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NO: 118 May - June 2003
Overseas voting for the 2004 elections
Seafarers to Vote from
March 12 to May 10, 2004
Go ashore! Register and Vote!
The dates for the registration and voting of Filipino seafarers have beenset. Seafarers who intend to exercise their right of suffrage abroad willhave to apply for registration/certification as absentee voters from August1 to September 30, 2003. Only after proper registration/certification will aseafarer be allowed to vote the 2004 national elections.
The voting period for seafarers abroad has been set from March 12 toMay 10, 2004. Under Republic Act 9189, the Overseas Absentee VotingAct of 2003, seafarers who are duly registered as absentee voters shallbe allowed to cast their ballots anytime within 60 days before election dayin the Philippines.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Joint CongressionalOversight Committee created under RA 9189 will promulgate the rulesand regulations to secure the special rights of seafarers to participate inthe election process leading to the May 2004 elections.
Calling all sea-based OFWs
According to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) issued bythe Comelec on 14 May 2003, seafarers are to be given special treatmentas absentee voters. Under the IRR the term “seafarers” includes not onlythe Filipino officers and ratings manning ships everywhere in the worldbut also covers Filipino offshore workers, service providers at sea andfishermen.
In other words, all sea-based OFWs are eligible to apply for registrationand can cast their vote for the May 2004 national elections. Seafarers willbe able to vote for President, Vice President, Senators, and Party-ListRepresentatives in Congress.
cont’d next page
TASK FORCE MARITIME VOTE
LAUNCHED IN ROTTERDAM
A group of Filipino citizens in the
Netherlands has formed the TASK FORCE
MARITIME VOTE. The Task Force will
assist and extend all manner of practical
assistance to seafarers and sea-based
OFWs who intend to register and vote in the
Netherlands for the May 2004 Elections.
The Task Force is a non-partisan and non-
political group. It will not campaign for or
against any candidate or party. The main
objective of Task Force Maritime Vote will
be to help provide proper information,
advice and logistical support to seafarers
during the registration and voting periods
for the 2004 national elections. It will deploy
volunteers in the port of Rotterdam and in
other Dutch ports, including Schiphol
Airport. Atty. Pete Payoyo and Engr. Felix
Pulmano are leading the members of the
Task Force.
Consisting mostly of PSAP-PAROLA
volunteers who are Filipino passport
holders, Task Force Maritime Vote will
embark on the important challenge to
empower their fellow citizens in the
international maritime sector - seafarers
and all sea-based OFWs - to meaningfully
and effectively exercise their suffrage rights
in the May 2004 elections. Task Force
Maritime Vote will work closely with
international NGO networks, including the
Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA) based
in Manila.
Help the Task Force to help you!
TASK FORCE MARITIME VOTE contact
numbers in Rotterdam: Tel: (+31) 010-
240.0932 Mobile: 06-135.567.80 E-mail:
PHILIPPINE SEAFARERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME, ROTTERDAM
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MARITME VOTE, from page 1
Registration requirements for seafarers
A seafarer can apply for registration either in the
Philippines before departure, or from abroad. A seafarer
who registers abroad must personally appear at the
Embassy, consulate or other authorized location in the
foreign country where the seafarer wishes to register.
For a seafarer registering in the Philippines, personal
appearance is also required at the relevant Comelec
office prior to the seafarer’s departure.
To apply for registration, a seafarer must:
1. Present his or her valid passport;
2. Submit a photocopy of the relevant pages of his/her
passport;
3. Submit a photocopy of the relevant pages his/her
Seaman’s Book (or any document to prove that he/she is
a seafarer); and
4. Submit a duly accomplished Registration Form
(illustrated and enclosed in this Parola issue).
Voting requirements for seafarers
A seafarer who has successfully registered as an
absentee voter will be sent a certificate or record of
registration and/or a voter’s ID. These documents will
be sent to the seafarer via his/her forwarding address
which the seafarer has previously indicated in his
registration application form. Successful registration
also means that the name of the seafarer will be
included in certified list of absentee voters in the foreign
country which was also previously indicated by the
seafarer (in the registration form) as the country
address where he intends to vote.
