NEVER.

Here's a new song by Jason Mraz. It made me melt like butter on a freshly baked pandesal.

My heart broke and each piece turned into jello when he sang this here in Manila (yes I was there!!! anyway, more on that in a separate post hehe). I tried my best not to cry and succeeded. However, it was not an easy feat with my lips trembling, my hands shaking, and my heart vibrating in my chest. It was that fast - "pounding" is just too slow to describe it. I had to do yoga breathing a.k.a. ujjayi breaths throughout this song to calm myself down. I whispered "Oh Jason, here you go again."

After a few days, I stalked him on the internet trying to find the new songs he sang, the lyrics, etc.. I wanted to check too if he had Tristan with her that night. THEN I found out that they broke up a few months ago. I wanted to throw my laptop out the window because I loved them together. After a few more googling, I found this song and realized how honest it is, how true the lyrics are. I listened to it again while reading the words - he STILL loves her. That was when I shed a tear or two.

This probably is my new favorite piece from him. However, his version of I'm Yours from that night brought back my love for the song and how good it made me feel. So this one I say is a close second... for now :)

I recorded a video from the show but because it was such a large venue, and there was so much background noise, I decided not to use it for this post.

ENJOY!

"I Won't Give Up"

Hmmmm ... Hmmmm ... Hmmmm ... Hmmm ...

When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
So much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools, the skills we've got yeah we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we didn't tend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I got, and what I'm not
And who I am

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

So easy is our life
What's mine is yours and yours mine
Hardly do we ever fight
We'd rather be kind

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get dark
I'm healing this broken heart
And I know I'm worth it

I won't give up on us
God knows I'm tough, I am love
We got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it

No I won't give up on us
God knows I've had enough
We got a lot to learn
And we're, and we're worth it

No I won't give up
No I won't give up 


ARGH! I WANT THEM BACK TOGETHER!!!!


www.jasonmraz.com

Cheer Here, Dance There..We'll be EVERYWHERE!

In just a few short weeks, the NCC will be going around the country again, looking for the best of the best in cheerleading and dance! I'll be coaching during the camps, then judging during the competitions. I'm excited!!! Although we do this every year, this season is going to be BIGGER! Why? We added more Regionals and a new division = more teams = MORE FUN! And some of the places where we will hold the Regional Qualifiers I haven't been to, so it'll be another adventure for me and the rest of the coaches too!

I'm looking forward to sharing about each leg, so watch out for my posts! I'll try to record the performances and post them in my Youtube channel and in this blog (so subscribe!)

Here's the event calendar for the season, we have 9 regional legs planned! Whew! I can't wait to see old and new campers, coaches and competitors. :)

*See the new logo for NDC - National Dance Championship? I LOVE IT! 

Check out our website: www.nccphilippines.com for more details and updates, plus how to inquire for camps!

Like, follow or subscribe to the NCC and NDC Social Networking sites and be in the know!

Facebook:

National Cheerleading Championship Facebook Page

National Dance Championship Facebook Page

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/NCCPhilippines

Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/nccphilippines

<3

i love the beach, i miss the beach

The beach has always been my escape whenever things get too rough. The pictures in this post came from the day I dragged my friend Pauee to Batangas to get away from everything. The trip, the beach and the food were awesome! Nothing like a great beach day to lighten up my mood... which reminds me... I need to get my tan on! :)

 with Pauee Cadaing, the photographer. :)

 Philippines Beach Beach Trip Bikinis swimsuit 

Batangas roadtrip Escape Sweet Escape

"Toe Touching" Our Way Around the Country

The National Cheerleading Championship (NCC) coaches went to Cagayan de Oro (CDO) for the 5th Season's Mindanao Qualifiers. My first time waaaaaay down south of the Philippines. :)

FYI: What do we do, exactly?

Go to the NCC Website for more info.

This trip is only one of the 5 we had for this season's regionals. The others were held in:
1. Central Luzon
2. South Luzon
3. North Luzon
4. Visayas

In every region, we would hold a camp then a competition for all interested squads in that particular area of the Nation. NCC coaches fly or would get on a 7 hour bus ride just to get to these regions to give both high school and college cheerleaders a chance to show off their skills. We are the one and only cheerleading organization in the Philippines that gives a venue for these teams to compete. The top 3 from each region, from high school and college, will then have a chance to be named the National Champion during the finals. Bragging rights? Yes, NCC can definitely give you that. :)

Where the fudge is Cagayan de Oro anyway?

It's only an hour and a half flight away from Manila!

Here are cheerleaders goofing around the airport :)

CDO wooot!

The Camp

Every regional, the NCC holds a camp before the qualifiers. This gives us, the coaches, the chance to share our passion and help the different teams clean up their routines. We also give them tips on how to hit stunts easier. I really enjoy this part of each regional as we get to really know not only an entire team, but to be more connected to each of the students. We get to do what we love, we teach and we also learn.

A cupie with Garde. Yes, those are my feet!
Straight ride basket toss by Elaine

White Water Rafting Time!

Cagayan de Oro is well-known for river rafting. Right after the camp, we exchanged our NCC shirts for bathing suits and board shorts to try it out. I think, in some way, we were able to use our cheerleading expertise in this extreme sport... emphasis on the "I think".

This is one of the perks. Whenever we go to the different regions, we get to experience what the place has to offer... FOR FREE! Hahaha! :)

Aimee, Me and Boom on our way to the rapids

River rafting is so much fun! I will definitely go back to CDO and do it again!

The Competition

I have been judging for the NCC for almost 3 years already. Seeing different teams from the different provinces of the country is definitely a blessing. So many good teams are left undiscovered and we, the NCC are here to give them the opportunity to show their skills, on a national level!

Here are some photos from the competition in CDO:

Mic and Celine, my co-coaches/judges.
And that's me at the background being so serious about the judging sheets...

Time to unwind...

After 2 fun but TIRING days, it's time to set aside our rubber shoes and Mueller tape. :)

Below are photos from Lim Ket Kai, CDO's party place. What a great way to spend our last night in CDO!

Who wants to go back with me? :)