Meet Ruth Olimba: A fighter on the bridge
Nothing in life came easy for Ruth Olimba. The more so, she appreciates being part of Solvang as a chief officer.
«After all the opportunities that came my way, my stint at Solvang is the most remarkable. I felt that my abilities and performance were truly recognized here.» Ruth Olimba virtually shines when she talks about the long path to where she is now, being a chief officer on Clipper Vanguard and occasionally on Clipper Enyo.
Growing up in poverty in the town of Aurora on Mindanao island, Philippines, has taught her to endure hardships in order to provide for her family.
«As a girl I decided to carve out a better life for myself and my family, so I juggled multiple jobs to make the ends meet while pursuing my studies. Being a woman, the struggles to overcome obstacles in life are multiplied. But my parents inspired me to go beyond my limits and my motivation was to give them a comfortable life,» Ruth reveals.
Climbing the ladder
Ruth Olimba has been passionate about work since her early days. Starting out as a lady guard and domestic worker for different families, she met people who helped her enroll at university. There, she started with educational studies, then shifted to Marine Transportation. After qualifying for scholarship from the College of Maritime Education/Shipboard Training Office, she completed her three-year studies in BS Marine Transportation. Her success from university nonetheless presented Ruth with more challenges.
«The struggles didn’t stop after I graduated. Competition is stiff in the job market, and gender inequalities brought challenges for me in the workplace,» Ruth says. But she didn’t only survive the following hardships – Ruth went beyond expectations and proved that women are equally capable for a maritime position.
«I received an apprenticeship with Montenegro Shipping Lines on an intra-island vessel, where I processed my maritime degree. After failing on my first attempt, I then passed the PRC Licensure Board Exam for deck officers» ,Ruth says.
With her officer’s licence secured, Ruth got to be the first female chief officer on M/V Maria Diana, a combined passenger/Ro-Ro cargo ship sailing in the Philippines.
Meeting with Solvang
Her time as an officer not only sharpened Ruth Olimba’s skills but also fuelled her passion for maritime leadership. «Thanks to the people who believed in my potential, I developed the confidence to start venturing internationally,» Ruth says. Her next step was to complete the CES (crew evaluation system) exam. That’s when it happened.
«Just as I was leaving the building after the examination, a guard approached me and suggested I try Solvang. And that’s how my adventure with Solvang began – thanks to that guard!» Ruth says.
The summer of 2009 she officially joined Solvang. After two months of intense training, she boarded Clipper Mars under Captain Virgilio “Jojo” Lopez, now the President of Solvang Philippines.
«He taught me what it means to be a good leader. After working hard with determination and dedication, I was promoted from jr. 3rd mate to 3rd mate, and then to 2nd mate. My officers and crewmates supported me all the way».
Advocating women
The exploration of various waters and cultures on board Clipper Mars broadened Ruth Olimba’s horizons and provided her with resilience to face challenges, setbacks and criticism. It also provided her with a special mission.
«As I navigated the different hurdles, I found myself becoming an advocate for women in the maritime industry. I wanted to inspire women to break down barriers and chase their dreams, no matter what society might say».
The VP of Solvang Philippines, Captain Iriz Paiton, noticed Ruth’s qualities and suggested she aim for an even higher position.
«Captain Paiton helped me realize my full potential and strive for more. January 2021, I became Chief Officer at Clipper Victory», Ruth says.
Now, her tasks revolve around the safety and well-being of the crew on Vanguard and Enyo, motivating them in all aspects of the vessel operation. The values of mutual respect, team spirit, and quality serve as a framework for the crew and the ship.
«Those values create a work environment which truly supports work-life balance. Solvang provides the crew with time and resources to stay connected with our loved ones, along with wellness programs which support our personal life. For myself, this no doubt boosts my productivity at work».
