Shipboard Training 2013

DAY 1 (February 11)

It was our time to depart in Ozamiz. Me, Mita and Malou have decided that we will go to Agora Terminal together. We arrived there at 1:10pm as what our dean told us. Actually, I was expecting that everybody was there, waiting already including our dean. But sad to say, he was not yet there. All of us were waiting very long, bored, angry, and disappointed. After 2 hours of waiting, our beloved dean arrived. This was really funny because as he was still approaching most of us who were sitting immediately stand up, thinking and hoping that at last, we can now ride the bus. But those were just false hopes because we waited longer for another hour. I was sitting beside Malou and we were very sleepy that time. I was wearing with me my shades. After a while, a very old woman approached me. I did not look at her because I know she will just ask for money. But she stared at me for so long asking for money. I felt pity on her. I was thinking that she really deserved to be given an amount of money. And so, I looked for my wallet. I got a P20 bill and gave it to her. I was very surprised because that old woman said, "salamat ha! Happy trip ma'am!" She said this with a smile. I was very touched with what she said and I was very happy because I was able to make the old woman happy. Malou told me, "dakoa atong imong gihatag Ming oi!" And I just told her, "okay ra to ui, usahay ra bitaw ko muhatag. Luoy man gud pud, tigulang naa kaayo, siguro, gipasagdan na to siya sa iyang mga anak ba." I was secretly laughing at one side because the dispatcher got angry of our dean because of not making arrangements with the bus and for arriving late. After an hour, at last, a bus that will go to CDO arrived. We hurriedly stood up, carry our very heavy luggage and settled it in the bus compartment. I was the first one to get inside the bus and I reserved a seat for Mita and Malou. We were very congested inside the bus. Thank God I found a seat good for the three of us. I was seated nearest to the window. It was very windy then since it was a non-air conditioned bus. I was wearing a green blouse with angry bird design and a hood. Because of the very strong wind, I decided to put on my hood and took a picture as if I am a pig. LOL

We were on our way to Iligan. I was not feeling well that time because I felt so dizzy. I keep on eating candy, and smelling white flower. When we arrived at 2^nd terminal of Iligan, and Sir Sal decided that we are to eat our dinner there. We were looking for an eatery until I decided to eat on one of the eateries which served Tinola. My stomach is really craving for a hot sabaw. Due to extreme hunger, I ate so fast and I was the first one to finish. Immediately after eating we run to the bus – afraid of being left. We changed bus, and now, it’s air-conditioned.

We were on our way to CDO. In the middle of the trip, some my classmates aren’t feeling well. Suddenly, one HM student, went towards the aisle and get a plastic bag. He was about to vomit. And he did. That time, Sir Eric called us on phone and talked to us, but I hesitated to talk to him because if I do so, I’m sure that I’m going to vomit. That time, I was actually trying to sleep so as not to feel dizzy.  

We arrived at CDO sea port at around 8 o’clock in the evening and we were very tired and stressed. Their port is very big and spacious. We were sitting and waiting for the STO’s (Shipboard Training Officers). After few minutes, we began to proceed embarking the ship. I was so worried because my baggage is very heavy. How can I carry that? Thanks God, the crew of 2GO helped me carry it until I entered the ship.

We were on the tourist accommodation and we were 8 in the room. 4 of us are Tourism students and 4 are HM students.

After settling our things, we then proceed to the conference hall for our orientation. That was 11pm already, I guess. During the orientation, we received our training kit including our work schedule for each department, our nametag and polo shirt. We were grouped into 8 groups for 6 members each group. I belonged to Group 5. My group mates are Dawn, Karen, Queenie, Al, and Princess. As usual, I was assigned to be the group leader.

DAY 2 (February 12)

After taking our breakfast, we continued our orientation on the same venue.

We started our 1^st duty at the Galley (11:30am-1:30). I felt a little nervous because it’s my first time to work ever in my life. When we arrived there we were welcomed by the crew. We had first a tour around the galley. After it, one of the crew asked 2 of us to do something. I and Princess volunteered. We were on the Storage Room and we were asked to pack 15 pieces of coffee sachet per pack and we need to have 150 packs. We enjoyed working there since one of the crew assisted us. He keeps on talking and he shared to us his life when he was still on college until he worked on the ship. It was a great conversation indeed. I was also happy knowing that the chief cook there was a Cebuano and he knows to speak Visayan. Queenie, Al, Karen and Dawn were assigned to do other tasks. They were assigned to fill the glasses with Benignit. I joined them since I am done with my work. After that, we were given another task which is to make the Dynamite Cheese Roll. It was really a great privilege to part of the crew in the galley. We really enjoyed a lot because all the crew there were very close to each other. They always crack jokes and laugh so loud. I love to stay there! We really had so much fun!

