UP-Mindanao competes in national debates

UP-Mindanao Debate Society contingent composed of [front] Bryle Bacatan (BS Food Technology), Hyacinth Tiffany Jungco (BA Communication Arts), Wolfe Schievener Ote (BACA); [back] Sarika Rey (BA English), Andres Karl Segovia (BACA), Kimberly Cabantug (BACA), Frederick Omalza (BS Biology), Michael Bacus (BSB), Nissa Caderao (BS Agribusiness Economics), Rezo Polinar (BACA), Karl Tristan Butalid (BA Anthropology).

U.P. MINDANAO DEBATE SOCIETY (UP-Min DebSoc) competed in the 19th National Debate Championship for the first time on 16-21 December 2017 at Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City. At the end of the debates, the UP-Min teams ranked in top 20 in the eliminations and qualified for the Open Breaks; eventually reaching the Open-Quarterfinals. In the Union Cup, UP-Min ranked in the top 4 in the Qualifiers and competed in the Union Cup Grand Finals.

In the Open Octofinals, UP-Min faced Far Eastern University, University of San Carlos (USC), and Western Mindanao State University (WMSU). UPMin-A debated as Closing-Government on the motion “This House, as the European Union, would impose quotas on its member states for accepting Libyan Refugees”. UP-Min won and thus proceeded to the Quarterfinals.

In the Open Quarterfinals, UP-Min faced UP Diliman (UPD), University of Sto. Tomas, and USC. The motion was “This House would not require businesses to create products and designs which are against their religious beliefs”. UPD won 1st place. It was a close fight for 2nd place between USC and UP-Min, but since the British Parliamentary debate rules require a consensus, the judges agreed to USC at 2nd place and UP-Min at 3rd place, thereby ending the UP-Min run in the open-breaks.

In the Union Cup Semifinals, UP-Min faced USC, South Luzon University, and San Beda College. The motion was, “This House would abandon all future direction of gene-editing technology”. USC placed 1st and UP-Min placed 2nd, sending both to the Grand finals.

In the Union Cup Grandfinals, the debate was on the motion “This House would allow criminals to choose mind-wiping as an alternative to criminal punishment”. USC led the debate as Opening-Government, WMSU as Opening-Opposition, IIT as Closing-Government, and UP-Min as Closing-Opposition. The debate between UP-Min and USC was closely argued and the initial result was a 4-1 vote in favor of USC. Although one judge voted for UPMin, the judge eventually conceded to the rest and USC was proclaimed champion in the Union Cup.