Project 1, Self-Introduction

Thank you Madam Toastmaster, for that humble introduction.

Fellow members and guests, Helen Keller was once asked, “What would be worst than being born blind?”  She replied, “It’s having a sight without a vision.”

Ladies and gentlemen, that statement has become my guiding principle in life.  

It was on the 16^th of July 1970 in a developing town of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro when two healthy twin baby boys were born.  The proud parents were so happy to see these beautiful creatures.  However, they were so poor that they decided to let go of one of the babies.  It’s either, through adoption or by throwing one of the babies to the river.  They chose the latter.  Well, that was the first time that I learned to swim  (of course, this is a joke.  I just wanted to catch your attention).

As if misfortune was haunting me, at age 7, while I was in the elementary school, I suffered a vehicular accident. I was hit by a rushing 6-wheeler type jeep and was thrown farther than where I originally stood.  I was brought to the hospital from Mindoro to Manila.  While crying, my mom told the driver, who caused me creeping pains and prolong agony, that should I survive, she won’t get any single penny from him.  I did survive the accident and I also have no money.

While I was in high school, I had had so many crushes but I didn’t have the chance to tell them.  Finally, during my senior year, I mustered the courage to court a certain girl.  Unfortunately, she dumped me right away.  Since then, I told myself not to fall in love again for nobody would pay an attention to me, especially beautiful ones.

 All these frustrations made me a stronger and better person.  As I related my stories to friends and well-wishers altruistic people turned from nil to too many.  They told me to focus my time more on my studies.

I did!  My first course was Business Administration at the University of the East, Manila.  After that, I took up my master’s degree in Government Management at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and then later, I got my Certificate on Teaching Profession at the Philippine Normal University.  Thereafter, I took a board examination for teachers and passed.

I rose from ranks.  I started as an administrative aide at the Division of City Schools, Manila and because I have government eligibilities I got promoted twice.  I then transferred to the Department of Education Central Office as a Creative Arts Specialist I.  It was then that I was able to use my teacher’s certificate for I got promoted to Education Program Specialist II position.

My greatest fear is talking in front of people that I really don’t know.  While my greatest achievement so far, was in years 2007-2008 wherein I got an scholarship grant from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) by way of Okinawa International Centre, Okinawa Japan and my course was “Application of Multimedia Technology for e-Education.”  My experiences in Okinawa widened my horizons and I learned and gained international perspectives.

I consider my wife and two kids to be my greatest award.  They are the ones who tap my shoulder in my moment of pity as if to say “We are ready to help you, can’t you see?”

Well that’s me, Joselito Asi, a Manila Bay Toastmasters Club’s newbie.

Allow me to end my speech by stating my favorite quotation, “Good better best, never let it rest, ‘til your good becomes better and your better best!”

Fellow toastmasters, good evening.

Lightning Strikes Twice!

I, for the 2nd time, attended the toastmasters meeting (as guest) at the Casino Espanol de Manila and I was assigned a table topic, "Good wine needs no bush," a statement made by William Shakespeare.  Like in my previous recital I self-destruct.  I couldn't say longer sentences but a simple, "I can compare wine to purity..." I couldn't see the relevance of the statement I just chided.  Then, followed it up with, "The wine gets better as it is tested by time..." then a prolong stop... Why? o Why I was assigned a difficult task wherein I can't regroup words.  I felt that I have been universally mocked for my statements.  As a newbie, I just hope that Manila Bay Toastmasters club members won't disown me due to my fear of talking in front of people that I really don't know.

Twice I was tested and twice I failed.
  

Baptism of Fire!

I told you earlier, guys, that I was planning to upgrade due to recent boo-boos I've committed at the office.  Well, I started finding clubs to join wherein I can mingle with people who are motivated and pro-active - and I found one.  While browsing the internet and key-in the word "toastmaster," I was directed by a link to its club directory.  What I did was, I chose a place where I would be convenient on going in after office hours.  I picked Manila Bay Toastmasters Club at which point the membership was open to everyone.  I immediately called the club official (Sir Meo) and he presented me, verbally, on what to expect and what they were doing at the club.  Cool.

