MANILA, Philippines – A Filipina student brought home the grand prize for the International Public Speaking Competition hosted by the English-Speaking Union in London, United Kingdom last May 14-18.
Jazmin Tan Jabines beat more than 50 contestants all over the world to become the grand champion in the international public speaking contest. The junior Business major from the University of the Philippines Diliman, spoke about the struggles of Overseas Filipino Workers and the family they left behind.
During the final round, Jabines competed with representatives from China, Hong Kong, USA, Estonia, Lebanon, and South Korea. Following the theme, “The only way to predict the future, is to invent it,” they were to present their own speeches within 5 minutes.
Jabines winning piece was an emotional account of how her aunt, an OFW arrived in the country. The impressive speaker shared how technology built a bridge for her aunt and for the rest of their family left behind. She said, “The stories of our overseas Filipino workers aren’t just stories of success. They are also stories of invention, of finding new ways to succeed.”
She added, “We can’t change circumstance, but we can predict the future of our families by inventing it. We pick up the pieces they’ve left behind, and invent a new kind of dream for ourselves and for them.”
During the question and answer portion of the contest, the Filipina speaker was asked on her stand on the patriotism of our OFWs and whether or not they should stay in the country. Jabines replied, “It’s unfair to demand for these people to stay when there is an absence of economic opportunities, which they can find elsewhere.”
She also added that OFWs remain to be patriotic even if they are anywhere else in the world since they find ways to celebrate parts of their culture.
The Chair of the Judges at the final round, Alan Johnson addressed the contestants and praised them for their “eloquence, confidence and intelligence.” He called them some of the world’s “future leaders.”
The International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC)
Now on it’s 38th year, the International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) is the largest public speaking competition in the world, involving over 600,000 young people in more than 50 countries.
Jabines’ win broke the Philippines’ 10-year drought in the competition. She was the third Filipino to bring home the coveted top prize. Gian Karlo Dapul won back in 2008 while award-winning journalist Patricia Evangelista won in 2004.
— Sally, The Summit Express
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| Jazmin Jabines won grand prize in the International Public Speaking contest | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/University of the Philippines |
Jazmin Tan Jabines beat more than 50 contestants all over the world to become the grand champion in the international public speaking contest. The junior Business major from the University of the Philippines Diliman, spoke about the struggles of Overseas Filipino Workers and the family they left behind.
During the final round, Jabines competed with representatives from China, Hong Kong, USA, Estonia, Lebanon, and South Korea. Following the theme, “The only way to predict the future, is to invent it,” they were to present their own speeches within 5 minutes.
Jabines winning piece was an emotional account of how her aunt, an OFW arrived in the country. The impressive speaker shared how technology built a bridge for her aunt and for the rest of their family left behind. She said, “The stories of our overseas Filipino workers aren’t just stories of success. They are also stories of invention, of finding new ways to succeed.”
She added, “We can’t change circumstance, but we can predict the future of our families by inventing it. We pick up the pieces they’ve left behind, and invent a new kind of dream for ourselves and for them.”
During the question and answer portion of the contest, the Filipina speaker was asked on her stand on the patriotism of our OFWs and whether or not they should stay in the country. Jabines replied, “It’s unfair to demand for these people to stay when there is an absence of economic opportunities, which they can find elsewhere.”
She also added that OFWs remain to be patriotic even if they are anywhere else in the world since they find ways to celebrate parts of their culture.
The Chair of the Judges at the final round, Alan Johnson addressed the contestants and praised them for their “eloquence, confidence and intelligence.” He called them some of the world’s “future leaders.”
The International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC)
Now on it’s 38th year, the International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) is the largest public speaking competition in the world, involving over 600,000 young people in more than 50 countries.
Jabines’ win broke the Philippines’ 10-year drought in the competition. She was the third Filipino to bring home the coveted top prize. Gian Karlo Dapul won back in 2008 while award-winning journalist Patricia Evangelista won in 2004.
— Sally, The Summit Express
