The Department's anniversary used to be celebrated with an all-hands gathering of personnel at our huge auditorium, a long program of speeches/awards/performances, and - if we were lucky - a huge-ass delivery from Jollibee Libertad. Now you'd think with the current community quarantine and everything, the DFA wouldn't be able to stage anything this year -- but they did! Virtually! With all of the ceremony and significance, just none of the Jollibee. Understandable! And very well done! Plus, the thing was livestreamed to all the Foreign Service Posts around the world.
leading to "do we wear filipiniana while we watch" discussions around the world
Highlights!
1:45 - The music beat dropping in time with the countdown clock then breaking into a hype reel is some NBA playoffs starting-five intro video level. That's also some 1917-level tracking shot of my old parking lot-to-auditorium path.
4:18 - Speaking of the auditorium, they used its trippy ceiling light fixture as image placeholder.
As well they should.
7:15 - Group shot of the Department's senior officials. They take online direction well.
36:18 - Recognition of Loyalty Awardees, i.e., those who've been in the foreign service for many, many years. Included in the 40-years of service group is a batchmate who became an officer well into his career, which leaves the rest of the batch teeming with pride as well as apprehension everyone will think we're all the same age.
50:28 - Speaking of being proud, one of the cited Outstanding Employees of the department is a former staff of mine at my old office. I take no credit for her skills and success, but do wish to point out that our unit also had personnel named Grace, Hope and Star and it was my idea to have our office Christmas card just be a picture of all of them with the caption "Get it? Get it?"
57:58 - First intermission number! Brought to you by the latest batch of FSOs, Batch...(checks program)... XXVII?!?. Good Lord, there have been over a dozen batches of officers since mine already?!!! I feel so old. Not 40-years of service batchmate old, but still, old. Anyhoo, out of this latest batch, a crowd favorite emerges online
1:03:09 - Second intermission number! An original composition by our Regional Consular Office in Tacloban! This joint slaps!
1:18:10 - Special Citation to Foreign Service Posts for their repatriation efforts. Whassup, Sydney! And everyone else!
1:26:27 - Essay reading from an accomplished/awarded FSO writer. She speaks her truths on the paradoxes of foreign service life. The Constant Gardener and Office Concierge shout-outs speak to me.
1:34:02 - Next intermission number! A
cool music video from members of the more senior and experienced Batch IX. Where other FSO batches are still notetakers, this batch is already Point-To-and-Hit-the-High-Note breakers.
1:40:50 - Whoa. The Special Awards for Achievements in Other Fields section features some truly prolific writers and authors, as well as a freakin' gold-medal winning fencer!
And here I sit, on my couch, blogging about Star Wars and Fantasy Sports.
Anyway, great job, production crew. I'd edit me for time, too.
