The first National Seafarers Day (NSD) was celebrated on August 18, 1996, with the theme “Marinong Filipino: Taas Noo!” at the WG&A Pier 4, North Harbor, Manila.
This year’s 30th NSD was held on September 28, 2025, with the theme “Marinong Filipino: Ating Karagatan. Ating Kabuhayan. Alagaan!”
Former President Fidel V. Ramos issued Proclamation No. 828 on July 9, 1996, declaring August 18 as NSD to give due recognition to the vital role of Filipino seafarers in the development of the Philippines as a maritime country. Stella Maris Philippines was tasked to coordinate with the public and private sectors in activities related to the celebration.
Later, Proclamation No. 1094 was issued in 1997 by former President Ramos, moving NSD to every last Sunday of September, with masses nationwide offered for seafarers.
“To our seafarers: you are not forgotten. You are the lifeblood of our nation, the silent heroes who build bridges across continents while holding fast to your faith and culture. Your sacrifices are sacred. Your tears are seen by God. And your courage inspires us to keep fighting for a Philippines that is just, compassionate, and worthy of its people,” says Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos, Bishop Promoter Stella Maris-Philippines.
The Philippines is considered a major supplier of maritime labor globally, with an estimated one Filipino seafarer for every four to five crew members on board a vessel at any time.
According to the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO)/International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Seafarer Workforce Report 2021, the top five largest suppliers of officers and ratings are the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Indonesia, China, and India. Together, these countries supplied 44 percent of the global seafarer workforce.
In 1996, there were 175,469 documented seafarers deployed abroad, with dollar remittances reaching US$251.24 million.
In 2024, there were 504,057 Filipino seafarers deployed on foreign-flagged vessels, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), with remittances amounting to $6,941,085,000, based on data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
The sea-based sector’s remittances comprised at least 20 percent of total OFW dollar remittances.
The first NSD was held a year after Republic Act No. 8042, or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, was signed into law by President Ramos on June 7, 1995.
It was also the year when the first edition of the AHOY! Manual for Filipino Seafarers was released.
From 1999, the NSD included the Outstanding Seafarers of the Year Award (OSYA), which continued until 2010.
In 2004, the first NSD oratorical contest for maritime students was held.
In 2010, the first Boses ng Marino karaoke challenge was held in Kalaw.
In 2011, the 16th NSD recognized the first batch of Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines (TOMSP).
Other NSD activities nationwide include novenas, processions, the Ecumenical Memorial at Sea, oratorical, art, and photo contests, concerts, and boodle fights.
During the annual Ecumenical Memorial at Sea, prayers are offered and flowers are thrown into the open sea as homage to deceased and missing seafarers. A wreath thrown into the sea carries a message of love and gratitude to all deceased seafarers, as the flowers embody life and resurrection.
The Boses ng Marino karaoke challenge is a testament to the special role music plays in the lives of Filipino seafarers, whether at sea or on land. The sea cannot stop them from mastering the art of vocal mimicry, contagiously belting out songs like the infamous “My Way.”
There were also music-related activities as part of NSD, including a songwriting contest (2004–2008), chorale competition (2007), battle of the bands (2007, 2019), jingle competition (2007), and Harana by the Bay PCG concert (2017–2019). Through these activities, NSD pays homage to the oceans and seas and prays for the safety of Filipino seafarers on their voyages.
The Grand Parade is participated in by stakeholders from maritime schools, government agencies, manning agencies, training centers, maritime organizations, unions, families, and private institutions.
The NSD coincides with the National Maritime Week, celebrated every last week of September, spearheaded alternately by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
Stella Maris serves as the Catholic Church’s missionary work to the peoples of the sea, particularly seafarers, whether they are on merchant, passenger, war, or fishing vessels.
There are currently 17 Stella Maris centers nationwide: five in Luzon (Batangas, La Union, Manila, Palawan, Pangasinan), seven in Visayas (Tagbilaran and Tubigon in Bohol, Capiz, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Leyte), and five in Mindanao (Cagayan de Oro, Davao, General Santos City, Iligan, Zamboanga).
The Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan (SVBB) law firm was part of the very first NSD.
