The following is an editted and hopefully a longer version of my reply to Mr. Andrew Pinlac's entry in Mr. Brian Marana's blog:
"Sorry Andrew, but Mr. Marana is the moderator of the Xavier Debating Team. Their coach is Kip of the Ateneo Debate Society.
Much credit has to be given to Kip.
I was with the guys last February at a minor tournament at the Ateneo High School and again last Saturday (in a much bigger national event hosted by the Ateneo de Manila University.) I saw a tremendous improvement in the skills of the whole debating team: in diction, analysis of the issues, synthesis and incorporation of their lessons in the speeches, rebuttals, clarity of thinking, and organization of ideas. All of them are also quick on the draw; they can answer the points hurled at them by desperate opponents in a wink of an eye and without blinking.
And because they are also humorous, witty, well-mannered (unlike the contingent from another all boys' school, I can't help but compare because they were irritatingly boisterous!) and gentlemanly, it is no wonder that they are chick-magnets. I saw not a few girls videotaping the boys surreptiously and some even asked that their pictures be taken with them!
I see in all this as a start of a tradition of excellence in the debate club. This means that Peterson and Evan are not flukes (in the good sense of that word, if it has any) for Kenneth, Gavin, Philip and Carlo are there, as well as Vito Borromeo.
Kenneth Reyes, who is beginning to mirror the logic of Evan Chen was the group's "rising star" last year and undoubtedly, they have Vito this year, whose charm while he stands before the podium is beginning to match his brother's appeal. Philip has begun to take on the fire of his kuya Peterson Poon.
More than the skills, however, I saw the group becoming a community of friends and brothers. They rejoice in each other's triumphs, which is overwhelmingly many by now, and agonize in each other's defeats. They are concerned if one is missing or being left out and has no ride home. They are magnanimous in their victories. These might be the contribution of Mr. Marana -- I do not know. Not that it matters who gets the credit for what. What is more important is the end result, is it not?
All in all, I take pride in being a teacher of some of these boys and that our school is capable of producing and forming such individuals."
woo thank you Mr. Hernando for your support
TumugonBurahinHehe, I disagree with your statement that "what is more important is the end result." It is very Machiavellian: the end justifies the means. :p
TumugonBurahinWinning is not everything. The journey makes the destination more meaningful. I just hope that the winning debaters know that.
Hi bro! The end result that I was referring to was the "community of friends and brothers" that has been formed among the Xavier debaters. For me, it is what really matters and not the identity of who gets credit for what.
TumugonBurahinThat does not mean however that there is no truth in what you said: "Winning is not everything..." for you are very right there :) and in the fact that Kip, Brian, and the whole team are to be congratulated for a job well done.