Gareth

I had a wonderful time taking photos of Gareth, one of my godsons, while I was in UP Diliman this morning.  He is very photogenic and has this infectious smile. Di ba? ^_^

Gareth's infectious smile

with his mom, Ivy

with cousin Brian

here's one more ^_^

Sea of Faces performed by Against the Flow band

Against the Flow band performed Sea of Faces by Kutless, the third song of their first set, during the GOSPEL JAM Invasion event last September 25, 2011 at Isetann Mall in Recto, Manila. The event was in partnership with Word of Hope (Manila) Christian Family Church.

*Band members:
Jose Alvic Laude Monje - Acoustic Guitar
Gerrymie Pepito - Drums
Melvic Monje - Keyboard
Aljohn Terante - Bass
David Rick Samar - Vocals
Jeremiah Miramar - Lead Guitar

Check out photos of the event here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2042246331555.2102015.1106224382&am...

Enjoy the video

I see the city lights all around me
Everyone's obscure
Ten million people each with their problems
Why should anyone care

And in Your eyes I can see
I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world
Lost in a Sea of Faces
Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine
Because you traded Your life for mine

Sometimes my life it feels so trivial
Immersed in the greatness of space
Yet somehow you still find the time for me
It's then You show me Your love

And In Your eyes I can see
And in Your arms I will be
I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world
Lost in a Sea of Faces
Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine
Because you traded Your life for mine

If only my one heart
Was all you'd gain from all it cost
Well I know you would have still been a man
With a reason
To willingly offer your life

I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world
Lost in a Sea of Faces
Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine
Because you traded Your life for mine


I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world
Lost in a Sea of Faces
Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine
Because you traded Your life for mine


Just one in a million faces



*Thank you to Jeremiah Miramar for the info on band members.

AGAINST THE FLOW band performed Does Anybody Hear Her by Casting Crowns during the GOSPEL JAM Invasion event last September 25, 2011 at Isetann Mall in Recto, Manila. The event was in partnership with Word of Hope (Manila) Christian Family Church.

This is the second song of their first set.  While doing the video and listening to the lyrics, I can't help but be moved.  I know too many people, not just teenagers, making all the wrong decisions and suffering for it just because they wanted to be accepted.  Pause, look around you, you'll probably find someone crying for attention and help.  Is anybody listening?

Here are the lyrics of the song

She is running
A hundred miles an hour
In the wrong direction
She is trying
But the canyon's ever widening
In the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find
She's another two years older
And she's three more steps behind

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Oh does anybody even knows she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

She is yearning
For shelter and affection
That she never found at home
She is searching
For a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming
And he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason
And she gives herself away

If judgment looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
That can't see past her scarlet letter
And we never even met her

If judgment looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
That can't see past her scarlet letter
And we never even met her
(Never even met her)
Never even met her

Does Anybody Hear her? Does anybody see?
Oh, Does anybody even know she's goin' down today?
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me

Does anybody hear her
(Does anybody hear)
Does anybody see?
(Does anybody see)
Does anybody even know she's goin' down today?
Under the shadow of our steeple
(The shadow of our steeple)
With all the lost and lonely people
(All the lost and lonely people)
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me

Does anybody hear her? Does anybody see?

He is running
A hundred miles an hour
In the wrong direction


Check out photos of the Gospel Jam Invasion event here

Thank you to Jeremiah Miramar for the info on band members:

Jose Alvic Laude Monje - Acoustic Guitar

Gerrymie Pepito - Drums
Melvic Monje - Keyboard
Aljohn Terante - Bass
David Rick Samar - Vocals
Jeremiah Miramar - Lead Guitar

Nothing is Impossible performed by Against the Flow band

Nothing is impossible... I'm writing this as the flood waters brought by typhoon Pedring (Nesat) is ravaging the towns in Northern Philippines.  News throughout the day show people wading in neck-deep flood waters, people in roof tops waiting for rescue, and crops and infrastructure destroyed.  I can't help but feel sad for my countrymen affected by this.  I know first hand how it is to lose property through calamities and through the relief and rehabilitation activities I joined and documented.  But as the title and lyrics of the song below imparts, I've learned that "through You, I can do anything, I can do all things, for it’s You who gives me strength, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE".  There's another storm (Nalgae/Quiel) coming tomorrow but I know it, too, will pass and with His help and the help of the rest of the country, we will endure, we will rebuild, and we will keep on smiling.

