Her Hello To Be Mean-Spirted

Fortunately, it is a rare occurence for I'd rather write of the exciting things that are coming down the pipeline of jnetsworld. But recently, I was surprised to have a guest hello put smugly on my facebook wall. Friends checked in... and my mother called.

I decided to check out www.urbandictionary.com for the meaning of my name since it was the novel status update of the moment that my friends were playing up. My friend, BT, complained that his stood for British Telecom, Bible Thumper or Bong Tokes for lack of a colorful meaning. Mine on the other hand was a fun one and so I posted it.

JNET: A beautiful, sexy, and intelligent woman. Unique. DON'T let her go once shes yours. If you have lost her already- get her back. She will prove to be the best in every aspect. Jeannettes like romance, make a standout gesture.. To get what you really want you have to take a chance. Risk it all or lose it all.

Cool, I thought. I liked it and shared. It was met with enthusiasm by my friends and my mom congratulating herself for picking a good name. The innocent fun got a slap by a surprise hello from someone that had never bothered to post anything on my wall ever before. I was taken back.

K decided to take a different voice and drop an unsolicited stink bomb. Nevermind that I never held ill feelings toward her and even thumbs up'd several great photos in her album to celebrate vicariously her happiness. The only thing I could think of was that she was sticking her nose in business that was not hers and rather choosing to discourage any chance of creating further connection.

Her curt comment was upsetting and perhaps that will be her pleasure. I am accustomed to being able to clear communication and confront misunderstandings right away. But what is one to do when an acquaintance who I have less than three conversations a year takes a butter knife jab at me? What do you do with contempt from left field?

FRIENDS: "Get rid of her. What is she doing being counted as your friend? Remove her!"

I am lucky that I have loyal friends to stand by my side immediately. They've been busy making lemonade. Remove her? She's supposed to be like family.

This unfortunately does not bode well for a particular suitor and my enthusiasm to join his family. It was his sister's comment that brought alarm causing my mom to call and ask about it.

Shall I put the blame on impetuous youth? The planets being misaligned? Is Mercury in retrograde? How to forgive this certain transgression? Did I even have a friend remotely in her? Was she full of pretense? Or is she plainly mean spirited? Someone that I wouldn't want around my someday children?

She did afterall proudly introduce herself as a "bitch" to me at her own birthday party. And with this blog entry, I leave her, it, to stand as is, my status update that I thought was fun - disrupted by an energy that I am at a lost in creating a resolution.

Her ways do not make sense to my world. I create art. I want to make life beautiful... not just pretty in the surface.

So what's a negativity slayer to do? How to build a bridge when one finds that the ground one stands on is hostile? Is it wise to grow futures on land that has mines? Is this subtlety indicative of dynamics I need to be mindful of? Doesn't everyone learn the rule that if you have nothing nice to say... say NOTHING? Before kindergarten?

JNET

Here follows the post of a different world crashing up against jnetsworld:

Status update posted on facebook to entertain myself.. placed before 500+ friends, students and colleagues....

JNET: A beautiful, sexy, and intelligent woman. Unique. DON'T let her go once shes yours. If you have lost her already- get her back. She will prove to be the best in every aspect. Jeannettes like romance, make a standout gesture.. To get what you really want you have to take a chance. Risk it all or lose it all.

Jeannette

I like it :)

February 4 at 11:37am

James

Wow. The more I get to know you the more I like... ; )

February 4 at 1:00pm ·

Jeannette

Thanks bro! Send my regards to the phamily :)

February 4 at 1:11pm ·

Kristina

I don't believe in these things. However, I guess it can be entertaining regardless if it's true or completely imaginary.

February 4 at 3:55pm ·

Paula

Re: the post above mine - I don't think anyone really believes urbandictionary.com is going to define them or their personality by their name. It is definitely for entertainment purposes, as are most facebook posts!

February 4 at 4:34pm ·

Kristina

agreed.

February 4 at 6:16pm

Jessie

that's right beezy... Let's not be haters... Love me some jnet.

Sat at 7:29pm ·

Michael

Definition seems to be missing some stuff, like ambition, drive, and huge smiles.

Sun at 11:56pm.

