Train More, Be Better!

“Each day is another day to be better than you ever did have yesterday.”

            Entering the white gates of St. Joseph Institute of Technology - Maritime Education and Training (SMET) campus was as tension as entering a briefing room for a battle beforehand. Logically speaking, they are indeed preparing for a battle. A battle for their future. A battle for their dreams. 

             Like soldiers, a students’ life is really tough as you can ever imagine. What’s more to the scholars under Future Leaders Program of SJIT – Maritime Education and Training? The overwhelming expectations and pressures can be seen, felt and smelled all throughout the corridors of the establishment. Everyone is bearing high hopes for a better future they can ever mold for themselves as they achieve their individual dreams, not just for their own but to the people dear to them.

           With that, a lot of challenges and responsibilities come through their way more often. Unrecognizably, they tend to forget and remain unaware of the simple things that matters more that can totally define their personality as scholars, as students, as future leaders and most especially as a person. Indeed, “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that’s counted truly counts.”, Albert Einstein once quoted.

              Being a scholar, a cadet/cadette and a future leader, all at the same time is not all about excelling in academics but in achieving the betterment of their whole totality.

            Waking up early in the morning for a daily dose of exercises before 0500H respectively is very hard. With that, students tend to become lazy in leaving their beds, unaware of the idea that in another way around, they are trained to become punctual and time conscious for future watch keeping and shift taking jobs onboard. Additionally, those exercises we call ‘calisthenics’ also develops the cadets’ physical aspect which is essential for future seafaring jobs.

            On the other hand, implementing the slogan CLean As You GO or simply CLAYGO! reminds students of the importance of cleanliness and orderliness of the surroundings, their cabins, the mess room and even their classrooms. That serves also as their training ground, opening them to the reality that any jobs start from basic.

             Whilst, frolics is a day full of fun activities because cadets get to exhibit their various skills and talents. This is duly implemented to promote the social well-being of the students and promote camaraderie amongst them. This is a significant recreation for future onboard ship where cadets are expected to work, collaborate, communicate and interact with different nationalities and different personalities. 

         Due to the fact that seafarers’ life is blisteringly dangerous, cadets are trained to foster a strong foundation of relationship with the Almighty God through a weekly worshipping commonly termed as ‘evening watch’ lead by Pastor Carlo Sasuman. This takes place every Sunday at exactly 1730H. 

              These things are merely simple routines and are already part of the daily basis of a SMET campus cadets’ life which unknowingly trained them to be better. Each day that comes through their life makes them stronger and better individuals. Truly, cadets should bear in their minds that the more they are trained, the better they become. 

“CADETS AND CADETTES, LET’S TRAIN MORE AND BE BETTER!”