MANILA, Philippines — The top 10 outstanding maritime students for 2011 were identified in a nationwide search by Western Union, a global leader in money transfers, in support of upholding the Philippines as one of the largest contributors of seafarers globally.
Western Union concluded a nationwide search for the best graduating maritime students in the Philippines last September 22, 2011. The top 10 students identified were presented to Vice President Jejomar Binay on National Seafarers’ Day, September 23, 2011, in recognition of their achievements as model citizens of the seafaring population.
The nationwide pool of nominees includes undergraduates recognized by their respective schools for being academically excellent, highly competent in practice, in good moral standing and active in their respective communities. The finalists also mirror Western Union’s important corporate values – integrity, passion, assertiveness, dependability and camaraderie.
“Congratulations to the 10 outstanding students who have exhibited great passion and dedication in honing their seafaring skills to become part of our country’s growing force of global heroes,” said Patricia Riingen, senior vice president, Pacific & Indochina, Western Union.
“Congratulations also to their teachers and mentors who have greatly contributed to the advancement of the Philippine maritime industry.
“Western Union has always understood that our business doesn’t just make the world go round, it starts things for people. It helps with the day to day and the long term, converting opportunities into reality for consumers and businesses alike.
“Through recognizing the accomplishments of the maritime student community, we hope to instil a lifelong love for learning for the next generation of seafarers as they begin their journey to make a difference to their loved ones, and to make a difference to the world.”
Each of the top 10 students has a special story of their own, but all share the dream to succeed. “I wanted to have a chance to uplift my family from poverty so I grabbed the opportunity to become a Marine Engineer. Although it hurts to know that I’ll be away from them for a long time, I accepted it,” says Luis Nico Enciso, a student of the Mariners’ Polytechnic Colleges Foundation in Camarines Sur.
Some students aspire to give back to their community through knowledge exchange. “One day, I want to be able to send my older siblings to school, become a Chief Engineer, take my master’s degree and earn a doctorate in education to be able to teach and, perhaps, even become a school dean,” says Allyson Agustin from the Technological Institute of the Philippines in Manila.
Source: mb.com.ph
