Ateneo HS is 1st Runner-Up At ASDC 2013; Debaters Bag Multiple Awards and Records
The 5th Asian Schools Debate Championship (ASDC) was held at the Claret School of Quezon City last 15-21 May 2013. The international competition, held in the Asian Parliamentary Format, was attended by debaters and adjudicators from all over the Asian region. A total of fifty-two (52) teams of three members each competed in the competition. Of this fifty-two, eleven (11) came from the Ateneo High School—the largest contingent by far from any school in the tournament’s history.
The Ateneo High School Debaters put on an unforgettable, impressive performance. It set a new record in the tournament’s history, with a total of five teams breaking into the elimination round series. The previous record was also held by the Ateneo High School, when the contingent had three teams break into the Octofinals in 2010. Team AHS J, comprised of Kiko Santos (4A 2013), Luis Sia (4B 2013), and Vitto Pavia (4K 2013) reached the Grand Finals and were named as the official runner-up of the tournament. Team AHS B, comprised of Martin Abis (4B 2014), Rafa Lapira (4A 2015), and France Santos (4A 2015) reached the tournament semifinals, and team AHS A comprised of Miguel Ventura (4A 2014), Isaac Lee (4D 2014), and Jim Bulan (4N 2014) reached the Octofinals. Teams AHS C, comprised of Matt San Pedro (4M 2013), Poch Kalagayan (4A 2015), and Miguel Guerrero (4A 2015) and AHS D, comprised of Adrian Padilla (4J 2015), Tres Yap (4B 2015), and Josiah Encinas (4F 2015), were both unfortunately “capped” and not allowed to compete in the break rounds. The “Cap” rule only permits three teams from one institution to compete in the elimination rounds, also known as the “Break Rounds”, regardless of how many teams originally break. Because Teams J,B, and A had a higher total of accumulated speaker points than Teams C and D, the first three were the ones permitted to compete. Teams C and D, however, were officially recognized as breaking teams.
The finals was a battle between AHS J and Sekolah Dato’ Abdul Razak (SDAR) A on the motion “This house believes that humanity is better off without sexual desire.” AHS J was on the affirmative and SDAR A was on the negative. The Best Speaker Of The Final, and of the Tournament, was SDAR A’s Abdurrazzaq Fazail. SDAR A also won the Asian final.
This finals appearance marks the second straight Asian Final appearance from the Ateneo High School Debaters—a first in tournament history—and the third overall for the Ateneo High School—another tournament record. The AHS Debaters won the Asian Championship in 2010, led by Vincent Soriano (4A 2012), Javier Pablo (4A 2013), and Anton Sison (4N 2013).
The Ateneo Debaters also dominated the individual speaker awards categories. The team tied the record for most number of speakers from one institution in the Top Ten Speakers in Asia category, which is three. Vitto Pavia was named as 4th Best Speaker in Asia, Miguel Ventura as 7th, and Martin Abis as 9th. The Novice Awards category was nearly swept by the Ateneo High School as well. Novices are defined to be speakers who have never debated in an international competition prior to ASDC 2013. France Santos was the Best Overall Novice Speaker, Miguel Guerrero was Third, and Rafa Lapira and Poch Kalagayan tied for Fourth.
Special recognition also goes to Rob Nazal (4G 2015) and Carlos Tiu (an incoming Ateneo High School Freshman) for being named as Public Speaking Finalists. The Public Speaking Competition is a stand-up comedy competition where the goal of participants is to be as funny and comedic as possible. Out of over fifty participants, Nazal and Tiu were named among the Top Ten.
The following members also competed for the Ateneo High School and have made the entire community proud: AHS E was comprised of Miguel Ramirez (4N 2013), Enrique Gomez (4E 2014), and Derrick Ampil (4J 2015). AHS F was comprised of Aldrin Chico (4A 2013), Mon Asuncion (4G 2015), and Migui de la Cruz (4G 2015). AHS G was comprised of Jerome Exmundo (4D 2014), Luigi Alcaneses (Incoming AHS Freshman), and Renz Reyes (Incoming AHS Freshman). AHS H was comprised of Carmelo Arcilla (4E 2013), Chino Mendiola (4B 2015), Rob Nazal, and Carlos Tiu. AHS I was comprised of Ryan Abis (4B 2013), Alfonso Opulencia (4B 2013), and JR Sta. Maria (4B 2013). AHS K was comprised of Javier Pablo, Stanley Magno (4F 2013), and Enzo Casile (4E 2013).
It should also be noted that teams E, I, and K also earned enough Team Points to break into the elimination rounds, but did not have high enough speaker points to make the break.
The following adjudicators represented the Ateneo High School: Paul Daza of the AHS, Mahar Abrera Mangahas (Coach), Henry Fernando (Coach), Vince Barona (Coach), Bas Claudio (Coach), Nick Fortuna (Coach), Inah Robles (Coach), Abbo Hernandez (Coach), Jopi Esquivias, Clyde Maramba (4M 2012), and Anton Sison.
The Ateneo Debaters extend their deep gratitude to their sponsors Pioneer Insurance Inc. and TV 5, run by Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan, whose support made all of the opportunities for the Ateneo High School possible.
The Ateneo Debaters also extend their sincere gratitude to the Ateneo High School community for all the support and prayers they received throughout the preparation and competition period. Special thanks goes to Fr. Jboy Gonzales S.J. and the Campus Ministry Office (CMO) who allowed the team to sponsor an AHS Sunday Mass on 12 May 2013.
The Ateneo Debaters proved to be a force to contend with in Asia. The team dedicates their hard work and achievements to God, to country, and to Ateneo.
