Specialty Speeches (226-E) Project #1 - Women Driving in Saudi Arabia

Advance Manual 226-E

Special Speeches

Project #1:   Speak of the Cuff

Title:  Women Driving in Saudi Arabia

Evaluator:   DTM Ron Jacobe, Jr.

Topic Given by the Evalutor:  What is your idea of allowing women to drive in Saudi Arabia.

Note:  This is an impromptu speech where the speaker opted NOT to select a specific topic to discuss.  The Evaluator was given the freedom to choose any topic, any subject and any question from anything.  

Here's the outline of the speech presented


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Ask successive questions to set the tempo of discussion:

• Who among  you here are drivers?  
• Who among the ladies here knows how to drive?  Did you miss driving cars.. ladies?
• For the boys, what is your general experience while driving in Saudi Arabia?

Salutation and greetings.

Sweeping and general comments on driving

• Male are generally fast drivers and more reckless
• Women are generally slow and more careful

General impression of Saudi roads

• Driving at 140kms vs 40kms while in Singapore  
• Large Cars and wide roads
• Signs are suggestions - have improved lately due to Shaher Traffic monitoring !

Share personal experience in Riyadh

• Riding an Aveo at 60kph and got "windsweeped" by a Suburbun at 140kph.  Felt the car transferred to another lane.
• Careless parking and stopping at the middle of the road
• Cutting at the pedestrians, blocking right turn way, blocking personal parking, dangerous maneuvers, over speeding and many more

 Share experience in Khobar and Bahrain

• Driving in Khobar is a basically the same as driving in Riyadh
• The "different" driving experience in Bahrain.  Slower and generally organized.
• Women driving in Bahrain

 The idea of allowing women to drive in Saudi Arabia

• Could possibly make male drivers to be "more" accommodating and may entice them to drive slower
• Poke fun of having women driver wearing covered bur-qua which may limit driver's visibility. Will this result to more accidents?
• Driving could symbolize giving "freedom" to women. Is the male dominated Saudi Arabia ready to accept this change?
• If women are allowed to drive, are the women ready to take this freedom?  Cited an example of a domesticated animal who was afraid to venture out and would prefer the safe confines of his/her cage.

Closing

• Summarize the speech emphasizing the four points of my idea about women driving in Saudi Arabia.
• Made a personal prediction that women will eventually be allowed to drive but not in my lifetime
• Women themselves are not ready to accept this freedom

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Evaluation given by   DTM Ron Jacobe, Jr.

Form:   

• Full of confidence 
• Good control of the speaking area, eye contact, pauses, phrasing and timing.
• Well groomed and dressed.
• Delivery was superb

Substance:  

• Made sweeping generalization of how people drive in Saudi Arabia. May not be true and personal experience could be bias and should not be a basis for a recommendation that affect others.
• Good transition and emphasis of each major points, giving a clear separation of ideas
• The evaluator found it "lacking " especially on actual application.  Could have been better if the speaker provided concrete example on the advantage and disadvantages of women driving.
• Advantage such as:  practicality of women taking their children to school instead of waiting for husband.  Women doing regular chores instead of wasting precious time waiting for someone to drive for them. Not all Saudi can afford male drivers in their homestead.
• Share disadvantage if there are any.

Final Verdict:

• Form was good but lacking in substance
• Can be credited if the speaker wants it - passing mark of "Fair"

Speaker's response:

•  Agrees with the evaluation of DTM Ron
• Will repeat the project on the grounds that this is a quest for personal improvement
• The speaker may not need the norm.  He is already an Advance Communicator Gold.

