The gang from Brunei on a road trip to Sibu (8 hours) and staying over at Premier Hotel, Sibu for two nights. Missing here is our photographer, Reuben.

A road trip to Sibu. There’s always a flight that I could catch to Sibu thru Miri (one hour) or simply go on a road trip if you have tons of hours to spare. I’ve always heard of this town from Sarawak but never had the luxury to visit the town until last weekend. The reason (for the trip) being is toastmasters where we get to learn new things in communication and especially in leadership (motivating and managing conflict).

I have to say it was a great trip and I’m glad I was part of it. I had the chance to expand my network of friends and learning different cultures and experiences. One of the best moments is perhaps where some of them from Sibu will be heading to Brunei in October for the Brunei Conference in October 2016. Sometimes it pays to move forward and be involved in the thick of things.

I shall be posting more about the trip soon but for now, I shall post some pictures. Yes, I haven’t been updating my page for a while but not to worry. I’m still active on social media and hopefully more active on my blog posts 😀 Have a great week, readers!!

The reliable Hyundai H1 carrying 8 of us during the journey. This was a short pitstop at KB Sentral, dining at SugarBun before heading to Miri

The conditions on the road along the way weren’t as favourable and I believe the H1 will need a great service at the workshop 😀 Thanks to drivers – Shawn, Reuben, Allen and Amran

A quick pitstop to sing our hearts out. Pranika slowly getting into the groove of things. More to come.

A surprise anniversary moment for Shawn and Ruey 😀 Happy 11th Anniversary you too

The Eric Clapton lover taking the stage as one of the District Leaders for the Division S’ TLI session last weekend

Group photo with the 90 plus in attendance for the educational workshop

Pamela Vong from Kuching was invited to speak for one of the Mandarin sessions on team building

The very much attentive toastmasters from Sibu

I had 5 minutes to share about the upcoming conference in Brunei and I sold a few tickets along the way 😀

Reuben charming the audience and managed to get selfies after the meeting

Allen Ang stole the show for committing to his commitment as a speaker despite many challenges before the session

After the joint meeting, we had a quick pitstop at Hisham and Lydia’s open house in Sibu. Thanks for your hospitality.

The first joint meeting in Sibu with different areas joining as one

It was good to see you again, Pamela.. See you again in Brunei

Pranika still obsessed with filters on her phone *lol*

 

The anniversary cake from Brunei Speakers’ Club

The members and guest this week’s meeting of Brunei Speakers’ Club

Enjoying the refreshments from BSC

It was meant to be a colourful theme but only a few of us showed up colourful 😀

UBD Toastmasters also celebrated the occasion last Monday

Gary the model for Brunei for the anniversary

Happy 90th anniversary Toastmasters International

 

Have you ever tried to experiment what Philips and Nutella can do? Apparently there are many outcomes you can make out of nutella with Philips products. So in the next five days starting tomorrow (Saturday), you can check out the food sampling with collaboration between Philips and Nutella at Utama Grand Superstore, The Mall.

This initiative was also following up with the momentum of PanaCom the distributor of Philips products where they had an aggressive promotion on “A Bite of Philips” Cooking Championship and now they will want to focus more on promoting health care products of Philips.

The demo has been ongoing for Philips Air Fryer and the best part about using the Air Fryer is that it doesn’t require any oil which is great for those who are health conscious. Philips also carry this slogan “ A healthy breakfast and meals always start with Philips”.

There will be 12 recipes to be demoed and shared to the public on what the Philips Air Fryer can do especially with Nutella hazelnut spread. Interesting, right? And this is ideal especially for food e-vendors who are doing their food business online through means of social media.

The Philips Air Fryer can prepare dishes such as sandwiches, muffins, cakes and even pizza.. Yes, Pizza.. and the demonstration will show how this works with the recipe of Nutella.

Present during the press conference was Angus Nio, General Manager of PanaCom (Philips), Mark Su, Product Executive of Handsome Enterprise (Nutella) and Erin Koh, Manager of Hardline/Merchandiser, Utama Grand.

So do check out the special promotion (five free gifts when you purchase the Philips Air Fryer) and demonstration and today is the LAST DAY at Utama Grand Superstore and do try their food sampling and what Philips Air Fryer can do.

Erin Koh, Manager of Hardline/Merchandiser, Utama Grand, Angus Nio, General Manager of PanaCom (Philips) and Mark Su, Product Executive of Handsome Enterprise (Nutella)

Making a pastry with nutella product using the Philips Air Fryer

It’s easy to make and prepare

Give it at least 12-15 minutes for it to be baked

And this is how it looks like after 15 minutes

It’s as hard as a cookie and no oil required

Promotional gift – recipe book when you get the Philips Air Fryer

Promotional gift – a cake tray when you get the Philips Air Fryer

Promotional gift – a blu-ray disc when you get the Philips Air Fryer

Promotional gift – a table lamp when you get the Philips Air Fryer

Promotional gift – a mini fridge when you get the Philips Air Fryer

 

Chris Woo being interviewed after the finals of Toastmasters International Speech in Kuala Lumpur two Saturdays ago

Recently, close to two thousand Toastmasters from around the world met at the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. For the first time in its history, Toastmasters International had organised its annual International Convention outside North America. Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through practical hands-on experiences.

More than 30,000 people from 126 countries compete each year in the prestigious and soul-stirring World Championship of Public Speaking. Chris Woo has reached this milestone by reaching the finals of the World Championship of Public Speaking. He is the first Toastmaster from Brunei Darussalam as well as from Toastmasters’ district 87 (which consists of Brunei Darussalam, East Malaysia and Indonesia) to reach the semi-finals of the contest. His speech entitled, ‘Listen’ took the stage and Chris Woo prevailed in one of nine semi-final rounds and competed as a finalist in the World Championship of Public Speaking. Criteria used in judging includes speech content, originality, organization, voice quality and body language.

