PHOENIX SEILEAFI BRAVE

Hello everybody! Weighing 8.27lbs., with a normal head circumference and 51cm in length, with a progressive sucking and feeding reflexes, our daughter, our greatest blessing, PHOENIX SEILEAFI BRAVE, is now 2 days old.

A lot had been intrigued as to how and why we named her this way. The first name was from me. Since I was young, I had always been drawn to the name Phoenix. I always read about it every chance I get. I am a Scorpio and it's fascinating to get informed of these remarkable writings about the two. No wonder, there was this mysterious fondness to this mystical creature.

PHOENIX

The Phoenix is the ultimate goal as a Scorpio. The mythical Phoenix is destroyed and rises above its own ashes (another Pluto trait). Life is hard. Scorpio knows how hard life can be. But when Scorpio reaches the symbol of the Phoenix, he or she has achieved the most mature, stable and comfortable life. Knowing he or she can survive anything, Scorpio at this point, doesn’t bog itself down with petty arguments and plots of revenge. The Phoenix has risen above all that nonsense, adopting a “live and let live” attitude, and once again, trusting God to handle affairs of revenge and violence. The Phoenix is the most peaceful of the Scorpion symbols. The older Scorpio has usually achieved this based on all of life’s lessons.

In Judaism, the phoenix is known as Milcham or Chol (or Hol): The story of the phoenix begins in the Garden of Eden when Eve fell, tempted by the serpent to eat the forbidden fruit. According to the Midrash Rabbah, upset by her situation and jealous of creatures still innocent, Eve tempted all the other creatures of the garden to do the same. Only the Chol (phoenix) resisted. As a reward, the phoenix was given eternal life, living in peace for a thousand years and then being reborn from an egg to continue to live in peace again, repeating the cycle eternally (Gen. Rabbah 19:5). Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki, better known as Rashi, commented that death has no power over the phoenix, "because it did not taste the fruit from the tree of knowledge."^[5]

The phoenix also appears in the Book of Job: "I shall multiply my days as the Chol, the phoenix" (Job 29:18), again indicating long life if not immortality. This reference, however, is controversial since chol has been translated as phoenix, sand, and palm tree in different versions.^[6]

The phoenix became a symbol of Christianity in early literature, either from the ancient Hebrew legend or from the incorporation of Greek and Roman culture, or from a combination of both. In any case, the ideology of the phoenix fit perfectly with the story of Christ. The phoenix's resurrection from death as new and pure can be viewed as a metaphor for Christ's resurrection, central to Christian belief. The phoenix is referenced by the early Christian Apostolic Father Clement in The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Most of the Christian-based phoenix symbolism appears within works of literature, especially in Medieval and Renaissance Christian literature that combined classical and regional myth and folklore with more mainstream doctrine.

BRAVE

The word, in its very sense, describes the strength my daughter possesses.

I believe that each and every one of us are a living proof that there is a miracle. It first starts as the fastest swimmer amongst thrillions (😜) to fertilize the egg, to surviving in the womb for 9 months til the traumatic entrance via the narrowest canal in the world, the BIRTH CANAL, to thrive in the most complex YET MOST NOURISHING environment, EARTH. So far, Brave managed to surpass all except the last phase in which all of us (NO EXEMPTIONS), are in.

Besides the fact that my husband considers her a Disney baby since we have met and fell in love in the happiest place on earth, she is indeed a half-Samoan. She'll possess remarkable strength, exotic curly hair and indestructible spirit. So much so, the qualities that we admired from "Merida", the heir of the throne in the movie, "BRAVE". My husband finds Merida a one-of-a-kind princess and so it is just right to name our daughter after this profound character for we never doubted, that she'll also be an extraordinary lass growing up. That being said, that was my husband's second name for her.

