NSTP and CES: In Action

By MARK LOUIE RIVERA
NATIONAL Service Training Program (NSTP) and the Community Extension Service (CES) are both subjects and programs taken by college students. It requires students to conduct some activities that can help community and the people.

           

PNTC Colleges conducted many activities in line with this function.

           “Pamaskong Handog ng PNTC Colleges,” a feeding program and relief goods distribution were simultaneously held in Quezon City, Dasmariῆas, Cavite and Intramuros, Manila. These activities gave an opportunity for the PNTC students to feed selected children, who needed additional attention because of malnutrition.

Meanwhile, last January 2012, PNTC students donated trash cans to barangays of Zone III, San Agustin II and San Agustin III in Dasmariῆas Cavite. They paid courtesy to the chairmen of respective barangays, with the presence of school officials.

For PNTC students, these trash cans shall signal the start of cleanliness for the residents of those selected barangays. By the help of those trash cans, they can segregate biodegradable and non-biodegradabl materials for proper waste management and disposal.

Students also carried out a clean and green activity to an adopted barangay in Dasmariῆas, Cavite. With their cleaning tools, students cleaned and picked up plastic, paper, leaves and other human discards—extending to minor roads and side walks.

They also cut wild grasses that hinder water flow from canals, which then cause flooding. It was also a way to avoid contamination that can lead to proliferation of dengue-causing mosquitoes in the community.

It did not stop there. A drug prevention and control campaign in the same places was conducted. This served as an information drive for the youth and people about the many different life-threatening effects of illegal drugs.

Lastly, students conducted a blood letting activity in collaboration with the De La Salle University Medical Center. They gathered all types of blood, to help address blood supply insufficiency on emergency situations involving delicate patient operation and blood transfusion, among others.

Female Seafarer..why not?

Confessions of female captains wannabe

By MARK JAVE ASEO

 "IF others can, why can’t I?”  This quotation best explains the struggles of female seafarers wannabes  nowadays.  Women of full determination, courage and perseverance in achieving their dreams and goals in life.

Marie Abigail Orcajada, an 18-year old  Marine Transportation student (MT32-A7) believes that being a female seafarer is not a big deal.  Interest and determination lead one to become a professional seafarer, according to her.

She admits though that her being a marine student is not purely her decision. She asked guidance from her family prior to attending PNTC Colleges, as she believes that her family will give the best choice for her.

She lives in a principle that goes, “push yourself to the limits.”

“I don’t have any idea on this Marine Transportation course which I am taking up now but I have realized that it is not important if you already knew the things you are dealing with. Instead, doing your best and giving importance to it will make things right,” Abigail said in an interview with this writer. 

“Aiming at things that you really wanted does not really matter, as long as you are able and willing to pursue these dreams,” she added. 

Another seafarer wannabe Julie Anne Danao from MT32-A2, with same age and course as Abigail believes that there are only two kinds of people:  “people who are stupid and pretending to be stupid.”

Julie regards this as the best principle she has ever encountered.

“Don’t let yourself ruin your life with nothing or should I say don’t be a person who [refuses] to know things around you, or else you do not deserve a place in this world,” she said in a separate interview.

Julie continued: “Learn to appreciate things and explore.  After all, these things would help you improve  your personality and [boost] your self-esteem.  Prove to everyone that being a woman is not a hindrance to a progressive life.”

To many, Marine Transportation course may not be for ladies, but Abigail and Julie are early proofs that women can.

They both believe that people—men and women—can exist in a world with equal opportunity, where women can do things just as men usually do.

Intelligence and strength do not matter at all times. Strategy plays a great role to exist and survive in this world.

Their stories tell us to live in a principle that says, “strong determination and perseverance are the great factors of one’s personality development and progress.”

Arnis as Part of PNTC Curriculum

By JOHN DALLORAN
IF Japan has karate and Korea has taekwondo, the Philippines has its own martial arts called arnis.

Arnis, also known as kali or eskrima, refers to a category of Filipino martial arts that “emphasizes the use of weapons, whether it be fighting sticks, blades or improvised weapons.”

In arnis, the weapons are regarded extension of the body.

