This is my current Facebook status (posted last night):
"God really does close doors to prepare you for brighter triumphs. He made me realize it this afternoon til evening, when I visited a former life I led before. And I saw what I could've become if I kept pursuing that road. He knew I wouldn't survive. Hence, He opened a door that lined up the people and the possibilities for better victories in life, thanks to my Lebran family. Now it's up to me and my 5% to complete the 95% He had already done."
That realization inspired me to write this entry.
For those of you reading this that didn't know, I got to attend Bo Sanchez's 2-day retreat during the Holy Week. Capping the event was a Grand Easter Feast that had 18,000 attendees. It made quite a mark on me, that even until now, I'm still absorbing all the talks and the sharing that we heard in the duration of the retreat, right on until the Easter celebration.
Last Saturday, the Shapers that got to attend the retreat (including me) were asked to share our experiences after that to our entire Lebran family. I have to say that it was pretty emotional for me because what I had to share consisted of experiences within the team about choosing between the right choice and the popular choice.
Anyway, so where was I? So first of all, during one of the talks in the retreat, Bo Sanchez himself talked about the "missing piece" in all of us, about God doing 95% of the work for us, so we only have to give the remaining 5%.
During the Grand Easter feat, he also discussed how God not only opens doors for us, and lines up the people who would help us fulfill our dreams and goals, but He also closes doors in order to save us, and one of the reasons for this was what I had mentioned in the Facebook status I had posted ("to prepare you for brighter triumphs").
I mentioned earlier that I'm still absorbing all the talks that had been discussed, even until today. I was pretty overwhelmed with all the things I've heard because it felt like God was talking to me through all the builders, the speakers, and the sharers, and He knew where to hit me at all the right spots. Kaboom. He keeps on challenging me because I keep thinking about it, and even tested me immediately right after (where I made the wrong choices). It's a never-ending lesson for me, especially now that I have to be a more responsible and mature person in front of the younger teammates I have in Lebran.
Now let's go back to my post on Facebook.
Yesterday, I visited my former world of theatre. I wanted to just drop by, say hi to a few old friends in the production, and maybe hang around with them until the show started. I was then invited to watch the evening show, so I had to stay and wait.
Then I saw the disbursement of allowances/talent fees. I remember that that was always something I looked forward to every week. The amount that I used to get every week was what I now earn per day. Per day.
Oh. My. Gosh.
Realizing that then, and recalling that realization just now made me think, wow, I can do so much more now with what God had provided for me these past couple of years. He opened that door once so we could close the door I went through before. And now He had already prepared everything I needed to fulfill what I'm reaching for. But sometimes (or most of the time?) I'm just too stubborn and full of low-esteem to realize that.
There you go, that's also my missing piece. That's the 5% I need to work on, after that huge 95% chunk He had already laid out for me.
I always remind myself to be grateful. I'm always grateful for everything that has happened since becoming a scholar, then a shaper in Lebran. And now, I also have to learn to fight if I want to keep what I know is for me.
Thank you, Lebran family and also Brother Bo Sanchez for teaching and making me realize all this.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
How Lebran helped me shape my life.
Last year, I was just a girl with a pixie cut and thunder thighs, taking as much classes under Lebran DFX (both the dance fitness and technique classes in Latin and standard ballroom) that I can (and sometimes even cannot) afford, out of fascination and recreation.
I envied the scholars because they were so talented in their craft. I wanted to be like them so much that I wanted to be around them all the time, and ended up doing so when I momentarily trained with them for a syllabus ballroom competition.
Exactly a year ago today, I was called to stay after class, and to my surprise I was introduced as a new scholar under Lebran. I got the privilege to attend all the classes I wanted. I was exposed to how hard these young scholars train. They paired up with the paying students as partners in the technique classes, and even took turns leading the Lebran classes in preparation for them to teach their own classes. It impressed me that these kids would prefer to come to the studio instead of spending their time sitting idly at home during the summer vacation.
One big challenge for me as new scholar back then was that even though I was still kind of behind in terms of technique, I even got to learn the man's part of any dance the students had to learn whenever there was a shortage of male scholars for the class. I had to step up and dance the man's part to serve as a partner for the paying female students. It actually gave me a good advantage of learning the steps of the dances, because I got to learn the steps for both the man and woman's part.
Apart from Latin and standard ballroom, we also got to learn other dances as we prep up for shows. So far, I had also learned a few cultural folk dances, contemporary jazz, and even Polynesian and Tahitian dances.
I was also introduced to the business side of Lebran. I learned how the core group worked together to keep the business flowing smoothly and keep things running like clockwork.
