V FOR VIGAN FESTIVAL!

VIVA VIGAN: A Traveler's Memory of Vigan Festival! 

There is a place in Ilocos Sur where once the date sets at January 25, its streets start to be filled with its resident called Biguenio. This place holds a week-long celebration dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle, which is why Biguenios gathered to witness the streets to be filled with colorful exhibitions, cheerful parades, and the locals performing street dances. 

When my friends and I visited and joined in their celebration, we witnessed many wonderful events that was there to remember. Even though it was crowded because there were a lot of Biguenios watching too, we still managed to watch the following events: Vigan Fiesta Grand Parade, Longganisa Festival, Education Day. Also, we were able to enjoy our remaining time in Vigan through visiting the Burgos Museum. 

EDUCATION DAY

Just when we have landed our feet on Vigan, we immediately went to have a long peak on Plaza Burgos, only to find out that the plaza already became a stage for performers. It was the breezy night of January 20 when we first got to watch talented people being recognized and honored for their achievements. We didn't expect that it would turn into a more beautiful event when the teachers and students performed, as their performance gave an impact to us, revealing how much they love their job. It was so beautiful because we witnessed the passion they have for what they were doing. This made us, especially me, realized that this event wasn't only meant to showcase the achievements of the people, but to also express their willingness to learn from everybody's achievements and mistakes.

VIGAN FIESTA GRAND PARADE

Our next stop was the Vigan Fiesta Grand Parade. Standing along the onlookers that were lined nearly half the length of the street, we watched how cheerful, joyful, proud, and happy were the participants (various government agencies, including representatives from the City Government, Provincial Government, different societal sectors, and organizations) of the parade. As soon as the grand parade started, the air was filled with nothing but fun, cheers from people, laughter, pure joy, the angelic and harmonious beating of the lyres and drums, and with the hint of feeling proud to witness a parade that was as beautiful as the participants. Furthermore, the parade began on Quezon Avenue, passing through the Liberation Boulevard, and ending at Quirino Boulevard. What a long walk they took!!

LONGGANISA FESTIVAL 

Of course, our treasured memories won't be perfect if we missed how Biguenios celebrated Longganisa Festival, another event of the week-long Festival. Again, we stood besides other people who went there to watch the well-performed street dances prepared by the participants. What made it even more perfect is the way they have the positive impact to the audience as they ace the dance, showcasing longganisa, one of Vigan's local product. The streets were again filled with cheers as the performers dance gracefully, with the beat of the loud but joyful music. It was so fun that we forgot my friends and I weren't Biguenios.

BURGOS MUSEUM 

To complete our Vigan Festival Memory, we also visited the Burgos Museum since it was just few meters away from the street where performers danced. It was already my nth time visiting that museum, but my friends know that I like visiting museums, so they took me there. These buildings share the rich culture and history of Ilocos Sur. The Burgos Museum displays items used by Father Jose Burgos. It honors Father Jose Burgos. This museum is Burgos' birthplace, and provides a close look at his life with personal items, historical papers, and photographs. 

It was really fun when we tried the Vigan Festival. Even though the week-long Festival had to end, still I was left with memories that carve the well-preserved traditions, cultural heritage, cheerful celebrations, and historical landmarks. These memories are worthy to be written here, so I am writing this. I do hope that these memories will always stay with me even though my short-term memory loss always acts out, and I am hoping that this blog will serve as my place where I can go back to, whenever I miss the feeling of watching Vigan Festival with fun!

Reference/s:

Blogger: 

https://www.blogger.com

NATIONAL CHILDREN'S MONTH

November, The Month of The Future of The World 

 It was the 20th of November, 1989 when the Republic Act 10661 institutionalized NCM (National Children's Month) to commemorate the adoption of the United Nations Conveniention on the Rights of a child. Since then, children became visible. What I mean to that is people started giving value to children. They started seeing them not only as children that would age up as them in time, but as also children who matters in the evolving society as they are also part of it. 

The Children's Month is a very important and beautiful celebration for children, which is held throughout the month of November. This celebration's main point is to promote and give protection to every right of children by raising awareness that circulates to the issues of children, and by celebrating their essence in society. 

This year, 2023, the theme of the celebration is "Healthy, Nourished, Sheltered: Ensuring the Right to Life for All.” People often celebrates this occasion by helding picnics with their children, camping, having a movie marathon, baking, or just playing around to make their children feel seen, worthy, valued, and loved. Also, the governments in the Philippines also held activities suited for children such as seminars, health clinics, edicational campaigns, workshops, and cultural events. Furthermore, the month of November plays a vital role in raising awareness about the child-related issues such as bullying, child labor, child maltreatment, and child trafficking. Through all of these ways to celebrate the month, their days will surely be filled with joy, laughter, and endless positivity.

Moreover, this celebration convinces every individual to support all programs that is made and will be made for the sake of children's well-being. It would really make the society more shaped for the children as this celebration would nurture every ability, talents, knowledge, and strength that they possess.

