Proud 2 B a Dread

Before I try to organize the jumbled organ that is my brain, allow me to pause first and acknowledge my friend who has lost her children. Yes, they may have been yet unborn, but they are children nonetheless - her children. I can only imagine the pain it must have caused - the imagery that comes to mind is that these angels brought a part of their mommy’s soul back to heaven, and my friend could probably be only remade whole once she herself meets our Creator. I’ve always heard stories of these things happening to other people and not minding it much, but not to persons I care deeply about. I may have a lot to say about a lot of things, but with this, I have nothing to say, except that my friend, I am humbled by your extraordinary strength. And we will always be here for you.

-=-=-

On to more mundane things.

As a testament to my friend’s emotional maturity, we were talking about her loss, and I guess just to keep her mind off the sad news, she asked me about my thoughts about the US elections. I’m no pundit, and I can’t vote, but I do try to familiarize myself with the issues. She asked me why I was “in love” with Obama - her exact words.

OMG - am I that transparent? Go, gay marriage!
But seriously, I think I haven’t made my thoughts about Obama coherent enough so that I can explain the Why. But I think I’ve read enough to be able to explain to her my position - that it’s not just a man-crush.

And one question that popped up (and has been central to McCain’s argument, until Palin, that is) is experience. And I think that is one area where I can relate to Obama. Pardon the long story below, but you’ll get my point eventually.

-=-=-

Once upon a time, I passed the CPA board exams, did some time in public audit, but was not happy. I really wanted to be a programmer, and I knew I was really good at it. Not to brag, but just to give you a perspective, I was one of only two people (and the other person is one of my truly closest friends) who got a mark of 100 in my report card in Computer during high school - it was BASIC and Turbo Pascal. A few years after graduation, when I got to talk to my teacher again, she said she remembers me, because she hasn’t given another 100 since then. Ok, YES, I AM BRAGGING - go get your own blog. And there are other bigger brags coming, I am warning you. But, says a Pinoy showbiz cliche, kailangan sa eksena.

Anyway, so I applied at CPI - they trained people in programming even though we didn’t have a degree in Computer Science (note that until this day we keep contact with the bosses there - I owe them big time). So, after 6 months working for their in-house software, they asked me to work for one of their clients. CPI develops its own software, and also is an outsourcing company - they provide programmers to other companies in need of programmers. Apparently, this client was a big one (System Access, from here on in to be referred to as SA), and they asked all their in-house programmers to apply. We’d still be subject to interviews and such, so it’s not a sure thing. I really didn’t want to be reassigned there, but I thought at least SA is in Makati - a much shorter commute than Ortigas. Also, I was working with Lian at the same office - actually, there’s only one person between our work stations. I am not sure if both Lian and I will be accepted - there is a chance only one of us will be accepted. But again, it was a good client, and we had no choice but to submit our applications. So, interview day. The first level of interviews were done by SA’s own system analysts and programmers, and just having 6 months of hands-on experience, I know I bungled a few questions, but I thought not enough to reject me. After a few days, we got the results. Only a handful of us were to be interviewed by the manager - Lian wasn’t one of them. We decided to give it a shot, she’ll just apply for the next Makati client.

So interview day with The Manager: Madam Zoila. I remember her exact words to me: “Since we develop a software that deals with banking systems, and you being a CPA, I don’t doubt that you will have an easy time understanding our system. What I am most worried about is your experience - only 6 months.”

Bam. I told you this was an Obama-esque quandry. I don’t have Obama’s gifts in oratory, so I wasn’t able to say “Judgement more than experience.” I think I just mumbled a few words, incoherently, I am sure. You could even say Palin-esque.

I knew at that point I wouldn’t get the job. But, say what you will about Madam (especially to my SA friends), but I will not forget that she gave me that one shot to prove my mettle. She may be tough, but I appreciate the fact that she knows how to recognize diamonds in the rough. I stayed with SA for one year as an employee of CPI, then was offered a permanent spot even if they had to pay finder’s fee to CPI. I also remember a few months (2?) after being a permanent employee, SA’s finances were spiraling downwards that they had to let some employees go. I was pretty sure I’d be let go being the newest employee, but I wasn’t. Guys who have been with SA for years have been let go, but not me. And for the next three years, I stayed with SA until the US job offer came.

I think I proved Madam Zoila right.

And that’s why I also think Obama will prove me right.

~ by Herbert on October 21, 2008.