About Kayamanan Ng Lahi :)

For Immediate Release

Contact: Ave Jacinto
Administrative Director for Kayamanan Ng Lahi
kayamanan@earthlink.net ~ www.kayamanan.org

PHILIPPINE MUSIC AND DANCE INTERCONNECT

UNDER THE STARS AT FORD AMPHITHEATRE

Four Multi-Disciplinary Folk & Traditional Arts Groups
Collaborate For September 13 Event

(Los Angeles - September 4, 2008)

The Philippines' rich and diverse culture of dance and music will be presented in celebratory fashion -- under the stars – as Kayamanan Ng Lahi Philippine Folk Arts presents MAGKAUGNAY (“Interconnectedness”), Saturday, September 13, 8 p.m. at The Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East in the Hollywood Hills just off the 101 Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl.

Presented as part of The Ford Amphitheatre's LA Oasis Summer Series, the evening premieres a creative, rarely performed vibrant collaborative numbers featuring a mix of traditional and post-modernist dance accompanied musically by the resounding rhythms of drums and metal gongs, the spellbinding sounds of the kulintang and the splendidly sublime stringed rondalla instruments.

MAGKAUGNAY features a range of specialized works led by Kayamanan Ng Lahi, with northern hill tribe celebrations by Institute of Native Arts, lowland Spanish-tinged festivities by the Rondalla Club of Los Angeles, and the southern islands' time-honored cultural heritage represented via San Diego’s Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble.

The evening marks the first time that all four accomplished groups, rooted in tradition but inspired by contemporary movements, have interconnected to celebrate the Philippine spirit in music and dance.

“Kayamanan Ng Lahi is excited to be working with Institute of Native Arts, Rondalla Club of Los Angeles and Pakaraguian, “ Joel Jacinto, cultural program director of Kayamanan Ng Lahi noted. “These groups are the best in their genre of Philippine dance and music. Although a small island country, the Philippines is very diverse in cultural traditions. Our hope with this collaboration is to show that however different our cultural heritage between the different regions of the archipelago, Filipinos are working together to build a stronger community here in America and we are achieving it through the universal themes and through love of dance and music.”

The event will also feature special guest soloist Camile Velasco, the American Idol Season 3 top ten finalist, to serenade the audience with a Filipino love song as part of the production.

Tickets, priced at $25 for adults and $5 full-time students and children, can be purchased at www.FordTheatres.org or by calling the Ford box office at (323) 461-3673. The $5 tickets are made possible thanks to a grant from Target, sponsor of Target Dance Series at the Ford. Target strives to make the arts affordable and accessible to youth and families because the arts help foster an appreciation and understanding of various cultures and points of view. Tickets are also available by through Kayamanan Ng Lahi at 310-391-2357 or via email at kayamanan@earthlink.net.

More on the Artists:

Kayamanan Ng Lahi Philippine Folk Arts is a critically acclaimed non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, California. Under the leadership of Joel Jacinto, Barbara Ele and Ave Jacinto, Kayamanan is committed to presenting, promoting and preserving the richness and diversity of Philippine culture through dance and music.

Kayamanan's artistic approach is based on anthropological research, resulting in a strong and appropriate translation between traditional folk and folkloric Philippine dance and music forms and styles - from the village to the stage. Noted for its extensive dance repertoire, costumes and music ensembles.

Kayamanan has received numerous accolades including L.A. Times' description of one of the group's concert as " ...consistently exciting and a triumph of enlightened cultural preservation." In addition to performing and holding weekly workshops, Kayamanan also plays a leadership role in providing technical assistance, training and consultation, instruction and planning of innovative and culturally appropriate performances and programs in folk dance to many student and community folk dance groups across the United States. For more information, go to www.kayamanan.org, email kayamanan@earthlink.net or call 310-391-2357.

Rondalla Club of Los Angeles (RCLA)
Rondalla, the traditional string ensemble of the Philippines, often provides the music for Philippine folk dances and is prominent in community celebrations like fiestas, weddings, and other civic and social events serving the Filipino community. Since its inception (1991), RCLA has remained active in various Filipino social and civic functions and is recognized as one of the leading rondallas in southern California. It has been a familiar fixture in the Pilipino Cultural Nights (PCN) held in different universities, colleges and high schools like UCLA, USC, UCI, UCR, CSUN, CSUF, Troy High and Whitney High to name a few. Together, RCLA's members have decades of world-class rondalla playing experience between them, having toured, performed and taught extensively throughout the U.S. For more information go to www.rondalla.org or www.myspace.com/RCLA, email info@rondalla.org or call Tagumpay De Leon at (818) 842-8655 or Patrick Tanega, (213) 399-2117.

The Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble of the Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts & Education Center performs gong-chime music and dances from the southern Philippines. Formed in 2003 by UCLA alumnists, Peter Paul De Guzman, Bernard Ellorin, Mary T. Lacanlale, Eleanor Lipat- Chesler, and Nickki Martin-Lustre, Pakaraguian has been performing at various festivals, lectures, venues and universities around southern California.

