today's surprises

Two surprises really made my day:

Surprise number 1:
- My very own script with yummy black chocolates!

Surprise number 2:
Greenpeace newsletter with a 2011 calendar.

Street Dance

Since I am more for the classical with the modern twist, Street Dance movie has really moved me more than I imagined.

Street Dance movie is simply like Step Up, revolving around the premise that dance is a passion, and as in any passion that can make you happy, it must be pursued. If Step Up 3 is set in the underground clubbing scene of New York, Street Dance is in the UK. With the picturesque London scenery as the background, it’s totally classic meets contemporary.

Though both focus on Dance as a passion to be pursued, Street Dance is more on the performance, the art itself. Art, in whatever form, should effectively convey the message. And to convey a message doesn't mean we have to be confined in a particular medium, move or space. This is where the beauty of Art is: we are allowed to go out of the box. Dance here isn’t confined to imitating what you see others are doing, it is like a graceful synergy of all the elements around you: music, space, movement and form. Good dancing in Street Dance goes beyond precision of moves, the dynamics and complexity of the routine. Dance, particularly streetdancing, is elevated and emphasized as a form of art, just like music and theater.

I never even thought that ballet and street dance can go well together after this. The soundtrack, especially the competition piece and the closing credits, is amazing. The musical arrangement on Pachelbel’s Canon in D (the music I often hear at weddings) is fantastic, making it sound HipHop.

After seeing the movie, I became more inspired to get up and get moving. So, shall we dance?

i miss you

After six months of not having you around, it finally sank into my mind that I’m not gonna have you back again.

And the more I realize that, the more I miss the times we shared together:

• Our jologscapades, having small conversations over Pop cola and KC bakery bread.
• Our weekly trips to Baclaran church and side trips to the bazaars, fruit stands and pancitan.
• How early I’d wake up in the morning to prepare your meal, the clothes you will wear and the meds you need to take.
• Our favorite merienda of penne pasta with spicy tuna tomato sauce or banana frittters.
• The moments we shared a laugh while doing our laundry, cooking in the kitchen or weeding out in the garden.
• I miss going to Mass with you in tow, then after we’ll have our dinner in the mall opposite the church.
• I miss our trips to the grocery and local wet market.
• Every time I wonder how perfectly our heads fit each other’s shoulders when we go asleep in a public transport.
• I miss how you tuck me to sleep at night, and when our roles reversed, spending sleepless nights beside you in your bed.
• How we share a kilig moment over a cheesy Chinovela.
• How I loathe your favorite actresses and you dislike mine.
• We have a lot of differences growing apart, but deep within us, we are of the same flesh and blood.

Of course, I don’t want to end this entry with a sad a tone. After all, this blog is supposed to count the blessings I get in my lifetime. Though we’ve lived together only for a short time, I am still very grateful because those brief moments we’ve shared are the times I can say I felt genuine love only a mother can give. The selfless, caring acts extended to this egocentric gal introduced her to the world of loving service only from a family can spring.  

I love you Mama! :)

teachers

This week we just celebrated Teachers’ Day. So now, let me thank the greatest teachers I had in my lifetime:


My Mommy
She’s not my biological mom but loved me like her own. Mommy is a teacher by profession and instilled in me the value of education. She pushed me to excel in my academics. When I was little, I wanted to become a teacher like her. For me, she’s the epitome of grace under pressure, strength, independence and self-sacrifice. Yet, she’s also a balance of work and social life, responsibility and zest for life. Until now, I wish to be like her in most ways: her values and principles in life will forever be my guiding mantra.

My Mama
During her wake last March, people kept telling me that Mama is the most selfless and generous person they know. For her, it's always important to extend a helping hand to the needy even if that means leaving herself empty-handed. And now that she’s not here anymore, people whom she’d helped before feel the great loss that she is now. And I must admit she had helped me in more ways she ever knew: she taught me how to be self-sufficient, independent, responsible and selfless. Above the basic lessons of domesticity, she taught me valuable lessons of handling relationships and compassion for others.

Teatro Tomasino
Undergoing apprenticeship in theatre is a test of perseverance, hard work and passion. Everyone is expected to bring results whatever it may take, having the mantra: beg, borrow, steal. I did all three, even the “steal” part just to pass the program. And after more than a decade of being a member, I reap the rewards and relish the valuable lessons the theater experience has taught me.

Theater taught me discipline and efficient time management. Even as a freshman, I was expected to commit a lot of my hours for teatro work, and at the same time, maintaining above average grades in school. I was seldom visible to my classmates after class since I have rehearsals to attend, but I always made sure my presence was felt during the class.

Being an officer of the organization made me tougher. Though I always tried to keep an amiable persona towards the other members, I learned how to create a wall of respect around me that until now, everyone in the group still recognize.

