Speech and Debate Council-SPADC

𝓐𝓷 𝓞𝓭𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓛𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓹 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓛𝓮𝓰𝓪𝓬𝔂
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‎To our SPADC Officers of Academic Year 2025 to 2026, now standing at the threshold of graduation, this is no ordinary farewell. Like dragons at the height of their power, you do not fade, you ascend.
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‎You are the phoenix and the dragon, rising, blazing, unyielding. And as you leave this council, you do not leave it behind, you carry its fire within you. Like magic that lingers long after the spell is cast, your impact will remain in every voice strengthened, in every mind awakened, in every flame you helped ignite.
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‎But more than the victories you claimed, it is the quiet battles that define you. The moments you chose truth when it was inconvenient. The times you stood firm when your voice trembled. The discipline to listen, to learn, and to rise again sharper than before. These are the unseen embers that forged you, not just as speakers, but as individuals of principle.
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‎To the graduating officers, this achievement is not an end, but a transformation. The fire you kindled here will follow you into greater battles, greater stages, greater truths waiting to be spoken. The world beyond this chamber will test you in ways no motion ever could, but you leave not unarmed. You carry with you the power of reason, the courage to dissent, and the wisdom to know when words must build rather than break.
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‎So go forth, fearless, aflame, and unforgotten.
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‎In Flamma Veritatis et Igne Convictionis, may your fire never fade, and may your conviction forever burn like magic in a world that needs it most.

Happy Birthday to the one who keeps CAS always moving forward — our ever-dynamic Dean, 𝘿𝙧. 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙈. 𝙈𝙚𝙧𝙯𝙖!🎉

Your steadfast commitment, visionary guidance, and passion for academic excellence continue to inspire everyone in the College of Arts and Sciences. Through your dynamic stewardship, CAS has flourished as a vibrant community that nurtures intellect, creativity, and purpose. You have built an environment where learning thrives, collaboration deepens, and every member feels valued and empowered.

We wish you another remarkable year filled with brilliance, breakthroughs, and boundless energy. May your days be graced with wisdom, fulfillment, and the same positivity and dedication you continuously share.

Your service is more than an inspiration — it is a lasting legacy of excellence and heart.✨

𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝘽𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧-𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙧, 𝙎𝙞𝙧 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙯! 💗🐦‍🔥
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‎Your unwavering dedication, wisdom, and belief in SPADC continue to inspire us to go beyond our limits. You never fail to remind us that greatness starts with courage — the courage to speak up for truth, to stand tall, and to believe in what we do.
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‎Through every event, debate, and challenge, your guidance has been our compass. You have taught us not just how to argue with reason, but how to lead with pure heart.
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‎Your words of encouragement and trust in our capabilities fuel the passion that keeps SPADC moving forward.
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‎Today, we celebrate more than just your birthday — we celebrate the person who constantly pushes us to grow, the mentor who stands by us through victories and setbacks, and the adviser who truly embodies what it means to believe in your team.
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‎Thank you, Sir Fritz, for being our source of strength, wisdom, and inspiration. You are, without a doubt, the best!
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‎𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚’𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙!

‎🪄✨ 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍 𝙔𝙀, 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍 𝙔𝙀, 𝙇𝙊𝙍𝘿𝙎 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙇𝘼𝘿𝙄𝙀𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙃𝙊𝙐𝙎𝙀 𝙊𝙁 𝙋𝙃𝙊𝙀𝙉𝙄𝙓!✨🪄
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‎Gather, noble witches, wizards, and scholars of wit and wonder. The enchanted halls whisper once more, for a grand event draws near. This 𝙊𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙗𝙚𝙧, the House of Phoenix calls upon all brave souls for a challenge of intellect and valor — 𝙑𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙨 𝙚𝙩 𝙑𝙤𝙭: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙏𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 2025.
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‎Within these ancient halls, voices shall rise like flames. Each speaker shall stand with courage and conviction, turning words into spells and logic into light. This is not a battle of wands but of wisdom, a contest where reason, passion, and eloquence shall reign supreme.
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‎To those who dare to step forward, we invite you to complete the rings of teams and take your rightful place among the chosen. Gather your allies, sharpen your minds, and prepare to awaken the power that lies within.
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‎Ignite your spirit, let your voice soar, and awaken the brilliance that burns in your heart.
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‎To register and inscribe your name upon the Scroll of Speakers, follow the enchanted link below:

https://forms.gle/WvFHvrWyXJs1Bw94A
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‎𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙮. Do not let the sands of time slip away before your name is written upon the scroll!
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‎May your words be your wand, your wisdom your spell, and your courage your guiding flame. Let the Great Debate begin and may the Phoenix within you rise ever higher.
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‎✨ “𝓕𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓼𝓹𝓮𝓪𝓴 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓹𝓾𝓻𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝓼𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓼𝓮𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭 𝓪𝓵𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽.”✨
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‎𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨
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𝙄𝙉 𝙋𝙃𝙊𝙏𝙊𝙎 | The Speech and Debate Council (SPADC) proudly held its Debate Seminar and Workshop yesterday, Thursday, October 2, at the CAS Audio-Visual Room. The event aimed to discover the next generation of debaters and speakers while empowering participants to sharpen their skills and embrace the art of discourse.

