Since their last championship in Philippines Intercollegiate Debating Championship (PIDC) Sinag Cup, Far Eastern University (FEU) Oratorical and Debate Council (ORADEC) reclaimed its podium title from three years ago at the Sinag Cup Finals 2024 PIDC last September 14 to 15.

‘FEU B,’ composed of Paula Jamie Guzman, Maria Alexandra Melyn Corpuz, and Kurt Adrian Abalos, triumphed in the Sinag Cup category over ‘Biliran Province State University A’ in the semifinals and defeated ‘University of the Philippines Mindanao A’ in the finals.

The representatives from FEU B were awarded the category for Sinag Cup after winning the motion of the debate on the Supreme Court’s decision about Mandanas Ruling.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, FEU B member Corpuz shared the self-taught training process in ORADEC.

“Compared sa ibang debate societies, like Ateneo, [De] La Salle [University], we don’t really have a coach who teaches us regularly. It’s only our seniors, so pasa-pasahan lang siya ng knowledge (knowledge is just being passed on) through the generations,” she shared.

Corpuz also mentioned that FEU B had only two weeks to prepare since they were not notified earlier about the said competition which posed a challenge during their preparation. 

Furthermore, she cited her personal struggle as a fourth-year Nursing student upon the preparation for the said competition.

“May duty ako tapos may compartmentalized schedule kasi kami so very fast-paced lahat ng bagay, so I was, like, very tired (I have duty and a compartmentalized schedule so everything was fast-paced, so I was very tired). Every day after classes or clinicals, I trained with them online or in-person kung ano man ‘yung training namin (whatever our training was), so that was really hard,” she added.

Meanwhile, deputy leader of opposition and awardee of Best Speaker Sinag Cup Finals Guzman emphasized that competitions like PIDC inspire critical thinking for debaters like her. 

“As a debater, the importance of competitions like PIDC is that in order to make a mark in such a big competition like that, you have to think outside the box. What are the most unique arguments and how am I going to prove the likelihood of it?” she stated. 

Guzman also advised those who are aiming to join a competition like PIDC to have a solid support system. 

“Teammates that can catch you after a heavy round, orgmates that assure you that you still did your best even when you feel like your 100-percent couldn’t suffice. You don’t have to be in top shape when you enter competitions like these, at the very end of the day, it’s all still a learning process. You just have to make sure you don’t enter it alone,” she suggested.

Meanwhile, ‘FEU A,’ composed of Denise Angel Montes, Christian Rafael Gayoso, and Eryl James Cabiles, made it to the octofinals before concluding the match against ‘Ateneo De Manila University A.’

Additionally, Gayoso also received the 7th Best Sinag Speaker while Anri Sophia Semba facilitated both the pre-octofinals and octofinals, and was a national breaking judge for the open quarterfinals and Sinag semifinals.

Johanna Trisha Cinco, Remle Kate Cadelina, and Isaac Bagalawis are the former FEU A who won the same award for PIDC last 2021.

PIDC is the premiere national Asian Parliamentary debate tournament participated by college students from various universities across the country.

- Kasharelle Javier
(Photo courtesy of ORADEC Facebook Page)