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MSU-IIT Debate Varsity (MIDV) students from the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) dominate breaks during the Mindanao Parliamentary Debate Championship (MPDC) hosted by the Ateneo Debate Varsity, at Ateneo de Davao University, last June 19-21, 2024.
MIDV racked up six breaks in total with two breaking teams in the semifinals, three teams in the quarterfinals, and 1 breaking team in the pre-quarterfinals. Jayvee Bondoc from BS Philosophy (Applied Ethics) emerged as the Overall Best Speaker. Along with Leo Herold Laluna from BS Nursing, Bondoc made up the MSU-IIT LJ that cemented a semi-final stint as the first breaking team.
The three quarterfinalist teams were: MSU-IIT AK, composed of BA Political Science major Khen Ivan Emerzon Gabatan and BS Nursing major Jahnfer Ashley Melendez, which secured the spot of the 12th-breaking team; MSU-IIT JM, with Jescillier Villaruz from BA Political Science and Mark Joseua Socillo from BS Psychology, which seized their break at 16th; and MSU-IIT ZK, with Zailla Alarde from BS Psychology and Kathleen Anne Fumero from BS Philosophy (Applied Ethics), which delivered as the 22nd-breaking team.
Moreover, Edwin Culaba Jr. from BA Political Science and Xandi Cartin from BSBA Business Economics polished their pre-quarterfinal journey as the 24th breaking team under MSU-IIT EX. BA Political Science major Afidah Camar and BSED Biology major Humphrey Aninao from MSU-IIT AH are also on the competing teams in the MPDC.
MIDV also secured two breaking adjudicators: Bryan Alexander Open from BA Literature and Cultural Studies, finishing as the pre-quarterfinalist chair; and Harvey Melendrez, a subsidized adjudicator, clinching the 4th best judge title and high school grand-finals panelist.
IITians Christian Jake Segura and Mark Angelo Gallardo also emerged as semi-finalists bannering MSU-IIT MT as the 14th Breaking Team. Meanwhile, Jireh Chiyelle Maghinay, Elritz Lauron, Saud Salic, and Shane Heart Buhisan competed as adjudicators.
In an interview, quarterfinalists Khen Ivan Emerzon Gabatan from MSU-IIT AK and Jescillier Villaruz from MSU-IIT JM expressed their thoughts on the recent championship battles, highlighting the struggles they faced in this year’s MPDC. “Just three days before heading to Davao, we faced a huge setback when the number of teams going was slashed in half. It was a real blow to our spirits and made us question if we could even represent our institution. But then Chanzed stepped up and provided some resolution — to let the other teams fund their registration, and just be reimbursed later on, with a promise to prevent this from happening again,” Villaruz said. “Instead of training and preparing, most of us were focused on securing funds to send all our teams to the event. This situation arose not due to a lack of support from the administration, but rather due to a lack of proper communication and common ground,” Gabatan added.
Aside from the financial challenge, they also faced personal struggles that affected their training schedules. They pointed out that most MIDV members had some personal commitments, OJT, summer classes, internet connectivity, and the like that made it difficult for them to fully commit to the series of training held online. During the tournament, they also faced health challenges that became one of the struggles during the debate. “...there was the whole health ordeal in Davao. One of our seniors had a high fever, and most of us were battling sore throats and colds. It was hard enough to think clearly for a good case, but it was even harder to maintain our energy and voices during the rounds because of it,” Villaruz stated.
Apart from the challenges they faced, Gabatan and Villaruz emphasized that this year’s MPDC is its first face-to-face debate since the pandemic, allowing them to reconnect with their previous competitors in the virtual realm. “It is more than just a competition to determine the best; it is an opportunity to connect with esteemed debaters and adjudicators within the circuit, learn from each other, and reconnect with competitors we have previously encountered behind the screens of our gadgets,” Gabatan highlighted.
MIDV also secured two breaking adjudicators: Bryan Alexander Open from BA Literature and Cultural Studies, finishing as the pre-quarterfinalist chair; and Harvey Melendrez, a subsidized adjudicator, clinching the 4th best judge title and high school grand-finals panelist.
IITians Christian Jake Segura and Mark Angelo Gallardo also emerged as semi-finalists bannering MSU-IIT MT as the 14th Breaking Team. Meanwhile, Jireh Chiyelle Maghinay, Elritz Lauron, Saud Salic, and Shane Heart Buhisan competed as adjudicators.
In an interview, quarterfinalists Khen Ivan Emerzon Gabatan from MSU-IIT AK and Jescillier Villaruz from MSU-IIT JM expressed their thoughts on the recent championship battles, highlighting the struggles they faced in this year’s MPDC. “Just three days before heading to Davao, we faced a huge setback when the number of teams going was slashed in half. It was a real blow to our spirits and made us question if we could even represent our institution. But then Chanzed stepped up and provided some resolution — to let the other teams fund their registration, and just be reimbursed later on, with a promise to prevent this from happening again,” Villaruz said. “Instead of training and preparing, most of us were focused on securing funds to send all our teams to the event. This situation arose not due to a lack of support from the administration, but rather due to a lack of proper communication and common ground,” Gabatan added.
Aside from the financial challenge, they also faced personal struggles that affected their training schedules. They pointed out that most MIDV members had some personal commitments, OJT, summer classes, internet connectivity, and the like that made it difficult for them to fully commit to the series of training held online. During the tournament, they also faced health challenges that became one of the struggles during the debate. “...there was the whole health ordeal in Davao. One of our seniors had a high fever, and most of us were battling sore throats and colds. It was hard enough to think clearly for a good case, but it was even harder to maintain our energy and voices during the rounds because of it,” Villaruz stated.
Apart from the challenges they faced, Gabatan and Villaruz emphasized that this year’s MPDC is its first face-to-face debate since the pandemic, allowing them to reconnect with their previous competitors in the virtual realm. “It is more than just a competition to determine the best; it is an opportunity to connect with esteemed debaters and adjudicators within the circuit, learn from each other, and reconnect with competitors we have previously encountered behind the screens of our gadgets,” Gabatan highlighted.
Despite these tussles, MIDV showcased their exceptional debating skills with six breaking teams, bringing home pride through the contributions of each member of the varsity. Villaruz ended with his appeal to the entire MSU-IIT community: “My only appeal is that we need all the support we deserve. Debate is a sport that does not only bring pride to our institution because of the accolades MIDV brings but also to elevate intellectual discourse and empower nuanced communities.”
Indeed, MIDV remains one of the institution’s most important organizations for mobilizing young minds to influence the future. Yarokzta!
Indeed, MIDV remains one of the institution’s most important organizations for mobilizing young minds to influence the future. Yarokzta!
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