Toastmaster Ian

05/05/2026

Thank you for the trust, District 75! Looking forward to with you all!

30/04/2026

29/04/2026

NEW SCHEDULE

Ask Me Anything goes live tomorrow, 30 April, 2.30PM on Facebook! I hope to see you there, as we talk about where we are now as a district, where we can go and how we might get there.

Let's

PS: If we have time for more questions, we can accommodate even non-Toastmasters questions!

27/04/2026

Fast talk. Real talk. In this third episode, I’m diving into the experiences that shaped my leadership journey, from the toughest challenges I’ve faced as a club and division officer to the lessons that continue to guide me today.

This fast-talk series gives you a glimpse of how I carry the Toastmasters brand, what I stand for as a leader, and why I’m stepping forward to serve.

Let’s

26/04/2026

[Alert: Sweaty Post] Post-jog reflections.

Mahirap, pero there are things we need to do. That's commitment.

Let's

25/04/2026

25 April 2010 — I walked across the stage at the University of the Philippines, diploma in hand, dreams bigger than my fears.

What many didn’t see—I was juggling three part-time jobs just to get through college. Not easy, but it taught me grit, discipline, and gratitude.

16 years later, I realize it was never just about that moment, but the people who journeyed with me. To my family, friends, mentors, and coaches—maraming salamat.

On tough days, I remind myself: I’m living a life I once prayed for.
Malayo na tayo, pero malayo pa.

What’s one lesson your younger self would be proud of today?

24/04/2026

Happy Friday! Attended a Toastmasters Meeting where I just heard the most *mapanakit* Table Topics Questions:

Where is the good in goodbye?
There's no fair in farewell.
There's an art in breaking hearts.
There's a silent hell in "I wish you well."

Anyone want to try answering? Now where's the tissue!

23/04/2026

District-wide mentoring.
Standardised new member onboarding.
Stronger government, corporate, and academic alliances.
Integrating AI, employability, and leadership skills.
Launching a standardised club launch playbook.

These aren’t just ideas—they’re opportunities for us to move forward, together.

Let’s

21/04/2026

Want to know more about Pathways?

Sharing this video from 2025, where I shared about:
- the structure and purpose of Pathways
- the five core Toastmasters competencies
- the five levels and what each level builds
- connecting Pathways to real-world scenarios

My session starts on the 11th minute mark. Enjoy watching, and hope it helps in making a mark in our members' Pathways Educational Experience!

Special credits to District 116 Qatar for the Youtube video recording.

Let's

3 likes. "District TLI Series | Pathways Deep Dive"

20/04/2026

Never stop learning, never stop growing.

This video is from 5 years ago, when I was sharing tips on preparing for the Table Topics Speech Contest in the Saudi Arabian Toastmasters Annual Conference. Whether you're preparing for a contest or planning to take on that big pitch or presentation at work, I would say the same tips apply!

Practice, get feedback, practice some more.

Let's

7 likes. "A Message & tips from TM Ian Cortez - District 104 SATAC 20 Table Topic Champion"

18/04/2026

Honored to have had the chance to share my perspectives on supporting future healthcare professionals—particularly in strengthening their clinical communication skills, along with May Parsons.

Moments like this remind me why I do what I do. In my role with OET at Cambridge University Press & Assessment Philippines and as a Toastmasters International member, I’m constantly reminded that effective English communication goes beyond words—it builds trust, ensures safety, and ultimately saves lives.