Parola no. 98 • May - June 1999 • Page ¾

NO. 98 May - June 1999

China called for the punishment of the crew of a Philippines Navy vessel which collided with a Chinese fishing boat off Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, and for compensation for the fish-ermen. The demand was made even after Phil-ippine authorities turned over to Chinese officials the three Chinese fishermen who were rescued. Eight other Chinese fishermen, who had been reported miss-ing, were all accounted for. President Estrada said the government was willing to apologize if it was the fault of the Philippines, but defense officials insisted it was an accident and that the Navy ship fired warning shots.

China wants RP Navy crew punished

cont’d on page 3

EDITORYALANG TUNAY NA KAHULUGAN NG GULO SA IMO

Note from the Editor

Nasaan na ang Parola? Eto na! Our issue 98 has both Dr. Holmes and Josie Pulmano addressing the deli-cate issue, at least to some it still is, of the use of condom for protection against HIV-AIDS and other STD’s. So do read on, the two would like you to always be on alert to stay healthy. And the columns are not for men only, NO!

PSAP is busier than ever. In PSAP Updates, you get to know some of the people we work with and see what we’ve been doing these last two months.

Please check your Parola sub-scription, is this not your last one?

Congress members Jomari Gonzales and Etta Rosales meeting with PSAP.

Sa lahat ng pahayagan, naka-imprenta at naka-imprenta ngayon ang napaka-init na isyu sa ating sektor — “Marinong Pinoy muntik nang ma-blacklisted ng IMO.” Sabi ng isang bagong babasahing marino, kasalanan daw ito ng MARINA dahil ayaw nitong pakawalan ang pag-endorse ng mga certificate doon sa taga PRC. Swapang daw at buti na lang naagapan nila. Sana, ganito lang ka-simple’ t naisaayos ang isyung ito sa pamamagitan ng pagtatayo ng isang inter-agency body na binuklod sa isang mahigpit na kasunduan.Sa totoo lang, hindi rin kami segurado na ito nga ang tunay na kahulugan ng isyung ito. Noong nabasa namin ang balitang ito sa pahayagang Lloyds List, tinawagan agad namin ang opisina ng IMO sa London at sinabi nila na kagagawan ang lahat na ito ng mga taga Maynila. Ang ibig lang daw sabihin ng balita, na wala pang ibinigay na report sa IMO committee kung papaano ang 42 na deficiencies ay malalagpasan. Kesyo, nung itinanong namin kung ano itong 42 na pagkukulang, hindi daw pwede sabihin kasi confidential daw ang impormasyong ito. Wala pala tayong paki … dito !Ngunit importante sana ang impormasyong ganito, dahil ito rin ang magbibigay sa atin ng larawan kung gaano katotoo ang mga pagkukulang sa mga iskwelahan at treyning centers sa Pinas. Sa ganitong paraan, malaman din sana natin kung ano ang pagkukulang sa indibiduwal nating record sa treyning – kung mayroon nga. Di ba, itong STCW rin ang idinahilan ng mga ahensya kung bakit tayo ay dapat may-roong sangkatutak na treyning. Dapat din kasi nating malaman kung anu-anong treyning ang kinakailangan talaga (requirement) at saan doon ang mga optional lamang. cont’d on page 10

Parola no. 98 • May - June 1999 • Page ¾

by Basco Fernandez

cont’d on page 9

Marlene Macatangay Editor

Basco Fernandez, Josie Pulmano and Nonoy Ty Editorial Staff

Margie Holmes, Felix Pulmano and Roli Ancha

Columnists

Abas Abdula, Edgar Econ and Leshley Liauw

Technical Staff

Parola is published bi-monthly by the Philippine Seamen’s Assistance

Program(PSAP). PSAP is a non-stock, non-profit foun-dation registered in the Chamber of Commerce No. S127664,

Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

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 Objectives

To contribute to seafarers awareness about their workers and human rights.

To provide support and services to seafarers

To 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 Rm. 433, Willemskade 13

3016 DK Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Tel. 010-2400930 Fax. 010-2400932

E-mail. psap@wxs.nl

Centro Filipino-Seamen’s Desk Calle 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, Southampton S01 1BR England

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

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

Printed by: Drukkerij Dizayn

ISSN: 1389-9465

Advocacy Work Shifts to High Gear A number of concrete opportunities for seafarers’ advocacy presented themselves during these last two months. The most sig-nificant so far, was the series of consultations conducted by the official delegation from the Philippine Congress. Representatives Pat Sarenas ( Abanse-Pinay) , Etta Rosales (Akbayan), and Jomari Gonzales (San Juan) came over to Rotterdam on 24 April to con-duct consultations on various bills, specially on overseas voting. The following day, they presented their pet bills to a public forum held in Schiedam, Rotterdam. Congressman Eddie Nachura ( W. Samar) joined them in Amsterdam enroute to other consultations in Barcelona and Rome.This congressional visit to Rotterdam, organized by the Federation of Filipino Or-ganizations in the Netherlands, is significant in many ways. It symbolized government to give more importance to overseas Filipinos, especially those residing in Europe. Moreo-ver, the choice of Rotterdam as the site for the consultations and forum, signified not only the growth of the Filipino community here. Holding these activities in the biggest port city of the world, was meant to emphasize the urgent concerns of Filipino seafarers. Representatives Rosales and Gonzales, en-gaged in a thorough discussion with PSAP staff, board members and volunteers.The three hour session facilitated by Parola editor Marlene Macatangay, dramatized the longstanding grievances of the seabased sector. PSAP staff and volunteers who had actively been involved in the research on board Dutch ships, detailed fresh evidence of seafarers’ issues. Nonoy Ty exposed new forms of corruption affecting newcomers ap-plying for precious contracts, especially those coming from the provinces. He also empha-sized how blacklisting continues to create an atmosphere of fear within the profession. Representative Rosales encouraged PSAP to

present its case log to Congress and to the Filipino public as well. She noted that despite being major dollar earners, seafarers and their issues are not so well projected. Basco Fernandez shared with visitors the initial results of the research, specifically how Filipino seafarers have achieved a repu-tation for high level of skill, innovation and reliability. He explained how seafarers now worry that the IMO controversy will gravely undermine this hard fought position in the industry. The issue of excessive training ( like maritime english) and the excessively bureaucratic processes was also presented to the body. Congressman Gonzales recog-nized these concerns and explained how most of these problems were related to the issue of professional accreditation. He suggested that PSAP examine the possibility of self-ac-creditation, citing his own experience as an electronic engineer. Only then, he promised, could we overcome the problem of seafarers being accredited by non-seafarers.Late in the evening, seafarers and oil rig workers discussed the bills on overseas vot-ing. Among the concerns presented was the tendency for law makers to avoid giving the right vote to seafarers. Among the ideas pre-sented was the use of agency or the POEA, for registration and distribution of ballots. Other seafarers favored the idea of a proxy vote, whereby they are able to vote by au-thorizing their wives to do so in their behalf. Other ideas was for port based institutions like PSAP to be mandated to handle the re-turn of votes, or even to make a quick count of such votes.While this visit allowed PSAP to engage in a dry-run for its advocacy plans, the task of completing the field research continued to press upon the PSAP staff. While more than 80 percent of the minimum sample has al-ready been submitted, the momentum among

Representatives P. Sarenas, E. Rosales and Jomari Gonzales with the Filipino community leaders in the Netherlands.

