In every child’s ultimate ambition is a deeply rooted intention of being able to provide for their parents when they get older. Looking back to all their sacrifices, undying support, and hard work, there’s just no other way but to be gratified for all of these. The soft pat on the shoulder with an affirmation of “Anak, you did great. We are proud of you.” would cast away all the hardships and even the loneliness of working long-distance from them.
The seafarers are one of the most commendable major contributors to the country’s economy on a macroscopic level. According to the Central Bank of the Philippines’ 2019 report, 22% of the total OFW remittances come from the seafarer’s sector. The country is one of the major suppliers of seafarers in the global arena. It ranks as the largest supplier of ratings, followed by China, Indonesia, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine. The Philippines is also the second-biggest supplier of officers onboard next to China.
More than the digits and their economical contribution, there is still so much that we know none of in their journey. Interviewing a few sailor friends, all said one thing about their job- dangerous but rewarding. Life onboard isn’t like a walk in the park. It’s almost always big waves, heavy machinery works, shifting weather, burning fuels, and greasy clothes damped of sweat every day. Despite this, the monetary reward they send back home is all that there is that could compensate.
Seafarers are one of those overlooked professionals. Beyond their smart uniforms and perks of traveling to various countries on land stops, they have to endure the tough work-life in the sea. There are greasy and mucky works that people don’t see them doing.
Terrence, a 4th Engineer Jr. shared one of his unseen works, cleaning sewage tanks. It is one of the critical pieces of equipment he has ever handled where he really can’t avoid getting wet from the dirty waters coming from accommodation toilets.
Carlo, a seafarer in a cargo ship jokingly once said, “Behind our very noticeable robust sculpted muscular body is the heavy physical works on the ship.” He added that their lives onboard are nothing like those glamorous picture details in media streams of a Marino. Their day-to-day tasks mostly require endless sweating all throughout. Everyone has to do the ship’s rope work, anchoring, mooring activities, and other operations-related activities. It is only after promotion that they get relatively lighter works. They have to do the same tasks over, sometimes twice the effort depending on the weather and on what the situation requires.
Even with their lives always at risk onboard and their unknown heroic stories, these sizeable workforces of men and women continue to thrive- even increases in numbers over time. Many would take their shot working in the sea for the higher wages. But where do they want to be on this journey? How do they want this to be on their end?
“I don’t see myself doing this work my whole life. I want to build a family of my own, raise a child of my own with my girlfriend now- who I wish to be my wife to spend the rest of my life. I don’t want to be away when that time comes. I want to pamper my future wife with the best pregnancy journey, drive my future kids to their respective schools, and journey with them to achieving the person they want to be in the future. However, I can’t do that if I don’t sacrifice now. While I’m still young, while I can still endure the physical requirements of this job (seafaring) I will be on board.” says Terrence.
Most seafarers choose their line of job because it’s rewarding in the sense that they have enough money or even sometimes more than what they need to sustain their family. They are usually breadwinners of the family. They buy their parent’s dream house and lot and send their siblings to school, oftentimes to the same seafaring universities they graduated in. Others leverage on their high salary for the future they planned for themselves with their future partners. They plan for the best future for them upon retirement or for unseen retrenchments like this pandemic has caused.
“To earn as much as I can, invest, and do business so that I can continue supporting my family, that’s my goal!”
All these wise and planned seafarers have one thing in common, they all have investments. Understanding the nature of their work, the danger that accompanies them, and the uncertainties, they take control of their money reservoirs. They acquire assets like house and lot, they build income streams like businesses- they invest in things that give them a return.
“It is very important to have investments like real estate or simply buying your own house and lot. Seafaring is a contract-based job and I don’t know for how many more years I can work onboard considering my overall health. I will get older soon, I will not be as strong and you wouldn’t like for sure that all your hardships will turn into nothing. “
For seafarers, who grind hard round-the-clock and give their best on board, to have an investment to secure them the future they want for themselves and their family is everything. The immense workload, the emotional burden, the lack of social activities from being isolated at work- all will be worth it. Soon they will be home. They will spend the whole day with their families, making quality moments, and enjoying their company in the comfort of their own home.
What better way to come home to their family than coming home to them in their own house and lot? They only have a few months to spend with their family before ascending back onboard. Investing in a residential property that prioritizes security and convenience for its homeowners is the right choice. It is reasonable to invest that way to be able to maximize their staycation at home.
Also, this pandemic and the other inevitable natural disasters that have happened this year are reminders of the importance of having your own space. There is no way that people can stop things from happening but there is a way to secure their family in better places. For all that its worth, their family’s welfare, and safety is their main goal.
Surely there’s no easy work out there. No “heavier” or “lighter” work simply because each requires different skills and efforts. Kudos to all Filipino seafarers who continue to serve on board, that despite challenges, they remained strong. The country is proud and thankful for you.
