Photo by: Noraisah Lao
 
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia –Nine years after the successful foundation of the Computer Society of Filipinos International, Inc, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Society in its unstinting effort and unrelenting  commitment  to  enhance and develop the leadership and speaking capabilities of its members , had organized a Toastmaster’s group that would cater to the needs  and serve as the Speaker’s Buearu of the Society – The Toastmaster’s Club of Comsofil or simply known to the Society  as the “Toast of Comsofil”.
 
With the span of nine years, since the Toast of Comsofil was organized many active Filipino  community leaders, students, teachers, volunteer IT specialists,  instructors have been trained  and benefited from its program who now became great speakers and well known leaders within the Filipino community as well as within their respective works and fields of  endeavours.

Marking its 9th year anniversary, the Toast of Comsofil celebrated its founding day with a simple ceremonies held at the La Sani Restaurant recently. Among the highlights of the 3-part program was the Discharging of the Outgoing TOC Officers conducted by TM Romwald Miranda and the Induction of the new set of TOC Officers for the 1st Term PY 2010. The ceremony commenced with the singing of the National Anthem led by TM Norma Noble and the solemn Invocation led by TM Marilyn Costuna, CC/CL. The recitation of the Toastmaster’s Motto was recited by Sgt.-at-Arms Joseph Valenzuela and the Opening/Welcome Remarks by VP for Education Danilo Tenerefi, ACB/ALB. VP for Public Relations Fe Alvarado introduced the Guest Speaker.

Philippine Embassy’s Cultural Attache Rosario “Rose” G. Malicse was the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the anniversary celebration.  Malicse congratulated all the outgoing officers for their exemplary services and for the job well done.  In her inspirational message she quoted the famous American Church leader Martin Luther King, Jr.: “We have learned to fly the air like birds, and swim the seas like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers”. Malicse said. She added that the message  centers in unity and cooperation, which according to her is the secret to every organization’s success.
 
Malicse in her message also lauded the COMSOFIL’s leadership for the  continued achievements and organizational progress in uplifting the lives of OFWs, “...for the past years the Embassy is a witness to your group’s  exceptional undertakings.  We are also aware of the progress and achievements your organization has made and the very important part it has played in the lives of  our OFWs in the Kingdom .  This is the primary reason why the Embassy did not think twice in endorsing COMSOFIL’s  nomination to the biennial for the 2010 Presidential Awards for Filipino Organizations Overseas”, Malicse said.
 
The new set of Officers was  Inducted into Office by Past Area 1  Governor  Enrico Abad, ACG/OCL for the PY 2010 for Second Term were Jovett Lopez- PY 2010 2^ND Term  President, Danilo Tenerefi-VP for Education, Laureano Ortega-VP Membership, Fe Alvarado-VP Public Relations, Marilou Desiderio-Secretary, Rodolfo “Rod”Ganzon-Treasurer, Joseph “Erap” Valenzuela-Sgt.-at-Arms and Nestor Galang-Parliamentarian. Also inducted as new TOC members were Joseph Valenzuela, Fe Alvarado, Marilou Desiderio, Richard Virtudazo, Janice Pradilla, Steve Marcial, Mohammad Akram and Farooq Ahmed.
 
The theme of this year’s anniversary celebration is “TOC Rising: An Era of Service and Success.”.
 
The momentous anniversary celebration was  attended by the COMSOFIL Board of Trustees and  2010 Executive Officers and Board Directors as well as with the full support of the various Toastmasters Club in Riyadh, namely the PRTC, RTM, Budget TM and SDTM.
 
Outgoing TOC President Jayanta K. Mog, ACG/OCL and Area I Governor delivered his President’s Achievement Report for 2009-2010 while, the acceptance speech was delivered by TOC newly elected President for  PY 2010, 2^ND Term by  Jovett Lopez. The Discharging of Outgoing Officers was conducted by Romwald Miranda, ACG/OCL.  Closing remarks was delivered by this year’s Triple Crown Awardee Jorge Nathaniel Amores, ACG/ALB, Parliamentarian.

Governor Abraham Daniels, Division A Governor, Alfredo Muga, Jr., COMSOFIL Board of Trustees and COMSOFIL President Salvador ”Buddy” Villalino delivered their Congratulatory Messages. Awarding of Certificates and Plaque of Appreciation were handed over to the awardees and lucky recipients by TOC President assisted by VP for Education, Division Governor and Area I Governor. Masters of ceremonies were TM Ramon Austria and TM Irfraleen Fuentes-Amores.
 
Toast of Comsofil’s  has played a siginificant role in the Society,  wherein   students in all  COMSOFIL Cluster Courses,   were provided with free Speechcraft Training Sessions.  During the  6-8 week scheduled sessions students were trained with the basics of public speaking and leadership training.  After completion each students were given a certificate of completion and a letter of recommendation to their respective employer.
 
This year, TOC in its continuing commitment in the community service started  with a joint Youth Leadership project  with the PICPA Riyadh Toastmaster’s Club which were headed by TM Jorge Nathaniel Amores and TM Roi Ontiveros for the Palm Crest International School (PCIS).  A total of 78 students from Grades 8 and Grades 10 respectively finished the leadership training course.
 
In February 2010, TOC conducted a Speechcraft training program for the COMSOFIL Cluster students.  In March 2010, it was a grand success during the Induction Ceremony for the 2^nd term program year 2009-2010 where there are many plaques of appreciations and certificates were awarded to achievers.   In the same month, TOC achieved a Talk up Toastmasters Award from Toastmasters International by adding five new members in February and March 2010.
 
During the month of February 2010, Division A decided to issue a quarterly newsletter in 2010 and Area 1 had been chosen to be the first to publish.  TOC got the chance to design and produce the very first newsletter with President TM Jovett Lopez named the newsletter “The Communique”as the editor and designer.
 
In the month of May, 2010, TOC President  Jayanta K. Mog’s achievements in 2009 as the recepient for the Triple Crown Award winner in the whole District 79 was highlighted and featured  in the SAUDI GAZETTE’S “Expat Life”Column written  by this column writer.
 
In June 2010, TOC achieved for the first time in TOC History since the club started in 2001, the “Beat the Clock Award”. In the same month, Jayanta K. Mog was elected as the Area I Governor for the program year 2010-2011.
 
 In its unstinting quest for  excellence and in achieving its lofty mission-vision, the Toast of COMSOFIL  during the PY 2009-2010, were able to successfully obtain the following awards which had added another feathers on its cap for receiving 5 additional ribbons to the banner in just six months. These awards are as follows: President’s Distinguished Club Award (DCP 10 OF 10 Points), Talk Up Toastmasters Award (by adding 5 new members during months of February and March), Talk of Town PR Magnum Award (the best article in District 79 during the District Annual Conference 2010 in Kuwait), Beat the Clock Award (by adding additional 5 new members during May and June) and Area Governor’s Home Club Award.
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