OCEANS APART: Seafarers and the journey between sacrifice and survival

OCEANS APART: Seafarers and the journey between sacrifice and survival
Ma. Theresa Ladiao, June 25, 2025 https://www.panaynews.net/oceans-apart-seafarers-and-the-journey-between...

“You have to be strong. There are no days off. You’re surrounded by men doing men’s work, so you need to be alert at all times,” says Wilne Grace Panes from Calinog, Iloilo. She is breaking barriers as a woman seafarer.
ILOILO City – They brave tempests, work without rest days, and spend months apart from their families — yet Filipino seafarers, including those from Iloilo, remain the steady hands that keep global maritime trade afloat. From cruise ships to cargo vessels, their stories reveal a life of discipline, loneliness, and deep sacrifice.

Western Visayas, particularly Iloilo and Negros Occidental, has long been a rich source of skilled maritime workers, with thousands of Ilonggos embarking on seafaring careers each year. Known for their discipline, adaptability, and strong family values, Ilonggo seafarers are well-represented on international cargo vessels, cruise ships, and oil tankers. Many of them are graduates of maritime schools in Iloilo City and nearby provinces, institutions that have built a solid reputation for producing competent and globally competitive seafarers.

As the world marks World Seafarers’ Day today, June 25, these modern-day navigators remind us that while their ships may cross oceans, their dreams and struggles are deeply anchored at home.

Cooking Through Storms and Smiles

For Reyland Terencio, a 42-year-old father of two from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, life onboard the Icon of the Seas — the largest cruise ship in the world — is both an adventure and a grind.

With 14 years at sea, including two on domestic ships and 12 internationally, Reyland has mastered the art of navigating waves, both literal and emotional.

“In domestic shipping, it was a real challenge to cook while the ship rocked violently, especially in bad weather. The galley was so unstable,” he recalled. “On international cruises, the hardest part is the broken schedule. We work three shifts a day, what we call tulog-manok.”

Now working as a restaurant supervisor, he faces a new set of challenges.

“The accountability is nonstop. Even during rest hours, you can be called for work. The DECT phone must always be on. Smiling is part of the uniform, no matter your personal struggles,” he said.

Asked why he chose the seafaring life, Reyland answered plainly: “It’s the money, and the chance to explore the world for free. But there will come a time I’ll want to stop. Hopefully, I can land a job abroad or just retire in the Philippines.”

His advice to fellow seafarers: “Be flexible, be a team player, and always have patience.”

The Lone Woman in a Crew of Men

For Wilne Grace C. Panes, 28, from Calinog, Iloilo, being a lone woman aboard a ship dominated by men brings its own set of struggles.

“It’s hard when you have no one to talk to. No girl talk, no one to confide in,” she shared. “You have to be strong. There are no days off. You’re surrounded by men doing men’s work, so you need to be alert at all times.”

Wilne has been working on board for almost four years and says the financial rewards are worth the isolation.

“Being onboard, especially internationally, the salary is good. I get to save, invest, and give my family a good life,” she said.

But she is also preparing for a future on land. “I’m planning to take the 6.09 instructor’s course so I can teach at training centers or universities. That’s my Plan B.”

Her message to fellow seawomen: “There’s no such thing as a man’s job that a woman can’t do. Just respect yourself and others will respect you too.”

Mixing Drinks, Missing Home
Nadef Jardiolin, 33, of Pavia, Iloilo, is currently on his third cruise contract, having previously worked on cargo ships.

“The biggest challenge on a cruise ship is the irregular work schedule. There’s no consistent time to rest because we constantly move from country to country. Our body clocks can’t adjust,” he explained.

Despite the emotional toll, Nadef remains thankful. “I never wanted to be far from my family, but this opportunity is a blessing from God. I’m grateful to have a decent job that helps us survive.”

Still, he sees an endpoint. “There will come a time when I will stay in the Philippines and open a business. Cruise life is lonely, exhausting, and not forever.”

His advice: “Have discipline. Be coachable.”

Feeding the Fleet

Brylle Cedrich Jimeno, 31, a chief cook and father of two, has been working at sea for four years. His journey started as a messman, then second cook, and now, a chief cook on board a cruise ship.

“As chief cook, my challenge is managing the food budget — especially during long voyages or when anchored for days,” he said. “Not everyone has the same taste, so patience is key. Some crew love the food, others don’t. You just have to give it your best.”

Brylle, from Batangas, shares the same reason many others do for choosing life at sea: to provide for family. “I want to give my children a better life. That’s why I endure being far from them.”

Asked if he dreams of staying for good, he said, “If there’s a good opportunity on land that matches my ship experience, I’d take it. Maybe even work abroad, but land-based this time.”

His mantra: “Hard work, patience, prayer. Always pray. The contract will end eventually. Safety first.”

This year’s World Seafarers’ Day is not only a global tribute to maritime workers but a personal reflection for every Filipino seafarer who has weathered storms, both at sea and within themselves.

Their stories remind us that while the ships they sail may vary in size, the dreams they carry are immense, and their sacrifices, immeasurable.

Nationwide, the Philippines is considered the world’s largest supplier of maritime labor, accounting for about a quarter of the 1.9 million seafarers deployed worldwide. Filipino seafarers play an essential role in keeping the global supply chain and international tourism industry afloat. The remittances they send home — often after enduring long contracts and months of separation from loved ones — fuel not only household economies but also local development, making them silent yet vital contributors to the region’s economic resilience./PN