Though set-up back in 2009, I did not make the time nor find the topics to write and post about. I filled my day with work at the UP Center for Ethnomusicology (UPCE), Tugtugang Musika Asiyatika (Tugma) and the various activities of my then-boyfriend-now-husband, Bajo.
When I was in my early twenties, an office job at the UPCE was not the first thing that came into mind when I thought of the kind of work I would land in. I started studying in the University of the Philippines-Diliman as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accountancy student then moved on to Bachelor of Library and Information Science until I finally found my niche with the Bachelor of Music in Musicology. Somehow, all these courses have been wrapped-up in the Technical Assistant (TA) position I hold in the UPCE. I handle the administrative responsibilities of this music research center and sound archive.
Growing up with my parents' accounting firm located in our own home made working as a TA "not work" for me. I was comfortable and practically stress-free. I enjoyed my job. I loved it more because of its proximity to my passion's home-school, the UP College of Music. Being in the same vicinity, it was inevitable that I also participate in the Department of Musicology's performing arm, the Tugma. My connections in the office helped with the travel requirements of the group while having a group of young ones around provided us with manpower and musicians for our office's various activities.
Tugma provided me the opportunity to travel and perform Philippine music from both indigenous and lowland Christianized genres. We were able to travel to Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China in May for the International Country Music Festival and then Thailand for the Asian Traditional Music Forum. Though I had many international travels with the Novo Concertante Manila as a performer or choral competition participant, I felt I had come full circle in my musical fulfillment with these two events.
It was also in this year that Bajo and I spent months apart. He had started working as the Director for Music of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro City while I stayed in Quezon City. We were used to spending our days together and this time apart was difficult for me. I filled my days with activities that left me exhausted enough to just be thankful to jump into bed at night. We also found ways to see each every month whether it be in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Quezon City or Iloilo City. Even as we were apart, we had seriously started planning our wedding.
With all these activities, one would think I could write up anything at a moment's notice. Then again, with all these activities, I barely had enough time to write anything.
So here I am today, looking back as I move forward. Though now married - in itself, married life is an everyday journey - my posts may be about experiences in the past, present or something metaphysically futuristic. Topics could range from the academic to the trivial and everything in between. Each post in this new-old blog will be my personal take on these journeys. Sharing your thoughts one what you've read here are very much welcome and encouraged. A happy journey to you all!
