NSA PHILIPPINES CADET PROGRAM BAGS POLARIS MARITIME AWARD

The Norwegian Shipowners' Association Philippines Cadet Program bagged the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMMAAAI's ) 2014 Polaris Maritime Award in the recently concluded PMMAAI 45th Anniversary and Fellowship Night held at Palacio de Maynila on August 22, 2014. NSA once again is recognized for its valuable and significant contribution to the development of maritime industry in the Philippines and the Filipino seafaring profession as a whole. 

From left : PMMAAAI President Capt. Jess Morales, Polaris Star Maritime Awardees; Dr. Conrado Oca for Capt. Gregorio Oca, Margie Guerrero-Malapas for Cmdr. Romulo Guerrero , Capt . Erik Blom for NSA and PMMA President Radm. Richard Ritual.

In citation, Norwegian Shipowners' Association (NSA) Philippines Cadet Program is the most outstanding and promising cadet program established to develop young and competent seafarers through scholarship grants and best maritime education awarded to qualified Filipino applicants.

PMMAAAI President Capt. Gaudencio "Jess" Morales  and PMMA President Radm. Richard U. Ritual led the awarding ceremony. Capt. Erik Freberg Blom, NTC-M's Managing Director  accepted the award for NSA Philippines Cadet Program. 

Two other awardees include Capt. Gregorio S. Oca ( Posthumous Award ) who is known for his many legacies and accomplishment contributing to the  maritime trade unionism and Cmdr. Romulo Guerrero who is known for the indispensable support he has given for all his students during his teaching profession years in PMMA. 

The Polaris Star Maritime Award is PMMAAAI's trademark in honoring individuals, companies and organization who have contributed a lot to the development of Philippine maritime industry. 

PMMA is one of the three ( 3) original maritime schools selected by NSA as beneficiary of then NIS Class Project in 1993.  In 2007, NSA took in 124 scholars; almost half of the first year population of PMMA. To date a total of 501 cadets were subscribed with PMMA since 1993 and  71 NSA scholars are currently  under the program. Together with NTC-M, PMMA maintain a strong cooperation in quality assurance, technical support, faculty and institutional support and development, stronger ties with NSA Members and Principals and enhancement of NSA Cadets education, training  and competence development. 

Other event highlights in PMMAAAI Fellowship night were the recognition of two honorary alumni members; Capt. Roy Joseph Daigle Jr. for Batch 77 and Senator Allan Peter S. Cayetano for Batch '90.