a night of poetry and dancing

Division B Toastmasters proved that they are not just good speakers, but good dancers as well. Through the efforts of Division Governor Philip Iledan, ACG, the Toastmasters of Division B enjoyed a night of poetry and dancing and free from the speeches that are normally heard from every Toastmaster activity. The Church of Jesus of the Latter Day Saints in Morayta, Manila once again played host to the event. Attendance was a bit thin during the event but it was understandable since it was a Saturday night and the other Toastmasters probably made other plans. But those in attendance were treated to an event like no other in the Toastmasters calendar of events.





The poetry-reading contest began with Fred Henry Marallag III from the Manila Bay Toastmasters Club. He has proven to be a great speaker and poetry reading must be really a cakewalk for him at this point. Fred was followed by Giselle Tesoro of Silver and White Toastmasters Club. She arrived dressed to kill, with her Chinese-inspired outfit and leather boots. Arlene Cadiz of Managers for Christ Toastmasters Club was third in the contest. Last in the contest but first in the hearts of the judges was Zenaida Beltran of Bayanihan Toastmasters Club. She spoke beautiful Spanish and was driven to tears as she rendered her uber-dramatic poem. Judith Claridades of the Diplomatically Speaking Toastmasters Club hosted the poetry reading contest.

Three pairs participated the dance contest and they all tried their best to move to the sensual dance of tango. Mauri and Tess, Mahdi and Aubrey, and Carlo and Alica moved to the extraordinarily long tango music. The couples were required to finish the song, a feat too great for Mauri and Tess as they couldn’t hold on to the music after five minutes. Immediate Past Division B Governor Fred Castro serenaded the crowd with his well-modulated voice in between the poetry and the dance contests.

Not to be outdone on the dance floor, the Area Governors of Division B showed that they too can strut it out. Area 11 demonstrated the Waltz as Mauri and Tess redeemed themselves from the Tango contest. Area 12 Governor Ed Fabonan showed more than five moves for the Mambo as he paired up with Maharlika President Mely Fernandez.

It was a dance-for-all after that as the other Toastmasters wasted no time in dancing to the available music. Division Governor Philip even partnered with Aida Valles, DTM for a round of Cha-cha, as did Area 15 Governor Dulce Rañosa, Chen Villacorta, Edith Garde, along with the other judges of the dance contest.

Curfew for the Church limited the dancing time of the Toastmasters who were just getting warmed up on the dance floor. Everyone left the venue wanting for more, prompting the Division heads to make the contest an annual event. Congratulations to the winners and see you next year for another night of poetry and dancing!

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