Racquel Sarah A. Castro's Blog, page 8

Cover Reveal: Styling Serendipity

I asked 3 people about the cover of  Styling Serendipity. Lyber, my friend, responded with a line art. I have to submit it by Oct 10. Last night, he (lyber) sent me a cover art. Thank you!

 

Back Cover for Styling Serendipity Print Edition

I am so thrilled to design a back cover for my latest book, Styling Serendipity. It will be available at #romanceclass event, #FeelsFest. You can PM me what’s not working. ahaha

Racq Recommends The Craft Central: A New Home for #HeistClub Authors PH

Aside from becoming a haven for art enthusiasts, The Craft Central in Greenbelt 5 is the new home for #HeistClub Books. We thank The Craft Central for allowing our books to be there.

The following are the #HeistClub Titles available in the shop:

Chasing an ATM Schemer by Racquel Sarah A. Castro
Second Sight to Forever by Racquel Sarah A. Castro
Snakehead by Bianca Mori
High Stakes by Chris Nava
In My Dreams by Yeyet Soriano
The Retreat by Yeyet Soriano
Turning Points by Yeyet Soriano
Sampaguita by Mark Manalang
Corpus Delicti by Porcupine Strongwill
Till Death Do Us Part by Irene Recio
Classified by Georgette S. Gonzales
The Bayawak’s Trail by Justine Camacho-Tajonera
Mermaid from Siquijor by Justine Camacho-Tajonera
The Gung Ho Lady by Arlene Manocot

Last, Oct 2, 2016, we (Inay, Mama Len, and I) went to The Craft Central for the meet and greet after the recently concluded World Cerebral Palsy Day 2016. I met Yeyet and Ana at the 3F.

We roamed the shop first and of course CHECK OUT OUR BOOKS ON SHELVES.

We are creative people  especially Ana. She initiated an impromptu writing workshop. We have a willing student who stayed in our class. Magsi and Mark joined us in a few minutes.

This student, Patricia, was asked to describe the page without using an adjective. She’s pretty good in writing prose. Talk about to go and not to go.

 

I think we met ALEXIS VENTURA!

There were free workshops as well!

We enjoyed the Sunday full of fun, friends, arts, and books!

Insert me in the picture. I left them and when I got home, Mark tagged me in this picture.

Thank you The Craft  Central for accomodating us!

#WorldCerebralPalsyDay : #IAmHereWeAreHere

All things are possible with God!

I attended the WORLD CEREBRAL PALSY DAY PHILIPPINES. I was supposed to speak for the event but was late. Sorry! I was with Inay (my grandma) and Mama Lelen (my aunt).

I saw this on the gallery:

Photo Grabbed from World Cerebral Palsy Day Philippines Facebook Page

But I enjoyed each moment. I arrived when Jessa Zaragoza rendered a special song for the kids with Cerebral Palsy and their families. And we hear another beautiful soul, Isabel Granada. I saw Dominic Roque who is one of the sponsors.

Seeing everyone lovingly taking  care of the kids with cerebral palsy, I felt their love. I wanted to hug all of them.

The kids rendered a song, Glowing Inside, it melted my heart even more when I received  a bookmark for the parents.

I want to share the speech I prepared for the event:

Good morning! I would like to thank Bobath Advocacy Group and Hong’s Children Center for CP. they invited me to come and speak the goodness of God. I am Racquel Castro, a blogger, an author, a math tutor, a thesis consultant, a programmer, and God’s warrior princess. A proud woman living with cerebral palsy. How do it all happen? read my book, hehe. Just kidding. When i was born, i didn’t cry like other new born babies. That 2-3 minutes affected my motor skills. But i thank the Lord for cerebral palsy. Why? Because it made me a strong woman.

I was treated normal. Thats what i thanked my family for. they never treat me different. Napapalo din po ako. I finished my studies and landed to be a free lance programmer. Love, encouragement, and trust. That is what i have.

by the grace of God, i have found my passion, writing, through an encouragement. A friend encourages me to write a novella and that launched my career as an author. My first novella, when fate speaks big time, was nominated in 2015 Virtue Christian Book Awards. It led me to an international publishing deal. right now, i have a few indie books right here.

Observe your child with cerebral palsy. It is not too late to support them with your love, encouragement, and trust. Will he/she be the next president of the republic? Just trust the talents God gave them. like me, encourage your child to be the best. Never give up on them. they will be the family’s blessing.

Good day and God bless you.

To God be the glory!

Here are some of the pictures taken by me and Mama Lelen:

Support me in my quest by buying my books. Part of that will be allotted to my Cerebral Palsy Awareness Program, Green Ribbon Campaign.