Contest Piece International - 2010: High School Reunion

Piece for International Speech Contest
Program Year   : PY 2010-2011

Title          : High School Reunion

Delivered at   : Area Level International Speech Contest

Evaluated by   : TM Irfraleen Fuentes Amores

Target Norm    : - not yet identified - 

Note:  

• The speaker represented Filcom-IT Toastmasters Club
• The speaker won 2nd place behind TM Roi Ontiveros - 1st who represented Toast of Comsofil

     *     *     *     *     *     *

Few months ago, I received a long distance call from someone who asked if I am Mr. Jorge Nathaniel H. Amores, the Toastmaster.  I said “Yes, I am… and how can I help?”   The man replied “Mr. Jorge, I am Dr Alfred Norman, your high school principal.  Please attend and be the guest speaker of our silver anniversary”.  Surprised, I asked “why me?”  He politely replied “Mr. Jorge, you came from the bottom 5 of the class.”

Fellow Toastmasters, judges, contest masters, ladies and gentlemen, good evening!

Was that a complement or an insult: inviting me to deliver a speech because I belong to the rejects?  What was he thinking?  But honestly, I was really skyted – excitement that goes to the sky – skyted!  This is my first time to see my classmates after 25 years, and I was wondering how would they look now?   I for one would like to show off that the small boy has grown into a handsome man.  Hah! They would be drooling with envy.  My speech:  it will highlight my achievements, my conquest, and my victories in life.  I was planning to show off -  Toastmaster!

And when the big day arrived, I came prepared. I wear my best tuxedo and I didn’t just get inside, I entered the hall. It works and I could hear whispers… “who is he?”.   Then from nowhere, someone shouted “Horheeeee…” and then everyone nodded “ahh… Jorge, he looks good”.   A close friend greeted me: “Hey Jorge, you never changed, you used to have big tummy full of worms, and now you still have one”.  I immediately cut him “yeah, it’s full of fats”.  There were laughter and good time as we make fun on how fun on how we old we are, on how our belly has grown large, and for some their vanishing hair.

Amidst the laughter, I saw from the dark corners of the hall some of my classmates. Curious, I took the first step and ask how life is?  They simply replied “Jorge, we are not as fortunate as you are”, then they move away.

I was taken aback.  There, reality sank in.  I felt their pain: on how it was to be left behind, humbled and defeated when all of your friends have succeeded.  When I look around I realized that most of my classmates came in ordinary shirts and jeans.  Yes, there were few who came in formal clothes – the noisy businessmen, politician, and military officers.  Yet these few... we all hug all the limelight, while the majority can only basks on the faded reflections of our vanity.

I was so ashamed of myself, of my speech that glorifies me.  I was insensitive and totally out of touch.  So right there and then, I throw away my piece and delivered an impromptu speech. This time, the message was on the small successes of each our classmates, reminding them on how they made a difference on their lives, their love ones, and the people around them.  I asked them to count their blessings, try naming them one by one and be surprised on how fortunate they were than they ever imagined.

How about us fellow Toastmasters?  Have we tried counting our blessings and try naming them one by one?

On a global scale, some of us may feel sad that we were not born in the USA where we enjoy standard of living to the max, or perhaps China where good were so cheap.  But look around.  Saudis, you have a rich and prosperous country. Indians, you have the number of talented people who now spearhead in research and technology of the world. Filipinos, you have a resilient spirit that could make you survive anywhere in the planet. And you can sing very well.  We don’t need to be in the USA to enjoy life; we could do it here in Riyadh… anywhere! 

Let’s go local… in our club.  Had there been time that we envious of the big clubs like RTM, Sabic, PICPA because they produce good speakers, champions, and they seem to achieve DCP awards easily, isn’t?  But you know what?  They do worry about new members, attendance, tardiness, and getting members to deliver project speeches. They do have the same problems just like the rest of us.  

I challenge the clubs to try naming your blessings.  You maybe few, but your meeting – superb quality!  You may not have champions but look at your members, they all grew up.   These are little victories that made your club, something that other clubs didn’t have – that is why they now close shop.  

