Pinoy Marino Rights
Atty. Dennis Gorecho
Eraserheads music to honor the Filipino seafarers
Orchestral medleys of Eraserheads songs transformed ordinary pavements of T.M Kalaw Avenue in Ermita, Manila into a platform of honoring the Filipino seafarers.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Symphonic Band performed instrumental arrangements of songs by iconic Pinoy rock bands like the Eraserheads during the “Harana Para sa Marino” concertheld at the LUSWELF in TM Kalawe, Ermita.
The PCG band concert, along with the Boses ng Marino Karaoke challenge, pays homage to the oceans and seas to keep our seafarers safe in their voyage as part of the of the 31st National Seafarers’ Day (NSD) and the 27th National Maritime Week (NMW).
The repertoire of the PCG Band also include medley of Siakol songs , Pearl Harbor, Ulala and Don’t Stop Believin.
Organized in 2000, the PCG band is composed of both junior and senior ranking non-commissioned officers who represented the institution in the different parts of the country, be it for entertainment, advertisement and for keeping the PCG’s vision, mission and primary functions thru musical entertainment.
The Harana and Boses ng Marino karaoke challenge reflect the special role of music in the lives of Filipino seafarers, whether at sea or on land.
Filipino seafarers, musicians, and singers are world-renowned for providing vibrant top-tier musical entertainment. performing in lounges, theaters, and dining rooms across nearly every major international cruise line.
Many crew members—working primarily as hospitality staff, waiters, or marine officers—surprise guests with world-class vocal talents during onboard crew shows, guest interactions, and passenger karaoke events. They form the backbone of onboard live entertainment.
It is an understatement to say that karaoke is a central part of pop culture of Filipinos which is synonymous with happiness and good will. There can not be a true Filipino party without Karaoke!
Karaoke is indeed a favorite pastime of Filipino seafarers as one of the coping mechanisms aboard international and domestic shipping vessels to address stress and boredom.
Filipino seafarers are physically, mentally and emotionally stressed since they are away from their family and working on board vessels sailing the world’s oceans non-stop for months.
The industry remains fraught with health and safety hazards that increase seafarers’ risks of accidents, illnesses and mortality, while others may go missing or die in maritime disasters.
In between contracts, Pinoy seafarers and maritime students gather on Kalaw to showcase their singing prowess in a weekly show organized by volunteers.
This year marks the 16th Boses ng Marino karaoke challenge for the professional seafarers that begun in 2010.
In the professional seafarers’ division, the winners are Joyce Marie Marcelo of Negros Occidental as champion with her song” If Aint Got You”; Adolfo Heruela of Las Pinas as first runner up who sung “Quando Quando”; and Jack Suficiencia of Paranaque City with his song “Anak”.
For the first nationwide search in the maritime students division, three were recognized as top winners: champion is Louise Cyril P. Boholst of Zamboanga State College of Marine Science & Technology; first runner-up is John Paul D. Muñoz of Isabela College of Arts & Technology; and 2nd runner-up is Jonnybel P. Abion of Dr. Carlos S. Lanting College.
Other past music-related NSD activities include songwriting contests from 2004 to 2008, a chorale competition in 2007, a jingle competition in 2007, and battle-of-the-bands competitions in 2007 and 2019.
NSD is celebrated by virtue of Proclamation No. 828 by President Fidel V. Ramos on July 9, 1996 declaring August 18 as NSD. It was later moved to the last Sunday of September every year by Proclamation 1094.
NSD is led by Stella Maris Philippines that is tasked to coordinate with the public and private sectors in the conduct of NSD-related activities like masses, novenas, parades, processions, prayers, wreathe and flower-throwing activities as well as oratorical, art and karaoke contests.
NSD coincides with NMW celebrated every last week of September by virtue of Proclamation No. 1560 s 2008. It is spearheaded alternatively by the government agencies Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
The 31st NSD was held on September 27, 2026 while the 27th NMW was from September 19 to 27, 2026 with the theme “Marinong Filipino: Matatag sa alon, Matibay sa hamon!”,
It is estimated that there is one Filipino seafarer for every four to five complements on board a vessel at any time.
The sea-based sector’s remittances comprised at least 20 percent of the total OFW dollar remittances.
In 2025, the remittance from the deployed 589,000 Filipino seafarers amounted to US$7.139 billion.
(Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0908-8665786.)
