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

Update!

Just a quick note to let you know what's happening with AGT. We did not receive a phone call from the travel dept. at AGT last week, but did get an email from the producer yesterday. She said she was sorry that it did not work out for me to go to LA this week and that they have me on "Standby." She also said that she would let me know when she had more information. Please keep your fingers crossed and keep praying for me. This opportunity means the world to me!

Keep your fingers crossed and Pray hard!

For those of you who are watching and wondering about America's Got Talent, I am patiently waiting for more news. As you may know, I got the initial call and I was told that this was a preliminary call and that the travel department would call me to make arrangements. I don't know what AGT and God have planned for me, but I'm looking forward to it. And, I do know that the producers have an incredible job to do and that there are thousands and thousands of amazing acts for them to consider and they are doing the very best job they can. I am very happy just to have gotten the initial call. I felt very good about my audition, and I am putting this in God's hands. I promise I will let you know just as soon as I know anything. Please pray for me! I will be practicing and working hard no matter what.