Maharlika Noble Press Issue 42

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE MAHARLIKA TOASTMASTERS CLUB

SEPTEMBER 28, 2009

to compete in 4 different categories – singing, evaluation, impromptu and entertaining speech. The first Luzon Conference was held in the Orient Pearl Hotel in Manila and the first Quartethlon Champ was Grea Tulio (Harbor TMC) of Division H.

The Meralco Development Center at Sumulong Highway in Antipolo will host the 2009 District 75 Midyear Convention.

All Set For the 2009 Midyear Convention By Ed Fabonan (with details from accounts of PDG Gina Mapua and PDG Michael Angelo Chua) Everything is ready for the second biggest annual event in District 75, the Midyear Convention. This year, the weekend affair is scheduled on October 10-11 and will be held at the Meralco Development Center (MMLDC). The Midyear Convention began as the Luzon conference in 2003 involving only Divisions A, B, G and H. As recounted by PDG Gina Mapua, sometime in 2003, the late PDG Jimmy Pamintuan proposed to Michael Chua and Wilma Demesa an October conference that would feature awards and games, fun and drinks, lechon baka and wine and song. The October convention was meant to produce the “Grandslam Champion in Public Speaking – someone who will excel in all facets of showmanship – to speak, to listen and evaluate, to think and most importantly to sing.” And so the games in the convention came to be called the “Quartethlon,” where one contestant has

Bayview Hotel, Manila was the venue of the second Luzon Conference (2004) which was organized by PID Christine Temblique (as Convention Chair). The fellowship night of that conference had a Filipino Fiesta theme. The conference also included a fun debate in Filipino called “Katawa-tawang Balitaktakan.” The Quartethlon Champ was Lawrence Buan (FDIP Toastmasters) of Division H. The MMLDC in Antipolo hosted the 2005 edition. Division G’s Hermie Garrobo (Pines City Toastmasters) brought the house down with his rendition of “Boom Shakalakalaka” during the singing competition and romped off with the Quartethlon Crown. In 2006, the Luzon Conference became the Midyear Convention and included 9 out of the 10 Divisions of District 75. It was also held at the MMLDC. The Quartethlon was won by Jonathan Yogawin (Pines City Toastmasters) of Division G.

The 2007 Midyear Convention at Fontana.

To know more about us, visit our site at http://maharlika.freetoasthost.info. Or be our guest at our club meetings, every Tuesdays, 7pm at the Jade Vine Restaurant, U.N. Ave. cor. Bocobo St, Manila. Just walk in. You will be welcome.

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The 2007, the Midyear convention took place in Fontana in Angeles City, Pampanga. This time the Quartethlon crown went to Division K’s Roehl Macarrubo (NXP Toastmasters). In 2008, the Midyear Convention went out of Luzon for the first time. It was held in Bacolod one week before the Masskara Festival. The Quartethlon was reduced to the Triathlon and it was won by Meliton Sillador (First Farmers) of Division D.

The second contest is the “Singing Bee Idol.” Each Division is allowed one representative. The contestant gets to know what he/she will sing only during the contest – when the contestant draws from a selection of songs. The contestant MUST sing the song drawn. The song titles and lyrics in the selection will be announced at least a week in advance so the contestant can prepare for any eventuality. All musical accompaniments to the songs will be provided at the venue. Judges will determine the winner using a criteria similar to past singing contests.

The 2008 Bacolod Midyear Convention was a colorful costume party. In this year’s MidCon, there won’t be a Triathlon or Quartethlon. Although Table Topics is still in the menu, the games would require broader participation and are meant to explore the other talents of Toastmasters. The competition will consist of three events: The first game is the “Table Topics Twist”. Each of the 10 divisions will have one representative. The first contestant will draw a question. The Contest Master will read it aloud, in the presence of all the other participants. The contestant decides either to answer it or choose any of the other 9 contestants to answer it instead. If the first contestant does the latter, he/she moves last in the playing order and the chosen contestant is compelled to answer the question (afterwards the chosen contestant’s turn is done). After that, the next contestant in line draws the next question, and again decides if he/she likes to play it or pass it to any one of the remaining contestants (which includes the one who passed previously). This continues until all 10 contestants have spoken. If you are the contestant, how do you decide if you pass the question or answer it? In passing up the question, you take the gamble that you will get an easier question later, but expose yourself to the risk that someone will pass you a question that is tougher. Judges will determine the winner.

