2011 has been by far, the worst of times, and the greatest of times.
January last year, my uncle, Freddie Vargas, died of lung complications at the age of 64. Five months later, my other uncle, Louie Vargas, 69, died a few days after a coronary bypass surgery. Both died too soon, both deaths unexpected. It has been painful for my family, mostly for their own families and my mother, titos and titas,who lost 2 dear brothers within a short span of 5 months. I have never been confronted with the concept of human mortality as nakedly and closely as this. I understood what it meant to be mortal and never have I grasped the value of life and family more tightly than ever. My clearer awareness of the frailness of life under the fickleness of death has changed my outlook and perspective on how to live my life. If anything, it has taught me to show my concern, appreciation and love to people I value.
2011 has been also the year of fulfilling dreams and tapping unfulfilled potential.
I really do believe there is a Being that knows where you want to go, and where you should be and somehow He (or She) manages to find the perfect place for you somewhere in between that. Here are those spaces God found for me.
1. January - I was invited by Choirmaster, Sir Mark Carpio, to train with the Philippine Madrigal Singers. That was just a big WOW moment for me since wow, me? Invited? That was just surreal. It was such a dream come true. Training though has been a musical and emotional rollercoaster. Its completely, totally the opposite of easy. I mean, its the Madrigal Singers after all so what else is there to expect. Though quite challenging, I'm only motivated to put my best foot forward and grow as a musician and maybe even as a person. Right now, I'm playing my life by ear and so far, its been a joy. We'll see where this will take me. :) Thank you, Sir Mark for this really amazing opportunity! :)
2. April - it was made official. I am Ma. Celedonia V. Franco, Bachelor of Music in Piano, cum laude. UP Diliman Graduate, batch 2011. THANK GOD I FRIGGIN FINALLY FINISHED!! After all the love-hate relationship with my course, I finally graduated! Its not really the diploma or the 'title' that I'm really proud of, its the fact that I finished it, after all the sweat, blood (pagnag-gliglissando hehe) tears and hardwork. College was one piece of SHIT on soil. You know, like fertilizer? Hehe. In the end, you could become grass like everyone else, or a weed, or maybe even a blossomed flower if you were fortunate enough to have great profs and made good use of your time and skills in college. I think I became a tree - stronger and still continuing to grow and bear more flowers and fruits. Thank you to all my profs who taught and supported me all the way!
3. You know how you're a fresh grad and you have no clue what you're gonna do with your life? When theres no more school, its like everything is a blank canvass again and you dont know what the hell to draw or where to start or sometimes, even what the hell to do with it. Well, the news it, I still worry about that, but only less. Hehe. I found one the things I really love doing.
After graduation, I submitted my resume to some schools in hopes of teaching for the mean time while trying to figure myself out. On the day of my first interview to some school, my high school glee club teacher, Ms. Nancy Roman, who is now the assistant principal for student affairs, texted me and offered me one of my dream jobs - to train an all female choir, in this case, the MCHS liturgical Choir. It was, wow, again! It was so amazing since that was exactly what I wanted, all female and all, but didnt expect to have soon since putting up a group would take time and much effort. And here it was, handed to me, as easy as that.
I started with MC litchoir last June and will be continuing until the end of the school year. One of the highlights so far was that we won first place last September in the Ecosongfest, an annual inter-school competition they join in. We'll be having a small concert soon and I can't wait! This may be my niche since I really enjoy it, though of course I still have much to learn as a conductor. Thats why its so perfect that I'm also training in Madrigal and who knows, I might take further studies in conducting in the near future. Its so amazing how these things happening to me are pieces puzzling up to make a grand picture. I don't know what it is yet, but I am confident I am being led to that. Thank you Ms. Roman for giving me the chance to fulfill one of my dreams!
I have alot more to be thankful for in 2011. Good health, consistent cash flow more or less through gigs and teaching, GREAT friends, and most importantly, a wonderful and a complete family. My only hope this year is my family stays healthy and happy! I don't know what else I could think of. Love, career, money, travel are only bonuses I guess we all wish to have. I do hope for those too, but in the end, family and loved ones are there to stay, come rain, come shine. Other things will come and go.
Thank you Lord for 2011! May our 2012 be filled with love and happiness!
