Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) held its graduation rites for the second batch of graduates belonging to the Empriverion Class of 2018 on December 7, 2018.  After the Commencement Exercises, the International Mariners' Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ) through the IMMAJ-PJMCC Foundation, Inc. hosted a luncheon in honor of their scholars and their families at the Mess Hall of the Capt. Gregorio S. Oca building, MAAP Campus, Mariveles, Bataan.  In all, a total of 102 IMMAJ sponsored cadets representing 59 engine cadets who took up Marine Engineering and 43 deck cadets who studied Marine Transportation, graduated in this December batch.

IMMAJ-PJMCC Foundation, Inc. Projects Consultant, CE Wenifredo Sola began the program by welcoming IMMAJ dignitaries led by IMMAJ Chairman, Capt. Koichi Akamine; Mr. Shunsuke Imada, Vice Chairman; Mr. Toshihito Inoue, Secretary General; Capt. Shohei Teranishi, Deputy Secretary General; Capt. Yasuteru Shigeta, Chief IMMAJ Manila Representative;  CE Masataka Fukuta, IMMAJ Manila Representative; Ms. Reiko Sato, Secretariat; and Ms. Etsuko Yamada-Desembrana, Interpreter.

Also present were representatives of the Philippine-Japan Manning Consultative Council (PJMCC) sponsors lead by Capt. Dever B. Besana, Capt. Shuzo Banjo, Dr. Teda Bernadette Quijano and Mr. Takashi Kameda of Barko International, Inc.; Mr. Jayson David of BSM Crew Service Centre Phils., Inc.; Ms. Cris Capote and Mr. Arnolf P. Dacanay of Eastgate Maritime Corp.; Capt. Tsutomu Harada and Capt. Napoleon M. Garcia of Grace Marine & Shipping Corp.; Capt. Hisao Kondo of IMS Philippines Maritime Corporation; CE Hiroshi Murayama and CM Ed G. Huervana, Jr. of Magsaysay MOL Marine, Inc.; Capt. Nerio C. De Asis of Maranaw Luzon Shipping Co., Inc.; Capt. Rizaldo Tayong of Mercury Shipping Corporation; Capt. Jude  Cortez of MMSPhil Maritime Services, Inc. and Multinational Maritime, Inc.; CE Koichi Sakimura of NS United Marine Philippines, Inc.; Capt. Romeo Pacamana Jr. and CE Patricio V. Roque of Phoenix Maritime Corporation; Capt. Rolando Magcale of Sea Crest Maritime Management, Inc.; C/E Lorenzo A. Estrada II, C/E Reynaldo C. Gomez, Capt. Mabe T. Benagua and 2/E Jerome Alvin S. de Leon of Splash Philippines, Inc.; Mr. Paul M. Pasigon II, Mr. Denver B. Reyes, Ms. BB Girl Janice Sarabia and Ms. Shirley Joy G. Arocha of Unitra Maritime Corp.; and CE Pedrito Fadul and Ms. Abigeil Baroidan of Veritas Maritime Corp.

PJMCC Vice President Capt. Teodoro B. Quijano and IMMAJ Chairman Capt. Koichi Akamine gave their inspirational messages to the graduates.  Both gentlemen then proceeded to the Awarding of Gifts to graduates with honors.  After the program the graduates took time to meet their sponsors to determine their next steps as they begin their careers as seafarers.