Last January 21, 2009, The UP Manila Debate Circle had its first Debate Education Program. The target audience were public high school students (but we invited private high school students as well). The goal of the program is to [...]]]>

Last January 21, 2009, The UP Manila Debate Circle had its first Debate Education Program. The target audience were public high school students (but we invited private high school students as well). The goal of the program is to introduce the basics of debate and argumentation to (public) high school students.

The Rationale. The UP Manila Debate Circle felt that:

1. …Many high schools students are not aware of the basics of the sport. The organization wants to introduce debating to them so that these kids would be prepared for collegiate debating or at least make them interested in immersing themselves in the scene.
2. …Manila (and/or Public) High Schools is (taken collectively okay?) an unchartered territory in the debate scene map. UPMDC wants to train them to have a bigger pool of rookie collegiate debaters.
3. …It needs to do have Corporate Social Responsibility programs. Save the nation through the oblation! Haha!

The program’s activity head is yours truly. :D And I feel that I will make this my advocacy–Bringing debate to the masses! (Yeah, sounds like tra[ditional]po[litician] but it’s true. Haha.) Debating seems to be stereotyped as a sport for the elite (almost comparable to football’s image perhaps?). But it’s not. Everyone can debate. Everyone debates. :D

I would like to thank the following people who made DEP possible:

1. Ate CiaCia for sparing some of her time for us and for waiting some 30 minutes more before she can finally start her lecture.
2. Kuya James for not caring about his topic (Kahit anong topic, okay lang!) –I changed his topic a couple of times and he was just okay with it. :D
3. Anzen for staying up late last night to make some presentation slides and lecturing about a topic too :) and oh, for demo-debating too!
4. DS for carrying the juice boxes, waiting for the participants at the CAS gate and for Demo-debating.
5. Elmer for accompanying DS wait for participants and socializing with them. Haha.
6. Kuya Lee for not caring much about his recent exam just to go to the program. Haha. And for demo-debating too!
7. Bhea aka crush aka Cassandra aka Dragonessa for dropping by. Haha. And for demo-debating!
8. Leah for taking some video and pictures and for tokenistic-adjudicating-slash-lecturing!
9. Benralph for taking advantage of his DepEd connections to make red-tape a little less red and for assissting Leah for her tokenistic-adjudicating!
10. Keith for dropping by even it is originally impossible to do so and for helping Leah take some video and pictures!
11. Clarissa aka triplet for giving some moral support. Hehe. And for helping us do some post-program tasks!
12. Alvina aka Supreme Overlord for pressuring me to do my tasks so I can meet the deadline. Haha. And for pressuring the CAS dean to have the opening remarks (who eventually didn’t show up!)
13. Kuya Eric for all the moral support :D

I (we) am (are) planning to have a bigger DEP next year, or a Debate Education Camp! The Division of City Schools Manila expressed their interest in tying up with UPMDC for future HS debate activities in Manila!

omina supra ratio. :)

Host school: Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City, Philippines
Stayed at: Sequoia Inn, Davao City
Date Arrived: October 19, 2008
Tournament Date: October 20-25, 2008
Date Departed: October 26, 2008
General remarks: [...]]]>

Host school: Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City, Philippines
Stayed at: Sequoia Inn, Davao City
Date Arrived: October 19, 2008
Tournament Date: October 20-25, 2008
Date Departed: October 26, 2008
General remarks: The logistics and organization is not as ideal as the 9th NDC but the overall satisfaction is the best yet :)

Click at iba pa to read more. Hehe.

The last day of our final exams week is the 19th of October. My flight for Davao is scheduled in the early morning of 20th. Now talk about no rest. But I don’t care, I’m always pushed to the limits anyway, and these limits were adjusted further during the tournament proper.

We arrived at Davao during a fresh Sunday morning. Man, I can smell durian everywhere! But I know I will get used to it.  We rented a van going to Ateneo de Davao University for registration. I was hoping that we can already check-in to our assigned inn or hotel but the organizers said that we could only do so after lunch. So off we went to Gaisano Mall for lunch. After which, we were already allowed to check-in at Sequioa Inn. It may be an inn but I think it’s more of a microtel. Well, I don’t know the difference between an inn and a microtel but I believe that the latter is nicer. Haha. This is the best lodging venue yet. Wee.

The UP Manila contingent was completed during my second night in Davao. It was also that night when my teammate, Japi, arrived. I and my teammate only had two trainings together I think. So this is a challenge for us to establish nice team dynamics despite lack of training. At least, our preferred speaker roles are different so we can complement each other. Luckily, our attitudes, perspective and all-those-other-factors for graceful team dynamics were really meant to establish a good team. From our Chinese-esque features and (almost) matching outfits to our brotherly (can’t find a less-cheesy term, haha) camaraderie, I am almost sure that Japi would be my forever-teammate. Hehe.

Rounds 1 to 7 were hell. Especially during the last two rounds wherein many teams were desperate for breaking. As the elimination rounds progress, so was the transition of violence as a want to violence as a need. Freaky huh? But nevertheless, we had fun. Round 2 was also memorable for me, we had a round against the A’s: AMDU-A, UPD-H (Which is UPD’s A) and ADDU-A. Wow! We were star-strucked! But we were also able to socialize with them. They were really nice to us :).

Gica: Natutuwa ako sa inyong dalawa, ang tatapang ninyo! :D
aLps: The least thing we could do is show courage. Haha.

