the NEWs of 2014

When this year started, i held on to the promise of the NEW - to experience God move in new ways and to receive the new things He has in store. I was very expectant; it gave me a different perspective in accepting things that come. It has been a journey of faith all over again, but it was all worth holding on to God's faithfulness to see them unfold in my life this year.

This year opened by letting us try a new kind of dance: Flamenco! We had a master class with Ms. Maradee de Guzman where we learned the basic style and movements of flamenco.

Another highlight of this year was the Thou Art in Heaven Creative Prophetic Workshop. It allowed me to experience God speak in new ways - through art, music, and dance. What amazed me that night was how God moves in the prophetic. It opened my heart in seeing God's creative ways so that His people gets encouragements and assurances of His word and promises. That experience moved me personally, and i guess it kept me on track for the rest of the year.

God also opened a door for us to visit a new country this year - Laos! Acts Manila received an invitation to perform for the Philippine Embassy in Lao PDR's Independence Day Celebration. We also performed for the students of Laos School of Music and Dance. It was a whole new experience of exploring a new country and learning of a new culture. That trip allowed me to appreciate the things that we tend to take for granted - Laos being a communist country and a more "third world" than ours.

One of the 2014's surprises was receiving new floors + added mirrors for the JRSS ballet! I did not expect the school to grant this request and on the first day back in July - viola we have new floors! Honestly, i was losing hope in seeing progress, but God had better plans. And aside from new floors, we had 7 new additional students for the ballet too. God is faithful!

This year brought old friends back to dancing with us (me), and it brought new memories with them as well. With Lauren finally graduating and staying in Manila (for now), she was able to start taking classes with Acts Manila again. Our twice a year meetings are now done - and she can be with us as often as she could! Also, Sarah went to visit the Philippines after 6 or 7 years of stay in New York. She joined our company show - Move! - as guest artist. I felt so proud seeing her perform live once again, and it made me feel honored to share the stage with her. We had a mini reunion while she was back in Manila, and it was a great time to catch up with friends! Time and distance really didn't matter, as long as we're all bonded by heart.

Philippine Dance Cup also happened this year, and it was my first time to join in the Solo category of the competition. It gave me much nerves to be part of this haha. Even though I'm not the competition type, i took on the challenge of going through this experience for my students. Having experienced it myself in 2013 (Asian Grand Prix in Hong Kong), i know what this could bring to them. As a surprise, my solo entry, Mharjorie Palmeda of Acts Manila@JRSS, placed 10th for the Junior Solo category! I was too overwhelmed and in shock when it was announced. Praise God! I am thankful that God has brought in dedicated students in my fold to develop and bring out the best God has in store for them.

Another one that I am most thankful for this year is finally getting in to a VGroup! I've been asking God for this for a while now, and i finally took on the courage to meet new people and share lives with them. September this year when i finally started meeting up with my VGroup leader - Ate Cring and the rest. Bonus part: Lauren and i are under the same VGroup! Grateful that God has opened new ways of learning for me. I've got instant friends and accountability partners too! Also, I've started doing One2One with our latest VGroup addition - Aices, who got back to dancing with us at Acts Manila just recently.

This year, i also got my first directing "job" that is not ballet related haha. I was given the opportunity to direct CCF Alabang's Everlasting Light Christmas Cantata last December 21. I was too hesitant to take on the job at first, but remembering the "new" experiences God has in store for me, by faith i took part. Even though the preparations and rehearsals were tedious, the actual performance was more than what we expected. Indeed God has orchestrated it to be the best performance we can ever have. I am very thankful to be part of this experience and get to know more talented people - from the choir members to the tech prod crew.

Visiting the beautiful province of Ilocos wasn't new to me, but traveling with my family made it a whole new experience. 12 hours road trip going there and back home was very much worth it (and even though i got sick right when we arrived home!). From the northern part of Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte to Vigan in Ilocos Sur, all of the places we went to were a reflection of God's awesome creation. It was a trip of reflecting in the beauty of His craft. It was a great time spent with family as well, and i am always grateful for those times that i am with them.