Parola no. 98 • May - June 1999 • Page ¾

The 11th Congress adjourned on June 4, its First Regular Session highlighted by the retention of legislators’ pork bar-rel and the passage of only four bills into law.After his election, President Estrada had made a vow to do away with the con-gressional pork barrel, but this promise wilted after a few months in office upon strong intercession of partymates in the House of Representatives.The Senate adjourned its session on June 4 with passage of 12 bills on third and final reading. The chamber cited its concurrence on the controversial

RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) among its major accomplishments.Of the 12 bills passed by the Senate on third reading, four have been signed into law. These are Republic Act 8746 re-setting the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, RA 8747 or the Year 2000 Compliance Act, RA 8748 amending the Philippine Export Processing Zone Authority Law, and the 1999 General Appropriations Act. Three more measures passed by the Senate and the House are awaiting the signa-ture of President Estrada. (Philippine Star, June 1999)

Congress after 10 months: 4 bills passed, ‘pork’ retained

Philippine Airlines (PAL) narrowly es-caped liquidation after PAL chairman Lucio Tan beat the June 4 deadline to infuse $200 million into the ailing flag carrier. Yet this does not guarantee that Asia’s oldest airline will stay in flight be-yond the next 10 months.The countdown to PAL’s imminent clo-sure continues as Tan has less than a year to stabilize operations, cut costs, downsize its workforce, and reschedule its $2.2 billion debts before the $200 million runs out. The fresh capital, ac-cording to PAL, is enough to keep it afloat for 10 months. After that, the air-line will have to scramble again for new funds to remain viable. ( Manila Times, June 1999)

PAL’s fate uncertain

The three Chinese fishermen declared in an affidavit that their boat was rammed by the Navy ship at least twice. ‘’China expresses strong displeas-ure at the behavior of Philippine naval forces,’’ foreign ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said in Beijing. She called on Manila to ‘’severely punish those responsible and to compensate for the losses of the Chinese fishermen and to take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such kind of incidents.’’ ‘On May 22, a Philippine Navy patrol vessel chased three Chinese boats engaged in fishing off a shoal, which is called Scarborough Shoal by Manila and Huangyan Island by China. Philippine officials said the Navy ship, BRP Rizal, fired its machine gun across the bow of the wooden-hulled boats. The Navy ship then collided with one fishing vessel which sank.

China and RP...1

(Manila Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 1999

The Senate approved on second read-ing the resolution concurring in the ratification of the controversial RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). But the majority senators, unable to ig-nore the protests of the anti-VFA bloc in the chamber, included specific condi-tions in the resolution which they want President Estrada to address through ‘’proper representations’’ with the US government. These include the pending equity claims of Filipino World War II veterans, correc-tions of certain accounts of the shared RP-US history, preferential treatment for Philippine products in trade and various quotas, and a ‘’continuing commitment’’ of the United States to stability and peace in the Asia-Pacific. The conditions were apparently includ-ed to appease those senators who had raised fears over the possible unequal treatment between Americans and Fili-pinos once foreign troops arrive to stage joint military exercises in the country. There was no formal vote on the con-troversial accord. The law requires a three-day gap between the day a bill or resolution is approved on second and

Senators pass VFA with conditionsthird reading unless it is certified as ur-gent by Malacañang.

What is the VFA?President Estrada has continued to insist that the VFA would benefit the Fili-pino people. “I know it is for the greater good of our people to have a balance power within the Pacific,” he said.“At the same time, we have this Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States. The VFA will strengthen the MDT so that our soldiers will have a chance to have exercises with the US soldiers. “That is very elementary, but it is more advanta-geous for the security of our country to have the VFA approved.”VFA’s approval in the Senate is the go-signal for the conduct of joint military exercise between the Filipino and the American troops in the country. The approved resolution said that VFA will enchase the country’s political, eco-nomic, and security partnership with the US which has helped the development of the country and improved the lives of the Filipino people.The VFA, it said does not give unrestrict-ed access or unhampered movement to American troops and will not pave the

way for the restoration of the American bases and facilities in the country.The VFA allows Philippine courts to cont.page 11

Parola no. 98 • May - June 1999 • Page ¾

Josie Morilla PulmanoMercy Ships/Holland

Relasyong seksuwal, sagradoKaramihan sa atin ‘pag binanggit na ang tungkol sa sex ay para bang na-kasisirang-puri o kaya nahihiyang pakinggan. Dahil sa ang sex ay pribado at personal. Lahat ng pagbabahagi na may kinalaman sa kasarian ng tao ay sensitibo o nakababalisa. Nang nasa bible school kaming mag-asawa, hindi kami mapakali kung pinag-uusapan ang sex. Kahit na nga ang tinatalakay ay ang kaha-lagahan kung paano natin ito makamtan at kung paano natin ito gagamitin at pagkaingatan. Ang kahalagahan ng seksu-wal na relasyong mag-asawa ay isang simbulo ng paging-iisa higit pa sa pang-physical na pagkakaisa. Mga babae (Ephesians 5:21-25), pasakop tayo sa ating asawa tulad ng pagpapasakop natin sa Pan-ginoon. Sapagkat ang lalaki ang ulo ng kanyang asawa tu-lad ni Kristo na siyang ulo ng iglesya, na kanyang katawan, at siyang tagapagligtas nito. Kung paanong nasasakop ni Kristo ang iglesya gayon din naman ang mga babae’y dapat pasakop nang lubusan sa kani-kanilang asawa. Ang larawan ng pagkakaisang seksuwal ay binigay ng Diyos na isang ihemplo na gusto Niya sa kanyang mga anak na ito’y palawakin sa sagradong pamama-raan. May kapatawaran nga ang maling paggamit nito ngunit may kabayaran din naman. Ang pagtatalik ay malaking tulong sa pagbubuklod sa relasyon ng dalawang taong may pangako na pag-mamahalan habang buhay. Ito ay bukod tanging pagkakataon upang mabigyang kasiyahan ang bawat isa. Mananatili

Sarap ng pag-ibig at kamandag ng tukso

itong katangi-tangi at kawili-wili at hindi mahahanap sa labas kundi sa tunay na kabiyak lamang. Ang bawat lalaki at babae ay parehong may pangangailangang seksuwal na dapat tugunan. Kasama itong nilalang ng ating Diyos upang ang mag-asawa ay tunay na tawaging iisa. Dapat ay maging tapat sa asawang minamahal at ang tangi mong pag-ibig iukol sa kanya lamang (proverbs 5:15-21). Kaya nga ba’t mahalin mo ang kabiyak ng iyong buhay. Ang ligaya ay lasapin sa ma-bango niyang kandungan. Ligaya mo’y nasa kanya sa pitak ng kanyang dibdib. Sa ibang babae ay huwag ka sanang paaakit. Ni huwag mong papansinin makamandag niyang pag-ibig. Ang paningin ng Diyos sa tao’y di iniaalis. Laging nakasubaybay, bawat oras at

bawat saglit. Ganito kasagrado ang re-lasyong seksuwal.

