i am christian: Debaters, WE ARE...

We can never say that we were not ready, for we've been given enough time to prepare for it -- 1month. The task to work on the teams was left on me, while my very abled head (Raiza), mainly worked on other necessary things to prepare our way to our goal. Originally, I only have one team in mind, Raven, Marie, and I, since we've already debated together before. But under the Speakers' Guild were talents hidden still, w/c sprouted merely from curiosity and interest. That's when another team, a pool of neophytes, 1st years, w/c goal was primarily to gain experience and not winning, was born (Sheena, Josh, Denn). There were attempts to make a 3rd one, but it didn't happen due to certain reasons. Schedules were given beforehand, with ample time to prepare, but as the days progresses, issues on schedules and academics started to arise. We were eyeing on 2 tournaments, and ambitous enough, we were establishing a higher level of optimism each day to believe that we'll somehow be able to make it. A couple of days before the very first round, more complications came in when one of the members of the 2nd team decided to back out, because she'll have to go home to the province. Right after then, by the recommendations of his friends and classmates, Wekki entered, and eventually headed, team B. With only 3-4days left before the eliminations of the Nationals tournament, team B members had their very first debate in their entire lives. It was, admittedly, so messy that it started to give them doubt of even getting a win, yet, boosted their interest to learn more. All of a sudden, certain changes on the schedule of the competitions made the following week an agonizing one. Originally, the schedule of Tournament1 was Feb. 19 and 26, while Tournament2 was Feb. 24-25. Changes happened and finally, Tournament1 was set on Feb. 20 and 26, while Tournament2 on Feb. 24 and 26. Yes. Final rounds of both tournaments was set on the 26th. We told ourselves that we'll just talk about the conflict after the debate on the 19th. So we went to UST on the 20th, and did our very first debate round outside FEU. :D We ended the day both proud, and unsatisfied. Proud of the newbies who had a record of 1-1 (WIN-LOSS), and unsatisfied teamA for the same standing. The 3rd round result on that day was left hanging, but both teams were already assuming that they'll come back on the 26th both with a 1-2 record. Feb. 21-23, no practice was done. Come the 24th, both teams battled on the intrauniversity tournament. On the first round, team B wasn't able to debate yet, cause one of teamA's member was late, so, teamA borrowed one of team B's player for the meantime. On the 2nd round, both were complete, and both emerged as winners. With the 2rounds that happened that day, teamA got 2-0, while teamB had a 1-1 WIN-LOSS standing. After the 24th was a mentally torturing day. I, as the captain, would want to have both teams enter the competition still, but as the 25th ends, it's really painful to announce that only teamA will be able to debate on the 26th. And not only that, we haven't decided yet how to work on the schedule. I was sent a msg from UST updating us of the round schedules on the 26th. 1st round will start by 8am, 2nd by 10am, semis by 1pm. However, in FEU, the schedule was, 1st round by 10am and 1pm semis. Having no other bases to make a decision, i just thought of going where there'll be a greater chance of winning. We were thinking, since we're assuming that we're at 1-2, if we'll lose the first round, that means there's no chance for us to enter the semis anymore, and so, we'll just try to run back to FEU to catch up with their 1st round by 10am and continue the stint there. Before the 1st round in UST started, the result of the silent round was announced. Shockingly, teamA actually won the 3rd round, contrary to what we expected, w/c made things more confusing. And furthermore, we were supposed to go against JPIA B on that first round, w/c made us win by default, and gave us a 3-1 standing. That time, we were already thinking of dropping the 5th round in UST, w/c will give us 3-2, w/c will still give us a chance of getting in the semis, only, a very slim chance. Overwhelmed, and getting more and more indecisive, we went back to FEU first while other teams were debating in UST. I talked with Marco, and told him what our standing is in UST. And Marco, trying to convince us to just stay in FEU, spilled to us our standing in their tournament. He said, we were currently the #1team. Jaw-dropping it is, really, that's why i talked with Raven and Marie right away. We voted where to debate, and decided to just stay in FEU for the 10am round (both UST and FEU's final eliminations round). We were in very high spirits going into the debate, after informing UST of our decision. Debating on the motion that THBT all product should have free trials, standing on the Gov side, despite of our good cases and structure, we lost (and here's where i get a bit bitter XD) against Opp. After an hour, they announced the semifinalists, and popping out on the screen, JPIA A fell short of only, take note, only 1pt. We ended up 5th. Saddened and downed and however you want to call it, we tried calling UST to ask if we luckily made it to their semis, and what they told us was, if only we attended the 5th round, whether we win or lose, we'd be sure of the semis spot. But since we didn't, we fell down to 6th place.