During the voting period (March 12-May 10, 2004) a
seafarer must bring his registration certificate or
passport/voter’s ID to the polling center located at the
Philippine Embassy or consulate in the country where
the seafarer has indicated he will cast his vote.
Upon confirmation of the name of the seafarer in the
country list of absentee voters, and upon verification of
his/her identity documents, the seafarer will be issued a
ballot and allowed to cast a vote.
TIPSOn How to Accomplish the Registration Form
Under Part 1:
Indicate clearly and legibly your Forwarding Address.This is the address where the Comelec will send yourcertificate of registration and voter’s ID. Make sure thatthis is a reliable and trustworthy address which willreceive your postal mail from the Comelec. Uponreceipt of your Comelec mail, your contact/s in thisaddress will then immediately send the pertinentComelec documents to you.
If you are not sure which address to use, just writedown your complete home address or residence in thePhilippines. It will then be your family who will see toit that you receive your Comelec documents on time.Keep yourself updated with your contact/s in your“forwarding address” via text, email or long-distancecalls.
Indicate the country where you intend to vote. If youdo not have an address in this foreign country, just writeyour country of choice and leave the other details blank.For example, if you expect your ship to be in the Portof Rotterdam sometime in April 2004 and you wouldlike to cast your vote during this time, just write down“Netherlands” in the space provided. Thus, if you aresailing during the voting period (March 12 to May 10),this could be any country your ship will be visitingduring your journey, or the country of the port whereyour ship will be docking. Ask your captain forinformation concerning your shore leave possibilitiesduring the election period.
Part 2:If you are not sure whether you have already beenpreviously registered as a voter , just leave this spaceblank.
Part 3:For seafarers, there is no need to sign in this section
Part 4 & Part 5:Be sure to put date, print name, and sign.
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APPLICATION FORM
FOR REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION AS OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTER
AND TO VOTE IN ABSENTIA
(SAMPLE COPY of May 2003 release)
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PORT -ABLE SEAMEN’S CLUB EQUALS PORT-ABLE FUN & LAUGHTER
We are happy to announce that hundreds of seafarers,
including the maritime welfare community and the missions,
have overwhelmingly welcomed and supported the now-
famous “port-able seamen’s club”. The “Port-able” project in
Rotterdam was launched in Dec. 2002 at the International
Seamen’s Center De Beer.
The cheerful results of the Portable Seaman’s Club can be
summed up in two words: “fun & laughter”. What else can be
expected from the frequent get-together of crews from all over
the world? The regular event has quickly become talk-of-the-
town, and for seafarers, there is the long-lasting impact of
shared joy and well-being onboard and ashore.This port-able
fun& laughter comes out naturally from the combination of
many good things in the port-able package: karaoke singing
and dancing, food fellowship, sports, health information
campaigns, spiritual services, and cultural activities.
Just because seafarers are isolated from the mainstream of
society doesn’t mean that they have lost their sense of
humor. After attending the port-able seamen’s club, many
seafarers say they no longer do their daily heavy routine work
with a long face. And who says that only Filipinos and other
asian seafarers are fond of karaoke music and dancing?.
Port-able seafarers club activities have brought about one
simple but really gratifying and concrete result: Boom! Port-
able fun and laughter! What makes this fun and laughter
different from any other kind of good-time? First, its free and
it doesn’t cost anything to the seafarers: no entrance ticket,
no service charges for anything. Second, it’s not a coerced nor
forced laughter but rather a spontaneous fun. When the
provision of time, place, camaraderie, friendship and
acceptance are met, port-able laughter will come out in the
open in bursts, and it will flow, just like a pop corn spilling out
from the cooker.
Here’s a summary of the port-able fun&laughter according
to seafarers themselves:
1. Ask the crew of the Eagle Virginia, the Bergstahl,
and the Adriatica Graeca. These ships were docked at the
farthest corner of Maasvlucte, and they haven’t been on shore
for the the last 6 months because of SARS and terrorism
threats and strict immigration policy. “It’s clean and fun, it
reduces our health sapping tensions and stress, physically
and psychologically. While we look tired from the outside, the
portable seamen’s club makes us feel relaxed from the inside.
