Odfjell Cadets among the ten Outstanding Maritime Students in the Philippines

By Deck Cadet Zayber Araya
Photo courtesy of TOMSP

Deck Cadets Zayber Araya and John Kevin Buenaventura, both on their final year under the Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation program at John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (JBCLF) - Bacolod, were among the ten winners out of 25 finalists from different maritime institutions all over the country.

The students were recognized for “being academically excellent, highly competent in practice, in good moral standing and active in their respective communities”.
 

Stringent process

It has been a tough, long journey for both Araya and Buenaventura, who first battled it out with ten other top students at JBCLF-Bacolod in order for them to be able to vie for the competition.

They had to give their everything during the stringent TOMSP selection process which tested their character and competence in three parts:

1. An on-the-spot essay writing that challenged them to write a maximum of 250 words about anything within 90 minutes
2. A written examination covering various maritime topics 
3. A three-panel interview that scrutinized the students’ technical knowledge, personality, and advocacy as a Filipino

The winners were awarded on September 29^th at the Paco Arena, Manila, as part of the celebration of the 24th National Seafarers’ Day.
 

A saga of excellence

Since 2014, six Odfjell cadets have been cited as among the Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines. Well done!

2014: Deck Cadet Boy George Benavente, now Third Officer
2015: Deck Cadet Rey Philip Gallos, now Third Officer
2016: Deck Cadet Prince Noel Cainap, now Ordinary Seaman
2018: Deck Cadet France Gerard Santamena, now Ordinary Seaman
2019: Deck Cadets Zayber Araya and John Kevin Buenaventura