Somewhere at DLSU-STC

I'm a frustrated photographer. I'm not really that good with my camera. Or don't believe much in my shots. When I shoot I usually prefer "still" objects and candid shots. I still have a lot to learn. I have good friends who're good and they're not shy to share their outputs and insights.

We were having a photo shoot near Locsin park. This is just a random shot but it made me realize that there is more to DLSU-STC and there is more to life. When we feel that we know everything, no. 

Life is big to dwell on something sad. Even if we're experiencing hardships in our life. We can be frustrated but at one point in our lives we have to move forward and see the bigger picture. Prove to other people that we can be the better person.

I want to leave a mark or somehow spark a change in other people. I don't know how. I have my flaws but I try to improve myself in ways that I can.

MONG

Appreciate

I believe that I've been very blessed with what I have right now. I couldn't ask for more. My family, friends, and a little bit in my academics? Hehe.

It's been one of those hectic weeks.

Last week, the University Student Government Campaign officially started. I've been blessed that I've been part of the Santugon Family. At first I really don't want to get involved with political parties, but Santugon believed in what I can do and believed that I can be someone aside from the Ramon that the people usually see. I've met new friends from DLSU and from STC as well who I didn't thought that I could be close to.

Room to room campaign. Flag bearer!

I have the best set of friends in the world! Vanda boys and girl & MANTHTERTH! Like I said, transferring to DLSC was the best decision that I've made. You guys made me feel at home. =)

 MANTHTERTH

Vanda Boys @ Talent Quest X

  And how can I forget my CSB blockmates! This photo was taken last November. Even though we don't get to hang out much, I still feel that I've been part of FMA9 ID 110. You guys made me want to go to school everyday kasi kapag nasa klase, masaya lang tayo lahat .

FMA9 ID 110

  Living on a dorm and going home once a week or every two weeks makes me miss my family so much. I always wanted to see my sis and brother grow. I want to be there always for them. I want to let them feel even though I don't speak much at home that I care for them. Especially to my parents. I want to give back.

 Lastly, to Lucid Dance Troupe. We'll be having our LAST dance concert on March 22. Lucid is my family at DLSC. I think Lucid is the best thing that happened to my College life. If it wasn't for Lucid I won't be able to appreciate and be grateful. I've been to places that I thought I wouldn't be able to go to, I've experienced workshops and seminars that honed my skills as a dancer and as an individual because of the opportunities Lucid gave me. I was able to lead an organization because my Kuya's and Ate's believed in me.

I'll be forever grateful to this organization. Thank you.

MONG

The Journey to Skechers Street Dance Battle 8! Part 1: The Beginning.

The road to Skechers Street Dance Battle 8 for Lucid Dance Troupe was not easy, especially for me (If you were reading some of my past blog posts). 

Dating back to last term where we were still in search for our competing team. I had my own problems, as a son, a student, a dancer and the president of the group. I went from someone who was hyped up and really excited to lead, to someone who's indecisive. I felt that I lost my passion for dancing with all the school works, the pressure on me and the fatigue was catching up on me. I was feeling sick. In 1 week, I had 2 check ups in the hospital, got a massage from a "managhihilot" and drank all sorts of medicines. I was weak, physically and mentally. I felt that I was the only one moving in the group. I felt that I was alone. 

So to Ate Marianne I go! The Ate of the group and consider my older sis. ;)

She's been here. She was our former president. Somehow in her journey, she felt what I was feeling but she didn't quit. Stayed strong especially to the group she loves the most. I'm very thankful to all the seniors especially her for her undying support even though she's on her internship. (But more on that later :D ) 

One rainy day (first term) when heavy rains were pouring and classes were suspended, me and my friends went to school to help in repacking dry goods to be donated. Ms. Jaymee was there and we had a little talk. I told her because of the sudden suspension of classes and trainings canceled that we were lacking time for our preparations. Our target date was September 22 - Kick-Off (before we knew that all the HS Leg will be on the 22th and we will be on the last day of eliminations, October 13).

With all that said, she replied "Your call Mr. President." 

Yes, it was still my call. One wrong decision and I might have ended my members dream to compete in one of the most competitive competition in the country. That pride to represent the school. I know how it feels to compete and give your all. The trust and that confidence that Ms. Jaymee has given me because she believed in my potential. I just have to push through the competitions...but not for me, still.