AGAINST THE FLOW band performed Nothing is Impossible by Planet Shakers during the GOSPEL JAM Invasion event last September 25, 2011 at Isetann Mall in Recto, Manila. The event was in partnership with Word of Hope (Manila) Christian Family Church.

Band members:*
Jose Alvic Laude Monje - Acoustic Guitar
Gerrymie Pepito - Drums
Melvic Monje - Keyboard
Aljohn Terante - Bass
David Rick Samar - Vocals
Jeremiah Miramar - Lead Guitar

YouTube post of this video will be available in the Gospel Jam Videos account soon. As soon as I remember the password for the account ^_^

2011 10 01 update: Here is the YouTube link.

Check out photos of the Gospel Jam Invasion event here

Here are the lyrics of the song

CHORUS:
Through You,
I can do anything,
I can do all things,
For it’s You who give me strength,
Nothing is impossible
Through You,
Blind eyes are opened,
Strongholds are broken,
I am living by faith,
Nothing is impossible!

Verse
I’m not gonna live by what I see,
I’m not gonna live by what I feel

Pre-chorus
Deep down I,
Know that You’re here with me
I know that, You can do anything

Chorus

Bridge
I believe, I believe,
I believe, I believe in You

I believe, I believe,
I believe, I believe in You

Chorus (2x)

Bridge

*Thank you to Jeremiah Miramar for the info on band members.

Typhon NESAT (Pedring)

As of this writing, tropical typhoon Pedring is now over the West Philippine Sea moving west north west at 19kph (16.7N,120E).  We are lucky and I thank God that our area only experienced a six-hour power interruption due to strong winds and continuous rain...

view of  Pedring's strong wind outside my window

...with only leaf litter and a few destroyed tarpaulins as signs that the typhoon passed by the area.

leaf litter near our building

Other parts of the metro and of the country are not so lucky.  From floods, fallen structures, damaged property and even death.  Check out the GMA News links below.

Photos of Pedring's wake from GMA NEWS
Marikina River warning reached 4th alarm
Four dams in Luzon opening floodgates
Storm surges inundating beachfront properties

One similarity I noticed between NESAT (Pedring) and NOCK-TEN(Juaning July2011) was its path, which after the Philippines, now has a predicted path going to Hainan province in China.  Below is NESAT's path from http://asiatcforecast.co.cc/?name=NESAT

Now that the typhoon is again at sea, it will again gather strength.  I hope and pray that people in its path are better prepared.

Gospel Jam invaded Isetann Recto for the Third Time!

GOSPEL JAM held its weekly musical event in Isetann Recto last Sunday, September 25, 2011 in partnership with Word of Hope Manila.  It was a well attended celebration with a jam-packed crowd from the start of the program at 3pm to its finale that ended 7pm.

crowd from the food court, ground floor and second floor areas

Instead of starting withe usual Gospel Jam theme song, hosts ARLA FONTAMILLAS, JEANNE VELASCO-VICARS and direk MARK ARANAL, after welcoming everyone, introduced AGAINST THE FLOW that opened the program and got the crowd moving with their first set of songs including Nothing is Impossible, Does Anybody Hear Her and Sea of Faces.

Gospel Jam hosts Arla, Mark and Jeanne

Against the Flow formerly known as Youth Alive

Followed by a high-energy dance number by ONE PROD, the creative arts department of the host church.

Host ARLA FONTAMILLAS performed a solo, but a glitch on her music track forced her to skip lines.  The true professional that she is, Arla finished her song beautifully as if it was the actual arrangement.

Shine for Jesus 2005 Grand winner Arla Fontamillas

The next performance excited the audience as parents and 'kuyas' and 'ates' flocked to the front to get a better view of the host churches' CHILDREN'S MINISTRY.

Word of Hope Children Ministry performing The Butterfly Song

 After the kids, the kids-at-heart group F40 performed two numbers.

The singing group F40 describing themselves as faithful men over forty.  From left Roger Carandang, pastor Ed Cunanan, Josepf Escasinas, Emmanuel Manangquil, Henry Castro Ang and Ehdd Arquiza.

After another energetic dance number from ONE PROD, the host church's ministry for the hearing impaired, dubbed by the hosts as SILENT HOPE, interpreted a song using sign language.

Silent Hope

Next came another young artist, 14 year-old JONATHAN MACAYA who impressed the audience with his yoyo exhibition.

Jonathan Macaya wowing the audience with his superb yoyo skills

Check out this YouTube video of his performance.

Adding energy to the now hyper crowd, AGAINST THE FLOW performed their second set which had the young audience jumping and dancing as the band played on.  Next was host JEANNE VELASCO-VICARS with a powerful rendition of Stand Up for Love.