And if you allow me to get personal….  have you counted your blessings lately, and tried naming them one by one?  Financial problems? Don’t worry we all have that.  What is important is at the end of day, both end meet?  Your looks?  Common’ be confident of who you are!  TM Roi is not worried of his vanishing hair. He is happy, he still have two dozens to count every day!  TM Tanga, he is not worried about diet! He just sits beside TM Mubin and myself then he feel he has eaten less.  Because we eat more!

Yes, we have problems – big and small.  It will always be there and even if you solve it, another one will come.  Instead of counting our problems, how about counting the numerous solutions that we pick up along the way that help made our life better?  

Dr. Alfred Norman, our principal, chose me among 200 graduates of Notre Dame Batch 85 not because I was the best.   It was not because I was the most successful, certainly not because I was the most good looking.  Toastmaster Alfred Norman knows that Jorge failed many times, learned along the way, and yes… I learned to name the numerous little blessing that I had… and shared it to everyone along the way.

HPLP - Presenting the Result

High Performance Leadership Program (HPLP)

Part # 5       : Presenting the Result

Title          : PICPA 15th Anniversary

Delivered at   : PICPA Riyadh Toastmasters Club

Evaluated by   : CTM/CL Jose Bollozos

Target Norm    : Leadership Excellence (LDREXC)

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Note: 

The HPLP has five parts each with a three-part learning process, Study, Action and Feedback.   Study: presents information that should be learnt and sets out ways to go about achieving your end result for that section. Action: This section contains an easy way to plan your actions and consider other things that you need to do to complete this section. Feedback: You will have a guidance committee and when you reach the end of each part (part 1 to part 5), you will convene a meeting with this committee and discuss what has been done. The members of your guidance committee should provide you with feedback, which will equip you to continue on with the project.

Part 1: Learning About Leadership

• Assess your knowledge of leadership
• Assess your leadership skills
• Select a project
• Recruit a guidance committee
• Convene a meeting with your guidance committee

Part 2: Choosing Your Objectives

• Describe your vision
• Write your mission statement
• Define you core values
• Plan your speech to your club
• Review your speech with your guidance committee
• Present your speech to the club

Part 3: Winning Commitment

• Recruit your action team
• Agree on your vision, mission and core values
• Create an action strategy
• Identify key result areas
• Develop action plan
• Convene a meeting with your guidance committee

Part 4: Working The Plan

• Review your progress against your action plan
• Identify and overcome any problems
• Handle any conflict
• Re-evaluate overall plan
• Convene a meeting with your guidance committee

Part 5: Analysing and Presenting Your Results

• Plan your speech to the club
• Review the speech with your guidance committee
• Present your speech to your club.
• Complete “Leadership Excellence Award” and send to T.I.

Members of the Guidance Committee:

• Arnold Valeriano
• Reina Tejano
• James Edward Taruc
• Roi Ontiveros
• Rolly Anonuevo
• Willy Ignacio

     *     *     *     *     *     *

<< Speech Starts Here >>  the speaker delivered the speech impromptu and uses the visual aid below as his guide

ACG - 2nd Advance Manual Project #5: The Trial of Andres Bonifacio

Note:

• After two years and nine months, I will complete my Academic Awards with Toastmasters
• I delivered my Ice breaker speech last Mar 4, 2008 and achieve the Competent Communicator norm last April 25, 2009
• Next, I achieved the Advance Communicator Bronze on Jan 5, 2010.  There was a long break on my speeches because of my responsibility as the President of the club.
• I completed the Advance Communicator Silver on April 27, 2010.  On a glance, it looks like I completed the next norm in just four months.  Truth is, I was working on my ACB & ACS simultaneously.  I delivered some ACS speeches before I became ACB
• Thirty nine project speeches (not counting those that were not credited) I am down to the last speech before achieving Advance Communicator Gold.
• This is my graduation speech for my ACG 

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Advance Manual : 226-K  Storytelling 

