers remain unresolved.”

“There will be ongoing efforts in the follow up to this Preparatory Conference to address the pending issues”, said Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, Director of the ILO department that promotes the new instrument.

The Preparatory Technical Maritime Conference was held in Geneva in September and was attended by 551 delegates representing governments, shipowners and seafarers from 88 countries who ended this Friday two weeks of intense discussions on the new labour standard.

The new draft Convention is to be presented for adoption by the Maritime Session of the International Labour Conference by the beginning of 2006. (Maritime Global Net, 27 Sept. 2004)

Industry and unions lobby USA on shore leave

In a show of solidarity with seafarers over the denial of US shore leave,

parola 123.indd 8 13-12-2004 23:03:57


the ITF and the Round Table of International Shipping sent a joint letter to the US Secretary of State Colin Powell complaining about the denial of shore leave to seafarers in the US.

The move coincided with co-ordinate global protests on World Maritime Day on September 30.

Industry representatives then met the Secretary General of the IMO in London in order to emphasize that, in view of the security role that has been conferred on seafarers by the ISPS, policies such as denial of shore leave are counter productive to security objectives, generating ill feeling among those who have such an important security role to play.

Pope John Paul II also prayed for seafarers worldwide “that they may be able to live with dignity and security”. (Maritime Global Net, 29 Sept. 2004; Lloydslist.com, 30 Sept. 2004)

ISPS is badfor seafarers’ welfare

The president of the International Ship Managers Association, Rajaish Bajpaee, issued a statement highlighting the adverse effects of the International Ship and Port Facilities Code on seafarers.

Mr Bajpaee, who is also group managing director of Hong Kong-based Eurasia Group, said that while daily operations, financial costs and legal liabilities are issues that concern ship managers worldwide, it is the ISPS impact on seafarers that should be of greatest concern for shipowners,

operators and the manning agencies because that has the most radical consequences on ships’ routines.

Mr Bajpaee says that shore leave restrictions, that sometimes even prevent telephone calls home, make the isolation of seafaring worse.

“As well as the delays in authorising shore leave and limiting it when it is granted, seafarers are also being denied the ministrations of Port Chaplains,” he added.

“Overly zealous security personnel are on occasions restricting access to ships for those engaged in seafarers’ welfare work....The isolation is accentuated when seafarers feel that they are unable to escape the relentless intrusion of noise, motion and vibration and the cold steel of the ship environment. The occasional change of environment is so important or otherwise confinement on board becomes more of an imprisonment.”

He is also worried that the extra burdens imposed by the ISPS can lead to fatigue. (Maritime Global Net, 19 Nov. 2004)

Brussels pushes for criminalisation The European Commission has signaled its determination to press on with the introduction of criminal sanctions for seafarers in the face of opposition from maritime industries.

The EC said its review of penal sanctions is balanced and is designed to bring shipping into line with existing liability law in other industries.

Responding to industry claims that the proposal was outrageous, Commission’s director-general for transport said there was no justification for maintaining shipping’s limited liability regime.

An industry coalition, comprising around 10 associations and bringing together both shipowners and transport unions, believes the draft law would discourage young people from going to sea. The Brussels proposal opens the door for the first time to criminal sanctions including imprisonment following accidental pollution. (LLoydslist.com, 6 Oct. 2004)

Panamanian job scam

The ITF has called on the Panamanian government to investigate Panama City-based companies Sea Cruise Enterprises and Caledonian Offshore, which are reported to have lured money from jobseekers around the world in return for non-existent jobs.

In a letter to Panamanian Minister of Government and Justice, the ITF said, “We know that this disgraceful racket has been run for several years and has defrauded victims in many countries, including the Philippines, Guatemala, Uruguay, Jamaica, Guyana, Uganda and others.” (Maritime Global Net, 23 Aug. 2004)

MARITIME NEWS, cont’d

parola 123.indd 9 13-12-2004 23:03:57


The Strength of Mercy Ship’sMV ANASTASIS

The Anastasis sails

humanitarian missions all over the world

The Philippine Embassy onboard: (seated L-R): 3/Engr. Ramon Sanchez with son Kim, PSAP’s Felix Pulmano, Consul Noel Servigon, Anastasis Captain Jay De Guzman, Ambassador Romeo Arguelles, Vice Consul Leila Santos, Attache Hermie Bustos. (Standing (L-R): Motorman Randy Arzaga, Chief Engr. Cipriano Paragas, and Josie Pulmano of PSAP and Mercy Ships Holland.

