NIÑO Elson Orola Salabas belongs to the widely distinguished family of the Orolas and Salabas in Bacolod, known to be the forerunners of one of the city’s pioneering maritime schools, the Visayas Maritime Academy (VMA). His kin are celebrated entrepreneurs and educators who epitomize the best of Bacolodnons — joyful with a deep respect for tradition.
He is the eldest son of the family matriarch, Dr. Elizabeth Orola Salabas.
Despite being born and raised in a family of maritime entrepreneurs, the younger Salabas was the first to become a seafarer and ship captain in the family.
“This is my son, my future captain,” her mother would always say to her maritime colleagues, a customary introduction that seeped into the consciousness of the young Niño.
The boy was only in primary school when Dr. Salabas and her Orola siblings acquired VMA in the late 1980s. Even then, his mother would bring him to meetings with the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions.
“I would sit quietly in the back to observe and listen. At home, the conversations would be the same — maritime. It was my mother who inspired me to become a seafarer and eventually a captain, with hopes that one day I will succeed at the helm of VMA,” Salabas recalled.
Making it to the VMA’s line of succession was not easy. Even with “Salabas” appended to his name, the young Niño had to prove his mettle by studying, experiencing and learning from the sea.
He began his career as a deck cadet with Leonis Navigation. His first shipboard deployment became a baptism of fire as the ocean introduced itself to the young seafarer with much force and power.
“It was like ‘The Perfect Storm’ movie. Our ship was tossed and slammed by mountains of waves, and we had a feeling that it would break our ship apart. For over a week, most of us crew had to sleep on the bridge on our life jackets,” Salabas said.
Several years later, a family tragedy and the untimely passing of his father ultimately changed the boy into a man. He moved to Orophil Shipping, a family-owned manning agency located in Manila. Here, Salabas continuously moved up the ranks until he became a chief officer.
“It was fulfilling, but I often felt that my accomplishments were overshadowed by my filial connections. So, at the age of 31, I decided to step out of the family’s great shadow. I applied with other companies and worked equally hard until I became a master mariner,” he said.
Nine years, three companies, four vessel types and three children later, Salabas finally decided to permanently drop his anchor and slowly move up the helm of the family jewel, now known as the VMA Global College and Training Center.
“I realized that it was my true harbor. VMA Global College and Training Center shall be the final port of call for what would be the remainder of my maritime career,” he said.
It was then that the VMA employees found that the next generation of Salabas presidency carries the same brand of leadership as with his predecessors — a governance anchored in humility, hard work, discipline, and a steady balance between the pride for tradition and confidence in innovation.
Salabas has delved into maritime education with such enthusiasm. He finds joy in personally being part of his students’ and employees’ success. He is driven by industry challenges to meet regulatory requirements and rapid technological advancements. He introduces fresh solutions and perspectives to the constantly evolving maritime education sector.
“It is deeply fulfilling as I carry forward my parents’ legacy. The responsibility has grown significantly, fueling my motivation to strive harder and envision new initiatives for the betterment of our institution,” he said.
In the face of all his titles and accomplishments, Salabas still sees himself as an ordinary person, albeit with big dreams.
“I don’t see myself as above others because everyone is unique and brings their own strengths. My family is my biggest inspiration, and everything I do is for them — they are the love of my life.
“The greatest lesson the sea has taught me is resilience: learning to adapt to any situation and understanding that while we can’t control everything around us, we can choose how we respond,” he said.
Today, Salabas continues to ride the waves of maritime education challenges in Bacolod with his wife Ma. Esternil and three children, Niño I, Niño II and Niño III.
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