Live Life to the Fullest – Epilogue of Meaningful Life Adventure

“Museums are great memories and treasures from the past transformed the living memory into reality.”

When grandmother died, my mother arranged all her clothes and lot of stuff that can be use and later on can be donated in a charity center.  Mother found out that granny still kept my first ever embroidered cloth way way back when I was eight years old.

This is my intro picture – an embroidered cloth project which is a collection of almost 40 different kind of stitches where granny taught me how to sew it artistically using different flowers.  Recalling it now, I cannot believe I have done this at an early age!

Maybe for granny, she cherished those bonding moments when I started to do sewing the first time.   I still vividly remembered there were lot of patience when she taught me how I did my first few stitches in and out in the basket weave cloth.

When mother handed it over to me as I saw it was kept with so much pristine and still like brand new (considering its more than 30 years old now), I almost cried.  There were mixed emotions but one thing for sure, this is more than a material possession as I will keep a living memory alive – a treasure to remember my grandmother.

This is the reason why am I supporting the decade of collaboration of Manila’s top five museum namely Lopez Memorial Museum, Ateneo Art Gallery, Ayala Museum, Bahay Tsinoy, and Museo Pambata joining forces for Zero In: Open Call .

Main objectives are:

• To expand people’s appreciation of  preserving the memory of the past
• To deepen the learning of our cultural heritage
• To break barriers by literally bringing art closer to the public

This art festival – Zero In: Open Call, opened last September 15, at the SM Mall of Asia (SM MOA) atrium that features a collection of art in its different forms – visual arts, culinary arts, film and fashion, sound, and dance.

These were the lively and festive art activities I personally experience:

#1. Ayala Museum

Ayala Museum theme exposed the fascinating world of manga with an exhibit called “Manga Realities:  Exploring the Art of Japanese Comics Today

#2.  Lopez Museum

Lopez Museum showcased the sound/media art installations in Reverb exhibition.

Based on the materials I got, E.X.I.S.T a.k.a. Experimentation in Sound Art Tradition is a sound art collective and movement. It is a division of Espasyo Siningdikato dedicated in propagating experimental sonic art. Founded by Lirio Salvador, E.X.I.S.T. uses found objects and environmental sounds, explore analog and digital audio technologies for the creative production and presentation of sound.

#3.  Ateneo Art Gallery

Have the opportunity to see the video game called Crafty Critters Munch-Up – a tablet game which can later on match the famous “Angry Bird” game.

The video game brings together the visual and culinary arts through a food project inspired by pieces from the museum’s permanent collection.

#4.  Museo Pambata

Themed “Sayaw” or dance, Museo Pambata represented by  Escola de Samba de Manila – the first and only such group in Manila that performs Afro-Brasilian drums and dance.

Here is the sneak peak live video performance of Escoda de Samba de Manila I captured:

# 5. Bahay Tsinoy

Among the top five museum was Bahay Tsinoy which will push for the visual arts.

Some of the attractions during the opening were cultured heritage costumes like this one:

There was also the unveiling of the freedom wall participated by guests and mall visitors.

Open Call is just one of many projects lined up by the Zero In consortium to make art more engaging and relevant.

It also spearheads art workshops and talks to bolster art education and will participate in the Department of Education’s National Teachers’ Month Campaign.

Hopefully, giving the time, will let also the family visit the five museums that will give them varied experiences showing arts in different forms.

We as parents have to spend time in education exploration and art appreciation to our children rather than giving them material purchases.

Later on, this can  be the start of cultivating more inspirations and ability to connect informal learning.   This can only become a reality initiating the action within us.

For more information:

Visit their website -  http://www.zeroinmuseums.org/

or call Fanny at (02) 631-2417

“It is our own emotional and intellectual interpretation makes music one of the great joys in life.  Grab this slice of time embarking those simple happiness even it is only a single moment then bond it to your heart.”

I definitely love music from 70′s, 80′, 90′s and even young genre tunes.  Maybe listening to different kinds of music  have this profound effects on both body and psyche of individuals as it brings more positive state of mind, remembering happy moments and an instrumental role in harmonizing our spirits.

While today’s youth are into music with beats and rhythms, still, one of my favorite performing group until now which is around for more than two decades  is  the Philippine’s Premiere Vocal Group, ”The CompanY” composed of Moy Ortiz, Annie Quintos, Sweet Plantado, Cecile Bautista and Jay Marquez.

