I saw, I speech, I conquered!

When You Believe, Nothing is Impossible!

2008-09-20T00:34:00.000-07:00

When You Believe, Nothing is Impossible!
By Edwin D. Vinas
Silver & White Toastmasters Club
Triathlon Contest 2008
August 27, 2008

Note: This is my entry for the Entertaining Speech category. But, unfortunately I didn't win the prepared speech & Singing Contest but I did win the Impromptu Speech category wherein the topic was "The ability to change is the single ability that we have."

[Paragraph 1

[Paragraph 1]
[Topic Sentence] Yes, ladies & gentlemen “when you believe… nothing is impossible!” As I look back to my past, I realize that I have been through a lot of challenges -- Challenges in education… Challenges in poverty… and Challenges in sexuality.
[Sub-topic] But, do you know what truly matters? It’s our belief in our dreams, in our purpose, and in our ambitions in life that truly matters most!
[Supporting Details]For no matter how poor you are, no matter how different you are, and no matter how ugly you are; when you believe… nothing is impossible! I myself only came from a very poor family but through my strong belief in myself and God , I was able to overcome a lot of challenges and I was able to attain everything that I want to achieve.

[Paragraph 2]
[Topic Sentence] So, here I am in front of you, telling the stories about the three most interesting challenges in my life and how I was able to overcome them.
[Sub-topic -- Challenges in Education] The very first challenge I have encountered is going to college…
[Supporting Story 1] After graduating Valedictorian in a provincial high school in Bicol, I remember praying to God that if I can’t go to college, I would just enter the seminary and become a priest. Since God doesn’t want someone like me to enter the sacred church, He sent the very first scholarship program in our school! Maybe, the church was in danger of contamination and God doesn’t want that to happen.
[Supporting Story 2] As we enter the La Salle University, my mother almost got a heart attack when we saw the very high tuition fee! And so, I ended up finishing Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering at the “The University of the Philippines – TUP”! Honestly, I graduated only from “Technological University of the Philippines” but since “technological” is just an adjective, we might as well drop that word so in effect I also graduated from UP!
[Supporting Story 3] After graduation as an engineer, the government has stopped giving me scholarship allowance. I tried to find a job as quickly as possible so I ended up working as a teacher! The funny thing when I was interviewed about why I want to teach, I said “teaching is the best profession while reviewing for the board exam”, but what they didn’t realize is that I will just use their library in reviewing for the board exam! Luckily, I became a licensed electronics & communications engineer! To simplify my life, I joined Toastmasters, anyway this club also deals with communications so this is an exact application of my course!
[Sub-topic – Challenges in Poverty] The second challenge that I encountered was raising myself from poverty… Having graduated as cum laude and a scholar is not a sure shot to success! After two years, I gave up my teaching job and transferred to a government company not only to apply my engineering knowledge but also to serve the people who helped me finish my studies through their taxes. But, after four years, I transferred to Accenture with a purpose of helping my brother go to college & to further alleviate my family from poverty…
[Supporting Story 1] With my necktie, a laptop and a good aura, I was interviewed by one of the Senior Managers in Accenture! At the interview room, the interviewer had shown me what Accenture security is really so strict. As I open my laptop which I used to trick that I am a professional and “techie” applicant, he was alarmed for I may transmit confidential information so I ended up quarantined in the interview room for one week & have my devices checked before we proceeded for an interview. And luckily, I was hired as a Senior Programmer! I’m so happy because I can now jump from poverty level to a slightly middle class citizen.
[Supporting Story 2] I remember when I was in elementary where I was able to study here in Manila for just my grade 5 level, I can’t forget the story which challenged me to really elevate myself from poverty. One time, while I was watching Shaider which is my favorite TV show way back 15 years ago, while on the part that Shaider was doing the metamorphosis, the TV was turned off! And then, the owner of the house told me to go home as I was only watching from my neighbor’s house. “When I grew up, I will also be able to buy a TV!”, saying to myself silently.
[Supporting Story 3] And just a month ago, I was able to fulfill one of my wishes in life as I was now able to buy a car! Yes, my fellow toastmasters, I thought having a car is impossible for me since I was just a programmer and I only came from a province. But the funny is that I don’t know how to drive yet so I wasn’t able to drive the car in one month. But, through faith in God and a thousand prayers, I was able drive bravely from home to office. As every new drivers experience, I stalled the car several times in EDSA but who cares? Who would bump a new car with insurance!? To test my bravery, I even drove from Manila to Laguna two weeks ago together with my proud parents and brothers experience riding our own car is such a fulfilling experience.
[Sub-topic – Challenges in Sexuality] The third most interesting challenge I have encountered is confusions in sexuality….
[Supporting Story 1] As I grow up, I realized that one of the natural powers we have is the ability to adapt to the environment. If you notice me with a different tone of voice and different gestures, don’t be alarmed as I was just adapting to the environment. When I was in grade 6, one of my classmates which is a girl used to tease me that I was gay. So, to show the world that I wasn’t gay, I grabbed the girl and embraced her tight in front of my classmates to show that I am also a boy who likes a girl. But, it didn’t help me that much! But who cares? I have now accepted who I am and I am enjoying my monosexual life! I can do better than normal people anyway!
[Supporting Story 2] Still confused about my sexuality, I traced on my past why I was infected with the incurable disease of imbalanced hormone syndrome. Yes, when I was a child, my cousins used to tease me that I have nice legs like a girl. And during that time, the gay people started to show themselves in our community as they dance with their intermission numbers during our school programs. I can remember their graceful dances of “Material girl” and “Papa Don’t Preach!”. Well, right now, I consider myself as part of the non-reproducing-sector of society which I think is very important since we are now overpopulated. Imagine if all men are real men, our world population would quadruple!
[Supporting Story 3] For the first time, I started going to the gym a few weeks ago. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t go the gym to spot on nice muscular guys but to challenge myself again. I would like to see myself having a manly body even if I’m like this. I guess, that would eliminate wrong impressions from other people about me. But one thing I realized, going to the gym really needs discipline. The first day I worked out, I can’t almost drive my car home! Every part of my body is aching and I can hardly walk the next day! But as I always say to myself, this is just a challenge! Who knows I can be like Piolo Pascual in the years to come!

[Paragraph 3]
[Topic Sentence] With all the stories I shared to you, you might ask, what’s the point of all these? The point is that the biggest challenge that all of us are facing is the challenge to make a difference in our lives. While we are still living, we should not forget that life is not just about eating, being happy, or making friends or having all the riches in this world. Life is about doing the unthinkable. Life is about making a difference. Most of all, life is a challenge for all of us to show to God, partially to the world, that we can do even the impossible so we can make this world a better place to live in. As we commemorate Ninoy Aquino’s 25th year of assassination, we should realize that the death of Ninoy have paved the way towards restoring democracy of our country by sacrificing his blood and stopping the 20 years of Marcos’ dictatorship. I am sure, Ninoy would agree with me that “when we believe in ourselves and in the power of God, nothing is really impossible.”

CC#10 - Inspire the Audience - "From Nothing to Something"

2008-04-20T01:06:00.000-07:00

[Toastmaster of the Evening: Our prepared speaker, Edwin Vinas "From Nothing to Something"... "From Nothing to Something", Edwin Vinas...]

[After introduced, I am walking confidently going to the front shaking hands with the TM of the evening...]

If this is the last day of your life, what will you do? Miss Toastmaster of the evening, fellow toastmasters and guests, if this is last day of my life, the only thing that I would do is to tell everybody the greatest story of my life...

Thirty years ago, I was born in a very far away province with no electricity, no jeepneys, no television, no money and no hope. My family used to go to the mountains to plant root crops in order to survive. Everyday, our breakfast is "kamote", our lunch is rice and shrimps from the river, our merienda is fried banana and our dinner is rice with "tinapa" or smoked fish. We usually sleep at 6pm and wake up at 7am. I used to walk 1 kilometer just to reach a stream in order to fetch a gallon of drinking water and take a bath! That's how primitive and poor our life is... Yes, it is really a very poor life! I really have nothing!

On the very first day that I will enter Grade 1, I was so excited! With my improvised bag made of rice sack sewn by my mother, my "baon" wrapped in a banana leaf, and a pair of thin slippers under my feet, I am now so excited to see the school for the first time! As part of our tradition, my mother was holding a glass of water with wild grass leaves in it. She said, "drink this as this will help you get good grades in school!". Without asking, I drank the potion! Everyday, I used to walk 3 kilometers from home to school. During the flag ceremonies, I used to lead in singing the "Lupang Hinirang" and recite the "Panatang Makabayan". This is one of the things that motivated me to go to school everyday. As I gather awards as one of the top students in class, I have learned to read, write, and be recognized! As I continue to fill my brain with wonderful knowledge I gained from school and from books I read everyday, I graduated 1st Honorable Mention. I am so happy because I now have something!

But, as I enter high school, many people have been noticing that something is different about me. I know I am different because I am poor compared to my classmates. But not only that, I know I am different because I speak softly and walk softly too! I don't know why I am like this since I never wished to behave like this. One time, when I was in elementary, my classmates used to tease me and insult me because I behave like a girl. So, what I did is I grabbed my girl classmate who teases me and hugged her tight just to show that I am also a boy who likes a girl. And what happened? Nothing, it didn’t help me actually! But one thing I learned from this experience is that, if I can't change my personality, I can change my future by defeating everyone in the school. And so, I was able to stop the people from looking at my abnormality and amazed them by my intelligence as I defeated everyone in class and graduated Valedictorian! I am so happy, now I have a golden medal added to the display of ribbons and medals in our cabinet! But, I was sad when I realized I can't sell my ribbons and medals so I can go to the city and continue my college! I am still nothing! At this stage of my life, I learned to depend on God by going to the church every Sunday and believing on the power of supernatural beings to help me. Did you know that I was actually planning to be a priest if ever I can’t go to college after my high school? Through God’s help, I was granted a 5-year scholarship by the Department of Science and Technology, which allowed me to continue my college in Manila. I am so happy because I now have the ticket to success!

During college, have experienced the worst challenges in my life but I have never quit in studying no matter how difficult life is. I remember whenever there was a heavy rain, I am always on the lookout to watch for flood water which may overflow in my room again. I've been used to floods during that time. But one day, a very bad weather came. I never expected that it will get worse. The flood have almost reached the a very alarming level. I was so worried about my books! I need to get them before it's too late, before it gets washed away! Books are so important to me for they are my only hope, my only friends, my only tools to success! And so, despite of the bad smelling flood water almost as high as my shoulder, I rushed and managed to rescue my books out of my flooded room. And that doesn't end there, my suffering was further intensified by the fact that water doesn't drain out by itself so I would have to remove them manually. Sometimes, I would return from school with my flooded room like a fish pond! Instead of resting, I would still remove the dirty flood water in my room and this really almost makes me cry for five years! Whenever I remember this story, I learned that if you really want to get something, you should never give up and instead try to strive further. And so five years of floods have resulted to a Cum Laude graduate of Engineering. Yes, the guy from the mountain who has nothing in life now became the very first electronics and communications engineer from our town!

After graduation, I thought being a Cum Laude graduate and a scholar will easily give me a good job! I am still nothing because when I graduated I have no more scholarship and no more allowance. And so, since I really need a job, I accepted a teaching position in one of AMA IT colleges. One funny thing about this is that when the school director interviewed me and asked me why I want to teach, I said teaching is a good job while reviewing for the board exam! And they seem to realize that I will just be using the school library for my hidden purpose. And so my working life has started as a teacher, something I dreamed of when I was still young. After a year, I transferred to Advanced Science Technology Institute in UP Diliman as a Science Research Specialist where most of my unforgettable experiences have happened and where I learned the technology revolution. And it’s also where I learned the skills which helped me find the job in the corporate Accenture!

As of this moment, I realized that life is really full of challenges and hardships but through your perseverance, you can turn your life from nothing to something if you will just truly set your heart and mind to whatever you want to do with your life! Yes, it's true! It's possible to turn nothing to something if you believe in God's plan for you. As Proverbs 3:5,6 says "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths". [Mister Toastmaster of the evening!]

CTM Speech Project# 10 - Inspire the Audience : "Godish Technologies"

2007-11-25T08:05:00.000-08:00

Silver and White Toastmasters Club - Philippines
Competent Communicator (CC) Graduation Speech
"Godish Technologies"
By Edwin D. Vinas / November 28, 2007

#-- INTRO
We are now living in a very different world -- a world being run by corporations and capitalism that if you will not cope up w/ competition you will not survive. Well, as a proof, all of us here survive because we are employed by a corporation. But, survival is not enough or not proper if we are just surviving for the present time or if we don’t care on how we survive. How about the survival of the next generations to come?

On my very first speech here in Toastmasters Club, I said that one of my goals in life is to be able to clarify the mysteries in this world. Well, all I can say is that this world is so complex but as I continue to observe and explore this world, one thing that fascinates me is man’s successful adaptation to a technological world to provide it’s needs to survive. We can no longer live in this world happily without the use of technologies. We can no longer live without money. We can no longer live without working. We can no longer live without sacrificing our families just to find jobs abroad. And we can’t deny the fact that together with six (6) billions of people, we are now on a very saturated world. We really need to re-evaluate what’s happening in this modern times and change the way we live.

#-- BODY
Have you ever wondered what's happening in the world that concerns everyone? It’s too much industrialization and global climate change but despite of the current growth of knowledge, we are still living so miserable in a way that the way we live is full of suffering young and old, rich and poor, managers and workers, students and teachers, mothers and fathers – we all can’t deny our sufferings.

Why is it that we continuously work everyday? Because this planet which was once a paradise is now no more than just a cruel world continuing to revolve through history. We are now in a world governed by money -- it's all you need to survive -- the simple planet before which is a simple as a growing seed is now as complex as the helix of a DNA. All of us would realize at this moment that life is all about adapting to the current environment and being able to experience life no matter what it takes.

As man progresses through history and time, we can see that our basic motive is to experience living in the world but this desire gets overly corrupted to such an extent that we continuously degraded and changed the natural faces of nature into an artificial world. In these modern times, the desire of humans is all about enjoyment, survival and discovery. But as we move forward, we create wars against nations or divide ourselves based on races and beliefs. Right now, all of us have very shallow and useless reason on why we continue to survive -- most of us spend the whole life working for common goals such as job security, financial stability, and self-enjoyment.

But, despite of all these, we are lucky – or precisely, I am lucky to being able to speak to you tonight to deliver my graduation speech as one of the creations of God. Truly, God and man has a very interesting relationship... Trillion years ago, God created this Universe... God's greatest creation is man... Man has continued to exist in at least the 2000 years of human civilization... But, man has also continuously corrupted the universe... Developing products that would kill himself just like the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945 or the local explosion of unexplained origin in Glorietta 2 this year... It's because of the lack of understanding of his Creator and his environment... It's because of the greediness... It's because of growing number of evils and the bad way of living by some other people... The current world is both a worsening world and it’s like we are all here trapped in a loop where we have no other choices but to go with the flow and live as what life brings. But despite of this worsening state of the world, there are people who are so concerned about how to live righteously or how to live simple so as to give way to other people.

But do you know the greatest challenge that we have right now? It’s the challenge on how to make this place a better place to live in even in these modern times where natural resources is gradually depleting due to very high population and wrong way of living. When I went to Orlando’s Disney Science Park called Epcot in Florida, USA, four years ago. I was enlightened by the “Spaceship Earth” attraction, which showcases life’s history from primitive period up to these modern times. But the most important stage of history shown in that place that amazed me is the modern period of technological revolutions, which lead to a different life that we have right now. As I recall my childhood life, I was once living in a place with no television, no jeepneys nor trains, not even electricity or cellphones. I was lucky to be born where there are still free things on Earth – picking up ripe guava or wild berries in my natural playground or going to swimming in fresh rivers and lakes. I was so lucky to be born in a middle age where I was able to witness how this planet has changed from primitive to industrialized planet. But, as I marvel with the greatest scientific developments and new lifestyle, I can’t deny the fact that the current world is not moving on the right track. Because of too much sufferings due to daily problems on survival, some people just believed in religion and believing in God’s mercy or from fairies to spell their magic wands to change this planet to its original state – fresh air, low population, abundant food, and natural living. But, our greedy ancestors were to blame with this. In these modern times, more and more people are losing hope – and they are turning to religion as the last resort. But, can religion save us from this kind of life in this planet? In 1929, many people are wondering whether the greatest scientist of all time believe in God or not. He said “science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind ... a legitimate conflict between science and religion cannot exist." In short, we have not much hope if we just depend on religion. What we must also depend on is technology advancement. But, not just technology developments but a responsible way of developing technological inventions. And the only way to develop non-destructive and natural technologies by patterning it from God's creations -- hence, we will call it Godish technology.

What is Godish Technology? Godish technology is any technology that is based on God’s creations – a natural technology that doesn’t cause bad effects to the environment and people. From the word “God”, Godish technology is something that humans must understand and follow in order to co-exist with the whole universe.

