University of Cebu

A UC alumnus who currently keeps a managerial post at a leading ship management company met with UC President Atty. Augusto W. Go to lay the groundwork for company-sponsored scholars enrolled in UC next school year.

Capt. Enrique B. Gepilano III, a former UC Student Council President in 1989 is now the Q.A. Manager and Company Security Officer of the ship management company New Century Overseas Management, Inc. (NCO). He formally introduced their partner crewing firm, Phoenix Maritime Corporation (PMC) on November 23, 2007 for a tie-up with his alma mater.

PMC’s principals include Lauritzen Bulkers A/S, a Danish entity which specializes in the ocean transport of dry bulk cargo; Shoei Kisen Kaisa, a subsidiary of Imabari Shipyard and one of the biggest ship owners in Japan which delivers new vessels every four to five days; and Marion Shipping Pte.Ltd, a subsidiary of Orix Corporation, which is one of the largest leasing companies in Japan.

Since two of PMC’s leading principals are Japanese, adapting to their cultural standards is a must. “I am hoping the cadets will appreciate the value of discipline,” underlined Capt. Gepilano III who stressed the importance of this trait to the Japanese.

Annually, PMC takes in 30 scholars nationwide. “We will be back by February or March, 2008 to give written exams and interviews to cadet applicants,” said Capt. Gepilano III. PMC will sponsor 3rd year cadets. The number of scholars will depend on the passers of the examinations the firm will render.

Recently, Phoenix Maritime opened an office on M.J. Cuenco to be more accessible to the Cebuanos. PMC boasts of a newly acquired four-story apartment in Pasong Tamo, Makati, which is worth 31M where the crew can stay, free of charge, during their in-house trainings, before embarkation and upon disembarkation.