FILIPINO students won awards at the World Universities Debating Championship held on Thursday, July 15.

Dianne Ablay of the University of the Philippines Tacloban was hailed as champion in the Public Speaking category, while Hans Wong of the De La Salle University won best speaker in the English-as-Second-Language category.

On the other hand, Charlette Inao and Verse Abellaneda of UP Manila were declared as the Charles Kennedy Masters Champion.

Ateneo De Manila University students Ignacio Villareal, Mikko Vitug, David Africa, and Luigi Alcaneses ranked 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 8th best speakers in the Open Category, respectively.

On Wednesday, the country made history after it secured six spots in four grand final categories at WUDC, marking its biggest finals contingent yet since the competition began in 1981.

The last time a Philippine team won at WUDC was in 2016.