29/07/2026
๐ฆ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐๐น๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ
The sound of calm waves and peaceful wind is the usual ambiance of morning scenery at the sea. However, shouting passengers and a sound of burning vessel woke up Jester Neril Malate on May 23, 2022 while in a vessel returning to his hometown.
A tragedy engulfed Polillo Island, Quezon, when MV craft 2, a Roll On/Roll Off (RoRo), routing Polillo-Real caught fire. An accident, believed to be a result of human error and engine failure, claimed seven lives.
Amid the panic caused by thick smoke, sinking vessel, and raging flames, Jester risked his own life to save those passengers who were fighting for their lives in the water. Passengers that are soaked in the water for over 30 minutes and battling between life and death.
That time, Jester did not hesitate to lend a helping hand by throwing lifevests in the water. A character and skill which he learned in his three years experience studying at Inter Global College Foundation Inc. (IGCFI). He did not endure the exhaustion caused by his lack of sleep as he came from school for their Completion of Classroom Instruction (CCI) pictorial.
However, among those passengers was someone close to his heart, his late sister, Jessa Marie Malate. He jumped in the water the moment he realized that his sister was also there.
At the time of incident, Jessa was battling stage IV cancer and was undergoing treatment. Jester offered his family a second chance to live with his sister after what seemed like an impossible tragedy.
While the sea failed to claim her life that day, her illness eventually did two years after the accident. Jester and his family lost her on 30th of June 2024, losing the battle against cancer.
Going back, he reflected on that experience and left a meaningful message for everyone who might encounter a sea accident in the future, that before saving other peopleโs lives, secure themselves first.
"Bago ka magsagip ng buhay ng iba, isecure mo muna ang sarili mo. Siyempre kung hindi mo maililigtas ang sarili mo, paano ka makakatulong sa iba?โ
These words do not diminish his act of heroism but it reminds everyone that the capability to save others depends if you can save yourself in dangerous situations.
Jesterโs experience in that accident is a testament of what it truly takes to be a compassionate seafarer. More than his heroism that saved the lives of others, he was a brother who fought to save his sister.
---
โ๏ธ Christian S. Masaganda
๐จ Marion Shyheim G. Aragon
