10sense

I am Extraordinary

2008-10-10T11:04:00.000+08:00

I was born thinking that I am ordinary. Not ordinary in a bad way but a person who is just like everybody else. Normal. So I've lived most of my life trying to find that one thing that would make me Special, better than the rest; and the reality is I don't think I have yet.

Now that I've had a little experience, I know a little better. I believe in God, and I believe that he put a little piece of himself in me: the Extra on top of my ordinary. I used to live in the US and I always thought that Better was some place like that w/ more opportunities. I know now that Better is NOT in the place, but is in ME. Inside of me has been placed the ability to make any place where I am Better.

Knowing that has made all the difference for me. I can find my place without all the insecurities attached. If all I can do is say that one word that can make that one person laugh, or clean this one room better than anybody else can clean it, then I have already done something Extraordinary. So I say to myself:

BE EXTRAORDINARY!
Why?
Because I already am.

About Honorable Men

2008-10-06T12:41:00.000+08:00

an excerpt from a script.

MOM: so do you think she really loved him?
BEST FRIEND: i think she loved him the best she knew how.
MOM: and that would not have been enough for you either?
FRIEND: no. it wouldn't have been enough for me either.
MOM: so you would have ended it too?
FRIEND: well, he and i are built differently. he's stronger than i am. he was strong enough to um... uh, we're not built the same
MOM: honorable men are all built the same.
BEST FRIEND: and you think i'm an honorable man?
MOM: do you know when to walk away? do you know when not to take less than you deserve? if you do, then you are an honorable man.

Sam Concepcion's Birthday Concert

2008-09-15T15:59:00.000+08:00

Discoveries Made by Cellphone Cam

2008-08-17T07:33:00.000+08:00

Baby Jack gets duleng when you put an object near his face and his eyes stay that way until you "reset" it by closing them.

Dita von Teese doesn't allow any photos or videos when she performs and so you're stuck looking at this Belo 18th anniversary invitation (or does she?).

During afternoons in Bacoor, taho turns into UBE.

Help! Missing Books, Ransom to be Paid

2008-07-06T18:16:00.000+08:00

I am missing two of the books from my Narnia Chronicles set. Actually I lent them to someone, but I have forgotten who! So if you know who has them or YOU are the one who has them, please find a way to get them back to me. Please, please, please. The two missing books are The Magician's Nephew and The Horse and His Boy. Should you require "compensation" for returning them, all ransom payments will be coursed through Mayor Alvarez Isnaji of Sulu.

The 5 Best Things I learned from John Maxwell

2008-06-10T18:31:00.000+08:00

I was privileged to attend the John Maxwell Leadership Summit today. It was quite pricey but the value of what I took away from it cannot be counted. It turns out that the guy is a huge Krispy Kreme fan and now wants to become a Filipino citizen because he learned that you can get free donuts here while waiting in line. hahaha.

(btw, for all the ARTISTS out there, I recommend that you find (and read) this book: Talent is Never Enough)

1) Finding YOUR PURPOSE in life is the key to success and happiness.
Finding it takes time and is a combination of learning what you are uniquely gifted in and being passionate about developing that gift to the maximum.

2) Stop working on your WEAKNESSES.
What's the point of improving yourself from a 2 to a 4 in a certain area? When you can be more productive by taking your 7 and making it a 9. Nobody wants to pay for average. People will always want the exceptional. So focus on improving what you already are best at.

3) Making good decisions is NOT ENOUGH.
It's how you manage that decision each and everyday after you've made it. Managing the decision is what makes the difference between a forgotten New Year's resolution and a major life change.

4) The Best Leaders are the BEST LISTENERS.
What gets us in trouble w/ other people most of the time is that we assume what they are thinking and feeling instead of taking the time to listen to them and really find out.

5) Surround yourself with what you ARE NOT.
The people closest to us should be strongest in what we are weakest in. People say opposites attract, but more than that it is about leading others in what we are good at and following them in what they are better at.

Skye in Concert - LIVE!

