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

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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.

Contest Piece International - 2010: Is That All There Is?

Piece for International Speech Contest
Program Year   : PY 2009-2010

Title          : Is That All There Is?

Delivered at   : Area 1 Contest held at Siteen Place Hotel

Evaluated by   : ACB/ALB Roi Ontiveros

Target Norm    : - not yet identified - 

Note:  

• The original version of this speech was delivered last Feb 24, 2009 where he won 1st place in the Club Level Competition at PICPA Riyadh Toastmasters Club. The original version was posted in CC Project #9: Is That It?
• This is the revised version and was used to represent Toast of Comsofil in the Area 1 Contest held at the Siteen Palace Hotel.
• The speaker won 2nd place behind TM Sankayan Aier of Riyadh Toastmasters Club

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I remember…  when I was a little boy, life was difficult.   I watch the world burn in flames as the rages of war destroyed everything we have.    Poverty was the landscape of the land, and running for our survival, it was the staple food for everyone.

Then I asked my father, “Is that all there is to life… pain, suffering and hunger?”

Fellow Toastmasters, honorable judges, ladies and gentlemen good evening! 

<< the speaker will wear Trousers>>

My ever wise father just looks at me in the eyes and said: “You came to this world naked and with nothing.  Here, wear this trouser to cover your bareness. Cover yourself with experience, knowledge, and wisdom because one day you have to stand on your own. You must understand what it is to be right and what it is to be wrong.”

Like what a good son does, I followed my father’s advice.  I filled my life with best education available, and  I completed studies mostly on grants and scholarships. 

Then, I fell in love.    I was head over heels in love with this beautiful girl. She’s the most wonderful thing in my eyes, but then she turned me down.  I thought, I would die, but I didn’t.    Then I asked my father, “Is that all there is to love!  No one will love me because I looked like you?”

<< the speaker will wear a Shirt>>

My father just smiled and said:  “Now you that opened up your heart, here, wear this shirt”.  “Cover your soft spot and be ready to face the realities of life”.  “Always remember: be graceful in failure and be humble in victory”

I took a stride in the journey of men.  There I saw the foolishness of mankind.  But I also witness with the amazing power and strength of the human spirit.  The will to survive, the will to succeed!  These experiences made me strong, and more importantly, it made me a better man.

At age 21 and with two college degrees in my hands, I asked my father. “This is that all there to school?  Can I start my life now and go?”

<< the speaker will wear Shoes>>

My proud father cried and said “Yes, you can.  Wear these shoes; go… find your life somewhere. Make me proud and don’t come back!”

Indeed, I move to different places and different countries.  I meet people, meet friends, and meet enemies as well. I pick up valuable lessons along the way: skills, talent and knowledge that made me smarter.  I also pick up fashion to help me look better.    With hard work and persistence, I eventually end up brushing elbows with the gods in the corporate life.  

But just when I thought things are going smooth, I realized something was missing. Corporate responsibility was too heavy for me.  I can take the load of work, that was easy.  But not politics, intrigues and mudslinging – that was impossible.

I cried!  I want to give up.  It could have easier if my father was just alive.  All I do was ask for his wisdom.  I was 30 then, and there was no one else but that little boy in the mirror who told me:  “That that all you got? You will quit after all the training your father gave you?”

<< the speaker will wear Coat>>

I paused and told myself: “No!  I will stand up.  I Will take this coat to cover my true self, my principles and my family”

My life changed after that!  Intrigues are still there, politics still lingers, and responsibility still weights on me.  But I learned how to go home to my family without the burden of work.  Like a coat, I can put on my public life when I am outside in the world, and take it off when I am facing my family.

<< the speaker will wear a Pin>>

Ten years later, I thought … “Is that all there is to my journey?  Have I reached my peak?  Should I just save enough money and wait for retirement”?

Then someone answered … “You can listen better, you think better, you can speak better, and you will learn more by doing... the Toastmasters’ way.” 

That is why, fellow Toastmasters, I am here.  I am standing in front of you.   I am here to learn… one more time.  You will not fail me, I am sure.   You will guide me how to inspire others with my speeches.  You will help me grow to be a good leader so I can lead better.

