This tells a story of how 12 strangers became best of friends in a short period of time.
I've always wanted to debate. Since I was in Elementary, the thought of debating already made me interested. But since there were no opportunities that time, I wrote Editorials. I've been competing in DSPC since I was in Grade 5 but stopped during my 6th and 7th grade. I was able to reach Regionals last year and so, I somehow expected the same this year. But, I didn't. When I heard that I didn't qualify, I was devastated. I wouldn't have been depressed if I knew there was a reason as to why I wasn't able to go to RSPC.
If I qualified, I wouldn't be able to audition for the LSU debate team since ISDC is about the same date as RSPC. If I qualified, I wouldn't have been able to encounter this once-in-a-lifetime experience and meet these 12 great and unforgettable people (along with 2 coaches).
There were two sets of Audition. There was Round 1 and Round 2. When you qualify for Round 1, then you proceed to Round 2. I never would have known that I would qualify for Round 1 because the only debates I've done are those informal ones in class. I never expected I'd make the team. I thought the slots were given to the Grade 10 students who were older and wiser.
I couldn't say that we 'clicked' right away during the Training Workshop during Sembreak because we were still new to each other, although there were some of us that already knew each other and were already friends(a.k.a. we were on the same level, same club, etc.). The real frienship started on the after school trainings. As we went home late more often, we grew closer. After some time, we were already considered ourselves "good friends".
The week before the competition, we had to train for the whole day. This was another chance to deepen our friendship since we now spend almost the whole days with each other's company. We had fun debating with each other, being adjudicators, and sometimes just talking about anything under the sky. We talked about ISDC updates, how excited we were, what we were going to do when we get there (aside from debate) and such. Time passed and we grew more comfortable with each other to the extent that we made fun and goofed around with one another.
November 25 was a thrilling day for us. Some of us barely slept the night before due to excitement (I was one of those 'some'). We spent half of the day staying in the AVR and goofing around and then we left around lunch time. The trip was fun. We laughed, we talked, we ate, we slept. It was the first bus ride I had in which I didn't get bored. hahahah!
Our first night together were shared with the RSPC participants but it was still memorable. We vowed to sleep early but ended up sleeping late because of the late-night chats and laughs. Our first day was something to remember. That was the day where we had our 1st Round of the competition and we went 'home' disappointed. Our coach, being concerned gave us a talk I'll never forget. That was the first time I represented my school and was told that the goal was not to win but to debate. I've only joined one contest aside from this and it was DSPC and during that time, I have never been told to go there to write.
We performed better on the second day. Especially on the second round. For once, all LSU teams won. But the great improvement really was that we all had fun and not put pressure on ourselves. We all did well on the third and fourth rounds. Even if not all of us won those rounds (I'm actually not sure of the results..hehehe), I can say it was worth it because I know that we all did our best. But of course, even if having rounds 2-4 were great, I can definitely say that the highlight of that day was the Break night party. It was definitely fun seeing my friends all dressed up. It was fun going to Highway 30 and hanging out with the debaters. And when the top breaking teams were announced, the unexpected happened. Two LSU teams got in. LSU 1 and 2.
Finally, the third (and last day) came. I can still remember how our team (LSU 2) felt before the quarter finals. We were so nervous and at the same trying hard not to think about it (at least I was). We were sort of panicking during the prep time. Nontheless, we didn't fail to do our best. At least, even if we lost, we did our best. So it's not much of a loss, if you put it that way. Aside from that, we were all so glad that LSU 1 was able to reach the semi-finals. I expected it so it was good that it happened :).
But when I think about it, all of those previous moments could never sum up to the memory of our last night together. Yep, the very last night we had in ISDC. The bond actually started after the Championship dinner and the Awarding Ceremony when 'Ken' followed us because he wanted to talk to 'Barbie'. In the end, and after some pursuasion, Barbie agreed to give Ken a chance. She agreed to hear him out. And it was a mighty good thing that she did.
We then spent the whole night talking about anything. Topics ranged from what happened between Barbie and Ken, what Barbie feels about Ken, how much Tobby is in love with Alexine, until our own love stories, horror stories, funny stories, and more. It was such a wonderful slumber party and it was a good thing that we had the dorm all to ourselves that night. No offense, RSPC participants. I mean, if there would still be other people around, then the guys wouldn't be able to sleep in the girls' dorm and we wouldn't have as much fun. We fell asleep at around 1-2 am in the morning, I guess. The most interesting part about that sleep is our sleeping positions. Imagine all 13 of us, trying to fit ourselves into two double beds! We still managed to, anyway. :))
We left the morning after that. I can pretty much say that that was our last chance to bond while in Iligan. We basically spent the whole time talking about how fun the last night was and how we already miss ISDC and its people. ;)
I am truly grateful that I have been given the chance to participate in ISDC. I am thankful for the experience, for the trip, for the excuse to not attend classes, but mostly I am thankful for these people that I would never have met if this chance wasn't given to me. I'm thankful that I was able to meet these 12 bright, funny, fun, and just overall amazing Lasallians.
People could say that we, the debaters and our coaches, are very close friends. They're wrong. We're not just close friends. We're ONE BIG HAPPY DEBATE FAMILY.
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so, sorry for the late write up. i have been having trouble with my writing lately. anyway, i skipped the Championship dinner since the only thing i basically remember from it was Julie's public speaking speech and how cold i was during that time. And for those readers who are confused and do not understand who "Barbie" and "Ken" are, well, that's your problem. :-P
