The University of the Philippines Debate Society (UPDS) is the official debating organization of UP Diliman. For the past thirteen years, UPDS has actively promoted the art and values of debate. It has represented the university in both national and international competitions, receiving numerous accolades and raising the profile of the Philippines in the global debating community. It has also organized collegiate debate competitions and high school training programs to develop critical thinking and public speaking skills among the Filipino youth.
UPDS and You
UPDS is more than just your typical college organization. No other organization can offer you the opportunities to represent the university, travel across the nation and around the world (the society has gone as near as Dumaguete and as far as Australia), develop contacts within the debate community, and garner valuable debate experience. UPDS gives you an edge in your academics and future careers.
Aside from equipping you with public speaking and issue-analysis skills, it also allows you to gather experience in publicity work, marketing and finance management, education campaigns, and so much more.
The Application Process
No costumes, no slave driving, no humiliation of any kind---promise! UPDS does nothing more than to maximize every applicant’s potential. The application period is basically 2+ months of activities relevant to social integration and debate training. To get into the society, the applicant must be enrolled in the university and must fulfill requirements such as graded debates and adjudications, internship in the society’s committees, and attendance in seminars and socials. Applicants are not expected to have previous debate experience. So don’t worry about your debating skills (or lack thereof). UPDS will be providing debate seminars and other training activities for applicants.
The application process is held once every academic year during the first semester, and the grading criteria and debate quotas may differ each time. For more information, watch out for announcements regarding Applicant’s Orientation (usually held every June or July every academic year).
Photos from 2007 App Period
© UP Debate Society