03/07/2023
Goodluck to everyone thank you for staying with us!
It is now ONE DAY before Reception Rites of Class 2027. Make sure to prepare all required items and documents for the Indoctrination and Orientation Program / IOP RAMP.
Likewise, check out this another story of a midshipman who is now only one step from reaching tremendous heights as an MAAP alumnus. With three years of invaluable experiences in the Academy and one year at sea, he is proud to say that he found home in his Alma Mater.
________________________________________________________
~I found home~
My little old copper alarm clock would rest on my bed tick-ticking away each inevitable second of the day, only to shake, rattle, and bring me to wake every morning.
As I laid in my bed, half dead, and scratching like a jungle cat, I felt the morning crawl into the four corners of our house. I contorted myself into a comfortable knotty little ball under the heavy coverings and buried my head into the broken old feather pillow searching for warmth and what remains of my last dream.
Riiiiiinnnngggg! It reminded me that it was the morning of my Reception day as I murmured to myself, “This is it Pancit!”
As I got up from my smooth bed, I told myself, “Maybe I have to make this day happy and memorable after all.”
Entering the world of being a Probationary Midshipman (PM) gave me a lot of realizations and simple relations in life. I wondered what happens whenever people fall in love. I watched that the universe begs to be observed and that energy travels and transfers when people pay attention. Maybe it is what love boils down to–having someone who cares enough to pay attention so that you are encouraged to travel and transfer, to make your potential energy spark into kinetic energy.
When I was a PM, I could relate myself to a black hole—it was so dense that there was no room for light, but that did not mean it could not disturb me. I reacted with sadness but after seeking solitude, I realized that I am free. It was a long journey being a Probationary Midshipman! As I traveled, I strongly weathered all the storms and firmly focused on my goals. I was ambitious, I dared the sun, challenged the moon and here I am–ready to conquer the new chapter of my life.
I was barely 18 when I first took a step into this Academy that undeniably introduces one to the world of the maritime industry. I was a picture of innocence wherein fear was a constant companion. There were so many faces, problems, downs, failures, and expectations from all walks of my life as a Probationary Midshipman. I nearly quit, I cried not physically but emotionally and mentally. I was hurt, dismayed, discouraged, and frustrated.
Intuitively, as I stepped up to being a full pledge plebe (fourth-classman), perhaps I wanted to create a new role, a new impression, and a new courage expectation but honestly, it was not easy. I suffered physically, mentally, and psychologically but I have to stand, mesmerizing the lessons brought to me by my past as I build an actualized honest-to-goodness acquaintance towards my fellow midshipman and learn to cope with challenges. Being a midshipman, I learned to love, appreciate small things and realized that the best things in life are free.
Fast forward to my yearling days (third-classman), memories of pain and happiness took root. From the simple handshake of recognition to the perishing days of academics, I learned to manage my time properly and stabilized myself under pressure in creating good judgment in everything I do. From waking up early and preparing my uniforms down to complying with every schedule of calls of the academy until 2300H, I understood that time is precious and there is no reasonable reason to waste it for something that is not worthy.
It was a long journey! To be lost under the scrutinizing eyes of upperclassmen and to be an extreme laxity to fourth-classmen, I have learned to take one day at a time. I realized that all of the compliances and schedule of calls inside the academy plays an important role in molding my attitude and self-discipline as it leads me to be equipped with quality education and knowledge necessary for my shipboard training.
As a young cow across the seven seas (second-classman), I departed miles away from the Academy that I considered home for my shipboard training. All those sleepless nights, massive exercises, and scrupulous training in both holistic and academic aspects proved that there is still a long way to go as I continue my endeavors across the perils of the sea.
With determination and perseverance, my experience onboard was a mix of uncharted lessons that I will always remember as I continue life. I have learned that there is nothing fixed; the Earth is always shifting, the light is always changing, the sea does not cease to grind down rock. The sea rises, light fails and the moment I continue my shipboard training, I perceive that the universe knows exactly what I need to learn and grow. With this, I enjoyed the ride and always took responsibility for the things I have done and to the things I have failed to do.
Shipboard Training taught me to be on good terms with my colleagues every time. If there is a piece of advice I could remember being onboard is that do not get impatient. Even if things are so tangled up, you can not do anything about it. Do not get desperate or blow a fuse and start yanking on one particular thread before it is ready to come undone. You have to realize that it is going to be a long process and that you will work on things slowly, one at a time. Also, do not be patient or sorry every time because that is a weak mindset if you are onboard. A very good mix of being impatient and being patient is required.
On this moment of being an Immaculate (first-classman) of my beloved Academy, I want to challenge every young generation, especially the class of 2027 to believe in your dreams. For life is a wonderful adventure and no reasonable person should give it up for their dreams without doing their best; for happiness is always our true destiny. Remind yourself that entering the hollow grounds of the Academy will always be worth it. You have to approach your dreams and purpose, that everything that you do is the most important thing to do. As you see in the smaller picture, every small detail matters and the ladder to success starts with small things.
You have to be ambitious with your purpose and not with your career. Why? If you are ambitious with your career, everything that you do now is just a step leading to a goal you will never reach and everything will be disappointing. On the other hand, if you make small details right, then eventually it will become a purpose that will lead you to success.
At this moment, I smile for the memories–laughter, dramas, fulfillment, sadness, adventure and assurance; hope for success and wish for genuine happiness. It is a wonderful acquaintance with the rays of the sun and the dimness of the moon blessing me. It was all worth it to be part of this institution wherein it allows me to be brave and determined in everything that I do. If I am given a chance to redo my decisions in entering this Academy, I will not hesitate to do it all over again because in the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, I found home.
You? Are you up for the experience and challenge?
Feature by: 1CL Mark Joseph Pisquel
Layout by: 4CL Regidor Jr. Beron
~ MAAP-BOA (Board of Admissions) Information ~
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2753456431547958
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0919-065-8757
Telephone: 02-8784-9100 Loc. 4000/4006
