The Rhetoricians: The UPLB Speech Communication Organization continues its longstanding commitment to developing ethical communicators and paragons of excellence through Magniloquence 2026, an extemporaneous speaking competition for high school students. The event returns this coming October 24, 2026, and will be held at Dioscoro L. (DL) Umali Hall Lobby, providing a platform for the next generation of Filipino speakers to express their perspectives on pressing national issues.
Magniloquence empowers young speakers to amplify their voices while honing their public speaking skills and critical thinking. This year’s theme, “The Force of Our Voice: Speaking for the Nation”, highlights the importance of youth participation in addressing the Philippines’ pressing concerns and calls on young Filipinos to stand for integrity, accountability, and meaningful civic engagement.
The half-day event will run from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM and feature two main components: a public speaking and extemporaneous speaking seminar facilitated by Asst. Prof. Kahrein Salvador of the Communication Division, Department of Humanities, UPLB College of Arts and Sciences, followed by the competition proper. Faculty members from the same college and department will serve as the competition’s judges. Adopting a sectoral approach, the competition will challenge participants to deliver speeches on issues concerning the economy, the environment, society, and governance (EESG), all within the Philippine context.
Registration is open to high school students nationwide, welcoming aspiring communicators from both public and private schools. Students who wish to observe the competition are also welcome to register as audience members. To recognize the participants’ talent and outstanding performances, the competition will award ₱3,000 to the champion, ₱2,000 to the first runner-up, and ₱1,000 to the second runner-up.
Join The Rhetoricians in empowering young voices to speak with purpose and make a difference. For registration details, event guidelines, and competition mechanics, visit the official Facebook page of The Rhetoricians. Hear the voices speak for the nation.