2008-05-31T21:55:00.000+08:00

Guess who got a new guitar? My superstar niece:

Trumpets Playshop Alumni Star in U.S. Productions

2008-05-18T03:53:00.000+08:00

Playshop turned 15 this year and I just wanted to share about a couple of alumni who is doing well abroad and "pursuing the dream". I read in Alvin Trono's blog that 18 year old Alexa Ortega is starring in the lead role of AIDA (the musical by award-winning Elton John and Tim Rice) in San Mateo, California. Alexa is the older sister of Cheska Ortega, who played Gabriella in Stages production of High School Musical Onstage! at the Meralco.

Another Playshop alumni making it is Katrice Gavino who as told by Lito Villareal (the composer for both Trumpets' Little Mermaid and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) starred as Dorothy last year in a Los Angeles production of The Wizard of Oz. Both Alexa and Katrice are original members of the Playshop Kids.

I strongly encourage all our students out there to keep honing their skills in Trumpets Playshop and using what you have learned to great advantage in the world. God gave us that talent and it makes Him happy to see us excel with it.

Dont forget to check out Playshop's Official website.

Enchanting Teens Musical at Enchanted Kingdom

2008-05-05T22:01:00.002+08:00

Starring:
Sam Concepcion, Cheska Ortega, PJ Valerio, Athena Tibi
Seve Ching, Kevin Concepcion, Jackie Dos Santos, Janeena Chan

Directed by Audie Gemora

Christian, Sam, Aria and Reymond

2008-01-09T02:38:00.000+08:00

Four friends in the same concert:
(poster design by yours truly)

Mental Sparklers

2007-12-11T06:15:00.000+08:00

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Money makes a terrible master, but it sure makes an excellent servant.

This and that and other things i picked up on

2007-11-24T21:36:00.000+08:00

1) Sleep is the poor man's physician.

2) Trying to convince yourself you're happy is not the same thing as actually being happy.

3) The moment you stop learning, you stop becoming a teacher.

4) Facts are only temporary and subject to change. Truth is universal and forever.

5) Belief is the inner conviction that God's Word is true. Faith is the outward action based on that belief

6) Kindness is never random nor is it an act. It is a way of life and always deliberate.

7) You cannot hate someone you care nothing about.

8) Often the most difficult person for you to love, is yourself.

9) Love goes past all feelings. It is a choice to trust, to care, to give and to forgive.

10) Patience is not the ability to wait long. It is the ability to remain unmoved from what you believe no matter how long it takes to happen.

First Name: A Whole Notha' Level

2007-11-16T19:47:00.000+08:00

Last nights 7pm show was for the benefit of Alabang New Life's building fund and this show was on a totally different level.

I'd like to personally thank everyone who was part of it: cast, crew, ushers, the audience, etc. for being part of the best show to date. Thank you for listening to us and choosing to let God flow through you. Amazing really what can happen when you let his 'super' go on top of your 'natural'. The show was so full of life and truth that no one left that theater without being touched and moved.

Ring was trying to apologize after the show for missing some of her lines, but it didn't really matter because what she sang was so moving and true. Most of the cast was crying during the last song and it was so sweet to see them enjoy the presence of God and not be ashamed of it in front of everyone. It's really hard to describe the amazing atmosphere inside that place. It just had to be experienced.

Tonight was the First show of many more and our aim is to keep reaching new and higher levels, wherever it is God wants to take us!

Christianity is NOT what I thought it would be

2007-11-14T23:39:00.000+08:00

Just so you know, I grew up in a Christian family and went through Sunday school, youth group, and Sunday church services. Ever since the age of 8 I've called myself a "Christian". Yet it's only in the past few years that I realized that most of what I'd been taught about Christianity was only partially true and in many cases totally inconsistent with what the Bible really says.

I guess the difference is that before, all I knew about God was told to me by other people (the pastor, a church member, my youth leader, etc.), hearsay so to speak. Now that I've actually been reading and studying the Bible for myself, I'm finally getting to know God directly without any filters.