The program opened with the welcoming remarks of Prof. Fritz Krieg Allawey, SPADC’s adviser, who emphasized how debate is not just about winning arguments but about cultivating critical minds and confident voices. He highlighted how debate molds students to think critically, listen attentively, and speak with courage and clarity — qualities that will serve them beyond the walls of the classroom. His words reminded everyone that SPADC is not just a council, but a training ground for future leaders and change-makers.

The participants were then energized by an inspirational message from our college dean, Dr. Hartwell Norman M. Merza. With his enthusiastic greeting of “Hiraya Manawari!” The dean reminded everyone to dream big and never stop aspiring. He ended with a striking quote from Maya Angelou: “Do not cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” His words served as a reminder that every experience — whether a victory, a challenge, or a moment of learning — should be embraced with gratitude and positivity. Instead of mourning endings, we should celebrate beginnings and the growth they bring.

SPADC’s Secretary for Communications, Ms. Ara Jazmin Faye Buan, then introduced the debate seminar resource speaker: Ms. Joni Kay M. Mendoza, SPADC’s founding president and first-ever leader. Carrying the wisdom and passion of a true pioneer, Ms. Mendoza delivered an eye-opening and practical seminar on the Asian Parliamentary Debate (AsPar) format. She explained the structure of Government and Opposition benches, the distinct roles of each speaker, and the burdens they must discharge — from defining motions and painting contexts to building arguments, rebuttals, and synthesizing cases. Her session highlighted that debate is not merely about winning clashes, but about clarity, strategy, and building confidence to make the “world your podium.”

The afternoon’s highlight was the interactive workshop and mock debate. To inspire the new participants, Ms. Mendoza and Prof. Allawey joined forces with debaters Xirdneh Dannien Biasbas, Maria Antoinette Clarett Tan, Marc Leonick Aday,and Kelvin Cariño. Together, they made the mock debate lively, engaging, and insightful — showcasing not only the technical side of argumentation but also the courage and spirit that debate builds. It was a powerful reminder that debate is more than competition; it is a platform to conquer fear, speak truth, and grow as leaders.

The program culminated in the awarding of certificates and tokens of appreciation to our speaker and participants. Finally, with photo opportunities, freebies, and memories to keep, attendees left the AVR in high spirits — carrying not only lessons but also the fire to continue mastering the art of debate.

𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐏 𝐔𝐏, 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊 𝐔𝐏! 🎤

Join us for an empowering Debate Seminar and Workshop!

A day of learning, practice, and growth awaits as we sharpen our skills in critical thinking and the art of debate.

📍 Hosted by the Speech and Debate Council
📅 October 2, 2025 | 1:00 – 5:00 PM Audio-Visual Room (AVR)

Let your voice be heard. The stage is yours.

𝙑𝙊𝙓 𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙏𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙎 | 𝙇𝙞𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜 𝙣𝙖 𝙍𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙨𝙖

Lux ex Tenebris, Vox Populi - Light out of darkness, the voice of the people.

For too long, we are done being drowned in lies. We are done watching our homes sink, our dreams wash away, and our cries buried in silence. One candle is enough to spark a blaze, and that blaze is now a firestorm that no flood of deceit can put out. No hand of corruption can smother it.

The voice of the people is not fragile. It is not a smoke that fades, nor a whisper easily ignored. It is a force that cracks the silence, a fire that spreads from street to street, and a wave that no wall of power can contain. It is the sound of generations refusing to bow, the cry of the betrayed turning into the anthem of the brave. Every attempt to silence it only makes it louder, every attempt to drown it only makes it rise higher.

This voice is not a plea - it is a verdict, and it will not be denied.

From the ruins of deceit, we rise. From the shadows, we blaze. The people’s light is no longer a flicker - it is a fire that consumes chains, a flood that sweeps away the architects of oppression.

This is our vow: From darkness, we have risen - and from our rising, there will be no return to silence.

