88 Aces at PMMA: Celebrating Maritime Excellence at the Grand Alumni Homecoming 2026
On Saturday, 24 January, we had the distinct pleasure and honor of attending the 206th PMMA Grand Alumni Homecoming 2026, held at the prestigious Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) premises in San Narciso, Zambales.
Set in a truly inspiring venue, the event reflected the stature of PMMA as one of the finest merchant marine academies in the Philippines. Established in 1820, PMMA continues to shape generations of maritime professionals and stands as a pillar of excellence in maritime education.
As a Bronze Sponsor, 88 Aces participated actively with a dedicated booth, giving us the opportunity to engage with fellow industry stakeholders, strengthen partnerships, and network within the maritime community. Most importantly, we had the chance to meet and interact with the cadets of the Academy—encouraging them to “Sail your dreams with us” as they prepare for their future careers at sea.
I attend the event together with our President, Capt. Cris Blas, Operations Manager Mr. Alvin Lafuerte (a proud PMMA alumnus), Recruitment Manager Michael Demeterio, and Chief Richy Agar of Stripes Training Center, also a PMMA alumnus. Their presence underscored our strong connection with the Academy and our continued commitment to supporting future maritime professionals.
The day concluded on a truly memorable note with an impressive Silent Drill performance, executed with absolute harmony, precision, and discipline by the PMMA cadets. This was followed by the ceremonial parade of cadets alongside representatives of alumni from previous graduating classes—an inspiring display of tradition, unity, and pride.
We are grateful for the warm welcome and the opportunity to be part of this meaningful celebration, and we look forward to strengthening our collaboration with PMMA in nurturing the next generation of seafarers.
