Behind the Scenes of Liwanag

Liwanag World Festival 2013 just ended… (but it just started!!)

I just have to commend and would like to say THANK YOU to each person part of the Liwanag Organizing Team (includes local/national organizers) [Nic P., Ate Shiela, Kuya Jagat, Ate Tressa, Tita Terry, Jim, Ate Tammy] , MISSION members [ Ate Monica, Nalini,  Dad, Mom, Darlene, Paolo, Kuya Jude, Tatay Felcon, Kuya Richie, Kuya Ome, Valerie, Louise, France, Ate Au, Kuya Sam, Ate Rina, Fr. Tito, Lola Bebot, Enrique, Herms, Kuya Vincent, basta lahat MISSION Members with us physically on the event or not], ELDOT (Extended Liwanag Davao Organizing Team), Friends of MISSION, Liwanag Artists, Plenary Speakers, Volunteers and Participants.

ELDOT, LOT, Artists, & some participants (it’s hard to gather the 16 together in one picture! I can’t see one perfect picture with everyone in it!!!)

All of us are volunteers. We have been meeting once a week for 7 months. and 2-3x a week for the next 2 critical crunch time months(December-January). There were like 16 of us. [ Leo, Gina, Melma, Maya, Tina, Kate, Ayyi, Ellen, Lorie, Lester, Carlo, Arjun, Nitta, Rhon, Nick S., Lilli ]. All the sacrifices, the series of lemniscates we all have to go through from personal to economical.

At the beginning of the event knowing the huge task at hand, we have jokingly warned each other: “I hope we are still friends after the event”. Knowing we may get into each other’s nerves, and even more than that have our different ideas clash with another person’s viewpoint.

If you really know each of the ELDOT, all of the personalities are STRONG. And it’s amazing how all our strong personalities was able to deal with each one – perfectly well. Yes, we all had our downtimes….. but as what Nic P. would have it: “Davao Team the ELDOT, handled it gracefully and by the eleventh hour it was even seamless”. (not the right words.. can someone supply the exact words? hehehe)

We had no petty dramas… siguro at the beginning… we’d argue… but then someone would always put the fire out and everyone would begin supporting one another again. It was Bayanihan… in a personal way. Each gained sensitivity to know who is “going through” something or who needs support or “space”.

What was the secret behind everything? We all handled our own demons/shadows before we confront another. If we see something wrong with another person, we confront ourselves first and ask these questions: “What is it in me that needs to be healed? What is it that I have to learn? What is it in me that is being brought to the surface? What would Liwanag do now?”

Of course, along the way… different spiritual practices aided us… and self mastery practices we got from various mentors that graced our path every step of the way. Yes, our journey was filled with teachers……

we have to make risky choices as a group…. and we encountered many “counter-forces” along the way even up to the last minute… almost having no venue *wink wink* at some point. but we stayed true… and committed (though some of us were falling off.. like me… around November on my part). Counter forces sometimes arrive not as something external but it arrives and “eats” you internally if you are not aware of it. It’s that dark moment, that passage you just have to go through… it can be fleeting.. it can be a long dark moment. And it can make you believe that you have a far more important life to live than to make Liwanag happen. But, the thing is… whether you continue the journey as an organizer or not.. Liwanag will always happen. You just have to hang on. To get back on track. And we all did…. on the day…. we picked up many heart-y volunteers… mixed with the curious… and now their fires are burning bright… ahhhh…. the life. 🙂

at the 11th hour of the event.. everyone is still smiling…. despite the challenges.Photo source: Liwanag World Festival 

maybe on some future post… i’ll acknowledge what gift that I saw in every ELDOT, and the LOT, the ones I personally know. Liwanag sure was not just an event. Each person involved in Liwanag was “purified” in every way…. i know most of the LOT, MISSION members were all going thru that… (just go back on those days when you started to be involved in Liwanag… and the moments/events that happened right after it).

Liwanag is something you embody within yourself and share it to others… thus Be The Light. Share the Light. 🙂

Nic P. even said: “The performance of the Bayanihan Dancers of the Singkil during the Liwanag World Festival, was like a physical representation and manifestation of how ELDOT handled LWF(a huge/complicated task) in a graceful way…which almost brought me to tears (i was holding back).”

Note: This post is an understatement to what each organizer experienced along the way. All our personal relationships, day to day life was rocked….. mind you. I’ve seen how each supported another, or gives space if one needs it… basta it was Bayanihan on a personal level.

the Fab 2011

2011 was indeed a FABULOUS year for me. As what I declared in Facebook and over my blog.

This year I fell in LOVE with LIFE, and with every person that I meet.