The rules in the singing contest for the Midyear Convention will not be as strict as this. The last contest is called “Talentadong Toastmasters.” Each Division is entitled to field a team of 4 participants. The Division Governor MUST be a part of the team. Each team can present any group number. As of this writing, the guidelines for this contest has already been released so the divisions can already prepare for the number they intend to present. Judges will determine the winner. The overall District Champion is the division that scores the highest total points from all the contests. Points from each of the contests will be computed as follows: Table Topics Twist: 1st place 100 2nd place 90 3rd place 80 4th place 70 5th place 60

6th place 50 7th place 40 8th place 30 9th place 20 10th place 10

Singing : For each place, double the scores in the above table.

To know more about us, visit our site at http://maharlika.freetoasthost.info. Or be our guest at our club meetings, every Tuesdays, 7pm at the Jade Vine Restaurant, U.N. Ave. cor. Bocobo St, Manila. Just walk in. You will be welcome.

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Talent portion: For each place, triple the scores table.

in the above

In the spirit of fun, there will be no disqualification for over time or undertime. But those exceeding the time limit will be treated to a surprise. There will also be two educational sessions during the convention so delegates will really learn and enjoy. If you have not yet registered, don’t waste any more time. Contact the MidCon Chair, Eliza Paylago at 09209580824.

What’s Happening By Bong Pestañas

Sept 15, In honor of the birthday of Ettore Bugatti, founder of Bugatti Automobiles, designated emcee, President Bong Pestañas made cars the motif of the evening’s meeting. ACS Ed provided the color with his usual humorous self as the Table Topics Master.

AG Rudy Reyes Bares Plan for the Area Area 12 Governor Rudy Reyes unveiled several joint activities he intends to hold for all Area 12 clubs in a series of meetings with Area 12 club presidents. The activities were planned in coordination with Area 12 club presidents to further foster camaraderie and fellowship among Toastmasters of Area 12. On October 3, 2009, UEC will host a joint meeting of Area 12 clubs, themed on the Mid-Autumn Festival, at the Lido Restaurant in Sta. Cruz. The Mid-Autumn festival is a Chinese celebration that marks the end of the summer harvest season. It is usually held at the middle or last week of September and set at the day when the moon is at its fullest. Hence, the traditional food for this celebration is the mooncake (hopia). The unusual meeting will feature a game based on 3 pairs of dice. Prizes will be given away during the meeting. Tickets for the event are priced at P150 each. On October 30, Maharlika will host the Area 12 Halloween Party at Jade Vine. This is another joint meeting. Members are expected to come in their Halloween outfits. Finally on December 10 (date may change), Manila Bay will host the Area 12 Christmas Party at Casino Español. Area 12 has been holding this event every year and this year is no exception. With 5 clubs now under Area 12, Rudy’s term promises to be even more vibrant and exciting.

Enrique San Agustin talks about Mentorship. The special treat of the evening was a very comprehensive lecture on mentoring by Butter N Toast star Enrique San Agustin who also doubled as the very observant General Evaluator.

