Standing up again

Was a busy week for me... I just thought of blogging again now.

Had 4 days of rehearsing people from Goldquest corp. to do a rendition of "Footloose" for their christmas party. Hilarious bunch of people. They worked hard to learn all the steps, choreo, songs. I really pushed them to their limits and introduced them to musical theater.

They competed with groups who did Fame, HS musical, Grease and Moulin Rouge. Some groups were so ALL OUT in their sets! gosh, and all we had were table and chairs. My group really performed well when it was their time to perform, im so proud of them. When the results were in, i was nervous myself. Then we heard "For the grand prize, averaging a score of 95.6%, goes to..... FOOTLOOSE!", WAAHHHH i jumped for joy!

Id like to thank the Lord for this 2nd win for me, I taught another group last year who did "Hairspray", and we also won. Is this my calling? hahah... well i just give more of myself whenever i do stuff like this. And i know the people i teach really go the extra mile, not for the win, but for the experience.

++++

Mayen's bday countdown last night. YUMMY home-baked cinammon rolls. mmmmmm yum yum.
From their condo, the christmas wind was blowing oh so coldly. Sarap, i enjoyed the breeze, which actually made me a bit senti as well. Hayyy... no comment nalang.

Christmas is around the corner.... i still cant feel it thou. I duno how christmas would be for me this year, but im hoping for the best.

OH! dad got me RAM (memory) for my Macbook! i love ittt!!!

yun lang.... hehe..

let the rain pour down... i dont care...

"I like walking in the rain, because no one would notice that im crying"- charlie chaplin

Well, something like that, I dont remember the actual quote, but thats what i feel right now. As I hear the rain pour outside my window, at 1:50am, i wish i was there, drenched in the rain, so no one would know that im actually crying.

Im tired. Exhausted. Having the feeling that you're giving so much, always going the distance, but I dont get anything back that would sustain me or make me happy at least. Im tired of understanding. Am I expecting too much? Bakit ang mga ARTISTS masyadong emotional? Am I trying to hard? Is it still all worth it?

Sh*t, ang hirap mag blog na you have to generalize things to somehow keep things private, pero its the best thing i can do. I just need to rant about it at this moment.

Life is tough. I duno if im the only one making it harder though, with my eyes focused on the sky, or focused on my own contentment, and not looking at the good things I get in return, even if they're so little but are such jewels, worthy of keeping (did that make sense? oh well at least ako naintindihan ko).

Itutulog ko nalang ito. After every storm, God promises a rainbow. There will be brighter days Johann. Hug yourself, it's the least thing you can do.

Best Birthday to date!

Goshhhh.... all i can say is.... GOSHHHH......

3 days of celebrating my 26th birthday. Was a BLAST! I had the time of my life, with friends, family, people who love me. Feels good to know that you're cared for and people remember you on your special day.

Day1:
Nov 2, 2006- Watched "Open Season" in the IMAX theater in Mall of asia with Felix, Jepoy, Mayen, Steve, Tita Jinggay, Surot and Jay. HAHAH was hilarious! and it was so cool, coz the movie was in computer animation, then in 3D pa, so double the fun! and the script was so funny as well.
Countdown to my birthday in Gerry's Grill.... PIGed out! At 12AM, text messages bombared my phone with greetings from people who I didn't know they knew when my birthday was. hehe.. thanks to all of you...

Day2:
Nov 3, 2006 my Birthday! I met with some friends in ABS-CBN to bring them to The Nestle Creamery.... to have lunch, which lasted 4 hours! just sitting there, making kwento, eating ice cream, taking pictures. Thank's to Dan and company for the Linen fabric freshener... hahaha... and Jepoy, Felix, George and Jepoy for the F&H shirt! it fit very well!
A couple of my friends went to Leslie's condo, to just spend the rest of the afternoon there, also for me to dress up for the party in Music 21 in the evening with the JTD cast. I was welcomed with balloons, disco lights, a big screen and videoke tunes, while everyone was wearing Black and White as a theme for a costume. Sang the night away, got some gifts and lotsa cakes from Franco Laurel. Ended the night with a couple of drinks in Station2.

Day3:
Post birthday celebration! may pahabol pa! hahaha.... Picked up college friends, High School friends, Trumpets friends, and other friends to have dinner in Ybardo's. Great company, great music, FUN! Also went to MiNT in the FORT to have a couple of drinks and dance the night away!



