JonJon Aberya

Winning by JonJon Aberya

Debate was something that used to scare the shit out of me. I went into those high school tournaments armed with nothing but the latest issue of The Economist while girls in black would pass by holding huge matter binders. Talk about intimidation. The worst part, though, wouldn’t come until the last few seconds before the Chair Adjudicator calls out my turn to speak. My teeth would chatter incessantly, my hands would shake and practically drip with sweat. I would clutch my notes and take a deep breath. I’d exhale, and the exhilaration of the next seven minutes would tell me everything else was worth this moment.

It was a constant inner battle. I had to wrestle with my fears and insecurities, and convince myself that there was something actually gratifying beyond it all. It was a dichotomy demanding the existence of both pain and pleasure in a single activity. It wasn't necessarily about winning the debate. It was that moment when I would feel like I'm actually making sense and what I have to say matters. And for a while, that 7-minute rush kept winning over my anxiety. That is, until frustrations led me to start giving into my fears. I found excuses to pass up tournaments. I found reasons not to train. Ultimately, I doubted that debate was for me.

This picture of how I felt about debate years ago is important in articulating how I feel about my experience in applying to the UP Debate Society. As a freshman, I was curious about the Society. Part of me wanted to get in, but an even bigger part of me just found no reason to even try. Sophomore year came, and the applications all over the University opened again. My curiosity for DebSoc came back. But more than just curiosity, this time I felt challenged. If I tried, could I make it in? Am I really bad in debate, or did I just not try hard enough before? I saw an opportunity, and I took it. I applied.

Honestly, I had to hurdle a lot of problems. Other obligations forced me to have less time with DebSoc than I would have liked, but I tried to make up for it by ensuring that such time was well-spent. I even missed the very first required activity because of a commitment I had made involving my part-time job. I had conflicts with my parents with regards to going home late several times a week, but I guess they saw how serious I was about this, and they learned to deal with it. Eventually, I got into a steady rhythm that somehow managed to go through several typhoons and major exams.

At first I also had trouble making friends with everyone. It’s an org, and I know how important it is to build relationships with everyone. My friends often say I’m outgoing, but I do have difficulty making new acquaintances. It seems unnatural for a debater, but I do admit to being shy around new company. But as the app process progressed, it became easier to let my guard down and to get to know everybody. It was interesting that this org houses a variety of students, making conversation always colorful and rich. As with all new friends, I felt a bit of apprehension in expressing my thoughts about the variety of things talked about, but this couldn’t have been any less of an issue in an org that is so open to different opinions.

My first member-friends, aside from my buddy, were mostly from the Membership and Administration Committee (MAC). It makes sense, because they were the ones I approached when I had questions or concerns. I was actually surprised at how accommodating they were. I guess I had the impression that seniority in orgs was something that was constantly rubbed into applicants’ faces. But it was the opposite with MAC. Of course, I still respected their seniority (and that of all members), but at the same time, they also respected me as an applicant. More than that, they were so supportive and encouraging. I felt their sincerity in wanting to assist all of us apps in passing through this phase. I have to take this chance to make a shout-out to Yang, who among the MAC members I must have badgered the most with all my questions about the app period. Thanks, Yang! I can’t thank you enough.

This also reminds me of the great Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero, MAC’s head. Initially, I was intimidated by BJ. We were told of his achievements when he was first introduced to us. I guess a felt like I was too insignificant to matter to him. But the more I got to see of him, the more at ease I became with him. I remember that there was even one time when he told us apps to just approach him if we needed anything. He said it in such a way that emanated sincerity (and maternal love, even) and made me more comfortable in future conversations with him.

BJ also gave me comments on my adjudication once. I was scared out of my wits at the beginning, because this was BJ—BJ, who has become a prominent adjudicator in the australasian debate circuit. And I was, well, me. No adj experience to speak of. But at the end, I was just grateful that he was the one who listened to my adjudication. BJ is like a model of a debater and adjudicator I would want to be in the future. Actually, DebSoc is full of such models. But in that particular instance, BJ gave a lot of important comments, and those became useful in my next debates and adjudications. More than that, I felt that in those few minutes he really wanted to correct how I was doing it to make sure I do better next time. Thanks, Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero, you truly are a mentor.

