Filipina seafarer speaks about breaking gender barriers, stereotypes

Filipina seafarer KC Abigail Chin-Sood never dreamt of charting a career path in the open sea.

Instead, she imagined herself working in a courtroom as a lawyer or flying high as a pilot.

However, her family's financial limitations pushed her to pursue other dreams, which led her set sail to the ocean.

"Growing up, I didn't exactly dream of becoming a seafarer," Chin-Sood said in an interview with GMA Pinoy TV.

(Growing up I didn't exactly dream of becoming a seafarer.)

"Dati naalala ko, gusto ko maging lawyer or maging isang piloto. At dahil nga kapos kami sa budget, I told my parents that I would just take up marine transportation instead at gusto kong maging seafarer gaya ng papa ko," she added.

(I remember wanting to be a lawyer or a pilot back then. But because we were on a tight budget, I told my parents that I would just take up marine transportation instead, wanting to become a seafarer just like my dad.)

Chin-Sood is a second officer and has been working as a seafarer for almost 11 years (as of last April). Currently, she works on tanker ships that transport crude oil across the globe, including Europe, America, Africa, and areas around the Mediterranean Sea.

Male-dominated industry

After graduation, Chin-Sood admits that her journey was not easy. She was faced with a lot of uncertainties—not knowing if a shipping company would give her a chance.

"Pagka-graduate ko ng college, pumunta ako ng Manila, uncertain kung may tatanggap ba sa 'kin na shipping company kasi nga during my time sobrang pahirapan ang pag-apply at bihira lang ang mga shipping companies na tumatanggap ng babae," Chin-Sood said.

(After graduating from college, I went to Manila, uncertain if any shipping company would accept me. During my time, applying was incredibly difficult, and shipping companies rarely accepted women.)

Constantly proving herself

As a young aspiring seafarer, she refused to let the seemingly uncertain path and her past obstacles hold her back, adding that she would not be where she is today if she gave up.

Her determination led her to her first job at sea as a deck cadet.

Courtesy: KC Abigail Chin/ Facebook

"As a woman working in a male-dominated industry, I've had to prove myself constantly," Chin-Sood said.

She believes that being a woman in the industry she is working in is not a disadvantage, but could actually be a gift if you just believe in yourself.

"The advantage is that we, women, often bring a unique perspective on the table and I believe that our ability to communicate and to collaborate is one of our strengths," she added.

Storms at sea

Being a seafarer also means having the courage to be away from your loved ones for a long time—for a couple of months or even several years. Chin-Sood said this is one of the hardest things that she has to endure in her job.

"Being away from my family for long periods, which can be emotionally challenging hindi lang sa akin at para na rin sa kanila, especially ngayon na may asawa na ako, mahirap din para sa mister ko 'yon," Chin-Sood said.

(Being away from my family for long periods can be emotionally challenging—not just for me, but for them as well. It's especially hard now that I am married. It's tough on my husband, too.)

Beyond the long work hours, she pointed out the daily physical exhaustion and the constant risks she must face as a second officer.

"[May] uncertainty kung makakauwi ka ba nang safe sa pamilya mo, especially doon sa mga marino na may biyahe sa mga high-risk area, alam naman nating sobrang risky ng trabaho ng isang seafarer," she added.

(There is also the uncertainty of whether you will make it home safely to your family, especially for mariners whose routes pass through high-risk areas. We all know how risky a seafarer's job can be.)

Aspirations, defiance

While daily hardships come with the job, Chin-Sood shares the rewards that she also enjoys as a seafarer.

"The sense of adventure and exploration kasi nga, 'di ba (because), every day is different, and every day you're constantly learning," she said.

"At siyempre, nae-enjoy ko rin 'yung mga lugar na napupuntahan ko 'pag nagvi-visit kami sa iba't ibang bahagi ng mundo," she added.

(And of course, I also really enjoy the places I get to see whenever we visit different parts of the world.)

Chin-Sood aspires to not just break the barriers for women who also aspire to be in the maritime industry, but also to defy stereotypes of her job.

Mariner's tale on social media

Today, she shares stories of her life as a seafarer on social media, hoping to inspire and educate other people in the job that she enjoys and loves.

To date, she has 149,000 followers on Facebook alone.

"The idea of creating content at sea came from my desire to share the life of a seafarer with others," Chin-Sood said.

(The idea of creating content at sea came from my desire to share the life of a seafarer with others.)

"Kasi akala ng iba, lahat ng mga seafarers nagtititktik lang ng kalawang sa barko, at hindi rin alam ng karamihan na may mga babae ring nag-e-exist dito," she added.

(A lot of people assume that all seafarers do on a ship is just chip away at rust, and most don't even know that women are part of this industry, too.)

Chin-Sood said she recognizes that her unique work environment is what's giving her the chance to document her life at sea, something that she said not many people get to experience.

Pinay at sea

She may be thousands of kilometers away from home, but Chin-Sood said she always carries distinct Filipino values in her work and wherever she travels.

"As a Pinay at sea, I carry with me the values of bayanihan and malasakit, which is a deep sense of care for others," she said.

These Filipino values have guided her in doing well at work and have helped her stay connected with foreign communities, wherever she goes, Chin-Sood shared.

Working as a seafarer, she's proud not only because she's a woman, but also because she plays an important role in an essential industry.

"I am proud to be a seafarer because it allows me to contribute to global trade and be part of an essential industry, and I know that the work that I do makes a difference in the world," Chin-Sood said.

"And para naman sa mga babaeng seafarer (for the female seafarers), know that you can break barriers and prove that we can excel in any field. Don't let anyone limit your dreams. Your strength is limitless," Chin-Sood added. — VDV, GMA News