What better way to come back to writing than to have a looking back at the year that was 2024.
This year was quite a big one. It was challenging, a wild rollercoaster ride, and a marathon that seemed to stretch beyond the 42K mark. But hey, we’re already at the end of it. “Yo, Adrian, we did it!”
Since we’re already running late, let’s get on with it. Shall we?
For a timid individual such as I am, I’m not fond of having the spotlight turned at me. The stage would be something on the top of the “Things I’m Scared of” list. The top spot still belongs to the Lady Gaga Illuminati Conspiracy. Coming in for a close second spot is the Paul Is Dead Conspiracy. Is it safe to say I’m a believer of conspiracy theories?
Going back, what made that year different were the times I pushed myself outside the box. The man who was afraid of the spotlight went on to different speaking engagements and actually said things that matter.
It was never on my listed plans for that year to speak to a group, even a mixed group of professionals. But hey, that year was complicated. That year was different. That year was unusual, but good, nonetheless.
The first one back in January (MEPF Town Hall), I was a designated speaker on a refresher talk for my then-group, under Construction MEPF. Not bad for ta first time, and in fact, I was just a replacement being that the first speaker was my then-mentor who was not able to attend the refresher talk. He had to leave for a management-initiated level improvement. And I must say, it worked out well for the both of us.
Honestly speaking, the topic was new to me, and not necessarily my niche but learning’s fun. And as I spoke, I also learned. I went on to do the same talk again to the same group albeit with new members in September for another round of Town Hall.
The second and third quarter of that year focused on further developing my public speaking skillset. I was enlisted on various Learning & Development talks focusing on various topics that would supposedly help me improve in my field. However, what I really got on those talks was the art of public speaking itself. Being that there were different topics, there were also different speakers which meant different approaches and methods were handed out to us.
As months passed, I didn’t essentially think that I would be putting such learnings to practice. Not until my lateral movement was finally effective. And I guess that would warrant a story separate from this.
In the last quarter of that year, I transferred to another department. The transfer was highly evident being that from doing field work on site, I would now be seated on a third-floor office space, facing my laptop most of the time.
This was when I heard the wonderful news that I would be one of the speakers on another series of Learning & Development talks. A few months before, I was just one of the audience. By this time, I would be a part of what they would call Learning Advocates.
The experience was surreal. I was new to the team, and to the department. But with what I had, the team trusted that I would be capable of doing a three-day talk involving participants from a wide range linked to the Construction Department – which I was previously a part of.
A quick side trip outside the office led me to another public speaking event, though quite toned down a bit. I was tasked along with other members of our department to provide assistance on the educational advocacy of a private NGO in Valenzuela City. We had the chance of teaching elementary level subjects to 200 students (ranging from Grades 2 to 6). I got the chance to talk about History – something that could be found on my bucket list being that I had been a Rizal fan boy and to be honest, I just wanted to talk about Rizal, Bonifacio, and the whole bunch. I could’ve spoken for a whole hour about it.
Jumping to December, it was a
bit unplanned and unexpected, but I got my first hosting gig. I got to host, together
with two other friends, the year-end party of the project site I was a part of
for the past three years. The project had reached its RFO status this December
and we all just wanted to give back and look back to the past five years which
the project had run. It was one emotional night for everyone involved, from the
top-level managers down to the staffs and crew of workforce that provided help
to the project.
The cherry on top of that final event was that my significant other was there to witness me goof on stage, with all my unnecessary hand movements, awkward swaying, and carefree touching of phones. Yes, I'm glad she was there to witness that final curtain call.
One last note, I was also under the shadow of alcohol.
Instead of imagining my audience naked, as notable speakers would say, I imagined myself naked. Thanks, free-flowing alcohol.
