By: Franchezka Mae S. Celis
Students of SBCA-SOL learned new approaches to public speaking in a webinar entitled Language of the Masses: A Basic Public Speaking Seminar with Atty. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno last April 30, 2021. Law students from various year levels participated via Zoom in the event hosted by the SBCA-SOL Council of Moot and Debate. The webinar was also livestreamed through the Facebook page of SBCA School of Law Government to cater to a larger audience.
Knowing the importance of having confidence when delivering speeches, Atty. “Chel,” as he is fondly known, talked about techniques in public speaking such as how to first fix one’s mindset so as not to be conquered by anxiety while on stage.
He said that it is easier to transition to a state of excitement from one of anxiousness, rather than to a state of instant calm. Atty. Chel told the online crowd to relabel anxieties when they occur in order to remain composed when speaking publicly. “If you are nervous about an upcoming speech, flip that negative sentence you were gonna tell yourself and turn it into something positive. Kahit na hindi ka talaga excited, the mere fact that you articulate being excited will bring you to that state,” he advised.
Importance of preparation
Atty. Chel proscribes to the age-old adage of practice makes perfect, saying that “You can practice public speaking in so many ways, in front of a mirror, in front of friends and family. Take a video of yourself and kayo na mag-observe sa inyong pananalita. Maayos ba ang delivery? May laman ba ‘yung sinasabi nyo? And so on,” the former De La Salle law dean advised.
He suggested to neither read a copy of a speech nor memorize it word for word, “You cannot engage your audience if you keep looking down on your notes. Maintain eye contact. Tao tayo eh, that’s how we communicate and connect with the audience.” Atty. Chel explained that not memorizing the speech beforehand also helps keep its spontaneity.
He gave a guide on how to remember a speech without too much memorization. “I divide my speech into parts, tapos gagawa ako ng bullet points, just a few words and phrases. Sa body ng speech,I’ll sub-divide it, per topic, tapos ‘yun na ang outline ng speech, at dapat smooth ang transitionsbetween points.” In addition to these, he also gave tips about proper body language as well as dealing with the audience.
Fulfilled audience
SBCA students were starstruck to be in the same Zoom meeting with Atty. Diokno. Third year student JL Aguilar said that she was ecstatic and excited to meet the guest of honor. “I was starstruck! It is not everyday you get to meet a role model—a lawyer who does not only know the law by heart, but puts his heart into his practice of the law. It is unfortunate that it was online, but having him on the same Zoom meeting is already a win. It really inspired me to have faith in our legal system.”
Surprisingly, a number of non-law students locally and abroad participated in the webinar and offered glowing commentary, saying that they are fans of Atty. Chel and that they find his tips very helpful in their ordinary and professional lives.
Eventually, participants were allowed to ask Atty. Chel in an open forum. Charie Maghirang, a 4th year student, asked Atty. Chel what to do in case of a mental block and no outline of the speech can be counted upon. The veteran lawyer advised that preparation is key, “I always carry a small index card of notes just in case, and practice word association for better memory recall.”
Another student, who elected to remain anonymous, asked how public speakers can talk to a hostile audience. The human rights lawyer then recounted his experience where he was invited to deliver a speech before an audience composed mostly of people in favor of the death penalty. “First, contextualize your argument and find common ground with the audience. Nalaman ko sa kanila that we have shared values. They don’t want an innocent person executed and we all revere life. Doon ko na ipinasok ang argument ko against death penalty”.
Almost cancelled
Nico Angelo Solon, the head officer of the Council of Moot and Debate explained that the project was almost cancelled due to the rescheduling of the exams but that they decided to push through for the students’ benefit. “Instead of abandoning the project altogether, our board of officers saw an opportunity for our organization to reach out to the student body by conducting a public speaking seminar for the masses, under the belief that law students are capable of doing wonders with their word,” Solon stated.
Currently, the Council of Moot and debate is assembling the School of Law’s first Moot Court team. Those who have background in writing are highly encouraged to join as this is a pioneer endeavor that the organization hopes to accomplish within 2021.
A replay of the webinar is still available on the Facebook page of SBCA Council of Moot and Debate. The recorded webinar can be accessed here.