Sex, kasama ng nilalang ng Diyos ang tao

Ang pagtatalik ay hindi lamang sim-pleng pang physical na karanasan para sa kristiyanong pamumuhay kundi ito’y kaganapan ng relasyon. Ito ang ka-buuan ng pagkatao, sa isip, katawan, ispiritu at kalooban na siyang pagsalu-han ng isang mag-asawa. Pag wala ito, hindi natin malasahan ang tamis ng pag-iibigan. Ang sex ay kasama nang ang tao ay nilalang ng Diyos.

Ang grasya ng pang-unawa, ay masa-sabi kong isa sa mga pampalasa ng pagmamahalan at pag-iibigan, liban pa sa bagay na seksuwal na aking binanggit. Unawain natin na sa taglay na kapaguran at kalungkutan ay may kasamang pangangailangan. Dahil dito, malapit ang tukso.

Mensahe ng pag-iingat ay mensahe ng pag-ibig

Sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulatan, ipadama natin ang mensahe ng pag-iin-gat na siyang mensahe din ng pag-ibig. Ganon din ang mensaheng naglalaman ng pang-uunawa at pagtitiwala. Maii-wasan din natin ang paglalason ng ating isipan na ang ating asawa na isang sea-man ay sisid-woman. Sa halip ng takot, subukang palusugin at payapain ang

ating isipan, na ang asawang nasa malayo, nagpapakahirap para sa ikabubuti ng kinabu-kasan. Ipadama natin na hindi lamang sila mahal dahil may allotment kung ‘di tayo’y isang maybahay na laging nandiyan sa anong oras ng pangangai-langan. Isang maybahay din ako ng marino. Hindi ko saklaw ang buhay at kilos ng aking asawa lalo’t pag siya’y malayo. Sa pamamagitan ng pang-unawa nabigyan ko ng kalayaan ang aking asawa. Ang pamama-hinga sa trabaho ay hindi

lamang sa pamamagitan ng pag stay-on-board, kung ‘di kasama rin ang paglabas at paglilibang . Sa pag pa-paalalang mag-ingat, huwag kalimutang magsilid ng goma sa bulsa ni Mister. Ito’y kung sakaling hindi malabanan ang seksuwal na pangangailangan. At higit sa lahat ang kapangyarihang pro-teksiyon ng pananalangin. Hindi sa promotion ito ng paggamit ng condom. Ngunit batay nga sa aklat ni Dr. Patrick Dixon, “Truth About Aids,” at leader rin ng Bridge Church in West London, hindi kailangang i-promote ang practice ng paggamit nito ngunit sa halip

Kami namang mga Babae ...

karugtong sa p.10

Parola no. 98 • May - June 1999 • Page ¾

Cebu City –On May 24, Cargo handling services at the Cebu port were crippled by striking arrastre workers, resulting in economic losses amounting to millions of pesos. Arrastre workers affiliated with the Associ-ated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines went on strike to protest the alleged illegal termination of 14 work-ers of Puerto Servicio de Cebu, a cargo handling company. Puerto Servicio, whose workers are members of ALU, handles the cargoes of vessels owned by Lapulapu Shipping Co. that ply the route from Cebu City to Bantayan Island and Cataingan in Samar. Bantayan is a fishing island-town in north-ern Cebu.

Strike cripples cargo services in Cebu portIn the near future, the ship operating costs are set to rise. In its latest report Ship Costs, shipping consultant Drewry forecasts that present levels of operating cost will move to owners’ disadvantage as the markets heads towards 2003.While ship operating expenditure has remained either stable or in decline during the 1990s, the ability to reduce expenses is considered to be at end. Maximum advantage has already been gleaned from crew, insurance, ship re-pair and ship finance. Drewry indicates that these expenditures have either hit the bottom of the cycle or fast approach-ing it. Therefore, with increasing port fees, ship costs are likely to climb.“The big fear must be that these cost increases could occur simultaneously, and or at a faster rates than freight rates recover,” the report says. Cost control is the key to owners survival. With further low-cost labour pools not available and the future of manning looking increas-ingly complex due to additional rules and regulations, expense in this sector is expected soon to rise.(L.List June 17, 1999)

While the bone of contention was the termination of 14 arrastre workers serv-icing MV Honey, a small cargo vessel plying the Bantayan-Cataingan route, the strike has affected the entire port. Millions of pesos have been lost be-cause perishable cargo such as fish, livestock and vegetables could not be unloaded. Affected were 18 shipping companies servicing at least 45 routes in the Visa-yas, Mindanao and Manila. The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has taken the initiative to in-tervene in the strike and has asked the Department of Labor and Employment to assume jurisdiction over the dispute. (Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 1999)

Operating Cost to Rise

Leading members of the International Maritime Organisation are to consider drawing up an international code for the investigation of piracy and armed robbery. The move comes against a background of 1,455 attacks on ships reported from 1984 to the end of April 1999.

Latest attack in Asean waters

The Federation of Asean shipown-er’s Associations strongly condemned the latest piracy outrage in the Strait of Malacca. 12 pirates off Malaysia island hijacked a Thai vessel Siam Xanxai, loaded with 2,000 tonnes of gas oil, while on her way to Songkhla from Sin-gapore on June 8. On the night of June 8 Siam Xanxai was sailing near Tioman island en route to Songkhla after taking delivery of petrol from Singapore, when pirates approached on two speedboats, boarded and subdued the captain and the crew. The captain and 15 crew were released two days later. The ship is still missing as of June 16.

In it’s statement, the federation said: “The latest hijack is one too many and actions must be taken immediately by all the Asean governments to suppress pi-

racy and hijack in their waters.” The federation strongly urged Asean to raise the issue of piracy and hijack as an important item at its next transport minister’s meeting.

IMB Annual ReportBased on the annual report by

IMO Piracy Probe Code

The ship Navigator D is unseaworthy and the food for the Filipino crew was collected from the spill over of rice cargo and contained sand and tiny stones.

Despite their awful situation, some Filipino crew remain silent. Why?

the International Mari-time Bureau (IMB) 11 out of the 15 hijacks reported in 1998 occurred in Asean water.

Beside the Siam Xanxai, a Panama –registered cargo ship Marine Master was reported attacked and hijacked by a group of 20 pirates early on March 17 in the Malacca Strait. Th 21-man crew were left adrift for four days.