Project # 5    : Bringing History to Life

Title          : The Trial of Andres Bonifacio

Delivered at   : PICPA Riyadh Toastmasters Club

Evaluated by   : CTM/CL Jose Bollozos

Target Norm    : Advance Communicator Gold

     *     *     *     *     *     *

Prologue:  << The Toastmaster of the Day must read this before the speaker starts>>

On August 30, 1896, the Philippine Revolution started. Leading 800 katipuneros, Bonifacio attacked a gunpowder storehouse in San Juan del Monte, They successfully captured the storehouse which encourages them to advance towards Manila where they met a large army of Spanish soldiers. Bonifacio and his men were driven to Mandaluyong where more than 150 katipuneros died and another 200 others were captured.   After that, Bonifacio led some successful campaigns but lost in many large battles.

Meanwhile, Gen Aguinaldo, a young general from Cavite had strings of successful battle largely because he was attacking small forces.  The entire Spanish army was in full force with Bonifacio in the North.

Months later, the Katipunan was divided into two revolutionary groups: the Magdiwangs – the Bonifacio faction and the Magdalos - the Aguinaldo faction.  To resolve the issue they believe that a central revolutionary government should be established to replace the Katipunan.

On Mar 22, 1897 Bonifacio reluctantly presided the election and secured the unanimous decision of the assembly to abide by the decision of the majority. Aguinaldo was elected as president although he was absent because he was at the military front. The Magdiwangs who were supposed to support Bonifacio did not even vote for him for president or vice president. Instead, Bonifacio was elected director of the interior.

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Introduction

Andres Bonifacio was breathing very slowly, the teeth were gnashing in anger, and his eyes were burning red in rage.   He already lost the Presidency and the Vice President position. He has no question if he was demoted to a cabinet position of Director of Interior.  What insulted him was for Daniel Tirona to question his qualification.  Before the meeting, it was clear and they all agreed that they will abide with whatever the result and not to contest it.  He did his part… and for a malicious member to question his sincerity… it’s not just an insult to the Supremo… it’s a total disrespect to the entire KKK.  

He draw his gun and pointed it to Daniel Tirona and was about to pull the trigger when his brother calm him down and pulled him away from the meeting.  He shouted “Acun inyu supremo, cuyuy laang respeto”.  Roughly means “I am the Supremo, I deserve respect.

Body

Fellow Toastmasters, ladies and gentlemen Happy Bonifacio Day and Good Evening!  Tonight, allow me to share a story of the last days of Gat Andres Bonifacio.

After the eventful Tejeros convention, Bonifacio has all the reason to be furious and frustrated.  The revolution that he started is falling apart.  The Magdalo faction has just won all seats in the new government and although his faction – the magdiwang still controls the entire army outside of Cavite, Bonifacio knew that they are losing some of the generals in Luzon.  He knows that there was a conspiracy among the elite class of the society to get rid of him.  They simply cannot bear the idea of a common-man, non-educated and a slum dweller to be their President.  His generals begged him to declare the convention as mutiny and send Aguinaldo into trial.  But he refuses.  He was so naïve to believe that he can talk to the Magdalo faction and schedule another election.  He was more concerned on keeping the Filipino people united against the common enemy.

Little that he knew, Aguinaldo was thinking otherwise.  On Apr 26, 1897 Aguinaldo sent two of his loyal officers and ordered the arrest of Bonifacio.   When Bonifacio saw his former officers, he welcomed them with open arms saying “Acin mga capatid, hali cayu”.  Welcome my brothers.

The soldiers thought that Bonifacio was drawing his weapon so they shot him in his left arm, and then one of the officers stabbed him in the neck.  The surprised Bonifacio asked “anun acin casalanan, mga capatid”. Why did I do wrong, brothers!   One of Bonifacio’s brother tried to help but was shot dead, instead.  In haste, the soldiers carried the wounded and half-starved Bonifacio by hammock to Naic, where Aguinaldo established his headquarters.  For some unknown reason, Aguinaldo refuses to see the Supremo.  Instead, he instructed his soldier to send Bonifacio to Maragondon for a trial by the Council of War under General Noriel.