Like World Cerebral Palsy Day Philippines on Facebook

Like Bobath Advocacy Group on Facebook

Like Hong’s Children Center for Cerebral Palsy on Facebook

 

World CP Day 2016 in PH

I was praying for this gathering a year ago. God answered me with a challenge. I will inspire the families of CPinoys (Filipinos with  Cerebral Palsy.). God has put me in this body for a reason. Now is the start of my lifelong ministry. I guess I am called to be the ambassador  of God and show how amazing He is.

What: Pistang CPinoy: Nandito Kami. Pilipino Kami.

When: October 2, 2016 (Sunday) 8:30 am – 12:00  nn

Where: G/F Philippine Stock Exchange Auditorium.

This is the beginning of a very worthwhile life. Pray for me that I could attend the event. This is my ministry and I have been looking for more of these.

After that event, I will be at The Craft Central, 3PM – 4PM for the meet and greet.

My difference, Cerebral Palsy, is an asset I would not exchange for anything else. That difference can inspire and transform lives for the glory of God. I love being unique because I stand out and testify that we have a big God that is waiting for our prayer. To God be the glory!

Design Your Health 2016

Be part of the first Health and Wellness Fair this October!

Design Your Health is a 2-day holistic health and wellness fair that aims to promote holistically healthy lifestyle. It showcases the importance of your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual activities that affect the overall design of your health and well-being. Aimed towards entrepreneurial moms, young professionals, and health-conscious consumers, Design Your Health proposes a unique approach to wellness. Attendees and participants will be treated to a healthy mixture of stores, workshops, clinics, and talks that introduce and showcase a holistically healthy lifestyle.

It’s happening this October 8 and 9, 2016 at the Mandala Park, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.

The event will feature 50 bazaar exhibitors: workshops on arts, fitness and entrepreneurship; and talks by experts on health and wellness.

 

Click on below links to see what workshop/ class that suits your needs and preferences best:

Entrance Fee to the Expo: 150php (FREE if you register to at least 1 of the workshops)

REGISTER:

Physical Health Workshops: http://manilaworkshops.com/events/design-your-health-physical-health-workshops

Emotional Health Workshops: http://manilaworkshops.com/events/design-your-health-emotional-health-workshops

Mental Health Workshops: http://manilaworkshops.com/events/design-your-health-mental-health-workshops

Spiritual health Workshops: http://manilaworkshops.com/events/design-your-health-spiritual-health-workshops

 

 

Design Your Health is brought to you by Unilab Foundation. All proceeds of the fair will go fund the health programs of   Unilab Foundation   particularly on kids’ nutrition, therapeutic and developmental play for children, and employment of persons with disabilities.

Contact Tiffany Vargas 09985603398/ tiffany.vargas@manilaworkshops.com for inquiries or sponsorship.

 

An Amazing God we serve

Last Tuesday, my parents went for a check up because we observed Dad’s deep breath. Then, after some time, Mom called us, crying. We needed to be strong for them so we encouraged her to calm down. Her voice trembled when she reported Dad’s condition. I remember saying to her to be strong for us. “Kaya ni Dad yan! (Dad can surpass it.)” That’s what I have in mind. We prayed for him. No doubts at all. No doubts.  We contacted everyone to help us find an ambulance because Dad was about to be transferred from San Pedro Doctors to Unihealth – Southwoods.

We never lose hope and Mom called telling us that the hospital called and requested for an ambulance. In no time, Dad has been transferred to Unihealth-Southwoods and went straight to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit).

I stayed home and prayed while Pipo and Inay went to Unihealth. I asked God several questions.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.” 

Isaiah 55:8

All of us requested for your prayers. My siblings and I never have a decent sleep during his first day at the ICU.

They checked Dad’s condition and found out that:

He suffered mild heart attack
His heart was drowning
His kidney failed (18% working)
His lungs were filled with fluids

Truly, the Lord Jesus Christ is faithful. He said to His word,

For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,’ says the LORD,

Jeremiah 30:17a

With all your prayers and with the faithfulness and grace of God, ALL IS NORMAL now.  Daddy will have to rest a little bit more in the hospital.

Praise God! In Jesus Name, everything is fine with Dad!

On behalf of the Castro family, we just want to praise God for touching your heart to join us in praying for my Dad, Rev. Ptr. Rewell S. Castro. This testing declares His faithfulness and love to those who serve Him fully.

We just want to thank all the churches, our friends, our colleagues, our relatives, and even strangers who helped us to pray and sustain the needs of my father.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you!

I personally would like to hug everyone right now!

