The Learning Resource Center (LRC) and the Los Baños Toastmasters (TM) Club of Toastmasters International held a master speaker webinar, “Bridging Cultures: One Speech at a Time,” featuring Cyril Junior Dim, 2022 World Champion of Public Speaking, on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. via virtual conferencing and live streaming on Facebook.

The webinar had around 2,800 registered participants, with over 3,800 tuning in to Facebook Live to listen to Cyril’s public speaking tips and storytelling techniques.

In her opening remarks, Jhoan C. Ynion, TM-Area 2 director of Division K of TM International’s District 75, welcomed and encouraged the participants to learn some tricks and tips on how to find one’s voice and how to connect with people.

Jasmine Encarnacion, DTM-Toastmasters district director for District 5, gave an inspirational message on bridging cultures and connecting with audiences worldwide.

She said that in this age of globalization, it is essential that we have an appreciation of the different cultures that will lead to better understanding for an enriching experience.

LRC Director John Mervin L. Embate also delivered an inspiring message about how the webinar encourages and empowers people to connect and tell their stories through public speaking in a highly mediatized world.

Embate challenged the audience to think about public speaking not only in terms of its form and content but also in terms of its role in bridging differences.

“We invite you today to look past the duality of communication. Don’t just see it as either a means to leave an impression or as a way to express one’s thoughts. Rather recognize it as a powerful tool to dialogue and bring different ideas, stories, and cultures together,” Embate said.

In his talk, Cyril shared a valuable lesson from his mentor: public speaking is not about impressing others but rather being authentic. 

He said, “Public speaking is not about looking good. It’s not about looking larger than life. It’s not about us. Speaking is not about looking good. It’s about being real.”

Cyril also emphasized that to be a better speaker of value, one must first be a better person. “We can think of many practical ways to become more valuable. Developing a reading culture, taking care of our physical health, and learning from other people – all these things make us more valuable. Because we can’t give what we don’t have.”

His message centered on encouraging everyone to bring their culture to the world rather than simply conforming to the mainstream. He urged everyone to speak the language of “where I am from,” in which one speaks in ways that reflect one’s culture and values and informs the world about it.

“We all have a responsibility to give our communities to the world, to say to people where I’m from, we do things this way. And it has taught us these lessons,” Cyril explained.

Dr. Ronilo Jose D. Flores, associate dean of the UPLB Graduate School and a member of the Los Baños Toastmasters Club, facilitated the question and answer portion of the program.

Rogelio P. Panuelos, Jr., assistant professor at the UPLB Department of Humanities and president of the Los Baños Toastmasters Club, wrapped up the session by giving the plenary synthesis. 

He emphasized the powerful phrases of Cyril when he said, “You are the gateway to your culture and all the wisdom contained within that culture. Please do not deprive the world of it.”

Panuelos concluded that the experience with Cyril ushers everyone into a phase in which “we can imagine possibilities for a future that listens to and learns from the many cultures in which we find ourselves and the many cultures that we collectively create.”

Nino N. Sepulveda, ACS, ALB-program quality director of District 75, presented a certificate of appreciation to Cyril.

In her closing remarks, Veronica G. Villadolid, TM-Division K Director of District 75, urged everyone to strive to become the best version of themselves as communicators. (Sheryl Edd P. Hermosa-Ebron & Joshua Michael Jonas)