Why sleep when you can speak up?

We may not have won a single medal in the recently held Olympics but there are other areas where we can be the best in the world – such as in the field of debating.

Filipinos are known worldwide to be sharp, eloquent and analytical with a strong command of the English language – the reason why Filipino teachers are most in demand in foreign countries including the United States.

One of the top, if not the top debating team our country can be proud of is the UP Debate Society. In spite of its meager resources, this team of young debaters has managed to conquer the country and in some respects, the world.

Early this year, the UP Debate Society bested every school in the country and emerged as the winner in the Third Inter-Collegiate Debate Competitions.

Soon after that, UP undergraduate Patricia Evangelista took the world by storm and became the first Filipino world champion of the English Speaking Union International Competition held in England.

Known for its tradition of excellence, the UP Debate Society has produced a crop of champions this year with the talent and experience to produce even more victories.

Come December, the UP Debate Society hopes to compete in the World Championships in Malaysia – that is, if they can raise enough funds to even get there.

To make sure that this team has a fighting chance of bringing home the top prize, PLDT’s Head of Retail Business Group Butch Jimenez, a good friend of mine and a former UP student is calling on UP Graduates to help bring the team to Malaysia.

"The problem with the team is that they spend more time looking for funds, instead of practicing," says Butch. "What’s worse is that they don’t even know who can go until the last minute, so they can’t practice together."

The team has the talent, the drive and the exposure necessary to succeed all over the world. But they can only gain the opportunity to succeed if they have the funds to reach Kuala Lumpur.

Butch promised the team that if they would concentrate on practicing, he would help them raise the money for the trip. To date, quite a number of UP-loving graduates have given their support. Among them are Delfin Lazaro of Globe Telecommunications, Kit Kat Zobel of the Ayala Group, Angeli Valenciano, PNB director Flor Tarriela, PLDT’s Ariel Roda, Pia Pascual of Japan Airlines, Winnie and Christian Monsod and many more.

"The UP Debate Society doesn’t really need much money," relates Butch. "What I really want the team to know is that there are people solidly behind them rooting for them to win. That is more important than a huge donation."

The World Championships will be held in December in Malaysia. Over a hundred teams from the best universities all over the world will be there to compete.

If you want to help a group of bright, young kids bring glory not just to UP but to the country as well (and maybe bring home the much-coveted gold medal), you can get in touch with Butch at [email protected]. or directly to the debate team at [email protected]

Why Sleep When You Can Speak?

The dead-ma (read: walang pakialam) days are over. Young people have finally found their voice and they’re ready to speak – armed with the right attitude, tough principles and fearless opinions.

ABS-CBN brings in Y Speak, the latest addition to Wednesday night television hosted by Karen Davila, Ryan Agoncillo and promising TV personality Bianca Gonzalez. It airs Wednesday nights right after Special Assignment.

Y Speak is a debate-talk show that lets the youth speak their mind about current and relevant issues. They bring out into the open the usually avoided topics – no matter how hot and provocative they may be. It is an avenue for smart talk and a battleground for opinions that empower the youth and urges them to speak.

The weekly show is adjudicated by resident judge, Fr. Carmelo Caluag, S.J., with a pair of guest celebrity judges. A weekly audience from different schools picks up the beat and injects the idealistic view of the youth.

The team of hit makers is led by man-of-the-hour Enrico Santos, with Arnel Natividad as director, Elvie Ignacio as floor director, Ethel Espiritu as production manager, Noel Ferrer as executive producer, May Lacar as associate producer, Herbs Samonte as segment producer, Mori Rodriguez and Cathy Cruz as writers, Alma Enriquez and Jing Tudla as researchers, Francis Jhoel Cortez as production assistant and Kathleen Geronimo as talent coordinator.

So on Wednesday nights, why sleep when you can speak?