It lifts our mood and revitalizes our spirit. It vents our home-
sickness and releases the pressure of staying too long
onboard.” As the good book says, a joyful heart is a good
medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
A report by Engr. Felix Pulmano
continued next page
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Port-able Laughter, contd.
2. The Filipino crews of the Pride of Rotterdam and Stena Transfer developed very close brotherly relations when they
met at the club. They play basketball and do the barbecue together, and in the club, they eat, they sing and they dance
together. They even found out that they have the same manning agency in the Philippines. Now their portable port-able
laughter has given them a common ground for deeper camaraderie and friendship.
3. Part of the port-able fun is discovering the “other side” (both inner and outer sides) of your shipmates. The British
captain of the Anna Meryl was branded as strict and work-oriented, until the crew discovered that their captain can join the
singing and blend his voice with them in karaoke and dancing. Port able laughter dissolved the barrier and created a “we”
feeling between the officers and the crew.
4. Yes, its really portable. The fun and laughter were brought on board the HMS Goodwill, with a 3-nation crew
commanded by a German captain. In this case, the captain proved to everyone that he is “cool”: not only is he a good singer;
he also has a repertoire of old and the new songs which he memorized, from Frank Sinatra to the latest of Bon Jovi. He’s
really a knock-out that breaks the ice, initiating laughter on board by rounding up his crew after work for karaoke fun.The
laughter that was created on board was so contagious that even ship visitors feel the high spirits behind the HMS Goodwill
experience.
Port-able fun continues to enhance the commitment of the people behind the club. The laughter gives them the motivation
and encouragement to reach out to the seafarers even in the most remote parts of the port. To them, the sight of seafarers
laughing and smiling is enough reward.
PSAP Mananger Peter Payoyo
marches with University of the
Philippines president Dr. Francis-
co Nemenzo during graduation
ceremonies. Atty. Payoyo deliv-
ered the commencement address
at UP Baguio last April, on the
theme of “Excellence and Serv-
ice”.
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Illegal OFWs qualified to vote
Undocumented or illegal overseasFilipino workers are qualified to registerfor and vote in next year’s presidentialelections, Sen. Aquilino “Nene” PimentelJr. said.
“The right to vote of OFWs under theAbsentee Voting Law does not dependon the legality or illegality of their stayin their host countries. It depends ontheir being Filipino citizens,” he said.
Pimentel was disputing the statement ofChairman Benjamin Abalos of theComelec that undocumented Filipinosabroad should not be allowed to registerand vote.
The Comelec is now drafting the rulesand regulations to implement theAbsentee Voting Law as part ofpreparations for the May 2004presidential elections.
Meanwhile, Pimentel urged the SupremeCourt to rule within this month on theconstitutionality of allowing Filipinoimmigrants and permanent residents ofother countries to vote in nationalelections here. (PhilStar, 4 July 2003)
OFW remittances lower
BOP deficit anew
With the continued inflow of dollarremittances from overseas workers, thecountry’s balance of payments (BOP)deficit for the month of May dropped to$15 million from $17 million in April.
The BOP is what remains in governmentcoffers after it has settled all itsinternational obligations. A surplusmeans it earned more than it spent, adeficit, on the other hand, means it spentmore than it earned.
In April, OFW remittances grew by 5.4percent to $699 million from $640.76
million in March. For the month of May,authorities expected OFW remittances toimprove further because of the financialrequirements of OFW beneficiaries,particularly for payment of tuition as theJune school opening approached.(Philippine Star, 19 June 2003)
AIDS rise in Cebu City alarming
Health officials have described asalarming the AIDS (AcquiredImmunodeficiency Syndrome) situationin this city after noting that it has 50 ofthe 57 known cases in Central Visayas.
City epidemiologist Ilya Abellanosa Tac-an said in a forum that while the cityaverages four new AIDS cases each year,this year the number has risen to six.“We can say that the situation is, indeed,alarming,” Tac-an said.
