Here’s a link to last year’s Arts and Media Summit 2007.

the subject however was not difficult today. i received a text from a dear friend to read the papers this morning, namely the entertainment section. i did as i was asked and my heart sank. it is the article regarding marriage difficulties of our friends Dennis and Marjorie. since they are celebrities they had to clarify some nasty rumors regarding 3rd parties and the real score. not only are they celebrities but they have just been involved in a successful political campaign. congratulations marj!!! but that also adds to them being a target.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, SO MANY HAVE SIMILAR SITUATIONS (even this “king of my house” does, . . . occasionally, . . . every hour or so only :-D) IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY HERE IN METRO MANILA OF 20 THOUSAND PLUS. sadly, but because it’s Dennis and Marj, it’s headline news. FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN THE PRESS, PLEASE HEAR ME OUT. THERE ARE OTHER YOUNG LIVES INVOLVED, PLEASE CONSIDER THIS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU DIG AND PLAN FURTHER.

this reluctant blogger is glad he is just “king of my house” an not a celebrity (who are at times “kings of the world”). as one of their pastors and as friends, we are standing with them in prayer and encouraging them through this “winter season” in their lives, just like we would any other church member facing crisis in their lives.

it becomes much more challenging for high profile people doesn’t it? we all experience the same things, but not with the rest of the world watching. lets continue to stand in prayer for our arts & media friends in church for God’s wisdom, strength, favor and peace on them as they trudge through this “wonderful life,” wanting to please God like the rest of us.

it’s 5:20pm wed. may 23 still! i am only posting it now, and “I PROMISE” i don’t know who won. just in case it already came out earlier today.

American Idol just about wraps up!

… I think America decides or has decided between Jourdin and Blake this week. When there were four left, as you know from my first BLAM, I told my wife and kids Lakisha and Melinda would be out! I promise! You can ask them. I will link up their multiply sites or email if anyone cares to verify.

My main reason is that the two were too “Jennifer Hudsonish� and as you know, people today always want something fresh, new, creative. Blake brings that to the table. Jourdin has a charm about her that makes her lovable. For the record, I think Jourdin will be . . . “the next American Idol�

Ah all of us, are captivated indeed by the arts & media aren’t we.

American Idol lessons- sexy doesn’t always sell

… and then there were 3! It seems like just last week we were watching those sometimes absurd American idol auditions and before you know it’s about to end. It actually felt like the whole show last week eliminating lakisha took longer than the whole season itself. Oh! Ryan Seacrest drives me up the wall when he says …�when we return.� I almost hate that he does it so well. Dang! he is a good host!

Why are tens of millions glued to this show not only in America and around the world? Time magazine (april 16, 2007 issue) has an interesting and startling article a few issues back. It reports on 6 valuable lessons learned on why it is a number 1 show. I will focus on just 2.

1) -people like to hear a story- “it is not just a singing contest as it’s judges so often repeat it it. You can get by on Idol by singing. You win Idol by telling a story!�

stories in any genre or media always touches us deep in our souls.

2) –people don’t like sex- “there is a big audience that wants a safe haven from the supersexualized pop culture.�

So it is possible to be at the top in the arts & media world without giving in to pop culture necessarily. This is so encouraging to all who aspire to bring something fresh and with beautiful content.

And it took American Idol’s success to prove this.

***note this was written several weeks ago***

talents inC invites all performers and production staff to volunteer for the creative presentations in the upcoming Every Nation World Conference 2007.

We’re calling all actors, singers, dancers, musicians, gymnasts, extreme athletes, stuntmen and all other individuals with special talents or production experience.

If you have a heart to serve, we need you!

Come to our auditions for performers & production staff

May 5, 2007 Saturday

10:00am to 12:00pm @ the Sanctuary, Victory Ortigas (Galleria)
& 1:00 to 4:00pm @ the Drama Studio, L/G Level, Victory Fort Bonifacio

Special Notes:

• Please bring a brief, half-page long creative resume describing any special skills, talents or experience you might have
• For performers, be prepared to show a little of or be tested on your talent(s)

It’s time to use your gifts for God’s glory!

For more info text/call 0917-525-5899.

I don’t like it when I encounter people who shy down themselve when I talk to them. I hate it when they embrace that trait and believe it’s something to be praised.

Let’s breakdown what shyness is about. Shyness is that feeling or attitude that we have that makes us think that other people are better than us or that we are not worthy to be better than our situation, circumstance or position. I’m not sure about this definition. To be honest its been a long time since I have been shy. I actually surprised myself the other day when I realized i had not an ounce of shyness in me. Nakakatakot baka nga masyadong makapal na mukha ko.

I was in a dance studio in Davao, teaching the introductory program of ACTNOW the creative empowerment workshop I give for free. Midway into the session of around 40 students… in the height and heat of the exercises… I was approached by the head teacher of the studio and whispered something in my ear. She said, “Jourdan I’m sorry to tell you this but your fly has been open.”

To my surprise I didn’t feel a bit of shame or embarassment. Its not that i didn’t care. Its just that the workshop was going so well that i had no time to feel bad or embarassed about my fly being open. It didn’t matter. The session was not about me… the program and the session was about the bunch of kids who had big dreams in their hearts and i was there fighting for their hearts with them. I had no time to be shy about what happened. I just hope they took me seriously even if my fly was open all that time.

Shyness is a subtle form of fear and the lowest form of pride. When we are shy we are afraid to be put in the light and believe that we are not worthy enough for attention or recognition. Why not? What do othe people have that we don’t have… maybe a lot but so what!!! its not about what we have or don’t have that matters… it’s who we are that matters.

So who are we? We are all equal. I don’t care if that person has 3 houses in Forbes Park and a secret island in Palawan or if he has a chauffer driven Chedeng or a helicopter to go from his house to work… or if he has a lear jet for that matter… to my eyes and to the eyes of God and to the eyes of a little child we are all equal… lahat tayo natutulog pa rin kapag inaantok… nagbabawas pa rin kung kumakain at naliligo pa rin kung pinuputok.

It doesn’t matter really what we have achieved or what we have done or where we studied or how much we have in our bank accounts or what we are wearing or the skin of our color (pun intended)… what really matters is how we see ourselves.

I see me as beautiful. I see me as great. And I want to see you also beautiful and great. So stop standing in the shadows of shyness and come out in the light. Because in the light you will see the brilliance of God’s glory that has been always there since the time you came out of your mother’s womb.