12/2015 Volume 11 Issue 6

PTC Group CEO Gerardo Borromeo Named as Seatrade Personality of the Year PTC Group CEO, Gerardo A. Borromeo, was honored with the Seatrade Personality of the Year Award at the 8th Seatrade Maritime Awards Asia held at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre, as part of the Hong Kong Logistics and Maritime Weeks, last November 16, 2015. At the same event, PTC was selected as one of the five finalists among numerous nominations across the globe for the Seatrade Maritime Asia Award for Corporate Social Responsibility. The Seatrade Personality of the Year Award “recognizes the excellent job that Mr. Borromeo has done promoting the industry both in the Philippines as the CEO of Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc., as well as, his work internationally as Vice- Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping and President of InterManager. It also acknowledges the tireless work undertaken engaging with stakeholders, the industry at large and the media, for the improvement of the shipping industry and in particular, the crew who serve it.” Mr. Borromeo is the first Filipino to have been given this special recognition by Seatrade, one of the world’s largest and most respected maritime media and research organizations. Headquartered in the United Kingdom with regional and representative offices worldwide, Seatrade has closely covered global shipping since 1970 and has through the years, awarded maritime companies, organizations and individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the industry’s advancement and sustainability. The awards gala dinner saw 12 well-deserving winners selected from 54 finalists in the competitive categories, while four special awards (including the Seatrade Personality of the Year Award) were presented to individuals for their exemplary work and contributions to the shipping industry. The winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges for their outstanding performance and achievements amid keen competition and challenging operating conditions.

PTC-CSJ Receives Gawad Parangal Award from DepEd NCR ANGKLA’s Seafarers Protection The Department of Education Act Signed into Law (DepEd) National Capital Region held its 2015 Gawad Parangal at Pasasalamat on October 7, 2015 in Quezon City. The annual event serves “to honor teachers, schools and valued partners in acknowledgment of their valuable contribution to the attainment of the goals of DepEd.” PTC-CSJ Foundation was one of the awardees in Muntinlupa City in the partnership category. In a simple ceremony, DepEd Muntinlupa ANGKLA Representative Jesulito A. Manalo has Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Mauro C. de Gulan, turned over the award and expressed announced President Aquino’s signing of Republic Act his congratulations and gratitude to the PTC-CSJ Foundation through its Executive Director, 10706 last November 26, 2015, marking another major Ms. Flory A. Tabio. In response, Ms. Tabio said that “The Foundation is happy to have been feat for the benefit of Filipino seafarers. “Two months supporting Muntinlupa City’s two public schools since 2010. We look forward to continuing the following our election in 2013, we started our quest for the protection of seafarers’ rights, particularly with respect to partnership with DepEd to help improve basic education outcomes, especially in Muntinlupa.” their monetary claims so the recent passage of this law The ceremony was witnessed by the Foundation’s partner-schools in Muntinlupa City: Bayanan is truly a legislative milestone for the seafaring sector,” Elementary School-Main with its Principal, Mr. Antonio Gagala, and Lakeview Elementary Manalo stated. School with its Principal, Mrs. Buena dela Cruz. The two Schools’ former Principal, Ms. Marissa M. Andanza, who has since transferred to Sucat Elementary School, was also present. The newly signed ANGKLA Law seeks to safeguard Filipino seafarers’ labor claims arising from accidents, injuries, illnesses and fatalities, against unreasonable legal fees from ambulance chasers. An Under the Sea Halloween Adventure “While the Code of Professional Responsibility of Lawyers prohibits ambulance chasing, there is no direct statutory Children of PTC employees enjoyed a day of treats provision which expressly prohibits this abominable and fun activities at “Sailoween,” this year’s annual practice in the enforcement of labor rights,” Manalo PTC Halloween Trick-or-Treat event held last October explained. 29. Dressed in cute and creative underwater-themed costumes, kids participated in a plaster sculpture painting Addressing this concern, the law now prohibits individuals activity and were delighted by a hand puppet and bubble from taking undue advantage of seafarers in their legal show prior to their visiting the various offices around First pursuit for injury and sickness benefits. The measure puts Maritime Place to receive their treats prepared by PTC a cap on lawyers’ fees to an amount not exceeding 10% employees. Best Dressed Awards were also given to the of the benefit awarded to the seafarer or his family. An participating kids with the most creative costumes. individual found to be in violation of the new statute shall be penalized with a fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than P100,000, or by imprisonment of one year but not more than 2 years, or both. PTC Iloilo Holds Health & Wellness Day PTC Iloilo held a Health and Wellness Day for the company’s Ilonggo GMPs and their families last November 28, 2015 at the Simply Perfect Gym, Masonic Building, Plaza Libertad, Iloilo City. The day started with a talk on Health and Nutrition by Rose Granada, RN, a licensed therapist and alternative medicine advocate, who tackled the effects of pollution on one’s health. This was followed by a zumba session where special awards were given to RCCL Assistant Waiter Alvin Buelos for the Best in Zumba Attire and Lyvia Ocampo, wife of RCCL Waiter Eliseo Ocampo, for the Most Energetic Zumba Dancer. Both winners were awarded by PTC Iloilo Crewing Manager Maimai Sotelo.

