CC Project #6: Tomorrow

Competent Communication Manual
Project #6: Vocal Variety
Speech Title: Tomorrow
Delivered at: Divanna Estaraha during the Induction of Officers 1st Term PY 2008-2009
Evaluated by: ACB/CL Erick John Tapales

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Toastmasters Project #6: Vocal Variety

Title: Tomorrow

Introduction

One cold December evening of 1974, somewhere in the vast rice fields in the lowlands of Cotabato, a little boy was trying to catch sleep along the mud. He was tired, too tired, that he was not mindful of the fireworks on the air and accompanying loud bang of explosions.

He knows that was neither a Christmas fireworks display nor a New Year festivity. He understands those lights were machine gun spikes, howitzer mortars, and tracer bullets. He was running together with his father, his mother, and sisters away from the pursuing MNLF rebels.

I was running for my life.

Salutation

Good evening fellow toastmasters and beloved guest. Welcome to PICPA Riyadh Toastmaster Club! Tonight, let me share to you one turning point of my life that made me who I am today.

Let me continue my story.

Body

Running for Life

Just as I started to doze off, my father shook me on the shoulder and whispered with a commanding voice. “Wake up, take care of your sisters and move towards the second ditch”. Shaken, I move forward holding my sisters by my side.

My father then started firing his M60 submachine gun towards my back, while my four other “uncles” – soldiers actually, were also snipping on the flanks with their Browning Automatic Rifles.

Few yards away, my mother shouted "faster… and keep your head low". She wraps three heavy belts of bullets across my body and said "these belts to your father and these canisters to your uncle". "Run but keep you head below the ditches".

After giving the ammunitions to my father, I sat down – unmindful of the on going battle – and tried to catch sleep. Then my father shouted, "Wake up! There is plenty of time sleeping when you are dead. For now, you need to stay awake, and keep your sisters alive. Now, move!"

I was tired and so as my sisters. All we want was sleep and stop running, but my father was persistent and keeps saying, "Hold on, tomorrow will come and there will be sun – there will be help".

Battles in our lives

Thirty years has passed, that boy has grown into a man, this man. Yet I am still running, and I am still dodging. Yes, I still want to get a sleep.

I am still running.

Running not on the rice field away from armed conflict, but I am now running on the economic field - away from poverty. I am no longer running from one rice-field box to another but instead, I am moving between countries: Japan, Canada, and Singapore. When I decided to move to Saudi Arabia, my friends tried to scare me, "Are you crazy? There are no girls in Riyadh, only camels. Gee... you'll not survive". I just gave them a wink and said, "It's money, my friends… just money. When I come back, you will ogle with my state of the art camera".

I am still dodging.

Dodging not from enemy’s bullet, but from trials and challenges in day-to-day life. It is there every day. I have a confession to make. You may find me jolly and smiling at all times with Toastmasters, but believe me, I am the exact opposite in the office – I am meek as a lamb. When my boss says, "Jorge do this, do that, finish this today, overtime tonight – even if there's nothing to do". I just keep my patience. I will do what is appropriate, and will perform my job properly. There is no need to expose myself with frustrations and whining. Beside, I came here to work, not to take a vacation.

Yes, I still want to sleep, once in a while!

I want to sleep, not sleeping in the mud along the rice paddies, but sleeping away from all these running and dodging in life.

When I was in Singapore, I exclaimed, "Huwah! (the Singaporean way). This country is beautiful and clean. I will retire here, lah". And I though, I would.

But when I look at my three-year-old daughter, I realize I still have to move to another box – Saudi Arabia – to secure our future. I still have no savings, and this next box would assure that I have sufficient funds until her college education.

Conclusion

It has been thirty years of running and dodging, and I needless to say I am weary.

In 1974, the boy was running on a rice field with one goal in mind. Protect and kept his sister safe. He lingered and eventually saw tomorrow. The sun rise up and military reinforcement came. They were safe.

