IMMAJ Family Day 2025: Celebrating Camaraderie, Competition and Family

On 12th of November, the International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ) Family Day 2025 was held at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) IMMAJ Campus Parade Grounds in Kamaya Point, Mariveles, Bataan.

The morning program kicked off with the invocation and the singing of the National Anthem. The event’s host, IMMAJ Training Coordinator for Deck, Capt. Gerry Chan then introduced the sponsor agencies who were present for the occasion.

In his Welcome Remarks, MAAP President, Vadm. Eduardo Ma. R. Santos AFP (Ret), welcomed the special guests from IMMAJ, the parents and families of the cadets, stressing the importance of the family in supporting the cadets through their education in MAAP.

IMMAJ Chairman, Capt. Kiyotaka Aya gave a Special Message reminding everyone that the family is very important to the development of the cadets. He shared the purpose of the Family Day to the audience, “We organized this event because we want everyone to feel that we are one big, united family – cadets, staff, sponsors; we are all part of same crew, sailing towards one goal.” Said Chairman Aya. “Seeing all of you reminds me why our partnership with MAAP is so special. It is built no just on training but on hard friendship and family,” reiterated Chairman Aya.

The Family Day has always been a celebration of fun, camaraderie and competition; and this year’s games brought out the best from the competing field. The Balloon Garter Game tested the teamwork among the teams. The objective of the game was for the team to carry a balloon from the starting point up to the box across the field. The challenge for the team members however was to pull the garter open using nothing but a piece of string tied around their waist. Only the team with good teamwork and coordination could succeed in bringing the balloon to the end. Hence, it was the Class of 2029 that did so, and won the event, with Second Place going to the Class of 2028, and the Class of 2027 taking Third.

The second game, Rampshaker was simply hilarious as the participants had a tissue box tied around their waist. Without touching the box, the participants were tasked to empty the pieces of paper in the box. In their own creative ways, the participants wiggled and jiggled to empty the box. First to empty their tissue boxes were the trio from Class 2027. Second Place went to Class 2028, and rearing up Third Place were cadets from Class 2029.

The Battle of the Bands, as always, was the highlight of the Family Day. Bands from the three classes entertained the audience with their own renditions of popular Original Pilipino Music (OPM) songs. Emerging Champion of the Battle of the Bands was Class 2027. Second Place went to Class 2029, and Third Place went to Class 2028.

In conclusion, IMMAJ Manila Chief Representative Capt. Hiroaki Uba gave the Closing Message. He thanked the sponsoring agencies, the families of the cadets who supported the IMMAJ cadets in celebrating the Family Day. He reminded everyone that the family serves as motivation and inspiration for the cadets to pursue their dreams of being successful mariners.