DUBAI - Filipino Digerati Association (FDA) is a collection of multi-talented inidividuals, talents which are not just simply learned but innately gained.  And among the breed of scholars with extraordinary aptitude, the name Nap or Tuls has been remarkably noticeable.  Presently serving the organization as Chairman for  Online Publication whose prolific skills in writing is beyond exceptional, this vibrant MS Excel Core Trainer takes pleasure in sharing his knowledge to the students. Not to mention that as a Team Leader, Cesar Napoleon Dumo Jr. diligently works hand-in-hand with Board of Trustee / Founder Arlene A. Pulido in running the Deira Heroes Branch.  

 

Apparently, Nap and I were fortunately invited by our very own incumbent Digerati President Rizalina R. Abuel to attend the Toastmasters International gathering organized by the Oasis Achievers that took place at Samaya Hotel on the 24th February 2010.  For the benefit of those who are not aware of, Toastmasters International is an organization that helps people to practice, broaden and sharpen their communication and presentation skills in a thorough and highly effective manner. 

It was indeed a good feeling to be part of a team of high caliber speakers even just for a short time of three hours.  At first, I admit that I was nervous and reluctant to participate when I saw how articulate the members were with the way they presented themselves and conversed with each other.  However, we were delighted with the way they acknowledged us as guests more so with their encouraging remarks that gracefully directed us to join the group during the self introduction.   

As Toastmasters International official member, President Lina brought in “AUDACIOUS” as the word for the day and after her thorough explanation we were required to use the same word in our tête-à-tête as many times as we could. Other affiliates also presented their prepared speeches and respective evaluations.  There was even a part  during the open critique where accounted fillers like “Ahhh, Uhmmm” and recorded incorrect grammar were reported, a healthy style of criticizing one’s speaking performance constructively.

Then came Napoleon’s turn which everyone considered as remarkably done.  He was one of the chosen few who were opted to explain on the foot without any preparation any topic from the magic goblet.  Despite the fact that it was on the spot, he spontaneously shared his thoughts impressively which seemingly sounded like a rehearsed piece. 

The Impromptu Table Topic that Tuls detailed was from Theodore Roosevelt's aphorism which is "An overactive mind, is no mind at all." Freely, he articulated as I quoted "it revolves around the idea that moving towards any given goal with reckless abandon is nonsensical and foolhardy - at best. Life is not a clean paved road where one can run flat-out towards the finish line. Rather, it is one that is filled with obstacles and twists and turns. Anything in excess is never good. An overactive mind is one filled with chaos, equivalent to having no mind at all. Planning and foresight are the ingredients to survival as we approach life in a calculated manner to reach our goal."  

 

 

 

 

 

No doubt, this notable speech made him the Best Speaker among all the contenders in Table Topics.  I witnessed how Nap amazingly caught the attention of the vast listeners with no effort at all.  It was a picture of an orator who was just simply sharing his cleverness on anything he utters! And this humble act only makes our organization, Filipino Digerati Association salute you!