Seafarers Confab Focuses On Crucial Family Issues

Seafarers Confab Focuses On Crucial Family Issues
Featuresdesk (ICG) July 26, 2019 http://pageone.ph/seafarers-confab-focuses-on-crucial-family-issues/

Parenting should go beyond bringing home “pasalubong.”

This was aired by Marissa Oca, founder and executive director of Gig and the Amazing Sampaguita Foundation, Inc. (GASFI), who explained that children of seafarers OFWs now equate good parenting with being able to bring them material things or pasalubong after a long absence due to work.

Parenting from afar has been one of the most difficult challenges faced by Filipino seafarers. The physical demands and social isolation caused by constant departure often take a toll on the well-being both of the seafarer and his family.

“The problems of seafarers are cyclical – money, family. They get their contracts, get deployed, come home, and sign a contract again. The family dynamics is based on the cyclical migration and they need a platform to share how they manage to make things work despite the odds,” explained Oca whose GASFI aims to promote well-bonded relationships within and among seafaring (and OFW) families.

The daughter of the late master mariner Gregorio S. Oca, dubbed /Father of Modern Philippine Maritime’, Marissa added that “pasalubong” is part of the parenting practice among seafarers. Sometimes their financial support extends not only to their immediate families but to neighbors in the community.

Despite technological advances aboard ships, seafarers suffer from emotional, mental, physical and spiritual stress being away from their families. Families should equip themselves with skills which were not needed in the past but need now with the onset of social media, Oca exhorted.

To put out in the open the issues relevant to seafarers and their families, the Seafarer Family International Congress will be held on Aug. 14 and 15, at the Fiesta Pavilion, The Manila Hotel, located at One Rizal Park, Manila. With theme “All Aboard: Seafaring Families Engaging the World for Sustainable Well-Being”, the congress will feature seafarers, government and maritime industry leaders who discuss and collaborate on best practices.

On Aug. 14, plenary sessions will be kicked off by Lu Aung, executive member of the Independent Federation of Myanmar Seafarers, to speak on “Family Programs and Best Practices;” life coach and mental health advocate Paula Manalo on “Mental Health Awareness: Kumusta Kabaro?;” and Ben Bailey, director of advocacy and regional engagement for The Mission to Seafarers on “Happy Family, Happy Seafarer #SustainableWellbeing #HappyCrew.”

Adult sessions on August 15 will begin with Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association Philippines president Atty. Imelda Barcelona, heading the talk on “Learning to Say No: Setting Boundaries in Family Life.”

Maria Cynthia Javier-Gavino of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) will speak about “Riding the Storm: Shifting Family Relations,” while spiritual counselor Rebecca Mendez will discuss “Sandwich Generation: “Parenting” your Parents and Kids.” Iris Baguilat, president of Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila), Inc., will give a talk on “Truth and Myths of Seafarer Families: What you didn’t know then which you should know by now;” Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University’s Dr. Sena Oksuz on “Family Stories: Sharing for Healing;” and Jess and Mercy Ferrer of Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc. on the topic of “Be the Captain of Your Life: Choosing your Admiral.”

Comprising the sessions for youth on the second day of the congress are Ateneo de Manila University development studies program director Jayeel Cornelio for “Sino ako? Tanggap ko ba?: Belonging to a Seafarer Family,” followed by Capt. Maria Kristina Javellana, master mariner for Pacific Ocean Manning, Inc. V.SHIPS, speaking on “Career at Sea: Passion or Pressure.” Award-winning environmentalist and artist Gregg Yan will talk about “#Lit: Happiness @ Sea and on shore.” “Painless Payback: #HealthyYOLO” will be discussed by Positibong Marino Philippines Inc.

executive director Jebsen Gamido and Dynamic Duo, Inc. founder Divine Masinsin; and seafarer and certified life coach for Life Coach Training Institute Miko Legaspi will tackle “Facing Your Demons: Sink or Swim.” Wrapping up the youth sessions will be Marino Partylist representative Carlo “Sandro” Gonzalez for “The Modern Seafarer”: Millennial Now, Millionaire Later” and PTC-CSJ Foundation executive director for “The Digital World: Flip or Swipe.”

The Seafarer Family International Congress is organized by the Gig and the Amazing Sampaguita Foundation, Inc. (GASFI) managed by the Philippine Exhibitions and Trade Corporation (PETCO). Interested exhibitors may call (02) 832 9303 – 05 or email at [email protected]