September 2016


Technical Observation on Sea-Keeping Performance of SSV Tarlac

INTRODUCTION The Objectives of this Technical Evaluation Briefing is to mitigate the technical risk on the suspected poor sea-keeping performance of SSV TARLAC as manifested in the photograph of said vessel while enroute to the Philippines. Suspected Patent Defects and Design Flaw need to be corrected (once proven that it exists).  If said deficiencies is present, the operation and maintenance…


Climate Change in the Philippines and 9 selected Asian Countries

Climate Change is the long-term change in the earth’s global or regional climate patterns that began particularly in the mid to late 20th century and onwards.  Research attributes climate change largely to the increasing levels in the average atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil-based fuels by humans. It takes place in small gradual changes in temperature that…


Is there a WIN-WIN for China, Philippines, US, etc.?

PART 1 of 2 In the aftermath of the recent award (or ruling) by the U.N. Permanent Court of Arbitration on the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea, new opportunities in our foreign relations have opened up which might lead to win-win solutions for the Philippines, China, U.S. and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Before getting into the national events…


The Manila Yacht Club The Country’s Premiere Yacht Club

The Manila Yacht Club (MYC), established in 1927, is a member’s only Club and is the country’s premier yacht club. Considered as a social and sporting Mecca, much of the Philippines boating activities are based at the MYC. 89 years on, the Club remains today, the country’s premiere yacht club due to its strong traditions and rich historic past. The…


Letter to the Editor: A Jury System for the Filipinos

The JURY SYSTEM is a judicial process where a group of ordinary people are called by law to decide serious legal cases brought to court for investigation and trial.  It is a means for the ordinary Filipino to file a case against anyone, rich or poor, who have allegedly done a serious crime to his fellow man. Advantages of the…


Friend of the Sea confirms Philippines’ Frabelle Tuna

The Philippine fishing company, Frabelle Fishing Corporation, has recently concluded the Friend of the Sea (FOS) certification renewal audit. Yellowfin, skipjack, bigeye, and bullet tuna products from Frabelle can continue to display the FOS official seal of approval. Fishing Method.  The tuna is caught through the purse seine method by the company’s certified vessels in the Western Central part of…


Why the Shipping Community Needs a Change of Mindset

How does the shipping and wider maritime industry need to evolve in order to keep pace with a fast-moving landscape? “It must begin with a change of mindset,” writes Lena Göthberg. The maritime industry is slow to embrace change, and not just in the digital sense. We’re an old industry, with little interest in the new.  Our sector is steeped…


The Road to SHIPPING 2030: What’s the Big Idea?

As change accelerates, future success in shipping and maritime depends on developing a holistic, digital vision, and some big, hairy, audacious goals. The Shipping 2030 conference series is ours,” says K.D. Adamson. As a Futurist, the question I get asked often is, “what’s going to change?”  But the question you should be asking is, “what isn’t going to change?” Many…


FerrySafe, FerryFast, FerryConvenient FastCat

The Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (APFC) is a ferry company based in Muntinlupa, Philippines. It also operates a FastCat line of catamaran ferries, which is the first in the Philippines. APFC’s slogan is FerrySafe, FerryFast, FerryConvenient. APFC’s mission is to connect the Philippine islands and neighbouring countries by providing safe, fast and convenient ferry transport system for passengers and cargo,…


Revisiting the Chain of Command Concept

The concept of “chain of command,” along with other leadership and management principles that were not formally published until the 20th century, has been practiced since the ancient times by military and other organizations. For one, Alexander The Great conquered territories far beyond his domain by using an effective command chain to communicate and control his subordinate commanders. For another,…


Ice-Breaking During Global Warming

Recently, in his good luck year (meaning age 88), FVR was unexpectedly designated by President Rodrigo Du30 as “Special Envoy” with the mission to “break the ice” between China and the Philippines – whose traditionally friendly relations had turned chilly, if not cold, with the 12 July 2016 ruling (award) by the U.N. Permanent Court of Arbitration about issues in…


Enhancing Operational Interoperability 10th ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting Viewpoint Exchange

Southeast Asia straddles several of the most important maritime passageways in the world today. These arteries of global trade, transportation, and commerce are vital not only for regional but also global peace, security, and stability. Also, the region’s booming economies make it a bright spot for international investment. The waters in and around Southeast Asia are believed to hold substantial…


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Maritime Wish List for the Duterte Administration

The administration of President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte has started with a bang! (No pun intended) Not one, but quite a few. It has impressed many, and may I say, including myself, who did not know him very well, and whose promises did not affect me when we first met during an AGFO fellowship at Camp Aguinaldo last year, before he…


PCG Gears Up with its First Brand New MRRV from Japan

The popular slogan of President Duterte –“Change is Coming” — enthralled the Filipino people, as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rode that wave of change. Indeed, change had come and the PCG welcomed this wave that would break the long standing shortage in PCG maritime assets. The PCG started to change within as modernization of its fleet had began with…