For six days until Nov. 7, about 20 high school students from Silliman University and St. Paul University Dumaguete competed in the Philippine Schools Debate Championship in Manila.
Silliman High students Amyrrha Estolloso and Claudia Macias were ranked #47 and #76 based on speaker points, among 280 of the country’s best secondary school debaters.
First year student Jude Amiscaray, who ranked 2nd next to Macias at Silliman High, was ranked #95, Raya Pinili at #115 among 280 debaters. The other debaters from Silliman were Elisha Dagoc, Pol Caluscusan, Dale Casocot, Azel Amada, Kaela Maxino, and Milton Gabas. They were trained by faculty Renelito Caballo and Crystal Llante. The group was also supported by Cong. Jocelyn Limkaichong.
The outstanding debaters mostly came from Southridge School in Alabang, Immaculate Concepcion Academy in Greenhills, San Beda College-Alabang, Xavier School in Mandaluyong, Ateneo de Zamboanga, Ateneo de Naga, and Woodrose School in Alabang.
The PSDC — now on its tenth year, one of the most prestigious tournaments of high school public speakers and debaters, is organized by the Ateneo Debate Society. It follows the British Parliamentary debate style. The Ateneo Debate Society is ranked as one of the Top 10 debate groups in the world, and is Asia’s most-awarded debate institution.