October Finding Grace in Familiar Ground


October Finding Grace in Familiar Ground

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.
Psalm 133:1

October felt like a gentle reminder from God that sometimes He allows us to breathe in spaces that already feel like home. Tanghal Visayas became that space for me. It was my second Tanghal since joining the YATTA family, and I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude seeing familiar faces again people from different communities, international festivals, and shared spaces where artistry, life advocacies, and values intersect.

There was comfort in recognition. Seeing the same people reminded me that this work is not isolated. We are connected by shared purpose and shared struggles, and that connection alone made the experience lighter. Tanghal Visayas felt less stressful, perhaps because I was more prepared this time. I already had a clearer list of people, clearer expectations, and a more grounded sense of my role. Maybe it was also because Visayas is my home court. Communication came more naturally, conversations felt familiar, and collaboration flowed with ease.

Because of this, I was beyond blessed to truly experience the festival. I had time to witness performances, document moments, and participate in workshops. These moments reminded me of both the reality and the magic of being an artist. I found myself in awe of the technical teams especially the technical directors whose work I know I could never do, yet whose excellence keeps everything moving smoothly. Their work is demanding, complex, and often unseen, yet they serve with patience and generosity, even teaching others along the way. I hold deep respect for them.

What stood out to me most during Tanghal Visayas was how artistry and community respond during uncertainty. Even with floods and calamities surrounding the festival, the choice was always clear to prioritize what was best for the people and the community. There was wisdom, calmness, and collective decision making. I am grateful to the administrative team for guiding the festival through these challenges without allowing fear or stress to overpower the mission.

October taught me that God sometimes affirms us through familiarity. He places us in spaces where we are reminded of our growth, our readiness, and the quiet progress we have made. In Visayas, I saw how preparation meets grace, how community eases burden, and how faith moves not in urgency but in trust.

As I look back, I see October as a month where God allowed me to witness rather than wrestle, to appreciate rather than endure. In unity, He reminded me that I am not walking this journey alone. And for that gentle mercy, I remain deeply thankful.

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