Retired seafarer honors Filipino mariners through art

After spending more than two decades navigating the world's oceans, Cristhom "Dodoy" Setubal found a new way to tell the story of Filipino seafarers—not from the bridge of a ship, but through the stroke of a paintbrush.

A retired seafarer turned maritime instructor and visual artist, Setubal has dedicated his new chapter to preserving the stories of those who continue to sail the seas.

His works pay tribute not only to the profession that shaped his life, but also to the countless Filipino seafarers whose sacrifices often go unseen.

In a recent interview with GMA Pinoy TV, Setubal reflects on a journey that began in Iloilo, where becoming a seafarer seemed almost inevitable.

"So, 'yung sa Iloilo, let's accept the fact na maraming seaman na Ilonggo. So, I've been influenced by mga neighbors, mga seaman, may mga pinsan. And then, you tend to, you go with the flow. Ginusto ko na talaga mag-seaman," Setubal said.

(In Iloilo, let's accept the fact that there are many Ilonggo seafarers. I was influenced by my neighbors who were seafarers and by my cousins. Eventually, I went with the flow and truly wanted to become a seafarer.)

Setubal started his maritime career in 1998 as a deck cadet, slowly climbing the ranks through years of sea service.

"Well, I started 1998 as a cadet. It took me like three shifts pa na average nine months as a cadet before I took the examination as a third mate. Or five shifts as third mate, and after that, a second mate or three shifts, and then naging chief mate."

(I started in 1998 as a cadet. After about three contracts averaging nine months each, I qualified as a third mate. After five contracts as third mate, I became a second mate, and eventually a chief mate.)

Each promotion, he said, brought greater responsibility.

"Paiba-iba ang struggle, paiba-iba ang command ng trabaho. Kasi pag bago na posisyon mo, mabago din ang responsibility."

(Every stage came with different struggles and responsibilities. Every new position also meant greater responsibilities.)

Pinoy pride onboard

For Setubal, being a Filipino seafarer has always been a source of pride.

"If you're a Filipino and a Filipino seaman at that, na 'pag ayusin mo 'yung trabaho mo, na at least proud ka, you tend to receive some commendation sa ibang lahi na, 'Uy, Filipino ka.' So, parang proud ka na Filipino ka, na seaman ka."

(If you're a Filipino seafarer, and you do your job well, people of other nationalities tend to give a commendation. It makes you proud to be both Filipino and a seafarer.)

Cristhom 'Dodoy' Setubal with one of his installation artworks. Courtesy: GMA Pinoy TV

New mission after retirement

Like many others, the COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point in Setubal's life.

"COVID came, parang na-seal 'yung decision to stay. Kasi parang mahirap na sa barko… and then I came to embrace na okay lang sa Pilipinas."

(When COVID came, it sealed my decision to stay. Life onboard became more difficult, and I eventually embraced staying in the Philippines.)

Rather than completely leaving the profession behind, Setubal chose to help shape its future.

"Somebody has to retire, somebody has to replace someone. So, for me, parang maganda na pinre-prepare mo 'yung way sa mga new bridge (So, for me, it's good to prepare the way for the new bridge)."

Molding the next sailors

Setubal accepted offers to become a shipboard training officer, mentoring aspiring deck officers while still onboard.

"Two companies offered me to be a shipboard training officer. You came on board, and mga walo or six na mga deck cadets yung kasama ko. So, I tend to teach on board with them."

(Two companies offered me a position as a shipboard training officer. I would board ships with six to eight deck cadets and teach them onboard. So, I tend to teach on board with them.)

For Setubal, passing on knowledge has become just as fulfilling as commanding a vessel.

"So, parang pine-prepare mo sila na in the future, they will become officers also… Hindi ka lang sa profession mo, pero nag-prepare mo 'yung papalit sa inyo."

(You're preparing them to become officers in the future. You're not just practicing your profession—you are preparing those who will replace you.)

'It is an installation using shoe soles worn by seafarers. These were discarded at training centers. I collected them and turned them into an art installation,' says Cristhom 'Dodoy' Setubal, a retired seaman who now devotes his time to being an artist and instructor to younger Filipino mariners. Courtesy: GMA Pinoy TV

Painting life at sea

Long before he retired, Setubal already carried sketchbooks aboard ships.

"Actually, as early as maliit pa ako, elementary… And then nang sumakay ako, I think mga 2018 nag-start na nagdadala na talaga ako ng drawing book, 'yung mga sketch pad. During my free time, I sketch and sketch."

(I loved drawing since elementary school. Around 2018, I started bringing sketchbooks onboard and spent my free time sketching.)

His passion eventually led to his first solo exhibition at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines' Museum of Philippine Maritime History.

The exhibit, titled "Soul Sailing, Sailing Sole," transformed discarded shoe soles worn by seafarers into a striking art installation.

"It is an installation of soles, 'yung suwelas ng sapatos. So, pinapalutang ko siya, and then it's worn by the seafarers because ito 'yung pinagtatapon nila sa training center… Iniipon ko 'yan, and then ginawan ko ng installation."

(It is an installation using shoe soles worn by seafarers. These were discarded at training centers. I collected them and turned them into an art installation.)

The work also features photographs contributed by seafarers themselves.

"So, nag-send sila sa akin… then parang 'yan ang pinaka-contribution ko sa kanila. So, it's a little tribute sa kanila."

(They sent me their photos, and this became my contribution to them, a small tribute to Filipino seafarers.)

Honoring those who keep the world moving

For Setubal, his artwork is ultimately about recognizing the people who quietly keep global trade—and the Philippine economy—moving.

"'Yung panalagaan natin 'yung maritime treasures natin, 'yung mga karagatan, at saka 'yung maritime, 'yung mga seaman. So, bigyan din natin sila ng parangal o kaunting pasasalamat na contribution nila, na nainangat nila 'yung hindi lang ekonomiya kundi 'yung tingin ng mundo sa Pilipinas."

(Let us protect our maritime treasures—our seas and our seafarers. Let us also honor and thank them for their contribution, not only to the economy but also for elevating the world's regard for the Philippines.) — VDV, GMA News