Today, I am moving between countries but with one goal in mind. Secure the future of my family for my three-year old daughter and for my 3-month old son. Tomorrow may still be far. The sun is still far. Nevertheless, I believe tomorrow will come, and I could already see that it will be a better. Perhaps, I could get my sleep that time.

Closing

In closing, I would like to share a snippet of a song taken from the movie Annie. TM Ron, if you could remember, you throw a question during the Table Topics session – on my first day with Toastmasters. You ask, "What reminds you of this song".

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow!
You're always
A day
A way!

TM Ron, you reminded me that evening that me together with the millions of OFWs, we are all running along this Economic Diaspora, in the hope the our loves have a better future… tomorrow.

Back to you toastmaster of the evening

CC Project #5: The Paparazzi

Competent Communication Manual
Project #5: Your Body Speaks
Speech Title: The Paparazzi
Delivered at: PIPCA Riyadh Toastmasters Club
Evaluated by: CC/CL Beethoven T. Lee

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Introduction

31^st of August 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales died as a result of injuries sustained in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma road tunnel in Paris, France. Her companion Dodi Fayed and the driver of the car were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

News of the Diana’s demise shocked the entire world. Rivers of tears were shed and along with it, an ocean of red roses swamped her wake. People came like endless line of ants offering candles and condolences, and all of them share the grief of losing a beloved Princess.

And though the investigations were still on progress, the media and gossip columns already turned their blaming fingers on the paparazzi. “The driver was running away from the obnoxious paparazzi!” everyone concluded!

I felt the lost too. Being a fan of Princess Diana, with angst I shouted “Crucify the paparazzi.” And from that day on, I unwittingly learned to hate the paparazzi.

Good evening fellow toastmasters and guest.

Body

I am pretty sure, most of you here had heard of the word paparazzi. And I bet the first thing that would come into your mind – he/she is a person who carries a camera.

The word paparazzo (singular form of paparazzi) comes from an obscure Old Italian dialect which literally means an annoying & noisy mosquito. Like its namesake, indeed, paparazzi have been criticized for their pesky behavior. They have utter disregard for privacy, they trespasses and worst, they would stake out just to get what they want.

But have you ever asked how it is like being paparazzi?

Just few years back when I first pick up a camera and discover a passion on photography, I was always conscious of the word paparazzi. My friends would tease me… “Ah, so now you’re paparazzi”. “Of course not”, I replied with an enraged eyes. “But I eat pizza”, I quipped – then my friends would loudly laugh.

But seriously, there were many times when I started to doubt that what I was doing is leading me to a personality that I hate..

It all started when I was "hired" by a local magazine in Singapore. The task was simple: get a “good and presentable” picture of the celebrity or the minister who graced an occasion.

But it was never easy. I have to compete with a horde of wild photographers. I leaned to develop strong guts – I became shameless, my friends would say, I cultivated limitless patience and perseverance – waiting for long hours before my subject would arrive, and lastly I develop the skills of blocking and ambush.

From afar, I would observe how the target moves. With correct anticipations, I would position myself ahead of the target and the moment he/she passes by, and then I’ll do my job. All you could hear is the machine gun clicks of the camera (show the audience the camera and click) and blinding lights of flashguns (turn on the flash and click). It was very effective and m publisher loved me for my pictures. But even if my pockets were filled with handsome rewards, I left the assignment because… I don’t want to be paparazzi.

One day by chance, I met a local famous photographer. He invited me to work with him for a project with celebrities, and many other models involving Thais, Russians, and Brazilians. Alas, I felt comfortable. Working in a studio was far from pressure and certainly not paparazzi stuff. Not only that I could see beautiful women all the time – oh they are naked (grin and wink) – I can control the creative aspect of the shoot.

A year later, my mentor taught me a skill called 1-second technique. That is: to lift the camera, point to the subject, set the correct settings, click, and then hide it back – all in one second. (Repeat the demo but do it quicker to make it 1 second). You may ask, why the rush? My new task calls for a rapid and precise shooting. My models would walk in public places – mostly crowded – would pose in a flash (for about 2 seconds) then walk away. I must perfectly capture that moment, right the first time, all the time. No redo, no undo.