Debbie Catulong of the BidlisiwFoundation, a non-governmentorganization, attributed the increase tothe corresponding rise in the number ofcommercial sex workers.
Catulong identified poverty as a mainreason for the rise in the flesh trade.(Philippine Star, 27 June 2003)
OFWs hit corruption in NAIA
For some overseas Filipino workers(OFWs) and their families, a simple visitto Abu Dhabi or the United ArabEmirates (UAE) would not be completewithout a bundle of money in theirpockets.
The money, however, is not forshopping or airfare. It’s for immigrationpersonnel at the Ninoy AquinoInternational Airport (NAIA) whoallegedly extort as much as P10,000 fromdeparting OFWs.
A new group of OFWs called Bagong
Bayani Lakas ng Bayan (Bayanikasan)alleged that several Bureau ofImmigration employees stationed at theNAIA milk OFWs for “supportingpesos” in the guise of asking for more“supporting papers” even though theyalready have the proper documents.
Bayanikasan officials said they havedocumented a number of complaintsfrom OFWs victimized by the newracket.
As a result of the expose, Bureau ofImmigration officials left for the UnitedArab Emirates to investigate allegedextortion activities of immigrationofficials. They will interview 42 OFWs,who filed complaints againstimmigration personnel for allegedlydemanding $200 to $500 in exchange forclearing them for departure at NAIA.(Philippine Star, 14 & 30 June 2003)
30,000 jobs threatened by
new OFW recruitment rule?
At least 30,000 jobs overseas are said tobe in peril after more than 600recruitment agencies were suspended fornot being able to comply with a new ruleof the POEA.
POEA prohibited the 616 agencies fromprocessing job orders until they havecomplied with the requirement toincrease their capitalization by P250,000and add P175,000 to their escrowdeposit.
Meanwhile a court issued a restrainingorder in response to the complaint filedby the Philippine Association of ServiceExporters Inc. (PASEI).But acting LaborSecretary Manuel Imson expressedconfidence that the government wouldprevail in the end. Imson stressed thatthe implementation of the new POEAregulations is necessary to ensure thewelfare and safety of Filipino overseasworkers. (PhilStar, 14 June 2003)
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Filipino seamen die
in oil tanker explosion
Four Filipino seamen were killed ina tanker explosion off the coast ofthe United Arab Emirates on June18.
They were killed after an electricalmalfunction triggered the explosionthat set fire to the forecastle of theMaltese-flagged tanker Efxinos.
The tanker was docked at the port ofFujairah in the UAE and its crewwas in the process of transferringpetroleum to a Panamanian vesselwhen the accident happened.
President Arroyo in an officialstatement condoled with families ofseamen killed in tanker blast.“Filipinos all over are vulnerable tosuch tragedies because more than20 percent of the world’s ocean-going fleet are manned by ournationals”, she said
Inter-Orient Shipping said thefamilies of the victims will receive$51,000 in burial and death benefits.According to OWWA, besides thebenefits the families of the tankermishap victims will receive from theshipping line, they will also receiveP200,000 in insurance benefits.(Philippine Star, 21 June & 1 July 2003)
St Vincent and Grenadines
caught in licence scandal
A new seafarers’ licensing scandalis brewing in the Caribbean, with USCoast Guard officials in Puerto Ricoand the US Virgin Islands detainingeight ships over the past two weeksafter discovering officers on boardwith licences improperly issued bySt Vincent and the Grenadines.(Lloydslist.com, 30 June 2003)
Identity cards for all
the world’s seafarers
Every seafarer in the world is toreceive a fingerprint-basedinternational identity documentfollowing a compromise agreementstruck at the International LabourOrganisation. But sources close tothe talks warned that it could takeyears for the development to cometo fruition and some predicted apolitical backlash in countrieswhere immigration is a sensitiveissue. The sheer scale of thedecision — involving an estimated1.2m seafarers across the globe —will also have massive costimplications for the industry, eventhough the technology required ischeap. (Lloydslist.com, 23 June 2003)
4 Pinoys killed in Florida blast -
US court to decide whether
to dismiss Pinoy seaman’s suit
A United States court is likely todismiss the $1-billion punitive andcompensatory suit filed by a Filipinocrewmember of the SS Norway forlack of jurisdiction, said DorisMagsaysay-Ho, chairwoman ofMagsaysay Maritime Corp..
