(33) Year-End Gratitude

 33 DAYS BEFORE WE FLY;

56 DAYS UNTIL THE EGP!

So it's been quite a while since my last blog entry, and here I am thankful for the time I've got on my hands to reflect on what's been happening the past few weeks. And come to think of it, nakakapagod nga talaga 'tong ginagawa natin, 'no? Sinabihan na tayo na kung ayaw nating mahirap, kung ayaw nating magtiyaga, kung ayaw nating lumabas sa limitado nating mundo, kung ayaw nating itaya ang kakayahan natin - 'wag na lang tumuloy patungo sa EGP, kung saan lahat naka-abang; umaasa.

How do we cope with rehearsing daily until 9pm, way past the time we could have been at home working or studying? How do we manage giving up time to be with our relatives, friends and special someones, just to ensure we have all the time we can to rehearse for the probably the biggest competition of our lives? How on earth do we force ourselves to sleep in the wee hours of the morning in order to see to it that all our other priorities outside of the Glee Club are attended to? How do we come to accept the many times we have to utter, "Sorry, may rehearsal/kanta kami eh," when being invited to parties or get-togethers? 

Well, this relatively-free weekend has given me the time to stop and think about the myriad of ways:

The friends who are always there, just waiting in the wings.

 The family we've found abroad...

... who are always much closer than we think.

The small, sweet things we do for one another...

... coupled with all the carefree times together.

Our many mentors, driving us to do our best.

Our idols...

... inspiring us to smile about what we're going through.

Our role models...

... reminding us why we do what we do.

Our family... 

... celebrating with one another... 

... despite, and probably because of, everything we've been through.

And of course our #1 fan,

our very own Performing Arts Cluster Head,

who has, and will always be no less than proud of us.

***

Now we find that all we do isn't in vain after all. 

Certainly, we come to realize that we indeed reap what we have sown together, and this materializes into something lasting and worthwhile, as I'm sure these past 91 years of choral music have proven.

Nagbubunga nga ang anumang uri ng ganap, tunay at lubos na pagpupunyagi.

As the year draws to a close, and as the EGP inches closer and closer with each step we take, we look back and see how far we've come despite it being seemingly impossible. 

We now look forward to all that's in store - the way to the stars which has been so generously and lovingly paved for us and set before us.

I am grateful for everyone and everything we've been blessed with this past year.

Thank you. :)

"Ako'y nagpapasalamat sa inyong lubusang 

pagmamahal at tapat na serbisyo." 

<3 ACGC family

33 DAYS BEFORE WE FLY;

56 DAYS UNTIL THE EGP!

ACGC at the NCCA Ani ng Dangal Awards Exhibit

So last Friday, I was accompanied by Mari and Irvs to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts' official opening of their Ani ng Dangal Awards Exhibit, which gives tribute to the different groups and individuals who have showcased Filipino artistic excellence in the international scene in their respective fields over the past year.

It was honor to be there on behalf of the Ateneo College Glee Club, to get a first glance at its display, surrounded by all the other prestigious awardees. It was an undeniably humbling experience to see our group's efforts shine alongside the likes of Ms. Lea Salonga! I felt so proud of our work, our craft and our passion.

Here's a sneak peek at the ACGC's exhibit, for those who can't see it live:






Tarpaulin listing all the awardees at the entrance.









ACGC Exhibit.


ACGC Write-up.

Never have I been this proud to be a Glee Clubber and Filipino artist. Admittedly, it isn't always easy, but certainly, the feeling of reaping what you so passionately sow is irreplaceable, the fruits of your labor just waiting to be harvested at the end of it all - until a new season of opportunity and purpose commences.

Here's to a continued heritage of Filipino artistic excellence!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:NCCA Headquarters, Intramuros, Manila

(53) Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

53 DAYS 'TIL WE FLY TO EUROPE!

The days are numbered. Each one critical; a day passed, a day irrevocable.

Certainly I am not the only one who feels as though day after day, we are put to the test. 

Maraming kailangan gawin. Maraming nakatingin. Maraming nagtataya. 

2nd Tour Updates GA

Tutti reading of "Santo Sanctus"

Kailangan magtrabaho. Kailangan makahabol sa ensayo. Kailangan isakripisyo ang tulog para mag-aral. Kailangan paghandaan ang pagsusulit.

Trainees rehearsing for their practical exam as Ms. Joy hears them for the first time

Eugene giving instructions before the trainees' written exam

Trainees taking their written exam, all dressed for the occasion

Kailangan isaulo ang napakaramng piyesa bago lumipad. Kailangan maging magaling. Kailangan maabot ang la sa taas. Kailangan maabot ang re sa baba.

Ms. Joy rehearsing the solo for "Light of a Million Mornings"

Bawal matapilok; magkulang.

Bawal magkamali. 

...

On the road to the European Grand Prix, it would well seem as though mistakes cannot be afforded. 

Everything seems to be simply about rewards and consequences: when one wrong move means you're done and out of the game.

With all this pressure, we sometimes forget that we are in fact imperfect; that we, like everyone else, are a work in progress. Unknowingly, through all this, there is something to be learned:

We learn to be patient: with others, with circumstances and, most of all, with ourselves. 

We realize that beyond every challenge is a lesson to be learned; some good to be achieved after all seems lost. 

We are made aware of the fact that what and where we are right now is the culmination of all the times we've failed to measure up, followed also by all the times we've picked ourselves up and carried on.

Be thankful for these tests, and more so, be thankful that we still make mistakes. They are an indicator of our very capacity to learn, to grow and to flourish, way beyond how we perceive ourselves in this moment.

Keep your eyes on the prize, but stop every once in a while to appreciate every stepping stone along the way. It is then that we will realize that the so-called prize is already right here we want to be, amidst the laughter, joys and tears. :)

53 DAYS!

***

PS.


Singing in concert last Friday allowed me to realize this: that no matter how difficult and tumultuous things may get, there will always be some higher ground, with the people you love just waiting and reaching out to you. 


In as much as it was a beautiful experience to sing for those affected by Typhoon Sendong, it also turned out grace-filled for the Glee Club, being able to touch its audience's lives through the music it performed. Thank you to the members of the Ateneo Chamber Singers who showed such pride and support. :)


And thank you, Leslie and Maggie for being such a blessing. :)