Bagong Bayani

Mga Bagong Bayani: Kabalikat sa Patuloy na Pag-unlad

The Bagong Bayani Awards (BBA) is a worldwide search for the country’s outstanding and exemplary Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The BBA seeks to recognize and pay tribute to OFWs for their significant efforts in fostering goodwill among peoples of the world, enhancing and promoting the image of the Filipino as a competent, responsible and dignified worker, and for greatly contributing to the socio-economic development of their communities and the country as a whole

Captain Gregorio S. Oca

A man of Vision, Honor and Integrity

A graduate of Philippine Nautical School (Philippine Merchant Marine Academy), Captain Oca started as a seafarer before he became a maritime trade union leader. As founding chairman of the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP-PTGWO), he initiated programs to improve the plight of Filipino seafarers particularly in seafarer training, health, and welfare. Under his stewardship and the support of its members, AMOSUP established hospitals, housing and billeting facilities, and training centers and schools including the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific. Captain Oca also worked for the protection of Filipino seafarers against proliferation of piracy in international waters and the approval of the Standard Employment Contract for mariners.
Captain Oca was a recognized leader in the shipping and maritime industry. He was Presidential Consultant on Maritime Affairs of the Office of the President from 1999 to 2001. He represented the sea-based sector in the Governing Board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA); the Board of Trustees of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA); the Board of Trustees of the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP); and the Maritime Training Council (MTC). He was also the president of the Bagong Bayani Foundation, Inc., a private foundation that recognizes the excellence of overseas Filipino workers around the world and the Philippine Maritime Education and Training Foundation, Inc. Because of his many legacies and accomplishments, he had been awarded for his contribution to maritime trade unionism, shipping, and the Philippine society. Captain Oca was awarded the Order of Lakandula with the Rank of Bayani, the highest distinction given by the Philippine government to a civilian on June 23, 2010. He was also conferred the Papal Award Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice in recognition of his support and services to the Church on July 25, 2010.
The life, service, and legacies of Captain Gregorio S. Oca reflect that of a true maritime leader – a champion of Filipino seafarers and maritime workers.

Board of Trustees and Officers

Capt. Gregorio S. Oca
Founder
Hon. Maria Susana V. Ople
Honorary Chairperson
VAdm. Eduardo Ma R. Santos
President

Rene V. Cristobal

Vice President

President, Association for Professionalism in Overseas Employment (ASPROE)

Raquel E. Bracero

Corporate Secretary

Philippine Association of Services Exporters, Inc. (PASEI)

Edwina L. Beech

Treasurer

President, Mabuhay Personnel and Management Services, Inc.

Alicia B. Devulgado

Auditor

President, Overseas Placement Association of the Philippines (OPAP)

Capt. Juanito G. Salvatierra, Jr.

President, Philippine Association of Manning Agencies and Ship Managers (PAMAS)

Capt. Gaudencio C. Morales

President, Filipino Association for Mariner's Employment, Inc. (FAME)

Leonardo B. De Ocampo

President, Omanfil International Manpower Development

Levi S. De Mesa

President, Internal Skill Development, Inc.

Atty. Hans Leo J. Cacdac

Undersecretary

Department of Migrant Workers

Arnaldo A. Ignacio

Administrator

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

Felicitas Q. Bay

Assistant Secretary

Department of Migrant Workers

Elizabeth D. Mirabueno

Head, Secretariat

Atty. Angeles T. Wong-Garcia

Consultant

Maria Fe G. Mabini

Administrative Assistant

2023 Bagong Bayani Awardees

Philippine Internation Convention Center (PICC)

Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

August 23, 2023

...
Outstanding Employee Award

Karl Japeth Gutang Rosal

2nd Officer, BSM Crew Service Centre Philippines, Inc.

...
Outstanding Employee Award

Arthur Dolosa Buban

Driver - Leung, Yao Yu Erik Hongkong

...
Community and Social Service Award

Jose Apuyan Kosca

Talent Acquisition Team Leader

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Group - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

...
Community and Social Service Award

Arlene Celo Navarro

Assistant Project Manager

Dar As Sinha Medical Center (DSMC), Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

...
Community and Social Service Award

22 Filipino Officers and Crew of MV Iraklis

...
Community and Social Service Award

19 Filipino Officers and Crew of MV FLEUR N

...
Captain Gregorio S. Oca Achievement Award

Capt. Teodoro Boaloy Quijano

Master Mariner Worlwide

...
Blas F. Ople Award para sa Natatanging Bagong Bayani

Arthur Dolosa Buban

Driver - Leung, Yao Yu Erik Hongkong