(L.ListMay 14/June 17, 1999)

Parola no. 98 • May - June 1999 • Page ¾

ni Roli Ancha

Kanya-kanyang lista, pilian ng pilian. Merong bibili ng samsonite dahil kailan-gang-kailangan daw pag-uwi. Merong gusto ng cam corder dahil pang lifetime souvenir daw ang record. May gustong omorder ng swiss military, clark na sap-atos at manicure set na solingen. At iyon namang bago pa lamang sampa, huwag lang hindi makasali, omorder din kahit na blanket lamang at isang pira-song CD tape.Ganito ang kalimitang scenario sa crew mess ng isang chemical tanker patun-gong Antwerp. Kanya-kanyang pili at buklat sa isang katalugo ng isang kila-lang duty free shop center. Bawat isa’y may ninanais at minimithi. “Let your fingers do the shopping in just 15 min-utes.”

“No money, no deliver”

Eh di sige, dumaong ang barko. Tuma-wag ngayon si Oiler doon sa duty free center at sa “inglis barkong” pananalita ay ganito ang sinabi: “My friend, this is the crew of MT Paul. We like to order some items. We will pay all upon deliv-ery to our ship. Possible?” Hindi daw naman manyapa’t ikaw eh taga makina eh mahina ang teynga mo. Dahil aapat lamang daw na salita ang isinagot sa kabilang linya. Sabi ni Oiler, “no money, no deliver.” Ayhaay!“O sige ako na lang ang pupunta,” nag-volunteer si Doce-cuatro. “Eh kailangan ko talaga ang samsonite. T’saka bibili na rin tuloy ako ng 10 pirasong CD tapes.” “Oo nga pala, sambwan ka na nga lang pala at laya ka ulit,” sambot ni Kadete. “Isama mo na itong sa amin,” himok naman ng ibang kasamahan. “O sige, lika ‘Nold, sama tayo,” aya ni Doce-cuatro kay Kadete. At hatid-tan-aw ng ibang kasamahang lumisan ang dalawa.

A Tragedy(Shopping during breaktime)

Kuwento at Buhay Marino

Alas dos pasado ng sila ay bumalik. Halos lahat ng may order ay masiglang sumalubong. Bawat isa’y iisa ang kata-nungan. “Ano, meron ba noong order ko? Ikaw ‘Nol, anong nabili mo? Unang sahod kasi yon ni Kadete at ibibili raw niya ng stereong mini-compo yong Tatay niya at ng mapalitan na yong luma nilang tape cassette na FM na lang ang gumagana at kung hindi pa pokpokin ay hindi raw tutunog. “Iyon lang Aiwa, okey na iyon”. Sabi ni Kadete. “Bukas na lang daw idi-deliver dahil hindi na raw aabot sa custom”, pagpapaliwanag ni Doce-cuatro.

“SOLAS”

Isang mapag-anyayang umaga ang sumalubong kinabukasan. “Anong oras kaya idi-deliver?” “Bago tumanghali, nandito na yon.” Alam naman nila kun-di anong oras ang alis ng barko natin. At saka mamayang hapon pa naman ang alis natin. Iyon ang usap-usapan sa coffee break na kung saan sa lugar ding yon ginawa ang “pag so-shopping.” Only by fingers.Hapon na. “Pilot on board.” Sigaw ni Cuatro-otso. “Anak ng baka, wala pa yong order natin ah!” Sabi ni Mayor. “Sa lock iyon ‘Yor, doon nila binababa yon,” pagsisiguro ni Maestro.May sabaw pa yong pinaksiw ni Mayor ng siya ay lumabas patungong kubyerta ng sapitin ang lock. At lahat ng crew ay anaki mo’y mga gansa na nanghahaba ang mga leeg sa pagsiglaw kung may dumarating na puting van upang mag-deliver. Subalit, hanggang sa masunog iyong pinaksiw, at magbalik sa normal iyong mga leeg ng crew. Eh, WALANG du-mating na delivery.“Hindi bale, sa sunod nating Antwerp,

sigurado na iyon,” pagbibigay sigla sa sarili ng bawat crew. Dahil ganito tayong marino. Tayo ang sumasagot sa tanong natin sa ating sarili. Tayo rin ang gumagamot sa ating pagdaramdam. At tayo rin ang makapagbibigay sigla sa ating buhay sa oras ng kalungkutan. Dahil ang unang dadamay sayo sa oras ng kagipitan ay ikaw rin. Iyon ang pag-kakaintindi ko ng “SOLAS”. Survival of life, not others life, but life at sea.

Sa Manila na lang…

Dahil sa siguro’y sabay-sabay na pana-langin gabi-gabi, pagkaraan ng isang buwan ay natsambang mapa Antwerp uli. Umaga ng dumating. Si Oiler uli ang tumawag. Meron konting binawas doon sa una niyang pagkakatawag. Nawala yong “My friend.” Sinabi lang niya na kailangan ng idiliber iyong mga order dahil bukod sa iyon ay isang-bu-wan na, eh uuwi na iyong isang crew, si Doce-cuatro sa next port. “Mas maikli yong sagot sa akin ngayon kay sa doon sa una,” maktol ni Oiler. “Anong sabi?” Halos chorus ang tanong ng lahat. “We’ll see,” sagot ni Oiler.Natapos ang buong maghapon na ni anino ng van ay walang dumating. Hanggang sa umalis na ulit ang barko at muling naglayag. Bumaba si Doce-cuat-ro na cartonite ang pasan. Magtatatlong buwan ng pinag-titiyagaang pagtri-pan ni Kadete yong gitarang basag sa messhall. Nail cutter na gawang Pinas na uli ang ipinanghihinuko noong isang AB. At sa pakiwari ko’y nakabaluktot kung matulog yong omorder ng blanket. Malapit na uling may umuwing crew, si Segundo. Na iyong order niyang cam-corder eh hindi nag come . . . sinong sasalo o sosoli? Eh, papaano kung hindi na bumiyahe ng Antwerp? Mai-

karugtong sa p.10

Parola no. 98 • May - June 1999 • Page ¾

Greetings to my loving wife, Nelda, of “Met” at Central Bank complex. To my son, AJ, happy birthday ( May 28). I wish you good health my son. I give you my hugs and kisses. Missing and loving you both.

Papa Zaggy Sansaet Nogodula – M/V Caravos ExplorerA season of love to my beautiful wife, Cristina, and to my 2 kids, Chriselle Joyce and Chris Justine. I love you and miss you all.

3/O Jun C. Licayan – CMV City of IstambulHello to my loving and caring wife, Maricar, and my son, Andrei RV. I love you.

2/M A. Taleon – M/V HMS PortugalGreetings to my wife, Susan, and daughter — Jae and Kaye. Happy birthday to Kaye (June 4). I do wish you good luck. To my two dear friends, Mr. Jakko Aarnimsalo, Mr. Pekka Karp-panen of Finnish Seamen’s Service, Helsinki, Finland. Hi guys you are the best.