I have to conceal my gears otherwise; I would attract attention of the bystanders or onlookers. Using specialize accessories like hand strap to preclude the camera from dropping – I can hide my camera behind my back and walk casually.

At first, I find it was interesting. But when I mastered the skill, I realized that this is the technique that most paparazzi uses when stalking celebrities. Eventually, I left the magazine and concentrated on studio photography – the one I enjoyed most.

The drift of my hobby towards paparazzi didn’t stop there.

One time, I was invited to Philippines for big-buck project. A not-so-known corporate executive paid us to take candid photo shoots in all his public appearances. We should come in full force – all five of us - and should devote 80% of our efforts taking his pictures thus giving an impression that he is important and significant. We will discreetly submit the pictures on a common repository where another team will use that for his PR campaign.

Oh, unusual, don’t think? No, it’s common practice. You just didn’t know it. Showbiz personalities – mostly fading stars or start up actors / actresses hire people like us. And we gladly indulge with their caprice with mucho dinero.

And yes, politicians too! But I can’t divulge more otherwise they might send someone here in Riyadh and get me into trouble. Just ask our handsome and youngest Senator of the Land? (Give a wicked smile and wink).

Closing

What have we learned tonight my fellow toastmasters? Paparazzi are pesky, we all agree on that. Those paparazzi made money, lots and lots of money, out of those candid pictures. You are partly to be blame, because you patronize gossip columns, tabloids, and ugh smut magazines – thus we created the demand.

We learn that there are paparazzi that were paid by the subject themselves. Oh, the glory of fame is indeed glittery and controversial.

And me … I now understand and felt how it is to be paparazzo.

In parting, I’d like to share what my dad said when I told him I hate his disciplinarian ways… “be careful with what you hate, you may end up just like that”

Back to you toastmaster of the evening

CC Project #4: Navigating the Streets of Riyadh

Competent Communication Manual
Project #4: How to Say It
Speech Title: Navigating the Streets of Riyadh
Delivered at: PIPCA Riyadh Toastmasters Club
Evaluated by: CC/CL Beethoven T. Lee

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Introduction

6pm, Batha.

Carrying six bags of grocery items, I hailed a taxi cab and get in quickly. I sat at the back and sigh with a relief – those bags were heavy. Then the driver ask “where sadik”. “Sulaimaniah”, I responded. Roughly ten minutes of silence followed. Then I noticed that we were at the wrong direction. We were heading towards the Airbase.

“Sulaimaniah, my friend”, I exclaimed. “Aiwa, Sulaimaniah”, he replied.

“La, take U-turn, go Military Hospital, baden right round-about, baden right at signal, see Peking restaurant, turn left, after two streets right turn, then stop second block.”

Salutation

The conversation sounds familiar, isn’t it? I could see smiles in your faces. That, I would take as a “yes” answer.

Good evening fellow toastmasters and guest.

Tonight, let me share with you my adventures on the streets of this exciting place – the city that what was once called the Gardens of the Arabian Heartland.

Body

Arrival in Riyadh

The signs that my life in Riyadh would be full of excitement started right after I went out of the King Abdullaziz International Airport. I was expecting a chauffer to take me to the hotel, but nobody came. And after waiting for two hours, I valiantly decided to take a taxi cab. For a new comer in Riyadh, I was expecting a smooth and exciting ride toward the city. But lo and behold, a different kind of excitement greeted me that morning.

Call it luck and my day. I choose a taxi driver, whom I guess, was a frustrated kamikaze pilot. He runs the taxi like a tornado at 160kph and swivel between lanes like a snake. And, to top it, he dodges cars by less than a meters. Seated at the front passenger seat, I was holding my breath and was silently calling all my little gods of protection. “Please let me pass this nightmare”, I quipped. Indeed after an hour of ordeal, we arrived safely at the hotel.

