From March 22-27, the Philippines hosted artists from the ASEAN members to participate in the 4th ASEAN Festival of the Arts. I was privileged to have been chosen to be the Liaison Officer assigned to Singapore (Singapore will be hosting the festival in 2012).
Singapore sent over the Arts Sphere Chamber Ensemble, which was a fairly young organization. Arts Sphere was established in mid 2007, with an aim to strongly establish the genre of Chinese chamber ensemble. Within a short period of time, in 2008, the ensemble drew national attention by clinching first prize in the National Chinese Music Competition organized by the Singapore National Arts Council. In the Following year, the ensemble clinched the first prize in the 2009 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, Instrumental Folk Solo/Group Competition.
The rest of the ASEAN artists who participated made the festival the colourful tapestry that it is and made participants and audiences alike prouder that we share that one ASEAN culture and dream.
Here goes the ASEAN Song:
"Raise our flag high, sky high Embrace the pride in our heart ASEAN we are bonded as one Look-in out-ward to the world. For peace, our goal from the very start And prosperity to last. We dare to dream we care to share. Together for ASEAN we dare to dream, we care to share for it's the way of ASEAN
Go ASEAN brothers and sisters!
Here's my prized photo with my babies from the Arts Sphere Chamber Ensemble :)
See the rest of the photos here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3582455&id=525367919#!/album.php?aid=159300&id=525367919
"For thoughts and things, and their airy wings
Are swifter than carrier doves.
They follow the law of the universe
Each thing must create its kind
And they speed o'er the track to bring you back
Whatever went out from your mind."
-Ella Wheeler Wilcox
PAPILIO
["You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."-Mae West]
("Who looks outside, dreams;
who looks inside, awakes."-Carl Jung.)
Reinerio Alba is a Filipino writer from the Philippines, basically, who is happily creating and manifesting the best things in his life right now. "I believe that we can always re-cast our realities into better ones, by willing them. I believe that without passion, life is not what it is. I subscribe to the idea that everyone is in a sort of process and that we should always aim for our highest possible self. Always. ( I am also a sucker for synchronized swimming, who wouldn't be? hehehe)
People I'd like to meet?
I am drawn to people with a passion, people with a great, natural sense of humor, who are not pretentious, and who always keep a sense of wonder about the world around them. If they can cook and sing, or sing and cook, that would be fab! :)"
