Toastmasters Int’l holds national confab in Island City of Samal

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, May 2 (PIA):  Bannering the theme,  “Sama , Sama sa Samal”, Toastmasters International District 75 (Philippines) gathered  370 Toastmasters  from 155 Toastmasters clubs in the Philippines during its 31st District Convention held in the Island Garden City of Samal in the province of Davao del Norte.

        District Convention Chairperson Elisa Tay described this year’s district convention (Discon) of  the Philippine Toastmasters as “Fun Convention”   bringing participants to outdoor activities at The Venue Party Boat and  at the Precious Garden Resort other than dishing them out with speech workshops and contests.

        “Beyond welcoming you to the Island across Davao City, we enjoin everybody to reach across tables,  rooms and cliques to meet somebody new; share  successful Toastmasters campaign be it membership or educational activities,”  she said in welcoming fellow Toastmasters and guests.

        Toastmasters District 75 Governor Victor Navales asked participants to “take time to reconnect with friends, make acquaintances, celebrate success and share knowledge and ideas.”

        Held from April 27 to April 29, this year’s Discon of the Philippine Toastmasters opened with former Samal City mayor Rogelio Antalan as the Keynote Speaker who spoke about practicing leadership as Toastmasters.

This year’s  Philippine Toastmasters Discon carried plenary sessions on Supermarketing Toastmasters by TM Past International President Johnny Uy;  EQ (Emotional Quotient) on Toastmasters Leadership by author Dr. Rodolfo “Dups” delos Reyes;  and a workshop on Humor conducted by TM Past District Gov. of District 49 (Hawaii) Greg H. Ching.

It was packed with speech contests particularly Impromptu Speech, Humorous Speech and International (prepared) Speech Contest.

Navales noted that this years Toastmasters Discon had “exciting” speech contests worthy "to be remembered for a long time."

Its other highlight activity  was the Toastmasters International recognition of Police Deputy Director General Nicanor A Bartome as this year’s Communication and Leadership Awardee.

Meanwhile, the Toastmasters were welcomed by Davao del Norte Provincial Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario who was one of the major sponsors of the Governor’s Night held at The Venue Party Boat.

The Toastmasters’ event also got the support  and warm welcome from the Second District House Representative Antonio Lagdameo. (PIA-11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)