Since my return from 8 weeks in Santa Barbara, I haven’t really been able to do much music work. I have been spending time relaxing. I told myself that I will start learning repertoire for the opera and other performances starting September. Well, it’s now September, and I better step on it.

Two weeks ago, I had two (2) guest appearances: the April Boy show at La Mirada Performing Arts and Pistang Pilipino in the Valley Area.

This past week, I was supposed to go to my good friend’s wedding, Ariana Simpson. Unfortunately, the person I was supposed to go with had some last minute change of plans, so I ended up not going at all. I extend my apologies to Ariana for not coming to her wedding. I’ll make it up somehow.

Also this past week, I had a lesson with Dennis (Parnell). The lesson went well. I’ll be having another one this week.

Yesterday/Last night was the Grand Fiesta for Mendezenians. In addition to conducting the choir during the mass, I also sang a couple of songs during the program section. I sang the Drinking song from La Traviata, and, for a change, did an ode to pop music by singing “On the wings of love”. Both adult and young audiences loved the selections. Unexpectedly, I had my share of drinks, and let’s just leave it at that.

Well, that’s it for now. And by the way, it IS official that I will be having a concert on December 20, Saturday, at the Zipper Hall in Colburn School of Performing Arts. Guest vocalists include Andrew Fernando (baritone) and Maria Cristina Viguilla-Navarro (soprano), both Filipino opera singers. The musical director is Mona Lands.