UPTDS brings honor to the University of the Philippines and to all it is affiliated with through its active participation and award recognition from various debate competitions (such as the Visayas Universities Debate Championship and Eastern Visayas Debate Championship), other extracurricular activities of the same nature (such as being resource speakers in the Cluster-Based Debate Training and hosting the Philippine Debate Union Workshop- Visayas Region), and being a representative of the University (such as being a contingent in the DILGโs Federalism Debate and the Ideas Positiveโs IPYFPH Public Health Debates). Beyond the glamorous history of the orgโs involvement, UPTDS embodies honor in its more mundane tasks such as activities, policies, decisions, and development of its members. Munus (Service)
Service is a life obligation of giving back what you have been bestowed. Being one of the thinking tanks of the University, UPTDS serves the people by constantly being socially relevant in affairs ranging from national to local issues, especially those confronting the youth. The organization is proud to have been able to constantly open up new avenues of intellectual discourse especially in the Eastern Visayas Community, which is the greatest concern of the organization โ being
the pioneer of debating within the region. People of various walks of life have benefited greatly from the wisdom of UPTDS and have, in their own ways, contributed back to society. Their journey and growth from the organization are reflected in the desire for a more informed youth, be it active participation in social agenda or in their own beliefs and actions towards what is right. UPTDS leaves a legacy in the form of critical thinkers that will never be afraid to dissent whenever it is justified. Excellentia (Excellence)
We are what we do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. The organization has always strived for excellence in all its endeavors. In particular, extensive trainings geared towards shaping excellent debaters have always been the mission of the organization. It is a prime principle within UPTDS that beyond the avenue of training that the organization provides, training is also a highly personal matter. Throughout the stay within the organization, members have become
competent in various fields and subject of social issues. Public speaking in particular is developed and is enhanced by the repetitive involvement in both formal and informal discourse. Policy crafting, speech organization techniques, and creativity of opinions are developed through the clash of various ideas. Being able to be decisive: knowing when to entertain a thought without accepting it and understanding that there are better ideas sometimes, has been second nature to a debater of the organization. But
beyond the personal growth accumulated within the organization, participating and championing various competitions have been a long history of UPTDS.
