Countdown to 2018

Alright! This is it! Still hearing those party horns, fireworks outside, videoke (as usual). O kay bilis talaga ng panahon, mga kapatid.

Here are some highlights from the year 2017, here we go *opens my hard drive*:
- Joined our annual prayer and fasting (reminded that I'm chosen, adopted, accepted, redeemed and forgiven by God our Father through Jesus. He is indeed powerful yet personal).
- Bonding moments with my friends. Cheers for more Samgyeopsal + KTV, outings like Enchanted Kingdom, island hopping, birthday surprises and singing in events. Shall we go out of the country? 😊
- First time to hold a production role in our Discipleship event, well-guided by my churchmates. Now what's next?
- Transferred to a rented house - staying for 8 months now, hoping that our new home will be finished before my dad's birthday on the February.- Currently studying at the University of Santo Tomas (Bachelor of Music, Music Education - Voice Emphasis), met new friends with the same passion as mine. One semester done, see you guys next semester. Looking forward for more jamming sessions and outside school bondings. Thank You LORD for this wonderful blessing - there's a reason why You placed me here in the conservatory. Finding out more on my quiet times. More of this from my submitted post "Para Sa Pangarap".
- First time to witness a complete live orchestra at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
- Celebrated our 5th anniversary with #waybee. Jesus, be the center of our relationship and we solely rely on You. We believe that we'll never stay in this level.
- Celebrated Christmas with the whole Pangilinan family at the City of Pines, Baguio. Stayed 3 days and 2 nights. From our family to yours, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

NOTE: Pictures will be posted after the celebration.

Again, thank You LORD for this year! New year means new beginnings, new season and believing that You will do greater things. 2018. Here I come! Por tu gloria! 

Para Sa Pangarap

 Have you ever said these phrases in your life?

• Sheena felt nostalgic after she saw her pre-school graduation picture. Then she remembered moment when she walked in front of the stage and said "When I grow up, I want to be a Nurse". Now she's a nursing student and also working in her school.
• Lee's senior highschool days is ending soon and he really wants to aim for a slot in a prestigious college that he desires, he said "I will strive hard to pass the college exam."
• You've just acquired a new skill (e.g. in programming) a month ago then there's a post on your social media feeds about gaming app contest, suddenly you felt the excitement and said "I want to go to the next level! I will join in this contest!". 

The above stories have one thing in common, but before that, let me tell you MY STORY when I was on a hiatus mode for several months and finally been able to embraced this kind of excitement.

As you have noticed, some of my blog posts are about music stuff like when I got involved in a choral group and played some musical instruments, shared about things I love about my favorite artists/musicians, when I composed some songs and etc. It's not obvious that I love music (just being sarcastic) Haha!

(2013, before the start of our solemn investiture)

I really enjoyed my college life then (that was the time I'm taking up my first degree) and as I reached my senior year, I began thinking of the question/phrases - "What if I chose Music and not IT, what would be my career path years from now?", "What if I'll add units in Music while taking up IT? Would my candidacy for graduation be at risk?", "I don't want to waste this blessing, I want to share this to my friends who has the same passion as I have" and other thoughts. After graduation, those thoughts remained unspoken but my passion in that area didn't stop.

I continued practicing (still doing it until now) by playing instruments and when I hear a song, I will construct the chord changes first, then strum on my guitar or play a piano. From these little steps, I tried volunteering in the ministry and as time went by, I embraced both the "spiritual" (we do this because we love and adore God, we are saved by God's grace through Jesus Christ) and "technical" (pursuing excellence in worship) sides. I also tried teaching students how to sing and play instruments. And by this passion in music, I found friends. But it was until one day when I asked myself, "When will I have my formal training? I really want to go to the next level".

June came and I saw a post on FB and I felt the excitement because my dream college offers Saturday classes for professionals (wow!!). Days after I followed their group page, they posted more about the audition requirements, fees to pay, courses offered, etc. I began practicing and instilling the phrases "there's nothing wrong in trying", "keep moving forward" and that "I'll make sure that every day will be a productive one". So YES! I inquired and I passed on my application! So here comes the moment of truth, I was first in line to take my exam and to deliver my musical pieces and THANK GOD I got it but that didn't end there. I took my entrance exam (not again!!) which is different and harder than the first one and to cut the story short, I PASSED!

That was one of the greatest favors I received from God, I never doubt His might and I believe that He is in control of everything. Thank You LORD and now I can say "it's a dream come true!". We all have one in common and that is PASSION. Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will prevail (Proverbs 19:21) All things that we desire must be accompanied with passion - striving for greatness, for His glory, and it must be His will. Never despise those small things and keep going. You can rest but don't quit. To all my friends out there and to my family and my inspiration who are in full support, thank you for covering me with your prayers and thank you for constantly reminding me about the will of God in my life and for giving me advices. I love you all.

Me wearing my second school uniform

Cheers for another chapter in my life, I'm now.. AGAIN.. a bonafide Thomasian student, from the CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC. VIVA SANTO TOMAS!

2017: "Push and Claim" Season

Too many thoughts in mind and because of that, I forgot to rant posts last year. I’ve just realized while I’m reading my blog that a year without it is like having a deep sleep in a manned aircraft going to and back from Mars *poof*. Science! (Still a study I guess).  

Going back, how’s my 2016? The whole year was filled with mixed memories especially the last quarter: (1) we had our 4th anniversary, even though we didn’t celebrate that day, we are both thankful that He’s always there all the time. And if you’re reading this blog, thanks for everything - for the love and understanding. Looking forward for more fruitful memories and joyful adventures with you. (2) I also watched for the first time an international a capella competition which happens here in the Philippines. It’s fun and exciting to watch especially when you’re with people who have same interests, I hope I could form one and join the said competition next year. (3) Of course, Christmas is all about the grace of God - JESUS and celebration - more time to spend with the whole family and friends, I found a video of the whole family singing “Feliz Navidad” posted by my cousin last year and I’m a hundred percent sure Papang and Mamang (my grandfather and my grandmother) from above will be glad seeing us complete and I’ll be missing the closing remarks where Papang says his deepest gratitude in front of us. Nothing really beats the spirit of Christmas. 

Now what’s next, Kev? And what does your post title mean? What is going to happen this year? 

I don’t know, I’m clueless but I’m very grateful that He has done great things in the past 24 years of my existence - all circumstances I have in mind, He really orchestrated it. I know this is the year of believing that He will do greater ones because He knows beyond what we know and He is in control. Yes, I have plans and goals to be reminded of and I’m on the right track - like in my career (He placed me in a position that I want and I’m grateful to have this opportunity), in the ministry (where I’ll never forget of the only thing that I do and that is to glorify God), in my relationship (that He’s always at the center) and in my personal life (He never fails to surprise me and He’s always with me through thick and thin). I don’t really know but I believe He will do greater things in every area of my life - that’s what the second word “Claim” means to me. The first word “Push” means believing corresponds with a lot of effort, we believe in the power of God and from that, it urges us to do things and even the things that we haven’t done before. Claiming for this season and "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13, Eph. 3:16).

KEVIN PANGILINAN
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