So yeah, due to the cut-off; I had to disrupt my dad in his slumbering state as well because I couldn't use my car due to the coding (my plate number ends in 1 that's why I don't have access to my car every Monday). We left at around 0515 to avoid traffic and the reddish-orange shade of the sky was so serene to look at; it really helped in calming my nerves whilst my dad was driving me to a place where I was soon to be judged -- yes, my nerves always get the best of me if I fail to control it.
We arrived at the venue at approximately 0530 but while I was in the car, I checked my stuff and I realized that I left my photos at home -- I began to cuss inappropriate words to myself in my head -- and I recalled that they were in the bag which I used for the QR OD in Cebu. I brushed things off and as I got down of the car, I headed to the guard and gave him my CV; he stamped it and I logged in on a sheet of paper -- there were around 15 guys in the room at that point -- and I asked the guard if I could just come back later, he nodded and I was off to the car again. While heading to my dad's car, I was already generating an excuse in the back of my head -- my dad would get FURIOUS if he found out the truth that I accidentally left my photos at home -- so that I won't screw up my dad's morning. When I entered the car, I told him that I forgot to cut my nails and that my hands were really dry and I assured him that they would check my hands whilst being interviewed -- such a lame excuse, I know haha but I had to think of something FAST -- by one of the HR personnel. Yes, he was slightly mad but he didn't go berserk so he drove me all the way back home again -- my dad's such a star haha -- amidst the slight build up of cars in the city.
It was around 0630 when we reached home and I hurriedly went to my room to get my stuff; my dad was downstairs having his daily dose of tea -- nothing, and i mean NOTHING can separate my dad and his "tea time" -- and biscuits so I just grabbed a piece of toasted pandesal and munched it down to atleast keep my empty tummy not-so-empty-anymore. Once done, we left 10 minutes before 0700 but luckily, traffic wasn't that crazy yet so I made it back to the 5J training center within 20 minutes. Upon entering, the place was already packed! I was quite startled because I wasn't expecting a lot of guys to be there due to the cut-off but I soon found out that the HR decided to call off the cut-off to accommodate the others who were there -- grrreeat! -- at the venue. I approached the lady guard who was there and she handed me this:
The moment I saw what was on the ID, I was like "What the hell??" -- how could I be applicant 119 when I arrived in so early that there were hardly 20 people in the room! -- So I advised the lady guard that this might be a mistake because I submitted my CV at 0530. The male guard then recognized me then he said "sir, your resume is already in the first group that will be interviewed, the ID is just a number but it doesn't mean anything" -- he said it in Tagalog of course -- I then just smiled and said my thanks and I was standing for about 20 minutes until I was able to occupy a seat.
After 15 minutes or so, a male HR personnel introduced himself as Mr. R and he said that he would start the screening shortly -- it was around 0730 that time -- since there were a lot of applicants to be screened. He then started to call out names while the rest of us were just waiting for our turn to be called. After an hour, and after constantly yawning and checking my watch, some lady finally called out a familiar name but she hardly was able to pronounce it -- yes, most people butcher my name all the time that's why I prefer to be called DJ instead -- so I stood up amongst the seated crowd and I said my name aloud; she smiled, I responded back with a smile and I headed to the interview room whilst a dozen eyes were staring at me.
Upon entering the room, she instructed me to take a seat and she tried to pronounce my name once again -- she did get it right the second time around -- but I requested for her to address me by DJ instead. She just smiled and the interview began. She failed to introduce herself so I just took a glance at her ID and her name was Ms. R. She started by asking how old I was so I responded by stating, "Ms. R, I'm 21." she gave out a surprised look and then smiled -- I think it was because I said her name without her saying it to me -- and she followed up by asking how I found out about the vacancy. She then kept on firing numerous, easy questions and I answered them one at a time but suddenly, she asked if I had mixed blood; I said, "No ma'am, I'm not Filipino at all but I was born and raised here" she then followed up by asking "How about your citizenship? do you hold a Filipino passport?" I answered back by saying "I don't, but I'm legite to work here since I have a permanent resident status" She then wrote a couple of lines on my CV but her next set of questions were still focused on my nationality and citizenship. I noticed that there was something wrong so I asked her "Ms. R, should I be concerned with my status?" She was pretty transparent and she admitted, "Yes, I'm sorry to say but you should be concerned with your status; we had the same case before wherein there was a Chinese girl who was accepted for the next round but we had to let her go due to her citizenship; you see, she wasn't bearing a Filipino passport." We had the same situation and in the back of my head I was like oh shoot! So I responded by saying, "Will I undergo the same fate?" she said, "I'm afraid so, but I'll try to check on your status with my colleagues and we'll let you know thru text if you're qualified for the panel interview or not.". After she said that, I just thanked her for her time and headed out to the reception to claim my ID.
I then was outside, basking in the ambience of the summer heat -- it was scorching earlier! -- whilst waiting for a cab. Lo and behold, all the cabs were full! It took me 20 minutes of sweating just to get a cab -- I swear my feet were about to burn inside my leather shoes -- and I finally was reacquainted with cool air from the air-conditioning.
When I reached home, I told mum my story and she told me to just keep my hopes up but I could see from her face that she was disappointed due to my "citizenship issue". Honestly, I sort of saw it coming that I wouldn't make it to the next round -- not because I didn't do well in the interview but because I was helpless due to my citizenship -- Nevertheless, I was still trying my best to look at the positive side of things -- my interview lasted about 5-7 minutes and comparing to other applicants, she interviewed me longer -- and I was hoping that they could find a way to get me in through the next round regardless of what passport I hold.
I logged on to a forum online and there were a couple of posts about the screening; it was around 1500 that time and the contents of the posts were negative news. The applicants who shared their experiences earlier said that they weren't even verbally interviewed, they were just asked to stand up and smile. They then received the SMS stating that they didn't qualify for the next round.
Upon reading their posts, I still had a spark of hope deep inside and I was really hoping to get the congratulatory SMS. After a couple of minutes, a friend then sent me a message stating that he didn't qualify as well. I then started to feel anxious since my phone was just idle on the table for hours! It was approximately 1834 when my phone vibrated and once the message was fully loaded, I read the first line and it said, "We regret to inform you.. blah blah..". I wasn't shocked at all; I really felt it coming. What bothers me the most is that I knew I had a chance but I felt so helpless because the odds were against me; I'm a foreigner, I don't bear Filipino citizenship -- regardless if I was born and raised here and I speak Tagalog fluently -- and there was nothing I could do to change that fact.
It was such a disappointing day but yeah, there's nothing I can do really. If it's not in my luck, it's not. It's just really misleading that they posted on their advertisement that it's okay to apply as long as you have relevant residence status -- which I have -- and then they would turn it into a problem once you're being interviewed.
So yeah, that was my experience with Cebu Pacific. It's all right though, I'm not sad whatsoever but I can't really describe this feeling right now; it's weird!
Anyway, I hope to see you guys at the skies SOON -- without encountering further problems regarding my citizenship --
Cheers,
DJ
It's ok... like you said.. Your heart is with EK! :D
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