What problems that are now coming out due to incorrect development of technologies? Global warming… Pollution… Shortened Lifespan…. Nuclear wars… Electronic waste… I was fortunate enough to be born on an age where nature is on its fading stage and the coming of the modern times. Maybe, that was the purpose of my Creator to be able to extend to you my thoughts as someone being able to experience the different stages of history from primitive life to modern life. One of the greatest examples of how the natural world becomes an artificial modern world is this -- before, I can still drink from streams/rivers near our house, but now we are buying purified waters just to drink. I will not be shocked if in the future even the air we breathe will also be sold in cans or bottles for the blue sky that we have right now will soon be turned into black sky where no one can survive without buying air masks to breathe in. We must start to develop Godish technologies for it’s the only solution to our problems

What examples of Godish technologies are being introduced? As of now, Godish technologies can’t be seen yet being used widely but more and more companies are being aware of the problems that’s why they are starting to focus their attention in this area. Intel’s Core Duo… Kodak’s two-lens camera… Ford’s Hybrid Car… among others. Intel’s Core Duo reminds us of the structure of our brains, a left and right hemisphere! Kodak’s twin-lens camera is similar to how our two eyes work. So you see, a Godsih technology is any technology that is based on God’s natural creations. It is a technology that is natural and producing no dangerous waste & poses no side effects to our natural environment.

What Godish technologies do you think we need to develop? Basically anything that is similar to what can be found in our natural environment. A nose-like peripheral for computers so we can smell things from far away. A humanoid robot which can serve as domestic helpers so we can avoid sending Filipina maids for they’re more needed by their children in their own families. A computer that doesn’t have a keyboard or mouse but a brainwave interface to send/receive inputs directly and wirelessly from our brains. A flying car fueled by natural air so that we can travel like birds in the sky.

What are the hindrances in developing Godish technologies and products? The level of knowledge of humans are far more inferior than what God is using. So, it would take a lot of effort to study this kind of technology and the products we can develop from it. But if we will continue to “Think God and Act like God!” we can surely develop these natural Godish technologies. I’m just sad about what is happening right now because we are now living in an artificial world where everything we consume are a product of laboratories and factories. We no longer find natural foods except those we scarcely find in the expensive markets or the oceans or lands in some last frontier places such as Palawan.

What happens when we start developing Godish technologies and products? No more oil crisis! Less poverty! Less pollution! A better quality life in the next generations to come! A longer lifespan for the human civilization and the whole planet Earth!

How do we start developing Godish technologies? Our education system should include this field of study in all our schools’ curriculums so students are aware of it and we must do it starting right now. The government must help develop specialized field and professions who will focus on this area. Imagine a world where every product is labeled and marked as “Godish Certified”.

#--CONCLUSION
In my previous speech, I’ve talked about the most important fact that we humans are born to be creators! Thus, as creators, it is our duty and responsibility to develop technologies that not only satisfies the consumers or generates more profits but also technologies that blends well with the environment and the only way to do this is to adapt and develop based on Godish Technologies & Principles.

CTM Speech Project# 9 - Persuade with Power : "The Continuous Evolution: The Creator-Creature Universal Dynamics"

2007-06-27T07:43:00.000-07:00

CTM Speech Project# 9 - Persuade with Power
"The Continuous Evolution: The Creator-Creature Universal Dynamics"

At last, I was able to get back on a balanced work and personal life! The highlights for today are so many but the most exciting accomplishment I had for today is the completion of my 9th speech project and mind you, I talked about a very interesting topic and I dedicate it to Whoever created us. Yeah, that's right, this is my most interesting speech and the best evaluation I got from one of the pioneers of the Toastmasters Club. I was so excited in delivering the speech because it tackles something so deep, imagine I talked about the principle of creatore-creature universal dynamics! It's basically a speech on persuading the people/audience that we are born naturally as creators eventhough we are also creatures. I somehow touched the minds and hearts of my audience and have in some way persuaded them that as a human creature, we have the power to create and decorate the universe as it is God's garden. Wow, after that speech and nice evaluations I really feel like I am improving both in public speaking and physically. I am so glad I was able to do what I need to do -- enlightening once again my audience in honor of our God's creations. What a very magnificent universe it is!

Here is my 9th speech project:
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“The Continuous Evolution: Creator-Creature Universal Dynamics”
A Speech Project # 9
Silver & White Toastmasters Club, Manila, Philippines
Edwin D. Vinas
June 27, 2007

Good evening my fellow creatures!

In my first speech, I said one of my goals in life is to clarify the mysteries in this world. I remember, my evaluator exclaimed, “Wow, clarify the mysteries of this world!” In my other speeches, I’ve talked about the expanding universe… I’ve also talked about an idea that the brain is our universe… and I’ve shared about the one truth that’s inevitable – we will live once in this world. But, my speech for tonight would definitely change the way you live your life![frontslide].

My fellow toastmasters, the universe is so complex and so vast[show cosmos]... As years pass by, astronomers have proven that our planet is just one of the billions of planets in the universe[show zoomed out cosmos]. With the recent successful mission of Atlantis STS-117 of NASA to the International Space Station, we have proven that science and technology can allow humans to travel outside our own planet [show nasa; iss; planets]. More and more discoveries about the universe are coming into place, and one more significant discovery is when science unraveled the complexity of DNA [show DNA] -- the building block of all living things. But the complexities of the universe all boils down to one idea… We are part of a continuously evolving universe and all these are being governed by the principle of creator-creature universal dynamics.
As you will notice, humans are the main subject of these creations[zoom in to man in the office]. As humans, we are the only ones who were given so much knowledge, power, and wisdom to create! Yes, my fellow toastmasters, when we are born, the creator wired our brains to have the ability to create things! And that is the purpose why the Creator created humans -- the most magnificent, the most intelligent, and the most complex creature in the whole universe!
This natural ability to create has led us into the advanced human civilization that we are in today – we have created so many things. Out of the basic ability to create babies[babies], we have shown the creator that we can do much more than that! We have created so many things such as computers, cars, buildings, cities, software, money, economy, spaceships and many other things that I am sure the Creator is fully delighted of what he is seeing![man-computers; cars; buildings; cities; software; money; clothings; robots]

Knowing that you have been gifted with the power and the natural ability to create -- what are you waiting for? Go and tell your girlfriend or your boyfriend to create babies!!! But, hey, our abilities should be used much more than that. Let's create things that will further enhance the human civilization and show our Creator that we are doing what He has designed us to do. You know, this big universe is like a God’s garden. If you were the creator, wouldn’t you be delighted to see your creatures creating other things?

I know most of us here are working in a company, or doing their own business, and in some way or another have been creating things whether it’s a baby, a product, a system or another body of knowledge or invention. But, let's not be contented with that. You can create more meaningful and significant creations!

Why don’t you create a more advanced robot?[show asimo]Why don’t you create more faster and low-cost spaceships so we can escape the traffic in Manila by flying through the airspace?[flying cars]Why don’t you create genetically engineered plants and animals to provide sufficient foods for the poor street children?[show street children]Why don’t you create more reliable & efficient technologies for exploring the solar system so we will have new planets for the next generations?[show Mars exploration; paradise].

So my fellow creatures, now that you know you are born to create, why don’t you harness your potential to create… create… and create! Don’t be afraid to think of what you want to create. Creations all started with conceptualizing an idea. It all starts with thinking what you want to create. When I say create, it should be something new, something different and something that haven’t existed anywhere else and most of all, something that the can contribute to the continuous evolution of the universe!

Note:
I have an accompanying visual aids for this one. Just email me if you want to see it. It's full of nice slides w/ markers being pointed in the various sections of the speech.

Some evaluations I need to take note -- get rid of two Ah's, don't use notes even if just a few, make the closing more powerful (ended abruptly), involve the audience (consider what they can do --not expect them to build a spaceship if they are ordinary people!)

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S&W Toastmasters Speech 8: "X.P.I.M.S"

2007-03-01T11:35:00.000-08:00

Our world is getting busier – personal, business, and events makes us more astray that if we don’t apply proper personal organizing methods and tools, we will be out of sync on what we really want to do. What I have shown you is just an example of how oneself can get organize. Getting organized means improved personal productivity. Improved personal productivity means a growth of the company and growth of the economy.

View Microsoft Powerpoint Presentation
Download Sample XPIMS Spreadsheet
Communicate for Results Document

This is my 8th speech project for the Competent Toastmasters (CTM Level) certification. I got a nice evaluation from this speech and that maybe because this is easy -- you just need to be comfortable with visual aids. But, aside from showing visual aids, I want to be able to share my personalized organizer system called "XPIMS". It's not a software but rather a process and integration of tools & systems to properly organize oneself making sure that you are only doing what you want to do to accomplish your dreams in life. "Good organization, no nervous feelings, very comfortable with the slides, but not much vocal variety..." -- just some of the things I remember from the evaluation courtesy of Michelle Gan.

What's so special about this speech is that it took me about 4 months to prepare since I still bought a laptop in the US :-) I know that's quite expensive but even buying a laptop is also included in my XPIMS and I don't regret spending for it. So, I just hope you can also organize yourselves properly. For a person like me who only came from an ordinary family, I really can't let myself live astray and using a personalized organizer like XPIMS really helped me a lot to be where I am now.

Speech Project # 7 (Research Your Topic): "The Expanding Universe"

2006-08-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

“The Expanding Universe”

A Speech Project for the Silver and White Toastmasters Club

Prepared and Delivered by Edwin D. Vinas

August 09, 2006

1.01A San Carlos

6:00 – 8:30PM

THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SPEECH (“RESEARCH YOUR TOPIC”):

To collect information about your chosen topic from a variety of sources, and to support your points and opinions with specific facts, examples and illustrations.

WHAT MY AUDIENCE WOULD SAY AT THE END OF THE SPEECH:

The speaker has enlightened us by saying that the universe is expanding!
The speaker has shared his idea that 50 years from now, we will already live on other planets.
The speaker has said that the reason why there is war on Earth is because of the wrong notion that we should battle with each other to have territories. Humans must stop from being territorial mammals to stop wars and crimes.
The speaker has said that the universe is expanding and there is plenty of space for all of us, thereby, making it true that the biblical word from God that we can multiply ourselves as many as possible. The universe is so vast that we can have one planet each!
The speaker has enlightened us on where we are really at in terms of human history and universe timeline.
The speaker has envisioned an interplanetary civilization and that made us realize that this is not the end of the world! In fact, we are just on the beginning of the galactic civilization!
The speaker has shared his research that supported his speech with facts, illustrations and explanations.

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“The Expanding Universe”

A Speech Project for the Silver and White Toastmasters Club

For the fulfillment of CTM Speech Project# 7 “Research Your Topic”

Prepared and Delivered by Edwin D. Vinas

August 09, 2006

1.01A San Carlos

6:00 – 8:30PM

* See the accompanying research paper for more detailed discussion.

* See the accompanying audience hand-outs.

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With the advancement of science and technology, the growing world population, and the depleting natural resources, one might ask “Is the universe getting near its end?” Good evening my fellow toastmasters! I’m sure some of you will disagree with me if I would say that the world is not yet going to end not even in at least the next trillion more years to come! I believe that the universe is still expanding!

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So, fasten your seatbelt as I present to you our expanding universe! Tonight, let me prove that the universe is still expanding and our world is very far from end. But why am interested in proving that the universe is expanding? If we can prove the true nature of the universe especially the planet Earth and the surrounding planets and galaxies, this will provide us humans, a chance to think on what we are doing. The problem right now is that humans are so concentrated on the planet Earth. If we can prove that the universe is still young and still expanding, humans must rejoice and instead of concentrating on wars, we must concentrate on improving our lives by conquering the vast expanding universe!

With the rate that the Earth’s population is growing, the planet would sooner be saturated and may no longer be able to support each people with decent food, shelter and basic necessities. As shown in Figure 1, Asia is one of the most populated continents on Earth. With 10 million Chinese being born every year which now sums up to approximately 1.6 billion Chinese, added with Indians, Americans, Europeans, and Filipinos…. we might ask, where will the next human generations live in this planet? Will the planet still be able to accommodate the next generation of humans that may total to 10 billion in the year 2050! Where are we going to get our food, the fuel for our cars and the classrooms for our children?

According to Population Reference Bureau (PRB), the world’s population will reach 10 billion in year 2050! Eventually population would be checked by "misery and vice" in the form of famine, disease, natural environmental disturbances and war. Looking at the pie chart in Figure 2, showing the distribution of the whole world, China has the biggest population in Asia. China and India exceed one billion persons, the United States and Indonesia are over 200 million and Brazil, Russia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, and Nigeria are over 100 million respectively. These ten countries occupy 60% of the world population. It’s amazing how these billions of people live.

There is no such thing as “family planning” in the Bible. Family planning itself causes sociological effects because when population gets old which causes few young generations, the tendency for other countries is to buy or smuggle babies from other countries such as from Cambodia as published in Readers Digest July Edition. At the beginning of the 21st century, the overall population of the world is over six billion. I think we cannot fully control the population growth. There must be a reason why human population keeps on growing. It’s true that the Earth may no longer support the population, but the universe itself is very large. Let me further discuss to you the history of the Universe.

We are not sure how or why the Universe began. Soon afterwards there was a big bang which released radiation, particles and clouds of atoms. Gravity condensed the atoms into galaxies where stars appeared. Stars created new types of atoms when they grew old and exploded as supernovae. As shown in Figure 3, the new atoms were released back to the galaxy, and joined together into cosmic dust and molecules. New stars, such as the Sun, formed from these materials in the spiral arms and the dust and molecules formed planets such as Earth. Life appeared on Earth (we are not sure how) and soon evolved into bacteria (germs). The evolution of life was played out upon the moving stage formed by continental drift.

We are living in a world that’s bound by space and time. The universe begins with a cataclysm that generates space and time, as well as all the matter and energy the universe will ever hold. For an incomprehensibly small fraction of a second, the universe is an infinitely dense, hot fireball. The prevailing theory describes a peculiar form of energy that can suddenly push out the fabric of space. The time after big bang is described in Figure 4.

As shown in figure 5, the Earth has cooled and an atmosphere develops. Microscopic living cells, neither plants nor animals, begin to evolve and flourish in earth's many volcanic environments.

In 1609AD, five years after the appearance of the great supernova of 1604, Galileo builds his first telescope. He sees the moons of Jupiter, Saturn's rings, the phases of Venus, and the stars in the Milky Way. He publishes the news the following year in "The Starry Messinger.” Figure 6, shows the recorded years of human renaissance and technological revolution.

In 1990AD, astronomers have confirmed the big bang. Astronomers use the new Cosmic Background Explorer satellite (COBE) to take a detailed spectrum of the microwave background radiation. These studies showed that the radiation is in nearly perfect agreement with the Big Bang theory. Two years later, scientists used the same instrument to discover minute variations in the background radiation: the earliest known evidence of structure in the universe.

As shown in Figure 7, the United States has sent automated spacecraft, then human-crewed expeditions, to explore the Moon. Our automated machines have orbited and landed on Venus and Mars, explored the Sun's environment, observed comets, and asteroids, and made close-range surveys while flying past Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

After stepping for the first time in the moon, as shown in Figure 8, the United States of America is now aimed into the cosmos with the leadership of President George Bush. “Into the Cosmos”, is now the new American dream, which would bring hope to the ageing Earth and its growing population. That dream is now slowly taking place… Americans are now discovering the different regions of Mars and now mapping its vast land which will soon be converted into fertile soils in which humans can build new farms and new homes in order to continue to live. As shown in Figure 9, humans are now studying the possibility of life in Mars. Do you imagine your great great great grand children living on this new world?

But, do we need to worry if the universe is really expanding? The universe is expanding based on theoretical and standard cosmological models. The expansion of the universe doesn’t affect the size of atoms or our own planet Earth. As early as 1933, Arthur Eddington has published his book entitled “The Expanding Universe”. Fred Hoyle in 1960, demonstrated the expanding nature of the universe by analogy of a balloon with a large number of dots marked on its surface. If the balloon is blown up, the distances between the dots increase in the same way as the distance between the galaxies. In 1924, Edwin Hubble discovered that there are other galaxies outside our own. He discovered that the the universe was expanding, galaxies and stars moving away from one another like spots on an inflating balloon. Until now, scientists haven’t computed when the universe will end. Let’s teach our children with interests in science and not in holding guns! Let’s teach them to explore the expanding universe!

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My fellow toastmasters, I want to instill in the minds of the modern civilization that our world is still young and our space is so vast that we can’t even measure its boundaries! Only God will stop this world from revolving! What humans should worry about is the preservation of culture, heritage, knowledge, the development of humanity and most of all, the fulfillment of human’s true purpose in this vast creation by the Almighty Designer.

Why do we worry about the Earth's population? Indeed it is true that God gave us freedom to populate the world! Yes, the world it’s pointing to is not just the earth the many worlds beyond it. So, why worry about the soil where billions of people will stand? The rate at which the universe is expanding is faster than the current human birth rate! As written in the Bible, from Matthew 6:27, “Which of you, by worrying can add one cubit unto his stature?” My point is that since the universe is so vast and expanding, we don’t need to worry on where our future children will live. Let’s think and act to explore this expanding universe!

It is important to note that while the space in the universe is doing the expansion, there is no corresponding expansion within galaxies because of local gravity within our own star.

Even if the expansion is accelerating as the evidence currently suggests, it may not continue to do so. We do not have any good theory of why it should be accelerating at all, much less why it should do so in the future. To me, this unexplained acceleration is an indication that we do not have it all figured out yet. I am expecting surprises. Not only is the world more interesting than we expect, it's more interesting than we can expect.

