Today I’m at Our Lady of Peace parish in Santa Clara, Ca serving at a youth rally for Pilipino youth. I learned that there hasn’t been a concerted effort to rally and foster the faith of Pinoy teens in the DSJ, while the Hispanic, Vietnamese and Korean youth have events and activities. I’m proud that I can be a part of the genesis of this effort and I hope it grows stronger in attendance and faith.
August 10, 2009
Inang’s Funeral
My friends Michelle and RJ lost their Grandmother Maxima Floresca Farin after a long bout with Alzheimers amongst other things. I remember her being very nice whenever I visited the Payomo house. I am learning that she loved and served God at her parish. I am playing at the funeral today at St. Victor’s parish in San Jose. I continue to pray for Inang as she meets the Living God.
August 9, 2009
Isaiah’s Baptism
I’ll be playing at Isaiah Hernandez’ baptism at St. John Vianney San Jose. Vern and Albert (his parents) asked me to provide music. I’m very honored to help welcome their baby boy into the faith! Please pray for Isaiah as he starts off his baptized life!
August 2, 2009
Jericho
I’m singing and playing tonight at St. Joe’s in Fremont at the 6:30pm mass 08.02.09! I will be with my old choir, Jericho again. We haven’t sung as a whole for a long time. Worship with us if you can.
July 20, 2009
Summer Projects
It’s an exciting time for me. I’ve had a steady flow of opportunities these past couple months, playing in Hollywood, Tahoe,and Occidental amongst other places. I’ve even had the opportunity to sing with my wife again. We sang at the Blush gig and are doing it again this coming Thursday 07/23/09.
What I am most excited about is the recording process. This Summer I’ve been working on my demo project with my buddy Juan at Big Hit Studios. He’s a talented guy that truly believes in the power of music. I’ve laid down a few scratch tracks and it’s been going really well. It’s a slow process, and rightfully so, you can’t rush something like this.
Izza actually graces one of my tracks called Beautiful Lord. It’s great to have her there with me, in fact she’s Executive Producer of this thing! It’s been a family affair thus far, my dad sat in on my first session back in July, and Zara, my beautiful daughter, came with us to the second session. I feel really blessed to have these opportunities and I am blessed with all the prayers and well-wishes.
Here are some pics to my 2nd studio session. Check them out.
July 13, 2009
Oakland Youth Rally 2009: I Am Second
I’ll be leading worship at Oakland Diocese’s 2009 Youth Rally: I Am Second. The rally will take place on November 7th at St. Bede Parish in Hayward, Ca. The day features my good friend Jesse Manibusan and Bro. Agostino Torres. I’ll also be doing a set at the evening concert. For more info, check out the Save-The-Date flyer here.
July 13, 2009
Thank you
Thanks to all those who came out to Blush last night. A great time was had by all, and great yogurt was served. Thanks to Ian Hinkle for inviting me to play. Thank you to my beautiful wife, Izza, for singing with me and Urn Bolosan for jammin’ on the cajon. Pictures from the event can be found here. Courtesy of Jon Reyes. Enjoy!
Izza and I have been invited to come back to Blush on July23rd! More info to come!
July 10, 2009
Photos Update 07.10.09
The photo section is updated with picture from a couple of retreats I ministered at this year like DSJ Tahoe Retreat 2009, CLC09, CCOP Confirmation Retreat 2009 and a few from the past like DSJ Tahoe 2008. Check it out!
July 9, 2009
Upcoming Gigs
Here are a couple upcoming gigs that I am very excited to be a part of.
July 12 – Mini-concert Blush Milpitas. All are welcome. Milpitas, Ca
August 18 – (Tentative) Notre Dame High School Leadership Day. Belmont, Ca
October 22 – St. Patrick-St. Vincent Liturgy/Concert. Vallejo, Ca
To learn how to book me for your event, please visit the contact page.
June 3, 2009
Good Friday 2009
During this past Holy week, the teens re-enacted the Passion of Jesus as the noon-time Stations of the Cross. During the 8th station (Jesus meets the Women of Jerusalem) Josh, who played Jesus started to shake after carrying the cross . I played one of the guards and noticed the shaking. While I felt for Josh, I couldn’t, for sake of authenticity, take the cross off of him, even for just one second. It made me think about the real pain that Jesus had endured for us, and it inspired me to ask: “who am I in the face of the Passion of Jesus? Am I like Simon the Syrene who was scared/reluctant to help a man being crucified? Am I like the Women of Jerusalem, whom cry for the sufferings of Christ and not keep focused on carrying on his mission? Am I like Peter who fled at the accusation of just knowing Jesus? Am I like John, who stayed with Mary at the feet of Jesus? Am I like Mary who needed to see all this through? Am I the theif on the left or on the right?
I think that the players in the drama of the Passion each carry a part of who we are; they each represent a part of us. The powerful story of Jesus’ passion is meant to remind us that we certainly have a role in all this. It’s not just Jesus’ story but it’s our story. Those are our faces. And we remember it every year, because it is our task to find out just who and where we are in this story at that particular time in our lives.
Who am I? I honestly pray to be John knelt there at the side of Mary and at the feet of Jesus, truthfully I find myself to be Simon, able but reluctant. In the wake of the Passion, and beyond I pray to remember all this and strive to be better in this Christian story and journey.
