i don't want to spoil it all for you guys who are eagerly awaiting the video release, but man! this IS the movie to watch.  for people in relationships, in marriages (good or bad), this is THE MOVIE to watch.

Fireproof will be available at all House of Praise outlets SOON (this month!).  for reservations, please shoot an email to rdizon@praise.com.ph or to kaye@praise.com.ph :) 

~~~

my marriage?  well, one thing's for sure. the movie has brought strength to my resolve to wait.  and i will not wait with a heavy heart.  God's love dare demands us to love unconditionally, to love and love and love and love, even when we are rejected over and over and over.  i now know why my wait has been long.  but i take heart in knowing that i also now know what to do and how to do it right.   yes, the journey is in the waiting and true love is the prize.

WHILE I'M WAITING
John Waller, Fireproof OST

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord  

three days ago, in a meeting with Alexa's teacher, I found out that GL plans to shut down the school.  yes, because of conflicts with AFI's main thrust, ABS-CBN Children's Center may soon be a thing of the past. 

i am not alone in feeling depressed with this piece of news.  last Tuesday, about 50 or so parents came together in an open forum with Ms. Gina Lopez.  needless to say, tears flowed.  the school is Alexa's home away from home.

before starting school, Alexa was diagnosed to be borderline ADHD.  she was hyperactive, inattentive and always restless.  during her first weeks in Kindergarten, she would hardly stay in her seat; she’d go around the classroom dragging her stroller bag, and would often interrupt the class by doing a Kris Aquino – yelling “Deal or No Deal!” at the top of her lungs.  now, three years later, she is one of the best students in her class, reading extremely well at age 6.  she has developed confidence and is very proud of her achievements in school.  the school has significantly helped her improve, and Alexa is now a normal child. 

 

the school has been my daughter’s second home for three years now.  it is a place of solace to her.  she is well-loved by her classmates and her peers.  her teachers all make sure that she learns all her lessons well.  they instill the right values in her, and they have all inspired her to do better each time.  Teacher Maricar (the school's administrator), in particular, has always ensured that Alexa feels loved and accepted – so much so that Alexa often talks about her.  this school is more than an institution to my daughter.  it is part of who she is – her teachers are family.

 

i am a full-time working mom, and i can’t be with Alexa all the time.  so when she has a problem, it is her teachers who are first to pick up on it.  our home has been a source of instability for Alexa the past couple of years, so the one steady thing that provides her with much security is her school.  it is the one sure thing she has that cannot be taken away.

 

it is therefore SAD news that GL has decided to close down ABS-CBN Children’s Center.  i cannot even find the right words to express how scared my daughter is about the possibility of moving to a new school – much more not having her Teacher Maricar with her.  the school is her “home” and it is an integral part of who she is, and what she has become.

below is Alexa's letter to GL (i typed this because i wasn't able to take a pic of the original, which she wrote by hand, of course):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~~~

ABS-CBN Children's Center is an excellent school.  the teacher's are hands-on and very nurturing.  the curriculum is superior as well.  children from the center are accepted into the big schools like Ateneo, LaSalle, etc.  we had intended to keep Alexa in this school until the 6th grade. 

in case you didn't know, the school accepts outsiders, and not just kids of employees of the network and its sister companies.  class size is a great 1:12 (1:15 at most).  we only need 120 students a year to keep the school open.  if you are scouting for a great hands-on, holistic school, this is the place for you! 

here is a link to an ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. article about the school: http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/mainnews.php?article=33

please help us save Alexa's school!  save ABS-CBN Children's Center!  for inquiries, you may visit the school at #12 Scout Borromeo Street, Bgy. South Triangle, Quezon City or call Maricar Estole at (632) 374.5150 or (632) 410.1066.

going crazy.  first of all, i'm bordeline GDM, so i can't have all the sweets i want.  secondly, i'm almost due, so i doubt i can make it all the way to rockwell next week. :(  should i even brave the crowds?  and there will be one for sure, because the past 2 or so weeks, i have been updating and updating PEx about Royce's first-ever store in the Philippines.

yes, after a loooooooooooonnnnngggg wait, Royce is finally here.  if you've ever been to Japan, Singapore or HongKong, then you should know Royce.  Royce has the best premium Japanese chocolates.  their Namas are to die for, no kidding.  the Hong Kong thread has been raving and craving for Royce for the longest time now.  even those who have just arrived from Hong Kong look forward to getting their Royce chocolates on their very next trip (some even go as far as having fellow Hong Kong PExers buy them a pack, wehehe, me included).  

