SMU Debsoc Secures Victory at Baguio Detour 2025
Saint Mary’s University Debate Society grabs multiple awards at the Baguio Debate Tournament 2025.
SMU Team A composed of Frances Zizi Biwit (AB Communications I) and Nathaniel Mosqueda (BS Nursing IV), secured 7th Novice Breaking team, reaching up to the Novice Grand Finals and was awarded as 2nd runner up during the tournament.
Meanwhile, SMU Team B composed of Dion Carl Tampon (BS Psychology II) and Joshrelle Lucerne (AB Communications II) ended up as the 1st reserved breaking team for the novice category.
The institution also sent competing adjudicators, where Nina Rheena Salinas (Club Adviser, Juris Doctor II) was awarded as the Overall Tenth Best Judge of the tournament. Furthermore, Kim Zyrelle Lumayas (AB Political Science III) was hailed as a breaking adjudicator and judged until Novice Semifinals, and Barry Christian Valeros (BS Psychology IV) also competed as a judge in the tournament.
Aimed at making debate more accessible across the country, the event was hosted by Debatable, University of the Philippines Baguio-Debate Varsity, and Baguio City National Highschool Debate Society. The Baguio DeTour was attended by various debate institutions across the country. This marks the return of the debate varsity in the National Circuit’s face-to-face tournaments after a decade.
The victory of the university debate team proves the dedication of the Saint Mary’s University towards excellence, not just confined within the pillars of the university, but those that echoes transcend beyond the valleys of Northern Luzon.
Written by: (Nathaniel C. Mosqueda, Senior Debater, SMU Debate Society)
Photo by: (Frances Zizi Biwit, Senior Debater, SMU Debate Society