The group’s main purpose is to accurately represent and educate its audiences on the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) cultures of the Maguindanaon, Maranao, Tausug, Sama, and Yakan ethno-linguistic groups. It is important to note that music and dances from this region are NOT “Muslim music or dances.” These indigenous Philippine cultural arts forms originating from the Muslim Filipinos in Mindanao and Sulu are a part of the Philippines’ Southeast Asian heritage. For more information, contact Bernard Ellorin at 1-619-892-2297. email: bernardellorin@yahoo.com.

Institute of Native Arts (a subsidiary of BIBAK Dance Ensemble)
The Institute of Native Arts (INA) is a cultural arts ensemble based in Los Angeles, which seeks to preserve, promote and perpetuate the indigenous arts of the Igorot hill tribes of Northern Luzon, Philippines. INA is comprised of first and second-generation Igorot-Americans with the purpose of educating the world on the colorful Igorot culture through showcases, seminars, workshops and arts exchanges. Armed with their ever-present brass gangsa, INA's upcoming projects include inventory of ancient artifacts and instruments, archiving native chants and songs, and developing their artistic knowledge to include traditions such as basket-weaving, bamboo instrument creation, tattooing, and recording ancient rites and rituals. For more information call Michael Wandag, Director: 323-378-9872 or Jennifer Catanes, Director: 310-775-1732

More on the Ford

The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. The grounds open two hours before showtime for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages is available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink. The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request.

On-site, stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle for evening. For evening shows only, FREE non-stacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford, for evening amphitheatre performances only, is available at the Universal City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stops in the "kiss and ride" area.

This event is part of the Ford Amphitheatre 2008 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the theater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org.

MAGKAUGNAY, an event produced by Kayamanan Ng Lahi, is funded in part by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and presented by Asian Journal, Inc.

A Stretch Away From Solitude

Slow... slow ... quick quick ... slow..

Next week is my last week of tango class.. the instructor is going to switch it up to Viennese Waltz to mix things up for a bit this November. So many fun things to do... and so little time!

I am enjoying my teaching practice. My students are a pleasure to be with and I feel energized after my teaching sessions. If I could just only live on music, writing and dance....

I suppose I tried and did not succeed. Not having any hungers other than for art, I pushed my body where I mentally could go but not with my body. I fainted while teaching and spent last weekend in the hospital on a mandatory bedrest.

This week of "taking it easy" has been challenging. ALL of my friends live similarily FULL and intensive lives. How does one slow down on a lifestyle that has been set since before high school? I never was the type to sit down to a ritual of watching television for a couple hours a day. I've ALWAYS had rehearsals or some sort of practicing, reading or projects to immerse myself into....

Today is Sunday...a do nothing day.... I'm skipping out of attending rehearsal and I'm going to enjoy quiet and relaxation... Maybe enjoy a good laugh with a friend or even watch a funny movie :)

Slow... slow... quick quick... slow...

Enjoying the slow parts dancing with life....

JNET

SS: Tango-ing Thoughts

Slow... slow... quick quick... slow..

Promenade, grapevines, rock, lock, box, ochos, serpentines...

I am loving the choreography sequence being taught at my tango class.

But as I visit tango world for my dancing fix, studying how to use the body in a skilled art form, I am conscious of the fact that I am surrounded by salt shakers, that ubiquitous presence of pairs. Though I am grateful to "borrow" a guy for a dance, I become aware that perhaps my singularity is peculiar.

But I am a girl who goes to weddings, baby showers, and restaurants ALONE. And tango is for salt shakers ultimately.

It's been two weeks since I've seen the mathematician. We've since retreated to our work, the serenity of personal solitudes and I am still struck by the aftereffects of his presence. Still, I had a great evening with JC who made me a dinner that put me on the moon and I enjoy the hellos of several sweet.... potential shakers?

What is tango doing to me?

Hmm... maybe I should've signed up for flamenco instead.

JNET

Life Loves Me

September is ushering in so much love into my life that it feels like God is tickling me silly.

I have sooo many new people in my life. I am absolutely charmed. I've gained almost a dozen new private students whose personalities have endeared themselves to me that I find it hard to entertain thoughts of packing up and moving back east.

I'm still doing "Tango til Midnight" dance class with the goth crowd. I've just arrived home and I have a BSF class in the morning that I'm looking forward to at 9:00am. Life is busy... incredibly busy. And yet I manage my private time to write, read a book and play the piano.

