The UP Debate Society was established in response to a call by Professor Ramona Flores to institutionalize the art of debating in the University. Seventeen individuals, comprised of veterans of the intercollegiate Pi Sigma Open and several Speech Communication students, answered.
Anna Alfaro was the Society’s founding President, while Jonathan Malaya and Katherine Napalinga were elected Vice President and Scribe. Professor Ramona Flores became the Society’s first faculty advisor. After its recognition by the Office of Student Activities, the UP Debate Society was declared UP Diliman’s official representative to tournaments and competitions here and abroad.
Since then, the Society still continues its pursuit of excellence in debate, receiving numerous debate and public speaking achievements in local and international tournaments. Moreover, the Society has continued to spread the art of debate and public speaking by hosting tournaments and partnering with other organizations through its Debate Education Program.
The UP Debate Society we know today was built on the backs of its alumni and members. Its foundations are the tenacity displayed by its members in all their endeavors, and the love poured out for the betterment of greater society.
The University of the Philippines has a long — and glorious — tradition in forensic excellence. Many of the familiar names and faces in the Philippines business, politics and media today had forensic training during their years in UP, whether in their classes or in their respective organizations.
It is this tradition which the UP DABATE SOCIETY (UPDS) seeks to continue, albeit in an organized way, especially among undergraduate students in UP Diliman, Manila, Los Banos and the Visayas. The UPDS was an offshoot of Speech 133, the Debate and Argument class under Prof. Ramona S. Flores, during the first semester of SY 1993-94. As an organization which “shall work for collective and individual excellence in the art of debating and argumentation,” it aims to develop critical thinking and reasoning applied research, and persuasive skills among the students.
In true spirit, the UPDS shall also “provide a forum for the enlightened discussion of issues.” UP has founded the Philippine Parliamentary Debate Union (PPDU) along with the Ateneo de Manila University, Through the PPDU, UPDS also hopes to provide a venue for stimulating interest and participation in the field of debate.
Barely a year old, the UP Debate Society topped the National Collegiate Debate League Championship and won the Fidel V. Ramos Trophy last 23 June 1994. Plans are underway for the UPDS’ participation in regional and international debate tournaments.