In fact, throughout this app period, that was exactly what I tried to do--just keep on doing better and better. My first few tambay debates were terrible. I felt so rusty and kept stuttering in all my speeches. But around mid-sem, I felt the rust slowly come off. This isn't to say that I'm a fantastic debater now, because I'm far from that. But the battle of anxiety vs. exhilaration raged on inside me every single debate. And the latter was winning.

I remember debating recently in front of a panel with their backs against a glass wall. I saw my reflection while giving my speech. For a split-second, my mind deviated from my speech and, in seeing how I’ve rediscovered an old passion, acknowledged how grateful I am that I applied to DebSoc.

Yes, debate still scares the shit out of me. But that only makes me appreciate more the intense joy I feel when I develop an argument that's actually pretty decent, or make a case-busting POI. Whether I get in or not, I feel like I've already won in this app period. I can only hope that my efforts would ultimately extend to getting the grand prize: more years with the Society.

Anna Porcelana

Learning how to Masterdebate by Anna Porcelana

A normal person would rather choose to spend nearly two months of his time studying, playing, flirting or even watching plants grow in their yard over applying for UPDS. Arguably, the DebSoc holds the title for the most competitive application process, from the Apps Olympics to the Tambay Debates, Tambay Adjes, Mini-Mock, the Graded Debates and the dreaded Matter Exam. By sheer length ang complexity, the process has completely stretched me beyond my former bounds, I had to struggle with severely conflicting schedules and tempting holidays all in good hopes of making it. I will never forget running across the campus in search for condoms and sanitary napkins or even hitching a ride with a complete stranger delivering ulam. Even debating in Vinzons over limited space and light, to sit in Econ building just to manage my quota was worthwhile. Our buddy made sure that we were ready for all the things that we would be facing, from case building to adjing our buddy made sure that we were all in the right track. Looking back the buddy bid fee which I used to think was irrational is now justified, I feel that we undercompensated our buddy’s effort and patience with us. All in all the process wasn’t just about getting grades higher than 75 but rather an intrinsic checking of desire to make it, because as I have heard the app process is just a warm-up of all the stretching that I will have to make assuming I get in.

What added flavor to the process are BJ and MAC and in order to be able to talk about them properly I have to define them first, BJ, contrary to the misnomers who shallowly define such as blow job or buko juice, is a word (not an abbreviation) used to define something which adds positive value to somewhat negative scenarios. For example; if you are lonely, all you need is a BJ and everything will be alright. If you think that you can’t appreciate things anymore, just get a BJ and you’re all set for seeing the beauty of life. As far as research is concerned, BJ will be placed in the thesaurus as something synonymous to appreciation or hope. The only rule about BJ is that you must pay it forward, meaning that if someone BJs you it is imperative that you BJ someone else who desperately needs it.

This then leads me to MAC (Membership and Administration Committee), how is MAC anyway? MAC is a spawn of the concept of BJ because throughout the process, MAC is the main cursor of the applicants, helping us through the whole process by giving out tips about sig-sheets, making us physically fit through the Olympics and helping us figure out strategies how to increase our chances of getting in.

In summation, the process has promoted my whole outlook about debating and it has made me realize that I must follow the BJ principle which is useful in everyday scenarios. I had a taste of the UPDS life, and it is tough and worthwhile no matter what.

Aaron Tiyan

BJlog by Aaron Tiyan

   Throughout my application process to UPDS, I have met some very interesting characters, and in particular the Grandmaster of the BJ.

   BJ, the acronym for Barometric Juxtaposition, is defined by the Hoaxford dictionary as "a mode of judgment based on the judgment that the mode is judged upon." Though for weaker minds this definition may appear circular and non-sensical, the more intellectually gifted mind will see into the verse and glean from it a treasure trove of knowledge and insight not readily available to the common man. I, having the honor and fortune to have seen into this verse will attempt to explain it into terms that lesser beings may understand. Because the Hoaxford dictionary requires 5th order transdimensional parabolic-hyperboloid thinking, one must isolate the many facets of definition so as to fully comprehend the scope of this very complex word. I will only be able to explain the first and most basic facet of the BJ definition, as I would have to publish a book to be able to explain all 19,348,217 facets.

