Giano: Viewing the world

ive blogged the last pidc 2007. and i think my theme was typically re-invention, the all mighty call for improvement. this time, i bear notes of progress and frustration, for one we have improved our record, XU-A this time around came out significantly stronger with a 4-3 record, sad to say we were the top 18th team, technically the 19th since a non breaking team is included. I think assessment wise i have to look at first holistically, then move to individual assessment.

First id like to start with the holistic experience, PIDC 2008 was one of my "troubled tournaments" mentally, why? for one I had so many things to think about, my team ( which isn’t really an excuse, i mean its about what i thought at that time ) arvin ( our whip ) had a bit of a confidence issue( turns out later he scored the highest amongst us. ) zed (our PM) who really feels pidc as his unliked tournament, and of course me, the usual fluctuations, juggling of the psyche. anyway, given those conditions, we actually pulled through and gave ourselves a good shot at breaking finally to a final series. unfortunately the dice just didn’t roll for us. we fell short of one win to have qualified.

Second, Individually, i think i want to just concentrate on my growth. frankly my mindset right now has been about national and perhaps international competitions, i feel that i haven’t gotten that level of confidence that i should be carrying after years of debating in mindanao tournaments, perhaps, there is this Mental wall, which i actually believe there is, that i should be breaking apart. so what i did since Pidc 2007 was collect my speaker scores, assess them after each tournament. everything’s not bad news, Im the type of person that believes in perseverance, i personally believe that my ultimate talent in debating is my passion to persevere and continue to be interested in growth and learning, i think there is no end as long as opportunities are still there. going back, after three national tournaments i have significantly increased my speakership averages to 3 per tournament, its a process that really makes me look forward to the lengths of improvement.

In this i really am grateful to the people in the debate community that have not dropped the faith in my passion to improve, Im not the most talented speaker, i think i have no skills of accident, my mentors, (apay and chinky.. well apay especially ) i think i am really wearing this responsibility of becoming better for the debate organization, I know i still havent really delivered, but i wont stop, i believe good things come to those who continue to believe, my partners( jedyl, jim, zed, arvin and rene) one way or another you have taught me the values of debating alien to workshops and trainings, My peers and friends ( jaymee, rupert and candy ) thank you guys for your sacrifices, dont give up, you will soon get there ill see you through it. my parcel mentors and which i treat as Icons and Friends ( Sharms and Leloy ) you guys are an inspiration, i still remember the conversations and im looking forward to atleast more of it before you can really part ways, you guys introduced me to higher levels of debating, Im not there yet, but i will be soon.

"sob" Im Excited, Exhilarated and Challenged at the many more  groups, individuals and competitions that may help me grow, technically, im still young in the National Scene, there is no room to give up.

See You in Future Tournaments, and I Hope to keep writing more "progressive" materials  after this.