By Aura Sison

The Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) Debate Organization and Varsity celebrated their victorious feat in the Open Grand Champions of the World Schools Debating League (WSDL) Asia held last September 7, 14, 21, & 28, October 19 & 26, and November 2 & 19, 2022.

Among the three teams representing the ASHS—Ateneo White, Ateneo Blue, and Ateneo Black—Ateneo White and Ateneo Blue competed for the title in the Open Grand Finals round, securing the title for the ASHS, along with several multiple speaker awards among other institutions in Asia. 

A 3-2 split gave Ateneo White the victory, giving them the WSDL title for the third consecutive year. 

Describing their performance where eight of the 15 speaker honors were bagged by ASHS students, including the Overall Best Open Speaker and Overall Best Junior Speaker, the team said it has been “a mixture of everything” they have learned so far from the past training rounds and competitions they have joined.

“We wouldn’t have made a 3-peat and bagged 8/15 speaker awards without the aid and hard work of our dear coaches, alumni, and seniors,” ASHS Debate Organization and Varsity Captain Danielle Barbacena (12-Anchieta) said as she acknowledged the people who helped them achieve their victory. 

Ateneo White, the crown holders that also secured the championship in the Open Category with the highest team speaking points in the tournament was composed of Barbacena, Ira Concepcion (12-Navarro), Aliah Garcia (12-Holland), Aliyah Herlihy (12-Anchieta), & Eliana Lim (12-Oldcorne).

Meanwhile, Ateneo Blue broke 3rd in the Open Category with the second highest team speaking points in the tournament, which consisted of Pio Ventura (12-Xavier), Kristen Reyes (11-Fontoura), Jasmin Ang (11-Nakaura), Kiel Mirandilla (11-Hurtado), & Sam Tango (11-Torres).

Ranked 12th in the Open Category and ended their stint as Open Quarterfinalists, the Ateneo Black included Ivan Valenzuela (12-Geronimo), Alyzza Arididon (11-Angelis), Jamie Antonio (11-Realino), Luisa Albo (11-Escribano), and Andrew Tan (11-Wright).

“Despite us celebrating our recent championship, we are also still looking forward to getting better and improving as debaters and individuals,” Barbacena ended.

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