Naming our daughter is a moment I share intimately with my husband as I realized there would be 3 of us soon. And now that the much awaited time is here, I am  more than grateful for having friends and family all over celebrating with us and showing love by sharing their delight with us because of a joyful "first". I am thankful to the Lord of you all and of course of my loving husband who had done a great job in assisting me through out the delivery process. The most unforgettable moment was when I did the last 3 pushes and you were encouraging me to push in the delivery room along with the medical team. I wouldn't make it if it weren't for you. Lastly, God had never left my side the entire show time of 5 hours. We got admitted at 9pm, PHOENIX BRAVE came out at exactly 2:03am via normal delivery. Dr. Rebecca Tang's hands were used by God to safely bring her out. Welcome to our world!

Recent addition to her name is the Samoan name: "SEILEAFI". Her grandmother had explained the meaning of it and as translated "SEI" - means flower and "LEAFI" means on fire. And we instantly loved it. It suits her perfectly.

Related posts:

1. GOD'S LOVE KNOWS NO LIMITS - God doesn't see you by race, nor by gender and most especially, not by religious preference. He loves each and everyone of us the same way. No special treatments, no favoritisms, just PURE LOVE.

2. THE HEAT IS ON - Filipinos making their dreams come true on stage being part of one of the most prestigious musicals, Miss Saigon.

3. 8TH INTERNATIONAL SAMOAN SIVA AFI COMPETITION, HOGAN TOOMALATAI: CHAMPION - Let's look at Phoenix Brave's roots.

Montblanc "I Tell Stories"

Hugh Jackman - one of the most superb actors out there. I have great respect with how professional he is and how versatile he is in portraying roles in movies. Very inspirational!

 

God's LOVE knows no limits...

Today, the Lord had blessed me and my 40week old baby in my tummy with the words that relieved me of my anxiety and healed me of my impatience. Sharing it to you may have a different impact. I hope it would benefit you one way or another. There were a couple of important reminders for us all this Sunday.

GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

God's love knows no boundaries, no limits and no preferences. Whichever race you're from, whichever gender you prefer and whatever religion you belong to, God sees us all equally and considers all of us His own children. In line with this, God's form of justice is way beyond ours. We, people tend to see other people in our own perspective, dimensions and definitions. As a very limited human being, we ought to judge our neighbours inconsolably. The gospel this Sunday suggests to quit the habit of being judgemental towards others.

The saddest part to realise is that, all of us believe in God and with that very sense, we use it as an excuse or a license to size up others with what they believe in. There are numerous assaults and maltreatments going in some parts of the middle east just because people don't conform to the religion of the majority. Brutally, they impose punishments that involve (and are not limited to) beheading, torture and mass killings. There are also many gay achievers that get denied of civil rights in terms of being in position politically, academically or in sports, military and even in adopting kids. Why? Because they don't meet the standards and norms of how the bible had set it. Yet blindly, the society accepts battery of women by husbands in India, teenage prostitution, human trafficking and death of innocent people because of ongoing wars in between countries (Flight MH17 where innocent passengers on board all died because of the Ukraine-Russia dispute is a very good example).

But the only important thing for Him is how strong your faith remains despite all of these tribulations. Let's take your own dilemmas into account. Most mature thinking adults would let a challenge go with that much hope as there's another "tomorrow" to look forward to. If their prayers don't get answered today, they wait for the bigger picture. But mostly others would consider God deaf to their prayers, not understanding that they're getting moulded into somebody better while waiting. God delays in giving and granting your desired gifts and supplication. But trust in the promise that no windows will be be closed. This paves the way to the second lesson.

TRUST IN GOD'S PERFECT TIMING

Be faithful to God as God stays faithful of you. In the bible, it talked about a "Canaanite Woman's Faith" and it said:

Mt 15:21-28

21Jesus... withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” 24He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”25But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” 27She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” 28Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.

As it was explained in Church today, Jesus had given the pagan woman a test of faith. He rejected her at first, even labelling her as a "dog" to test how strong her belief in Him as a healer is. Matching Jesus' wit, she professed her faith humbly and admits that she maybe a dog but even dogs wait for scraps from the master's table. How profound is her faith! She loves her daughter so much that even though she is a pagan, her commitment to the Lord's promise is kept intact in her heart. Initially, I was thinking to myself, if that was me, and I get rejected for the first time, I might already be walking away.

