It's June now, and I'm flying to the US in a few hours: primarily for work, but it's easy to enjoy anywhere. If anyone is interested in watching our concert tour of the west coast, go to Music Arts Events for the details.
Showing posts with label beach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beach. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Fly, Work, Fly, Work
I am terrible at this. I missed all of May (my birth month!) when I wanted to share about the trips leading to my birthday. I went to Camiguin and Ilocos Norte in a span of two weeks, and I was exhausted but so, so content.
It's June now, and I'm flying to the US in a few hours: primarily for work, but it's easy to enjoy anywhere. If anyone is interested in watching our concert tour of the west coast, go to Music Arts Events for the details.
It's June now, and I'm flying to the US in a few hours: primarily for work, but it's easy to enjoy anywhere. If anyone is interested in watching our concert tour of the west coast, go to Music Arts Events for the details.
Monday, March 6, 2017
The Catch-Up Storybook: Half a Year
I've been away. I didn't realize that 6, almost 7, months had passed since my last entry. Since the last one was written at a sad time for me, some of you might've wondered if I had given this up altogether; but no, I'm still here. Just taking it one day at a time.
Let's see, I was sick for half of August, but still managed a trip to my favorite island, Coron.
Kayaking in the mangroves
Caught in a storm at sea
I kicked off September with the launch of our third album, Sa Panaginip Lang (Only In Dreams,) and spent most of the month promoting it on TV, radio, and other platforms.
Come October, we were off on our US concert tour, spanning New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Honolulu. At every stop, I managed to escape work to roam in and out of cities for a few hours, and I'm grateful for all the friends who shared their time to be with me.
Watchung Reservation, New Jersey
Park Avenue, New York
Muir Woods Redwood Forest, San Francisco
Lake Hollywood Park, Los Angeles
Topanga State Park, Los Angeles
Waikiki, Honolulu
Halei'wa, North Shore
Koko Head, Oahu
Stairway to Heaven, Oahu
Ka'iwi Coast, Oahu
Golden Gate Bridge view from the residence of the Philippine Consul General
Lulumahu Falls, Oahu
Osmeña Peak, Dalaguete, Cebu
Kawasan Falls, Moalboal, Cebu
Night by night, I was glad to have the time to attend get-togethers with friends, and appreciate how we'd all grown, yet again, as adults through the year. We celebrated quite early, because I was going to be spending the holidays out of the country for the first time in my life. Since my sister is currently based in Sydney, we decided to travel to her, so we can all experience a different kind of Christmas and New Year's Eve. I'll post separately on it, but for now, here are some shots from when we visited the beach and the Blue Mountains.
Manly to Shelly Beach, NSW Australia
Blue Mountains, NSW Australia
Since we were already in the region, we went even further south and spent a couple of days in New Zealand. That deserves its own post as well, because I was so happy to be back after 10 years; and perhaps because of how much I've changed since then, it seemed even more beautiful.
Hobbiton, Matamata, New Zealand
I dedicated all of January to work, and started writing my friends' second book. The process was slow because I was whisked away on all weekends of February. We had gigs with a foundation, for a baptism, and I got the opportunity to sing with one of my favorite local artists. Sometime in and around that period, I took a friend's fiancé to see the clouds, and I hiked through some canyons and visited several shores
Duhatan Ridge, Mt. Batolusong, Tanay, Rizal
Mt. Isarog, Naga, Bicol
Panicuason Hot and Cold Springs, Naga, Bicol
Canyoneering adventure, Badian, Cebu
Hermit's Cove, Aloguinsan, Cebu
Thunderbird, Poro Point, La Union
Flotsam and Jetsam, San Juan, La Union
Whew! It's March now, and I'm renewing my passport in April. Let's see where else this year takes me. I'm, more than ever, encouraged to keep exploring and finding wherever happiness leads me... and I wish everyone could have a piece of that. So, I'll put it out there for commitment: I'll be sharing my travel itineraries! If I help even one person put together an enjoyable trip, it'll all be worth it. Bye for now, and MABUHAY!