The world right now is not the future because no one knows the real future. Future is just a word that describes the time beyond what is now. Our ancestors have been living 2000 years and many have prophesized that our future is during the time when technological revolutions have come. But the technologies that we have right now will soon be considered a thing of the past in the same way as we consider the past decades as the past.

What the humans should do right now is to stop in fighting and waging wars between countries. After all, why do Israel and Lebanon has war right now? I’m sure they just want to dominate their neighbor’s lands and colonize other territories. Humans have lived as territorial beings! Look at the heavens, why don’t we colonize first our galaxy! As shown in Figure 10, our planet Earth lies near the other uninhabited planets. Rejoice, the universe is still expanding! As shown in Figure 11, the universe is so wide that we can even have one planet each! But to make this a reality, we must concentrate on improving human’s capability to explore the nearby planets first. Technologies must be improved so that humans can freely travel from Earth to the other parts of the solar system. Again, we don’t expect intergalactic wars! What we need is to continuously discover what lies beyond the Earth and our solar system.

Humans have long been educated by the wrong belief that we will only exist in this planet and so are our next generation of children will only exist here in this planet. Humans have also been so troubled to discover life in the other parts of the universe. Let me tell you, there are no life on the other parts of the universe. We have just started the expanding of the universe and the Earth is the first planet hhumasn have inhabited. The scenario of our future children living in populated cities or in denuded environments with famine and crime due to overwhelming competition on the natural resources is the one that makes us hopeless! It’s now time to change our mindset. Let us not end what is not supposed to be end. For even today, we are just on the beginning of the galactic civilization just like in the Stars Wars movie!

Speech Project No. 6 : Vocal Variety Speech : "Goodbye Google!"

2006-07-12T07:07:00.000-07:00

This is my sixth speech project. It took me two months to continue my speech projects. Why? Because for the past speeches I've been receiving not so nice feedbacks and it even pushed me to give up but I thought this is normal and what they tell me about my speeches are true and I need to improve from it. In this speech evaluation, please see below. Also, please see the actual speech entitled "Goodbye Google!". I came up with this speech because I want to voice out what happened to my online business specifically in Google Adsense. If you might have noticed, I have this blog entitled "Google Adsense: How true is it?". Well, something happened while I was on my way to proving it as true or not. This speech tells the story on how I get involved with online advertising and how I got turned down by Google and was actually pushed to say goodbye not to Toastmasters to Google.

Speech Evaluations:
- It took me 9 minutes to finish the speech. What actually happened is that I only had one day to write and practice for the speech. I was able to memorize the intro and conclusion but have missed the body. Also, in the intro of the speech, I was forced to do adlibs and make my speech clearly understood by inserting new parts that will first let the audience to relate on what I am saying.
- The evaluator said that I need to improve on vocal variety specially on expressing emotions and drama by facial expression and raising of voice volume and pitch! They also said that I need to practice! But overall they were entertained about my topic.

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Silver and White Toastmasters Club

Speech Project# 6 – Vocal Variety

Goodbye Google!

By Edwin D. Viñas

I started to be online in the Internet since year 2000. But it was only last March 2005 when I finally have a working website being hosted right at my home using a Unix web server with DSL connection and with a fully qualified domain name. My interest in the Internet is only about sharing information because I really loved writing articles and publishing them to the web. Contents ranging from my pictures to diaries, from technology researches to future technology ideas, I have them all published in the web. I am so happy whenever there is a foreigner who would send me an email inquiring about a software I have made or just giving complement on what I have written in the website.

But this simple interest in Internet publishing changed when there came GoogleAdsense – an online advertising system which gives publishers like me a chance to earn 100$ a month from their contents by allowing Google to put ads in their web pages so that whenever a user clicks on the advertisement, a portion of the earning will be given to the publisher. As soon as I have seen this opportunity, I excitedly registered an account. “I am really so excited to earn an extra 100$ a month!!! On my second day of sign-up, I already have 1 dollar in my account! It’s amazing! I only have few web pages with ads but it’s already earning. What more if I have many web pages with many advertisements? And so, I created several blog sites with contents ranging from personal diaries to technical articles, from sharing ideas to sharing my self-developed open source software. Every day for about two weeks, I spent my time thinking and writing about interesting contents and updating my websites. I even told my workmates to visit my websites. I even made my website address as an instant messenger status message. And I even put my website address in my email signatures. I felt like I was a full-blown online advertising company right at the comfort of my home. On the second week, I already have 14 blog sites with various contents and a total of almost a hundred pages of them have GoogleAdsense published here and there. Then, I’ve got 5 dollars in my account! But, I realize it’s too far from getting my first 100$. I said to myself, if I really want to make money out of GoogleAds, I’ve got to write more contents and attract more visitors who would click ads in my website. But then, it’s becoming so tiresome to sleep late at night publishing and updating my websites. On the third week I only got an additional 1 dollar! What? Only 1 dollar after all that whole sleepless week I spent making websites? I was thinking on how I can really quickly earn my first 100 dollars! Then a devil’s thought popped in my mind "What if I click on my own ads? Maybe, Google will not find out about it. I will just click from different locations so they will not notice it." So that’s my plan! There I am, while outside work, I visited my sites every day! I became a fan of my own self. I have browsed my own pictures with ads, diaries with ads, articles with ads, documentations with ads, blogs with ads and anything in my website where I can insert ads. I have inserted ads everywhere and I clicked on them illegally. With almost one week of clicking my own ads, I was so glad to have gained now 97 dollars! I need only three dollars to reach my 100$ limit. As days pass by, all I’m thinking is about money... money... money.... I no longer care about the contents I am putting online… including porns for mobile phones!!! Yes, I have compiled and put them online! As I continued on clicking and earning money, all I’m thinking is about my easy 100$ which would come in just a week! I am so excited to receive the email but at the same time I felt nervous because I know I've done illegal clicks on my website. There is a big possibility that my account would be frozen when they found out that all the clicks in my website are invalid clicks. But, still I continued on pouring my sweat and sleepless nights as I get so eager to claim my first 100$ which is an easy way to earn 5000 pesos every month and that’s not a bad way to earn money. On the second week after I reached the 100$ limit, I was shocked as I read the email from Google which says "We're sorry to inform you that you will not be able to claim your 100$. We have frozen your account and we will return the money to the advertisers affected. You are no longer allowed to register again! Your account is now disabled!" As I read the email, I felt like killing Google!!! "I felt like I've lost the whole world. I felt like I was thrown by God into hell". What have I done? I just want to earn? I just want to help myself earn more money! This is so disappointing and self-humiliating! I'm going stop now this madness! I will no longer share anything in the Internet. I will now hate Google and will now drop my Gmail account and will now stop using the Google search engine. “Goodbye Google!”

Because of this incident, there are many lessons I’ve learned. As you will realize, any intention which involves money and the desire doesn’t come from your heart, there is a big possibility that you will never succeed. God gave us everything without asking anything in return. In the same way, if we will publish contents on the Internet, let's not expect anything in return. Because of my sad and humiliating experience with Google, I am now sharing for free my personal websites, my diaries, my blogs, my ideas, and even my toastmaster speeches on the Internet. So, if you have time check out my website! Don’t worry; there are no more annoying Google Ads!

Good evening!

Toastmaster's Speech Project No. 5: "Money"

2006-04-19T20:13:00.000-07:00

“Money”

A Speech Project for the Silver & White Toastmasters Club

April 19, 2006

1.01 MSE San Carlos

6:30PM – 8:30PM

THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SPEECH (“YOUR BODY SPEAKS”):

Use stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact to express your message and achieve your speech’s purpose.
Make your body language smooth and natural.

WHAT MY AUDIENCE WOULD SAY AT THE END OF MY SPEECH:

The speaker enlightened me by providing his personal point of view about how people should treat money.
The speaker demonstrated proper use of gestures and movement by narrating his experience on the day he lost his ATM.
The speaker enlightened us that money isn’t the reason why we are born in this world.

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Money

A Speech Project for the Silver & White Toastmasters Club

April 19, 2006

1.02 MSE San Carlos

6:30PM – 8:30PM

Catching Opening:

Good evening! I am happy to join with you in tonight’s joint meeting between Diamond and Silver & White Toastmasters Club. I doubt if there is anyone that would argue the fact that in our modern society money is the most important commodity in any persons’ life. [Pause, look at the audience faces] Some people consider it as more important than water, air and gravity which are the necessities for human survival and comfort. According to others, money is the root cause of all evil. Tonight, I am going to tell you the story on how I realized the importance of money.

Supporting Body: (Purpose is to PERSUADE)

Body Gestures:
Scratching of head/hair – portray confusion/don’t know what to do (when atm was not in pocket)

Tightening of fist – “sinisisi” whoever got hold of my ATM

Rythmic Beating of Fingers – where did I place that?

A sudden pause/bow – reflecting deep emotion/thoughts with sad face (worst things that may happen)

Looking at the different parts of ceiling – looking for clues where I left my atm

Smile – when finally nothing wrong has happened; still was able to send some money.

Throwing hands – means give money to those in need

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It was last Monday morning right after the holy week. The day before it happened was Easter Sunday wherein I went to church after a very long time, I watched movie alone, had some haircut and ate some food in Gateway Mall in Cubao which is the nearest cool place in our house. But even before that day, I’ve been economizing my money since I have planned to buy some clothes, send money to my parents, and pay my bills. And so during that Monday morning, I’ve decided to go to the mall to withdraw first some cash so I could send some money to my parents in the province. In the mall’s ATM center, there was this lady who’s currently doing some transactions. She has been there for about five minutes while I angrily and eagerly waited. Then, suddenly she backed out facing me next in line and said, “You withdraw first”. And I said, “Why, what’s the problem? Does this ATM have run out of cash?” And she said, “No, it has money. Just go ahead.” Since I am quite in hurry, I immediately occupied the ATM and without saying thanks to the lady, I pulled out my wallet and I almost felt someone shot me in the head when I realized my ATM is not in my wallet. [Scratching of head/hair] I stood there speechless for a couple of minutes, while I searched my wallet but no sign of that blue Metrobank ATM card. No sign! I am sure I didn’t misplace it. I haven’t lost any ATM card before and this could not be possible. [Tightening of fist] Could it be stolen by my cousin who left for the province this morning?! No, she can’t do it. Or did I just misplaced it in one of the pockets of the pants I’ve worn yesterday? [Rythmic Beating of Fingers] Where did I place that? Who could have gotten it? This is a big disaster! [Walking in front of the stage biting fingers/looking at the ceiling] If someone have found it and known my PIN code and withdrawn all my money, what will I do? I only have P100 pesos cash in my wallet… I need to pay my Internet, Meralco, water bills! I need to send money to my parents in the province! And, I haven’t taken my breakfast, and this P100 peso bill is not enough until the next salary! Oh my God! Is this a punishment for not going to church for a very long time? Is it a punishment for watching movie alone on Easter Sunday? Is it a punishment for my selfishness! Many things ran through my mind during that time. If only I have spent it for my new clothes, sent money to my parents or gone for a nice vacation, I should not be feeling this way.

[Smile] And I just thought it’s just money! I need to be calm and ask help on what to do with this kind of situation. So, with a P100 peso bill in my pocket, I ate my breakfast and went personally to the bank where the ATM account was opened by the company. And the good thing is that, I was able to verify that no withdrawal has been made except the last one that I did on a certain date which relieved my worried mind. And, then without hesitation, I withdrew the money I needed to send money to my parents. After sending money, I now realized how I’ve lost it. I have somehow left the ATM card in the machine when I first inquired and since no cash is dispensed I inquired again the balance and with the receipt already released, I grabbed it and went home without the card. I am sure my cousin has not stolen it from me. [Smile and laugh!]

With this experience, I can say that money means everything that if you don’t have it, you will experience the feeling of the street children, the poor squatters, or the people who doesn’t have a job. You are like a disabled person if you have no money. But this experience of mine has given me a chance to realize how important money is for me. But how should people treat money so as it doesn’t overwhelm his soul with too much greed and evil. One way, is to treat it something like water. [Looking at the audience’s eyes] Yes! Money is like water. Everyone needs it to survive. Everyone must keep it continuously flowing by helping others such as giving money to parents, sending a sibling to school, or anything that would transfer it to others who need it. Another way of keeping money flowing is to establish your own business. This way, you’re not only keeping the money in circulation, but also you are helping other people by providing them jobs.

In our modern society, money has more value than air, light and water which are necessities for survival and comfort. Of course, happiness, health, and salvation are more valuable when it comes to true essence of life but they are not commodities. Money is a commodity and it has control on most aspects of a human existence both for good and evil.

Memorable Conclusion:

My fellow toastmasters, I’ve just shared to you an illustrative example on how we should value money. Don’t save money if you are not happy! Money, is meant to be spent and not kept in the bank. Money is just like a dead piece of dirty metal or paper. You can’t carry it when you die, but you can bring it to the people who need it to ease their sufferings. Besides, money is not the reason why we are born in this world. As what the Bible says in Matthew 16:26, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Thank you for your time and attention.

Toastmaster's Speech Project No. 4: "The Brain is Our Universe"

2006-04-15T02:45:00.000-07:00

OBJECTIVES OF THE SPEECH:

To be able to select the right words and sentence structure to communicate ideas clearly, accurately and vividly.
To use rhetorical devices to enhance and emphasize ideas.
To eliminate jargon and unnecessary words. Use correct grammar.

PURPOSE OF THE SPEECH:

At the end of my speech, I want the audience to have these different kinds of reactions:

The speaker has imparted the idea that the brain is our universe.
At the end of speech, the speaker made me realize that since the brain is our universe, we have all the capability to do whatever our brains is capable of imagining. He said that the universe is still expanding and our brain is the only one that put limits to what we can achieve. Free your mind and let it explore the vastness of the universe!
The speaker said that similar to computers, the brain is just like a blank hardware or a CPU when we are born.
The speaker imparted that our brain can be installed with any program (knowledge, skills, experiences, hobbies, attitudes etc which later becomes part of our system.)
The speaker said that unlike computers, our brain can no longer be erased but can be re-programmed through changes in the person’s lifestyle and attitudes.
The speaker also pointed out that similar to a computer operating system, our brain also has an operating system called “Holy Spirit”. It’s a bare-bone software which initially controls our movements, desires and thinking. But same as an ordinary software, it can be corrupted.
At the end of the speech, the speaker pointed out what he really wants to say knowing that the brain is our universe.

3 Billion Chinese, 85 million Filipinos, it’s not about population, it’s about expanding our brains to reach the very end of the cosmos. Why can’t Filipinos explore space? Why do we just watch the Americans conquer the moon, the planet Mars, and setup their beyond this world explorations?
If you want to raise a culture of new Filipinos, we must isolate the children from unnecessary programs and applications which may get installed to their brain.
There are only limits on what we can do but there are no limits on what we can think. What the Philippines need right now is a new generation of people who contains the best programs and applications.

At the end of the speech, my audience will be satisfied that my speech is:

For the Ear – simple and repetition (expanding universe)
Used specific words (instead of OS, use operating system)
Used vivid words (“As I entered the airplane, it’s like as if I can smell the winter breeze in the US.)
Incorporated Rhetorical Devices

Simile – Our brain is like a blank computer hardware.
Metaphor – Our brain is just an electronic circuitry which needs to learn proper logic and operation through a human software and applications.
Alliteration – “Brain and Bioelectronics”
Triads - Our brain is a supercomputer, it learns, it adapts, and evolves as time passes by.

Removed jargons

At the end of the speech, the audience was able to visualize what I am saying by using vivid and descriptive words.
The speaker used short and simple words.

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THE BRAIN IS OUR UNIVERSE

By Edwin D. Viñas
Competent Toastmasters Speech Project No.4 (How to Say It)
Edwin D. Viñas
April 05, 2006
1.01B San Carlos, MSE Bldg.
6:00 – 8:00PM

My dear fellow toastmasters, will you agree with me if I say that our brain is our universe? Our brain resembles the universe – its immeasurable vastness can be compared to the brain’s 100 billion nerve cells, which no scientist as of now has ever reverse engineered the functions of these billions of neurons and synapses that made up the most complex and fastest supercomputer in the universe called brain. Throughout the 2000 years of recorded human history, the relationship between brain, universe or God is still a big mystery until now.

As we continue our journeys in this vast universe, we will realize that all human beings are the same in terms of the brain’s compositions – we all have 100 billion nerve cells! Americans, Chinese, Filipinos, Japanese or Iraqi’s were all made up of the same type of brains. No doctor has ever said that your brain only consists of 10 billion nerve cells and the brain of your seatmate contains 50 billion nerve cells.

Our brain is similar to a computer’s central processing unit (CPU) -- a bio-electronic wiring of interoperating devices which interacts with the different inputs and outputs in our human body. When you see your friend’s new computer, you might say, “What a beautiful and high-tech computer you have!” But when you open it, “Oh we’re just the same!” We just differ on external appearances which are caused by the environment and the way we live. But, the reality is that, we are all the same.

Our brain can be installed with any program through the accumulation of knowledge and experiences which later become stored in a 100 petabyte of storage in our brain. But, unlike computers, our brain has natural intelligence. Seeing your mother and father showing their love and care for each other is one type of program that may be installed in your brain. Hearing your favorite music, watching telenovelas, going to X-rated movies, reading books, browsing the Internet are examples of how your brain gets installed with different programs. But be careful with Trojans, viruses and spywares which may corrupt your operating system which eventually kills the spirit.

