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
BLOGGER | KGP81492

Live, Work, Share, Love

It's the second week of December and there lots of things that I'm grateful for this year:

"Be Strong"

One day, I had a quiet time with Him (forgot the exact verse) and He told me to be strong. I still keep it and never release it in my heart because it serves as my motivation whenever I'm down and I believe that GOD is working even though trials are coming in my life. And I pray that next year, GOD will tell lots of encouraging words like the said title and if my heart overflows, I'll share this kind of experience to my friends as well as to those people who really need God in their lives. I'm really excited for this. Thank you LORD for your encouraging words!

"We Gotta Work! Work!"

As you've notice my past posts and statuses in my blog, most of them are about my college life.. those awesome and joyful years at my beloved university but because I spend 8 hours of work a day (except Saturdays and Sundays), I have less time composing blogs about what I'm doing, what I'm thinking right now and other stuffs. Working as a technical support for 2 years is really a great blessing for me. Those stressful weekdays with the IT peeps, Christmas party presentations and unending projects for my skill set improvement are the moments that I won't forget. Time really flies so quickly.

Share The Gifts You Have

I had fun teaching students on how to play their instruments and how to sing their hearts out. For couple of months, I've learned one thing which is also applicable in my daily life and that's "patience", kids are so active and because they are, they forget sometimes what you said or taught and after that.. they will commit a mistake. And to learn from it is to repeat what they've missed (of course don't forget to add a compliment on what they've achieved and to smile while you correct their mistakes).

3 Years of Relationship/Friendship

So thankful for having her in my life! To my special someone who never fails to make me happy, who really loves me so much and loves GOD more than me. Thank you for telling me to focus always on Him, for supporting me in every thing that I do, for listening to my shallow stories. More anniversaries to come my love! I would like to say this quote from Anonymous, "no matter how far apart we are, you will always be in my heart".

Praying for knowledge and wisdom to write more blogs about life, music and a lot more. Come on! I'm really excited for next year!

KEVIN PANGILINAN
BLOGGER | KGP81492

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015! :)

Thinking of the word "New Year" means another year to spend time with your family, friends and loved ones, to experience joy and sorrows in life, to learn and unlearn things that has been made this year and to celebrate it with a blast and to know more about God (His greatness and His promises)

The year 2014 for me is so memorable like a flower that blooms when pouring water and exposing it under the sun then fades when lacking both. Even though I experienced ups-and-downs in life, I know that God's is my source and He's always there for me.

My most memorable quarter of this year is the last one:
- Celebrated Christmas with my officemates, with my friends at Church, at school and inside the subdivision and with my extended family (from both sides).
- Enjoyed a 3-day vacation at Baguio City with the Pangilinan family, the temperature in the city I think right now is lower than the cooling capacity of the air-con. *laugh*
- "So blessed that we meet each other almost every week" #waybee
- Naki-Paskuhan and of course saw the much-awaited fireworks display (liked the a capella mashup music background)
- Got challenged doing musical scores that's focused more on a capellas and teaching it to my officemates but that effort paid off.
- Confirmed that I have a spiritual gift, thank you Lord for this wonderful gift and for making me an instrument to minister to other people.
- Experienced His unending love despite of the challenges I had encountered.

Before we end this year, I just want to thank the Lord for everything (for protecting/loving me and my family and for revealing me Your words and Your plans to me). I declare that this coming 2015 will be a successful, productive, adventurous and prosperous one.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! God bless us all!

P.S.: I can't wait making another set of faith goals and bucket lists for the coming year.

KEVIN PANGILINAN
BLOGGER | KGP81492