# Philippine Schools Debate Championship

The Philippine Schools Debate Championship (PSDC) is an annual English-language debate tournament for high school-level teams from the Philippines. It is hosted by Ateneo de Manila University's Ateneo Debate Society (ADS) and its debates are conducted in the British Parliamentary Style. From its inception in 2002, it has become one of the two most prestigious Philippine national competitions for high school debaters, the other being the National Asians High School Debate Championship (NAsHDC) hosted by De La Salle University-Manila's La Salle Debate Society.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer became the primary sponsor of the tournament in 2003, at which point it was called the Inquirer-2bU! Interscholastic Debating Championship (IISDC). Recently the Inquirer ended its long-standing agreement with the ADS and the name reverted to PSDC in 2007. It is also regularly sponsored by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
According to a 2016 article, PSDC is the biggest Philippine high school debate championship, with 216 high school students joining from 25 institutions.

## Tournament format

PSDC Debates are held in the British Parliamentary Style. The tournament uses the Swiss system for deciding matchups between competing teams in the preliminary rounds. The 32 highest scoring teams then advance (or "break") to the finals series, where the first and second placed teams in each round advance to the next highest levels of competition. A team cap (or limit on the number of breaking teams from one institution) of FIVE teams is imposed.
In 2004 a regional championship for the PSDC was introduced, to give teams from outside Metro Manila more representation at the higher levels of competition. As these teams began to show in the regular break, this championship was discontinued.
An extemporaneous public speaking competition is also held alongside the debate rounds. This competition has its own preliminary, semifinal, and final rounds.
In 2008, a secondary tournament for the PSDC was introduced. Teams eligible for this final were those from institutions that never had a team in the final round of the PSDC. The round is a battle of the top four eligible teams. The final has been christened the Ana Alano Cup, in memory of the Ateneo Debater who had died defending her father in a hit against him for attempting to expose a hospital corruption scandal.
Speakers from teams who have broken in the tournament are considered eligible to try out for a slot in the Philippine team to the World Schools Debating Championships.
There was no PSDC 2015 due to the academic calendar shift that occurred within the Ateneo De Manila University.

