Image via Wikipedia

A joint event of chartering of Pillars Toastmasters Club and the installation of officers of Pillars and Ormoc Percolators Clubs with the theme “Dare: Dare to Speak, Dare to Lead” was held at 7:00 PM on September 20, 2009 at the PASAR guesthouse lobby.

The event was preceded with the officers training conducted by the Toastmasters International Philippines officials headed by the District 75 Governor Noli Espina. As the justice league puzzle game that was solved through the inter-group support, the training left a lesson of teamwork and cooperation.

The program proper arranged the toastmasters’ way was composed of four main segments: the opening, the educational portion, the chartering of Pillars TMC, and the installation of Ormoc Percolators TMC Officers. The first part, which was followed with an exquisite dinner, started with a mediation presented by Advance Toastmaster Bronze Ruby Tabucanon from the Ormoc Percolators Toastmasters Club. Competent Toastmaster Maxim Eduard Nabong I and Advance Communicator Silver Gil Marvel Tabucanon, the Toastmasters of the evening, warmly greeted and introduced the audience, which set the whole event in ceremonial yet cozy mood.

Meanwhile, Sherlock A. Codilla, the Senior Manager of ICR Department, in his inspirational speech, directly addressed the newly chartered club and its members. Informative as usual with his well-articulate wisdom, he emphasized that leadership should go hand in hand with communication. He also pointed out that each has a summit to climb and that putting up the club

is a milestone to step on to have a clear view of the summit of “Everest”.

In the Topic Mastering of the Educational Portion, three questions were given to randomly chosen audience. Those who were called to answer got the chance to speak on their feet. It was immediately followed with a demonstration speech by a National Speech Champion in 2002. Jenefer Retuya delivered her winning piece “The Prince of Gibraltar”, which left the astounded audience agape. When the thunderous applaud abated, a national winner in evaluation Advance Communicator Bronze Evelyn Olmilla gave tips on how to answer raised questions. She said that the answer should comprise of an agree or disagree point, reasoning, an example and should end with a summary. With these components in the answer, one has already delivered a very basic yet concise impromptu speech.

The event ended with high hopes that Pillars, being an “infant” club needing the nurturing wisdom from the “mother” club the Ormoc Percolators, and together with the support of PASAR Management, will succeed and will not fail like the previous chartered clubs in Isabel.

Officers of Pillars are the following:  Glen D. Ceballos (president), Franklin E. Vios (vice president education), Neza Johanna C. Tindugan (vice president membership), Jorella April M. Fegi (vice president public relations), Hanzel M. Orlanda (secretary), Blessyl Marie L. Navalatan (treasurer), and Rogelio M. Tuble, Jr. (sergeant-at-arms).

Congratulations Pillars Toastmasters Club! Dare to speak and dare to lead!

By Franklin E. Vios, E/I Department

& VP-Education of PILLARS TMC