Here are some things I've learned so far (that I never knew in all my years):

1) God never wants me to lack any good thing. He wants me to be rich so that I can help others. Now that I'm doing exactly what He's called me to do, I spend less time striving to earn and yet I'm making more now than I ever have before.

2) I never have to be sick another day in my life. Anytime I feel symptoms coming on, I stand on His promises of health and healing for my body and within the day (no fail) all the symptoms disappear. In fact, the last time I ever had to be checked into a hospital was the day I was born.

3) I can call on him for protection so that I never have to be afraid of anything this world can throw at me (violence, accidents, natural disasters, even death). I remember during Typhoon Milenyo, I claimed this protection and not a single person or thing on our property was harmed or broken.

4) No matter where I go or with whom I interact with, I have special favor. This has made it so much easier for me to do my work everyday. People just seem to go out of their way to help me.

Not to say, that I don't encounter difficulties anymore because I do. The difference is I am secure in knowing that He has put an empowerment upon me that allows me to conquer any challenge I face. If God is for me, then who can be against me? I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!

Protect Yourself against abusive MMDA officers

2007-11-14T19:30:00.000+08:00

message written by Gerard H. Kahayon

This is a MUST read especially during this Christmas Season. Protect yourselves especially against abusive MMDA officers. Have your drivers read this too.

Best also to PRINT AND KEEP A COPY OF THIS E-MAIL IN YOUR CAR FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.

TOOLS AGAINST MMDA OFFICERS

I just reached my limit last weekend, and decided to take action against the abusive MMDA enforcers. I basically called up the MMDA head office and inquired from the Personnel Officer, Antonio Pagulayan, to clarify their policies. Here is what I got.

If any of these abuses seem familiar to you, Mr. Pagulayan has asked that you call either the MMDA hotline (136) or call the METRO BASE at 0920-9389861 or 0920-9389875 and ask for an Inspectorate. They will send inspectors to the place where these MMDA officers are extorting, even while you are arguing out of your apprehension.

1.MMDA officers are not allowed to group together in order to apprehend. They are not even allowed to stand together in groups of 2 or more. The only time they are allowed to work together is for special operations (probably when they apprehend groups of buses for smoke
belching)

2. Swerving IS NOT a traffic violation. Moving one lane to the left or right is not swerving, no matter where on the road you do it. And it is even less of a violation when you do it with a signal. Swerving is defined as shifting 2 or more lanes very quickly. So you can argue your way out of this, and call the Metro Base for help.

3. Sadly, using the yellow lane is a traffic violation and will get you a ticket. However, buses are really not allowed to go out of the yellow lane, so if you see selective apprehension of private cars only, you may complain.

4. MMDA has confirmed that your license MAY NOT BE CONFISCATED at a traffic apprehension. The only time they can do so is if you are part of an accident, or it is your third violation and you have not settled your fines yet. They are only allowed to give you a ticket, which you can contest. He recommends actually receiving the ticket in some instances, so that you can report the officer who did it.

5. Also, you are free to ask any of these officers for their "mission order", which is written by their supervisor. If they apprehend you for a violation that is not in their mission order for the day, you can report them and they will receive disciplinary action.

So go out and fight for your rights if and when the occasion arises!

Upcoming First Name Shows

2007-11-06T12:26:00.000+08:00

Venue: Centerstage, SM Mall of Asia
Ticket Prices: P250, P350

Show dates:
Saturday, Nov. 10, 2pm
Thursday, Nov. 15, 2pm
Friday, Nov. 16, 10am, 3pm and 7pm
Thursday, Nov. 22, 2pm
Friday, Nov. 23, 10am and 2pm
Friday, Dec. 7, 10am and 2pm

You may call 631-7252 or 635-4478 to reserve tickets or buy them at the gate before the shows

The Adventures of Skye: Anyone Can Cook!

2007-11-05T13:11:00.000+08:00

The other day, Skye watched Ratatouille for the first time and it became another favorite as she watched it two more times the next day. She has now taken to calling herself "Little Chef" and goes around pretending she's cooking. My mom even made her a chef hat out of a paper bag and she wears it proudly. What's funny is that she goes behind people and pulls their hair trying to control them. We had to put a stop to that though after she tried to use her feet on the hair of my brother's fiancee. Her mom's coming home tomorrow so Little Chef will be reunited with Big Chef soon.

