desire

I was honest and forthright when the panel asked me yesterday why i thought i deserved the official nomination of the house of representatives to the philippine selection for the latest round of the JICA young leaders program.

As far as young leaders go, I am a homegrown talent. I have spent the last ten years in the civil service, serving congress in different capacities as congressional staff, committee researcher, committee technical support officer and legal officer. all my opportunities for professional and personal advancement have fell on my lap all because of my own doing. the House secretariat itself has recognized my ability to lead when it previously appointed me to chair the employee electoral board, for which i got rave reviews. And the truth is, this is the FIRST time i have even been considered for a program like this.

We were asked what we thought about the effects of foreign governments sponsoring 'educational excursions' like this, and i answered the panel as honestly as i could: whichever way you look at it, this is still an opportunity to expose myself to another culture, another way of thinking, probably a more efficient & effective method of doing things. No matter how short the course may be (3 weeks), the knowledge & experience gained from the trip will still have an impact on my personal & professional growth. Of course your 'colonial' psyche will ante up. Of course you will be 'grateful' to the foreign government for this chance. But at the end of it all, it will still be my sense of nationalism and pride which will play a big role during and after the program.

So now i await the decision of the house committee on scholarship and training grants. Part of me knows i got it, but the saner part of me knows i have to wait for the official word.

Cross your fingers with me :)