you can actually order for Namas from the Konbini store in greenhills.  but having Royce in Rockwell just shows that Filipinos are now worthy to have their very own store.  buy a few packs from Citysuper in Hong Kong, and it wouldn't be surprising to find that the customer next to you os Filipino as well.  yep, given that Royce is uber expensive, but hey, well, well, well worth the steep price.

 

 

 

 

they're bringing in almost the whole catalog, including the Namas and the chocolate-covered potato chips.  so get your pockets and wallets ready.  Royce is finally here!!!

ROYCE’ Retail Price List

Nama Chocolate – Au Lait 580
Nama Chocolate – White 580
Nama Chocolate – Champagne 580
Nama Chocolate – Mild Cacao 580
Nama Chocolate – Bitter 580
Baton Cookies – Coconut (25 pieces) 540
Baton Cookies – Hazelnut Cacao (25 pieces) 540
Baton Cookies – Assortment (50 pieces) 990
Potato Chip Chocolate (1 pack /box) 540
Potato Chip Chocolate (2 pack /box) 990
Potechi Crunch 540
Chocolate Wafers 540
Karintoh Chocolate 570
Nutty Bar Chocolate (10 pieces) 540
Nutty Bar Chocolate (18 pieces) 900
Pure Chocolate – Creamy Milk & White 540
Pure Chocolate – Sweet & Milk 540
Pure Chocolate – Venezuela Bitter & Ghana Sweet 580
Pure Chocolate – Caramel Milk & Creamy White 580
Pure Chocolate – Mild Bitter & Extra Bitter 580
Petite Truffe – Praline 450
Petite Truffe – Kirsch 450
Petite Truffe – Orange 450
Prafeuille Chocolate – Honey 540
Prafeuille Chocolate – Caramel 540
Prafeuille Chocolate – Coffee 540
Macadamia Nuts Chocolate 690
Coffee Beans Chocolate 690
Kurumaro – Milk 820
Kurumaro – White 820
Marshmallow – White 420
Marshmallow – Milk Coffee 420
Amande Chocolat – Black 420
Amande Chocolat – Milk 420
Amande Chocolat – White 420
Amande Chocolat – Assortment 850
Criollo Chocolate – Bitter 450
Criollo Chocolate – Sweet 450
Criollo Chocolate – Milk 450
Criollo Chocolate – Assorted 1200
Royce Aroma Chocolate Collection 750
Chocolate Bar – Black 250
Chocolate Bar – Milk 250
Chocolate Bar – White 250
Chocolate Bar – Rum Raisin 250
Chocolate Bar – Creamy Milk 250
Chocolate Bar – Almond 250
Royce’ Street (small) 1,000
Royce’ Collection 2,100

Royce Rockwell opens first week of december. Stall 318A, R3 Rockwell Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati.  For advanced orders, you may email roycemanila@gmail.com or call them at 492 5051.

why am i updating about Hello Kitty all the time?  wahahahaha. 

went to National QA over lunch today and passed by Gift Gate to check out some Shin baby stuff when i saw a sign about Gift Gate's new offering: a Sanrio Fan Club.  asked for a flyer pero they didn't have one.  so read the poster nalang (was too dyahe to take a pic). UPDATE: passed by another Gift Gate store after buying some baby stuff at SM Megamall and READ and TOOK NOTE na of all pertinent info related to the Fan Club for all you Hello Kitty and Sanrio addicts (i also took a pic na, but it was soooo high, so sorry, hehe).

HOW TO JOIN?

Apparently, a single receipt worth 2000pesos of Sanrio imported stuff from Gift Gate or accumulated receipts worth at least 2500pesos with at least 2000pesos of Sanrio imported stuff from Gift Gate, purchased from November 24, 2008 to February 24, 2009 entitles you to the regular fan club membership.  Note that it has to be imported stuff, and not the local licensed stuff like camera baby bottles, the infant clothes, gift wrapper, etc.

