Jebsen PTC Celebrates National Maritime Week 2026
This year’s National Maritime Week celebration, with the theme “MARINONG FILIPINO: MATATAG SA ALON, MATIBAY SA HAMON,” highlighted the resilience of Filipino seafarers as they navigate the changing tides and challenges of life at sea.
(Top left: Makati Office; bottom left: Cebu Office; right: Iloilo Office)
At Jebsen PTC, the week-long celebration was dedicated to our Global Maritime Professionals (GMPs), with activities held for those who visited our Makati, Cebu, and Iloilo offices throughout the week.
The celebration officially opened on September 21 at 9:00 a.m. at the Pilgrim Building in Makati, where GMPs were welcomed with snacks and refreshments.
The brief program was opened by Normie Hernandez, Family and Crew Relations Manager, who welcomed the GMPs and greeted them a happy National Maritime Week. A special message was then delivered by Chief Engineer Elvin Ocray, Jebsen PTC Crewing Manager. Drawing from his own experience at sea, Chief Engineer Ocray encouraged our GMPs to live up to the reputation of Filipino seafarers as world-class professionals and to remain resilient in the face of challenges.
Before the program ended, Janina Ortega, FCR Assistant, hosted a short trivia game, with three GMPs taking home grocery gift bags for answering the questions correctly.
Partner companies were also present throughout the week to provide services and assistance to GMPs who visited the office. First Maritime Credit Corp. gave away snacks and treats, while longtime partner BDO assisted GMPs interested in opening savings accounts. Health Metrics Inc. provided complimentary health check-ups, and EastWest, our HMO provider, set up a booth and gave treats to GMPs.
The succeeding days featured a mix of activities designed to give our GMPs opportunities to relax, connect with fellow seafarers and employees, and learn something useful.
Day 2 featured an open house recruitment for Cargo positions, along with simple lunchtime games that gave GMPs a chance to take a break from their usual routines and enjoy some friendly competition.
On Day 3, GMPs were treated to unlimited coffee at the Pilgrim Building. The day also marked the qualifying rounds of the much-anticipated mini e-sports tournament, where GMPs and employees from Jebsen PTC and the PTC Group formed teams of five to compete in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
The tournament brought together participants both onboard and ashore, adding a different kind of excitement to this year’s celebration as teams competed for a spot in the finals.
Day 4 shifted the focus from games and activities to preparedness and safety. GMPs joined the webinar “Ready at Home, Safe at Sea,” which featured practical tips to help them prepare for emergencies. The session highlighted the importance of being prepared not only while at sea, but also at home, where having a plan and knowing what to do during an emergency can make a difference.
Day 5 served as the culmination of the week-long celebration. The final matches of the e-sports tournament determined this year’s champion, followed by the closing program to officially wrap up the festivities. There was also time for a few more games, giving GMPs and employees one last chance to enjoy some friendly competition before the celebration came to a close.
Fleet Head James Estrada delivered the closing message, reflecting on the significance of National Maritime Week and the important role Filipino seafarers continue to play in the maritime industry. He also expressed appreciation to our GMPs for their hard work, dedication, and contribution to keeping maritime operations moving.
More than just a week of activities, National Maritime Week provided Jebsen PTC with an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the GMPs who form an important part of the maritime industry. Through their work at sea, Filipino seafarers continue to play a vital role in keeping global trade and maritime operations moving.
Jebsen PTC remains committed to supporting our GMPs and creating opportunities for them to stay connected, informed, and engaged with the organization both before and after they go onboard.
This year’s National Maritime Week celebration would not have been possible without the generosity, support, and partnership of BDO, Health Metrics, First Maritime Credit Corp., and EastWest.
To all our GMPs who joined us in Makati, Cebu, and Iloilo, and to everyone who helped make the celebration possible, thank you for being part of National Maritime Week 2026.
