The ACGC & the EGP

A few weeks ago, I was asked to write a letter to the current touring batch of the Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club (ACGC), competing for the European Grand Prix (EGP) - one of the grand momma's of all competitions. It was to be read to the group on the long bus ride to Maribor, Slovenia.

The last time ACGC competed for the EGP was when I had first joined the glee club as a freshman in college. Preparing for a competition, touring, traveling, singing, rehearsing was intensely AMAZING. Though we had sung our best, and lost - the entire experience in itself was life changing.

Wanted to share my letter here: 

Hello Dear ACGC!

This is Pia, one of many fans from around the world, rooting and cheering for you on this wonderful journey you have ahead of you. 

Quick stats on how I'm connected to the ACGC:

• President from '03 - 04 (or Mamalou's first tour with the ACGC!) 

• VP for External from '02 - '03 (also Mamamlou's first year with the ACGC)

• VPP in '01-'02 (Sir Montet's year with the ACGC) 

• Trainee from '00 - '01 (or Sir Joel's last year with the ACGC and when we competed for the EGP)

Yup, that's right,  11-12 years ago (shet), i was exactly were you guys are now. I had just joined the glee club and was very lucky to be singing with the cast that was would embark on THE trip of a a lifetime: to compete in Marktoberdorf, Germany and then in Debrecen, Hungary for the EGP.

I won't go into the details, but suffice to say, the entire experience changed my life forever, as it will yours. Best. Experience. Ever!

You'll learn how NOT to burn your costume, how to perform at your best even when you're feeling your worst. You'll make the best of friends even though at one point during the tour, you'll most likely want to strangle them. You get to sing the awesomest songs in the most specialist of places and touch hearts you never knew your songs could touch. When you're in that semi-circle and every inch of your body is singing, and you know every single person around you is putting in the same 200% that you're putting in? You'll know that the hours and hours and HOURS you've put into learning and rehearsing is not for naught. Nothing else comes close to that feeling of pure magic. 

So my dear ACGC, be present, be grateful and whether competition or courtesy call, sing with all your heart and soul. Know that no matter what happens, what you have have accomplished is nothing short of brilliant. 

So proud to be part of the history that you guys are blazing onward with today. All my love and congratulations to Mamalou, the tourcom, execom and every single one of you!

Now go kick some serious choral butt!

big hugs from Singapore, 

Pia

The support for the ACGC has been tremendous, magnified even more by the presence of social media. Very different from how it was when we competed over a decade ago! 

It is an hour before they compete and I can picture what is going on back stage. The group, divinely dressed, boys' shoes shining brightly, girls' hair pulled back tightly in a pusod, voices as warmed up as they will ever be, war-paint on, nerves nerves nerves rippling through the group. I can see them holding hands tightly as they pray and give thanks before stepping on that stage. I know though that the minute they step on that stage - they will be in God's hands and they will sing like they have never sung before. 

Listen to the ACGC with me at 10pm (SG time) here!

Thank you JOM for the photos!

Summer '11: (back to) Paris

10 years later.. I FINALLY come to the end of my blog posts about my summer spend in Europe.

We train-ed back to Paris from Amsterdam - hanging out for 2 days before hopping back on a plan towards reality.

The 2 days was just enough time to finish up whatever errands (ie: shopping) wasn't accomplished first time around, and spend a day at Versailles.

The last time (and first time) I was at Versailles was in 2001with the ACGC. The Chateau unfortunately was closed at the time, so we spent the day exploring it's massive massive MASSIVE grounds. Picnic-ing, watching the others doe-a-deer-ing while biking up and down garden paths, and being dragged around by L while searching for Marie Antoinette's secret garden are a few of many memories I treasure till this day.

Thank you Tita Nanu for this photo. Several pounds gained and
upgrades in cameras later  - but do you recognize any of us? 

10 years later for D & myself

A 10-year reunion with a few of the people I first saw it was a great way to see it again. I finally got to see inside of the Chateau and daydream about the history that was made in its opulent halls, and seeing the gardens again with older eyes was awesome as well.

Our return to Paris also marked the end of our 2-week summer adventures. I think about it now and am still amazed that I not only afforded it all on my own, but that it happened even with the unexpected move threatening my chances of going. This summer trip was EPIC to prepare for!

What a blessing it is to travel - what more, to travel for and with people you love. So happy I put my mind to making this happen and as always, looking forward to my next big trip :)

Summer '11: Amsterdam, Netherlands

My usual frame of mind when I travel is "Spending money to go all the way here, so will jam pack my days with every possible thing to do". You will most definitely see this true of many of the trips I've blogged about in the past. 

Amsterdam leg was initially planned to roll out in the same manner, day trip to other towns in the Netherlands as well as trip to the nearby towns in Belgium. But the few days hubbed in Amsterdam played out a little differently than planned. Blame it on Amsterdam's super relaxed vibe, beautiful surroundings and fabulous weather that particular weekend? Or possibly easy-going hosts (with cozy home and yummy home cooked food) combined with our bodies needing to recharge from a week of running around Italy and France? Maybe. But at the end of the day, it was EXACTLY what we needed for our vacation - an honest to goodness BREAK. 

My first time as well in the Netherlands and I totally fell in love with it. 

• Albert Cuypt Market
• Lots of wandering around Amsterdam and easy-going days 
• Merienda with an old classmate (whom I haven't seen in 11 years!)
• Van Gogh Museum
• Vondelpark
• Anne Frank Museum
• Dinner at Bistro Bij ons & awesome Citron Tarte & chihi at Palazzo Plazo
• Watching Gay Pride Parade with awesome all veggie dinner!
• More walking about Amsterdam (Red Light District, Jordaan, etc) 

This Weekend

I knew towards the end of last year that my stint with choir singing was coming to an end. Having been in a choir ALL MY LIFE - thought this was a very bold declaration. Some of the best years of my life I've spent singing in choirs, especially the choirs I sang with over the last 6 years- the best friends, memories, lessons, experiences anyone could every ask for . But I think I arrived at a point in my life where other things became an urgent priority, so much so that singing in a choir was no longer fun for me and I knew it was time to move on.
Recently, the current members of the Ateneo Chamber Singers have been posting this on their Facebook walls. Not ACS' usual style. BUT, watching and listening to it.. I couldn't help but smile each time (yes, inulit ulit ko siya).  Made me remember why I stuck out it out for so long - especially with this group. Genuine warmth and love radiates from the members of the ACS, so much so, that I really do believe it shines through in our music.


So if you're in Manila this Friday, 23rd of September. Do yourself a favor and watch this concert. You'll be in for an inspirational, love-filled evening for sure.

In other news, it's F1 weekend in Singapore. Traffic has already started to build up on this tiny island as people are slowly flocking in by the droves and roads are getting rerouted and fixed up for the night races.

While I would personally love to hermit away at home, I'd be silly not to at least experience the energy of the weekend - and I'm not even talking about the races. I'll start the weekend here on Friday, and will end up here by Saturday. Sunday - you can find me at home, in bed, the ENTIRE DAY.

ACS with Sir Jojo during TATLO at the CCP, Manila in 2011

ACGC pictorial at ADMU in 2003

ACS with Sir Jojo performing in San Francisco 

ACGC in 2004; Mamalou's maiden performance at Philamlife, Manila

ACGC competing (and winning) in Marktoberdorf, Germany, 2001

thank you FB and my FB friends for all of these photos :)