But to meet David Foster in person – i finally had a lifelong dream come true.  I’ve been wanting to meet him since 1986!

Dreams do come true, if you don’t give up and do whatever it takes to make them so.

Tonight, all of Canada got a chance to witness history in the making for the 8th time when Canada’s Womens Hockey team won the gold medal.  It was a hard fought game against a very strong opponent, our cousins the Americans.  I was really proud to finally witness the win here on Canadian soil.  At the same time, I also have to give props to the American Women’s hockey team – they played with heart as well.  It’s not always easy to on the other end of the finale.  But they were a strong opponent.  Imagine that, they limited our women’s team to just two goals!

Another amazing sight to see was the one-two punch of Canada’s women’s bobsleigh winners, Gold and Silver.  The best thing about the medal ceremony is that the Silver medalists got to listen to the Canadian national anthem and sing along!

Then there was the ladies figure skating story of Joannie Rochette and her Bronze medal win.  It was a bittersweet one – both of a nationwide pride and also with the knowing that after the Olympics, she will have to head back to say goodbye to her mother, who passed away upon arrival in Vancouver.  I may be a grown man, but I couldn’t help but almost cry for her (i didn’t shed tears though, but you know the feeling when you feel it.)  She made us all proud and I know that her mother is very proud of her, seeing her daughter from heaven.

Alex Bilodeau was definetly the man who got things started, being the very first Canadian to win Olympic gold here at home.  What a great guy and what an inspiration his brother is to him.  If anything, his brother is probably the one that got all of Canada started on a Gold medal run, all by starting with his Alex.

Gold medals in the Skeleton, Snowboard Cross, and more.   We’ll all be watching!

I am inspired.  I will definetly be working on getting healthier, trim the fat and lose weight.  To look better and feel better for my business and also my music performances.  If our athletes can make their dreams come true, why not us?

Anything is possible.  It starts with a thought and faith.  Even if others naysay you to death, don’t let anyone tell you different.  Protect your dreams and always look at ways that could help you get there.

Oh yeah, that blog post i made a few days ago about Shaklee energy chews?  Well, the U.S Ski Team and U.S Snowboard teams are using them plus the other products and the medal totals speak for themselves!  Good stuff, you might want to check it out!

We’re also planning  a CD release concert for both of us, and we’re both aiming most likely for either July or August, which means I’ll no longer be participating in any of the Toronto Philippine Summer  festivals (Mabuhay or Making Waves) since I’ll be very busy with these projects.  I can’t believe that I’ve been doing the summer festivals for almost 8 years!  but I feel it’s time for me to move on as a participant and just be more of a spectator, since i can probably swing by for an hour or two.  The festivals are great for the youth nowadays, whereas I can finally focus on my own projects.

We’re planning to have it at Heliconian Hall in Toronto – stay tuned for the concert dates.

I’m also very busy running my small business from home, looking to help people, including musicians, with health issues, energy and even weight loss for Canadian Idols.  It’s actually combining my love for music with my interest in health, wellness and artistry.  If my good friend Diana Yampolsky can do it, so can I.

On an unrelated note, have you seen the latest standings with Canada at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics?  6 Golds and counting!

Good times =)

The evening will be soothed with uplifting flavours of Classical, Latin and Jazz guitar, all played by Onofrio Virdo.

Come on out and bring a friend – or make new friends as well. Enjoy a coffee, a meal or refreshement. This is an opportunity to have Onofrio’s music take your daily stresses away and put in you a place of oasis.

See you there!
==================================
Proceeding the promo is a music video of
Onofrio performing Jesus Adrian Romero’s
“No es como you” on classical guitar.
Music video produced by Rodney Ronquillo

\\

I was feeling more energy and had such mental clarity for a good few hours that i needed it.  What I liked about the chew is that it activates when your body needs it – that is, when you are either in action or need to keep your eyes open when you’re working the night shift.

I also didn’t feel worn down afterwards.  It was a very natural process.

What’s really cool according to the product’s description is that it’s also great for diabetics as well, so they’ve definetly kept everything in mind.

I’m going to recommend the energy chews in my music healing business as well as for some of my friends who are studying for exams or working the late night shift – i personally believe it’s got huge potential for a healthy lifestyle.

Oh yeah, I’m also promoting and selling them as well.  If you’re interested, either visit this website: http://rodron.myshaklee.com or you can send me an email at rodron1@yahoo.com.

They’re delicious and they do work!

http://www.myspace.com/jeffreycarreraronquillo

Jeff wrote and recorded the music.  Rob was the producer and engineer of the song.

Family and relatives working together – what a great combination.

Good stuff guys.

I decided to just wave it off and not let it affect me, since it’s usually just an experience.  Still, there was something about that though I found pretty suspect.  I continued being a music director for my own projects, such as the Chyrell and Rodney Christmas Card.  Being music director is no easy feat, but it’s easier if it’s your own projects.  I still liked the idea of being an artist – the kind that is know on stage rather than being behind the scenes.

