Filcom Takes it to the Stars!

 

“Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars” – said by Casey Kasem. Filcomites stayed online but shined brightly and reached for the stars in the Area 25 Toastmasters Annual Speech Contest 202. The contest with the theme AD Astra was held online for the first time via Zoom on 15th January 2021. The champs of each club in Area 25 – Filcom International, Ooredoo and Hamad Toastmasters club, faced-off using their serious analysis, tongue-in-cheek replies, motivational messages, and comicality that they’ve mastered as Toastmasters. It was the most anticipated contest and the virtual stage each Toastmaster determined to conquer – Per aspera ad astra, i.e., through adversity to the stars.

The first contest was the Evaluation Contest where test speaker delivered a speech and evaluations were delivered by the contestants. Grace Moran, DTM was the evaluation contest chair who shined with glam and poise virtually. In the end, it was Joseph Amande, DTM who emerged victorious and impressed the judges with his comprehensive evaluation, and Swetha Raghuraman bagged the second place for her motivating and analytical assessment of the test speaker’s speech.

Following by the Evaluation Speech Contest was the Humorous speech contest, drowned the audience in laughter as each contestant dueled with humor. Deepti Potnis, the humor queen of Filcom was the contest chair for the Humorous Speech Contest. Leo Ortega, DTM made his audiences and judges laugh till their stomach hurt. He bachelorhood story with vodka shots blew away everyone with laughter and joy, through his speech “Why Single?”. He was declared the first-place winner. Rinku Saha rocked the virtual stage and snatched the second place as she shared her fun filled adventurous love story “Fall in Love” .

Next was the Table Topics Contest where contestants competed with their quick-thinking skills. The enthusiastic Michelle Macaraig took over the reins of this segment as the Contest Chair. It was Stella Sabangan’s justified opinion on the selected topic and punchy conclusion showcased her as the wittiest as she reached to the top. Joseph Amande, DTM followed suit by taking the second place.

Last but not the least was the icing on the cake - the International Speech Contest in which the contestants warred with words in the battle to find the most inspirational speaker of them all. Beautiful and bubbly, Mai Abu-zainah of Hamad Toastmasters served as the Contest Chair of this segment. It was Joseph Amande, DTM who emerged as the most Inspirational speaker of as he persuaded his audience how to remove their judgmental inner “Mask” that won judges and the audiences hearts. The charismatic CJ Rojas reminded everyone - “You are Shining” no matter what role you do as he emerged as the first-runner up.

Along with the contestants were our stalwart Filcomites, without whom this area contest wouldn’t have reached the stars. The proud Area 25 Director Felipe Catinoy welcomed the Toastmasters dignitaries and guests and cheered for the winners and participants towards the end for the successful contest. Diana May Tangente dazzled and entertained everyone as the Master of Ceremonies. The meticulous and jolly Filcomites - Michelle Macaraig and Yvonne Cabang were the timers and timed the contest to perfection. Ever-smiling and diligent Filcomites – Satish Shah and Felipe Catinoy served as the Tally Counters.

Filcomites took it AD ASTRA as the club prepared to  grow and glow at the SynerG division contest on 25th and 26th February 2021! Shine on, Filcomites!