BENEFITS:

For Regular Membership: you get to purchase Sanrio Imported Items from Gift Gate at a discount - 10% for cash payments, 5% for credit card payments.  On your birthday, you get to purchase in unlimited transactions, at 20% straight discount for cash payments, 10% for credit card payments. Plus exclusive purchases for Limited Versions of Imported items. 

One Peso = 1 Point

Once your accumulated purchases reach 50,000pesos, you automatically get upgaded to VIP Membership.

For VIP Membership: you get to purchase Sanrio Imported Items from Gift Gate at a discount - 15% for cash payments, 10% for credit card payments.  On your birthday, you get to purchase in unlimited transactions, at 20% straight discount for cash payments, 10% for credit card payments. You will also receive a 2000-peso Sanrio Checkbook which may be used in buying Sanrio Imported items from Gift Gate. If accumulated purchases reach 100,000pesos, you will receive another checkbook worth 3000pesos.

For more information on the new Sanrio Fan Club, contact GREAT GIFTS SALES AND LICENSING INTERNATIONAL CORP's Marketing Department via phone at 743.0261 or via email at sanriofc@greatgifts-sli.com. :)

ayan complete na! hehehe.

by the way, the PURRFECT DAY WITH HELLO KITTY event is really on Sunday (Nov 30) and Monday (DEC 1) since monday is a holiday, i suppose.  I SAW THE ANNOUNCEMENT NA ON ONE OF MEGAMALL'S EVENT BULLETINS.  so kitty-kits sa megamall, Kitty Addicts!

hey kitty-loving friends, i got this from a fellow addict friend... i'm sure you'll be interested, so i'll post this here.  this is all the info i have:

SPEND A PURRFECT DAY WITH HELLO KITTY
sm megamall event center
nov 30 and dec 1
10 am

Kitty-Kits!  hehehe.

Robitussin and it’s Effect on Cervical Mucus

one of my fave authors has passed away. :(  this is from yahoo news.

Michael Crichton, the million-selling author who made scientific research terrifying and irresistible in such thrillers as "Jurassic Park," "Timeline" and "The Andromeda Strain," has died of cancer, his family said. Crichton died Tuesday in Los Angeles at age 66 after privately battling cancer.

"Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand," his family said in a statement.

"While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us — and entertained us all while doing so — his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes."

He was an experimenter and popularizer known for his stories of disaster and systematic breakdown, such as the rampant microbe of "The Andromeda Strain" or the dinosaurs running madly in "Jurassic Park." Many of his books became major Hollywood movies, including "Jurassic Park," "Rising Sun" and "Disclosure." Crichton himself directed and wrote "The Great Train Robbery" and he co-wrote the script for the blockbuster "Twister."

In 1994, he created the award-winning TV hospital series "ER." He's even had a dinosaur named for him, Crichton's ankylosaur.

"Michael's talent out-scaled even his own dinosaurs of `Jurassic Park,'" said "Jurassic Park" director Steven Spielberg, a friend of Crichton's for 40 years. "He was the greatest at blending science with big theatrical concepts, which is what gave credibility to dinosaurs again walking the Earth. ... Michael was a gentle soul who reserved his flamboyant side for his novels. There is no one in the wings that will ever take his place."

John Wells, executive producer of "ER" called the author "an extraordinary man. Brilliant, funny, erudite, gracious, exceptionally inquisitive and always thoughtful.

"No lunch with Michael lasted less than three hours and no subject was too prosaic or obscure to attract his interest. Sexual politics, medical and scientific ethics, anthropology, archaeology, economics, astronomy, astrology, quantum physics, and molecular biology were all regular topics of conversation."

Neal Baer, a physician who became an executive producer on "ER," was a fourth-year medical student at Harvard University when Wells, a longtime friend, sent him Crichton's script.

"I said, `Wow, this is like my life.' Michael had been a medical student at Harvard in the early '70s and I was going through the same thing about 20 years later," said Baer. "ER" offered a fresh take on the TV medical drama, making doctors the central focus rather than patients. In the early life of "ER," Crichton, who hadn't been involved in medicine for years, and Spielberg would take part in writers' room discussions.

In recent years, Crichton was the rare novelist granted a White House meeting with President Bush, perhaps because of his skepticism about global warming, which Crichton addressed in the 2004 novel, "State of Fear." Crichton's views were strongly condemned by environmentalists, who alleged that the author was hurting efforts to pass legislation to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide.

