BATTLE READY: MGDS ablaze PDC 2025 with Pokémoninspired battles, sets revamp in debate format
JOHN PAUL SIAPEL
As the organizing body behind the fifth edition of the debating field, the Mindanao State University–General Santos City Debate Society (MGDS) spearheaded the 2025 Parliamentary Debate Championship (PDC) with a Pokémon-inspired theme as part of the Intramurals 2025 speaking events.
The tournament marked a major evolution as it transitioned from the Asian Parliamentary (AP) to the British Parliamentary (BP) format on October 12.
Having been seen in multiple tournaments across the Philippines, the organization anchored its goal on establishing the idea of acknowledging the discourse and the issues that constituents should be debating in the status quo.
In an interview with Bagwis, Elizabeth Joy Zaldivar, the tournament director, expressed that the PDC contributed to students speaking up for their perspectives.
“It opened up its inclusivity that did not only cater to the people who already knew how to debate but also helped novices understand what competitive debating is, which also aided them in learning how to deliver speeches well,” she shared.
She further stressed the essence of valuing
the participation of every team in sharing a wide discourse where every perspective was valued and acknowledged.
‘Way to introduce’
As the AP Debate format was integrated in the last installment of PDC, the organizing committee gradually introduced the BP Debate.
“The main reason why the Organizing Committee had to change the format this year was because it served as a way to introduce to them that competitive debating also has different formats,” Zaldivar shared.
Shifting to BP Debate highlighted the relevance of strategic planning, especially on the side that teams were assigned to, recognizing the development of critical thinking skills.
“I feel like the Organizing Committee really focused more on having to shift from AP to BP and on changing the guidelines in order for the teams to be able to understand it well,” Zaldivar expressed.
Furthermore, the organizers conducted a lecture series and Pre-PDC tournament from September 29 to October 2, assuring that efforts were made to equip participants by focusing on tab briefings and debate briefings to ensure a smooth tournament
transition.
‘Push for the theme’
The organizing committee admitted that they struggled in generating ideas for themes following last year’s Genshin Impact spectacle.
“We relied on the problem-solving skills acquired from experiences in the previous Visayas Mindanao Debate Championship (VMDC),” Zaldivar expressed.
The Pokémon concept was sparked by the public relations team, particularly Seith Ortega and Arwen Lia Sendico, who served as the main brainstormers.
According to Sendico, she missed watching Pokémon, while Ortega said it was, “just a random thing, having to insert that it should be the theme this year.”
Despite initial skepticism, Zaldivar expressed that even though she had not watched the show, the PR team’s examples amazed the MGDS and motivated the committee to adopt the theme, understanding that a concept “doesn’t necessarily derive from having to tie back to debating, but rather having to relate it to normal things.”
Wizards bag back-to-back gold in Team Quiz despite pressure to defend title
ZYRELLE FAITH EROJO
Amidst the pressure of maintaining dominance in this year’s Academic Night, the wizards of the College of Natural Science and Mathematics (CNSM) continued their winning streak as they seized the gold in the Team Quiz category, showcasing their hallmark perseverance and unity in defending their back-to-back championship title, October 12.
CNSM, taking against other colleges, led the same team that took them to victory in the prior year, representing the college this year and bringing their intellect and determination to the University Gymnasium.
‘Felt the pressure’
Alvin Jay Deleverio, a BS Information Technology student and one of the members of the CNSM team, expressed his joy over their victory.
“Of course, I’m very happy. We are very happy because we put a lot of effort into reviewing, and it came to fruition,” Delevario expressed.
He shared that before the competition, he
felt the pressure to uphold their standing as the defending champions of the Team Quiz but was able to overcome it through preparation and teamwork.
Furthermore, when asked about his plans for the next competition, Deleverio admitted that he is still uncertain about joining.
“Actually, I am still thinking about it because I want to achieve my goal of earning another gold,” the quizzer added.
Deleverio also expressed his gratitude to his teammates, saying he was thankful for their support, and he encouraged CNSM students to continue supporting the college and striving for excellence in future competitions.
