Falling Apart by Design [English, Paperback]

Navigate the chaotic, hyper-caffeinated reality of contemporary Manila through Falling Apart by Design, a raw and deeply moving journal written and illustrated by Alan Navarra. This 378-page volume chronicles the life of a modern Filipino urban worker standing at a pivotal crossroads—caught entirely between the urge to push forward and the exhausting desire to give up.

Navarra captures this existential balancing act through a visceral blend of burst essays, fever dreams, work complaints, absurd local headlines, and intimate notes to self. Published by 19th Avenida Publishing House, the book operates as a visual and literary log of a faceless professional lost in the metropolitan crowd. It is an honest, unflinching record of an individual fighting to protect their humanity and sanity while navigating the heavy burdens, endless headaches, and taxing realities of daily life in the city. For anyone seeking to understand the unique psychological landscape of the modern Philippine workforce, Navarra provides a striking, unforgettable voice.

Why This is Important for the Audience

• Authentic Corporate Perspective: Offers a rare, unfiltered look into the daily grind and mental health struggles of a modern urban professional working in the Philippines.
• Innovative Visual Format: Uses a compelling mix of graphic entries, quick essays, and typography to perfectly mimic the scattered, high-stress inner monologue of an overworked employee.
• Contemporary Manila Culture: Captures the unique socio-economic climate, local systemic frustrations, and localized humor that define life in the capital city today.
• Diaspora Relatability: Explores universal themes of burnout, identity loss, and the struggle for self-preservation within capitalistic structures, deeply resonating with global workers.
• Cutting-Edge Literary Voice: Showcases the distinct, genre-blurring style of Alan Navarra, connecting readers to the forefront of modern, independent Philippine publishing.