I felt broken. No. Powdered. It's like all that I was aiming for the team was burned into ashes. The opportunity to go to Clark, Pampanga, or get the revolving cup (plus cash prize) -- all gone. And so, Marie, Raven, and I stayed at school comforting each other. Until...

I received a text from our dear, super close friends from TIP (fc ako.. haha) saying that i was announced as one of the top 10 speakers. :D yey! "At least!" i said. And when i went back to UST to get my cert and medal, i had a little chat with them, and told me that we could've won more. "Kayang kaya niyo sila," she said. And so, i went back to FEU with a bit of a smile. I walked back (as in) to FEU and came just right on time for the final round of the debate. I was looking at them, and i know Marie and I has the same thing in mind, that we could've been NegLex's opponent, and the debate could've been more exciting (no offense to anyone. :D). So, NegLex won (Super Congratz friends! :D) and even before it was announced, another shocking moment happened. They were to call the top 5 Best Debaters. As they were calling those who tied in the fourth place (four-way tie it was), i still can remember how Marie's eyes widened when they called her name. :D And what's more, when they called the 2nd placer, i was already thinking that the 1st placer must be someone from the semifinalists. BUT NO. It was me! :D And that's enough to erase all bitterness and disappointments the whole day. :D

And so, that's story of the struggles that we, FEU JPIA Speakers' Guild, had overcame the past month. And before i end this note, let me enumerate first all the awards that our members got all through out.

Mark Christian Manuel - Top10 Best Speakers, JPIA NCR Debate Open

Marie Antonette Bobon - 4th Best Debater, Dr. Nicanor Reyes Cup (ORADEC)

Mark Christian Manuel - 1st Best Debater, Dr. Nicanor Reyes Cup (ORADEC)

Raven Gomez - if only was able to debate on the 1st round, could've been part of the top5 best debaters (according to Marco)

Luigi Martin Martino - if only was able to debate on the final round, could've been part of the top5 best debaters (according to Marco)

Joshua Villapando - Punctuality Award, for being punctual and present in all our meetings. :D

Sheena Claravall - Angst Award, for giving the public speakers a good fight, and for being maangas as well sa jpia office.. hehe

Marydenn Obligado - Smiley Award, for the enthusiasm level that you showed the whole training period. :D

Luigi Martin Martino - Pahambol Award, for saying that you're not really that good.. hahaha

Marie Antonette Bobon - Amazona Award, for keeping the angst (grabe!! haha) even if you're sick.

Raven Gomez - Nosig Award, for missing the photo opts looking for signal for you phone. XD

Raiza de Jesus - Kilig Award, (alam mo na yan.. hahahahaha)

I've never experienced this kind of teamwork in my entire stay in FEU. To teamA and teamB, we didnt get the title, that's a fact. But, not only did we gain experience, but most importantly, we were able to gain exposure outside the bounderies of our school, and were able to gain respect. We were able to explore what lies behind the bounderies of our academic lives. I'm really proud of teamB, and i've said that a million times, because you really surprised those who knew how new you guys are in debate. You even surprised yourselves. To teamA, we're still not perfect, but we're getting better and better. I'm not gonna be surprised if we become one of the pillars of deabte in FEU (yeah! haha).

This will definitely not be the last that we gonna be debating with each other. :D