The recently in concluded ballet recital of ACTS Manila was quite sucessful. It just made clear our vision that Ballet is our way of shaping society for God. Every step we take, every number we perform is a testimony to the great abilities our God has to establish the principles of His Kingdom on earth. All the sleepless nights and rehearsals were worth it. The extra doses of vitamins for women were all for a worthy cause. Excellence…Faith…Social Transformation.
Today was the first day of classes in De La Salle University. I met my Physics 2 lab class for the first time. I introduced the subject coverage for the term. I also introduced myself to the kids. I talked about careers and jobsearches I’ve made in the past. I really don’t think they’ll be looking for a Philadelphia job soon but I just want them to learn the hard lessons I’ve learned in my career. One of the things I told them was for them to handle and guard their data well, particularly because they are engineers. Hopefully, they won’t forget what I say and be agents of change in their generation.
Its been over a year since I started teaching ballet. Since then, I have lost about 30 lbs. For a lot of people, its really the lack of physical activity that leads to being overweight or obese. The best weight loss supplements can’t beet engaging into physical training. It forces the individual to take ownership of his or her weight problem. Whatever the nature of the training is, it has to be something you really like. For me , Dance works best because there is a level of performance I push for. You experience a certain level of frustration when your body fails to achieve the artistic expression you desire. Its not just looking good but being able to communicate your thoughts and feeling somatically.
A friend asked me to calculate electric consumption of her ballet classes. So here’s a simple way of doing it.
1.) Determine the type, wattage and number of light bulbs you use. Let’s say you have 2 tube T8 flourescent light bulbs (32W each) and 5 9W compact flourescent lamps. These are the little tubes you can screw into a light socket. Check this out at Murray Feiss.
2.) Determine the number and capacities of airconditioning systems you use. IF you have 2 3hp A/Cs( 2130W) this means you have a combined load of 4260W
3.) Add the load together and multiply with the hours of use.
For 2 hours usage
2 TFLs – 64W
5 CFLs -45W
2 A/Cs – 4260W
Total Load – 4369W
Total Energy use – 8738 Wh or 8.7kWh
4.) You can multiply this with retail electricity cost to get usage cost or with the local grid emission factor to get your carbon emissions
8.7kWh x PHP9.50 = P82.65
8.7kWh x 0.5 kgCO2/kWh = 4.35 kg
I think a lot of us can make a good estimate of our electricity consumption for this.
The truly liberated human being is not always fighting against something, but more frequently is fighting for something or someone.
- Denis Waitley
I have decided to face my King Xerxes and let my request be known to the king and to all. For and on behalf of my family, my two children and my people whom I love and in whom I have unwavering faith – my fellow Filipinos. I am ready to be ridiculed and to be thought of as foolish, to be considered naive and powerless to change the course of this nation because I am but a tiny voice. But I cannot make light the burden in my heart, the heaviness and the grief that would not lift themselves until I do what I know I should do. Mordecai reminded me of the tribe to which I belong. He reminded me that I will not be spared if I remain silent: that deliverance will come from elsewhere if I do not take action, and that I too shall perish, either way. But I would rather perish for a cause, to take a stand – for a people, for my children, for the next generation… FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.
To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.
- Kofi Annan
Esther, was a young Jewish girl who became the Queen of all Persia, the wife of one of the most powerful kings during that time, King Xerxes. Her true identity was hidden from him for security reasons. Because of the evil political maneuverings of Haman, the king’s right hand man at that time, the Jewish people were decreed to be annihilated. Esther, if found out, would not be spared.
For all of us who love and declare our allegiance to God, we know the heart of God for this nation and for our people. We know that His desire is for righteousness to be established in our land. We also know that His ways are not our ways. We know He uses foolish things to confound the wisdom of this world. We know where he wants us to go although we may not always know how to get there. Yet, we are not lost because He has given us a roadmap in His word to guide us every step of the way. For those of us who identify ourselves with Christ, we know who we are and whose we are. Therefore, our choices have to be in line with the one with whom we identify ourselves.
