2012 in Review (Part 1): Joy Church Silver Anniversary

This January, for my traditional reviewing of the previous year, I will be writing a series of articles that would recap or evaluate some (if I have the time, then all) of the highlights of 2012 that involved, concerned, compelled, and/or fascinated me… this is the first part…

2012 marked the fifth year since our family left our old denomination (since we couldn’t conform to the erroneous core doctrines that had just been established then) and started attending Bicol Presbyterian Joy Church (or Joy Church for short).  Our 5 years in Joy Church was full of God’s blessings and great testimonies, indeed.  Coincidently, the year 2012 – specifically December – also marked the 25^th year of Joy Church’s foundation.  And for the celebration of its Silver Anniversary, Joy Church produced its grandest, most ambitious, most miraculous, and most grace-filled event to date!  And it was such an overwhelming honor to be part of it.   

 

There was no holding back in celebrating this milestone.  Albay Astrodome – the largest event place in the city, capable of seating about 6,000 – was chosen to be the venue.  A big evangelical concert – featuring the different performing ministries of Joy Church, from music to dance to drama – was planned.  Performers from Korea – brethren who we had already invited before in the past to perform in some of our previous evangelical endeavors – were asked to participate in it.  5,000 attendees were the target amount – a majority of which should be unbelievers, since the main purpose of this massive event was the sharing the Gospel. 

So as soon as the year 2012 started, preparation for it started.  Spearheaded by our Spirit-filled visionary pastor, members started preparing for the Silver Anniversary throughout the year until the set date of December 2 by praying, giving special offerings (for the anniversary) every Sunday, praying, planning and organizing, praying, picking out and practicing the performances, praying, contacting and setting up the necessary services (advertisement, chairs, logistics, sounds, lights, fireworks, documentation, etc.) needed, and praying some more. 

The event was themed “Joyers, Arise, Shine!” and was separated into two parts: part 1 was the divine worship, and part 2 was the concert proper.  As the days grow closer to the event, aggressive advertizing was done through Facebook, radio, and the handing out of invitations (10,000 of which were prepared) by Joy Church members to family, friends, and acquaintances – preferably, unbelievers (again, the primary purpose of this grand event was for sharing the Gospel).

              

Financing such huge affair and drawing 5,000 people to the event to fill up Albay Astrodome were insanely impossible through human eyes.  But all things are possible with God… thus, despite the great odds stacked against it, the Silver Anniversary had been a smashing success!  God provided the necessary funding and God packed Astrodome with people!

Definitely, all glory to Him alone! 

Below are some videos taken from the official DVD of Joy Church’s Silver Anniversary.  Of course, since this is my site and my review, the videos featured are those performances that I’ve been part of.  LOL.  To view the entire content of the DVD and all performances, visit the official Facebook page of Joy Church. 

The first part was the divine worship.   Here are the videos of the praise and worship (in which I play the keyboards) as Joy Music Team led everyone in singing “One Day”, “Shout of the King”, and “Great is the Lord”:

After the praise and worship, (in which I would shift to the guitar; it would be the instrument I would play throughout the rest of the event) the Joy Music Team then played some hymns (in their Filipino translations) with Joy Church’s mini-orchestra (which my sister Wanda – playing violin – is part of):

Pastor Jose Dasco was the guest speaker for the divine worship.  More than half in attendance were non-believers, thus, more than 2,500 non-believers were able to hear the Gospel through Pastor Dasco. 

After the divine worship was Part 2, the concert proper.  Before I proceed with the performances from Joy Church, let me first discuss of the guest performers…

The two Korean guest performers that Joy Church had invited for the event were the Korean Traditional Arts Team (they first visited and performed in our event in BU Amphitheater last November 2011) and Yesua Band (who was the special guest during our concert at Albay Park last August 2010).
 

The four ladies of the Korean Traditional Arts Team – as the name suggests – performed Korean dances, played Korean native instruments, and one song (in Korean, of course). 

   

And Yesua Band had their trademark set of hymn instrumentals in their own catchy style.  The line-up of Yesua Band that performed in the Silver Anniversary Concert was different from the line-up when they first came here.  The bassist and pianist were new.  There was no longer a guitarist.  The trombonist – who fronted the band alongside the leader, the trumpeter – was gone.  Only Pastor Lim, the leader and trumpeter, and Kevin, the drummer, were left from the previous line-up.

 

A pleasant unexpected surprise, though, is they were able to bring world-class genius violinist Eugene Park with them.  Mr. Park performed with Yesua Band, as well as having his own separate set.  (Eugene Park is still a baby Christian being discipled by his manager, who is a Christian and is the one who encouraged him to be part of Joy Church’s anniversary.  I pray that he, in the end, will really begin to have a sincere and deep faith and relationship with God, so that his musical passion will be more effectively channeled, that is, doing it all for God, and, thus, creating the most excellent music that he can possibly do in each of his performance – music that is fit for the King of Kings!)     

