Elegant Ranting

Hi all:

I no longer live in Pasay City. After commuting over oceans and mountains to get to work, things have finally changed.

Following a horrendous experience (hapit na ko ma-snatchan ma’am) in Pasay, Ive amped my search for a new place. Im sure you can see that Ive been talking about this since last year, but that was the last golden straw.

I owe it to my blue patent heels that which saved me from hooligans who wish to tear away from me my (also blue) Guerlain bag!

Lesson learned? Always match your shoes and your bag. Enough said.

Im now a resident of South Triangle. A mere skip and hop away from my work. I’ve now been a teacher for almost a year and working in NCO for over 2 years.

Ive been to Clark,Pampanga for a month, and helped launch our site there. Twas a quaint place. Wonderful people.

Skinny jeans are still in (hehe…) but tomorrow, Im getting the colored ones. The same rules from last year still apply. I am also contemplating gladiator sandals.

In a few days, Ill be back in Davao for the Kadayawan and my birthday. I wonder how things are like; balitaan niyo naman ako.

Good day!

Beni

I have recently been bowled over by this skinny jean phenomenon. Some people hardly notice it, but it is happening. The dreaded baston of the olden days have resuscitated itself. But don’t go dumpster-diving into your mom and dad’s college wardrobe yet.

The new-era skinny jean is distinct from its puson-bearing, belly-button-level predecessor. Nobody wants everybody to know that one is about to have their period from the bulge of one’s lower belly.

It is low cut; hip-higging and ideally come in darker shades save for the ones that are ment only for day wear. It is preferred to have some feding done on them. Tattering them in manner of James Dean is risky business. Emroidery, bead-work, stitchwork and rhinestones are an excellent update; but never all present at the same time.

Do not, in any sircumstance, wear skinny jeans if you’re below 5′2" unless you have unnaturally thin and long legs. Go for a tight, straight-cut instead, long enough to cover down to your heels.

Do not wear skinny jeans if you have thunder thighs as this will emphasize the pear shape of your physique. Go for a boot-cut instead, i assure you, it will have the same effect as far as people seeing it is concerned. Keep away from the ones with fading on the thighs… ghastly result.

Do not wear skinny jeans if your butt is still yet to exist. If you have a malnourished behind keep your hands off any skinny jeans. But then if you simply simply must, buy a tastefully padded undergarment. There is no other way to look good in it for this category.

Do not wear skinny jeans if you are bow-legged or the reverse. SImply repulsive. Some fears are just not meant to be challenged. It would be a great tragedy, not everyone sees the equivalent of the apocalypse in their lifetime but no one relly looks forward to this. Stick with tight straight-cut ones if your case is not acute, or the ones that are crumpled at the bottom half.

This is well ment advise. Proceed at your own risk.

The above query is designed to answer what one true friend may ask given a shining beacon of beauty is no longer in the same zip code as he/she/it. Certainly, the above is not merely a state of geography but also that of one which is metaphisical.

I am currently working on buying an estate in one posh villa, but in the meantime, Pasay is my residence. It is a meek two-storey apartment shared with Mah’dr and a couple of other mortals. ‘Tis a humble establishment with all the amenities of a modern, urban abode, but, I am yet to find a home. ‘Been searching for one closer to Mo.Ignacia St., Quezon City where I toil. Ortigas would be ideal. I’m just waiting to fish somebody out of Davao to share the rent with. Hahaha…

As previously mentioned, my work is at the ABS-CBN compound where I labor like a wild swine. I am like the vampire, slumbering in its coffin only to creep out of it an hour before midnight. After a quick shower, installation of my nature-given green eyes and war paint, I slip on one of my painfully high platforms, grab a means of transportation, which is usually a PhP150 cab ride, and glide to the 5th floor. If I have time for Starbucks… why not?

I hop off for home at the blistering glare of the 11 a.m. sun, and that’s the end of my day save the ones where i shop ’til I regret ever wearing those platforms last night. This is the pinnacle of EDSAs choking traffic hence I prefer the train. I quite abhor the train, sometimes, due to its suffocating qualities. Ahhh… the noon rush. If I do get a seat, I am eye-level to groins which I only find pleasant in the rarest of occasions. I dismount on the Southern-most station and take this lagacy-of-the-2nd-World-War-American-occupation-vehicle, a.k.a. the jeepney, to the nook that is Malibay which is my lair.

This is pretty much my daily template where I randomly insert fun-filled and exciting activities such as filing my toenails or plucking my eyebrows (which is the least of my hairy concerns) to save my humaness.

I always saw myself working as a masseur critique jumping from one exotic paradise to another to sample the good life they offer, and getting a ridiculously hefty paycheck weekly for having myself kneaded by beefy, towel-clad manly men.

However, fate has it that i should be in a call center. It all started when Mader referred me to RMH. Working in a call center is everything that I expected; exhausting, boring, dehumanizing, mechanical… but only if you allow it.