## Past champions

| Year | Champions | Team Members | Team Members | Grand Finalists | Ana Alano Cup Champions | Team Members | Team Members | Grand Finalists |
| 2002 | Ateneo de Manila High School | Marco Villacorta | Michael Biscocho | Ateneo De Manila High School (Leloy Claudio and Glenn Tuazon), Assumption College (Faith Serrano and Grace Serrano), Immaculate Conception Academy (Charisse Borromeo and Kristel Tiu) | | | | |
| 2003 | Philippine Science High School - Main Campus | Anna Santos | Juanchi Pablo | Ateneo De Manila High School (Miko Biscocho and Adrian Mundin), Miriam College (Liz Diaz and Bea Lacson), Immaculate Conception Academy (Charisse Borromeo and Larissa Co) | | | | |
| 2004 | Ateneo de Manila High School | Michael Biscocho | Adrian Mundin | Immaculate Conception Academy (Jennifer Ong and Krisha Borromeo), University of Santo Tomas (Richard Beltran and Jaime Pring), University of Santo Tomas (Joanna Mutiangpili and Rhea) | | | | |
| 2005 | Immaculate Conception Academy | Jennifer Ong | Krisha Borromeo | Ateneo De Manila High School (James Soriano and Carlo Felizardo), Miriam College (Gica Mangahas and Anna Arcellana), Miriam College (Carla Sia and Jasmine Cruz) | | | | |
| 2006 | Miriam College High School | Angelica Mangahas | Carla Sia | Xavier School (Peterson Poon/Patrick Cocabo), Immaculate Conception Academy (Ces Gotamco/Peidi Lee), Claret School Of Quezon City (Alistair Zosa,Gemmo Fernandez) | | | | |
| 2007 | Xavier School | Evan Chen | Peterson Poon | Ateneo De Manila High School (James Soriano/Hansky Santos), Xavier School (Gabriel (Gavin) Kho/Kenneth Reyes), Miriam College High School (Valeri Inting/Pia Ranada) | | | | |
| 2008 | Colegio San Agustin-Makati | Joshua Lim | Allan Cabrera | Ateneo De Manila High School (Jovin Pizarro/Ben Bismark), PAREF Woodrose School (Mica Reyes/Nikki Cone), PAREF Woodrose School (Tabby Abela/Pat Austria) | La Salle Green Hills | Brian Llamanzares | Daryl Isla | |
| 2009 | Ateneo de Manila High School | Henry Fernando | Bas Claudio | Immaculate Conception Academy (Jeanina Tee/Tiffany Uy), PAREF Southridge School (Justin Jabines/Marty Gonzaga), Ateneo De Zamboanga High School (Sanjeev Parmanand/Abbo Hernandez) | Silliman University | Julius Ragay | Jay Anderson | |
| 2010 | Ateneo de Manila High School | Jovin Pizarro | Bas Claudio | Immaculate Conception Academy (Tiffany Uy/Joan Ongchoco), PAREF Southridge School (Lance Katigbak/Pempen Chiang), Immaculate Conception Academy (Mary Or/Andrea Cuartero) | San Beda College Alabang | Katherine Peralta | Adolfo Jose Montesa | |
| 2011 | Immaculate Conception Academy | Joan Ongchoco | Denise Recomono | PAREF Southridge School (JV Valerio/Raffy Tanpho), Ateneo De Zamboanga University (Sanjeev Parmanand/Abbo Hernandez), Xavier School (Donald Felbaum/Nico Flaminano) | PAREF Springdale School | Miko Alazas | Ralph Gonzales | |
| 2012 | Xavier School | Donald Felbaum | Raynard Lao | Ateneo de Manila High School (Vitto Pavia/Kiko Santos), Miriam College High School (Amaris Pulido/Alex Agcaoili), Xavier School (Marc Matsubara/David Gozali) | La Salle Green Hills | Andrew Escay | Patrick Kahn | |
| 2013 | Immaculate Conception Academy | Vanessa Siy Van | Katrina Chan | San Beda College Alabang High School (Carlos Peñas/Kyle Atega), Ateneo de Manila High School (Jim Bulan/Miguel Ventura), PAREF Woodrose School (Jazmin Jabines/Cathy Cano) | St. Scholastica's College Manila | Nicole Tomas | Marty Ysaac | |
| 2014 | Immaculate Conception Academy | Abigail Yu | Clarice Tee | Ateneo De Manila High School (Rafa Lapira/France Santos), Ateneo De Manila High School (Adrian Padilla/Renz Reyes), Miriam College High School (Annika Bautista/Alex Agcaoili) | Mandaue City Science High School | Ejay Co | Jeremiah Valero | |
| 2016 | Xavier School | Matthew Araneta | Ignacio Villareal | Ateneo de Manila High School (Renz Reyes/Luigi Alcañeses), Xavier School (Jacob Wee/Alfonso Tan III), Xavier School (Jaime Siy/ Steven Sy) | Assumption College | Lexi Lagamon | Stefi Alabastro | |
| 2017 | Xavier School | Ignacio Villareal | Jacob Wee | Xavier School (Steven Sy/Jaime Siy), International School Manila (Abhishek Kottamasu/Abhinav Bathula), Ateneo de Manila Senior High School (Mikko Vitug/Nicole Masagca) | University of San Jose–Recoletos | Soccoro Ogan | Kristoffer Francis Milan | La Salle Greenhills (Zhangyi Fan/Ethan Floro), Ateneo de Zamboanga University Senior High School (Najwa I. Unga/Therese Nyah Janel C. Sampang), Saint Scholastica's College (Tonie Peralta/Charlene Enriquez) |