Yes, my knees were trembling when I alighted from the taxi.

Two weeks later, I made another valiant decision. I decided to take a stroll on the oven-hot streets of Riyadh. After one hour walking, I noticed that 8 of the 10 streets that I passed by, have address names written in Arabic. The streets with English characters have a rather unusual long name for a street such as ???? bin ##### bin ****. I wonder how these people remember the street names. And I have not seen any bus plying around? “Gee… How do people move?” I asked my self. And lastly, there were neither ladies nor children walking around.

Tsk.. tsk.. tsk… What an unusual streets, we got here!

When I moved to Sulaimaniah district near Riyadh International, my friends applauded my choice. The place “accessible”, they said. I realized later, that “accessibility” has a relative meaning here in Riyadh. It is very useful when taking a taxi. I only need to say “Sulaimaniah, near Filipino School – RIS” and 4 of every 10 drivers would recognize the place. For the remaining 60%, I have to say it the long way: “Get me to Sulaimaniah, to the Military hospital, then turn right, you see Peking restaurant, turn left, two streets, then turn right and second building to the left”. I wish I could just say the street name, but that would be impossible. Our street has Arabic name and even if I could read it, I bet, the driver wouldn’t know where it is.

“I have enough”, I said. I decided to buy my own car to avoid problems with taxi. Just when I thought I solve one problem, I encountered another one. A bigger one!

My first time driving in Riyadh was running an Indian Pass initiation of a fraternity. Cars would appear from all directions like rabbits and foxes. They will cut corners. They will make turns without signal warnings. They will hug two lanes by running in between, and they will blow there horns the moment they see green light – even you were already moving. And the will park at will – even in the middle of the road.

If you are turtle run at 60 kph on major streets, they will either give you a high beam or an irritating horn. It is okay if you are on the middle lane or left most side of the road. But on the right most –the slow lane – then I really don’t see the logic of it.

You know my first car accident? It was rear collision. The guy was angry because I stop at the yield position entering an express way. He shouted at me “you were looking for a parking”. Hah! Why seek for a parking in an expressway?

Conclusion

Seven months have passed, I remembered that taxi driver at the Airport. He was not frustrated fighter pilot, actually. He is just one of the many “regular” drivers of Riyadh. Soon, I may be just like them not that adopted a cruising speed of 140 kph – far from my regular speed limit of 50 kph in Singapore.

In parting my friends, let me share to you what I learned when I was navigating the streets of Riyadh.

Be patient with the taxi driver, he too is confused like you and he just want earn a living.

Be patient in the road at all times, and observe speed limits as much as possible. It is your life that you wanted to protect, not anyone else.

And yes, you can stroll along the streets of King Fahad Medical City, but not along busy streets. It’s dangerous.

Back to you toastmaster of the evening

CC Project #3: What Makes a Good Portrait Photographer

Competent Communication Manual
Project #3: Get to the Point
Speech Title: What Makes a Good Photographer
Delivered at: PIPCA Riyadh Toastmasters Club
Evaluated by: CTM/CL Jojo Bollozos

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Introduction

May I ask the audience in the left to stand up and join your colleague in the right? TM Fritz please move towards the back, and TM Ben please move forward. I want you to give me sweet smile. [Identify who did not smile] TM xxx a little smile more, please. Okay, everyone look at the camera and smile [point and click the camera on the group]. One more… wacky smile [point and click the camera]!

Salutation

Fellow toastmasters, ladies, gentlemen, and visitors good evening! Let us return to our seats now and be seated. When I asked you to smile, a while ago, did you ever hesitate to obey my request? I guess none. You were all cooperative.

Tonight, let me share to some good tips on what makes a good portrait or people photographer

Body

By today's definition, a person who holds and uses a camera is easily labeled as a photographer. Anyone can be a photographer without really understanding the mechanics of photography, as long as he or she can point a camera towards the subject and able to take a snap. Let us change that impression tonight.

