LET'S ROCK CONCERT

Yeah, I know this is a bit late already but after weeks and weeks of rehearsals under the watchful eye (or ears!) of Tito Danny Añonuevo, the Feast Valenzuela Chapter finally had its second major praise and worship concert at the Maysan Barangay Hall on January 8, 2011.   

"Let's R.O.C.K." or Rejoice Over Christ's Kingdom was organized once again by the Light Of Jesus community of our parish. It aims to raise funds for future activities and to donate some money to our parish as well.

Some of MSC's members including me were part of the music ministry just like last year. Too bad, Karesse (SOPRANO) was not able to attend practices due to her new job thus giving up her place for now in the concert.  

This event was priorly concieved as a Christmas concert. But due to problems with reservations for the venue and other stuff the higher ups of the Kerygma Family decided to move it at a later date. Positive reviews from the attendees poured down on us right after inspite of the many glitches we experienced minutes before the concert. Makes me feel God's presence all the more during times of adversities and that He will always make things turn around positively.

 To God be all the Glory!!! 

MSC UNDER THE NEW LEADERSHIP

I had the chance to sit and chat with the newly elected MSC President and Vice last Sunday after our weekly breakfast routine at Hilario's sizzlers together with some of the elders of the group.

There I also heard of their apprehensions about the responsibilities that has been put on their shoulders. The elders were there to give them the necessary encouragements they desperately needed. Jaypee, our new president found his voice and announced some of his plans for the group. Very big plans if you ask me. He plans of having other activities for the Lenten season and summer. He also reported of his vision of trying to enhance the growth of our group fund so we could be able to spend it on activities that would put balance to the choir's "all-work-and-no-play" dilemma. Glady on the other hand is giving her full support for her president who is also her good friend.

Being a leader has its share of good and tough times. What's important is they fulfill all the duties at hand until the very end of their term. Rest assured that the members, especially the elders of the group will always be behind all their future endeavors for MSC. 

MSC BOYS AND RED HORSE

A happy celebration, a meeting or just a simple gathering among really good friends wouldn't be complete without ice cold Red Horse beer served at the table.  

I have no idea how this harmonious connection came about. I didn't even start off liking this. I was fond of drinking a different brand. But somehow, since I'm most of the time with "Red Horse" people, it kinda grew on me and I started liking it.  

I'm not saying that drinking is good. It really depends on each and every person's tolerance and open-mindedness. I just always remind myself constantly to avoid getting drunk!

TEY'S WEDDING DAY

The most special day in Tey's life has finally come to pass on a beautiful Saturday morning, January 22, 2011 at the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish Church. It was rainy the previous night and I was worried it would still be the same atmosphere the next day. Fortunately, good weather turned up the next morning. 

The wedding celebration was attended by close friends and family of Tey and Ramir. Tey's ever loyal MSC family was present to sing for her as well. It was a bit tiring on my part doing multi-tasking. I had to amke sure that ALL my duties as secondary sponsor and choir conductor are well properly delivered. I had to run around in church, literally.  

The reception followed at the Multi-Purpose hall of OLHRP. Some of MSC had already left for their other duties and engagements for the day. It was a good thing that they made it to wedding mass (whew!). But most of us stayed to partake on the feast prepared by the newlyweds. Most of the guests were actually already too anxious to approach the buffet table for it was already way past lunch time.

  

The party was an array of emotions. Seeing Tey and her hubby from were I was seated tells me that they were having a blast at their own wedding party. They made sure to entertain all who came and had their pictures taken with them. Tears poured down Tey's eyes when it was her time to give her message to her guests and family at the latter part of the program which only shows how thankful she is for how her wedding turned out.

I left with a smile stamped on my face thinking that my cousin, friend and co-MSC, Tey has finally found someone to share her life and dreams with forever!

Best wishes... ☺ 

THERESA AND RAMIR'S WEDDING

On January 22, 2011, another MSC Alum is going to tie the knot at the altar with her long-time boyfriend. This lady is Theresa, fondly called "Tey" by her closed friends. MSC will be there to sing at their Wedding Mass.