   The first facet of Barometric Juxtaposition is many things. It is a philosophy and technique in judgment, a higher form of artistic expression, and more importantly, a lifestyle. I will explain all of these in just a moment.

   As a philosophy, BJ is a mode of thinking wherein one is able to vividly see the logical and causal connections between strands of information that resides in the fabric of speech. This philosophy frees the person from al forms of creative and intellectual hindrance to achieve true sight, the state wherein one truly sees, and at the same time, sees the truth. Of course, in order to tap into this state of mind and being, one must know the technique implied and required by the philosophy. Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to disclose this information, as the thousand monks of the Juxtaposti Barometrium Order will have me skewered on a hundred baseball bats for revealing their secret.

  It is also a higher form of artistic expression. Given that the Barometric Juxtapositor is able to "vividly see the logical and causal connectionos between strands of information", it must follow then that the most skilled of the Juxtapositors will be able to manipulate these strands. So much that is actually possible to modify fact. (For example, a very skilled Juxtapositor will be able to prove that 1 = 2) The most skilled of all Juxtapositors will be able to actually create fact. (For example, he may say that a Turkducken is actually a hybrid of turkey, duck, and chicken, and poof, a turkducken will appear.)

  Such power of course requires a proportional amount of responsibility, and while Juxxtapositary Technique addresses this on passing, it is not enough to know BJ. One must live it. And thus, BJ becomes a lifestyle. This is the same lifestyle lived by the monks of the Juxtaposti Barometrium Order, and it involves a complete detachment from all social and psychological constructs, as well as, but not limited to, sexual barriers, sexual barriers, and sexual barriers. In fact, homosexuality is encouraged in this very secretive organization, which is the main factor in the categorically stagnant population. It is of no consequence of course; all serious practitioners of BJ are immortal.

  Epic though the BJ Order may be, there is still a greater organization that employs these wondrous philosophers. (Albeit as leaders) And that is the MAC.

 

   The MAC, or Magisterial Adjudicial Consortium (Sometimes known as the Membership and Administration Committee) is some sort of government body ruling over a certain undisclosed number of elements. The extent of its powers is largely unknown, but it is safe to assume omnipotence. In fact, it has been known at one point to declare blue as yellow, and yellow as the number 3. (This of course, caused widespread rallying, but eventually it was stopped due to the confusion incurred on the rallyists when "yes" was declared as "no".) Though it may be powerful, it is hardly ruthless. An excellent example of BJian benevolence, it is responsible for its actions and its kindness is shown in its dedication to its subjects and in the projects that it enacts. I myself, being the representative of my nation, the League of Extraordinarily Voracious Ipsids, have felt the warmth of the MAC. It has given me lodging and food, as well as entertainment in my various travels to the various events held by the MAC itself. And it is in one of these magnificent events that I have had the honor of studying under the Grandmaster of BJ himself.

   All this of course amounts to an ultimate goal: membership into the Universal Plebiate of the Debatus System, which is governed partially by the MAC. The Debatus System, contrary to intuition, isn't just limited to the home star-system of the planet Debati (which is known for being the only planet in the universe without left turns) but rather, it refers to the gigantic organization spanning across tens of thousands of registered galaxies, which regularly participate in the argumentation and judgement of both trivial and important issues concerning the known universe.

   My bid to enter my nation into the UPDS was a difficult one, full of hardship and frustration, but at the same time, rewarding and fun. Never before have I created so many alliances with other nations - incredibly able nations, full of intellect and logical prowess. I have learned a lot; from the ways of the BJ (except maybe for the lifestyle part) to the diplomatic abilities required to interact with other nations. And for this, I owe UPDS my loyalty with or without acceptance.

   And thus, I end my log before I take my week-long journey to the Planet Debati, where I will undertake the final step of my application.