Imagine this: two people are chatting, then suddenly, one pulls out his phone—not to reply to a message or take a call, but to ask ChatGPT something that only requires basic human connection or social intuition. It’s not rocket science, just simple, everyday question.
It was in this frame of mind that I chose to attend the three-day District Conference of Toastmasters Philippines. My motivation was rooted in fear, yet it carried a truth: in today’s world, AI can either amplify or debilitate human intelligence—most critically, our communication skills.
Toastmasters Philippines (District 75)
Founded in 1924, Toastmasters International has continually empowered individuals to become more effective leaders and communicators. As a non-profit educational organization, it helps members enhance their communication, public speaking, and leadership skills through a global network of local clubs. These clubs provide a supportive “learn-by-doing” environment where members practice speeches and receive constructive feedback. [1]
Under its umbrella, District 75 (Toastmasters Philippines) was established in 1952—the first in Asia to host a Toastmasters Club.[2]
District Conference 2026
Each year, clubs from across the country gather for the nationwide District Conference (DisCon), a venue for learning, growth, and selecting the Philippines’ representative to the annual International Toastmasters speech contest.
This year’s DisCon featured several educational sessions on leadership and communication, interspersed with the speech contests. And because the ultimate goal of public speaking is human connection, one of the highlights was the socials nights, where members had the chance to network and build meaningful relationships.
Held in the Culinary Capital of the Philippines—the City of Pampanga—this year’s conference, themed “Grow Above and Beyond,” proved to be especially engaging.
“Mekeni, tuki ka,” Kapampangan for “Come, join us!” served as the inviting tagline of the event. About a hundred Toastmasters from diverse organizations and regions across the Philippines attended the three-day gathering at Royce Hotel and Casino, Mabalacat, Pampanga.
Attending the District Conference was a one‑of‑a‑kind opportunity, made possible through the generous sponsorship of our company, UHY M.L. Aguirre & Co., CPAs.
Together with Mr. Dondon “Dino” Sison—a partner at our firm—and Ms. Cleomelia “Kim” Engcoy—our business development officer and president of the Executive Toastmasters Makati Club—I savored every moment of the experience as a first‑timer.
From the speeches and educational sessions to the socials, and even the Kapampangan dishes served during the event, every detail left a lasting impression.
Learnings
Listening to the speech contests—four in all: Table Topics (impromptu), Evaluation, Humorous, and International (prepared)—was both entertaining and educational. I sat riveted, awed by the power of great speeches delivered live.
What struck me most was the common thread among the winners: simplicity. The winning pieces conveyed complex ideas in clear, everyday language. This reaffirmed a timeless truth—that to be a great speaker, you don’t need lofty or high‑falutin words; you only need to be understood. For to understand and to be understood is the essence of human connection.
Additionally, the three educational sessions—on crafting a story, leadership in the age of AI, and the power of gestures in public speaking—hit a hard note. Collectively, they offered practical advice on how to speak in a way that gets your message across. The reminder to lead with humanity was especially timely and relevant in our technology‑driven world.
At the socials, I was fortunate to come alongside our club president, who became my bridge to connect and introduce me to people well above my pay grade—book authors, business owners, and successful professionals who have made a name in their chosen fields—yet were very open and generous in sharing their wealth of knowledge.
I was in the right crowd, I thought to myself. Few organizations are like Toastmasters—dedicated to self-improvement in leadership and communication.
For an introvert like me, I also surpassed what once felt like an impossible feat—making friends. The socials gave attendees not only the chance to shake hands and exchange business cards but also to build genuine connections and even lifelong acquaintances.
Take Home Task
I close this write‑up the same way the conference opened—with the keynote’s powerful message: “The goal of life is to find your gift and give it away.”
As a tax advisor, communication is key to ensuring that sound business advice is delivered to clients clearly and effectively. That is my gift—one I am meant to hone and share as a Toastmaster.
The District Conference paved the way for me to realize my goal, as well as for every individual committed to developing their skills in the service of the larger society.
Article written by: Imy Eulin, a tax advisor at UHY M.L. Aguirre & Co., CPAs. You may connect with her through LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/imy-eulin-cpa-ctt.