One important and touching note: I heard that prior to coming to Legazpi to participate in Joy Church’s Silver Anniversary, Yesua Band held a concert for the benefit of Joy Church’s Silver Anniversary.  The money they raised for admission on that concert was donated to help in the expenses for Joy Church’s Silver Anniversary. 

 

The non-Korean guest performers we invited were our long-time friends and concert collaborators (they invite us in their events, we invite them in ours), the SOP Band.

I was surprised they didn’t do that fancy instrumental sequences of theirs when they played their flagship composition, “Trip to Heaven (Happily Ever After).” 

These three guest acts were spread out during the concert flow and not necessarily in the order of my enumeration. 

And now for the performances from Joy Church (not necessarily in order)…

There were two dances performed by the Joy Dance Team.  First was the “How Great Thou Art” Fan Dance…

And then a powerful dance later on…

Floodgates’ covered (the ever Floodgates’ favorite) DC Talk’s “Jesus Freak” and Gary V’s “Shout for Joy”...

 This was followed immediately by our rendition of Hillsong Kids’ “Alive”, “Get Up and Dance”, and “Royalty…

The Hand Mime Team, er, hand mimed “Who Am I”…

There was a new mime performance (after years of Sin Chair. lol) by the Joy Mime Team as well.  Careyl played the lead, representing humanity.  Joneil played God/Jesus.  Chano played Satan, the deceiver and destroyer.  Zion played a scientist-demon representing the false god, Science; pretending to know all the answers, but denies the existence of the burden of sin.  Kim played a banker-demon representing materialism and love of wealth; giving the illusion of freedom but would actually bankrupt someone until he or she carries a heavier burden of sin.  I play the albularyo-demon representing the occult, false religions, and worldly superstitions; providing temporary release from the burden of sins through bogus religious practices but actually only adds to its weight.  Carlo played the homosexual friend-demon, representing worldly and sinful pleasures, as he leads Careyl’s character to Basil, who played a gigolo/stripper-demon, representing lust and sexual sin.  Here’s how it went: 

Also, we had a musical drama that has a simple plot but powerful message…

Before the last part of the concert, Pastor Lee delivered a testimony and an “Amazing Grace”song number.  Unfortunately, I can not find an accompanying picture for this.

The last part was a powerful praise and worship – the songs were “Take It All”, “Trading My Sorrows”, “What the World Will Never Take”, “How Great is Our God”, and “Hallelujah to the Lamb” – which culminated with church representatives joining the band on stage… Oh, this is the part where the fireworks were used (at the end of “Hallelujah to the Lamb”)…

My experience with Joy Church’s Silver Anniversary – from the year-long preparation leading to the event and at the event itself – is not only a highlight in my 2012 but in my life as well.  It was a wonderful experience where I was able to witness closely the mighty hand of God working.  As I’ve mentioned before, it was a miracle that it happened.  It was a miracle that it was victorious.  Surely, it couldn’t have been so without God. 

* * *

A coin has two sides.  Above, I only discussed of the positive side of the event.  Although, the positive of course greatly outweighs the negative, it can’t be denied that the negative exists.  From here on, I would be addressing the other side of the coin – the negative.  If you don’t want to know of the negative aspects, if you prefer to end this article in a positive note, I suggest that you should stop reading now and let the previous paragraph be the end of this recap. 

Still here? 

You sure?  Fine, here goes…

The video service company commissioned to cover the event and produce the official DVD of the Silver Anniversary charged a hefty price and stipulated that the full amount should be paid at front.  We complied and a contract was made.

So, here’s what happened…

STRIKE 1: The contract states that they should be there at 12 noon (so that they would have enough time to set up their video equipment), but they arrived late.  Because of that, the program, which was scheduled to start at 1pm, started late at around 2:30pm.  If you watched the videos above, you would notice that the crowd during the last praise and worship – the final part of the concert – has already greatly thinned compared to the big crowd during the beginning, as seen in the videos of the praise and worship of the divine worship.  Now, this is my opinion – and just my opinion – that if we were able to start on time (1pm) and finished on time (around 5pm) as planned, most of the audience will remain intact till the end.  Because of the delayed start, the concert was already pushing nighttime but the performances were about just halfway, thus, the people were already getting restless and hungry for their supper.  The event finished at about past seven.  About half of the initial crowd of more than 5,000 was gone by then.   (Thankfully though, when Pastor Dasco had shared the Gospel – which is the most important part –during the divine worship, they were all still there to hear it… what matters most is they got to hear the Gospel!)