So much so, another inspiring story of a woman of great faith is St. Monica, St. Augustine's mother who prayed for her son, St. Augustine to be touched by the Lord. She didn't pray for 3 minutes, 3 hours, 3 days, 3 years but 30 years for this. Her faith did not fail her when St. Augustine got transformed from living viciously and wastefully into following God's teachings and becoming the patron of brewers. He's called so because he had helped a lot of people to cut lose of their damaging vices and habits. 

This makes me feel ashamed for feeling so impatient with my pregnancy. I have waited for 9 months for my baby to come and now that the final weeks are here and that all I needed to do was wait for few more days for nature to take its course, I become cranky about it. Almost complaining why I had passed my due date and nothing's happening. 

Like how I started, hearing these 2 messages today had relieved me of my anxiety. Sometimes, that many people whose main concern is your welfare, asking about the baby could also be pressuring and stressful to deal with explaining why it had gone overdue. When I, myself don't know why. So, I'll hold on to another week before we see the doctor once again and stay hopeful and prayerful for a smooth and safe delivery.

I am hoping that you'd also be destressed of what bugs you now and that your mind will be full of clarity upon reading this. 

God bless you today.

Related posts:

1. The Parable of the Weeds - how God's faith in us is strong and is beyond a human mind's comprehension.

2. Purpose Driven Life - How Temptation Works

3. Where Passion Takes You - God had made these people tools of showing how abundant His grace is.

9 of The Most Creative Advertisements

Living in Hong Kong had somehow made me miss a little bit of humor, creativity and inspiration when watching TV (or every commercial, shall I say) when my time permits. Most of their advertisements here do not make sense to me at all. My husband and I think it may be due to language barrier but we both end up with the same realisation saying, "Nahhhh!!! It really is senseless."

Here's a one good example.

Will somebody please make me understand what is the sense of this ad?

I was wondering if it shows how strong Hair Jam could hold the hair up I guess.

There are also nasty ones like:

This went viral and the company was somehow asked to put this down. In the news,
a man that may be one of the Creative Team, had made public apology
about this and had cleared out that he had no intention of demeaning Filipino helpers.

In an attempt to research about creativity the other day, I couldn't help but admit, that I admire the creative directors behind the following commercials. Some of them you might find funny, offensive, delightful. Yet, may I suggest that be open to what you're about to see and if you have commercials in mind that are worth sharing in line with this, I would appreciate it if you type the links below with your comments and sources (links).

1. PooPouri - I find this ad original, funny and inventive. Despite the products main concern which is "poop", I can almost categorise this as a basic need. LOL!

2. Pfizer Ad - Every second, a human being struggles with life. And it wouldn't hurt if we could inspire somebody in our own little way everyday. Here is a reminder of that.

3. Coca-cola - Raising my hands to the roof, Coca-Cola Co. really is earning some millions in paying the most gifted advertiser there is to come up with a touching, effective and piercing-to-the-soul advertisements like this. Despite the fact that sodas/softdrinks belong to what we commonly know as "junk food", people are drawn to purchasing it still because of the subliminal message it delivers to the "mass". I guess there goes the magic word, "mass" of people who greatly belong to the middle class below. Don't you agree? Take a look at this. Workers in Dubai and their families are the target purchasing mass. Why do you think so?

4. Kingston Technology - This commercial enveloped a number of life reminders that we often ignore. Most of the time, we choose to see unfortunate circumstances as it is and often finds it hard to look beyond the bigger picture. The idea of getting hold of the memories was the perfect aim for the people to invest on Kingston USB's. Amazing!

5. Chevvy - Those people who say, "Money can't buy love." ? I get it. Though there is also a point behind the statement, "Money, when utilised very well, may be a tool to bring forth further happiness, convenience and satisfaction. All of which are mostly necessary in taking care of your family." Take a look at this commercial which serves as the best graphical metaphor for it. No need for too much words and that's how I ended up giving a congratulatory gesture by clapping in the end.

6. Naik Foundation - The very heart of the foundation was depicted in this commercial, again, without any need for words or script. The message is there, it's very clear. You'll be officially amoral if you wouldn't get the idea of the two-minutes and 6 seconds story.