| 2018 | PAREF Southridge School | Jake Consing | Luis Garcia | Xavier School (Steven Sy/Jaime Siy), Ateneo de Manila Senior High School (Mikko Vitug/Hans Gonzalez), Ateneo de Manila Senior High School (Matti Tan/Julia Ocoma) | University of the Immaculate Conception | Raven Castañeda | Enrico David | |
| 2019 | De La Salle University - Senior High School | Tonie Peralta | Kay Sison | Ateneo de Manila University Senior High School (Chris Carlos/David Africa), De La Salle Zobel (Quintin Chua/Ken Alunan), Xavier School (Eaton Sia/Luke de Ocampo) | University of Santo Tomas Senior High School | Redd Alli | Carl Escobar | Ateneo de Zamboanga Senior High School (Aisha Said/Gerald Ace Wace), De La Salle University Senior High School (Dorothy Tuazon/Mitzi Lanado), Ateneo de Naga University Senior High School (Jerwin Roy Villacruz/Joemar Valenzuela) |
| 2020 | Philippine Science High School – Cordillera Administrative Region Campus | Toby Leung | Mikaela Alvear | Ateneo de Manila University Senior High School (Marc Marquez/Michael Ocampo), PAREF Southridge School (Jake Peralta/Luis Garcia), De La Salle University – Senior High School (Ichiro Arbole/Kay Sison) | Ateneo de Naga University Senior High School | Sophia Abejero | Janielle Sanchez | University of San Jose Recoletos (Kirby Alex Millan/Ashley Marie Mandal), Saint Paul College Pasig (Luna Yael B. Inventor/Gabriella Maria E. Villarama), Philippine Science High School Main Campus (Timothy I. Javier/Hugh Ruzle E. Mejos) |
| 2021 | Philippine Science High School – Cordillera Administrative Region Campus | Toby Leung | Joshua Daquipil | Ateneo de Manila University Senior High School (Jaime Castro/Michael Ocampo), Immaculate Conception Academy (Chanel Ang/Alex Ang), International School Manila (David Bloom/Zen Vaillancourt) | Ateneo de Zamboanga University Senior High School | Chris Jumamil | Andrea Peñaflor | Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades (Oarben Balicoco/Ethel Candelasa), Saint Paul College Pasig (Rachelle Kasilag/Samantha Rosario), Ateneo de Davao University Senior High School (Jose Cinches/Andrew Tumulak) |
| 2022 | Philippine Science High School – Main Campus | Neil De Jesus | Ram Mayo | Ateneo de Manila University Senior High School (David Bejarin/Johann Bernardo), De La Salle Zobel (Paris Pineda/Clarisse Tan), Philippine Science High School – Main Campus (David Mencias/Hugh Mejos) | Ateneo de Naga University Senior High School | Alyssa Peyra | Yeshua M. Celebrado | Philippine Science High School - Main Campus (Jerd Mark Carlos/Hanz Isaac Arnaldo), La Salle Green Hills (Cresmanuel V. Quimbo/Carl Geevee D. Vitug), Philippine Science High School - Main Campus (Mathew Serna/Alistair Jon D. Quintanilla) |
| 2023 | Philippine Science High School – Main Campus | Hugh Mejos | Marcus Pascual | Ateneo de Manila University Senior High School (Jasmin Ang/Aliyah Herlihy), De La Salle Zobel (Clarisse Tan/Leonna Ronquillo), The British School Manila (Tyrone Serapio/Caitlin Gaw) | Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School | Aidin Alamia | Katrina Tan | Ateneo de Davao University Senior High School (Feona Margarette C. Balansag/Christine D. Sintos), Philippine Science High School – ZRC (Leila Loraine M. Adelante/Joshua Nathan L. Punsalan), University of Santo Tomas Senior High School (Diana Margo C. Digal/Maritoni Jean Lumban Caridad) |
| 2024 | Ateneo de Manila Senior High School | Sam Tango | Arles Kiel Mirandilla | Immaculate Conception Academy (Cara Reyes/Robyn Montano), Philippine Science High School Main Campus (Aydan Gabriel A.Ables/Lorenzo Franco D. Kasilag), PAREF Southridge School (Geoff Biscocho, Jacob Ty) | University of Saint Anthony | Alaissa Angela Nolasco | Nikailla Chelsea Sarmiento | Ateneo de Naga University (Jerard Benedick O. Caguicla, Mary Catherine Marco), Quezon Science High School (Jellyn R. Alindogan, Noel R. Elivera Jr.), Philippine Science High School – CMC (Aneeqa Jasrah P. Unda, Stanley King Saavedra) |
| 2025 | De La Salle University - Senior High School | Vivienne Tai Chan | Kara Porciuncula | Xavier School San Juan (Tyler Lim,Jack Lim) Philippine Science High School Main Campus (Yakov Apura,Franco Kasilag) Paref Southridge (Jacob Ty,Geoff Biscocho) | HomeSchool Global | Ashley (James) Vega | DJ Salud | Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus ( Leia Yzabel Y. Monteclar, Romel Isaiah I. Tala) Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus ( Haleigh Kjyll Maglasang,Xzanthya Sharielle Florence Kho) Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School (Anyssah S. Taytay, Sofia C. Tan) |

