Thursday, 17 December 2020

Carrying on the ‘Oca’ legacy with a smile

The sound of ringing laughter and cheerful banter flitted thru the door and beyond the corridor as I approached the assembly room of Amosup Seamen's Center in Cabildo Street, Intramuros. A careful peek inner discovered a small institution of human beings within the center of a lively communication while a few others hover about a small set, seeming to prepare for a video shoot.


The video cameras and lightings careworn me a chunk as I hesitatingly entered the room. The institution paused from their communique to show and look, make introductions, and acknowledge names. I became offered a drink, however it become no longer the possibility of espresso that stuck my interest. It was the sound of a grin if there is ever this sort of issue.

That changed into Dr. Conrado Oca, president of the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP). We should only see 1/2 of his face, the component no longer included with facemask, and nonetheless, everybody should discern out he's smiling as much as his brow. Everything approximately the man seemed to ooze with optimism and child-like glee, his words regularly paired with chuckles and quips.
None of my usually severe interview questions have been replied with out a little jest here and more than one laughs there. I even realise as I transcribe our short interview, that the verbal exchange turned into more often than not giggles and antics. In the midst of explaining the importance of Amosup's cutting-edge project with the International Maritime Employers Council (IMEC) and International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), Dr. Oca peppered the communique with witty comments approximately his supposed Keto diet and the ordinary-searching but seemingly secure facemask he is sporting.

Anyone who doesn't recognize the person could now not easily figure out, by just a glance, who he without a doubt is inside the maritime enterprise. Casual collared blouse, Crocs, barely messed up hair, and a heat charisma that seemed to grin at absolutely everyone close by.

Apart from being a clinical health practitioner with the aid of profession and the chief of the Philippine's largest seafarers' union, he is likewise the chairman of one of the country's ideal maritime colleges — the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP), whose curriculum was modeled after america Merchant Marine Academy. He is also the govt board member of the London-based ITF and a member of numerous different prominent maritime businesses.

Titles and ranks, however, outline so little approximately his individual. Dr. Oca turned into even incredulous when advised that he will be featured in the Profile phase of The Manila Times. He cheerfully brushed off questions about himself and opined that different human beings could describe him exceptional, all of the at the same time as hesitating whether he must deliver his curriculum vitae and giggling at the reputedly impossible concept of him being featured by using a each day.


"Dok loves to shaggy dog story round. He is the proverbial life of the birthday celebration together with his corny jokes however he has the uncanny ability to trap you flatfooted when you attempt to push aside him as someone who isn't as extreme as Captain Oca," Manila Times Maritime editor Carmela Huelar says, relating to the late Capt. Gregorio Oca, founder of AMOSUP and one of the pioneers and pillars of the Philippine maritime industry.

"It's unsettling whilst human beings assume he's joking however realize too overdue that he knows precisely what he is saying, a fact within the guise of a shaggy dog story," Huelar continued.

Indeed, the sort of shell of joy turned into momentarily cracked with the aid of the mention of his father's name.

When requested as to his experience of taking over his father's legacy, a fleeting silence took over Dr. Oca. He attempted to come up with something witty but ended up inquiring for a tissue to blot the looming tears. The guy did now not cry, even though. His voice simplest lost its standard sparkle and became changed by a quivering, quiet sound. He become  critical.

"It changed into difficult [stepping on his shoes]. He become an institution. Everybody knew him and he left so much legacy for all of us to carry on. I changed into fortunate to tackle his correct work and retain what he commenced," Dr. Oca said in a low voice.

"His endeavors are already established and solid. We are simply continuing from in which he left and from my component, it was a be counted of starting and strengthening relationships with his partners, colleagues, and personnel," he stated, referring to the time when he needed to introduce his style of leadership that, at the outset, isn't like that of his father's.

"When it comes to negotiating the welfare of seafarers, Capt. Oca never backed down. He was so continual. But behind that stern outdoors is a humorousness, a trait this is actually inherited through Dok," Huelar stated.

People agree that Dr. Oca tends greater to the diplomatic facet of management. This, but, is tinged with firmness on the subject of seafarers. "You ought to think of your objective when you are sitting across humans and negotiating, and that is the gainful employment and welfare of our seafarers," Dr. Oca stated.

As he in the end sat on the makeshift studio to begin with taping a message to seafarers as AMOSUP is likewise celebrating its 60th 12 months this month — his body of workers soaring about straightening his blouse and taming his hair — he resumed his old jolly self, guffawing at rehearsals or even greater in the course of shoots. The man may additionally have huge footwear to fill but he never misplaced his joy and passion.

And because the director referred to as "motion", Dr. Oca, sitting beside the stern-looking photo of his father, took on an similarly solemn expression and commenced handing over his message to the Filipino seafarers — sincere however with the uncanny sound of a grin.

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