Share Care Joy by Naik Foundation from Naik Foundation on Vimeo.

7. Volvo - The steering power of Volvo is what's featured yet this commercial offers more than that. It's challenging to consider that my opinion goes: the precision of the machine's performance do not overcome man's capabilities. You have other interpretation? Don't hesitate to share.

8. Ministry of Education, Singapore - This touched me in a special way because I had become an educator myself and I've always wanted the best out of my students. Academically, I aimed for them not to ever settle for just being in the middle. I had expected a lot from each of them back then. And it's rewarding to get messages from them now, being thankful of what I insisted on in the past years. You will see in this commercial that doing your job not just because of the money involved gives you back more... that self-fulfilment that a good deed beholds and that self-achievement that you have touched somebody's life inspiring them to make a difference. 

9. Thai Life Insurance - Thai people are very innovative in capturing their televiewers' hearts. There are a lot of dramatic and touching commercials they have released but this pinched my heart the most because it touched the most inevitable of all, ageing. Nobody will be exempted from dying, that's a fact. But growing old is a privilege denied to many not to mention, having somebody to take care of you when you get old falls in the same category.

If you've enjoyed this post, you might like the following:

1. WE ALL DON'T WANT TO BE JUDGED - an advertisement about how people are carrying different burdens.

2. AIRLINE VIDEOS - you will enjoy watching these too.

3. PURPOSEFUL LIFE - celebrities that dedicate their lives into becoming a humanitarian despite fame.

Where passion takes you...

I am continuously in awe that I have met a lot of people who are moved by their passion and talent. Besides a number of audience that look up to them, I personally admire the person that they have become as how the Creator had moulded them to be and how they are used as a tool to inspire others. The greatest thing to witness was how they started or how they grew up from dreaming, to working their way thru in making it happen to finally having it within their grasp. In addition, knowing them 'personally' drives me to write and promote the shows that they are currently working on.

1. In Hawaii, Kristian Lei, founder and teacher of the Honululu Broadway Babies are collaborating with huge stars in coming up with a concert for the developmentally disabled. Details are as follows.

I have featured Ms. Kristian Lei before, mentioning a line up of the projects that she had done. And like what I emphasised in writing that post, she remains humble despite an impressive background, not mentioning being part of Ms. Saigon as Kim. And yes, she can sing in English, German, Italian, French  and Tagalog language. 

2. This September 2014 in London, "Here Lies Love", a musical about the controversial life of now, an icon, Ms. Imelda Marcos will be opened. From her great influence to her husband dealing with 

a glimpse of the "Here Lies Love" Production

politics as his own country's president to the lifestyle that she once had as the first lady. The ups and downs of it all until she had lost it in the long run. All of these in an explosive array of lively music and fun numbers that is sure to fire up the stage. This modern musical opened a great demand for Asian talents in London wherein 3 of its new cast are good friends of mine.

Christine Allado

Aaron Jan Mercado

Julius Ebreo

I would like to congratulate them in gaining this opportunity to represent Philippines with their genuine talent and unbeatable perseverance. 

3. In Hong Kong, Horace Mui collaborates with a colleague MS. CRISEL CONSUNJI (whom I've known for more than 6 years now and have worked with for almost 2 years in the happiest place in the planet) in coming up with a concert on September 6, 7:00pm at DBS Auditorium, located in Kowloon. 

4. Furthermore, another colleague had opened his new dance studio, situated in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, called, the Russ Dance Factory and it is by far promising in so many ways.

If you are planning to shed off inches off those love handles; if you want to take the first step in remaining healthy and on your feet effortlessly, or just if you want to feel good about yourself, there are sure ways as you book classes thru their fabulous website. Both available and accessible in English and Chinese, experience its user friendly online booking to assist you fully into a workout programme that you see fits best to your taste and preference.

