Date: December 3, 2018

It started out as a normal school day. I get up early drink my milk (yes, I still do), shower and dress up to
leave for school. However, the uniform was different, socks too. Because I have a new purpose for this
day. It’s the start of our WORK IMMERSION.

= Time skip to when we got to our destination=

Yes, we are here at the Commission on Population office. We were greeted warmly by staff people and
this helped to calm my erratic heart. There was no dilly dallying. They—the staff—have no time for such
—for we were late. I was then assigned to the POPCOM-NCR department alongside with two of my
classmates and friends, Joan and Angel.

To add to the statement “no time for dilly-dallying”, we were already assigned tasks. I was asked to
record travel order papers but what I’ve found fun and enlightening was when. Mr. Allan taught me how
to operate the photocopying machine. I may have had some troubles when I was assigned to photocopy
something but still found it fun.

The rest of the day was spent sorting and compiling forms with Joan and Angel. This took most of our
time because of the amount of the load. *The struggle is real.

Then, alas, time goes by quickly. Our first day ended with breaths of relief and nervous laughter. I
wonder what tomorrow would give us.

Date: December 4, 2018

After doing my daily routine I was excited, maybe too excited, to head to POPCOM I arrived early. I can’t
help it, It’s my second day!!

However, the day wasn’t eventful compared yesterday. It was because in our department a lot of staff
left for a seminar at the BSA Twin Towers, Mandaluyong city. (I may have remembered this little detail
when I was recording on the travel order logbook)

Today was pretty mundane. Although there were few tasks here and there but the power of three
finished those tasks efficiently.

- There was another little incident with the machine *Watch videos on how to use a
photocopy machine

At around 3, one of our supervisors – Ma’am Sara – gave us delicious snacks. Such generosity 😊

It is now 4:50 and we are getting ready to leave. Angel, Rina and I plan to eat the near local food stores.
Rina said they’re to die for. Now, I’m boring the 3 rd day will bring something new.

Date: December 5, 2018

I arrived at POPCOM earlier than yesterday, the enthusiastic persona of mine through, causing me to
wake up at 5:00 a.m. Wonderful.
Joan and I decided to treat our superiors and co-workers with some hot pandesal. This is to show our
appreciation towards their kindness and guidance all throughout the 2—3 considering today—days
we’ve been here.

Today, I got to meet new people who weren’t there during the first two days at POPCOM. One was Mr.
Edgardo. Who gave most of our tasks for today. We now realized of the hardships of filing, sorting and
punching (holes in paper to fasten them).

During our break time I took the liberty of gathering information about POPCOM and our department.
These data include the Mission and Vision statements as well as the organizational chart. Because I
thought this information would be useful.

Another person I got to meet was Mrs. Ma. Lina or Ma’am Lina. She’s really approachable, witty and
generous—she gave us some pansit wie.

I’ve learned at the end of the day that going home tired than usual is a good thing. It means my day was
productive and a lot of hard work was done. I look forward for more tired days (it also helps me sleep
better)

Date: December 6, 2018

For the first time this week, I woke up later than usual. Given that I was so tired from yesterday, it may
be due to that. Though I still arrived at POPCOM earlier than 8.

Same as yesterday we took the liberty of buying everyone bread. Everyone appreciated our generosity.

It was also busier than usual. And for the first time I was tasked to face in front of a computer and
encode data in excel. Admittedly, I wasn’t confident enough to push through the task—due to lack of
experience using excel. But like all of the new challenges I face, I simply went with it.

Break time wasn’t too eventful. Though news of our stipend keeps booming

Date: December 7, 2018

I would never think I will last for a day. Blame my nerves. But now it’s been 5 days since I’ve first arrived
at POPCOM. And I am soooo happy. Every day of the week I’ve learned something new and I am so
grateful for this opportunity.

Today we got to communicate more with our colleagues. Specifically, Ma’am Marge and Ma’am Sara.
Any nerves that are still present were kept at bay. Take that anxiety! And we also had lunch together,
sharing food from time to time.

We also go an update from our work immersion teacher that he would be visiting today. I hope Mr.
Detanoy will find my journal entries funny and nice. Hehe.