One thing very unique about the Lebran family is that our training is very holistic. Saturdays after the usual morning Lebran class is focused on our own training apart from the students' classes. Other than dance training, one of our mentors gives us lectures on personality development. I'm so grateful for this rare privilege to have quality dance training while still keeping our attitudes in check as we learn to be not just good dancers, but great dancers and teachers as well. Believe it, we also had to take and pass certification exams before we were allowed to teach a Lebran class as a Shaper (which is what we call our teachers).
Amazing how passion and dedication can take you where you want. Last year, I was just an aspiring dancer and student who was being teased for my huge thighs. Today, I am now one of the pioneer members of Lebran and a certified Lebran Shaper.
I'm forever grateful for all the opportunities that had come ever since I was taken in by the Lebran team that I now consider a family. I feel so blessed to have mentors like Sir Brando and Mommy Val, along with our other teachers like Teacher Belinda and Kuya Mauw, who encourage us to keep doing our best, to never rest on our laurels, and to keep setting the bar higher. I feel like so much has changed and improved in my life in the span of one year, thanks to them and as well as my fellow core group members and scholars. All of them had taught me in their own way, how to be a better person than I was before.
Lebran isn't just about dancing and exercise. It's a way of life. It's a sign of hope. It's a source of inspiration. It's where passion fuels the goals that can change and improve your life in so many aspects. I thought the scholars were merely there for the training. Yes, but we are being trained, but not just to be dance instructors, but to be great dance teachers, coaches, to be masters of our core-giftedness, and to be inspirations to each and every person who wants to get in shape. Lebran's 3-faceted advocacy (Exercise, Enhance, and Empower) rings true, and I have been witness to that.
Get in shape. Shape a life. Dance Lebran. It will be one of the best choices you will ever make for yourself.
I envied the scholars because they were so talented in their craft. I wanted to be like them so much that I wanted to be around them all the time, and ended up doing so when I momentarily trained with them for a syllabus ballroom competition.
Exactly a year ago today, I was called to stay after class, and to my surprise I was introduced as a new scholar under Lebran. I got the privilege to attend all the classes I wanted. I was exposed to how hard these young scholars train. They paired up with the paying students as partners in the technique classes, and even took turns leading the Lebran classes in preparation for them to teach their own classes. It impressed me that these kids would prefer to come to the studio instead of spending their time sitting idly at home during the summer vacation.
One big challenge for me as new scholar back then was that even though I was still kind of behind in terms of technique, I even got to learn the man's part of any dance the students had to learn whenever there was a shortage of male scholars for the class. I had to step up and dance the man's part to serve as a partner for the paying female students. It actually gave me a good advantage of learning the steps of the dances, because I got to learn the steps for both the man and woman's part.
Apart from Latin and standard ballroom, we also got to learn other dances as we prep up for shows. So far, I had also learned a few cultural folk dances, contemporary jazz, and even Polynesian and Tahitian dances.
I was also introduced to the business side of Lebran. I learned how the core group worked together to keep the business flowing smoothly and keep things running like clockwork.
One thing very unique about the Lebran family is that our training is very holistic. Saturdays after the usual morning Lebran class is focused on our own training apart from the students' classes. Other than dance training, one of our mentors gives us lectures on personality development. I'm so grateful for this rare privilege to have quality dance training while still keeping our attitudes in check as we learn to be not just good dancers, but great dancers and teachers as well. Believe it, we also had to take and pass certification exams before we were allowed to teach a Lebran class as a Shaper (which is what we call our teachers).
Amazing how passion and dedication can take you where you want. Last year, I was just an aspiring dancer and student who was being teased for my huge thighs. Today, I am now one of the pioneer members of Lebran and a certified Lebran Shaper.
I'm forever grateful for all the opportunities that had come ever since I was taken in by the Lebran team that I now consider a family. I feel so blessed to have mentors like Sir Brando and Mommy Val, along with our other teachers like Teacher Belinda and Kuya Mauw, who encourage us to keep doing our best, to never rest on our laurels, and to keep setting the bar higher. I feel like so much has changed and improved in my life in the span of one year, thanks to them and as well as my fellow core group members and scholars. All of them had taught me in their own way, how to be a better person than I was before.
Lebran isn't just about dancing and exercise. It's a way of life. It's a sign of hope. It's a source of inspiration. It's where passion fuels the goals that can change and improve your life in so many aspects. I thought the scholars were merely there for the training. Yes, but we are being trained, but not just to be dance instructors, but to be great dance teachers, coaches, to be masters of our core-giftedness, and to be inspirations to each and every person who wants to get in shape. Lebran's 3-faceted advocacy (Exercise, Enhance, and Empower) rings true, and I have been witness to that.
Get in shape. Shape a life. Dance Lebran. It will be one of the best choices you will ever make for yourself.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Attending Rep's NOISES OFF press preview.