Yes, the spirit! Similar to a computer operating system, our brain also has a basic operating system called the spirit – another common basic characteristics in all humans. The spirit, similar to computer BIOS, controls our movements, desires and thinking. Same as a BIOS software in the computer, it makes sure that we breathe exactly 86,400 times a day, wakes up every 7am in the morning, twinkles our eyes every second unconsciously or restart or sleep when we get tired.

Since, the brain is our universe, we have all the capability to do whatever our central brain is capable of imagining. We will soon realize that all of us is just part of a bigger whole that makes up the universe. We will soon realize that the universe is still expanding and the growing population is just natural. While the universe is not yet saturated, let us therefore free our minds and let it explore the vastness of the universe! There are no reasons why we people should fight each other. Same as how electrons and netrons make up an atom, the universe is made up of individual brains. Hence, the brain is our universe!

Right now, there have been 10 billion people who have lived in this world, which roughly 10 percent of the 100 billion nerve cells in our brain. Our universe is still very large for us to conquer and explore!

But, why can’t Filipinos explore space? Why do we just watch the Americans conquer the moon, the planet Mars, and setup their space explorations?

If you want to raise a culture of new Filipinos, we must isolate the children from unnecessary programs and applications which may get installed to their brain.

There are only limits on what we can do but there are no limits on what we can think. What the Philippines need right now is a new generation of people who contains the best programs and applications.

Speech Project No. 3: Get to the Point : "To Live Once"

2006-03-07T07:21:00.000-08:00

Purpose of Speech

At the end of the speech, I want the audience to have these different kinds of reactions:

The speaker has imparted his idea on plotting your life’s journey in a big spreadsheet showing the different accomplishments in the past and the plans for the future. He even showed us an illustration on how his “life journey” worksheet looks like by showing us in front the printed sheets. He showed this technique as one of the ways by which we can make use of the short time we have on Earth. He greatly emphasized that the real purpose of life is to live once in the right way. Living once is enough; besides, no one can ever demand a second life!

The speaker has pointed out that to live once means giving more importance to what you want your life to achieve. He discussed that one way to give value to life is to plot a timeline of your life just like an autobiography. But, unlike an autobiography, a timeline of life can show us that big picture of things we want to achieve in the coming years till the end of our life.

The speaker has discussed new terminologies in defining your life’s timeline:

Start of Life (SOL) – is the time you were born in this world.

Ideal End of Life (EOL) – is the time your life will end

X-Axis – shows the time progression from SOL to EOL

Y-Axis – shows the chronological events in a period (i.e., year)

Point of Retirement (POR) – this is the time you want to rest and just enjoy life without worrying on anything.

Celebration of Old Age (COA) – this is the time from POR to EOL wherein you are just waiting to die and at the same time enjoying the fruits of your labor maybe thru your family or touring around the world or helping other people.

The speaker also pointed out that one of the keys to making life worthy is by organizing time, money and God-given gifts and talents. He pointed out that he is a person who came from nothing and he doesn’t want to end up nothing.

After hearing my speech the audience should be able to get the link to my website and download a sample of the worksheet. The audience should be able to make their own life journey worksheets by applying the techniques and terminologies taught in the speech.

------------------------------------

To Live Once

By Edwin D. Viñas
Silver and White Toastmasters Club
Speech Project # 3 “Get to the Point”
March 08, 2006

In my dream last night, I asked God this question, “Lord, how many times can I live in this world?” Then He responded, “Son, I am only giving each and every person a chance to live once in this world”. And then I asked, “Why just one life my Lord? If you could give me at least three chances to live in this world, I would have more time to correct my mistakes.” Then God said, “Your goal in this world is to live once in order to give chance to others who maybe better than you”.

My fellow Toastmasters, good evening! Let me share to you my personal point of view on how we can weave our past, present and future in order to make use of the short life that we have on Earth and turn it to something that God can be proud of by utilizing our God-given gifts.

I am a person who came from a simple life but I want to make the most of my God-given gifts to make a difference in this world. One technique that I use to plan for my life is to plot my life’s journey timeline in a big spreadsheet showing the different accomplishments in the past, present and the plans for the future. Here is an illustration on how my “life journey” worksheet looks like. To live once means giving more importance to what you want your life to achieve. One way to give value to your life is to plot a timeline of your journey just like an autobiography. But, unlike an autobiography, a “life journey timeline” can show us the big picture of what we want to achieve in the coming years till the end of our life. My fellow toastmasters, I’m showing in front of you my life journey timeline. As you can see, a life journey timeline has six major components:

Start of Life (SOL) – is the time you were born in this world (i.e., birthday)

End of Life (EOL) – is the ideal time your life will end (i.e., death). Of course, no one knows when we will die. But, I believe God can give us enough time as long as we pray for it. As shown in my timeline, 72 years old is my ideal EOL.

X-Axis – shows the time periods from SOL to EOL (i.e, 0 years to 72 years old).

Y-Axis – shows the chronological events in a given time period (i.e., year). As you can see in my timeline, I have a very active life in the past year 2000 to 2005 as indicated by my accomplishments, places traveled, technologies learned among others. As I progress thru time, I have plotted my plans on the next 30 years, I have so many plans such as working in Accenture for 10 years and save money. Afterwards, I can build a school in our province, which I see as one of my legacies to other people. To be able to build a big house for my family, develop new technologies and establish an Internet business in our town is also one of my dreams. All these are just plans, it’s up to us to show God and ask His guidance to take us to the right direction.

Point of Retirement (POR) – this is the time when you want to stop working and just rest or enjoy life without worrying on anything. This is the time when a person can appreciate his life.

Celebration of Old Age (COA) – this is the time from POR to EOL wherein you are just waiting to die and at the same time enjoying the fruits of your labor maybe thru your family or touring around the world or helping other people.

My fellow toastmasters, I have just shared to you my personal point of view on how important it is to live once by showing you my personal life journey timeline*. To end my speech, I truly believe that we will only live once- but if we work it right, once is enough.

* See sample here:
http://www.wisoy.com/toastmasters/lifejourneytimeline/LifeJourneyTimeline.htm

2006-02-25T10:33:00.000-08:00

The following contains the links to all information found in this blog. The blog's address is: http://toastmasters-ph.blogspot.com/

I. Purpose of this Blog

"I saw, I speech, I conquered!"

II. Sample Speeches

III. Toastmasters Club

Attending the Toastmasters Meeting

IV. Speech Project 1 : "The Ice Breaker"

Gay Frog Prince by Sherwin Salazar [Speech Full Text ] [ Audio Recording]
Delivering my First Speech Project [Practice Audio Recording]
My Seven Goals and Wishes in Life [Full Text][Draft Version][Audio] [Evaluation]
Realization of who I am, where I am going and what should I do

V. Speech Project 2 : "Organize your Speech"

Preparing for Speech#2 "Organize Your Speech"
Bringing the Philippines as Part of the Internet Evolution by Edwin D. Vinas [Speech Full Text ] [ Audio Recording]
Cherina Go's Speech [Audio]
Catherine's Speech [Audio]

VI. Speech Project 3

Possible Speech Candidate: We Work for the People
Candidate Speech: Losing Dreams
Candidate Speech: If the Americans have the atomic bombs...
Speech Project No. 3: Get to the Point : "To Live Once" [Full Text] [Eval Audio]

VII. Speech Project 4

What I Did For Love by Gege Suge [Full Text ] [ Audio ]
Poker Faces and Then Some [Full Text][Audio]
My Speech Project No. 4: The Brain is our Universe [Full Text] [Audio]

VIII. Speech Project 5

My Speech Project No. 5: "Money" [Full Text] [Audio] [Evaluation]

IX. Speech Project 6 "Vocal Variety"

Jap Constantino's Speech [Audio]
Candidate Speech: Lord, Please help me find my original self.
Candidate Speech for "Vocal Variety": 1947 Old Apartment
My Speech Project No. 6: "Goodbye Google!" [Full Text] [Audio] [Evaluation]

X. Speech Project 7 "Research Your Topic"

My Speech Project No. 7: "The Expanding Universe!" [Full Text] [Audio] [Evaluation] [Research Paper]

XI. Speech Project 8

S&W Toastmasters Speech 8: "X.P.I.M.S"

XII. Speech Project 9

CTM Speech Project# 9 - Persuade with Power "The Continuous Evolution: The Creator-Creature Universal Dynamics"

XIII. Speech Project 10

Final Speech Project # 10 - Inspire the Audience - "From Nothing To Something"

IX. Contests/Conferences

SWTMC: Triathlon 2008: "When you believe; nothing is impossible!"

X. Evaluators

Butch Syyap Evaluation [Audio]

Bringing the Philippines as Part of the Internet Evolution

2006-02-22T09:26:00.000-08:00

Today is a very special day for me not only because I will be delivering my second speech project, this is also my 28th birthday! Well, I was so excited today to go to the MSE in Makati where we always hold our meeting. This meeting was also very special because this is a joint meeting between Butter N Toast and Silver & White Toastmasters Club, and the thought that the meeting was between two clubs, that made me more nervous especially now that I have just printed and finalized my speech. As I get out of the office so early, I proceeded to a nearby McDonalds to eat some Big Mac so I can have more power to deliver my supposedly “prepared speech” which will actually come out as half-impromptu speech. So, there you go, as I entered the venue is now quite like “Araneta Coliseum” because of the expanded room, I was so nervous that I don’t know what to do. I was wondering how I can be able to deliver my speech? Now, I’ve learned the technique of pretending to be higher than the people in the room, say, I supposed that I was the President or the secretary of the Department of Science and Technology who will deliver a very important technical speech entitled “Bringing the Philippines as part of the Evolution of the Internet”.

Here are my recordings for the proceedings:

Edwin D. Vinas – Speech Project 2 “Bringing the Philippines as part of the Evolution of the Internet”

Gege Suge – Speech Project 4 “What I Did For Love” – Very Good Speaker!

RJ Laguardia – Speech Project 4 “Poker Faces and then Some” – Very Good Speaker! Actually one of the winners in the recently conducted Toastmasters contest!

General Evaluation and Evaluators Speeches headed by Butch Syyap

Here is my supposedly prepared speech document but since I’m not allowed to read this, there are some parts in the speech proper where I actually paused and inserted sentences or actually deleted several ideas.

Bringing the Philippines as part of the evolution of the Internet
By Edwin D. Viñas
S&W Toastmasters Club
Speech Project #2 “Organize your Speech”
February 22, 2006

Filipinos are present-minded people… They barely think of the future. As I observed, what's important to most of the Filipinos are their present situation. If what they are doing are not giving them any happiness or not seeing the fruits of their labor in just a month or a year, they'll give up! What most Filipinos don’t realize is that, there are things that we do that may not have significance at present but will be of so much importance in the future just like the Internet which started as the simple interconnection of computers in 1977 to the now millions of computers interconnected forming the now so called information superhighway!

As a regular Internet user or someone who just checks email and chat with friends, have you ever asked what are the contributions of the Philippines in terms of Internet evolution? One way of finding out is to map the Global internet and see how large the Philippine Internet is. Did you know that the Philippine internet is just a dot when the Global internet is mapped? As you can see, the Philippine internet is being dwarfed by those networks in USA, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and other countries. [Show the map of the Global Internet and point the specific location of Philippine internet]

Could the small size of the Internet in the Philippines be attributed to our poor economy? Yes, the poor economic growth of the Internet can be attributed to coverage and growth of the country’s internet. The larger is the coverage of Internet in a country, the more prosperous is its economy. As for now, it's so sad to know that the Filipinos are just users of Internet. They're the ones who top the charts of not only SMS users but also the top users of Friendster, Yahoo messenger etc. It's good to know that we are top users of common internet applications, but have we developed any technology that we can claim our own in terms of Internet evolution? Have we developed technologies that contributed to the evolution of the Internet?

I tell you, the Internet was never built in one second, day, month, year or decade. It continues to evolve as the number users continue to grow, new applications continue to be developed and applied, and new technologies and users continue to make the Internet function as it designed to be, that is, to bring people together in one world despite of cultural and geographical diufferences. The Philippines, as of now, becomes just an end-user of the Internet and no noticeable contribution in Internet evolution. Not a single technolgy or product can be claimed by Filiponos as owned and developed by the Filipinos which created great impact in the global community. You know what, Philippines can be part of the Internet revolution by concentrating on three areas namely, network devices evolution, network technologies evolution, and software development evolution.In the area of Network Devices Evolution, Filipinos should focus on imagineering what lies ahead in terms computer and human hardware evolution. The Internet was once powered by expensive mainframes, then mini-computers, then microcomputers, then PDAs, mobile devices, embedded devices, and soon human networking?In the areas of Network Technologies, Filipinos should focus on developing new standards and technologies. The Internet was once developed as simple interconnection of computers using dialup technologies, then ISPs, then satellite, then wireless, then broadband DSL/cable, then virtual private networks (VPNs). All of which aims to develop technologies (protocols, communication medium, standards) that will enable high-speed applications to make every Internet user explore the Internet faster than the speed of light. What could be the future technology that will address bandwidth and cost so that ordinary citizens can be able to access the Internet as nearly as a free resource?Lastly, in terms of Software Applications, Filipinos should not be contented in using imported software applications. The internet is now being powered by thousands of software applications including network operating systems, which evolves from commercial to open source software application that interoperates with different technologies, applications and users. Also the development of small-sized operating systems for embedded systems continue to be the focus in bringing mobile and ubiquitous computing. Can Filipinos develop a software application that can be installed to human beings?

And so my fellow Toastmasters, let us therefore not focus on the current problems in politics in our country. Let us think of what we can do to contribute in bringing the Philippines as part of the Internet evolution. I just hope that Filipinos would someday realize how important it is to also think of totally using the Internet not just for emails and chatting but for developing new internet technologies. If only 85 millions Filipinos could be educated with how to maximize the potentials of the Internet, we could be bringing the Philippines into the forefront of Internet revolution.

Preparing for Speech#2 "Organize Your Speech"

2006-02-13T23:31:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it! Just last week, I had tested my courage to start delivering my speech project number 1 (after almost six months of fear to speak in public). Truly, life is just a matter of taking your first step. Life is just a matter of taking risks. Now, I am already scheduled to deliver my second speech project about "organizing a speech". The first speech is about "ice breaker" where I talked about my personal background. Right now, I still have no title for my speech project. As I browse through the TMC Manual, I have learned that in any speech our goal is to give ideas and occassionally persuade the audience to take action. I already have some choices for the title, but still can't decide. In short, the hardest thing in coming up with the speech is selecting a topic and coming up with a good title.

S&W TMC Meeting : February 08, 2006 : Speech Project 1 & Other Recordings

2006-02-08T18:43:00.000-08:00

I was so excited and at the same time feeling nervous going to the MSE Bldg from Cybergate because I haven't memorized all my speech. But, overall, it turns out well since it's a big courage for me that I was able to start my very first speech for CTM! 9 more to go.... How did I prepare for the first speech? It's actually a 6 month-long process! It took me 4 months to have courage and finally deliver my speech and only 1 week of which was spent in actually writing the speech, the other days was spent on thinking, embracing fear, and wondering and seeing others do their speeches... and also maybe because of a very busy project at work. Basically, for the last week, I started with the topic for speech project 1 which is about myself. I have revised and revised the speech trimming a 5-page speech into a 2-page speech after 5 revisions. Blogging really helped me a lot as I store here my draft of my speech. I printed a cut-out-pages of my speech so I can take a look or read on some of the paragraphs where I might get lost during the speech (and I really did some lapses and pauses during the speech). Lessons learned "Use your heart in speaking... Get the feel of the audience... Organize well...

Below is my final speech project 1.
Click here to listen to the practice(at home-middle-of-the-night) recording.
Click here to listen to my live speech audio recording.
Click here to listen to my speech evaluation from a fellow Edwin.

