It was both a clash of wits and of sound judgment.

The Voice Out Debate and Extemporaneous Dialogue, which was held last February 21, 2014 at the Finster Auditorium, was topped by the Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) and School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA), respectively.

“We believe that discourse is important, because it is through discourse that we are able to change misconceptions, challenge conventions, and eventually make informed decisions regarding present issues that affect us one way or another,” ADV President Joseph Daniel Jalotjot said.

The ADV wanted the participants to converse “an examination of other issues” on relevant yet seldom discussed topics in society because of the news filled with controversies involving Vhong Navarro and Janet Napoles.

The debate participants from 8 divisions were challenged on their objectivity with the set of motions highlighting school issues, economics, politics, pop culture and religion. The extemporaneous speaking-dialogue from 8 divisions demanded wits in creativity and persuasiveness with topics ranging from “the government giving flowers to single people on Valentine’s day” to punishments like “raping rapists”.

The following winners were announced:
DEBATE CHAMPION:

Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) –

Catague, Julius Cesar
Quindoy, Rhesam Mae
Umacob, Terushi

DEBATE FIRST-RUNNER UP:

Business and Management (BM) –

Foronda, Enrico
Foronda, Luis
Morales, Rimuel

DEBATE TOURNAMENT BEST SPEAKERS:

1st – Morales, Rimuel (Business and Management)
2nd – Obinque, Reil Benedict (School of Education)
3rd – Dela Cerna, Hannah Keziah (Social Sciences)
4th – Yu, Lilibeth (School of Engineering and Architecture)
5th – Umacob, Terushi (Natural Sciences and Mathematics)
6th – Foronda, Enrico (Business and Mathematics)

EXTEMPORANEOUS DIALOGUE CHAMPION:

School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) –

Abellara, Kristoffe
Comoda, Patrick John

EXTEMPORANEOUS DIALOGUE FIRST-RUNNER UP:

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) –

Balaga, Glenn
Maliones, Evanne

EXTEMPORANEOUS DIALOGUE SECOND-RUNNER UP:

Natural Science and Mathematics (NSM) –

Dolino, Le Grande
Lee, Joana Ela

EXTEMPORANEOUS DIALOGUE THIRD-RUNNER UP:

School of Nursing (SON) –

Tardo, Mowee Shiozawa
Tungao, Abdul Rahim

The event was made possible by the Ateneo Debate Varsity (ADV), in coordination with the First Year Student Executive Council (FYSEC).