Letter to Myself One Year From Now

 

Dear Vincent, 

 

If you are reading this, you probably adjusting to new protocols as the society may be getting back to normal after receiving doses of the vaccine.

EDSA during the first lockdown

The first year of the pandemic lockdown and quarantine was never easy. The world seems to turn upside down. Remember when you went home walking from Megamall to Guadalupe bridge early morning when the public transportation was suddenly suspended without advance notice. When the lockdown began and the only world now is within the four sides of your home. When you went back to work to 2 weeks later after the lockdown implemented and stayed for two months within the building premises.

You felt like you are working in another region because the only communication is through the phone and thanks to the internet, you can contact the family through video calls. When the lockdown measures were removed to lesser health protocols, we thought everything will be normal again.

Unfortunately, not all business establishments returned to operate. Most already ceased to operate due to bankruptcy. You didn’t realize sooner how it will affect your work. Since most of the events and shows are getting cancelled, all we did was refunding money back to the ticket buyers. Until the business is no longer able to sustain the manpower. One by one we continue to decrease as months passes by. Until this year, it was your turn to make an exit.

New Normal in public transport

Again, your whole world went upside down when it happened. You not only struggled when you lost your work due to the pandemic, you also are not able to walk due to the painful swelling on the foot you got during another lockdown. Until now, you are still getting back to the doctor to find the cause of the swelling.

These may be challenging times but it only shows how our family persevere. When two of our family members lost their job before you did, it opened new opportunities for them to start business. Also, the pandemic brought as back to act as community again just like in the provinces when life was simpler.

You have the family and the community to rely on. The current local city government didn’t forget its constituents. Just like in the biblical times when Joseph became governor of Egypt, he was able to save the people from famine. This just shows that challenges are meant to be overcome.

I leave you now with the inspirational speech from one of our favorite movies. Please read it in the context of the pandemic.

“Mankind-that word should have a new meaning for us today. We cannot be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. You will be once again fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression or persecution but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live, to exist.”

 

“…the world will declare in one voice: We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight. We’re going to live on. We’re going to survive. Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!”

 From yours in time,

Vincent

 July 18, 2021.

"This story is an entry to ComCo Southeast Asia’s “Write to Ignite Blogging Project Season 2: Dear Survivor”. The initiative continues to respond to the need of our times, as every story comes a long way during this period of crisis.  The initiative aims to pull and collate powerful stories from the Philippine blogging communities to inspire the nation to rise and move forward amidst the difficult situation. The “Write to Ignite Blogging Project” Season 2 is made possible by ComCo Southeast Asia, with Eastern Communications and Jobstreet as co-presenters, with AirAsia and Xiaomi as major sponsors, and with Teleperformance as sponsor."

 

MY LIVES BEHIND THE PROSCENIUM BY CELIA DIAZ LAUREL BOOK LAUNCH SET ON MAY 29

 How does one celebrate her 93rd birthday in this time of pandemic?

CELIA DIAZ LAUREL - Mother, wife, philanthropist, writer, painter, thespian, theater production and costume designer is all set to launch her latest coffeetable book  aptly titled

‘MY LIVES BEHIND THE PROSCENIUM’ on May 29 via Facebook Live.

The book is dedicated to the following women and men whose encouragement and confidence 

helped her become an actress namely: Mother IMMACULADA  (Assumption Convent); WILFRIDO MA. GUERRERO (UP Dramatic Club, University of the Philippines); SONIA RIFKIN and DOÑA TRINING LEGARDA (Manila Community Players); JAMES B. REUTER S.J. (Ave Maria Players and The

Cathedral Players); CONSTANCE WELCH (Drama Department, Yale University);

BEHN CERVANTES (who persisted in urging her to write this book about her life in the theatre); 

and husband SALVADOR ‘DOY’ LAUREL, who understood hercalling and allowed her to grow not only as an actress but as a person.

The book chronicles the life that Celia Diaz Laurel led 

with chapter titles:Stage-struck at Five, Wartime Years, Dramatic UP Days, Yale Years,Back to the Stage at Repertory Philippines.

“Celia has written an entertaining story about her theatrical life in a straightforward, simple, style that not only will give the curious reader an insightinto her life and the social milieu of her time but is a historical narrative of the early years of Manila theatre and the personalities who were part of it. She writes about her early personal life as the background for the successful career she carved out for herself—not only as an actress but as a set and costume designer,” wrote Joy Virata in the foreword of the book.

Celia Diaz Laurel shares her insights about her book.“To become a painter one needs a medium such as charcoal, pastels, watercolor, oils or acrylic. Armed with an instrument such as a brush, a palette knife,

or even your fingers to apply the medium on any surface you choose, you are free to paint anywhere you please - indoors or outdoors. But to become an actor one needs a good script, a director, actors to work with, a producer, a stage, lights, and most of all---an audience.

Not too many realize that the positive energy from an audience is an essential ingredient that makes, or un-makes, a show.

To win an audience everything behind the proscenium must transport the audience to another world - the imaginary world - that becomes alive and real on that stage when the lights go on.