  

To be fair, the fireworks technicians were late, too, and were also a cause of delay.  There was a gap of about half an hour between the end of the divine worship and the start of the concert as they set up the fireworks equipment.  So the delays were not totally all the video firm’s fault.  Maybe just about ¾ of it.           

STRIKE 2: The contract stated that the DVD should be finished in two weeks.  But they have just finished it this second week of January 2013 (that’s why it was only recently that I was able to upload the videos and start writing this recap).  Worse, when someone followed-up the DVD back in December, instead of apologies, she received scolding from the owner!  The nerve!

STRIKE 3: So it took more than a month, instead of the agreed two weeks, to assemble the official DVD of the Silver Anniversary.  I expected that being late in producing the DVD would ensure that they would have enough time in constructing an excellent piece of work.  Considering their expensive charging, I was expecting the video coverage and output to be the same kind of professional quality that we experienced when we performed at Will Graham’s crusade last 2011.  But what did we get?  The video editing was so terribly done!  Messy switching of camera perspectives which provoked a bit of nausea.  There were many parts where the audio is out of sync with the video.  There were cuts in the middle of performances. 

Yes, I am very much thankful for the DVD because through it, the grace of God during the Silver Anniversary can be relived!  However, considering the fact that this video service company’s output didn’t give justice to their expensive charging, and that they were rude and tardy, their service was a big disappointment.     

For what my recommendations are worth to you, I strongly advice that if you find yourself needing video documentation services, do not turn to D____ Studio.  That is all.      


(Hmmm.  Talking of milestones, this post is a milestone by its own: the first time I posted something as both a "My Thoughts" post and a "My Videos" post.  LOL. Click here for more video posts.)

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Top 10 Movies of 2012 (Second Half Edition)

As I’ve already mentioned in the first half edition (if you haven’t read it yet, I recommend that you should first), the movies featured in this second half edition are not necessarily those released during the second half of 2012, but, rather, movies I was able to watch during the second half of the year.  So I’ve already listed the top ten movies I’ve seen during the first half of 2012 in the first half edition (if you haven’t read it yet, I recommend that you should first), and after the second half edition’s listing below, my top 10 overall picks of 2012 are derived from the two editions’ top tens.  Django Unchained (especially this!), Life of Pi (and this!), Lawless, The Silver Lining Playbook, Les Misérables, and Jack Reacher are the 2012 movies that I wanted to watch most but were not able to do so during 2012, but would have been likely contenders and eventual inclusions to this list if I had been able to watch them last year.    

10.) THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

 

The tenth spot was a struggle between Ted, Cloud Atlas, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.  Ted was the most hilarious movie of the year, and Cloud Atlas, despite being less than what I expected, still featured brilliant visuals and makeup and costume design; solid acting; a fresh narrative style; and an exciting concept of having six interacting and thought-stimulating stories.  But, after further evaluating them, I decided that The Perks of Being a Wallflower was the superior of the three contenders for the last spot.        

I was unfamiliar with the source material (the book) so I expected it to be another generic “coming of age” teen drama.  Thus, I was pleasantly surprised how good this movie was.  Great, actually.  It had captivating storytelling and emphatic themes.  And the actors (or, at least, the three leads) were great in making the characters they played entertaining – especially Ezra Miller as Patrick.     

9.) PARANORMAN

 

This movie is the best – as well as the most underrated – of all animated movies this year.  This stop-motion movie was no The Nightmare Before Christmas nor Coraline, but, along with Frankenweenie, ParaNorman seem to prove the notion that “if it’s stop-motion animation, then it has a good story.”

The movie tells of a boy named Norman who has the talent to see ghosts.  Because of this, Norman becomes a pariah of a skeptical town.  However, this talent of his comes to play when Norman has to save the town from an ancient evil. 

This movie not only delivers a good and enjoyable story, but it also tackles deep, important, and thought-provoking themes which include making a stand for what is right despite the overwhelming opposition; the terrifying harm brought by mob mentality; and the fear of the unknown and what is different lead to making irrational, bigoted, and hateful decisions.     

8.) MOONRISE KINGDOM

 

In a “small island community” setting, twelve year-old “Khaki Scout” (kind of like a Boy Scout) Sam Shakusky and Suzy Bishop, daughter of attorney parents, fell in love and decided to elope.  They hiked and camped in the wilderness of the island while the Khaki Scouts and their scoutmaster, Susan’s parents, and the island’s police captain (and, presumably, only policeman) were in pursuit, searching for them.  Of course, since Sam and Suzy are merely children and they were only confined in a small island, hilarity ensues.       

Moonrise Kingdom featured several big name stars, and, thus, assuring us of high-quality and entertaining acting performances.  The humor produced by the movie doesn’t inspire belly-aching laughter, but the charming, witty amusement it does offer is still perfect comic quality.  The premise and delivery of the story gives a feeling of warm and pleasant entertainment, which was present from start to finish.        

