...the PH debater

Team Philippines is top contender in international debate contest

By Nikka Garriga

loQal

Fri, Feb 24, 2012

PASIG CITY, METRO MANILA—The Filipino youth made the country proud as six high school students emerged as one of the top four semi-finalists in the recent World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) in South Africa.

Team Philippines finished 8th place after a series of preliminary rounds of debating with six wins.

The team is lauded for their skills, after defeating the teams of Canada and Singapore, which were the 2010 and 2011 champions, respectively, before getting thwarted by Scotland in a close fight.

“The team put in a great amount of work, researching topics and practicing their skills, while managing schoolwork. It's good to see their effort and dedication rewarded,” said Sharmila Parmanand, a three-time Asian Champion debater and this year's coach.

The group members included Joaquin Bonoan Escano from PAREF Southride School, Donald Felbaum and Nico Flaminiano from Xavier School, Rico Holganza Jr. from PAREF Springdale School in Cebu, Sanjeev Parmanand from Ateneo de Zamboanga University High School, and Mariella Salazar from International School Manila.

For its part, Department of Education secretary Armin Luistro commended the group for expressing the youth's perspective on global issues that would soon become their concern.

“I am truly pleased with the convergence of young people from different parts of the world to share their opinions on issues affecting their respective countries locally and globally. Hats off to the Philippine team for showing the world the great potential of Filipino students,” said Luistro.

Philippine national champion Kip Oebenda also noted the spread of debate across the country, with two of the team speakers coming from Visayas and Mindanao.

Oebanda was a two-time Asian semi-finalist and former coach of the Philippine team for the previous two championships.