Ships trading in goods find a home in a ship trading in goodness.

Ship trading in goodness finds a home on land with PSAP Volunteers

The crews of the MT Mozart, MT Nova Scotia, MV Oranje, Norfolk Anglia and other ships warmly welcome the Anastasis crew

The Anstasis Attraction:

PSAP-PAROLA

parola 123.indd 10 13-12-2004 23:04:04


PSAP WELCOMES PINOY CREW OF 3 STEMAT SHIPSAda-D, Pontra Maris & Rebecca-S

PARTING IS SUCH A SWEET SORROWNonoy Ty, Port Welfare Coordinator of PSAP, will be leaving the Staff on January 1, 2005. He was PSAP’s most committed staffer and ship visitor for 20 long years, the true lighthouse (“parola”) of PSAP.

Our dear Nonoy will continue to be happily associated with PSAP as a Volunteer.

Nonoy will move on to build PASALI, a seafarers cooperative which is breaking new ground in OFW economic empowerment. Nonoy in 1991: Setting standards in

the classic art of ship visiting

Mabuhay to PSAP’s warrior for seafarers health and welfare!

PHOTO ALBUM

parola 123.indd 11 13-12-2004 23:04:10


cont’d.

Seafarers go ship visitingIn great Pinoy style, PSAP ship visitors

facilitate inter-crew ship visiting

The dry docking of Mercy Ships’ Anastasis in Damen Shipyards Schiedam delivered a unique blessing to PSAP ship visitors. Sharing space in the same ship yard were six other ships: M/V Mozart-Seatrader; M/V Nova Scotia; M/V Jade-Unifeeder; Volvox Iberia-Dredger; M/V Oranje-Boskalis; and M/V Norfolk Anglia, a ship that regularly sails from Scheveningen, The Hague to Felixtowe, England. All in all, there were 38 Filipinos from these different ships.

The Anastasis served as a natural meeting ground for the Filipinos from the other ships. PSAP’s ship visits in the area led to a series of “getting-to-know your next-door neighbor” introductions. The crews from the six ships had a common interest and fas-cination to know more about the Anastasis. They all wanted to hear stories from the Anastasis crew and what their precious cargo was all about: mercy and compassion.

Normally, a big group of seafarers talk among themselves about their exploits and adventures in the seven seas, their business in the seafaring world, and of course their no. 1 topic- women, etc. etc. This time, the seafarers wanted to listen to new stories and adventures. This time, the seafarers wanted to go ship visiting on the Anastasis!

It was wonderful that the captain, the chief en-gineer, the 3rd engineer with wife and son, and a motorman of the Anastasis were all Filipinos. There was no need to cross cultural barriers in commu-nication. The resulting exchange was fun and the dynamic interaction was memorable. The visit-ing seafarers asked a lot of questions and showed mixed emotions about the vocation of the Anastasis

crew. Some said that the mission of the Anastasis was great, honorable and highly commendable. Oth-ers just shrugged their shoulders in amazement and could not comprehend why highly skilled profession-als would want to serve God and humanity for free. But whatever they had to say, the seafarer-ship visi-tors from the surrounding ships saw first hand what Mercy Ship’s Anastasis was all about. It was all about sailors responding to human suffering, bringing hope and healing, and nurturing moral and spiritual up-liftment to the underprivileged and the needy of the world. It’s all about life’s mission of service.

After the ship visit on the Anastasis, the other crews invited the Anastasis crew to also come to their respective ships. They all agreed that it was a real honor and privilege for them to invite the Anastasis crew onboard their merchant ships. So mercy ship was invited to merchant ship! The ‘missionaries’ of the Anastasis were afterwards feted with good food and gifts from the other seafarers who hosted the visit of the Anastasis crew, one ship after another.

The hospitality on board each and everyone of the parked vessels was matched by PSAP volunteers in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, who also took turns hosting the tired but happy Filipino seafarer-mission-aries of the Anastasis. The mercy crew was joyfully received in their homes, their circles of friends and their churches ashore.

Thanks and God Bless to the crews of the six ships who have generously hosted the Filipinos of the Anastasis, and to friends and volunteers of PSAP who have welcomed the seafarer-missionaries in their homes.

(Engr. Felix Pulmano)

parola 123.indd 12 13-12-2004 23:04:10


Kami Namang Mga Babae...

