LICEO U CROWNS DEBATE CHAMPIONS IN ANNUAL RNP DEBATE CUP
On brightest minds from the Senior High School and Higher Education divisions showcased their eloquence, critical thinking, and mastery of argumentation at the Atty. Rodolfo N. Pelaez Debate Cup Championship Round held at the Rodelsa Hall. Under the Modified Oxford-Oregon format, the event brought together top debaters in intense policy discussions, culminating in the crowning of this year’s champions.
In the Senior High School division, Cluster 3, representing the Negative bench, emerged victorious against Cluster 1 in a debate on the motion: "The Philippines should enact Economic Provisions through Charter Change." The winning team, composed of John Erick Eduria Jr., Leane France Gersana, Junbert Balaido, and team scribe Von Sebastian Borromeo, successfully defended their stance with well-structured arguments and compelling rebuttals. Despite the strong performance of their opponents—Rinzel Paul Poblete, Sophia Alreigne Araneta, Aiah Denise Racho, and Kirk Ian Siao—Cluster 3 secured the championship title.
Individual distinctions were awarded to outstanding debaters, with Rinzel Paul Poblete (1st Speaker, Affirmative) receiving the Best Speaker award, while John Erick Eduria Jr. (3rd Speaker, Negative) was named Best Debater.
In the Higher Education division, the College of Medical Laboratory Sciences (CMLS) successfully defended their title, marking a back-to-back championship win. Arguing for the Negative bench, CMLS triumphed over the School of Teacher Education (STE) in the debate on "The Philippines shall mandate AI into higher education curricula as a necessity for sustainable and innovative learning." The victorious CMLS team—Shahanie Sealtiel Namoco, John Lester Escabarte, Eavan Jade Oga-a, and Daniela Noreen Baldon—stood out with their strategic reasoning and cohesive delivery. Their formidable opponents from STE, Noriel John Llamos, Teodulo Culanggo Jr., Aljan Tablando, and Joseph Charles Sososco, presented strong counterarguments but fell short in securing the title.
Individual accolades in the college division went to Eavan Jade Oga-a (3rd Speaker, Negative), who was named Best Speaker, and Noriel John Llamos (1st Speaker, Affirmative), who earned the Best Debater award.
The event was graced by a distinguished panel of adjudicators, including Atty. Spencer P. Palen, Atty. James M. Violon, and Hon. Jerlie Luis Requerme, Chairman of the Board, whose expertise ensured a fair and insightful evaluation of the debates.
The Atty. Rodolfo N. Pelaez Debate Cup continues to be a premier platform for Liceo de Cagayan University’s students to refine their analytical and rhetorical skills, fostering a new generation of critical thinkers and future leaders. Photos by The Titans/Lance Lawrence Perges