Now let me ask you Toastmasters, “You will help me be a true Toastmaster?”

Back to you contest master!

Contest Piece International - 2010: Light and Flame

Piece for International Speech Contest
Program Year   : PY 2009-2010

Title          : Light and Flame

Delivered at   : PRCT Club Level International Speech Contest

Evaluated by   : ACB/ALB Roi Ontiveros

Target Norm    : - not yet identified - 

Note:  

• The speaker won 3rd place behind TM Roi Ontiveros - 2nd, and TM Ron Jacobe - 1st place

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<< Set a paper into flames>>

If you wonder if I am going to hurt myself with the flame… or perhaps think I am going to burn the PELA room, be glad… I will not! 

Fellow Toastmasters, honorable judges, ladies and gentlemen good evening. 

Allow me to ask each and every one of you here, how long have you been walking in the journey called life? I could see young professionals whom I believe just started their real journey. There are not so young professional whom I could say, had been walking for awhile.  And yes, there few of us here – I will not dare mention their names least they be identified as oldies – whom had been walking for a very long time.  I asked, simply because I want you to take a look if in that journey, a have you been a flash flame! We have word for that in Filipino – ningas cogon.

I was a flash flame, fellow Toastmasters, and I am not ashamed to confess I am. Born during difficult times, my mother raised me to be quick, tactical and street-smart. She taught me that earning a living comes first than reading books; and that I have to be ahead of everyone else, lest I would end up begging for crumbs and pieces. Yes, I walk my life in quick flames:  I finish early education within 8 years instead of 10, financially independent at 15, and completed 2 bachelor’s degrees and a Masters at the age of 25.  The color of my career was red-orange, the color of avarice and rage.  I rose to the ranks in the corporate ladder, leaving in my trail burned colleagues, charred enemies, and abandoned friends. I was a flame, a large quick flame.  I easily attracted followers in a snap, and I led them blindly to work for me. But just like cotton flame, it was fleeting and didn’t last.

When I look around, I realized our world is replete of people who are flash flames.  There are leaders and managers promising changes but fall short on the long run. And what saddens me the most, is to see a quick flame wearing a Toastmaster’s pin.   Have you seen them fellow Toastmasters?  These are the Toastmasters who started like fire – a blaze of flame – eager to learn the Toastmaster’s way.  They became good speakers – some became champion, and they became trained leaders – some became officers.  But where are they now? You don’t see them anymore!  Again, like cotton in flames… they were fleeting and they didn’t last. 

<< Light the Candle>>

From the ashes of my doing, I ponder what have I went wrong.  There, I found the lost words of my father whom thirty years ago, told me to burn like a candle: to be a light –not a quick flame, warm – not blinding, steady – not fleeting. And if I could go back in time, I would spend my early days in full so I would enjoy what it is to be a child.  I would only choose one degree and spend more time building peers and friends.  I would choose slow accent to the corporate ranks but carry along those who work with me.  But I cannot go back in time.  Even if I wanted to change, don’t know how.

Few years ago, when I came to Saudi Arabia, I started as a flame: I want to have it all.  And even when I joined Toastmasters I carried the trait of a flame: daring and brash.  I thought, this is just like another goal and all I have to do is rush. Soon I realize, it is not!  

When I look around, I realized that Toastmasters is rich with light not just flash flames.  In PRTC, we call them our pillar, guru, or friends whom one way or another help up grow. Have  you seen them fellow Toastmasters?  These are our good speakers in the club who filled our heart with the wit and content of their speeches.  These are our old members, who stayed with us and help us make our baby steps in the club.  These are our friends, in PRTC, who never ceased to encourage us whenever we are weary or down.  They are the ordinary members, who never get tired attending meetings just to learn and develop even if it is slowly.

Two years, it took me, to understand that Toastmasters is not just developing speaking skills – yes I have improved delivering speeches; it is not just training us to be good leaders – yes you gave me a change to be a good President; but more importantly it is also a way to change my heart – yes PRTC, you help me change from a quick flame into a light.  A transformation that I thought, I could never achieve.