If not a literary giant, he was a physical one, standing 6 feet and 9 inches, and ready for battle with the press. In a 2004 interview with The Associated Press, Crichton came with a tape recorder, text books and a pile of graphs and charts as he defended "State of Fear" and his take on global warming.

"I have a lot of trouble with things that don't seem true to me," Crichton said at the time, his large, manicured hands gesturing to his graphs. "I'm very uncomfortable just accepting. There's something in me that wants to pound the table and say, 'That's not true.'"

He spoke to few scientists about his questions, convinced that he could interpret the data himself. "If we put everything in the hands of experts and if we say that as intelligent outsiders, we are not qualified to look over the shoulder of anybody, then we're in some kind of really weird world," he said.

A new novel by Crichton had been tentatively scheduled to come next month, but publisher HarperCollins said the book was postponed indefinitely because of his illness.

One of four siblings, Crichton was born in Chicago and grew up in Roslyn, Long Island. His father was a journalist and young Michael spent much of his childhood writing extra papers for teachers. In third grade, he wrote a nine-page play that his father typed for him using carbon paper so the other kids would know their parts. He was tall, gangly and awkward, and used writing as a way to escape; Mark Twain and Alfred Hitchcock were his role models.

Figuring he would not be able to make a living as writer, and not good enough at basketball, he decided to become a doctor. He studied anthropology at Harvard College, and later graduated from Harvard Medical School. During medical school, he turned out books under pseudonyms. (One that the tall author used was Jeffrey Hudson, a 17th-century dwarf in the court of King Charles II of England.) He had modest success with his writing and decided to pursue it.

His first hit, "The Andromeda Strain," was written while he was still in medical school and quickly caught on upon its 1969 release. It was a featured selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club and was sold to Universal in Hollywood for $250,000.

"A few of the teachers feel I'm wasting my time, and that in some ways I have wasted theirs," he told The New York Times in 1969. "When I asked for a couple of days off to go to California about a movie sale, that raised an eyebrow."

His books seemed designed to provoke debate, whether the theories of quantum physics in "Timeline," the reverse sexual discrimination of "Disclosure" or the spectre of Japanese eminence in "Rising Sun."

"The initial response from the (Japanese) establishment was, 'You're a racist,'" he told the AP. "So then, because I'm always trying to deal with data, I went on a tour talking about it and gave a very careful argument, and their response came back, 'Well you say that but we know you're a racist.'"

Crichton had a rigid work schedule: rising before dawn and writing from about 6 a.m. to around 3 p.m., breaking only for lunch. He enjoyed being one of the few novelists recognized in public, but he also felt limited by fame.

"Of course, the celebrity is nice. But when I go do research, it's much more difficult now. The kind of freedom I had 10 years ago is gone," he told the AP. "You have to have good table manners; you can't have spaghetti hanging out of your mouth at a restaurant."

Crichton was married five times and had one child. A private funeral is planned.

For tickets and inquiries, call BMI at 638-0663. :)

DON'T MISS THIS!

SIDENOTE: my baby brother, who isn't a baby anymore, started a project with some of his friends in school.  they made shirts for our beloved school, the Ateneo (hehe, Atenista talaga, with the 'the', hehe).  now a graduate, he's decided to continue this biz.  sorry, am not so familiar with the story except that GetBlued is now available at the LS Bookstore (MVP Basement, Ateneo de Manila University) at the Ateneo, and has distributors in provinces! :)  also that they've expanded to a sis shirt biz for Christians with WorshipGeneration (but that's another story).  so anyway, if you guys went to school with me, you'll know my baby brother Ken (again, no longer a baby, hehe).  he takes after our dad and me (sorry, Kerwin, weh!) with a keen knack for business... :) 

if you're a true-blue Atenista (or you're aspiring to be one like someone i know, hehe), catch the fever with GetBlued shirts.  all shirts are PhP 280 only! visit http://getblued.multiply.com for more pics and designs.  I LOVE ALL THEIR SHIRTS, and i'm not saying that because he's my brother.  i'm just proud to be Atenista.  haha, naks!

