"It was not the typical convergence of students...it was cause-oriented!"
May 24, 2008 is one of the most memorable dates in my calendar. Nine students from the best universities in Visayas and Mindanao came to the Queen City of the South for the regional finals of this year's most-coveted search for Bayer Young Environmental Envoy.
Held in Marriot Hotel, the regional finals was something I definitely treasure for a lifetime. Not only I was able to meet students who have exceptional passions for the environment, I was also able to meet the well-respected panelists like Maam Odeth, Maam Dorothy and Sir Rey.
Prior to the interview proper, the very kind Sir Cedie and the very humble Sir Edge called the successful applicants who got a slot for Regional Finals. While it was smooth "congrats, you got a slot!" experience for some, mine was nerve-racking and truly rocky!
I could still remember the night when Sir Cedie phoned in the regional finalists one by one. Sadly, that same night, my phone was dysfunctional. So, the entire night when Sir Cedie was calling the finalists individually, Bayer couldn't call me of course. I was nervous the entire night but I got no choice since i don't have cellphone to insert my sim in.
The following day, it was past 8:00 a.m. when I woke up anxiously with what the results were which i believe Bayer released the preceding night. Apprehensive, i texted Sir Cedie, "May results na po ba sa BYEE?" and i couldn't help but tremble. Seconds after, he responded, "yes, we already have and we already called successful applicants last night." And i became blank. He continued, "...what school do you belong?" And i hesitantly gave my name, "I am Paul sir of UC." My heart's beat became more fast and while writing this entry, I can still remember what I exactly feel that morning. It was almost five minutes, still no reply. What I was thinking then was that probably I did not get a slot...it's that simple. Then, a beep resounded my room. As I read the message slowly, "Im sorry, NOBODY from University of Cebu got a slot for this year..." and I was stunned like a typical loser would initially react. But few seconds after reading it, there's something in me that's not at ease and so i replied,
"Sir Cedie, nakarating po ba jan 'yong BLACK SHAMA entry ko?"
Hopeless of course, I diverted myself reading and checking the mails I had in my yahoo mail. Until,
"kringg, kringggg, krringggggg, kringggggggggg, kringgggggggggggggggg..." and the rings went on and grew stronger even.
When I checked it, it was Sir Cedie!
What I had in mind was that probably, he'll just confirm that "nobody from UC" got a slot and that he'll simply say thru protocol, "thank you very much for joining this year!" Nothing more, nothing less but that.
Expecting it was merely a miss call, but it was not, I answered it and then Sir Cedie remarked,
"Paul John right? of University of Cebu?" and I simply nodded and said "yes!"
"I am so sorry..." and I retorted, "Sir, it's ok, I mean, eventhough I won't be getting a slot this year, I would still be implementing my project though, no matter what!"
And Sir Cedie said, "well, that's a good sign but..."
I got blanked... as in blanked.
"...but CONGRATULATIONS 'COZ YOU GET A SLOT!!!"
"Are you serious Sir?" that's what I told him.
When he said "yes, you get a slot," I was just shouting over the phone....
"OH MY GODDD...OH MY GODDDDD...OH MY GODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD..."
Overwhelmed, I asked apologies to Sir Cedie who by that time laughed and then, he told me of the details.
And that's the story I bore with me in Marriot Hotel aside from the very heavy loads of inspiration and motivation given to me by Sir Mars, by Sir Collin, by Sir Biore, by Rogie, by Michael, by Jun, by May, and by all the people in the Student Affairs Office who all witnessed my struggles during the crafting stage of my proposal.
What's more humbling to me was the time when Sir Edge called me up and told me that,
"YOU ARE THE ONLY FINALIST FROM CEBU THIS YEAR!"
That would have made my head a little bigger, but, fortunately, it humbled me and even made me realize how God has been so good, really good to me.
But of course, since I am the only one from Cebu, the pressure is definitely on that's why I harnessed myself with the proper and the in-depth knowledge about my proposal.
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And then, I entered the room being the FIRST ONE to be interviewed since I came from Cebu. As I walked nearer and nearer to the room assisted by Sir Cedie and Michael, I had a flicker of nerves moving...and then I met THEM...THE FOUR OF THEM....
And I smiled to them and had a nice eye contact...and then, the first question rolled in.
WHAT ABOUT THE INTERVIEW?
WHAT ABOUT THE QUESTIONS of the FOUR?
WHAT ABOUT THE QUESTIONS of the FOUR?
WHAT ABOUT THE COMMENTS?
Well, please leave it to me as part of my CONFIDENTIALITY RIGHT...I want that next year's finalists won't have the idea what the Interview Questions would be like...so that they'll have thesame trembles like mine...lol!
To sum it up, I roughly had ONE HOUR that is 60-MINUTE INTERVIEW with the FOUR.
I left the room assessing how I did in the interview until the remaining finalists' glaring eyes caught me.
And then, I smiled and smiled and smiled.
And I sitted and sitted and sitted and sitted.
Until there was lunch with the finalists and the judges.
Lucky enough, I was seated in the same table with Ms. Dorothy, Ms. Odeth! and had a very very very informative discussion with them with the other four finalists.
And then, the group was divided...Michael and I went to Ayala and then to Larsian's Barbecue Haus to celebrate the culmination of the interview.
I am writing this blog now... and I believe the result will be out this day or this week...that I do not know. Whenever that is, I am determined to start the implementation of my project proposal today, June 1, 2008.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------My project proposal is entitled Black Shama Conservation and Promotion Project in Casili, Consolacion. Black Shama is an endemic bird of Cebu, Philippines but is currently declared by International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as Endangered (EN). This bird lives territorially in bamboos and in the pursuit to stop its near extinction due to the absence of its habitat, that's how my project proposal had a strong basis. The Earth is experiencing global warming brought about by excessive Carbon Dioxide gases in the atmosphere. Bamboos sequester Carbon Dioxide gases by 12% therefore, the bamboo planting together with several sub-components which I will be conducting from June-September (1st Week) will both provide home for Black Shama and mitigates Global Warming.
Here are some of the citations and awards received by the project proposal:
1. Funded project of Rotary Club of Cebu Mabolo
2. Funded project of Rotaract Club of Cebu Mabolo-Canduman Community-Based
3. Finalist, Best Project Proposal Team of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
4. Finalist, Most Innovative Project Proposal of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
5. Presented Project, Rotary Youth Leadership Institute
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The Project:
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Title: Black Shama Conservation and Promotion Project in Casili, Consolacion
Start of Implementation: June 1, 2008-September 7, 2008
Name of Proponent: Paul John B. Gesta
Funding: Rotary Club of Cebu Mabolo and Rotaract Club of Cebu Mabolo-Canduman Community-Based
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