I still cannot believe that it's been 3 months since I last wrote here. And how appropriate that I'm back to writing, and writing about theater, no less. And as an added bonus, it's about one of my favorite plays that I've read!
Ever since I watched Noises Off (the film version, not the theatrical version), I was craving to read it, and to watch it staged live. It truly is one very VERY relatable play if you're in the world of theater. I remember literally slapping my knee and rolling on the floor with laughter when it came to a crucial part in the film where, literally, there were no noises offstage, or backstage, for that matter, which is where the title of the play came from.
I was coming from an evening dance fitness class before the preview show, and I had so little time to freshen up, change clothes and look decent before I had to rush to Onstage theater in Greenbelt.
I was so excited to see the set upon entering the theater, but the curtains were drawn over most of the stage. I was excited because the set was one big factor in this play. You'll find out why soon enough.
The show starts out with Frances Makil-Ignacio going onstage to answer a phone call. The scene goes on, and after a while, to people's surprise, she drops character and talks to herself, muttering confused stage directions. Then suddenly a loud booming voice from offstage--from somewhere inside the auditorium--gives her the correct stage directions. It's the director of the play-within-a-play, played by Chinggoy Alonso. Yes, my dears, this is a play within a play.
Noises Off tackles the hilarious drama and mishaps of life in the theater during its hectic and crazy production runs. You'll realize how crazy tech week can be, the pressure and the crunch time just to pull off a good show for the audience before the curtain rises on opening night. And of course, you can't miss out on actors' personal dramas with other people, especially with their co-actors and other members of the company. Believe me, coming from a firsthand experience, you wouldn't want to miss out on those.
Each of the cast of characters have their own quirks and issues, and they're greatly expressed all throughout the show, at first somewhat discreetly, but as the play progresses and issues heat up, what you'll see is backstage chaos, but of course, "noises off!"
One thing that sets this play apart is that for the second act, its entire set turns around 180 degrees to show the backstage part of the play-within-a-play's set. Once the backstage is revealed, so is the craziness and chaos (sometimes organized, and sometimes just downright ridiculous) that comes with it. Wait for the third act, and the set turns back around again.
I seriously recommend that you guys watch this play. You won't regret it. If you're a theater person, you'll also relate to the quiet chaos that you'll see emerge during Act 2. It's delightfully funny and you'll tire out of laughter. Sometimes you'll even attempt to control your laughs as if you're also backstage with them.
Noises Off runs from March 28 until April 13, then from April 25 to 27, 2014 at the Onstage theater in Greenbelt 1, Makati.
Tickets are conveniently available through Ticketworld at 891-9999, or www.ticketworld.com.ph.
Ever since I watched Noises Off (the film version, not the theatrical version), I was craving to read it, and to watch it staged live. It truly is one very VERY relatable play if you're in the world of theater. I remember literally slapping my knee and rolling on the floor with laughter when it came to a crucial part in the film where, literally, there were no noises offstage, or backstage, for that matter, which is where the title of the play came from.
I was coming from an evening dance fitness class before the preview show, and I had so little time to freshen up, change clothes and look decent before I had to rush to Onstage theater in Greenbelt.
I was so excited to see the set upon entering the theater, but the curtains were drawn over most of the stage. I was excited because the set was one big factor in this play. You'll find out why soon enough.
The show starts out with Frances Makil-Ignacio going onstage to answer a phone call. The scene goes on, and after a while, to people's surprise, she drops character and talks to herself, muttering confused stage directions. Then suddenly a loud booming voice from offstage--from somewhere inside the auditorium--gives her the correct stage directions. It's the director of the play-within-a-play, played by Chinggoy Alonso. Yes, my dears, this is a play within a play.
Noises Off tackles the hilarious drama and mishaps of life in the theater during its hectic and crazy production runs. You'll realize how crazy tech week can be, the pressure and the crunch time just to pull off a good show for the audience before the curtain rises on opening night. And of course, you can't miss out on actors' personal dramas with other people, especially with their co-actors and other members of the company. Believe me, coming from a firsthand experience, you wouldn't want to miss out on those.
Each of the cast of characters have their own quirks and issues, and they're greatly expressed all throughout the show, at first somewhat discreetly, but as the play progresses and issues heat up, what you'll see is backstage chaos, but of course, "noises off!"
One thing that sets this play apart is that for the second act, its entire set turns around 180 degrees to show the backstage part of the play-within-a-play's set. Once the backstage is revealed, so is the craziness and chaos (sometimes organized, and sometimes just downright ridiculous) that comes with it. Wait for the third act, and the set turns back around again.
