I have heard many, many motivational speakers in my life, but you are one of the best I have heard thus far. Your approach to the Catholic Church is truly inspiring, your music is phenomenal, and your message is a blessing to hear.
Christine Flores | Youth Minister | Los Angeles, CA
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I was the class clown growing up in elementary school. I knew that for whatever reason, I could open my mouth and make people laugh… so I would. Reminiscing on the good ‘ol days, I realize that God would use ‘the stage’ of those classroom settings, to help me impact people’s lives in the future.
Fast forward nearly 2 decades and here I am on stage again… Only this time, I have the opportunity to use humor, music, and words to bring people closer to God. Today I work full time as a youth speaker and musician who gets to live his dream traveling around the country; doing something I love and believe in. Sharing my original music (beatbox and acoustic), education (in Philosophy, Theology, and Marriage & Family Therapy), and Catholic Faith, I give it my all to help motivate young people to make the most of their lives… and make good decisions so that they can see it happen. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing you helped someone gain a new hope and perspective for their life & future.
Pope John Paul II once said that “Unless the Church engages the culture, then the Gospel remains silent”. This quote inspires me because I feel as though there is no better time than now for the people of God to reach out to a generation that doesn’t hear the voice of Jesus Christ amidst the deafening noise and distractions of our times.When I present to youth, I make a point to speak “their language” without watering down the Faith. The youth want to be challenged to live something more real and authentic than what they’re being offered in the media… they simply need an opportunity to see and hear the splendor of God and 2000 years of life-giving Tradition, in a way in which they can understand.
I’m really excited about this new year, considering that I’ve already booked some amazing events well into 2012! Two of my goals of being asked to present at Youth Day (LA Congress) & SCRC, have already been met!! It makes me want to just tell people, don’t ever give up on your dreams, because even when there are setbacks and obstacles in your life, you can choose to see them as stumbling blocks, or stepping stones. I’ve had to work hard and persevere to get to the place I am now, and even though I still have a lot of growing to do, I choose to count my blessings (and I need more than 2 hands to do it). God is good! I hope to see you, at an event near you.
God works in mysterious, but awesome ways. Several months ago, I saw the finished video that my friend, Alex Vo, made for a couple who were recently married. The footage was so impressive, it reminded me of a legit music video. While I was daydreaming about how much I’d like such a video once I get married, the main thought that came to mind was “I wonder if he would make a music video for one of my songs… Nahh, that would probably never happen because he lives so far away, it takes too much time, etc.”
A few months later, I was performing and speaking at a Catholic Youth Event called “On Fire” up in Nor Cal. For this event, they rent out the Six Flags theme park… Jesus + Roller coasters = Everyone is happy. While I was there, I ran into Alex and told him how much I enjoyed the wedding video. I also hinted that if he ever wanted to make a music video for his resume, I’d be happy to be his first victim. Alex then surprised me by saying he had been listening to my song called “Run Fly Fall”, and was thinking about a story line he could make a music video to. I looked at him in slight shock and said, “Bro… when are we gonna film this thing? Let’s do this!” Shortly after this conversation, we agreed on committing to a week where we’d work on this project. Miracles happen.
A year and a half ago, I covered Viva la Vida by Coldplay on my YouTube channel which has been viewed nearly 200,000 times! It took me 3 weeks to finish the project, but it was so worth it. Knowing that something you made has been enjoyed by people all over the world is a really cool feeling.
So a few months ago I thought it was time to do cover a new Coldplay song. This time I chose Every Teardrop is a Waterfall. I got hooked on the track after listening to it a few times, and was inspired to do my own rendition of it. The synth sounds, juxtaposed with the classic Coldplay guitar riffs and vocals, along with the message of hope was enough for me to get giddy about the process.
These projects can be super time-consuming because there is so much that needs to be done. First, I had to mimic all the sounds with my mouth and record them using a recording program called Logic. My buddy, Jared Allmond, helped me to record and mix it all, which was a huge help. That alone took about a week and a half. Then a friend named Elaine Hu, filmed me singing all the various parts of the song. We shot inside my house and used my front window as a backdrop, which ended up producing this really cool backlit effect. The filming only took a day (thank God).
