'Sea Fairy' talks of gender revolution on ships

'Sea Fairy' talks of gender revolution on ships
Yashika F. Torib https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/12/15/business/maritime/sea-fairy-talks...

Able-Bodied (AB) Seaman Reymon “Rae” Laolao
Shipping has survived and evolved with the ever-changing current of the technological and economic climate of the world. The innovations of the past centuries were so rapid and groundbreaking that they forced people to move along its pace.

A recent change in the shipping environment, however, is pulling people back together. The shifting landscape of gender revolution has ultimately reached this floating mass of steel until the formerly male-dominated profession has evolved into an inclusive sector for all sexual identities. Ships have since been a bastion of increasingly competent seafarers regardless of gender.

The social dynamics onboard have changed as well. The usual 'macho' banters on the mess hall are now tempered with the sensitivity of women and witty retorts of gay seafarers. Shipboard photos circulating the Internet show themes of women and LGBTQ empowerment, images that paint an impression of humanity at the core of world-class competence. Such are the pictures shared by "Sea Fairy" on his social media account.

Known to his colleagues as Able-Bodied (AB) Seaman Reymon "Rae" Laolao, he presents playful images of himself as a gregarious and witty seafarer — cat walking on a passageway, modeling on his cabin, and posing on the deck with fierce eyes and gracefully arched back. "The existence of gay seafarers on board is such a game-changer. We lighten up the moods of the usual tired, lonely, and serious crew members. Their homesickness is temporarily forgotten, and we maintain a positive atmosphere onboard," he said.

Laolao relishes the respect of his fellow crew and ship officers who see beyond his flamboyance into his innate competence and professionalism. "I am happy that all my colleagues on board accepted me for who I am and that they respect me as their crewmate," he said. It has not always been easy for Laolao, however. He endured the inevitable when he decided to brave the macho world of seafaring.

"The teasing was inescapable when I was in college given that I am a proud member of the LGBTQ community. This continued until I started working onboard ships. Honestly, it was a big challenge to keep up with what real men can do." Unlike the other LGBTQ seafarers who work onboard the social and cheerful cruise liners, Laolao opted to work on merchant ships — container and tanker vessels. "These challenges never stop me from pursuing my career at sea. I never considered quitting as an option. When things get rough, I continue to move forward and focus on the things which help me improve as a seafarer," the 26-year-old said.

What urged Laolao to fight on is the strong desire to provide for his family."I really can't please everyone but for as long as I am capable in performing my job, and providing for the needs of my family, I do not care what others will say.