A SEMINAR on cruise ship work requirements for interested local musicians and artists is set on Saturday, February 25.
The seminar and workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at WAV entertainment center (formerly Acropolis Disco) located at C. Bangoy Street (former Ponciano Reyes Street), Davao City.
Atek Jacinto, a music agent who handles musicians before sending them for cruise ships since 2007, said the two-hour seminar and three-hour workshops will inform the local artists how to apply for cruise ships including do's and don'ts.
"Applying as singers for cruise ships is a complicated process. We want them to learn the process of getting documents," Jacinto said.
He underscored the importance of passing medical exams, saying that this should be considered earlier by musicians who apply. Jacinto also said that high standards are imposed for this job.
Aside from passing requirements, musical skills are also screened by agents like him before they are recommended to the cruise ships.
Jacinto said the diction of the Filipinos in speaking English usually gets in the way of their road to being hired.
"This is why we will also conduct workshop today to listen to them play," he said. He said a huge demand is open for Filipino musicians in cruise ships.
"Flexibility is an advantage of the Filipinos, as musicians from our country can play different kinds of music. When they are hired they can easily adjust to different genres kasi (because) we’ve been exposed to different kinds of music," he said.
Jacinto also said that Filipino musicians working in cruise ships make P100,000 to P150,000 a month. He said recent developments in applying for the job is also eyed to make the musicians' applications easier.
"Since last August, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) was scrapped from the requirements of musicians who want to work in cruise ships," he said.
He added that a POEA one-stop shop has been established in Manila and the agency made a pronouncement that similar one-stop shops will also be placed in major cities. Jacinto also hopes that he could help the 35 to 40 participants expected to attend in their music career.
He also said that as an agent, he only wants to preserve the brand of Filipino musicians known in the world, and also help local musicians contribute to the local economy.
Eric Diao, a Dabawenyo recording artist, is spearheading the event.
Also among the invited speakers of the event is lawyer Johnny Del Rosario who will also explain the legal aspect of cruise ship employment.