‘Consistent Preparation’
Lanz Dejillo, a BS Mathematics student who serves as the Team Manager and Academic Head of CNSM, shared that every detail from their preparation was well planned to achieve another victory.
“The preparation of CNSM really started
last year; that’s how we worked hard to claim the awards for this year and prepared everything from the setup to the team,” he said.
Dejillo added that their preparation involved consistent review sessions and discussions focused on subjects within their field of expertise, strengthened by their years of experience in academic competitions.
“Since this is already our niche, we tried to anticipate the possible topics, and with our years of experience, it was mostly about briefing, following up, and reviewing our preparations,” Dejillo shared.
He also shared that one of the biggest challenges the team faced was the pressure of defending their title, as they were the same group who won last year, and he encouraged the members to maintain their confidence and repeat their winning performance.
“Basically, I just told them to do what they did last year, and I know they’re already smart, and we just needed to review and focus on defending our position,” he added.
photo by Rayjie Carillo
#NoToBandAidSolution
Sinetch Itey, Pinasa ang
Nakapanlulumo ang kinahantungan ng ating Dakilang Pamantasan ngayon. Sa kabila ng pagkakabuo ng Green Team na siyang nakatalaga upang panatilihin ang kalinisan sa Pamantasan, hindi pa rin ito sapat upang tuluyan tayong makaalpas mula sa mahabang panahong pagkakatali sa tanikala ng suliraning pangkalinisan. Kagaya ng mga nakaraang taon, ginawa nanamang tambakan ng basura ng mga mangmang ang ating minamahal na pamantasan.
Oo, bakzz! Palpak na naman ang administrasyon pati ang mga naturingang ISKOLAR NG BAYAN! Pero wait lang ha, [Disclaimer: hindi kagaya ng mga nakalipas na Intramurals, ang admin sa panahong ito ay hindi bulag, at kahit papaano, ay nakikinig sa mga hinaing ng MSUans. At the very least…]
So, here comes Green Team initiative ng Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Services (OVCSAS). Sa layuning maibsan ang problema sa basura, ang Green Team ay binubuo ng 300 na miyembro mula sa iba’t-ibang kolehiyo na may benepisyong exemption mula sa mga multang ipinapataw ng kanilang mga kolehiyo sa bawat
pagmintis nila sa pagdalo sa mga event ngayong Intramurals kapag na-secure nila ang paglilinis sa campus sa loob ng dalawang araw, depende sa kung anong team sila napabilang.
For me lang ha, hindi naman maikakaila na makabuluhan ang ganitong klaseng inisyatibo at tunay nga namang naibsan ang maruming problema. Pero, let’s be real: ito’y panakip butas lamang sa kung gaano kapulpol ang mga nanunungkulan, na para bang akala nila hindi kapansinpansin na ang ganitong solusyon ay panandalian lamang, at sa bandang huli ay walang katuturan sapagkat hindi ito likas-kaya at kayang tumagal maging kahit matapos ang Intramurals.
Ayon nga sa isang miyembro ng Green Team na tumangging ilahad ang kaniyang pagkakakilanlan nang tanungin kung mamomonitor ba ng office ang kanilang presensya sa bawat lugar kung saan ang team ay naka-assign, ang batayan sa pag-monitor ng kanilang attendance ay ‘trust basis’ lamang; ilan dito ay dokumentasyon ng paglilinis, patunay ng basura, at parusa sa kapabayaan.
Gayunman, siya ay nababahala dahil kakambal ng maluwag na patakaran ng OVCSAS ang katotohanang madali rin itong
cartoon by ulo-ulo sa charger
#NoToBandAidSolution ang Responsibilidad?
samantalahin ng mapangabusong estudyante. Dagdag pa niya, “even worse, a team might be finished cleaning for the day, but the students and visitors remaining on campus for the rest of the night might dirty the campus after that team already tried their best to clean it up hours ago.”
Base sa aking nakalap na datos, nakalahad sa alituntunin ng admin para sa iskedyul ng
gagawing paglilinis, sa pagtatakda pa lamang ng alas sais ng gabi bilang oras ng ‘sign out,’ ay pumalpak na sila dahil ganitong oras din dumadagsa at dumarami ang tao.