7.) END OF WATCH

 

Unless you consider The Raid: Redemption a cop movie, then End of Watch is arguably the best cop movie of the year.  This may even be the best cop movie in years!  Most cop movies feature plainclothes detectives-type protagonists, who are gloriously decorated and revered by pop culture; End of Watch’s protagonists, however, are uniformed police officers – the ones who deal with the “dirty” and modest day-to-day police work, and are oftentimes the first ones on the scene of the trouble.  The action in this movie is intense, and the idea of having hand-held cameras an integral part of the narrative made the viewing experience more personal – as if you are also part of the action.  It is very informative and thought-provoking, providing a closer look to the life of a policeman – from cop SOPs and daily routines, to personal struggles and camaraderie – which allows you to have a deeper appreciation and respect for the police. 

6.) SKYFALL

Many say that Skyfall is the best Bond film ever.  And though I am still not convinced that it is, I can’t blame them for thinking this.  Personally, I still believe that Casino Royale is still the best Bond film that stars Craig.  Nonetheless, Skyfall was sheer 007 awesomeness. 

I’ve become familiar with James Bond with the films first, thus, I grew up identifying Bond films with the wacky and gadget-packed movies of Connery, Moore, and – most importantly – Brosnan.  Later on, I would read the books and discover that, though the stories are still over-the-top, they were grittier and more down-to-earth than the movie interpretation of 007.  Skyfallcarries perfectly the tone of the original Ian Fleming books (which is the main charm of this current Bond series).    

Casino Royale might be the first Bond film that has Daniel Craig in the lead role, but Skyfall was as much as a Bond “intro” film as Casino Royale.  And this is the best thing about Skyfall: it makes you excited for the future of the franchise.  I sure miss the wackiness of the Bond movies I grew up with, but with Skyfall, I am also thrilled of this interpretation of Bond – being more closely similar to the feel of the book – and looking forward on where all of this will go.    

   

5.) ARGO

 

Prior to watching Argo, I was already familiar with the episode in history it was based on (read something about it when I was still in my teens).  But in spite of knowing about how everything will turn out, it was still a thrilling and suspenseful movie experience.  What do I mean?  Let me pick the scene where they were in the airport, under false identities, about to escape from Iran.  I already know that that escape mission was a success, basing on history, but that sequence in the airport was so intensely and dramatically well done that it still gave me the feeling of apprehensively wondering, “Will they successfully deceive the guards and escape?”  Kudos to Ben Afleck for bringing this about.  Definitely a strong candidate for an Academy Award for Best Director this year (will be surprised if not at least nominated).    

4.) RUROUNI KENSHIN

 

Dear Hollywood:  Making an awesome live-action adaptation of anime is possible.  Learn from this.

3.) THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

 

There are some who were disappointed with how this movie turned out.  I am not one of them.  I think the problem with those who found this movie lacking is benchmarking it with Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring (or to the whole LOTR trilogy altogether).  Which is unfair.  Few movies can ever measure up with that first LOTR movie, so why take it against An Unexpected Journey for failing to do so?  Consider also that even with the source material, the LOTR books easily dwarfs (no pun intended) “The Hobbit”.      

As it is, An Unexpected Journey was epic.  It was a very solid start for this new trilogy; it even somehow convinced me that stretching The Hobbit into a trilogy – despite having only one book and some of Tolkien's notes as base material – was a good idea.

2.) LINCOLN

Abraham Lincoln is my most favorite and beloved president (of any country) ever.  That’s why I was so excited by the time I learned that Steven Spielberg is making a Lincoln biopic with Daniel Day-Lewis – who is notorious a legend in obsessively and meticulously playing his character as much authenticity as he can – in the lead role.  I greatly looked forward for this film… and it delivered!  Lincoln, Spielberg, and Day-Lewis are my hands down bets for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor respectively for the Oscars this year. 

I was expecting, however, that it would portray the entirety or most of Lincoln’s life.  It did not, which is a minor disappointment.  It only covered the final four months of Lincoln’s life, and the showcase of his political genius as he maneuvers and pushes to have the 13^th Amendment passed in Congress.   And, in the end, I was satisfied with that.  It was still an awesome movie depiction of a great man. 

There were not much portrayal of Civil War battles here – though the scenes portraying action in the House of Representatives was as much thrilling as if they were Civil War battle scenes – so don’t expect epic battle scenes.  But remember, this is no Civil War movie.  It’s about Lincoln.  This movie is to celebrate that great man.  Daniel Day-Lewis does the best performance of his career, as he effectively brings his character to life, lighting up every scene he’s in.  Such a joy to watch. 