Others audio speeches:
Chris - Speech Project 2 "Ponographic Charity"
Catherine - Speech Project X "Let's make a difference!"
Ramon - CTM Speech Project 10 "The Mind"
Master Evaluator Speech

-----------------------------------------------

Edwin D. Vinas Speech Project 1:

"My Seven Goals and Wishes in Life"

My fellow Toastmasters, good evening! Four years ago, I have written in my diary seven goals and wishes in my life. In those seven simple wishes, I'm not actually dreaming to become a rich person someday, nor to be a handsome guy, nor be a real man, nor to be a well-known person, all I humbly ask are seven simple dreams that touches my heart -- seven goals and wishes that I really felt the only things that could make my life worthy. Those seven goals and wishes are; first, to be able to graduate successfully; second, to be able to find a good job; third, to be able to help my family; fourth, to be able to develop a new system of education; fifth, to be able to develop new technologies; sixth, to be able to publish books; and seventh, to be able to clarify and understand the mystery of the world. I'm sure, you wouldn't be able to understand what those seven goals and wishes mean to me if you don't know my life's story... I am a person who came from a place with no electricity, no jeepneys, no television and no money. But with all the achievements in my life right now, I can't help but smile when I can still imagine myself as a boy coming from the remotest mountainous barangay in our province. To give you a hint where that place is, from Manila you can ride a bus for 13 hours going south until you reach the end of Luzon island, then, ride a jeepney for 2 hours going to the town, and then, ride a jeepney again 2 hours going to the barangay and finally, walk 2 kilometers to reach my birth place—a place ruled by nature—fruit trees, rivers, virgin forests and very nice landscapes but with houses separated by several kilometers from each other… this is the kind of place where I first saw this world. My family's life seemed so miserable during those elementary days. Everyday, I used to walk two kilometers from home to school with my "baon" wrapped in a banana leaf. For six years, I’ve walked a thousand miles with my thin slippers stepping on rough rocky roads. The poor type of living with a family which doesn't have enough income, and a country which during that time is under several economic and political crises has greatly affected my life even at young age. Quest for knowledge was my only life during my high school days. Science books flavored with different sources of knowledge & wisdom have been my only source of inspiration during those days. I want to show all the people that eventhough I came from an ordinary family, I can really make a difference! I know that my family could not send me to college. But I did not bother myself first of where to study in college... I just did my best in everything in every second of the day no matter what. I just let my faith in God find a way. To tell you the truth, God really knows where I am going. I can always feel his love and guidance amidst insurmountable challenges in my life. During my elementary and high school days, my life revolves in praying, wishing, studying, going to church and avoiding things that would hinder my dreams. Dreaming and wishing are the two powerful batteries that powered me to move on with my life especially in high school. A month after my graduation as a Valedictorian, I was already desperate that my only choice to continue with my studies is to enter the seminary. But I can't imagine myself as a priest! So I prayed "Lord, kung ano po ang gusto nyo para sakin para mas makatulong sa pamilya ko, kayo na po ang bahala sakin." That was my only prayer to God as I continuously think of any way that I can go to college. And as always, God really never let me down. After a month, I received an application form from the Department of Science and Technology for a scholarship in Manila. Luckily, I passed the exam granting me a five-year full-time engineering scholarship. I was overwhelmed by the opportunity I got! So my mother and I immediately went to Manila. I was so excited that I will be the only person in our family to take up college and not to boast of, I will be the "only" person in our family’s generation to take up Engineering. “Yes, l will be the first engineer in our generation!”, I said to myself. So we went to the Department of Science and Technology to sign-up the scholarship contract. You know what, we even went to one of my dream schools to inquire but my mother almost got a heart attack by the very high tuition fee that time. As I learned to accept the fact that I can only study in a state university, I have refrained from dreaming for a famous school. I just thought that the name of the school is not very important as long as you study very well. During this stage of my education, I've learned so many things that powered me to strive further in my studies. With three of my goals and wishes have been fulfilled as of now, I can’t help but thank the Lord for giving me the necessary knowledge, wisdom and strength to overcome all hardships and difficulties. I just want to share to you that "if you want to be successful in life, you must have the art of perseverance, the power of dreaming and the science of praying." At this point, I have come to realize that perseverance, dreaming and praying are the most important tools that any person can have to be able attain success! If you have a desire to achieve a specific goal, you should always bear it in mind. As in my case, I even say silent prayers to trees, to the moon, to the stars, to unseen things hoping they can hear me and spell a magic wand to make my dreams come true. “I once wished I can be a valedictorian”, and I did become a valedictorian. “I once wished I can be a teacher”, and I did become more than that as I became the only engineer in our family. “I once wished I can be a Cum Laude”, and I did become a cum laude. “I once wished I can travel to other countries”, and I did cross the Pacific and stepped into the Japanese, Thai, and American soils.

How about you, do you also have your goals and wishes in life?

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S&W TMC Meeting : January 25, 2006 : Speech Audio Recordings

2006-01-26T01:37:00.000-08:00

It's so nice to have attended again the Toastmasters Club meeting. I was so excited to go to the meeting today that I even told my PM/TL yesterday that I will be on night shift today because I need to attend the meeting. After I had dinner at Gateway Mall in Cubao, I ride the train to Buendia and took a bus ride in a gloomy and rainy afternoon. As I rushed to the venue at 1.01 MSE San Carlos, I'm already late when I entered the room and they already started the program. I noticed that everyone is being asked to introduce themselves and when it's my turn already to speak I don't know what to say as I'm still gasping my breath. So, I asked Nats, the President, who is currently acting as the Toastmaster's for the evening, to repeat the instruction and so I learned that I need to complete the phrase "I am nearing the end of....". The funny thing is that I said "I am nearing the end of my childhood..." (and suddenly everyone is laughing), "... I mean I am now changing into a mature individual as I now concentrate on my work in Accenture and my goals in life...". I can't believe it that what I've said is humorous!

Here are the recorded prepared speeches this meeting...
Note: Download an AMR player to listen to this.
This can be a Nokia Media Player or similar...
Click "Save as..." first and open it with Nokia Multimedia Player or upload it to your phone!
This were recorded using my Nokia6230i.

Cherina Go -- Speech #? researching on the topic.
Catherine's Speech #2 for organizing speech
Jap Constantino for Speech#6 for Vocal Variety

My scheduled speech is on February 8! Im excited for my first speech after 7 months of membership!

We work for the people!

2006-01-21T02:33:00.000-08:00

Life is really just a matter of choice! And I think, I am now on that point where I should choose where to go. Am I just gonna be an ordinaryperson who will just be contented of living in this world without contributing any part to my field of scpecialization or to any field which needs improvement or somehow make a difference with the people?As I listened to the talk of Prof. Jun Murai (WIDE-Japan Chairman) this morning, I learnedso many things. I learned that as researchers, we didn't work for a company, government or organization..... WE WORK FOR THE PEOPLE!

>>Read diary

Looking back and comparing the Philippines

2006-01-21T02:32:00.000-08:00

Note:
The following was written by INTEL General Manager Robin Martin
about the Philippines.

Filipinos (including the press, business people and myself) tend to
dwell too much on the negative side and this affects the perception
of foreigners, even the ones who have lived here for a while. The
negative perception of the Philippines is way disproportionate to
reality when compared to countries like Colombia, Egypt, Middle East,
Africa, etc. Let us all help our country by balancing the negative
with the positive especially when we talk to foreigners, whether
based here or abroad. Looking back and comparing the Philippines
today and 1995 (the year I came back), I was struck by how much our
country has progressed physically.

Consider the following:

1. The great telecom infrastructure that we have now did not exist
in 1995. 1995 was the year the telecom industry was deregulated.
Since then billions of dollars have been invested in both fixed line
and cellular networks producing a system with over 5,000 kms of fiber
optic backbone at a world competitive cost. From a fixed line
capacity of about 900,000 in 1995 we now have over 7 million.
Cellular phones practically did not exist in 1995; now we have over
11 million line capacity.

2. The MRT, many of the EDSA flyovers including the Ayala Avenue
flyover), the SKYWAY, Rockwell and Glorietta 4, the Fort, NAIA
terminal 2 and most of the new skyscrapers were not yet built in 1995.

3. If you drive to the provinces, you will notice that national
roads are now of good quality (international quality asphalt roads).
I just went to Iba, Zambales last week and I was impressed that even
a not so frequently traveled road was of very good quality.

4. Philippine exports have increased by 600% over the past eight
years. There are many, many more examples of progress over the last
eight years. Philippine mangoes are now exported to the US and Europe.

Additional tidbits to make our people prouder:

1. INTEL has been in the Philippines for 28 years. The Philippines
plant is where Intel's most advanced products are launched, including
the Pentium IV. Philippine operations are expected to be Intel's
biggest assembly and testing operations worldwide.

2. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS has been operating in Baguio for over 20
years. The Baguio plant is the largest producer of DSP chips in the
world. DSP chips are the brains behind cellphones. TI's Baguio plant
produces the chip that powers 100% of all NOKIA cellphones and 80% of
Erickson cellphones in the world.

3. TOSHIBA laptops are produced in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

4. If you drive a BENZ, BMW, or a VOLVO, there is a good chance
that the ABS system in your car was made in the Philippines.

5. TREND-MICRO, makers of one of the top anti virus software PC-
Cillin (I may have mispelled this) develops its "cures" for viruses
right here in Eastwood Libis, Quezon City. When a virus breaks in any
computer system in the world, they try to find a solution within 45
minutes of finding the virus.

6. By the end of this year, it is expected that a majority of the
top ten U.S. Call Center firms in the U.S. will have set up
operations in the Philippines. This is one area in which I believe we
are the best in the world in terms of value for money. (my comment:
One is Inter-Continental Hotel's Group headed (& corp hand-picked) by
a Filipino expat.

7. America Online (AOL) has 1,000 people in Clark answering 90% of
AOL's global e-mail inquiries.

8. PROCTOR & GAMBLE has over 400 people right here in Makati
(average age 23 years) doing back-up office work to their Asian
operations including finance accounting, Human Resources and payments
processing.

9. Among many other things it does for its regional operations
network in the Asia-Pacific region here in Manila, CITIBANK also does
its global ATM programming locally.

10. This is the first year ever that the Philippines will be
exporting cars in quantity courtesy of FORD Philippines.
Next time you travel abroad and meet business associates, tell them
the good news. A big part of our problem is perception and one of the
biggest battles can be won simply by believing and by making others
believe.

This message is shared by good citizens of the Philippines who
persevere to hope and work for our country.

>>Read more

Candidate Speech: Lord, Please help me find my original self.

2006-01-21T02:06:00.000-08:00

Where do I want to go? Why do I live in this world? what should I do and whatI should have done? what's the significance of my life? Is there something I ammissing which makes it so difficult to advance to next phases of my life?When I was a child, I dreamt of just being a teacher.... now Im an engineer!when I was in high school, I asked God, please let me be a valedictorian, andHe did made me one. I promised this is the last thing I will ever ask.But when I graduated in high school, prayer and faith in God saved me. Godgave the scholarship... maybe its the answer my prayers. I often said to myself"Kung gusto talaga ako ng Diyos na makatulong sa pamilya ko...". I often silently say this whenever I feel hopeless to reach my dreams in life. But Godhas been so nice to me. When Im in college, I asked God to make me a Cum Laude...He did helped me again. Though I promised thats the last thing I will ask fromHim, He still give me more and never returns my promises. During those hardships,I often say "Lord, kayo na lang po nagmamahal sa akin." I often feel reliefwhenever I virtually accept that there is still someone loving me which is God.But then, after graduation till now, my life has changed. Before, I was sodependent on God's comfort through prayers and meditation, but I even hatelistening to his words. Before, I love to read the bible hoping it will help mefinish my studies, but now the bible I used to read has been covered with dust.Before, I always think for the welfare of my family and I even dedicate to them why Im doing all this, but now I am more on working just for the happiness andpleasure of myself. WHY????????????????????????? I want to change and go back tomy old self... HOW????????????????????? The people, the workplace, the influences,the technologies, the culture and everything has engulfed my original self andhas transformed me into a little devil which is slowly growing as each day passes.Im so afraid about what my life will be. Im happy to what Im doing right nowbut I think I will be more happy if what Im doing is what Im supposed to bedoing based on my original self. Lord, Please help me find my original self. >>Read diary

What's better than...?

2006-01-20T11:21:00.000-08:00

Speech to the UP graduating class of 2003 by Butch Jimemez, Jr... What's better than...? Posted:11:35 PM (Manila Time) May 31, 2003 By Butch Jimenez, Contributor Inquirer News Service Butch Jimenez, head of PLDT's media and strategic communications department, delivered this speech at the UP Diliman Class 2003 commencement exercises AS college students, you're just about to set sail into the real world. As you prepare for the battleground of life, you'll hear many speeches, read tons of books and get miles of advice telling you to work hard, dream big, go out and do something for yourself, and have a vision. Not bad advice, really. In fact, following these nuggets of truth may just bring you to the top. But as I've lived my life over the years, I have come to realize that it is great to dream big, have a vision, make a name, and work hard. But guess what: There's something better than that. So my message today simply asks the question, What's better than...? Let's start off with something really simple. What's better than a long speech? No doubt, a short one. So, you guys are in luck because I do intend to keep this short. Now, let me take you through a very simple math exam. I'll rattle off a couple of equations, and you tell me what you observe about them. Be mindful of the instructions. You are to tell me what you observe about the equations. Here goes: 3+4=7, 9+2=11, 8+4=13, and 6+6=12. Tell me, what do you observe? Every time I conduct this test, more than 90 percent of the participants immediately say, 8+4 is NOT 13, it's 12! That's true and they are correct. But they could have also observed that the three other equations were right. That 3+4 is 7, that 9+2 is 11, and that 6+6 is 12. What's my point? Many people immediately focus on the negative instead of the positive. Most of us focus on what's wrong with other people more than what's right about them. Examine those four equations. Three were right and only one was wrong. But what is the knee-jerk observation? The wrong equation. If 10 people you didn't know were to walk through that door, most of you would describe those people by what's negative about them. He's fat. He's balding. Oh, the short one. Oh, the skinny girl. Ahhh, 'yung pango. Etc. Get the point? It's always the negative we focus on and not the positive. You'll definitely experience this in the corporate world. You do a hundred good things and one mistake-guess what? Chances are, your attention will be called on that one mistake. So what's better than focusing on the negative? Believe me, its focusing on the positive. And if this world could learn to focus on the positive more than the negative, it would be a much nicer place to live in. We have always been told to work hard. Our parents say that, our teachers say that, and our principal says that. But there's something better than merely working hard. It's working SMART. It's taking time to understand the situation, and coming out with an effective and efficient solution to get more done with less time and effort. As the Japanese say, "There's always a better way." One of the most memorable case studies I came across with as I studied Japanese management at Sophia University in Tokyo was the case of the empty soap box, which happened in one of Japan's biggest cosmetics companies. The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a box of soap that was empty. It immediately isolated the problem to the assembly line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. For some reason, one soap box went through the assembly line empty. Management tasked its engineers to solve the problem. Post-haste, the engineers worked hard to devise an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soap boxes that passed through the line to make sure they were not empty. No doubt, they worked hard and they worked fast. But a rank-and-file employee that was posed the same problem came out with another solution. He bought a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. He switched the fan on, and as each soap box passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line. Clearly, the engineers worked hard, but the rank-and-file employee worked smart. So what's better than merely working hard? It's working smart. Having said that, it is still important to work hard. If you could combine both working hard and working smart, you would possess a major factor toward success. Better than dreaming big I will bet my next month's salary that many have encouraged you to dream big. Maybe even to reach for the stars and aim high. I sure heard that about a million times right before I graduated from this university. So I did. I did dream big. I did aim high. I did reach for the stars. No doubt, it works. In fact, the saying is true: "If you aim for nothing, that's exactly what you'll hit: nothing." But there's something better than dreaming big. Believe me, I got shocked myself. And I learned it from the biggest dreamer of all time, Walt Disney. When it comes to dreaming big, Walt is the man. No bigger dreams were fulfilled than his. Every leadership book describes him as the ultimate dreamer. In fact, the principle of dreaming and achieving is the core message of the Disney hit song, "When You Wish Upon a Star". "When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are; anything your heart desires will come to you. If your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme. When you wish upon a star, as dreamers do," as Jiminy Cricket sang. But is that what he preached in the Disney company? Dream? Well, not exactly. Kinda, but not quite. The problem with dreaming is if that's all you do, you'll really get nowhere. In fact, you may just fall asleep and never wake up. The secret to Disney's success is not just dreaming, it's IMAGINEERING. You won't find this word in a dictionary. It's purely a Disney word. Those who engage in imagineering are called imagineers. The word combines the words "imagination" and "engineering." In the book "Imagineers," Disney's CEO, Michael Eisner, claims that "imagineers turn impossible dreams into real magic." Walt Disney explained there is really no secret to their approach. They just keep moving forward-opening new doors and doing new things, because they are curious. And it is this curiosity that leads them down new paths. They always dream, explore and experiment. In short, imagineering is the blending of creative imagination and technical know-how. Eisner expounds on this thought by saying that "Not only are imagineers curious, they are courageous, outrageous, and their creativity is contagious." The big difference with imagineers is that they dream and then they DO! So don't just be a dreamer, be an imagineer. You must have all been given a lecture at one time or another about the importance of having a vision. Even leadership expert John Maxwell says that an indispensable quality of a leader is to have a vision. The Bible also makes it very clear that "Without vision, people perish." So no doubt about it, having a vision is important to success. But surprise! There's something more potent than a vision. It's a CAUSE. If all you're doing is trying to reach your vision and you're pitted against someone fighting for a cause, chances are you'll lose. The Vietnam War is a classic example. Literally with sticks and stones, the Viet Cong beat the heavily armed US Army to surrender, primarily because the US had a vision to win the war, but the Vietnamese were fighting for a cause. In the realm of business, many leaders have visions of making their company No. 1, or grabbing market share, or forever increasing profits. Nothing really wrong with that vision, but take the example of Sony founder Akio Morita. He did not just have a vision to build the biggest electronics company in the world. In his biography, "Made in Japan," he reveals that the real reason he set up Sony was to help rebuild his country, which had just been battered by war. He had a cause he was fighting for. His vision to be an electronics giant was secondary. What's the difference between a vision and a cause? Here's what sets them apart... No one is willing to die for a vision. People will die for a cause. You possess a vision. A cause possesses you. A vision lies in your hands. A cause lies in your heart. A vision involves sacrifice. A cause involves the ultimate sacrifice. Just a word of caution. You must have the right vision, and you must be fighting for the right cause. In the end, right will always win out. It may take time, and it may take long. But if you have the right vision and are fighting for the right cause, you will prevail. If not, no matter how sincere you are, if you are not fighting for what is right, you will ultimately fail. Allow me to end with two quotes that I have lived by ever since I stepped out of UP. The first comes from the Bible, which says, "To whom much is given, much is required." Having been given the opportunity to study in UP, no doubt, much has been given to you in terms of an excellent education. Don't forget that in return, much is now required of you to use that education not just for yourself, but for others. And as you move up and start reaching the pinnacle of success, even more will be required of you to look at the welfare of others, of society and of the country. Though I have often dreamed of addressing any graduating class of UP Diliman, I never really thought it would happen. This brings me to the second quote I have held close to my heart as I traverse the destiny God has laid out for me. "There is no destination beyond reach of one who walks with God." My standing in front of you today, as the youngest commencement speaker of this esteemed university in 92 years, is proof of how true that quote is. A final review: * What's better than focusing on the negative? Focus on the positive. * What's better than working hard? It's working smart. * What's better than dreaming? Imagineering. * What's better than doing something for yourself? Doing something for your country. * What's better than a vision? A cause. * What's better than a long speech? Definitely, a short one. Thank you and congratulations, UP Diliman graduating class of 2003. >>Read diary