Bonifacio declared his innocence and pleaded for unity among brothers.   He asked that his gun be presented to show that the attack was unprovoked.  All he wanted was freedom for the Filipino people and not fighting among Filipinos.

It was clear from the start that the trial would not be fair.  There was nobody from the Magdiwang faction to defend Bonifacio and all the judges were loyal to Aguinaldo.  They only needed a simply reason to hand down a verdict, they need the Supremo to be angry and show defiance to the new government.  For, they can never sentence a man who is pro-government.

When they brought in Gregoria, the young wife of Bonifacio, and she testified that Col Yntong flogged and raped her.   This enraged the weakening Bonifacio and he change his stance, showed defiance and shouted profanity against Aguinaldo.

On May 8, 1897, the tribunal handed the sentence guilty!

Two days later, four soldiers of Aguinaldo brought Bonifacio to Mt Buntis. Along the way, the Supremo tried to convince his executioner to bring him to Manila and set him free.  He has forgiven them and had no bad feeling.  Bonifacio pointed out that he was not the enemy – it was the Spaniards.   But his pleading falls on deaf ears.  The already weakened Bonifacio was hacked, shot dead, and was buried on a shallow grave.  To this day, his remains were never recovered.

Closing

For some, it may come as a shock to learn that Aguinaldo was responsible for the death of our Great Plebian – the founder of the Katipunan.  Least we focus on betrayal; I would like to share the perspective of my favorite historian Ambeth Ocampo.  He said:  “History is replete of travesty, treachery, and failed dreams.  If you look around, what happened in history is still happening and will happen again”.  We OFWs encountered this dilemma all the time.  The challenge therefore is:  will you conform to the standard of the world… or will you be an idealist who dreams for a better world.

Back to you evening masters

ACG - 2nd Advance Manual Project #4: Acero: Medal of Valor

Advance Manual : 226-K  Storytelling 

Project # 4    : A Touching Story

Title          : Acero: Medal of Valor

Delivered at   : Filcom-IT Toastmasters Club

Evaluated by   : CC/CL Marilyn Costuna

Target Norm    : Advance Communicator Gold

     *     *     *     *     *     *

Note:

• This was delivered as an impromptu speech, hence there was no prepared speech script
• Unlike my other impromptu advance speeches where I was using visual aid, this time there was none.
• Ten minutes before the start of the Toastmasters meeting, I prepared an outline of my speech as shown below
• Personally, I do not suggest delivering impromptu advance speeches unless you have wide  experience to do so.  Note that this speaker has won several awards in Table Topics contest in club level, area level and division level.

     *     *     *     *     *     *

Introduction 

• Ask a question "Have you ever seen a President of the Republic of the Philippines stopped and salute an "ordinary" soldier, instead of the other way around"?
• Explain the Medal of Valor and how to achieve it
• Salutation

Body 

• Tell the story of a boy named George Acero who wants to be a soldier

1. Setting is in Carmen in the province of Cotabato during the Baracuda-Ilaga Wars of the 70s
2. Expound the story with the boys fascination with great soldiers in history
3. Focus on the dream of the boy to get the highest award possible - the Medal of Valor

• The boy became a man

1. Top of the class, solid integrity, and a model youngster in his baranggay
2. Applied for PMA exams and pass

• Tragedy

1. The boy was stricken with unknown disease 
2. Bed ridden, lost weight and had difficulty walking

• Fortitude

1. Fight for survival and acceptance to the community
2. Lead the community: establish cooperatives, bayanihan, irrigations, and etc

• The raid of Carmen

1. Intensive fighting between soldiers and rebels - 5 days
2. Acero lead the defense of Carmen with a handful men
3. Acero systematically evacuate the women and children
4. Acero and 12 volunteers made the last stand 