Though I still have my pet peeves and I get annoyed now and then by few people measured by the fingers on my hand…. I get to appreciate their existence. Really.

Success is indeed a cocktail mix of love, kindness, compassion, integrity, passion, focus, determination, and being committed and it ain’t a stroke of luck. It might seem like that because when you mix all those, you simply get – magic!

This year, I stopped playing the “unworthy” game…. thanks to wake up calls by my Coaches (Jic, Bong, TJ and Father Allan).

This year, I tried my best to practice what I preach. But, of course there are moments where my reactive mind goes woo-woo and ego goes hee-haw! But, that’s why I am taking the path to personal mastery….(witness to this would be my immediate family who gets the blows! sorrrryyyy!!!)

This year, we created a lot of “campfire” sessions like Kamustahanay with the Imaginals, our mindful LEAP gatherings, and our documentary film watching….intimate sessions over coffee, and whenever we bond we make sure we ignite each other’s fire.Let us all burn without burning out!

This year, I valued doing everything 100%, for Zen Masters it means being fully present in the moment. And true enough when one does everything 100%, our results outweigh what we intend.

This year, made me realize that I worked my way up with a hesitation. I believe I can be remarkable in everything I do, however I was hesitant to do all things 100%. I am nudged all the time by my guides and angels when I hesitate and I always come to my senses! Thank you dearest guides! I know I’ve been quite ma-drama with my “inarte” when in the end, I know that I know that I will be doing it. Despite everything, once I set my heart into it…. everything followed smooth sailing and sometimes it’s even an exciting ride with a lot of wonderful surprises in stored!

I began to appreciate the simple yet extraordinary moments in my life. Such as having an intimate talk with a girlfriend over coffee or pizza. (Ana, Matet, Mona, Phoebe, Abigail, Irish, Ate Ge, and June Mae)

There were days in this year that I was a grouch, and can be nasty at that. But, I know that past emotions are just rising up and I just honor it, feel it and kiss it goodbye.

I also began learning how to manage time and making my days full at most and then getting to do nothing but ground and lounge around after those “full days” A full day meant 4-5 meetings in a day! Mixing friends-business-advocacies-family all in one day! Whew! Remember, I am a Light Worker, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a service center directress, a healer, a speaker and everything in between. [ Hey, Tina got time to squeeze in LOVE? ] I took time to live a balanced life, though!

Someone even asked me…. “Where do you get all this zing and zest life? How do you manage to stay positive amidst everything?”

Well, here’s my secret… when it’s my “off” day…. I avoid human interaction. And just simply sit with me. And then I’d talk to my angels… or go oracle reading… then things will turn around. Or I go journal writing.

This year, I met countless of people who deserves another blog post as I try my best to describe how they shaped my 2011 into a fabulous year!

And to my dearest family… Pa, Ma.. .thank you so much for bearing with me. All my inarte. Mwahahaha. That only you guys know…. thank you for the patience… the unconditional love and support… specially in MISSION! Thank YOU THANK YOU! Thank you for being my “devil’s advocate” whenever you test out my crazy ideas…. but thank you for honoring those ideas whenever I can defend it. Hehe. Loveeee you!!

And Darlene…. Thank you…. for bearing with my… uhmmm “creativity” when it comes to placing things in our bedroom. Can’t you see that those shawls draped over  our double-decked bed acts like an accessory? or the way the bags would spill over with its content staring up on you or the luggage left at the floor and you just have to sigh and close it yourself… thank you. please be patient… as im thinking of ways to let go of all the clutter….To Paolo.. thank you as well for bearing my weird affection. Sometimes happy but sometimes a grouch. Sorry! work on progress here. I didnt say I was a master and a saint that is ready to be painted on church walls!

And to all my friends.. old and new… you will forever be etched in my heart…as i said detailed posts will be done next year! Hahaha. 🙂

Statistics for the year: I drove 13 times, conducted trainings/co facilitated workshops 13 times, went to the gym 8 times, the beach 4 times, nightlife 3 times, massage 4 times, and innumerable coffee,pizza,resto dining… and 10 kilig moments 🙂

Ive been to:

Cebu City (2), Tagum City (3), Island Garden City of Samal (1), Zamboanga City(1), Ipil (1), Dipolog City (1), Metro Manila (8), Padada (3), Dumaguete City (1), Cagayan de Oro (2), Iligan City(2), Butuan City (1), General Santos City (2), Cavite (1), Marbel (1), Batangas City (1)

And as I close a chapter of my life… 2011…. I bid hello to a 2012… I have yet to find a theme suited for 2012…. 🙂