Our 2^nd shift was on the Housekeeping Cabin(2pm-4pm). There was a big question mark on my mind because I don’t know what to do. But when Ms. Alona arrived, I felt relaxed because, she’s a smiling and friendly lady! This was another funny moment we had. I and Al were tasked to refill the liquid soap and tissue in the comfort rooms of the cabin rooms. The rest were tasked to wipe the walls and doors. While we were doing this, Al keeps on cracking jokes and all of us were loudly laughing including Ms. Alona. She then told us that we are the craziest team she had ever! And that was good. I know she won’t forget us.

Our 3^rd shift was on the Mega Value (4:30pm-6:30pm). We did nothing. We were waiting for I guess more than 30 minutes and were just sitting on the floor. Until the personnel arrived, she just told us that we have nothing to and she let us rest for 30 minutes and we will be back again because she will look for some work that we can do. And so we rested on our rooms. When we went back to the section, still we did nothing. We were just having a serious conversation, she gave us advises regarding work-related issues. Later on, we suggested that it would be better if we will clean the Multipurpose Hall, and she agreed.

Our 4^th shift was on the Super Value (7pm-9pm). I was very excited to clean the CR. But when we arrived at the economy section, the other school was cleaning the CR. The personnel-in-charge did not let us clean anymore. Rather, she just let us introduce ourselves and show off our talents.

DAY 3 (February 13, 2013)

Or 5^th shift was on the Front Office (7pm-9pm). The ship was actually departing from Manila that time. We were wearing our Tourism Practicum Uniform and high heels. There were a lot of passengers still embarking the ship and we were tasks to greet them.  It is really very challenging on our part because we were wearing our heels and the ship is always swinging. It’s very hard for us to balance ourselves. I kept on observing the FO clerk on how she handles the situation. We were standing there for 2 hours straight! My feetwas aching so much but I still kept on smiling. We were having some Q & A with the personnel. However, I did not enjoy that well because it is kinda boring. I was very tired that time but I still looked blooming and I love it!

DAY 4 (February 14, 2013)

Our 6^th shift was on the Horizon Café for the 1st class dining (7am-9am). It was another challenging part to me because I never worked in a dining area. At first, I was afraid to serve and to buss out so I volunteered to just assemble the spoon and fork and wrap it with tissue. But later on, I realized that if I will not serve and buss out, my duty in the dining area is useless. So I tried to conquer my fear. I get the tray and tried to buss out the plates and glasses. I did it! Later on, I was asked to serve water for 5 customers. I took the tray and get 5 glasses of water. I was nervous that time because I am not used to it. The glasses were very heavy and I was having a hard time to balance it with one hand.  I was really following the standards on the proper serving of drinks which is to use the right hand and serve it on the right side of the customer. It was a shaky experience! We were minding of the time so much because we still have another duty on another section right after that. There was this wrist watch attached at one side of the table. We were not allowed to bring watches during our duties. That’s why we do not know exactly about the time. It was already 30 minutes passing our end time when we saw the time at the wristwatch there. We looked for the personnel-in-charge to get our evaluation sheets so that we can log-out. When we went back to our rooms, we were watching the exact time. We still have 15 minutes! So we went back to the Horizon café and continued our duty.

Our 7^th shift was on the Island Fiesta for the Economy dining (11am-1pm). At first, we don’t know what to do since there are already a lot of students having their duty there. Until such time, we were assigned to post on the doors to guard those people who bring out the dining plates. Although it was a boring thing to do but we enjoyed it since we decided to greet all the guests that will pass the door. The funny thing is that, sometimes we get confused to some people who happen to be lesbians. We are confused on how are we going to address them, either ma’am or sir! But definitely, it was great. After that, I cleaned the area by sweeping the floor until our time ended.

Our 8^th shift was on the Quick Mart (7am-9am). This would be our last duty for the period. I was not feeling well that time because my leg is very painful because of its very big bruise I got from the LRT station. I am having a hard time to walk especially in going up and going down the stairs. We were selling chichiria and drinks. I was with Princess that time. It's really very hard to encourage the passengers to buy our products especially on the economy section since most of them are bringing their own snacks. We went went up and down to the 4 decks of the ship. I was not yet tire but I am having difficulties in walking. But I continued still. The best area for me where i had so much fun is when we were in the cabin area. we had one foreigner customer and one Filipino customer. The Filipino one bought canned drinks. We continued to encouraged him to buy come chichiria. But he said that he will buy the fish cracker but we will be the one to eat it. At first, we were hesitant and shy because we haven't encounter that kind of customer ever! But in the end, we have agreed to accept the offer just for the sake of earning. In our group, we earned an estimated amount of P1000+. That was indeed a good amount already! That was the end of our duty.

After that, we had a practice for our presentation for the Culmination Program in the evening. It took us a longer time to plan for our presentation because of the overflowing ideas we had. We ended up with a decision that we are going to have a pageant presentation - Ms. Galaxy 2013. Even if we were given a very limited time, we still show off a very nice and funny presentation. It is not that organized but what is important is that, we were able to make our audience laugh and for sure, they enjoyed it much.

We have not taken pictures during our duties since we are not allowed to bring our cameras on our duty area. Yes, it is really "sayang". But even if we were not able to take pictures, the memories, may it be the best or worst, always remain in our minds and in our hearts.