FAR East Maritime Foundation Inc. (Femfi) is widely known to be one of the biggest, oldest, and most prominent maritime training centers in the country. Its sterling reputation as a world-class training institution reflects the decades of combined mastery and experience of its founders and leaders.
Such is its fame and impact that those looking outside may not realize it is run by some of the most unassuming and lowkey maritime professionals.
A case in point is Joel Salabsab, son of Femfi’s founder, Capt. Constancio Salabsab, and newly appointed chief executive officer (CEO) of Fempi.
He was a quiet authority. Subtle, modest. Those who do not know the younger Salabsab will mistake him for another training instructor.
Even his appointment as CEO early this year came and passed without fuss and fanfare.
It took some convincing to have him featured in a newspaper profile article. He was sincere when he lightly padded into the room, a towering bear of a man in a bomber jacket, gently saying there might not be much for him to share and that it would be better to lead behind the scenes and cast the glow of recognition on his people instead.
Salabsab’s character was tempered by the sea and family.
He was raised by a father who is known to be a humble and passionate man despite his pioneering achievements in the maritime training sector. He matured onboard international sailing vessels around fellow seafarers who taught him endurance, patience, and hard work.
When he started in Femfi after retiring as a third engineer, he learned discipline and focus.
“Each role brought new challenges and learning opportunities, shaping me into the leader I am today. Working closely with my father also instilled the values of our company in me. Growing up, I saw how he carried himself with dignity and inspired respect from everyone around him,” he said.
“Following his footsteps allowed me to honor his legacy and help build Femfi as a reflection of his vision and principles,” he added.
The baton of leadership was not handed to the younger Salabsab on a silver platter, however.
Even as an heir of Femfi’s founder, Salabsab had to start from scratch.
His journey in Femfi started upon retirement from seafaring. He began as a marketing officer and then became a purchasing manager. He was eventually promoted to assistant to the president, where he further learned the operations and administration of the company.
The decades of learning and experiences armed Salabsab in carrying Femfi towards a new era of training innovations and digitalization.
“There will be changes in the near future as our team continues to work on improving operations and enhancing the quality of our services. While we won’t go into specifics just yet, these adjustments are aimed at ensuring the company adapts to the evolving needs of the maritime industry.
“Our focus remains on maintaining Femfi’s core values embodied in RISE — Responsibility, Innovation, Sustainability and Excellence — guiding us as we move forward,” Salabsab said.
Femfi’s path is paved not only with the learnings of the past and present. Salabsab’s close observation and analysis of current trends allow the training center to gear up for future challenges.
“The greatest challenge in the maritime education and training sector today is keeping up with rapidly evolving global standards and technologies while ensuring accessibility and affordability for aspiring seafarers. Another significant issue is bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application to prepare trainees for real-world scenarios.
“Another is managing the ever-changing demands of the maritime industry while ensuring that we stay ahead in terms of quality and innovation.
“To address these challenges, we need to invest in modern training facilities, embrace digital tools such as simulators and e-learning platforms, and foster stronger collaborations with industry stakeholders. Continuous development for educators and trainers is also essential to ensure they can provide relevant and effective instruction,” he explained.
Salabsab is secure and confident that Femfi will ride the waves of challenges through the support of his team, a dependable group of maritime professionals “who are passionate about their work and always willing to help the company in more ways than one.”
The new CEO remarked that their dedication and teamwork make every day exciting and rewarding.
Ultimately, Salabsab owes some of his greatest lessons to the sea.
“It taught me humility, adaptability, and how to stand the waves of time. It’s a constant reminder that while we can prepare for challenges, we must respect forces beyond our control and learn to navigate them with resilience and grace,” he concluded.
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