RIYADH, 10 April — Mabuhay Toastmasters Club 6059-U may yet produce another distinguished toastmaster (DTM), the highest award given by Toastmasters International.
Claudio Fernandez, Jr. whose wife Lilia Fernandez is the first Filipino DTM in Riyadh, finally cleared last hurdle by achieving his advanced leadership award, a requirement to becoming a DTM.
"It was a tough but rewarding journey," Fernandez said as he was pinned the advanced leadership emblem by Toastmaster of the Year awardee Vincent Gargaritano.
Once Fernandez advances to the DTM level, he and his wife will become the first DTM couple in Saudi Arabia.
Fernandez was given the award during the presentation of officers on April 3 at La Sani Restaurant. The other awardee was Vic Barrazona who obtained his competent toastmaster (CTM) award.
Toastmasters, like martial arts practitioners, hold ranks. And like martial arts students, toastmasters have to prove their competence before progressing to the next level.
The Toastmasters International’s education system, however, includes both a communication track and a leadership track.
A beginner becomes a toastmaster (TM) after finishing the basic training.
In the communication track, a toastmaster advances to competent toastmaster (CTM) level after completing all 10 speech projects in their Communication and Leadership Program. Next is the advanced toastmaster bronze (ATM-B), followed by the advanced toastmaster silver (ATM-S), then the advanced toastmaster gold (ATM-G).
In the leadership track, award progression includes competent leader (CL) and advanced leader (AL).
The DTM is the highest award. All the current international officers and directors of the movement, headed by its president, Alfred R. Herzing, are DTMs.
Founded in October 1924 by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, Toastmasters International has now more than 7,000 clubs and more than 180,000 members in 70 countries.
A decorated club
Saudi Arabia has one of the fastest growing population of Toastmasters clubs and Mabuhay is one of the most decorated clubs in Riyadh, having been a recipient of many awards from the movement.
Its current officers, who were inducted into office on April 3, are: Vincent Gargaritano, president; Enrico V. Abad, vice president for education;Vic Barrazona, VP for membership; Francisco Sigaya Jr., VP for public relations; Gloria dela Merced-Josol, secretary; Jamila Fernandez, treasurer; Jay Balan, sergeant-at-arms; and Manny Ventura, parliamentarian.
The affair was attended by members of Knights Toastmasters Club, Toast of Comsofil, Sand Dunes and Toastmasters Club.
Jamila Fernandez, the couple's daughter and the youngest member of the club, delivered her 8th speech project while Enrico V. Abad culminated the meeting with a prepared speech, on to his CTM award.
The club meets every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Second Philippine International School (SPIS).