2/Engr. Rodito C. Mahanlud – MS SvealandGreetings to my wife, Jemema and my daughter, Joan. I love you very much and terribly missing you.

Love Papa – M/V Wisida FrostRegards to our families there in the Philippines. We miss you and love you very much. Thanks.

Joel Masangkay and Crew – M/V Morgenstond II & crew from MV Batavier 7.

Sending all my love and best wishes to my lovely and car-ing wife, Nimfa and beautiful daughters— Rheanie, Chezel and Shiela. I wish you more blessings from above. Many thanks to you for being a loving wife for me and a mother to our daughter. I’ll always love you.

Rene S. Dalisay – LPG/C Tarquin ForthTo my loving wife, Luz and kids — JB & Philip. Hope you’re all in best of everything. I love you and I’m missing you so much.

C/Engr. Jerry BagasinGreetings to my loving wife, Terry, on her birthday (June 13). Also to my daughter, Grace Ann (July2), my sons, James and Paolo. Also to Yumi and Kim. May the blessings and guid-ance of our dear Almighty be with us always. I love you and miss you all. Extend my best regards to my brothers who are now on board on different ships, Gene, Ace and Andy.

My warmest birthday greetings to my loving wife, Evelyn (June 18). Wishing you all the best of good luck. May all the bless-ings of our Lord Jesus Christ shower you for all your sacrifices. I love you always. Regards to Daddy, Mommy, Nelson, Jerry and Lilith. God bless you all.

A/B Eric T. Magmayo – M/V Jan FabianGreetings to my beloved wife, Hazel Mae. I love you so much and take good care. I’m coming home soon.

Glenn P. Granada – Roro Pella

My warmest greetings to my loving wife, Erna and advanced happy birthday (June 16). May you have many more birth-days to come. I love you very much.

Papa Gumer – M/V Almania Greetings to my loving wife, Mary Jane. I love you and miss you. Sweet kisses to you.

Danny Boy Medes – MT CentaurGreetings to my beloved wife, Vangie, my daughter, Amor, and belated happy birthday to my bunso (Apr. 28). I love you all and may God bless us always.

Love, Papa Eric Gotera –MT CentaurMy warmest hugs and kisses to my one and only, my ever dearest mommy Cookie. I miss you very much. To my dear angels, Reuben Sean, Weather Knightangelo and to the newly delivered one, Ocean Larkangelo. My best regards to the family in Pagadian and Iligan. God’s amazing grace and more blessings always.

Daddy Arthur Angelo Ylanan – M/V Makron, port of FranceMy greetings to my family especially to my loving wife, Nena M. Gerzan. Belated happy birthday last April 7. Greetings also to my son, Bongbong, daughter-in-law, Bingbing, my makulit na apo, Em-em, daughter, Bangbang and our panga-nay, Fely. From Tatay.

C/Engr. Armando G. Gerzan – of M/V Helios III am wishing you my dear Honey, all the best and good health on your 24th birthday (June19). Sana normal ang delivery mo sa ating first baby. I love you more each day. IMMLWY! AT-GCOY! Hugs and kisses, IMOBelated happy birthday to my son, Kemuel. To my xerox copy son, Biboy and to my loving and caring wife, Fe. I love and care for you always.

2nd/Office A. Pastrana – MV HornteamMy warmest greetings to my dearest wife, Myrn’z for our 1st Wedding Anniversary last April 25. To our new born baby girl, Julie Anne Chelzea. I do hope you and our little princess are always in good health through His guidance and blessings. I love you and I miss you.

Thony Ranido – M/V Nor-AtlanticLove and kisses to my loving wife, Gilda, and to my two beau-tiful daughters —Claire Allen and Carmela Joy. May all the blessings of our Lord shower us all. I love you always and miss you a lot.

Love and prayer, Jhun Nakpil – M/S EmpressGreetings from shore-to-ship . . .To: Mr. Peter S. Recato of Baltic Borg, Wishing you a happy, happy birthday (My 13). We miss you a lot. We love you Papa. Don’t change hah! Me and our kids lang ang priority at mahal mo. Don’t forget to pray lagi hah! Again, happy, happy birthday Honey, take care. Hugs and kisses,

Mama Gill, Julius and Diana Julia

Parola no. 98 • May - June 1999 • Page ¾

ni Dr. Margarita Holmes

MG Holmes

Pasensiyahan na lang ninyo ang aking Tagalog sapagkat ako ay Bisaya. Nahihiya akong magsulat sa inyo, pero wala na akong matakbuhan. Maraming nagbibigay ng advise sa akin, pero gusto ko ang salitang derecho kaya sa inyo ako pumunta. Sana maintindihan at mapatawaran ninyo ang ak-ing baluktot na Tagalog. Ako ay asawa ng isang seaman, 38 taong gulang. Siya na-man ay 42. Mayroon kaming limang anak, 18, 17, 15, 7 at 6. Higit na 20 taon siyang nagtratrabaho bilang seaman. Ka-dalasan ay 10 months siya sa barko, at 2 buwan sa amin. Itong huling bisita niya sa amin, habang nililinis ko ang kani-yang mga dala ay nakakita ako ng condom sa kaniyang bagahe. Doon ko po nalaman na pinagtataksilan niya ako. Parang nahulog ang buong mundo sa akin. Ang mas ma-sakit pa diyan ay hindi ito ang unang beses niya ginawa ito. Noong 1981 ay may tumawag na babae sa aming bahay. Pinatawad ko siya noon, pero hindi ko siya mapatawad muli. Ang sabi ko sa kaniya ay gusto ko nang maghiwalay kami. Umiyak siya sa akin. Ang condom daw ay bigay sa kanila sa barko, para maiwasan ang AIDS kung gumamit sila ng babaeng bayaran. Naiuwi niya raw ito sapagkat hindi niya ginamit sa babaeng bayaran. Totoo ba iyon? Talaga bang may nangyayaring ganyang mga bagay sa barko? Anong klaseng kapitan naman ang papayag na ganyang kabastusan ay mangyari sa kaniya-ng barko? Ang sabi ng iba ay talagang ganyan ang mga lalake, at magpasalamat na lang ako na sa akin siya umu-uwi at sa akin niya bigay ang buong suweldo niya. Ang isa ko pang kumare ang siyang nagpapabaon ng condom sa kaniyang asawa. Hindi ko matanggap ang ganiyang klaseng pagsasama. Matanda na ako at pihadong wala nang ibang magmamahal sa akin. Pero siguro mas mabuti nang manira-hang tahimik kaysa sa may ahas sa bahay mo. Pero ang sabi naman din po ng asawa ko sa akin ay kahit kailanay hinding hindi daw niya magawa ito sa akin. Maniwala kaya ako sa kaniya? Sana ay matulungan ninyo ako.

