De la Salle University Debate Society at 2007
As the year 2007 entered, just before the formal classes started at the De La Salle University- Manila, the De La Salle Debate Society (DLSU-DEBSOC) competed in a national and an international debate tournament which in both of the instances, they reached the quarterfinals or the top 8 teams of the tournament.
Last May 9-17 the DLSU-DEBSOC flew one team and two adjudicators to the 3rd Asian Universities Debate Championship (AUDC) which took place in Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) Bandung, Indonesia. The AUDC is the most prestigious debate tournaments in the whole of Asia and in this year, there were thirty institutions, sixty debate teams, one hundred eighty- three debaters and seventy-one adjudicators all over Asia. Team De La Salle bested schools from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Jakarta, Malaysia, India and much more. The team comprise of Estelle O. Osorio (AB-POM 07’), Dino S. De Leon (ECM-LMG/III), Nico Tuason (BS-CS ST/IV), Robin Garcia (AB-DSM/II) and Jasper Go (PSM-BMG/III) with Estelle Osorio having earning the title of third overall best speaker of the tournament moreover the DLSU-DEBSOC chaired the executive committee of the next AUDC which will be held in the International Islamic University (IIU) in Malaysia. Moreover, Osorio will be part of the adjudicating core serving as one of the Deputy Chief Adjudicator of the upcoming 9th National Debate Championship in October this year.
Subsequently, last April 13-17 2007 the DLSU-DEBSOC took part in the Philippine Intercollegiate Debate Championships – Ninoy Aquino Cup (PIDC) which was hosted by the University of the Philippines-Diliman held in Tarlac. Initially the competition was called differently which team De la Salle championed in year 2003. PIDC was attended by forty debate teams and fifty-seven adjudicators representing universities and colleges all over the Philippines. This time DLSU-DEBSOC sent three debate teams and four adjudicators. The teams comprise of the following DLSU A - Estelle O. Osorio (AB-POM 07’), Dino De Leon (ECM-LMG/III), Nico Tuason (BS-CS ST/IV); DLSU B – Carmina Untalan (AB-POM/III), Bianca Lagdameo (ECM-BMG/IV), Victor Baguilat (AB-ISE 07’); DLSU C – Carlito Reyes (POM-LMG/ II), Jahra Roxas (ISJ-BMG/IV), Diana Cortez (BS-STAT/IV). The DLSU A reached quarter finals but was eventually beaten by the University of the Philippines – Diliman Team A (UPD A) who reached the finals. On the other hand DLSU Team B reached the octo finals but was eventually beaten by the University of the Philippines – Baguio Team A (UPB A). De Leon was 7th Overall Best Speaker while Osorio was 4th Overall Best Speaker.
However there was light seen in the adjudicators who also exhibited good performance. They comprise of Robin Jason Sebolino (AB-LIM/III) who adjudicated up to the octofinal round, Angela Vargas (EDU-ENG) who likewise reached octofinals, Ren Delos Santos (AB-POM/II) who was at allocated at the quarterfinal rounds and Robin Michael Garcia (AB-DSM/II) who reached the semi-finals and eventually named as the 4th Overall Best Adjudicator of the tournament. All of the Lasallian adjudicators were among the top 16 adjudicators besting fifty-seven adjudicators in the tournament.
It is hence no doubt that the De La Salle Debate Society is still one of the debate powerhouses in the region. This particular accomplishment in the local and international debate scene is an important stepping stone towards the 9th National Debate Championship which will be held in the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio this coming October, as well as the upcoming World Universities Debate Championships which will be in Assumption University, Malaysia on December.
This year the De La Salle Debate Society will be celebrating its 50th year of existence in the university which makes them the oldest organization in the university. In this regard, there will be an alumni diner and an exhibit to display the credentials of the past debaters that represented the name of La Salle. Currently they are preparing to host a High School debate tournament in the country with an attempt to make it the largest and the most prestigious.
Clearly, even if the DLSU-DEBSOC is under funded and under recognized, it still works and endures tremendous amounts of hardships with untiring enthusiasm to represent the green and white in debating. Upholding the value of intellectual growth, critical thinking and a scholarly environment in the Lasallian community, the DLSU-DEBSOC does not fail to be the vanguard of the virtues of truth and democracy within the Lasallian community.
Animo La Salle!
(Published in the DLSU-EBSOC official news letter- The House Floor by Robin Garcia)