Local manning agencies said theUS court hearing the case of FilipinoAbdi Comedia might rule to transferthe complaint to a court in thePhilippines.
Magsaysay-Ho said other foreignshipping companies hiring Filipinoseafarers are closely watching theoutcome of the case and such couldadversely affect the deployment ofFilipino seamen.
However, Magsaysay-Ho said theNorwegian Cruise Lines assuredthat they will continue to hire Filipino
seafarers despite the suit filed byComedia.
Last May 25, seven Filipinoseafarers were killed and sevenothers injured when the boiler roomof the Norway exploded and caughtfire while docked at Miami, Florida.The incident was ruled to be anaccident and not a terrorist attack. Atotal of 17 crewmen of theNorwegian Cruise Line’s SSNorway were reported hurt in theblast, which also caused a fire onthe ship. The ship had a total of 911crew members on board, mostlyFilipinos.
Shortly after the accident, Comedia’slawyer, Bill Huggett filed a suit for $1billion punitive damages and $1million compensatory damagesagainst the Norwegian CruiseLines, owner of the Norway, beforethe 11th Judicial Circuit Court ofMiami, Florida. The lawyer allegedthat Comedia was injured due to the“sea unworthiness” of the SSNorway.
Labor and Employment SecretaryPatricia Sto. Tomas cautioned theFilipino seafarers and their relativesagainst filing a damage suit as itcould hamper the hiring of Filipinoseafarers abroad. (Philippine Star, 27
May & 25 June 2003)
Collision inquiry finds
both vessels liable
Both the MV San Nicolas and theSuperFerry 12 were at fault in thesea tragedy off Corregidor last May25 that left more than 40 peopledead and an undetermined numbermissing, the Philippine CoastGuard’s Board of Marine Inquiry(BMI) announced. (PhilStar, 6 June
2003)
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D/Boy Rommel Manalo/ Verena Bay
EWAN KUNG BAKIT
Ako’y isang marinerong sa Batangas ay nagmula
Sa GMS ay nag apply, sahod ay mababa
Di ko yon alintana, pagkat ako’y isang dukha
Pamilya ko’y mabigyan lang, kahit karampot na ginhawa
Sa Rotterdam ay dumating, ang Verena ay nasakyan
Ang pagkain ay di husto, opisyal pa ay magnanakaw
Sila na itong tamad, sila pa ang palasigaw
Duty nila’y natutulog, sa crew’y walang pakialam
Ang lashing ay walang bayad, ang reefer ay ganoon din
Pagtakbo nitong barko, ang reading ay iyo pa rin
Sumasakit ang loob mo , pagka’t Euro’y sapin sapin
Sa kamay ng opisyal mo , sa Norfolk line ay nanggaling
Ikaw din yaong line man, pagbitaw nyo nitong puerto
Pagtanggal nitong lubid, takbo doon , takbo dito
Pag akyat mo nitong barko, sisigaw pa si segundo
Tanong mo lagi sa sarili’y, bakit ga sila’y ganito?
Hanggang dito na lang bayan at maliit ang espasyo
Dahil kung hahabaan pa’y sasakit lang ang loob nyo
Hindi ito isang drama, lalong hindi kathang kwento
Kundi ito’y nagaganap, Verena Bay kilala nyo!
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Ipinadala ni : BOYET – Electrician – Spykstal Rotterdam
This is an OFW making a long distance phone call....
Operator: AT&T, How may I help you?
Pinoy: Heyloow. Ay wud like to long distans da Pilipins, plis.
Operator: Name of the party you’re calling?
Pinoy: Aybegurpardon? Can you repit agen plis?
Operator: What is the name of the person you are calling?
Pinoy: Ah, yes, tenkyu and sori. Da name of my calling is Elpidio
Abanquel. Sori and tenkyu.
Operator: Please spell out the name of the person you’re calling
phonetically.