Arnis mentor and faculty member Mr. Benedict Cruz said that he is glad that PNTC Colleges decided to include arnis in its sports curriculum.

“Learning arnis is not that easy. It needs your mind to be focused, and most importantly,  you should be physically fit to obtain the right execution of the sport,” Cruz said in an interview.

Arnis is just like other martial arts that is not only for self-defense. It is also promoted and encouraged by the Department of Education and the Higher Education Commission as part of the Physical Education programs.

It should be noted that in 2010, former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act 9850 or the law declaring arnis as the national martial art and sport; mandating that an arnis competition is the first to be played at the annual national games.

Today, PNTC students are enjoying the benefit of this art. They are also willing to share their knowledge in this sport that every Filipino should always be proud of.

Arnis is played in three basic forms: the Single Cane or Solo Baston, the Double cane or Double Baston and the Unique Spada y Daga, literally translated to sword and dagger.

Players can basically participate in two types of arnis sports, the anyo or form, and the laban, or full combat competitions.

Sequences of movements using two batons include the anyo. Competition will be judged based on the execution of the anyo and the creativity of overall choreography of the performance.

Gracefulness combined with strength and force is needed to execute these forms properly.

Meanwhile, in the full combat competition, players are required to strike their opponents’ different body parts with one baton. Any attack using bare hands or feet is considered a foul.

Scores depend on the number of strikes each player could deliver. Agility and quick thinking combined is required to have a high score in this type of competition.

However, some competitions allow full contact between players. Competitors could grapple, disarm, and block their opponents.

Celebrating Christmas, the PNTC Way

By ADRIAN ANTHONY GALICIA




WE work hard, but we groove harder—as we bring back to life the good old days of the 60s and the 70s!

This was the central theme of the PNTC Colleges Christmas celebration, held at Area 05 Superclub in Quezon City, Saturday night of December 15.

Considered the first Christmas party held outside the PNTC grounds, the entire faculty including staff, personnel and administrative officials assembled together to prove how to pull off a Christmas party their own way.

PNTC Colleges President Atty. Hernani Fabia, with his family spearheaded the celebration through a Christmas speech, following a performance from the PNTC Colleges All Stars.   

“This is the night, as we honor the people [who] make PNTC stronger and more successful. Ladies and gentlemen, you are all entitled to this special recognition.

I would like everybody to just leave your past failures behind you and take the Christmas as a start. Your trust and faith in God will make you a victor,” said Fabia.

Also present to grace the occasion were Executive Vice President Atty. Bienvenido Cerbo Jr., former Vice President (VP) for Academic Affairs Dr. Ramon Woo Jr., VP for Administration Ms. Circe Concepcion, VP for Finance Atty. Giovanni Bautista, Training Superintendent Captain Arturo Florentino, former Dean of General Education Dr. Herminio Ceballos and Dean of Maritime Education Captain Juan Gonzales.

A party that turned into an exhibition of talents, a total of 11 participants from various departments of PNTC Colleges joined the variety show competition, carrying the theme of the party.

Finance Department Manila emerged as the undisputed winner followed by the Quality Department Manila. General Service Staff (GSS) Manila and Faculty Manila shared the third place.

Judges included PNTC Human Resources (HR) Supervisor Mr. Michael Lao (head judge), together with Atty. Joan Jagonos; former director for Quality Program and Standard Mr. Paul Kenneth Silbano, faculty member Mr. Yfur Porsche Fernandez (voice-over), and guest judge dancer Mr. Dustin Guillermo.

Winners of Best in Christmas Decoration were also revealed.

In Manila, the Quality and Marketing Department bagged the first prize, the GSS, second prize and the HR/Administration, third prize. In Dasmariñas, the ICT, the GSS and the Clinic won the awards, respectively.

Sticking up to the theme, Mr. Albert Sia of HR Manila, who wore an Elvis Presley costume and Ms. Jeneth Lainez of Finance Department Manila got the approval of  Atty. Cerbo as judge for the Costumes of the Night award.

Also in the programme were energetic performances from dance crew, The Gimpers, who wowed the audience of the group’s versions of the dance craze Gangnam Style and retro-mix music.