Candidate Speech: Losing dreams

2006-01-20T11:20:00.000-08:00

Alright, why is it that Im again writing my diary? Well, Im quite confused on whatto prioritize in my tasks. I was so confused on what to do... especially with theInternet Mapping of the Philippines. It's not only the work that's bothering me a lot -- my love life, my family, my future career, and everything!!! So whoami? Well, Im still the ordinary personwho graduated from college with the help of DOST scholarship. Im still the guy who have lived a spartan life just to finish my studies... Most of all, Im stillthat simple person who has been accustomed to an ordinary life way back when Istill don't have a job. But now, there are so many things that pre-occupies mymind and it seems not necessarily needed... things which I can also live withoutbut graving to have and do it...Just last week, I spent my money to buy a refrigerator. I spent the money only tonotice that my family is much more in need than a house appliance. Im quite sadto know that my mother has been longing to have our own house in Bicol... but howcan I build a house in just a small monthly salary? Whenever I think of my incapa-bilities to help my family and my luxurious and easy life here in Manila, I couldn't help but cry or stay freezed looking very far away...I know I should not be asking too much when in fact I don't deserve to have it.If God wants me to help my family, He will help me. The desire to be a worthychild and worthy researcher lies beneath my hear but I just can't grab it easily.There are so many factors like self-desire (wasting money without good reason).One thing I also notice in myself is that Im losing my dreams. Before, my brainwas filled with hope and dreams, but now its filled with selfishness and unnecesarrylucrity. Whenever I reminisce my past, I feel so sad thinking I can no longer getback my old self. Oh my God, am i really destined to have this kind of life? when I was still in high school, I always pray that I God would permit me to bea Valedictorian, I would be very happy, I would be a good child, I would love myfamily, and I would surrender myself as one of His servants. Time came when I wasalready struggling college, I said "Lord, last na po talaga itong hihilingin ko...makatapaos lang po ako ng college, happy na po ako." And I got what I asked forand much more than that. But still, I want to experience new things so I said "Lord, sana po payagan nyo ako ma-experience ang magandang buhay kahit sandali lang".Now, I thought I've somehow got what Im looking for but I can no longer controlmy self now. Now, what would I say to God? When I guested at 32nd MHS Graduation Exercises, I have come to realize my goodold dreams. I realize what Im doing right now is not leading to those goals thatonce helped me persevere in my studies. These are:1. Send Rammel to college.2. Build a house in Manito, Albay.3. Establish an ECE/IT related business in Manito, Albay.4. Dobate a building in Manito High School.So now I know what to ask for... >>Read more

If Americans have atomic bombs & the Internet... Filipinos are very far behind to catch up in any field.

2006-01-19T08:42:00.000-08:00

If Americans have atomic bombs & the Internet... Filipinos are very far behind to catch up in any field." >>Read more

Candidate Speech for "Inspire the Audience": WILL I BE ABLE TO GO TO ORLANDO, FLORIDA, USA?

2006-01-19T08:14:00.000-08:00

IT's MY FIRST TIME TO ATTEND AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
AND IM GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
"What? It's your first time to attend an international conference and you are
going as far as the United States!", my friend Lim said in his email one month
before my travel to Orlando, Flordia, USA. Actually, this is not just my first
time to attend an international conference...it's also my first time to present
a research paper in an international workshop... it's also my first time to ride
an airplane in my whole life! Sounds interesting, right? Well, you might be
wondering why Im travelling as far as the United States?
It was late October in the year 2002 when Sir Denis came back from Bangkok after
the AI3 (ey-triple-ay) Spring Meeting. AI3 is a collaborative project in the
Asia Pacific region which conducts research in satellite networking technology.
Sir Denis then emailed us about the "Call for Workshop Papers" for the 2003
International Symposium on Applications and the Internet Workshop. "This is
now your chance to go Orlando, Florida", he further said in his email. That is,
if I can submit a paper and it is accepted, I will be able to go the United
States specifically in Orlando, Florida. I know it sounds like impossible
dream to be able for a poor researcher like me to be able to go the United
States. I have no money... have not been to any country... have not ride in any
airplane even in a Philippine domestic flight.. and most of all, not have
written many researches execpt the first paper submitted in APAN2002 Shanghai
Conference which was presented by Sir Denis. Since, Im a project contractual
Im not entitled to travel and present the paper.
But this SAINT 2003 Conference is quite different and I really felt I have a big
chance of going to Orlando, Florida especially when they said that AI3 of Japan
will be funding all travel expenses for the authors of accepted paper. This
chance becomes an opportunity for me to be able to see what's in the other
world. I reall feel excited about it! Now, the only problem (big problem) is
what paper Im going to write? With sir Denis' suggested topics, I decided to write
a paper on Network Measurements in the area of network monitoring of the
satellite-based AI3 network. With a Japanese friend's suggestion (Tomomitsu Baba
of AI3 Japan), I did came up with an abstract of the paper entitled "Characteriza-
tion, Analysis and Visualization of Traffic in the Asian Internet Interconnection
Initiatives (AI3) Research Network Test Bed". With barely one month to finish the
paper, I already have a plan on how this paper will be accepted by the Japanese
screening committee as worthy of presentation and publication to the SAINT2003
Workshop proceedings on January 27, 2003 in Orlando, Florida. Personally, I
started to write the paper day by day and night by night while my suppose-to-be
co-authors don't believe on what Im doing or merely not interested. They just
don't realize that I have a secret plan and winning formula for this particular
paper. Anyway, if the paper will be accepted, I will be going to USA! Actually,
the travel is not the only battery that powers me up but also my desire to
perform research and my determination to show them that I can do this thing which
they suppose as impossible especially for a research not so good as them. But,
I just didn't mind them. What I did is that I worked secretly overtime for the
paper gathering some suggestions from Baba-san, Sir Denis, Carla and other
co-authors. I think I started to write the paper by mid-October 2002. The deadline
is October 31. Imagine a rush paper like that! Pressured by the time constraints,
I worked overtime to fill its contents little by little until I was able to finish
a draft of it by Oct 15. Tere and Mam Beth has been so greatful in editing my
grammar and the flow of the paper. Also, carla my co-author suggested some inputs
while other co-authors did not get interested with my paper.
Here comes Oct. 31, my paper is not yet finished. The good news is that the submission
is extended to Nov. 5. I think with carla's help, we were able to fill-in the
technical content and its now ready for submission. After one week, the acceptance
of paper comes in. I was so glad about it. But, the paper did not end here. I still
have to re-edit the paper by passing it to Japanese proof-readers. Then after it
has been proof-read, it will have to be converted to IEEE Latex format. Good thing
Baba-san helped in making the Latex format. so here comes Nov 11 & the paper has
been submitted to the SAINT 2003 Workshop for publication to the proceedings and
for presentation to the workshop by Jan 27.
The acceptance of the paper gave me an assurance that one of its authors must go
the United States to present it. Sir Denis convinced me that I must be the one
to be sent to present it despite of the problem on who will fund my travel. Luckily,
Prof Jun Murai, head of Satellite workshop committee, assured of an AI3 travel
support including VISA application, registration fee, hotel fee and round-rip
airfare except per diem. wow! with this good news, I was powered up somehow to
continue what I have started. What I need to do right now is to arrange & coordinate
with Funya and Husni of AI3 Japan who are the workshop organizers. With at least
one month to process my travel requirements, I planned personally the steps to do.
First thing, I need to apply for a US Visa with passport as pre-requisite and an
invitation letter from US is required. The payment of the registration fee is the
most difficult just as it involves money which must be paid first personally
from a credit card on-line. But I dont ever have a credit card not even a big
savings. The fee is P30,000 or $600. This is one of the most challenging part of
my travel, begging and asking somebody to lend their credit card to me. And Mam
Juvy saved my day! She is an angel to me... Imagine she let me use her credit card
and used up almost half of her Standard Chartered card credit limit. She was so
nice to me, of course, with the help of Sir Denis in convincing and justifying her
what the foolish thing Im doing... Next thing is the Visa!
During this time, I dont even have an idea of what a Visa is? Resourcefulness and
determination is the one that powered me to get on with this thing that I've started.
There are times when Im feeling regretful of being so ambitious even if this thing
seems impossible for me. Applying for a US Visa, as other said, is really difficult.
Actually the US Visa is the one that grants a person like me an opportunity to
enter the US. With a passport secured from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),
I now proceeded to the US embassy. I was so excited to go to the US embassy hoping
that my Visa will be easily approved. But then I was wrong! The first time I went
there I almost shrunk in shame and tiredness. I did not want to describe anymore
those bad things that happened thinking those are just normal procedures. After
the third time I returned to the embassy, I got my Visa approved. Thanks to Mam
Odette for helping me with the necessary documents like the Travel Authority which
is one of the requirements fpr the US visa. Of course the Visa application is not
as easy as it seems, you have to pay a non-refundable pay of P5400 and reserve
for an interview in a hotline which has a 25 per minute cost. Anyway, this visa will
be re-imbursed by Japan. However this expenses does not diminish my spirit to
continue and keep fighting for my US travel. On January 17, my Visa has been approved
giving me a chance to make my US travel a dream come true. But my sacrifices does
not stop here, I still have to arrange for my airplane tickets, hotel reservation,
and many others which involves a big amount of money which I don't honestly have
even a bit of it. Truly, if you are really destined to something, things will go
smoothly and unexpectedly. My hotel reservation has been arranged by Haruhito in
Japan using his own credit card. My airfare from Narito to Orlando has been arranged
by Sayaka in Thailand. But the Manila to Narita airfare must be reserved by me
which needs at least P30,000. Where will I get this money? Japan has been so
steadfast in providing all their support to me especially husni, haruhito, and
sayaka. Frankly speaking, during this time, I almost gave up and regretful on
what this thing I entered. But with God's blessings coupled with self-determination
and other people's help, I was now able to reserve a ticket with the help of Mam
Lala's P20,000 and mam Odette's P9,000 which Im going to pay when I have received
the money from Japan hopefully before I left for the travel on Jan 25. It seems
I am already all set and one last thing that worries me is the money that I will
be spending for food, personal clothes, etc to adjust with US climate. Up to last
one week before my travel, my mind was really full of worry but my spirit feels so
good especially when I see the many helps that others has given me. Mam Beth was
one of the persons who talks to me and motivates me to pursue this SAINT thingy.
The Visa now has been delivered, hotel has been reserved, presentation has been
prepared, and all people has been showing excitement for me because of what Im
experiencing with my life. Here comes January 24, a day before my departure for
Manila-Narita flight, Narita-Chicago flight and Chicago to Orlando flight. I haven't
rehearsed my presentation coz my teammates are so busy to even comment on my
presentation or even my email regarding it. Anyway, I understand them coz its
ASTI anniversary preparations. If there is someone to feel guilty its me coz
I am supposed to be helping the team for the upcoming PREGINET activities.
Fortunately, with the savings I have from the 2002 thirteenth month pay, I was
able to buy some new wathc, new clothes and shoes etc. Yanyan also let me borrow
his black jacket which asks me for a pasalubong which I really can't buy. Of
course I can't tell him, "Hey Yanyan! I can't buy your pasalubong.", he might not
give his jacket which i think is very important in the place where Im going to.
Its January 24 afternoon when I went home early to prepare my things. Of course
I just couldn't leave ASTI without saying goodbye to those people who really
helped me pursue this once-in-a-lifetime dream. At home, Dondon offered to
rehearse me in my presentation and gave me some good presentation tips and tech-
niques. During this night, I have no more time to sleep coz Im still ironing
my clothes and packing up my things making sure that nothing gets left behind
since I cannot get off the plane in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. As of this
moment, my excitement has superseded my worries and fears. All I feel is that
"Im going to cross the Pacific Ocean and the planet for the first time!". Its
really very exciting...
Its already 3:00am on Jan 25 when I have finished packing up my baggages. Mam Lotus
lend her maleta and Rey's jacket. Mam Lotus and Mam Noliet has been so greatful
to me not only because we are boardmates but because we care like brothers and
sisters. Its 4:15am and Im in a taxi going to the international airport. "How am
going aboard the plane?", the question that really bothers me. At the airport's
entrance, I pretended as if Im not an innocent traveler, so I followed other people
falling in line. At NAIA, I fall in line where they inspect my passport and my
baggage. To make sure everything I did is right,I just asked the airport employees
coz I reall don't know the steps. To enter the boarding area of NorthWest Airlines,
I passed first to the Immigration section which requires a payment of P550 for
whatever purpose that maybe. Now, my money has been reduced with even if Im not
yet in the US. Actually, I only have $165 at hand and some P1000 cash. The dollars
I have was exchanged in a money changer near the Farmer's Plaza. With this little
money I have, what Im planning to do is to skip meals during my stay in the hotel,
anyway, I brought some ready-to-eat foods like noodles, biscuit etc. Im now waiting
in the borading area of Northwest Airline's flight NW028 leaving at 7:25am. Now,
every passenger must pass through an inspection area. The funny thing is that they
will check your bag, ask you to remove your shoes, take-off your jacket, remove your
things in your wallet while your body is searched by a metal detector. After this
inspection, Im now ready to board the Northwest Airlines. Wow! This Boeng 747-100
airplane is quite large, with at least 200 passengers, equipped with LCD displays,
with comfortable seats and air-conditioned cabins. I am really ignorant with
riding an airplane, so I just observed things while Im seated second to the last
row near the window in the last cabin. Flight attendants are very very courteous
with English/Japanese instructions demonstrating safety features of the plane. Its
about 5 minutes before the departure time when the plane started to fire its loud
engines and started positioning its wings and body to the take-off runway. The
captain now announces "Flight attendants prepare for take-off!". I was now feeling
so unease and nervous as I pray that this trip and all my trips will be safe and
free from danger. Wow! The airplane now is soaring high above the skies like a
eagle... its truly amazing as I observe the grounds below becoming smaller and smaller,
and the plane goes above, and above, and above the ocean of clouds. As I observe the
sky, I cant help but admire God for its unsurpassed power to create this very big
planet making man appear as a single tiny organism here on earth that nothing can
be boast of before Him. Right above the sky, the clouds forms like an ocean silently
floating in the sky as the airplane traverses its magnificent beauty and mysteriousness.
Enough of the view of the window, here comes the food being served by very corteous
and polite flight attendants. I can no longer what food they served but all I can
say is that i reall feel like dreaming while up in the plane devouring delicious as
you observe the breath takig skies. Approaching the Tokyo-Narita Airport, I can't help
but admire the beautifl landscape of Japan. Its like an Integrated Circuit (IC) with
the little houses and building as the electronic components, roads as the electronic
wirings, and cars as the electrons. Its really wonderful!!! Now the plane is already
30,000 ft above the ground, started to descend in preparation forlanding to the Narita
airport. You can feel the air pressure in your ears as the plane descends to a lower
altitude. Good thing there is a video showing the flight's path information.
Observing the beauty of the plane's wings moving synchronously to prepare for landing,
it really takes my mind out of it. How does a very heavy airplane be able to fly
like a bird in the sky carrying tons of baggages and hundreds of passengers. Its
amazing to see the plane's wings flaps in and out just a real bird's wings guiding the
plane's body and positioning it to the runway. At about a couple of minutes the plane
has touched the beautiful and large runways of the Narita airport. Its very beautiful!
After the plane has stopped, the passengers started to get off. I was fascinated with
Narita's clean, large and sophisticated airport facilities. I think this is the cleanest
and secured airport I've seen. With its very large area, it takes about ten minutes
before i reached my next airplane going to Chicago. As I waited at the United Airlines
boarding area for flight UA884, Im also watching the Japanese TV program in a large
TV screen. I don't understand Japanese but I also laugh with what they are doing.
Now its boarding time for UA884 flight to Chicago, 10 hour non-stop flight. At the
boarding gate, you will also undergo same strict inspection as in the NAIA airport.
As you enter the cabin of the plane, you will feel the very cold aircon as if it were
the cold wind in the US giving you a sample of what the US weather is. The plane is
larger than the Northwest Airlines. It was a Boeng 777 which can seat at least 500
passengers. Each row has 9 seats with at least rows per cabin for each of the 5 cabins.
It was a very high-tech airplane where in each seat in the economy class has a video
terminal with selectable radio and movie channels. After take off, It was really
amazing to observe the as the land and the seas becomes smaller and smaller making
look like just a painting into your imagination. Of course the food served is really
great and the best I have ever tasted... beverages, juices, asian cuisines, cookies,
fruits, salads, teas, chocolates, noodles, pastas, beefs, etc etc. I think If Im
going to travel everyday, I will gain a body mass especially as you seat silently in
your way crossing the Pacific ocean. Its a night time flight so what you can only see
is darkness and a flashing light in the plane's wing. Kinda bored of darkness, I
just sit back and relaxed throughout the flight. The next morning it will now be
Chicago Airport. With at least 7 hours or so, I will now be breating an American air,
see handsome and beautiful americans and experence what its like to be standing in
an American soil. Well, Im right! Approaching the Chicago Airport, the view from
above shows the prosperity of the United States of America... beautiful landscapes,
long and wide highways, snowing and freezing lakes, and very cool environment.
As the plane starts to descend for landing in the Chicago O'hare Airport, the ground
grows larger and larger like a painting of the reality. The Boeing has now landed,
and the Americans are now very visible busy working in th airport. Imagine seeing
a cute and white American in their work uniforms carries your baggage from the plane.
Its really unbelievable! These kind of people which I describe as the most superior
human race, which I only see in movies, which I really admire for their boldness
and united spirits, is now a real thing in my eyes.As I entered the large Chicago
O'Hare International Airport, I get on a shuttle train and find my next flight to
my final destination -- Orlando, Florida. Now Im waiting at the boarding area of the
United Airlines flight to Orlando when a certain Chinese man appeared as if I knew
whim. Im thinking to greet him coz I thought he is Lim Seow San of Singapore who is
also a participant in the SAINT Conference. Lim is someone Im expecting to meet coz
we have been emailing each other before the travel. He invited me to go to Disney
Land thru email. He even bought a ticket for me. That's why Im kinda close to him
even if I havent met him. I did not talk to him until we are already boarded the
plane going to Orlando airport. I was so happy that I will have a friend in this
strange land of America. Mr Lim Seow San is an experienced researcher in Temasek
Polytechnic in Singapore. At the Orlando airport, we waited together for our baggages
in the Baggage claim area where we had the chance of talking to each other. I think
he is a very kind person and not like what I really think of Singaporeans. While
waiting for the taxi going to Worldgate Renaissance Hotel in Kissimme, he told me
he can pay the taxi by himself because he is sure he can re-imburse it. I was so
happy and feeling proud to offer my $5 to him. I was really ashamed when I found
out that the taxi fare from Orlando airport to Kissimme is not $3.25 but $50.
Oh my God, if Mr. Lim is not there, I will be spending that large amount of money.
Mr Lim is so articulate in English while he and the taxi driver talks about anything
where I couldn't insert my conversation. But he is not a boastful person. He is
a truly professional Singaporean. At the World gate Renaissance Hotel, we check-in
together but in different rooms. But, my check-in procedure is quite delayed cos
I have no credit card. Good thing Haruhito Watanabe had already advise the hotel
staff that my hotel will be shouldered by Haruhito. Mr Lim is in Room 447 while Im
in Room 546. My room was too big with two large beds, a large bathroom with shower
and bath tub, two table with lamps, two phones, a coffee maker, an iron with stand,
alarm radio and of course a large colred TV. The temperature outside is as cold
as 12 degrees celcius. At this time, I was able to sleep but awaken at 11pm -- my
regular bath time in the Philippines before I sleep. Wow! I feel so special as I
enjoy this large room as if Im a rich person. Mr Lim called that his friend has
arrived using the voice mail feature of the hotel's phone. I think Lim's friend who
also a Singaporean is taking a Master's degree in University of Florida while
Lim has finished his Master's in Australia. Good thing they are not boastful.
The next morning which Sunday, one day before the SAINT workshop, Lim, his friend,
and Ms Yoo of Thailan and me were about to experience an adventure in the
Disney Land's Epcot center.I think Lim and Yoo knew each other already and I think
they have met Sir Denis also.
At the Epcot's entrance, you can see the very beautiful view of the large golf-ball
like building. Mr Lim's ticket from Singapore is already expired so we decided to
buy our own tickets worth $50 -- a one-day ticket to all Epcot's thrill and adventures.
With this ticket, I only have $100 left in my pocket. But this doesn't stop me from
enjoying this Disney adventure. I decided to take some pictures but when they take
out their expensive and high-tech cameras, I feel I don't want to use my camera
any more. I really feel so small and poor during that time considering we are all
Asians. Amidst this inferiority, I feel "Who cares!", anyway, they already know
that Philippines (Filipinos) are really poor people. By the way the Epcot center
is a very very large park in Disney Land. Epcot is a showcase of human's existence,
a collection of Scince and Technology at work, a glimpse of the past and the future,
and the a never to miss adventures waiting to be experinced in just one day! One day
is not enough to see all the parks has to offer... a separate diary deserves to be
written about Epcot. After our Epcot adventure, we went home already without buying
any souvenir item coz its very expensive. We decide to go to McDonalds near the hotel
inorder to eat our dinner before sleeping at the hotel. And you know what? You
cannot eat all one serving of fries and the large drink is like a 2 large drinks
combined compared to McDonalds serving in here in the Philippines. Truly, Americans
have large food servings that's why they grow tall and big. However, one McDonalds
order would cost you at leat $6 or almost P300 -- equal to seven times eating to
McDonalds in the Philippines. After me and Lim have finished eating, we decided to
go to the souvenir shop or factory outlet near the hotel in order to buy some
pasalubong. I still have $90 and I only have one more day of stay. Im confident to
buy this money coz Im not spending anymore and hoping the items there is cheap.
Having bought all the pasalubong, I have no more money left except the american
coins. The problem now is I have no more money for taxi from hotel to airport on
Tuesday going home. I started to worry but I just prayed that Lim will pay the
taxi again. I'd better stop worrying about it coz I still have to prepare my
presentation tomorrow.
January 25, my third day in Orlando, is the SAINT 2003 workshop. I was qite late
as I entered the SAWGRASS conference room seeing the Japanese seriously listens
to the second presentation as they seat in front of their sleak and high-tech
laptops, I am ashamed to take out my laptop, but who cares, I have nothing to do
with it. Based on schedule, I will be presenting at the afternoon. Instead of
taking my lunch (which I couldn't reall take coz I have not a single dollar left),
I decided to return to my room and return at 1:00pm. I was quite nervous at the
start of the presentation but I managed to deliver my research properly and
effectively. Although, there are some questions especialy from Prof Jun Murai, AIT
computer science head, and other people but I still was able to do it. Im proud
that I was able to answer their questions and I reall deserve an applause from them.
By the way, as I write this diary, Im already at the plane going to Narita from
Chicago. And Mr Lim did saved my day again. I never asked that he again pay the
taxi but he did. He is so courteous and professional-- a person that makes one
of Singapore's intelligent beings. Hope we still meet again so that I can repay
everything... and also i wish i can repay all the people who have made my travel
possible.
God knows... SAINT 2004 in Tokyo is just near!