Pinoy: Yes, tenkyu. What is foneticali?
Operator: Please spell out the letters comprising the name a letter
at a time and citing a word for each letter.
Pinoy: Ah, yes, tenkyu. Da name of Elpidio Abanquel is Elpidio Abanquel.
I will spell his name foneticali, Elpidio: E as in Elpidio,
L as in lpidio, p as in pidio, i as in idio, d as in dio, i as in io, and o as in o.
Operator: Sir, can you please use English words.
Pinoy: Ah, yes, tenkyu. Abanquel: A as in Airport agen, B as in Because,
A as in airport agen, N as in enemy, Q as in Cuba, U as in Europe,
E as in important, and L as in elephant.
Napanood nyo ba yoong pelikulang Con – Air starring Nicolas Cage?Well, mayroon namang version: Con – Sea!
Isang sintensyadong bilanggo dadalhin na sa kanyang sintensyanglugar na para bang Al catraz, imbes na eroplano siya’y isinakay sabarko, pero nasa kulungan parin at siya’y sinamahan ng pari. Isanggabi ng paglalayag, naisipan ng pari na bisitahin siya. “ O anak,kamusta ka na? Mayroon ka bang kahilingan at lalakarin kong maibigayito?” Tugon ng bilanggo, “ Salamat father, pero mayroon sana akongitatanong sa inyo, kayo bang mga pari ay mapagkakatiwalaan?, nakapag may sinabi sa inyo ay irerespeto nyo at hindi malalaman ngiba?”. Sagot naman ng Pari, “ Anak, kaming mga Pari ay maysinumpaang tungkulin sa mata ng Diyos at sa mata ng tao, kayamakakaasa ka na lahat ng sasabihin mo ay mananatiling ligtas saakin.” Tugon naman ng bilanggo, “ Salamat naman kung gayon Father,ngayon ay mapapalagay na ako. Alam nyo father ayoko na sanangdumating doon sa pupuntahan natin dahil tiyak patay ang aabutin kokaya ang ginawa ko minsan pinayagan akong magpahangin sakubyerta ng mga security, ang ginawa ko bumaba ako sa cargo holds atbinutas ko yoong barko kaya ngayon dahan- dahan ng lumulubog tayo.”Biglang napahigop ng maraming hangin sa bibig ng Pari at sinabing,“Diyos ko!” at sabay takbong pasigaw, “Kapt.! Kapt.! Ang ating bilanggo,binutas ang barko!”.
Galing sa: Koleksyon Marino, Rotterdam
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Life in the Spirit
Dear Seafarers,
It was more than 2000 years ago, as recorded in the pages of
the bible, when the “Son of Man”, was born. He was a
carpenter who built a bridge. A spiritual bridge. A bridge
between God and man. He’s the carpenter of all time. Why not
try to get to know him? (Isaiah 53, 1Timothy 2:5). Here is a
story to share.
Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms
fell into conflict. It was their first serious rift in 40 years of
farming side by side, sharing machinery and trading labor and
goods as needed without a hitch.
Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small
understanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it
exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by a week
long silence.
One morning, there was a knock on the door. He opened it to
find a man with a carpenter’s tool box. “ I’m looking for a few
days’ work,” he said.” Perhaps you would have a few small
jobs here and there I could help with”? Could I help you?.
Yes!, said the older brother. I do have a job for you. Look
across the creek at that farm, that’s my neighbor, in fact, that’s
my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us
and he took his bulldozer, and dozed the land up to the river
level and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have
done this to spite me, but I’ll go him one better. See that pile of
lumber by the barn?, I want you to build a fence,…an 8 ft. fence,
So I won’t need to see his place or his face anymore.
The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation. Show
me the nails and the post-hole digger and I’ll be able to do a job
that pleases you”.
The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter
to get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The
carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.
About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just
finished his job.
The farmer’s eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was nofence there at all.
It was a bridge – a bridge stretching form one side of the creekto the other!
A fine piece of work handrails and all, and the neighbor, hisyounger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.
“You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I’ve said anddone! The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, andthen they met in the middle, taking each other’s hand.
