UP Debate Society

UPDS contingent breaks at AUDC
April 2008

After eight gruelling rounds at the Fourth Asian Universities Debate Championship held at the International Islamic University Malaysia last May 14 to 22, both UP Diliman 1 and 2 secured spots in the main break to become two of the five Filipino teams to reach the Top 16.

Team performance

UPD 1, which is composed of Anna Arcellana (III – Bio), Joanne Atienza (V – Nutri) and Aaron Chan (III – PolSci), broke at ninth place with a record of six wins and two losses. They were able to reach the quarterfinals.

UPD 2, on the other hand, emerged at sixteenth place after winning five debates. Richard Beltran (IV – PolSci), Bianca Deslate (II – PolSci) and Florianne Jimenez (III – English) were able to compete until the octofinals round of the tournament.

Adjudicators

Three adjudicators representing UP Diliman also participated- Bernard Joseph Guerrero (alumnus), Joseph Nash (IV – Econ) and Jennie Uy (IV – Speech Comm). Guerrero was able to judge all the way until the Grand Finals.

Another UPDS alumnus, Sir Martin Cortez, was part of the tournament’s adjudication core. He was the Deputy Chief Adjudicator representing the Philippines.

Public speaking

Jennie Uy also participated in the AUDC Public Speaking Competition. She reached the semifinals of the contest, competing with 15 other contestants for a spot in the finals.

‘Largest competition in the region’

According to the official tournament website, the AUDC is considered as the “premier debating championship in Asia.” The Chief Adjudicator for this tournament is Muhammad Abdul Latif of IIU. Other DCAs include Priyam Saraf ( Singapore), Ravi Prajapati ( Thailand) and Rashedul Hasan Stalin ( Bangladesh).

Next year’s competition will be hosted by East West University in Bangladesh.