“Sir, bakit po kaya takot mag-invest ang mga seafarer kahit malaking dolyar ang kita?”
It’s a question I’ve heard many times—and every time, it hits me right in the gut. Because I was once in that exact situation.
I worked at sea for 17 years. I earned in dollars. I sent money home faithfully. I wore my sacrifice like a badge of honor. Birthdays, Christmases, even moments of grief—I missed them all. I thought that was what it meant to be a provider: you give and give, and you ask nothing in return. Not even security for yourself.
But the real answer to that question—why so many seafarers fear investing—isn’t as simple as saying “hindi lang nila alam.” It goes deeper than that. Many of us were trained to work, not to build wealth. We were taught to earn, not to grow. From cadetship to senior rank, we followed the manual. But there was never a chapter on how to prepare for life beyond the vessel. There was no training module for financial independence.
When a seafarer thinks about investing, what he actually feels is fear. Because in our world, one wrong move could cost everything. We send money home, we build houses, we buy cars—because those things feel concrete. But putting money into insurance? Into stocks or funds we don’t fully understand? That feels uncertain. That feels risky. And for someone who’s been raised to carry entire families on his back, risk is not an option.
But let me tell you something hard to hear: not investing is the bigger risk. Every time you say “next time,” or “di ko pa alam ‘yan,” your future takes the hit. Because even if you’re earning $3,000, $5,000, or $8,000 a month, if that income stops and there’s no system to protect and grow it—then all of it could vanish just like that. I’ve seen it happen. Too many times.
There’s another layer to this. Many of us are afraid to invest because deep down, we know we don’t fully understand it. And instead of admitting that, we delay. We distract ourselves with spending, or we bury ourselves in work. Kasi kapag busy ka, hindi mo na kailangang harapin ang tanong na “Paano na ‘pag wala na akong sakay?” That was me for years. I looked successful from the outside, but inside, I was scared. Because I knew the day would come when I’d have to choose between my body and my income.
That day came. I was 30. I was tired—not just physically, but emotionally. I had earned hundreds of thousands of dollars already. But I still didn’t feel free. That’s when I realized: I needed to change the way I looked at money. That was the start of my transformation—from being a seafarer to becoming a financial planner and business coach. At age 39 I was able to finally retire from working on board the ship.
Today, I sit down with seafarers, OFWs, and breadwinners like you. I walk them through the very things I wish I had learned when I was still on board. I teach how money works. I show how insurance can protect your income, how investments can grow your wealth, and how planning brings peace. More importantly, I help them believe that it’s possible to live a life na hindi nakatali sa sakay.
This isn’t about getting rich. This is about getting free. It’s about making your hard-earned money work for you—not the other way around. And you don’t have to start big. You just have to start. Little by little, you build your financial muscle. One wise decision after another. Before you know it, your money is earning—even when you’re not.
So to my fellow seafarers who are still afraid to invest: I see you. I understand you. But I also challenge you.
Don’t wait until your last contract to realize that you should’ve planned sooner. Don’t wait for an accident, a layoff, or your body giving up before you start taking your future seriously. If you can navigate storms at sea, you can navigate your finances. You just need the right guidance, and the courage to take the first step.
You’ve spent years giving everything for your family. Maybe it’s time you build something for yourself—something that lasts, something that gives back, something that frees you.
And if no one else has ever told you this before, let me be the first: You were not born just to send money. You were born to live a full life—with purpose, peace, and pride.
You have the power to rewrite your story. And when you’re ready, I’ll be here. From one seafarer to another—I’m rooting for your breakthrough.
— Capt. Chris Cervantes
Former Seafarer | Financial Planner | Business Coach
Helping modern-day heroes build a life beyond the sea.
