As a culmination to the end of Women's Month, seasoned professionals, Ms. Hannah May Romallosa, Administrative Assistant 1 of New Lucena Municipal Police Station, and Capt. Ramilie Ortega-Villaruz, Branch and Recruitment Manager of Stodig Ship Management, shared their work expertise and life lessons for the girls of Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Marine Transportation last March 31.

Members of the Women in Maritime (WIMA)-Youth JBLFMU-A gathered at the university library to draw inspiration and insights from the speakers' discussions rooted in the theme, "Depth and Domination: Charting New Her-izons for a She-worthy Voyage."

Ms. Romollosa related her three guiding principles at work and life in general: courage, confidence, and change for women who will lead while emphasizing during her talk that skills bring appreciation.

"Go deeper than your fears. Stand strong in your abilities. Lead with purpose wherever you are assigned," she concluded.

Meanwhile, Capt. Villaruz imparted her journey before becoming a technical manager, the challenges she encountered, and the lessons she gained along the way in her career. She highlighted the importance of finding good mentors, focusing on personal skills, being assertive, and being physically and mentally prepared to go on board, and discussed as well the existing policies for women in the maritime industry.

Moreover, Deck Cadettes Elan Maris Engada, Thea Marie Aldamar, Faith Lianne Alavanzas, and Marielle Reigne Mantac shared their first-contract experiences onboard through video messages.

Girl Talks started back in Academic Year 2023-2024 as an avenue for the female students of this university to gain firsthand wisdom about the nuances of their chosen profession. It is held annually in March, as part of celebrating International Women's Month, and highlights the university’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) No. 4: Quality Education and No. 5: Gender Equality.

Photos by Mdpwn. Jexine Ysabelle Hibionada and Mdpn. Nikko Mariquit
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The Community Extension Services (CES) conducted two wellness-related workshop activities among participating youths and residents of Sto. Niño Sur and Sto. Niño Norte, Arevalo, Iloilo City last March 28, 2026 at the JBL Hall.

The first session took place in the morning as the participating youth from Brgy. Sto. Niño Sur sat and listened to a holistic discussion on mental health. These young boys and girls are beneficiaries of the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University and Educational Research and Development Assistance.

During the afternoon session, the CES facilitated a Consultative Meeting, Planning and Team Building Activity with partner schools and barangay residents.

These included teachers from E. Yusay Elementary School and Sto. Niño Sur Elementary School, along with barangay officials, parents leaders, representatives of the tricycle and traysikad drivers, fisherfolks from both communities, and faculty, staff, and students of the university.

During the activity, Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus interns presented primary needs identified in the three partner barangays and shared the results from CES-related research and CES Disaster Risk Reduction Plans.

Proposed needs and activities by the nine participating groups were also presented and consolidated. These proposals will be considered for the organization's plans for the next school year.

This event highlights the following United Nation Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG); UNSDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), UNSDG 4 (Quality Education), and UNSDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals).

Story by Mdpn. John Kirk Shadi Magsael
Photos by Mdpn. Nikko Mariquit

John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU) and its Graduate School partnered with Embracing the Culture of Research (ETCOR) Educational Research Center to conduct a two-day research capacity-building training workshop for maritime educators, March 26-27, 2026.

Held at JBL Hall, the collaboration brought together researchers and faculty members for an intensive seminar with the theme “From Conceptualization to Completion (C2C): From Lengthy Manuscripts to Journal-Ready Papers—Converting Maritime Research into Publishable Outputs.”

Led by Dr. Richard D. Sanchez, President and Head Consultant, ETCOR Educational Research Center, the first day focused on diagnosing research readiness, discussing key aspects of publishable research, and common errors in manuscript conversion.

The T.I.O.C. Framework (Trends, Issues, Objectives, and Contribution) was also introduced, guiding participants in aligning their research with current academic and industry demands.

Day two shifted into a writeshop format, where participants applied what they learned by converting their own research into journal-ready papers. Sessions focused on crafting concise abstracts and literature reviews while maintaining ethical standards, such as proper authorship.

The program also included a simulated peer-review process, where selected participants presented their converted manuscripts before an evaluation panel.

This initiative was made possible through a Memorandum of Agreement between JBLFMU and ETCOR, focusing on enhancing research and publication outputs, supported by ETCOR’s expertise in consultancy, publication standards, and PRC-accredited CPD programs.

Story by Mdpn. Kiann Marteen Baldo
Photos by Mdpn. Joeven Dolendo Jr.
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The 802nd Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps unit (NROTCu) of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University–Arevalo underwent the 2026 Local Annual General Tactical Inspection (LAGTI) at the university’s training grounds, March 27.

In a rigorous assessment of military competence, cadet officers, and the corps of midshipmen and midshipwomen executed synchronized drills and tactical exercises.

The inspection covered a wide range of competencies, including Close Order Drill, Knot Tying, Morse Code, MS1 and MS2 examinations, Rank Inspection, Flag Identification, and Land Navigation. The Rifle Assembly and Disassembly, Raid, and Ambush further tested the cadets’ responsiveness and operational capability under pressure.

The guest of honor and chairman of LAGTI 2026, Lt. Col. Ronard C. Galarpe, CHS (RES) AFPRESCOM, along with the unit administrator, Mr. Robert O. Parcia and key officials of the 802nd NROTCu closely evaluated the corps’ overall performance to ensure adherence to training standards and operational readiness.

Conducted annually, LAGTI serves as a localized benchmark for NROTC units, assessing their effectiveness in leadership development, discipline, and military preparedness that will shape the lives of these cadets.

Story by Mdpn. Ydzyl Kenn Duller
Photos by Mdpn. Nikko Mariquit
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