Cutty

I know that this round-up is a week late.  How can I let it pass when it has brought me countless memories? It was a year of trials.  There were times when our household had to survive with one house-help.  It was in Q3 when I found out that the my most-trusted store supervisor was stealing from me.  Business was unstable.  Kids getting sick at the same time, specially when I couldn't be there to care for them.  Javi was physically abused by newly-hired nanny.  There were lots of late night meetings.   Monthly budgets barely covering expenses.  Lessons were learned, tears were shed BUT I have moved on.  I never realized I could overcome all those despite the judgement and opinion of envious individuals (wink, wink). It was a year of travel.  A summer trip to our favorite shopping destination during summer.  A trip to the World's Cultural Capital and it neighboring countries spear-headed by the ACS took place in Q3.  It...

I've been singing almost all my life.  I've been part of the Glee Club ever since I can remember.  The only times I spent away from singing were times when work didn't allow me to attend rehearsals and when I was pregnant with my first-born, Johann. Though I didn't make a career out of singing, it consumed most of my time.  It was my 2nd highest priority, right next to my family.  I belong to a group of friends who would give up our jobs for singing.  That's how important this craft is to us.  We plan our lives around our singing engagements.  Yes, minsan sagabal ang pag-aaral at trabaho sa pagkanta. Being a chorister gave me an exposure to the world that I couldn't get anywhere else.  I've been lucky to be part of a singing group that had good conductors.  It helped me hone my craft. Just recently, singing took me away from my loved ones. It whisked me to Europe once again, to see how our musicality fared against the greatest from all ...

My group, the ACS, is back from their three-week North Am tour. This means that we are back to the old grind. Just this evening, we already faced our first audience at the Rockwell tent. The event, entitled Flavors of Spain, catered to the Spanish community in the Philippines. The event aims to promote tourism in the Philippines and Spain. Wines, cold cuts and cheeses from Spain over-flowed. I was very fortunate to taste the famous Jamon Iberico. Due to my current condition, I had to limit my intake of the smoked meat varieties and wines. Cocktails and dessert were provided by Bizu. Entertainment was provided by our choir and the famous Carla Ramona and her Flamenco dancers. The highlight of the affair was the free trip to Madrid c/o KLM. I would've gotten the chance to join the raffle if I brought a business card with me. Several lucky individuals got free stays at the Fuego hotels, travel luggage from Rudy Project and the Travel Club, and gift bags from Clarins. Seen ...