Praise God! To God be the glory!

We have a BIG GOD who answers quickly because He is just a prayer away! He is just waiting for you to say your hurts, your happiness, your pain, and your suffering. Knock at the doorstep of heaven, He will answer you right away!

[Press Release] Vincent De Jesus’ Changing Partners: A Lovechild of Heartbreak and Music

Quezon City – The PETA Theater Center houses Vincent De Jesus’ newest production, CHANGING PARTNERS, a torch musical that explores the alchemy of relationships and  questions the nature of fidelity and the complex issues partners face regardless of gender.

Opening at the PETA Theater Center in October, CHANGING PARTNERS is an intimate peek inside Cris and Alex’s challenging May-December relationship. Though most people would glance skeptically at May-December romances, they also accept them, depending on the couple’s gender and who gets to be ‘December’ and who gets to be ‘May’.

THE WRITING PROCESS

CHANGING PARTNERS was a staged-reading entry for the 2016 Virgin Labfest last July. A multi-awarded composer and writer, De Jesus has lent his talent to many theater productions and movies in his 33 years in the arts, including the PETA’s hit musicals Skin Deep, Juan Tamad, Batang Rizal and Care Divas. “Many of my works for theater are commissioned pieces. Producers give me a theme and I work around that theme. Zsazsa Zaturnnah was a musical theater adaptation of Carlo Vergara’s highly popular graphic novel. Himala The Musical was a musical theater adaptation of the Ishmael Bernal’s highly-acclaimed movie. Most of my PETA productions required a lot of research because of the company’s many advocacies like Children’s Rights and Women’s Rights. You have to arm yourself with facts and information. You can’t just wing through topics like that.” But this piece is obviously a very personal project for him. Does that mean no research was required? “I’ve lived it. I know the topic very well,” he said, smiling.

It was his friend and mentor, the late Palanca Awards Hall of Famer and Writers Bloc moderator Rene Villanueva, who pushed him to write more. “I used to write only when I have the time or when I’m commissioned to write an original material. Rene told me that I should just keep on writing because ‘a writer writes’. That’s what a writer does. He writes. So now, even when I’m not commissioned to write a play, I write. Poetry. Song lyrics. One-act plays. Full-length plays.”

His most personal works focused mostly on LGBT issues, from classic coming out stories of self-acceptance to gay bullying. CHANGING PARTNERS is his first piece that weaves heterosexual and LGBT relationships in the most unpredictable way possible.

His inspiration for the play’s form and content stems from watching a theater rehearsal. “There I was, watching a run through. The male lead was absent. Naturally, the stage manager, who’s lesbian, read his part. It was a scene between a husband and his wife. The energy and dynamics of the scene felt completely different because of the fact that it was being read by two women. Very interesting, I thought. I could write a musical using this form — one couple, played in different genders.”

Why call it a torch musical? “A torch song is a love song, a very sentimental love song. The singer usually tells a story about an unrequited love or a dying love or a lost love. The term comes from the saying, ‘to carry a torch for someone’, or to keep aflame the light of an unrequited love. Hashtag walang forever. Torch is not a music genre but more of a way of singing, a singing style which focuses more on the words and emotions rather than the melody of the song. That’s how I wrote the songs of the musical — they are more ‘felt’ than ‘performed’.”

De Jesus did not only draw inspiration from his own experiences but also from people close to him as well. “I would go out with my dear friends and I would read them a few pages and get their opinion. I love it when they say, ‘That’s my story.’ They were very generous in discussing some issues and would share their own stories. They were very helpful. Through this musical, I hope to shed light into the fragile nuances of a relationship, the concept of fidelity and honesty, and the tension brought about by age gap and sexual politics.”

A STELLAR TEAM

Truly a passion project, De Jesus personally called up talented theater friends to join him in staging this production. The musical is directed by Rem Zamora, recently cited for his outstanding direction for Red Turnip’s Constellations in the 2016 Midyear Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards. Lighting design is by Ian Torqueza, also cited for his outstanding lighting design for PETA’s 3 Stars and A Sun.

The musical features an ensemble of accomplished theater, film and television actors composed of Agot Isidro, Jojit Lorenzo, Anna Luna and Sandino Martin.

But the real man of the hour is De Jesus who wrote the book, libretto and music for the play. He will also play his compositions live on the piano while the cast shed their emotional armor and sing their torch songs onstage.

CHANGING PARTNERS will have its limited run at the PETA Theater Center Studios on September 30, October 1 and 2 and on October 21, 22 and 23, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Ticket prices are Php800 (Regular) and Php1000 (VIP). Book your tickets through Ticketworld or directly at the venue. You may also call (725) 6244 or (0927) 3917379 for inquiries and reservations.

