The Seventh Minute: 2022 Issue

The

7th Minute

President’s Corner UPDS in Rails My Debate Wallet Back to the Podium UPDS Taylor Swift Version My Debate Inspiration From our Graduates of 2022, With Love

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The Editorial Board John Carlo Oboy Editor in Chief

Isabel Roque Design Editor

Crissa Muyalde News Editor

Jamie Eunice Unas News Writer

Alecs Gabrielle Marasigan News Writer

The Seventh Minute 01

Gill is a BA Sociology graduate, who everyone knows as someone who loves art and every mango graham dessert. But besides that, the non-debater Gill is also an NCTzen and we just have to let it slide if they dream to become the non-celebrity girlfriend of WayV’s YangYang. (Now, that’s some big aspirations!)

Beyond these interests is a name who is highly reputable in the debate arena. Gillian Sandigan, the Overall Best Judge of the Philippines, did not only become a prominent adjudicator in the country, but also an outstanding debater.

Aside from the fact that Gill is one of UPDS’ pride, they also proved that their love(& hate relationship with debate) grew and progressed as they led the organization and became the 29th Executive Committee President. Their vision to empower everyone’s individual growth and enable the members’ capability to contribute to each other’s development, were evidently and successfully executed in the past year. As Gill’s term comes to an end, let’s appreciate this brief story they shared with us.

Written by Jamie Eunice Unas Layout by John Carlo Oboy

Q: How did you become a debater?

A: I didn't know what I was getting myself into as a really naïve 8th grader.

Q: What was your unforgettable experience as an applicant of UPDS?

A: APPS' NIGHT HAHAHAHA 💀

Q: What changed in your debating career upon entering the organization?

A: I had no intention of judging competitively, but after just being one rank short of contingent for NDC 2018, I made a detour into a judging career and learned a lot from it that improved my debate significantly!

Q: What was your remarkable experience as the president of UPDS?

A: That's classified 🤪

Q: How did you manage to lead an org despite facing the struggles of the pandemic?

A: It's all about working with other people to try and meet people's and the org's different needs.

Q: What was your fondest learning experience as the president of UPDS?

A: You can't always impose your way of seeing the world or your way of doing things. It helps to put yourself in others' shoes.

Q: Where do you see yourself in the world of debating 5 years from now?

A: To be completely frank, there are two scenarios: (A) Away from it. (B) Earning A LOT from it. Of course, if I have the time, I'll be a supportive UPDS stage (grand)parent

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Q: What did you feel after seeing the field of debate transition to the online set up?

A: Terrified. HAHAHA

Q: What message would you like to leave for the current members?

Dear youngins, Take care of yourselves. Working for this organization (whether it be through speaking or judging at tournaments, doing administrative work, or running the show for events and tournaments) can be extremely exhausting. So take a break, breathe, and reflect. If you end up deciding to go back to the drawing board and grinding again, so be it. If you decide to step away indefinitely, so be it.

Take care of the organization. It will treat you as well as you treat it. But remember, don't take care of it just so you can benefit from it. Think about the future members of the organization.

Most of all - take care of each other.

Check up on each other; reach out.

You are all each other's support systems. Even if you have vastly different experiences, connect and console each other. You are each other's strengths. You share the victories and so, (if you have the emotional capacity to do so) you should share each other's pain.

You're all here because you have a spark of brilliance - be each other's fuel, fan each other's flames.

Stay stellar!

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Q: How would you like to see the org grow after your term?

A: I hope the organization is able to work toward meeting everyone's needs.

FAST TALK Q: Debating or Judging?

A: Debating

Q: Gdocs or pen and paper?

A: Pen and paper

Q: Offline or Online debate rounds?

A: Offline

Q: Train every single day at 2 am or have extreme diarrhea during a tournament?

A: WTF HAHAHHAHA train every single day at 2 am

Q: Would you rather interact with a 5-year-old Marco Dava or with 5 current-aged Marco Dava?

A: 5-year-old Marco Dava

Gill, UPDS is beyond grateful for everything you’ve done for the org.

You are indeed a remarkable woman.

We can’t wait to see you thrive outside collegiate debating! We’ll forever admire your passion. #SandigaNation Love, UPDS 2021-2022

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September 2021 Singapore Management University Hammers September 18-19, 2021 East Malaysian Open September 25-26, 2021

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Yale Fall Intervarsity December 4-5, 2021 Jesse M. Robredo Cup December 4-6, 2021 Diliman Debate Open December 11-12, 2021 12th Hong Kong Debate Open, December 17-19, 2021 Zamboanga Debate Open, December 17-19, 2021 International Art Open December 18, 2021 ANU Pre-Australs December 18-19, 2021 Nepal Australasians Debating Intervarsity December 29, 2021 January 4, 2022 Taiwan Schools Debate Challenge 2021 December 17-19, 2021

