On June 19, 2025, PHILCAMSAT conducted an ocular visit to the MV Kapitan Felix Oca as part of its preparations for a new school-focused program: Maritime Work Immersion for Hospitality and Tourism Students. This initiative is designed to give students firsthand exposure to life onboard a vessel and a deeper understanding of maritime operations, especially in the context of the cruise and shipping industry.

PHILCAMSAT team members who joined the meeting were Chief Engineer Mark Phillip Laurilla, Jessa Mandagan, Marah Andrea Ramos, and Rheena Sollorin. The team was welcomed aboard the ship for a walk-through of the key areas relevant to the student immersion experience, including accommodation quarters, galley operations, mess hall, and bridge area.

This program aims to bridge classroom learning with real-world maritime settings, giving hospitality and tourism students a valuable introduction to shipboard life. It also supports the growing demand for Filipino talent in the cruise and hospitality sectors at sea.

The MV Kapitan Felix Oca, a familiar training and educational vessel in the local maritime community, provided the ideal setting to map out activities and safety protocols that will be part of the future immersion experience.

This initiative forms part of PHILCAMSAT’s broader commitment to create industry-aligned learning opportunities for students and support schools in enhancing their curriculum through immersive, career-relevant training.

Stay tuned as PHILCAMSAT rolls out this new program in partnership with academic institutions and industry stakeholders in the coming school year.