Rock the Park!

I love the Talibongs!

Me with Next II None

Maranda and I

Me with Jeremy Wiersma - Wushu Guru!

WOTV WOOD TV WXSP PARK PARTY WITH MARANDA IN MUSKEGON!

What a fun day! I am very excited to have been asked to perform at the park parties with Maranda again this summer! It's always lots of fun and a great opportunity to meet and talk with lots of new people.

I started this one with a bang...Motley Crue's Kickstart my Heart. Roundoff Back handspring, Tuck, then backhandspring tuck and then Chains, Broadsword, Karit, Board Breaking, Talibong, and of course the attack! Thanks a bunch to my stuntman Jeremy Wiersma for making the drive out to Muskegon so I could throw him around a little. We always have a lot of fun! The second one was a risky move but I think I pulled it off thanks to Phalesha Keyes-Best choreographer ever! I did a hip hop mix and even threw in some dance moves and some stunts. Working out with Randy Owens(Gymnastics Coach) has really paid off big!

One of the highlights of my day is always getting to hang out with my friends, Next II None. they are a hip hop boy band from Kentwood with the same "get it done" attitude and drive that I have. They're going places and nobody deserves it more.

Thanks Muskegon for ROCKIN' THE PARK WITH ME!

ALTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Mrs. Vensas(my 4th grade teacher) me, and Mrs. Hanson(my 3rd grade teacher)

Alto Elementary 3rd - 5th Grade with me

On Tuesday May 26th, I was invited to head out to Alto Elementary School where I went from Kindergarten through 5th grade. I had a great time performing for the 3rd-5th Graders and got to meet the students and see my teachers again. First came "Nothin' but a good time" with Swords, Karit, Hook Sword, Talibong, Chains and more.

Then I had the opportunity to talk to everyone about believing in yourself and never giving up, no matter who or what gets in your way. I told the kids that only good things come from hard work and that anything is possible if you work hard and never give up. I also aksed the teachers to pour their hearts into their students because they have big goals and big dreams and they are listening... I was listening when my third grade teacher said I could do anything I wanted to do and be anyone I wanted to be if I worked hard and never gave up. Thanks Mrs. Hanson! And when Mrs. Vensas hugged me and said, "Keep trying. You can do this. I know you can." And when Mr. Mac said, "You are special and you will do great things one day." I'm glad I had the chance to thank the teachers from elementary that believed in me and encouraged me to reach for the stars! Look at me now! And the best part, I'm just getting started!

I closed out the show to Motley Crue's "Kickstart my Heart" and a little help from Jeremy Wiersma, the best stuntman in the world. I swung swords, ropes, Karit, Talibong, broke boards and then came Jeremy! He took my staff, did a back flip off my face, and of course, I could not let him get away with that. We fought, I flipped him, and rubbed his face in the cement. It was great fun hanging out at my old school! Thanks Alto Elementary! See you again soon!

Dreaming bigger, working harder, and NOT GIVING UP!

To everyone who was cheering me on for America's got Talent; I got the call back, they said the travel department would call me to make arrangements for me to go to LA on April 8 and 9, but they never did call. Like a few other's, I was put on standby. This is not surprising if you think about the odds. They auditioned over 5,000 in Chicago alone(where I auditioned) and considering the fact that only about 2 of the best of the best and 2 of the worst of the worst(so they can make fun of them) from each city will make it, I AM VERY EXCITED JUST TO HAVE GOTTEN A CALLBACK AT ALL. Of course, I'm disappointed, but sometimes it's good to have a reason to work harder. Yesterday I got another email from AGT stating that the were sorry they could not move more people off the standby list and said that auditions were over for season 4. They asked that I come back next year and try again. My dream is to do film work and my own stunts. AGT is one way for me to get noticed. But, it's not the only way. I am planning to do a professional demo video this summer so that I can audition more often(by sending the demo out) and also, get more exposure on the web.

I'm not giving up. Not making the final cut the first time is only a real good reason for me to come back bigger and better next year with some fresh new ideas, a new costume, and this time, I'M NOT HOLDING ANYTHING BACK! I have some tricks up my sleeve and I'll have a another big year of training with Master Bong, Sensei, Randy Owens, and my new friend-FIRE! I will continue to train 5-6 nights a week in Arnis, Karate, and Gymnastics.

My schedule for the summer is nearly full already with WOTV/WOOD TV Park Parties with Maranda, My Black Belt test in Tennessee!!!! YAY! Modeling for SWMCC, and West Michigan White Caps. I'm saving some time this summer to be a teenager too. I want to go up north and hang out with my family, go to the beach with my friends, and try to make some $$$$ babysitting-hint hint ;0)

Thanks so much for believing in me and for your prayers and all the emails and phonecalls offering support and good wishes. It means a lot to me!

Here is a link to the story that Primetime Chicago did on AGT. I'm featured in the last 30 seconds!
http://comcastcs.com/autouploads/agt.mov

The Day I met Grand Master Bong

This was one of the very best days of my life. This is the very competition where Master Bong sat as my judge and I performed the broad sword form I learned from Grand Master Wu Bin(Jet Li and Jackie Chan's Coach). It was this day that Grand Master Bong Jornales invited me to come to his Jornales System seminar. I went to the seminar and the rest is history, but still in the making! Grand Master Bong has coached me to 4 World Championship Titles. He's the best in the world. Period!

Orange Belt Test 9th Kyu

These pictures document my Orange Belt Test in May 2003. Wow! Was I little! I was 10 years old!

My very first Award!

I want to share these pictures because they are very special to me. This was my first ever Martial Arts Award. My Sensei Aaron Bailey presented me with the KIA Award which was the first ever in his school and it was given to the student who showed the most passion, heart, and drive. It was given at our Annual Ro-Ken Karate Banquet in June 2003. This was only the beginning!

So happy I cried!

W.E.K.A.F. - a note from USA Director, Gabe Rafael

All WEKAF USA Members,

Greetings!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for electing me as USA Country Director and your continued support with the Federation. As Director of WEKAF USA and the current appointed Board of Directors, we are the officially recognized representative of WEKAF International and the only sanctioned organization in the USA. We are the only authorized organization to collect membership dues on behalf of WEKAF International and who can establish the team that will represent the USA in the 2010 World Tournament and beyond. Any other organization who claim to represent WEKAF International in the USA and collecting fees are in violation of the Federation and misleading the general public.

Currently, there are vacant positions with WEKAF USA officers, if you or anyone is interested in filling these vacancies please contact me at wekafusa@yahoo.com for more information. We are now accepting individual and school membership dues for 2009 and 2010, see attached application form. The deadline for discounted fee is July 31, 2009. Visit our website at www.wekafusa.org for fee information, benefits, and application form.

As Country Director, my goal is to promote unity within the Filipino Martial Arts community and establish a positive atmosphere for the family and members of WEKAF USA. The Board of Directors, myself and many countless volunteers are dedicated in working with you and for you. Please do not hesitate to email us if you have any questions or concerns.

Again, thank you for your support with WEKAF USA.

Respectfully yours,

Gabe Rafael

WEKAF USA

Country Director