PAMIL Debate Cup 2021 is organized by the Philippine Association for Media and Information Literacy (PAMIL) in partnership with Pinas Forward. It was held on October 9-10 2021 (Sat.-Sun.) from 8:00 AM – 2:45 PM on day 1 and 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM on day 2 via Zoom video conferencing platform.
Discourse and the skills that come along with it (i.e. critical thinking, public speaking) are valuable in the study and analysis of issues relevant to Media and Information Literacy. Thus, the PAMIL Debate Cup is organized to expose SHS students to discussions and debates related to Media and Information Literacy. The event is also a recognition that our media-saturated society comes with a highly engaged youth in several issues concerning media and information.
The PAMIL Debate Cup is an inter-school competition for beginning debaters open to Senior High School students currently enrolled in schools across the Philippines. The tournament is a modified Asian Parliamentary format, with an affirmative and a negative team of three members each. There will be three preliminary rounds. Afterward, the teams with the most number of wins will proceed to the championship rounds. In the event of a tie, speaker scores and margins will be the basis for determining the qualifiers. The championship rounds will consist of a semifinal round and a grand final round. All debate motions (topics and themes) will be related to media and information literacy topics.
The Tournament Core Group is composed of the Chief Adjudicator Mr. Rob Villafuerte Jr., Tournament Director Mr. Roberto Lim Jr., Judges from the AB Debate Parliament, and runners from the PUP Journalism Guild.
Fourteen teams joined the tournament from the following institutions: Manuel A. Roxas High School, St. Agnes Academy, Inc., Vinzons Pilot High School, MGC New Life Christian Academy, College of the Holy Spirit of Tarlac, Caraga Regional Science High School, Liceo De Los Baños, Maranatha Christian Academy of Filinvest Blue Isle, INC., Ateneo de Davao University, Angono Private High School, Our Lady of Caysasay Academy, Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus, Inc., San Lorenzo Ruiz Senior High School, and Polytechnic University of the Philippines SHS.
The event started with a webinar which is attended by the debate teams and their coaches. Two distinguished resource speakers shared their insights on MIL-related topics.
Mr. Roy Narra talked about “TV Coverage on Pres. Duterte During the Pandemic”. He is the Associate Producer of One News’ morning talk show “Agenda” hosted by veteran journalist Cito Beltran. He is also a producer of One PH’s primetime talk show program “Sa Totoo Lang”. Prior to this, he was at The Manila Times reporting police, army, and local government-related news. Outside the journalism industry, Roy is a lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University Department of Fine Arts. He is currently teaching Art Appreciation focused on film criticism.
Ms. Clark Leynes talked about “Depiction of Social Realities on Film”. She is a writer, researcher, and aspiring educator based in the Philippines. They are currently a staff writer for Sine Liwanag producing reviews and essays on films exploring the self and society.
The webinar is to be hosted and moderated by PAMIL board members Ms. Rosie Jane Mosquera from the University of Santo Tomas – SHS which is located in España, Manila and Mr. Blaise Henry Ilan from Mabini Colleges which is located in Daet, Camarines Norte.
The Champion team in the first-ever PAMIL Debate Cup is the team from Caraga Regional Science High School which is composed of Rya Emerald E. Aranas, Asiel Lohia R. Miranda, and Jaime Isagani S. Go.
Declared as the Finals Best Speaker is Rya Emerald E. Aranas from the Caraga Regional Science High School team.
Here are the Top 5 Overall Best Speakers:
- Overall Best Speaker: Angela A. Miel (Ateneo de Davao University)
- Overall Best Speaker: Lorrhaine Mae B. Baintin (Ateneo de Davao University)
- 3rd Best Speaker: Asiel Lohia R. Miranda (Caraga Regional Science High School)
- 4th Best Speaker: Krizia Dale T. Pamat (Ateneo de Davao University)
- 5th Best Speaker: Ashlyn Jilliane B. Santos (Our Lady of Caysasay Academy)
- 5th Best Speaker: Christine Pia Isabelle E. Macasaquit (College of the Holy Spirit of Tarlac)
- 5th Best Speaker: Rey Allen R. Monreal (St. Agnes Academy, Inc.)
- 5th Best Speaker: Rya Emerald E. Aranas (Caraga Regional Science High School)
- 5th Best Speaker: Vincent Dave P. Soldevilla (Vinzons Pilot High School)