A TEACHER of the Philippine Science High School won first place in the JCI Virtual Public Speaking Competition of the Junior Chamber International Asia-Pacific Conference 2021 held on August 20 to 21.

Sandro Silverio, Special Science Teacher 1 in PSHS-Western Visayas, bested other participants from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Mongolia, and Malaysia.

Representatives were given the opportunity to exercise and showcase their oratorical abilities while tackling relevant global issues.

“The topics during the preliminary and final rounds were ‘JCI’s tagline of Developing Leaders for a Changing World is more relevant than ever to become the foremost global network of enterprising young leaders and attract more talented members’ and ‘Even as the world begins to return to normal, in every industry, across all sectors, employees still need more support for mental health in the workplace’, respectively,” PSHS said.

Silverio said that he did not expect to win because he got a fever prior to the competition.

“I almost lost my voice. I just prayed that night, and I told God, ‘Lord, I know indi mo ko dire pagpakahuy-an’ (I know that you’re not going to put me to shame,)” he said.

“Lo and behold, Abba heard my prayer. I was fever-free when I woke up the next morning. He gave me just enough strength to deliver my piece,” he added.

With his victory, Silverio will join the JCI World Congress Public Speaking Competition in Johannesburg, South Africa in November.

“His achievement amidst the pandemic is an inspiration to the Pisay community, especially to the scholars who look up to their teachers pursuing excellence amidst this challenging time,” Dr. Shena Faith Ganela, PSHS-WVC campus director, said.