   

1.) THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

I concluded in the first half edition of my top 2012 movies list that it is improbable for The Dark Knight Rises to beat The Avengers for my number one spot this year.  However, it was able to do just that.  By a hair, The Dark Knight Rises is better than The Avengers.   “By a hair” because The Avengers is still a close second. 

“By a hair” because, as excellent and intelligent the movie is, it still had several plot holes that is easily noticed.  I usually give slack to a story with plot holes as long as they’re minor and the story is so brilliant that you can overlook them.   In the case of The Avengers, the sheer awesomeness of it as a comic book movie was really overwhelming that it made me blinded of the flaws – if any (since I didn’t notice,  or if did notice, I had unconsciously ignored).   

However, in the case of Nolan’s Batman depiction, it was never the usual comic book movie take.  These Nolan-made Batman movies can only be considered as “comic book movies” because of the characters, setting, and some elements taken from the comic book.  But away from that, it was not a comic book movie.  The movies’ mythos is definitely different from the comic books’.  This Batman Trilogy is too much insightful, profound, deep, artful, intelligent, and reflective to be a mere comic book movie.   It was more than that.  Nolan’s Batman Trilogy is what to comic book movies as what Alan Moore’s Watchmen is to comic books.   Christopher Nolan spoiled us for creating several thought-provoking films (The Dark Knight, the film’s predecessor, being one of them) that we were expecting The Dark Knight Rises to be perfect.  His films are so intelligent that when there are plot holes, they easily stand out and can bother the audience.  There are several of them in The Dark Knight Rises, but I am willing to consciously forgive them.

So maybe the high expectations were this movie’s disadvantage.  But, hey, even with this disadvantage, it still took the number one spot!  That’s how awesome this movie is.  If there were no noticeable plot holes, this movie could have been the overwhelming choice for my number one movie this year. 

Nonetheless, The Dark Knight Riseswas well-written, immensely entertaining, and a satisfying and epic conclusion to Nolan’s Batman Trilogy.

* * *

TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2012

10.) John Carter (The majority might hate it, but this is definitely underrated!  This movie is pure old school sci-fi epicness!) 

9.) Argo

8.) Rurouni Kenshin

7.) The Hunger Games

6.) The Raid: Redemption

5.) The Amazing Spider-Man

4.) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

3.) Lincoln

2.) The Avengers

1.) The Dark Knight Rises 

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ALICF "Fan the Fire" Worship Warfare Intercession

Last January 4, at Ibalong Conference Room, the Legazpi cluster of Albay Legazpi Inter-Church Fellowship (ALICF) held a special event - per "Fan the Fire" theme of ALICF's annual provincial gathering of 2012 (on November 30, 2012) - in which evangelical churches in Legazpi gathered and had a praise and worship battery.  Bicol Presbyterian Joy Church was the one of 6 churches given the honor of leading this gathering of Legazpi churches in praising and worshiping God.  

Not all songs were captured by video, but the majority of Joy Music Team's praise and worship set is below: 

click here for more videos

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RE: Christmas Exchange Gifts

“Exchange gifts” – whether straight-up random exchanging of gifts among participants, “Kris Kringle”, “Secret Santa”, “Manito/Manita”, or whatever variation of it – is a popular feature of the current Christmas season culture we are familiar with.  When done right, it is incredibly fun for everyone.  However, when commercialism starts touching the activity, prices of the gifts are compared and assessed; murmuring and frowns are stirred; disappointment is cultivated on the hearts; and, worst of all, goodwill is ruined – thus, the whole point of “exchange gifts” is killed.

A price standard is set.  “The gift should be worth at least 100 pesos!”  We prepare a good gift.  The gift we prepared might even significantly exceed 100 pesos.  And we expect that the gift we receive in return at least matches the quality and worth of the gift we give.  We don’t want to get terrible clichéd gifts such as calendars, photo albums, or picture frames.  Mugs are tolerated… if of good value or design.  Then, we rage if the worth of the gift we receive is obviously less than the agreed price standard. 

If this is our attitude, well, we should definitely change it.  Because it’s appalling. 

This is also true the other way around: those who intentionally give inferior gifts; who are so cheap to buy something around the decided price standard, making no effort of preparing their best – just preparing something for the sake qualifying for the “exchange gifts”, to exchange their bad gifts for something superior. 

Both cases are wrong because both have the same wrong purpose in participating in “exchange gifts”… and that is, to be able to RECEIVE SOMETHING, and NOT to be able to GIVE SOMETHING.      

Seriously, isn’t Christmas about GIVING?  (That’s why commercialism – with Santa Claus serving as its mascot manifestation – is the greatest threat to the true meaning of Christmas.  Commercialism encourages the expectation of receiving and materialism.)

If everyone’s heart for joining “exchange gifts” is for having the chance to GIVE somebody an awesome gift, then it shall be a very special activity.  There will be good cheer all around.  Bonds and goodwill between participants are strengthened.  Christmas love shall abound.    

