The La Salle Debate Society (LSDS) was awarded by President Benigno Aquino III as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) in Malacañang at 10 am last December 6, 2012.
This year, more than 242 organizations joined TAYO. Organizations have to go through a series of evaluations that starts with a visit from a TAYO official; those that make the first cut would then have to compete for limited slots to advance into the finals for a final presentation to a select panel of judges.
A stepping stone
LSDS President Mark Escay explains that the award is only a kick-off for other plans in the future such as the establishment of the Philippine Center for Debate and Public Discourse.
In collaboration with the Philippine Debate Union and the Department of Education (DepEd), the initiative will “formalize a system of debate” by constructing a curriculum specifically focused on debate education, with the hopes of garnering international delegates.
Escay elaborates, “Aside from the center being focused on competitive debate, it’s the idea of promoting the importance of discourse and critical thinking.” Other preparations include the creation of the first European-Asian Debate Cup.
Current feats
To achieve its mission of being the “intellectual lighthouse” of the university and bringing “honor and glory to DLSU through competitive debate,” LSDS has been hosting programs such as the Lasallian Education on Adjudication and Debate (LEAD) where the organization teaches debate in the provinces. The organization has also pioneered debate camps in Southern Luzon and debate championships in Visayas and Mindanao.
LSDS partners with the University Student Government (USG) and the College of Law to deliver advocacy programs and to campaign for human rights. Advocacies include social issues such as the cybercrime law and anti-human trafficking.
In addition, the organization hosts seminars on public speaking and trains high school students from different academic institutions such as La Salle-Greenhills, La Salle-Zobel, St. Scholastica’s College-Manila, Claret School, and Colegio San Agustin.
Behind the achievements
Escay believes that the first step to effectively achieving their set goals is to instill the organization’s vision and mission from the alumni down to its current members who are open to address and eventually build on ideas.
Alumni members also assist in training the present members of the organization. Another key factor to instill development is maintaining personal relationships within the organization, which currently has 30 active members.
“It’s the long-term stay in the debate society, the experience through hosting tournaments, collaborating with other organizations and having our own events. That’s the pattern we use.” says Escay.
Nation-wide effect
Because poor discourse results to “poor policy and poor accountability,” LSDS aims to eliminate apathy and engage people into wanting a more receptive and responsible government.
Other awarded organizations
Other student organizations that received awards include Angat Kabataan, CBA Kalipunan and Junior Marketing Executives, Cebuano Youth Ambassadors, Dire husi Initiatives, I CAN Make a Difference, Inc., Monte Verde 4-H Club, One Million Lights Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay Technological University-Electrical Engineering Society, and University of Luzon Students in Free Enterprise.