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
1 Corinthians 1:27
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
I have to admit that I deviated from this Scriptural guidepost in my choice for President for this 2010 election. Like so many, I told myself that I will no longer vote for the candidate I voted for last time because I was disappointed by the events that followed his loss. I CONSIDERED the other candidates who were running this year, weighed their qualifications and narrowed my choices based on my own reasoning and just hoped that they would eventually align with God’s vision for this nation during their term. I did my homework and I asked questions about the candidates I was considering – from people who knew them personally to those who worked with them & were in a position to testify about them. I weighed all the reasons why so-and-so supported this candidate and that. Perhaps I was starting to “consider … appearance or … height“. I leaned towards one candidate but I was still undecided.
I knew that I had yet to see if any one of them have enough character in them not to buckle and fold once the pressure of payback time comes, or the machinations and sheer politics not only demanded but are intrinsic to the position.
The tide turned for me after I attended an Intercessors for the Philippines Conference earlier this year upon the recommendation of a very dear intercessor friend. It was a prophetic conference about declaring the Jubilee of Jubilees for the Philippines. At the conference, nobody approached me and asked for any solicitation. Nobody asked me who I was voting for, although a lot of them came wearing shirts supporting their candidate. If anybody did that, they would surely have had a hard time convincing me because I held my ground of past disappointment. It was supposedly a spiritual conference and I had no plans of ushering in the political picture.
But during the worship and intercession time, God exposed and started a process of changing my heart. I even told my friend who was with me that God was dealing with me. We were both in tears as we prayed and interceded for our churches and for the Philippines. By the time the conference ended that day, my heart was changed. My intellect was telling me otherwise, but my heart was no longer the same. My choice for President was no longer a question mark.
He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.
Chinese Proverbs
Does this mean I will be voting blindly based on an emotional experience or mere religious affiliation? Frankly, I still went home with my mind debating with my heart. My mind battled with all the reasons why I shouldn’t but my heart was at peace with the reason why I should.
The networks, newspapers and blogosphere are filled with qualifications and credentials of all the candidates – arguments for and against each one of them. You can easily find whatever suits your fancy and whatever appeals to your political leanings and declare it as the absolute battle-cry for and on behalf of your candidate. I am not here to contest any of those. One way or another, the scales will tip wherever we want them to, depending on the glasses we wear. Furthermore, I am not here to convince you to change your mind to agree with my stand. I believe we have reached a place in our country’s history where we can enjoy the liberty of disagreeing with each other freely and not succumb to lowly name-calling and backbiting when we express our differences.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Yet there comes a time in one’s life when one is compelled to do the unpopular thing… to swim against the tide and to risk one’s reputation and in some cases one’s very life… in obedience to a Higher Authority. With regards to this election, this time has come for me. In light of eternity, I am answerable to this Higher Authority alone.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down [a] until he arrives.”12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.”13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power.
Seven sons passed before the prophet Samuel hoping to be the one the Lord would anoint. The Lord told Samuel not to consider appearance or height… not to look at the things man looks at. The Lord sees what we fail to see. He chose the least likely of them to lead his people. He chose a SHEPHERD boy…a pastor of dumb sheep…to be KING.
On hindsight, what qualifications did David have back then that God would choose him to be king of Israel? This is what one of Saul’s servants said about David:
18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.”
David was a harp player, a brave man, a warrior who spoke well and was a fine-looking man even, the Scriptures say. No PH.D.’s, no Harvard/Yale credentials, no political savvy. He was a shepherd boy who led sheep. Yet, even Saul’s men recognized David’s anointing and recommended him to King Saul.
Fast-forward to 2010 and compare David’s resume with the rest of the candidates and what do you have? He wouldn’t stand a chance against the sterling list of achievements of most of the candidates today. What did David have going for him that set him apart from the rest?
GOD TOLD SAMUEL TO ANOINT HIM and THE LORD WAS WITH HIM. Not his brothers. Not any other Israelite. GOD CHOSE HIM.
FOR WHAT REASON? THAT BELONGED TO GOD ALONE. Yet we all know that DAVID WAS A MAN AFTER GOD’s OWN HEART.
Let’s backtrack a bit to the time when King David was already ruling Israel. He made major mistakes during his reign. The anointed King chosen by God conspired to kill one of his special warriors so that he could take his wife. At one point, he also became proud and started to rely on the strength of his military. He had children who didn’t have the same heart for God as he did. He was not perfect. Did God, then, make a mistake when he chose David to rule over Israel? If you were living during David’s time would you blame God for choosing David?
“In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.”
