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University of the Philippines Diliman | College of Social Sciences and Philosophy

UP Diliman Department of Philosophy Hosts 1st Intra-UP Diliman Ethics Bowl

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by Shine Tabbang

From March 21 to 22, 2026, the UP Diliman Department of Philosophy successfully held the first ever Intra-UP Diliman Ethics Bowl Competition, an extension of the Emmanuel Q. Fernando Philosophy Undergraduate Conference. A total of eight teams, composed of students not only from the philosophy department but also from different departments and colleges, competed in the event.

Poster of the Intra-UP Diliman Ethics Bowl Competition 2026

These teams who participated in the Ethics Bowl were as follows: 

  1. “Sumilakbo’t Sumibol” composed of Sam Arroyo (BA Philosophy), Ali Dericka Pita (BA  Sociology), Louisse Isabel Ibarreta (BA Philosophy), and Gianna Geronimo (BS Social Work)

 

  1. “This House Believes That….” composed of Karlo Mikel Terrell (BA Philosophy), Norberto Chico Robel (BA Speech Communication), and Liann Jireh Cabanda (BS Physics)

 

  1. “pisay son or la salle daughter” composed of Isabella Balde (BA Philosophy), Orlando Laudico (BS Community Development), Joseph Asis (BS Economics), and Charlaine Alodaga (BA Philosophy)

 

  1. “5k Hustlers” composed of Louis Antonette Racpan (BA Philosophy), Maverick De Los Trinos (BS Computer Engineering), Tim Bernardino (BA Philosophy), and Angelo Luis Hugo (BA Philosophy)

 

  1. “Kant Buy Me Love” composed of Gianna Sofia Legaspi (BA Philosophy), Sean Miguel Badiola (BS Economics), Daryll Kabigting (BS Economics), and Dale Cedrick Racho (BS Business Economics)

 

  1. “Global Passive” composed of Aimiel Lamio (BA Philosophy), Mark Ramos (BS Geology), Alessandra Lita (BA Philosophy), and Ciara Gascon (BA Philosophy)

 

  1. “Team One” composed of Sean Marcus Ingalla (BA Philosophy), John Regulus Michael Dipasupil (BS Physics), Princess Gwen Gonowon (BA Philosophy), and Karl Alfred Olalia (BA Philosophy)

 

  1. “Kilyawan Consortium” composed of Gustavo Ezekiel Molina (BA Philosophy), Rayjohn Raphael Oflaria (BS Economics), and Jan Michael Rojas (BS Biology)

 

DAY 1: And we begin!

To kick off the first day of the competition, project head Instr. Gavin Nigel Chuacuco greeted the attendees and welcomed them to the event. Following this, Prof. Ma. Liza Ruth Ocampo, PhD, Chairperson of the department, delivered the Opening Remarks.


Dr. Ocampo (far left) and Instr. Chuacuco (far right) in front of the participants of the competition

Photo opportunity before the start of the match-ups

After the opening ceremonies, with the assistance of some of the Ethics Bowl Student Organizing Committee members and student volunteers, the teams proceeded to the breakout rooms of Pavilion 2, Palma Hall for the competition match-ups to officially begin.

During this period, a number of match-ups occurred, and cases on Bioethics, Environmental Ethics, AI Ethics, as well as Business Ethics were explored for Day 1. The teams showcased their philosophical rigor as they discussed such complex ethical dilemmas. Judges from the Department of Philosophy also took part in asking questions, providing comments, and assessing the presentations, commentaries, and responses of the participating teams.

Two of the breakout rooms for the competition

At the end of Day 1, the total scores of each group were computed. After the deliberation, teams “Team One,” “Global Passive,” “This House Believes That….,” and “5k Hustlers” were deemed as the semi-finalists.


DAY 2: The Grand Finale

On the second day of the competition, the semifinals and finals rounds commenced. The rounds engaged with cases on both AI Ethics and Sexual Ethics. 

For the semifinals, “Team One” faced “Global Passive,” while “This House Believes That….” faced “5k Hustlers.” After score tallying and computation, it was announced that “Team One” and “This House Believes That…” would be the teams advancing to the finals or championship round, while “Global Passive” secured the 3rd Place and “5k Hustlers” secured 4th Place.

One of the breakout rooms for the semifinals

Finals or Championship Round

At the end of the championship round, “Team One” came out victorious as the Champion for the first Intra-UP Diliman Ethics Bowl Competition, while Team “This House Believes That….” brought home the 2nd Place Award. The competition came to its conclusion with the awarding of plaques, medals, and certificates by project head Instr. Gavin Chuacuco and student head Mikaela Gana. This was then followed by concluding remarks by Instr. Chuacuco and messages from the judges.


From L to R: Mikaela Gana, Champion “Team One” members Karl Alfred Olalia, Princess Gwen Gonowon, John Regulus Michael Dipasupil, and Sean Marcus Ingalla, and Instr. Gavin Chuacuco

From L to R: Mikaela Gana, 2nd Placer “This House Believes That…” members Norberto Chico Robel, Karlo Mikel Terrell, and Liann Jireh Cabanda, and Instr. Gavin Chuacuco

From L to R: Mikaela Gana, 3rd Placer “Global Passive” members Alessandra Lita, Ciara Gascon, Aimiel Lamio, and Mark Ramos, and Instr. Gavin Chuacuco

The Intra-UP Diliman Ethics Bowl Competition 2026 Awards and Certificates

The UP Diliman Department of Philosophy extends its gratitude to all faculty members, staff, and students who participated in making this event a success. We hope that this sparks greater interest in philosophical inquiry and ethical discourse, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone in the next Intra-UP Diliman Ethics Bowl Competition!