There are three challenges that you should always remember when taken a picture.

The Technical Challenge

First is the technical aspect. This would sound scary for most of us that is why we rely on the Auto or P mode on our camera and never bother to switch to other mode. That is all right! Modern camera has improved dramatically such that difference between the pictures taken using Auto mode versus those taken by professional with complex setting may no longer be noticeable for the untrained eyes.

Advance users would like to experiment on the Aperture Mode, which is highly recommended for low light scenarios, and for making a blurred background thus creating a 3D effect. If you want to take a picture of your running kids, you might as well consider using Shutter/Time Mode. This is the setting appropriate for sports and moving subjects.

Whether you are shooting in Auto or professional setting, always be cautious with the direction and source of light. Take note, good natural lighting gives beautiful rendition of color. Flash and artificial light such as fluorescent light can give off-tone colors. That should explain why you look like zombies in some of your night pictures.

The Artistic Spectrum

The second challenge that you should remember in photography is the artistic aspect.

How you compose the subject, and how you position the subject relative to the shooter plays critical role in achieve a good picture. To illustrate my point, take a picture of smiling person but with straight body then compare it with the picture of the same smiling person but with angled face and curved body position. I am sure; the latter would draw more attention than the first one. This artistic component is called proper posing.

Be observant with the sizes of your subjects too. This means height and width. Placing the slender subjects in front and the chubby one on the far end gives a balance on the picture. Likewise, avoid placing a tall subject alongside a short subject. You would not like to appear like Frodo the hobbit when standing besides a tall person ala-Shaq O'Neil, right?

And to make the picture it more pleasing to the eye, be particular with color coordination. The rainbow is the best color pattern in nature. You could follow this pattern with your subjects unless you want to emphasize one particular color over the other.

The Command or Control challenge

The third challenge that you should always remember is control or command over your subjects.

This is always the most difficult and troublesome aspect in photography. You need to be stout hearted and firm, but at the same time sweet and charismatic. Ironical, is not it? How can you be sweet and the same time authoritative? That is for you to discover by experience and practice.

Building rapport and being in control of your subject is the most important aspect of portrait photography. Before lifting the camera, make sure that you talk to the subject make them comfortable at your presence. Try to bring out the unguarded and relax personality of the subject. If you succeed in doing that, you can easily control the subject; how to smile, when to smile, and how to pose - naturally.

Conclusion

Let us recall what we have done a while ago. I observed the three challenges that I just discussed with you.

First, I checked the source and direction of the light. Since I was in hurry to take the picture, I just set the camera to Auto Mode. That was the Technical Challenge

Second, I studied the proportion of your sizes and the coordination of the color of your clothes. I rearrange you to hide the "well-endowed" bodies behind the well proportionate ones. That was the Artistic Challenge

And lastly, I displayed control over the subjects – all of you – when you followed my instructions without hesitations. That was the Command or Control Challenge.

Closing

In parting my fellow toastmasters, I want you to remember the next time you stand in front of a camera that as the model, you can influence the result of the picture. If your photographer does not know what to do, you can suggest the tips that I gave you. Believe me; you will look better in the pictures.

Back to you toastmaster of the evening

CC Project #2: I am the Master of my Fate

Competent Communication Manual
Project #2: Organize your Speech
Speech Title: I am the Master of my Fate
Delivered at: PIPCA Riyadh Toastmasters Club

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Introduction

Do you believe that your destiny or fate is written in the stars? Who among here has read their horoscope today, or this week perhaps? Have you ever tried going to fortune-teller to read your future, and did you really believe that your fate is imprinted on your palm.

I confess, I was once a fanatic of palm reading, numerology, and the likes because I wanted to take a glimpse of my future. Who does not?

Body / Salutation

Fellow toastmasters, ladies, and visitors good evening. Tonight, let me share two school of thoughts that made me who I am today.

Wiki encyclopedia loosely defines "School of Thought" as a discipline concerned with questions of how one should live. It is a subset of general and more encompassing term "Philosophy of Life".

