July 7; WednesdayIt's Wednesday, and we do not have classes. But I woke up early and went to school for PNU-Debate Society screening. Yes, I would like to join that org. So with my classmates Cheska and Stephene (which we convinced to join), we went to school that day. We were at the lobby of the BPS building where the screening would take place.
We were screened one-at-a-time. It started with the introduction. Honestly, I didn't know how I would introduce myself. Then they made me sing when I learned that I was a choir member. .___.
The screening was pretty much like an extemporaneous speech. We picked a random number for our topic. It was divided into three parts. The first part was to connect two unrelated idea with each other (mine was rashes and Justin Bieber, imagine that). The second part was to defend your stand for the topic you had picked (genetic cloning was what I got and I was against it). The third part was to totally oppose what you just had said. There was one-minute thinking time and two-minute speaking time for each part.
There were times when I was at lost for words, or a few seconds of dead air. But at least, I was able to stand and speak in front of them without being completely stupid.
The members said that we could come back on the afternoon if we have time because there would be an interview with the DebSoc advisers. So we passed out time at SM Manila, and watched a movie for a friggin' 15 pesos. XD The movie was somewhat an old one, actually (They Wait).
At 2pm, we went back to the school and the interview started. Again, one applicant at-a-time. It started to turn dark even it was midday, and it became really windy. Strong winds and all. Then it rained. Then there was a brown-out. Dang!
The interview was momentarily stopped. The advisers told us that we could go provided that we have an umbrella. But since I am living in Laguna and I was worried that I would be stranded along the way, I stayed together with Cheska and Stephene. It was better to get stranded in the school than on the bus, I said.
The interview went on. We were the last, actually. As for me, the interview was like "tell-me-something-about-yourself" thingy. They just asked things about me. That's all.
We went home since the weather was finer. They said that they would just inform us about the result.
Today, I realized I suck at personal introductions.
~
July 10; SaturdayLast night,I received a text message from a DebSoc regular member saying that I am on probationary membership for one sem. YAY! One step closer in being a regular member!
So today, I went to the school again. And because of some reason, I was late! I was in the BSP lobby for a few minutes when they were just at the TEC office. The regular members were talking Greek; I couldn't understand the terms they used.
(Ivy, dahil yan sa register ng wika kung saan---*shot* //masyado nang maraming natututunan sa Filipino).
There were only six of probationary members present there, when there was quite number of applicants before. Cheska and I was there, though Stephene wasn't lucky enough.
After the regulars went out of the room, our presence was finally acknowledged. Sir Jason gave us a lecture about the basics in debate. He was an alumnus of the university, and one of the adviser/consultant of DebSoc although he was teaching in other school (Southridge). He said that he doesn't really want to be addressed as "Sir Jason" if ever we become one of the regulars, but "Kuya Jason" instead.
"To be a debater is to be a masochist."
-- Sir Jason
After the lecture, we would be having our formal debate for the first time. Asian Parliamentary format. Geez, I was really nervous.
The motion is this: "This house believes that call centers has done more harm than good." I was on the opposition, and assumed the speaker role of Deputy Leader of Opposition. We had 15-minutes preparation time. We went back to the room and it started.
Since we're all beginners and first-time debaters, of course there were some mistakes. Most of us had spoken for 2-3 minutes, contrary to the 7-minute speaking time. As for me, I was able to speak for 7 minutes 22 seconds. I was reaaaaaally nervous before I have spoken, and my heart was pounding hard. But as soon as I started to speak, I was quite at ease. Whew!
After the debate, Sir Jason and Sir Ali (chair members of the house) gave us comments. And then he told us that the opposition were the ones that we won! YAAAY!~ ♥
I had new acquaintances. Cheska, Sol, and I had lunch at SM Manila and we went back to observe at the practice debate"tournament".
The motion was "THBT cigarette ban has gone too far". I think it was British parliamentary format. It was the regular members, advisers, and alumni who debated.
Grabe! Everyone was so enthusiastic and ardent and aggressive in debating! What we did before cannot be compared to them.
Watching them, I realized I have found what I was looking for at PNU. I mean, the aggression, the challenge, the comptetition--I've found it. Which make me like PNU more.
I was sort of "mentally-exhausted" just by watching and listening to them. I had excessive loss of blood (nosebleed, LOL). I was super anemic and I think I need AmpalayaPlus already. XD
We went home after that though there was still one practice debate. I went home happy because I learned many things.
I actually joined 8 orgs. 8D But I am ditching those that I don't really need and would keep at least two, though it's still hard to handle two organizations. And I intend to keep PNU-DebSoc. I hope they will keep me too. :)
Labels: daily update, DebSoc, school affliation
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