However, I started to see the difference in treatment between being a music director and being an Artist.  Artists don’t have it easy, but they are praised more by many people.  Music directors, if they do a great job, are praised by the performers, but only for that period of time.  Like the saying goes, you’re only as good as your last performance, so make a difference now.  At the same time, performers whom I knew needed more work on their musicality were actually trying to teach and tell me what to do.  Imagine having  a person who you know you can dance circles around suddenly telling you how to do things.  Yet when I get the support of another artist who sees it my way, then the person understands.  But it’s a repeated moment where I wish I was respected for what I can do.

Then I took on another concert which required having a band.  This was NOT easy, as I found out that I had to deal with financial issues – which I later would redirect to the producers.  I am an artist first when it comes to music – I don’t focus on the business side.  To top it off, being made to feel like my value is only as good as the music talent that I have definetly left a bad taste in my mouth.   Performers who I still didn’t think had what it took to be an A-list singer would complain to me.  It’s like an amateur who sings a song in the key of G when you clearly have the song in the Key of F major.  They aren’t listening and they don’t adjust.  They’re in their own world and they think they know better.

I remember reading something from American Idol judge Simon Cowell, saying that he is getting tired to judging auditions of poor-quality singers who think they are the greatest singers in the world.  Simon, I feel your pain, believe me.

I then made the decision that my musical direction gigs would happen under the following conditions:

1.) I choose the artists – not the producers

2.) The project is one that I’ve created

That’s pretty much it.  I tell you though, it makes life so much easier and less stressful.  (Pardon the language)

I prefer taking criticism by artists who I totally respect, I see it from their point of view they impress me.  So I actually can learn from them.  It’s the bad singers that I find funny taking criticism from as I learn nothing from it.

Even some performers who I used to enjoy working with suddenly turn a different face on me.  Years ago, I made it a point never to work with Divas or Ego-centric people  - i’ve had my  share of painful experiences with them.  They put on a mask that gives them a devine disposition, but hide within their own shadow and make others feel like they are lower than them.  To me, this is not a dream come through, it is a compensation.

Then I would see those actual performers getting the praises, without even pointing to the music director.  I remember something that people will praise people they like, even if they aren’t totally significant.  Even if a person did a huge favour for someone, if people don’t like or relate to that person, it wouldn’t matter.  They aren’t totally liked.

There is a saying, don’t let anyone steal your dream – nobody, ever.  If it is to be, it is up to me, not up to those who think they hold power over me.

Sure, I’m venting here, but that makes me human.  I’m normally a positive person, but even positive people need to release their steam once in a while.  We all have access to the over 2000 emotions that make us human. =)

So now I’ve decided to return to what I had originally set out to do, which was to be a total artist and promote myself as one.  Not as a musical director.  If people are trying to model you into something that you don’t want, then by all means TURN IT DOWN.  Make plans for yourself.

If you don’t make plans for your life, there will definetly be others who will make it for you.  Believe me, they will never have your best interests in mind.

Of course though, there are the kind people who contacted me to help them out.  They respected me for what I could do and be for them.  For those people, you are always in my good books.  For those who gave me a hard time, I wish you all the best in your endeavours.

As for me, life may not be easy, but it couldn’t be any sweeter being able to be in control again.  Of course, only God is the one who is totally in control.

Respect  yourself and turn down anything that you think and feel might be a potential to be used.   The ones who thank you for your deed, be cautious.  The ones who thank you and are extremely grateful to you – they are the keepers.

Again, respect yourself.  Love yourself kindly and plan your life.

2010 will be a year in which I plan to finally break out and make things happen.  For one thing, I am going to commit to my music projects being produced and come through.  Secondly, I want to help people and I’ve decided to take my small business  to the next level as well.  If you’re wondering what this is all about, click on the “Opportunity” link in the menu above.

This year, I’ve made the firm decision to not take on any more music director for hire or backstage gigs.  I still will be music director for my own music projects though, that’s the difference. I’ve learned from an old friend that life is so short, that if you have music inside you, don’t keep it there.  Let it come out.  So that is what I’m committed to doing.

There are people I have been dying to collaborate and perform with for some time.  Onofrio Virdo, a Christian Jazz Guitarist and songwriter, is someone whom I respect highly and admire and it is one of my dreams to perform music on stage with him.   The other person whom I’m looking forward to working with is Arnold Galoyo, whom I recorded with more than a decade ago.  I’m also looking to team up in collaboration with my long time old friends Donald Torres and hopefully if he is available, Virgil Paul Umali (another very talented artist whom I respect highly).  And of course, my beautiful wife Chyrell Samson.  There are some other artists, but I will only be collaborating with them as an Artist this time.

Secondly, I’m going to get back into my health and wellness business and take it to a whole new level.  It’s been almost 10 years since I stopped taking medications and became stronger with health.  I totally believe that if you give people what they want, then what you want comes back to you as well.  I’ll post more information about this through my blog and for a future website project once I’ve got my “Grand Opening” ready.  Health, Inch-loss, Healthy Home/Healthy Planet and Fountain of Youth are some of the themes of my business.  I’ll need help looking for referrals too.

Thirdly, I’m going to finally work on my own animated film.  I know it will take longer and also take many rendering hours.  But it will be so rewarding for me to make this a reality.

That’s my first post for 2010.  More to come, stay tuned!

Again, Merry Christmas and have a beautiful Christmas Season.

Lots of Love,
Rodney