A Pinay at the Obama inauguration

MANILA, Philippines - Who would have thought that after barely two months on the East Coast, I would be given the chance to join the Presidential Inaugural Committee for the Obama inauguration in Washington, DC? But that is exactly what happened, and I am elated to share this story — not to brag or make others envious — but to make everyone feel that anything is indeed possible! (And that volunteering is fun!)

So how did I get my foot in the door? I have to thank social media for that. I have been in the e-group of the Obama organization from when he was first elected. Then, a few days after Christmas, I got another e-mail, this time from the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC), asking for volunteers for the Obama inauguration. Anyone who signed up would not necessarily be picked, as they had a list of questions we had to answer, information we had to provide, including attaching your résumé, which at that time I hadn’t updated, so I just wrote a summarized version of what I am: a public relations consultant, former executive director of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UPCMC)–volunteer work, current president of UPCMC–volunteer work, former college instructor at three different universities, and an events planner. I was asked to check the top three preferences for the inaugural events: the National Day of Service, Kids’ Inaugural Concert, Swearing-In Ceremony, Inaugural Parade, and the Official Inaugural Balls. I checked the parade, the balls and the concert, and pressed “send.”

The very next day, while dining at Max’s Restaurant in Jersey City, I got a call from someone in Washington, DC, named Amit, who said that PIC got my e-mail, I had been picked to be one of the volunteers, and that I might even be team captain. That dinner of Max’s chicken, lumpiang shanghai, pork sinigang and sago’t gulaman never tasted so good! I was literally dancing in my seat, and though I did not really hear what Amit said after “you have been picked to be a volunteer,” all I remember was waiting for succeeding e-mails and calls about what I should be doing next.

The author Gina D. Lumauig

There was mandatory training for all volunteers, and the training date I chose was Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. I had to take the Greyhound bus from New York Port Authority at 12 noon, arrive at Washington, DC’s Union Station at 4:30 p.m., take the Metro (train) to Mt. Vernon Place where the Washington Convention Center is — and arrive just in time. The people of PIC were great — hyped up, encouraging, very pleasant, and aside from talking about the details of the inauguration, we were reminded of the following volunteer tips: smile, be inviting, friendly, enthusiastic, helpful, respectful, flexible, kind, patient, be a good listener, work as a team, and most importantly, have fun! Oh, and do not run!

The convention center was packed, and we were in different rooms since many events had been happening there starting Jan. 19 (the National Day of Service) leading up to the inaugural balls. I was assigned to the White House bleachers, and when the team leader said our group had the best area, I looked at the map provided us and believed her, as the others who were also assigned to the parade would be in different areas than us — right in front of the Rose Garden along Pennsylvania Avenue.

To say that I was ecstatic is an understatement; however, I was also extremely frightened. No, not because of what I was supposed to do, or what was expected of me — I had been doing volunteer work for many years already; I was extremely frightened of the weather. I am a Filipina, born and raised in tropical weather, and though I lived on the East Coast for seven long years, it had been 20 years since I’d experienced winter weather. So to think about being out in the cold for that many hours was scary, especially since we were asked to report to our post at 5:30 a.m. The parade was going to start at 2:30 p.m., but ticketed spectators were expected to arrive as early as 7 a.m. So we were to be outside, in freezing weather, for about 12 hours — half a day.

A few days before going back to DC, I wore exactly the same outfit I would wear for the inaugural parade: two thermals, warming socks and a pair of thicker wool socks with knee-high winter boots. On top: a tank top, two long-sleeve shirts, a turtleneck, jacket, very thick winter coat and scarf. For my headgear, the red beanie that the PIC provided to all volunteers that read “57th Presidential Inauguration.” I prayed for warm weather on that day, but the forecast was in the 30s, especially at dawn, when it might be even colder. Mercy me!

I was very fortunate to have as hosts my very close friend Charlotte and her husband Cris, who drove me all the way to DC that early morning.

When we were brought to our assigned bleachers — right by the White House, by the Presidential Review Stand (PRS) — I was just awestruck! Cameras were allowed, so I started snapping away! We were subjected to security checks with magnetometers, and since it was still relatively early, I had the chance to just stand back and admire the view — the Rose Garden, the PRS where the president, vice president and their families would be sitting to watch the parade participants, and the MRS where the press would be situated to document the parade.

But with adrenaline on high, people euphoric, cheerful volunteers, the dreary winter weather definitely did not dampen our spirits. We listened to the Swearing-In Ceremony via speakers, we took very short breaks for meals, including bathroom breaks, and I also chatted with some of the spectators and cops there, who were pleasantly surprised to know that I was from out of town (New Jersey) and from another country (Philippines). Someone asked, “So what do you get as a volunteer?” I pointed to my red beanie, my blue lanyard, and said, “Just these, plus this great historical and momentous experience.”

Gearing up for the actual parade was where we volunteers had to be ready. Spectators were getting anxious, constantly asking us if the president would be walking or be in his limousine when he passed. All we said was, “Let us hope that he will be walking!” I was by the bleachers on the corner of 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, and when the presidential convoy started approaching, the limo stopped right in front of us and President Obama stepped out! At that point I had my video turned on and I was just trying to take a good shot of the president.

And when First Lady Michelle Obama came out, seeing her bangs, her high boots, her beautiful dress, holding hands with the president, all I could think of was, wow.

They walked towards the Presidential Review Stand to be able to watch the parade participants and floats composed of more than 58 groups from different states and organizations, representing the best values and traditions: service to others, commitment and faith, which embody the inaugural theme “Our People, Our Future.”

We watched the rest of the parade, watched the president and his family, took more photos, and when it was almost 6 p.m., I had to leave so I could take the Metro back to Maryland. After all, I was an out-of-towner, alone. Besides, I was still freezing!

Hot soup was what I needed, as well as a long, hot bath. And when I finally got under the thick blankets, I know I slept with a big smile on my face. The frozen Filipina definitely had one very warm experience of a lifetime.

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You may e-mail the author at ginalumauig@gmail.com.