Then I had to take the audio track and video footage and edit it all using a program called Final Cut Pro. I love using this program because it gets all my creative juices flowing, but it is frustrating too because Im a bit of a perfectionist. Making a new project inspires me to get it just right, so naturally things like video editing take time a week in this case.
I love finishing up projects that I worked so hard to create. It reminds me of a letter that Pope John Paul II wrote to artists when he was alive. He said something along the lines of when an artist creates a piece of art, and is able to look at the finished product with joy, he or she shares in the eternal moment when God created the universe (in the book of Genesis) and saw that it was good. Im so glad that God is an artist and that he gave us the ability and talents to put together something that wasnt there before.
You can see the video here on my YouTube channel. Hope you enjoy! Please feel free to share it on your Facebook walls/Twitter feeds. It helps get the word out.
I am excited to announce that my music video, “iLL With Love” is now up on YouTube! THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this project happen, especially Remilla, Ervin, & Gabe @ RAGTAG Productions, Mike @ Seraphim Aesthetics for the logo, and everyone who pitched in for the Music Video Release Concert! Lastly, I want to thank God for the amazing opportunities he’s blessed me with to share the passion I have for music.
It’s kind of surreal to have a high-quality music video for one of your songs. I initially agreed to the idea of making the MV when my designer friend Remilla had asked. It sounded like a fun idea and I didn’t really know what to expect. The whole process was a whole lot of fun (you can learn more about it in a previous blog about the filming portion HERE) and the final product blew me away. See it for yourself below, and please share the clip link on your Facebook / Twitter / Blog, etc… Much appreciated!
2011!! Time keeps slipping by like water passing through your fingers… seems like the wise ones are those who cup their hands and take a drink. For some reason I think this year is going to be really defining for me. Whether personally, relationally, musically, spiritually, etc. I look forward to the shows/events that this year will bring (already booked for Southern/Northern California, Colorado, Texas, and Ohio!!). I look forward to graduating from graduate school and finding a paid internship. And I look forward to meeting her; because I’ve been reserving songs, journal pages, and my heart just for her. Confused? Yea I’m talking about my future wife haha. I may or may not know her name, but time will tell.
At the beginning of the New Year, peoples’ Facebook status updates all sorta sounded like, “I hate work!!” “Blehhh school sucks!!” “FML!!” I definitely get where they’re coming from, but at the same time, I was wondering: What if we were able to change our attitude to gratitude? Like a full on excitement with what the day had in store? We all kinda live for the weekend, but ironically the majority of our existence happens to take place Monday through Friday afternoon. Well, do what you want with your year, but for me I want to live it to the FULL! Here’s a prayer I came across that I love: “My past, O Lord to Your Mercy, my present, to Your Love, my future, to Your Providence.” – St. Pio
So my go-to album of this year has been “Where the Light is” by John Mayer. It’s not a bromance, but I feel like his songs are old friends of mine who I can call and listen to anytime. One of the songs he covers on the album is “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty. I learned how to play it on my guitar and I sorta spontaneously decided I’d cover it too. 2011 is gonna be one of those free fallin’ years… not so that I fall and hit the floor, but so I can fall UP.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blogs, listen to my music, and accompany me on the journey. Peace + Love + Hope,
I went to Texas this weekend! I love that place! I think I would actually move there if it weren’t for the hot/humid weather. Southern hospitality is not an urban legend.
All of the photos you will see were taken from my iPhone using the app called Hipstamatic. It takes ordinary photos, and tweaks them with really cool effects. This one was taken outside my airplane window.
When I look down on cities, I sometimes wonder what God must go through dealing with all of us people and our drama :/ Amazing that He has so much love for all of us tiny specks.
When I tell people that I get to travel for events and shows, they’re like “wow, that’s so cool!” And I agree… it’s a blessing that not many people get to experience, but one thing is for sure: traveling is not glamorous, unless you’re riding in 1st class. Sitting in a metal tube with wings, recycled air, and small doses of peanuts can be tiring.
