ILOILO City – Every wave conquered by Filipino seafarers carries not just cargo but also the weight of their sacrifices, dreams, and devotion to their families.
As the world celebrated World Maritime Day on September 25, three masters of the sea from Western Visayas shared their journeys — tales of hardship, perseverance, and the pride of wearing the captain’s stripes.
For Capt. Joevic Mondero, 41, of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, now master of the bulk carrier Gleamstar under Bright Maritime Corp., seafaring was a way to honor his parents and secure a better future.
“For practical reasons gid, the promise of a high-paying job and also a better future. I want my parents to be proud of me and give back to them by being a responsible individual and father,” he said.
His early years at sea were a mix of learning and resilience.
“My journey started out pretty well man. May mga challenges nga ma-encounter but because very young pa ako that time, gina-enjoy ko lang gid ang experience. Always eager to learn and ga-focus gid ako sa goal ko — which is someday makuha ko ang ambition sang parents ko and my wife para sa’kon nga profession,” Mondero recalled.
But time and distance weighed heavily when he started his own family.
“Home sickness. Prolonged separation from family can affect you mentally and physically. Sang bataon pa ako and single, daw okay pa. But kung may family and kids ka na, mas grabe ang home sickness and nasayangan kaw ka mga oras nga malayo ka sa mga kids and miss a lot of milestones,” he admitted.
Still, he said the duty to provide always brought him back onboard: “Despite the challenges, mas gapangibabaw gid ang desire mo to be a good provider and to give a comfortable life sa imo family.”
For Capt. Desmond Jean B. Caro, 39, also of Barotac Nuevo but now living in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, the inspiration was clear from the start.
“Back then life wasn’t easy. I knew that working at sea could give my family a better chance at the future. That was my biggest inspiration — to provide,” he said.
Like Mondero, he, too, paid a steep price for that dream.
“The hardest part is always being away from my family. Missing birthdays, anniversaries, and even the simple everyday moments. What makes it even sadder is seeing how fast my kids are growing. I missed many of their milestones — the first steps, the first words, even just holding them as babies — because I was out at sea,” Caro shared.
But he learned to draw strength from the purpose behind the sacrifices.
“I remind myself that I’m doing this to secure their future. Even if I wasn’t always physically there, my love and effort have always been with them,” he said.
His proudest moment came when he finally earned the title of Captain.
“It wasn’t just about the rank. It was proof that all the sleepless nights, the homesickness, and the sacrifices were worth it,” said Captain Caro.
For Capt. (Ret.) Cesar S. Jolito Jr., 64, a maritime professor, a father of four, and a seafarer for 24 years, the journey began with grit and determination.
A native of Bacolod City, he was only 19 when he first boarded a bulk carrier in 1980, armed with nothing but a dream and P160 in his pocket.
“When I arrived in Manila from Bacolod, I only had P160. I worked as a dishwasher in a restaurant just to have shelter and food — no salary at all. During my break I would ask permission to follow up my application in nearby shipping companies. That was my daily routine until I finally signed on as an Apprentice Mate,” he recalled.
Homesickness and fatigue were constant companions.
“Back in the ’80s, there were no cell phones, no Wi-Fi, no computers. The only means of communication was through mails and telegrams. Sometimes I would just read and reread the letters from my loved ones to ease the loneliness,” Jolito said.
But perseverance carried him through. One of his greatest successes, he said, was when he passed the board exams and became a Master Mariner (Captain).
Yet for him, the best achievement was building a family and later becoming a mentor.
“The best ever success in my life is to have a wonderful family. Nothing less. And I share my knowledge to my students and younger brothers and sisters in the maritime profession,” he said, recalling his 25 years of teaching at John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation in Bacolod.
Despite different timelines and paths, the three captains echo the same message to young Filipinos aspiring to join the maritime profession: discipline, faith, and resilience are the compass that will guide them through storms at sea and in life.
“Be strong, have faith in God, stay positive always,” Mondero said.
“The sea will test you. It’s not an easy life,” Caro added.
Jolito, for his part, summarized it in one word: “Discipline. Plot your position at the utmost of your knowledge to arrive at your destination safely.”
As the Philippines — the world’s leading supplier of maritime labor — recently celebrated World Maritime Day, the voices of these captains from Western Visayas remind us that behind every successful voyage are stories of sacrifice, courage, and an enduring love for family that no ocean can drown./PN