For the first time in Lucid Dance Troupe that we have members auditioning for spots to compete. In my past experiences, we just got dancers who are available to compete. This is a new experience for us, particularly on how we'll handle this situation. 

I didn't hide what I felt, especially to the group. I said, while I was watching their audition pieces I was searching for something. Searching that passion and drive from my members for me to compete and stay strong. I didn't think that they didn't do a great job, but thought that they improved so much that I was lacking the determination to improve also. I was about to not to join the competition because in myself I'm having second thoughts and I felt that I was weak. The audition went trough. I had my name written with all the doubts and was hoping everything goes well.

1) Agbisit, Ramon Emmanuel

2) Albano, Katherine Rose

3) Cortez, Hannah Alayssa

4) Galang, Dominique

5) Garica, Keisha Erika

6) Lazarte, Kurt

7) Macandog, Fianne Miguel

8) Magsaysay, Marian

9) Ortega, Mary Angela

10) Ramos, Nikka Elia Kim

11) Santos, Alexandra

12) Santos, Jhustine Lois

Four (4) freshmen, five (5) sophomores and three (3) juniors (senior members) were selected about to make Lucid Dance Troupe's Skechers Team. It was one of the most difficult decisions I had to make. There were a lot of improved members and it was hard enough to choose. 

With all the doubts in my mind that time, who would have thought in a month of straight trainings and adversaries of each and everyone in the group that we could come up to something like this.

One of our last full routine training before the competition. Photo (c) Marianne Sigue

Thanks to Dom Galang, that we had a great choreographer who wasn't just there to teach us but was also our Kuya who stood up and gave us encouragement when every one was feeling down because of the strong competition.

Coach/Choreographer/Kuya Mav Simangin

I'm thankful also to my members, namely Lisa, Margie, Igi, Jhomar and Maria who still went to training's and didn't leave the group despite the times when I can't focus on you guys.

To be continued...

Photos c/o Lois, Marianne

MONG

What’s better than spending the whole day with you?

Just me and you, my troubles behind me because you simply take them away. We would talk about yours and I would kiss you to make those go away. Our intimate conversations would transition from jokes to deeper interventions of the pain that we go through everyday with our troubled lives, that would all be fixed when we bind hands and lock lips. I smile because you smile, I laugh because your dorky giggle is so cute. With no disputes. No awkward silences, but silences where our souls correlate while we stare into each others eyes, seeing past physical features and appreciating the intellectual being. I never want to escape from your embrace, for it is my sanctuary, my happiness.

---SOURCE

MONG

Almost but fortunetly I didn't.

This isn't me. I'm a happy person and I really don't want to feel depression. Because each time I do, the people around me gets affected.

Last week's really been hard for me. As in hard. Problems here and there. Mostly here at our house. You couldn't tell how sad I was inside and the people you could hang on to isn't there. Or too busy to be there or so... I was so moody. Little things I already get irritated. As much as I want to understand the situation, I always think that LIFE is unfair. What's happening to us has been the same for the past days, weeks, months and yes... years. But every time you hear people that "every thing will be okay" I just can't seem to believe them. Everything is unfair. I wasn't contented. Why can't we have this? Why are we like this? WHY?! Why...

I'm a YFC. An officer. Last week (July 18-22) we were planning for our Youth Camp for the weekend (July 23-24). As I worry about my concerns, I worry about the camp too. I was there already, about to QUIT. I really don't quit on anything.
I thought of it as a burden. As HELL. I forgot why I was doing this. I forgot my goal. I forgot the reasons.

And then the weekend came. Still worrying and bothered. I was given the task to do the talk about "HOW TO BE A FACILITATOR". Being a Faci is crucial on the Youth Camp because you're the one to listen to the participants worries, concerns and help them to be guided to HIM. As I give the talk, it was like God using me to talk to myself. Yes, I gave the talk with all the worries worrying me on my head. I just went on with the guidelines, tried to explain every thing well. As I realize to myself, "natatamaan na ako". I was being a hypocrite. And one thing that HE hates most is hypocrites...

