WEEKENDS

WEEK 13:

This week did not turn to be busy as I expect, so I am not going to tell anything about academics rather, I am going to narrate my experiences in this academy during weekends.

Honestly, I am excited when Saturday and Sunday is fast approaching to the fact that I can do whatever I want, but not actually violating the school’s policies. During weekends, I always play billiards and watch movies together with the other cadets. We used the swimming pool for fun and enjoyed the whole day as if it’s our only free days. Aside from this, I see to it that I am already done with all the requirements, whether it is academics or non-academics. I used to secure my things and arranged everything, so that when Monday comes, there’s nothing to worry about knowing that all things were already secured and put on their proper places.

When night comes, we watched movies in the AVR, and most of the times, horror movies dominate. We shout because of fear to the extent of losing our own voices, but we enjoyed a lot. Through this, our brotherhood is being strengthened making all of us more solid and firm.

There are words which I want to write, but I can put all of them in just few words which go like this, “Temple is build not by one, but by many.”

THE THREE VITAL SPIRITS

WEEK 12:

This week was very hectic for me and also with the other cadets. There were lots of preparations for the Sci-Math Week and for the TDG’s 32nd Foundation Anniversary. I and the other TDG supported cadets were having practice everynight till 1 o’clock in the morning on this week. We arranged our actions, choreographed our piece, and organized the group for the said event. Mrs. Josephine J. Francisco and her two assistants helped us to make our show more colorful. We rehearsed for about eight (8) hours with so many repetitions since Mrs. Francisco wanted it to be a perfect show.

We rehearsed again for three (3) hours with our costumes on. When March 8 came, we were exited to perform since this was the first time we were invited to perform a number in front of TDG top executives. Before our show, I noticed that most of us were tensed due to the thought of committing mistakes. When it was our time, all of us did our best, and it was after the show when we heard somebody speaking that it was good. We saw everybody smiling during and after the show, and I think, our constant and long practice was the reason for this.

From this activity, I learned the significance of trust, confidence, and unity. These three are vital in doing anything. Although this is not required, I am sure that whatever we do, if we put these three on the way, the results are all best.

PREPARATIONS FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL

WEEK 11:
This week is not a week of academics for me rather, a week of preparation. I will not talk about how the lessons went through, or what scholastic knowledge I have gained but how the days affected me and the other cadets in improving our ways and manners.

We have undergone trainings in each day even in simple things like proper standing and sitting especially if we are eating. We were taught on basic commands that are very essential during our formation. We were trained how to salute properly and when to salute. We received punishments, but we take it seriously though, it was hard.

When the day came for us to go in the PICC (Philippine International Convention Center), we have the feelings that we are already ready to show to everyone what an NTMA cadets are. We acted properly and normally up to the time when our instructors decided to leave.

It’s important for me because this was the first time for us to join a certain forum together with all other maritime schools, and we proved to them that even if our academy is not implementing a military training, still, we can be like them, or even better than them.

KNOWLEDGE IS NOT ENOUGH

WEEK 10:
“Knowing things is good, but recognizing how these things function is better.”

I considered this week as a week of practicality and application. Our Machine Shop (MaShop) instructor, 1AE Renee Cabatan, gave us the first group project which is about the application of different bench tools. We grouped ourselves randomly and assigned a leader for each group. My groupmates had chosen me to be their leader, so I take the responsibility. Our project made us apply our knowledge about the different bench tools, and it enhanced our skills while we were having our hands on. It developed our own techniques on how to finish our project in a safe and comfortable way, but with much accuracy.

As a leader, I assigned each of my members to do a certain work. I see to it that all of us are taking part from our project. While working, I found out that more hands are better than one—that there’s satisfaction if everybody contributed his own sweat for the accomplishment of something. There is actually joy in work only if one knows how to find that joy on it, and I and the rest of my groupmates found it while we are working.

Thus, it is not necessary for someone to know everything. What matter most is that he knows why and how a certain thing happened for this could be appreciated more.

PUNCTUATION: A GRAMMAR TO BE KNOWN

WEEK 9:
Grammar is like math and science. It is widely used, usually spoken or written, but commonly forgotten. Every word that comes out from our mouth is grammar, and each statement or expression we write is grammar. But have we asked ourselves why grammar is being studied?

