Far Eastern University (FEU)’s Oratorical and Debate Council (ORADEC) has once again proven its excellence in competitive debating, proudly bringing home the coveted Sinag Cup Championship for the second consecutive year at the Philippine Intercollegiate Debate Championship (PIDC), held last June 13 to 16 at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

This year’s delegation included two debate teams and three adjudicators. Team FEU AAS was composed of Kurt Adrian Abalos (junior, BA Political Science), Alexa Nicole Andresan (sophomore, BA International Studies), and Chelsea Mae Samorano (sophomore, BA International Studies), while Team FEU GCM featured Christian Rafael Gayoso (junior, BSBA Marketing), Kenneth Thomas Canque (junior, BSBA Economics and Law), and Denise Angel Montes (junior, BA Interdisciplinary Studies). Serving as adjudicators were Paul Clarence Galimba (junior, BS Psychology), Stephen Lance Iraola (junior, BA Language and Literature Studies), and Anri Sophia Semba (junior, BA International Studies).

After seven grueling preliminary rounds, FEU GCM broke into the Sinag Cup elimination rounds, ultimately emerging as champions after a series of high stakes matches. Their strategic brilliance and commanding performance led them to secure FEU’s back-to-back win in the Sinag Cup Category — a rare and remarkable feat.

The winning members of FEU CDM from ORADEC during the Sinag Cup Championship awarding ceremony. Photo from Mark Salvador O. Ysla.

Adding to the FEU ORADEC’s stellar performance, Gayoso was named Finals Best Speaker, while both Gayoso and Montes also earned individual distinctions in the tournament’s overall speaker tab, placing 10th and 8th, respectively. In the adjudication track, Semba emerged as a panel adjudicator, reflecting FEU’s excellence not only in debating but also in adjudication.

It was only last year when the team of Paula Jamie Guzman, Ely Corpuz, and Abalos brought home the Sinag Cup for PIDC 2024 — a legacy now carried forward by a new generation of Tamaraw debaters.

This victory reinforces FEU ORADEC’s standing as a premier institution for public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership. As the “Green and Gold” banner flies high once more, the university celebrates a triumphant moment of pride, intellect, and the enduring spirit of debate excellence.

The PIDC is one of the most prestigious Asian Parliamentary debate tournaments in the country, attracting top university teams from across the Philippines. Amid stiff competition, FEU’s debate team rose to the challenge, solidifying the university’s reputation as one of the top contenders in the Philippine debate community.

Mark Salvador O. Ysla, faculty member of the Department of International Studies and an alumnus of the organization, is FEU ORADEC’s adviser.