Two debating teams of SBC ranked as second and third best debating teams respectively during the Debate Tournament held at the University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato, last October 16-18 2009.

            The debate tournament was participated by the different schools within the Region which are: Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic College, Sultan Kudarat; USM, Kidapawan City Campus, Kidapawan City; USM Main Campus, Kabacan, Cotabato; Notre Dame of Midsayap College, Midsayap, Cotabato; and Southern Baptist College; Mlang, Cotabato.

            There were eight teams that participated, each having two members. Debating in a British-parliamentary system, there were four teams competing in each round. The opening government, closing government, opening opposition and closing opposition. For the five rounds before the final round, SBC teams made it to the top four. And finally on the final round, they made it to the second and third places respectively.

            The members of the team which ranked second were Tahir Midsabala and Cecel Palmes, while Breen Dote and Ulyssis Bacharo (who was awarded as one of the tiers for the second best speakers) were on the Third place. And the team which got the First Place was the one from USM Main Campus teams.

            Simultaneous with the debate tournament, the Extemporaneous speaking contest was held at the same university. It was participated by Cyrine Mae Cabalianga who got the third place among the participants from five different schools.

The debate tournament was entitled “Talakayan Kabataan 2010” sponsored by Youth Vote Philippines TACDRUP and USM Debating Circle.  Its primary objective was to raise the level of interest information and engagement of the youth in issue-based decision-making for the 2010 election.