DANDAN, Music in Graphics

I remember the time when I was miles away from home. My friend Dandan, who I met thru a Youth Encounter Program which I organized when I was still a student, did send me a sappy letter of revelation…telling me he’s courting my sister. I was shocked like a father…even felt the pressure of being the elder brother. The next thing I knew- their feelings were mutual!

Dandan, the vegetarian & musically-inclined lad, had originated from a not so good public scrutiny. Inviting him for a “youth encounter” wasn’t equivalent to building Rome overnight, instead there was a yearning to know him & other associates further and deeper.

Impressions don’t really last with me. I have browsed elbows with extreme individuals and our personalities just meet halfway. In Dandan’s case, I just caught in veracity the core of TRUST and ACCEPTANCE, until finally realizing he ‘s been living with my family for years and years.

My eyes have witnessed how he changed personally. Though thin then and now, Dandan became a family to us. I could have contributed much to what he’s become today, professionally…still, I’m acknowledging the fact that what’s important to me is that he respects us, all. The entire clan has welcomed him, anyhow.

Dan & Grace have produced JOSH, my first nephew, in 2007.