STRANGERIN PARADISE

Nina Sanchez

Gold and big jewelries. A shiny car. A beautiful house. These are some of the things associated with seafaring in the Philippines. And you see all these especially when seamen are on vacation. They look really rich! (Well, at least some of them). And then, after a few months, they have to go back to the reality of their job.

How do I describe seamen on board? Here they are ... on dirty, oily cover alls, sweaty and exhausted before they get their pay. They are exhausted: not just because of the hard job that they’re doing, but also because of homesickness. Their job is draining them, both physically and emotionally.

Meeting my fellow Filipinos onboard brings mixed emotions. I am happy to see them and talk to them in our own language about home. But I fell also sad to see how hard they struggle to do very heavy work. And they experience this hardship all the more because they are away from their family at the same time.

I and my husband, Ramon, together with our four-year old son, Kim, have been visiting ships since we became missionaries of M/V Anastasis (Mercy Ships). We are also members of the Seamen’s Christian Friends Society, where we get Bibles and other reading

You left home before he was bornYou missed his first cry, his first smile, his first turn

You missed his first words, “Dada”, “Dada” Though you were not there, he knows you’re Papa.

He recognizes your voice when you call

He has not seen you, but on pictures he can tellYou are his Dada far away from home

He was waiting until Mommy said, “He’s coming home!”

So excited you are for that day to comeFor a week you can’t sleep, soon you’ll hold him in your arms

The engine room is like a prison cell, you want to be freeYou want to break out, just be with your family.

Finally, your plane lands on Philippine ground

“Mabuhay! Mabuhay!” is the thundering soundOut from arrivals and your eyes search the crowd

There is your wife, holding your tiny lad.

Tightly embracing your wife, you kiss a little childBut he cries out to break your heart, “He can’t be Daddy.

My Daddy’s in the picture, my Dad’s on the phone.Who is this stranger with us in our home?”

materials to give away for free. And lastly, we are volunteers of PSAP-Parola. We give out Parola magazines to seafarers, and we check on the situation of seafarers so that we can help them in whatever way we can. Being part of these three organizations have been highly effective for us in reaching out to lonely seafarers.

I call on the heroes of our land, the seafarers, Press on! Focus on the main reasons you’re doing this sacrifice: your family and your future. And as you go on in your difficult work, know that you are also helping our country and our national economy.

We encourage you, we thank you, and we salute you!

“STRANGER”

The author and her husband, Engr. Ramon Sanchez, with Ambassador Romeo Arguelles. Nina and Mon are sailing PSAP Volunteers.

parola 123.indd 13 13-12-2004 23:04:11


Christmas is a time in which we all love to think about Jesus Christ and how he came to the world. It is a time in which we think about our family and in which we celebrate Christ. Unfortunately those sailing on the oceans cannot experience the joy of being together as a family of enjoying the fellowship in the midst of our loved ones. But I am convinced that if Jesus would live again in this world he would love to spend time especially with seafarers who sacrifice so much for their families.

Dear Seafarer let us remember that Jesus made the biggest sacrifice for you and me. He left his glorious Heaven just because he wants to meet you! He not only spends one contract away from his Father in heaven – he had to sacrifice 33 years – and he did that out of love for you and me! Jesus fully understands your situation when you are far away from home, when you feel lonely, when you feel like having no friends.

Please read with me what is said about Jesus in Isaiah 53:5, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering.“ If anybody understands you, it is Jesus. He said in the gospel of Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest”.

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. And why was he born into the world? Just out of sympathy for you and me? Well, it was much more. Jesus loves us as we are and he came to the world to take all our sins away in order to bring us back into fellowship with the Father in heaven. He loves you even when you feel you cannot control your temper, he loves you when you feel you cannot control alcohol or when you are easily giving in to temptations with women. Remember dear friend, Jesus came for sinners, for sick people to heal them, to free them from their sin. Will this Christmas be your personal Christmas in which you confess all your sins to Christ and start a friendship with him? If so, I would be glad to hear from you. May you all have a wonderful Christmas, and may God keep you, your ship, and your family always safe!

