𝐒𝐏𝐂 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐏𝐃𝐂 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞-𝐭𝐨-𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭’𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭

Fostering critical thinking through active medical discourse, the San Pedro College (SPC) JPPhA Chi-Pharmakon Chapter headed the National Pharmacy Debate Competition (NPDC) 2026, themed “The Bill of Ciphered Discourse” on May 10-11 at the Lyceum of the Philippines University – Davao (LPU-Davao).

The event was organized in collaboration with the Federation of Junior Chapters of the Philippine Pharmacists Association (FJCPPhA) and LPU-Davao’s JPPhA – Society of Aspiring Lycean Pharmacist (SocALPha) Chapter.

Participating institutions included Brokenshire College Inc. (BCI), De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute Chapter (DLSMSHI), University of San Carlos (USC), University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC), University of Santo Tomas (UST), and University of San Agustin (USA).

SPC Associate Dean of Pharmacy Daniel Joshua Pendon opened the ceremony by emphasizing that “[This competition] is not just about winning arguments; it is about learning how to think deeper, speak with purpose, and listen with respect even when perspectives differ.”

Pendon further noted that while the pharmacy profession is rooted in formulations and medication dispensing, the ability to communicate evidence-based stances is vital for community leadership.

The tournament saw seven teams navigate the Asian Parliamentary Debate format through four preliminary rounds and a semi-final matchup to determine the top contenders.

Ensuring the academic rigor of the matchups, the adjudication panel included judges from the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao, University of Mindanao (UM), Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), and the SPC Speech Society.

UIC’s “Beta-lactamase” secured the championship title against USC’s “Zetakons” in the Grand Final, with the teams respectively serving as the government and opposition.

The final round centered on the motion, “This House Believes That (THBT) Richard and Nicole should use Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) to ensure their child is safe,” which prompted an ethical debate regarding genetic selection for deafness by deaf parents.

Grand Finals Best Speaker Gene Keannu Kinazo of UIC shared that the victory followed two weeks of daily training aimed at mastering the complexities of parliamentary logic.

“The preparation process for NPDC was [something new] for us [because] it’s my first NPDC as a contingent … all the stuff we prepared for actually showed up, and it actually helped us in the end,” Kinazo stated.

Tournament Director Juliana Maxine Llerin noted that the successful execution of the organization’s first face-to-face national event was a result of extensive cooperation and the shared resources despite logistical challenges.

“I think the reason why [the event] was this grand was not because of the fact that the heads really tried to [push this]; I think it was true collaboration,” Llerin concluded, noting that the collective manpower and facilities were instrumental in overcoming logistical challenges.

The team placements are as follows:

Grand Finals Champion: Beta-lactamase (UIC)
1st Runner Up: Zetakons (USC)
2nd Runner Up: Estetik Matcha Lovers Association (UIC)

Meanwhile, the following were awarded as best speakers:

Grand Finals Best Speaker: Gene Keannu Kinazo (UIC)
Overall Best Speaker: Joey Adrianne Bayonla (UIC)
2nd Best Speaker: Gene Keannu Kinazo (UIC)
3rd Best Speaker: Mariel Lois Suico (USC)
4th Best Speaker: Daniel Jeiel Curilan (UST)
5th Best Speaker: Roxanne Kwong (USC)
7th Best Speakers: Hannah (UIC), Tristan Karl Vicente (BCI), Vinz Julius Requina (USC), Nikka Loureyn Rodriguez (UST), Yzabelle Rain Bancoro (DLSMSHI)

#SPCTheRock #PillarsofTruth

Rockers-on-duty: Karah Mickaella Alferez, James Ryzer Villanueva, Crimson Imer Mosquera, Myka Pearl Daniel, and Rachel Echavez