CONFUSED WIFE

Dear CONFUSED WIFE:Maraming salamat sa inyong sulat at sa iyong Pilipino na, para sa isang hindi native speaker katulad mo, ay napaka-ganda. Asahan na lang natin na ang mga tunay na Pinoy (speakers) ay ipagpasensiya ang minsang baluktot na Pili-pino natin at ma-a-appreciate na kahit na hindi tayo kasing eloquent/galing nila magsalita sa ating wikang pambansa, ay galing sa pinakamalalim na parte ng ating puso at kaisi-pan ang ating mga sinasabi.Tatlong malaking isyu ang naimulat mo sa iyong sulat. Ang una ay tungkol sa tanong mo tungkol sa pagbibigay ng con-dom sa barko. Hindi ko alam kung totoo na nangyari ito sa barko na pinagtratrabahuhan ng iyong asawa, pero ang aking alam ay nangyayari ito mas madalas sa mas maram-ing barko.

Ang condom ay nag-proprotekta sa mga seafarers at sa ka-nilang partner laban sa dalawang bagay: sakit (kasama na rito ang proteksiyon mula sa AIDS) at pagbubuntis. Ayon sa Department of Heath, isa sa pinakamalaking grupo ngayon na nagkakaroon ng AIDS sa Pilipinas ay ang mga asawa ng mga OCW na umuuwi sa Pilipinas pagkatapos ng pagtratrabaho sa ibang bansa. Kasama na rito ang mga asawa ng seafarers, na walang-malay ay nakakuha ng AIDS mula sa kanilang asawa na kawalang malay din ay binibigay ito sa kanila sapagkat hindi nila pinoprotektahan ang kanilang sarili (At, by extension, hindi rin nila piinoprotektahan ang kanilang mga asawa). Hindi sinasadya ng mga seafarers na ito na makakuha ng AIDS o ibigay ito sa asawa nila. Nangyayari ito kung hindi nila prinoprtektahan ang sarili nila. Maliban sa hindi pakikipagtalik sa iba, ang pinakama-bisang proteksiyon ay ang paggamit ng condom. Ang ikalawang isyu ay tungkol sa anong ibig sabihin ng pagiging lalaki. Talaga bang manloloko ang mga lalake? Ayon sa agham (science) ang mga lalake ay mas madalas at mas mabilis ma-gloko (maging unfaithful) kaysa sa babae. Mas kaya ng mga lalaki magloko, kahit mahal nila ang mga asawa nila. Hindi ko sinasabi na ito ay mabuti, sinasabi ko lang na ito ang reality ng mundo: Dahil mas madaling ihiwalay ng mga lalake (kaysa sa mga babae) ang pag-ibig at pagsisiping, mas madali para sa kanilang makipagsiping sa iba kasi hindi nila kailangang mag-ing in-love sa babae bago nila gawin ito. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na lahat ng lalake ay nagloloko sa asawa nila. Mayroon mga lalake na ayaw magloko kasi sa kanilang paningin ay hindi sulit (it’s not worth it) na magloko sa pangambang (may sakit na ba ako? Nabuntis ko ba siya?) gastos at agrabyado (lalo na kapag malaman ni misis) kung mangyari ito. Mayroon namang iba na kahit naaaliw sila sa iba, ay pinipigil ang sarili kasi ayaw ni-lang saktan ang kanilang asawa. At mayroon ding mga ikatlong klaseng lalake (bihira lang sila at usually kapag may edad na) na mahal na mahal ang (at libog na libog sa) kanilang asawa na wala na talaga silang interes sa kahit sinumang babae. Ang sarap siguro maging asawa ng ganitong klaseng lalake! Pero kahit ang ikalawang klaseng lalake ay puwedeng-puwede na.Ang ikatlong isyu ay kung maniniwala ka sa sinabi ng asawa mo. Dear confused wife, hindi ko kasi siya kilala, hindi siya nag-tapat sa akin, kaya hindi ko masasabi kung totoo ang sinasabi niya sa iyo. Ang alam ko lang ay kung wala namang ibang dahi-lan na magduda ka sa kaniya kung ‘di ang condom na nakita mo sa bagahe niya, paniwalaan mo na lang siya. Hindi ito garan-tisado na nagsasabi siya ng totoo, pero it’s as good a guarantee as any you’ll ever get. Ika nga ‘give the person the benefit of the doubt’ especially kung wala namang iba pang dahilang na magduda ka sa kaniya o dahilan at ibig mong makipaghiwalay sa kaniya.Inaasahan ko na nakatulong ako sa iyo. Mabuhay po kayo, Mrs. Schoolteacher. Mabuhay po tayong lahat! All the best

Dear Dr. Holmes:

Dr. Margarita Holmes 49 Victoria Avenue New Manila, Quezon City 1200 Philippines

Parola no. 98 • May - June 1999 • Page ¾

Eleven newly appointed professional workers from all over the world gradu-ated from the third ICMA Seafarers Ministry Training (SMT) held in Rotter-dam from May 25 to June 4, 1999.The third in the series, this year’s SMT also focused on communication. “Com-munication is the heart of all pastoral care and in the two previous courses, SMT ’97 and ’98, communication proved to be the heart of the course,” said van Dijken, Rantanen and van de Sande in their introduction document for the train-ing.The SMT works with at least three learn-ing methods: 1) lectures, 2) reflections, and 3) pastoral communication guided by an expert in three steps – instruction, practice and reflection.The course, and not only that of this year, has been described as “…a proc-ess we would not have missed. We learned a lot from each other. The friendship that grew from working to-gether gives us a real hope that any Christian congregation can become spiritually richer by working together on an open ecumenical basis”Convenors were Rev. Berend van Di-jken Pastor A. van de Sande and Pastor H. Rantanen.ITF Seafarers’ Trust funded the whole SMT trainings.

3rd ICMA Seafarer’s Ministry Training held

Standing(from left) Rev. Sven Standhardt, Rev. Eugenio Elias, Rev. M. Struwe, Rev. H. Rantanen, Rev. Kurt Drobnik, Rev. O. Guzyk, Rev. Roy Paul. Standing middle: Rev. B. Ebene Njoume, Pastor vd. Sande, Rev. Ivan Howitt, Rev. Chang Lung Chien and Rev. H. vd. Ham. Sitting:Rev. Mario Cisotto, Rev. B. van Dijken and Rev. B van Delden.