Again, allow me to ask.  In your journey in life, were you a light?   Were you a beacon of inspiration, a source of strength for some, and a friend for others?   If you are, hold and keep the light burning so other may follow your steps.    

Contest Piece Humorous - 2010: My Photographic Memory

Piece for Humorous Contest
Program Year   : PY 2009-2010

Title          : My Photographic Memory

Delivered at   : PICPA Riyadh Toastmasters Club

Evaluated by   : ACB/ALB Roi Ontiveros

Target Norm    : - not yet identified - 

Note:  

• The speaker won 3rd place behind TM Roi Ontiveros - 2nd, and TM Reina Tejano - 1st place

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Photographic Memory

Let’s check. Who among you here has photographic memory?  A gift of vividly remembering everything that your eyes seen.  And would it be nice to behold your wife, and remember she was Miss Universe… 20 years ago.  Though right now she is … Miss… Never mind!

Fellow Toastmasters, honorable judges, ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

I have a photographic memory!  And I learned this gift during my early years.  My father and I had this game called – 1 second glance.  That is, to look at a coconut tree for one second, and then mentally count the fruits.  I always beat my father in this game, not because I remember them all, but because I do argue better.  Say, I give a number less than the actual, I would simple say “I didn’t count the brown ones – it’s copra not coconut!”. Or if I give a higher number, I would argue “ah… I included those behind the tree”.  Poor father, tsk tsk tsk..

Came Middle School or high school. I realize that my photographic memory could make my life a lot easier.   During exams, I just sat beside my best friend – who happened to be the smartest boy – and then I apply the 1 second technique.  Bingo, I always have answers. Often, I have better grades than my best friend. You know why, I have other sources too: my other seat mates.    Photographic memory really works wonder, isn’t it.

After college I saw a lady, a feisty youth leader. Love stricken perhaps, I used my photographic memory to remember how beautiful is her face, how graceful is her poise, and how charming is her smiles.  And when I close my eyes, her image I would see her holding my hands and we would dance at each other’s embrace.  Few days later, I saw the lady again and I casually said “Pinky, let’s get married”?    She looks at me and said:   “and who are you”, she replied.   I guess, I over imagined her in my photographic memory.

Nevertheless, she agreed to marry me… after eight years of intimidation and coercion.

Came middle years – not middle school.  I notice that age can diminished photographic memory.  I easily lost track of things.  One day, I was angry with my wife and I was shouting “mommy, where is my sunglasses… and why is it dark here!”   My wife just smiled and said: “Daddy, it’s not dark.  Your are just wearing your sunglasses!”

Gee, it became worse. A year ago, me and mommy went to a movie to watch  Twilight.  In the middle of the show, I went out to go the toilet, and then went out of the mall and hail a taxi cab.  When I arrive home, I wondered “who took my car”.   Then inside and shouted “Mommy, I’m hungry, where’s dinner?”  Nobody answered. The nanny said: “Sir, you went out with her to a movie?”   Walawi, I forgot my wife in the movie house.   Indeed few minutes later, my wife came knocking on the door…  madly in love , no… she was  mad like a bull.  Husss!!!!!

Then one morning, I woke up and forgot I was married.  I was surprise to see someone was sleeping besides me.  To my horror, I saw a green face woman with large round white eyes.

Whoa! But I can accept that.  What worries me now is losing the memory of who I was.  Every time I look at the mirror, I am wondering who is that man looking back at me.  I think someone has invaded my body.  It’s not me anymore.  This was the face that I remember.  This is me!  Not that, This is me!  Huhuhu….  Not that!
Good thing, there is Toastmasters.  TMs are friendly and they always remember you. Like TM Arnold, he often calls “Hi TM Nathan, have you paid dues?”   Aren’t they caring?   There’s TM Willy too.   This morning, he called up reminding me – by the way why do they have to remind us, don’t they know I have a photographic memory! What was I talking?  A Willy! He reminded me to join in tonight’s International Speech contest.  Wait, this is International Speech competition, right?  Next week is humorous!  Whoah… I forgot.

Back to you contest master