TOP 10 ALBUMS
1 - WITH HEARTS AS ONE - Hillsong United
2 - GOD OF THIS CITY - Passion
3 - WORSHIP TOGETHER: EVERLASTING GOD - Various Artists
4 - ULTIMATE WORSHIP - Hillsong
5 - HILLSONG LIVE: SAVIOUR KING - Hillsong
6 - TELL THE WORLD - Hillsong Kids
7 - TOP 20 BIBLE SONGS & STORIES - Various Artists
8 - THIS MOMENT - Steven Curtis Chapman
9 - LOVE OUT LOUD - Jaci Velasquez
10 - LIVE TO WORSHIP 3 - Various Artists

TOP 10 SONGS
1 - CINDERELLA by Steven Curtis Chapman, from the album This Moment
2 - GOD OF THIS CITY by Passion/ Chris Tomlin, from the album God of This City
3 - MAKE ME GLAD by Sandi Patty, from the album Falling Forward
4 - I BELIEVE, I BELIEVE by Tommy Walker, from the album I Have a Hope
5 - TESTIFY TO LOVE by Avalon, from the album Another Time, Another Place
6 - WHEN I AM AFRAID by Betsy Hernandez, from the album Lullabies: The Ultimate Collection
7 - WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS by Casting Crowns, from the album The Altar and The Door
8 - HOW YOU LIVE by Point of Grace, from the album How You Live
9 - LOVE OUT LOUD by Jaci Velasquez, from the album Love Out Loud
10 - LOVE WILL FIND A WAY by Delirious?, from the album Kingdom of Comfort

CHECK OUT THESE NEW RELEASES FROM PRAISE!
(visit your nearest House of Praise outlet now!)

LOVE OUT LOUD - Jaci Velasquez
KINGDOM OF COMFORT - Delirious?
I WILL GO - Starfield
I HAVE A HOPE - Tommy Walker
THIS MOMENT - Steven Curtis Chapman
WITH HEARTS AS ONE - Hillsong United
TAKE IT TO THE STREETS, HOPE 2008 - Various Artists
EXPECT THE IMPOSSIBLE - Stellar Kart
ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER PLACE - Avalon
OUR GOD SAVES - Paul Baloche
EVERLASTING GOD, 25 MODERN PRAISE AND WORSHIP FAVORITES - Various Artists
FALLING FORWARD - Sandi Patty
CHILL CAFE, WHERE YOU ARE - Various Artists
CHILL CAFE, HIDING PLACE - Various Artists
GOD OF THIS CITY - Passion/ Various Artists
WOW HITS 2008 - Various Artists
LULLABIES, THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION - Various Artists

i especially love Avalon's timeless album, a remix of old Christian songs that make me reminisce my Power 810 days. :)  but who can not love Passion's God of This City?  and WOW Hits 2008. :) oh, and Lullabies, the Ultimate Collection is sooooooo nice.  if you love Bless My Little Girl and Bless My Little Boy, then you'll love this even more. :)

ps. Casting Crown's new album THE ALTAR AND THE DOOR is also available now!!!  oh, and the new Hillsong Live album - THIS IS OUR GOD. :)

Aug 13 at SM MegaMall @ 6.40 pm
Aug 14 at SM NorthEdsa @ 2.30 pm

On a quest to see everyone on the planet living in the freedom that only Jesus Christ can bring, the PlanetShakers Band is passionate. Under the leadership of Senior Pastors Russell & Sam Evans, the band is devoted to seeing God’s presence revolutionize this generation. Living by the PlanetShakers mandate "to empower a generation to win a generation", the band travels internationally bringing God's breakthrough anointing to conferences and churches worldwide.

THIS IS FREE ADMISSION!!! Join us at the Activity Centers of SM Mega Mall and SM North Edsa!

The latest PlanetShakers' album, "ALL FOR LOVE" will be launched in Manila and officially distributed in all House of Praise outlets. Ticket holders will get the chance to join the raffle. Those who will buy the band's albums will get the chance to have picture-taking and autograph-signing with the group.

Visit http://www.beccamusic.com for more details or call 6380663.

For tickets, PM me! :)

Today's Scripture

just got done reading the comments on Louie Giglio's blog.  CRAZY.  all these Filipino kids transformed.  i can't even find words to express how i really feel right now.  all i know is that inside me, God has lit a fire so strong, i am going crazy!