Phew... this was the best birthday ever to date for me. I had sooooooo much fun! and i loved the company of people who celebrated with me during these days. I feel old, but young at heart! haha. All is good! I feel so blessed, so loved, and everything has been put back into place. I thank the Lord for all the blessings He's showering me with, I am grateful....

'til the next birthday! wahhhhooooo!!!

Difficult Times Dont Last Forever

Sometimes, the problems
you must face
are more than you wish
to cope with,
and tomorrow doesn't seem
to offer any solutions.

You may ask yourself "Why me?"
but the answer is sometimes unclear.
You may even tend to feel
that life hasn't been just or fair
to burden you with such obstacles.

The roads any of us choose
to follow are never free
of bumpes or curves,
but eventually the turns
lead to a smoother path ahead.

Believe in yourself and your dreams.
You will soon realize that
the future hold many promises
for you.
Remember... difficult times
dont last forever.

-Geri Danks

=(

I never thought I would write an entry here in my blog when i'm depressed, but I guess I am.

Have you ever started a day right, everything going on smoothly, happy....then in just a blink of an eye (well to me, a text message), your whole world crumbles and you feel bad? That's how I felt today.

It's unfair, that when you devote time, effort to something that's very important to you, and you don't even know if it's appreciated, or why you're not getting anything in return. Na ako yung nag e-effort palagi. And all you can do is to understand, be patient, compromise, learn to forgive, but it tears you apart. Now i'm here sitting in my computer at 2am, crying... lonely. Hoping tomorrow would be a better day.

Gosh I hate days like this.

HE knows better than I

Such an inspiring song that at this time in my life, brought me hope. The cast of JTD would usually sing this backstage, i didnt know i would be hooked to the song as well.

Life is tough, but i know HE knows better. God has everything planned already. Kahit nahihirapan, He knows what's best because he has your life planned from the very beginning.



You Know Better Than I


I thought I did what’s right
I thought I had the answers
I thought I chose the surest road
But that road brought me here

So I put up a fight
And told you how to help me
Now just when I have given up
The truth is coming clear

You know better than I
You know the way
I’ve let go the need to know why
For you know better than I

If this has been a test
I cannot see the reason
But maybe knowing I don’t know
Is part of getting through

I try to do what’s best
And faith has made it easy
To see the best thing I can do
Is put my trust in you

For You know better than I
You know the way
I’ve let go the need to know why
For you know better than I

I saw one cloud and thought it was a sky
I saw a bird and thought that I could follow
But it was you who taught that bird to fly
If I let you reach me will you teach me

For You know better than I
You know the way
I’ve let go the need to know why
I’ll take what answers you supply
You know better than I

Benjie

Me playing "BENJAMIN" the youngest brother of Joseph in "Joseph the Dreamer"



Hope all of you can catch a show, it runs until November!

Thanks to all who already watched as well!

"Praise HIS name"

SM Megamall
Sept to Nov 2006
3pm and 7pm shows during weekends

Hope to see all of you there!

My two new "BABIES"

Well, i think it's just fair to reward yourself once in awhile, and after a lot of hard work, i got two new babies! well actually, 3, excluding a sony miniDV camera i got months ago after playshop.




Meet "threegee" (wala na akong maisip na name)





and "Negra"







Been so blessed this year, with lots of support, shows to share my talent, abundance in love, everything's wonderful. Thanks Lord!

"A" for effort

This just makes my day everytime I watch it. Props to the girl, pinanindigan nya! love it!



keys me.... come on!!! keys me.....

my Bling-Bling featured in thebachelorgirl.com

Thanks to Lorna who featured my "business" in her site. (http://www.thebachelorgirl.com)

I have been changed for good...

A little tribute to my MT-G class. Love you all...






in case you can't view the file, here's a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUBh4eVDOnI


Kudos! Bravo! I'm so proud of all of you!

Wickedly Wonderful Summer

Officially, my summer ends now. After all the rehearsals, headaches, laughter and hard work, it all boils to a WICKEDLY WONDERFUL show that culminated yesterday in AFP theater.

