A contingent composed of both seasoned debaters and novice members, Ateneo Debate Union (ADU) once again kept the tradition of debate excellence alive during its participation in the Visayas-Mindanao Debate Championships (VMDC) III hosted by Father Saturnino Urios University, Butuan City last July 30 to August 3, this year.
Henry Segovia, champion of last year’s VMDC II, was awarded as the 2nd Best Debater, besting eighty others debaters from the Visayas and Mindanao. Keeshia Alyanna Alix was awarded as the 6th Best Debater.
Isobelle Sumatra was recognized as the Best Adjudicator of the tournament. She joins the rich roster of distinguished adjudicators from Ateneo de Zamboanga University which includes FElicia Fernandez, Ruth Tabuniar and Jenilee Awichen.
VMDC III witnessed the convergence of 40 teams from 12 schools who went through seven challenging debate elimination rounds.
The motions included:
This House believes that (THBT) multinational companies should be held liable for the action of their sub-contractors in the third world.
THBT physicians should have the sole right to determine treatment for the terminally ill.
TH regrets the effects of tele-novelas on our national consciousness.
THBT Palestine should demilitarize in exchange for a guaranteed state.
THBT women have been hurt by the Philippine Left.
TH would tie economic aid to the implementation of population control policies.
THW ban gender rehabilitation center for homosexuals.
Leyson San Juan and Adriel Earl Toribio (ADZU A) reached the Octo Finals of the break rounds while Myser Sarigumba and Adrian Uro (ADZU B) successfully secured a slot in the Quarter Finals.
The Adjudication Core of VMDC III included Gica Mangahas (Chief Adjudicator) of Ateneo de Manila University, Ely Zosa of ADMU, Anna Espino of Silliman University, and John Louie Balagot of Mindanao State University – Marawi.
“I’m so proud of our students. Debate is an art which requires hardwork and discipline. And these are skills which we help them form in the Ateneo Debate Union,” said Ruth Tabuniar, faculty member of the Social Sciences Department and coach of several bright names in the local debate scene.
The next big tournament for the Ateneo Debate Union is the 20th Mindanao Parliamentary Debate Championships, to be hosted by Brent College in Zamboanga City from September 4 to 6.
