THIRD YEAR

FOREWORD

Over the past ten months the transition from online class became used to, at first it was a culture shock because of the sudden changes and the new environment it self so there are some of the highlights during third year as we venture out to the last semester of the college life.

Against all odds our voyage will continue.

REY ROVEN LUMBO FACELO

CHAPTER I

CHAPTER II

CHAPTER III

CONTENTS

THIRD YEAR ACCOUNTS

MEDIUM DAILY BLOG POLARIS ORGANIZATION

THIRD YEAR

HOME FOR MONTHS

Moving to dorm stories and vlogs became a trend today since classes resume typical, and the face-to-face course starts since the number of cases has dropped.

Last Friday, I spent my day roaming the city and dropping my things in the apartment, dorm, and new home.

This will be my new home away from home in the next ten months, with new experiences and more memories to cherish.

I woke up at six to load my things into the car. Our car is a bit heavy since it was packed with crack tiles to give to my uncle in leganes, which I loaded yesterday.

At seven, we travel to Tapaz, Capiz at the hospital since my uncle will have his dose of rabies vaccine. At eight, we move towards Iloilo, plying Calinog — Pavia route. Roads in upland Capiz-Iloilo are underrated. However, the streets are pleasant, and the scenery of the mountains blends with the sky. Rumors say it is not to save to pass their sense of arm group conflict. I beg to differ. It was nice and a breath of fresh air.

Arrived at sta Barbara to have some gas and got a shortcut route in the bypass route to sta Barbara leganes.

Unload the tiles, then went to my boarding house at Molo, unload my two trolleys, table, and beddings

I had lunch sm and got our car installed with roll my father’s dream to have, which is long overdue.

DAY ONE, WEEK ONE

The opening of the academic year 2022–2023 started in a program organized by the supreme student government of John B. together with school administrator and faculty. Synergy 2022, or the welcoming activity, gives first-year and 2nd to 4th-year students enrolled in the university what john b has to offer The half-day program teaches each student what it is Like to be a Laconian.

But before the beautiful activity starts, here is the story of how I returned to Iloilo the night before the first day

Going back to Iloilo, Knowing that you return for a face-to-face class in your dorm feels nostalgic. I remember the first time going to the city during my Senior High School year It was a rainy, cold evening carrying things mixed with excitement and nervousness And finally, after two years, I hope things will return to normal.

I left Cuartero at quarter to four in the evening, and if we do the math, It would take me Six in the evening or even 6:30 to arrive in the city

After I arrived at the bus terminal, I waited for a jeep heading to diversion road and Molo road, another jeep heading to villa where my new apartment with my friends is Located

Since the apartment is located in a subdivision, I had quite a walk as the rain slowly fell Luckily I brought with me my umbrella.

On my first visit to the apartment, I had a hunch that if heavy rain poured, the street would flood since at the side of the street, several kang-kong lives.

Lance covered my dinner. He bought fried pork two rice, my first meal in Iloilo on that day. I spent the evening hanging out and shining my paraphernalia for my uniform. Having a boarding house with your close friend is like having overnights every day

Woke-up and prepared my things then the five of us headed to John B. for the program. Had a short stop in a restaurant to have breakfast. We barely have kitchen utensils, so every day, we eat outside. We went inside the hallways of John B with a lot of people already It was a surreal feeling since we were used to having few people around during the laboratory days. Seeing other students and departments roaming around feels like you are a legit student and a proud Laconian.

Went to the covered gym to watch the program The half-day program was celebrated with a fun performance and insightful message from the university.

I spent the entire data, and it did, just to stream and have a memory of that day. Here is the highlight of the first day of my third year After the program, we went back to the boarding house, spent a couple of days wondering around, killing boredom, and finally went home since there was no clear announcement with face-to-face class.

TWO WINS TODAY

September 16, 2022, will be one of the days in my history which will forever be cherished. Two wins today, first we the Polaris class of John B Molo were given the red straps which will be attached to our perching caps and the second news is my father is home after several months on board

The day starts like a usual day, it was extra special since its Friday and around the afternoon the Polaris class will be given red straps a symbol that we are part of the star class of the unit After class at propulsion, we were supposed to have a class with electro three since our instructor have an important agenda. He decided not to hold class but instead give a drawing laboratory activity.