## Past best speakers in debate and public speaking

| Year | Best Speaker (Preliminary Debate Rounds) | Best Speaker (Debate Finals) | Best Speaker (Ana Maria Alano) | Best Speaker (Ana Maria Alano Finals) | Best Speaker (Public Speaking) |
| 2002 | Charisse Borromeo (Immaculate Conception Academy) | | | | |
| 2003 | Charisse Borromeo (Immaculate Conception Academy) | | | | Victor Tence (Southville International School) |
| 2004 | Michael Biscocho (Ateneo de Manila High School) | | | | |
| 2005 | Angelica Mangahas (Miriam College High School) | Anna Arcellana (Miriam College High School) | | | |
| 2006 | Angelica Mangahas (Miriam College High School) and Peterson Poon (Xavier School) | Carla Sia (Miriam College High School) | | | Genica Endaluz (St. Theresa's College) |
| 2007 | Peterson Poon (Xavier School) | Peterson Poon (Xavier School) | | | Nicole Gaba (PAREF Woodrose School) |
| 2008 | Phillip Poon (Xavier School) | Allan Cabrera (Colegio San Agustin-Makati) | | | Mark Escay (La Salle Green Hills) |
| 2009 | Bas Claudio (Ateneo de Manila High School) | Henry Fernando (Ateneo de Manila High School) | | | Dwight Garvy Tan (Ateneo de Naga University) |
| 2010 | Tiffany Uy (Immaculate Conception Academy) | Tiffany Uy (Immaculate Conception Academy) | | | Mikey Onglao (PAREF Southridge School) |
| 2011 | Andrei Buendia (San Beda College Alabang) | Joan Ongchoco (Immaculate Conception Academy) | | | Raynard Lao (Xavier School) |
| 2012 | Miguel Ventura (Ateneo de Manila High School) | Donald Felbaum (Xavier School) | | | Kitkat Cuenca (PAREF Woodrose) |
| 2013 | Vanessa Siy Van and Abigail Yu (Immaculate Conception Academy) | Vanessa Siy Van (Immaculate Conception Academy) | | | |
| 2014 | Abigail Yu (Immaculate Conception Academy) | Abigail Yu (Immaculate Conception Academy) | | | |
| 2016 | Matthew Araneta (Xavier School) | Jacob Wee (Xavier School) | | | |
| 2017 | Ignacio Villareal (Xavier School) | Ignacio Villareal (Xavier School) | | | |
| 2018 | Mikko Vitug (Ateneo de Manila Senior High School) | Jake Consing (PAREF Southridge School) | | | |
| 2019 | Chris Carlos (Ateneo de Manila Senior High School) | Kay Sison (De La Salle Senior High School) | | | |
| 2020 | Toby Leung (Philippine Science High School – Cordillera Administrative Region Campus) | Toby Leung (Philippine Science High School – Cordillera Administrative Region Campus | | | |
| 2021 | Toby Leung (Philippine Science High School – Cordillera Administrative Region Campus) | David Bloom (International School Manila) | | | |
| 2022 | David Mencias (Philippine Science High School – Main Campus) Robyn Montano (Immaculate Conception Academy) Emilio Lorenzo (Paref Southridge) Lois Naomi Ang (Ateneo de Manila Senior High School) | Neil De Jesus (Philippine Science High School – Main Campus) | | | |
| 2023 | Clarisse Tan (De La Salle Santiago Zobel School) | Hugh Mejos (Philippine Science High School – Main Campus) | | Aidin Alamia (Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School) | |
| 2024 | Sam Tango (Ateneo de Manila Senior High School) | Sam Tango (Ateneo de Manila Senior High School) | Mika Bosano Homeschool Global) Ramya Espiritu (St. Paul College Pasig) | Noel R. Elivera Jr. (Quezon Science High School ) | |
| 2025 | Franco Kasilag (Philippine Science High School – Main Campus) | Kara Porciuncula (De La Salle University - Senior High School) | Ramya Espiritu (St. Paul College Pasig) Kimberly Co (Homeschool Global) Sofia Caraig (Homeschool Global) | Ashley (James) Vega (Homeschool Global) | |