Tey is currently here in the Philippines taking care of preparations for her upcoming wedding. Sge has been working in Dubai for, I guess half a decade already. There, she met Ramir, fell in love and the rest is yet to be divulged in future intimate gatherings.

I wonder if Tey would still be available for impromptu Divisoria or Quiapo visits in the next years to come...  

CONGRATULATIONS,
RAMIR & TEY!!! 

We wish you all the best!    

THE MSC CHRISTMAS PARTY 2010 - PART 5

The Maysan Senior Choir, under the leadership of two exceptional individuals, Annalyn (Alto) and Mark (Tenor)  has finally come to a close. Sad, but full of high hopes for future positive achievements for the group under the new reign.

Then came the last segment of the party. The election of the MSC President and Vice President for 2011 and 2012.

Yes, it is a two-year term. This rule started during Tita Lulu's (Soprano) term a few years back when the group was on the brink of devastation and we had no choice but to retain and rely on her leadership in order to survive. Fortunately, we did!... and with flying colors!  

I may not call this a formal election because all of us knew who the next officers would be, thanks to my overly terrifying convincing skills. But honestly, I really wanted these people to win because I truly believe in them. And I'm sure the group will be in good hands.

The people I'm talking about are Jaypee (Bass) and Glady (Alto).

Jaypee was at the top of my list for president since the summer of 2010. I realized how hardworking he is! When we were in Bataan, he was truly a leader and a very industrious one at that! I just hope he will be able to cope up with the group's schedules and his present employment at Crown Plaza Hotel. Free accommodations everyone! (joke) 

Glady on the other hand is also very responsible. She makes time to attend meetings with the Parish Council and never fails to give updates to her co-members in spite of her busy schedule as a company nurse. I also saw the "leader" in her for all her help as an aide to then President, Annalyn in calling out members to attend mass and rehearsals. 

Like I said, I am very hopeful and happy that the choir could move on again with a new ray of light leading towards the group's path to further greatness.

Congratulations, Jaypee and Glady.

Thank you very much, Cocoy and Mackoy!

☺   

THE MSC CHRISTMAS PARTY 2010 - PART 4

The traditional MSC IDOL came next after exhausting ourselves from all the fun games that Jaypee, Jeybi and Glady prepared for us that night.

Every member sung along with the music played from the videoke machine and will be judged according to voice quality and showmanship. This is actually not a contest but a way to gauge the singing progress of each and every member of the group.

The judges this year were Karesse (Soprano), Glenn (Tenor) and, as always, me.

Gerry (Tenor), our reigning IDOL finally gives up his crown to Kuya Arnel (Bass) this year. Followed by Cris Matus (Soprano) and Charles Cunanan (Bass). It was all good fun. No sore losers but only a realization of how important constant practice of singing skills is, especially when being a part of THE MAYSAN SENIOR CHOIR.   

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS...

WELL... TO ME, YOU ARE ALL WINNERS!

THE MSC CHRISTMAS PARTY 2010 - PART 3

Then there were the games.

I was very fortunate to have captured most of the unforgettable moments that transpired at our party with my beloved nikon D5000. Whenever I catch scenes bursting with genuine emotions through my lens, I consider them priceless. Especially the happy ones.

The party games were quite different from last year as well.  Thanks to the newbies and younglings who poured out their fresh ideas on it.

Nothing beats a good dose of wholesome fun. And a break from all the seriousness of the world around us. Sometimes one would wish that life would just simply be a game that can be stopped at will whenever there is a need for a much needed break. What do you think?☺

THE MSC CHRISTMAS PARTY 2010 - PART 2

The Christmas Party officially kicked off at around half past eight which is indeed a big improvement from last year's time. I was even more pleased to find out that the younglings were already prepared with their games and programme. Especially the Hosts for the night, Jaypee and Glady!

Of course, our party won't start without a thanksgiving prayer led by Tito Oyet (Tenor).