Before noon, we had a short formation and giving of the announcement by the senior class, the Polaris 4A They reminded us of the importance of the strap both physically and fundamentally. Each of our seniors handed out the strap to us. It is so amazing to receive one, I know it is a privilege and I will cherish it.

After giving of the straps we decided to attach them to the cap, I report shortly at the publication office then, went back to the apartment to fix things since later in the afternoon I planned to go to Pavia to meet my mother and go with them at the airport because around six the plane is expected to land.

A short stop at Robinsons Pavia rewarded me with a milk tea for a week done

Got to the airport and waited for the plane however my father failed to mention what plane he is in so I opened my flight tracker and track the upcoming flights at the airport. He arrived on time it was around 5:44 on board a Philippine airline flight As soon as we saw him we give him a huge hug, a sigh of relief to see him in person.

After that we headed to plazuela at the breakthrough restaurant to eat lunch, I think it has been our ritual to eat at that restaurant every time we have a special occasion since their food is delicious and it is worth it. Then we head home I think we arrive here around 10 in the evening too tired for the whole day’s activity from school to home but it was an amazing journey.

Speaking of the journey some of us are starting our one phase some are already in the middle, the red strap of Polaris reminded me that I am a few steps away to transition into the realities of my life like my father who

is my strength and inspiration

It has been an amazing week and hopes that next week will be as much as amazing, see you next week.

PRELIM REWARD

ANTIQUE: WHERE MOUNTAIN AND SEAS MEET THE SKY

This week was the prelim exam week, which lasted for three days, September 28 to 30. Three subjects for day one and two subjects for succeeding days. It was our first prelim exam conducted face-to-face and the second exam conducted in person.

Their nothing to share about the exam except it was more relaxed compared to the finals exam of the second year second sem. I made the trip to Antique on Friday night as inspiration to answer confidently with the exams.

It was a three-day exam, though each day is a half day, at least an hour time limit for each subject and around the afternoon we are free to do what we want.

On Wednesday, I decided to gather stories to be published in our newsletter for publication I spent half the afternoon at the campus bouncing offices to collect news. I decided to stay since we had no class last Monday because of the typhoon, and it is fair enough to stay at the university since there is nothing to do in the apartment. On Tuesday, we sent our payment for the washday uniform at Marlow since the crewing director will go to the campus before the end of October to give us the uniform and the company’s gift personally.

Thursday, two exams left, so we planned on that evening to hang out at least in Oton to release the stress out since, as far as I could remember and as far as the truth is concerned, we never had night outs since we board at our apartment. We have never been to the famous city lights that you commonly see on the internet, at we have was molo plaza.

And the day came, we never went to Oton, instead had some street foods, it was nice however we were caught by the rain, Spent the remaining data to stream the adventure here it is.

The exam was over, done so. Then I rest in the apartment. I planned to go to victory church in Manduriao since they have a campus night of worship Actually, it is so good to spend the night with the church to thank God for his guidance during the exam, but I hope next time.

My family arrived in the city around six in the evening. We ate lunch at breakthrough again It was our go-to restaurant, and we spent the night in a comfy hotel because early in the morning we will go to Antique to visit relatives and cousins.

I woke up around five in the morning My body tells me to do so, then prepare everything and sort the things I should leave at the apartment. Started our journey to Antique around quarter to six in the morning, played some jams, stops to take some selfies.

It is my second time to go to Antique, they say. However, I was two years old at that time. I can’t remember a thing.

There is nothing to say about Antique except it is indeed where the mountain meets the sky. The terrain, the calmness, and beauty blend with everything as if you are cruising Baguio city. Their culture and language may be different from the rest of Panay, but the experience is close to home

Though roads and signals are challenging, the whole journey of traveling is awesome. Full of green if not blue waters, a refreshing and panoramic view to escape the city noise

We arrived at Sibalom, Antique, where our family is, and it is the true definition of probinsya, it made sense to me now the song “Ma uli gid ako sa Antique” the vibe of the place hits too hard, I’m just a tourist of the place, how much more the locals.

Family bonding, we eat batchoy at the restaurant along the river control, it was so nice to put a short order food there since it blends to the overlooking view of the clean river and the bridge that connects places.