I’m glad to say that I love my work and especially the people I work with. I’m a purchase collector. That means that I collect debts over 5 years old, calling people saying "whan y’all gonna pay’up?" It was difficult at first having to deal with liars, old folks, cancer sufferers (which defy statistics in collections), hang ups, answering machines and bad numbers but… once i got my paycheck, it all seemed okay. Kidding aside, I met new friends who make every tomorrow something to look forward to. Now thats a good thing.

Hey, if y’all interested in applying, all y’all need to do is hollah, i’ll get y’all hooked up. Don’t get it twisted, keep it real.

Asian Universities Debate Championship, May 19- 26, 2006

Ateneo de Manila University Campus

This has got to be my most un-fabulous tournament to date. I got to the event exactly the day when the debate rounds started. Back in Davao, I was driven from sanity by my thesis and my illusive panelists. Two days into the tournament, I didn’t even know if I could go. I defended my thesis prematurely just to get there on time.

Moreover, the day before the debate rounds start, I accidentally drank what seemed like decayed matter from a can of pineapple juice. I was thinking FOOD POISONING, I’m not gonna make it to Manila without being jaundiced and frothing in the mouth. Good thing I survived.

My flight was at 5:35 in the MORNING. I bought the ticket on the spot, so, I wasn’t even sure that there was a vacant seat on that aircraft! The Alchemist is so right. Plane went on schedule, it being the first flight of the day. Fair weather when i arrived and the taxi ride was great. I didn’t even have time to change. I went to the Hotel, dropped my stuff off and went straight to the first round. Needless to say, I didn’t have practise.

We did win against the University Muhammadia of Jogjakarta (Indonesia), winning margin of 9 points. Those guys were quite friendly. I got really chummy with them after I got a whiff of their Gudang Garam. Which apparently means ‘ Salt Storehouse.’ Hmmm… They gave me a thousand Rupiah (which is worth around five PH Pesos), a hundred Rupiah coin (they say can buy you a candy)and a cute little key chain. So sweet. Apa kabar!

Second round, we went up against Mindanao State University- Marawi. We won by a 7 point margin. The debate was about making porn stars wear condoms while doing their… ehem… work. We were adjudicated by Azahan from the International Islamic University (Malaysia.) He was very nice. During the match up announcements, the MSU team made a little scene at the ampitheatre, t’was so funny.

Third round, we lost to Nan yang Technological University team B (Singapore). It was the first round for the second day of debating. I think our teams were both nervous in the round. We lost by 3 points.

The fourth round was another disappointment. We lost to University of Santo Tomas team B. Their case sounded better the way our adjudicator, Sir Martin of UPD, said it. They won by 2.5 points.

I was really praying for an easier match for the fifth round. We went up against Siliman University. We won by a whopping 9.5 points. Amazing it was.

Sixth round, another downfall, another UST team. They won by 2 points. We really didn’t buy the decision. Ravi Prajapati from Assumption University (Thailand) adjed our round. I mean, it’s totally wrong for the Opp to concoct their own standards without reasoning how the first one was faulty. And the adj apparently thought it made sense for them to do this, and ignored the fact of it. Debates ended at 9:00 PM of day 2.

The last round was at the third day of debating. Thepparith Senamngern of Assumption University (Thailand) adjudicated our round against De La Salle University. Our case was pretty simple but I think DLSU team was a little bit dismissive of our more important arguments. Certainly they didn’t think we’d beat them but that was what happened, and I wasn’t even half surprised.

We ended the Pre-final rounds wit 4 wins and 3 losses. Unfortunately, a win short of making it to the Octo-finals. Competition this year was pretty tough since its just here in the country. Most of the best are all within our yard. At least I met lots of cool people. Hello to Fern from Assumption University (I warn you, I will crash at your place in Bangkok), the guys from Jogjakarta, that dude from National University of Singapore (Alex was it? or Mark? Sorry) i do hope I bump into you in Singapore, you promised me a drink. I have a crush on that monk from Mahidol University, he’s sooooo cute I’m converting to Theravada. Sawas dee khaa.

May 10-13, 2006

The entire tournament was excruciating since the theme was all about corruption, and I’m particularly allergic to debates on government processes.

First round, went up against Ateneo de Zamboanga. AGAIN! Their case was particularly faulty at the time so I wasn’t very concerned with the round; just a little bit uneasy with Jess Lopez sitting in to watch. Leloy seemed to think we did very well. It was a "very clear" win, according to him. So, woop-ty-do we made it to the Semi’s.

Semi’s we got matched against UP-Baguio. I’ve seen a UP-Baguio team debate only once before so I didn’t know what to expect. They were pretty good though. That wasn’t our best performance, I thought, with me blabbering about simplistics and failing to transcend the level of analysis. Their first speaker, I thought, was pretty good. Bobby gave us a 5-point margin win. I didn’t listen to much of his oral adjudication; just watched his lips move. hehe…

Finals is an upsetting story. I must confess that I really choked. Went up against UST law students on a debate on legal thingys. In retrospect, their case wasn’t so special. I was just overwhelmed at the time. And our prep time was filled with unnecessary interludes hence our poor case. But I’d like to think that we put up a good fight. That night, I got on one of Katipunan’s tiny trikes for the first time to McDo in my lewd shorts.