 

#MIBF2016: I LIVE TO INSPIRE

I am finding the right words to say. But I cannot find any. I have been staring at our laptop for an hour; trying to compose words.

I live to inspire. That is what I am going to do all the days of my life. I have written stories that will make you tickled your imagination to a possibility of a happily ever after (Kilig). I am beginning to expand my horizon in trying to pen crime stories too. But what I am longing to write is something to let people know that there is a big God who is taking care of me. He has been so faithful to me that He led me into a career I have always wanted.

Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) is a yearly event that is catering the world of literature and arts. It has been running for 37 years.

I cannot believe that one day I will be one of the exhibitors! That day happened by the grace of God. He allowed me to risk. He instructed me to try.

When I saw two of my books along aside with my favorite Filipina authors, I got so overwhelm!

Photo by Pach

 HeistClub’s first stint on MIBF and we were successful! YEY.

HeistClub Titles are now available at Craft Central – Greenbelt 5.

 

I didn’t get to attend the #ALLTHEFEELS because of TRAFFIC. Sayang!!

I arrived when Chi, author of The Bye-bye Bouquet, was about to leave! Why Chi? Haha…

I met my fellow authors

Click to view slideshow.

I met a few people who purchase  my book including my sister by heart, Yanyan. I am very blessed to be part of the #romanceclass community! Next year ulit!

I got the support of my church mates from JCRBCC! Thanks RA and Reubyn!

L-R: Inay (my grandma), Mama Lelen(my aunt), and my mom were there to support me!

My soul sister, Yeyet and me!

Thank you for buying our books!!!

Click to view slideshow.

From Tara’s Facebook!

Click to view slideshow.

From Mama Lelen’s Facebook

Being with the talented authors and considering them as  friends were the best feeling ever! I live for the glory of God! I am living because God uses me for His vineyard.

I live to inspire!

-Racquel  Sarah A. Castro, Author

INVEST NOW WITH THE SUN LIFE PROSPERITY CARD

One of today’s most in-demand celebrities, Matteo Guidicelli, is featured in the latest television commercial of Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc. (SLAMCI) And get this: there’s not just one, but two Matteos going up against each other.

The TVC shows two Matteos with strikingly opposite tactics: one tries to impress by bragging his material possessions, including a new phone and a credit card, while the other woos her by promising a brighter future together with the help of the Sun Life Prosperity Card.

The Sun Life Prosperity Card is an investment card worth P5,000 which may be invested in any of the peso-denominated mutual funds managed by SLAMCI under its Sun Life Prosperity Funds. The first of its kind in the market, it has revolutionized mutual funds investing in the country.

“We wanted SLAMCI’s new TVC to encourage the audience to begin their investing journey with the Sun Life Prosperity Card because it’s an easy and convenient way to start building one’s brighter future,” explained SLAMCI president Valerie Pama. “By investing in mutual funds, one can make his money work harder for him, as against simply leaving all of it in the bank.”

To illustrate this point, Pama shared that a 91-day time deposit in a bank 10 years ago would have given 28% return; but for the same period, the Sun Life Prosperity Bond Fund grew by 66%, while the money invested in the Sun Life Prosperity Balanced Fund would have earned 155%. Meanwhile, an investment in the Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund gained 221%.

“This is exactly why we want Filipinos, especially the youth, to start investing some of their money in mutual funds,” Pama said. “Instead of using up all of one’s money on trendy items that will soon be replaced by a new fad, why not invest it for the long term and watch it grow? The two Matteos in our TVC certainly highlighted that message in fun yet clear manner.”

For his part, Matteo said he had fun portraying two different personas. “It’s the first time I did such a project, and I definitely enjoyed playing both roles,” he said. “But what’s important is that we were able to bring home the message. It’s fun to have nice material things and be on YOLO mode, but what will happen to you if all your money runs out and you have nothing saved for the long-term?”

And if there’s one thing that Matteo knows, it’s that some things are definitely worth the wait. “Whether I’m doing sports or working on a showbiz project, I know that I need to be patient before I could see the results. Training for a competition takes time, and so does shooting a movie or recording an album. It’s the same thing when you invest your money – you have to grow it long-term before you can enjoy the benefits,” he explained. “You may have to wait a bit, but it’s always, always worth it!”

Catch SLAMCI’s latest TVC featuring Matteo Guidicelli on cable TV. To learn more about the Sun Life Prosperity Card and how you can start investing for a brighter future, visit sunlifeprosperity.com.ph.