Tonight was very emotional for me. 

I finally made the decision to leave the band DOKI after giving it much thought and prayer. It was a tough decision to make, but I had to do it. Just to make it clear, I’m not ending friendships. Doki, Jerold, Daniel, Joshua, Karmi and Jeff S. are family to me. This change of direction, I believe, will just strengthen the bond that we all have, and it’s a beautiful thing.

My experience in Israel 2 months ago was a big factor in my decision. God dealt with me while I was there, and He changed my direction. As I explained to the band, God is leading me to pursue a solo career as a Christian recording artist and really travel and share the music. And with boldness, I am stepping out in faith by really pursuing this direction. Yes, I am fearful and yes I tend to doubt and worry, but I believe that God will guide me through this. It’s only God who knows what the outcome of this step of faith will be. Yes, I am walking on water on this one.

For now, I want to take this time to acknowledge the band and just let them know how much each of them mean to me.

DANIEL ZETAZATE

Bro, we’ve come a long way. We grew up in church and we’ve served together a lot of times as well in the ministry, and I have to say our friendship became much more solid as DOKI bandmates. You’ve blessed me in so many ways brother and it’s been such a privilege to have been able to share this journey with you. My prayer is that you continue to align yourself with God and I am pretty sure big things are just around the corner for you. Bro, I know we’ll still be serving and playing together and I pray our friendship will continue to grow. Thanks for everything, brother!

KARMI SANTIAGO

Karmi, Karmi, Karmi!!!! I have to say you really are one of the best drummers out there. I’m proud to say that we’re bandmates and I really am thankful to God that He has allowed you to be part of the band. I really prayed for you and your arrival to the band was such a blessing to all of us. Again, it’s tough for me because I really did want this journey with you in the picture. But then again, I’m not really leaving because this is family to me. May God continue to use you mightily through your drumming and I know God has big things in store for you too! You have an amazing gift, keep at it. :) 

JOSHUA LEGASPI

Bro, I only met you this year and I am truly blessed with how God really allowed us to bless each other as our friendship grew. To have been able to experience Israel with you was amazing and it really put a solid bond to our friendship. I know you’re only new to the band, and I really heavily recruited you, so I pray that God will continue to use you as you minister with your violin. Bro, I’m excited for you and how God will just shape your life! I’m praying for you and your fiancé. Exciting times ahead!

JEFF SALINDONG

Our newly appointed manager. The one who really believed in our music and who was willing to take the risk to manage us. Bro, you don’t know how much of a blessing you have been to the band and to me personally. The first time I met you, I knew you had a good heart and your values have been such an encouragement, knowing that people like you have convictions and are willing to stand up for those convictions. Bro, I am really happy you are managing the band and I am really thankful for all the support you’ve given us the past 2 years. Even if I am leaving, I know our friendship will stand the test of time and we will still find ourselves hanging out at 2am in the morning taking about life, music, lovelife(if there is one haha!) and whatever topic that would come up. You’ll still see me hanging out with you and the rest of the band, and my support will be there because this band means a lot to me, and it’s really a part of me. Bro, thanks for everything. You are a true friend. A really really true friend.

JEROLD RIVERA

Bro, you are truly a blessing in my life. You’re a quiet person bro but I know you have a great heart and your talent is really amazing. God has given you a great gift, keep embracing it brother. Bro you know in my heart how sad it is for me to leave, but I know the two of us will be working together still, and we’ll keep the friendship for sure. I can sense us collaborating still in the future! I know God has amazing plans for you my friend. Thanks for everything bro. You’ll always be a blessing to me! 

DOKI PUNO

Doki. The one who recruited me. The one who God used 2 years ago to make me take that leap of faith and join the band she was forming. We’ve come a long way, Doks. We immediately clicked because of our passion in music and songwriting and we’ve actually collaborated a lot already. You stepped out in faith to recruit me because of a Facebook status I posted, and I’ll be forever grateful for that. I’ve always been honest with you and I’m glad that through all the things we went  through, I was blessed everytime we had the chance to have those deep conversations just to encourage one another. The decision to talk to you first before the others was my form of respect to you because you took a chance on me when you asked me to join the band 2 years ago. Now I am going in another direction and I just want to let you know that chance you took on me is such an integral part of how God is directing my path right now. Those 2 years of experiencing the underground scene, the countless gigs, the music video for Harapin, the guestings we had on radio and on tv, the first album we ever recorded, the fellowship, the ups and downs….God used these experiences in my life to really make me realize what my passion really is. Everything is connected and I know God has been preparing me since Day 1 of being part of the band for what’s to come in my life. So Doki, once again, thank you for taking a chance on me. Without that happening, I do not think I will be where I am today. 

THE BAND

I just want to say I love you all. When I got home after our gig a few hours ago, it was already sinking in. And the sadness is there. Letting go is tough. But it’s a sacrifice I have to make. I didn’t want to be unfair. I didn’t want to have one foot on one boat while the other one is dangling on another boat. To follow God’s calling, we all have to make sacrifices and this was the sacrifice that God wanted me to do. But even if the sadness is obvious in me right now, I still rejoice because I am not ending friendships. We’re a family and we will continue to be a family. The best is yet to come, and God has great things in store for all of us. I leave the band with a heavy heart, but at peace knowing that I’m doing it out of obedience to God. 

2012 will be exciting. And I know the band will press on and keep making great music to give glory to God! I’m keeping all of you in my prayers and I do ask that you also keep me in yours. You’ll still see me going to gigs and supporting you guys, maybe jam once in awhile if you guys allow me to hehe. The band will forever be a part of me and I just want to say I LOVE YOU ALL!

I am not saying goodbye. Just see you around. 

:)