A TEAM from the Thomasian Debaters Council (TDC) reached the Octo-finals of the 9th All Asian Inter-Varsity Debate Championship last May 14 to 22 in Thailand.
The team, composed of Ryan Christopher Usita, Anton Espino and Ian Valencia, ranked 13th overall, making it to the top 16 of 108 teams who joined the tournament
As individual debaters, Usita, Espino, and Valencia ranked 12th, 20th, and 41st, respectively.
Although the debaters did not bag any award this year, they performed well and earned the respect and admiration of other debaters in the competition, according to Maria Victoria Cortez,one of five adjudicators UST sent to the tournament.
“Thomasian debaters are generally well-liked anywhere they go and I think it’s because we act properly and are humble,” Cortez said.
The other four UST adjudicators are Taj Mahal Aquino, Ceyris Ann Aquino, Christopher Dagumot and Eric Javelosa.
The TDC also fielded another team composed of James Joseph Oliver, Maribelle Alagbate, and John Baluyot but this did not fare well. Jennifer B. Fortuno