Your friend,
-Edwin
At the middle of the pacific...
Aboard Flight UA883 (chicago-Narita)...
11500 miles from the US...
6 hours from Japan...
11 hours from Philippines...
What a wonderful life!
Thank you very much!!!
Travel funded by AI3 of Japan.

Taken from this http://m-net.arbornet.org/~beecol/diary/SAINT2003.txt

Candidate Speech for "Vocal Variety": 1947 Old Apartment

2006-01-19T07:40:00.000-08:00

Im having a problem with the house we are renting. We are planning or actually alreadyagreed upon to leave by December 15, 2002. I was hesitant to leave the house coz I now feelcomfortable with that apartment coz its large and silent not like in any other places. Theonly thing we're complaining is the big amount of rent we're investing evry month. So, Lotushave planned to buy her new house and Noliet have planned to come with her relatives's. This really bothers me. So, yesterday Noliet's sister and bayaw went to our house coz theywere invited by her. They told us to come with them in Mandaluyong where they saw a housewe could rent and its quite expensive at 8T/mo compared to our present apartment at 6T/mo.Unfortunatley, we were not able to see the house coz the owner wasn't there. So me and Noliet went home right away.Lotus who went to a "lamay" the whole day and saturday night was already at home. We wonderedwhy she does not go upstairs and she waited for us. Yun pala, there is something horribleand scary that she would tell us. When she went to a "lamay" in Binangonan, she met her friendwith third eye. She told many proof's of her friends "third eye" seeings. She told that herfriend can see dead people or ghosts which she and her barkadas have believed to be true. Shesaid her friend can also see things in places even if she haven't been there. She then consultedour old house where we are renting. She asked her "third-eyed friend" if there is also alost soul or something in the old 1947 apartment. She said there is no lost soul or dead people inthe house. I was quite relieved but she said there is something in the house. "Its not daw asoul of a dead person but a "dwende" or dwarfs." she said. I was horrified to death that I felt that "tumataas ang balahibo" ko. So, I laughed to convince her that I do not believe in her joke.But, since her friend really sees things like that I should believe it anyway. "The 2 dwarfs coloredblue and white daw is somewhere in this house", she further said. So, I asked "Where?". "Talaga? Youreally want to know? You will not be afraid", she asked. "Oo, para ma-avoid natin diba or wecould take precaution diba?", i explained. "Its in the basement cabinet...", she softly answered.Oh my God, I felt like i was weakening due to that. You know why? Becuase, the cabinet she's referring to is the cabinet inside my room! Whahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... I couldn't scream but I really want to scream! But then it seems true. That's the thing we usually hear day and night somewhatlike walking or playing by the stairways. That maybe the one disarranging my antique jars placed nearthe cabinet. It maybe true. I know its so frightening, but i couldnt do anything about this. So what I did is that I re-arranged my things neae the cabinet and removed my things in thecabinet. While Im doing this Im crying as if asking those friends in my room to forgive me ordont harm me. I cried in the room myself coz I already loved staying in the house, now I have tofind another boarding house, now I have to live with this under world creatures, now I have to suffer and scare to death when Im alone in the house. I cried not only because of that. Itsbecuase my mother has a diabetes and she needs more money for her medication. And now I have tosend her some money while Im saving for a downpayment for the new house which I still have tosearch for. That was really self weakening. I cried and cried as if my friendly room mates wouldhear me, to give me some luck or some power. I wish they are not bad spirited dwarfs. I left thelights turned on in my room. I couldn't sleep til the morning comes. I woke up at 5:30am, so Iwent to ASTI very early in fact I was the earliest in CED. Now, I have to continue working as ifno one has happened last night. I have to work for myself and my family especially my mother who had been so kind to me.

>> Read original article from diary

Realization of who I am, where I am going and what should I do

2006-01-19T07:11:00.000-08:00

As i go to work today, I was feeling so lonely. Aside from the reason that Im feeling sick because of slight throat infection, there are so many things that bothers my mind.And these things that bothers my mind are not making me feel good. I feel like there is something lacking in myself that I can't figure out. There is something I want to dobut I can't do. My dreams... my goals... my education... my professional growth and my lovelife...All this things makes me feel so small as if Im not a significant human anymore. Butthis things makes me realize who i am, where Im going and what should I do.> Im Edwin D. Viñas - an ordinary person from an ordinary family.> Im a successful student once and has been a model for perseverance -- making great things or accomplishing great things out of nothing.> As being a person of simple origin, I should not be expecting too much. I mean If Im going to dream -- it should be something that's realizable and wouldn't make me feel greedy of something. I want to reach my dreams in a natural way -- living as what I am before -- simple and humble and persevering...> What I should do is to "Do whatever I can do... based on the abilities and gifts given by God and those nurtured by my environment.> With so many things that's lacking in me, I should not feel lonely. I should make as my challenge to strive better.> As my saying goes "Kahit ganito lang ako... I want to show them that I can also do what great persons can do.. but of course, with the blessings of the God Almighty". As I read through my diary archives, I found one thing that really makes me feelso unhappy. Lord please help me cope up with the current situation... help me view the world withpositive attitude and please bless all people with your unending grace, power andgood thinking so that we may be able to live harmoniously in this world as we journrytowards your eternal kingdom in heaven.

>>See also this "Rediscovering myself..." diary

Speech Project 1: My Seven Goals & Wishes in Life

2006-01-17T04:57:00.000-08:00

My fellow Toastmasters, good evening!

As I read my diaries last night, I have come across this page which was written four years ago. It's about my seven goals and wishes in life. As I saw again these seven simple dreams from my online diary archive, I only felt two things, happy and motivated. I felt happy knowing three goals have been actually fulfilled and also I felt motivated because at least I am still living, with full of hope, and still capable to continuing with my humble and challenging life. You might wonder what my seven goals and wishes in life are? Honestly, in those seven simple wishes, I'm not actually asking to become a rich person someday, nor to be a handsome guy, nor be a real man, nor to be a well-known person, all I humbly ask are seven simple dreams that touches my heart -- seven dreams that I really felt the only things that could make my life worthy. Those seven goals are (1) To be able to graduate successfully; (2) To be able to find a good job; (3) To be able to help my family; (4) To be able to develop a new system of education; (5) To be able to develop new technologies; (6) To be able to publish books; and (7) To be able to clarify and understand the mystery of the world.

I am so happy that my first goal of graduating successfully is already a dream come true. I think what i mean with "graduating successfully" is having graduated with flying colors. The second goal looks nice to me as I have now found my third "good" job as a Software Engineer in Accenture. The third goal which is to help my family is already in progress wherein aside from giving them a monthly support, I am also sending my brother to college. The remaining four goals are still in the hands of God and destiny. I'm sure, you wouldn't be able to understand what those seven dreams mean to me if you don't know my life's story...

Did you know that I am just an ordinary person who came from a very simple family in the remotest mountainous place in Bicol province? But, how did I get to live and work in this city? How did I get into to this big company? I think that in this room, I’m the only person who actually lived in a mountain! Imagine living in a mountain where you can only hear owls at night and no near houses! Pretty scary, but that’s the kind of place where my family lived when I was still a kid. If you see the landscapes in the movie “Lord of the Rings”, that’s the kind of place where I have lived --- trees, rivers, forests, carabaos, farms… this is the kind of place where I first see this world. I am so lucky to have experienced living by nature and see how it differs with living in the city.

As someone who came from a place with no electricity, no jeepneys, no TV and no money, and with all the achievements in my life right now, I can't help but smile when I imagine myself as a boy coming from the remotest mountainous barangay who has now gradually climbed up and surpassed enormous challenges and finally graduated in college successfully and now part of very competitive outsourcing company. There are times when I just cry whenever I trace when I came from, remembering that very far away barrio called Banao. You might wonder where that place is? To give you a hint where it is, from Cubao you ride a bus for 13 hours going south till you reach the end of Luzon island, ride a jeepney for 2 hours going to the town passing through the Albay Gulf, and ride 2 hours again going to the barangay passing through rough roads and lastly, walk 2 kilometers to reach my birth place. My family was then contented with an ordinary living through Kaingin farming, illegal logging, and coconut planting in our small farm. Everyday, I will wake up early to take a bath in a spring a kilometer away from home together with my brothers and cousins. This scarce and poor type of living in our barrio helped strengthened my perseverance and to strive hard in studying. Everyday, i used to walk two kilometers from home to school with my "baon" wrapped in a banana leaf and with my thin slippers stepping on rough rocky roads. My family's life seemed so miserable during those elementary days that my family even went to Manila to find work. I studied in Manila during my 5th grade. But since my parents and my siblings didn't have a job, we returned to the province in my 6th grade to go back to ordinary farming such as planting root crops and coconuts. This poor type of living is not only the one that affected me most, my life has been under a family which doesn't have enough happiness and caring. My father has always been my nightmare! He's more of a shame-causing and doesn't take responsibilities in raising us as he is always drunk every second of his life.

As I continued my miserable life during elementary days, I felt so many personal, emotional, and social changes in my life. People even look at me as a person with no hope but my mother believed in me and supported me as I gathered all the honors and medals in every recognition day. High school days came, and i said to myself i should not let others downgrade me eventhough life is getting difficult for me. There are times that i almost cry because of so many problems that faces my family but i still continued on studying. I even treat my home as my school and my school my home... ignoring my pleasures of living as an adolescent who usually plays and stays with the friends. Hunger for the search for knowledge was my only life during those times. Science books flavored with tons of knowledge & wisdom have been my favorite dish during those days that I've read all the books I could read from my cousins' imported-American-hard-bound books. I don't care about the things i have missed but it never makes me feel regretful because to be able to graduate as a valedictorian is my only wish during that time and my only prayer everyday revolved on how to make myself a difference. I want to show my parents and relatives that even I'm like this, I can really make a difference! I know that if I will be able to graduate with flying colors, it would open new opportunities for me especially the scholarships which is I think the only way I can continue with my studies. But, I haven't heard of any scholarhips in our school. Maybe, i'll just apply in a college in Legaspi City. I did not think of where to study in college... i just did my best in everything and every seconds of the day no matter what. To tell you the truth, God really knows where I am going. I can always feel his love and guidance amidst insurmountable challenges in my life.

