Resolute —
an attribute I had to pick for this young warrior after completing the UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) International Project Programme in Geneva, Switzerland on April 11-17, 2026…
Unbeknownst to us, our youngest son underwent the screening and received the result of his application on March 17. He happily shared it with me.
Afterwards, I forwarded it to his Tatay and his Tita Nano who've been his constant uppers. Originally just a self challenge whether he could pass an international assessment but not bent on participating in the end, this became a journey which Lancelot T.K. (The Knight) gutsily started, navigated and finished when his Father gave his wholehearted support.
Recalling now the series of events and the emotional rollercoaster my son and I went through for his Schengen visa grant, I could only shake my head in disbelief but acknowledged that things worked in his favor despite racing against the clock and jousting with circumstances.
Please indulge me while I relay the backstory.
Upon deciding to be in this training with his three AB Diplomacy and International Affairs course mates/friends, he addressed the very first rub: his physical passport. This had already been queued at Japan Embassy for our tourist visa application. Our dream Japan trip could have been his first travel outside the country. For me, the limited number of days (roughly eight!) because of the Holy Week holidays was an existing constraint to have the Schengen visa. Yet, he became decisive and took measures. He personally called up the travel agent and asked that his passport be pulled out. This contradicted my flip-flopping on not withdrawing it and letting him join after learning that the program was unsanctioned by the school. However, my husband was unswerving in his decision because he saw the project as an arena for our son to develop his essential life skills.
The three-day waiting for his passport was the first wave of suspense. My heart beat erratically while standing by for the agent’s update about the withdrawal. Good thing the agency fulfilled its promise, and his passport was couriered the next day. Passport at hand, he completed all the required documents which were submitted to a different agency for visa processing. My husband, wanting to be assured of our son’s safety due to the possible effect of the ongoing Middle East conflict on their trip, called up the Abu Dhabi-based organizer from his KSA workplace, raised some parental concerns and sought advice for the most secure flight route.
Lancelot broke the second wave of suspense when he had his biometrics on April 1, a Holy Wednesday. He was told it would take three days (!!!) of waiting. Now, Switzerland Embassy would be closed for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday till weekend. Then, VFS Global Makati declared an Easter Holiday on April 6, a Monday. OMGeeeeeeee! We didn't see that coming! So the last day when he must have his visa would be April 8 which was already their schedule to go to the airport late evening for their 2:50am flight on April 9. (They agreed to arrive in Geneva on April 10, a day earlier.) Arrrrrrrggggggghhhhhh! It was this moment when I felt experiencing what George Floyd underwent when he uttered, "I can't breathe.” *puffs* Even with the endorsement letter from UNITAR and a written communication to expedite the visa, the available days for the processing in the Philippines seemed to be desynchronized with my son's sked. Subsequently on April 8 at 11:00am, Lancelot was emailed for his visa pick-up. H.A.L.L.E.L.U.Y.A.H.! I was thankful, but not until my son had the visa sticker on his passport, I wouldn't be calmed. A fatalistic pragmatist, I reminded Lancelot to believe but be ready to accept whatever the outcome would be.
Similar to his biometrics appointment, he again went to VFS Global on his own. He arrived before 1:00pm and was informed that his visa would be released at 2:00 pm. Alone, I was on edge in the house. Ta-thump...ta-thump...ta-thump...
At 2:11pm, he sent the day’s most awaited screenshot. I was crying while staring at it. They were tears of extreme relief, joy and pride. Lancelot, our Knight, sure knew how to carve his own destiny.
Photo and video credits:
Hannah Concordia
Lancelot T.K. M. Gines
UNITAR
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