My First Speaking Engagement at West Visayas State University-Lambunao Campus

 My First Speaking Engagement at West Visayas State University-Lambunao Campus

I’ve always considered myself more of a writer than a speaker. My comfort zone is in front of a computer screen, typing away my thoughts and stories, rather than standing before a crowd. But when my friend Ma'am Reyie, a fellow Librarian at West Visayas State University-Lambunao Campus (WVSU-Lambunao), reached out to invite me to speak at their convocation program for National Reading Month and National Book Week, I found myself facing a difficult decision.

At first, I hesitated. Public speaking was never my thing, and I had serious stage fright. The idea of standing in front of an audience and sharing my journey as a writer felt daunting. But I couldn’t say no to a friend, especially one who had faith in me, and I realized this could be a perfect opportunity to face my fears head-on. Plus, what better way to share my passion for writing than by speaking about it in front of aspiring students?

So, I said yes.

The Journey to WVSU-Lambunao

I traveled from Roxas City to Iloilo for the event, which in itself was an adventure. I took a Ceres bus heading to Tapaz, but it didn’t pass by Bangga Inas, so I had to drop off at Barangay Switch and take another bus towards Iloilo. The fare was affordable, and I was relieved I didn’t get lost. It was my first time traveling to that part of Iloilo, and even though it was already dark by the time I arrived, I managed to find my way.

When I finally met Ma'am Reyie, we took a motorcycle ride to WVSU-CAF, where the event was to be held. After about 30 minutes, we arrived at the campus. The place was tranquil and beautiful, with lots of trees, cottages for staff, and dormitories for students. There were even fruit trees and various plants around—perfect for a campus offering Agriculture courses. It was a peaceful, nature-filled environment that made me feel instantly at ease.

After catching up with Ma'am Reyie and chatting about life (and a little gossip), we went to sleep early to prepare for the program the next day.

The Morning of the Event

Monday morning arrived, and I felt the familiar nerves creeping in. With just an hour left before the program, we made a quick stop at the campus library to print out my “kodigo” (notes). My heart raced with every beat. I wasn’t sure how things would go. The thought of stuttering or forgetting my words filled me with anxiety, but I had to calm myself down.

As we arrived at the venue, I was warmly greeted by the students and faculty, which helped ease my nervousness. They were all so kind and welcoming. I also had the chance to meet Dr. Joel Araquil, the campus administrator, who was incredibly approachable and it was his birthday that day. What a way to start the day indeed.

The program kicked off with the flag ceremony, and soon enough, it was my turn.

Facing the Crowd

When I stood up to speak, I felt my hands tremble, and my voice shook. But I tried my best to remain composed, reminding myself that this was an opportunity to share something meaningful. I glanced at my notes, then looked at the audience, and started sharing my thoughts.

I spoke in English and Hiligaynon to connect better with the audience, telling them about my writing journey—how it all started, the challenges I faced, and where I was today. I even added a few jokes here and there to lighten the mood and make the talk more engaging. I also shared how writing has allowed me to earn money and how it has opened doors for me, both personally and professionally.

I could feel my nerves subsiding as I continued. By the time I finished my presentation, I had managed to calm my shaking hands and voice. But as I answered the students' and faculty's questions afterward, I started to feel the pressure again. Some of the answers I gave weren’t as precise as I would have liked. My mind went blank a few times, and I was worried I wasn’t giving them the answers they were hoping for. I wasn’t sure if my words had really made an impact.

Still, as the program concluded, I couldn’t help but feel proud of myself. My first speaking engagement was a success, not because everything went perfectly, but because I had taken a leap of faith and faced my fears. And, hopefully, I had inspired others to pursue writing in their own lives.

Reflecting on the Experience

As I sat in the van on my way back, waiting for passengers to fill the seats (a surprisingly long wait of almost three hours!), I reflected on the experience. I realized I still had so much more to share, so many more questions I could’ve answered, and so much more to say. But in that moment, I understood something important: sometimes, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up and sharing what you know, even if you’re not sure how it will be received.

Overall, I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak at WVSU-Lambunao. It was a rewarding experience that helped me grow as both a writer and a person. I am thankful to Ma'am Reyie for believing in me and for giving me the chance to share my story. And I hope that, despite my nerves, I was able to inspire at least one person in the audience to pick up a pen and start writing. Also, I am very thankful to my UA-TLMC heads for allowing me to attend. 

It’s just the beginning for me. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.

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Lessons Learned from My First Speaking Engagement

1. Face Your Fears
   I almost said no because of my stage fright, but saying yes turned out to be the best decision. Facing your fears head-on is the only way to overcome them.

2. Preparation is Key
   Having a kodigo (cheat sheet) to refer to helped me stay focused and organized during my talk. Always be prepared, especially when you’re nervous.

3. The Audience Wants to Hear From You
   Despite my doubts, the students and faculty were genuinely interested in my story. It’s easy to think we’re not “good enough,” but everyone has a unique perspective to share.

4. You Don’t Have to Be Perfect
   The most important thing is to be genuine. If you stumble or forget words, it’s okay. What matters is that you show up and speak from the heart.

I look forward to more opportunities to share my writing journey. After all, every story has the power to inspire.