By Eugene Matthew B. Juanico, BA-COMM 4, Centralian Link Intern
Members of the Rex Drillon Debate Society (Team 2) gather for a commemorative photo. From left to right: Fiona Faye B. Luciño, Adrian Carl Esmenos, Lexiss Lin Lumanog, Joseph Brian Azarraga, Ethanjames Sumayo, and Sam Isaac Alog.
The Rex Drilon Debate Society (RDDS), the premier debate organization of Central Philippine University, represented the school at the Good Governance Summit, which was held from March 5 to 7, 2026, and spearheaded by the Association of Political Science Students of CPU. The three-day inter-school event aimed to advocate for and enlighten the public on the importance of good governance through competitive debates, quiz bees, and various academic activities.
In accordance with the summit’s regulations, the group was split into two teams: Team 1 and Team 2. The competition was structured into three rigorous phases, eliminations, semi-finals, and the championship, which spanned the duration of the event. The preliminary stage consisted of four rounds of elimination, followed by two semi-final rounds, culminating in a high stakes final match on the third day.
The summit utilized multiple venues to host the event. The first two days were held on the 6th floor of the Iloilo City Provincial Capitol building, while the championship rounds took place at the University of the Philippines Visayas. Throughout the competition, the RDDS members were pushed to their limits; each day presented new topics with minimal preparation time, strictly testing their ability to both construct their arguments and perform under pressure.
Despite these challenging conditions, the debaters demonstrated exceptional skill. During the elimination rounds, Team 2 secured a decisive victory against the Western Institute of Technology. In that match, their practicability speaker, Joseph Brian Azarraga, earned the award of “Best Debater”, while Sam Isaac Alog earned the “Best Speaker” award.
The momentum continued into the semi-finals, where the team faced the Alimodian Debate Society. The RDDS successfully claimed victory to advance to the finals, with Alog once again sweeping both the Best Debater and Best Speaker honors. In a closely contested championship rematch against the Alimodian Debate Society, the CPU team ultimately finished as the 1st Runner Up among a highly competitive field of participants.
Reflecting on the experience, Sam Isaac Alog of Team 2 viewed the challenges as a vital test of adaptation and resilience. He described the summit as a memorable experience that allowed the team to forge new connections while strengthening their internal bonds.
“I would like to advocate for Centralians and Ilonggos alike to participate more in debates,” Alog expressed. “Debate is not just for pride or show, but an exchange of ideas. The goal is not simply to beat an opponent, but to educate and enlighten the audience. We should all speak up more often regarding social issues.”