We were also able to socialize with debaters from other institutions as well. I can remember Nigel and Kat(?) from UP Diliman, Princess from DLSU, Ria and her teammate (Forgot her name!) and Ice and Kenneth from ADMU. I also had a good time talking to debaters from UPLB and MSU Marawi and other schools which I can no longer remember. Huhu. If you can read this, please comment and we’ll socialize online. Haha.

On the other hand, we also had to cope with evil adjudicators. Those adjudicators who are not the average reasonable people. They range from the below-average unreasonable people to unnecessarily-above-average irrationally-super-reasonable people. HAHA. But we need to stick to the mantra: Regardless of the adjudicator’s nature or preference, we have to convince him or her that we’ll win the round. We finished with 11 points, not enough for breaking. We were really expecting to break. The contingent expected all of us to break. But it’s life, it’s debate life. To add more to the agitation, many teams who broke are the teams I and Japi defeated. Haha. I know, it’s illogical to be agitated with such a reason but there is an inevitable grudge from us saying Natalo namin ‘yun!.

The next national tournament would be the PIDC. It would be using the Asians Format so I and Japi need to find our missing sibling to complete the Chinese triplets. Haha, we feel a lukso-ng-dugo for Clarissa. And RJ too. Hehe. But RJ’s a Korean, or a Japanese or a Chinese who migrated to Japan or Korea. Haha.

With the UP Manila Debate Circle, I am learning to love this organization family more. Included in my PTS (Post-tournament syndrome) is missing our bonding moments together. :) Fiery by fifteen; Omnia supra ratio!

Congratulations UP Manila Debate Circle! (From Kuya Lee’s Post)

Adjudication Results:

Best Adjudicator: Her Excellency Yves Aquino
2nd: Bhea Dragonessa Bongcales
5th : Arf Arf Gabunada
7th: Ben (pause) Ralph Yu
NDC Grandfinals Adjudicator: Bhea Dragonessa Bongcales
Union Cup (ESL-like Cup for NDC) Grandfinals Adjudicator: Bhea Dragonessa Bongcales
Quarterfinals Adjudicator: Arf Arf Gabunada
Quarterfinals Adjudicator: Ben (pause) Ralph Yu
Quarterfinals Adjudicator: Diane Dizon Fruits
Octofinals Adjudicator: Always-a-Suspected-Killer Abhiey Nebreja
Public Speaking Eliminations and Finals Rounds Adjudicator: Hello Keith-y Narvacan
Tournament Chief Adjudicator: Doctor Adrian Rabe

Debate Results:

4th Breaking Team: UP Manila A (16 points)
13th Breaking Team: UP Manila B (15 points)
18th Breaking Team: UP Manila C (14 points)
Semifinalist:  UP Manila A: Prime Minister Lee Yarcia and Med Genius Carol Tan
Octofinalist: UP Manila B: Schoolgirl Aya Bautista and Schoolboy Robert Totanes
Octofinalist: UP Manila C: Indian-Chinese Darwin Razon and No-bullshit Man DS Dalisay
4th Best Speaker: Prime Minister Lee Yarcia
Masters Cup Champion: Doctor Adrian Rabe and UP-Manila-daw-according-sa-certificate-at-directory Nicolo Cabrera

UP Manila D (11 points): Hello Keith-y Narvacan and Killer-Killer-Analyst Zilpah Calderon
UP Manila E (11 points): Fashion Twins Japi Marquez and Fonzy Aguado
UP Manila F (11 points): Chinesse Clarissa Tio and Korean RJ Patulot

And to Adjudicator Lovergirl (mwahaha! we know! we saw! we have evidence!) Larraine Carpeso.

Pictures and mirror blog entry: http://alps05.multiply.com/photos/album/70/10th_National_Debate_Championship_Davao_City

The UP Manila Debate Circle Contingent to the 1st Intramuros Intervarsities (Haggard kung haggard :|)

I have been absent in the blogosphere for the past few days. Reason? Debate. I was mentally, psychologically and mentally exhausted [...]]]>

The UP Manila Debate Circle Contingent to the 1st Intramuros Intervarsities (Haggard kung haggard :|)

I have been absent in the blogosphere for the past few days. Reason? Debate. I was mentally, psychologically and mentally exhausted brought by three days of public speaking and argumentation. The tournament was the first Intramuros Intervarsities held in Mapua, PLM and Letran; It was attended by more or less 70 teams from more or less 20 institutions. Yeah, inaccurate statistics sucks. Anyway, the UP Manila contingent did well although none of the teams reached the grand finals (All of us broke [or had a breaking score at least], so that is, already, a reward). We haven’t shown our best yet (Due to the absence of other great(er) debaters from the contingent. Hehe.) I and Anzen (UPM-A) did well too, but we expected a higher breaking score. Huhu, but we shall not cry over spilled milk. We have seen this as a preparation for the 10th National Debate Championships anyway. Hehe.

——-

Anyway, that’s a irrelevant prologue. Haha. I want to talk about the Recycle Bin–that nifty thing that all our discarded files and sofware goes. Recently, one of my professors is giggling when s/he (The equivocality is for vagueness’ sake. Haha.) sees me. According to him/her, Alvina told him/her that she has seen something (giggle-worthy) in my recycle bin. I asked Alvina what she saw. And it was ____. Haha. Well, I don’t care if someone sees that. But I am now more cautious. I need to empty my recycle bin periodically especially when I am about to bring my laptop to school. Clever Alvina–just like an investigator who seeks the trash bin for possible pieces of evidence of a crime. HAHA. My word of caution for y’all–Empty your recyclce bin from time to time! One may accidentally (In Alvina’s case, it was intentionally. HAHA.) see your not-so-public properties there :p.

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 [...]]]>

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.