SUPERB DEBATING ACUMEN was showcased by a composite team led by the San Beda Debate Society (SBDS), as they emerged victorious among the competing teams during the TALAS’ International Studies (I.S.) Ultimate Debates held last October 28 at the Arts Building of the Far Eastern University (FEU).
The IS Ultimate Debates, convened by TALAS and the FEU Oratorical and Debate Council, served as a platform for promoting critical perspectives and amplifying the voices of young leaders in the discourse of global awareness.
The competition set the stage for profound intellectual exchanges among several participating institutions, including FEU, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), University of Santo Tomas (UST), University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), and Saint Louis University (SLU).
SBDS brought forth a formidable lineup of debaters, comprised of Bedan students Zea Sison, Maxinne Lampa, Lorenz De Claro, Lourenella De Leon, Alexandrea Chloe Baylon, and Ax France Eco. They were also joined by Francis Revilla.
The team captain of SBDS, Sam Unabia, who concurrently served on the Core Adjudicating Panel with Isaac Baglawis from FEU and Allain Christopher from SLU.
Segmented into pairs, SBU C, represented by Sison and Lampa, shone brightly as Novice Grand Finalists, showcasing commendable promise within their category.
Simultaneously, SBU A, with De Leon and De Claro clinched a spot among the tournament’s elite performers, securing their position as Open Grand Finalists.
Eco played a pivotal role as an astute Open Semifinals Judge, contributing significantly to the tournament’s adjudication process.
Culminating the team’s success, however, was the composite team from SBDS, SBU’S Baylon, who was joined by Revilla, who emerged as undisputed champions in the Open Grand Finals.
In an interview with a key member of the winning team, Baylon expressed the thrill of transitioning from virtual to in-person debates saying, “I prefer in-person debates because it’s easier to engage and actively listen to the speeches in that setup, and it’s easier to talk to your partner when you’re just literally beside them.”
When asked what debate topic stood out to her, Baylon expressed her enthusiasm for the quarterfinals motion: “This house supports the creation of an international body that administers all states’ access to water resources excluding the designation of sea territory.”
Alongside Revilla, she shared that in this round, as part of the opening opposition, their approach centered on critical aspects, including the leadership of the international body, concerns on how additional bureaucracy affects the urgent needs of the general public, and the exacerbation of power asymmetry within the proposition’s stance.
Despite limited training together, their strategy revolved around mutual trust in each other’s capabilities as Baylon offered diverse angles to which Mr. Revilla synthesized into coherent arguments—a dynamic that contributed significantly to their success.
This victory has ignited a flame of enthusiasm within SBDS as they envisioned participating in more on-site tournaments and nurturing more fellowships with other institutions.