Kung lahat ng grupo ay matatapos sa paglilinis sa dapit hapon, hindi na mabibigyang pansin ang mga basura sa pagsapit ng gabi. Mga basurang hindi lamang ang mga iresponsableng estudyante ng Pamantasan ang may gawa, bagkus maging ang mga ‘outsiders’ na nagpapakasasa lamang sa paggala at hindi inaalintana ang mga iniwang kalat. Isa itong patunay na hindi mabisa ang ginawang inisyatibo.
Ayon kay alyas Taylor Swift, bilang isang apektadong estudyante, mapapansin sa Pamantasan ang kakulangan ng mga basurahan at mekanismo sa pagkolekta ng mga basura. Hindi maikakailang may pananagutan ang mga Iskolar ng Bayan sa bawat basurang nakakalat sa iba’t-ibang parte ng Pamantasan. Subalit kaakibat din nito ang pananagutan ng admin na pangunahan ang pagpapanatili ng kalinisan ng pamantasan sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng maayos at accessible na mga tapunan.
Ngunit nakadidismayang sa halip na pagtuunang pansin ang pagbibigay ng konkretong solusyon ukol sa ganitong isyu, mas inuna pa ng admin ang pagbuo ng samahang malabong maisakatuparan nang husto ang hangarin.
Sa kabuuan, hindi na natuto ang kasalukuyang admin at ang mga huwad na Iskolar, pati ang mga mapangahas na ‘outsiders’ sa mga naunang pagkakamaling nagawa noong mga nakaraang Intramurals, bakas sa kung gaano ka tahasan nilang binalahura at binastos ang dignidad ng unibersidad sa aspeto ng kalinisan.
Hoaay!!! Ano to, any-any problem nalang every year?? Linawin ko lang ha? Hindi ang Green Team ang problema, kundi ang mga taong nasa likod ng bulok na sistema. #NoToBandAidSolution!
Nakakalungkot lang na sa unti-unting pagpapasukob ng Pamantasan sa hibla ng modernisasyon ay ang tila tuluyang pagkalimot ng mga nanunungkulan sa mga tungkuling pangkapaligiran na sa simula’t sapul ay hindi dapat inaasa lahat sa mga Iskolar ng Bayan.
For days now, one phrase seems to capture the unfolding events: ‘even the ones rooted in silt will shimmer when the tides turn.’
This truth stands as a quiet testament—that even those grounded in stillness and shadows can find their moment in the shifting light.
To shimmer from such depth isn’t mere luck.
It is the quiet work of persistence, the strength to endure the murk until the water
finally moves in your favor. And this year’s intramurals proves just that: brilliance can rise from below, and momentum can emerge from the least expected corners
Just 2 days into Intramurals 2025, the scoreboard already tells a surprising tale. As of October 11, the partial and unofficial team standings reveal an unexpected reshuffling. The College of Agriculture (COA), known as the Reapers, leads with 42 points. Following closely is the College of Social Sciences
and Humanities (CSSH), the Vanguards, with 40 points. The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM), referred to as the Wizards, holds third place with 35 points. For years, these colleges have quietly trailed behind the athletic powerhouses—the College of Engineering (COE) and the College of Education (COED). However, this year, the tide seems to have turned.
Shifting
SO BELOW AS ABOVE, Intramural’s
CATHYLENE
A Redistribution of Momentum, a Rebalancing of Power
photo by Loiu Gee Tamalon
BELOW ABOVE,
Shifting Narratives
Traditionally, COE and COED have long stood as pillars of dominance. Their names are inherently synonymous with victory and consistency. Yet the early stages of this year’s competition hint at a new narrative.