If there is one thing that I learned from that weekend it's that PRAYERS are powerful. WORDS are powerful. WORDS of AFFIRMATION. After the camp, as I read the messages they gave to me, I didn't really believe that I can be that influence to others. I was looking down on myself that I didn't realize that I can help... That I was helping. That weekend gave me the strength to SMILE again, without hiding anything. That weekend gave me the answer to what I can give to people.

I AM HAPPY.

I AM BLESSED.

And you are too.


But I need help... We need prayers. I want to be strong, again. I know that I can fall ,be weak, slip and try to let go again. I don't know what will happen the next days. I'm nervous. This is another chapter on my life and my family. So please be there. Please be with me. And I sure do appreciate it with my whole heart.

Like my Dad said "It's not always that we're here at the bottom. Remember the people helping you, and repay them when you have the chance."

I'm shy on asking things, but I'm not on giving back. And I promise you and I hope soon, I'll give back.

MONG

Meditation, Appreciation and the Law of Attraction

Meditation has become well known in North America over the last few years. There are different styles of meditation, all with basically the same goal, to bring calmness to the body.

Why do you want to do this? Because most people spend a great deal of their time in negative thought, worrying about things or feeling overwhelmed, disappointed, angry or afraid. And most people think that they have no control over these thoughts. They believe that their thoughts “think themselves.” What is really TRUE is that we DO have control over our thoughts and most of us are just “sloppy thinkers.” We have become so practiced at thinking whatever comes forth, we do not realize that we actually have the POWER TO FOCUS or guide our own thoughts.

How do I know this? Well we just have to turn our television on and see what is being watched day in and day out. The news, for example, is almost always negative, giving us the impression that we are in a very bad place as a world. And the truth is the news is NOT ACCURATE. It always portrays in inaccurate amount of negative things happening. In fact, what IS TRUE is that there are way more wonderful things happening than negative things. The well-being of our planet is abundant.

Thus, the practice of mediation has become popular in order to bring calmness forth. Being calm and feeling good is our natural state of well-being. At our core, we are calm and happy beings and most of us are out of balance. When we mediate, we get back in touch with our core.

It makes sense that a practice such as meditation would come forth because it is our natural state to move towards that which feels good. Mediation feels much better than these negative thoughts and emotions that we have.

Now, I propose that an even higher state of well-being is being in a state of appreciation. When we are appreciating the things in our lives that we love, we are in the highest state of wellness. Appreciation is right up there with happiness and love and joy, in terms of emotional well-being. Appreciation is actually a higher state of well-being than is mediation.

Now how does the Law of Attraction come into play? Well, when we understand that our thoughts and emotions are bringing our reality towards us each and every day, then we can truly decide to become DELIBERATE CREATORS. In other words we can create the reality that we truly want.

For many it is hard to imagine that we can BE, DO or HAVE anything that we want. This is the truth. For example, if we want to be a millionaire and we focus consistently on how wonderful this will be when we are a millionaire, the law of attraction will respond in kind by bringing us those people and experiences that will attract this kind of wealth.

If we are unhealthy and we want to be healthy, our work is to focus our thoughts on seeing ourselves as healthy and then feel how great it will be to be healthy. And guess what, the law of attraction will respond in kind by bringing us towards the health that we seek. Health is our natural state.

If we want a beautiful new lover, our work again is to focus on how wonderful this will feel to have this person in our lives and how much fun we are going to have. And the law of attraction responds in kind to bring us this person that we are seeking.

Now it was my experience a while ago, that I was so practiced at worrying or feeling overwhelmed, that I spent a great deal of time experiencing things that were the emotional equivalent of this. When I learned about and truly understood about the Law of attraction, I became determined to be a deliberate creator. Now that I knew that I created my own reality, I knew that I wanted it to be wonderful.

It has taken me a while to truly move my whole vibration or emotional level into a higher feeling place so that the beautiful life I am seeking can come forth.

It is the most empowering thing to know that we have the power to create. We are creators, each of us and we have all come forth to create.

I have an appreciation practice that I do each day, where I either write down all the things that I appreciate or I sit quietly and think of what I am appreciating on any given day. This practice not only keeps me emotionally tuned in to feeling great, it also brings to me all those things that I have asked for that will bring me the happiness and well-being that I seek.

Imagine a world of powerful deliberate creators all having a magnificent life experience. That is the world that I focus on each day.


FROM

http://joaniemcmahon.com/meditation-appreciation-and-the-law-of-attraction/