And here are some others in bullets:

New dance experiences
~ International Dance Day Celebration at the Bonifacio High Street where we performed at the open space. Ms. Myra Beltran restaged the famous Rosas danst Rosas.
~ performing for the Independence Day Celebration hosted by the Philippine Embassy at the Lao PDR
~ dancing in sync with LED projection, oh the power of new technology! Performed for the DOT's MICE Conference in Clark, Pampanga. (out of town dance trip, oh yeah!)
~ Miss World Tourism pageant performance at THE SM Mall of Asia Arena
~ Christmas Eve performance at the CCP Main Theatre for the Misa de Aguinaldo with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and Philippine Madrigal Singers

As i published the great photo dump of 2014, i realized that we have tried much new food places this year! And most of them became my favorites. Looking forward to more "good eats" with family and friends. (yes, i enjoy food - VERY MUCH)
~ Sensei Sushi
~ Milky Moustache
~ Ramen Yushoken
~ Yabu
~ Sambokojin
~ Bag of Beans
~ Magnum Manila
~ Family Mart's green tea ice cream (i cannot forget about this haha)
~ Mang Raul's (yay for isaw and all other ihaws!)


---
Looking back at the moments of 2014, indeed it has brought me to new and greater heights. It has been another year of God's faithfulness. It was full of His goodness and grace that i don't deserve yet He gave it all for it was the best for me. I am thankful that most of my faith goals were achieved this year, praise God. I am also thankful that God has sustained me through this year's ups and downs, and pulled me through to stay on track. I could not have achieved any of these Lord, without You. Soli deo Gloria!

More breakthroughs in 2015! I am ready for you!

#ActsManila on the MOVE!

It has been an eventful first half of the year!

God has been really faithful in answering all of our "Christmas wishes" last year that He really fully-loaded our schedules for this year. Since this year opened, Acts Manila's performances have been one after the other, and we couldn't just be more grateful. Keeping up with what God has in store for us maybe shaking off our schedules, but definitely enjoying every single moment onstage.

Here's a bit of a round-up for what has been happening with Acts Manila (and my life, of course):

Acts Manila in our annual CCP Main Theatre Recital ~ "Once Upon An Ever After", April 24.

"Let it Go" by Chelo Gemina • photo by Tes Tirol

"Ian's Walk" by Jan Manlapig • photo by Tes Tirol

"Esmeralda" by Jun Saagundo • photo by Tes Tirol

..and of course my beloved kiddos who performed so well on that night!

Alice in Wonderland's Mad Hatter, Dormouse, March Hare
The Happy Prince Jewels • The Velveteen Rabbit Children

We were also privileged to be chosen by Ms. Myra Beltran to be part of RE: Rosas ng Maynila at the Bonifacio High Street for the International Dance Day celebration, April 27. It was an amazing experience to perform the iconic "Rosas danst Rosas" choreography by Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker.

photo from Jem Rodriguez

photo from Jem Rodriguez

Check out the video here, uploaded by Ms. Myra Beltran:

Acts Manila's out of town assignment last June 4-6: MICE Conference at Fontana in Clark, Pampanga. It was a new kind of experience - from the preparations, rehearsals, to the actual performance itself! We got to dance in sync with video effects through the hologram screen and LED projection, something I thought only exists in YouTube, hehe. Watch our "Brand New Day" performance video with the Ryan Cayabyab Singers here and the closing ceremony performance with the LED projection effects here!

late night rehearsals..

..to early morning call time! (as in 6am early!!)

all dressed up in line with the theme!

Another main highlight was out trip to Laos ~ June 11-16! We performed for the Philippine Embassy's 116th Independence Day Celebration. Thank you to Her Excellency Ambassador Lumen Isleta for giving us the privilege to represent our country there.