During my elementary and high school days, my life revolves in praying, wishing, studying, going to church and avoiding things that would hinder my dreams. Dreaming and wishing are the two powerful batteries that powers me to move on with my life especially in high school. I feel so good when other people talks about me. But, when my mother talks about me in front of other people i feel flattered and somewhat unhappy coz they dont have the financial capacity to send me to college. Eventhough I am now expecting to graduate as the valedictorian in high school, going to college is what really bothers me. A month after my graduation in high school, I realized being a Valedictorian and having many medals are not yet enough. I was already desperate that my only choice to continue with my studies is to enter the seminary. But I can't imagine myself as a priest. So I prayed "Lord, kung saan nyo po gusto ako dalhin at kung saan po tingin nyo ako magiging mas makakatulong sa pamilya ko, kayo na po ang bahala sakin." And as always, God really never let me down and praying has always been my lucky charm... After a month, I received an application form from the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) scholarship. So, I went to Legaspi togeher with my classmate and Salutatorian to take the examination. Luckily, i was the one who passed the exam granting me a full-time five-year engineering scholarship in Manila. I was overwhelmed by the opportunity i got... but, I just dont know where in Manila i'll be studying coz there are no accredited schools in Legaspi that time that offers an engineering course. So my mother and I immediately went to Manila. You know what my first choice of school was? I have Ateneo, La Salle, UST, and other class A universities my first choices of school. I was so excited that I will be the only person in our family to take up college and not to boast of, I will be the "only" person in family generation to take up Engineering. "I will be the first engineer in our generation", i thought as I motivate myself. So we went to the DOST-Bicutan office to sign-up the contract. They suggested that I can take my course in TUP coz it is accredited by the DOST and not to mention it has a very low tuition fee, though it is not a prominent university compared to my "Ateneo" dream or "La Salle"dream. You know what, we even went to La salle to inquire but I almost got a heart attack by the very high tuition fee that time "10,000" pesos. Where in the world would my family get that money if not even a 500 pesos is saved in our pockets? As I learned to accept that I can only study in a state university, i have refrained from dreaming for a famous school. I just thought that the name of the school is not very important as long as you study very well. During this stage of my education, i've learned so many things that powered me to strive further in my studies.

My fellow toastmasters, as I stood in front of you right now, I just want to share to you that "if you want to be successful in life, you must have the art of perseverance, the power of dreaming and the science of praying." To tell you, I have come to realize that perseverance, dreaming and praying is a very powerful set of tools that any person can have. Due to my desire to achieve a specific goal, I always bear it in mind and make sure that it is my focus. I even wrote my dreams in my diary, in my notebooks, and even say it silently and secretly to plants hoping they can hear me and spell a magic wand to make my dreams come true. I even say it to the moon and the shining stars upon the moonlit night. My dreams have persuaded me to study harder and finish elementary, high school and college with flying colors. “I once wished I can be a valedictorian”, and I did became a valedictorian. “I once wished I can be a teacher”, and I did became more than I ever expected as Electronics Engineer and Software Engineer. “I once wished I can be a Cum Laude”, and I did became a cum laude. “I once wished I can travel to other countries”, and I did crossed the Pacific and stepped into the Japanese, Thai, and American soils. How about you, what are your goals and wishes in life?

Good evening, fellow Toastmasters!

>>Read this also

EDUCATION, DISCIPLINE AND ORGANIZATION:

2006-01-17T01:44:00.000-08:00

Graduation Speech to the 32nd Manito High School Commencement Exercises
April 10, 2003 / 4pm / MHS Grounds
>> Read diary

I would like to begin by acknowledging those of you, especially the MHS faculty and my mother who made it possible for me to be your guest speaker in your 32nd Commencement Exercises with the theme “Education for the Strong Filipino Family”. Honestly speaking, it is a very stressful opportunity of speaking at a graduation ceremony of the school that once shaped my destiny and contributed a lot into what I am now. I am very much stressed not only because it is my first-time to be a guest speaker but also because I only came from a simple family so I can’t talk much about how education can build a strong Filipino family. But, have your ever thought why our country – the Philippines is still lagged behind in terms of national development compared to other neighboring countries like Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand. According to a survey in Asia, Philippines ranked 4th in terms of population density, ranked 10th in terms of GDP, ranked 8th in terms of land area, ranked 8th in terms of agriculture, ranked 8th in terms of mobile phone users, ranked 2nd in terms of English literacy, and ranked 1st in unemployment rate.

According to an international study conducted by UNESCO, the three main factors that mainly contribute to national development are namely, education, discipline, and organization. You will notice that education is only one of the keys to national development. I can say that our country has been producing thousands of scientists, inventors, engineers, doctors, and teachers every year. Yes Philippines may have been an educated country. But…. do Philippines have a disciplined people? No! Do Philippines have a stable organization or government? No! So, it is expected to see the Philippines as a poor and undeveloped country unless these three components of national development are met.

January 25, 2003 was a very memorable day in my life. With the help of the Asian Internet Interconnection Initiatives (AI3) of Japan, I was able to travel to Japan and the United States where I met fellow Asians and Americans alike. This travel gave me a chance to observe and evaluate what makes us Filipinos different from them. What do Japan and USA have in common? As I observed, these two countries are characterized as super powers due to their dynamic people, advanced technologies and active government. As we all know, Japan is only a very small country which is slightly larger than the Philippines. But then Japan ranks on top together with other geographically large countries like China, USA, Australia, and Russia among others. Let me tell you that the development of any country does not depend on how geographically large a country is. Like Japan, Philippines can also be a super power and a developed country provided that we possess the three main components such as proper education, disciplined people, and a stable government. Now, its up to you, batch 2003 graduates, to decide on what to do to contribute to the national development. If we really want our country to improve and progress, every one of us must really make a difference within ourselves and our family which is the foundation of our society.

But making a difference with your life is not as easy as you think. You maybe asking why I am telling you this! Let me tell you my personal experiences and show you how I made a difference…

I can remember when I was still in elementary, I once dreamed of being a teacher when I grew up. But now, I finished more than that. I realized that wishing or dreaming is a very powerful tool. Due to my desire to achieve a specific goal, I always bear it in mind and make sure that it is my focus. I even wrote my dreams in my diary, in my notebooks, and even say it silently and secretly to plants hoping they can hear me and spell a magic wand to make my dreams come true. My dreams have persuaded me to study harder and finish elementary and high school with flying colors. I really believe in the power of dreaming. “I once wished I can be a valedictorian in Manito High School”, and I did became a valedictorian in this school in 1995. “I once wished I can be a teacher”, and I did became more than I ever expected as an Electronics and Communications Engineer. “I once wished I can be a Cum Laude”, and I did became a cum laude in TUP Manila in 2000. “I once wished I can travel to other countries”, and I did crossed the Pacific and stepped into the Japanese and American soil last January 2003. How about you, what is your wish in your life?

Seven years ago, I was also like you feeling excited about receiving a high school diploma and awards in your graduation day. My graduation day then is a mixture of happiness and sadness. I realized that graduating in high school is not the end of your struggle. As I stepped into the stage to receive my diplomas and awards, I thought of how I can proceed to college considering that my family does not have the financial capability. So I prayed and prayed and prayed to God to help me. I said “If God really wants me to help my family; He would send me to college”. Ms. Binalla, my best Math teacher in MHS, gave me a scholarship application form from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Fortunately, I passed! We received a mail from DOST instructing me to enroll for a 5-year engineering course with all expenses shouldered by the government. I was then so happy and very thankful to God that he heard my prayers. Going to Manila, I was thinking of enrolling to Ateneo or La Salle University. But, it wasn’t that easy to enter those private universities because of very high tuition fees. I remember me and my mother went to La Salle University in Manila. When we entered the gate of the university, we were depressed by the very high tuition fee which my family doesn’t have even a fraction of it. But, it doesn’t demoralize me significantly but rather I took it positively. As one of the state universities, TUP have been a breeding ground for the thousands of DOST scholars like me. But let me tell you that your success doesn’t really depend on the name of the school where you came from. The success of an individual depends on his own determination and perseverance to achieve success no matter what. As Albert Einstein said “Success comes only to those who are prepared for it.”

So how do we prepare for our success? Dreaming and desire of what you want to be is one of the ways to prepare and achieve your success. With all the experiences I have gained, I can say that “To be successful in life, you must possess the power of dreaming, the science of praying and the art or perseverance.” If you have the desire to achieve a certain goal in life, that desire, that wanting for success, is the difference between dreaming of it and actually achieving it. Desire will lead to perseverance.

In reality, you can’t always be number one. With every winner, there is a loser. But if your Pride, a positive Attitude, the Desire to be successful and a Sacrifice to achieve a dream, win or lose, you will always walk away the better person.

Today, as you leave with diplomas in hand, remember the encounter, good as well as bad, you’ve experienced here at Manito High School. Remember the promises you made to yourself and others. Keep in contact with those who have touched your lives. Come back and visit! I know teachers love to hear from former students, it gives them a feeling of worth or “a reason for being”. Take time today to thank the people who have helped you make this day possible. Treat them as you would treat fine treasured glass.

Finally, I would like to end with a quote that really helped me achieve my goals despite of poverty and simple life. It says “Don’t worry about the persons not knowing you but strive to be worth knowing.”

Congratulations graduates! Good luck!

By Edwin D. Viñas
Science Research Specialist I
Advanced Science and Technology Institute

Preparing my "Ice Breaker" Speech and other speeches

2006-01-17T00:39:00.000-08:00

I will be delivering my first Ice Breaker speech project on February 8. I really need to give myself a chance to start the speech projects inoder to get a CTM (Competent Toastmasters) certificate. The "Ice Breaker" is the first speech to be delivered by any member which runs up 10 speech projects to complete the CTM. Now, I'm really confused what to do? Based on the tips for ice breaker speech, this speech is something that you want to tell about yourself. I have been reading about other's ice breaker speeches and some samples but until now I haven't written any introduction not even the title is finished. I think now is the best time to start! I've even schduled my work for a night shift work today just to be able to make a draft and be able to practice it so I can be ready on my first speech day at Toastmasters.

As the tutorial says, an "Ice Breaker" speech only wants to test a speaker if he knows how to construct the three basic parts of speech such as:

Opening Statement - a striking fact that audience will be interested about myself
Body - three to four points that audience will be interested about me (
Conclusion (Ending Statement) - something that could wrap what I have said in the body

The time alotted for the basic "Ice Breaker" speech is only 5-7 minutes.

I need to dig through my diary archives just to get my possible Ice Breaker speech. It's a good thing in writing diaries.... they're not only useful in refreshing your life's achievements and purpose and experiences but they're also a nice resource for composing speeches.

After the first speech I need to undergo the following speech projects:

1) The Ice Breaker
Objectives:
- To begin speaking before an audience
- To discover speaking skills you already have and skills that need some attention.

- Something that talks about yourself.
- This is to test if you are good in making the three basic parts of speech (Opening, Body and Conclusion)
- Make an interesting opening sentence which captures the audience attention
- Select only three to four points and emphasize them by using examples, stories and anecdotes.
- You should make a point, say it again in different words, illustrate the point, and state it once more to be clearly understood.

2) Organize Your Speech

3) Ge to the Point

4) How to Say It

5) Your Body Speaks

6) Vocal Variety

7) Research Your Topic

8) Get Comfortable with Visual Aids

9) Persuade with Power

10) Inspire Your Audience

Gay Frog Prince

2006-01-14T10:16:00.000-08:00

Gay Frog Prince
By Sherwin Salazar, February 2005

Most of us, if not, all believe the frog prince and his princess lived happily ever after. But did anybody ever wonder what would have happened if the prince turns out to be gay?

Good morning ladies and gentlemen, I am the frog prince, constantly embattled why my first love’s kiss turned me into a frog, and no matter where I hop, my fairytale grew from hopeless to pathetic. Mind you, at the age of seven, I already dreamed of my prince in shining armor, who would snatch me from the murky waters of danger, saddle me on his horse, protect me in his castle, and finally vanquish my virginity. I asked my mom back then what virginity meant, and she told me it’s a gift being offered to the one you love. If that’s a gift, then mine would come in a big box wrapped in fancy paper and colorful ribbons. I was so convinced my prince would be happy when he finally opens the box and finds out what I have for him.

But I came to find out that it takes more than virginity to please your prince; that was when Jasper pranced into my life. I was 11 back then, practically a queen, and Jasper my classmate was a star. I invited him over at our house so I could show him my G.I. Joe collection. YES, back in the 80’s boys do play with dolls! There we were playing, when suddenly a dark cloud hovered over me and POW! I kissed him. Jasper was dumbfounded, his mouth hung open. And the highlight of it all was when I said, “Jasper, I love you,” then he finally scrammed out of the door as if he had seen a ghost. And there I was, magically turned into a frog with an acute case of heartbreak

High school came and everything suddenly seem so different, when the most beautiful thing in the world walked in to my life, Benjamin - an eloquent debater, a writer for the school paper and the boy who adores Bonggo, his Dalmatian pet. A talent for gab, a mind full of color and a pet transformed into a fitting substitute for a partner – yes, this one has to be gay, or for those who disagree just can just shoot me please! To cut the story short, Benji and I became close friends. I was almost convinced we were reliving the King David and Jonathan tandem – the first ever recorded soul mates from the book of Samuel. But when I admitted to him I’m gay and I had this tiny little crush on him, he puked, he rolled over, and wailed. He then asked me, “WHY?” “What do you mean WHY?” He just blurted, “WHY do you have to be gay, “WHEN ALL THE WHILE I THOUGHT YOU’LL BE MY PRINCE.” I was like, “WHAT?”

It turned out Benji was crazy in love with me. Love is too much of a commitment for a teenager who excelled in doing anything stupid. I have to admit, I got cold feet over love and over Benji. So, I ditched him flat! From then on, I only had flings. I had no relationships, no commitments, no I-love-you’s. It was a good thing you don’t include these in your resume. Otherwise I wouldn’t qualify for any job.

While all the gays my age mature when they entered college, I got stuck to the ‘happily ever after’ antics of fairytales – the exact antithesis of my existence. The same fairytale which taught me there is hope in 'happily ever after', took that hope away. Besides, it didn't take much longer for Snow White, the Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella to realize they were all married to the same guy, Prince Charming. . For although I am convinced that polarity between homosexual and heterosexual love is pretty obvious, one similarity seem elusive. Love, gay or not is about risks. And all fairytale princesses took that risk. They took a chance with Prince Charming. At the end of the day, they are not so mythical after all; very much the same with that princess who took her chance with the frog prince, no matter how green, filthy and slimy looking frog it was, needless to say, very gay. That’s what it takes to be a princess; having the courage to pour some love, at the risk of it being unwanted.

Now, I’m wondering. Am I willing enough to take that same risk? YOU BET I AM! I am a real princess!! For all the princes and princesses at heart, keep on kissing, who knows, the next one might be the right frog for you.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

2006-01-14T08:31:00.000-08:00

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring." And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania! Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado! Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California! But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee! Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Taken from: http://www.ossh.com/people/martinlutherkingjr/

I saw, I speech, I conquered!

2006-01-14T08:22:00.000-08:00

I have been a very shy type of person since I was a kid until now that I decided to conquer my fears on public speaking. This blog will contain my experiences on how I saw toastmasters club, taken a shot on its public speaking exercises and how I aimed at conquering my fears.

I saw, I speech, I conquered!

When You Believe, Nothing is Impossible!

CC#10 - Inspire the Audience - "From Nothing to Something"

CTM Speech Project# 10 - Inspire the Audience : "Godish Technologies"

CTM Speech Project# 9 - Persuade with Power : "The Continuous Evolution: The Creator-Creature Universal Dynamics"

S&W Toastmasters Speech 8: "X.P.I.M.S"

Speech Project # 7 (Research Your Topic): "The Expanding Universe"

“The Expanding Universe”

“The Expanding Universe”

Speech Project No. 6 : Vocal Variety Speech : "Goodbye Google!"

Toastmaster's Speech Project No. 5: "Money"

Toastmaster's Speech Project No. 4: "The Brain is Our Universe"

THE BRAIN IS OUR UNIVERSE

Speech Project No. 3: Get to the Point : "To Live Once"

Table of Contents

Bringing the Philippines as Part of the Internet Evolution

Preparing for Speech#2 "Organize Your Speech"

S&W TMC Meeting : February 08, 2006 : Speech Project 1 & Other Recordings

S&W TMC Meeting : January 25, 2006 : Speech Audio Recordings

We work for the people!

Looking back and comparing the Philippines

Candidate Speech: Lord, Please help me find my original self.

What's better than...?

Candidate Speech: Losing dreams

If Americans have atomic bombs & the Internet... Filipinos are very far behind to catch up in any field.

Candidate Speech for "Inspire the Audience": WILL I BE ABLE TO GO TO ORLANDO, FLORIDA, USA?

Candidate Speech for "Vocal Variety": 1947 Old Apartment

Realization of who I am, where I am going and what should I do

Speech Project 1: My Seven Goals & Wishes in Life

EDUCATION, DISCIPLINE AND ORGANIZATION:

Preparing my "Ice Breaker" Speech and other speeches

Gay Frog Prince

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I saw, I speech, I conquered!