A seaman's dream turns into reality
John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation now a university
JOHN Bautista Lacson first embarked as a seaman. Then, he gave up that profession in order to train his peers and young men about navigating the seas through the Iloilo Maritime Academy (IMA).
As the academy grew, it became the John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (JBLCF), now with campuses in Molo, Arevalo, Bacolod and Guimaras. And last April 2, it held its inauguration as the first privately-run maritime university in the country, and perhaps in Asia.
The third generation of Lacsons, according to JBLF Marine University Vice Chairman Raymund Lacson Sebastian, saw the sacrifices and struggles that JBL went through and that such victory is a source of strength and inspiration for them to face the formidable changes before them.
LEADING SUPPLIER
According to Dr. Marilou Lacson Arcelo, the first chief executive officer of JBLFMU, the school is the leading supplier of the world's seafarers.
She recalled how the faculty struggled with their masters in order to attain better education as well as the students who worked hard amid the pressures. "Our hard work has paid off. We will sail on. And as we do, we will deal with the ever changing international maritime trends and we will have that global competitive edge," Arcelo's inaugural address went.
QUALITY EDUCATION
She promised that her agenda for the university will stem from its vision and mission of providing quality education and training through instruction, research and extension and of becoming the major global supplier of competent, qualified and morally upright professionals.
In fact, she said that 80 percent of the faculty of the university have masteral and doctorate degrees and that the institution has a good scholarship program.
"We will enhance the curriculum and technological skills of the student. We will reach out to better high schools and recruit brilliant young men and women to become good seafarers of the world," she added.
BILATERAL PARTNERSHIP
His Excellency Stale Torstein Risa, ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of Norway, graced the inauguration and congratulated the men and women behind the university for its success.
Risa said that during his visit in the campuses before the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) made the foundation a university, he saw the educators' seriousness of purpose.
Risa also boasted of the partnership between the Philippines and Norway when it comes to sea navigation. "We have 30,000 Filipino seafarers navigating Norwegian sea vessels. We also have Norwegian ship owners in the Philippines. JBLFMU is one of the pillars of which our bilateral relationship was established."
Roy Firmeza, who came in behalf of Mayor Jerry P. Trenas exalted Dr. Arcelo for providing hope and inspiration to the Lacsonians. "I believe that she is the right person to bring the university to greater heights."
FERVOR
To cap her inaugural speech, Arcelo urged everyone that may John B. Lacson's story be the story of every person's passage in life. "Let us navigate with fervor."