Acts Manila's "Madamira & Sarumbanggi" as part of the Filipino repertoire • photo by Gerry Gemina

Acts Manila with Ambassador Lumen Isleta

being presented to the VIP guests • photo by Tes Tirol

conducted a workshop for the kids from the Filipino community in Laos

also performed for the students of the Laos School of Music and Dance (they really have big stages, i tell you)

And of course, we did not miss out on experiencing the wonders of the city!

Acts Manila at the Patuxai Victory Monument • photo by Gerry Gemina

on tourist mode

no regrets for all these ice cream goodness (whooops!)

of course, shopping! even if they don't have malls, we had great deals on the night market ;)

We also had performances for churches and SM Malls. (and there will be another on July 26 at SM Southmall for their Jeans Month celebration)

for CCF Alabang's Easter service • photo from Jem Rodriguez

here's one from SM Sta. Rosa performance, June 28 • photo from Julia Morados

And finally for our next BIG THING!
Acts Manila's 3rd company show happening this August 24 ~ "MOVE!" at the CCP Little Theatre, 6pm. We will be featuring new choreographies, with special guest performance by Acts Manila alumna (now with the Pennsylvania Ballet), Sarah Grace Lee. Save the date!

See you in our next performances! We are definitely on the MOVE! ;)
For updates, you may visit our website at www.actsmanila.com or through our Acts Manila Facebook page.

#bravery2013: the AGP week

it has been a month since the AGP week. i really wanted to blog about the whole experience while we were there, but actually until now i still cannot describe how amazing it was. it's like you have to be there to fully understand what i mean, hehe. but well yeah, the least i can do to "bring" you there with me is to share about it. so here i am, recalling that whole week a month ago, which still seems to me like it was just.. last week.

i still cannot get over the overwhelming fact that i've been there in Hong Kong to go through the Asian Grand Prix. so many times i've srsly wished that it would just be a "pleasure" trip of just shopping, going around, relaxing in a different city, and all that tourist thingy. even though that was what i really wanted to do, i know it won't be as memorable. those shopping and #RealLifeHK adventures were just "side features" of an already remarkable trip.

and as you've read on my previous entries (in case you haven't, do it like NOW before you proceed! hehe joke lang but GO), taking on to this assignment was more than having my first competition experience. it was really a gesture of me conquering my fears. going through the process was tougher than actually dancing on the competition stage. seeing my competitors was less frightening than facing the finances i would have to complete to be able to leave. and when i finally got there, i really couldn't hold my tears back anymore realizing how God has brought me to such a height just to mold me to become better. there was nothing that can ever stop me anymore from fulfilling what He has called me to do.

the Acts Manila team upon arrival at the Hong Kong airport

so anyway. we arrived a day before the actual competition date, giving us enough time to settle in, rest, and go around. since our (senior division) competition wasn't until Thursday (we arrived Monday), we had like 3 days of "freedom", hehe. we went to Mongkok on Monday - first stop was H&M! Tuesday, we decided to check out Cotton On in the Central district, but we got lost in those huge stores of Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Georgio Armani.. you name it. so we ended up going straight to our main destination in Causeway Bay - Forever21! 4 floors of shopping heaven that we had to go through in a limited time, haha. and since the competition officially opened Tuesday, we were at the Y-Theater that evening to support the Junior As - Lormaigne, Pia, Claire, and Alex for their elimination round. it was my first time to see those foreign competitors and whoa those kids, it's amazing what they can already do at ages 10-12! when i was their age, my dancing was still just for "fun" and something i do at the sides, but with them it seems like they were already born for it. and mind you, that wasn't only for the girls, but there were boys too who were serious about their dancing as well! i wonder where they get it at that age? (their dedication, i mean. and maybe also their extensive abilities too good for their age hahaha)

at the Y-Theatre, AGP competition venue

the most convenient transportation in HK - the MTR!
no hassle in getting to the theatre + back to the hotel, and we didn't get lost when we went around to shop -
follow the stations and remember the exits, haha!

