Unleash the Hero in Me

We all have our own preference of an ideal hero. They may take the form of animation or human. They may be visible or not. But they're everywhere. They are people or individuals who does something for others who are in need. They're selfless; they do not ask to be paid and in one way or another, they take risks to some extent.

Now, truth be told, we all want to be heroes. We all want to do something that will dramatically impact a situation - which is what we are actually doing now. Being here in the kingdom, working and providing for our loved ones. Somewhere somehow in a corner of our minds we are hoping that this sacrifice, this heroic deed, will allow us to live extraordinary lives that we all need and worked hard for.

During last week's Toastmaster meeting, the theme, Unleash the Hero in Me, was set. It was a commemoration of the Philippines Independence Day and 'twas just about the right time when Henry Cavill had his debut in the big screen as Clark Kent. I had the (third) chance again of being the Topicmaster. Below are the questions I prepared but only the first four (4) were asked to prominent and experienced Toastmasters because we were running out of time.

• Emilio Aguinaldo said, "We cannot free ourselves unless we move forward united in a single desire." How do you think will this apply to the current situation of OFWs in the kingdom?
• If you will be a hero, what heroic deed would you do for a villain?
• If you will be a superhero, what supernatural power would you like to posses - teleport, telekinesis or foreseeing of future? Why?
• People said OFWs are unsung heroes. In that case, who do you think are the villains and how did they become one?
• What is the first step of becoming a hero?
• When do you say a hero has stopped becoming a hero?
• In an animated film, the main character, Megamind said "Destiny is not the path given to us; but it is the path we choose for ourselves." Do you agree or not? Why?
• Who is sexier? Catwoman or Black Widow? Why?

I seem to be trending as Table Topics Master. I hope to try some other roles in the coming sessions and finish my manual in the soonest possible time.

Ciao!

Magic!

Magic is the art of constructing something that is desired. Spells, voodoo dolls, wands, symbols and many other objects or rituals are used to form magic. Some do it as a sign of worship; while others perform for entertainment. Regardless of the intent, magic, nowadays is evident in different forms. We may not realize this consciously but magic is the attitude of believing in yourself that you can make things happen. Things happen in our lives because of fate and there are things that we do in our lives because of choice. I would like to believe that magic is the entirety of fate, choice and perseverance because the combination of those three will give you the desired outcome.

I had another opportunity of being the Table Topics Master in one of the Toastmasters meetings held last month and here are the questions I prepared...

In the movie Pirates of the Caribbean, Captain Barbossa said, "The moonlight shows us what we really are." Please expound.

Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore said, "We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy." Please expound.

If you will be joining the crowd of Red Queen's closest comrades, what part of your body would you sacrifice to awkwardly enlarge for the rest of your life? Why?

Would you choose to transform to an unattractive ogre, like Fiona, to be with the person you love or stay pretty and be with someone who loves you but you don't love in return? Why?

Joining the cast of Vampire Diaries and given the chance to sink your teeth into Stefan Salvatore, which part of your body would you like to bite? Why?

In the movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, it was said that "It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices." Please expound.

Do you believe in magic? In what way real magic takes place in your everyday life?

'Twas indeed another wacky night; so wacky that I forgot blogging about it. Good thing, I was told to do another session this coming Tuesday. Wonder what will be the meeting theme...

See yah!

T.T.

Huh?

T.T. stands for Table Topics.

I always think of the Table Topics session as the Miss Universe’s Q&A portion. It is much-awaited. Heart-pounding. Mind-provoking. And meme-ific. It is indeed challenging to come up with an articulate answer in a short span of time. It puts Toastmasters on trial to think quickly, accurately and intelligently. Miss Universe contenders must have a really comprehensive and first-rate training on impromptu speaking.

Last night, I was privileged to be the Table Topics Master. It was my first (and waiting for the next) time. I honestly didn’t know what to do and was quite nervous as there is only a week to prepare. I consulted fellow Toastmasters who were very much accommodating to provide tips and encouragement. My aim was only to make the session happy and gay. I prepared five questions but since we only had one speaker for the prepared speech session, we added more to consume the time.

The theme of the meeting was “Make It Happen” so I had to pattern the questions with having only choices, specifically two, and expounded that we could only make things happen if we practice our freewill and make a choice. I also had to put some little numbered cardboards at the back of the seats so they won’t have to shy away from volunteering.

Let’s see if you could come up with something for these questions.

If you will be given a chance to let you change your fate, would you want to be a hot and sexy wolf like Jacob Black or a forever-young vampire like Edward Cullen? Why?

Who would you like to be and who do you want to live with for the rest of your life - Snow White with the seven naughty dwarves or Beauty with the mean beast? Why?

If you will be given wealth, would you like to have a desert with unlimited source of oil or an island with abundant natural resources (e.g. crops, livestock, soil minerals)?

If you will be reincarnated, would you choose to be a stray dog or a stray cat? Why?

You’re broke and you sold all your personal belongings, properties and almost all the furniture in your house; but if you could have only one thing that will be left, what would it be: the toilet bowl or the stove? Why?

If you could possess something that has a supernatural ability, what would it be: Harry Potter’s invisible cloak or Thor’s hammer? Why?

If you will be given a role in the movie “The Other Woman”, who would you want to be: The Wife/Husband or the Other Woman/Man? Why?

If you will be transformed to an inanimate object, what would you rather be: an alphabet or a number? Why?

If you were a glass, what would you be: half-full or half-empty? Why?

If you will be a Spokesperson, whose side would you want to defend: Tito Sotto for his plagiarism or Cynthia Villar for her belittling statements. Why?

  

As I wished, hoped and prayed for and though there were only few of us who attended, the Table Topics session was a success. Everyone enjoyed the tickling and tricky questions; plus I got a bonus of being the best segment host for the evening. I must say I had a very good time last night.

Thank you, fellow Toastmasters, and I can’t wait for the next T.T!

Happy stimulating!