The party had no dead air as minor and major raffles kept coming in segments. Ms. Leonida Malijan of HR Manila, through a random selection took home the major prize.

“This served as a challenge for us to successfully hold this event, as it may determine the fate of the succeeding Christmas parties,” said Concepcion.

Organized by PNTC HR Manila, this celebration was made possible by sponsors New Bicolandia Gravel and Sand, GLC Realty and Development Corporation, Ms. Ester De Leon, Mark-V Enterprises, Philippine Foundation for Maritime Teaching Aids Inc., Lecson, Publishing Inc., Discovery Printhouse and Bonita Del Mar Realty, among others (With reports from Mr. Yfur Porsche Fernandez).  

Routine Activities of the Regimental Program

By GILBERT PEÑAFLOR
THE Regimental Program, a one-month stay in program, is one of the subjects taken by current Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering third year students of the PNTC Colleges.

This program serves as a solid preparation for future cadet trainees as they enter the higher level of their academic training. It aims to develop cadets’ self-confidence and communication skills.

Instructors teach them how to treat other persons in an actual job operation atmosphere. Students are trained to become a disciplined cadet. The training is divided into two major aspects: the non-academic and the academic enhancement review.

In non-academic aspect, students are trained to be good leaders and followers. Consequences system is applied on every failure. Team building skills improve each student’s character traits and personality.

In team building activities, students are taught to share their knowledge to their fellow learners; in turn, developing their communication skills. Usually, instructors require students to be creative when performing group activities.

Meanwhile, the physical fitness activity enhances body condition. This includes jogging, playing basketball, and many others that will make them more active and fit to pass medical requirements. Of course, being healthy is a prerequisite in maritime profession.

Seafarers’ life familiarization is conducted by the school, so students can understand the day to day situation of a seafarer aboard. Instructors emotionally prepare them, as the profession naturally requires geographical separation from relatives and loved ones.

On the other hand, the academic enhancement review, as the name suggests, boosts all major skills crucial when they are already on board the ship. English enhancement activities help students express themselves to different cultures correctly and confidently.

Reading materials to improve their reading and writing skills are also provided.

They also conduct Mathematics and Physics enhancements, wherein instructors teach students to solve ship-related problems, location detection and speed calculations, among other technical terms. For example, marine engineering students solve temperature pressures and volume of fuel engine and others; while seamanship, navigation, and collision regulation are for marine transportation students.

PNTC Colleges also teach students about main engine overhauling, auxiliary machineries and practical welding, and discuss the relevance of those skills in the actual engine operation on board the vessel.

Ultimately, instructors explain the fundamental functions of ship essentials like bridge simulator to monitor the condition of the ship at the bridge; engine simulator to sustain acceptable pressure, temperature and condition of the engine, and other machines in the engine room.

Ship Security Awareness (SSA) programs for both deck and engine departments are also done to maintain safety in navigation and operation of both the vessel and its crew. More so, to train students to face intruders, and even unwanted situations like typhoon, tidal waves, and other forms of natural disaster.

This month long training may seem so long and tiring, but it will be all worth it.

Maritime School. It's More Fun in the Philippines.

By JUNNEL LITAS

COMPLETE maritime training facilities in compliance with international standards through its own maritime training center—this is PNTC Colleges Maritime Training Center.

“Inside the premises of PNTC Colleges [are] state of the art facilities and complete set of equipment that are necessary in providing quality education,” said former Dean of General Education Dr. Herminio Ceballos.

In both branches of PNTC Colleges in Manila and Dasmariñas, ship simulators are readily available for students’ use.  With the use of simulators, students can experience first-hand the interior setting of the actual ship.  They can readily familiarize themselves with maneuvering ships in different environment.

A fire fighting facility can be found  in Dasmariñas campus. Equipment includes fire fighting suit, fire extinguisher, axe, fire hose and fire alarm, among others.  With this accessible, students are able to learn how to handle fire-related situations.

A swimming pool is also present in Dasmariñas. The depth ranges from four to twelve feet.  Students use the pool for their physical education subjects; more so, this is also used for live saving courses.

There are also laboratories for the students:  the engine laboratory, the computer laboratory and the Science laboratory. Students use these laboratories according to their area of operation.