Promoting Marine Conservation on the Road As part of its “Love our Oceans” advocacy which aims to heighten awareness of the importance of saving the Philippines’ rich marine resources, the PTC- CSJ Foundation has strengthened its campaign in partnership with Green Frog Hybrid Buses, the only bus company in the Philippines that uses environment-friendly, hybrid buses. The campaign showcases the country’s various marine wildlife such as the Philippine dolphin, corals, stingray and sea horse (with the latter two considered as endangered and threatened species, respectively). The bus ads can be seen on eight Green Frog buses plying the Pasay to Makati route. PTC Joins 55th Anniversary of AMOSUP Crew Connect 2015 PTC joined the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s PTC joined more than 550 local and international delegates at Union of the Philippines CrewConnect Global, formerly known as the Asia-Pacific Manning & (AMOSUP) as they aimed Training Conference, held last November 12 to 13 at the Hotel Sofitel for a place in the Guinness Philippine Plaza Manila. To honor the speakers of the two-day global Book of World Records by conference, PTC hosted a welcome reception on November 11 at the assembling the largest human residence of PTC CEO Gerardo Borromeo, where guests were able formation of a ship’s wheel to sample a taste of Philippine cuisine and enjoy outstanding Filipino as part of its 55th anniversary talent through the UST Singers. On Day 1 of the conference, PTC celebration last November 11, organized a welcome breakfast for conference speakers to meet with 2015 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds in Pasay City. A total of representatives from the Philippine government: the event’s keynote 2,276 seafarers and maritime students gathered at the event to form speakers Senator Sonny Angara, as well as, Congressman Jesulito a huge ship wheel image symbolizing unity and strength of the local Manalo and Administrator Maximo Mejia of MARINA. maritime industry. Other activities included a Thanksgiving Mass and a live concert featuring popular local acts.

LifeLinks Receives Saudi Embassy Accreditation LifeLinks International Resources, Inc. has recently received accreditation from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia allowing the company to more actively engage in the sourcing of employment opportunities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Filipino professionals. The accreditation also allows LifeLinks to process visas for workers who will be deployed to Saudi Arabia.