I am tackling the Iberia Suite by Isaac Albeniz. It's not easy but it is a nice obsession during my quiet time.

As I romance life, I find that life opens up more possibilites before me.

"What do you want? What is your wish?" Life asks...

"I want joy, creativity, abundance, growth, love, fun and adventure." I say.

And in being present to the possibility of magic in a spontaneous moment, I find that wishes do come true. It's September... and it feels like God is tickling me silly with so much love.

JNET

PHOTOS: An Afterward of KNL's Habing Sayawit

I celebrated my first Christmas party with KNL last weekend. It had been nearly a month since I've seen them last. It was very nice to not be on concert mode and it was the first time I had been able to relax and have our hair down (literally... I haven't seen how many of the girls look like with their hair down!)



My brother took loads of pix and you may find them at this link ... I believe all the links are now in working order. If you want to see the pictures blogged thus far you may find them here. Act TWO's page has a link to take you back to ACT ONE... The pictures below are later additions plus our recent Christmas party... Enjoy.

JNET :)
















"It is not a question of who dances

but of who or what does not dance."


My friends adored the dance concert. My family is ecstatically proud and I can't wait to go for another year and see my new friends again.

To be part of this work is a very special experience. It is spiritual, emotional, and mentally demanding as well as rewarding.

"Prayer does not use up artificial energy,

doesn't burn up any fossil fuel, doesn't pollute.

Neither does song, neither does love,

neither does the dance."

"The real message of the Dance opens up the

vistas of life

to all who have the urge to express beauty

with no other instrument than their own bodies,

with no apparatus and nodependence on anything

other than space."

"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home."

"When you dance,

your purpose is not to get to a certain place

on the floor.

It's to enjoy each step along the way."

"To dance is to be out of yourself.

Larger, more beautiful, more powerful.

This is power, it is glory on earth and

it is yours for the taking."

"Many people are shy

when it comes to getting

out on a dance floor.

Dancing is an activity that...

reveals your inner self,

whether you like it, or know it, or not.

It is hard to fake it on a dance floor."

"Happiness, that grand mistress of the ceremonies

in the dance of life,

impels us through all its mazes and meanderings,

but leads none of us by the same route."

"He who would learn to fly one day

must first learn to stand

and walk and run and climb and dance;

one cannot fly into flying."

"Think of the magic of that foot, comparatively small,

upon which your whole weight rests.

It's a miracle, and the dance is a celebration of that miracle."

"We learn by practice.

Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing

dancing or to learn to live by practicing living,

the principles are the same.

One becomes in some area an athlete of God."

"I see dance being used

as communication

between body and soul,

to express what it too deep

to find for words."

"It was character that got us out of bed,

commitment that moved us into action,

and discipline that enabled us

to follow through."

2006 is going to be a great year!!!

PHOTOS: ACT TWO KNL .. Creation and Connection

Hello Friends,

Here are the photos from the second half of our show.. With many thanks to my brother and friends who've forwarded pictures to me. Be sure to check out the first half of the show too... and if any friends have photos that they would love me to include in my blog, please forward them to me... I would love to share them.

Many thanks to my family and friends... my new friends from KNL.. all your support and encouragement create a clearing in me making possible who I am and want to be..

Cheers :)

JNET





















ACT TWO:

SCENE 1: CREATION

Inspiration,

Creation,

Tribute


ALAGAD NG SINING

Kayaman Ng Lahi pays tribute to four Filipino artist icons who, by their vision, creativity and body of work, have defined the field of Philippine dance through their unique yet complementary achievements and successes. These "Alagad ng Sining," translated as workers of the arts, have truly excelled in preserving and presenting the rich and diverse culture of the Philippines. Their contributions serve as a consciousness that inspires us to continue this cultural celebration and journey into self and nation. They have inspired us to learn from the past and present in order to build our future.

Habing Sayawit means togetherness. The different regions, times, religions, and more put into one two-hour show. This shoud be interesting....

Janeil A.

Lucrecia Reyes Urtula / Bayanihan

Pattong / Vinta

Singkil

Francisca Reyes-Aquino & Jovity "Tita Betty" Sison Friese & Fil - Am Family

Pasikat Na Baso

Binoyugan

Rice Festival

Tinikling


Ramon Obusan /

Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group

Sugod Uno

Kadal Taho

Takiling

Ragragsakan

Jota Paragua

Bilang pagtangkilik at pasasalamat, sa lahat ng nagbigay inspirasyon, tanglaw na ilaw at karunungan sa aking culturing Pilipino, ito po ay para sa inyo... As my thanksgiving to all who gave me inspiration, vision, and knowledge in my Philippine culture, this concert is for you.