If we receive an awesome gift, then good!  But even if we only receive a picture frame or a gift valued lower than the agreed price standard, our cheer should remain intact since our main purpose and joy was preparing a great gift that would put the recipient in high spirits.  Receiving an awesome gift in return is just a bonus.  

I feel terrible whenever this happens:

Someone poor or currently struggling financially, for the sake of Christmas good cheer, decides to join the “exchange gift”.  He or she prepares something less than or just exactly the set gift value.  This could even be one of the frowned-upon gifts of picture frames and mugs – because they’re the only things he or she can afford.  After the gifts are exchanged, the recipient of this poor participant’s gift opens it, and then after seeing the contents, he or she openly – consciously or not – shows his or her displeasure through words or facial expression.  The poor participant, witnessing this, gets humiliated and heartbroken. 

And my heart breaks with them. 

Of course, I would prefer to receive a great gift on “exchange gifts”.  I even loudly state oftentimes – jokingly, of course – that I don’t want to receive a picture frame.  But if the fun and goodwill of it will be ruined because of participants who care more of what they get, I would choose to be the one who receive those inexpensive but sincere gifts from the poor, struggling participants.  I really don’t mind at all what I would get in return – if any at all.  You see, I could be selfish the rest of the year, but when it comes to Christmas – my favorite time of the year – I know how to celebrate it and have the heart for it.     

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Floodgates at "Unified" Live

"Unified" - whose logo is a clever throwback to United - is a project of "God Has the Answer" (GHTA) Church.  (In which, the YOUnyTH concert last October was an "appetizer" for this event.)  "Unified" had two phases.  The first phase was the production of the "Unified" album.  The tracks of the album are original compositions of the participating bands; Floodgates, my band, was one of those bands, and our contribution was "Pangako" (composed by our bassist).  The "studio recording" of the album was done at GHTA's church.  The second phase - to coincide with the release of the album - was a live concert at BU Amphitheater last December 28.  Here was our performance, in which we performed "Pangako" live and then did a cover of "Ikaw Ang Number One"...
  

BONUS: This was the output of our recording of "Pangako" for the album...

click here for more videos

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Chain of Thoughts: Pac-Man Remains the Champion in My Book

• It’s really funny that the loss of Pacquiao has more effect on me than the destruction and death caused by the typhoon “Pablo”.  The loss of Pacquiao stings and gave a blue let-down.  But I was generally apathetic with the tragedy brought by “Pablo” (I was just glad it didn’t hit us).   I know most Filipinos are like this, too.  That’s something to think about. 
• This defeat was really devastating.  But, in a way, I prefer this over Pac-Man’s loss against Bradley.  With Marquez, Pac-Man’s loss was definite.  With Bradley, however, it was extremely obvious that Manny dominated that fight, but two judges gave the victory to Bradley – showing that pro boxing is absolutely corrupt!      
• Among all of Manny Pacquiao’s opponents, Juan Manuel Marquez is definitely the one who stands out.  Among all opponents, Marquez is the only one that Manny obviously has a hard time fighting.  They split their first meeting, and their next two battles – that Manny won – were extremely close.  So I was glad they didn’t opt for a rematch with Bradley, since despite being officially a loss, no man in his right mind would see it as such.  The Bradley fight, regardless of the judges’ decision, was clearly a win and Pac-Man has really nothing to prove with a rematch.  So I didn’t mind a Pacquiao-Marquez 4 since their meetings were always intense and thrilling, and Manny has to win convincingly to finally declare that he’s finished with Marquez.  But with Marquez being the one winning in convincing fashion, Manny – who already said that he has no plans of retiring yet – should not move on to another fight without having at least another duel with Marquez.  I won’t mind watching another fight or two with Marquez.  Pac-Man needs vindication to move on. 
• That nasty, well-timed punch from Marquez that annihilated Pacquiao was really stunning – not only to Pacquaio, but to, us, spectators, too.  I know Pacquiao was going to be knocked down (I watched the delayed telecast) but Marquez’s punch still shocked me.  It just came out of nowhere.  Of course, being a Pacquaio fan, it was a real downer.  But I always call a spade a spade, and as someone who appreciates boxing, I acknowledge that it was an amazing, sick and beautifully-executed counter.
• Pacquiao said that, at that last slugging out at the closing seconds of round 6, he slipped forward, which made him completely absorb the fullness of Marquez’s counter.  Hmmmm.  Was it really a slip?  Or something else?  You decide.

