Lately, I’ve been posting travel photos with poetry ’cause I got so occupied with projects and thus, didn’t have the energy to draft an article that requires time, concentration and energy. But since my most-read posts are still those related to the Foreign Service Officer Exam (FSOE), let me add another essay tonight about diplomacy.

December 12 was a big day in my career as an FSO. It was the Commission on Appointments’ confirmation of the ad interim appointment 49 FSOs of the Department of Foreign Affairs (I included). The proceedings were held in the Senate. The program started at 10am and we were required to be there by 9:30a.m. I was there at past 8a.m. and joined the other early birds as we shared some light conversations in the lounge, even as some checked their phones and laptops every now and then for work tasks back in the Office.

What’s so special about this ceremony? Well, I have reached the level in which the promotion to the next rank requires the nod of the Confirmation of Appointments (from FSO II, then FSO I, then Career Minister). So, it cannot be said that promotion is only based on years stayed in the Department but based on qualifications and merit, coupled with the submission of complete documents, which I have started collating since May 2023 when the Human Resources Management Office informed us about the 1st set of requirements, which was followed by another, and finally, in the last week of November, we were informed to complete all documents — CV, Family Info, SALN, ITR in the past 4 years, Ombudsman Clearance, Tax Clearance, NBI Clearance and so on… It really required diligence and patience putting them all together in nine (9) sets, with blue folders, and labelled per document.

In a way, I was lucky because the confirmation time came when I was in my Home Office; it was easier to apply for and get the documents, but I still requested some help in claiming some of them, since I had very limited time to go out–two of those times during lunch; one right after lunch for a 1-hr psych exam in a nearby clinic; another, a quick stop at a nearby clinic as soon as it opened at 7-8am; another, a quick dash to process my BIR from 4pm (a fast paced walk to the notary public, then a ride to the BIR office, and a quick Grab ride to the regional BIR Office, which wasn’t so quick really because of the rush hour, but I made it. 🙂 ) etc.

To facilitate things, I also created a Google Drive for my batch with a folder per officer, where we saved all our important documents. Of course, I made each officer the owner of each folder so they can control who sees their documents. I also received some of my batch mates’ (who are posted abroad) files, before the documents were submitted to the Human Resource Office. But I also received help, for which I am very thankful for. The parents of a batch mate who claimed documents in a government Office in QC also claimed mine (with an authorization letter from me). A clearance that would take probably two weeks to apply was ready in a few days’ time ’cause of a help from a friend. For these, I’m really thankful. ❤

While I compiled most of the documents, I had to ask assistance from Abie in labelling them as I needed more patience in doing the task. Plus doing so would require an hour or so of focused attention and time, just putting the labels, which I didn’t have at that period because my Division was busy with projects and documents. A more senior Officer taught me a life hack, which I noted and will apply henceforth.

I just realized that the confirmation date marks about a month before I reach my 8th year in the Department. Amazing how a lengthy period passed by yet there is still so much to learn from this career. The confirmation is a mark of the many learning experiences and challenges that I faced in the Department, some of which are:

• I have worked in five (5) different Offices. While there are similarities among them such as the importance of verbal and written communication and the need to develop strong linkages with other Offices/organizations/stakeholders, each has a unique culture and way of doing things. Each has a different thrust.
• Working with different types of bosses make you realize who you’d like to emulate and who wouldn’t. You also realize that, while each employee in the Office has a different personality, the leader sets the vibe and the working atmosphere in the workplace.
• Hard work, dedication and discipline are very important. It is a must to find a balance, however, between the demands of work and finding time for yourself and your family/hobbies/pets/personal life.

I would like to share with you some behind-the-scene photos as well as a few before-and-after photos of the ceremony:

The ceremony proceeded in a formal manner, with the FSOs names mentioned one by one. Then there was a part where the Senators asked some questions about the “candidate’s” work and familiarity with some issues. It was a bit nerve-wracking at that point. To help myself (n case I got called to proceed to the front to answer questions), I hurriedly wrote some bulleted information about the Cultural Diplomacy Framework, the PH Studies program, and some of the thrusts/areas addressed by my current Office as well as the Philippine Embassy in Paris (my previous foreign assignment). But, the QnA ended and to my relief, I wasn’t asked to answer a question.

Several Senators then delivered short speeches. One of the Senators mentioned four (4) names including mine. I was a bit surprised ’cause I wasn’t expecting it but it’s not because of anything; it’s just because my district of residence is same as hers. 😉

With my batch mate Bea at the Senate

To my fellow FSOs, congratulations!

To those still pondering whether to take the FSOE and considering the life of a diplomat, give it some thought over the Holiday Season.

You might just discover deep within yourself that it’s the career or the next career you want to embark on. Take note though that it is not a career for the faint-hearted. It is not a career for those who simply want to travel and explore the world. It is a life for people who want to make a change, to assist your fellow Filipinos, to bring the Philippine foreign policy to the rest of the world.