Tim Russ Fernandez-Lam had been a friend and an inspiration since Day 1. I got to work with him for good 3 years and I know him as the driven, hard-working and persevering type. These traits reflect the team that he had put together that may fire-away all your hesitations in challenging yourself into becoming a better you. He encourages everybody to celebrate their individuality by being healthy in mind, body and spirit. In combining this with personality, confidence and guts, the real you is hailed. And that's sexy! Give their classes a try and I assure you, you will have fun and will sign up for more.

Here is the latest update that is worth booking. For further details, visit their website by clicking on the picture.

www.russdancefactory.com

5. Battle of the Babes – World Model Search 

Featuring:

Kannie Chung

Au Yee Ka

Wong Yue Xoum

Virginia Jessie Li

Rose Mary Darsi

Angelica A. Dizon

Anna Miles

Kwan Yuen Tong

MO YIN SHU

Ng Yan Ting

Catherine Villadelgado

Zoey Ma

Candy Knutzen

Pixie A Valeroo

Chan Lai Yan Theresa

Sharon Yeung

Marichu Ranoco

Christine Joy Tuvilla

Abby Adeva

Carvi Lou Jong Brosoto

Margie Titular De Torres

Ysa-Lou Claribel Joson

Abbygael Reyes

Gold Lopez

Hong Kong, China and Macau models are invited to register now to compete in the Battle of the Babes World Model Search Hong Kong events which will take place in early August.

The first HKG heat will be held on Thursday 14th August at SPICY FINGERS Bar and Restaurant, 78-82 Jaffe Rd, Wanchai, Hong Kong

The winning model will progress to the World Final (also to be held in Hong Kong); competing against the winning models from USA, Thailand, Philippines Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. The overall world winner will win a trip to Paris, international modeling work, magazine features & more.

The event features some of the world’s best up and coming new models.

-EVENT INTRODUCTION-

Battle of the Babes – World Model Search is a brand new global event; an international model search pageant with events taking place within the Asia Pacific Region in 2013/2014.

Over 1000 models have already registered to take part in the first year’s event, with more registering on a daily basis.

The events started in Asia during October and November 2013, with multiple shows held in The Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. New Zealand events took place throughout March and April 2014 at venues throughout the country. Australia was the most recent country to host events, with shows held in 5 states throughout May, with the Australian National Final held in June at the Hard Rock Cafe, Sydney. These first 5 event countries are now completed, with the first 5 World Finalists confirmed.

The United States of America & Hong Kong will be the next countries to take part.

Battle of the Babes World Model Search will continue to grow internationally as more countries are added for the next year’s event; which will start in early 2015.

http://www.worldbattleofthebabes.com/

CATV VILLADELGADO,  a young, radiant, talented lass who will be competing for the first heat had been a colleague and friend since I got here in Hong Kong last 2007. Come to Spicy Fingers on August 14. Admission entitles you to one vote that may help her achieve a place in the world search.


6. In the Philippines, I would like to catch the attention of my countrymen who are dedicated to their craft, with their love of music and its creation and expression as how Saturnino Tiamson, a colleague and co-worker, had embraced everyday while he performs in Hong Kong Disneyland. With his help, here is another opportunity to learn more and enhance your gift. Musicians, composers and anybody whose life is encompassed to music, read on for details.

"As a way of giving back to his countrymen, Mr. Saturnino H. Tiamson Jr. (HK Disneyland Band Leader & Bagong Bayani Awardee for Culture and the Arts 2014 by Bagong Bayani Foundation, Inc), will be conducting Percussion Workshop and Music Talk this August at the following venues:

AUGUST 11 at 9am

Percussion Workshop and Music Talk in cooperation with Angono Tourism Office, Samahan ng mga Banda sa Angono and JB Music

Venue: Angono Lakeside Park ( Wawa ) , Angono, Rizal 

Contact persons : Mr. Dennis Gerona @ 0915- 3529600, Mr. Mikhail Senson @ 0906-8671894 & Prof. Jose Rommel “ Jopat “ Gragera @ 0936-4085111

AUGUST 13 at 6pm

Percussion workshop for Manila Philharmonic Orchestra Kids ( MPO Kids )