Journey of a "second-courser"

By FELICITO DIMZON III
YES, I am a second-courser.

Why did I choose PNTC Colleges as the best maritime school for my second course?

It all started when my aunt told me to take Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay (now City University of Pasay). With a heavy heart, I grabbed the chance anyway just to attain the degree because my father could not afford to send me to school. Besides, it is better to spend my time in the four corners of the classroom rather than to stay at home and do nothing. I knew then, that my decision would be a burden.

During my first day, everything seemed the same as in high school. The only thing that changed was the fact that teachers are now called professors. I really did not like my course but thanks to my friends who helped me enjoy the entire task of finishing all requirements.

It was during my third year when students were allowed to select what major to take. I enrolled in the English major class. This time around, taking the major was again not my choice. It’s my friends’. But still, I was able to cope to the subjects; I enjoyed doing dramas, speech choirs, and reporting, among others. Though, for me, lesson planning was the worst activity to date.  I found it redundant—copying lessons from the book, transferring them to the lesson plan, and then, duplicating them to my visual aids. This made me feel sick.

My burden did not stop there. When I started my field study in a national secondary school, I observed the ideas and teaching strategies of my critic teacher. By then, I was really hoping to acquire everything that I learned from her so that when my turn comes, I would find it easy.

Later on, I was deployed in different high school around Pasay City. I handled four sections of third year class. What I initially considered a burden had become a nightmare.

Handling a class with 50 plus students was seriously a no-joke. I remembered when I was discussing a lesson, some students kept putting on make-ups, others bullied each other, while few shouted—like all of these were happening at the same space, at the same time; to a point you would not think you are inside the classroom anymore! It was more like of a public market.

The hardest part: doing the grades. I found it difficult to compute and pass students out of their least efforts. Parents kept coming in and out of the faculty room crying, begging and hoping for teachers’ kindest considerations to pass their children. As a student teacher, I did not know how to deal with this kind of situation.

I realized that being a teacher is not by choice. It is by destiny.

I graduated but unfortunately, I was not able to pass the Licensure Exam for Teachers. After that, I never tried to take another exam anymore. I really don’t know why but perhaps I shall wait for that moment when I can feel the “teacher in me” is ready.

I applied for a job not as a teacher but as a Test Development Assistant in Center for Educational Measurement in Makati. My job there was somehow related to my course. I evaluated test items and gave orientations to test proctors. One time I became an examiner during the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT). I worked there for two years. Then, I realized that I cannot establish my family in the kind of job I have.  I finally decided to go back to school and find another course which will give me my contentment.

I found myself wanting to become a seaman not just because most of my relatives are seafarers, but because I really want to become one. I inquired first in a maritime school where my younger brother is taking his course. I asked the registrar about the tuition and the subjects to credit from my Transcript. I was disappointed upon the advice that I should reserve the offered subjects because I might not be included once the students’ list is completed.

I kept on searching schools from hearsays to my actual legworks until finally my girlfriend mentioned about the school in Dasmariñas, Cavite. She also told me that the school has a branch in Intramuros, Manila. That very day we went to the school to inquire and set the schedule for my entrance exam. During my entrance exam, they gave me a handbook which explained the school’s mission, vision, and the curriculum.

I found the school very nice, the facility is good—every room is air-conditioned, the room is in great maintenance, and the tuition fee is “very friendly.” I never doubted that I enrolled at PNTC Colleges Manila. 

For me, PNTC Colleges is a remarkable institution that provides the students essential knowledge needed for their career advancement, opening windows of opportunities to grow as a leader.

The school is giving me an insight of my future. It helps me to be inspired to study harder, to bring out the best out of my best!

My professors are well-rounded people, easy be with and approachable whenever I need clarifications on certain lessons. There is too much to say about this school but I guess I would be too “bolero” if I continue writing.

It is up to you to experience! If you are searching for a maritime school that is competitive, with high educational standards and remains true to its mission, I believe PNTC Colleges is widely open for you.

To those who feel discontented about their first courses, please have the courage to know your path. It is never too late for education.

In the event you would like to take the maritime way—just to give you an idea, all I can say is that I’m simply happy and satisfied to where I am today.