Filipino seafarers led by members of Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) celebrated the 20th National Maritime Week (NMW) with that included a get-together among themselves and their respective families at the Seamen’s Center in Intramuros, Manila last Sept. 22 to 29. AMOSUP executive vice president former Philippine Navy chief VAdm Eduardo Ma. R. Santos, who is president of Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) led the celebration with the Filipino seafarers joining the kick-off rites last Sept. 22. Santos, together with the union’s legal affairs chief Atty. Emmanuel ‘Noli’ Partido, led union officials in the wreath-laying rites for AMOSUP founder master mariner Capt. Gregorio Sta. Cruz Oca. Many of the seafarers had just disembarked from their respected ships owned by foreign principals, including those from Asia, Europe and the Americas. Cadets from MAAP and other maritime schools held a morning parade, while floral offering was done at the PCG wharf near South Harbor. While attending an international maritime conference abroad, AMOSUP Chairman and President Dr. Conrado F. Oca lauded seafaring celebrants thanking them for gracing the NMW 2019 which culminated last Sept. 29, 24th National Seafarers Day (NSD) – where the winners in this year’s search for The Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines (TOMSP) was announced at the Paco Arena . They were later on feted at AMOSUP convention hall. The NMW 2019 was also celebrated in Cebu, Davao. Iloilo, Aklan, Roxas City and Antique; the Bicolandia, as well as in up north, including Aparri, Cagayan; Pangasinan; and Southern Tagalog particularly Batangas and Mindoro.