08 March 2014

Kolisko Waldorf music recital

Early this year, when I finished my units for BM Music Education last semester, I wasn't sure what to do next. It was, I think, a blessing in disguise that I didn't know what to do. I let God take the lead.

Early this year, I was hired as Music Teacher at the Kolisko Waldorf School, all thanks to Teacher Ford Pundamiera for referring me. I was a bit worried that my students won't be able to learn anything because I'm new, I might be soft-spoken compared to T. Ford, yadda yadda yadda.

Fortunately, my co-teachers and the parent-admins were approachable. Adjusting to the curriculum and the kids became easier. Also, the students' love for music-making was so deep, they have the natural urge to make music with others and to be excellent in it. Music is a part of their being.

Yesterday, we had a music recital at the GSIS Theater. The numbers were mostly violin and recorder ensembles. Singing numbers were a breath of fresh air for them. The Grade 6 students sang "Love, the gospel in the Word is love". Students from Grades 3, 4, and 5 sang "Another Ordinary Miracle". T. Ford composed a new melody for "Ama Namin" wherein all the students sang and played along with me (piano) and T. Ford (cello). I also accompanied the Quijano sisters in singing "Lullaby of Birdland", "Seasons of Love", "I say A little Prayer". and "Thank You for the Music". It was a recital full of love and care and happiness. The recital deserved its title - Yakap: Musika ng Pagmamahal.

After the recital, many teachers and parents congratulated me because they were so happy to see the kids enjoy singing. I myself was so excited to see what my students can sing in the future. Many people also apologized because they weren't able to acknowledge me after I played the piano. I didn't mind it one bit. Once I'm immersed in music-making, I am concerned with the music itself. Also, I am very grateful to God for giving me musical gifts and letting me use it to teach others.

03 January 2014

Bawat Araw Ay Pasko

Umiihip na ang malamig na hangin
Mas maikli na ang araw kaysa gabi
Makulay at maliwanag ang paligid
Maraming nagsasabing, “Pasko na naman muli!”
Ang unang pasko’y ating balik-tanawin
Malamig ang hangin, mahaba ang gabi
Ang mga bituin, nagsilbing palamuti
Hinayag ng mga anghel ang paskong dumarating:
Ngayong araw, Sya’y purihin, pasalamatan, sambahin.
Ngayong araw, ipagdiwang araw ng Kanyang pagdating
Ipinagpalit ang trono para sa isang sabsaban
Upang bawat araw ay Pasko

Umiihip na ang malamig na hangin
Mas maikli na ang araw kaysa gabi
Tila ba buhay nati’y sinasalamin
Nag-a-alala, nangungulila, “Pasko na naman muli.”
Ang unang pasko’y ating balik-tanawin
Malamig ang hangin, mahaba ang gabi
“Wala nang matutuluyan,” lahat yan ang sabi
Pinanganak ang Pinangako sa gitna ng mga dayami
Anumang mangyari, Sya’y purihin, pasalamatan, sambahin.
Anumang mangyari, ipagdiwang araw ng Kanyang pagdating
Ipinagpalit ang trono para sa isang sabsaban
Upang bawat araw ay Pasko

Umiihip na ang malamig na hangin
Mas maikli na ang araw kaysa gabi
Ano nga ba ang Pasko para sa atin?
Mga regalo, pagdiriwang, mga palamuti?
Ang unang pasko’y ating balik-tanawin
Malamig ang hangin, mahaba ang gabi
Si Hesus, pinili tayo na ibigin
Upang, sa krus, tayo ay magkaro’n ng kapalit
Kaya bawat araw, Sya’y purihin, pasalamatan, sambahin.
Bawat araw, ipagdiwang araw ng Kanyang pagdating
Ipinagpalit ang trono para sa isang sabsaban
Upang bawat araw ay Pasko

____________________
23dec2013
Ito ay sinulat ko para kay AJ Villanueva. Nilapatan nya ito ng musika at kinanta nya noong Bisperas ng Pasko sa kanilang simbahan. :)
-ara.janelle

2013 Highlights

It's never too late to thank God for what happened in my life last year. :)

January

  • Elected as UP College of Music Student Council Treasurer for AY 2013-14.
  • Nothing much really happened during this month, but I sure am grateful for another year!
February
  • AJ had dengue. Thankfully, he was healed. :))
  • British School Manila workshop on Kalinga indigenous instruments with T. Pat Rodriguez and T. Tim Cada.
  • 38th International Bamboo Organ Festival
  • CCBC had Ptr. Nathan Hutchison and family back! :)
March
  • First concert of Dawani Women's Choir with the Chorus Class of Dr. Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng.
  • Cornerstone Academy's Alumni Homecoming! :)
April
  • 21st birthday!
  • Went to Cebu with Kuya Johnny, Kuya Kurt, Jaz, and Mia.
  • CCBC Youth and Young Pro get-together at Nuvali/Eton.
  • CCBC's 25th Anniversary. It was also my first time to conduct our church choir! :)
May
  • Got an invitation to submit article for Beauty for Ashes book.
June
  • Enrolled for my last semester as an undergraduate in UP!
  • Pink Toes CorPlanning/Outing at Tagaytay.
  • Dawani workshop with THE Sir Joel Navarro.
  • New family caaaaaaar!
July
  • Stress is ultimately building up for my Special Project. Yup, I thank God for the stress! I'd rather be stressed than be lazy. HAHA
August
  • International Silent Film Festival @ Shangril-La.
  • First time to drink beer...at Brotzeit! (No, I didn't get drunk. HAHA. I only had one glass.)
  • Watched the 1st Andrea O. Veneracion Choral Competition @ CCP...Ma'am Bev's treat! :)
September
  • My special project, Papurihan, was pilot-tested throught all the Sundays of the month.
  • Book launch of Beauty for Ashes at the SMX Convention Center during the International Book Fair. All three of my articles were included in the book!
  • AJ's 24th birthday. :)
October
  • Papurihan Culminating Activity was very successful!!!
  • All my undergrad units were done! Yahoo! Thank you, Lord!
November
  • Dawani outreach: Teaching orphan girls music.
  • CCBC Family Camp...after soooo manyyyyy yeaaaaars!!! :)
  • CHICKENPOX for 3 weeks!!! I missed rehearsals for the Dawani concert, but I'm still glad I was able to help. :)
  • Moved to another house...again.
  • Gloc-9's album launch! Yay!
December
  • Got accepted in Kolisko Waldorf School as music teacher. I will be starting this January! :D
  • Dawani's 1st solo concert.
  • Angela, my piano student, played the piano at church for the first time!!!
  • CONFIRMED: I will be graduating with honors on April 2014. YAHOO!!!!!!!
  • Tagaytay trip with AJ :)
  • CCBC Young Pro Christmas Party. I'm officially a Young Pro! Hahahahaha.
  • The gifts I received this holiday season are so unexpected, I always get teary-eyed when someone gave me something, whatever it may be. In the future, I will be able to show my appreciation to people through material things. Just wait. HAHA XD
  • Tita Belle and Tito Robel's wedding! Played and sung again with AJ... Also had a string quartet (James, Jed, Tin, and Edrick) XD
2013 was a year full of surprises, blessings, hardships, and lessons. Now, I am in another chapter of my life. I will be the conductor of our church choir. I will be a music teacher in a school. I wanted to do another Papurihan-like project in the future. Lord, help me be a better person this year. :)

Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 (ESV)