The Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) held the Convocation Ceremony at the campus Mess Hall. It was a symbolic day for the MAAP academic calendar as this day recognized the successful completion of the just concluded academic year and a welcome to the academic year 2012 – 2013.

The ceremony began with the entrance of the MAAP faculty, staff and the official party. The invocation and the National Anthem followed soon after. MAAP President, VAdm. Eduardo Ma. R. Santos, AFP (Ret.) welcomed the guests, MAAP faculty members, cadets and friends to start the program. Philippine-Japan Manning Consultative Council (PJMCC) President, Mr. Eduardo U. Manese, Saipem Representative, Capt. Dante Bo, All Japan Seaman’s Union (JSU) General Director for International Affairs Bureau, Mr. Yasumi Morita, International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ) Chairman, Mr. Tsutomu Iizuka and Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) President, Dr. Conrado F. Oca gave their inspirational messages to the MAAP cadets.

MAAP Dean of the Department of Academics, Chief Engineer Alfredo M. Firme presented the cadets of Classes 2012 to 2016 to VAdm. Santos who accepted the cadets and announced the completion of term and the promotion to the next year level for successful cadets. VAdm. Santos then declared the opening of the academic year 2012 – 2013.

The program concluded with the singing of the Alma Matter Song.