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October 2021 • • • •

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United Asian Debating Championship 2021 October 1-10, 2021 Asia Pacific WSDC October 9-11, 2021 IIT Bombay Pre-ABP October 16-17, 2021 DILG Constitutional Reform National Debate Competition October 19-28, 2021 Asian British Parliamentary Debating Championship October 22-21, 2021 Domini Canis Debate Cup October 28-30, 2021

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January 2022 •

November 2021 •

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Luzon Intervarsity 2021 November 6-8, 2021 Mindanao Intervarsity November 19-21, 2021 Tokyo Northeast Asian Debating Championship November 20-21, 2021 Cordillera Administrative Region Debate Open November 26-28, 2021 Ateneo Debate Camp November 27-28, 2021

December 2021 • •

World Schools Debate Open, December 3-5, 2021 10th Shanghai University of Finance and Economics China BP, December 4-5, 2021

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Uhuru Worlds January 10-14, 2022 Loyola Debate Open January 14-16, 2022

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Ilocos Norte Intervarsity 2022, February 5-6, 2022 Linkbate Debating Championships 2022 February 5-6, 2022 National Debate Championship Diliman 2022, February 18-27, 2022 2022 Asian English Olympics February 22-27, 2022

Interscholastic Medical Debate Competition March 6, 2022 16th IIT Parliamentary Debate March 11-13, 2022 The Great Debate 2022 March 19-20, 2022 UT Mara National Novice March 19-20, 2022 Debatable Open March 19-20, 2022

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April 2022 •

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March 2022 • •

Asian Online Debating Championship March 4-6, 2022 NTU Dorothy Cheung Debating Championship March 5-6, 2022

Metaspeak Schools Open April 2-3, 2022 16th Shri Ram Debating Festival April 2-4, 2022 Sunway Asian Parliamentary 2022 April 8-10, 2022 Asian Online Debating Championship Pre-WUDC April 22-24, 2022 Asian E-Debate Challenge April 23-24, 2022

Shanghai International Debate Challenge 2022 May 14-15, 2022 Korea Spring Nationals 2022, May 14-22, 2022 Philippine Debate Open May 21-22, 2022 Tsinghua International School Spring Speech and Debate Tournament May 21-22, 2022!

Bicol Intervarsity 2022 May 27-29, 2022 Mindanao Novice Cup May 27-29, 2022

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BACK TO THE PODIUM Witten by Alecs Marasigan, Layout by Isabel Roque The pandemic has brought debating to online platforms but as we are slowly transitioning to the new normal, it is time to go back to the podium. Make sure we leave nothing and no one behind by reading this article!

Face-to-Face or online, Which is better?

Face-to-face (FTF) debating is so much better for socializing and networking but, logistics-wise, the online (OL) setup has made debating more inclusive and more efficient.

The main difference between these two modes is the venue. In FTF, debaters need to physically travel for when they have to be in the same or separate rooms with the rest of their competitors. This consumes time and energy for everyone involved in the tournament. This is so much easier when done OL through discord or zoom rooms where debaters can move places within seconds.

Organizing and delivering speeches could also differ FTF and OL, debaters commonly use pen-and-paper during rounds FTF while they can use Google docs OL. Collaboration is arguably easier over the web but we have the internet, gadgets, and even Google to consider, which could all malfunction at any point.

Lastly, in-between rounds looks so much different FTF and OL. Merely sharing a

meal together, which can make a difference in socializing outside debate rounds, is only possible FTF. We can only see institutions and debater’s reacting “hear hear,” raising hands for POIs, walking or standing for speeches, and feeling nervous or confident FTF. Because when it is OL, when cameras are off and we are all in the corner of our rooms, we can easily feel more drained and isolated.

Spending time and money for travel, accommodations, and food is more costly when arranged FTF and this has been a constraint for many institutions in the past, OL has made it more possible for debaters to gather in a tournament and even train together. However, the connection and communication we share with other teams FTF is undeniably irreplaceable.

There are a lot of factors to consider so it is constricting to identify either FTF or OL the better mode, but completely shutting off OL as an alternative will be a mistake for it has proven significant benefits.

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What to Bring during Face-to-Face Tournaments?

We might be too used to being with just our laptops and computers that we forget how to interact with people, so here are a few things to save us from an awkward return back to the podium.

Basics There are no available final guidelines on how FTF or hybrid debates will be conducted yet, so do not forget to bring pen and paper for preparations and alcohol and facemask for your safety, just to be sure. As a refresher from the 2020 TSM Issue, essentials also include earphones, hoodie, games, food delivery apps, facemask, biogesic, and comfortable shoes. It is always better to be prepared especially when in a new location.

Confidence Debaters come as an institution so most likely, there will be people supporting each competing bench. The reactions like “what?” for seeming crazy arguments and knocks on tables and “hear hear” chants are to be expected FTF. Prepare for this and do not lose your composure when reactions seem better for your opponent. Remember, it is still the evaluation of the adjudicators that matters more. Talking to other debaters is more feasible FTF, too, so confidence can also help you during socials.