They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on hisshoulder.
“No, wait! Stay a few days. I’ve a lot of other project for you”,said the older brother.
“I’d love to stay on”, the carpenter said, “but I have manymore bridges to build”.
My Brother’s Bridge
C. Gayoso / Amsterdam
Port Accident ReportThe Ship M/V Smit Hunter caught by fire on a floating shipyard at Niehuis and Vandenberg Pernis in Rotterdam on
June 29. While the crew rested in their cabin, a huge explosion was heard. Fire and heavy smoke immediately filled
the engine room, which was consumed in flames in a few minutes. The fire soon reached the accommodation
spaces. The crew, caught by surprise, was unable to extinguish the fire whose ferocity prevented the engineer and the
crew from going to the CO2 room. Fire-extinguishers were no match to fight the flames. The general service pump
could not be operated because the vessel was still suspended on the dock. The Dutch Captain and the Chief
Engineer decided to evacuate the ship. The 12-man crew onboard with 8 Filipinos evacuated the ship unharmed.
Lesson: Even with adequate crew training on fire fighting, it is hard to predict whether the crew can cope under such
unexpected circumstances. The Captain should conduct a safety meeting with the crew prior to entering the shipyard.
Parola no.118 - May - June 2003 - Page 11Parola no.118 - May - June 2003 - Page 11Parola no.118 - May - June 2003 - Page 11Parola no.118 - May - June 2003 - Page 11Parola no.118 - May - June 2003 - Page 11
Greetings to all our loved ones.
3/e Rommel Senga
BSN Ruben Llana
Fitter Arnulpo De Leon
A/B Joe Escanda
A/B Edmond Albano
O/S Remegio Lampong Jr.
M/V Donax Crew
Greetings to officers & crew of the M/V Bison Express.Have a safe sailing.
Henry Gayoso
Thanks and Mabuhay to the Port-able
Seafarers Club
in Rotterdam, 28 June 2003
Greek and Filipino crew of Alpha Future Piraeus
Indian and Filipino crews of Alshuhada and Arthur N
British and Filipino crew of P&O Nedloyd Drake
Norwegian, Latvian and Filipino crew of NCC Jizan Bergen
Latvian crew of Faneromini
Greek and Filipino crew of Formosabulk
German and Filipino crew of Hanne
British and Filipino crew of Sigas Govenor
Greek, Croatian and Filipino crew of Spear Flower
Japanese and Thai crew of Suchada Naree
Chinese and Filipino crew of Surenes
British, Polish and Filipino crew of Stena TransferLondon
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Thank you for your support.
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PHILIPPINE SEAFARERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME, ROTTERDAM
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
Oostbroekweg 4,
3089 KL Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Tel. 010-2400930
Fax. 010-2400932
E-mail. [email protected]
Website: psaponline.net
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
Editorial StaffJosie Pulmano
Nonoy Ty
Peter Payoyo
Parola is published bi-monthly by the
Philippine Seafarers Assistance
Programme(PSAP). PSAP is a non-
stock, non-profit foundation registered
in the Chamber of Commerce
no. S127664, Rotterdam,
The Netherlands.
Parola no.118 - May - June 2003 - Page 12Parola no.118 - May - June 2003 - Page 12Parola no.118 - May - June 2003 - Page 12Parola no.118 - May - June 2003 - Page 12Parola no.118 - May - June 2003 - Page 12
ITF Seafarers’ Trust logo
LIFE AT SEA
In the middle of the ocean
Where joy is only part of the gloom
Freezing, thinking
Looking for nothing but waves
“I want to be there!”, but what can I do?
I have to wait for the time
What day is it now?
I don’t know…. I forgot
I wanted to be with my family
But I can’t.
Reading newspaper
Watching television
And talking with colleagues … ha!
That’s not enough!
At night, I couldn’t sleep
Because I am afraid
And frightened of the weather
That’s life at sea!
I’m in the middle of nowhere.
Darius Gabriel Bugarin
Pride of Rotterdam
Parola's publication is madepossible with the help of the
ITF Seafarers' Trust.
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