Chris Woo, representing Brunei Darussalam and Toastmasters’ district 87 received standing ovations for his heart-felt speech in the finals. After several months of elimination process through club, area, district and semi-final competitions, Chris Woo is the first Toastmaster in Brunei Darussalam and District 87 to compete in the World Championship of Public Speaking.

Toastmasters from Brunei Darussalam have also participated in the convention to learn from world class public speakers, and network with like-minded people. One of the keynote speakers, Robin Sieger, a former Head of Development at BBC Television and the author of the best-selling book ‘Natural Born Winners’, shared with everyone how people can create true success in life. Other prestigious international speakers were Jana Barnhill, Mark Brown, Douglas Kruger, Lance Miller, Florian Mueck and Rory Vaden, who have all established well-renowned careers in leading and inspiring people.

The annual Toastmasters International Convention in Kuala Lumpur have inspired all who attended to become better public speakers and leaders in today’s world. For further information on Toastmasters in Brunei Darussalam, please visit www.bruneispeakersclub.com. Press courtesy of Brunei Speakers Club.

My experience: It was such a great exposure for me even as a spectator, to see people expressing their thoughts and sharing meaningful stories with conviction and enthusiasm. I’ve learnt so much about public speaking and we just don’t simply say it, we have to deliver in an impactful way to get the message across. I always thought that I can speak quite well in public but I realised that there is so much to learn and I’m still far behind on being a proficient speaker. This can be learned and it takes practice, practice and more practice.

The Toastmasters International Convention 2014 meet in KL was definitely worth the trip and I doubt it will make to Asia again as it is usually held in North America. And of course, most of the toastmasters from Brunei came to support our very own toastmaster Chris Woo whom I look up to as a role model for public speaking. His spontaneity and vocal variety, to me, are his strength and whenever he speaks, he is able to to draw the audience to his attention.

Of course, the other great part about the trip was the closer bond that we had among Brunei toastmasters from Brunei Speakers’ Club, Otters Club (Seria) and Brunei Advanced Speakers’ Club. Around 17 of us traveled to Kuala Lumpur to attend the convention. Thank you, peeps, for everything and this experience lists in my top ten of 2014. Awesome!!!

District 87 where our country Brunei is part of it. Other countries sharing the same district are Indonesia and East Malaysia.

Ladies represent

I’m proud of you dude for making to the semi-finals but for you to win the semi-finals was simply amazing!!

Seng Yee and I supporting Chris Woo during the finals of the International Speech Contest

Will I be up here one day? *lol* Keep dreaming, Rano

One of the speakers, Rory Vadan that made a huge impact with three words – Take the Stairs

Representing District 87 and it was nice to see you again, Fern

Zainal, Hazwan and I had fun during the Toastmasters International Convention 2014

I was honoured to play the timer role at Maxis Toastmasters Club

Tons of Toastmasters International goodies and merchandise on sale at Kuala Lumpur

Hmmmm… I realised how easy it was to buy the pin badges of Toastmasters

Girl bonding in Kuala Lumpur

The backbone of Toastmasters from Brunei and Brunei Speakers’ Club

Chris Woo as a special guest at Elizabeth’s Timeout with Liz 1st anniversary show last Saturday

Now you might be wondering how to be part of toastmasters – an avenue where you enrich your speaking skills and building up the confidence in you. I was a former member of Brunei Speakers’ Club back in 2011 and I only lasted a few months before disappearing and this year, I have made a comeback and one reason is to contribute, to contribute my knowledge and experience to other members and guests and also to learn from the members and guests during our weekly meetings at Seameo Voctech (Tuesday evenings).

Brunei Speakers’ Club is a great avenue to learn all these tools of being a public speaker and it’s the best place to start because the community is quite allowing and welcoming. There are no judgment (only positive criticism) and we are able to grow faster through encouragement and experience. I have always have concerned about showing my weaknesses as a speaker because I don’t like to be analysed or being advised on what I should improve. Well, that was my ego speaking for a long time and it’s never easy to break that wall. Now I’ve embraced my weakness and I can only go upwards from here. A big thanks for Seng Yee for that minor push and also to the other members of BSC. My vision is here to contribute in any possible means (doesn’t have to be monetary) to make a difference and this is one channel where I believe you can benefit as well.

If you want to know more about toastmasters, you can drop me a message here or you can email me directly if you shy to ask them ranoadidas(8)gmail and of course, you can check out their Facebook Page and also their main website which have updates on weekly meetings so you will be able to get that feel. I can guarantee you that you will have a great time during the meetings and I have also invited a few of my friends to show up for the meeting. You are more than welcome to come as a guest and it starts every Tuesday from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at Seameo Voctech (Gadong). I shall be there tomorrow evening too 😀

Last Tuesday’s meeting at Seameo Voctech for Brunei Speakers’ Club. You are more than welcomed to be part as a guest to learn observe and learn 😀

Chris Woo and Shawn Narcis having a laugh

I finally did my second prepared speech and it was about my journey as a toastmasters 😀

Ching is a great supporter of our club and he is an executive committee for Otters Club

It’s not just about learning but we also can have some fun along the way

Gary (in blue) given a task during Table Topics

A great environment to be at

Clovis Lai, the man that made it possible for Brunei Speakers’ Club

Stuart Lee, the President of Brunei Advanced Speakers’ Club, contributing continuously to BSC

Seng Yee playing the role as General Evaluator

Standing ovation for Chris from the members and guests on his achievements at Toastmasters International Speech Contest in Kuala Lumpur recently