I love Antique and will definitely be back soon We left the wonderful place around 1:30 in the afternoon and bought some local delicacies, commonly peanut with sugar coating.

Arrive home at probably seven in the evening What a journey, but it was a reward after the prelim exam. Next week will be our scheduled basic training, a training we were supposed to have during the first year since of pandemic, it was put on hold

In the next weeks of this series, I will document our basic training, learning, preparation, and everything else.

This week was the start of our Basic Training, a subject on safety that was supposed to be taken during the first year, and since the pandemic happened, it was put on hold.

SEPTEMBER3 OCTOBER8

Our training covers four core topics Personal Survival Technique, Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention, Elementary First Aid, and Personal Safety and Social Responsibility.

The whole class was divided into two, and for the rest of the nine days, we were trained to have a certificate that we could use in the future, especially when applying on board.

On the first training set, we are assigned to Personal Survival Techniques. On this subject, we were challenging survival skills and proper wearing of our life-saving apparatus, life jacket, and immersion suit

The flow of the lesson was a lecture and then practical. I was shocked that we are the first batch to be trained at the John B. Larson Training center in Puerto Del Mar in Nueva Valencia in Guimaras.

Since we were the first batch to undergo PST, our instructor asked us to sign waivers to complete the threeday practical exam in Guimaras.

After a whole day of the lecture at the JBLF training center at the twin building of john b Molo, we prepare ourselves for tomorrow’s activity. The discussion in the first-day talk focuses on how to survive in case we encounter different emergencies on board like fire, man-overboard, and, most importantly, abandoning our ships if the problem worsens.

The personal survival technique class is a compressed lecture of our introduction to safety during senior high school subject.

I went home later in the afternoon and prepared my things off to Guimaras sleep decently since around five In the morning, we should be gone at the apartment since the assembly time is at 6–630, and we have no idea whether a jeep is passing by.

I went with my two classmates, Magbanua and Gabo, to Parola port, to arrive there at quarter to six Since we hadn’t eaten breakfast, we decided to purchase small snacks at a nearby convineve store I bought siopao and a bottle of water.

After about an hour of waiting, we finally boarded the motor Banca, which is still called a motor Banca despite the vessel’s appearance If you remember 2019 and earlier, the motor Banca was just a Banca. I think it costs 19 pesos to cross Guimaras via Iloilo straight. Still, after the capsizing of three bancas, the operation was halted and changed to a fiver hull motor Banca much more significant and could withstand huge waves

We cross the Guimaras for 10 minutes or more. Lucky that I had the emergency exit seat, I felt the sea’s morning breeze After we arrived at the island, we checked the vaccination card, and the bus from the university training center awaited us. We had a short stop at the nearby eatery for those who did not buy lunch: I bought a beef stake and one and a half rice.

The training center of John B is located at Nueva Valencia at Puerto del mar It was a 30-minute ride from the port. I never thought Guimaras was huge because afar, it is a piece of the island.

After we arrived at the training center, we fixed ourselves and headed to the lagoon site where the abandoning ship structure is located It is pictured as the stern or muster station is located

The instructor teaches us how to dawn a life jacket, and the immersion suit teaches us how to enter the water and position if we abandon the ship

This was my second basic training. My first was during senior high school for our onboard work immersion. Jumping at a high position is one of my fears, so during the jumping, I got scared and could not jump on high as I was about to My instructor won’t let me avoid accidents

So I jump at the platform in the middle. Execute backstroke with a life jacket, then proceed to another part of the practice. Boarding the capsized lifeboat and boarding the life raft were a few of our activities.

After that, we do floating without the lifejacket support at all It was physically tiring since we were in salty water for most of those. After that, we fix ourselves for the afternoon activity.

I went home and rested because tomorrow we will have a new topic to be discussed It is about fire fighting and fire prevention

Since it is a lecture activity at the campus, we took the late morning call time as more chance to rest our call time was eight in the morning We learned on that day basic things to do in case of fire, proper firefighting equipment, and good things to do in case of fire The following day, we will again go to Guimaras to exercise the firefighting.

