Category :Cover Story

Once the siblings, John Bien Miscreola and Peter James Miscreola dreamed of being a popular musician when they were younger. We’ll, they are not the only one.  Today, they own a huge company that provides music to any event. Their fate might not end up the way they wanted to be? Or maybe not yet, who knows, right. But for FG, it’s bigger than their original dream. Perhaps, it’s God’s plan.

John Bien Miscreola and Peter James Miscreola is now the owner of FG lights and sound. Yes, it’s not a band’s name and it might differ to their dreams of being popular musician, but for me… not so much. Their names may not be famous for you (or maybe you never heard of) but their quality service is well-known to many event organizers and some biggest bosses. They might not playing music in the stage, but they are rocking at the back stage. It’s not bad after all.

Established in 2011, FG lights and sound company is one of the trusted brands in its league today. Theyprovide service in some major and biggest event you know. How big? You heard of San Miguel October fest? Now you have an idea.

When we asked Peter James about his motto, he gave us a verse in bible. “Jeremiah 29 verse 11.  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” Peter James answered.  Peter James strongly believes that his life today is God’s plan.

Q&A

BM: What are the services you offer?

Peter James: We are offering LED wall system, LED TV in different sizes and different pixels, projectors, trusses and we also offer staging services. But our main product that we offer is the lights and sound.

BM: What inspired you to start this kind of business?

Peter James: Actually, our purpose in building FG Audio Lights and Sounds is for our church. My younger brother and I are both pastor’s son. The idea before is to help the church. Then the sound system grew. We tried then to enter the market and with the help of God, we have good responses.

BM: Do you remember your first event?

Peter James: Yes, it’s our church event in 2011 at Parañaque. We started with a big event already with thousands of participants. That time our equipment isn’t good compare to what we have today but we completed our first event with it.

BM: How did your first event go?

Peter James: There is always space for improvement for the first timers. There is no such thing as perfect. It wasn’t perfect but for the first timer, I think it’s not bad. I can consider it good since it’s our first time. Actually, it taught us many things. The learning is always been an everyday process. Yes, you fail, but the most important is you learn.

BM: What your biggest or memorable event so far?

Peter James: Usually, we have a huge event weekly. We also sometimes cover a weddings but usually our event are huge like those events happened in Cuneta Astrodome and Ynares Coliseum. I can recall all of our events but what I consider to be most memorable for me is our church anniversary. It’s a big event that happened in Cuneta Astrodome.  

BM: What’s your favorite part of the event?

Peter James: For me, the best part is when the event is already starting. It’s fulfilling for us because our job starts before the event happened. We are at the event’s place very early, sometimes at dawn, to prepare the stage and our equipment for an event that will happen at night. The time of preparation is very long and tiring. But when the event is finally starting, it’s very fulfilling especially when the event is running smoothly and the people are happy, or when it’s church’s event. If it’s event of my church, I don’t charge them. We are tired for the preparation but when the event is starting, and the people start to sing, it’s very heartwarming.

BM:  What’s your goal in your every event?

Peter James: It is simple to satisfy our client. It doesn’t matter if they pay low, or they pay good. We’re not after the money since this is not a business for us. It’s our passion. We’re after the happiness of the client. We wanted all of our clients to be happy.

BM:  What sets you apart to other lights and sound company?

Peter James: Actually I love them all (our competitors) as well as my colleagues. It’s a small world for our industry. That is why, I value friendship. I respect them. But in FG lights and sound, our pride is we love what we do. It’s not a hobby for our free time. We love lights and sound.

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Harold Calo Trinidad is a 20 year old man from Sta. Rita Pampanga, who earned his

BS in Electronics Engineering at the University of the Assumption. He started to play the saxophone at the age of 17. He said being a guy who loves to play the sax is quite hard but he had experience in playing woodwind instruments, so he learn it easily.

Harold played other instruments like guitar, violin, drums, piano and other brasses and woodwind instrument.  He loves to play the sax for ballads- he just feels the rhythm and puts his soul into it. But his favorite piece using his saxophone is none other than “Forever in Love” by Kenny G.

According to him, the best thing about playing saxophone is expressing his creativity in music. Since his childhood he dreamed to be a musician; music is his passion and is in blood, because they are a family of musicians.

Let’s Talk about His Performance and Future

Being a performer is not easy, and overcoming nervousness takes practice and skill, according to Harold.  Crowds can be overwhelming, but he plays smooth songs and delivers the message of that song to the listener.  His passion in music has always been difficult to put into words, “because it means a lot to me. It is my way to express and releases my emotions. Music speaks when you can’t express it in words, music doesn’t disappoint me”.   

