NDEA MEET EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECH 2012

Notre Dame Educational Association Meet 2012

NDEA Meet 2012

Venue: Notre Dame of Kidapawan College, Kidapawan City

October 18-20, 2012

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING COMPETITION

It was still fresh in my mind when our school, Notre Dame of Dadiangas University had initiated a screening for NDEA and PRISAA Extemporaneous Speaking Competition. Nervousness was all I felt during that time when I joined the said screening. Majority of the school's best debaters and speakers were present during that day. I was quite pessimistic that I will be chosen, for I am not that good when it comes to speech competition. However, after a week, I was really amazed when the moderator of the Honors Society, Dr. Jose Dagoc Jr. approached me and told me that I was the one luckily chosen to represent our university for the forth coming competitions. I was really happy yet nervous for what would happen next in this another journey of my academic life.

I spent my semestral break in our school training for the NDEA Extemporaneous speaking event. I was very fortunate that the school had given me four of the best speech trainers in the university to enhance the way I deliver my speech. They were Ms. Ersweetcel Servano, MAEd, Ms. Ivy Vallejo, Sr. Cynthia Triumfante SMSM and Dr. Jose Dagoc Jr. All that I though during my training days was to improve everything in me. I was just so blessed that I was not only molded to become a good speaker but I was also transformed into becoming a much optimistic and persistent competitor. I did not waste any spare time. I indulged myself to trainings and from time to time, I felt really glad when my trainers told me that I am really improving.

A week passed and my nerves were really panicking. I did not know what to do with my aching neck due to hypertension. Maybe, that was due to stressed nights that I was not able to sleep tight due to discomfort and worries for the forth coming competition. i started to worry because every time I heard credits to previous contestants, I really felt pressure on my side. Yet, I never let it melt me down. 

The Power of Visioning

One of my trainers introduced to the NDDU Academic contestants the power of visioning. Visioning is like self reflection wherein you try to visualize the things you want to happen in the future. Well, I tried it out thinking that it might be effective. I was just so stuck on this routine that every morning, I did this before standing off from my bed. I closed eyes, thinking the presence of God. I thought of the things that I wanted to happen during the competition. I imagined myself speaking fluently in front of the crowd, convincing every people listening to me. I imagined the board of judges nodding and affirming to every words I utter. I imagined that after the contest, my coaches and fellow Dameans would jump off from their seats, so glad to hear that I won it. This routine helped me a lot in boosting up my confidence and optimism. It also intensified my faith to God and to myself.

This is it!

It was almost a three hour trip going to Kidapawan City. While on the bus, as I was seated with my coach, Sr. Cynthia, I just spent the whole time enjoying the pleasure of music and watching a video on board all about Pasungay Festival where carabaos fight. Later then I noticed that my eyes started to itch due to the Bonamin I took before the trip, considering the fact that I am allergy to some of the common medicines. I just took a nap and when I woke up, I found out that we were already heading our way to Datu Paglas, Maguindanao. Few more kilometers and we reached the beautiful city of Kidapawan. At last, we reached our destination, the Notre Dame of Kidapawan College. We moved out from the bus exhausted and sought for a true bed sleep. We fetched our stuffs in our quarters. We roamed for a while around the campus vicinity and later, the lunch was served. After the lunch, we attended the Eucharistic celebration joined by the participating Notre Dame schools: Notre Dame of Marbel University, Notre Dame of Midasayap College, Notre Dame University, Notre Dame- RVMCC, Notre Dame of Salaman College, Notre Dame Siena College of Polomolok, Notre Dame of Tacurong College, Notre Dame of Jolo College and Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (the host school). Everybody greeted each other with a blazing spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship.

October 19, 2012

The second day of our stay was truly the day which made me nervous. This was the day of my contest. Early in the morning, I'm back again with my visioning while on my bed. While other students were busy racing on their way to the bathroom, I was just so relaxed lying on my bed mat waiting for the others to wake up. I too my bath and paved my way to the eating hall where everybody seemed to fill their tummies with food since this was the first day of contests both sports and academics. I was also very excited for the morning event was Quizbowl. We went to the gymnasium and witnessed the Quiz Bee. Unfortunately, our team bagged the 4th place. Yet, this was already a big reward for the team who did their very best to earn high points. After it, I went directly to our quarters and started to feel butterflies in my tummy. I became so nervous that I could not even understand my real feeling. Everything went so smoothly until we ate our lunch. After it, I fixed myself and changed my clothes into a suit. I wore a yellow long sleeve with a golden tie paired with a black coat. I was set and we heed our way to the gym. As I entered in the gym, I felt the aura of nervousness and discomfort from my fellow contingents. I saw in their eyes the gloomy spark of uneasiness. After a couple of minutes, we were isolated in a Nursing Laboratory. The coldness of the room intensified our nervousness. All of us shared the same feelings. One by one, we were called to answer the question. I was contestant number 8. I was hoping that I will be lucky for number 8 is a lucky number. "Next!" I heard from the doorway,I stood up from my seat and took a deep breath.. As I entered into the venue, I was shocked of the numerous people watching our event. I walked through the center aisle as I took a glimpse to team NDDU who were smiling at me, giving me another thrust of encouragement. I reached the stage and faced the crowd. Thu emcee then read the question, " How can you reciprocate the good things that your school has done to make you a good person?" I was given a 3 minute preparation time. But within this time range, 2 minutes were spent to a complete mental drought when I could not think of any answer. Then the last drop of time triggered my adrenaline and made me think of a bright idea and style to answer the said question. I went before the microphone and I started to greet the people. Actually, there were only two points which I tackled in my answer. First, I can reciprocate the good things that my school has done to make me a good person  by taking active and full participation in every activity that our school will initiate may it be stressing  the cognitive, affective or psychomotor aspect of learning and second, I promise that after i will graduate from our school, I will work in NDDU not just as a competent professional but also an individual who will deliver quality, transformative and holistic education.

I saw my coach and Maam Esteva smile. I felt relieved after my answer and relaxed every tensed muscles I had. After it, I felt numb. I felt only my hands shaking. After a few minutes, the results were delivered. The emcee the announced, the CHAMPION for NDEA Meet 2012 Extempo Speaking is Maico Demi Aperocho from Notre Dame of Dadiangas University!

I was shocked and happy. I can't explain what I felt during that time. All that in my mind is to text my parents that I was declared the Champion. After it, I said to myself, "SEE? I MADE IT!" Thank you so much to God Almighty for His guidance and enlightenment, to my NDDU family and to my ever supportive Mama and Papa.

My next mission- PRISAA 2012 Extempo Speaking this coming December 1, 2012! Wish me luck guys!

:D