Venue : Tondo, Manila

Contact person: Maestro Rodel Colmenar ( founder/ music director/ conductor of MPO )

AUGUST 14 at 5pm 

Percussion Workshop and Music Talk in cooperation with PASAMBAP, Inc., Imus Youth Symphonic Band '83 and JB Music

Venue : Kademyahan ng Imus Youth Symphonic Band '83, 

# 6 Castañeda St. Poblacion 1-C Imus, Cavite. 

Contact Persons : Ms. Alexis Constantino @ 0927-6579446 

& Mr. Dennis Gerona at 0915- 3529600

AUGUST 16 at 9am

Percussion Workshop and Music Talk in cooperation with PASAMBAP, Inc., Banda Kabyaw Inc. and JB Music

Venue : Cabiao, Nueva Ecija

Contact Person : Mr. Alvin Sahagun @ 0926-1987988

& Mr. Dennis Gerona at 0915- 3529600

The 2nd Laguna Marching Band Boot Camp

A project of JCI San Pedro Portal Key in cooperation with PASAMBAP, Inc

Project Chairman : Saturnino Tiamson, Jr

Date and Venue : TBA

Percussion Workshop and Music Talk in cooperation with PASAMBAP, Inc 

Bulacan Province "

Date and Venue: TBA"

Source - The National Commission of Cultural and Arts

7. If you also get the chance to end up in Manila during these dates, check out this production: 

"Noli Me Tangere, The Opera - A Masterpiece, a Classic and an Immortal Novel by Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal. Composed and Written by National Artists Felipe de Leon and Guillermo Tolentino...A Compelling Novel about – Love, Betrayal, Oppression, Vengeance and Hope. Performed By a cast of more than 30 Filipino Opera Artists from New York and Manila and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra with Maestro Rodel Colmenar / Stage & Costume Design by Jerry Sibal under the direction of Freddie Santos. Experience, Witness and Enjoy the Opera at the World Class Newport Performing Arts Theater

Show Starts this September 11 till the 28th
Tickets are available at Resorts World Manila Box Office and Ticket World Outlets"

These are just a few of all the great talented people who continuously live their dream to the fullest. As I have interviewed some of them (which will be posted much later on), I realise there is more than what the outcome will be. The journey is the most important upon reaching the highest point of their careers. And in every interview, that's what I consider the most substantial of all. So, watch out for it.

Related posts:

1. ELA LISONDRA - a young, driven Filipina who makes her debut as a triple threat as she becomes one of the cast in the rebirth of Miss Saigon 2014 (Westend, London).

2. ARIEL REONAL - an world class Filipino talent who brings out the soul in every performance he does. Most recently, being also one of the cast of Miss Saigon 2014.

3. NO TEARS, JUST GET INSPIRED INSTEAD - An array of Filipino talents who never fail to bring prestige to their craft as they hon their skills and becoming the best at what they do.

NATIONAL DANCE DAY

The life of a dancer is short. In terms of the skill that the craft requires, starting young is an investment. I, for one, started late and up until now, how I wish my parents had brought me to ballet school when I was young.

That didn't stop my fate in ending up doing what I love to do best though. I still remember the first time I went out to perform in the Araneta Coliseum for the University of Santo Tomas way back 1999 to do a half-time show for the Tigers. The lights were bright and as it shone on me, I whispered to myself, "This is exactly where I want to be, right now, right here and there's nothing that could stop me from doing this." I was so proud to be a part of the Salinggawi Dance Troupe back then.

Not to brag, but I was an A-lister student. I didn't have to take an entrance examination to enroll for college. I had the privilege to choose whatever course except for Electronics and Communication Engineering (which was at its ultimate boom and was reserved for a quota of valedictorians that time). Here's the catch, my passion for dancing had brought me some trouble in taking up my course, Chemical Engineering.