Real Christmas for SeafarersYultide Message from Pastor Marin Otto

Pastor Martin Otto and his wife, Monika, founded a seamen‘s mission in Hamburg in 1987. In 1990 they joined the international mission “Seamen’s Christian Friend Society“, which has branches in Manila, Iloilo, Leyte and Bacolod. Pastor Martin worked with a shipping agency which he left in 1979 before moving to work in England. From 1981-1984, he studied at a bible college in Switzerland and in the USA. Today Pastor Martin and Monika, together with their two children, serve seafarers in the port of Hamburg, encouraging and helping seafarers in their time of need.

parola 123.indd 14 13-12-2004 23:04:13


Manny Razon

To my Everdearest Letty, my sons J.V.,J.C., J. I., and my daughter J.M.,

Mommy, magmula ng dumating ka at ang mga anak natin sa buhay ko, natagpuan ko ang sarili ko na mayroon ng ngiti sa labi. Madalas na ring tumawa at halakhak pa kung minsan. Ang mga magandang bagay ay lalo pang gumaganda, at ang mga problema ay nagsipagliitan magmula ng kapiling kayo at maibabahagi nating lutasin ang mga ito.

Mommy, magmula ng maging bahagi kayo ng aking mga araw, napakahirap para sa akin ang magisip ng kung ano mang mga bagay kundi kayo lang.… Hanggang sa ako’y napalayo ngang muli sa inyo, pero, akin muling naaala – ala ang mga napakasayang sandali noong ako’y nasa piling n’yo at sama-sama tayong isang napakasayang pamilya, I’m looking forward to the next time we will share.

Mommy, magmula ng dumating kayo sa mundo ko, aking natuklasan ang isang panaginip na akala ko’y nawala ng tuluyan. Walang mapaghambingam sa sukdulang ligayang aking nadarama, ng tingnan mo ng maamo mong tingin ang aking mga mata at ng hawakan mo ng mahigpit ang aking mga kamay, tuluyan na ngang niyakap mo ang aking katawan, ibinulong mo ang aking pangalan at ng maghalikan tayo at maglakbay ang ating mga kamay, you really take me mommy somewhere I’ve never been before…. A place I can only find with you….. It might be like in heaven ... smile….

Mommy , ng dumating kayo sa puso ko, ay ginawa n’yong kakaiba ang aking buhay…. Gusto kong

manatili kayo doon….. And I hope and pray you will stay there for a long long time, “Until death do us part”.

Always,

Daddy Manny

P.S.Habang sinusulat ko ang laman ng aking puso ay patuloy na pumapatak ang luha ng aking mga mata. Hindi ko alam kung ang luhang ito ay luha ng lungkot o luha ng saya. Siguro pareho lang pinagsamang lungkot at saya. Kasi, sa kabila ng lahat ng aking pagsisikap dito at pagtitiis ay mayroong gantimpalang biyaya na natatanggap ang apat na anghel ng ating buhay. Lumalaki silang maayos, nakakapag-aral sila, nakakakain sila ng gusto nila, nakakainom sila ng vitamins at unti-unti na ring nabubuo ang kanilang munting pangarap sa buhay, sa awa at tulong ni “Lord”. At ganoon din siyempre sa asawa kong napaka-bait, mapagmahal, matiisin, madiskarte sa buhay, super kung mag-alaga at magaling pa sa lahat ng bagay, lalo na sa negosyo. Kaya wala na akong mahihiling pa kay “ Lord”. I love you mommy and I miss you terribly with our kids as well. Four more months to go and we will meet there together again, see you all before Christmas Day and Happy Birthday in advance to my unica hija J.M. on Dec. 25 and to my son J.C. on Dec.15. Bye! Tsup!

Lots of Love, care and prayer,Daddy Manny

M/S Walter Hammann

Kuwento at Buhay Marino(Drama on the High Seas)

parola 123.indd 15 13-12-2004 23:04:14


Just JOKING

Two sides of the same crap

Once upon a time there was a non conforming sparrow who decided not to fly south for the winter. However, soon the weather turned so cold that he reluctantly decided to fly south. In a short time ice began to form on his wings and

he fell to Earth in a barnyard, nearly frozen solid.

A cow passed by where he had fallen, and crapped on the little sparrow. The sparrow thought it was the end, but the manure warmed him and defrosted his wings! Warm and happy, able to breath, he started to sing. Just then a large cat came by, and heard the chirping. The cat cleared away the manure, found the chirping bird, and promptly ate him.

The Moral of the Story: Everyone who craps on you is not necessarily your enemy. Everyone who gets you out of crap is not necessarily your friend. And if you’re warm and happy in a pile of crap, you might just want to keep your mouth shut.