Speech and Debate Council-SPADC

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑇𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑇𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠 𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑒: 𝑆𝑒𝑎 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒, 𝐵𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒
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‎𝙄𝙉 𝙋𝙃𝙊𝙏𝙊𝙎 | From the shores of La Union to the seas of the world - every hand, every voice, and every wave of action can turn the tide. Today we cleaned, tomorrow we sustain, and together we rise as one ocean of hope.
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‎The renowned shores of San Juan, La Union came alive as hundreds of volunteers joined the rest of the world in the International Coastal Clean-Up 2025. With the rallying call “𝙎𝙚𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚”, La Union once again proved that protecting the environment is not just an obligation but a way of life - thanks to the driving efforts of Curma and Alpas together with the different LGUs (Bacnotan, San Juan, City of San Fernando, La Union, Bauang), who served as key initiators of this year’s coastal movement.
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‎At the heart of the event was the pioneering energy of the Speech and Debate Council (SPADC), who carried their advocacy from the podium to the shoreline. Known for championing voices that spark change, the council proved that true leadership is measured not only in words but in action. By rolling up their sleeves and working hand-in-hand with environmental advocates, SPADC reminded everyone that the fight for a cleaner, greener future is both a battle of ideas and a commitment lived out in daily life.
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‎Building on this momentum, leaders and officials echoed the same spirit of stewardship and collective responsibility through their powerful messages.
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‎𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙖 𝙋𝙖𝙙𝙪𝙖 𝙊𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙖 set the tone of the day, declaring: “Safeguarding our seas is both a collective commitment and an act of stewardship, for the ocean is a source of life and livelihood. Today, we unite not only to pick up trash but to embrace our responsibility of caring for creation.”
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‎Representing 𝙂𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙤 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙤 𝘾. 𝙊𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙖, MDA, 𝙈𝙧. 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙊𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙖 reminded participants that environmental protection must extend beyond a symbolic clean-up, stressing that caring for our shorelines must be a daily responsibility.
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‎Giving the policy backbone of this endeavor, 𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙮𝙣 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙤-𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙯, PG-ENRO, underscored the importance of Provincial Ordinance No. 347-2021, which mandates all 91 coastal barangays of La Union to conduct regular clean-ups. She also highlighted Presidential Proclamation No. 470, s. 2003, which institutionalized every third Saturday of September as International Coastal Clean-Up Day in the Philippines. “When we clean our coastlines, we don’t just remove waste. We renew our promise to protect our environment and inspire communities to live sustainably,” she affirmed.
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‎𝘽𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙀𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤 𝙍𝙖𝙛𝙤𝙣 of the 1st District grounded the effort in faith and gratitude: “The world is a gift from God. We should take care of it and be thankful of it.” He urged the youth to remain steadfast in clean and green programs, reminding everyone of the deep link between environmental care, tourism, and livelihood. “May our help not fade,” he added, echoing Colossians 3:17: “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord.”
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‎Strengthened by these calls, the event reached beyond symbolic action, reminding everyone that collective care must be sustained by collaboration and leadership.
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‎Here, the vital role of Curma and Alpas stood out. Not just partners but true drivers and initiators of this year’s ICC celebration, they have long championed marine conservation, youth empowerment, and environmental advocacy in La Union. Their leadership, combined with the passion of volunteers and the commitment of institutions, showed that when communities unite, change becomes unstoppable.
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‎As the waves returned to the shorelines of San Juan, they carried a clear message: that the spirit of La Union "Agkaysa para ti Aglawlaw– unity for the environment – is alive and thriving. The clean-up was not just about litter collected but about the legacy created. More than a single event, it was a promise: that the seas we safeguard today will sustain the generations of tomorrow.
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𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗨𝗠𝗣𝗛𝗦

Since its establishment in 2022, the Speech and Debate Council (SPADC) has achieved remarkable milestones in a short span of time. It is not only the first student organization solely dedicated to honing young speakers on campus, but also the first of its kind across the entire university.

Although it may be young in age, SPADC has already produced high-caliber speakers and debaters who along that achieved and brought home awards with enormous prestige not just within the campus but it also extends in international podiums.

This year, the organization plans to not just expand these achievements and to uphold its esteemed reputation, but also to reach new heights of excellence. SPADC is committed in being able to discover, train, and empower promising young talents in order to produce a whole new generation of some of the greatest speakers the campus has ever seen.

𝙄𝙉 𝙋𝙃𝙊𝙏𝙊𝙎| 2025 Mass Induction

The Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University – Mid La Union Campus successfully held the 2025 Mass Induction of Student Leaders and Officers.

The program began with a Holy Mass to bless the students in their endeavors, followed by the Head of SAS, Dr. Dodilyn D. Bermudez, who warmly welcomed everyone with her opening remarks.

Our University Chancellor, Dr. Victorio C. Palabay, then delivered his inspirational message before CSBO Vice-Chairperson Ms. Shannen C. Villacorta introduced the honorable guest speaker and inducting officer, 1st District Board Member Hon. Maria Rosario Eufrosina P. Nisce who shared words of encouragement and motivation, encouraging student leaders to fully commit to their responsibilities as officers.

The ceremony continued with the turning over of the Key of Responsibility from former CSBO Chairperson Mr. Marc Leonick L. Aday to CSBO Chairperson-elect Ms. Michelle Anne D. Olivar. Mr. Aday also delivered his heartfelt parting message after a successful term of service in the previous academic year. This was then followed by Ms. Olivar’s Message of Commitment, promising a strong and dedicated administration under her leadership.

Finally, the newly elected CSBO Adviser, Dr. Lady Mae B. Calderon, brought the program to a close with her inspiring closing remarks.