UIC DebSoc rep shines at Int’l Debate Fest

Melissa Bianca Operario

Extending his adjudication prowess and gift of rhetoric on the international stage, the Debating Society (DebSoc) representative of the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC), Karl Kirby Costales, has reached new heights in the debate sphere as he progressed to the semi-final round of Shri Ram Debating Festival (SRDF) 2021 as a breaking adjudicator on March 13 to 15, 2021 via Discord and Mixidea.

Organized by the Debating Society of Shri Ram College of Commerce, the event with Asian Parliamentary as its format is considered to be one of India’s most reputed debating festivals. With more than 50 adjudicators from various academic institutions of India, Costales reached the semi-finals of SRDF after going through a pre-tournament, adjudication test, and five elimination rounds.

The second-year pharmacy student shared the difference between the online format of this competition and his previous debate experiences, stating that the lack of social interaction and moral support made it feel more draining.

Despite the challenges of adjusting to the time zone of India and their dialect, which caused difficulty in deliberating their arguments, Costales described his experience as very enlightening.

“Seeing how Indian debaters form case lines allowed me to learn new debating strategies. Moreover, I was able to learn more about Indian culture and the various national issues that their country faces,” he added.

Commending the recent coup of their very own member, the UIC-DebSoc expressed their utmost felicitation to the success of Mr. Costales, bestowing their endless cheer and support from the beginning up to the end of his journey on the virtual debate competition.

“This is not the club’s first success or Kirby’s first win. He always brings something for the club and stands-up for it. I watch him grow from someone who knows nothing from debate and now becoming one of the club’s best assets. His win is the club’s milestone. We are so proud of him,” Mary Rose Godinez, president of the UIC-DebSoc as she shared her insights towards Costales’ feat.

She also emphasized that all his efforts invoked great honor and success to the club, making UIC-DebSoc recognized as a charter by the university and Mindanao Debate Association.