Strictly Pinoy: WISE-CRACK’S WAN-LINERSAnak: ‘tay, di ba sabi nyo na-expel kayo nuon sa college? Dad: Oo. Bakit? Anak: Totoo pala ang kasabihang “history repeats itself”.

(Nag-aaway ang dalawang tanga) Kulas: Ano ba talaga ang gusto mo, away o gulo? Tomas: Away na lang para walang gulo.

Kustomer: (sumisigaw) PABILI NG HOPE!!Tindero: Huwag kang sumigaw! Hindi ako bingi! Ilang Coke ba ang bibilhin mo?

Tanong: Ano ang mas maraming sakay, jeepney or ambulansya? Sagot: Siyempre ambulansiya. Kasi ang jeepney, 10-10 lang bawat side. Samantalang sa ambulansya, madalas na 50-50 ang sakay.

Si Inday: Sir, karamihan pala ng nakalibing sa sementeryo ginahasa. Si Sir: Paano mo nalaman? Si Bisayang Inday: Kasi nakalagay sa lapida nila na RIP!

Totoy: ‘Tay, ano po ba iyong sex? Tatay: Ah,eh! iyan ang ginagawa ng mag-asawa para magkaanak. Totoy: Ang haba naman noon, ’tay! Paano ko isusulat iyan sa bio-data.

Another proud moment for Filipino ship visitors: the Philippine Embassy, led by Ambassador Romeo Arguelles, was officially aboard the Anastasis on August 27, 2004. The government officials from The Hague witnessed first hand the professionalism, the skills, and the expert talents which the Anastasis crew share to a world.

From the 350,000 or so Filipino seafarers registered with the POEA, six Filipino seafarers on board the Anastasis showed to the ship visitors what “giving” means. They showed how humanitarian and charitable giving, from the sea to the land, can be made possible. The seafarers of the Mercy Ships ministry make a difference by responding to suffering, war, deprivation, and poverty anywhere in the world that could be reached by their vessels. Mercy Ships do not engage in the international trade of goods. They are engage in the international trade of goodness. The seafarers of the ministry have set aside the vocation of making money from seafaring. They roam world for freedom.

PSAP-Parola, as well as the management of Mercy Ships, expressed their deep appreciation to the Philippine Embassy for the support, the commendation, and the encouragement given to the Filipino crew of the Anastasis.

PSAP SHIP VISITOR’S LOG27 August 2004

Welcome aboard! Philippine Embassy

parola 123.indd 16 13-12-2004 23:04:34


SHORE-TO-SHIPseason’s greetings

A Blessed Merry Christmas & A Happy, Health-full New Year to All

From the Board, Staff and Volunteers

PSAP was founded in 1981 in Rotterdam with the aim to support

Filipino seafarers in their struggle for better working and living conditions.

PSAP’s ObjectivesTo contribute to seafarers awareness

about their workers and human rights.To provide support and services to

seafarersTo promote seafarers awareness on

HIV/AIDS and other health related issues

To enhance better cooperation among seafarers of various nationalities

through better unders- tanding of each other culture.

Addresses:PSAP Rotterdam Oostbroekweg 4,

3089 KL Rotterdam The Netherlands

Tel. 010-2400930 Fax. 010-2400932

E-mail. [email protected]: psap-parola.or.net

Centro Filipino-Seamen’s DeskCalle Riera Vaja 6-4 0881

Barcelona, Spain

Kasapi Seafarers’ Assistance Program Labor Center of Piraeus

Skylitsi 19, Piraeus, Greece

International Christian Maritime Association(ICMA)

2/3 Orchard Place, SouthamptonS01 1BR England

Center for Seafarers’ Rights 241 Water Street, New York,

NY 10038 Tel. 212-3499090 Fax. 212-3498342

Seafarers Caregivers Org. Inc.Nr. 4 Cor. Tulip/Anhurium Strs

Camella Homes SubdPajac, Lapu-lapu

Cebu City , PhilippinesTel. 032-3400334

Printed by: Drukkerij Dizayn

ISSN: 1389-9465

Editorial StaffJosie Pulmano

Nonoy TyPeter Payoyo

Parola is published bi-monthly by the Philippine Seafarers Assistance Programme(PSAP). PSAP is a non-

stock, non-profit foundation registered in the Chamber of Commerce

no. S127664, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

PHILIPPINE SEAFARERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME, ROTTERDAM

MALIGAYANG PASKOAT

MANIGONG BAGONG TAON

parola 123.indd 17 13-12-2004 23:04:42


Atty. PETER B. PAYOYO

Last October, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to R.A. 9262, “The Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004”, was launched with celebration and expressions of great hope in the Philippines. RA 9262 has been hailed as a landmark legislation, the culmination of decades of efforts to correct institutions and practices that perpetuate violence against women and children. The IRR ensure that women and children have effective access to justice, as well as to relevant services and programmes.

