08/09/2025
As we were taking a short break from doing maintenance on one of the cargo holds, I was dripping with sweat. The heat was unbearable, no wind to ease the exhaustion. I looked at one of the crew members beside me and decided to start a conversation.
Me: “Nakakapagod pala maging seaman sir noh? Hard money talaga.”
He just smiled at me, then gave a small laugh.
Me: “Ilang years ka na nagbabarko sir?”
Him: “Mahigit 10 years na ‘det, late kasi ako nag-umpisa.”
I was stunned. Ten years at sea.
Me: “Grabe noh, 10 years? Di ka ba nauumay sir? Yung 8–10 months lagi kontrata mo, malayo ka sa pamilya at mga kaibigan, ang daming namimiss na okasyon… parang naka-program na yung buhay mo na ganito nalang lagi?”
He looked at me with tired eyes, but behind them was strength.
Him: “May choice pa ba tayo? Haha. Wala eh, mahirap talaga. Ito yung pinili nating trabaho, panindigan nalang natin para sa pamilya. Tiyaga lang, masasanay ka rin sa buhay na ito. Yung pagod, nandyan na ‘yan lagi eh, kumbaga total package na ‘yan sa pagbabarko. Kung ako lang ang papipiliin, syempre, gusto ko lang manatili sa Pinas at makasama pamilya ko. Bakit pa ako lalayo? Pero wala eh, mahirap talaga buhay. Kailangan mag-sakripisyo para sa kinabukasan ng pamilya mo. Kaya habang bata ka pa ‘det, enjoy mo lang kabataan mo. Magnegosyo ka, isa yan sa mag-aangat sayo sa ganitong klaseng buhay.”
Those words hit me harder than the heat of the sun.
I’m just a first-timer onboard, still new to this life at sea. But in that moment, I realized something deep, being a seafarer is not about the luxury that others imagine. It’s not just about traveling the world, earning in dollars, or sending money back home. Behind the photos, behind the uniforms, behind those coveralls, behind the smiles, it’s a constant battle.
A battle against loneliness.
A battle against exhaustion.
A battle against missing moments you can never take back.
For many, it’s not just work, it’s sacrifice. Ten months away from home, missing birthdays, anniversaries, and even the last breaths of loved ones. Yet every day, seafarers wake up, put on their coveralls, and work through heat, storms, and endless oceans. All or one reason: FAMILY.
That conversation made me see the truth: a seafarer’s life is not about comfort, but courage. Not about luxury, but love.
To all seafarers and OFWs out there, your longing, your sacrifices, your silent tears, they are seen. They are felt. The world may never fully understand the weight you carry, but one thing is certain: you are the unsung heroes of your families’ futures.
This life we chose is never easy. But we keep moving forward, holding on to faith that one day, all these sacrifices will bear fruit.
Because at the end of every voyage, every hardship, every storm, we always sail home to the ones we love.