Let me ask you [choose an audience and ask], what school of thoughts do you adhere?

There are hundreds of schools of thoughts out there, but I will talk only of two that I feel has relevance to me.

Bahala-na School of Thoughts

First, the Bahala-na school of thoughts: I am sure you are familiar with this, and for sure, one time in your life, you did embrace this school of thought.

Michael Tan, the Filipino anthropologist first defined this school of thought as a misplaced submission on faith. He explained that some people use religion as an excuse in lieu of creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance. Instead of working hard or approaching a practical problem in a scientific method these people simply submit or give up to the challenge and give a lame excuse "bahala na" (let it be).

This is exactly what I experience in my early childhood.

I went to school but never bother to study my subjects. During exams, I would simple pray and say "bahala na si lord". My grand parents – who raised me – reinforced my twisted logic by saying everything is possible with "god" [emphasis of small caps lord and god]. They even said that giving priority to my religious chores would bear fruit and even quoted scripture to support their lines. Then they pointed out my scholarship grants despite my intellectual handicap, and being healthy despite inadequate daily meals as a proof.

Pragmatism School of Thoughts

My father on the other hand, embraces a different school of thoughts. He strongly believes every problem has a solution; otherwise, it is a mystery. His view in life is practical and simplistic. He said. If you have low school grades – study harder. I do not have money – find a work. If you want to succeed in the work place – work smarter.

He trained me on the concept of meritocracy, perseverance, and the value of hard work.

As I grow older and pursued further studies, I encountered the works of William James regarding Pragmatism. I just realized then, that my father was a pragmatist and not a charlatan.

Conclusion

What did these two schools of thought brought to me? Bahala-na made me a carefree individual waiting for things to happen for me. Here, I peg my future on a deck of cards or make decision based on the stars has predicted for me. I was lucky, I could say, but I never felt fulfilled.

However, when I accepted a pragmatic outlook of life, things looks different. Whenever problems arise, I view it as a challenge. And I used my head instead of emotion when making big decisions. I did not wait for things to happen. I made things happen.

Closing

My fellow toastmasters let me ask you once again. What is your school of thoughts? Are you contented with it? And, does it work? If it does – hold on!

If not, I am challenging you to think again. Explore and get out from your shell. Embrace a new school of thoughts.

Transform from an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan as TM Ditas did. From a lurking accountant to blossomed CC like TM Ben did, and an able tennis player from a dreaming athlete like TM Fritz did.

As for me, I already made my choice.

I did not surrender to the wimps of the fates. Instead, I held the course and became the master of my fate.

Back to you toastmaster of the evening

Toastmasters: Ice Breaker

My first speech for the Toastmasters Club
Basic Manual: Ice Breaker
Evaluator: ATM-G/CL Ditas Tiamzon

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The Adventures of Jorge to Nathaniel

I remember it vividly. It was March 5, 1985, a day shy to be exact 23 years ago. I had this big predicament. I don’t have a JS Prom partner. I already approach a lady that morning, but was rejected on the simply grounds that I was not "cute" enough to merit as her consort. She said, "You are not tall, you're skinny and you belong to the bottom 10 of the graduating class."

That was hard and I took it seriously and when I saw my mom, I confronted her “Nay, bakit si tatay ang napili mo, di ka na naawa sa akin, kamukha nya ako”. Loose translation: “Mom why did you marry a gorilla, look at this monkey”?

My mom was shock of course. My father – I was afraid my father would punish me for insulting my mom and putting a bad light on our family name – simply said: "My son, the measure of a real man is defined not by his riches nor his achievements and certainly not his looks". "A real man is that person who has a large heart to understand what is right and what is wrong, and stand for it".

Hah big words, but that did not answered my problem. I don’t have a partner.

On the JS Prom night, I was surprised to realize that my partner was no other than the girl who rejected me – my Aphrodite, the apple of my eye. She was my first dance and my fist kiss. I don’t how it happened but surely my father pulled some strings. My father was a soldier and the girl’s father was a soldier too.

