Four AHS seniors rank among Three Best Speakers In RP at PSDC 2013
Last 8-11 November 2013, the Ateneo de Manila High School Debaters competed in the largest national tournament of the year, the Philippine Schools Debate Championship (PSDC). This 12th PSDC has been the largest edition of the tournament so far, with 130 teams of two coming from all over the country, even in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). As always, PSDC 2013 was hosted by the Loyola Schools’ Ateneo Debate Society.
The Ateneo High School found itself as the runner-up for the 2nd year in a row, as it earned 2nd place in the Grand Final to Immaculate Concepction Academy. AHS A featured Miguel Ventura (4A) and Jim Bulan (4N). The motion of the finals was, “This house would deny people convicted of crimes against humanity (war criminals, dictators, etc.) burial rites.”
AHS B (Martin Abis of 4B and Isaac Lee of 4D) and AHS E (Poch Kalagayan and Miguel Guerrero, both from 3A) reached the semifinals of the octofinals. AHS C (Rafa Lapira of 3A and Adrian Padilla of 3J) were octofinalists and AHS G (Luigi Alcañeses and Renz Reyes, both of 1A) were quarterfinalists. AHS F, consisting of Josiah Encinas (3F) and Derrick Ampil (3L), also broke into the octofinals, but was not allowed to compete due to the institution cap. The rule only allows five teams from the same institution to compete in the elimination rounds. AHS, however, still had the most number of breaking teams at six. The record for the tournament is held by Ateneo High School, which had 7 teams breaking in PSDC 2012.
The team also earned several individual distinctions. All four seniors of the contingent—Ventura, Bulan, Abis, and Lee—were all ranked and tied as the Third Best Speakers of the Philippines. Rafa Lapira narrowly missed the Top Ten Best Speakers by a few ranks.
The team is would like to thank coaches Mahar Mangahas, Henry Fernando, Javier Pablo, Ryan Abis, Matt San Pedro, Peterson Poon, Daryl Isla, Inah Robles, Bas Claudio, and Nick Fortuna—all of whom prepared the team for the competition. The moderator of the organization is Mrs. Fe U. de Jesus of the AHS English Subject Area.