Jeanne Velasco-Vicars singing a song by Destiny's Child

Next is the highlight of the program.  Multi-awarded actress AMY AUSTRIA shared her life story to an attentive crowd.

Actress Amy Austria sharing her life story

In the middle of her sharing, a female from the audience came up the stage crying, saying she was blessed by Ms. Austria's life story.  After a few comforting words from Ms. Amy, the lady (she introduced herself as Mary) was escorted back down by the staff.

Ms. Austria doing an on-the-spot counseling

After Ms. Austria's inspiring life story, hosts Jeanne and Arla performed "When You Believe".  And to cap the celebration, Mac Canoza and her band performed two songs including an original composition  by Ms. Canoza.

Mac Canoza and her band

It's been a while since I last attended a Gospel Jam event and this is my first in Isetann Recto.  I forgot how tiring it is to stand for four hours taking videos and photos.  By the third hour my legs and right hand were already shaking.  But as always it was a blessing attending one and I am proud to say that I am a certified Ka-Jam!

Thank you, Gospel Jammers!

Thank you to all those who joined us, to Ms. Amy Austria, to the talented performers, to our host church, to Isetann Recto, to the Gospel Jam hosts, to our hard working volunteers and to all our audience and supporters who stayed and watched and enjoyed and was blessed by this ministry.  MARAMING SALAMAT PO!

Production & Stage Management for the Arts Ministry

Stage director Mark Aranal conducted a seminar entitled Production and Stage Management for the Arts Ministry last September 10, 2011.  It was held at the Conference Room of the Bishop La Verne D. Mercado Ecumenical Center of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines in Quezon City.

MARK ARANAL welcoming the participants

The half day morning event was a crash course on the basic principles of Production and Stage Management, with special focus on the needs of the Christian performing arts ministry.

The seminar was attended mostly by church people involved with the arts ministries of their churches.  During the introductions, a number of the participants said that they have little or no training at all in production work.  Sadly this is true in most churches or church-related institutions here in the Philippines. On the bright side, more and more churches are now recognizing the importance of the music and theater arts ministries as an outreach tool and in livening up not only activities but the actual services in their respective churches and are now sending members of their production teams, whether drama/theater, music ministries, to seminars like this.

view of the 30+ participants who attended

 

I had another scheduled activity that day so after helping in the set-up and taking some photos, I was off.  I heard afterwards that the activity was a success and that the participants are asking for more in-depth training on directing, lighting and other aspects of the trade to further enhance their skills.

A high school student attending the seminar

a light moment during the introductions

Another note worthy of mentioning is that the registration fee of this seminar was only 200 pesos.  The speaker Direk Mark, as he is fondly called, really has a heart for teaching this craft and worked really hard to make this event affordable not only to poor churches but also to like-minded individuals with a love for the theater arts ministry who otherwise will not be able to afford the more expensive seminars offered in and around the metro.  As you bless others, may the Lord bless you more Direk Mark.

Gospel Jam 5th Anniversary 2011 08 28

I was uploading photos in my Facebook account this morning when I encountered problems.   The social networking site is where I have been uploading my photos to share with friends.  But apparently the site is being maintained affecting my account and I could not access it.  I tried saving an hour's work to no avail.

This made me look for other venues where I can post photos of the Gospel Jam Anniversary last August 28, 2011 that my friend Junjun took with my camera.  I remembered that I have an account that I have not been using for quite I while.  Check out the slide show below.

The month-long celebration was held at the Technowave Celebrity Bar and Restaurant, 3rd floor Il Terrazzo Mall, Tomas Morato cor. Scout Madrinan, South Triangle, 1234 Quezon City.

I miss my Gospel jam Family.  Hopefully I can join them soon.  Thank you to Junjun and Davis for taking over the task of taking photos and videos and for taking good care of my equipment.

21-foot crocodile caught in Agusan del Sur

A humungous 21 foot saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), the largest crocodile in the world, was caught Monday, September 5, 2011 in Barangay Nueva Era in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, Philippines. Check out this GMA NEWS online report which includes a video of the huge croc and this Yahoo article with a photo of the town mayor, hands spread wide over the beast, to guage its size.

According to Answers.com several huge crocs captured already reached the 20 foot mark including a 23 footer caught in the Bhitarkanika National Park in the Orissa state of India.

