A Space that Confronts Societal Fault Lines
Debates open an avenue for people, particularly students, to start conversations about emerging challenges and questions that bother the society. With that, Pascual found the desperate need of debate coaching here in the country to further discuss themes of social issues that aren’t usually deeply explored in classrooms. He believes that informed and well-aware youth are bright hope and vessels of the soul of a future leader.
“I feel so strongly that debate programs shouldn’t just exist, they should thrive and be accessible to more young people,” the founder said.
More than winning, Outspoken PH teaches their students awareness, using voices responsibly, and making a difference in the world beyond the tournament room.
“I always tell my students: the people we talk about in debate—the farmers, the fishermen, the activists, the workers—they are not chess pieces we move around just to win medals or trophies. That means really learning about the issues, understanding the stakes, and caring enough to do justice to their stories,” said Pascual as he shared his critical reminder to his students.
Being Outspoken Screams Power
Having a non-verbal younger brother who struggles to form words and sentences, is one significant factor that motivates the Outspoken PH pioneer to value the importance of using one’s voice. Expressing this, whenever he steps into the stage to debate or speak in public, it is with heartfelt inspiration that he is speaking for his brother and also for every person who has felt unheard and invisible.
Spoken words touch the heart, penetrate the mind, and when it’s about something that matters, echo so much power.
The Political Science graduate added that, “It’s [outspoken] about realizing your words have the power to open doors, change minds, and even protect people who don’t have a voice in the room.”
Honing Voices that will Transform the World
As Outspoken PH progressively grows and continues to rehearse the younger generation for conversations that ignite change, the academy also aims to become a vessel for more Filipino students to step onto international stages and proudly represent the Philippines.
Expressing his desires for the debate community in the Philippines, Pascual stated, “I want the global debate community to look at the Philippines and see a powerhouse, a country producing world-class thinkers and speakers.”
Also challenging a system that only sees students for their shortcomings and doesn’t always celebrate their strength, their mission is to put students in positions where their strengths can ignite their self‑esteem, where they feel seen and valued.
Outspoken PH is beyond just a debate academy, it is a movement making young ones realize that it is a superpower to speak with courage and clarity.
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