By Ace Dizon and Joaquin Yulo

The Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) emerged victorious at the Philippine Schools Debate Championship (PSDC), held last January 11 to 14 at the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU).

This marks the first championship title under the ASHS in this competition—14 years after the Ateneo de Manila High School’s championship in 2010.

ASHS Debate Organization and Varsity representatives Sam Tango from 12-Walpole and Kiel Mirandilla from 12-Kibe took home the tournament’s crown.

Tango was awarded the Overall Best Open Speaker and Open Finals Best Speaker, while Mirandilla was awarded 7th Best Open Speaker. Jasmin Ang from 12-Ogilvie was awarded the 9th Best Open Speaker. 

Ang and Ma. Ionee Nairda Alcantara from 12-Beyzym succeeded to the Open Semifinals of the tournament, while Akila Gabriel Delos Santos from 12-Anchieta and Kristen Caroline Reyes from 12-Geronimo succeeded to the Open Octofinals.

The ‘Prep’ Rally, PSDC Ball, and Graduation Day were held after the debates to allow the participants to socialize as this was the first PSDC return onsite since the pandemic.

PSDC is a debate competition hosted by the Ateneo Debate Society since 2002 which follows the British Parliamentary Debate format.

The prestige, passion, and preparation behind every round of PSDC is one of the most recognized feats within the Philippine debating community. Before the country heads internationally to defend its title in the World Universities Debating Championship, won by the Ateneo last year, it must first find its finest representatives in PSDC. 

However, just like any great story, there must always be a start. 

Humble Beginnings

The story of one of the victorious debaters, Sam Tango, began during an organization fair in grade seven. A friend introduced him to debate by asking him to take part in the World Scholars Cup, a debate competition held in that same year. Aside from that, Sam was attracted to the marketing strategy of the Ateneo Debate team. “The marketing strategy was to bombard us with medals. Something I quite liked,” he remarked.

On the other hand, the second winning debater, Kiel Mirandilla, discovered his passion through his older sister, who was into debate beforehand. Even when he lost rounds, the spark he found from his sister was unrelenting and stayed within him, driving him to push for his dreams. 

However, it takes guts to stay in a field of competition as high-stakes and spur-of-the-moment as debate. However, the friends the team made along the way, including fellow debaters, helped them stay on track and keep their fiery passion for debate burning deep within their hearts. 

There was one more thing that fed the fire—thrill. 

For Tango, being in debate means being liberated from any physical limits. Height and weight is irrelevant—only how much you know about the world and how it works truly matters. After all, a tall, bulky build would not help you in debate, but a sharp mind, a talent for speaking, and a heart that understands the world at its core—that is what makes a debater truly special.

For Mirandilla, his constant gathering of knowledge and practice every day is a testament to his dedication as a member of the Ateneo Debate Team. This is something that he respects in others, especially in the vast majority of debaters who stay in the sport.

It’s All in the Mind

It was all about getting in the zone for Mirandilla, and his ritual of “being sleep deprived, starving, and having lots of sugar for every day of the tournament.” This helped him stay focused and at his peak, paired with the fearless demeanor he always carried.

For Tango, mentality was above all else. Debating, being a mental discipline, warrants mind over matter from its participants. “Beyond skill and everything else is the mental,” remarked Tango. This mindset, thinking attitude, and mental preparedness were key aspects that helped the Ateneo Debate Team win.

Despite other big schools like De La Salle and Philippine Science High School vying with Ateneo for the top spot, the ASHS Debate Team triumphed with a simple mindset. 

“For us, it didn’t matter who was in the room and who I was personally fighting, since I focused and worked on my own ability, and the ability of my teammates, inevitably bearing fruit,” Tango recurred.

“I realized that debating to not lose is way more sad and not like Sam and I, who debate to enjoy and be proud of the speeches we make. This carried on to the finals,” Mirandilla stated similarly.

In addition, the support of the ASHS Debate and even the Alumni were a great source of strength for the team. For Tango, their support was essential and “amazing.”

The mental aspects of debate go both ways, however. 

Thoughts of doubt also crept in for the team, specifically when they were waiting for the judge to announce the results, and more so right before the declaration of the winners. Pressure during the near-final rounds mounted, flaring up emotions. Nerves hindered confidence and blocked focus. Despite the heart-out-of-your-chest moments, the team recognized that these were normal and would never really go away. With the right coping strategies like listening to motivational music, these could be mitigated. 

The Ateneo Way

Of course, there is no Ateneo way without Ignatian values, which were very much exemplified in the preparations of the ASHS Debate Team.

When it comes to ASHS Debate training sessions, Tango says that they were clear-cut, allowing an individual to grow with more stability. For Mirandilla, the environment of the debate team always emphasized on speaking out—particularly speaking out and allowing others to listen.

As recalled by Tango, the organization placed special emphasis on bodily and mental health, considering the toll it takes on the mind and body. Having a stable support team like the ASHS Debate Team allowed the members of the group to understand the importance of self-care through Cura Personalis. For Mirandilla, Cura Personalis came in the form of constantly reminding himself to operate with compassion, no matter the results. This essential truth isn’t limited to those under the same banner, but also extends to rival schools.

It is without a doubt that the Ignatian value of Magis was ever-present in the ASHS Debate Team. Through the various org sessions and practice speeches, the team had an outlet to exert their time, passion and effort into—something that helped them soar to greater heights. To do more, to maximize talents, and to break barriers: that is the true essence of the Ateneo debater.

Beyond the personal recognition, the most important value that the team carried was to give up everything to God. As Ateneo Debaters, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam was an overarching value amidst this entire experience. Through the difficult, rigorous practice sessions to the triumph, joy, and relief of victory, the team recognized that everything they did, win or lose, was for God’s greater glory. 

From Them to You: Tips on Debate & Public Speaking

“The hardest thing for a debater is to get up on stage for the first time, whether it’s during competition or even practice. But after that, it gets easier,” Tango advised. 

When talking about his number one tip for aspiring debaters, Mirandilla states, “It’s okay to dream. That no matter where you come from […], this sport respects each and everyone’s voices. In debate, we are constantly told that there are no automatic losses exactly because everyone has something meaningful to say.”

Debating—in practice or during competitions—requires experience, training, and a certain level of getting used to it. Yet, despite its seemingly intimidating nature, one must understand that every voice matters and that it is essential to respect others.

“[Your confidence] doesn’t only come from you. It comes from an outstanding passion and desire to speak your mind and make a stand. To stand atop a podium to represent people, including yourself, in the best way you can,” Sam concluded.