MANILA, Philippines — Four teams walked into the JCI Manila Clubhouse with a place in the 46th Area Conference Debate Finals on the line. By the end of the day, two had earned the right to move forward.
Hosted by JCI Manila, the Debate Semi-Finals brought together four of the area’s strongest teams for an afternoon of argument, wit, strategy, and spirited competition. Representing JCI Makati Princess Urduja, JCI Valenzuela, JCI Manila, and Team Manila Jaycees, the debaters took the floor ready to prove that the strength of an argument lies not only in what is said, but in how effectively it is delivered.
The event opened with the Philippine National Anthem, followed by the JCI Creed and acknowledgements. JCI Manila President Edison Ke then delivered the opening remarks, formally setting the stage for an afternoon of intense competition.
The Board of Judges brought together a distinguished panel with extensive experience in law, public speaking, and competitive debate.
Among them was Atty. Vincent Von Nogra, a practicing lawyer and educator who joined JCI in 2021. He served as Local Organization President of JCI Metro Iloilo Dinagyang in 2025 and currently serves as the 2026 Area Vice President of JCI Visayas, covering Western, Eastern, and Central Visayas.
Also on the panel was Kevin Chris Sese, Head of Regional Legal and Assistant Vice President at Aboitiz Power Corporation and a professor at the San Beda College Alabang School of Law. Sese has judged several international moot court and debate competitions, including the Philip Jessup Cup, Vis East Moot Court, AIAC Moot Court, FDI Moot, and Human Rights Debate Cup. He has likewise competed on the international stage, including the Jessup and FDI Moot competitions.
Completing the panel was NC Nel Luceño, the National Chair for Debate and Public Speaking. A decorated competitor himself, Luceño is a 2025 Most Outstanding Member in Area 4, an ASPAC Debate Semifinalist in Niigata, Japan, a NatCon Debate Champion, and an Area 4 Public Speaking Champion.
The debate mechanics were explained by AC Kerwin Faustino, before the first matchup began.
Round 1: Makati Princess Urduja vs. Valenzuela
The first round immediately captured the attention of the room.
JCI Makati Princess Urduja fielded an all-female team composed of Kaith Lawrence Espinosa, Nena Tamayo, and Zea Awatin, while JCI Valenzuela was represented by Charles King Malonzo, Charlz Yunel Elliaz Emil M. Dillena, and Tristan Gareth P. Lanozo.
What followed was a spirited exchange of arguments, rebuttals, and plenty of humor.
The Makati Princess Urduja team proved that confidence and competitive debate are not limited by gender, delivering sharp responses while engaging in playful word jousting with their opponents. Their chemistry and wit drew laughter from the audience without taking away from the seriousness of the competition.
JCI Valenzuela answered in kind, keeping the exchange competitive until the final arguments.
When the round concluded, the judges deliberated before JCI Makati Princess Urduja emerged as the winner, securing the first spot in the Area Conference finals.
Round 2: Manila vs. Manila
The second semifinal brought an unusual matchup as JCI Manila faced Team Manila Jaycees, putting brothers on opposite sides of the debate floor.
JCI Manila was represented by Charles Fredricksson O. de Belen, Clarence Santos, and Carlos Mattus, while Team Manila Jaycees fielded Levy Macaraig, Jhabes Monzones, and Cay Lim.
The familiarity between the competitors did little to soften the competition.
The two teams exchanged arguments with the same combination of intelligence, creativity, and humor that had characterized the first round. With both sides determined to advance, the debate became a showcase of quick thinking and confident delivery.
In the end, JCI Manila emerged victorious, joining JCI Makati Princess Urduja in the finals.
Two Teams, One Final Stage
The awarding ceremony followed the debates, with certificates of participation presented to the competing teams and recognition given to the winners of each semifinal round.
But the day’s biggest prize was still ahead.
After two highly competitive rounds, the teams advancing to the 46th Area Conference Debate Finals are:
JCI Makati Princess Urduja
- Kaith Lawrence Espinosa
- Nena Tamayo
- Zea Awatin
JCI Manila
- Charles Fredricksson O. de Belen
- Clarence Santos
- Carlos Mattus
For the four teams that competed at the JCI Manila Clubhouse, the afternoon was more than a qualifying round. It was a demonstration of the growing strength of debate and public speaking within JCI.
The competitors showed sportsmanship, creativity, intelligence, and courage, while proving that debate can be both intellectually demanding and genuinely entertaining.
For JCI Manila, hosting the Area event added another layer of significance. The Clubhouse became not simply a venue, but a stage where chapters came together to challenge ideas, build relationships, and celebrate the leadership skills that JCI seeks to develop in its members.
Now, with the semifinals behind them, JCI Manila and JCI Makati Princess Urduja move one step closer to the ultimate prize.
The arguments have been made. The winners have been decided.
The road to the 46th Area Conference Debate Finals is now set
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