On the third day of our basic training and the second time, we went to Guimaras. Like on Tuesday, our call time was six in the morning, and after an hour, we cruised Guimaras. The whole trip was free since it was a package on our tuition fee for the first year. The motor bank costs 30 pesos, while the motorcycle fair can cost around 300 pesos

A small briefing was conducted. Our instructor told us to practice wearing our breathing apparatus and the proper wearing of a firefighter suit. The activity was simple. We wore our fireman’s outfits and practiced downing the breathing apparatus after we extinguished the small fire using a foam fire extinguisher practice.

Then we also practiced adjusting the fire nozzle into three categories. Then we performed fighting the open fire as a team search and rescue operations, followed by fighting the fire in an enclosed space The activity is ending fixing in place the fire fighting equipment.

The following Friday is the initiation rights of the john b molo, and, unfortunately, we are not present on the campus since we will be back on the island for the last time for our basic training We had a short free time on the island, made that thing out as bonding with my classmate, had some fast beach swimming, roasted some pork for lunch, and headed back home. It was probably around five in the afternoon, so technically, we could not attend or witness a glimpse of initiation at the john b.

Went straight to the boarding house and prepared for the afterparty of the initiation and the acquaintance night on the campus. I made some friends party that night and enjoyed the successful week of training. Our training was until Saturday, and in the morning, we had our new activity, elementary first aid, where we learned proper CPR for the victim. By next week, Monday, we will perform the CPR and be assessed.

All and all, it was a mix of feelings and experiences this week, but this a thing this is by far the most fun and exciting week I’ve experienced since the class started

Next week is still our basic training. It will be finished by Wednesday and back to normal, back to being a student. Gad, I miss my uniform; that is a small overview of the week.

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MID WEEK CLASS, NOT SO A DAY IN A LIFE

ON THIS DAY AUGUST 24, 202

Today is the third day of our face-to-face class, and it’s Wednesday. During MWFs day, we only have three subjects, Power Plan, Watchkeeping, and Electro 3.

I woke up a little bit late since we watched the movie last evening Do the routine, then get to John B , then minutes late.

Probably this week and the following week is an orientation and adjustment period. We haven’t had a whole class yet a bunch of reminders and proper protocols to be followed we’re addressed.

Our first subject is power plant steam I love how our instructor handles the class He is full of enthusiasm, and you really know that he is an expert in his field. We had a short introduction to our self then a short seafarer story and what to expect on the course.

He also encourages and challenges the class to reach our goals and never stop to learn and to explore. At the age of 30, he is a licensed chief engineer; however, he only acts at the second engineer rank

As he introduces the lesson, he also shares his personal experience on board and discusses the topic with us.

Our next class was engine watchkeeping. Our instructor only said he introduced the subjects and dismissed us. We had our lunch pork estofado three rice and free soup.

As of the writing, we are waiting for a one pm class electro 3, after hours of staying at the library waiting for the last subject. We went to our room, then we had a short class and had our first quiz in electro nothing to share that much all those time until the evening I kept thinking about how to tell my mother about the company and when to go home.

Tomorrow is a holiday, the charter day of Iloilo city That evening we were supposed to play games all night at a computer shop, but we decided not to since it would cost much I stayed in the city then, and tomorrow probably, I will buy groceries, canned goods as such, and a few school supplies.

THE START OF “BER” MONTHS

ON THIS DAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

It’s the season. The season finally came. “Ber month” is the start of the time we celebrate Christmas. As a nation, the Christmas season is when we are united in commemorating the love of God.

The whole stretch was lit with lanterns in the city, especially in the business district.

Memes of Jose Marie Chan serenade the air with the spirit of Christmas. Ans us here it will be a typical day in history.

I continue watching spy family do some study and writing. Again the old era of the Christmas spirit is gone.

My generation is now in the stage of transitioning into a more serious version of themselves

A few months from now, the series life will have its first anniversary. From the first series entitled HOPE WITHIN, our hopes translate into something new and something better.

And just like what I said, my hope for this current series will continue even at least until the end of the semester.

WHY PROPER HARICUT

ON THIS DAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2022

Very first Monday at John B., we have the flag ceremony where we pay tribute to the flag, and it is also the time we sing the university hymn in honor of Capt. John B.

