𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐒𝐨𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐙𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧

Highlighting the organization’s competitive performance and strengthening its standing in the national debate circuit, five teams and five adjudicators from Speech Society’s Debate division secured multiple novice placements and judging distinctions at the 14th Zamboanga Debate Open held last April 18 and 19 via an online meeting.

After claiming to have “fallen short” from last year’s bout, the team of Raven Ashley Nicole Tupino, Ryan Cristopher Beltran, and Alyanna Lazarraga finished as Novice Grandfinalist and was recognized as the tournament’s 6th Novice Breaking Team.

Three more teams from the organization also finished as Novice Quarterfinalists in the open: Juliana Maxine Llerin, Cedrick Andrei Lunay, and Veriana Issa Janducayan as the 5th Novice Breaking Team; Tina Marcella Cipriano, Jenuelyn Florence Libares, and Monikha Julianne Tinio as the 1st Reserved Novice Breaking Team; and Ernest Michael Polinar together with composite teammates from University of Southeastern Philippines and University of the Philippines – Mindanao acknowledged as the 7th Novice Breaking Team.

Llerin from the 5th Novice Breaking Team was also distinguished as the 10th Best Novice Speaker across all participating schools.

Meanwhile, out of the five participating adjudicators, Rania Omar and Kiera Alojado were recognized as Breaking judges with Omar awarded as the 7th Best Judge in the tournament.

Completing the organization’s lineup of competitors are the team of Carlos Benedict Flauta, Angel Steph Leaño, and Kenji Hishikura together with Competing Judges Davy Jet Suelto, Raven Mattheus Lasala, and Karl Lamocha.

Guest speaker Senator Risa Hontiveros urged those who joined the open to continue on sparking conversations that can bring communities together towards a better Philippines.

“Don’t stop speaking out. Don’t stop demanding justice and accountability until it is ours. Make your voices heard and be heard loudly,” said Hontiveros.

#SPCTheRock #PillarsofTruth