by MAUREEN BANAYO
ONE hundred forty three cadets joined the PNTC Colleges mid-year recognition and ring hop ceremonies held at the SMX Convention Center last November 28.
With the theme, “Turning PNTC Colleges Cadets Into World-Class Seafarers,” cadets received their certificates of completion of academic requirements leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering.
PNTC Colleges President Atty. Hernani Fabia, Sharence Group and Travels, Inc. Managing Director and commencement speaker Mr. Lawrence Adelakan with academic deans, school officials and faculty members were all involved in the processional entrance of the candidates for recognition.
Former Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ramon Woo Jr. delivered the welcome remarks while former Director for Quality and Marketing Office Ms. April Bernadette Castro introduced the guest of honor and commencement speaker.
“Challenge is only a test of your ability to push forward with what you think is already impossible to do. When everyone else says you cannot do it, you should prove otherwise,” Adelakan said.
Adelakan emphasized virtues that make Filipino seafarers ideal in the business perspective, as well as vital component in the world’s maritime activity.
“You are preferred not only because of your diligence and value for work. You are considered company’s assets not only because of your ability to speak good English.
But, more than anything else, YOU, Filipinos are valued because of your resilient and happy attitude despite sadness, grief, sorrow and desolation,” Adelakan added.
The biggest challenge for the graduates is to sustain, if not surpass what are expected of graduates as “neophyte members of the highly regarded league of Filipino seafarers,” according to Adelakan.
“With your attitudes, dedication to your assigned duties and commitment to service, you are the ones tasked to proclaim the good name and image of your mother school PNTC,” he said.
On the one hand, Fabia urged the graduates to live up to the expectation of their alma mater in becoming future partners of the maritime industry and education.
In full attendance, the occasion became even more meaningful as cadets’ parents participated in the ring hop ceremony proper. Parents were given the honor to pass through the mock ring where each slipped the graduation ring into the forefinger of the graduating son or daughter.
Dean of Maritime Education Capt. Juan Gonzales presented the candidates for recognition to Fabia for the confirmation, which was immediately followed by the ring hop ceremony proper and distribution of certificates to the cadets with their respective parents.
Ring hop ceremony symbolizes the end of the academic studies of the cadet and signifies the readiness of a cadet to face the next challenge in shipboard training and apprenticeship.
As to the principal student awards, proficiency in major subjects and leadership were given to the following: Tubog, Marlon D.- Proficiency in Navigation; Paduan, Carlos, Jr., N. – Proficiency in Seamanship; Palomar, Marco Paulo A. – Proficiency in Machine Shop and Electrotechnology; Infante, Nielsen C.- Leadership Award; Tubog, Marlon D. and Latayan, Clarice C. – Service Awards.
Training Staff OIC and Discipline Office, and President of the Alumni Association Mr. Raymond Nismal led the induction of the new members of the PNTC Colleges Alumni Association.
Midshipman Nielsen Infante headed the pledge of loyalty.
“The good thing to do is to expect challenges that would come along your way, so you can prepare. The better thing to do is to face them once they interfere; but, seriously, the best thing to do is to go after the challenges, instead of waiting for them to come,” Adelakan concluded (With reports from Prof. Jaime Tee).