we woke up Wednesday morning with the news that HK is under typhoon signal number 8. we should be panicking, right? but maybe since because we were raised in the Philippines, we were really wondering, "eto na yung signal number 8?! eh mas-malakas pa low pressure area satin dito eh!" yeah, i still don't understand how they "measure" their typhoons, but srsly they were too cautious about the effects it might bring. we've gathered that before they had a really bad typhoon that they weren't warned about and they were badly damaged. i guess they learned from that and became more prepared, better than being sorry. (i wonder kelan kaya mangyayari yun in the Philippines? after so manyyyyyyy typhoons, wala pa ring "lesson learned"?!) so anyway, since it was typhoon 8, there were work suspensions and some closed stores. even the competition schedule for the day had to be adjusted. we had to stay in the whole morning, waiting for announcements about the typhoon and the final schedule for the day. around 2pm, they lifted the typhoon 8 signal and lowered it, thus allowing some work to resume and the competition to proceed as well. good thing the only division scheduled for that day was the Junior B, no other major adjustment except that the whole thing would end later than the original schedule. there were over 70 competitors for that division, having 3 batches, where Steffi, Abby, Kiara, Bianchi, Joshua, Danina, and Iñigo competed from our group. watching that division, i became more nervous for me, haha! expectations were becoming higher as the competitors get older, and srsly they're all so technically good - thin and loooooong bodies with BOTH extensions and turns! though there were good ones, there were really meh (aka not-so-good) ones too. watching the competition enabled me to gain a "technical" eye, seeing what we can still possibly push ourselves to do and improve.

the Junior Bs - Steffi, Abby, Kiara, and Bianchi

and our turn has finally arrived - Thursday. we had to prepare early to leave for the theatre a little after lunch. our competition schedule came in right after Junior C, so too bad we weren't able to watch that division, where Carla, Patricia, Cheska, Sofia, and Jayson competed. so anyway. we had our own warm up class and rehearsal at the studio. then we were called to finally come down to the theatre. we had 15 minutes to "feel" the stage before we start. i say only "feel" because everyone's there too and you won't have the luxury of space to complete the variation. it was only enough to look for center, where to spot, determine where to go. not even block completely, haha. so anyway. while waiting at wings, i was really praying in tongues the whole time because i can't manage my nerves anymore, haha. i get more nervous while waiting. when it was finally my turn, all i was able to tell myself was, "and to my fears, i'm gonna conquer you now."

with Shek and Melvin during our studio rehearsal before our competition turn!

there was nothing spectacular that i did with my variation, and it didn't even feel perfect afterwards. i didn't slip either, miss a step, or even had a bad ending. all i felt right after was that i was drained. i was soooo tired that i just wanted to leave the theatre right away, dive in bed, and sleep in the hotel. that kind of tired. but all i know after i exited the stage, i was able to fulfill what God has called me to do. and with that, i felt satisfied. all i was able to say was, "thank you, Lord!" as i was catching my breath. i felt i gave Him glory for completing the task that was assigned for me. too many times along the way, i kept forgetting why i was competing and thus letting myself drown in frustrations. but after that moment, i knew i was able accomplish why i was there. and to my fears, i know i've WON over them! by the grace of God.. all because of the grace of God i conquered!

i didn't get through eliminations, so that was the only competition day for me. i felt sad though that i didn't get to perform my second variation, Dryad Queen from Don Quixote (i did Bluebird variation from Sleeping Beauty for eliminations), and even wear my beautiful tutu for that. :( anyway. with what i've realized from being on the competition itself, expectations do really get higher with age. i was the oldest girl from our division (being the last to perform). and since there were younger dancers (and some were waaaaay better - ehem, Joy Womack, 19, from Bolshoi Theatre!), they'd assume i've danced and trained the longest, thus having more expectations from my performance. and that also, dancers who perform more often have an edge in executing cleaner and more refined variations.

