Our sponsored cadet, Duke heads into exam week in Bacolod: one step closer to life at sea
02-16-2026
3-minute read
It was a rainy morning in Bacolod when Duke set off for campus, not for a normal day of classes, but for final instructions ahead of his Preliminary Examinations. Like most cadets at John B Lacson, Duke’s week has been about a routine of small, disciplined moments: collecting his exam permit, squeezing in a quick coffee and lunch break between sessions, then heading straight home to revise.
The night before the exams, he prepared for an early start, waking at 5am for a final review and taking a quiet moment to pray for guidance. “It’s Wednesday, so we are going to wear our company shirts when going to school to represent our company before we go to sea,” Duke said.
Then came exam day. With morning papers followed by afternoon exams, Duke and his classmates kept it simple: focus, refuel, and keep going. After the final session, Duke headed home with friends, comparing notes and reflecting on the day, the kind of conversation that only happens when you’ve all just gone through something intense together. Before the day ended, Duke had one more message: “Thank you, Inmarsat, for supporting my journey. ”
Why this week matters
Preliminary Exams are a key checkpoint in the academic calendar, a moment when the hard work becomes visible. And for Duke, it lands right in the final stretch of his studies at John B. Lacson University, with graduation on the horizon.
What’s next for Duke
As Duke moves from study toward sea time, the road ahead becomes more practical and more real. Over the coming months, his focus will be on:
- Finishing his final academic requirements strongly
- Preparing for the sea phase of his cadet pathway, including the onboard training that forms part of an officer’s development
- Progressing through employer pre-boarding steps, including documentation and any required company training, so he’s ready when the opportunity to join a vessel comes through.
It’s the transition point Duke has been working towards turning classroom knowledge into shipboard competence, building confidence and taking the first steps into a professional life at sea.
We’re proud to support Duke's journey
We began sponsoring cadets last year because we believe the next generation of seafarers deserves real support, not only financial, but encouragement, visibility and a sense that the industry is behind them. Duke’s exam week is a reminder that careers at sea are built day by day: early mornings, long afternoons, and the determination to keep going even when the weather is against you.
We’ll keep sharing Duke’s milestones as he continues through 2026 and as he steps closer to his first voyage.