A ship captain and the many faces of success

WHAT does success look like?

In the maritime world, is it financial stability after decades of sailing the high seas? Is it climbing the corporate ladder and brushing elbows with world leaders? Is it joining the bench of think tanks or maybe walking astride the industry movers? Is it keeping your family together, strong and stable, after half a lifetime of being apart?

For Joemar Losaria, master mariner and director of Vega International Shipmanagement Inc., success is an evolving perception of someone who is constantly growing.

“My perspective of achievement has evolved over the years. Every stage felt grand and significant at the time it was accomplished,” he said.

Losaria dreamt of becoming a doctor. But as fate would have it, he was to become a seafarer. During his cadetship years with the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU), Losaria performed so well in academics and extra-curricular activities that, at a very young age, he achieved far more than any of his contemporaries.

Joemar Losaria, master mariner and director of Vega International Shipmanagement Inc. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

He became a national awardee of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines in 2002, the first maritime student to win such an award since its inception in 1965. A year later, he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation. He first sailed the high seas at 17 years old, and by 29, he was already a licensed master mariner.

The young man never stopped.

He pursued higher education at the University of the Philippines Diliman and JBLFMU Graduate School. He tested his limits by excelling as a senior officer onboard a ship at a young age when occupational hazards were at their extremes. Later, he ventured into the manning sector to further stretch his potential.

“This is an industry where tenacity and grit matter more than school achievements and scholastic performance,” he commented.

He also reflected on his love for teaching and what it would mean to mold future generations of leaders. It was with this passion that he understood that he would eventually shift to shore-based work and that it was only a matter of time. When an opportunity arose with a chance encounter with Capt. Vicente Fedelicio, president and chief executive officer of Vega Manila Crewmanagement, Losaria felt it was time.

“I realized that things had their way of working out if we just let them be. I was already teaching in a maritime training center and review center on one of my vacations when I met Captain Fedelicio. I said yes to his offer without any hesitation. The welcoming warmth of Captain Fedelicio and his wife, Ma’am Beth, assuaged my worries about starting anew. Shortly after I started my work, I felt that I found not only my niche but also a new home,” Losaria explained.

It was during this time that success meant different to Losaria. His perspective of achievement is directed towards service, of how he can contribute to the betterment of other seafarer’s lives.

“My definition of achievement pointed to how I can complete rather than compete. I came to work, giving my all to the functions and responsibilities set upon me. I endeavored to provide more employment to our fellowmen, help them achieve their goals for their families, and alleviate their struggles. These are what give me fulfillment every day.

“I learned that what matters is not what we accumulate or the accolades attached to our names. It is the countless lives we have touched and helped,” he said.

Then again, Losaria’s countless pursuits and responsibilities left him harried and consumed. The bulk of work bombarded the man daily, especially when he did not know when to stop.

“I learned to set a strong boundary between life and work, that both need equal nurturing. I understand that I cannot keep my well-being by depriving other parts of my life. And so, I challenged myself to develop another ‘Joemar’ to whom I can entrust my other functions when the ripe time comes,” he said.

Behind the faces of success

Contrary to his laid-back social media posts, Losaria is an introvert and a very disciplined person.

“People see how zestful I eat and socialize on weekends. What they don’t see is how dedicated I am to my diet and fitness regimen and how I prefer to hibernate alone most days of the week.

“What most people do not know about me is that I am a night owl. I cannot function well early in the morning. I like travel and photography, books, music, and dining. I am also into spirituality, metaphysics and Reiki healing. I am now channeling my childhood frustration of becoming a doctor to Reiki.”

With all the success that peppered his way throughout his career, Losaria now deems the accomplishment of others through his help as the best face of achievement.

“My proudest moment is no longer what I achieve. It is now what others achieve through my help, guidance, or inspiration. Whether I own it up or not, my heart delights whenever someone thanks me, looks up to me, or pushes their professional limits to prove themselves worthy. As I am a forever student of life, I constantly learn from life lessons and understand that transcending our present self is the reason why we are here,” he concluded.