BM:  Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? Do you consider playing saxophone as a career?

HCT:  Music is my passion but being an engineering is my profession and I want to be a successful engineer someday.

For now he focus and prioritize his studies, but he never forget his greatest dream in life that he will be a well known musician.  To listen to his pieces, check his YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/SaxCover or just search for Harold Calo Trinidad to watch his previous covers!

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It is hard to imagine  a better trio of sibling golfers than Annika, Andrew and Angeli Chua. These early achievers prove that Golf is in their blood line.

It was another rainy day. The tar-black sky is concealing the sun, hinting that it’s not going to stop raining anytime soon. People outside are running for cover as the rainfall became heavier. It almost convinced me that it was a cursed trip, but then, we reached our destination.

“Hello, I’m Stephanie Chua” in a soft charming voice, arriving early for the interview despite the inclement weather.  Behind her are her good-looking kids: Annika, Andrew and Angelie, who wear sunny-bright smiles. These kids look undeniably cute and innocent but never judge them by their looks- they are young golf superstars.

Often referred to as Team Chua, these kids got their father’s “chinita eyes”, and inherited exceptional skills and passion for golfing that runs in their family.

Playing golf is another way for Chua family to bond and have together time. At least once a week, the Chua family plays golf for fun. Sometimes they even go out of the country to engage in this recreation. No wonder Andrew, Annika and Angelie developed their passion for golf.

The siblings captured public attention after winning different awards in a variety of respected golf competitions.  The most memorable: Veritas World Junior Golf, San Francisco Junior Championship, Sacramento Junior Championship, Marin Country Junior Golf Championship, Annual Charlie Culver Junior Masters, Second Harvest Junior Golf Championship, and the  Castro Valley Junior Championship, which were all held in the USA.

“Many times they were featured in different broadsheets. It humbles my heart that they are recognized,” Stephanie shared.

Annika Sophia Chua

Annika was just seven years old, but she remembers clearly her first experience in golfing.

“We were in Southwoods. My brother, my uncle, my grandpa and my dad were playing golf I was just watching them. And I became fascinated. They looked like they were having fun and the thought of joining them would be enjoyable” shares Annika, the eldest sibling. Despite winning internationally, Annika confessed that she is just playing golf for fun and she doesn’t see herself as a professional golfer.

Annika’s most favourite subject is Science, and her least favourite is Math. “Definitely Math, no question.” She also shared that even though she dislikes Math she really tries her best to comprehend and concentrate on it since she wants to be in the line of business someday. “I’m fortunate having teachers assisting me to help me improve and focus on all the subjects whether it is my favorite or not.”

At  such a young age, Annika already knows what she wants to do in the near future. Her dream is to be part of her family’s business. “It’s been in my family for generations and I don’t want it to just go away like nothing since I know my grandparents  and my parents worked hard for it.”

Their family business will surely be in good hands. Annika has three rules in life. Pray. Do your best. Live life to the fullest.

“You should always do your best no matter what, and no matter what brings you down, you just have to do it because life doesn’t wait for you”  Annika explained. “Complete what you have done the best you can, so yeah, at least you’ll go to sleep feeling that you’ve accomplished and did your best”.

Andrew Josh Chua

“Don’t put your achievements into your head and failures in your heart”. This is the guiding principle of Andrew and perhaps one of the reasons why he is winning tons of golf awards.

Like any typical kid, Andrew goes to school, wakes up late during weekends if there’s no tournaments and sometimes plays video games. But he’s no ordinary kid. Andrew represented the Philippines in various international tournaments.

Andrew has been playing golf since he was 5 years old. His dad, Felix Jr. taught and inspired him to play golf. “My dad is my favourite golf player because he was the one who introduced me to this sport, ” he shared.  “My trainer is Coach Buddy de Joya,  but  my Dad still teaches me”.

Last 2014, Andrew bagged his first major international title after winning Veritas Junior Golf Championship in Los Angeles, California. He was awarded Resolution No. 5 by our Senators for raising the Philippine flag in international competition. It was Andrew’s favourite and most memorable match. “I know I am not the best junior golfer, there are a lot of junior golfers better than me, but I guess it was prayers that made me win that tournament.”

Andrew admitted he’s pressured and nervous every time he has an incoming international tournament . To make himself relax a bit, he said, praying always help him to relax.  “I pray first, before I start,” Andrew explained.

