Chief Technical Officer Torger Trige, VP Maritime Personnel Svend Foyn-Bruun and Odfjell Philippines, Inc. General Manager Captain Remigio Zamora presented the plaque and gold watch to the following awardees:
In his inspirational message, Chief Technical Officer Torger Trige, drawing from his experience as an Odfjell seafarer, acknowledged the decades of sacrifices and experiences of the awardees that made them the people they are today. He reiterated that everyone on board must focus on safety, so they can come back to family and friends waiting for them at home. He also called on the awardees to continue developing young talent and bring them up to the same standards as they are.
VP Maritime Personnel Svend Foyn-Bruun, meanwhile, looked back to Odfjell’s history and acknowledged the seafarers’ contributions in every company milestone. He also thanked the awardees' families for accepting the kind of work they do, and for rising to the challenge of being seafarer wives and kids.
Mrs. Marites Lamparero, wife of Motor Man Jose Teddy Lamparero, paid tribute to fellow seafarer wives for the role they played in the success of their seafarer husbands. A daughter of a seafarer herself, Mrs. Lamparero talked about her experience growing up with a father working miles away from home, and her challenges running the household and raising kids while her husband is away at work—experiences shared by partners and children of seafarers.
Captain Remigio Zamora, Odfjell Philippines, Inc General Manager, invited everyone to raise a toast to the contributions made by the awardees throughout their years in service, especially with the current success enjoyed by the company.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Captain Rofil Villamero alluded to some of his notable experiences from his 25 years in Odfjell: expensive means of communication in the early years, all sorts of work-related challenges, and being offered more attractive salary and benefits as he solidified his career as a leader at sea. He asked fellow awardees to show more of their best selves, as younger colleagues are looking up to them. He also called on them to continue contributing to the company and to stay cooperative by adopting procedure changes.
