The Stella Maris Centre in Davao, in the south of the Philippines, offers reasonably priced accommodation to seafarers and their families. This enables them to spend time together even when ships are only briefly in port.
Seafarer Roger Dinampo works onboard the M/V Taisetsu, a refrigerator cargo ship which makes a regular voyage between Davao and Shanghai lasting some 10 to 12 days. His wife Angie and their two young children Rodel and Nicole Jean used to travel from their home in Cebu to be with Roger when his ship came into port. However they soon realised that it would be more economic for the family to rent a room for several months at the Stella Maris Centre.
Other families of the crew of the Taisetsu soon followed their example. By Spring 2008, there were 10 wives and 15 children, mostly under the age of five, living at the Stella Maris Centre. According to the director of the centre, port chaplain Fr Jack Walsh
"The presence of young children has certainly added a new dimension to our activities here at the centre. Visiting seafarers have been joking that we should rename it 'Stella Maris Seafarers’ Kiddy Centre'".
During their stay at the Stella Maris Centre, Angie and Roger told Fr Jack that they were not officially married in the Catholic Church. They asked his assistance as they wanted to rectify their situation in accordance with Church law. Fr Jack contacted the local parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Davao. The staff were happy to help the young couple.
In a short time, the necessary legal and Church documents were gathered from the couple's home parishes. The ceremony was booked for 4pm on 8 April, to co-incide with the arrival schedule of the M/V Taisetsu. Fortunately, there were no problems and the ship arrived in Davao early in the morning of 8 April. After a brief meeting with the port authorities, the ship's master Captain Ladao was able to arrange to stay an extra day in port, until 10 April.
Angie and Roger with Fr Jack and staff from the Davao Stella Maris Centre |
The happy couple with crew members of the M/V Taisetsu |
All the staff of the Stella Maris Centre and the crew of the M/V Taisetsu attended the marriage of Angie and Roger and the reception afterwards. Captain Ladao and most of the crew had to leave briefly to move their ship to another berth and make way for an incoming cargo ship but they soon returned to the party. According to Fr Jack, a good time was had by all. The couple's children, Rodel and Nicole Jean, especially enjoyed the dancing, wedding cake and traditional "lechon", roast suckling pig.
Fr Jack said
"All of the staff of the Stella Maris Centre were happy to celebrate with Roger and Angie. This was the first Stella Maris wedding in the Port of Davao".
click here to read about the first Stella Maris baby, also in the port of Davao