and i thought the Hillsong United concert was wild.  last night was different, in a great, great way.  Louie's talk (although i got an excerpt of Ashley's story during his talk at the Renaissance during GMA Week in Nashville last April) was just amazing.  Chris and Kristian came as bonuses that topped an already wonderful experience.  and yes, i could have stayed all night just worshipping God in that place.  the aftershock is still with me, and my insides are still praising God for a night well-spent.  it did not matter that i was 20 weeks pregnant or that i was supposed to take it easy because of transcient myometrial contractions (my OB was in the house!), i just wanted the whole thing to go on and on and on. 

watching all those kids praise and worship God just gave me goosepimples!!!  and this wave of peace washed over me - it was a blessed assurance that my kids will grow up knowing God, because the kids of this day are going crazy for Christ.  and i know God will be God of this city forever.

my resolution to labor for God has also been reinforced.  like Ashley, i want Jesus to be made famous in my life, through my life.

i am just thankful to have been part of the first Passion World Tour.  TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

*credit goes to the Passion Team for the Passion in Manila pic posted here.  visit www.268blog.com and www.268generation.com for more on Louie Giglio and the Passion Movement. 

MYX, the number one music channel in the Philippines will be featuring one of the world’s biggest praise and worship teams in a one-hour special -  MYX Presents HILLSONG UNITED will air on July 31, Thursday, 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. MYX VJ Nikki Gil got the chance to interview the team as led by Pastor Joel Houston during their recent Manila visit. Tune in to catch Hillsong United perform your favorites such as:  “Time Has Come”, “Take It All” and “Tell The World”.

Be sure to catch MYX PRESENTS HILLSONG UNITED on July 31, Thursday, 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Skycable Channel 23 in Metro Manila.  Check your local listings for the channel assignment of MYX in the provinces.

This is the very first time a Philippine secular music channel is devoting one-full hour to a praise and worship team.  Let’s show our support to encourage mainstream media to feature more spiritual content.

Airing dates:   
July 31, Thursday, 9-10pm
August 2, Saturday, 4-5pm
August 3, Sunday, 10-11am
                              8-9pm

August 5, Tuesday, 12noon-1pm
August 7, Thursday, 4-5pm  

hi guys, i'm taking down the vid since we will be distributing these in the near future.  sorry for the inconvenience.  do try and catch PASSION: MANILA 2008 on august 1 at the philsports arena.  tickets are 150 each.  we have a few left, the venue is now 90% sold (be part of history!).  PM me nalang if you're interested.

God bless you, everyone. :) 

*pant* excited to see how God will move during the Passion Conference.  i don't care if i need to stay in bed, my OB will be there, so i will sneak out to catch it. :D  hehe.

we were supposed to catch Casting Crowns last Saturday, but tickets were all sold out. people were literally standing in front of the Sommet Center hawking for extra tickets, some even holding up signs that said "i want YOUR tickets, sell me some".  so we skipped that.  it would have been fun to watch Casting Crowns live.  they are my favorite group right now. 

i was able to catch Chris Tomlin though and a talk featruing Louie Giglio over at the Renaissance, but yea, missing Casting Crowns was like missing the next big thing.  see, unlike the other groups, Casting Crowns holds dear to my heart, with most, if not all, of their songs, having real meaning and great impact in my life.  i especially love THE VOICE OF TRUTH as it speaks about the giants one faces in life and how those giants tell you that you will fail.  and you rise up against all your giants because you choose to listen to the voice of truth.

Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giants they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

but the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
i will soar with the wings of eagles
when i stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says do not be afraid
And the voice of truth says this is for my glory
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are

yep, Hillsong United will be back in Manila on May 26 at the Big Dome (Araneta Coliseum)! 

beginning April 15, you can get the Special Hillsong United Concert Bundle at House of Praise Panay and Trinoma. LIMITED STOCKS ONLY.

Patron Bundle (Patron Ticket + The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts As One Double CD) = PhP 1700
Lower Box Bundle (Lower Box Ticket + The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts As One Double CD) = PhP 1480
Upper Box A (Ticket only) = PhP 698
Upper Box B (Ticket only) = PhP 465

The nationwide launch for The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts As One Double CD is on May 15, 2008. so those who will avail of the concert bundle from House of Praise will be getting their CDs ahead of everyone else. cool.

for inquiries, you may call House of Praise - Panay Avenue, QC Main @ 9205291 ext. 139. look for Norma.

SEE YOU AT THE CONCERT!!!