WHAT makes Filipinos a perfect fit for the seafaring job?
Apart from the common observation among maritime employers and executives that Filipino seafarers are professionally competent, good English communicators, ingenious and hardworking, another detail seemed to have been overlooked.
Almost all Filipino seafarers were born, raised and educated in a tough environment, so much so that the equally difficult life at sea becomes a norm.
Such is the case for chief engineer Ruzel Longno, a man born in poverty in the province of Iloilo.
When he first boarded an international ship as a crew, he always said that the food onboard was delicious until someone remarked, “That was delicious to you?”
It could have been a moment of realization for Longno that what he found delectable was essentially average and, at times, bland for others.
That moment, though, he continued counting on his blessings.
“For me, everything was perfect because I have a job, my bed is soft, my cabin is air-conditioned, and the food is delicious. I was raised in a very poor family, and any job you give me, I’ll find it easy,” he said.
One of the tasks Longno used to do as a young marine engineer was scavenging. “Scavenging” is used on board to clean the ship’s main engine’s scavenging air receiver and inspect the condition of the piston, piston rings, cylinder liner, and stuffing box through scavenge ports. It involves a crew crawling inside a narrow cylinder or pipe to clean its interiors.
“Working on a ship is difficult, but I am hardened by life. I am used to exertions; I can handle any kind of stress, I am accustomed to a few hours of sleep, and I can fix any machinery trouble onboard. Also, I believe that winners never quit,” he said.
Longno armed himself with knowledge, competence and perseverance until finally, he could lift his entire family from poverty.
“Traveling the world for free is great for us seafarers. But the best part, really, is seeing your family live a comfortable life. My parents used to live in a hut in a flooded town; they did not even have a restroom at home.
“When I became a seafarer, I was able to buy them a house and lot in a decent subdivision, send my siblings to maritime schools, and help them find a good manning company. I also did the same for my cousins and relatives.
“That’s the best part. The blessing of the sea creates ripples.”
Longno did not stop there. In 2021, he turned to social media to spread more good. He started video blogging on shipboard machinery.
“At first, I was hesitant that people might not like what I would present. But then I thought, if others could, then so can I. I went online as Chief EL’ Rich, a portmanteau of my wife’s name, Elaine, and my son, Richmonde. My main purpose was to share ideas and knowledge on how to troubleshoot types of machinery onboard.
“I was not after the number of viewership or followers. Vlogging was simply my way of uplifting the dignity and reputation of Filipino seafarers; to remind the global shipping community that we are knowledgeable and skilled as with other nationality of seafarers, sometimes even better,” Longno said.
Today, Longno’s Facebook page has 51,000 followers awaiting and watching his shipboard tutorials, discussion on the latest maritime issues, and mentorship for engine cadets. It also led him to create a group chat for marine engineers to guide one another on machinery troubleshooting.
The Ilonggo chief engineer also extends mentorship and free tutorials to young marine engineers and junior engine officers who reside in his transient inn.
“I started a transient house for seafarers in Vito Cruz two months ago. My wife and I planned and saved for this business for a long time. I conduct my free tutorials here every Wednesday and Saturday with different topics for cadets, engine ratings, junior engineers and senior engine officers.
Sometimes, some chief engineers would offer to share their experiences and knowledge on maritime machinery as well. Together, we would mentor the younger ones on financial management, how to move up the ranks and become a good marine engineer,” he explained.
It is in creating leaders and better Filipino marine engineers that Longno finds fulfillment. His is a story of struggle and success that is used to light others’ paths and help the Philippines sustain its global reputation of being the “manning capital of the world.”
Beyond all these accomplishments, however, Longno still sees himself as an ordinary man, a loyal friend, a doting father to three children and a loving husband.
He believes in kindness. He values the worth of money through saving.
He is an advocate of learning. And even after 17 years of sailing, he still considers shipboard food delicious.