Celebrating Women Empowerment with the Wives of PTC GMPs PTC’s Family and Crew Relations, in partnership with GSK, organized the “Power Wives Club,” an event for the spouses of PTC’s Global Maritime Professionals (GMP) to celebrate women empowerment through health, wellness, beauty and entrepreneurship, last November 7 at the Main Sail Café of First Maritime Place. Hosted by TV personality Ms. Suzie Entrata Abrera, a lecture on cervical cancer was Constellation Travels: Continuing to Reap Industry conducted by Dr. Leah Cheryl Manio, GSK Medical Affairs Manager; as well Accolades as, a gift wrapping tutorial facilitated by Chiqui Barreto of Wrap It Up, and an eyebrow styling tutorial care by commercial model and professional make-up As a testament to its outstanding performance and sales volume in both the artist Mica Tuano-Fuentes. The activity ended with each participant filling out marine and leisure travel sectors, Constellation Travels Inc. (CTI) continues to a Commitment Paper with names of all their female loved ones whom they be honored by top airlines, as well as, industry associations, both locally and wish to be protected against cancer. This Commitment Paper was then placed internationally. Among the company’s recent awards include the prestigious in a decorative jar filled with scented soap sticks which the participants got American Airlines Top Producer Award from 2013 to 2015, Silver Philippine to take home. Making the event even more special was a scrumptious lunch Airlines Award from 2013 and 2015 and China Southern Airlines Distinguished especially prepared by Via Mare. Last November 28, Laguna-based GMPs Sales Performance Award for 2015. CTI has also received similar commendations and their families participated in a Wellness and Entrepreneurship Seminar from Hahn Air, Cathay Pacific/Dragon Air, Emirates, Delta Airlines, South African held at the San Antonio Skills Development Center in Sta. Rosa where they Airways, KLM, Air France, Finnair, Abacus and Amadeus. were given tutorials and demonstrations on practical beauty care, basic therapeutic massage and pastry- making.

Seaspan Celebrates Delivery of 100th Ship PTC congratulates Seaspan Ship Management Ltd. on the delivery of its 100th vessel in a fleet of owned and managed ships, the YM Warmth, last October 8, 2015 at Ulsan, South Korea. YM Warmth, the tenth sister vessel in a series of 14,000 TEU SAVER ships built at Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), marks a fantastic milestone in the growth of Seaspan’s operating fleet whose first ship, the CSCL Hamburg (now Seaspan Hamburg), was delivered just over fourteen years ago.

Crew Conferences Ugland Marine Management Mini Conference Ugland Marine Management (UMM) held a Mini-Conference for its officers and crew last October 26 to 27 at the InterContinental Manila to discuss topics pertaining to crew health and wellness. Safety awareness and environmental programs, new catering policies, and the philosophy and practices in marine cleanliness were taken up at the conference. A special dinner followed on October 27 at the Solaire Resort and Casino to celebrate 30 years of committed partnership between UMM and PTC. Representing UMM at the event were Mr. Knut Nikolai Ugland, owner; Mr. Øystein Beisland, Managing Director; Mr. Arnt Olaf Knutsen, Deputy Managing Director; Mr. Eivind Rørvik, Senior Advisor; Mr. Terje Olsen, Fleet Manager; Mr. Torbjørn Sandvik, Senior Crewing Manager; and Mr. Jens Dahlum, Senior HSEQ Manager. At the commemoration ceremony, Capt. Honorio Casalme of PTC was honored for his 30 years of dedicated service, first as an officer on board UMM vessels, and subsequently as Crew Manager for the PTC-UMM office. Seaspan Holds Second Manila Forum for 2015 Seaspan Ship Management held its second 2015 Manila Forum last October 28 at the Solaire Resort & Casino, anchored on the theme “Valuing Our Customers: The Right Way for the Right Results.” The forum included sessions on new initiatives for safe, reliable and economical operations, the company’s Voluntary Environmental Compliance Program, safe navigation and career development initiatives among others. Conducting these sessions were Raj Dewan, Director, Procurement and Technical Services; Hemraj Shetty, Director, Fleet Personnel; Alfred Gomez, Training and Development Manager; and Petar Lolic, Director, HSEQ. Chevron Holds 2015 Communications Meeting Chevron held its Officers’ Communication Meeting 2015 last November 11 at the Makati Diamond Residences to discuss manning, safety and marine transportation updates. The event culminated in a fun and memorable fellowship night.