Maharlika Meeting: Sweet November

Maharlika Meeting: Sweet November

DTM Aida once again at the helm of the weekly meeting for the Maharlika Toastmasters Club. After a short break for the club due to the holiday weekend, everyone was geared up for another meeting of fun, education, and excitement. Aida chose the theme ‘Sweet November’, in honor of the month and the movie that struck a chord in her heart.

There were lots to be excited for the meeting. I was selected as the Table Topics Master and of course, my questions were all linked to the month of November.  Maharlika Past President Benjie Eugenio greeted the club and demonstrated the famed ‘Namikoshi’ shiatsu massage which everyone enjoyed. TM Johanah demonstrated her speaking skills that will be utilized much more in advanced speeches as she gave a speech about imperfections. Meanwhile, CC Kai entertained everyone with her story about her love for an addict – a running addict that is.

Long time Maharlika friend DTM Volts Victoria acted as the General Evaluator. There was also a tribute to IP Area 12 Governor Ed Fabonan for achieving the Area Governor of the Year Award during his tenure.

DTM Aida hosting the meeting

Introduction of members and guests

Past President Benjie Eugenio explaining the ‘Pindot Sarap Massage’

TM Johanah on her 2nd Speech

CC Kai lets everyone in on her love for an ‘addict’

CTM Jess, on his way to completing his first Advanced Norm

General Evaluation headed by DTM Volts Victoria, Division K Governor

CTM Sam evaluating the Table Topics portion

CC Peter evaluating Johanah

ACB Mely evaluating Kai’s speech

ACB Odessa giving her opinion on Jess’ speech project

CC Tc on her language report

Multiple roles for CC Kenneth as he was the Ah/Haha counter as well as the Timer

Recognition of ACS Ed Fabonan’s award as Area Governor of the Year for TI Year 2008-2009

Area 12 Meeting: Dress to Kill, Dress to Impress

Area 12 Halloween Party

Words by Kai Alix

Here’s what happened in the night that all dressed up to look spooky…

Ed Fabonan spearheaded the evening as TME, with his jester hat, a true statement of his ability to make us all laugh. The program started with the Prepared Speeches portion while waiting for the arrival of Arthur King as TTM. Johanah Co delivered her Ice Breaker Speech “Babs” where she flaunted the public speaking skills she already possess. While waiting for the evaluator of the next speaker, Ed demonstrated how the different sides of asking the audience, “Are you alive?!”, that no one can really expect the host to crack jokes at will. Since Aida Valles has not arrived yet, Ed asked JJ Letargo to evaluate the speech of our next speaker, Juvy Muncada who enjoyed a long shower of applause until she was able to reach the lectern. Juvy delivered a speech to show how “Your Body Speaks” entitled “The Fairy’s Dream”.

Educational Session soon followed with Arthur’s very creative and challenging table topic portion entitled “Trick and Treat”. He asked the participants to pick three treats which correspond to a setting, character and innocuous device that should be incorporated to their impromptu speech. Table topics session started off with Wyndale Wong who made a story about a house basement, psychotic beautician and a paper clip. The next challenger was Kathy Bachoco who had to use an amnesiac ghost, empty street and an empty milk carton in her speech. It was followed by Rudy Reyes who utilized the jester hat to add flair in his speech about a crazy clown, old town and an old cementary. Peter Guzman was dared to use a hematophobic vampire, a toothbrush and a hunted mansion in his speech. The last speaker for table topics was Ed Villanueva who internalized a sensitive frankenstein in an abandoned warehouse with smelly socks. Ed Fabonan’s take on this challenge was about a teacher, classroom and Pedro where the trick question was “Have you ever made love with a ghost?!”

It was then pointed out that the meeting did not with an invocation and singing of the National Anthem. General Evaluation followed with Mahdi Khadematolrasoul as GE, very detailed Tess Choi as grammarian, Ed villanueva as Ah/Haha counter and Zora Sy as timer.

The best female costumes were awarded to Mely Fernandez as a witch with gold hair, Odessa Andal as cleopatra, Mimi as an angel while the best male costumes were Mahdi as the devil, Ed as a jester and Bong as the joker. The winner for the table topics portion was Ed Villanueva with the use of his effective vocal variety and entertaining story.

Before the meeting ended, before all the announcements were made, the best Happy birthday song was sung for our beloved Ed Fabonan in the Maharlika’s celebration of his birthday on October 30th.