The 2nd Annual Korean Festival of Houston was held at this gorgeous outdoor park called Discovery Green. Hands down, it was one of the coolest stages I’ve ever performed on. It had this water pond right behind it, and this inclined grassy hill served as the outdoor seating. They estimated about 15 – 20 thousand people showing up to this Festival throughout the day, and it was a huge success! There were food booths, exhibitions, and musicians/dancers doing there thing throughout the entire day. I was asked to MC the event as well as perform music. I really connected with the crowd, which is, well… ideal. Cause when the crowd isn’t feeling it, you don’t feel it, and on come the tomatoes. But there was a great vibe throughout the entire day, and a whole lot of talent: Clara C & Daniel, JR Kim, Just Underestimated, Julia Hsu, Judy Hong, The Blessing, Andy Beaudoin Trio, & Primus to name a few.
Music is powerful… it is a universal language that can cut deep into peoples’ hearts. I am grateful that I have this time in my life to share my music and my passion with people throughout the country. It’s really humbling to know that people spend the time to listen to your music, and even enjoy it.
This little girl I met at the festival stole my heart! She was wearing my t-shirt (Run Fly Fall graphic T) because she had gotten all wet in the pond behind the stage. When she saw me at my merch table, she yelled out, “You’re the best singer!” Chances are, she probably didn’t know a whole lot about what makes a person a good singer or not. But honestly… her opinion mattered a whole lot more to me than everyone else in that huge crowd of people. There’s something about children that makes you take off your self-imposed crown, kneel to the ground, and remember why life is so much more beautiful when it’s simpler.
I love being Korean. I love the fact that I was born and raised in America, but that I had this ancient heritage already dancing in my veins. I’ll admit, it can be really frustrating to be bi-cultural, but it helps you see what’s good in each. It gives you an insight into traditions, and what makes each culture unique. I think the problem with our world is that people usually don’t take the time to appreciate diversity. It’s easier to just see why everyone else who is different from you sucks… why they are a threat… why there is no room in a person’s heart for what is not common. How friggin boring would it be if there was only one type of food? Why not get the best of two different worlds and come up with something like… uhh, a Korean BBQ Taco, that’s sold from a lunch truck??? That sounds like a brilliant idea :)
the stage @ the korean festival
@ the After Party with some of the performers, including Julia Hsu
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with these video projects… On one hand, I love the creative process, singing, collab’ing with other people, and enjoying the final product*. But on the other hand, there is soooo much work that goes into it: Picking a song, performing it just right, recording audio, getting all the levels adjusted, filming the video, editing the video, being OCD about how it looks, and then waiting for it to upload. I guess it just goes to show that anything worth doing, requires hard work, sacrifice, love, and perseverance… Yup, even for us music peoples.
I’ve been listening to a lot of John Mayer lately, and his music really connects with me lyrically and artistically. I keep hearing from people that he’s a shady person and a male floozy… I don’t know if it’s true cos I don’t watch TMZ. At the end of the day, I can’t judge him, but I’ll say a prayer or two for Mr. Mayer… since we can all use ‘em.
*A big THANK YOU to: Peter Chun (guitar), Mike Tandiama (camera 1), Emeline Moya (camera 2), Ryan Brehm (audio help), Grace Lai (audio mastering), and God (breath in my lungs).
This past weekend I spent shooting my first music video in San Fran! My friend Remilla offered to help me work on the project for my song “ill with Love”. She’s a very gifted design artist who teamed up with Ervin Ramos, a talented film major with a great camera (canon d7), and Gabriel Garcia, another talented brother with an artistic eye.
The song is basically about how I meet this random girl and get bopped with giddiness, and end up taking out her on a date, where of course I treat her like a lady, contrary to pop culture themes. ;) The video begins with me on a train, and I’m minding my own business when, I see “the girl” (who is acted out by Erin Deguzman). I get off the train and begin pursuing her throughout the city, but she’s always one step ahead, so I don’t have much success in getting to actually meet her. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s a fun little romantic-comedy-type-of-music-video.
