IT was indeed a fruitful week not only for the country but the entire global manning community. 

  Albeit temporary, Manila became a virtual international hub of diverse seafarer-related activities that in many ways drummed up the observance of IMO’s declaration of “2010: Year of the Seafarer.”

  The flurry of activities culminated in two simultaneous international events in two different places, Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) and Rizal Park or more widely known as Luneta, that both sought to honor unsung heroes of the sea. 

  There is not doubt the biggest and most important of these series of events is the Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, (STCW) 1978 held on June 21-25, 2010 at the PICC.