Elimination round was not that straightforward. Eleven participants took part in the contest and showed off the skill in public speaking, including myself. Randomly we got a topic that had to be presented in front of a Jogja-famous-news-presenter, Ferry Anggara. I got a topic about how to deal with urbanization in Indonesia if I were a president. Such an intriguing topic though!

Optimistically speaking, I did have high-confident for this preliminary round as I was helped a lot by friend of mine, Tito, to customize my power point slides and to dress me up before the contest started (Thanks buddy!). Confidently I came up with the Soekarno-looking with black-vintage-fez in the first page of my slide. Smoothly I could deliver my presentation well mixed with some spanking new jokes. People laughed, people impressed, and people clapped for my performance. There I went through to the final round in the following month.

It was about a month to get to the final round after a very long vocation. It was supposed to be a long preparation for me to the final round, yet I was away for my Toraja trip! Nothing that I could set up well. A day before the final I was still busy to make my ppt and practice my prompt presentation. No more Tito to ask for help! *panicked* And this day, I was supposed to be in the rehearsal for the final (fatal mistake).

What I could expect for my unpreparedness? Could not really focus on practicing..so just wish a bit luck and pray!

Having got the lucky number one from the ballot, I stepped on the stage and begun my speech about corruption. A bit shitter and dull now… I lost my vigor on my speech! It actually could be excused as it was in big stage with hundred eyes stared at me and with 2 famous judges who I could usually see on TV, Charles Bonar Sirait and Krisna Murti. Who’s not shaking in that scenario? But it’s final, dude! No excuse for that!

Three finalists had performed; it’s time for judges to criticize my performance. I had no reason to defense myself. I did admit that all. Yet luckily I was not that bad as I thought. Kindly they awarded me the second place. Though I should give up my ambition to get the chance to give testimonial on Charles’ book, I was already grateful for the prize. Next contest, I should have done a lot better with a lot superior preparation, indeed! I will always remember this, the effort will reflect the result of whatever we do ~