Guest Column
Behind the Sandwich
(Note: Speech delivered by the author during the Division Toastmasters Club Speech competition [International Speech Category] held at Residence Hotel Iloilo City, on December 4, 2006.)
Once upon a time, there was no popular sandwich yet, so one day all the animals in the province of Iloilo were called upon to attend an important meeting. The municipality of Oton was once the seat of government for the islands of Panay, Negros and Romblon so the meeting was held there. It was agreed that all the animals should decide on a very crucial matter.
On the day of the meeting, the monkeys from Calinog and Lambunao arrived first. The sharks from Guimbal and yellow fin tuna from Tigbauan and Estancia surfaced to attend the meeting. Next, came the horses from Passi and Sara, hens from Sta. Barbara and Pavia, snakes from Dingle and Pototan and wild animals from Leon and Tubungan. Even baringon from Barotac raced with milkfish from Dumangas. There were, carabaos and cows from Janiuay and Cabatuan. Finally, pigs, goats, dog, cats and other animals from the different towns as far south as San Joaquin and as far north as Carles came to attend the meeting. Everybody was surprised when the meeting was about to start and the sky suddenly became dark as a flock of bats and big black birds came all the way from Dueñas. They arrived in time for the meeting.
It was a large gathering of animals concerned about putting up a delicious sandwich to be sold to the whole country and for export. The proceeds from this noble project will be used to build a progressive and strong Philippine Republic.
To open the program the presiding officer immediately introduced the purpose of the meeting. He then asked, "Who among you here would volunteer to make the famous sandwich?" Everybody looked at one another. The fowls huddled for a while. Then, they happily cackled as if to announce a very noble suggestion. From the group, the hens from Lucena proudly declared their motion. "Mr. Presiding Officer, we are ready to lay as many eggs as we can and surely we will have a delicious special egg sandwich." There was applause of appreciation. Again the Presiding Officer asked: "How about the others? Is there any reaction?" There was a long silence.
Finally, the tuna and the pig begged to speak . Said both, "Mr. Presiding Officer, we agreed to commit ourselves. We are ready! Get our flesh in order to come up with export quality supreme ham and tuna sandwich."
The group could not believe that both the pig and the tuna would offer their lives just to realize a noble project. Many of them felt ashamed while others remained indifferent. Just like any crowd or audience, some reacted while other remained silent. Some got the noble idea while others failed to understand.
Immediately the presiding officer explained. "I appreciate the hens for their involvement in order to make the delicious and special egg sandwich. It is more blessed to give than to receive. But I value more the sacrifice and commitment offered by the tuna and the pig. They have to offer their lives in order to realize a noble project."
Toastmasters, do you want to be like the hen or act like the tuna and the pig? My dear friends, many of us want to contribute something out of our abundance and sometimes out of compliance. Let us remember, every time we eat a sandwich there is a story of involvement and commitment behind it.
In whatever organization we belong we must have to take a lesson from this story of the sandwich. We have to take a lesson from the animal's story I have just narrated. As officer or member of any organization, group, or club we must be committed to it. In your Toastmasters club, do you regularly attend meetings and deliver your speeches? Do you think it is enough to pay your dues and finish your speech manual projects?
Let us go beyond these things. Let us make our club or organization grow and multiply. In fact we have to actively involve in community projects. Let us think not only of ourselves, not only of our club or group, but also beyond. Every time we have a meeting examine the sandwich being served us. Every time there is a meeting to tackle a project to be done, don't forget the sandwich not as snacks but the story behind it. Are you just involved now in the project or you are really committed to it? Then, do you compare yourself to the hens or to the tuna and the pig?
Fellow Toastmasters, at this point, I cannot give you any sandwich but I would rather that you think of what is behind the story of this sandwich.
In order to make this city, this province and this country great, who are willing to get involved? Who are ready to commit?