The scenery is the audience’s first contact with the imaginary world. A perfect set establishes the mood, the time,and the place of the scene that unfolds.

Unless one has all the above elements, the desire to become an actor will remain an unfulfilled dream and your promising talent may just dissipate before an opportunity comes for you to be recognized. Your passion for the theater may, like dewdrops, drop into the sea of frustration – unfulfilled. I felt I most likely would become that dewdrop since I was painfully shy. Who could have caused opportunities to come my way? Not once did I audition for a role during my forty years behind the proscenium. My more than a hundred roles were blessings from above!

Living more than a hundred lives behind the proscenium made me understand the human heart. From my first role to my last – I offered each performance as a sign of my gratitude to my Heavenly Producer.”

MY LIVES BEHIND THE PROSCENIUM is edited by Suzie Laurel-Delgado and Cocoy Laurel; Dulce Festin-Baybay (Editorial Consultant), Miriam R. Castillo (Project Coordinator), Sarah L. Sanz (Photo Editor),  Nestor Amador Malgapo Jr. (Book Design and Cover).  Printed by GA Printing.

For book reservations and inquiries, kindly please contact Ms.

Jenn Tejada c/o 88697298 Mon. - Fri. 

1pm - 5 pm. 

GO learn online with Galileo

Now that the quarantine in the Philippines has been extended due that the Covid-19 pandemic is still rising, the country’s Department of Education plans to have the next school year to go online. The traditional form of schooling may be returned by December depending on how our country is recovering from this crisis.

Galileo Enrichment Learning Program is ready to adapt the online platform of learning with their Galileo Online Learning ( GO Learning ). Just follow the steps provided in the image attached in this post and go to the website galileoenrichment.com

For more updates, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

ALICE REYES RECREATES CINDERELLA ANEW IN CELEBRATING BALLET PHILIPPINES’ 50TH SEASON

PRESS RELEASE

Holidays at the theater make for unforgettable experiences with Ballet Philippines during this Golden Season, as the company presents the ever-popular rags-to-riches tale of Cinderella.

 

Photo by Jojo Mamangun

This production sees nothing less than a nonpareil collaboration of three National Artists: Choreography and direction by National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes with the musical score of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky specially arranged by National Artist for Music Francisco Feliciano, and set and costume design by National Artist, the late Salvador Bernal, audiences will be enthralled as pumpkins turn into an exquisite carriage and glass slippers find their way back to the rightful princess. This ballet will be mounted by none other than Nonoy Froilan, Ballet Philippines’ premier danseur for three decades, who has essayed leading roles in classical and contemporary ballet and has partnered with world-renowned prima ballerinas such as Margot Fonteyn and Yoko Morishita.

Reyes takes the fairy tale written in 1812 by the German Grimm brothers Jacob and Wilhel and recreates it anew while remaining true to the story’s essence: that there is might and strength in kindness, great power in forgiveness, and that one must never give up on their dreams.

Guest artists Liza de la Fuente, a trailblazer in dance for the last 25 years and Founding Member of the Association of Ballet Academies, Philippines and Australian-based Novy Bereber, one of the country’s leading choreographers of his generation, will both be playing the Widow Brunhilda.

Another guest artist, Mario Esperanza will be taking on the role of Prime Minister. Bereber and Esperanza have graced the CCP Main Stage as former Ballet Philippines company members.

Two matinee shows will be narrated by Liliane “Tats” Rejante Manahan, a surface decorator/restorer for wall paintings involved in advocacy work for built heritage preservation as Chairperson of the Heritage Conservation Society and representative of the International Council on Monuments and Sites on National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ National Commission on Monuments and Sites. She became a director, writer, and producer from the mid 70’s up to the late 80’s, and currently, she is a contributor to the Philippine Daily Inquirer and other publications. Her involvement in dance history serves as proof of her unwavering support for dance and the arts.

Lead dancers Denise Parungao and Jemima Reyes who danced Odile/Odette in Ballet Philippines’ 50^th Season opening production Swan Lake will be taking on roles of the Ugly Stepsisters, demanding highly awkward dancing and comedic interpretations, with guest artist de la Fuente as their mother Brunhilda. Just as striking are Victor Maguad and Eugene Obille who both had just played Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake this August 2019 will now tackle the roles of Griselda and Prunella with Bereber as Brunhilda. Choreographer Alice Reyes shares, “Originally, I stayed away from casting male dancers in these roles as that was done so successfully by Frederick Ashton for the Sadler Wells Ballet—and I wanted to feature the comedic talents of our company members then—Edna Vida, Malu Rivera, and Hazel Sabas. Today, we have such a strong array of male and female dancers with incredible talent and tremendous technical skills.” She adds, “Why not take this opportunity to challenge the dancers—both female and male, to take on roles that demand so much more than the usual roles they have already done, with a completely different set of acting skills that can only deepen their own artistry.”

