19/07/2025
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RATINGS KA LANG- As I spend more years in this industry, I can’t help but notice the silent struggles of aging seafarers—especially the ratings.
Marami sa kanila ang nag-alay ng buong lakas at kabataan sa barko. Ilang dekada silang nagtrabaho, They missed countless Christmases, birthdays, and graduations. They worked through sickness, endured homesickness, and gave everything they could just to provide for their families.
Pero ngayon? Kapag may edad na sila, parang bigla na lang silang nagiging invisible. Hindi na tinatawagan. Parang nabura lahat ng taon ng pagsusumikap at loyalty nila sa kumpanya. Pahirapang line up at madalas nasasapawan pa.
At kapag may ganitong usapan, hindi mawawala ang mga nagsasabi ng:
“Eh kasi, di ka nag-exam kaya ratings ka pa rin.”
Edi wow. Ang dali magsabi nyan kung hindi mo naranasan ang buhay ng isang rating—yung maglinis ng tanke na halos mawalan ka ng hininga sa amoy ng chemical, mangatok ng kalawang sa matinding sikat ng araw o pumasok sa sentina ng paulit ulit?
Hindi lahat ng tao tamad mag-exam. Hindi lahat walang ambisyon. Minsan, pinili nilang magpakatatag sa barko para mapagtapos ang mga anak nila sa pag-aaral—habang yung iba sa atin, naka-focus mag-review at mag-upgrade. Hindi pare-pareho ang sitwasyon ng lahat.
So never, ever underestimate the ratings. Without them, would you really be able to do your job comfortably? Without them, would the ship run smoothly? Sure, you’re an officer… kaya mong idal dal na kaya mo trabahuhin ang trabaho nila but its not you being an inspiration for them but an K*PAL diverting whats real worth of other beneath you.
It’s sad to see how the system works nowadays. It seems like all that matters is:
👉 Are you still young?
👉 Are you cheap to pay?
👉 Do you hold a higher rank?
But loyalty? Sacrifice? Hard work?
They no longer seem to count when the time comes.