Toastmaster to represent Asia

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta toastmaster, Rene C. de Jesus, will represent Asia in the International Regional Speech Competition in New Orleans, U.S., on Aug. 19.

De Jesus earned the right to compete in the regional final by winning the Pan Southeast Asia District Championship in Johor, Malaysia on June 1 .

It was the first time in the history of toastmasters an Indonesian has won the ASEAN final.

Speaking Thursday night at Innovators Toastmasters, Rene said he was delighted with the victory.

"When they announced I had won, the whole Indonesian delegation erupted," he said.

"I feel very proud to have won for Indonesia."

With his speech titled "The Power of Unconditional Love", de Jesus defeated speakers from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

It is the first time the Southeast Asia district has qualified to send its champion to the U.S. regional finals.

If de Jesus wins the regional final, he will compete in the World Championship Speech Finals, also to be held in New Orleans, one week later.

De Jesus has been a member of Toastmasters for a year and a half and will be the next president of the Jakarta Toastmasters Club. (Paul Franks)