Ben Canete, a 32-year-old Filipino, jumped up and down shouting: "Viva il Papa!"

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"I can't explain how happy I am right now, " said Ben Canete, a 32-year-old Filipino, jumping up and down in excitement.

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It also stood as a sign of their community's rising stature in Jersey City, which just swore in its first Filipino councilman last year.

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Our judges this year concurred with the view of Filipino crewing suppliers Magsaysay who nominated their crew aboard but also wanted to acknowledge the bravery of others, that the actions of the professional and honourable seafarers that night should be publically recognized.

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Tuchman, who hopes to expand in both those countries as well as in the Philippines, typically travels to the region three times a year, often taking time to socialize with his "dance loving" Filipino employees.

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