Elegant Ranting

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!