My EX
Even if I don’t want to remember him anymore, I can say I am indebted to him in more ways than one. I was a fresh grad and he was 5 years my senior so he was like my mentor in the office back then. He always reminded me to be self-motivated and reliable at work. He said I should trust no one when it comes to my personal life and issues. And now I know why I should. But the experience of falling in love and falling apart is the best lesson he taught me. And despite the heartbreaks, I know now I am stronger and smarter than ever, and no jerk can ever crumble this toughie to pieces.

Experiences
They say experience is the best teacher and I can’t say it any better. Living without a father in the house made me more responsible and decisive at a very young age. As soon as I graduated from college, I assumed the role of a breadwinner at home. And when Mama got sick, I learned a lot in our stay in the hospital:  from medical terms and procedures to nursing the sick. And those lessons I will never learn until experienced.

Everyday is a learning experience for me.  And I am thankful that I am led to meet the wonderful people to inspire me and mold me to who I am now and the better person I will be someday.

six years in GMA

Today, I am celebrating my 6 years of being a Kapuso.

In 2004, I first walked the halls of GMA Network. Armed with my experience as a researcher for two years in the rival network, I embraced my new job as a Production Coordinator for Post, handling promo spots of all local TV shows, subsidiaries and events. It wasn’t really something I dreamed of, or planned to apply for. Nevertheless it led me to experiences and lessons I always wanted to gain.


First stop: HRD. Posted everywhere is the Core Values and Mission/Vision statement of the company. I was quite impressed, and still am. For me, it is always important that the values of the company I’m working in are aligned with mine. “Placing God above all” is indeed what every company, organization and individual should bear in mind. And to value its People as the best assets is something other companies must consider as well.


Project after project, I learn something new. When I first came here, I only have a limited background in Post production process. But now I can say that I know it by heart.


There are still much to learn. And I will never close my door on these new things. After all, being in Post production industry entails working side by side with technology. One moment you’re among those with the state-of-the-art equipment, the next moment you’re outdated.


And now, after working for 6 years in GMA, which incidentally celebrates its 60th year in the industry, I feel very much blessed to have been able to explore this option, practicing what I’ve learned in school and at the same time acquiring more knowledge in this field. It also feels great to be a part of the Philippines’ most-trusted media network that plays a big role in culture-shaping and nation-building. But most important of all, I am elated that I have become Kapuso: serbisyong totoo in words, deeds and thoughts.


Truly, after six years, I am still proud to be Kapuso. And I am hoping that in the next years to come, I can still say the same.


2006 station ID shoot



2007 Sumamer ka na Campaign



2008 Halloween ala Hwang Jini




posing beside the New York Festivals gold



worry no more

"You are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing" Luke 10:40-41

Lately, I'm becoming a worry wart.

I worry about my present:  my finances, my career, my relationship with family and friends.

I worry more about the future.  I don't know what the future holds for me.  Will I make it big in this current industry I am in.  Or do I have to shift to a new career in an entirely different place.  Honestly, there's nothing that holds me back.  But there seems to be a force telling me to stay.  In my quiet moments during prayertime, I try to be keen on what God wants me to do, or where he wants me to be.  Sometimes I see myself working as a teacher to pre-schoolers.  Sometimes I am pleased in the vision that I am running my own business.  I'm actually considering taking music education seriously so I can teach kids how to create music.

There are a lot of options,  but my dilemma is which option to take.

Because I'm still worrying about the past.  Some trauma of the past that are still not healed makes me hesitant to take the first step.

I am anxious of so many things.  Sometimes these I worry about become my obsession.

The passage reminds me not to worry much.  Aside from wrinkles, there is nothing I can gain from worrying.  So from now on, I will try best to chillax and entrust everything to the Lord.  After all, He is bigger than all our worries combined.

my happy thoughts

Last week during our training in Singles for Christ, we had an activity:   Share Your Happy Thoughts.  On a piece of paper, we were asked to write down our what makes our day. 

And here are the items on my list:

- Frozen yogurt
- kakilig or inspiring text message
- prayertime and daily Scripture readings
- dinner dates
- happy food:  congee and spicy wanton, chichirya, chocolates, pasta
- violin classes
- bonding with my nephew and nieces
- reconnecting with friends old and new
- enough sleep and sweet dreams
- sunrise
- morning jog and exercise
- additions to my ipod:  movies and songs galore

Bigoli's Spaghetti Marinara and Italian chicken:  Forever loooove!

this is my favorite nephew June Andrei, my sunshine

There are more in my list, but then some are not really that essential.  I am quite content with what I have, getting my daily dose of happy thoughts.  And looking at my list makes me more grateful that God is giving me more than enough reason to smile everyday and feel so blessed.  I wish everyone to count his blessings as well; count the days by the happy thoughts that come with them.  Doing so will make us appreciate what we have and hence understand that we are really blessed beyond our realizations.


Hope to hear your happy thoughts soon.