A SEAFARER’S success is often measured during his retirement.
While the years bring steady advancement, adventures, and experiences as required by their profession, it is the circumstances of their retirement that truly characterize a seafarer’s triumph.
A case in point is Vivencio Manalo.
Manalo was among the old sea salts who started sailing in the early ’80s.
His first shipboard job was as a steamship fireman at the young age of 22.
Unlike his contemporaries, who gradually moved up the ranks until they reached the highest position on board, whether as a ship captain or a chief engineer, Manalo’s promotion did not come until 15 years later. He finished a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering at Feati University in 1979 and was slated to become a chief engineer.
He was promoted to the position of fitter in 1996 when he moved to the Peter Döhle (PD) Group, and remained so until his retirement in 2019.
Despite failing to reach the peak of his maritime career ladder, however, Manalo is a huge success in the eyes of everyone around him.
While some of his contemporaries, many of whom are captains and chief engineers, retired from seafaring sick, penniless and drowning in debt, Manalo won at life.
He owned properties and a profitable business and raised three daughters who were sent to the University of the Philippines and the Ateneo de Manila University to study.
“It was not an easy journey. My salary as a fitter could barely make ends meet nor send my daughters to prestigious schools. But I wanted the best for them; whenever I reached the end of my rope, I would approach some relatives to loan some money and simply pay it off as soon as my next allotment was released,” Manalo recalled.
The Bulaceño attributes his success to his wife.
“It all boils down to a wife who knows how to hold the fort while the husband is away and, more so, to handle the finances well for the family. My wife, Victoria, is that kind of woman,” he proudly said.
The Manalo couple trudged on through life together. Their relationship was tempered by hardships, keeping it strong even as finances were low.
“We stuck together as life got tougher. We scrimped and saved whatever little we had. Iginipang talaga namin. That is why a practical and financially literate wife is an essential partner to our success. We cannot be ‘one day millionaires’,” he reflected.
With his hard work coupled with Victoria’s upstanding financial management, the Manalos succeeded in life. Whereas they used to borrow money from others, the couple is now managing a lending business to aid people who are short on funds for their plans.
They were also able to raise three brilliant daughters. Their eldest is a finance manager for Coca-Cola Far East Ltd., and his second child, a journalism graduate, works for the Gokongwei Group. Both are graduates of the University of the Philippines Manila, magna cum laude and summa cum laude, respectively. Their youngest daughter studies at the Ateneo de Manila University with plans of taking up law.
“Our success went beyond hard work and financial management. We are also fortunate to have children who are truly intelligent and capable of handling life,” he said.
When asked what advice he would give to his fellow seafarers, Manalo emphasized practicality.
“You really must save. Our job is temporary; we are contractual workers. The moment our shipboard contract ends, we will spend months on shore as jobless professionals. There is nothing to go on with but our savings, unless we have side jobs or a business. You also must take care of your health because that is your investment. Medical examinations are getting stricter, and we can’t let our lifestyle get in the way of our job,” he said.
