The program aimed to instill in the students the importance of public speaking and leadership skills.

The program consisted of eight workshop-style sessions that let participants develop their potential through practical experience. They will use the speaking and leadership skills for the rest of their lives.

The program was partially sponsored by Groupe Genoyer, a French company in piping project management.

The officers and members of the Toastmasters Club started the program this year with the support and assistance of IPSJ School Principal Renita Respicio and their High School coordinator Rosgen Gumban.

Dennis Oppus, YLP Coordinator, shared some of his experiences during his first encounter with the Toastmasters Club. When the Toastmaster of the day asked him to speak in front of an audience for the first time, he said he “felt a crocodile in his chest.” Since then he developed his self-confidence in public speaking.

The students were treated to witness a speech demo, showing one of the toastmasters deliver a speech. After that, Edwin Advincula gave a clear demonstration on how to become a good speech evaluator.

The students were given a lecture on how to answer questions on the spot and about chairmanship. Sultan Salem described the proper use of timing devices and monitoring of the time allotted for each speaker.

In other sessions, the students delivered their own speeches, participated in evaluating the prepared speakers. Cris Ortiz, president of the club, lectured on elements of a good speech. The students were not only trained to speak effectively, but were also taught the skill of listening. As one of the toastmasters said: “We have two ears and only one tongue. This is a gentle reminder that we should listen twice as much as we talk.”