I'm so proud of my MT-Teens G. They delivered very well, and the show soared HIGH. It was a bumpy ride for all of us, but im blessed that we survived and gave a wonderful show to remember. I had a lot of challenges to put up this production, most specially in proving that I can direct and do this material. I feel so blessed that I had 21 very talented teens who helped my fulfill this dream of directing this production, without them I wouldn't have done it. Looking back on yesterday's show, I received wonderful reviews, hugs, happy tears from co-teachers, and even a pat on the back from the board of Trumpets. Feels good....feels wonderful to be appreciated. God has been very awesome to me, always being there when I break down and cry because of stress and as I tweak the show in order for it to improve and even get better.

I'm going to miss my students, I do hope they wouldn't forget me. I may not be a Freddie Santos or Jaime del Mundo or Chari Arespachochaga, but at least I've proven myself in putting up this production and defied gravity. I fought the fight, and im glad that we all survived.


What's next for me? I dunno. But I'm glad i've survived and soared through this summer. It's all for the good. I'm content.

defying gravity...well, almost

phew... this past few months has been so stressful for me. Physically, emotionally, well spiritually hindi naman. Actually, it's the kind of stress that I'll love and miss when its over.

But I've been blessed- with such a good bunch of teens, hungry for learning, eager to make a good show. Also the material that I chose was granted to me for me to do, which is awesome. Kakapagod lang talaga.

Signs of stressed Johann:
1) Hindi nag aayos ng buhok. naka bandana nalang
2) Not pormado
3) beard grows longer....and longer....and longer... then i decide to shave if im itchy.
4) pumapayat- not enough vitamins... ngek. di nakakakain in the right time.
5) eyebags, pimples (which is very RARE na mangyari. gosh)

Now, what does Johann do when stressed?
1) Sleep... sleep...sleep...
2) Eat happy food... (um, anything na mabilis, like fast food). well duno why happy food yun.
3) ZIPS! naks...my new discovery to calm myself
4) chocolateeeeeeee! cafe Xocolat!!!! the BOMB!
5) Bond with my students (awwww...)
6) read the BUY AND SELL, then laugh at wrong grammar ads...haha


Gosh, the show's 2 weeks away. Actually, its already DONE! Thank you Jesus. Just a little more tweaking nalang I guess. I do hope it would go smooth. BENGGA! (a term my class uses whenever they GET something or perfect na yung isang scene, or song etc.)


Sana nga...sana BENGGA! hayyy.... =)

TAG from Jennie

Name ten of life's simple pleasures that you like most, then pick ten people to do the same. Try to be original and creative and not to use things that someone else has already used.

In no particular order:

1) Chocolateeeeee

2) Waking up after 2pm (i know... batugan)

3) Friends saying "Ang gwapo mo ngayon...." (HAHAHA)

4) People noticing my "Bling bling" phones

5) getting called for a "racket" or a "callback" for an audition

6) Knowing I still have a good supply of hair products (yeah...yeahhhh....)

7) Getting a task done, or a show done, and people give you wonderful reviews on your work.

8) Sitting in my desk, with my laptop, and just chatting and not doing work.

9) an answered prayer

10) people commenting on my blogs. or messaging me in YM, or getting a message in a site that I'd rather not tell.... (oops i think that was more than 10)


I tag.......Veejay, Surot, Red, Jay, Hogi, JC, Leslie, Andy, Oliver, and Krystal =)

Stressed but Blessed

"Our days at dear old........PLAYSHOPPPPPPPPPPPP"

Sigh... 3rd week of Playshop. We're still on the verge of auditioning of roles, and im all stressed. I think im pressuring myself too much. Well, no doubt, the musical that we're doing is complicated, and demanding, but I love it. I do have a passion for it, and I was allowed to do it, so Johann, don't complain.

Fairly enough, I have 21 very talented students. Thank God. Everyone's so bibo, some pasaways, but adorably pasaway. Some trying to be so good, some superb, undescribable talented.

I do have sleepless nights, my mind just thinking...and thinking....and humming...and doing blocking..... hayyy... ARTISTS. I swear, it's so stressful, but you still DO IT.... for the love of performing and Theater.

Tough job to be a teacher, but as of now, this is my calling.

There are times that I feel down too, with people would tell me, or its like they say im not "capable" of doing this task. Well, its time to prove them wrong. I think its the passion that drives me to do what I do. Some people just dont understand that.

