Debate is a formal way of communicating that the two teams present their

arguments to persuade one another. According to Kristine Joyce Agustin,

debate made her to step out to her comfort zone. As being a person to her,
she always said over issues and societal problems. She cares much about
what is going on in the society. Debate is a way to express her ideas,
beliefs, her stand and most importantly herself. But she also said that it’s not
always about expressing herself. She added that debate is a two way of gain,
first is she was able to express herself and secondly, she also learning at the
same time. She admitted that she’s not always right, and through listening
the arguments of her opponents, she made her learned more about the
matter. For her, those issues made her to strengthen her beliefs and stand.
Sometimes, she made her realized that she was wrong and there are better
ideas than her. And also, she said that it’s okay to be wrong because on that
point, she learned something and at least she can now see and act on matters
more efficiently by all the ideas she gained.

She gave me an advice that, don’t be ever afraid to stand up and speak
up. She said that leaning on how to debate starts on with fear and
nervousness that will not be going to be good and will cause of
embarrassed. And also failing to her is always part or learning. It’s okay to
be wrong, it’s okay to be embarrassed; at least you tried and to her trying
means learning. Hence, use every experience to improve self, even the bad
ones, but she added that never commit the same mistake twice. She also
gave me her favorite line from a poem “If you compare yourself with others
you may become vain or bitter, for always, there will be a better person than
yourself”. She also said that, don’t ever be intimidated, and don’t feel bad because someone is better.
You’re going to be good just by trying. She also remind me the “audentes fortuna iuvat” it means “fortune
favors the brave” This advices that ate Kristine gave to me, enlighten me to a positive thinker and
motivated me more that I will become an attorney someday. It makes me realized that no matter what is
going, just continue of trying because it is not bad, it is more better than you didn’t try at all. And in
simple words, “Don’t be afraid in failure but rather fear not trying”.

Rosemarie A. Enor BSLM 2A