HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Hi everyone,
Happy New Year!!! I have been so busy during the last half of the year that I have not had the chance to update this site. Thank you for always visiting Markond. While my store continues to sell you shoes and other items, I have been remiss in my articles so here are some latest news:
The year 2009 has been filled with cultural shows, concerts, dance recitals, etc. After I finished co-directing a cultural show at The ACT in Maple Ridge last September, I found myself in the middle of tons of concerts for Psalm NinetyEight Music Ministry. As the choreographer for the group, everyday is a dynamic day! The ministry has just finished its concert tour themed ‘The Greatest Hope’. The first quarter of 2010 will be quiet for the group will be recording their second CD album, rehearsing songs for their new concert tour, practicing dances, and doing workshops. Wow, so much for 3 months indeed, but truly worthwhile! The concert, themed ‘Grace and Gratitude’, kicks in this April.
Meanwhile, my theatre arts school, GIFTS, is now working on their huge dance number, ‘Celebrate Jesus Celebrate’ as they work on their choral rendition, ‘One Voice’. Shooting for their movie starts on January 16th and the kids, aged 4 to 13, are all looking forward to it! So am I!
I am just so blessed to have my entire family involved for we share the same interests and working is always fun when your loved ones are around.
I am very proud of two of my dance students who have truly emerged as the greatest discoveries of all time! Without any real dance background or experience, this husband and wife team now dance the swing, cha cha cha, and rumba like they have been dancing for years and they started lessons only last February! As I always tell my students or anyone else, the steps are always easy to learn. These are just a matter of counting, rhythm and a lot of practice. However, the form, if not taught, will never be developed. Once the dancer develops the right form, any step will be executed with grace and perfection. I am so very proud of my dance students for I see them walk and move with grace and any new step introduced is just an embellishment. Keep up the great work, Colin and Gaya! You make me very proud!
The year ended with a very successful Filipino-Canadian annual Christmas party which I emceed. It was another very exciting gathering of Filipinos and Canadians who share the same dreams and interests: to be the best they can be wherever they are! It was great to see a lot of talents perform and new friendships grow. The organizing team mainly consisting of Lisa Shroers, Luz Belinski, Acel de Guzman and Sam Dait once again proved that a small group of heads can create a truly fabulous show!
Parties and more parties. That was how our year ended. But of course, nothing is successful if we do not have God in our lives. We welcome this New Year with thanksgiving and gratitude towards our Heavenly Father who, despite our misgivings and faults, continue to love and bless us. As my youngest daughter wrote in her new composition, “I am nothing without you”, a song dedicated to God. With God’s blessings, this song will come alive in the CD album of Psalm NinetyEight Music Ministry. Watch out for the launching in April! I will keep you posted.
WUntil my next article, take care!
-Jackie
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