volunteers doing the research is so strong that probably the research will continue in order to cover the maximum sample. The research has involved both new and old volunteers like Eda and Leshley Liauw, Ruben Samson, Abas Abdula, Louie Estanislao ( Delfzijl) and Nonoy Gayoso ( Amsterdam). A meeting was held in mid-May between the management team and our Novib contacts Jelle Wolthuizen and Marina Dixhoorn to evaluate the status and implications of the research for lobby work. Meanwhile, contacts like the Switzerland based Atty. Ding Bagasao are busy studying the various Philippine laws in the context of the maritime world. They also promised to help in contacting ILO offices in Geneva where he is currently based. By early July, a workshop involving all researchers and the board is sched-uled to draw a tentative analysis and strategy that could be the basis of PSAP’s work in the coming years. This will also mark the official start of PSAP as a Netherlands wide network, a welcome improvement for Filipino seafarers.The research has also given extra benefits for PSAP. Nonoy Ty was invited to act as a resource speaker for the third batch of chaplains trained under ICMA. In Amsterdam, it has allowed us to work in tandem with Leon Rasser, a young chaplain who is busy setting up the support net-work for the port of Ijmuiden. He has suggested that PSAP form an Amsterdam committee tak-ing care of coordination with pastors like him. Meanwhile, the idea of joining the ICMA con-gress in Durban is now being seriously being considered by our Board Chairperson, Reverend Bob Ter Haar. Within the last few days, our consultant from the Seafarers International Research Centre based in Cardiff University, Dr. Erol Kahveci, has reviewed two current research projects. The evaluation of the AIDS education materials is nearing its completion and will be finalized in the coming weeks. PSAP will initiate a discus-sion with funders on the AIDS propgram, to examine the possibility of widening the cover-age of our health programs. Meanwhile, PSAP’s Nonoy Ty and Basco Fernandez also attended

a national gathering on AIDS prevention programs organized by the AIDS fonds. Furthermore, Leshley Liauw also attended a whole day symposium on AIDS and de-velopment. Dr Kahveci has given advice to research-ers especially in following up the leads in the interviews. He is confident that the research will indeed provide new insights into the seafaring world. He will be back by August to wrap up these various projects. He will conduct his own research in the port cities of Rotterdam and Hamburg with the assistance of PSAP. Meanwhile, he is also reminding all those who committed to write or make cassette records for three months while on board, to please submit their materials as soon as possible.P

Parola no. 98 • May - June 1999 • Page ¾

ay ating ipamulat na matulungang ingatan ang buhay hang-gang sa panahon na ang tao na mismo ang maghanap ng lunas na makaalpas sa masamang gawa o pag-iwas sa tukso at pagbabalik sa Diyos. May katotohanan din ang ibang interpretasyon tungkol sa con-dom. Dito naaabuso ang tinatawag na “gift of sex”. Ngunit, mayroon din akong nakakausap na mga relihiyosong tao o pangulo na bukas ang kanilang puso at pang-unawa tungkol sa condom na isang instrumento ng pag-iingat, scientific ngunit realidad. Na tayo’y tao lamang na maaaring magkakasala.

May grasya ang bawat pagkakasalaInilahad din ng ating Diyos na sa bawat pagkakasala ay may grasya, kung kilalanin natin ito. Nang magkaroon ng kautu-san (Romans 5:20-21), dumami ang paglabag. Ngunit kung dumami man ang kasalanan, lalo namang sumagana ang kagandahang-loob ng Diyos. Kaya nga, kung paanong na-ghari ang kasalanan sa pamamagitan ng kamatayan, gayon din naman ang maghahari ang kagandahang-loob ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pagpapawalang-sala upang kamtan ang buhay na walang hanggan sa pamamagitan ng ating Pangi-

Kami namang mga babae...4

Pero, nakakainis pakinggan na may mga ilang eksperto galing Australia na tutulong daw sa pamahalaan para maisaayos ang mga pagkukulang. Maliban sa kolonyal ang ganitong ideya ( colonial mentality), ito’y isang dagdag pang sampal sa ka-pasidad ng ating opisyal at marino. Parang ibig sabihin sa ideyang ito, na inamin natin na wala talaga sa standard ang ating mga marino, kaya kailangang may taga labas na magbi-gay garantiya sa mga papeles. Teka muna, totoong magulo nga ang buong burukrasya na konektado sa pagmamarino at nakakahiya dahil nag-away pa sa international na media. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na hindi pang - world class ang ating mga marino natin na naglalayag ngayon sa international na karagatan.Batay sa inisyal ( 50 porsyento) pa na field research na ginawa ng Parola sa mga pwerto ng Netherlands (Rotterdam, Delfzijl, at Amsterdam), lumalabas na ang karamihang mga Pinoy na ma-rino ay beterano na sa karagatang internasyonal. Karamihan ay may hindi bababa sa limang taong karanasan sa pagba-barko. Nasubukan ng mga marino natin ang tatlo hanggang sa limang klase ng bandila (e.g. Aleman, Dutch, Norwegian, Franses, Panaman, Japanese, Singapore, etcetera) at pu-mapasa sa iba-ibang standard ng mga ito. Naipakita nila ang kanilang kakayanan sa iba’t ibang laki (GRT) o klase ng barko at marami nga ang na-promote sa posisyon. Napag-aralan nila ang magpatakbo ng mga ordinaryo barko tulad ng tanker, bulk, reefer at pati na rin ang mga ispesyal na barko (tulad ng survey ship, dredger, ocean tugboats, icebreakers at marami pang iba). Ang ibig lang sabihin nito, sabi pa ni Nelson Punongbayan fitter ng Mighty Servant na world class na ang ating mga marinong Pinoy. Kaya nga in-demand din sila kahit may kamahalan ito kung ikumpara sa mga baguhang seaman galing sa Asia o Eastern Europe. Kung masipag lang ang ating kinatawan sa IMO ( parang pederasyon kasi yan) gumawa na sana sila ng survey sa mga principal man o mga active na seaman natin

