ALMOST half of my professional life has been spent in diplomatic missions or multicultural organizations—from Australia to the United Nations, and now here in the European Union (EU).
My stint at the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines for the last 11 years has been replete with color, fun, significant experiences and lessons that have widened my perspectives as an individual and as a Filipino.
Beginning in today’s column, I shall share with you my journey as an insider into the complex world of the EU in the Philippines, and everything connected with it. The uniqueness of the EU simply lies in its character.
As a continent, the EU is an economic and political partnership between and among 28 member-states. Since its creation in 1958, the EU is now a strong force, with its 503 million people spanning over 4 million square kilometers. The EU endeavors to improve living standards by protecting the environment, providing jobs, and reducing regional differences through its cross-border infrastructures.
Overall, EU institutions employ over 40,000 staff from all its member-states. The European Personnel Selection Office organizes “open competitions” for permanent and nonpermanent posts. It also hires contractual and temporary staff, and offers traineeships for its nationals.
EU Delegation to the Philippines
In the Philippines the EU Delegation is the diplomatic representation of the EU occupying the whole stretch of the 30th floor of the RCBC Plaza, Tower 2 on Ayala Avenue in Makati City.
It is a living macrocosm of the EU. The Delegation has 46 staff, more than half are Filipinos, while 18 are Europeans, led by French Ambassador Guy Ledoux. Three others are from France, four from Belgium, two from Austria and the rest are from Netherlands, Czech Republic, Romania, Malta, Spain, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom.
It was opened in October 1990, following the influx of official development assistance to the country, after democracy was restored under the Aquino administration.
Working for the EU Delegation meant gaining perspectives from two geographical entities, which have become partners throughout the years—the Philippines and the EU. And immersing in the EU is like being engaged in a fusion of two cultures, with local and European staff coming from varying backgrounds. Newest colleagues Julemer Ann Aying, receptionist, worked as an assistant in Cagayan de Oro’s Xavier University; Eddie Caballero, driver was formerly with an AusAID project; and Rose Anne Pamittan, trade officer, previously worked for Singapore’s Trade Agency in Manila.
European colleagues have been posted previously either in the headquarters, in one of the member-states, or in any of the other continents.
Unity in diversity
Indeed, the EU Delegation to the Philippines has become a melting pot of cultures, where multiculturalism is most evident.
Right when you step into its premises, you will see a huge painting Unity in Diversity. This artwork was an outcome of one of the public diplomacy events I led in 2004. Three hundred Europeans and Filipinos paraded around the streets of Makati, and afterward did their handprints on a canvas. The handprints were symbols of the “Unity in Diversity” (EU’s motto) to drumbeat awareness of the largest enlargement of the EU, with the accession of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
This EU motto has become our life blood. After all, teamwork is essential for an organization which collaborates and spearheads joint EU events together with the member-states’ embassies.
EU Ambassador Gay Ledoux takes a hands-on approach to ensure consensus and solidarity among his staff. In fact, he is the only ambassador I know who has literally opened his doors so that, at any given time, staff members can just come in his office to discuss or to raise concerns. He has also put up a suggestion box to encourage staff to put forward their ideas, as he feels that there are colleagues who are not too up-front.
Austrian Robert Frank, regional cooperation officer for Southeast Asia, describes Filipino colleagues as “being quick and focussed”. Frank, however, feels that colleagues need strong guidance and seem very hierarchical in thinking.
“Many colleagues refrain from giving honest feedback if they consider that something was not very good,” he said. “Filipinos avoid open conflicts. I hope that if there are conflicts, they do not remain unsolved in the hidden.”
When asked what areas could be improved by local colleagues, he said that, “even when under time pressure, due care should be given to always read communications properly and listen carefully. Time would be saved, resulting in higher efficiency.”
Citing the Lewis culture model, Frank describes the working relationship among Austrians and Filipinos as linear-active and reactive, respectively.
Philippine culture is rather reactive, referring to those who seek harmony and will move backward and start anew if things are not working well, while Austrians are more linear-active, “polite but confrontational based on logic.”
Head of the Political, Press and Information Section Lubomir Frebort is a native of the Czech Republic. Frebort admires his Filipino colleagues even before his posting in Manila.
“Filipino colleagues were very helpful in advising and helping me on practical issues. It was only when I arrived at the Delegation that I realized the full extent of a very special multicultural working environment I was about to spend in the next four years of my career,” he said.
“Filipinos are very friendly, optimistic and they share many of the European values; and when it comes to the work performance, they are very professional. All these make my working days enjoyable. I only wish I could spend more time with them after work, when everybody seems to rush home. I will miss my colleagues when I leave this beautiful country later this year. This posting has become most memorable in my career.”
Monette Gonzalo, admin officer, a Filipino, describes most expats as easy to deal with. “They are more understanding and considerate, especially when dealing with our government agencies’ red tape. Although they can sometimes be a bit obstinate, my style of dealing with them is to ensure that their demands are addressed right away and, if by some unforeseen circumstances, the delivery of the requested service is delayed, a good explanation suffices.”
“Proactivity, of course, is key,” she added. Joyce Paculaba, assistant at the Development Section, cites Europeans as putting premium in their work. “They work, while they work, and play while they play. They come to work fueled by passion and get to their desks with rolled-up sleeves ready.”
Most unforgettable for her was when she led a team-building exercise and asked officials to play the role of subordinates. “Imagine how tense I was on that day as I switched roles with my bosses. How encouraging it was to witness the European bosses heeding my instructions.
I saw in them childlike spirits when they strategized their game plans! They didn’t have an issue whether they got wet or had to run barefoot, or if they had to carry someone on their back, all for the sake of fun.”
Paculaba advised those aspiring to work in multicultural offices “to be open minded—just like in any organization—there are times that we don’t get along well due to personality differences. We need to be professional.”
True enough, she and other assistants add more gaiety to our office, as they organize welcome and farewell parties, drinks and other activities to contribute to the borderless atmosphere in the Delegation.
As for her fellow Filipinos, she considers resiliency as a great strength. “No calamity can dampen our psyche. We have that gift of indomitable spirit because we can still smile in the midst of trials.”
Certainly, this gift of smile evoking friendship is enough to warm the hearts of Filipinos and Europeans, who persistently do their share in achieving unity despite their issues and differences.
gecoleathelma@gmail.com
Thelma Gecolea / Insights