Have you ever aspired for something which you thought was within your grasp, but then as time pass by it slowly slips away, emotionally draining you? Until you are not sure anymore if you will ever attain it.
On March 28, I had to let my aspiration go into thin air as it was the day the president of the Philippines was prohibited by law to appoint and promote government officials until after the mid-term elections on May 12. I’m talking about an important appointive role in a government department that deals with overseas Filipinos.
I was interviewed online by a panel of senior officials after more than four months when I was asked to complete a Personal Data Sheet and a Work Experience Sheet. That interview happened last week of January. I am really drained by the thought of having undergone those agonizing episodes of waiting, chasing, waiting, chasing, and so on. And finally, a deafening silence while you are reading this. No clear feedback whatsoever.
I had high hopes that I will be able to contribute to the administration my PR expertise, my deep knowledge of overseas Filipinos, and my wide connections in the Middle East. I had even shared some of my proposed action plans with the senior officials on how overseas Filipinos can contribute to the Philippine economy and I am not talking about remittances.
I was willing to take a very huge pay cut and was also ready to navigate the daily discomforts of working in Metro Manila, notably the horrible traffic and perennial flooding.
Now, I have several assumptions: Maybe that’s how the entire government bureaucracy really functions. Very slow. Maybe the panel has another person to recommend to Malacanang. Might be backed by a political patron. Maybe the department head does not see an urgent need to have someone take the role full time. The job holder is not as important as other job holders.
Writing this makes me perspire and no longer aspire.
Thank you and God bless the Philippines.
Note: The columnist is a 24-year resident of Dubai and is currently working as Head of Corporate Communications of a global energy logistics company. He is a former Filipino Community Leader and is now active with a global Catholic movement promoting the renewal of Christian family life. He can be reached at artlosbanos@gmail.com
