Background on Christmas Presentations

Fast-forward to the Past: Background on Christmas Presentations
(Under construction)

2002
Grouping: Cell groups
Cell groups (or 'care groups' as they were once called, small groups in other churches) were the basis for the teams in the presentations. My mom made a angelic, love-filled drama presentation for her group, which was later used by the Kids segment for their winning entry in 2005. Our presentation was a puppet talk show. I thought no one, or maybe just a few, watched our show since we performed while dinner was served.

2003
I can't recall any prize for the best entry in this year's Christmas party. Our first production as a youth segment was a flop since we were amateur videographers and we accidentally taped over some of the best scenes (e.g. taken on a boat on a nearby river). But the experience was great since we ventured onto scouting locations while we were taping the scenes. We even woke up to catch the sunrise and stayed until the wee hours of the morning. We even took some shots hours before the party started.

2004
Grouping: Families
We teamed up with Bernardo-Dar Juan family with a singing Christmas tree presentation. We wore green shirts and sang while forming a christmas tree on our finale. Gladly we won First Place. The Prados and Olalias are in second place with a family-themed drama. Third place was awarded to the group, led by Bro. Jerome T., composed of members who don't have families attending with them in church.

2005
Grouping: Segments
In this year, the youth segment also ventured into spoofing Pinoy Big Brother yet it was not as good as we thought it would be. The judge on that year was not really watching and allegedly rated us indiscriminately. She also highlighted that the grand winner was a live production with an original concept. To think that the winner's script was just borrowed from my mom and was already performed in the 2002 party. Efforts were not duly considered since the kids were just holding their copies and reading their lines.

2006
Grouping: Segments
We were a bit skeptical about the entire Christmas presentation theme. I had no plans of joining that year and I just did production help to my sister's (young pro's) and my mom's team (women's). My sister did not did her thing seriously in their wacky presentation with Bro. Jerome T again as the brain behind the song/dance number.
My mom again made a simple yet meaningful play on how Jesus looked for a place to stay. The play was full of symbolisms and attributions regarding salvation and the Savior.

Sadly, the judges weren't in favor of both presentations. My mom settled for second and my sister's group in third place. The youth group (in which I was supposed to be in), won first prize. It was a hand-mime to the tune of "We are the Reason". Partida pa raw 'yun. They rehearsed it for only a few hours. Worse, my sister's ex- and his student taught and led the group. To think that a play was beaten by a few hand movements en sync with a canned song… As for me, I had no regrets on this year since I joined in all winning presentations. Where am I in youth? I was the one who did the opening voice-over for their presentation. Lucky me, I had a taste of three worlds…

2007
Grouping: Segments
Since I graduated and have work, I eventually left youth and moved on to the young pro's segment. My mom and dad was totally against having another regretful Christmas because of the presentation fiasco.

TO BE UPDATED…

2007 Christmas Thanksgiving at BCC

December 23, 2007. Competition was felt during our Christmas party in church. There were parlor games for kids, youth and young adults. My sister and I participated in a game called "A Thing of Beauty" on separate teams. A set of items were given to us - strands taken from a coconut-made broom, newspaper leaves, a long-necked bottle, sticky tape and a pair of scissors. We must make 'a thing of beauty' out of those materials and tools. I know my team was not as good and as brilliant as my sister's but we wouldn't want to give up. One would think that a flower vase would be the immediate product of the materials so I suggested that we make a Nativity scene out of the sticks and the newspaper with the bottle being Joseph and Mary and Jesus, of paper and sticks. We ran out of time so the manger was not as good as my sister's team's flower vase. We lost to them. Well at least I know my sister can move on since she can supervise the team with her ex- as one of the members. Kudos, ate!

Not only did the parlor games draw us into competing but the segment presentations as well. In around 6 years, it's a custom that groups (e.g. segments, cell groups, etc.) would produce a presentation, in any artform, during our Christmas party. In the past few years, I am not satisfied with the way this tradition takes place. (See Background on Christmas Presentations post.)

New Blog for the New Year

January 1, 2008. My online journal is in hibernation for the past few months and I haven't had much time writing whatever was on my mind at that time. Ideas, events, and past experiences all storm in my mind in my 1 1/2-hour ride to work and another 1 1/2-hour back home. Actually I'm writing this entry at work when I'm waiting for the SEC page to appear... Well, it seems that my blog needs a little push so that I can fill it up.

And then came 2008. I just thought that since the year is just starting, why not try to start a daily routine of writing for my blog. I got carried away by my ideas and recalled the past Christmas, appearing in my December entries. It's kinda weird but it's 'better late than never'. Happy new year, pipz. Piz.

favorite lines in favorite songs

Here are some of my favorite lines of my favorite songs:

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
--Hosanna, Brooke Fraser

You are my freedom, you are the reason
I'm kneeling again at Your throne
Where would I be without You here in my life
--Here in My Life, Mia Fieldes

Let the earth sing, You are freedom
Turned my darkness to light
--I'm Not Ashamed

Oh how many times have I broken your heart
But still you forgave if only I asked
And how many times have you heard me pray
Draw near to me
--All for Love, Mia Fieldes

So great and greatly to be praised are You
So great and greatly to be praised
--Higher, Mia Fieldes

You tore the veil, You made a way
When You said, that it is done
--At The Cross, Zschech, Morgan

You gave Your only Son to say I love you so
Oh how I love You so...
Hallelujah to the King
Hallelujah we will sing forever
--Savior, Zschech

No matter how long it takes, somehow I'll find a way
No matter how far you run, there's no distance that's too great
--No Matter How Long It Takes, Phillips, Craig and Dean

It's not just melodies and harmonies
That catches His attention
It's not just paradigms and phrases
That causes Him to stop and listen
--Favorite Song of All, Phillips, Craig and Dean

Jesus, in Your Name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
And give us strength to live for You
And glorify Your Name
--Your Name, Paul Baloche

Everlasting Your light will shine when all else fades
Never-ending Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, Lord my soul cries out
--From The Inside Out, Joel Houston