our only (and not really clear huhuhu) photo with Joy Womack, the American dancer from Bolshoi Theatre!
she won the highest / over-all Asian Grand Prix Award for this year :")

we were then on a "relax" mode Friday, since we don't have to feel the competition pressure anymore for ourselves, haha. we watched the master classes the next day, for Junior B and Seniors, and the semi-final round too. after, we went back to Mongkok to finally buy some things we weren't able to buy the first time since we were saving our money, haha. we also got to try some legit milk tea + some street food. we indeed went to being adventurous that day, haha. and of course, adventures won't be complete without a hilarious moment at the MTR (clue: Jimmy Neutron hahahahaha). for Saturday, we were back to the theatre in the morning for Junior C's master class, their semi-final round, and the final round for the Junior A. and thennnn, returned to a bigger H&M for more shopping, hahaha. (basically we were in the theatre the whole week, seeing classical variations over and over again. i swear i don't want to hear Swan Lakes Pas de Trois variation over the next year. Aurora is next in line haha).

the most epic Friday Mongkok Adventure - shopping + food + the hilarious MTR moment :))
this wins the most tourist-y thing we've done the whole week, hahaha!

and for Sunday, since there was no other agenda but the Gala and Awarding ceremony at night, Shek and i took the advantage of finally sleeping in the whole morning. for lunch, we finally tried their instant noodles from the Wellcome grocery that we've been wanting to experience the whole week hahaha! so anyway, for the Gala night, they showcased previous AGP winners and the principal dancers from the Hong Kong Ballet. and then the awarding came in right after. we had two entries who made it to the final round, Lormaigne and Pia from Junior A, so we were nervous about the results too. it gave me such pride when the Filipino competitors were commended during the speech of the Head Judge, Mr. Gary Tninder. he mentioned something about how they got entertained by the Filipinos the whole week performing with such talent and passion. (there are a lot of Filipino delegates who also participated from Ballet Manila, Steps, and even other ballet schools from the provinces - Cebu, Iloilo, and Baguio. yeah Filipino pride!) but the pride that i felt that's more dear to me was when Pia got announced placing 5th and Lormaigne for the bronze medal - Acts Manila pride, baby! being the youngest in our group, God has blessed them with a reward for using their talents to represent Him and glorify Him in this stage. Soli Deo Gloria! :")

Lormaigne and Pia before their turn for the Junior A finals

the Acts Manila team during the Gala Night / Awarding Ceremony

indeed that week brought me to new experiences, insights, and visions. seeing dancers from other countries enabled me to rethink of my standards and push for my limits, both as a dancer and as a teacher. being there myself is so much different from just hearing about competition stories. when they first came from there in 2011, what Teacher Chelo has been sharing about the mutants seem insignificant, probably because we didn't get to personally see them. but now they are finally real to me because i've already experienced what they can do. being around them pushes you to aim higher and makes you realize that pwede pa pala to, kaya pang gawin!

and with the competition process, i know i became stronger and more importantly, braver. i couldn't imagine any other way where i can experience God working in this area. and all the events that led to this has helped me face my fears with more determination to conquer them. God has been truly faithful, and there's no way i can doubt Him again after what He has done for me this round. no matter what happens, His words will remain true and His promises are always fulfilled.

if i were to do this again.. maybe. if God would then call me to compete, who am i to say no?

"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world.. so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boasts in the Lord.'" - 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ESV

celebrating not just birth, but a full life

today, you would have been 56. another year would have been added to your precious life, with more days to be able to continue the fight and live honoring God. it would have been another special day to be grateful of renewed hopes and unfailing mercies that He would be faithful in pulling you through.

but no. His precious plan for you was to already be with Him - free from pain, completely healed from your sickness, and receiving that eternal honor to be praising Him face to face. my heart is at peace knowing that instead of celebrating this day in bed, struggling and crying in deep pain, you will finally rejoice in heaven that He has given you a life worth remembering here on earth.

it hasn't been easy since you've been gone July 18. i still think about you being just there in Lola's house; though away from me, but still present. i still can't imagine you being completely gone, that i dread the day of visiting there and not see you. and i don't even know how to face this day - your special day, without being with you.

