XAVIER DEBATE CIRCLE. With three teams composed of two students each, Xavier Ateneo sent its contingent to Laoag City, Ilocos Norte to compete in the annual National Debate Championship. Supplied photo.

By Harriet Golda M Reserva, Communications Intern

With three teams composed of two students each, Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan sent its contingent to Laoag City, Ilocos Norte to compete in the annual National Debate Championship. Every year, student-debaters from all around the country convene and clash in a battle of wits, words, and wisdom to see who prevails as national champions.

This year, thanks to the assistance of the Xavier Debate Circle’s alumni, the organization was able to send three teams to represent the school.

The competition was held in two separate parts: the seven-round preliminaries and the finals series. In order to qualify for the finals series, teams must compete for points and reach the top 32. From there, they are allocated into different rooms for Octofinals. The top two teams per room of four will then proceed to the Quarterfinals. After that, the cycle continues until the top four surviving teams reach the Grandfinals. 

For this event, two out of three Xavier Ateneo teams were able to break and reach the out-rounds. XU B, with 13 points, broke 18th, while XU A, with 12 points, broke 24th. XU C, the team composed entirely of freshmen, were able to get 11 points and were the first reserve team.

With valiant efforts, XU A and B bowed out of the Octofinals and were unable to proceed further. However, being able to reach Octofinals was a feat in and of itself.

In a tournament of more than 160 participants, six debaters from XU were able to be part of the upper half and had the opportunity to compete against prestigious institutions from all over the country.

Not only was this an opportunity for growth, but an opportunity to establish a name for Xavier Ateneo in the national debating arena as well.∎