I went home late because of the practices for the cheerleading team at that time, and I skipped some Trigo classes (because it was always on a Saturday in which almost all half-time performances were scheduled) in order to dance, and so, I garnered a blank grade or a.k.a., FAILURE DUE TO ABSENCES. Whenever I remember that, I am proud of it for some reason. That feeling that they say, don't be afraid to make mistakes because it'll help you grow up into becoming a better person. And so, it did. I gave up the course, and went for the right one, NURSING. Hahaha! Yep! It still wasn't dancing.

teaching Latin Dance for a 4 night product launch

You see, in the Philippines, there's just lack of uni's for offering performing arts and that being said, probably because the culture goes, the elders prefer a diploma rather than something else.

I was a scholar being a Salinggawi dancer so, leaving UST had put me on my feet into advancing into the professional/commercial world of dancing. I had to earn money to finish school and my beloved, WHIPLASH DANCE COMPANY helped me get thru that phase of my life.

Going into the big world of performing and entertainment, huge opportunities also came which aided my schooling and a lot of other expenses. Different advertisements, tv guestings, concerts, corporate events, product launching, musicals and even a simple birthday party needed talents. Studios also called as they needed dance instructors because of a great demand from clients of all ages. There are private tutorials of home schooled kids, there are companies who needed instructors to coach them for dance contests and there are fashion shows, workshops and singing contests that needed performing artists as backups, additional extras and lead roles for certain commercials. As long as your body can take it, it's yours to do. The budget wasn't always that promising but, collectively, it was more than enough. I was young, driven and passionate. I was thirsty for more each time. And I never let an opportunity pass.

choreographed a feminine wash commercial
27 hours straight of shooting 

NESTEA commercial

blocking for TUPPERWARE to the tune of, "The Heat is on in Saigon"

representing the coloured lines of the TV, PANASONIC laser tv launch

PH care product launch

HOSEKI Jewellery Fashion Show

Pinoy Pop Super Star Halloween Episode

Folded and Hung Product Launching

Rico J. Puno and friends' concert

Pinoy Pop Superstar show

NIKE product launch

FEDEX Express Cheerleading Team

"Keep on Dancing" - show for celebrities of the Philippines dancing with great choreographers..
somewhat like Philippine version of "Dancing with the Stars"

Overall, these experiences had moulded me into loving dancing more than ever and expressing it from the heart. As what "So You Think You Can Dance" always emphasises on, "When you combine talent with the passion, then it becomes the BEST it could be." Like what I said, I wish I could have had ballet as my background. But with the limits of time, finances and opportunity to get inclined to that kind of dance (since commercial dancing somewhat prefers jazz, hip hop and funky dance, modernly speaking), I just could grasp the company classes that had come my way from college onwards. Then I eventually had to dream more. I dreamt of performing abroad so I auditioned for HONG KONG DISNEYLAND. 

Grateful for all the roles I am able to portray and different kinds of
dances I was able to learn about.

Performing internationally was one of the things in my bucket list. Whenever I think of the years that I have spent dancing, I am thankful and amazed that I own the same passion still, if not, even more. Seeing how the guests react at the park, most especially the kids, when we dance are more than fulfilling if we will talk about life's purpose.  Sometimes, I ask myself if I'm wasting what I've studied in Nursing. But my query in mind is always answered everyday as I feel more than fulfilled in bringing happiness to thousands and thousands of people thru dance. I may not be practicing Nursing right now but one thing's for sure: Making a person feel happy is the most holistic approach in preventing illness. And PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE in all counts. I share this simple story as National Dance Day is honoured by many. I know my dancing years are slowly coming to an end as the "Wear and Tear" dawns with age. Yet again, "KEEP CALM AND DANCE YOUR HEART AWAY."

Related posts:

1. 9 MONTHS PREGNANT AND STILL DANCING - check out how ballerina, Mary Helen Bowers celebrates her pregnant body.
2. WHO'S GOT SWAG - a blog post that features today's dance monsters that fear nothing except not being able to dance.
3. JUST DANCE EPISODE 6 - a throwback on a project we did here in Hong Kong under BVC productions 

YOU LIVE IN YOUR CHILDREN

Together with my husband, I pray that we'd be guided as we partake the responsibility into becoming a contributor to the society's future as we rear our own child. This thought lingers as I share to you a less than 2-minute video for my #laidbacktuesday.