Letran SHS - Social Sciences Area holds the Final Round of its first Asian Parliamentary Debate Cup: A Face-off between Team Maritres and Team Helix

Kumi San Diego

Friday, October 28, 2022 - After a week of elimination and days for the Quarter and Semis, Team Maritres of ABM11A and Team Helix of STEM11B faced one another in the Final Round of the first-ever Letran Senior High School Asian Parliamentary Debate Cup held at the Balagtas Hall from 1:25 PM to 3:30 PM. This is still part of the celebration of the Social Science Month this October.

Mr. Kobe Bryan Loterinia, one of the adjudicators of the cup then briefly explained the instructions to the debaters which is still in an Asian format. The debaters were given 30 minutes to prepare and write down their arguments based on the final round’s motion, “This house opposes the glorification of career achievements as a basis of self-worth.” Each speaker is allocated seven minutes to deliver constructive speeches.

Shortly after, Mr. Loterinia welcomed Assoc. Prof. Eric N. Awi, Ph.D., the Principal of the Senior High School Department, to deliver his opening remarks. He shared that he is a graduate of Political Science and that he always joined debates when he was in college. However, he did not even win a single debate. But when he coached, they won. He pointed out that they should not lose hope, and should keep their passion burning.

“Just keep on debating because that is what we need in this generation in the advent of technology and disinformation, people need to state facts and that is what we value state facts. Because stating your general knowledge is not enough, but stating facts is everything,” he said. “Siempre Arriba, Siempre Letran!” Dr. Awi exclaimed.

Before proceeding to the debate proper, Mr. Kobe Loterinia, introduced the other adjudicators consist of Mr. Kenneth Roy Aranas, Ms. Mitzi Marie Adona, Ms. Shame Balognapo, with guest, Mr. Kenmark Capadocia, and Mr. Marco Posadas. Following, he welcomed both teams; "Team Maritres'' from ABM 11A joined by Juan Victor L. Magno, Crystal Fellyne Masong, and Michelle R. San Diego who defended the government side and the opposing side who refuted and negated the motion which is the "Team Helix'' from STEM 11B with Angel Choie Peña, Chezka Eunice Raras, and April Joy Roldan. Mr. Loterinia opened the case and called the prime minister first.

Team Maritres set parameters for Science High Schools and STEM students. Magno, the Prime Minister, pointed out that glorification of career achievements as a basis of self-worth can lead to discrimination, invalidating intelligence, doubting self-worth, and promoting unrealistic expectations. “There are multiple factors to consider in one’s worth. Do not glorify it, acknowledge it,” he proposed. While Peña from Team Helix, the leader of the opposition, pointed out that glorifying career achievement is not bad, it will be bad if it harms people. She stated that it inspires students to study hard and to be responsible people. “What we are trying to emphasize is why would we not glorify? Be proud and let others know about our achievements. It helps us to know how far we have gone,” she ends.

“Seeing people only for their achievements as their basis of self-worth, their basis of being a ‘person’ and making it a bigger deal than what it is by glorifying it is dehumanizing, demoralizing, and greatly affects a person's self-esteem,” Masong, the Deputy Prime Minister of Maritres said.

One of her examples is President Bongbong Marcos giving scholarships to STEM students only. It invalidates other forms of intelligence by glorifying the strand and the different achievements associated with it. Moreover, Raras, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, exclaimed, “President Bongbong Marcos focuses on STEM students because that’s what our country needs more of. We need more nurses. We need more doctors because of the pandemic that happened to our country." Shortly after, team Maritres raised a Point of Information (POI) that the opposition side invalidates the other strands and professions. Raras defended her side and threw them again that the country needs more doctors and nurses. As she ended her speech, she added that people should go beyond, explore more, and learn more from experience.

“Scholarship should be given equally in different strands, equally in different professions. It's something that nurtures themselves with the education that they're giving," said San Diego, the Government Whip. “With people glorifying achievements, they become one's standard for other people, destroying the idea of good self-perception and self-worth," said the Opposition Whip, Roldan as she strongly believes that achievements are earned by hard work. Achievements should be glorified as the basis of self-worth. They deserve to be praised because they have worked hard for it, and that is why it should be highlighted. “Why would you say that they are treated as something superior just because the strand they are working on provides other things, provides jobs that are well known in society?” she questioned. Later on, POIs were discussed.

After the speech of the opposition whip, the Opposition replied and the Government gave their last speeches. While waiting for the adjudicators to finish the evaluation of the results, Letran Impresarios Guild and Danza En Ritmo showcased their talents with some video performances.

Meanwhile, Mr. Loterinia announced first the individual awards for the debate. The awards for "Best Speaker" and "Best Debater" were given to Rafael Carmelo Marquez of STEM 11D and Louise Dominic Arga of STEM11A respectively. Finally, announcing the winners, ABM11A "Team Maritres" bagged the first-ever Letran SHS Debate Cup Championship, as STEM11B's "Team Helix" finished as the first runner-up. The winners were presented with a trophy, gifts from sponsors, cash prizes, certificates, and a medal.

“Nung una, isang panalo, okay na. Tapos biglang nanalo, natalo ng isang beses ta’s ayon, diniretso na namin sa momentum. Incentives lang talaga yung inspiration namin to join this debate. But as it goes, nakita namin ‘yung support ng classmates namin, mga friends namin, and everyone around us, nakita namin ‘yung support. Nang dahil doon, ayon ‘yung nagsilbing inspiration namin," Magno shared during the interview. He and his teammates also stated that losing to Team Lumpya from STEM11A in the second round inspired them because it was their first loss.

Team Maritres and their class, ABM11A, were both surprised and proud to learn that they had won because all their hard work and efforts had paid off. Magno also claimed that if the Debate Cup will be held again, their team will once again compete.

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