Debate Contest

Last week, mommy was angry with me because I submitted her name among the list of possible contenders for the annual PRTC club debate contest. She got so many alibis not to join but I know, deep inside she was just afraid. Without my knowledge, she successfully convinced their team captain to replace her because of possible conflict of interest. She argued that she just wanted to play safe because I was the assigned chief judge. Lucky for her, they were able to get a last minute replacement.

The contest was a box-office hit. We have several dozen visitors from other Toastmasters Club such as Sand Dunes, Toast of Comsofil, Mabuhay, PSME, Filcom-IT, and some Indian clubs. The debate theme was "Be it resolve that the number of basic education in the Philippine schools be increase from 10 years to 12 years". On the negative side were the team of TM Reina who was the heavy favorite. They have fielded top caliber speakers such as TM Regina, TM Abs, TM Perlito, TM Reina, TM Guiller and TM Shiela. On the other side were the underdogs, who will defend the affirmative side. These were composed of TM Donnie, TM, Ruben, TM Rowell and TM Rollie.

It was a close fight, I admit. Neither of the two teams followed the rules and regulation - just like the way we were two years ago - and most of them were carried with their emotional debating rather than objective debating. In the end, the affirmative had it. On individual awards, TM Reina edge out TM Ruben by 1 point and won the best debater award. TM Donnie was the run-away winner as the best speaker.