From Manila to Thessaloniki: The making of world debate champions

La Salle Debate Society (LSDS)’s Mikee De Vega (IV, ISE-LGL) and Jason Dizon (III, LGL) brought honor to the University and the Philippines when they emerged victorious in the 36th World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC) in the English as a Second Language (ESL) category held in Thessaloniki, Greece last January 4.

The route to Worlds

Both De Vega and Dizon confess that everything they do is a part of the competition preparations. The champion duo relates that even previous debate speeches cannot be separated from their earnings. Everything they did, in the form of other debate competitions or regular training sessions, prior to the competition is all a part of their preparations for WUDC.

It was Dizon’s first time to compete at WUDC. Meanwhile, De Vega was no newcomer, having competed at WUDC previously. The duo started training in August during the Special Term. By October, training sessions became more intense and became increasingly difficult because the pair also had to balance academics with training. They had to postpone training momentarily last November to pave way for finals week.

Indeed, the road to the championships was not an easy road to take. The duo shares that they had to make a lot of sacrifices in preparation for the WUDC. Dizon mentions that he wasn’t able to spend time with his family due to training. “We don’t get to have dinner with [our families]. We only get to see each other on Sundays, and sometimes, even Sundays are given for training,” he recounts, in a combination of English and Filipino. Meanwhile, De Vega shares that even their academics and schoolwork had been compromised for training. She quips, “If plus points are given for perfect attendance [in a subject], don’t expect that you would receive points because you really can’t avoid being absent sometimes.”

On qualifying for the WUDC, De Vega and Dizon say that they had no expectations upon entering the competition. De Vega confesses that, initially, the pair did not have any expectations going into Worlds because it would be “heartbreaking” if they were not to meet those expectations. Dizon adds that they were unable to form expectations of their opponents as well because their opponent debaters come from different backgrounds and different countries.

According to the pair, the competition started out with a lighter mood but then escalated as the tournament went on. They recall feeling immense pressure as they progressed into the competition. However, De Vega and Dizon claim to have loosened up when debaters from Asian universities started cheering them on, rooting for Asia’s bet to WUDC.

Winning the championship

The pair describes the excruciating wait they had to endure while anticipating the championship results. Upon discovering that they had won, they were immediately whisked away to take pictures. Overwhelmed, Dizon became nostalgic when he retells the story of how, on their way back to the hotel, that was the time when their success fully sank in.

The pair also shares that it was deeply heartwarming to see the messages from their loved ones and friends on Facebook and other social media sites congratulating them on their win. They express how good it felt to give back to the University. “To be given the opportunity to feel that happy or that love for a week, ang sarap ng feeling,” she remarks.

A champion student is still a student

On normal days, the duo, together with the other members of the LSDS, train thrice a week, during Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On tournament seasons, they train almost every day.The pair shares that speaking is not the only skill necessary in debate. LSDS members, they share, read a lot as well, including journals from the library, books, and news.

Dizon explains that it is a constant balancing act between academics and extracurricular activities for LSDS members. He elaborates, “We have around 23 members; however, only 18 are active. Sometimes we even have people who quit because they give priority to their [academics],” giving emphasis on the fact that the members are students before they are members of the organization.

“We are students too. Just because we are in the Debate Society doesn’t mean we automatically receive high grades,” Dizon notes, showing that they too share the same problems as ordinary students on campus.

The aftermath of a world championship

The champion duo and the rest of the LSDS’s story does not stop at winning Worlds. De Vega and Dizon stress the desire to replicate the win they had last January. “Most of the tournaments will be difficult for us to win, but the [WUDC] win gives us more confidence. We can now draw strength from our experience [at WUDC].”