Mabuhay Toastmasters Club HK Founding Member Sharing
- Could you share the story about the founding of Mabuhay Toastmasters Club?
I always wanted to share the benefits of Toastmasters (TM), first to my fellow Filipinos, as I believe that they also have the same communication challenges as I previously had, then to my non-Filipino friends and to others as well.
When I met Mark, Jean and Julie in a Toastmasters event in March 2016, I know my dream will materialize one day.
When it’s about time, I asked them and also my friend/former colleague Carol, who was not yet a TM then, to setup Mabuhay Club Toastmasters. I shared with them my dream and ideas as well, and they all liked it.
Because of their support, Mabuhay Toastmasters Club was chartered in July 2017.
- What speaking/communication issues you had experienced before that you’d really wish to overcome?
I was born and raised in the Philippines. My lowest grade when I was in school was always English and highest was always Math, that’s why I studied Accountancy.
I used to avoid eye contact with my colleagues because I was afraid that they would ask me of my plans for the weekend (Fridays) or how my weekend was (Mondays). Also, my impression of happy hour was a dreaded hour. Everyone was telling stories in English! I also didn’t like my office phone ringing as I wasn’t comfortable speaking with anyone in English.
Before joining Toastmasters, I wish I could speak comfortably in English.
- Did you set any goals on how you may resolve it? What are these goals?
Find an organization that will help me gain confidence in communicating in English.
Be comfortable speaking in English.
- How do you think Toastmasters have helped you?
Whatever I’ve achieved so far, personally and professionally, setting aside God’s grace, I credit most of it to Toastmasters.
After one year in TM, I aced series of job interviews that landed me a good job (from Officer to Assistant Vice President) in a big global Fund Admin company. Thanks to Table Topics!
After 3 years in TM, I was promoted from Officer to Assistant Vice President to Vice President, assigned to work overseas (Bangalore, India) for 5 months and a lot of opportunities had opened for me.
Outside work, I discovered scriptwriting because of Toastmasters, too. I was completing my High Performance Leadership in 2014 by being in-charge of newsletter production for Division O, when I met Mr. Lee who introduced me to lyrics-writing and scriptwriting. This changed my life!
- What is your experience during the first time you’ve spoken in front of a crowd during your first toastmasters meeting?
My first Toastmasters experience was in Bermuda Island in 2009. I just read out loud my first speech and there was a lectern so I wasn’t really nervous. I enjoyed the process of speech writing.
I quit TM in Bermuda because I was relocated to US in 2009. When I was in the US, I pursued another accounting qualification called Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and set aside Toastmasters.
After passing the CMA exam, I joined Toastmasters again in August 2012 in Hong Kong. If I could turn back the time, I wouldn’t stop my Toastmasters involvement, and I believe I would have achieved more.
- Since you started, what improvements have you noticed in your speech and delivery?
A lot. I’m now comfortable in casual talks. I also realized that in communication, we don’t really need to talk all the time. Actually, by listening attentively, we are communicating, too!
In terms of speech delivery, I also improved from being serious to humorous (sometimes). hehe.
I now love public speaking and I hope to shift my career toward this direction soon.
- What are your further goals in continuing in Toastmasters?
I’m just two speeches away to becoming a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), the highest qualification in Toastmastmers.
Is it time to quit? For me, no. I will still stay in Toastmasters as I believe it’s now time for me to pay forward. I’d like to be the evaluator of the newbies. I will encourage them to keep going and remind them that Toastmasters can change their lives as it did to mine.
While helping my fellow Toastmasters, I will also start doing my Pathways projects, I’m thinking of taking Innovative Planning and Motivational Strategies.