Sept 8, Maharlikans became true “Toastmasters” when CC Kai hosted the weekly meeting of the Maharlika Toastmasters Club and made it an evening of many Toasts. She chose the theme “Wines”, for everyone to have a chance to toast to their personal wishes. More than 15 bottles of different varieties of wine were displayed on the table and we were able to sample 3 of them. Brand new Toastmaster Jesi delivered her Ice Breaker Speech and CC TC was the General Evaluator. Another first was Manny’s take on the TTM role where he described several scenarios that might involve alcohol of some sorts. CTM Jess is steamrolling through his Advanced Communicator norm as he spoke off the cuff. The meeting culminated with the presentation of the birthday cake to our birthday boy, Pres. Bong

To know more about us, visit our site at http://maharlika.freetoasthost.info. Or be our guest at our club meetings, every Tuesdays, 7pm at the Jade Vine Restaurant, U.N. Ave. cor. Bocobo St, Manila. Just walk in. You will be welcome.

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Pestañas and a final Toast to his attaining the ACS norm.

Sept 1, Magic Charms and Crystal Balls DTM Aida enchanted everyone for the nightly meeting of the Maharlika Toastmasters Club, turning herself into a gypsy and revealing to us her fascination and curiosity for the occult. It would have been eerie had we not decided to turn all the lights on to make sure nobody gets possessed by unpleasant spirits. Jade Vine was again filled to the brim with lots of Maharlikans and guests present. Aida really knows how to bring the crowds in. Area 12 Governor Rudy Reyes acted as the General Evaluator for the meeting.

Come Play The Mid-Autumn Dice Game By Arthur Bhenedict King (UEC Toastmasters)

Every year for the last 3000 years at mid-autumn, at the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, just when the moon is at it's biggest and brightest, Chinese all over the world gather together to celebrate this feast of harvest. They give each other cakes called "mooncakes" (hence the term "Mooncake Festival"), they hang beautiful lanterns, they play games and revel in the company of friends. Here in the Philippines (and in some part of Southeast Asia including the Southern parts of China), one such tradition is a game called Pua Tiong Tsiu or the "Mid-Autumn Dice game". This game uses 6 dices and depending on what you get from throwing this 6 dice in a bowl, you get prizes. A single "4" would get you one of the lower prize, but six "4's" would get you the top prize. In weeks leading to the Mid-Autumn Festival and even a few after it, hundreds if not thousands of such games are played in Manila alone. It's been such a treasured tradition that no real Mid-Autumn Festival celebration is complete without Mooncakes and this game.

Maharlikans in their most enchanting pose.

Aug 24,

in August

On this particular evening, the Maharlika Toastmasters became the Maharlika Brew Masters as CC Pete Guzman chose the theme “Beers” for the weekly meeting of the club. Being the oldest and most widely-consumed beverage in the world, beer was the center of attention for the meeting, especially since many of the members enjoy the amber-colored drink. Pete’s insertion of beer facts and trivia broadened everyone’s knowledge about this beverage. However, General Evaluator Khris Albano (above photo) swayed us in the direction of moderation with his presentation about the dangers of alcohol entitled, “Who’s the Boss?”

Our club played it last year and we had a blast. We thought that it would be a fun and fruitful experience to share this experience with other Toastmasters in our area (especially since our club is the only predominantly Fil-Chi club in Area 12) and we made plans to do just that. So on October 3, Saturday, we invite each toastmaster in our area to come and join us in celebrating this age-old tradition with us. We shall eat, drink and be merry together.

Maharlika Toastmasters Club Officers, 2009-2010 President Bong Pestañas 917 2722177 VP Education TC Chua 917 8178273 VP Membership Mimosa Maghanoy 916 4512681 VP PR Cecille Azarcon 921 4211915 Secretary Maricarl Alix 905 2960644 Treasurer Peter Guzman 917 8310606 Sgt. At Arms Jing Kanapi 906 4634308 The names "Toastmasters International", "Toastmasters" and the Toastmasters International emblem are trademarks protected in the United States, Canada, Philippines and other countries where Toastmasters Clubs exist. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.

To know more about us, visit our site at http://maharlika.freetoasthost.info. Or be our guest at our club meetings, every Tuesdays, 7pm at the Jade Vine Restaurant, U.N. Ave. cor. Bocobo St, Manila. Just walk in. You will be welcome.

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