• Angel Hernandez, Marquez’s strength and conditioning coach for this fight, has a history of juicing up Olympic athletes with steroids.  Just sayin’. But I’m not implying anything.  (It’s a possibility, though, that Marquez could have taken performance enhancing drugs for this fight)
• So Justin Bieber mocked Pacquiao in his Instagram.  I’ve always thought that Bieber was greatly unlikable, so there’s nothing new about this.  But there’s something that annoys me more than Bieber’s lack of class... Ignorant people are absurdly and irrationally blaming Pacquiao’s last two defeats to his religious conversion.  I can rant longer about this, but I won’t.
• Still, it’s kind of discouraging to see Christian sports celebrities currently having difficulties.  Pacquiao lost his fights after becoming a Christian.   Tim Tebow is not really being spectacularly potent with the Jets as he was with the Broncos, that he made millions of people curious of John 3:16.    While Linsanity is, so far, not being repeated in Houston.  It’s as if God’s favor is not working on them.  As a Christian, it seems a part of you questions a bit, “Lord, these guys are your children.  Why aren’t you favoring them, making them succeed and dominate their respective sports, to show the world that You are pleased and glorified by their lives?”  Nonetheless, I believe that God is in total control and that everything happens – even the results of sports – according to His will.  And things that go according to His will happen to bring Him the greatest glory and, by extension, the greatest good for His children.  We have no right to question His wisdom.  Indeed, God has plans for His children, and though they could be in a low point at present, but in the end, glorious victory is assured!  Just need to completely surrender to and trust God; that He will work in the lives of these Christian sports heroes I root for, as well as with my life.
• Manny and Jinkee’s interview with Diane Castillejo was very uplifting.  Of course, Pac-Man was saddened with the loss, but he was a true class act.  He showed true sportsmanship and grace in his loss, and remained positive.  But the best thing of all is how Manny and Jinkee showed that their faith is unshakable despite the defeat.  They proclaimed that worldly glories are all temporary and having a strong faith and relationship with Christ – not only in good times, but in bad times as well – are what really matters and is their real victory!  They just surrender everything to God.  Seeing how Pacquiao positively responds to his loss really inspires and comforts someone like me who is both a Christian and Pac-Man fan disappointed by the loss.
• I am actually pretty excited of Manny’s career from this point on.  He’s now back as an underdog.  And it’s a pretty interesting matter – story-wise and career-wise.  From this point on, Manny will be working again to rise to the top.  With a Christian perspective this time around.  And I feel it’s going to be a more exciting ride.
• Pacquiao-Marquez 5!  And beyond!  See you.   

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RE: Superior Spider-Man (Or "Why Peter Parker Should Remain As Spider-Man")

As part of Marvel NOW! – my thoughts on which I’ve already shared a while back – Spider-Man is going to undergo a very big change.  Spider-Man’s flagship comicbook, The Amazing Spider-Man, is going to end with its 700^th issue, which will come out this late December.  It’s going to be replaced with Superior Spider-Man, its first issue coming out this upcoming January.  Something will happen in Amazing #700 that will change the Spider-Man we know of.  He’s no longer going to be the carefree, happy-go-lucky, wisecracking hero that we love.  The Superior Spider-Man is going to be a no-nonsense Spidey.  Grittier.  Darker.  And more powerful.     

Moreover, it is confirmed that this Superior Spider-Man IS NO LONGER Peter Parker.

 

(Sigh)

This was my worst fear, as I’ve already mentioned in the article of my initial thoughts on Marvel NOW! 

 First of all, what’s up with replacing “Amazing” with “Superior”?!  I don’t dig “Superior” as the adjective for Spidey at all.  The adjective “amazing” has already become Spidey’s iconic description.  Moreover, “amazing” is a throwback to the comic book which Spidey first appeared, Amazing Fantasy (formerly Amazing Adult Fantasy).  “Amazing” is cool and sensible.  “Superior” is obnoxious!      

 

Second, Spider-Man is not the dark, serious type of superhero at all.  It’s not what makes this character special.  If I want a dose of a gritty, brooding superhero, I would go check out Batman.  But with Spider-Man, I expect warm wit and humor. 

There are talks that this Superior Spider-Man is going to be Miguel O’Hara – the Spider-Man of the year 2099.  Now, Spider-Man 2099 was indeed awesome and I’m actually cool with Agritty, serious Spider-Man like Miguel O’Hara a.k.a. Spider-Man 2099 or the current Scarlet Spider identity of the Spidey clone Kaine.  I emphasize “A” there since I mean it as far as a version of Spider-Man is concerned.  But making THE [main] Spider-Man gritty and serious?  No way!  Again, being gritty is NOT what makes THE Spider-Man.

Being a witty smartass is an integral part, not only of Spidey’s character, but of his arsenal, as well.  Humor has been both a weapon to psych out opponents and a defense mechanism in dealing with all the antagonisms and problems he constantly experiences both in his personal and superhero life.  His humor – along with his strong sense of moral responsibility and conviction – helps him in having a positive outlook in life in spite of all the rotten things that fate throws at him. 

