5 Filipino Maritime Icons Who Changed The Industry

June 28, 2025 — Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

An Article by Emmanuel Lobitaña

Ever heard the saying: “Anywhere in the world there will be a Filipino.” This stands true with over two million Overseas Filipino Workers practicing their jobs in different countries. Not only do they do their duties based on their agreed contracts, but some notable Filipinos particularly in the maritime industry became icons that shaped the Filipino heritage.

So, here are some notable Filipino maritime icons who have significantly influenced the maritime industry in the Philippines and beyond:

Capt. Gregorio S. Oca

Captain Oca advocated seafarer’s welfare and rights by structuring the Associated Marine Officers in 1960, and would later on be merged with Associated Seamen’s Union of the Philippines—it is known as the AMOSUP or the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines.

He’s also considered a maritime expert because he was a key figure in ratifying the Maritime Labor Convention in 2006. With all these outcomes of his love for Filipino seafaring, he was awarded multiple awards like Order of Lakandula with the rank of Bayani, Papal Award Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice, and more,  in recognition of his contributions.

Vice Admiral Eduardo Ma. R. Santos

Vice Admiral Santos raised the standard of maritime education and helped modernize naval operations by putting in practice all his gathered knowledge from attending the Naval Command Course at the U.S. Naval War College. 

Now that he’s retired from public service, he’s the first and current  President of Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, a school to develop officers for the world merchant marine fleet. He’s also the Executive Vice President of the largest Seamen’s Union in Asia—AMOSUP.

Capt. Emmanuel L. Regio

Capt. Regio serves as a key figure in maritime operations at Island Overseas Transport, contributing his expertise in seafaring leadership. He has held a significant leadership position on the Board of Directors of the Filipino Association for Mariners’ Employment (FAME), representing Island Overseas Transport as of 2024.

From his yearslong experience in the industry, he contributed many advocacies for seafarer employment rights and welfare, while also supporting initiatives that enhance maritime education, training, and professional development in the Philippines.

Engr. Eduardo U. Manese

As president of the Philippine-Japan Manning Consultative Council, Manese was honored in 2018 with the prestigious Capt. Gregorio S. Oca Achievement Award at the Bagong Bayani Awards, underlining his vital contributions to the development of the Philippine seafaring industry.

Under his leadership at PJMCC, he has played a central role in strengthening cooperation with Japanese maritime bodies. And so he was commended by Japan’s Foreign Minister Koji Haneda in October 2019 for his efforts to stabilize employment for over 34,000 Filipino seafarers on Japanese ships.

Capt. Teodoro B. Quijano

Capt. Quijano is known for his intellectual greatness. He championed practical training like one of his achievements in inaugurating the Wood‑Chip Carrier Maintenance & Handling Training Facility under IMMAJ–PJMCC and JSU, emphasizing its importance for training Filipino seafarers in advanced ship systems.

These five maritime icons have not only elevated the Philippines’ reputation in global seafaring, but also advanced the rights, education, and welfare of Filipino seafarers. Their lasting impact continues to inspire future generations to lead with integrity, skill, and pride—anchoring the nation’s legacy as a world leader in maritime excellence.

Bibliography

IMMAJ‑PJMCC Foundation, Inc. “PJMCC President Honored in 2018 Bagong Bayani Awards.” Balitang Marino, June 7, 2018. Accessed June 20, 2025. http://balitangmarino.com/post/pjmcc-president-honored-in-2018-bagong-bayani-awards.

Philippine Statistics Authority. Survey on Overseas Filipinos. Republic of the Philippines. Accessed June 20, 2025. https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/survey/labor-and-employment/survey-overseas-filipinos.

“About Capt. Gregorio Oca.” AMOSUP. Accessed June 20, 2025. https://amosup.org/about-us/about-capt-gregorio-oca/.

“Cacdac inducts new FAME officers.” Marino World Online. April 11, 2024. Accessed June 20, 2025. https://www.marinoworldonline.com/news-article/198.

“Japanese Foreign Minister Lauds PHL Maritime Organizations.” BusinessMirror, October 10, 2019. Accessed June 20, 2025. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/10/10/japanese-foreign-minister-lauds-phl-maritime-organizations/.

“PJMCC President Honored in 2018 Bagong Bayani Awards.” Balitang Marino, June 7, 2018. Accessed June 20, 2025. http://balitangmarino.com/post/pjmcc-president-honored-in-2018-bagong-bayani-awards.

“Profile: VADM Eduardo Ma. R. Santos, AFP (Ret.).” Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific. Accessed June 20, 2025. https://www.maap.edu.ph/docs/Profile-VADM-Eduardo-Ma-R-Santos.pdf.