Navigating the vast open seas and crashing through constant waves while carrying a brighter future resulted in a rewarding journey for Captain Benjamin Joseph Pastera as he became the first-ever Filipino Captain of one of the multi-million dollar vessels, MV Concaran, from a Greek shipping company called Sealink Navigation Ltd – Anglo-Eastern.Â
Capt. Benjamin Joseph Pastera is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) from Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC). He completed his classroom instruction in 2009 and earned his degree in 2012. Before becoming a captain, Pastera was a second mate/officer overseeing navigation and keeping the journey smooth and safe for all crews onboard.
Reaching the pinnacle of the career of any seafarer was a huge blessing and truly a dream come true for Capt. Pastera, but as they say, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
“Definitely, it includes a sense of pride and accomplishment due to the recognition of one’s skills, leadership abilities, and dedication. Along with this, I also feel some excitement about taking on new responsibilities and challenges. However, at the moment, what I am feeling right now is more of a sense of increased pressure and responsibility since my current position involves leading others, making critical decisions, and often being accountable for the performance of all my officers and the well-being of all my crew onboard,” Capt. Benjamin Pastera shared.
This new role may be a massive challenge for Capt. Pastera, as he is now responsible for all the people who trust his leadership. But with his solid education and experiences he gained while studying at HCDC, he surely can overcome it.
“The education, guidance, and opportunities, including all the training, sleepless nights, and hardships we went through for more than three years in school and in-house training, have been fundamental to my personal and professional growth. The dedicated faculty members, such as Sir Bautista, Capt. Acosta, and all the maritime teachers and tactical officers we had during our in-house Christian regimented training, helped me greatly and provided me with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to pursue my dreams,” Capt. Pastera said.
Carrying the values and experiences that Capt. Pastera gained at HCDC shaped him into a well-rounded individual ready to face any opportunities that will positively impact society.
“Beyond academics, the experiences and values I gained through HCDC and these people and trainings have equipped me to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and integrity. Thank you so much, HCDC, and all the maritime faculty and teachers, for your commitment to excellence and fostering an environment where students can thrive. I am proud to be an alumnus of HCDC from high school to college and will always cherish the memories and lessons learned,” he added.
Looking back on his humble days as a student, Capt. Pastera shared how he was determined to learn and embrace any opportunity given to him. He believed (and still does) that learning will bring you opportunities and take you to greater heights.
“Keep on learning, keep gaining knowledge, even with the basic solar system you need to memorize, how to get the volume or area of a cylinder, a square, rectangle, simple basic and advanced maths, everything! You need to know! Keep learning! Don’t stop reading! Be competitive in a good way! And always take pride in the path you have chosen! We are not just cadets, we are not just BSMT, and we are definitely not EMPTY (BSMT) as they say. Trust me! You are always more than that! Prove them wrong! Show them what the standards of a Holy Crossian cadet really are and what we are truly capable of! Remember, you are part of a proud tradition of seafarers who have explored the world, connected nations, and contributed to global trade. Your dedication and professionalism will not only shape your career but also inspire those who follow in your footsteps,” Capt. Pastera shared.
Reaching this new significant milestone is just the beginning of realizing Capt. Pastera’s dreams. He expressed that he also wants to pursue teaching to share his knowledge and experiences with the next generation of right-guided and well-rounded seafarers.
Indeed, the quality of an HCDC graduate reflects and shines anywhere in the world, and it is evident in what Capt. Benjamin Joseph Pastera, a proud HCDC Alumnus, conquered and achieved.