As a chronicler of developments in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), it’s reasonable to assume that “DG” means deputy governor.

This time, I beg to differ, Virginia. “DG” here refers to Dino Gasmen, the incoming assistant governor for finance and next treasurer of the BSP, who will take the reins from Senior Assistant Governor (SAG) Edna “EV” Villa in January next year.

Dondi is no other than Dondi Baltazar, DG’s former colleague at HSBC Philippines under the tutelage of Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso, now president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System. Currently, Dondi serves as the executive vice president (EVP) for the global banking and markets sector at Philippine National Bank.

Like SAG EV, who reached the public sector’s mandatory retirement age, DG last Tuesday hit the private sector’s retirement age. His last day of service as EVP, treasurer, and head of global markets at the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) will be at the end of the month.

Chill! I’m avoiding carbon-dating SAG EV and DG, as both are my friends and the last thing I want is to earn their ire.

He will officially join only next year. However, for a smooth transition and to get a feel for the government service environment and work protocols, his presence will already be felt at the BSP this November.

For two months, DG will take a much-needed break to reinvigorate and take his wife, Patricia, on a long-overdue European tour—visiting places that, during his banking career, he only ever saw on cursory taxi rides rather than getting to savor, immerse in, and appreciate their splendor.

That’s right, Virginia! Aside from having big shoes to fill replacing SAG EV, who has been with the BSP for more than 40 years, there’s a world of difference between central banking and private banking.

“I feel honored but a bit apprehensive with the weight of expectation. At the same time, I look forward to joining BSP, as I will be on the other side… the perspective is altogether different from a regulated market player,” explained DG.

Answering the curiosity of my Star colleague who asked, “Wala bang homegrown?”, there were four candidates for the post: two homegrowns, Lorelei Fernandez and Manny Miranda; and two private bankers, Dondi and DG.

Interestingly, there seems to be a pattern here—or am I just overthinking and reading too much between the lines? DG is the second HSBC alum engaged by the BSP. The first was Roberto Figueroa, who was HSBC’s corporate counsel and is now BSP general counsel.

Taking it on the positive side, it speaks well of HSBC’s training process.

Now, in my conversations with Dondi and DG, both shared the travails they went through as market player-candidates. Apart from going through preliminary interviews with a special panel specifically constituted for the purpose—composed of Monetary Board members Walter Wassmer, Benjamin Diokno, and Rosalia de Leon—DG and Dondi had to take the Civil Service Exam for professionals.

The Civil Service Exam, officially called the Career Service Examination, measures an individual’s skills and knowledge to determine if they are fit to work in government. Passing it gives one the eligibility needed to secure a permanent job in public service. The Professional level is for college graduates or those seeking higher-level, technical, or managerial positions.

“You’ll breeze through it,” was a common comment from friends. “It has to be revised,” shared DG. Apart from the time pressure, “none of the questions were in the reviewer.”

The exam covered basic math, word and academic proficiency, logic, current events, and general information on the Philippine Constitution, public service basics, and the code of conduct for public workers. “Dahil PhiSci (colloquial for Philippine Science High School), I believe you got it,” Dondi told DG. Both, though, expressed the same sentiment about the exam’s difficulty.

After spending a little over three hours taking the CSE—and considering that the CSC headquarters is just a stone’s throw away from Trellis restaurant—the duo gorged on sisig, their comfort food of choice.

Sisig, a Kapampangan delicacy made from pork jowl and ears, usually seasoned with calamansi, onions, wild chili peppers (sili labuyo), and topped with an egg, is also one of BSP Gov. Eli Remolona’s favorite dishes.

I agree: food is the ultimate balm to soothe and refresh one’s nerves. Dondi and DG clearly share that same passion for food.