DOTr-MARINA Commits Full Compliance with IMO Standards to Maintain “White List” Status

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) commit to fully comply with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers to maintain its status in the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) “White List.”

The DOTr-MARINA is taking the necessary steps to consistently improve the country’s maritime education, training, examination, and assessment system.

According to DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, the MARINA should do its utmost to ensure that the country’s status in the IMO remains.

“Dugo’t pawis ang puhunan ng ating mga marino sa kanilang trabaho. Hindi matatawaran ang sakripisyo at karangalang ibinibigay nila sa bayan kaya nararapat lang na dugo’t pawis din ang ipuhunan ng gobyerno upang masigurong mananatili tayo sa IMO White List. Kailangang protektahan natin ang kabuhayan at kapakanan ng ating mga marino,” Secretary Tugade said.

Independent Evaluation as Part of Continuing Compliance

Starting April 2019, a panel of international maritime experts will conduct an independent evaluation as part of the Philippines’ continuing compliance with the pertinent provisions, particularly Regulation I/8 or in the area of Quality Standards, of the International Convention on STCW, 1978, as amended.

As a State Party to the STCW Convention, the Philippines is mandated to ensure that an evaluation is periodically undertaken by qualified persons who are not involved in the implementation of this international regulatory instrument in the country.

The evaluation is aimed at providing an independent assessment of the effectiveness of the quality standard arrangements at all levels.

Meanwhile, MARINA OIC Administrator Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr. is confident that the evaluation of the country’s STCW system will solidify the Philippines inclusion in the “White List” of the IMO.

“Our engagement with the professional services of independent evaluators shows our full efforts in maintaining our seafarer’s reputation worldwide as a dependable maritime workforce. We will continue to comply with IMO standards for the benefit of our seafarers,” Vice Admiral Vingson said.

The results of next month’s evaluation will form part of the regular Communication of Information of the Philippines to the IMO as required under Regulation I/7 of the Convention.


Caution against undue panic

Contrary to recent reports, the Philippines is still included in the “White List” of the IMO, signifying the nation’s compliance with international maritime standards.

This is attested by the IMO MSC Circular (MSC.1/Circ.1163/Rev.11) published on 14 December 2018.

The “White List” refers to parties confirmed by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) to have communicated information that demonstrates the full and complete effect that is given to the relevant provisions of the STCW.

In a statement released on 21 March 2019, the DOTr and MARINA cautioned the public to remain vigilant against claims that the country was allegedly excluded from the IMO White List.

With proof of compliance with IMO standards, the livelihood of the country’s over 400,000 seafarers ultimately continues to be among the top priorities of the DOTr and MARINA.

Michael “Gloves on Fire” Dasmarinas Wins IBF Eliminator Fight

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Camarines Sur-native Michael “Gloves on Fire” Dasmarinas stunned Kenny “Big Heart” Demecillo, and won by unanimous decision, in the IBF eliminator fight held at the Resorts World Saturday night in front of a packed crowd, which included 8-division world champion boxer and Senator Manny Pacquiao in the audience.

The judges score cards read 116-112, 115-113, 117-111, in favor of Dasmarinas, who had to vacate his IBO world bantamweight title, to participate in this fight.


Dasmarinas, “All out po ako sa laban na ito, wala akong naging doubt sa training ko, mentally and physically, naging preparado ako para sa laban na ito. Sobrang saya ko po na nanalo ako.” (I went all out in this fight, I had no doubt with my training. Mentally and physically, I was well prepared for this fight. I am very happy I won.)

The boxing match was the first co-promoted venture between Singapore-based Ringstar Asia, headed by Scott Farrell, and Senator Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions. Dasmarinas’ last 3 fights, including his IBO world title win last 2018, were all held in Singapore as well.

The fight card had 10 bouts, which included Singaporean boxer Muhamad “The Chosen Wan” Ridhwan, who lost by split decision to Filipino boxer Cris Leon.

When Senator Pacquiao was asked about the event and the first co-promotion, he said, “They were exciting fights, everybody’s happy, it was a very successful promotion. This is also a good opportunity for Filipino boxers to have a chance to fight outside the country, specially in the United States.” Pacquiao was asked about the event and the first co-promotion, he said, “They were exciting fights, everybody’s happy, it was a very successful promotion. This is also a good opportunity for Filipino boxers to have a chance to fight outside the country, specially in the United States.”  

Benilde Films Reap Awards at CALABARZON Festival

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Capstone projects from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts film department won major prizes at the ninth Pelikultura: The CALABARZON Film Festival held at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños College of Arts and Sciences auditorium from March 13 to 15.

“Tayo” by Ron Dulatre, Elaiza Rivera and Joice Bay got the Best Screenplay and Best Production Design honors, while “Esmeralda” by Alexandra Louise Supnet and Kathrina Kate Castillo took home the Best Musical Score trophy in the student category.

“Tayo” tells the story of Reg (Karl Medina), a socially awkward stand-up comedian who gets help from his subconscious in the person of Alyssa (Veronica Reyes). However, when Reg is supposed to give the performance of a lifetime, Alyssa suddenly disappears.

“The story of ‘Tayo’ originates from a true story of when I hit a slump of depression in the past. I developed the depressed stand-up comedian from there and Elaiza had the idea to combine it with an old story of hers called ‘Dream 8’ about a girl who meets her soulmate in her dreams,” Dulatre shared.

Meanwhile, “Esmeralda” is a musical short film involving a young girl (Claire Geonzon) who sells sampaguita leis around Quiapo, her mother (Chanel Latorre) who sells herbal medicines in front of the church, and her grandmother (Maddie Martinez) who is slowly losing her memory.

Another film from Benilde, “Delta” by Luigi Macalintal and James Fuentes Garcia, also made it among the 26 finalists that tell compelling stories from the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

“Delta” is about brothers Marco (Jemuel Satumba) and Lucas (Alexis Negrite) who go to the river for a weekend without their parents to celebrate the former’s birthday. As they bond together, Marco shares with Lucas his plan to explore the end of the river. Out of curiosity, Lucas heads out to the river alone.

Dr. Rolando Tolentino of the UP Film Institute, director Keith Deligero and documentary filmmaker Jewel Maranan served as jury. They also conducted a film appreciation forum and filmmaking workshops.

UPLB Department of Humanities chair and UPLB SamaSining executive director Dr. Leonora Fajutagana said that holding Pelikultura is part of their commitment to promote culture and arts in the region.

In a message delivered by Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Dr. Serlie Barroga-Jamias on behalf of Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., the UPLB administration commended Pelikultura for bringing regional films closer to more people and giving independent filmmakers an avenue to showcase their work.

On the other hand, Jayson Septimo of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts encouraged filmmakers to continue making relevant regional and national stories.

Renneth Moldes, who spoke on behalf of Film Development Council of the Philippines chair Liza Diño, stressed Pelikultura’s role in empowering other localities to develop and promote their own film culture.

Pelikultura is part of Cinema Rehiyon, a flagship program of the NCCA Cinema Committee. UPLB Pelikulab, the host of Pelikultura, is under the UPLB SamaSining, the integrated arts program of the Humanities department.