Who a seaman really is

Fr. Roland Doriol of the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS)-Cebu has allowed us to reprint portions of the following letter addressed to him by a Filipino seafarer who is a Second Officer on an LNG Tanker, Al BIDDA. Urged by his shipmate, Edsel Lagare, to write to Fr. Doriol who features letters sent by seafarers in the Stella Maris Seafarers' Center newsletter " anything that interests you, your experiences, your thoughts or about your family," the writer decided to send the following thoughts, just like" talking to a friend", to "one who knows who we are."

We have kept as close as possible to the original letter sent last May 23, 2006 as follows:

My Name is Reynante S. Santos. I am 30 years old and currently onboard an LNG Tanker vessel. I am from the province of Bulacan and married to a beautiful and charming wife, Lea, with whom I have two equally beautiful daughters, Rea Celestine (Tintin), three years old, and Rea Cherubim (Bimbim), three months old.

It is because of them that I took strength in overcoming the loneliness and homesickness, that in all my sacrifices, something is more rewarding, thinking that my family will have a better future in today's difficult reality. My apology if I may sound so sad. Nevertheless, (as) I am talking to a friend, that is exactly what I am doing, letting my feelings (out). I presume that I'm not alone in feeling this way

Have you ever heard of the phrase: Only those who go to the sea understand the sea? The same is true with us, seafarers. I remember a friend once asked me, "Ah, you're a seaman, and so what do you do?" For a moment, I was silent, thinking of an answer. Because if I say I am a doctor, then he would know that I can treat illnesses, or an architect who can design houses and dwellings, or a teacher who educates, or maybe a lawyer. But I myself was speechless. Not that I do not know what to answer, but I do not know the right words to explain that way that he will be able to understand. I guess our profession cannot be explained in a single word, so I just said to him "I am driving a ship from Japan to Qatar and back."

"So you're a driver," he again asked. "Not really," I answered, but I can still see a look in his face still wanting an answer. (Is there) anybody out there who can answer really what a seafarer does? Maybe (if people listen to us) talk to us, some people can have an idea of who we are, (who) a seafarer is as a person.

For almost 11 years working as a seaman, I have been with different people of different cultures. I had a conversation once with a colleague, the eldest in the family, (who said) he chose the path of a seafarer so that he could help his mother get well from an ailment. Another one said, he had a brother or sister who wants to be a chemist. Some answered they want to have a home for their family. Others want to be entrepreneurs. The young ones hope to see the world for free.

Very few have I heard a seaman doing his time at sea for himself, (instead, he is out at sea) for other people. This is the kind of selflessness, perseverance, and sacrifice that seamen do. A seaman heals and gives hope. A seaman is a builder of dreams. A seaman is a person who touches a loved one's heart because they miss him so much.

I hope that I have answered in my own way a question that maybe some people are still asking. It may not be as exact as you want an answer about what a seaman really does (who a seaman really is). In a much simpler sense, what we do is no different from working on shore minus the sea. That is why we are called seamen, men who are working on sea.

I wish you good health and wellness in all of your missions and undertakings. Here is a prayer for all the seafarers of the world: " Oh God, Thy sea is so great and my boat so small." Here is a poem that I wrote for my wife, which means good-bye."

We share with you this lovely, poignant poem of Reymante Santos that captures the deepest emotions and pain experienced by any seaman who has to go out to sea, not for himself, but for family, for others.

Paglisan
Malungkot na Puso
Nakaagapay, naghihintay
Nananalanging sandali'y di na dumatal.
Malamlam na Mukha
Mahigpit na yakap ng kamay
Pigil na luhang di mapigilan.
Malamig na Kamay
Mainit na halik ng paglisan
Lungkot at hapis ang iiwan.
Mabigat na Dibdib
Hirap ihakbang hilahod na paa
Di na naising sila'y lingunin pa.
Masakit Maramdaman
Bigkas ng bibig na ako'y lilisan
Sa pagbitaw ng kamay ng iyong mahal
Paalam...