Proper grammar is important because it is an indication of proper education and an understanding of the matter of which you speak. It is also important because people are judged by the way they speak or write. In this week, I learned a lot about this grammar especially the different punctuations that are very crucial in writing. The punctuations I learned include commas, periods, colons, semi-colons, dashes, hyphens, and brackets.

The punctuations mentioned play a vital role in making one’s idea clearer and thus, understandable. Improper use of these punctuations may lead to other meanings, hence making the readers confused. With this, I learned that writing and speaking are just of the same level; that both of them require grammar mastery and familiarization.

As a seafarer, proper knowledge about grammar helps a lot since there are lots of papers and documents to be worked on. If I want myself to be understood, then, I should be accustomed on using grammar, and this will start at this very moment.

ATTITUDE TAKES THE MOST OF IT

WEEK 8:

As an engineer, it is important for me to know the various types of tools especially the bench tools because knowing everything about them ensures my safety and that of others. In this week, I learned the uses, kinds, and limitations of pliers, screwdrivers, chisels, tap and dies, and hammers. Knowing all about the said tools cannot only give safety, but it can lead to economy in a way that if an engineer wants to replace the damaged part of a certain machine, he can fabricate to serve as the replacement for it. In this way, both the company and the engineer profit: the company saves while the engineer improves his skills and knowledge.

Knowledge is not enough for us to succeed; it must be accompanied by awareness and attitude. This idea was justified when our instructor, 1AE Cabatan, told us some stories about many engineers who were harmed due to their negligence and impropriety to the rules implemented. Those engineers know the proper use of the tools, but because of their attitudes, they tend to forget it. Instead, they do what they want thinking that it would just lead to the same result. At the end, they were the ones harmed, and who shall be blamed for this?

In this week, I saw the significance of attitude. Even if I am not good at this time, I’m sure that I could make myself better. It is not necessary for me to be knowledgeable at all times since knowledge only takes a small percentage in one’s life; attitude takes the most of it.

A GOOD LEADERSHIP TO AN EXCELLENT TEAMWORK

WEEK 7:

As the day pass by, I and the other cadets are becoming more aware of the profession we chose. Little by little, we are now understanding how and why it is important for us to develop leadership, camaraderie and self-awareness. In this week, I learned all of these things even if it was done simply.

Our Basic Safety Training instructor, Bosun Gonzales, taught us how to wear the lifejacket and when to use the accessories attached on it. I learned that the emergency light is used during dark time when the crews are on the lifeboat in case of abandonship, while the whistle is used to give signal that someone is just around. With this, people who will see and hear any of the said equipment will be able to rescue those people in distress.

Since I was chosen to be the leader of our group, I was asked by our instructor to familiarize the various commands so that during the practical, our group can perform well. In this activity, I learned how to lead my co-cadets despite the fact that all of us were just innocent about this matter. When I am giving my command, I saw that all of my groupmates were following it even if they knew that my command was wrong. Thus, I was able to understand that the leader should always be aware of his commands because it may affect all those crews who are boarding the lifeboat. A single command can cause life and death.

When my groupmates were rowing, I recognized the importance of cooperation. Yes, cooperation is very essential since it is the primary reason why the lifeboat keeps on moving appropriately. Most importantly, I was able to boost my confidence and develop my skills in the short span of time.

THIS WEEK IS MEMORABLE TO ME!

SEEING THE NEXT DAY

WEEK 6:

My first semester in this academy had already passed, and I want to set my own objective on how can I improve myself and my performance: both academically and technically. At the end of this school I year, I promise to myself that I will always have an average of ninety (90) and above so that at the end of the school year, I am one of the cadets who will receive a certificate proving that I belong to the dean’s list of this academy.

I will make sure that I am going to submit all the requirements in any subject. I will also do my job as one of the leaders of this academy by guiding and leading my co-cadet. I’ll see to it that I will be a good senior to the incoming cadets of this school by showing how disciplined and responsible I am.

Most importantly, I’ll make sure that I am going to learn everything from our instructors even if I am going to get low grades. I will be more on learnings rather than grades. The field which I had chose needs experiences and knowledge, so it is important for me to grasp all the requirements of my chosen field.