Which leads me to the third and most important point: Stan Lee created and designed Spider-Man to constantly wrestle with personal problems and dilemmas, whether big or small, that normal people experience so that we might perfectly relate to him and, thus, be inspired by him.  Because despite of being constantly bombarded with problems, Spidey never gives up being a hero.  He continually lives out his motto of “With great power comes great responsibility.”  He always selflessly and bravely chooses to do the right thing, regardless of what’s the effect of this – even if it’s harmful or painful – on himself, or if he’ll be appreciated for it or not.  He courageously makes a stand for good even against immense odds or threats.  When he is knocked down, he will stand up and continue to fight.  He is tempted and discouraged – because he’s human after all – but he overcomes in the end.  And throughout all these struggles, he remains cheerful and positive in life.                     

Therefore, it is imperative that Peter Parker should be Spider-Man, because it is Peter Parker who has these necessary characteristics that makes the Spider-Man character great and inspirational!!!  If Peter Parker is no longer Spider-Man, how can we relate to and be inspired by the character?!  Spider-Man is Peter Parker, and Peter Parker is Spider-Man.  That should be the formula and the status quo forever!       

Yes.  Spider-Man has inspired me.   That’s why I really value this comic book character greatly, that this “Superior Spider-Man” reboot – especially replacing Peter Parker –  hurts me and makes me mad.  At least, when Ben Reilly temporarily replaced Peter Parker as Spider-Man back in the late 90’s (during the Clone Saga), the vital personality and values of a Peter Parker remained intact with Spider-Man since Ben Reilly, being a clone, was still technically a Peter Parker.     

Moreover, it gets worse…

So it seems Spider-Man and Mary Jane is going back as a couple.  Only that is, Superior Spder-Man is not Peter Parker anymore.  And since it’s no longer Peter Parker, what’s the sense now?  It only pisses me more that after that stupid “One More Day” storyline brought Pete and MJ apart, there is no more chance of bringing them back together (or, at least, a reunion delayed indefinitely).  Seeing this new Spider-Man freely kissing Pete’s MJ is so heartbreaking.        

I’m praying those guys at Marvel would realize how stupid this Superior Spider-Man concept is;  that after a few months of Superior Spider-Man recording poor sales, they would decide to cancel it and bring us The Amazing Spider-Man back with Peter Parker returning as the one-and-only Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.  

Before I end this, let me give my theories on who this Superior Spider-Man could be…

a.) Miles Morales

I actually don’t like when the Peter Parker of the Ultimate (Earth-1610) universe died.  But I’m not really that mad since it wasn’t the main continuity after all (Earth-616) and tons of popular characters – Wolverine, Daredevil, Cyclops, etc. – had died in the Ultimate universe, too.  Moreover, Miles Morales, who has replaced Peter as Spidey in the Ultimate universe, has been an entertaining Ultimate Spider-Man so far.  Now, could it be that Marvel has decided that Miles Morales (but Caucasian and adult in this universe) should be the Spider-Man of the Earth-616 main continuity as well?   Moreover, what does the conclusion of Spider-Men (the comicbook min-series this year in which the Earth-616 Peter Parker and Earth-1610 Miles Morales met, and marking the first time the two Marvel Universes interacted with each other) mean?  After returning to the 616 universe, Pete googles “Miles Morales” and is shocked by what he found...    

Was this a hint for Superior Spider-Man?         

b.) Miguel O’Hara

 This teaser art for the “Age of Ultron” event implies that “Age of Ultron” significantly involves Superior Spider-Man.  

Thus, since Ultron has connection with future timelines, it’s a strong possibility that Miguel O’ Hara will time travel to the present to become the new Spider-Man.  Also, take notice of the fingers of Spidey… it appears to be the retractable talons that Miguel O’ Hara a.k.a Spider-Man 2099 has.   

       

c.) Someone possessing Peter Parker’s body

In the current Amazing storyline, Doctor Octpus has been able to switch bodies with Spider-Man.  Now, Marvel is being stupid with this Superior Spider-Man development, but I don’t think they’re that stupid to indeed settle with Doc Ock possessing Pete’s body as the Superior Spider-Man.  However, the storyline established that the “body-switching” medium is available, thus, it could be that at the end of #700, someone else – a good guy and not Doc Ock – is led take over Pete’s body.  However, it won’t explain the “more powerful Spider-Man” element of Superior Spider-Man considering it’s the same original body after all.          

d.) Peter Parker

It’s still Peter and Marvel was just trolling us when they said that the Superior Spider-Man is no longer going to be Peter Parker.  Maybe what they mean by “not Peter Parker” is that Pete will just change his name and identity at the end of The Amazing Spider-Man #700.  Now, I like this theory best.  It’s unlikely though :,(   

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