Start Strong

Wow ... it's been a great 2009 so far, I just finished a great weekend of Barbara Deutsch workshops and am off to Calgary to film Santa Baby 2 with the amazingly fun, wonderful gorgeous Jenny McCarthy. The people on this shoot are soooooo nice - they even have a car picking me up. Some people may dis American shows as being cheezy but I know this show is going to be fun and I'm super excited to meet Jenny McCarthy because of her courage and love for her son. I'm also excited to meet the director Ron Underwood - he called me up last week and gave some clear idea s for my character. This whole experience has been a blessing and I haven't even started to film yet ... AND I get to go back to Calgary! I really feel it's my reward for hanging in from all the challenges of late. I'm also learning to slow down and be a bit more easy about things which is creating a bit more flow in my life. I'll write more when I arrive in Calgary.

Playlists and Favorite sites

I'm really enjoying the holidays even if they weren't how I planned them. Same time last year, I was on plane to surprise my parents. Today - I'm just chilling at home, looking at the 3 or so feet of snow glad that I don't have a delayed or cancelled flight. I just get to chat with them on the phone and miss them lots which is good cuz that means I love them. Being a Buddhist I don't really celebrate the birth of Jesus which in fact really is in the spring. I read this ironic information from a recent article debunking the movie Zeitgeist. So what does one to do enjoy oneself during a freakishly wonderful White Christmas in Vancouver being that it's to crazy to drive or wait for a bus? Well, utilizing the internet I found a site called Pinoy Fanatics that plays Tagalog movies ALL DAY LONG!!! And we're not talking the old ones - it's the recent ones. Then there's a site, Hayag that streams the two main Filipino channels, then there's good old Justin TV that plays the latest movies. Getting bored watching movies - I start organizing and downloading songs, creating playlists. I was blown away by the music that has really shaped my 38 years of existence and that ideas that flow from them. From Siouxsie and the Banshees, to Courtney Love and Hole to Kanye West and Justin. FYI - Madonna has her own playlist - hulleer? So do all my favorite OPM (Original Pinoy Music). Memories start rushing through me - making me appreciate the life I've had and yet to have. More songs, more memories, longer play list - better life. Playlists almost shape and give a clear indication of who a person is. What's on your playlist? If you don't have one - use this precious time to make one, you'll be glad you did. Happy Holidays!!!

I'm not into boxing but ...

I saw the Pacquiao/DelaHoya fight tonite. It's not the violence that I'm into but it's the symbolism about the spirit of fighting against our own doubts that was really inspiring and what the athlete has to go through. I felt like I was with Manny and many of the millions of people watching, facing all the difficulties in my life, bobbing, weaving - facing my own darkness - taking aim and POW ... left hook - right in the eye! In this fight I saw how strategy and preparation were necessary, it wasn't just a couple of guys punching each other out. Also it was literally a David/Goliath story. Dela Hoya was larger but Manny was more determined. The victory captures the spirit of a people who have to fight to survive everyday in the Philippines, but I guess it's even larger than the Filipinos as there were people part of Manny's team that weren't from the Philippines, united in a goal to achieve victory. The principals I'm talking about I think are Universal. So even if you're not into boxing I understand, but if you're into fighting to win in your life, well, you see the analogy. I get why my brothers were into boxing and what it meant for them to grow up in a new country and how they used that sport to focus stress, anger or pressure in situations and again, for many youth that may not have had certain privileges. In the next while, as things may get difficult or challenging everywhere in the world - as we go into the ring with our negativity and the challenges in our life - and let's do a "Pacquiao" and knock it out! Congrats Manny!!

Slumdog Millionaire

What an amazing film. A great story about never giving up no matter how difficult and dark things get. It's truly a triumph and the fact that he was able to shoot a film in Mumbai with the crowds and the noise. I don't want to give away too much but just some of the shots were incredible - it also shows that the world is constantly changing - well at least physically - from slums to financial districts - from slumdog to Millionaire. Go and see it ...

Your Mission is here in Canada ...

This is the phrase that Mrs. Izumi, the first person to ever chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo in Canada said to me last week. She gently touched my arm and looked me compassionately yet firmly in the eye and said with every fibre of her being "You're Mission is HERE in Canada." Who's one to argue with living history and one who has fought so hard with our mentor Daisaku Ikeda to create Kosen Rufu in Canada. So that's my answer to the good 'ol Clash song: should I stay or should I go now? I've been asking that question since I was in Boracay a couple of years ago and I felt like I was capable of doing something good and right in this world - and to be an example to others. This completes this whole phase where two years ago, I got myself to the Philippines - my life changed. It was this huge culture shock - I wanted so much to do something for the people there and felt guilty, angry for what we had here in Canada. But recently - I realized that if I succeed here - I'll be in a better position to help people there. To go back there at this point in time would be running away and living small. The sacrifices my parents made to get me here would sort of be wasted. It's not saying that I'll never live in the Philippines full time at some point but for now, with the series, the 2010 Culture Festival it seems all roads are leading me back to Canada. I get that now. The answer is very clear. I have to do my very best here! Be the best at what I do here ... I think I will always strive to visit there every year but will make the most of what I have here. To world peace - starting where I'm at right now.

The key to happiness and abundance ...

If you're not "doing what you LOVE" right now, the next best thing is "LOVE what you're doing" which will eventually lead to "doing what you LOVE". It's all about the choice we make and adjusting our attitude. How can I possibly LOVE this crap job right now? Or I'm not getting any auditions etc. You ask ...

Well ...

I was talking about this concept during the last class I taught - and one of the gang was telling about how she got some not so good news from the tax man (when is it ever good news?). But talking to her about it later that day ... In an instant she changed her attitude about having to pay more money to Canada Revenue Agency. She just decided to face the situation ... to LOVE what she's doing and loudly declared: "I guess I'll just have to book more acting work then." That's the spirit I told her - not a few hours later - she gets this call from her agent that she has an audition. Hello? Point proven ... all I'm saying is that we're so powerful ... and how and what we think is crucial ...

I got to sing with Madonna ...

I'm still reeling ... I just got home from the Madonna concert and at the end she gets people to sing the chorus of Give it to me ... she saw me singing and got me to move close to the mic and sing and did I ever ... it was this really great moment and encounter of two people ... that was SOOOO MUCH FUN! I also thought only the people around me would see it ... actually it was on the BIG screens at BC Place so I guess it was an intimate moment with 60,000 people .. A memory that will last an eternity ... more pics to follow.