The Moot Court Expedition

There were 15 lawschool applicants from all over the Philipippnes who were invited to join and
compete in the 2nd Teehankee Moot Court Competition. After the submission of the memorials,
only six schools were qualified to compete in preliminary rounds and one was the University of
Mindanao Debate Team.

Established in September 2016, two months before the 2nd teehankee moot court competition, the
University of Mindanao Debate team was formed. The team was composed of 12 individuals from
first to third year in law school who share the same passion in law school and in debating.

In the onset of the formation of the team, moot court was an unfamiliar event since not any of the
team members have experience about such competition. Nevertheless, we have decided to
proceed with the application and eventually was qualified to compete in the preliminaries to be held
on November 25th 2016 at the Ateneo Professional School in Makati City.

Two days prior to the competition proper, the team flew to Makati City with high spirits and
optimism. Putting their heads together in research, studies and critical thinking, the team made
extensive preparations in equipping the oralist for the competition. Most of the days were spent in
the four walls of the condominium where conversations were filled with intense brainstorming and
in depth research and examination of our memorials for the event. The oralists were equipped with
thorough knowledge with regard to the possible hurdles that might be encountered in the
competition. Although the nights were sleepless and the days were exhausting, the team were
thrilled for the final day to come.

On the day of the moot court competition, everyone woke up early, wore their smart business
attires and put on their game faces. The 15 minute ride from the condo to Ateneo Professional
School in Rockwell Makati was filled with anxiety accompanied with excitement. We were greeted
by freindly ushers who led us to the Teehankee Center Rule of Law. We felt like the underdogs in a
room full of moot court experienced participants.

The participating schools were Ateneo de Zamboanga, University of Batangas, St. LuThe issue
was based on a fictitious case of between the Federal Republic of Ghanern (Applicant) and the
Republic of Ryu (Respondent) who submitted their case to the International Court of Justice to
resolve the differences between the two states concerning the Quiluz Sea.

On the preliminary rounds, we were confident with our arguments in our memorials as we read
through the Ateneo de Zamboangas pleadings who was our first opponent. Eventhough we were
first timers in the world of mooting, we couragously faced our competitor as we represented the
respondent, the Republic of Ryu. However, the subsequent competitions which we were able to
witness made us to doubt our abilities as the other competiting schools exhibited their well rounded
skills in debating and in mooting. Our confidence were taken aback as we watched them being
grilled and questioned by the panel judges who were more intimindating than those terror teachers
we have encountered in law school. We felt like conceding and on the verge of flight after we watch
the other teams compete.

Feeling like we had no hope to qualify for the final round, we sat in our table quietly as we waited
for the prelimary results. As we wait with the other teams in the lunch tables, we calmly accepted
our defeat, until the announcement of winners in the preliminary rounds came.

From six schools down to two were qualified to battle in the final round and St. Louis University was
first called and then the University of Mindanao. We were dumbfounded and was beyond belief that
our school was called. We looked at each other, with questions in our eyes if what we had heard
was correct and indeed, we heard right that the University of Mindanao Debate team was in the
final round. We were filled with mixed emotions, tears in our eyes and yet we were overwhelmed
with happiness and fear all at the same time. It took us a couple of minutes to compose ourselves
as we were approached and congratulated by the Ateneo De Zamboanga team and the TCRL
coordinators. After the overwhelming emotions of our unexpected victory in the prelimiary round,
panic has set in as we were called to pick our sides for the final round against St. Louis University
of Baguio.

With us were our professors in law school, Atty. Thomas Caharian and Atty. Philipp Pojas who kept
us in check and gave us encouragement during the competition proper. With at least an hour to
prepare for the final round, we were led to an empty classroom where we once again discussed our
arguments and defenses. Despite the fact that we had so little time to prepare, the odds were in
our favor as we will be once again represent the respondent side. We addressed all the issues that
were raised in the earlier rounds and panicked our way to find the answers to possible questions.

Finally, the final rounds came and we had to put on our game faces once again. In our minds, we
were already winners to have the privilege to compete in the final rounds but we have to brave the
final hurdle of the competition. We have witnessed our the skills of our opponents in the previous
round and we knew they are good. We, on the other hand, were less experienced but we have the
same fighting chance to win the final round as them.

The ambiance in final round was serious, with the amphitheater filled with spectators who are in the
erudites in the field of law. The moot court Internaltional Court of Justice panel judges were
______________________________ who are considered as luminaries in the legal profession.
We were anxious and at the same time enthralled in their presence. The final round was smooth
yet we were questioned by the panel judges which led us to the point of conceding, but the oralists
stood there, fighting for our cause in behalf of the respondent, using all the knowlegde and
research our team had equipped us till the end.

Being able to compete in the final round already made us feel like winners, although we lost in the
final round. Our extraordinary team work had led us to reach this far which was beyond our
expectations. Although we did not get the championship, being first runner up in our first moot
court competition was more than enough glory for our team and for our school. We might not have
brough with us the championship trophy but we brough pride as our memorial for applicant was
awarded as best memorial. Additionally, one of our oralist, Vincent, Anthony Sungcog was awarded
as best oralist both in prelimnary and final rounds and best of all, we brought pride and honor to
our beloved law school, the University of Mindanao and to our Dean, Atty Zachael Espejo who
believed in us, trained and supported us all the way.

Our team is now ready to venture in another journey and with pride and joy, we are thankful First, to
our God Almightly, to our School, the University of Mindanao and its administration, our Dean,
Atty. Espejo, our Professors and to our schoolmates in the college of Legal education. We express
our gratitute for all the support and encouragement all throughout the competition.

The Debate Team

President : Christine Faith R. Sabella
Vice President: Jan David Dela Cruz
Secretary: Richel Dean Solis
Treasurer: Trina Faye Ladores

Oralists:
Vincent Anthony Sungcog
Francis Aguilar
Christian Ramirez
Jessa Lo

Researchers:
Eula Maye Perturbos
Cristina Marie Clavero
Michelle Silos
Nkka Gloria