PNoy cites marines' role in nation-building

President Benigno S. Aquino III recognizes the big responsibility and participation of marines in nation-building and encouraged them to demonstrate passion and industry in the pursuit of their discipline.

In his speech during the 189th commencement exercises of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy on Thursday, Aquino said, "Bilang isang bansang napaliligiran ng tubig, 'di na po nakapagtatakang nasa dugo na po nating mga Pilipino ang pagiging marino. Mantakin po ninyo: sa mahigit 1,000,300 seafarers sa buong mundo, nasa 350,000 nito ay ating mga kapwa Pilipino. Isa sa apat na marino sa buong mundo ay kabilang si Juan Dela Cruz (As a country surrounded by water, it's no wonder that Filipinos have it in their being a marine. Come to think of it, out of almost 1,000,300 seafarers in the world, 350,000 of these are Filipinos. One out of four marines in the world is a Juan Dela Cruz)."

"Madalas nga pong ilarawan ang sipag ng ating mamamayan bilang kayod marino: tinitiis mabilad sa init ng araw, hinaharap ang mga dambuhalang alon, at buong sigasig na nagtatrabaho, malayo man sa kanyang mga mahal sa buhay (Most often our people's industriousness is described as a marine-like - withstanding the extreme heat of the sun, facing the great waves of the sea and works with enthusiasm even if they are away from their loved ones)," he added.

PMMA's 214 graduating cadets of class 2012 received President Aquino's heartfelt congratulations as he graced in their graduation rites. Of the graduates, 111 are Marine Transportation graduates, 121 Marine Engineering, and nine Masteral degree graduates.

For Batch 2012, the PMMA carries the theme, "Providing responsive maritime educational avenue for a brighter future of the Filipino youth." - PIA — ARA