The saltwater crocodile, also known as estuarine or Indo-Pacific crocodile is the largest of all living reptiles. It is found in suitable habitats in Northern Australia, the eastern coast of India and parts of Southeast Asia. (1)

Sept. 7, 2011 update:

*the crocodile named 'lolong' by the villagers is now housed in the ecotourism and conservation park near the Agusan Marsh. See this inquirer article.

*The capture hits the Sept. 6 National Geographic news, experts are skeptical about the size saying that captured crocs has never reached the 18-foot mark and that experts will need to validate the claim. They did commend the team for not killing the creature.

1. wikipedia

Tropical Storm NOCK-TEN (JUANING)

Storm update for Tuesday, 26 July 2011 [6:12 PM PhT]

image source: typhoon2000.ph


image source: asiatcforecast.co.cc

You can check the forecast outlook for this typhoon on this site http://www.typhoon2000.ph/​micro.html

As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, NCR and 17 other areas were under Signal No. 2.

Areas under Storm Signal No. 2 include:

Camarines Provinces (Norte and Sur)

Albay

Catanduanes

Pangasinan

Nueva Ecija

Zambales

Pampanga

Tarlac

Bulacan

Bataan

Rizal

Cavite

Laguna

Batangas

Quezon

Polillo Island

Metro Manila

Under Storm Signal No. 1 are:

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

Apayao

Cagayan

Abra

Kalinga

Isabela

Mt. Province

Ifugao

La Union

Benguet

Nueva Vizcaya

Quirino

Aurora

Mindoro Provinces

Lubang Island

Marinduque

Romblon

Burias Island

Masbate

Ticao Island

Sorsogon

Satellite Picture at 5 p.m., 26 July 2011

data and image source: pagasa.dost.gov.ph

Lunar Eclipse

Below is the series of photos I took last June 16, 2011 of what was dubbed as the Longest Lunar eclipse in a decade. The earth's shadow started covering the moon at around 2:22 am in our local time. Taken above a three story building using a Canon Powershot SX1 IS camera.

1:03 am

Clouds providing drama at around 1:41am

2:00am

2:35

3:00am

3:17

I changed settings to view the moon in its red hue 3:25am

At 3:29am there was so little light that my camera could not focus anymore

View of the night sky at 4:44am

at 5:06 am the moon started to move away from earth's shadow

My last shot before the moon was completely covered by the clouds on the horizon at 5:10 am

Happy Father's Day

As a child, I remember the discipline my father instilled in us as his children. His no-nonsense approach to life picked up I guess from the military. His insistence that his children regardless of gender learn ALL housework, from repair of a broken pipe to mending a torn shirt.

I remember the times my father would take me to the garden at the back of his office where he planted vegetables. One time we dug a huge ube tuber he grew from a compost pit filled with leaves and the saw dust from his office. To my eyes, it was quite huge three feet long if I remember right, and yummy too :D

I remember the fun and laughter. Visiting the parks and wildlife, the lagoon in UP or just talking about the activities of the day over dinner.

I miss my father, he passed away when I was sixteen. But the things he taught me and the memories and lessons learned from him will forever be treasured.

Twilight

Going out of a building, I saw one of mother nature's fantastic sunset display. I stopped and enjoyed the view.

back to the old problem: how to solve the smoking problem

I hope this will not spoil your day, because it did mine and not even the rain which usually cheers me up helped.

Today, one week after the NO SMOKING signs were removed (after the noise I created in putting the offending signs up) from the office grounds, I saw cigarette butts in the buildings front door plant box. Probably placed by a visitor and an isolated incident.

I really am not liking irresponsible smokers.

The 'no smoking in public places' rule will be strictly implemented

Good for everyone! It's about time, but again this only shows the 'ningas-kugon' attitude of many of Filipinos. This law has been in effect for years and yet it will be 'strictly implemented' only starting this June 2011? This says a lot about the law-implementing capabilities of our police force and related agencies. Other good laws suffer the same fate, I really wish that our people in the government and everyone else for that matter will have the political will to obey and uphold our laws.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

notes:

*ningas-kugon is a tagalog idiom of something that is not permanent, usually connotes a behavior or action not meant to last.

*You want to read more on this law? Check out Republic Act No. 9211 or the "Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003."

Iced coffee!

It is getting warm in my kitchen and i did not want the usual coffee, juice or tap. My solution is Iced Coffee! Want Some?

Bonsai

This is where I went to cool off last night but the unavoidable crowded surroundings did little to remove the scowl off my face. Good thing I decided to go and visit the Sky Garden to behold the ongoing bonsai gallery! All those green and excellent works of art truly calmed my spirit.