Symbolic of the beginning of the Cadets’ shipboard training, the FEATI College Maritime Education in cooperation with the CME Student Council and BS  Customs Administration held its Annual Cadet’s  Night & Ring Hop Ceremony last February 23, 2008.

From left: Christian Cerbo with his guardian; Joshua Pulvera and Michel Casaysay with their sweethearts.

A sort of commencement exercise in its own right, the Ring Hop ceremony is when the graduating midshipmen are given their class rings by their parents or significant other.

Patterned after the United States Military Academy’s (West Point) long standing tradition, the ring ceremony is not just a tribute to the graduating class but also a rite of passage—A fitting prelude to ship board training.

Vergel Abalos, Ronald Ian Amarga, Sievert Rich Anaya, Richard Allan Bacsa, John Paul Bautista, Edeson Calces, Riz Cee Calpatura, Jayfe Cano, Michel Casaysay, Christian Chito Cerbo, Richard Cortez, Paul Cristobal, Rosendo Dadulla, Melvin Dela Torre, Lucky Joy Dilag, Robie Dimaliwat, Robert James Ecal, Emerson Elomina, Jaype Garfil, Christopher Isanan, Clark Gee Laure, Samson, Licpaen, Philip Michel Llorera, James Lopez, Armand Magnifico, Beejay Manalo, Ceriaco Manalo, Timothy John Manlapat, Rhomel Noveda, Al Jaryd Paredes, Joshua Pulvera, Erwin Raspado, Switzerland Reyes, Jhun Julius Robinion, Cartier Romo, Gerry Wee Salazar, Ronilo Santos, Don Sir Santos, Robin Allen Sapno, Peter Jerome Suarez, Ramoncito Talan, Froilan Valenzuela, Elson Vasco,Michael Velasco, Rigor Warde and Raffy Yu were the forty-nine cadets honored with a formal reception at the FEATI Bridgepoint.

Sharing this momentous event with them were their parents, mentors and guests, including Mr. Rene Sangalang, the keynote speaker.  Mr. Sangalang is now the owner of a maritime review school and a six-story building situated at Espana, Manila.

Mr. Rene Sangalang, sharing his own experience as a PMMA graduate and deck officer, emphasized to the senior midshipmen the need to follow their dreams and the determination to turn them into reality.  Mr. Sangalang recalled his own Ring Hop and how he vowed then to be the first in his batch—first as Captain.  In the course of his officership, he attained the position of First Mate before he realized that he could be an entrepreneur and building owner.  He changed tack and now owns and runs a maritime review school from his own building.
 
Standing next in line to fulfill the traditional hop, the second year CME cadets were also present to witness the rites and participate in the Cadets’ Night.  Two promising sophomores FUSSC (FEATI University Supreme Student Council) President Romulo Ming G. Dulay II and Harold T. Bimeda were awarded Certificates of Recognition for Academic Excellence by the CME through Shipboard Training Officer Engr. Limuel B. Gasco.

“I hope that next year’s ceremonies would extend to the whole FEATI Community and make this (Ring Hop) a university-wide occasion so that everyone can learn and appreciate the significance of the ring hop tradition.” FUSSC President and Cadet Romulo Ming Dulay II added. (CMS)