00:00Speaking to the newest batch of homegrown and mentored seafarers, the Commander-in-Chief enjoined all Merchant Marine graduates of the Maritime Academy to live up to the ideals and values learned in their four-year training as they face the challenges of the real world.
00:16He also thanked the parents for properly rearing and shaping them as they joined the professional group of highly coveted seafarers in the global maritime industry.
00:25Our Kenneth Pasciante has more.
00:27Served with honor and integrity to the nation, this was President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s message to this year's graduates of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy or PMMA.
00:40President Marcos Jr. led the graduation ceremony of the Kadaligtan Class of 2025 of the PMMA, where 252 cadets graduated, 144 of them earning a Bachelor's of Science in Marine Transportation degree,
00:54and 108 earning a Bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering.
00:59According to the President, even if they take different paths, each and every one should remain anchored on the guidance learned inside the institution.
01:07Each path is different, but you carry the same compass guiding you towards excellence and service.
01:14The seas are rife with danger.
01:16It will test you.
01:17It will push you to your limits.
01:19But above all, it will shape you into the mariner that you are meant to be.
01:24I believe your safe arrival at your destination is a triumph for yourself and for the people that you serve.
01:30The President also praised the parents of the cadets, calling them the true heroes behind the success of their children.
01:36He also urged the cadets to face the real challenges of their profession by continuing to live out the tradition of excellence.
01:43Mga Kadete, malawak ang abot-tanaw ninyo. Dadalhin kayo ng inyong mga barko sa iba't ibang dako ng mundo.
01:51Tandaan ninyo na sa bawat paglalakbay, bitbit ninyo ang dangal at pagmamahal sa bayan.
01:59Dalhin ninyo ang pangalan ng PMMA, ng Kadaligtan at ng Pilipinas sa bawat pantalan at bawat karagatang inyong tatawirin.
02:09The President assured the government continues to take steps to provide a stronger and higher level of training for cadets in the country.
02:16Magkakaroon na tayo ng National Merchant Marine Aptitude Test na susukat kung handa ng ating mga kabataan na kumuha ng mga maritime courses sa kolehyo.
02:27Bukod dito, binubuod na rin natin ang Latterized Maritime Education and Training Program para tuloy-tuloy naman ang pag-agat mula sa non-degree hanggang sa degree program.
02:40Gumagawa rin ang marina ng iba't ibang paraan upang maparami ang oportunidad para sa on-board training.
02:48The Class Valedictorian of the PMMA, Kadaligtan Class of 2025, is Midshipman First Class Mark John Castaneto from Lianera Nueva Ecija.
02:57We've been through storms, literal ones, during our second class years.
03:02But we made it somehow.
03:05We didn't just learn.
03:07We grew in grit, in grace, and in character.
03:13Now, we're ready not just to sail, but to lead.
03:16Kenneth Paciente, from the National TV Network, for a new and better Philippines.
