AHS Debaters France Santos (12A) and Renz Reyes (10A) Break In World Championships; Santos named 47th Best Speaker in the World!
AHS Debaters
From August 5-15, 2014, the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) were held in Bangkok, Thailand. WSDC is the most prestigious high school debating competition in the world, with over forty countries represented by the brightest young minds.
Two Ateneans represented WSDC Team Philippines on its historic World Championship run. France Santos (12A) and Renz Reyes (10A) were on the National Team that went through eight grueling preliminary rounds and reached the World Octofinals. Santos was also ranked 47th among the Top 50 Best Speakers in the World at the end of the competition.
Team Philippines failed to break into the elimination rounds last year, but did so in 2012. Reaching the final stages of the competition is extremely difficult and challenging. Excelling in the World competition required the team to prepare intensely for several months prior to the competition. The team trained up to four times a week, including Saturdays and Sundays.
Team Philippines was eliminated by the Number Two (2) seed in the world—Team Ireland—in the Octofinal. In the preliminary rounds, the team competed against Romania, Wales, Sweden, Greece, Turkey, Estonia, Nigeria, and powerhouse Canada.
Santos and Reyes joined Ms. Abigail Yu (Immaculate Conception Academy), Ms. Mika Filoteo (Miriam College), and Mr. Mikkel Neri (PAREF Springdale). Luigi Alcañeses (10A) and Ms. Clarice Tee (Immaculate Conception Academy), the team reserves, were unable to join the rest of the team in Thailand, but fully participated throughout the entire preparation and training process.
Congratulations to the entire team for making the Ateneo, and the Philippines, proud to stand among the best in the world!
Ateneo Debaters Excel In College Intervarsity
From August 2-4, 2014, the Ateneo High School Debaters competed at the Ateneo Intervarsity (AIV). It was held at the Ateneo de Manila University. AIV is a College Intervarsity which decided to allow high school students, as well as law school students and alumni, to compete.
France Santos (12A) reached the Grand Finals of the competition after besting over 100 other teams, with his partner, Mr. Jesus Falcis, a student from UP Law. France Santos also ranked as the 9th Best Speaker Overall, in the same category as college debaters. Renz Reyes (10A) reached the Semifinals with Ateneo Debaters Coach Nick Fortuna (4N 2011), before their team had to pull out due to unforeseen circumstances. Luigi Alcañeses (10A) reached the Octofinals with Ms. Clarice Tee of Immaculate Conception Academy. Their team was the only all-high school team that reached the elimination rounds of the competition. Finally, Paulo Valencia broke into the Octofinals with Mr. Peejay Garcia (4A 1991). The team proved that it can compete and stand with the best debaters in College as well.
The moderator of the team is Mrs. Czari Oliveros-Manlapaz. The Head Coach is Mr. Mahar Mangahas, who is assisted by Henry Fernando, Ryan Abis, Javier Pablo, Kiko Santos, and Daryl Isla.