May C.

Born and raised in the United States, KNL helped me to understand more about my Filipino culture. I learned to appreciate who I am and where my parents came from.

Michelle R.

To dance is to create a bridge between soul and body... to express love and passion... respect and beauty....

The meaning of Habing Sayawit symbolizes growth, innovation and evolution.. It is a unique relationship with art and with life. This event and this concept represents art and life coming together as a cycle and a story of soul.

Jed D.

I believe that my culture is an important part of who I am. I joined Kayamanan Ng Lahi to learn more about the Philippine culture and customs. Joining KNL give me pride and fulfillment to be one of the Filipinos preserving our culture.

Sandra M.

This project has taught me to recognize that all aspects of my culture, family, history and myself have always co-existed.

Grace C.



Kayamanan Ng Lahi

Philippine Folk Arts

Celebrating 15 Years of Cultural Legacy

Aratani / Japan America Theatre





Kayamanan Ng Lahi

1990

Founded by Joel Jacinto, Boy Angos, Barbara Ele & Ave Jacinto

Goals: To transform our members through education and presentation






Habing Sayawit is hard work but fun. I learn a lot about my culture through dance and songs. I love my teachers.

R. age 10











Dancing is making a poem with movements rather than words. I am always moved to tears by the beauty and intention of art. You can only be in the moment. To study art, I find that I study being in the moment and through the study of being in the moment, I find myself being in love with my life through all circumstances. Beauty will always shine through in practicing to be connected to passion.




Being present to life, to community... being PRESENT.. is to be one with the force of life... it is during the times that I am not present... when I am floating with my thoughts and insecurities that I experience life as mundane or scary. I experience the power and beauty of life by being involved, by claiming my life from the ticking seconds. I made many mistakes along the way, dancing the wrong steps and playing incorrect notes but I am not committed to my mistakes, I am committed to something bigger than my mistakes...



"Habing Sayawit" - translated as woven dance and song - weaves an array of Philippine dance, song and music into a seamless tapestry of cultural reflection.




















If there was anything I was more present to in my involvement with KNL, it was commitment. In getting to know the dancers and becoming friends, I learned that people in the group were having babies, getting married, going through school, commuted long drives and had FULL lives..






It has been in my experience that busy people committed to great things always find the time to make room for anything of heart value for their life. Commitment is to take on the work of being up to something, not getting stuck in one's self-defeating thoughts and not getting slowed down by anything. Commitment is affirming a love of one's life by doing one's best... and all things are possible with love.








Dance is the hidden language of the soul.




Does beauty come from technique or practice... a formula or the abstraction of passion?

My conducting professor always stated that "life is practice"..

Committing to practice whether to music or dance or learning how to live, I've learned that one can become an athlete of God... every moment becomes a blessing... every experience a present.

10 meaningful years of created passion, passionate intentions, intended connections and clarity of cultural traditions mark a chapter of my moving experience discovering the treasures of my people, and more important, the treasure within.

DS P.

This dance is very special to me, "Ragragsakan." I loved it so much and had the most self-defeating thoughts going through my mind through each rehearsal. I loved singing the chant but struggled with balancing the basket for several months. I did everything in my head to not lose it and cry with self-pity. Listening to loud music after rehearsal and having good talkings to myself, encouraged me...


















I am the newest girl in the company of these seasoned dancers. It is a humbling place to be a beginner; a student... as a music teacher in a new realm, I created my friendships with the youngest members whose fun and teachable spirit inspired me as a learner and I was also encouraged by the welcoming spirit of the seasoned dancers that took time aside to coach me, assure me and make me feel a part of the KNL community.



And here I am ... happy and loving the moment being part of something beautiful.



When I practice music, I don't think of making wrong notes, but during my dance practice I found myself worrying over making a mistake. "Ragragsakan" is a dance that celebrates the daily work of the women that live in the mountain regions of the Philippines. After learning the self-defeating game I had inside my head in learning the dance, I was able to be free to enjoy learning it and to perform it as a celebration of work.




We are all possibilities of beautiful expressions, of love, of passion, of community, of friendship... of any great endeavor we can fathom dreaming...



It was a pleasure to celebrate my humanity.... art... creation... culture... and connection...

And make new friends...

This is the fruit of commitment.









KNL... Kayamanan Ng Lahi Folk Arts