It was a typical workday scenario at the third-floor office of Uni-Ship Inc. in Intramuros, Manila. The expanse carried a palpable energy from the multi-generational team of employees while a steady hum drifted from the low conversation of seafarers.

Seated at the heart of such bustle was the Chairman’s office – still, immaculate, and silent. A stark contrast to the buzzing beyond the door. Moments frozen in time and beaming faces gazed through photographs, trophies, and plaques spanning tabletops. Mounted on the wall by the door was a lone frame. It was an old newspaper clipping that told the story of “A Captain’s Journey to Passion and Compassion.”

This same man entered the room. It was a flash of sparkling eyes, a brilliant smile, and tinkling laughter as he crossed the floor with quick, purposeful strides. A gray coat was thrown over his casual attire of jeans, a shirt, and rubber shoes as if telling people that he’s out here to live but first, he must work.

It was Captain Jae Jung Jang – a master mariner, businessman, and philanthropist.

What motivated you to become a seafarer?
I was born in the middle of a devastating war in Korea. At the time, there were only two social classes in our country – the extremely poor and the soldiers. I was supposed to carry arms, but when my father passed, I was suddenly burdened with the responsibility of looking after a family of five, even before I had entered college.

It was then that I learned of the Korea Maritime University (KMU) in Busan, the only maritime school in the country owned by the state. The government fully covered the tuition, board and lodging, and clothing fees of its students. It was four difficult years of training, but my mind was set on becoming a seafarer. This was the fastest way I knew to save my family.

What led you to become a maritime executive in the Philippines?
I remember back in 1980 when I was the captain of our ship, a war broke out just a few days after our arrival in Iran. We slept and woke up to the sounds of explosions and gunfire. We did not know if we would survive. When we were finally able to leave six months later, I decided to settle for a shore-based maritime career. It was with Sammi Shipping Line, South Korea’s largest at the time.

Two years later, they offered me a promotion to become the company director. It made me feel uneasy, though. While it would guarantee a steady income and a comfortable life, I couldn’t see myself confined in a small white room and waiting for my retirement.

The world is so colorful and full of life! A person should not be fixed on doing the same job and routine every day because that is when we lose our energy and passion; we just become a slave to a lifeless system. There is no life in that.

And so, when a French friend invited me to work for a shipping company in the Philippines, I bravely moved with him amidst the sneers and pitying looks from my friends. They thought I was in for a disaster.

What made you stay?
The socio-political landscape of the Philippines was in turmoil in 1984. They said, “How could you go there? It’s dangerous?”

But I had two peaceful years working as the general manager of Seawood Shipping.

When demonstrations finally broke out in the streets of Manila, the Americans, and Europeans fled the country, and most shipping companies closed their doors, including mine. My French business partner also joined the exodus.

But I stayed. I joined the defiant crowd of People Power demonstrations in EDSA and ripped the sheets of Yellow Pages into confetti so I would have something to toss into the Roxas Boulevard procession! I tried standing up for this nation that I have learned to love.

I was there when the government and businesses reopened for those who were picking up the pieces. The new government under President Cory Aquino immediately approved my business application, and they were happy because no one was investing and doing business here at that time. So, I started with seven young Filipino people and met with them in Cafe Adriatico in Remedios. We then set up Uni-Ship on United Nations (UN) Avenue.

Most of them still work for me now.

What encouraged you to help Filipino lepers?
It was 1994. My friend, who was a missionary pastor with the Samaria Mission International, asked me to drive him to Tala Leprosarium Hospital. When we got there, he introduced me to one of the patients and asked me to shake his hand… but I did not know what to do. The man had no hand!

I felt very guilty. I may be working so hard to earn money that I choose to waste, but it turns out that I am drinking away something that could actually buy 30 Hansenites three months’ worth of food. I ended up visiting my leper friends in Tala every week and bringing them something every time.

Since then, I have continuously cared for the Hansenites in Tala and eventually established a village for cured patients called Sorok Uni Village in San Antonio, Quezon. The housing project included sustainable livelihood programs for the patients and their families, as well as education for their children. We also catered to their religious needs; we renovated an entire mosque for the Muslim Hansenites.

What is your greatest achievement in life?
More than the assistance we have extended to the Hansenites, our greatest accomplishment is teaching and showing people how to love our neighbors, even those with challenging social and physical attributes.

In the case of Sorok Uni, I am the one who planted the seed of acceptance and goodwill 20 years ago. Today, our staff and volunteers are watering the plant that has grown from that initiative. One day soon, Filipinos will reap the fruit and plant many other trees for the next generation. I have paid my blessings forward, and I hope that those who will continue to carry on our torch will likewise pay theirs as well.

Today, as Capt. Jang reflects on the two-decade journey that Sorok Uni has undergone – from the strange handshake with the very first Hansenite he met, the friendships made, to the road blockades and social stigma that were overcome – the veteran captain can only express deep gratitude for those who built the institution with him and the opportunity to pay his blessings forward.

He has also extended his charitable hands to the homeless people of Manila by providing medical missions, feeding programs, and public worship in Liwasang Bonifacio beside the Manila City Hall. He also sends hundreds of Mangyan children in Mindoro to school by erecting a halfway house for those who live six hours away from the school.

“People have always wanted to be happy. But what is real happiness? Is it spending time and money to make yourself and your family happy? That is fleeting. But if you spend all these for the benefit of other people, then that is lasting happiness and fulfillment. That is why we have to understand what the Bible says, ‘love God and love your neighbor.’ It teaches us to be a channel of blessing,” he concluded.