CAPT. HAROLD R. JANDA, MM
HARBOR PILOT
BATANGAS PILOTAGE DISTRICT
Even as a young boy, I have already dreamt of one day becoming a PILOT. I chased every airplane I saw ’til I could no longer get a sight of them– dreaming that, one day, I’d be the one flying them. However, coming from a family of simple living, I knew my parents wouldn’t have the means to send me to a flying school.
My mother was a proud housewife, while my father was a skipper for a ferry boat plying the Batangas-Mindoro route. Because of that, I got the chance to go with him and see how everything works in the life of a “seaman”. The experience excited me as to how ships were maneuvered during the docking and undocking at the port — and from there grew a dream that someday I’ll become a Captain of a ship.
Then came College, and where else can you get the best record for producing high-quality seafarers than our very own Lyceum International Maritime Academy (LIMA)! With the right mix of academics and extra-curricular activities, student-life was never boring, LIMA became home to me.
I graduated in 1991, not with honors, but with high hopes that my determination and what I learned from the academy will land me the best job in the future. True enough, after a few months of waiting, I was called to a 1-year Cadetship onboard an international trade vessel that started my journey as a seafarer.
Fast forward to 2014, with 22 years of sea experience and achieving my dreams of becoming a Captain, my desire to improve my skills and learn new things stayed the same. With that, I took notice of the works of a HARBOR PILOT— one who advises the Captain with safely maneuvering ships as it arrives and departs a port.
Seeing the Pilots sparked a memory of my childhood with my father. Once again, I told myself to bring my profession to the next level— become a Harbor Pilot, more specifically for the Port of Batangas, for I knew in my heart, I wanted to be of service to my hometown.
To become one, a full 5 years of experience as a Master Mariner is required. With so much passion to comply, my vacations were then replaced by sea services onboard one of the Ro-Ro vessels of Montenegro Shipping Lines. During those months, I had the opportunity to perform Self-Pilotage at the Port of Batangas and familiarize myself with the localities of the area.
Finally, after completion, I was able to pass the licensure exam for the Ports of Batangas, Bacolod, Davao, and Manila.
At that time there was no vacancy in Batangas, which led me to apply for the Port of Bacolod where I was blessed enough to be immediately accommodated. With great pride, I became the 1st Harbor Pilot who graduated from our Alma Mater.
After 4 years, my hard work and determination paid off. The dream once prayed for by a little kid became a reality. I am now officially a part of the prestigious BATANGAS HARBOR PILOT CO.
As I have shared during my speech last 52nd Commencement Exercise of our Alma Mater, LPU-Batangas— when aspiring for a dream, just remember the word PILOT and what it stands for.
PRAY to God with all your heart and mind, be INSPIRED and motivated, LIVE life without fear, always be OPTIMISTIC, believe that you can, and lastly, remember that TIME is in your hands, handle it well… Be your life’s own PILOT.
Oh, by the way… That dream to become a PILOT and fly a plane, I got to actualize that too! “Fly High on High Seas!”
#ButiNaLangNagLyceumAko!