Mama, if you were alive right now, i'd still wish for you to be completely healed, restored in your physical strength, and able to go through your normal routines. but i guess the answer to our prayers was way better than that. it may be really hard to accept, like how death could be the best way out of pain for you, but i know you are in better hands. i am thankful for the strength and faith you had. for those times that you said you wanted to give up already, you still showed willingness to fight to live for another day. through you, i have found true courage and bravery. your life was all i needed to watch in order for me to know how to face my fears and live resting in His love. you could have done more in 56 years, or greater, but your 55 years were already so full for you've shown us how to live this life.

i miss you, Mama. more and more everyday.
i don't think a "happy birthday" would fit anymore, hehe. can i just say..

THANK YOU FOR LIVING YOUR LIFE LOVING US.
WE CELEBRATE BECAUSE YOU HAVE GIVEN US THE BEST OF YOU.
I LOOOOOVE YOU! :")

The Promises of 2012

everything about this year was too fast, too full. memories of good and not-so-good times filled the year. moments of joy and pain, challenges and victories, breakthroughs and setbacks brought so much color into this year. i experienced tears from pain i never had before, but at the same time new found happiness that kept me alive. i am most grateful this year for God's peace, for with whatever i went through, i felt secure. i felt His comforting hand touching my heart and giving me hope and strength.

and in all of those times, i held on and moved on with life because of the words that kept me going. the power of daily Bible reading and prayer is indeed strong; it really made me stand during down times and made my heart humble on those times i was on a high.

as this year ends, i decided to share on this blog the words that encouraged me this year. as some would reminisce of the best memories, i thought of looking back into how God has been faithful to me through His word. if there was one thing that remained consistent the year in my life, it was His promises. i've had gained much this year, but i lost a few too. this year allowed me to grow and be strengthened in Him.

i started off this year (and blog, hehe) claiming that this would be a year of fulfilling God's promises. and true enough, His words became alive in my life. :)

Psalm 30:5
"For his anger lasts inly a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."

Habbakkuk 3:19
"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like a feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."

Luke 4:18-19
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Mark 10:27
"With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Isaiah 40:29-31
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Psalm 9:10
"..for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."

Philippians 4:7
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Job 5:18
"For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal."

Romans 8:38 (NLT)
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love."

James 1:3
"..because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

2 Corinthians 4:16-17
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

Nehemiah 8:10
"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Psalm 18:30
"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him."

Hebrews 11:40
"God had planned something better for us so that only together with us they would be made perfect."

to end this year and on to starting the new one, this is the word i have received:

"So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand." - Isaiah 41:10

this 2012 has been a year of strengthening, preparations for greater things ahead. this coming year, looking forward to conquering fears and developing courage. facing 2013 with nothing but faith and more promises of a better future.

grateful how 2012 made me strong.

and to a braver year ahead - CHEERS 2013!

"God has brought you too far to leave you where you are. He has something great in your future!"
- Joel Osteen

Cornetto's Black & White

and the first ever commercial that i got to be part of..

of course it had to be ballet! enjoyed doing this because of its fun and unique concept. it has always been hiphop x ballet fusion because of how opposite these two are - indeed a black & white sort of thing. enjoy watching this new commercial, while trying out Cornetto's Black & White! yummy one, ya'know. ;)

thankful for this awesome experience.
making His name known in every opportunity available, through Acts Manila. <3

the Phantom inside my mind

AAAAAAND FINALLY, IT'S OFF MY BUCKET LIST!

as previously blogged over here, anticipation of September 5 has finally come to an end. and i was soooooo excited (actually an understatement!) since the moment i woke up until i sat down on my theatre seat. the day i'll see the Phantom, the day of a dream fulfilled!