COA, CSSH, and CNSM, who dwell behind these powerhouses, are often seen as undercurrents of the game. However, these colleges now move with intent and confidence—leaving ripples that disrupt the common flow of the
tide. Whether it’s the Reapers’ resurgence, the Vanguards’ steadiness, or the Wizards’ quiet rise, their performance speaks of something deeper—a reclamation of space and pride. It’s proof that patience, preparation, and purpose can turn the antagonistic waves to their favor.
lies beyond the horizon. Yet if this early twist says anything, it’s that the intramural stage is no longer a predictable arena—and perhaps it never truly was.
From the depths, Will they continue to rise?
The games, of course, are far from over. The leaderboards remain fluid, and the final verdict
The ball is round, and who stays on top will never be certain. As they say, “No legacy is too strong to be broken, and no underdog too small to rise.” Even those rooted in silt—those who dwell below—can shimmer, if given a chance to rise with the tide.
Asteegs, sinilat ang Reapers, hari ng korteng badminton tinalo sa opening game ng men’s doubles
JOHN WYNNE ESCOLANO
Nagpakawala ng matinding smash at kontroladong drop shot ang College of Engineering Asteegs hitters, Lyle Louis Ledesma at Zedrick Concepcion upang pataubin ang kasalukuyang kampeon na College of Agriculture Reapers netters na sina Rene Siolao at Godwin Lamzon, 31–27, sa laban na ginanap sa Himnasyo ng Unibersidad, Oktubre 12.
Bagaman dikit ang labanan sa unang bahagi, unti-unting nakuha ng Asteegs ang momentum gamit ang matatag na depensa at maingat na placement, habang naparusahan ng ilang unforced errors ang Reapers sa huling bahagi ng laban — dahilan
upang makamit ng Asteegs ang upset na panalo sa gitna ng hiyawan at palakpakan ng mga manonood.
“I don’t really mind who I’m playing with; I just [focus on] my own game. If you really put [in your] perspective na champion sila, mananalo sila, you’ll never win. The number one enemy should be yourself,” saad ng COE hitter na si Lyle Louis Ledesma, sa pagbabahagi ng kanyang pananaw matapos nilang pabagsakin ang reigning champion.
Bilang bagong manlalaro ng COE, nagpakitang-gilas si Ledesma sa mga matitinding hataw na naging mahalagang bahagi ng kanilang upset win.
“Just do your best, play your game, and have fun,” dagdag pa niya, na siyang nagsisilbing mantra ng kanilang grupo sa pag-asang masungkit pa ang panalo sa mga
susunod na laban sa korteng badminton.
Samantala, kinapitan ng COE ang 3–1 kartada kontra COA, matapos hadlangan ang tanging panalo ng Reapers sa serye ng kanilang mga laban.
Matapos ang matinding panalo laban sa COA, pinatunayan ng Asteegs ang kanilang lakas at determinasyon, na ngayon ay itinuturing na isa sa mga paboritong koponan sa pag-abot ng kampeonato sa badminton ngayong taon.
Asteegs regu keep streak alive with sepak takraw duel against Reapers
PRINCESS GRACE TESNADO
Pulling off a dramatic reverse sweep to keep their unbeaten streak alive en route to the semifinals, the College of Engineering Asteegs handed the College of Agriculture Reapers their first defeat in the Sepak Takraw rally, overturning the match to a do-or-die 2–1 victory at the University Court on October 12.
From the get-go, the Reapers came in
Asteegs regu outmaneuvers Reapers men to hand them first defeat in sepak takraw event
hot, capitalizing on the Asteegs’ out-ofsystem serves and Ian Wanan’s blistering spikes that pierced through the defense, while Iyman Mamaluba’s confident rhythm at the service line fueled their momentum to secure a solid one-regu advantage, 11-15 (0-1).
With tension rising between both teams as the COE aimed to claim their ticket to extension of the match and the COA sought to seal the win, Asteegs’ captain Erron Rozz De Padua and COA’s powerhouse Wanan clashed fiercely at the net, exchanging spikes and blocks in the second regu that resulted in six deadlocks.
The Asteegs took the early edge at set point, however, despite the one set point saved by the Reapers, a costly attack error from Wanan shifted the momentum, forcing the match into a door-die third regu as the Asteegs knotted the count at 1-1, swinging the momentum on their favor.
