The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office -National Capital  Region (OWWA RWO-NCR) facilitated a Personality Development and Career talk Seminar to its  scholars on 21 December 2021 at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City. Due to the restrictions on mass gathering in compliance with the minimum safety and health standard being implemented to avoid the spread of the 2019 Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), the seminar was conducted through a hybrid format where a limited number of participant-scholars were physically present at the venue while the other participant-scholars joined virtually through video teleconferencing via Zoom.

The seminar was participated by a total of eight (8) Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), eight (8) OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP), and six (6) Educational Assistance by Scholarship in Emergencies (Project EASE) scholars while more than ninety (90) scholars joined virtually via Zoom. The seminar was conducted to equip the scholars with the necessary tools to unfold the adult phase of their life. The said engagement was filled with healthy dialogues between the scholars and the facilitator that aims to guide them develop their unique personalities.

To welcome the scholars, the Chief of Program Services Division Mohammad I. Victor, stated that more than the financial endowment, OWWA’s assistance extends more than beyond—the agency wants to ensure how the scholars will be as they embark on their future endeavors. “As young individuals, and soon to be young professionals, this day is a ladder… a platform for you to assess and reflect how you project yourself to the world”, he shared. Moreover, he added that those assessments would likely help them figure out what they want in life, “And with your assessment, you can eventually find within yourself, how you can improve, and how you can be better individuals”. 

Mr. Kenneth Nyl C. Oresco was invited as a resource person to share his insights among the participating-scholars; helping them assess the direction of their respective career paths as well as establishing and finding their own personalities. Mr. Oresco familiarized the scholars on the nature and scope of the industries they would be engaging in as well as the abilities that they will need to accomplish certain job duties. During the seminar, the speaker emphasized to the scholar-participants to be more adaptive to changes, “Do not fear change”, He added, “Hindi ka mag-grow kung ayaw mo na tanggapin na kailangan mo na mag-grow”.

The scholars that were present at the venue were able to participate in an activity called the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator— a self-report inventory that helps identify an individual’s personality type, strengths, and preferences. 

In the latter part of the lecture, participant-scholars were able to ponder on what transpired in the seminar through sharing what they’ve learned and acquired throughout. Scholar-Lyka P. Matan, a 3rd-year Political Science major, understands that change must be seen in a positive viewpoint, “it is okay to be not the same”, she said. Moreover, one participant-scholar also shared the importance of choosing a path that suits and makes one happy.