DISCLAIMER: spoilers ahead. i will really write DETAILED experiences over here, so if you'd see the Phantom, do not read this first, mehehe. this might kill your amazement. come back to this after you've seen it, and let us relive those memories altogether!

a date with the Phantom enjoyed with these best girlies - Angela, Alyssa, and Shek + Cale! ♥

a tribute to summer days

since last week, it has been raining every single day, and then now - it has been non-stop. as i've mentioned in this blog not so long ago, i'm really not a fan of rainy days. i prefer those bright sunny days of summer, than this rainy season.

and with that, i'm missing more of those summer days. warning: you'll be flooded with my best summer memories / photos from recent years.

let's start with 2012: the memorable Fontana experience last June! it was our first out of town sleepover + swimming trip with college (aka dudung-slash-super) friends. we did mostly swimming and eating, then watched adele's concert + a bit of one more chance. epic fail moment: we slept through the whole morning! goodbye early swimming / basketball / jogging / watch manny pacquiao fight / breakfast outside and those other plans. nagkahiyaan na mag-gisingan, ang sarap kasi ng tulog! hahaha!

epic Fontana moments with Angela, Alyssa, Gerald, Marcell, and Dotay.
super friends = super love <3

tourist photo moments! at the entrance of the water park, by the bleachers at the olympic pool area,
by the man-made waterfalls, and the bridge. fontana tour talaga! :D

my favorite group shot! courtesy of Dotay, hehe. 

for 2011, the most memorable one was Acts Manila's HK Missions Trip. it started to rain already in Manila when we left for HK, but since it still fell on the supposedly summer months, included na siya in this tribute! mehehehe.

we danced in several churches and schools, went around the city for prayer walk, and had time together with artists from HK Disneyland through another EN branch in HK. it was a really awesome first time experience of ministering to others through dance, and in a different country. can't wait for the next missions trip!

and as a "surprise" treat, HK Disneyland on our last full day! it was part of our city tour!

at the Avenue of Stars - city tour first stop!
(or jewelry thing?)

yay, finally in Disneyland! <3

of course, it had to be in ballet poses! :")

2010: first out of town trip with the dudungs! destination: Subic! funny how we got there, coz we were just planning on having a swimming day in Marcelo Village just here in the south. but then, Angela had this trip pala with her family to Subic on the same day we planned on the swimming. so, instead of canceling and postponing, they (the Dorio family) just invited us to come with them - and so the Subic trip! the beginning of endless fun with ze dudungs!

Dudung Day with Gerald, Tracy, Angela, and Tringy!

mehehe, i love this picture :")

mehehe, i love you friends <3 

2009: Anilao - the overnight beach adventure with HS batchmates! i srsly didn't get any sleep during that trip. but anyway, it was fun having to cook and prepare our own food, haha. and that boat ride to the beach with sand. (sadly, this was the last beach trip i have so far with HS friends! :| i wonder when's the next one? hihi)

yo food preps!

boat ride to the beach + swimming time

aahhh best HS friends :")

fave! *insert hearts here*

insert: some pretty sunrise shots. (told ya, didn't get to sleep!)

2008: i'm giving two best summer memories from this year. let's start with the beach trip to Laiya with HS batchmates! this was the first one i've had with them. fun fun, of course!

why hello there :)

♥

favorite couple - iel and cej! they have so much photos from that trip, haha.
cutieeeee, miss 'em both so much!

that jump shot

i lalalalalalove this photo just because. 

and for the second part of 2008: the sleepover + swimming surprise for Teacher Chelo! it's THE BEST ever (so far) that we've had! we did all the photos + scrapbook stuff (insert wii moments) until about 4am. then the next morning, swimming surprise! epic and fun; there's just so much love with the ballet buds! <3 <3 <3

such a productive sleepover! (time check: around 4am)

the pretty photo string to welcome Teacher Chelo

The Company of Acts, 2008 :)

we are cool and fun

so much lovin' for these girlsssss! :")

i'm srsly missing summer days. i actually enjoyed doing this because i'd get to browse and reminisce memories. i hope mr. sun decides to finally come out tomorrow. i'm tired of the rains and they make me want to cry all the time already, haha. anyway, summer days, i long to see you soon. (even though you're still so many months away)