A Week Crystallized: National Debate Championship

Day 00: Destination Baguio

Of course, Arvin was late again. I told him that we would be meeting in 7-11 in Park & Ride, Lawton. Everybody was waiting for us! Ate Ciacia and Alvina were calling us in our mobile phones. Malapit na po, on the way to España na po. When we arrived there, we rushed to the ticket booth to buy our tickets. Luckily, we are a minute away from the departure time.

Sleep. Eat. Talk. Text. These are the things I do when we are in the Bus.

We arrived in Baguio City at around 7:30 pm, that’s 6 hours or so of butt-aching transportation. We stayed at a so-so “inn”: Inn Rocio. I and Arvin were originally staying at the “Boys’ Room” but later transferred to the “Girls’ Room” due to better everything.

We, the whole UP Manila Contingent, went to SM Baguio to have our Dinner: Pizza! Yellow Cab! We also brought some groceries from SM Supermarket to help us survive the week. Wugh, would I be on a debate mode tomorrow? I wish.

Day 01: Baptism of Fire

From a cold night to a cold morning–everything is cold in Baguio. But I wish that the shower would be hot! And wish granted–hot shower! Woohoo! The UP Manila contingent walked to our pick-up point at Harrison Road(?) beside Burnham Park. While in there, we had our breakfast:

When we arrived in PMA, we had a very warm welcome. As we go out the Bus, all of the PMA instructors and employees are clapping their hands. WTF! The first activity for the morning is a flag-raising activity. We are asked to line-up according to our school. There are placards to distinguish every line. While waiting for the ceremonies to start, there is a band playing, maybe to prevent us from boredom and realization that the sun’s heat causes a dark(er) complexion. The PMA band plays a series of songs that a civilian would never think that that song could be played inside the academy. LOL. The highest officials were present in the ceremonies. After singing some nationalistic songs and reciting some nationalistic chants, we had our picture taking.

Here are the other activities that happened: Orientation of Participants, Team-building activities, Adjudicators’ Exam and Silent Drill Exhibition by PMA Class 2009.

I loved the Silent Drill! The Cadettes formed a lot of letters and shapes including a heart, an arrow and a clock which is synchronized with the time that they have finished forming a it! While they are having the drill, a narrator explains what they are doing and provides conceptual explanations for shapes, words and letters they are forming.

At night, we had our opening dinner with the Cadettes. The fourth class Cadettes performed a cultural presentation and a fashion show of the Cadettes’ uniforms. Super fun and super cool! I like the Study Uniform! Reminds me of the uniforms worn in European Secondary Schools! Think Hogwarts! Another thing, it was a funny thing that some Cadettes cried during the cultural presentation (showcased a Cadette’s life and his/her perspective nature of work) and the singing of some emo-ish songs like Callalily’s Magbalik. Funny it may seem, but I do understand.

Day 02: Haggard!

This day was a very tiring day due to three simultaneous debate rounds! Wugh!

THW give West Bank a seat in the UN.

• Position: Opening Government
• Against: UPD G (OO), DLSU-L B (CG) and SWING Team
• Score: 2
• Remarks: Matter loaded motion!

THBT the state should fund individuals seeking a cure for their Homosexuality.

• Position: Opening Opposition
• Against: DLSU B (OG), UPDJ (CG) and ADMU E (CO)
• Score: 0
• Remarks: A High Room (at least for us)! Huhu.

THW impose a personal carbon tax.

• Position: Opening Opposition
• Against: UB A (OG), UB C (CG) and CSB C (OO)
• Score: 2
• Remarks: Everybody (including us) expected us to have a 3!

After the debate rounds, we had a bonfire dinner! Cool! But it could have been cooler if it was not raining!

Day 03: More Haggard!

Four simultaneous debate rounds! WTF!

TH regrets the impact of the call center industry on youth culture.

• Position: Opening Government
• Against: UST-S A (OO), MMU B (CG), SLU C (CO)
• Score: 2
• Remarks: My first encounter with a Malaysian Debater! B*tch SLU C Girl. Hmf.

TH celebrates the over-glorification of local sports icons.

• Position: Closing Opposition
• Against: PMA F (OG), MSU (OO), CSB C (CG)
• Score: 3
• Remarks: Manny Pacquiao! We boxed ourselves out of the debate! And it worked!

THW abolish blanket age of consent laws in favor of case to case prosecution of pedophiles.

• Position: Opening Government
• Against: FEU B (OO), MMU A (CG) and ADDU (CO)
• Score: 0
• Remarks: I was confused! (Another high room)

THW legally allow active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to publicly criticize our government.

• Position: Closing Opposition
• Against: WMSU A (OG), SBB (OO) and UST-S C (CG)
• Score: 2
• Remarks: We need a 3! Sad.

We haven’t made it to the breaking teams. (5 UP Manila Teams broke but one is capped). But I am at lest happy that we had a good score (for a newbie in collegiate debating). We got 11 points (12 points is the breaking score). The PMA prepared a good dinner later that night (Cocktail Party)

Day 04: Boodle Fight!

We woke-up pretty late since we rather not attend the morning rituals. When we arrived in PMA, it is already time for lunch. But this is a no ordinary lunch: Boodle Fight! There are long tables with a line of rice topped with pancit and chicken. On the aisle of the table are the beverages and a piece of strawberry cupcake. We would be eating with our hands and our goal is to eat ALL the food (ALL?!). Of course, we did not reach the goal but the burden was transfered to the Cadettes (They were required to eat ‘em up!).

I and Arvin later watched the Octofinals. We watched Alvina and Robert’s room. I was not satisfied by their speeches. Later, the quarter finalists were announced. Sadly, only one UPm contingent made it to the quarters: Kuya Benj and Kuya James. The contingent watched their room and they were, erm, boxed out. They lost it.

The contingent went to SM Baguio and decided to have a de-stressing dinner at Gerry’s Grill. Yummy Fried Chicken and Fries! A Tower of Beer? Interesting but No. LOL.

Day 05: Public Speaking Shit

Waaaaa.. I hate it!..

We had our dinner at Valleto. Good Pizza and Pasta!

Day 06: Leisure

I, Ate Carol, Arvin, Neko, Japi and RR had our Baguio Shopping! Weee.. I love my dark green bonnet! But I can’t use it in Manila except perhaps I’m a ghetto. This is also the grand finals. Two UPd teams and two ADMU teams were the grand finalists. An Ateneo team was proclaimed the champion of th 9th NDC, whereas, the best speaker also came from th same team (On th Grand Finals and Overall).

Later that night, the contingent played Killer Killer! Fun and Addictive! I love being an Arbiter! Kuya Aloi was always the killer! And he’s good! LOL.

Day 07: Departure

Bye Baguio! I, Ate Carol, Arvin and Neko decided to leave early. We took the 6 am bus. I was asleep most of the time in the bus. After 6 hours, we were already in Manila. It is so difficult to commute with heavy baggages. But hey, I don’t have a choice.

Realizations

I am already motivated to train. I admit that the debate circle is not that established (although we have a good name). We should not stop here. We need to grow.

Issues

Back to Manila, Back to issues. Wah. Baguio is such a place for escape. :(

For more pictures, click here.