I seriously recommend that you guys watch this play. You won't regret it. If you're a theater person, you'll also relate to the quiet chaos that you'll see emerge during Act 2. It's delightfully funny and you'll tire out of laughter. Sometimes you'll even attempt to control your laughs as if you're also backstage with them.
Noises Off runs from March 28 until April 13, then from April 25 to 27, 2014 at the Onstage theater in Greenbelt 1, Makati.
Tickets are conveniently available through Ticketworld at 891-9999, or www.ticketworld.com.ph.
Repertory Philippines' NOISES OFF
First off, here's a press release and cast announcement of Rep's Noises Off. I got the opportunity to come to the press preview last March 27, Thursday. My experience at the preview to follow.
“NOISES OFF” TAKES OFF ! --- SET TO OPEN MARCH 28
Repertory Philippines
proudly presents the hilarious ‘Noises Off’, the third offering for its 77th
season.
Written in 1982 by English playwright Michael Frayn,
Noises Off—a stage term indicating sounds coming from offstage—is a play within
a play, the story of a temperamental director and a troupe of hapless
performers putting up a silly sex farce called Nothing On.
The
present production of Noises Off, which is directed by Miguel V. Faustmann, runs
from March 28 to April 13 and from April 25 to April 27, 2014 at Onstage, 2/F,
Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas corner Legazpi St., Makati City.
The idea for Noises Off came to Frayn while he was watching
one of his other plays, The Two of Us, from the wings. Noting that it was “funnier
from behind than in front,” he was inspired to create a one-act play called
Exits, which he later expanded into what would become Noises Off.
Repertory
Philippines
has assembled a stellar cast for the current production, most of whom play
actors playing roles in the fictitious play Nothing On.
Veteran
performer CHINGGOY ALONSO plays Lloyd Dallas, the director of the play-within-a-play.
The
role of forgetful actress Dotty Otley, who plays housekeeper Mrs. Clackett, is assayed
by FRANCES MAKIL IGNACIO.
Returning
to Rep after many years away, PAUL HOLME takes on the role of alcoholic stage
veteran Selsdon Mowbray, who in turn plays a burglar.
Another
erstwhile Rep regular, SHIELA VALDERRAMA-MARTINEZ,
plays cheerful actress Belinda Blair, who plays Flavia Brent.
Shiela’s
real-life husband LORENZ MARTINEZ,
another Rep stalwart, takes on the role of Garry Lejeune, who takes on the role
of Roger Tramplemain.
CARLA
GUEVARA-LAFORTEZA, yet another returning Repper, plays Brooke Ashton, who plays
a sexpot named Vicki.
GERARD
SISON assays the role of actor Frederick Fellowes, who plays Flavia’s husband
Philip Brent, the owner of the house in which the play-within-a-play is set.
The
backstage staff of the fictitious show is composed of PEACHY ATILANO’s Poppy
Norton-Taylor (the show’s assistant stage manager) and NIKO DANS’s Tim Allgood
(the company stage manager). Both Poppy and Tim understudy various roles in
Nothing On.
The unique humor of Noises Off comes from the intricacies
of plot and character interwoven with the personalities of the actors and the
show they’re trying to perform. Respected New York Times critic Frank Rich
called it “the funniest play written in my lifetime,” and now is your chance to
see why.
For
details of the show, you may contact us in the following ways:
By
phone: 843-3570 or 555-0082 (UPDATED OFFICE NUMBERS)
By e-mail: shows@repertoryphilippines.com
By
Internet: http://www.repertoryphilippines.com
NOTE: The Repertory Philippines office has changed locations from
Ortigas to Makati.
Our new address is Unit 13 and 14 Ecoville, Executive Townhouses, Metropolitan Avenue, Makati.
Tickets
are available through Ticketworld at 891-9999, or via
http://www.ticketworld.com.ph/
Connect
to Repertory Philippines
online through the following social media networks:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/repertoryphilippines
Twitter: www.twitter.com/repphils
Instagram: www.instagram.com/repphils
YouTube: www.youtube.com/repphils
Repertory
Philippines would like to thank the following media partners and establishments
for their support: Broadwayworld.com, ClickTheCity.com, Radio Republic, WhenInManila.com,
BusinessWorld, Lane Moving and Storage, Herword.com, Ticketworld.com, Solar News, Raintree
Restaurants (Mr. Jones, Kabila, MOMO Café, and Museum Café), Greenbelt, Ayala
Malls, and Lightshapers.
“NOISES
OFF” was first presented, by special arrangement with Michael Cordon, at the
Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, on February 23rd, 1982, and on March 31st
by Michael Cordron at the Savoy Theatre, London.
“NOISES OFF” is
presented by special arrangement with United Agents LLP.
See
you at the theater!
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