Why should seafarers, overwhelmingly men, be aware (or beware!) of RA 9262 and its cause for gender justice?

RA 9262 imposes stiff penalties on any person who commits acts of violence against “his wife, former wife, or against a woman with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationship or with whom he has a common child, or against her child”. Punishable are acts “which result in or are likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.”

There is a very long list of “Acts of violence against women and their children”. For illustrative purposes, the following are prohibited acts: - threatening to cause the woman or her child physical harm- depriving or threatening to deprive the woman or her child of

financial support, or deliberately providing insufficient support to the woman’s children

- solely controlling the conjugal or common money or properties- inflicting or threatening to inflict physical harm on oneself for the

purpose of controlling her actions or decisions- stalking or following the woman or her child- peering in the window or lingering outside the residence of the

woman or her child- entering the dwelling of the woman or her child against her will- causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humilia-

tion to the woman or her child

The question is: will this law end up like all other well-meaning laws of the country – useless and ineffective because of its lack of implementation?If the 2004 implementation record of RA 9262 is at all any gauge to its prospects of effective enforcement, then abusive men and husbands have something to really worry about. Even before the IRR were promulgated, the courts have already been active in enforcing RA 9262.

The most powerful remedy given by RA 9262 to women and children is called “protection order”. A Protection Order may be issued in a summary fashion by Barangay authorities or the Courts. A Protection Order has the effect, for example, of the removal or expulsion of the man from the residence of the woman, regardless of ownership of the residence. A Protection Order can also lead to a hold departure order, or direct the man to stay away from the woman at a distance to be specified by the court. To further strengthen this remedy, RA 9262 says that a Protection Order, temporary or permanent, is enforceable anywhere in the country.

The case of Pesca vs. Pesca, which was decided by the Philippine Supreme Court in April 2001, is instructive.

Lorna Pesca and Zosimo Pesca first met sometime in early 1975 while on board an inter-island vessel bound for Bacolod City. After a whirlwind courtship, they got married in March 1975. Initially, the young couple did not live together as Lorna was still a student, and Zosimo, a seaman, had to leave the country on board an ocean-going vessel barely a month after the marriage. After a few years the young couple were able to build their own house in Caloocan City. It was blissful marriage for the couple during the two months of the year that they could stay together, when Zosimo was on vacation. The union begot four children, 19-year old Ruhem, 17-year old Rez, 11-year old Ryan, and 9-year old Richie.

It started in 1988, Lorna said, when she noticed that respondent surprisingly showed signs of “psychological incapacity” to perform his marital covenant. His “true color” of being an emotionally immature and irresponsible husband became apparent. He was cruel and violent. He was a habitual drinker, staying with friends daily from 4 in the afternoon until one o’clock in the morning. When cautioned to stop or, to at least, minimize his drinking, respondent would beat, slap and kick her. At one time, he chased Lorna with a loaded shotgun and threatened to kill her in the presence of the children. The children themselves were not spared from physical violence.

In November 1992, Lorna and her children left the conjugal abode to live in the house of her sister in Quezon City as they could no longer bear Zosimo’s violent ways. Two months later, Lorna decided to forgive Zosimo, and she returned home to give him another chance. But, to her dismay, things did not change for the better. Instead,

No More Mr. Macho Marino

PAYO ni ATTORNEY

parola 123.indd 18 13-12-2004 23:04:50


matters became worse.

On the morning of 22 March 1994, Zosimo assaulted Lorna for about half an hour in the presence of the children. She was battered black and blue. She submitted herself to medical examination at the QC General Hospital, which diagnosed her contusions and abrasions. Lorna fi led a complaint with the barangay authorities, and a case was fi led against Zosimo for slight physical injuries. He was convicted by the Coloocan Trial Court and was sentenced to eleven days imprisonment.