– The Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy
Friends, family and all those who chance upon to read this post: The impact of this election is too great to pass up. There is a golden window of opportunity for us to choose what will happen in the next 6 years of our lives. Let us not only think about the financial, social, or political impact of those who will lead this country for the next six years. What is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. Consider the unseen impact in light of eternity… in light of the higher purpose and destiny that has been prophesied time and again about our nation. Those who love photography like me know what it feels like when they are not able to capture a specific moment because they were not prepared to take the shot. That picture of the sunset that I failed to take a picture of today, will never be the same tomorrow. It will never be the same no matter how many times I go back and try to take that shot again. It is an opportunity lost that time cannot regain.
Right now, this opportunity is open to us. Why settle for “puede na” when we can have ALL that has been promised to us? Does that mean that the candidate I am voting for is the “only savior” of this nation? By all means no. But let us not forget that every time a righteous king ruled Israel, God blessed the nation. I am FOR the purposes of God being established. I want to see the destiny of this nation fulfilled in MY lifetime. I URGE you to see what Samuel didn’t see. Who among them is “a man after God’s own heart”? So will all our problems be solved in an instant once this man is elected? Is this a band aid solution to all our ills? Again, no. Yet, knowing that the one who will head this nation is not only concerned about protecting the reputation and the legacy of his parents but the HONOR and the NAME of our GOD, presupposes a greater accountability.
I did not give this brother candidate a second look at the start of this campaign although this brother who runs for the highest office is not devoid of political credentials. They are just not barked loudly enough to the mass media. Yet like many well-meaning Christians that have expressed that this candidate must stay in his calling because he is more effective by doing so, I had my reservations about his decision to run again because of the past. To me, keep the status quo. It’s safer and more peaceful that way. But who am I to limit the sovereignty of the God of the universe to transform a man’s life and change the path he takes? to change his vocation and occupation at any given point? Biblically, David had a career change from shepherd boy to King. Peter, from fisherman transformed into a fiery preacher. Paul, from a respected Pharisee and teacher of the law to a rogue itinerant speaker. Even in 21st century context, how many people have shifted careers and are flourishing in their latter choices? Be that as it may, to box a person by confining him in one place is to box our God who is able to use His people anywhere for as long as they are faithful and willing. Isn’t He, after all, the God who enables; and, isn’t His Spirit the One who moves and leads? To the human understanding, such moves are either a promotion or demotion. Yet to our God, it is a masterpiece in the making.
I love this nation and have chosen to live here no matter how hard it might be. I am sure a lot of you share this same sentiment. Who would not love to see this nation flourish in all aspects of life? Who would not want to see righteousness and honesty in all the land so that businesses can flourish and prosperity can reach the grassroots? Who would not want to see this nation honor and love God and lift His name up in the truest sense?
I am not voting for a person alone. I am voting for the opportunity to change this nation’s destiny in my lifetime. I am voting for God’s will to be done and for His kingdom to come in my lifetime. If my candidate wins, does that mean everything will be magically transformed? That we can sit back and relax and let him do all the work and expect him to fix everything? within 6 years? No, it’s just like the ram’s horn being blasted across this nation saying to all that it’s time to rebuild. The work has just begun.
“There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” — Henry David Thoreau
Think about it. Why are we so eager to stop a person who is willing to face the scrutiny and ridicule of his former supporters just so that he can be given another chance to deal with the source of our country’s woes? To strike at the root and not just settle for the branches. The other candidates have noble intentions, if not noble propaganda, to rid this nation of corruption. We know that corruption springs from the evil that is in all of our hearts and is impossible to get rid of unless it is overpowered by the grace of God. Shall we settle for hacking just at the branches?
The future belongs to people who see possibilities before they become obvious.–Ted Levitt
Friends, family, readers and perhaps foes? “If it pleases the king, may I find favor in his eyes… but if not then, let the axe fall where it may.” I URGE you once more to lift up your eyes to see the small cloud of rain in the distance. May we understand the time and the season we are in and see what this nation can be if we allow the fulness of God to move in our land.
For all the possibilities that I see in the future, I support Brother Eddie Villanueva for President.
I also support Ruffy Biazon, Kata Inocencio and Alex Tinsay for Senators.
GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
Recently a lot of the youth graduated from College. For them its a relief. “No more school, no more books, no more teachers dirty looks” as Bugs Bunny would put it. But is it really an easy life from here onward? Sad to say, life has just begun. The first challenge would be to get a job. Whether you plan to go up the corporate ladder or have your own business, it’s usually good practice to start with a job. Below is a simple process to hunt of a good job:
If you pass the selection process, it means you are the best fit to the job requirement. If not, then it means there may be a mismatch to what the company is looking for. In the longterm, it is to your best interest that you are not taken. I’ve been in my share of jobs where I thought I matched but latter had trouble with job expectations. In any event, we should be thankful for the experience and trust that God will lead us to the right job for us.
In my son’s ballet class today, their teacher asked the kids how old they were. Most of the girls indicated that they were turning 10 this year. When the teacher realized this, she told her students that they needed to have 3x per week classes starting July. She stated that in Classical Ballet, a dancer’s time is limited and that upon reaching 10 no time was to be wasted. Before even getting their first acne treatment, the teacher intends to start them on pointe work. She says 3x per week training would ensure that the kids are strong enough to do more demanding pointe routines.
While it is good to get kids on pointe shoes soonest, it is normally not advisable for them to do this before 10. Doing so would lead to growth problems because children’s bones are more cartilagenous in nature. They also must have demonstrated strength in routines done on regular ballet shoes. The bleeding toes are definitely not for the faint of heart.
Pointe shoes are the distinguishing mark of a ballerina from other dancers. The seemingly effortless moves on stage result from years of tears, dedication and hard work.
Its summer in the Philippines and you have found a good place for your child to start training ballet ( or any other dance for that matter). Have you ever thought about what you should be doing in preparation for the 1st class? First order of business is to get your kid in the right attire. Before the 1st class, you should ask the teacher about the attire. In ACTS Manila ballet schools we have a prescribed uniform ( fuschia sleeveless leotard and a skirt of specified length ) so it would be a waste to buy something other than what is called for. You should also ask about how the hair should be done. Second item would be teacher’s gender. I’ve had some kids refuse to join my class because I was male! (As if they didn’t have any fathers!) If you know before hand that the teacher is of opposite gender to your child, you may want to prep the him/her. Thirdly, be ready with food and water. Kids can get really hungry and thirsty after class. Fourth, make sure your child has gone to the bathroom prior to class. Lastly, prepare for things that need to be paid for. Uniforms, tuition, registration, etc. Don’t forget promotional items or coupons giving you discounts or free classes.
Ballet is a wonderful experience for little girls and boys. They get to dance out fairy tales instead of just reading them. I wish you and your child the best in your ballet experience. If you live in the Sta. Rosa, Laguna area, you can reach me at 09083020319 for ballet classes. Mention this blog for a free class.
In my last entry, I blogged about our recent ballet pictorial. As my wife does the post production part of the shoot, we have been staring at all the student’s photos for quite a while now. In so doing we noticed a few more items worth some attention. First and foremost, would be the smiles. As I stated in my previous entry, we had to constantly remind kids to smile. It was not a surprise to see good shots getting archived because the kids were not smiling. Second would be jewelry. Just because your kid has a pictorial, doesn’t mean that you have her wear all your loose diamonds. You have to follow the artisitic direction of the producer. Its funny if your kid has the role of a simple village girl and her ears sparkle. Lastly, the weight! Please STOP your children from always going to McDonalds or eating chips and chocolates. If you don’t think their fat, look at their pictures. It even gets worse when they get on stage. The worst thing that could happen is if they won’t fit in their costumes come recital time. Give them real, nutricious, high quality food.
The weekend was quite busy for us. It was the pictorial of ACTS Manila ballet schools. While Saturday was not so bad as it only involved my wife, Sunday engaged all four of us. We woke up very early to be at the pictorial site at 730am. The shoot started around 830am, with my daughter’s ballet class. About an hour later, it was my son’s ballet class. At around 10:30am, it was the turn of my students to be photographed. The whole morning was practically a family affair. After lunch, it was back to my wife’s monopoly of things to do.
Perhaps your kid is about to have look into that Canon camera in a ballet pictorial setting. Here are some practical tips:
Hopefully this makes your pictorial experience more memorable in a positive way. Smile!
Scrapbooker. Layout Artist. Photographer. Dancer. Travel Junkie. Stage Mom. Homeschooler. Most of all, little lost lamb found.
