The Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) celebrated the Graduation Ceremony for the Second Batch of Class 2018 at the New Parade Grounds of the MAAP campus in Kamaya Point, Alas-Asin, Mariveles, Bataan on December 7, 2018.

Representing the second batch of graduates belonging to the Empriverion Class of 2018, 195 midshipmen and women were honored on this December Commencement Exercises.  For this second batch, 89 were granted their bachelor’s degrees in Marine Transportation and 106 obtained their bachelor’s degrees in Marine Engineering.  Together with the 169 graduates in May, MAAP has produced a total 364 graduates for 2018 that are now ready to take the next steps and hurdle the challenges that a career at sea offers.

Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) President, Dr.  Conrado F. Oca opened the graduation rites by welcoming the guests, dignitaries, the graduates and their families, the faculty and friends.  MAAP President, VAdm. Eduardo Ma. R. Santos gave the declaration of graduates and conferment of degrees.  He then introduced the Guest-of-Honor and Commencement Speaker, Capt Koichi Akamine Chairman of the International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ).

Capt Akamine congratulated the graduates for having completed their degrees in a notable institution like MAAP.  He also congratulated the parents for their undying support in achieving the dreams of these young ladies and gentlemen.  He expressed his gratitude since Filipino seafarers play a very important role in the Maritime industry of Japan.  He reiterated that their organization, the IMMAJ directly benefits from the graduation of these midshipmen and women as 30% of the 46,000 seafarers they employ in Japanese vessels are Filipinos.  He challenged them to do their best as they begin their careers and to uphold the excellence Filipino seafarers are known for.rse