Closing 

• Heroes does not need Medal of Valor

1. Acero the man with a steel heart
2. Acero the hero of Carmen
3. Acero does not need the Medal of Valor 

• The hero in all of us

1. challenge the audience to find the hero within us 

ACG - 2nd Advance Manual Project #3: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Advance Manual : 226-K  Storytelling 

Project # 3    : Moral of the Story

Title          : The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Delivered at   : PICPA Riyadh Toastmasters Club

Evaluated by   : ACB/ALB Roi Ontiveros

Target Norm    : Advance Communicator Gold

     *     *     *     *     *     *

One typical evening along the seashores of Cotabato, Tasyo was murmuring “why must I sail in this dark gloomy night”!  “If only I have better equipments”, he grumbled as he throw his net and paddle in the boat. “If only I have better boat”, he groan as he struggles to move his rickety craft towards the sea.  Tasyo was tired but he has no choice!  He needs to gather a good bounty, he needs to earn more to buy better equipment, he needs to feed his dozen ravenous younglings … he needs to please his vain wife. 


The breeze of Mindanao Sea was chilly but Tasyo didn’t shudder a bit. Not even the darkening blue sea could shake the resolve of Tasyo. His focus was set to one resolve: he has to gather a good bounty tonight!


Lady luck must have smiled on Tasyo!  His first cast yielded colorful bass, large hammour, and huge quantity of crabs and mollusk.    His second cast yielded a net-full of herring and yellow fin tuna, it almost broke his net.   The third and fourth casts yielded even more fishes that he gathered for the entire year.  And when he looked down, he saw schools of fishes – glimmers of yellow, red, orange, and blue fishes - all rushing beneath his shaky boat.  His boat was filled with fish up to the brim, but Tasyo wants more.   Greed started to fill Tasyo’s heart.  This is just once in a lifetime.  This will change his life forever.   He thought, he can get more by filling the net with fish and just drag it towards home.


One last time, he casted his net towards the dark deep blue sea! This time, he didn’t catch any fish.  Instead, he caught a giant Manta Ray – 4 meters wide, weighting over a ton perhaps – and it was gigantic. Tasyo was so surprised he caught himself with the net and was in danger of falling off.   He struggled and tied the net to the boat mast, gaining him enough momentum to slow down the rampaging devil.  And just when Tasyo was gaining control of the situation, the giant ray whip its tail and sliced the boat in half.


Schools of fish exploded into the sea along with the fishing tools and safety buoy… and Tasyo?  The devil carried him!  The giant manta ray swam fast – away from the boat – with Tasyo stuck at the other end of the net.   For a moment, Tasyo thought he would die under the water but the devil took him again to the surface.   As the ferocious devil started to swim, Tasyo hold his breath hoping he can have enough to survive until the next air.  And yes, he did make it… but for how long?


For a moment, Tasyo thought of cutting himself loose with his little knife but the uncertainty in the deep blue sea is far more fearful than holding on to the devil.  The deep blue sea offers no relief but empty promises of survival.  The deep blue sea is devoid of traces of hope with nothing that you can cling to and sigh. 
Tasyo has caught between the giant Manta Ray and the wilderness of Mindanao Sea.  Between the devil… and the deep blue sea!


Who among you here still clings to your personal devil?   Is there anyone here who was brave enough to let go and face the emptiness of the deep blue sea?


I for one, my fellow Toastmasters, had been fighting many devils in my life – my desire, my failed dreams, my raging ambitions, my mother, and yes, my very own self!  I cling to this devils because I know that even if they hurt me, and even if they brings me pain… it also gives me respite… enough for me to breath and survive.


Don’t dare me to let go, for I have done it too.  There are few devils that I let go: Singapore, vices, women, and greed.  I did it because in that deep blue sea, I saw someone who was willing to hold my hand.  That someone was my beloved wife.  But for my other deep blue see… I doubt if I am willing to let go. 


Fellow Toastmasters, ladies and gentlemen, beloved guest… good evening!