USC debating team wins grand slam

The University of San Carlos scored victory in the PRISAA modified Oxford–Oregon type debate contest held in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on February 16, 2007.

Representing Cebu, the USC Debating Team ably defended the negative side against the University of Bohol on the proposition, “Resolved that Physical Education be elective.” This was the fourth straight win of the USC Debating Team in what could be called as grand slam victory for the university’s debaters.

Alingasa argues a point while Baena and Giangan look on.

Earlier, the team composed of Alfred Emmanuel Awe (B.S.A. 4), Cristeta Marie Giangan (A.B. PoSc 3), Joselito Ghadry Thomas P. Baena (A.B. PoSc 4), and Fel Louise Alingasa (A.B. PoSc 4) with coach Atty. Archill Niña Faller-Capistrano (faculty of the Department of Political Science) made history by winning (3-0) against all its opponents representing Cebu–based schools in the CESAFI debates held in the University of San Jose Recolletos (USJR) in Cebu City. All the debates adopted the Oxford–Oregon type.

In the first round of the CESAFI debates, USC was matched against USJR on the proposition, “Resolved that absolute divorce be legalized in the Philippines.” The USC team was on the negative side.

During the second round the Carolinian debaters stood against the debaters from Velez College on the proposition, “Resolved that a parliamentary form of government be adopted in the Philippines.” Again, the USC Debating team was in the negative and Giangan was awarded as the best debater and best speaker.

Awe, the fourth member of the team, points for emphasis.

The third round was against Southwestern University with the proposition, “Resolved that the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) be abolished in the Philippines, the USC Debating team now defending the affirmative. Awe was awarded best debater.

In the PRISAA debate, Alingasa was first speaker and rebuttalist, followed by Awe, then Baena. This time, Giangan acted as the team’s researcher and scribe, as called for by the rules. Baena bagged the best speaker and best debater awards. In all the CESAFI series and in the PRISAA debate, Alingasa consistently got the best rebuttalist award.

Early last year, the USC Debating Team composed of Baena, Alingasa, and Karyna Sencio was the regional finalist in the Ombudsman-sponsored National Championships held in Silliman University. Because of this, the USC Debating Team had the opportunity to represent Cebu and compete with other schools in the national finals held in Ateneo de Manila University and Camp Crame gymnasium in May 2006. The debate was in Asian parliamentary type. It was the first time the team participated in a debate of that format and still went on to the finals on their first attempt. The team went to Manila with faculty adviser Owen de la Victoria and coach Atty. Archill Niña Faller-Capistrano, both faculty members of the Department of Political Science.

Author: Owen de la Victoria
19 / February / 2007