sa pwerto. Sana’y napangatawanan nila na mataas nga ang standard ng mga marino natin sa labas. Kaso, hindi nagawa ito, dahil nagpakuntento sila sa opisina at sinasabi ng mga manning agency. Kaya nga nung inilabas ng IMO na bu-maba na sa standard ang ating mga paaralang pang-marino, hindi nila kayang ipaglaban na walang kinalaman diyan ang mga marinong matagal nang gradwado sa mga paaralang iyon. Kaya damay ngayon ang mga graduates kahit ilang dekada nang nagtapos bago bumaba ang kalidad ng kanilang isk-welahan. Sabi ng research namin, pang- World Class na nga ang marinong Pinoy (kaya natural may kaunting kamahalan na rin), pero sagot ng FAME masyadong nagpapamahal lang ang marinong Pinoy. Sabi ng Parola research, sapat ang training ng karamihan, sabi ng Marina, kailangan maram-ing training pa– maritime english, at sana marami pang iba. Sabi ng IMO mahina ang mga paaralan sa Pinas, sagot ng Parola na ang marino ay dapat husgahan batay sa nagiging karanasan at hindi sa paaralan. Kaya sa buod nitong isyu ng IMO whitelist, natutokan ang anomalya na ang taga-sukat ng kalidad ng marino ay yung hindi mga kasama sa industriya – mga de-opisina na ni popa ni prowa ay di kilala.Sabi nga ni Congressman Jomari Gonzales, isang miyembro ng delegasyon ng Kongreso na nakipag-usap sa Parola, bakit hindi pwedeng gamitin ang prinsipyo ng isang “guild.” Bakit hindi pwedeng kapwa marino rin ang magbibigay halaga ng mga papeles ng isang marinong baguhan. Ang self-ac-creditation ay hindi lang ginagawa sa mga taga Integrated Bar of the Philippines, kundi pati sa mga marino sa ibang bansa tulad ng NUMAST ng taga UK. Isa ito sa mga pag-kukulang sa ating sistema, kaya hawak pa rin ng iilang tao Sa gobyerno o ahensya nito ang usapin ng kwalipikasyon ng marino, kahit na ang mga taong ito ay halos walang alam Sa pagbabarko. Kaya ang isyu na nasa likod ng IMO whitelist na ito, ay hindi tungkol sa kalidad ng ating mga marino o mga paaralan natin. Ang tunay na isyu ay kung gaano nasuportahan ng gobyerno ang pagsisikap ng marino na paunlarin ang kanyang katay-uan sa industriya. Napakarami ng marino na tiniis na lang ang sitwasyon para lang hindi masira ang reputasyon ng marinong Pinoy. Napakarami ang nagpakumbaba sa sarili, gumastos at kinuha ang mga treyning na matagal na nilang alam dahil ni-require ng Marina. Kaya kung masabit ang ki-nikilalang kalidad ng Pinoy dahil sa kapabayaan, o bunga ng intriga at politika ng iba-ibang ahensya, walang ibang dapat sisihin, kundi ang mga ito.P

ANG TUNAY NA KAHULUGAN NG ULO SA IMO...

Subscribe to Parola. This means supporting PSAP and

the cause of Filipino seafarers in the struggle for

a better place in the maritime industry.

Subscribe to Parola. Do not forget to renew your sub-

scription.

Parola no. 98 • May - June 1999 • Page ¾

exercise primary jurisdiction over of-fenses that may be committed by US personnel and does not violate the Philippine constitutional ban on the entry of nuclear weapons into the country.“VFA a mistake,” Guingona

Not only “wrong.” Not only a “mis-take.” But a “wrong mistake.” This was how Senate Minority Leader, Teofisto Guigona branded the VFA. “The inequality of the treaty is very clear, said Guingona. While the Phil-ippines considers the VFA as a treaty, the American government merely con-siders it an executive agreement. Before the Senate’s approval of the VFA, Guingona said the Senate should reject the VFA because it will not guarantee the safety and security of the nation against external attack. He cited reports quoting Admiral Den-nis Blair, commander in Chief of the US PacificCommand, as saying in a Singapore forum that the VFA will not guarantee a US security blanket over the Philippines. (Manila Bulletin, Philip-pine Daily Inquirer, May 1999)

deliver pa kaya iyon? Paano iyong ibinayad natin? Kaninong kasalanan? Iyon ngayon ang mga katanungang hindi wari ko kayang sagutin ng ating sarili na madalas na marinig mo ngayon sa messhall pag breaktime. At isang gabing nakainom si Maestro, nakita kong lumipad na parang seagul iyong katalogo ng duty free shop center sa labas ng barko at narinig kong sinabi niya, “lat sa imay na katalog yan, pang kalat lang sa tebol.” Ahh, sa Manila na lang bili ah”.Ang kasaysayang ito ay hango sa tunay na pangyayari at ang lahat ng pagkakahawig at talagang sinadya. Kaya kung sino man ang gustong mapatulad . . . open your catalogue and let your fingers do the shopping. Total, hindi rin lang naman tayo ang na-ra-raket. Marami na ring iba. Nakausap namin sa numero tatlong bokya, barangay pito-pito.P

Mga kuwento at buhay...Senators pass VFA...

MTS : Kilala at pinakamurang Mobile Telecommunication Service dito sa Rotterdam.Magandang balita dahil mura na at makakatawag pa ng kahit anong oras. Hanggang ang barko ay nasa pantalan ang telepono ay maaaring iwanan at kukuhanin na lamang kung paalis na ang barko.

Maaari rin kayong magpadala ng fax para malaman namin kung kailan ang pagdating ng barko sa Rotterdam.Fax no. 31-10-4796201

Kung gusto ninyong maka-mura ng tawag sa Pilipinas, subukan ninyo ang MTS.

MTS PHONE 06 53 199 339 - 06 55 180 677

Subscribing to Parola is your way of supporting the publication.

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

P S A P Rm. 130, Zeemanshuis RotterdamWillemskade 133016 DK RotterdamThe Netherlands

Thank you for your support.See page 12, please...

Parola no. 98 • May - June 1999 • Page ¾

Karukhaan ang dahilan kaya ako naghangadDumayo sa ibang bansa ay pawiin ang bagabagSa bisa ng panalangin at taimtim na pagtawagPinalad nga ang sarili na sa barko ay malagak.

Unang araw sa gawain ay lipos ng agam-agamBaka itong tungkulin ko ay hindi ko makayananPagkat itong mga alon at lamig sa bansang JapanTila baga nagsasabing sumuko ka’t manlupaypay.

Hindi halos makakain at lagi pang nahihiloHabang yaong mga alon dinuduyan itong barkoTuloy-tuloy sa paggawa ako’t mga kasama koHanggang sumapit ang oras na alas sinko.

Ibig ko nang ipahinga ang napagod na katawanSa loob ng aking silid may malambot na higaanNgunit hindi maaari pagkat aking katungkulanNa ihanda ang sarili at sa gabi ay magbantay.

Aking mahal dama mo ba ang bigat na tinitiis

P i n a g p a l a

Ang malayo sa piling mo hirap dusa’t madlang sakitNgunit kapag narinig na ang lambing ng iyong tinigNapapawi ang lungkot ko naghahari ang pag-ibig.

Habang ako’y nag-iisa sa loob na aking silidIniisip ko ay ikaw at ang anak na maliitO kay hirap na malayo sa tunay mong iniibigSana’y laging iligtas ka ng Diyos nating nasa langit.

Lumipas ang mga araw na maylungkot at maysayaSa gawain araw-araw katawan ko ay sanay naAng naipong mga dolyar palagay ko’y sapat naUpang itong bahay kubo mapalaki’t mapaganda.

Salamat Lord sa biyayang kaloob sa bawa’t isaPinagpala mo nga kami’t hinango sa pagdurusaSa harap mo Panginoon malinaw kong nakikitaAng ligayang matatamo kapag ika’y nakilala.

R/O Chito H. Caringal M/V Stellar Beny (Newfil)

Salamat!Maraming salamat sa lahat ng mga kababay-ang marino na tumulong sa aming gawain nitong mga nakaraang buwan. Ang mithiin ng mga ga-waing (researches) ito ay para na rin sa pagsu-long ng kapakanan ng mga marinong Pilipino. Mabuhay kayong lahat!

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

Name:Address:

See page 11, please...