KC
“I want my stories to encourage others to speak up and stand out. So I believe, being a woman is by knowing that your cause has encouraged and made a difference into someone else life.”
KC endured relentless gender discrimination in the early days of her career. But she stood up for herself when no one else would, and now she has worked her way to become Merchant Mariner with a rank of a Third Officer, and Lieutenant in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary. KC is determined to pave the way for young girls who are dreaming of a career at sea. She hopes that by sharing her own experiences she can show girls that this is career is possible for them too. KC has set up an online platform KC Seafarer TV, where she shares all her adventures on the high seas. In doing so, she is actively working to normalise the position of seawoman. She is a remarkably selfless leader, who is determined to create space for girls and women in the maritime sector. She is also determined to support her family, and has devoted her career to doing so. Meet KC. This is her story.
KC, on the high seas (her happy place)
P: Introduce yourself!
K: I am KC Abigail L. Chin, Merchant Mariner with a rank of a Third Officer. I am also a part of the The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary under the 109th Squadron with a rank of Lieutenant. Last December of 2020, I launched my own Youtube channel, KC Seafarer TV which shows all of my adventures in the high seas and in the maritime sector. I want to use the platform to motivate aspiring seafarers specially the females and to express my significance in the maritime sector.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
K: 'Dulcius ex asperis’ Through the hardships, I remained tough and resilient. I am a woman with tangible goals in life. I push my own boundaries because I believe I am capable of doing anything I put my mind to.
Also, I’m very family-oriented and independent. I will do everything for my family as long as I can. I see to it that I provide for them financially and support them with their own endeavours emotionally as well. Everything that I’ve done in my life so far has been for them.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
K: The early years in the maritime industry was never easy where I got discriminated for being a female. Being a neophyte in the industry, I remembered being cursed at everyday by people even when I don’t deserve it. I got harassed and shared it to people who never even believed it. You know the saying; the secret is to endure? I endured it. I stood up for bullying and harassment and at the same time stayed focus not to lose sight of my sanity onboard.
I am proud to say that the entire experience made me stronger!
P: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
K: I have had our share of ups and downs in life. I have made bad decisions and learned from them. For that, I will not give my younger self any piece of any advice, instead I want to thank her for winning her own demons. What I have become today and who I am right now, I owe it all to her. Even though life is hard and I have a lot of battle scars from the past, I am proud and thankful of my younger self for not giving up with the odds of life.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
K: The profound meaning of being a woman is vast that even I can’t even sum up through words. I just want to become that woman who the youngsters would look up to and say, if she has done it then why can’t we. I want to use my voice and offer something for the youth to be inspired about by sharing my stories of hardships and success in the high seas. I want my stories to encourage others to speak up and stand out. So I believe, being a woman is by knowing that your cause has encouraged and made a difference into someone else life.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now
K: My mom is that woman who I always look up to. My papa taught me how to win my battles smartly but my mama taught me to throw stones if need be. Because the tides of time will only drown me if I am weak, I need to fight and stand up for my cause if I want to win in life.
When drafting up KC’s story, I noticed that my computer continued to read ‘Seawoman’ as a typo, and was urging me to either spell it ‘Sea-woman’ or ‘Seaman’. This showcases just how important KC’s platform is.