SISC Debate Club President Jaeda Johnson says with utmost confidence that debate is for everyone. To galvanize the art of debate, the SISC Debate Club spearheaded the SGEN Debate Cup on February 5 and 12, 2022 to equip SGEN students with proper critical thinking, oral communication, and oratorical skills.
A total of eight pre-determined matches transpired where teams from five SGEN schools were able to debate twice. To raise awareness in social issues and matters, the motions — topic statements given to argue for or against — were anchored in the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Elimination Rounds of the tournament happened on February 5 followed by the Finalé on February 12. During the culmination of the Debate Cup, the debaters spoke and argued with passion and intellect. One of the main objectives of the tournament is to assess the students’ potential and initial prowess in debating.
Right before the SGEN Debate Cup Elimination Rounds commenced, the SISC Debate Club held two Debate’s Basic Orientation Student Seminars (D’BOSS) on August 13-14, 2021 and January 29 of this year. The two D’BOSS were precursor events to equip SGEN students with fundamental debate knowledge as well as expose them to the culture of debate through the 3A’s — argumentation, articulation, and advocacy.
The Pursuit of Perspective; Illuminating Voices, bridging the future
To kick off the event, the SGEN Debate Cup paid homage to its steering committee, the officers of the SISC Debate Club. Thereafter, the adjudicators — judges of the result of the tournament — were introduced: Jakarta-based English teacher Mr. Jerick J. Maclang, international debate adjudicator Ms. Patriluz Manongsong, public school English teacher Mr. Rex Bibal, and Xavier School teacher Mr. Alfonz Chopitea. All four adjudicators are Philippine Normal University (PNU) alumni and are part of the PNU Debate Society.
Ms. Marie Vic "Avic" Suarez, SISC Basic Ed Principal, cited in her opening remarks that through events like the SGEN Debate Cup, students will become more proactive and decisive in the academe, and become prosperous leaders in the far future.
Debate proper
There were two debate rooms allotted for each match: one multi-use for the actual debate proper and for the affirmative team. The other was for the negative team. Ready or not, the debaters would argue after preparing and researching for thirty minutes. Wandering in other breakout rooms during this time was prohibited to adjudicators or officers interacting with the debaters. One transgression would be given a warning, and a point deduction would be instigated on any debater who committed two transgressions.
The preparation done by the SGEN schools would bear the fruits of its labor during the Finalé and awarding ceremony that was held on February 12. SISC Debate Club Director of Operations Zia Huh said “The debate was done at a high level. In their speeches, the debaters were crafty, and I’m glad they learned something and enjoyed the event — after all, that was what they were here for.”
The Experience
"I learned how to back myself up in any given situation and control my emotions," Areej Amin, a contender from Stonyhurst Southville International School - Malarayat (SSIS-M) said. She added, "I've also realized that 90% of the time, there will never be a right side. Everything mostly depends on how it's perceived and presented."
Areej also believes that her debating skills had always been with her since kindergarten. During her time in the SGEN Debate Cup, her debating skills were further refined. Areej also mentioned her rehearsals with her teammates and coach.
"We've chit chatted for hours and shocked each other with progress and arguments. With this being my fourth or fifth month here in SSIS-M, [it was] a core memory to me, [and] I'm fortunate to be able to make the most out of it." Areej also described her experience as eye-opening and refreshing.
Lyka Cabaero from SISC reminisced on her passion for debating. She said, "There are many ups and downs in debate. I can tell you what happened by recalling a hundred fleeting moments."
Despite three years of experience, Lyka still finds debate as, undeniably, a mentally-challenging sport. She remarked on getting profoundly nervous with the fifteen to thirty minute prep time. To do well, however, she says she turns the nervousness into ecstaticness and excitement.
Above all, Lyka believes that more than excelling, she should make something fun out of every event like this one — arguably, as should any debater.
For SISC Debate Club Level 11-12 Communications Officer Leigh Sindac, she believes that the debaters exceeded her expectations. From D’BOSS until the tournament proper, she noted the whole experience was a milestone event meant to be remembered. Leigh mentioned, "I think that D’BOSS was such an amazing programme as it went far better than I anticipated."
"From a personal standpoint, this was my first time [handling] such an enormous event, especially because this was a gateway for the first ever SGEN Debate Cup…. It was also my first time to be a Head Adjudicator, making it more memorable," she added.
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