The awards night was FUN-NY! We got proclaimed as winners by mistake on national TV.

The after-party was more interesting. Met really fun people from Baguio. They’re quite friendly and entertaining. Had a half-immoral encounter at Libis. hahaha… Mae Anne is such a flirt kasi.

Hello my dear neglected diary,

Last Wednesday, I was cheated a crown with the inquery on how one should explain the color Red to a visually impaired dude. I knew I should know more about answering such nonsense. I’m pretty sure though that I shocked everyone with my discussion on Chinese-Taiwan seccessionism.

Thursday, my aunts arrived from Ilo-ilo. Needless to say, it was moi who assumed the role of expert tour guide. Funny thing was I probably learned more things about Davao from my touring than in my five-year stay here. Went to the Pearl Farm, the Philippine eagle reserve, almost wrestled hungry crocodilians at the GAP farm and bargained the sh*t out of my shorts at the Aldevinco native textiles hell hole. Also, ate just about all the physical manifestations of Durian ever concocted in two days. My gosh, if i see another durian in my life again… I’ll eat it. hehehe…

Friday, Dad got promoted to one-star General. But why am I still in poverty? Well, at least I know my dad is an honest man. That night I emceed the Davao Premiere of the Da Vinci Code. It was so much fun doing it with the Empress. I didn’t like the movie too much.

Saturday, our new house got blessed by the Military Chaplain. I love my room. It’s the entire loft up the spiral staircase. I feel so Hillary Duff in A Cinderella Story. Not that I watch that kind of movie or something… ooops.

Sunday, my big sis gave birth to a bouncing baby boy! I thought it shoud be called Johannes Christ Benjamin (Benjamin after our dad) but sis chose Adam Benjamin instead. He’s my first nephew. Ooooh… he’s so cute and good looking, like our side of the family. hehehe…

Monday, my encounter with our thesis adviser. Shopping afterwards for my Manila trip.

Tuesday, more shopping… and choosing what to pack.

Wednesday, got on my hour-delayed trip to Manila. I can soooo see my self doing the safety demonstration between the aisle. Our good pilot said to expect clear skies upon landing. Clear skies my shorts! It was raining horizontally when we got there.

Whew!

It’s 2:30 AM and I have been re-aquainted with Nico’s (see earlier posts) house.

This morning I was pretending to be employed working at the Department of Tourism; typing, answering calls, entertaining ignorant foreigners and all that jizz. The Asian Tourism Forum wasn’t at all fun for me. I most certainly realized that I do not have the slightest intention of being employed in a stuffy office environment to save my sanity. It’s just not ‘fabulous’ enough!

Anyhoo, was having (or drowning in) coffee with posh friend Erika and Meeko at Pete’s kanina and ran into savvy friend Myra Sinsuat who apparently delved into the world of modeling. Little did I know that as I was working my now plump ass off at DOT, she was reaking havok at the ramp in native Maguindanao get ups. Ultemately, I found myself belting out my not so favorite ‘Hot Stuff’ at a videoke bar surrounded by kababayans. And now here I am at this dude’s house writing this hog wash with the vaguest possibility of getting home before the sun’s up.

Indeed.

Not only do I have the need to feel special but I also have been bothered by my wierd name since my youth.

I have been doing some detective work to figure out my lineages and have come up with a few interesting stuff.

As obvious as it is that my mom’s line goes as far as Italia, the new thing I found out was where exactly it’s from. According to a source, it’s Swiss-Italian in the Northern Region of Piemonte.

Italian and Swiss Italian (De Ferraris): patronymic from Ferraro, in the broader sense ‘of the Ferrari family’(http://www.ancestry.com/search/SurnamePage.aspx?html=b&ln=Ferraris&sourcecode=13304).

A density map shows the ‘Ferraris’ (with an ’s’) population is most dense between the Turin and Milan area near the Swiss-French border. Funny thing is that there are more Ferraris than Gucci, Valentino and Versace. Go figure! (http://www.gens.labo.net/it/cognomi/genera.html).

Dad’s side was more difficult. Apparently, the original spelling of ‘Apayart’ was ‘Appeyard.’ It’s from either Yorkshire or Derbyshire. It seems I’m English!

They moved to the New World, and, one, with the World War and all, found his way here from the US, during the last century. Now, I’m starting to have a spot of tea every afternoon. Hah!

I’m probably 4th generation Pinoy. Both sides of my family have been diluted into the Pinoy gene pool and some Chinese even, so, MABUHAY! (and Ni Hao! hehe…)

Cheerio! and Ciao!