Woman on top in a male-dominated marine academy

Two hundred thirty Philippine Merchant Marine Academy midshipmen and midshipwomen belonging to the Sinag-Balangay Class of 2014 graduate from the academy during the 191st commencement exercise on May 20 at the PMMA complex; midshipwoman Laarni Grace Pangilinan (inset), 23, delivers her valedictory speech. PHOTO BY RANDY DATU/Contributor

SAN NARCISO, Zambales—In the male-dominated Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) here, a woman did not only show that she could excel alongside men. She also proved that women could rise above discrimination.

Midshipwoman Laarni Grace Pangilinan, 23, led this year’s PMMA graduates, finishing as class valedictorian and magna cum laude.

She is only the second female cadet to finish on top of her class since

PMMA began accepting women in 1997. The first was Zulaika Mariano Calibjo in 2006.

“I never allow people to think that being a woman is a weakness,” Pangilinan, a native of Valenzuela City, said in her address in front of   229 members of Sinag-Balangay Class of 2014 during the 191st commencement exercise at the PMMA complex here on Tuesday.

Pangilinan, who earned a bachelor of science degree in marine transportation, said that while on training on board an international vessel carrying foreigners that were mostly men, she felt discriminated against for being a woman and was given difficult jobs that required physical vigor.

“I am most proud of that experience because I was able to prove to the whole world that despite being a woman, I’ve performed a job that’s perceived to be exclusive only for men,” she said.

Pangilinan was also the recipient of the awards from PMMA Alumni Association Inc. for academic excellence and for being the most outstanding deck apprentice of the year.

She urged her fellow graduates to use their “weapons, such as principles and lessons learned from PMMA” while sailing across what she described as the “ocean of life.”

“Let’s not forget that we were molded by the academy to give all we can in everything we do,” she said.

Ten other female cadets belonged to this batch of graduates. Two of them, Cezan Paulo and Crystal Joyce Reyes, also graduated magna cum laude while Lady Eizen Masicap was in the Top 10.

Masicap, 21, a native of Cavite province, said having women graduates from PMMA proved that women and men are equally skilled.

“I was able to prove that women can also do what men can,” she said.

Rowel San Pedro, the class “anchor” or the graduate who finished last in the class, also delivered a speech to the delight of the crowd.

San Pedro, who failed to graduate in 2011, said he was destined to be part of Batch 2014 and that Pangilinan, their class valedictorian, was “fortunate enough” to graduate with him.

“I don’t mind being the class anchor because I know that, right now, the anchor has been lifted and that the ship is set to sail,” he said in his speech.

Rear Adm. Richard Ritual, PMMA superintendent, said the number of women entering the academy was increasing every year. He said female cadets had been excelling in their classes and training in the academy “because they tend to be more focused” than their male counterparts.

Proof of that is that this year’s batch has one of the highest numbers of female graduates, he said.

President Aquino, who was supposed to address the graduates, failed to attend the ceremony. His message to the graduates was delivered by Transportation Undersecretary Edwin Lopez.

“It is clear that our Marines play a significant role not only in the growth of our economy but also in the growth of global commerce,” the President said.

Aquino said a large part of the remittances of overseas Filipino workers came from seafarers.

The PMMA is considered one of the oldest maritime academies in Asia. Originally known as Escuela Nautica de Manila, PMMA was created by virtue of Spanish Royal Decree issued on Jan. 1, 1820, through the recommendation of the Spanish Consulate of Commerce.