Towards the end of the day I found out that in government offices they do flag retreats every Friday.
During that, we got to witness an oathtaking of a promoted employee at POPCOM. With that, my Friday
at POPCOM ended.

Date: December 10, 2018

Today marks the 2nd week of our work immersion. For me, this is a pivotal part of our journey as Grade
12. To see if what we immersed ourselves last week influenced us in anyway. Because what we will learn
here will then be used for future purposes.

POPCOM stats the week with a flag ceremony just like our school does every Monday. It was like any
typical Monday. However, right after we asked to the head of HR to be oriented. Just a few observations
and reminders that we will surely take note of.

We also spend our time today at the admin section of our department. Moreover, we got to meet
Ma’am Marie! Who gave our first task of the day.

The rest of the day was full of witty banter and jests Ma’am Lina. Which I enjoyed very much. It calmed
my ever-present anxiety.

Date: December 11, 2018

After about a week of immersion at POPCOM. I can say that anything that follows is considered
repetitive. From sorting, filing, compiling, photocopying and encoding to doing most of those again. I
realize that may this is why most office works take any chance of vacation. To get away from the
confines of their temporary walls of blue dividers. In millennials’ terms, it could get kind of boring.
However, the same thought does not apply to me for I find every moment spent at POPCOM to be new
and exciting. Even if it is repetitive.

We haven’t done much today because there were a lot of people not present (Some have taken their
leaves while some are still out for a seminar). Today we asked our colleagues if we were allowed to buy
food outside and have it delivered here. They enthusiastically agreed and they even chipped in. It really
feels like we’re still at school.

The afternoon wasn’t eventful and we were encouraged to sleep. So we took the opportunity to do so.
But as soon as we woke up there was work to be done, Power and Magic 😊

With that, our 2nd day of week 2 ended.

Date: December 12, 2018

Can you believe Christmas is near? 12 days to go for the gift-giving, love-sharing and food-eating
festivities will begin. Today at POPCOM, you can really feel the jolliness in the air. What more when
were mostly tasked to decorate the department.

We unpacked unopened Christmas lights, discovered unused garlands and decorations and we also
created our own. With Joan’s artistic and handicraft skills, we were able to make cute, little, three-
dimensional Christmas trees. Of course, I was proud of what we accomplished for the day. Nothing
could’ve ruined it because Christmas is near.

Date: December 13, 2018

We were only able to time n at around 12:20 making it a half-day for us three. Good thing that our
department that day was due to a gender audit. We were only tasked to answer phone calls and
continue making decorations.
The reason why we weren’t able to head earlier to our immersion is because of a picture-taking at
school. With that, we were pressed for time and we just had to made do of the remaining day.

We only hope that we can settle whatever it is there should be done.

Ms. Shane gave me a copy of the Magna Carta for Women. I’ve written notes on the earlier pages about
some insights.

Date: December 17, 2018

Today marks my 3rd week at POPCOM (due to the disruption of my schedule). The routine of going to
POPCOM became really repetitive. With that said, I can now understand why some people don’t like to
say at one job. They find something new to fulfill themselves with some satisfaction.

It wasn’t that eventful despite the fact that today is the Miss Universe competition and to fully support
our candidate, Catriona Gray. We were watching her full while taking constant breaks. #FilipinoPride

The whole afternoon was spent watching our department practice for their Christmas Party
performance. It’s nice to see that they chose to take time off of their jobs to do something really fun. I
really hope that we will win.

Date: December 18, 2018

OUR LAST DAY!

A melancholic day, though there were no tears shed, a student can’t help but feel sad. For today, it was
my last day at POPCOM-NCR and POPCOM entirely.

I wished that the morning was more eventful that it was. So new moments could be added. Although,
the giving of certificates of completion was set today. Mr. Expañol, Mrs. Felisilda and Mrs. Mary Jane
were present for the short ceremony. They also gave bags as a bonus—such kindness. With that, my last
working hours at POPCOM were able to lift my spirits up.

As I checked out my time card and logged out for the last time. I left POPCOM a better student than
before. I will be forever grateful to all the people that we had the pleasure of working with. I couldn’t
have asked for better colleagues. They were there to share this knowledge and hospitality since Day 1.
And it warmed my heart fully.