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What to Bring during Face-to-Face Tournaments?

Physical Strength In the podium, you will need to stand or even walk around during your speech, and being tired from standing should be the last thing you are worrying about so begin your stretches now. Moreover, there are instances where walking will be necessary to be in different venues and prepare in other rooms so make sure that a little cardio will not take away your critical thinking skills.

Speed Distractions are not new in FTF venues since we also experience them OL but, as teams are confined in one space, distractions are shared in the tournament. Therefore, if you are assigned to prepare in a hallway, or the venue is too cold or hot, or you are too tired from all the walking, these should not hinder you from maintaining speed in organizing your speech. Moreover, writing through a pen may be less efficient than in a laptop so, make sure you employ techniques like tables, arrows, and symbols to enhance your speed.

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Written by Alecs Gabrielle Marasigan Layout by: John Carlo Oboy

Wo and

We con to des and end

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ord on UPD streets tells us that UPDS only selects the best of the best– d it’s all thanks to MAC.

e remember it all too well that when it is almost the deadline for nfirmation, we quote Saint Taylor Swift “and you call me up again just break me like a promise”, enter rounds only to have our members stroy us in rounds and be “casually cruel in the name of being honest,” d finally get to the end of the app process and “they say all’s well that ds well” and welcomes everyone to a new hell… every time.

e all know it’s not easy getting in, and it isn't a piece of cake staying in bate either but we still find ourselves believing that this thing is a asterpiece and try our best not to tear it all up, and it’s all thanks to AC.

gether with the training, motivation, and appreciation that we all ed, it is thanks to MAC that we say “fuck the patriarchy” together and ow it was rare; I was there, and I remember it all too well.

Dev and

To t goo aga TNT from time feel For but me

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vils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes, championship has its price, d excellent debaters know TNT gives the best exercise.

train enough to know how debating works is not easy but becoming od at it is more difficult. Imagine training for prestigious competitions ainst the best of different institutions, it could be a Cruel Summer with T. “I’m drunk in the back of the car and cried like a baby coming home m the bar” is what regular Friday nights used to look like but when it is e for tourneys, only crying like a baby is relatable; the hours never l enough and training seems never-ending. an entire summer, it would take a lot of “Im fine” that weren’t true, at the end of it all, we still try, compete, and sing “what doesn’t kill makes me want you more” and be back for another tournament.

ever kills us because for every cruel summer, it is with TNT. And for coming a better debater each time, we realize that all we wanted to TNT was “I love you,” ain’t that the worst thing you’ve ever heard?

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Lov mer lect EAC top our

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never saw it coming but EACOMM did, and it is why we’ll never be the me.

ve is a ruthless game unless you play it safe and right. Debate is as rciless as a sport if played without the right primers, materials, and tures. At the core of all our arguments down to its every level, COMM makes sure that we are equipped enough about themes and pics that we may never see coming, and this makes us different from competitors.

every tournament and activity, we never have to touch and go and l alone changing our minds. We can love and compete as bravely and dly as possible because of this State of Grace provided by EACOMM’s mers.

ll, debate will always be a ruthless game. But with EACOMM, this is a rthwhile fight, we are playing it safe and right. This is the golden age something good and right and real.

UPD scro

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To p To firs sta bal To imp

“He how PR.

DS makes its way through the crowd and says an eye-catching and oll-stopping “Hello” through PR.

ve Story is a classic and legendary Taylor Swift song, and everyone ows that. PR does the same and makes sure that we can effectively mmunicate with everyone and share with them that UPDS is the assic and legendary debate institution in UPD, the Philippines and the rld.

possible members and partners, it’s a love story, baby, just say “yes.” all our alumni and graduating members, “we were both young when I st saw you” but more importantly, we hope a wonderful flashback arts when you close your eyes and when we share lights, party, and ll gowns together. our general audience, we hope that through our posts and pubs, we part an “I love you and that’s all I really know” for debate.

ello” is how it started and “I love you and that’s all I really know” is w it’s going in our relationship with debate and our audience through .

Life nee we

In o tha Reg nec serv tha

For ma

The alw tha

e is a willow and it bent right to your wind. Time and time again, we ed registration fees to be counted in. Wherever FNM strays and pays, e can follow.

our society, money is important, it capacitates people to do things at we need or want to. The same is true in the debate society. gistration fees, both as debaters and adjudicators, can sometimes be cessary, we need money for events and activities, and it can also rve as prizes and motivations in competitions. FNM, too, is a willow at bends to right winds and sets a path we can follow as an institution.

r a train that can take us home, because anywhere else is hollow, FNM anages our finances and markets to the right partners.

ey take our hand, make and not wreck our plans, and enable us to ways come back strong in tournaments and events, maybe, stronger an a 90’s trend.

With Love, UPDS

University of the Philippines Debate Society Public Relations Committee ‘22-’23