Babang Luksa

Tomorrow marks our dear Uncle Rolly's 40th day in the Lord's heavenly presence.

But because the Bible says, "With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day" (2 Pet. 3:8), it is difficult to measure by human time how the Lord has already rewarded this great man with Beatific Vision in His presence.

Who knows? While Uncle Rolly was gone from us for a mere 40 days, could he have been rejoicing, relaxing and remaining in the Lord for "thousands of years" already? Wow...

On the other hand, it also amazes me how this tradition of Babang Luksa has sprung up in the Filipino psyche. Those of us who are familiar with this deeply rooted Christian practice know well that this culture of "putting away our sorrowful veils" (hence the term "babang luksa") after 40 days of the death of our loved one springs from Christ's ascension into heaven exactly 40 days after Easter Sunday. Hence, religious as we are, we are assured that as Jesus ascended into heaven, the soul of our beloved departed is taken into heaven.

Today, I rejoice because Uncle Rolly's death has not been in vain. His life has been a living testament of happiness itself. he is the epitome of positivity. And because of this, the 22 years i spent with him were the most optimistic years of my life. Because of his death, his memories, his influence, his advice will continously throb in my heart forever.

To all the people who have been praying for his soul, to all those who have been greiving with us, and to all those who have accompanied our family's journey, allow me to say Thank You from the bottom of our hearts.

Indeed, Uncle Rolly is praying that God would reward your selflessness!

Sparkling Gems of Advice

Some true and useful advice from a great theater actress, singer and mother, Ms. Lea Salonga. Taken from her article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Jan. 28, 2009:

1) A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. (Translation: if you, second chorus girl from the left, suck, so does the show.)

2) Make sure your lifestyle compliments your work. In other words, no unnecessary partying during the run.

3) Self-indulgence has no place here. This is a musical, not a concert.

4) Never ever give less than your best. Even if there are only seven people in the audience, those seven made the effort to watch you. The least you can do is demonstrate your appreciation by giving them a good show.

5) You’re not here to make friends; you’re here to work. (Having said that, I’ve made some really wonderful friends at work.)

6) Live your life as fully as you can. How and where else will you get what you need as an actor?

7) Bring your day into your work, and let it run through you. It doesn’t matter if you had a good or bad day.

8) Warm up thoroughly before the show. But not too much that you have nothing left to give.

9) Listen. If you listen, you won’t be out of tune.

10) You are never funny. The material is.

11) Your job in a musical is to service the show, not the other way around. The whole is much greater than the sum of its parts.

12) Leave your ego at the door. There is no place for it here.

13) Professionalism is more than just being on time. It’s about being prepared, consistent, focused and hardworking.

14) Live each moment as it comes. Don’t anticipate what’s going to happen next.

15) Surrender yourself completely to the experience of being on tour. Take it all in.

16) You signed up for this … don’t complain.

17) Be easy to work with. It’ll make for a happy workplace.

18) Be obsessive in your research for the role you’ll be playing. Your interpretation of that character’s songs will never ever be the same.

19) Learn to not take things personally. Be it a newspaper critic or casting director, you will be judged based on your work, not on the person you are.

20) Don’t behave in a way that will attract disrespect. It’s so easy to make a company hate you … and hate you with a passion. (I’ve heard my share of stories about nightmarish actors who hoard costumes from peers and plant negative thoughts into fellow actors’ minds. Not cool.)

21) Make sure you eat something before rehearsals. You’re going to be on your feet all day.

22) When finding a voice/acting teacher, let it be someone you really get along with and respect.

23) There can be so much power and strength in stillness.

24) Be present in what you’re doing, and invest your heart and soul into it. Everyone will be able to tell if you’re phoning it in.

25) After all is said and done, HAVE FUN! This, after all, is the best job in the world.