After that last dreadful experience, Lorna and her children left the conjugal home for good. Lorna then fi led for a declaration of nullity of their marriage invoking psychological incapacity.

The trial court rendered a decision nullifying the marriage of Lorna and Zosimo on the basis of the psychological incapacity of Zosimo.

The seaman appealed his case to the Court of Appeals and won. The Supreme Court reviewed the case and agreed with the Court of Appeals, upholding the position of Zosimo that he was not psychologically incapacitated. According to the Supreme Court, emotional immaturity and irresponsibility cannot be equated with ‘psychological incapacity’. The Supreme Court sympathized with the sad situation of Lorna, but did not allow the termination of her marriage, which the court said was an inviolable social institution and the foundation of the family.

The policeman arrested a lady he suspected of being prostitute. Suspect: “I’m not selling sex! Policeman: “Then what are you doing?” Suspect: “I’m selling condoms and offering a free demo”

Seaman had six children and was very proud of his achievement. He was so proud of himself that he started calling his wife, “Mother of Six,” in spite of her objections.

One night they went to a party. The seaman decided that it was time to go home, and wanted to fi nd out if his wife is ready to leave as well. Much to her embarrassment, he shouted at the top of his voice, “Shall we go home, Mother of Six?”

His wife, irritated by her husband’s lack of discretion shouted back, “Anytime you’re ready, Father of Four!”

Typical macho seaman was married to typical good-looking lady. While on vacation from work, he laid down the following rules:

”I’ll be home when I want, if I want and at what time I want-and I don’t expect any hassle from you. I expect a great dinner to be on the table unless I tell you that I won’t be home for dinner. I’ll go driving, fi shing, boozing and card-playing when I want with my buddies and don’t you give me a hard time about it. Those are my rules. Any comments?”

His wife said, “No, that’s fi ne with me. Just understand that there will be sex here at seven o’clock every night... whether you’re here or not.”

JOKES Cont’d.

(Jokes from: 3/Engr. R. Sanchez)

Husband: Mahal, bakit mo naman ako sinibak sa ulo? Halos kita na ang utak ko.

Wife: Okey iyan. At least, open-minded ka na ngayon.

Subscribing to Parola is your wayof supporting the publication.

A yearʼs subscription costs US$10.00. Send the amount to:

P S A P Oostbroekweg 43089 KL RotterdamThe Netherlands

Thank you for your support.

PHIL

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See page 20, please...

parola 123.indd 19 13-12-2004 23:04:51


Marami akong balak na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa natupad.Tatlong anak ang uma-asa sa aking kita,

Asawa ko’y laging naghihintay kung kailan ako darating.Sa trabaho kung ito na sa ibayong dagat,

Ang makikita at panoorin ay tubig.Minsan ako’y matakot

Kung hanggang kailan ko matitiis ang kalungkutang ito.Pero ang edukasyon ng mga anak ko ay kailangang kong itaguyod.

Sila ang makapagpaligaya sa mga hirap na dinanas ko.O Panginoon, ikaw lang ang nakaka-alam

Kung ano ang aking kahihinatnan.Sa buhay kong ito na puno ng pagkabahala

Uma-asa ako, bawat saglit sa aking dalangin na ako’y iyong samahan,

Asawa’t anak hindi mabahala,Sa pagsisikap ko, sila’y bantayan mo.

Tuwing bakasyon gusto kong ako’y masayang lagiDahil pamilya ko’y buong-buo.

Sa pag-alis, mabigat ang puso ko, malayo na naman ako.Asawa ko’y nakasimangot hindi ko alam kung ano ang nasa isip,

Panginoon ikaw lang ang nakaka-alam,Malayo man ako, puso ko’y sa kanila pa rin.

Alam ko may darating na kaligayahang hindi katumbas ng pera Sa darating na panahon.

IKAW ANG NAKAKAALAM

Arthur Ceniza2nd Mate M/V Atlantic Harmony

Parola is a publication supported by

YES, I would like to receive a copy of Parola regularly. Please send my copy to the name and address below.

Name:

Address:

PHIL

IPPI

NE

SEA

FAR

ERS

ASS

ISTA

NC

E P

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ME,

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parola 123.indd 20 13-12-2004 23:04:53

NO: 123 September - December 2004 A NEW SEAFARERS’ CENTER ... · The center is open seven days a week, from 6 PM to 11 PM. During off-hours, the center’s telephone booths and

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