The Ateneo de Naga High School Debate Society (DebSoc) was hailed champion in the recently held 4th Raul S. Roco Cup Bicol-wide Debate Tournament last December 4-7, 2010 at Universidad de Sta. Isabel. Bicolano debaters participated and competed in the largest and most prestigious debate competition in the whole region which is composed of two divisions: high school and college division.

The debaters of Ateneo high school showcased their wit, intelligence, and high-profiled skills in the elimination with seven rounds of debate. Ateneo B composed of Art Angelo Cerio and Andrew James Ibasco broke first to the Quarter Finals. Donne Casey Calara and Jesha Aina Noble of Ateneo A came in second. Janine Malang and Jadi Miguel Castroverde of Ateneo C and Francis Dan Soltes and Thomas Igor Ybañez of Ateneo E landed fifth and sixth respectively. Although Ateneo D composed of Cassandra Gail Gacott and Camille Trinidad earned points that were qualified for the Quarter Finals, the team was capped and incapable of competing due to the tournament rules of having at most three teams from a certain institution to go on to the next round.

All of the four remaining teams performed well until Ateneo A and B made it to the Grand Finals against USI A and B with the motion: “This house will televise the Ampatuan trial” with the former in the affirmative side while the latter in the opposing side. After all the heated arguments and debate, Ateneo A was hailed champion in the high school division, with Jesha Noble as Finals Best Speaker.

Out of the Top Ten Best Speakers of the tournament, six came from the Ateneo. Ybañez made it to seventh place, Soltes landed sixth, Calara placed fifth, Noble ranked third, Cerio came in second and Ibasco was the best speaker of the tournament. Aside from debate, there was also Public Speaking Competition for High School. Jadi Castroverde made it to the Grand Finals against the finalists from Universidad de Sta. Isabel and Aquinas University.

The said tournament is held annually and now participated by several schools all over the region. It aims o develop the debating skills and ignite the Bicolano spirit of debate.