Good evening, Toastmasters and fellow guests,

Tonight, I’d like to share a personal story about faith, hope, and love. It was April of 1988 when I graduated from high school and came to the US with my mother. Like many of us, I had big dreams of success, marriage, and a wonderful life.

Throughout my life, I’ve been inspired by sports legends like Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Franz Beckenbauer. Their style, dominance, and leadership on the field or court were remarkable. But they also became inspirations off the field by overcoming adversity and challenges, like when Magic announced his retirement after being diagnosed with HIV in 1991.

Growing up, my brother and I were constantly competing, from board games to sports. But when he got married before me, I felt a twinge of sibling rivalry. At his wedding in the Philippines, I was nervous about making my speech. I may have stumbled a bit, mentioning my brother’s ex-girlfriends, but I managed to end with a heartfelt wish for him and his new wife to cherish and love each other. It brought the crowd to their feet, but mostly in an “aww” kind of way!

My marriage lasted six years and ended in 2013, but I was blessed with two boys. They remind me of the similarities between me and my brother. My hobby of photography allows me to capture moments of people falling in love and reminds me of my parent’s wedding album, displaying a perfect couple and their story of love.

In my interviews with companies, I’m often asked about my goals. First, I want to complete certification exams related to my new job. Second, I want to place God at the center of my life to guide me toward my decisions. And third, I want to overcome my fear of public speaking. My eldest son inspired me to face my fear after demonstrating a martial arts move and speaking to a group. I realized that I could be inspired by my own son and face my own fears.

Thank you for listening to my story of faith, hope, and love.