2/M Chad Espiritu graduated from John B Lacson Colleges Foundation Bacolod. Aside from being an officer onboard, he is also a musician. He composed and sang one of the most famous songs for seafarers entitled "Bangkang Papel" which have rendered him a Marino Award and a feature with PTV 4. Music is a part of my life. I started singing when I was in Elementary in Bicol. When I was in 3rd year high school, I learned how to play the guitar. Inspired to write a song, I wrote about how I felt, strummed some chords and yes it became a song.

I haven’t paid much attention to it after high school as we moved to Negros. I dreamt of becoming an architect, perhaps a teacher, but then I decided to become a seafarer for the higher compensation which I know will give us a better life. I wanted my mom to stay in the Philippines who was way back working as a caregiver abroad. I enrolled BSMT course at John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation-Bacolod City in the year 2003. The institution molded me to be a better and responsible person. They prepared me physically and emotionally about the work on board. Spending my years there was full of learnings and experiences which made my college years interesting and memorable. Some of my friends in college said, “If you don’t know anyone or if there's no one from your family is a seaman (wala ka backer), it’s hard for you to succeed in this profession.” That thought gave me courage and inspiration to be more diligent and to dedicate time to my studies while being active in extracurricular activities in school, too.

Currently I’m a Third Officer in Cargo Safeway Inc. serving “Evergreen” container ships and is currently completing few company requirements to become Second Officer. I focus now with my family and my career, and in the meantime, setting aside music. Last year 2017, I fulfilled my dream to be a teacher as I became a Maritime Instructor in Iloilo Merchant Marine School. I was able to share my story to the future Captains and Chief Engineers. My message to the students is follow their dreams (if they have other talents like music, they can do it together with their profession) because there's nothing impossible if you never give up on the things you wanted in life. Be patient and have faith. Sometimes the road to success is not easy as we want it to be, but if we a have positive mind and happy heart, we can pass whatever obstacles we may meet along the way. Like what I always remind my students in IMMS, remember “RDPDDF” Respect, Discipline, Perseverance, Dedication, Determination, and Faith. If you have these, you will be successful in life.