Erickson Marquez, chairman PJMCC, JMG and chairman of Maritime Assessment Program (MSAP), president Veritas Maritime Corporation (3rd from left), and Capt. Makoto Kono, principal representative Taiuo Nippon Kisen Co. Ltd, now the “K” Line Roro Bulk Ship Management, Co. Ltd (5th from left), with VMA Board of Trustees, received the Plaque of appreciation for the valuable support from conceptualization to implementation of the Bridging Mechanical to Marine Engineering Program inspiring partnership and teamwork, influencing scholarship benefits to produce competitive professionals for the seafaring industry*
The VMA Global College and Training Centers marked its 50th founding anniversary on February 22, giving recognition to all its stakeholders and the people behind the establishment of the institution, during an event dubbed “A Night of Glitz & Glamour” at Sugarland Hotel, Bacolod City.
Former Bacolod Rep. John Orola, chairman of the Orola Group of Companies, presented a plaque of recognition, posthumously, to the late Amb. Roberto S. Benedicto, for establishing the Visayan Maritime Academy (VMA) in 1973, as the first maritime educational institution in Negros Island, which paved the way for the professionalization of the seafaring industry.
Former Bacolod councilor Rolando Villamor was also presented a plaque of appreciation for his support as chief of the Legal Operation Team of the Presidential Commission on Good Government in 1986, in the facilitation of documentary requirements for the turnover of the VMA to Asian Mari-tech Development Corporation owned and operated by the Orola Group of Companies.
Dr. Marilyn Marañon (4th from left) receiving an award of recognition for her late husband former Neg. Occ. Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr, in the presence of Dr. Carlitos Orola, former Bacolod councilor Bartolome Orola, Charice Marañon, Elizabeth Salabas and former Bacolod Rep. John Orola (l-r)*
Elizabeth Orola-Salabas (left), John and Tomas Orola (right) receive citations from the Barangay Councils of Punta Taytay, Sum-ag and Pahanocoy, represented by Barangay Captains Leah Palma, Rodney Carmona and Yolanda Noble (2nd, 3rd and 4th from left)*
Elizabeth Salabas (left) and Juan Orola (right), presented plaques of appreciation to Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI), represented by Dr. Glenn Blasquez, Philippine Association of Maritime Training Centers, Inc., represented by Karen Avelino president, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), by Mrs. Ellen Buena-Agua Fernandez, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) , represented by acting Provincial Director Carlito Quintana, and Ernesto Durendez, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), represented by Director Jeffrey Bangsa and Department of Education (DEPED), represented by Peter Galimba, assistant School’s Division Superintendent (l-r)*
Elizabeth Salabas (fourth from left), John and Bartolome Orola (7th and 8th from left) present Plaques of Appreciation to Tomas Orola, Orophil Shipping International president; Capt. Leopoldo Tenorio of Marlow Navigation Philippines; Capt. Edgardo Baratang, president of K Line Maritime Academy Philippines, Veritas Maritime Corporation, Leonis Navigation, IMS Philippine Maritime, Solphia Marine and Ship Management, and MK Maritime Training Center (l-r), for their valuable support, scholarship benefits, onboard ship training and eventual employment extended to the bridging cadets*
The late Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., was also presented an award of recognition posthumously, which was received by his wife Dr. Marilyn Marañon and their daughter lawyer Charice Marañon.
Edwin Benitez, Sebastian Puntal, CE Teopisto Dumdumaya, Jr., Danny Vale, Era Derwill, Razel Tayapad, and Arnel Espinosa were presented Service and Loyalty plaques during the event.
Meanwhile, the Orola siblings, headed by their matriarch, the late Remedios Advincula Nuega vda de Orola, were involved in the turnover from VMA to Asian Mari-tech Development Corp.
The Orola siblings include John Orola; PCGA Commodore Elizabeth Salabas, president and CEO of VMA and Training Centers; Epifania Benia, retired US nurse/VMAG-TC safety officer; Cecilia Cech, retired nurse/ambassador for Peace in Europe; Engr. Bartolome Orola, VMAG-TC trustee; Salvacion Cadiramen, retired London nurse; Engr. Tomas Orola, president of Orophil Shipping Intl/Orophil Ship Management/Orobless; and Dr. Carlitos Orola.*
Dr. Carlitos Orola and Dr. Christina Perez (left), presented Service and Loyalty Plaques to Edwin Benitez, Sebastian Puntal, C/E Teopisto Dumdumaya, Jr., Danny Vale, Era Derwill, Maylen Geocadin, Razel Tayapad, and Arnel Espinosa (l-r)*
John Orola and Tomas Orola (left and 3rd from left, standing) with their guests of honor*
