06/26/2024
The First Mist Music Festival has now ended, and I can say yehey!!! Now I can tell my story.
Where did it all begin? Was I the one who thought of it? What made me do this and involved my husband, Odi and my daughters, Dianne and Sarah in the organization. They tell each other, that his wife and their mom, is crazy but they love to take the ride with me and what a ride it has been. I believe that in life, when you are called for a mission, there’s no escaping it.
The seed was planted even before I even thought of a music festival. It was March of 2019 in Oceanside California. We had a reunion with my HS friends who I have not seen for decades. In one of our activities, we decorated a jar and get to choose an inspirational message to put in it. This is the message I chose:
“ I will sing and make music with all my soul, for great is Your love, higher than the heavens.”
I only saw this message again when I was doubting if the project is worthwhile, first because I know that I have limited resources and second, there are people who thinks that I’m too idealistic and we have not proven anything yet to think of a music festival. But how can I stop after I now know what I am asked to do. Do something that is greater than yourself, do something for others, do something with a higher purpose. Everything is about music. Music is prayer, music is a gift to be shared, music unites, music heals, MUSIC IS SOUL THERAPY.
Why are we Filipinos great caretakers? We serve with a smile, and we care about people especially our family. It is because, we love music. We have so much talented musicians here that needs to be recognized not just by our fellow Filipinos but by our Canadian family. We have great people in the entertainment industry who share the same vision of making something that we can all be a part of a legacy. People who are committed to something whatever it takes, it will happen, and it did happen.
This is just the beginning, but already I am so proud of what we have given – a world-class music production. In all things I do, it must be all or nothing. Whatever it takes, whatever is the cost, Filipinos deserve an excellent show.
I want to thank everyone who believed – the artists, the record labels, the suppliers, Fiesta Extravaganza Toronto, our community and media partners, the MIST team, everyone who shared our posts and spread the word, most especially the people who went despite the weather.
MIST MUSIC FESTIVAL 2025- I wonder what’s in store next year. Don’t be surprised that it will be another one-of-a-kind thing. We don’t stop, we can’t stop, we can’t let music die for MUSIC IS SOUL THERAPY.