During this time, the unit’s disciplinary officer always inspects that haircut to ensure that all students maintain and follow the standard haircut based on their college department This simple gesture instills discipline amongst students, especially in maritime

After I finished my usual routine before going to the city, I packed my clothes, and for the first time, I went to Iloilo early in the afternoon.

I tried to have the best commute to the city, and I would love to recommend that you try this if you live in the molo, manduriao, or villa district

When you return to Iloilo, especially in late the afternoon, you should ride the bust but only at Leganes, then ride the jeep, SM highway to the jeep terminal of San Rafael, where the oton jeep is parked.

Leganes because there are few to no passengers riding there if you choose to get off the bus in the terminal itself, the jeep is crowded, and it burns so much time to wait for an empty jeep And if you choose leganes, you can save 7–10 pesos.

Once you ride the Leganes jeep, you should ride the Oton jeep, same scenario, with few passenger competition, and it can save you 5–10 pesos in fair.

Commuting in Iloilo is experimental, and you should know to get your way just to ride the jeep

Be extra careful, especially at night, Iloilo is very safe, but sometimes we don’t know what is hiding in the dark.

FIRST ONSITE FLAG CEREMONY

ON THIS DAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2022

We were supposed to be at the School before seven. Unfortunately, we experienced heavy traffic, plus it is indeed Monday. What comes worst is we rode the wrong jeepney. However, the tables turned when one of the faculty of John B. saw us on the street and gave us a ride to the campus. We arrived at John B one minute late, and the program hadn’t even started

After a few minutes, the person in charge of the program commences the ceremony with a few announcements singing the national anthem and the JBLFMU hymn, which was followed by an inspirational message from maam Gancia, my language instructor, during my second year.

With Seagull, they scheduled the second phase of the screening today, around four in the afternoon, after our class with electro since it was the only free time we had. However, our instructor at watchkeeping could make the class, so I decided to go to their office If I could advance the screening.

The screening is composed of three parts the online submission, the face-to-face exam, and the third is the panel interview.

The face-to-face exam primarily consists of grammar correction and writing the category you are in for example, I apply for news, so I write news

I finished the article in probably one hour. Then I Had my lunch in the afternoon. I complied with the photojourn requirements to capture the JBLFMU face-to-face scenario, which must be submitted around five in the afternoon. However, I submitted at quarter to seven. Two hours later, the publication messages me that I passed the second screening and should be back tomorrow afternoon for the third screening, which is the panel interview

DRAWING LABORATORY

ON THIS DAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

Usual day at John B., we had our first drawing with electro three, where we illustrated the Direct current switchboard parallel panel and mentioned how to start and stop it.

It was a heavy day, especially mid-week class, too tiring

During this time, we work our plates at the university library, plus it is airconditioned.

Having short lunch at a nearby carinderia is pretty expensive, but the food is always worth it. Around one in the afternoon, we submitted our output to our instructor, and we finished our lesson by Alternating current components, the functions, and primary parts

LOADED QUIZZES

ON THIS DAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2022

The three-subject day to day feels like four or more after, a pile of quizzes from each subject were faced.

A bunch of quizzes took in Propulsion, Watchkeeping, and Electricity

A major subject that tests how strong our prior knowledge was.

Nothing really interesting in our day-to-day life today, shining every day and every night our paraphernalia usually took our time.

It is important especially for us the star section of the university to be a rule model to the rest of the students inside and outside the campus.

Usually, in the afternoon or in between classes, we spare a short time to have a snack before the first class and after the last class of each day, we have a short formation.

HAY DAY TUESDAY

ON THIS DAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

Tuesday was a hay day since in the morning we were lucky to have no class after the school had an orientation for the newly hired instructor. Since our morning instructor for Computer-based training and Power Plant are newly hired we had no class.

and around two in the afternoon we had a class in history and it was the last group reporting for prelim a quiz was followed

Lecture discussion is also shared in management subject then the usual formation after class was done.

The Tuesday was wrapped with a nice Chicken Insal for dinner, we had nothing to do on the next day so I sleep late to have a long night.