There were lots of food and drinks for everyone! A lot of time and space to go about the function/garage area of my house for picture taking and bonding with one another. There were no serious matter that took place during this time and all were obliged to have fun. That was what this party is all about.

THE MSC CHRISTMAS PARTY 2010 - PART 1

The Day after Christmas. When all still have their holiday hangovers from the drinking spree they had the previous night. The 26th of December, the scheduled day of our party fell on a Sunday. So we still had to serve our 5AM scheduled Mass Service. I was quite eager to wake up that day. I knew that the members, especially the elders of the group are bound to make food preparations for the Christmas Party in the evening. And I gladly join them everytime. sort of a tradition on my part.   

After the mass and breakfast, we went to Suki Market in Quezon City to buy ready-made Sushi and other ingredients for the food that we will serve at the party. I was quite surprised to find out that Suki Market was somehow at par with Farmer's Market in Cubao where there are  many things to buy especially when you are into asian and other oriental foods. But knowing that there are a lot of newbies and younglings in the group this year, we decided to serve the traditional.   


Chicken Cordon Bleu was assigned to the Sopranos, Roasted Chicken for the Tenors, BBQed Pork Belly for the Basses and a refreshing Kani Salad for the Altos. There were some members who volunteered to contribute other foods too. Tita Lulu (Soprano) made us a big batch of Carbonara, Charles (Bass), who recently made a comeback, gave the group a special ice cream cake from DQ for dessert, chocolates and candy bars from Glenn (fresh from Singapore, Tenor) and as mentioned, a large platter of sushi from Tito Oyet (Tenor).

(continued...)

MSC ALL DAY, ALL THE WAY

My long day with MSC started at 3AM when I was awaken by my cellphone alarm followed by a call from Cocoy, MSC President telling me to rise up from bed and get dressed for "Simbang Gabi". With an ample amount of an hour at hand, I moved quickly as I could to make it on time before the start of our "two-tier" mass services of the day. I went out still dark and the sun hasn't even shown the very tips of its rays.

We had two, tiring consecutive Mass services that day and some of us, including me were still sleepy and hungry after finishing the second service. Since it was still early and we doubted that our favorite resto/hangout (Hilario's Sizzlers) was still not open for business yet, we opted to go for a brief joyride to a nearby 24-hour eatery called Glyca's just across SM Valenzuela, along McArthur Highway, where they serve noodles, beef and fried rice. The perfect "pick-me-up"!

Then, the pack went back to my place for our weekly rehearsals followed by a short briefing about our upcoming Christmas Party and exchange-gifts activity. While meeting was still in effect, some of us are already starting to whisper amongst each other about an imminent visit to Greenhills for some shopping for gifts and a Buffet Dinner that will follow after...    

Cocoy, Mark, Oyet and I instantly signed in! It was a perfect opportunity for me to finish off my christmas chores to buy gifts for my godchildren at very reasonable prices! There were so many shoppers in Greenhills that day that you just rely on the steady stream of people to get you from point A to B. All the alleyways were packed! Lucky for us, we had only a few things to buy. But still, it was quite exhausting. A quick snack at Krispy Kreme for a little glycogen reload helped in boosting up our energy enough to get us out from this vast mob of shoppers. Glady followed and met us at Krispy Kreme.

After Greenhills, we headed straight to Saisaki Restaurant in Quezon City for our Ultimate Buffet Dinner.   

 (Japanese themed plate for Tito Oyet)

 (Mackoy, going for another helping of ice cream.)

My tummy felt like it would burst anytime but I'm pretty sure my companions felt the same way too. We spent almost two hours of eating, non-stop! The only break we get were quick trips to the bathroom and back to the bufftet area to get some more food! I had a good plate filled with my favorite Kare-kare and the other meals almost didn't matter to me anymore. My co-foodtrippers opted for fruits, Japanese food and sweets. 

It was such a tiring yet fun and gastronomic! And I would certainly do it all over again with them next time.☺