Hey there! It's been more than a month since I last posted and a lot has happened already. First things first.
The FSO Oral exam was indeed nerve-wracking as most of the comments I've read. Since our group was big, 43 in all, we were divided into two groups. Our group took the panel interview in Day 1, group dynamics in Day 2 and formal dinner in Day 3. I was quite lucky I was scheduled in the morning, 9:20am to be exact, as the agony wouldn't be unnecessarily prolonged. The panel interview went well. There were 10 panelists in all, some were poker-faced, some were affirming, some were negative, I think you really cannot please everybody. Day 2 was not that good. We were given a topic five minutes before we discussed it under the noses of 4 panelists. Our topic was on how we assess the government's iniatives on returning OFWs who lost jobs abroad due to the world financial crisis. We were given 45 minutes to discuss, no more, no less, but the whole time, I was just praying that the 45 minutes will be over. Dude, it's quite hard to think straight. "I am really disappointed," these were the words of the first panelist who assessed our discussion. Our spirits were dampened. Day 3 was more nerve-wracking. After everyone donned their filipinianas and barongs, we brushed elbows with diplomats and ambassadors as we chit-chatted with a glass of wine on the side. During dinner, I was seated with no less than Undersecretary Ebdalin, the Chairman of the examinations, as well as Comm. Bautista of the Civil Service Commission. I was so conscious real big time the whole time. But what the heck, I just ate whatever the waiters served me, it's my first meal at the Intercontinental Manila, hope it wouldn't be my last. Then came the final torture, extemporaneous speech. At random order, each were called to pick a topic in a fishbowl a minute before the actual speech. Dude, a minute to prepare! Sigh. On the piece of paper, there is an event, a venue, and your role. Mine was on the MOA signing between the Philippines and South Korea on the Student-Exchange Program. I was the ambassador to South Korea. I can't remember what I blaberred in the three minutes I was on stage but I felt good. My co-examinees also complimented me. There was a broad range of topics, from the opening of Ploning in the Pusan Film Festival to the opening of a Senate Forum on the Baseline Law. I was quite lucky again, my topic was easier to wing. So there's the oral exam, and guess what, I passed!!!
June 19, 2009, while I was waiting my turn at the customer service counter in PLDT (all our office lines were down), my mobile rang, "Mr Bolante, this is from DFA, congratulations..." The news was hair-raising. I was so happy that I immediately called my parents (they just arrived from the province) and my sister recieved the call. She was exhilarated, shouting at the top of her voice to her excitement. After all the waiting, I just have to undergo one last exam on July 1, the psychological test. As I look back, it's really mind-boggling at how I came across the exam in the first place and how I moved from one stage to another. I'm happy just I winged it.
June 22, 2009, while dozing off in LRT after I claimed my letter from the DFA, my mobile rang once again, this time, it was my Area Business Director calling. I was on leave, obviously, so this must be urgent. "You got it....," Yippeeeee, I got it! My promotion is confirmed!!! At last!!! Again, a hair-raiser. No less than our President has signed my promotion papers. Thank God indeed!
I pray that all these blessings will be shared to my loved ones...that all of us may be blessed...
So, who wouldn't say that life is like a box of chocolates?
Before I forget, we went to Coron, Palawan last June 12-14, 2009. I'll post about it some other time.
XOXO
The FSO Oral exam was indeed nerve-wracking as most of the comments I've read. Since our group was big, 43 in all, we were divided into two groups. Our group took the panel interview in Day 1, group dynamics in Day 2 and formal dinner in Day 3. I was quite lucky I was scheduled in the morning, 9:20am to be exact, as the agony wouldn't be unnecessarily prolonged. The panel interview went well. There were 10 panelists in all, some were poker-faced, some were affirming, some were negative, I think you really cannot please everybody. Day 2 was not that good. We were given a topic five minutes before we discussed it under the noses of 4 panelists. Our topic was on how we assess the government's iniatives on returning OFWs who lost jobs abroad due to the world financial crisis. We were given 45 minutes to discuss, no more, no less, but the whole time, I was just praying that the 45 minutes will be over. Dude, it's quite hard to think straight. "I am really disappointed," these were the words of the first panelist who assessed our discussion. Our spirits were dampened. Day 3 was more nerve-wracking. After everyone donned their filipinianas and barongs, we brushed elbows with diplomats and ambassadors as we chit-chatted with a glass of wine on the side. During dinner, I was seated with no less than Undersecretary Ebdalin, the Chairman of the examinations, as well as Comm. Bautista of the Civil Service Commission. I was so conscious real big time the whole time. But what the heck, I just ate whatever the waiters served me, it's my first meal at the Intercontinental Manila, hope it wouldn't be my last. Then came the final torture, extemporaneous speech. At random order, each were called to pick a topic in a fishbowl a minute before the actual speech. Dude, a minute to prepare! Sigh. On the piece of paper, there is an event, a venue, and your role. Mine was on the MOA signing between the Philippines and South Korea on the Student-Exchange Program. I was the ambassador to South Korea. I can't remember what I blaberred in the three minutes I was on stage but I felt good. My co-examinees also complimented me. There was a broad range of topics, from the opening of Ploning in the Pusan Film Festival to the opening of a Senate Forum on the Baseline Law. I was quite lucky again, my topic was easier to wing. So there's the oral exam, and guess what, I passed!!!
June 19, 2009, while I was waiting my turn at the customer service counter in PLDT (all our office lines were down), my mobile rang, "Mr Bolante, this is from DFA, congratulations..." The news was hair-raising. I was so happy that I immediately called my parents (they just arrived from the province) and my sister recieved the call. She was exhilarated, shouting at the top of her voice to her excitement. After all the waiting, I just have to undergo one last exam on July 1, the psychological test. As I look back, it's really mind-boggling at how I came across the exam in the first place and how I moved from one stage to another. I'm happy just I winged it.
June 22, 2009, while dozing off in LRT after I claimed my letter from the DFA, my mobile rang once again, this time, it was my Area Business Director calling. I was on leave, obviously, so this must be urgent. "You got it....," Yippeeeee, I got it! My promotion is confirmed!!! At last!!! Again, a hair-raiser. No less than our President has signed my promotion papers. Thank God indeed!
I pray that all these blessings will be shared to my loved ones...that all of us may be blessed...
So, who wouldn't say that life is like a box of chocolates?
Before I forget, we went to Coron, Palawan last June 12-14, 2009. I'll post about it some other time.
XOXO
