Glossophobia. This term refers to the strong fear of public speaking, a very common phobia according to experts. I learned this from a random video by content creator and public speaker Gianna Abao on her self-titled YouTube channel. Her own story is proof that fears can be overcome through perseverance.
Since childhood, Gia has always had the desire to inspire others to find their voice.
“I’ve always been inclined toward creative self-expression,” Gia, as she is fondly called, shared. “One of my earliest memories is joining a pageant at age three and enjoying performing.”
Whether through art or on stage, she loved showcasing her innermost feelings—yet, the confidence to do so in unfamiliar spaces was something she had to develop over time.
Gia grew up with natural talkativeness, but engaging confidently with new people was a skill that took years for her to acquire. “I was more confident in writing,” she admitted. “I started with K-pop fanfiction in high school, which taught me how to articulate my thoughts.”
Those early stories were her first lessons in expressing herself. Enrolling in the Consular and Diplomatic Affairs program for her bachelor’s degree at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde was a game-changer.
“We had to research global politics, economics, and policy, then present them,” she recalled.
In 2017, Gia represented her college at the National Model United Nations in New York.
“I trained for more than seven months,” Gia said. As she continued to evolve, her role as a features writer for The Benildean Press Corps honed her storytelling skills further.
After graduation, participation in Toastmasters, a globally recognized organization championing public speaking, became a crucial chapter. Weekly sessions, constructive feedback, and mentorship helped Gia sharpen her voice. Her entry into public speaking was catalyzed by it as well.
“Over time, I learned how to make people feel something through words,” she happily shared.
“Being in front of an audience and having to simplify topics helped me become a more structured thinker,” Gia noted.
This skill set became her foundation when she eventually transitioned into a professional public speaker. Her tenure as vice president for public relations of the Metro Manila Toastmasters Club and her invitations to speak at global webinars pushed her into a new arena.
“That invitation to speak at Toastmasters headquarters during the pandemic led to features in Toastmasters magazine and the honor of being a keynote speaker at their 100th anniversary in the US,” she detailed. The milestone strengthened her credibility and established her as a thought leader.
Content creation followed naturally. Gia began documenting her public speaking journey online, building a growing community. Her love for performance and educational content led her to produce videos that demystify public speaking. Over the years, her niche evolved. While public speaking remains her anchor, she now delves into personal development, youth and women empowerment, and lifestyle content.
Her motivation is deeply personal. Her father, an engineer in the Middle East, played an important role in shaping her outlook.
“He often struggled with presenting ideas and selling his work,” Gia recalled. Recognizing that many Filipinos, especially those working abroad, face similar challenges, he inspired her to develop her voice early on. “He made it a point to invest in my public speaking training because he saw how important it was.”
Of course, the journey wasn’t without its fears. Public speaking still makes her nervous.
“I remember trembling before my first big speech in the US,” she confessed, eventually sharing how she survived. She shifted the focus from perfection to connection.
“People will forget your exact words, but they remember how you made them feel,” she revealed. “Whenever I feel anxious, I remind myself that my purpose is to add value and evoke emotion—not to be flawless.”
Gia’s formula for a compelling speaker is simple. “Make your audience feel something and leave them with a clear takeaway. I outline my key points, not script every word,” she explained. “I ask myself, ‘What do I want them to remember?’” From there, she builds her talk around stories, relatable examples, and anticipates questions.
Currently, Gia is channeling her energy into new projects. She recently closed her early business to focus fully on content creation and education. Her upcoming plans include launching her first public speaking course in the third quarter—a project born out of her desire to make confidence-building tools easily available for Filipinos.
“I want to help people realize that speaking is a skill everyone can develop,” Gia said.
Gia’s TED Talk at De La Salle University-Manila earlier this week on redefining success was aligned with her goals. Looking ahead, she dreams of more international speaking engagements and partnerships that champion youth and women empowerment.
“I want to be known as someone who helped Filipinos believe in their own voice. There’s so much potential in Filipinos that goes untapped because of fear. If I can be part of changing that, then I’ll feel like I’ve done my job,” she added.
The Purpose Management artist’s career has not always been easy. Last year, she found herself under a lot of pressure. “What helped me was action and clarity. I realized I couldn’t operate from fear,” Gia said.
Making tough decisions became moments of growth. She learned to focus on what she could control and adapt with agility. Revealing her secret sauce to success, Gia said, “I believe progress is better than perfection. Start with what you have, adjust along the way, and let action be your compass.”