Last Thursday (January 5), @ 7 p.m. I entered the Casino Espanol de Manila (the venue) a place where I am very familiar with, since I visited this place before in one of my trainings for JICA.  I promised myself to create a good impression so that I would give an immediate impact.  As I entered the room I was greeted by Sir Meo who gave me a seat on the west side of the room, a couple of seats away from the rostrum. I was just right on time for the invocation, singing of national anthem and of the club hymn.

I enthusiastically observed every participant and some of them were eating already or were having some orders, I was approached by my seatmate Shey from the Central Bank, if I were briefed by Sir Meo regarding matters on ordering of food, etc.  I learned that if you want to eat you will just make an order to the waiter and pay it later.  Ahh... ok.  I thought it was free at first.

The first part of the the session was done by introducing himself or herself and since it was the start of the year  the participant should say his or her New Year's resolution.  I gave mine of course and the rest of the group and the method of doing the task was done clockwise.  I giggled as I heard the first speaker Dr. Ben for he said that he will change his wife.  Ha.ha.ha. I knew he was joking.   Others told that they will minimize the use of their credit cards and I shared that I will try to be the best that I can be in the coming days.

After that, the word of the night was given by Dr. Ben - INSIPID.  Insipid is an adjective and a word that means uninteresting, dull, flavorless, and tasteless.  Everyone was asked to use it in a sentence to which few people obliged.

Then, speakers were called for their 4th s, 5th, and 8th speech - I been wondering why.  I learned it later that I will do the same thing in the future should I become member, as well.  I couldn't help but smile as I looked at them, some of them were very confident, others have prolong stop, and few talked while on a sideward position while giving their prepared speech.  I told myself that if I my name will be called I would give a better performance.

And so, the next session was the giving of the table topics.  A timer was set and a set of criteria was given. The first quotation was assigned - "If I speak I am condemned, If I stay silent I am damned," from Victor Hugo's Les Misérables.  I am so impressed with the first speaker (I forgot his name) but believed me I saw him on T.V. one time.  Then an unexpected thing happened.  My name was called.  I sweated profusely.  I didn't know what to do.  The quotation was announced publicly -  "Life is a banquet and everyone is starving to death." I understood that this made me a conundrum and I couldn't help myself. To be honest I am really puzzled on how to start but I am not a quitter so I rushed to the podium. But it was really difficult to link what you were saying to the group of professionals (lawyers, doctors, bankers, etc.) and students. I felt the butterflies on my stomach, I couldn't say a word.  I felt that the more words I would say the more mistakes I would commit.

Where was the promised I made for myself that I would create a good impression?  I am simply stupid.  I failed, and I failed miserably!

2012, What Else to Delve?

Well, the 4th quarter of 2011 brought me financial woes.  I suffered miserably in all aspects of life.  I wasn't able to get what I want to achieve.

I am still eyeing for an scholarship or short training abroad.  Perhaps, I should try to impress my superiors first for me to be allowed another opportunity to go to another country to study.

Though I was the 2011 Chess Champion at the Department of Education, Central Office, my performance on  other tournaments were not as impressive or should I say forgettable, especially during my December tournament at the Victory Mall in Monumento, Caloocan, Philippines.  I just scored 4 out of 8 games in a non-master chess tournament.  By golly, I could have performed better but I was not able to convert 2 drawing positions to victories.

Professionally, all things were going well smoothly, however, month of December was not as cooperative as that of the other months.  I didn't realize that I made a very big mistake of not seeing a very basic mistake in a book that I have been keeping for a very long time.  I was so thwarted not to see the error in one of its pages - 'Texbook' instead of 'Textbook'.  Although, I commented the mistake earlier it was not implemented by the supposed party.  Lesson, not be too confident and too trusting.  Just rely on yourself.  No one is to blame but myself..

So, I am planning to expand my horizon by joining a group called toastmaster to help me grow personally and professionally.

I am wishing that 2012 with give me better breaks and not freaks!  Happy holidays to all.