The employer wants to see if you can stay calm under pressure, think through logistics, and protect the executive's schedule when plans break, which is a core part of the EA role in the Philippines where weather disruptions are common.
Structure the answer by first confirming the executive's critical timing, then enumerating two to three concrete alternatives you would check, and finally explaining how you would communicate the change and confirm the new plan.
Start by confirming the non-negotiable timing: the presentation is tomorrow morning in Singapore, so you must protect that deadline above all else. Say plainly that you would immediately check for rebooking options, starting with the same airline's next available flight, then moving to other carriers, and finally considering nearby hubs like Clark or Cebu if Manila is grounded. Explain that you would also verify whether the typhoon affects Singapore's arrival or only the departure, because that changes which alternatives are viable. Then, before you even update the executive, you would draft a short list of two to three concrete options with times, airlines, and any layovers, plus a fallback like a video call if travel becomes impossible. When you do communicate, keep it calm and solution-first: state the cancellation, present the best option, and ask for a quick go-ahead rather than dumping the problem. Finally, say you would reconfirm the new booking, notify the client's side of the schedule change, and prepare a backup plan for the presentation itself, whether that means sending materials ahead or having a colleague on standby in Singapore. This shows you treat disruptions as logistics puzzles, not emergencies.
A common mistake is to say "Sorry po, wala na akong magagawa" and wait for instructions. Instead, show initiative by already listing alternatives before updating the executive.
Situation
As an intern supporting a marketing director at my previous company, I was asked to help with an urgent trip to a client event in another city. The evening before the event, the airline cancelled the director's flight due to bad weather.
Task
I had to get the director to the client event on time or find an acceptable alternative while keeping her informed without panicking.
Action
I immediately checked alternative flights on other airlines and nearby airports, using the airline's app and a travel booking site. I found a later flight that same night via a different airline from a nearby terminal, booked it using the corporate card after confirming the budget, and sent the director a concise update with the new itinerary and a backup option. I also called the hotel to confirm late check-in and arranged a car service at the destination.
Result
The director made it to the client event with three hours to spare, and I documented the rebooking for expense liquidation. She later thanked me for handling it calmly.
Always have backup options ready and communicate changes proactively without overloading the executive.
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