Kwento Ni Toto: 2021

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Music Lane Okinawa Moved to February 20-21, 2021

Toto 11:06:00 PM

With today's world situation and following the recent declaration of State of Emergency for the central area in Tokyo, Japan, the Music Lane Festival Okinawa 2021 (Music Lane Okinawa) and Trans Asia Music Meeting 2021 has been rescheduled to February 20 and 21, 2021.

According to a statement released by organizers, the decision to postpone the festival follows the recent rising cases of the COVID-19 in different parts of Japan. “Although Okinawa is not included in the State of Emergency, there are many artists and audiences participating from Tokyo and the surrounding prefectures. In addition, the spread of infection in Okinawa Prefecture is becoming more prominent again… We felt that pushing the festival to be held in these circumstances could cause inconvenience and trouble to the participating artists, audiences, and all the staff members.”

The announcement was made formally last week to the Japanese audience. Originally slated for January 16-17, the Music Lane Okinawa was set to be the debut edition of the multinational music showcase festival that will feature a hybrid format, combining live performances from Japanese artists and pre-recorded live sets from participating international artists from other parts of Asia, including KRNA, She’s Only Sixteen, and syd hartha from the Philippines who will be joining legendary Japanese acts Shonen Knife and Sunny Day Service from Japan.

“We should not lose the opportunities for the artists in Okinawa/Japan and Asian countries to be introduced internationally, and we strongly believe that we must continue the music and the entertainment,” the statement continues.

The festival organizers assure that the festival will proceed as planned in the new schedule dates. In addition to the previously announced participating artists, the full lineup now consists of 75 music acts from Asia, (40 domestic and 35 international). The new additions to the lineup include Japanese acts, Hashiken, Tonchi Pickles, Chiemi Jones, Saki Kowan (Shocking Momoiro), 8bit, Milk&Cookie, onoway, Ruki Sato, THE QUESTIONS, VERONICA VERONICO, Kokoro to Kotoba, Hitomi Shimabukuro, the you, and omni sight.

The live performances will take place at Sakurazaka Theater, Sakurazaka Central, and more venues in Naha City, as well as, Music Town Oto-Ichiba, 7th Heaven Koza, Remy’s, and other venues in Okinawa City. The pre-recorded sets are free for everyone to watch, while on-site ticketed events can be enjoyed by Japan-based music fans when they purchase advance tickets at the Music Lane Okinawa website.

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Year End Post

How I look 2021

Toto 10:18:00 PM

2020 has indeed given us all the hardship. Disaster after disaster and the worse event this year is the Covid19 pandemic. One of the health situations that no one predicted it is coming. I just remember my mother telling me words from her mother that every time this number comes, which is the number 2 that is pictured to be similar to someone kneeling is interpreted as a hardship. Plus there were zeroes beside it. It may be true or not but it happened that we have truly gone through a tough year.

In every darkness, there is always that ray of light or spark of hope that flickers within each one of us. A faith that all things shall pass, and through Him everything is possible.

2021, a year after disaster and pandemic, will probably set a new outlook in life. Looking to it more positively with full of hopes. Why hopeful? Well, it's not just because we are alive and well but because there's always a good reason to be thankful to the Lord.

Also, I somehow look at the year ahead of something in significance most especially the numbers that lie within it, the figures it represents. Here are my thoughts about it and from others as well.

2021, from the numbers, there are still two kneeling figures but will probably be interpreted as our faith. The good news is that there will be one (1) zero, which will make our hardships lesser, and of course, the number one, which represents a straight line, will probably make our way to rehabilitation. Making us all rise from all the problems in 2020.
Adding all the numbers in 2021 will give us 5. A significant number not only in numerology but also in the Bible. In numerology 5 is associated with the five elements (Water, Fire, Earth, Wood, and Metal) in Chinese philosophy. It is also historically associated with the Emperor of China.

While in the Bible, the number 5 plays an important role as well, here are some of it.

The God’s law is consists of five books, which are called Pentateuch. The New Testament Pentateuch consists of 4 gospels and Acts, which can be considered God’s grace and favor to humankind.

John, who wrote 5 books concerning the grace of God and forever the life of the soul.

The God’s grace symbolism was seen when Jesus took 5 loaves of bread and transformed them into the amount enough to feed five thousand people. (Matthew 14:17).

The instruction given by God to build a “tabernacle in the wilderness” was all centered around number five, everything was made out of five components, like 5 curtains, 5 pillars, 5 bars, etc. Also, there were 5 ingredients in the holy oil, which was needed to sanctify the tabernacle.

The God’s presence was shown by number 5. The book of Psalms has 5 main chapters.

There are 5 offerings to Israel provided by God. (Leviticus).

Moses wrote five books. This number shows the God’s plan and influence on humans, his grace and presence

So, whatever reference you would like to look at things in the coming year it almost describes a similar notion about the numbers and the figures. But of course, with the prayer of everyone and the positive outlook for the coming year, things will get better. Prayer is always the best weapon in everything that we do.

God bless everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!