Sunday May 22, 2005

More to winning with words

BY CHOI TUCK WO IN LONDON

THEY came, they saw and they wanted to conquer. But due to stiff competition, the two Malaysian student representatives at the International Public Speaking Competition 2005 in London didn't quite succeed. They were, however, victorious in other ways.

Suraiya Abdul Munaff and Aw Yong Wai Nyan came away much better persons in life for their experiences in a foreign land recently. Besides forging friendships and exchanging views with about 60 other youths from 37 countries, the duo also gained an insight into the multi-ethnic and multi-religious cultures and ideologies of the world’s communities.

It was a truly enriching experience for Suraiya and Aw Yong, who had won an all-expense paid trip to the British capital for clinching the top two spots in the English Speaking Union of Malaysia’s (Esum) Public Speaking Competition in Kuala Lumpur last month.

During their four-day stay in London, they were taken on a tour of HSBC Holdings’ headquarters in Canary Wharf, visited Shakespeare’s Globe, watched a play The Woman In Black at Fortune Theatre and attended workshops and a mock parliamentary debate.

HSBC Malaysia public affairs head Elizabeth Wee (far right), Suraiya (third from right) and Aw Yong (second from left) with other contestants at Dartmouth House, London.

For Suraiya, she felt great to be able to compete with some of the world’s best speakers. “I’ve no regrets coming to London. It’s such a wonderful experience.

“I have learned a lot from so many friends these few days. I’ll never forget this trip for the rest of my life,” said the 18-year-old A-Level student from HELP University College.

Aw Yong, however, could not hide his disappointment but conceded that the competition was “very stiff.”

“You just have to accept that there is someone better than you. I gave it my best shot and thoroughly enjoyed myself,” said the 20-year-old law student from ATC Kemayan. Aw Yong added that he also learned a lot from the other participants, especially their views and perspectives towards current issues.

Touching tales

During the preliminary heats, both Suraiya and Aw Yong put up inspiring performances against a relatively strong field of 12 opponents from the Philippines, Australia, Canada, South Africa, India and Pakistan.

As only two speakers from each of the four heats were selected for the finals held on May 12, the Malaysians were edged out by Nonzwakazi Adonisi from South Africa and Julia Fetherston from Australia. Suraiya and Aw Yong did their best to wow the judges with their simple yet touching tales of This Piece of Cloth and Ordinarily Extraordinary respectively.

Using real life stories of heroes and heroines as well as personal experiences, the duo poured out their hearts to the audience relating to the theme Differences and Diversity.

Suraiya spoke of the diverse reactions to her decision to wear the headscarf a few months ago – from the full support of her parents and aunts to surprise and amusement from friends.

“An overseas friend even remarked, ‘It’s so hot in Malaysia. Why do you wrap your head like that? Take it off, you look 10 years older',” she said.

She added she would never forget the amusement of one of her friends, who even asked what had happened to her hair.

“Soon, my friends and I were talking about how my bad hair days are over, only to discover my bad scarf days had just begun,” she said. Suraiya drew laughter from the audience when she related how her friend would step out of an open-top convertible with wind blown hair ala Bridget Jones, while hers would be prim and proper, ala Grace Kelly.

“So, the headscarf may be welcomed by some, tolerated by others or banned by still others. But to me, like the saffron robe of a Buddhist monk, or the habit of a nun, this piece of cloth is simply an expression of my desire to be one with my religion,” she added.

Heroic deeds

Aw Yong (left) and Suraiya together with English Speaking Union director-general Valerie Mitchell.

Aw Yong’s tale revolved around the true story of Dr Paul Rusesabigina in the movie Hotel Rwanda, who risked his life to save over 1,000 Hutu and Tutsi refugees in his hotel.

Despite threats of death, he did not give up hope until all the refugees were rescued. “Paul Rusesabigina is an ordinary man who committed himself to doing an extraordinary act, even at gunpoint,” he said.

Using a Malaysian heroine to illustrate his point, Aw Yong said Dr Sybil Kathigasu risked her life treating sick and injured British and Indian soldiers during the Second World War.

“Eventually, she was caught by the Japanese kempetai (secret police) but despite being tortured, she did not reveal vital information.

“They even tortured her seven-year-old daughter Dawn who, despite her excruciating pain, cried ‘Mummy, don’t tell them anything!'“ he said.

Aw Yong said Dr Kathigasu received treatment in Britain after the war and was awarded the George Medal for her heroic acts. She died in 1949.

He also spoke of his parents who were not parenting gurus but whose seemingly ordinary contributions to his life and those of his two brothers were extraordinary.

“All of them are clear examples of how ordinary people like you and me can achieve extraordinary deeds despite our differences and diversity,” he added.

The preliminary heats were held at the English Speaking Union (ESU) headquarters in Dartmouth House and the finals at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall in Threadneedle Street.

China’s Peng Xia won the Best Speaker and Audience’s Choice awards in his powerful rendition of My One Time Destiny, runner-up was Rita Lahlou from Morocco (The World: A Beautiful Mosaic) while Best Non-Native Speaker Award went to Samia Badih of Lebanon (A Curse or a Blessing).

Chief Judge was Patrick Spottiswoode, director of Globe Education, Shakespeare’s Globe while ESU director-general Valerie Mitchell presented prizes to the winners. Organised by ESU to promote global understanding and friendship through English, the local competition in Malaysia was organised by The Star and ESU Malaysia and co-sponsored by HSBC Bank Malaysia.

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