Trumpets First Name

2007-09-20T19:58:00.001+08:00

For inquiries about buying a show or buying tickets, please contact the Trumpets office at:
635-4478 / 631-7252 / trumpetsinc@gmail.com

The Guys' Rules

2007-08-08T09:43:00.000+08:00

At last, a guy has taken the time to write this all down.
Finally, the guys' side of the story (I must admit, it's pretty good). We
always hear "the rules" from the female side; now here are the rules from
the male side.
These are our rules! Please note... these are all numbered "1" on purpose!

1. Men are not mind readers.
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it
down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about
you leaving it down.
1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides.
Let it be.
1. Shopping is not a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it
that way.
1. Crying is blackmail.
1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do
not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!
1. "Yes" and "No" are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every
question.
1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's
what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor.
1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In
fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days.
1. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't expect us
to act like soap opera guys.
1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of them
makes you sad or angry, then we meant the other one.
1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it
done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during
commercials.
1. Christopher Columbus did not need directions and neither do we.
1. All men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach,
for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no
idea what mauve is.
1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like
nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle,
besides we know you will bring it up again later.
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer
you don't want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is
fine... Really.
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to
discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or golf.
1. You have enough clothes.
1. You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape. Round is a shape!

Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch
tonight; but did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.
Pass this to as many men as you can - to give them a laugh.
Pass this to as many women as you can - to give them a bigger laugh.

Reymond & Aria - New Grand Champions of the World!

2007-08-04T11:47:00.000+08:00

A big congratulations to Reymond Sajor and Aria Clemente (members of the Trumpets & Playshop family) who are now the newly crowned Grand Champions of the World in Vocals! Reymond won in the Adult division and Aria in the Children's division.

Reymond went to Hollywood as part of the Philippine delegation to the World Championships of the Performing Arts (WCOPA).

Great job, Reym and Aria!! We're all proud of you.

Back to School...

2007-07-20T22:21:00.000+08:00

...High School Musical Onstage that is. For the past month I have been busy working on this show. I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical of how this would turn out after watching the movie version (which I found to be too pop and superficial), but I was very much surprised by how much more heart the stage version has. Sam Concepcion and Cheska Ortega were the perfect pair as Troy and Gabriela. PJ Valerio and Alex Godinez stole the show as Ryan and Sharpay. Jeff Arcilla and Sheila Francisco were hilarious as Coach Bolton and Ms. Darbus.

I could identify best with the braniacs cos thats what I was in high school and at the end of each show, we look to God and give Him all the glory for He is the source of all our talents. I spent a lot of time with the cast and crew and I really enjoyed my time with them. Great job guys! Don't worry, we're gonna do more shows after this.

Forward

2007-07-05T21:29:00.000+08:00

Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
Don't get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.

but I focus on this one thing:
Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
I press on to reach the end of the race

Three Filipino Tenors

2007-06-06T15:31:00.000+08:00

Watch this video of my cousin Lito Villareal performing live as part of the Three Filipino Tenors. They will be coming to New York's Off-Broadway Kirk Theatre starting next week.

Playshop Passes on the Passion

2007-06-02T16:19:00.000+08:00

Photos from the 2007 Tribute Show featuring Pamilya Maleta with the special participation of Maita Ponce and JC Gotinga.

Maits sings Burn

JC sings Could you be Messiah?

Pamilya Maleta at the AFP Theater!

Ems Bolaños as Kikay Japayukay

Jun Ofrasio as Kuya Talino

Noodles Chua as Ate Bechay

Tan-GA, Ate Bechay and Rosanna

Roden Araneta as Berto (tatay)

Roden Araneta as ewan...

Mayen Cadd as (Sino ka) Rosanna

Happy One, Hon!

2007-05-30T23:34:00.000+08:00

Maits and I went out to lunch (yummy margherita pizza) and saw Shrek 3 (laugh trip). Love you, Honey!