Students attend symposium on ‘Chinese Expansionism in the West Philippine Seas’

Legazpi City, Albay – A symposium on ‘Chinese Expansionism in the West Philippine Seas’ was attended by students of the Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation (MPCF), this province on June 18, 2015.

It was sponsored by the caravan carrying the objective to create awareness among the youth and the Filipino people on the impact of China’s encroachment on Philippine territories.

The van used by the group on-tour around the Philippines while on a stop-over at the MPCF campus in Legazpi City. The sign tells it all on what the advocacy aims to achieve.


(Left Picture) Students listen attentively as MPCF President Dante La. Jimemez (in red jacket on-stage) introduces the members of the entourage promoting the advocacy . (Right picture, L to R) MPCF HR Director and Executive Assistant to the President Ms. Lydia Cervantes, MPCF-Legazpi President Jimenez and the caravan leader, former Philippine Marines Captain Nicanor Faeldon.

The concern on the problem on ‘bullying’ by China by occupying some islands at the West Philippine Sea belonging to the Exclusive Economic Zone of the country is a maritime issue. Hence, MPCF being a maritime school is interested in this development which could affect routes of shipping lines as well as the air-space utilized in flight routes which used to be free for international sea-going vessels and aircrafts to navigate.

The high-handed manner which China uses to get territories belonging to the Philippines has raised serious concerns among Filipinos and hence, this advocacy to create awareness among the citizenry was launched.

Eighty-two (82) provinces all-over the country will be visited by the group and on top-priority are the schools and the students. Visit on media outlets is also being done so the advocacy may be spread the fastest way it could be disseminated.


Left picture - Caravan leader, Former Philippine Marines Captain Nicanor Faeldon explains to the students why every Filipino, especially the youth should take active participation in the advocacy to stop China from grabbing the islands at the West Philippine Sea. Right picture - Commodore Jimenez (in red Jacket), Bicol Autonomy Movement Albay Provincial Convenor Benjie Santiago (in purple shirt and back to camera) and Captain Faeldon (in green t-shirt) sign the commitment tarp manifesting individual support to the cause. Signing by MPCF students ensued after the school officials and guests have affixed their signatures in support of the movement.

When asked on the possible reason why China is interested in acquiring these territories in the West Philippine Sea, Captain Faeldon said, “The vast deposit of oil in these disputed areas amounting to trillions of dollars has triggered China to set its eyes in these Philippine territories”.

“The ordinary Filipino must actively take part in opposing this move by China inasmuch as should the latter succeed, our people will be deprived to enjoy the fruits of these tremendous natural resources which legally and rightfully belong to the Philippines and the Filipinos”, Former Philippine Marines Captain Nicanor Faeldon further disclosed.

HRM students anticipate OJT abroad under ‘Work and Travel USA’ program

(Left picture) HRM students Mary Rose Bodlong and Vijay Carl Sabas while under the camera grid and (Right picture) - the program anchors at the studios of Veritas Radio and TV Legazpi in one of the episodes of ‘Buhay Marinero’ TeleRadyo show.

Legazpi City, Albay – Students of Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation (MPCF) this city taking-up Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) course have expressed optimism on the prospect they will be working soon abroad via the Work and Travel (WAT) U.S.A. Program of the school.

In an interview at ‘Buhay Marinero’ show, Mary Rose Bodlong and Vijay Carl Sabas admitted the advantages they will get as HRM students once they have undergone this pace of their course.

They have learned from on-the-job trainees who have earlier completed this requirement the benefits and advantages acquired from the WAT program.

Aside from the experience of working with people of different races and culture, they expect to see how HRM professionals do their jobs in a foreign-setting.

Another important aspect of their OJT which excites them is the fact that they get paid while they work.

“This is an opportunity for us to apply what we learned in school and to learn more in line with the thrust of globalization. We are being trained to be globally competitive and hence this exposure abroad enriches our knowledge to be at par with what is required by international standards”, said HRM student Vijay Carl Sabas.

Meanwhile, the members of the Board of Trustees led by MPCF President Dante La. Jimenez have just completed their U.S.A. mission of strengthening linkages with partners, keeping in touch with students who are undergoing OJT and visiting alumni who now work in America.

The program guests and anchors at the set of MPCF’s weekly radio-tv show ‘Buhay Marinero’.

BOT Members Dr. Marilissa J. Ampuan and Merle J. San Pedro joined the mission and visited places and partner-establishments aside from those visited by Commodore Dante Jimenez where Mariners students and alumni work.

With the thrust of the institution on globalization and international standard of education, the Work and Travel U.S.A. program is expected to continue to impart knowledge and experience to HRM, Tourism and Hospitality Management students of MPCF.

Faculty Conference-Workshop prepares mentors for opening of classes

Legazpi City, Albay – A Faculty-Conference Workshop was conducted on June 11, 2015 at Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation (MPCF), this city to prepare the teaching force of the school for academic year 2015-2016 and for the opening of classes.

MPCF-Legazpi Vice President for Academic Affairs Conrad Cordero delivers his opening remarks during the Faculty Conference-Workshop. Seated at the head table (left to right) Student Affairs Director Cynthia Duka, HR Director Lydia Cervantes, Assesment Office Head Dr. Milagros Esparago and Dean of Maritime Studies Captain Job Espares.

In his address, MPCF President Dante La. Jimenez reiterated his challenge to the teaching force of the institution to continue to measure-up to the standards set forth by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

“Let us continue to innovate while we comply with the requirements asked of us as a premiere maritime educational institution given accreditation by these regulatory agencies to offer maritime degree courses”, said Commodore Jimenez.

“The Mariners school, being a Higher Maritime Educational Institution (HMEI) is committed to observe the accepted practices especially the fulfilment of the requirements which conform with international standards for the graduates to be globally competitive”, Jimenez added.


The members of the faculty as they listen to Student Affairs Director Cynthia Duka during the Faculty-Conference Workshop.

Meanwhile, aside from maritime studies, MPCF also has land-based course offerings such as BS in Customs Administration (BSCA), Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM), Bachelor of Science in Tourism (BST) and Hospitality Management.

The school has been sending students abroad taking-up Hospitality and Tourism courses for their On-the-Job-Training (OJT) under the ‘Work And Travel’ (WAT) U.S.A. program.

The speakers at the forum reiterated the expectation on ‘excellence’ on the performance of every member of the faculty while the administration vowed to extend support on the efforts exerted by them both in the sea-based or land-based courses.

A cordial, productive and interactive dialogue ensued after the school officials have given their share of information to the instructors.

As Academic Year 2015-2016 starts, this gathering has been designed to beef-up the cooperative and coordinative efforts of management and faculty and to better prepare everyone on the tasks and challenges that lie ahead.