angelia albao,
UPIS Forum holds first ever debate competition
Isa Isip (left), the competition’s facilitator, with the Debate Competition Contestants receiving their certificates on the Auditorium Stage last February 15. Photo credit: Owen Bernos
On the 3rd day of the UPIS week celebration, February 15, Forum hosted its first ever debate competition at the auditorium of the high school building.
“Forum was established mainly to promote the academic activity of debate and public speaking as a club so this event [po] was made to further spread awareness and experience of the activity beyond the club members but to other UPIS students as well,” Robert Ambat, one of Forum’s members said when asked about the reason for organizing the event.
There were 4 teams of 3 members each who joined the competition. Two matches were held for the semi-finals, then 1 match for the finals.
Team B emerged victorious in the finals round of the debate competition. Its members were Aldric de Ocampo (11-A.V. Hernandez), James Tolosa (11-A.V. Hernandez), and Sean Cuevas (7-Venus). They argued against the statement, “Developing countries may prioritize economic development over the environment.”
Team D with members Jiboy Oseo (9-Iron), Eda White (9-Silver), and Cole Navarro (9-Silver) fought against Team B in the finals round, after they won against Team C in the semi-finals.
The semi-finals were held in classrooms 134 and 135. Teams A and B debated on the statement, “the K-12 program has been useful in regards to preparing and equipping students with the adequate knowledge to pursue careers after high school graduation,” while Team C and D debated on the statement, “lowering the age of criminal liability will be damaging to our community.”
According to Isa Isip, President of Forum and facilitator of the debate competition, the participants clearly showed passion and did their best despite being first-timers in a debate competition. //by Joy Asunción and Angelia Albao
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