As of now golf is not Andrew’s priority. “It’s  school first, then I play golf. I also try other sports and join varsity at school. My parents and grandparents always give me advice and remind me that education is very important”.

Just like her sister, Andrew’s favourite subject is Science and least favourite is Math. He shares the same concept that he has to focus in all his subjects whether he likes it or not. “Good thing my teachers are so approachable, I can ask them questions even after class. Also my Mom helps me and reminds me all the time to study.”

Angelie Nicole Chua

Angelie posed in front of a camera with her favourite trophy, and then another cute pose holding her golf club which is almost her height.

At  the age of four, Angelie joined numerous golf tournaments. She won local tournaments like TJGL Series tournament, TJGL Ryders Cup, Sino-Filipino Chinese Golf Tournament, Oakley Cup, PAL-JGFP Interclub and more.  “I like playing golf because I make friends and I win” Angelie said with sweet voice.

Aside from studying she enjoys drawing and travelling. “I love it so much whenever I travel with my whole family, specially with my Pop um and Amah” (she fondly calls her grandparents)  She also loves singing and her dream is to become a pop star. Now, we might see a golf player pop star in the future because of Angelie’s passion.

They are guided

Golf may have been the first love of the Chua siblings, but they don’t only excel in golf. These kids find schooling as fun as playing golf. In fact, TEAM CHUA are honor students since they were in preschool at Makati Hope Christian School.

“In Proverbs 22:6 it says Train up a child the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it”. This verse is always in my mind when I am raising my children. I should treat them as God’s gifts to me. Since they are from God, I should be accountable on how they will become as time passes by. We, as parents, always make sure that success doesn’t stay in their head. It should be given back to the Lord who has given them the talents they are using right now. They should honor God first in everything that they do. I believe they accomplish things with God in their life, along with perseverance and hard work. We always instil in them how those values people who are helping and training them wholeheartedly“ Stephanie explained.

Felix and Stephanie might be the proudest parents today for having such wonderful and talented kids.  Putting into words what they both said, “In everything that they do, we are here for them. But as parents, we want them to finish school. Education should be our top priority. They can continue playing golf, however, having a degree will make us feel proud of  our kids.”

At the end of the interview with their parents, their last words were “ We pray that our children will continue to glorify God in their achievements in life”.

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We always hear the phrase make your passion as your profession to make your job easier; Dji Adefuin had proven it true when she built her company. 

Words by: Khent Gerald T. Barangas

Managing events with hundreds or thousands of guests is never an easy job. It would take a lot of planning, delegation, skills, and the most important of all patience. But there are some people who can carry this job like a ‘walk in the park’. Take it to Dji Adefuin, the director of IJD Events Management Services, who says her job became easy because of her love, passion and the people around her.

IJD Events Management Services started way back 2007 as a talent management. Because of her dream of being an event’s stylist, Dji decided to take broader and more complex responsibility in managing event. From a talent coordinator, Dji started giving her client various ideas in both corporate events, weddings and parties. And that’s how IJD Events Management was born.

From a simple dream, IJD Events Management Services became well-known in different industry because of high level professionalism and quality service. The company can handled a huge event even with participants up to 8000 people. “My staff are well-trained. We treat our clients as kings and queens. We love our clients and we respect our suppliers. It is the reason why we always have fun events,” she says.

Even with the demanding nature of her job and being proud as a signle mom. Dji always keeps her cool. “I feel pressure sometimes, but I have this inner feeling, inner most thoughts that I should always be calmed and relaxed”, she explains. “I think it’s because I’m really really a happy and content  person.” 

Dji’s jobs became much easier because of her love of meeting new people. “My job is not easy,but whenever I think of my son, things are getting easy. Also, if you will put something like true love on your work, everythin will become a magic. Why it should be hard, when you love that something,” she says. “

“We have kind friends and clients. Everything is a blessing.We have a different kinds of clients, so I never got tired of doing extra ordinary and innovative ideas.

When it comes to event management, you will always encounter questions “how can we do this?” Dji has always been providing the right answer to her clients in making successful event. But when the question is, “how to be successful?”,Dji believes it is important to dream and make it work. And it is only you can know if it’s the right answer.

“Don’t stop dreaming. When you dream, you should work for it. When you work, you have to dedicate it to God.  There will be no miracles if you will not work hard for everything. So you really have to put prayers in your job your dreams will surely come true.”

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