I still thank the others who are full support in this task that im going to do for the summer. God bless them.


Oh, by the way, i dunno if i should be posting in blogs what Musical i'm going to do, but definately i'm gonna try to "Defy Gravity"....

Sana mag soar high.... career move ito...haha


=)

TRUMPETS PLASHOP: LIVE TO THE MAX 2006

hey all!

If you have talented:

cousins

brothers

sisters

friends

aged 16 to 19 years old

Interested in MUSICAL THEATER! (singing, dancing & acting rolled into one!)

ENROLL THEM NOW IN:
PLAYSHOP MT TEENS G (Shangri-la) Tues Thurs Sat 5:30-8:00pm

I'll be teaching the class, and now palang, i'm getting ready for an extravagant showcase and a fun-filled summer for those talented teens!
Classes start April 5 to June 2

you can call 636-2842 or 635-4478 for more info.

or message me here, or text me if you know my number. =)

"Join Trumpets Playshop! the place to be a STAR"
(like me! hahahaha)

*i'm the stylist of Sam Concepcion for this Poster/photo session.

blessed!!!

Wow....been awhile i didnt touch my blog.

Well, i've been pretty busy this month, such wonderful blessings pouring down from heaven. woopee! good good good...

Have a lot of teaching gigs, (I think the Lord has destined me this year to share my knowledge and talent to others? haha). Had a good racket also recently wherein I sang for a corporate show, and the budget was WOW...BIG. Galing talaga ni Lord!

This summer, Playshop is on..... I rested last year, and I'm going back to the "Big Brother Theater People Edition" house in Shangri-La Mall...hahhaha...

Truly blessed....

My Adventure to the Bowels Of The Earth: Divisoria

Gosh...

Me and my friends (Weiss and Feliz) decide to COMMUTE to Divisora and Tutuban one lovely saturday morning in search for those little rhinestones that I use to "bling" my phone with, because Weiss will make it her thesis for her Masterals. First thing was to take a jeepney ride to Shangri-La mall for us to ride the MRT and LRT. It was ok naman, hot but bearable, until the clock striked 12 noon and it was totally hot, and no luxury of having my "Jograd" (the name of my Starex car) and Mr. Nelson (my ever-reliable driver and body guard).

jeep ride with weiss to tutuban mall

MRT pictorial with Feliz

We go around, walking and walking and walking....( and walking...). Going to the side streets of Tutuban and Divisoria area. We end up in a store called "Fashionista" where they sell the goods higher than the price we got in Market Market. But oh well, we've gone so far so we purchase na. Then we go back to the MRT, LRT then Bus ride to Market Market.

The pic speaks for itself

Bus ride to Market

Then we go around Market, all dungis and baho. Then go straight home to Weiss' place to freshen up and start "Blinging".

Well, yeah... I know.... I know..... kill me if you have to. I had a hard time commuting. But it was all a great experience. Being independent, experiencing what others would do to go travel to their destinations everyday, tough, pero at least di ba, I tried it all in one short day (one short day....in the emerald city)...

A humbling experience. And now I know na how to ride a jeep hehe. It was all good. Well, definately to be repeated...um...far from now. hahaha...

look! look! i made it myself!

The Elvis

The Pope

THE JOHANN

"Bling-bling" for mah "ring-ring"

Happy 2006!

Hmm...I dunno why i've been so "Artsy" nowadays. I mean, i've been doing craft projects 'til the wee hours of the morning! haha. really weird.

First project was I sew on beads on a handstrap for my cellphone (which I eventually gave to my friend Weiss as a christmas present).

Second is I "BLINGED" my D500 cellphone! oh yeah... just like Puff Daddy or PAris Hilton's phone, the back battery has been covered in Swarovski crystals.

hehe...it's been a head-turner ever since. Sana lang hindi prone to nakaw. wahhh.

My new project is I'm jazzing up my old jeans with ZIPPERS which cost P1.00 each.

Gosh....my creative juices all flowing this January, or am I just bored? haha...

My teaching stint started again today, which was "Talent Day" wherein my girls performed in front of their classmates. Hilarious. Enough said.

Also had a VTR for 2 commercials yesterday, where in the agent requested me to go there to the office personally. Wow special mention! Sana matanggap ako, fingers crossed.

Thats it!