Ayala's Lights

Makati is all lit up again this Christmas season. They switched on the lights ahead of the other cities. And what a treat it is. It started out as some sort of experiment but the Light and Sound show was a hit and so it has become a part of the Ayala Christmas tradition to hold it at the Ayala Triangle.

They used a gazillion LED lights to  spark up the show. The music they used this year is mostly  Filipino Christmas carols that have a slightly edgy electronic slant to it. The islands on Ayala avenue have been festooned with sets of tableau of stylized Christmas trees while the palm trees have been wrapped with yards and yards of Christmas lights. The effect is dazzling, to say the least.

I find that it gives so much cheer to a rather staid and formal business district. After work, employees mill around the park waiting for the show to start and then they either head off to the row of restaurants in the Ayala Triangle complex. Either that or they line up for a ride home. I don't see anyone complaining... Well, maybe the regular joggers at the park do because now they have to contend with a lot of human traffic and they need to work their route around the waiting public.

The show starts at 6:00 p.m. and every thirty minutes thereafter.  The Light and Sound show will run until the 30th of December. To celebrate the holiday season, there will be anticipated Misa de Gallo to keep the nine day novena Masses going which will be held at 6:30 p.m. from the 15th - 23rd of December.

Other cities have followed the Ayala's lead in making Christmas cheery and bright. Makati does it in an understated glamorous way...

Changing Standards of Beauty

If you're Filipino, chances are you take beauty pageants seriously. And why ever not? Filipinos are blessed with olive skin and a mish-mash of whatever features their forefathers have handed down to them by virtue of  birth. Recently, Filipinos have been bestowed some beauty titles that have remained elusive for years.

June Macasaet image from Misosology/rddantes.com

June Macasaet is all male and boy, does he sizzle... A native of Batangas, June has been in demand as a commercial and ramp model for various consumer products and fashion brands. He also joined the usual rounds of male beauty pageants and emerged runner-up in the Century Tuna Bodies and  top winner for Manhunt Philippines. His recent triumph allowed him to compete in the Mr. International Manhunt pageant where he won the crown winning over strong Latino and European contenders. If we take into consideration preparations taken by Puerto Rico and Venezuela for their contestants, we really should be proud that June won. That's an achievement!

Image from normannorman.wordpress.com*

On the other side of the spectrum, there is Kevin Balot. I saw Kevin being interviewed by no less than Boy Abunda on the segment of Bandila on ABS CBN. It's not surprising how Kevin won over contestants of the same persuasion. Kevin admitted that he is not yet completely transgender.... he has decided to go through with it after his reign as Ms International  Queen 2012. Sharp wit, lady-like demeanor and a pretty face are qualities which helped him wrestle the crown from a long line of Thai cross-dressers.

image from pinoyrepublic.net*

This native of Tarlac comes from a tight family of three siblings. He was the only boy. He claimed he would join beauty pageants for money. On a good day/evening he would come home with at least seven thousand pesos as prize money.  His recent coup, he says made a good relationship with his father even better.

image from missosology*

Kevin says he never changed his name even during pageants as a sign of love and respect for his parents. He has one year to fulfill his duties and then probablyy stay in Thailand for his sex change.  Kevin's long tresses and petite build would make REAL girls jealous...

Taking fitness to the extreme is Luzviminda McClinton. She first caught our attention when she became a housemate in the Pinoy Big Brother season 4 edition. She eventually got eliminated... but definitely not for her physique! This housewife from Paranaque recently bagged top prize during the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Southwest US Championships in Oklahoma. With her recent win, she also earned a license in the professional division of the bodybuilding federation world-wide. 

She will make the usual courtesy call at Malacanan Palace after a rousing welcoming activitity and then she flies off to Berlin for another competition. Just look at those rippling muscles...