The UP Debate Society (UPDS) annually hosts Fast Forward, a debate boot camp and tournament tailored for high school debaters. Since the pandemic has prevented in-person tournaments this year, Fast Forward has transitioned to the online setting for the first time.
Guided by the principle of accessibility, this year’s edition of Fast Forward welcomes the largest number of participants in the history of not only the tournament but also the Philippine high school debate circuit. 36 institutions and over 340 debaters from all corners of the Philippines, ranging from veterans to novices, will be vying for the coveted championship this November 13 to 14. The finals series of the tournament will be live streamed on Fast Forward’s official Facebook page on November 14.
Upholding its valued mission to nurture the next generation of debate champions, the event also features a lecture series by UPDS member, Bea Legaspi, and UPDS alumni, Antonio Miguel Ventura and Jesus Falcis III, on argumentation, economics and finance, and Philippine democracy, respectively. These will be live streamed on Fast Forward’s official Facebook page on October 27 and 30, and on November 6.
At the center of this large undertaking is Fast Forward’s Board of Directors which is primarily made up of the newly-inducted members of the UPDS. At the helm of the tournament’s operations is Najwa Uñga, serving as the tournament director, Riane Oquiza, its deputy tournament director, Crissa Muyalde and Neackle Mempin, its publicity directors,Czarina Endaya and Sumi Nerona, its communications directors, Lance Ordas and Patrick Lo, its finance directors, Franco Nicomedes, its tech director, and Brian Bartolo, its operations director.
ADVT.