VMA Global College and Training Centers, Incorporated

Visayan Maritime Academy was reopened, in response to the petition of youth and parents in the community, through the help of Asian Mari- Development Corporation(AMTDC), headed by Atty. Juan Nuega Orola Jr. The (AMTDC) group leased Academy with the approval of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) in June 1987.

The school had an initial enrollees of 547 students broken down into: 159 for Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and 315 for Associate in Marine Engineering. Among the enrollees, 27 received their diploma in the degree of BSMT, BSMAR-E and AME with special permit from DECS on March 1988.

The continual road to fame and honor of our school was proved when Mdmn. Ramil Infante, BSMT, was adjudged as the Most Outstanding Marine cadet during the Maritime Education Week Celebration in Cebu City in October 1989.

VMA, during the 90’s, was sparkling Diamond of the South where distinguished people visit. For the record, former Ambassador Roberto Salas Benedicto, revisited the campus on June 25, 1995. Sen Leticia Ramos Shahani, on July 17, 1995, visited and toured VMA sites. Remarkably, Vice-President Joseph Ejercito Estrada was the Commencement Speaker of Batch 1996 on March 24, 1996.

The first STCW/SOLAS training was held on September 13,1991 at VMA training center, Aning , Pahanocoy, Bacolod City with trainers from Mariners Polytechnic College.

The Basic Merchant Marine Course (BMMC) a stewarding course, classes were mainly held at the training center with 212 enrollees, 27 of whom were female.

In S.Y. 1991-1992, the VMA Training Center was awarded and honored by DECS Regional Office in Iloilo City, for having the most improved plant and facilities.Another victory for the school when Mdmn. Arnaldo Lopez and Mdmn. Eleazar Fritzel Suarez, Jr., were adjudged 2nd Runner up in the National Selection of Most Outstanding Cadet at PMMA, Manila in 1992. The following year, the VMA Masskara dancers got third place during the 1993 Masskara Celebration.

August 1995 marked a big milestone for the school, when forty prominent ship owners and manning agencies from Japan and Manila visited the school. On October 23, 1995, MARINA Administrator. Mr. Pacencio M. Balbon Jr., who was the Keynote Speaker of a symposium, came together with some officials from MARINA, PAMTC, MTC, POEA, and CHED. This was echoed a year after by R/ADM, Pio D. Garrido Jr., AFP (Ret), then MARINA Administrator.

In 1997, more than a decade since VMA resumed operations, the institution is still unceasingly waging its banner, being among the ten maritime institutions in the country, the recognition was made by PAME and MARINA vis-á-vis DECS after the survey of the academy on June 1988.

The school became the center of the improvement of facilities and infrastructures when the Orola family took over, with Mrs. Elizabeth Orola Salabas, as the President.

The administration spent over P1.375 M to acquire upgraded facilities such as computers, operational and monitoring equipment and simulators with movable horizon.

VMA has also been the destination of Japanese missions. Groups of Japanese ship owners visit VMA from time to time, headed by the President of Towa Shoun, Co Ltd., and President of Santoku Senpaku Co. Ltd., and also the Vice Chairman of VMA for international relations Mr. Masashi Taga. O February 4, 1997, nine Japanese ship owners from Hamada City headed by City Mayor Tetsero Anzu, visited the school.

The Wheelhouse, the school publication was recognized when the cover design REMINISCED was adjudged third place and the Associate Editor, Mdmn. Albert C. Eday got second place in photojournalism during the Regional College Press Conference (COPRE) and Awards in October 1995 and December 1996, respectively.

Discipline has become a trademark of VMA. In fact, the 837th NROTCU was the regional champion and, thus, was chosen to represent Region VI in the National Tactical Inspection for S.Y 1996-1997. Among the nine Naval ROTC Units in Negros Island that were visited and inspected by NRC-5A, we stood at the forefront and rated “Excellent”. It was the result of excellent leadership and rigid supervision of Capt. Ranulfo S. Gimarangan, PMC and his staff. During this time, two Midn. Officers grabbed recognition in NS33 Training in Mambaling,Cebu City. This was participated in by other Visayan Islands schools. M/Capt. Victor M. Castillo, OICL, 1997 Corps Commander, and M/Cdr. Reggie C. Abelada, OICL, got 6th and 12th Place, respectively.

Undoubtedly, people behind the VMA waste no time preparing rooms conducive for learning, laboratories and shops, additional comfort rooms, and other offices. In fact, the Administration Building costing P2,476, 657.88 was constructed and it houses the offices the President, the Chairman, the Deans, the Registrar, the accounting, the EDP, and Library. The school also acquired two schools buses intended for students’ trips and other school activities. The Taga Hall, which serves as venue for seminars/ workshops and trainings was likewise constructed and there followed by the construction of the Grandstand, Japanese Tower, and the new Bookstore, costing an estimated amount of P1M .