Do Over? Or Start Over?

Right now, I don't really know what I need to do. I guess I'm gonna "play it by ear", then. Is this quarter life crisis? 

And yes, I'm using an "Awkward" reference for the title of this post.

Finally (A New Post And Then Some)

It's been a looong time since I last posted anything here and a lot has happened to my life in those past seventy (yes, 7-0) days of uhm, writing dormancy. As much as I want to fill you in about everything that happened, I'll save you the burden of a very, very, very long post and just write about two major, major (Raj, insert year here) life events which transpired recently. 

April 5, 2013

I was very blessed to have been given the chance to be the front act of The X Factor Philippines' TOP 6: LIVE IN RHAPSODY which was held in Metro Concert Bar, West Ave., Quezon City. Not only did I get to sing for an entirely new and bigger audience, I also got the chance to catch up and bond with my friends from TXFPH. Missed all of them so much and I'm really praying that I'd get to perform with them again in their coming shows. Check out my performance that night below!

(Video taken by my best bud, Bryan Katigbak.)

(A closer view of my performance. Posted by Johnny Legaspi.)

I know the above-mentioned event might be too grand and it somehow elicits the feel that nobody can top it. But something did. Something I've worked hard for for so many years. Something that my family, especially my mum, has been waiting and praying for to happen.

April 27, 2013

I finally graduated from the University of the Philippines in Los Baños with a degree in Biology, Major in Plant Biology! It was a very long and tough ride, but looking back, I wouldn't have it any other way. My longer than usual stay in the University gave me the chance find my niche and to find all the missing pieces I've been trying to find. Hashtag cheesy. I just want to grab this opportunity to thank everyone who became a part of my college life. BLD Youth Ministry, UPLB Street Jazz Dance Co., UP ECOSS, and UP Entrepreneurs' Club. I've learned so much from being a member of all those amazing organizations! 

As you can imagine (and see), my family, especially my mum (Haven't I typed this before? LOL), was very ecstatic at the thought of me finally finishing my degree. They've always been supportive of everything I do and I love them for that. I may have given them a lot of stress, but they never gave up on me. A year ago, I was so sold on the idea of me moving to Manila and work there, but right now, I'm looking hard for a job near Elbi. I guess it really is hard to leave this place. I'm excited to go get a job and earn and help and give back to my family while staying with or close to them.

To end this post (finally), I'd like to thank my Ultimate Best Friend. I wouldn't have gotten this far without my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Thank You, Lord, for the wonderful life filled with so many amazing opportunities. I may have stumbled a lot of times, but You're always there to pick me up, support me, and give me another chance. I may be one of your most stubborn son, but I'll always try my hardest to follow Your commandments and Your will, for I believe that there is no other way to live my life. Thank You, Lord! I love you! 

First Time.

As some of you may know, I've been joining singing contests since late 2011 and with God's grace, I've managed to bag a couple of runner-up spots but I've never had a WIN. Well, that changed a couple of days ago when I won Dream Catchers Vision's LOKAL RHYTHM: The Search For The Next PINOY ONLINE SENSATION!

A little background: I came across one of my Facebook contact's post about joining this certain contest in Dream Catchers Vision's website and I got a lil curious so checked out the mechanics and found out that the contest is open to all Filipinos aspiring to make it big in the music scene. Dream Catchers is a Singapore-based talent showcase platform with global ambitions. It is an online community for musicians/artists/performers which regularly holds contests for registered users. Aside from the amazing platform of hosting the users' videos on their website, Dream Catchers Vision awards winners of their contests with cash prizes! 

So, anyway, I signed up, uploaded my video, and prayed to God (seriously) that my video gets chosen. I wasn't even praying for the top prize. I guess that's what happens when you've been a runner-up all your life. Ha ha! Kidding aside, I wasn't really expecting anything, so imagine my surprise when I received an e-mail from none other than the CEO and Founder of Dream Catchers Vision herself, Miss Shalima Motial saying this:

This couldn't have come up in a better time. I'm really grateful to all the judges and to everyone who voted for my video! I seriously won't forget this because this is my first actual win! And with $500 to boot! But more than the cash prize, I'm just really thankful that there are people who actually appreciate what I do and there are those who are overly supportive of my music. Thank you guys, from the bottom of my heart! :)

Really cool to see my video on the number 1 spot in their website! Argh! By the way, I uploaded my cover of One Direction's "More Than This" as my entry for Lokal Rhythm. Who knew a 1D song can win me $500? Ha ha! Thanks to Sir Caio Cadiz of 10-0-71 Digital Post for helping me out with the track! Watch the video below :)

Again, thanks to everyone behind Dream Catcher Vision's Lokal Rhythm and to everyone who voted for my video! I encourage everyone to visit Dream Catchers Vision's website and register so y'all could join their contests, too! Such a wonderful community of talented people! See you there, okay? :)