Angelica
“I am inspired to all women who are silently fighting their own battles, who are in pain or having heartaches, disappointments, frustrations and other negative emotions but still continue to go forward, keep positive in life and become successful in their chosen fields.”
As a female marine engineer in the seafaring industry, Angelica is constantly overcoming barriers. Her job itself involves working under pressure, constantly solving problems to ensure the safety of everyone on board. She also faces regular discrimination from her colleagues, solely because she is a woman. Though these toxic comments aim to oppress her, they only make her stronger. She works exceptionally hard, proving that gender has nothing to do with ability. She is a determined, intelligent and inspiring trailblazer who is single handedly making waves for the next generation of female seafarers and engineers. Meet Angelica. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
A: Good day! I am Angelica Cuyno from the Philippines. I’m a seafarer, specifically a marine engineer.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
A: I could say that I am a resilient person. Working onboard a ship requires emotional stability and working under pressure. Everyday we meet challenges or unexpected situations, for example breakdown of machinery and equipment. We need to overcome all of these for our safety and of course this is our line of work.
I would also say I have perseverance. As I say, there are challenges at work, I endure those hardships (lack of physical strength, too much heat and noise in the engine room, the only woman onboard a ship) until I achieve or succeed on what I am doing.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
A: My favorite thing about myself is my personality. I can get along well with others. My crewmates onboard are fond of me because of my jolly personality. I like to be smiling or laughing all the time to lessen the stress that we feel at work.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
A: I am working in a male dominated industry. My profession requires physical strength, engineering skills and other aspects that male seafarer excels in. Every time I go onboard, I can hear negative comments from my colleagues about accepting female seafarers to work onboard. They are discriminating against me. That’s why I need to triple my efforts or even more just to prove that I am capable of working at sea. Even if I am a lady, if I have the determination, perseverance and passion for what I am doing, then I can execute my duties and responsibilities onboard.
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
A: Be smart and work harder and study more. Be smarter in making decisions in life.
Work harder or give the best always in everything that I do
Study to be more knowledgeable.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
A: Being a woman in seafaring industry, I will be breaking stereotypes in answering questions. Contrary to the common belief and practice that a woman is expected to provide domestic assistance and companionship to the husband, I think being a woman is far more than giving support to their husband, it also means being able to provide for your family, not only moral but also financial. I am a woman who no longer believes in delineation between what a man and woman can do.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say if they were here now?
A: No one in particular. I am inspired to all women who are silently fighting their own battles, who are in pain or having heartaches, disappointments, frustrations and other negative emotions but still continue to go forward, keep positive in life and become successful in their chosen fields.