My fave?  Because they got this extra-ordinary voice yet distinctive with style.   One can never deny the level of creativity of their voices when they are already singing those melodies.   Their music are also for me a some sort of freedom of expression how one felt at the very right moment.  The CompanY’s hit songs were mostly original Filipino music.  I even got all their pop classic song mixes with this Youtube link:

I have the opportunity to personally see them twice performed live and experience how versatile this group is.  It is just amazing to know they recorded some of new young genre Top 100 Billboard Hits and all arrange  The CompanY’s own style of interpretation.

From the album enttiled “Lighthearted” The CompanY interpreted songs like  Empire State of the Mind by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift, One Less Lonely Boy by Justin Bieber and others.

The result?   The market noticed it tremendously and definitely they love what they heard which gave birth to another album “Lighthearted 2″. Some of these are two hit songs from Bruno Mars – Marry You and Just the Way You Are, another again with Justin Bieber, That Should Be Me and Price Tag by Jessie J. The best interpretation song for me is Fireworks by Katy Perry.

As I heard them live singing, the rendition is a steal to what was originally interpreted yet a stimulating quench for a great sound.

As the saying goes – “If music is the medicine of the soul, let it play on”.  But what really makes a good music:

• Listening to music calms your souls  which pushes for comfort and relaxation while studying  or  just reading something
• Benefit also is setting the right mood, soothes the inner feeling and even energizes the whole health wellness
• Inspire the state of the mind and rejuvinate the senses while listening to songs
• Profound sound effects of music also enriches tranquility of mind and heal enhancement

Music, however, sometimes evokes emotion through memory and association through certain circumstances.   Move out from the chaos and take some time to listen to music.  Pick up those songs and choose a playlists you are craving to hear which gives meaning to your life.

It is our own emotional and intellectual interpretation  makes music one of the great joys in life.  Grab this slice of time embarking those simple happiness even it is only a single moment then bond it to your heart.  It is us afterall that gives music a meaning.  So make music part of your life and see the difference.

For more information about The CompanY, you can visit their website: http://thecompanysingers.com/home/

“Feel good about yourself  and stay young on the floor.  Live your life in tune.  Enjoy the benefits of living your life to the fullest” “

Most of the international pop sensations are coming here in the Philippines doing their concert tours which comes another and another every month. Latest one is Miley Cyrus that will be bringing the “Party in the USA” to Manila come June. All are successful with their concert stints that young and even not young like me experience and even enjoy the magic of music.

This video song, “The Climb” is a favorite.   The powerful message of the song inspires anyone to just keep on going and stay positive.

Am I into pop stuff getting into young genre?

Getting to be old and look to be older are facts of  life for everyone.  Feeling to be old is not.    Basically it depends on the way the person sees the world around them.  It is one’s choice.

I also see people around in their 60s, 70s and the most 80s are still in their prime, able still to work and have sharpen memories.  It’s because how they perceive their outlook to life which makes me conclude that “age is only in the state of the mind”.

But how can we keep ourselves feeling younger?

• Always be on young thoughts by involving to young genre . If your teenage years has this music of the 70′s to 80s, you can also listen today’s music.  I also like to share this post – Life’s Song – http://ourfullestlife.com/2010/11/26/lifes-song/ that talks about tuning to feeling and heart’s desire by expressing oneself’ deeper emotion.

• Take an opportunity to get together with classmates, colleagues and old friends.  Talk about young sweet thoughts like crushes, bullying stuff where once survive, funny antics and some other good memories you can recall.

• There are times we feel we cannot wear the latest styles.  Even if you cannot, just stay good-looking.  Go out, trim yourself, have a spa and dress up.  Do not ever forget to take care of your well-being.

Just to share with you, in my age, I watched this sensational series with my teenage kiddos and even have a post about those unforgettable scenes.  Others think that GLEE  is some kind of cheesy teenage American singing stuffs.  Every series is awesome and there are lessons to learn that I personally explain to my kids.

This song “Loser Like Me” is totally correct.  Haters in this world are get their turns as losers afterall.   Reach out to your heart’s desire even others think you cannot do it.

Remember -  young sweet thoughts make a person’s outlook to life more vibrant and younger.  Always perceive goodness about yourself.  Be on trend, the most, pamper yourself.  Vanity is not a sin but being stubborn and lazy are.  All you have to do is to start trying.  Still, keep involved with today’s world – do not stuck yourself in the past.  Do not stop growing nor end nurturing your life everyday.   Enjoy the benefit of living your life to the fullest everyday no matter what.

I am ending my post with this video song of Justin Bieber – “Never Say Never”, another young genre song.

Photos courtesy of: http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net