Alice Reyes first choreographed and directed Cinderella in 1981 for Ballet Philippines with lead dancers Maricar Drilon, Gina Mariano, Cecile Sicangco, Nonoy Froilan, Robert Medina, and Brando Miranda. Her vision back then was to simply mount the most enchanting show for her very own children and the ballet audience. Today, Reyes wears multiple hats as National Artist, Ballet Philippines’ co-founder, Artistic Director, and Choreographer, while continuing to inspire this generation’s dancers to become the grandest versions of themselves. Just on the heels of Ballet Philippines’ successful and sold-out performances of Swan Lake and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, audiences are undoubtedly on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting Reyes’ new take on the favorite children’s fairytale, Cinderella, the third offering in the company’s 50^th Season.

Ballet Philippines’ Cinderella show dates and schedules:

Ballet Philippines’ Cinderella runs from December 6 – 15, 2019 at the CCP Main Theater. Show dates and schedules are as follows:

December 6, 2019 | 8:00 PM

December 7, 2019 | 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM

December 8, 2019 | 2:00 PM

December 14, 2019 | 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM

December 15, 2019 | 2:00 PM

Get your tickets exclusively at TicketWorld (891-9999), CCP Box Office (832-3704), or Ballet Philippines Box Office (551-1003) or online at https://bit.ly/33DsBkx as well as in all Ticketworld outlets.

Enjoy 15% savings when you use your RCBC Credit Card to purchase tickets in any TicketWorld Outlet or CCP Box Office.

You can also enjoy 15% savings when you use your Rustan’s Frequent Shopper Program (FSP) Card and Rustan’s Beauty Addict Card to purchase tickets in any TicketWorld outlet or CCP Box Office.

Avail of real 0% interest when you subscribe to Ballet Philippines’ Golden Season Tickets using your BPI Credit Card with a minimum spend of P3,000 (Gold Mastercard, Blue Mastercard, Petron Mastercard, Corporate Mastercard, Skymiles Platinum Mastercard, Skymiles Mastercard, Amore Visa Platinum, Visa Signature). This is valid for three- and six-month installment plans until December 31, 2019. 

All Intellicare members are also entitled to 15% off on ticket purchases.

This production is made beyond possible by Ballet Philippines’ 50 Years, 50 friends such as Okada Manila, Calma Properties, Inc., City of Dreams, United Graphic Expression Corporation, Digital-Out-Of-Home, GRAB, Ayala Land, Bizu Catering Studio, NYXSYS Philippines, Intellicare, Globaltronics, Sanitary Care Products Asia Inc., SM Development Corporation, Century Pacific Food, Inc., Bridges, Zonta Club of Alabang, San Miguel Corporation, and other esteemed partners.

Ballet Philippines, the country’s preeminent dance company, is celebrating 50 years of dance excellence. Don’t miss the celebration! Get your Golden Ticket by subscribing to Ballet Philippines this season at http://ballet.ph/subscribe. You can also call 551-1003, 09566379432 (Globe) and 09212921282 (Smart) to subscribe. Choose, reserve, and get the best seats before anyone else!

For more information, connect to Ballet Philippines online:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/balletphilippines

Instagram: @balletphilippines

YouTube: balletphhttp://www.ballet.ph

Jobstreet Hosts A Job Fair

Jobstreet.com is one of the biggest online job outsourcing company since the internet came to the Philippines. Now, Jobstreet just opened a Jobfair in Megatrade hall in the Ortigas business district from Oct. 8 to 9, 2019. This is something they haven’t done for a long time because the last time they did a job fair was many years ago.

When I got there. I saw a big crowd building up just waiting for the event to open. As time passes by, the line got long as 5 mall floors down through the stairs. The last this happened within mall premises was back in 2001 Anime Xplosion. Most of the participating companies are from BPO industries and hospitality establishments. There are huge demands for this even for the skilled labor. The job openings are not just locally but also abroad as well.

This just shows that even though people uses the internet to apply for jobs, people still look up to apply in person. Jobstreet even manage to invite agencies like NBI for employment requirements. With the success of this event, Jobstreet may do more job fairs frequently.

For new updates, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Your Summer Begins with Galileo's Math ADD-Venture

School year’s almost out and we already feel the summer season upon us. Summer is also the best season to chill and have fun but the kids might lose track of their lessons. That is why Galileo is gearing up for the summer programs that will help students and parents as well not to forget the lessons learned at school.

To make it look that the kids will not have a school atmosphere, Galileo set it up to add more fun in their summer program. Although summer camps are fun and can be productive, Galileo has summer programs that are also fun and productive and can be used for their schooling.

Galileo launches the Math ADD-Venture Summer Programs that provides a different approach on how to solve math problems the systematic and easier way. I was invited by Galileo to attend a demonstration on how Singapore Math can make it easier to do Math.

I was one of the most people who is not good with Math and dreads everything that have something to do with Algebra and I am no physicist nor an engineer and I am not in a profession that has anything to do with mathematical solutions.

But after this demonstration for Singapore Math, I was convinced it can be useful in Math subjects to make it easier to learn the subject effectively. I recommend parents register their kids at Galileo’s Math Add-Venture summer programs if they don’t have plans to go out of town and give their kids some time to get busy while on a school break. Visit your nearest Galileo Center now and find out more of their summer programs.

For more programs about Galileo and more, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.