NOT MY LUCKY DAY, NEW SERIES

ON THIS DAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

Today we continue the past meetings’ individual reporting but turns out that after 15 presenters my name was not called to discuss my source.

which means next week again.

after all the classes and formation is done, I attended the meeting for seagull the school paper on the campus to discuss the publication’s plan for the first semester of this academic year

we pitch a topic and next week we will be busy gathering news and stories worthy to be published in the paper.

speaking of the article, being the news writer of the campus, if the first sem paper will be published I might mirror post it here on the page the raw story I submitted and make it as a series

This way even if it is janky, the thoughts are me. No title yet, but I keep thinking, that campus stories might fit the series title.

we have yet to gather stories but I already contributed one article published on our page

MARCH 8, 2023

We had the whole afternoon of Wednesday dedicated to discussing the importance, how to process, and any related topic with regards to ON BOARD TRAINING (OBT) and the TRAINING RECORD BOOK (TRB).

Our instructor, 3/E JOEY TREYES discusses the importance of TRB proper filling and C/E ROMER BABAS talks life at sea Both topics are insightful and helped us to realized our remaining months in John B

Polaris 3B during thier morning formation

the only class turn to lab activity of the day

Drove to ILOILO HALL OF JUSTICE, lost my SCHOOL ID had to go to PAO office to get affidavit of lost

GOING HOME

MARCH 9, 2023

It was a fun adventure now time to go home we had the whole afternoon for our self the school is busy, I kind a hope to experience this chill adventure again

PRACTISE FOR POLARIS FORMATION

MARCH 14, 2023

LEFT RIGHT QUIZ

It is the day in a week were quiz is breakfast, quiz is lunch and review for a quiz in the next day is dinner. Bit busy today as usuall practise for fancy drill for Engineering week was observed.

SURVIVED THE POLARIS INITIATION

Pain is temporary glory is forever Pain is temporary glory is forever It becomes louder and louder every time we comply with the drills set before us by our senior Polaris officers during our Polaris organization initiation rites earlier today.

It was a treasurable and valued day in my life, it was a challenging, hard, and exhausting journey, but above all, I appreciate the values the organization wishes to instill

With respect to the organization, what transpired on that day remains on that day. However, I would love to share what I learned during the initiation rites and the things I pounder into as a true-blooded Polaris Class Cadet.

Polaris is an organization at John B Lacson Foundation Maritime University Molo-Inc , which promotes brotherhood, helps each other with discipline, and upholds the value of the university

POLARIS, P.O.L.A.R.I.S let’s start with “P”

Perseverance, doing anything no matter what it takes as a Polaris, we are expected to perform great since we are at the top of the top, the representative of the institution against other institutions. My advice is do not just comply. Do not just do your best to exceed expectations.

Organized, one of the attitudes I love about myself is being organized in every aspect. This trait will be helpful to onboard, filling tools, manage reports, and arraging everyday ship routine.

Loyalty is probably challenging for me to digest because, as a realist, I tend to have several plans to the point that being loyal to one is difficult to establish. Today, I renew myself and uphold loyalty to standing and as one, no matter what it takes.

Accountability, Knowing our worth, owning the consequence of our actions, and bearing the truth and what is just should be the core of a Polaris class cadet.

Resilience, being in a state of calmness amid the story, and the ability to adapt to the challenges of the situation are one of the things I-re learned because ship we will be tested tested and challenged, so as early as Polaris Class Cadets, we should know that weight of being resilient.

Intelligence, No doubt mental capacity, is one of the things why Polaris class matters. We are different from regular classes, we are special, and it is earned through a constant quest for learning and curiosity,

Self Respect, Above all, respect ourselves. POLARI is useless without S.

I Survived, We Survived, We the POLARIS THIRD YEAR OF BATCH 2023 of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University Molo is now a true-blooded POLARIS CLASS CADET.

This week, also I brought with me my motorcycle to be used day-to-day, especially during initiation. It was an awesome experience to drive the motorcycle, especially at night time, seeing the beautiful lights of Iloilo.

I leave Cuartero around four in the afternoon. With me are two backpacks covered in garbage bags in case when it rains. I arrived in Iloilo three hours later. The week from Monday to Friday is a preparation day for Saturday’s activity.

This special story of the series is a great reminder of how hardship instills greater value. The lesson I learn, the realization I pounder will be a reminder in the nearest future that PAIN IS TEMPORARY, and GLORY IS FOREVER.