HONORING 15 YEARS of developing skilled debaters within the University, San Beda Debate Society (SBDS) celebrated Pista ng Sto. Nino 2025 with its annual debate tournament entitled, “Animo Cup XV: Momentum,” held from January 24 to 25 at the San Beda University-Senior High School (SBU-SHS) building.
This year, Maxine Marie Lampa, Vice President for Varsity, conveyed that the organization’s goal was, “to cultivate the culture of debate within San Beda, encouraging more students to engage in critical thinking and meaningful discussion,” stressing that the tournament is aimed at fostering unity among debaters within and beyond the University, instilling a “deeper appreciation for discourse.”
The tournament gathered a diverse pool of participants. Alongside SBDS were debaters from the San Beda Debate Circle (SBDC), San Beda Junior Marketing Association (SBJMA), and Far Eastern University (FEU) Oratorical and Debate Council.
The adjudication pool included notable alumni and renowned debaters such as Atty. Hannah Barrantes, Atty. Karlo Jennuel Antonio, Asst. Prof. Matthan Ubaldo, Arvin John Camarino, and other representatives from FEU and Kamalig Debate Cup.
Before the debate proper, participants attended a case preparation session led by the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Student Council (SC) Secretary-General and debater Lourenella De Leon which then progressed with the competition following the standard Asian Parliamentary (AP) debate format.
With motions centered on pressing socio-political issues, four teams namely, Ace of Pentacles, Vamos, SBDC A, and A.A.A., advanced to the semi-finals, debating on topics such as the prohibition on political dynasties, Filipino “family-first” ideologies, and environmental responsibility—aligning with the University’s commitment to Laudato Si’.
Securing the top spot with three team points and an accumulated total of 771.5 speaker points, Ace of Pentacles, composed of Denver Provido, Brandon Paul Kaimo Reyno, and Sophie Helen Mercado, emerged as the best team.
Close behind in second place was Vamos, earning two team points and a higher speaker total of 789.5 points. SBDC A followed in third place, also with two team points but with a total of 779 speaker points.
Rounding out the top four was A.A.A., who accumulated one team point and 768 total speaker points. After the debate proper, the winners were awarded, with the overall best speakers being SBDS’ Vincent Charles Daniel Mira and Marie Louise Ronquillo.
Lampa noted that most of this year’s champions were novice Bedan debaters, saying, “Winning awards motivates them to continue debating and representing San Beda with pride.”
Atty. Karlo, one of the event’s adjudicators and a founding member of SBDS, articulated that this year’s competition “exceeded” his expectations. “The Animo Cup has always been envisioned as a training ground for newbie debaters in San Beda. However, during the Grand Finals, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the winning team, despite being composed of new debaters, displayed skills beyond their level,” reflecting on the tournament’s competitive spirit.
(with Prince Piolo Tagarino)