Fellow Toastmaster, guest, lady and gentlemen, good evening! Tonight I am going to bring you to my world of Jorge and his journey to Nathaniel. So sit back, relax, and fasten your seat belts. Let’s enjoy the ride.

I spend my formative years in the military camps of Cotabato provinces. We chase amphibian tanks and slip on the firing range just to watch the 105 howitzer cannon bombardments. Unlike my sister, I was never good in class. And during report card submission, my father would simply say with a wink: "okay lang anak, memorize ko na grade mo – it’s straight 75 or 76". But I would gleefully cut him, "tay, may 78 ako".

My mom would just smile and she would gesture: Jorge in school (thumbs down), responsibility (thumbs up). She would tell to her friends that Jorge could take care of his sisters, do household chores, and she could leave the house with Jorge in charge and never worry a bit.

Towards the end of elementary, I bribed my best friend – a son of a prominent family – to take his slot on the USAID scholarship. I don’t know if he was just naive or I was a sweet talker that he agreed. And to my surprise, I passed the scholarship and was rewarded 4 years free tuition, allowances and uniforms.

I was a scholar! Hah, big deal! Let us see the whole picture. There were 120 freshman students – all scholars – and I was ranked 117^th in the class. Not bad, I quipped, I can still beat 3 other boys. To compensate for my perceived handicap I join extra curricular activities. I joined theater, dance troupe, baseball team, tae kwon do & aikido, became famous and have many friends.

Then one day my teacher Sister Norma Aleman told me: “Nathaniel, you are not an idiot. You just don’t know how to focus. Set your mind on your goals and put your heart on it then you’ll succeed.” She was the first person who called me Nathaniel – my second name, and first person who believes in me aside from my father. And those words leave a big print in my heart.

And on May 4, 1985, m

My father and I had a manly talk. He said “my son, I want you to get out of my wings and find yourself in the real world”. “Be a man, and be a strong man”. “Never look back, and make me proud”.

That day, Nathaniel was born.

I created Nathaniel in the next six long years: number 4 in the dean’s list, student body president, joined LFS and lead a contingent during the siege to Malacanang on Feb 25, 1986. I almost got drunk with the power of fame had it not been with the intervention of a good friend Adora Lacson. She enlightened of what Nathaniel should be and gave me a poem IF by Rudyard Kipling that challenges Nathaniel to soar to greater heights.

I completed my BS Comp Sci, BS ECE, and not yet contented, took up MBA and joined the supervisory training program of Del Monte. I became a manager in a telecoms company, and I got my niche in the upper management when I was offered senior manager to manage 1500 agents for a call center.

I also took PhD just to please the “gods” of my workplace.But one day, I look in the mirror and ask that gentleman in front of me

“Are you happy? He didn’t answer

“Did you miss Jorge”, he blinks.

From that moment, I just realize, Jorge was knocking to get out. I was afraid. I don’t know him anymore, and he eventually got out. In a blink of an eye, Jorge changed what Nathaniel built for twenty years.

I gave up my management career, went abroad and work as technical consultant where I was naturally good. Along the way, I pick up photography – mastered it, traveled to places and meet new people, and was truly happy. Today, I am here in Riyadh. I met Ditas who opened the door for me to Toastmasters and Archie who lead me to get inside the door.

Riyadh is just a bus stop on this journey called life. The road ahead is still far and long with many bus stops to go, and I have many adventures yet to experience.

As I look back, I remember three people who made me what I am today: My father who told me the measurement of a man; Sister Norma Aleman who believes in Nathaniel; and Adora Lacson who told me that Nathaniel could soar to greater heights.

In parting my fellow Toastmasters, I want you to look at this gentleman speaking in front of you. Could you see the Nathaniel in him? Could you sense the Jorge in him?

I want you to look back onto yourselves. Is there anyone or someone knocking?

Back to you Toastmaster of the Evening!