The battle for the top intensifies as the university’s top debaters faced off in the second elimination round of the WVSU U-Days 2025 Banggianay, held at the COM Gym today, January 28.

As participants prepared for the clash, event co-chairperson and USC Councilor Jan Michael Alayon reminded all attendees of the heart of the event.

“You are part of something larger: a community dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the enrichment of knowledge,” Alayon said.

Below are the results of the second elimination round of the event.

First Match: Dapog Manuglagpang shows strength in quality against Dapog Manugkilaw

Outnumbered but not outmatched, Dapog Manuglagpang (College of Medicine) prevailed over Dapog Manugkilaw (Janiuay Campus) in the first match of the second elimination round, arguing against the enactment of a law defining and criminalizing.

The team hammered in how currently existing laws already cover the harms and effects of red-tagging and offer justice to the victims. They pointed out that creating a new law will only add to an already overwhelmed justice system and hinder the government’s ability to suppress actual threats.

“Is it the law that we really need?” the team’s beneficiality speaker asked, “Or is it just a law that appeases us and remains inefficient and ineffective?”

They proposed that the government should instead amend existing laws and enhance its systemic enforcement.

Dapog Manuglagpang will be one of the four teams to compete in the semi-finals of this year’s Banggianay.

Second Match: Dapog Manugsanlag edges out Dapog Manugsugba

Dapog Manugsanlag (College of Nursing) narrowly escapes the grip of last year’s Banggianay runner-up, Dapog Manugsugba (College of Education), in a continuous heated exchange over whether the Philippines should adopt a two-party system.

The winning team highlighted the legislative inefficiencies of a multi-party system, pointing out that the current administration currently focuses on impeachment trials instead of tackling more urgent societal issues. According to them, the Philippines was built on change, and thus we must continue to pursue this change.

In their closing remarks, the rebuttal speaker of the winning team ultimately described their debate as “lowly”, citing numerous logical fallacies committed by the opposing team and showing why they deserved to take the debate.

The College of Nursing will face the College of Medicine for the semi-final round tomorrow, January 29, at the College of Medicine Gymnasium.

Third Match: Dapog Manugpangat bests Dapog Manuglapay

Dapog Manugpangat (College of Communications) continues its rise to the top by bringing down Dapog Manuglapay (College of PESCAR) in a debate on whether academic institutions should utilize artificial intelligence.

Manugpangat’s necessity speaker succinctly summarized the debate in his rebuttal speech, stating, “AI in classrooms is like training wheels on a bike: helpful for balance but at some point, the kids have to learn on their own.”

The team further argued that excessive reliance on AI undermines critical thinking and creativity, noting that current AI detectors are not reliable in detecting AI-generated work. Instead of integrating artificial intelligence, the winning team proposed that the country should focus on addressing the fundamental needs of academic institutions.

Dapog Manugpangat advances to the semi-final round of the competition.

Fourth Match: Dapog Manugtuom continues to shine, outclasses Dapog Manugbati

Defending champions Dapog Manugtuom (College of Arts and Sciences) remain the team to beat, overpowering Dapog Manugbati (Himamaylan Campus) in a compelling battle of arguments, successfully defending their stand against the discontinuation of the MATATAG Curriculum.

They argued the curriculum is still in its initial phase and that discontinuing it with no clear plan will result in confusion, inconsistencies and an overall poorer educational experience for both students and teachers. They also highlighted that the problems found within the curriculum are rooted within the overall educational system rather than the curriculum alone.

“We need results by evidence, not by theories,” declared Manugtuom’s practicability speaker, adding, “Like all change, it takes time.”

The College of Arts and Sciences will face the College of Communication for the semi-finals round tomorrow, January 29.

Story by Paul Asi C. Hitalia and Jeraldine Miranda/the Courier

Photos by Cassandra Alexa Ciasico/The Courier