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Four Weddings in Four Weeks
Some people don't like attending weddings, but I love them. I see them as opportunities to dress up, take photos, get together with friends, and in some instances, reconnect with old ones. With my choral background and my current profession, I've also been asked to sing for many a ceremony and dinner reception; but whether I'm there as guest or as hired service, I try to enjoy every moment.
Every wedding has a distinct quality, because most of the time it reflects the personalities of the bride and groom. It may be grand or simple, of mixed religious denominations or races, in a church or on the beach -- one thing is always constant: and that's love between two people, witnessed by many more who love them. More than the fun, I always feel inspired and hopeful after every wedding.
I was blessed to start the year with, as the title suggests, four weddings, one for every weekend. Eight very different people, and four loving unions, in various locations. I attended a traditional Catholic one at a church, another on a beach, the third was on a garden by the bay, and the last was atop a hill.
On the first Saturday of January, one of my sisters from the UP Concert Chorus got married. At their dinner party, they asked us to help entertain their guests with a few love songs, but the best part was when both the bride and groom sang and danced with us. That is simply how we celebrate best.
The Friday after that, one of my best girls from the same university choir tied the knot on the beach. "Twice a bridesmaid, never bride," is hopefully not true, because this was my sixth (6th!) time as bridesmaid! As with so many of my friends' weddings, I helped in the preparations from crafting bouquets, to putting make-up on some members of the entourage, and singing for the service and party (see us dance in the cut.)
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| Singing and dancing with the bride and groom at the center |
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| Their dream wedding by the beach. Photo by Veejay Jimenez at Acuaverde Beach Resort |
The Friday after that, one of my best girls from the same university choir tied the knot on the beach. "Twice a bridesmaid, never bride," is hopefully not true, because this was my sixth (6th!) time as bridesmaid! As with so many of my friends' weddings, I helped in the preparations from crafting bouquets, to putting make-up on some members of the entourage, and singing for the service and party (see us dance in the cut.)
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| Arm-in-arm with Chuck, determined to give the fiercest walk down the aisle =) |
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| My handmade, personalized bouquet, labeled our mutual pet name, "Forvy" (short for Forever) |
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| Sparklers that evening, photo by Veejay Jimenez |
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| My best Girlies, and their little Girlettes, with the new Missus in white the day after the wedding |
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| Beautiful garden wedding that caught the sunset at the bay. Photo by Proud Rad, at Sofitel Philippine Plaza |
I felt truly valued to be invited to such a small, intimate wedding, by one of my oldest and dearest friends. Aside from finally seeing her marry her love of almost a decade, I got to spend time with some friends whom I hadn't seen in a while. (See more of their gorgeous photos in Proud Rad's public album.)
Yesterday, I went to my fourth and final wedding of the month. The funny thing was, I saw the groom at the third (garden) wedding last week, and he asked if I could sing at church for his wedding in a week. After some last minute coordination, some of my friends from the Gala Quintet agreed to join me.
At this age, I have a better understanding for practicality, so I never take it personally when I'm not invited to friends' weddings; but consequently I have a deeper appreciation for when I am invited. I'm grateful for all my friends who have wanted me there on their special day. I have loved every single one, and continue to pray for their marriages and families.
Goodbye, January. You flew by wonderfully!
P.S. -- Funny, I saw through Timehop that in January 2015, I attended four weddings and a baby shower. This year, I attended four weddings and a baptism. I'm glad I always start the year with love and life.
Yesterday, I went to my fourth and final wedding of the month. The funny thing was, I saw the groom at the third (garden) wedding last week, and he asked if I could sing at church for his wedding in a week. After some last minute coordination, some of my friends from the Gala Quintet agreed to join me.
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| A quaint chapel on a hill in Montecito, Nuvali |
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| Sunrise singers, the Gala Quintet *love* |
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| Perfectly packed chapel |
Goodbye, January. You flew by wonderfully!
P.S. -- Funny, I saw through Timehop that in January 2015, I attended four weddings and a baby shower. This year, I attended four weddings and a baptism. I'm glad I always start the year with love and life.
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