Divine Word College of Legazpi

Legazpi City

SY 2010-2011

Shipboard ’10 Reaction Paper

Prepared by:

Monique G. Velasco

BSHM-II

Prepared for:

Mr. Raul Santillan

Subject Professor

September 07, 2010 at 6:00 pm, many students started flocking at the student’s lounge for the assembly of the 113 2nd year BSHM students headed to Cebu for the Shipboard Training. All happy, excited, and with high spirits, we went to our respective buses which left at around 11 pm that night and left for Manila. Inside the bus, we were all chatting about our expectations about the shipboard, how it would be like in the ship, until we all fell asleep. We did have several bus stop to manila. We were given ample time to go to the restroom and eat our provisions. Then, we reached Manila at noon time where we headed for Mall of Asia to have our lunch there. We had fun strolling at the mall, though not really shopping since we were saving our money for real stuff in Cebu and Bohol. We ate our lunch at the KFC though some students chose other fast foods and made their own choice through he various food outlets there. Inside, we were amazed by how big the mall was that we weren’t even able to explore it all. However, we went to the Toy Kingdom, Blue Magic and other shops. In the afternoon, we went to assemble yet again to go and board our dhip, the Superferry 12.

We were awed when we saw the gigantic ship of the Aboitiz Corp. since it was our first time to get on a ship, at least most of us. Inside we were welcomed by hospitable crew of the ship. We were guided to our respective rooms and there, we unpacked our things and got ready for an orientation at the Island Fiesta. There, we got to know our facilitators and meet the staff and the owner of the training company, the Clear Maritime Training Company who is Mr. Toni Esteban. The guidelines and the house rules were discussed and there was a tour around the ship. I guess we slept at about 12 midnight. The schedule of our duties were posted on the alley and that we had to report to our duties so as to avoid sanctions and compensations. I, for example was scheduled at the Island Fiesta, the First Class accommodation, Orange Forward, Front Office and the Horizon Cafe. Those were the places where I got to work. In the Island Fiesta, we helped them in assisting the crew, like attending to customer orders, arranging the foods and the like but not really touch or participate in the food preparation. On the other hand, the boys were responsible for waitering and bussing out of dishes in the resto. Moreover, when I was assigned in the first class, we were taught how to make the bed. The proper arrangement of the bed, and other housekeeping lessons are what I have learned from one of the crew. We were also taught techniques on how to do it efficiently like them. In the Orange Fwd., which is the economy class, we did some cleaning like sweeping the floor and a survey which I enjoyed because I got to test my guts. I asked questions to some passengers which were very willing to be

interviewed. We also assisted them because some of them do not know the way to the resto, the lobby, or their rooms, or comfort rooms. The part of the duty which I enjoyed the most was in the front office. There, we were oriented of what they do there, the paperworks, and stuff they had to accomplish at certain times. Also, and most importantly, we were taught how to handle complaints. the HEAT method. We also had an activity where our partners acted as complainants and we had to solve their problems. I am proud to have solved the problem given to me. Most especially the hardest one which Sir Medel, our facilitator acted out. On the other hand, inside the Horizon Café, we were taught how to arrange food properly, making it more attractive and pleasant in the eyes.

CAGAYAN DE ORO..

When we disembarked, we first headed to the Divine Mercy Shrine in Cagayan de Oro which we did so by riding a jeepney. It was a really nice and serene place. It is a very holy place indeed where a big statue of Jesus Christ was sculpted. Its truly very high and miraculous, they say. Some of our classmates even took the holy water with them because they were prepared with plastic bottles. The people there believe that it cures illnesses and the like. We were there for only several hours and then got back to the ship.

BOHOL

We spent 2 days and 1 night in Bohol. There, we visited our sister school which is the Holy Name University formerly known as the Divine Word College whish is one of the prestigious schools there. Also, we went to the Sandugo Monument in Tagbilaran City depicting the historical event of the blood compact made between the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna the chieftain of Bohol on March 16, 1565, to seal their friendship as part of the tribal tradition. We also visited the Tarsiers and got to know them a lot. We have learned many facts about them like their habitat, their food, their attitude and the like, it was very educational. The Man Made Forest was also one of the greatest places I have been. The trees were planted by the people there to replace the lumber that they have cut. But now, they realized that the trees may remain as a tourist spot and not to be cut anymore. We also went to the Chocolate Hills also called Carmen Hills. The view there was indeed picturesque. We were really

stunned by the beauty of nature there. The many small hills that resemble Hershey’s chocolates were fantastic. In Bohol, we stayed at the Bohol Plaza Resort Hotel which is located atop of a hill. It has a very huge pool which we of course enjoyed during the night. The students had fun during the night swimming. We also ate at a nice resto there which is the Food Options, a new but nice and cozy resto. Also, we had a chance to buy some cute stuff from cebu and some delicacies there, like the peanut kisses, ube, piyaya, etc. We left at about 7 am. And went back to embark the vessel again.

CEBU

In Cebu, we spent 3 days and 2 nights at the Crown Regency Hotel and ate at Sugbahan Restaurant. There, we visited the Sto. Niño Church, a major church in Cebu. We went to some Hotels too in order to familiarize with the facilities there. We also had a seminar workshop about being a professional and developing our personality as to suit the hospitality industry. We had 2 guest speakers there in the said seminar which talked very well and are very informative. Furthermore, we went to Lapu-lapu park where we got to take a lot of pics too. The great part was the Edge Coaster ride where almost all students tried and screamed because of the thrill of the ride. There, we also got to shop for souvenirs like foods, shirts, key chains and the like. Also, we went to the mall for some time, too bad some of the stores were already closing. All throughout the tour, we had Kuya Renzoi, our assigned tour guide to inform us and tell us something about the different places there. He’s very knowledgeable and friendly which made the tour even more pleasant.

Conclusion

The shipboard training was very educational. We got to learn a lot of things aside from those that we discuss inside the four corners of the room. We also got to apply the theoretical knowledge we acquired. I can say that because of the shipboard training, we developed ourselves into better individuals; individuals who are more responsible, confident, and most of all, competent. Also, that activity brought our batch closer, we got to know our

schoolmates better and also gain more friends. We went home satisfied, with new stories to tell, new experience to share, and more lessons to impart.