MANILA, Philippines?Jemmalyn Sangalang, Jere Mae Tanio, Kimberly Feder and Desiree Gioca are the only four females out of 128 scholars who graduated last week, with degrees in either Marine Engineering and Marine Transportation at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) in Mariveles, Bataan.

Founded by Capt. Gregorio Oca, the school opened in 1998. Its 80 hectares overlook the sea. Its rooms are all equipped with modern simulators that help enhance students? skills.

According to MAAP?s president, Eduardo Ma. R. Santos, Batch 2008 is the ?sixth class to join the long line of world-class deck officers and marine engineers. Our graduates are considered among the most proficient seafarers in the world.?

Dreams

Senate President Manuel S. Villar, who was the guest speaker, told the graduates: ?Your dreams and goals are at hand. Now, aim for greater goals. Don?t expect good things to just come your way?work hard for them!?

Capt. Oca, who?s also president of the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen?s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), has helped put up hospitals for seafarers and their families in Intramuros, Cebu, Iloilo?and now, Davao, via the Gig Robles Memorial Hospital, which will be inaugurated on Aug. 4.

High school graduates interested in the school?s scholarship program can log on to www.maap.edu.ph, or email MAAP?s vice president, Engr. Felix M. Oca, MEM.

E-mail mandynavasero@yahoo.com, or call 899-1767. On Oct. 8-17, join the Mandy Navasero Photo Safari Under the Tuscan Sky, with Tita Trillo as tourist guide to the Piccini vineyard.