UP Tacloban conquers Chancellor’s Debate Cup

University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Tacloban College team emerged victorious in the first online Chancellor’s Debate Cup held on April 10-11 via Zoom and Facebook.

With a 2-1 decision, UP Tacloban won against the Fisheries team of the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS) in the grand finals with the motion, “The House supports the use of Artificial Intelligence as the primary tool for decision-making in matters relating to public health policies and programs.”

John Rey Reyes of CFOS was awarded Best Speaker of the finals round.

Five academic organizations from UPV Miagao participated in the Asian format debate – Clovers, Elektrons, Redbolts, Skimmers, and Fisheries; and a team representative from UPV Tacloban College.

The debate cup was composed of three preliminary rounds. The top three breaking teams were UP Tacloban, Fisheries, and Skimmers. With a unanimous decision in the pre-grand finals, Fisheries won against Skimmers, facing Tacloban in the grand finals.

Debaters who excelled in the competition were given best speaker awards. John Rey Reyes (Fisheries) secured the Overall Best Speaker Award; Brandon Dela Cruz and Jessa Nuevas from UP Tacloban got the 2nd and 3rd spots, respectively; Nikko Aquino (UP Tacloban) and Feliz Espinosa (Redbolts) were tied at 4th. Lastly, Francis Nacionales (Clovers) and Redbolts representatives, Carmela Adelantar and Franz Mapa shared the 6th spot.

Furthermore, the debate cup’s adjudication core was composed of Dianne Ablay of UPV Tacloban College and Keith Jablo and Antonio Salazar of UPV Miagao.

The debate competition aims to promote democracy and social awareness of students in the various issues we face today.

UPV Chancellor Dr. Clement Camposano said that the event would have a significant impact in creating a university with a diverse and open atmosphere, making it a bastion of academic freedom.

“This event tells us that the UP spirit is alive and refuses to be defeated,” Camposano added.