Debate 101: God, History, and the Filipino Soul (A Holy Saturday Conversation)

Most people think of debate as a battle where someone wins and someone loses. At Manila Explorations, we see it differently.
Real debate — practiced with curiosity and rigor — is one of the most powerful tools for understanding ideas, listening deeply, and discovering where your thinking still has room to grow. The great philosophers, thinkers, and leaders of history didn't debate to crush opponents. They debated to get closer to the truth.

This Holy Saturday, we're turning that spirit toward one of the most consequential questions in Filipino life:

"Has religion been a mostly positive force in Philippine society?"

Few questions cut closer to home. Religion has shaped our laws, our families, our calendar, and our sense of self. Yet it also sits at the center of some of our deepest tensions. This is exactly the kind of question that deserves more than an opinion — it deserves a real conversation.

What to Expect

• Foundational skills training led by a philosophy professor — how to define concepts precisely, question and summarize effectively, and build arguments that actually illuminate something
• Small group practice with a dedicated guide — personalized, dynamic debate on the topic, and a great way to connect with others who think seriously about ideas
• Open debates to close the session — take on other participants or even the workshop leaders themselves

You don't need to have a firm position coming in. In fact, the best debates begin with an open mind.

Led by philosophy professors throughout.