In conclusion, celebrating the National Children's Month is plays a very significant role in every child. This gives a very positive impact on their childhood as they will always remember how they were being taken care of, loved, seen, valued, and protected from any child-related issues. This will shape them in the future as this will serve as a remarkable lesson that they have learned in their childhood, hoping that they will share it to the generations next to them. 

Reference/s:

Blogger: 

https://www.blogger.com 

 

CHILDREN’S MONTH–CELEBRATING OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE, Stairway Foundation Inc., (November 29, 2015)

https://stairwayfoundation.org/childrens-month-celebrating-our-most-precious-resource/

National Children's Month Celebration Promotes Protection, Rights of Children., News BEaST PH., (October 27, 2022)

https://newsbeastph.com/2022/10/childrens-month-celebration-promotes-protection-rights-of-children/

Abrina, D., Silang Marks Children's Month Celebration. (November 26, 2022), Journal News.

https://journalnews.com.ph/silang-marks-childrens-month-celebration/

Garette's Reflection For The Second Quarter

 All About TAGS! (not the price tags though)

You might have been wondering how my second quarter has been working out for me. If I were to describe how was it, I'd say it was as bumpy as the road, as wavy as the ocean, but it was also as fun as the beam of the early sunlight hitting my skin. Actually, there was only this certain topic that circulates the whole second quarter of ICT— HTML tags. Never in my life did I imagine myself encountering those things: Notepad, many exers, and bunches of tags; not price tags, but HTML Tags. But yeah, tags happened.

I have learned so many things about HTML and the HTML tags. First, HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. Its basic function is to structure a web page and its content. Inside an HTML file lies many tags used to convert HTML documents into web pages. Each tag contains angle brackets (<>), and there are two types of tags: stand-alone tag and paired tags. Stand alone tags are those that don't need another tag to stop their functions. They are used to place standalone elements in the document. On the other hand, the paired tags are those that have opening tags and closing tags. Their closing tags have slash symbol (/) as it indicates that the function stops there. 

These tags are very important because a web creator won't be able to create interesting webpages if none of the tags exist. There are tags that are compatible in fixing information, making the headings of a document, and making multimedia, photos and videos included in an HTML file. They give the best help in organizing and designing elements. 

In understanding the importance of HTML Basic Tags, this quarter gave me the opportunity to try some of them. I have made various exercises that associates with the uses and definitions of each tags. To further explain it, I have learned how to use different tags in each of my exers according to their functions, such as using the following: 

<html></html> to define the start and end of an HTML file. 

<head></head> states that a heading is created. 

<br>, a stand-alone tag that is used to breaks line. 

<title></title> is used to define the title of the page.

<body></body>, which contains the content of the whole page.

<p></p>, which defines a paragraph.

<b></b>, to make the text darker

<i></i>, italicizes words

<u></u>, creates an underline for the text

<em></em> that emphasizes the text

, creates superscript text

, contrast to superscript, it creates subscript

<hr></hr> this creates horizontal line

There are still many tags that I have used, but listing them down here would consume all my time, so I'm ending my list there. 

To conclude, HTML Basic Tags gave me something that I could remember forever since it is really essential in creating such webpages. I have come to conclude how these tags are important in the production of effective and well-designed webpages. I am looking forward to nurture these knowledge that I have gained again by applying these in future programs and projects that I will hold. I do hope that these knowledge will have the best impact on my abilities in manipulating the mouse and the desktop for whatever's waiting for me in the future. 

Aside from those tags that I have learned, there are also variety of life lessons that I have gained again. I actually find it funny because every quarter, I gain new life lessons as if they are also under the curriculum. They get deeper and deeper as time goes by. Their meanings get more serious and sincere as I meet them. I could even cry learning those life lessons. 

I admit, quarter 2 wasn't the "okay this quarter will be better for me" mood as to what I expected it to be. Many sleepless nights became my buddies as I finish piles of homeworks and school works. It was tough for someone like me, who was busy preparing herself to face the next quarters and the Senior High Level. Just like to my previous reflection, I have realized many things that I didn't know I'd need to know. 

First is that I realized I didn't have to blame myself for not doing enough. Actually, I have been doing enough. My friends know that, my adviser knows that, and I know that. It's just that sometimes, I feel like everything that I do is still not enough for me. Of course I get satisfied sometimes because I have gained such high scores, but I feel this emptiness inside me, telling that I should have gotten the perfect score. I do everything to gain that but still everything that I do remain not enough, or at least remain not enough for what I am expecting from myself. At the end of this quarter, I have realized that no matter how hard I try, even though I am expecting for the best, if it's not for me, then it's not. I realized that I don't have to force things to work for me anymore because maybe something bigger is waiting for me out there. 

Also, socially speaking, there have been a lot going on with my friends. It's undeniable that situations really change a person. Situations show a person's real colors. I realized that some people just come and go. It doesn't matter how long they stay if they choose to leave. I also learned that not everyone who smiles with you is really with you. Sometimes, they get along with you because they lack of something that they want and you have it, and to get it, they pretend they are with you. Not everyone that you are going to meet and talk to, is going to be your buddy forever. People choose to leave because they feel like they need to leave the table that's not even welcoming them. Ah, I have so many things that I have learned when it comes to socializing. I even learnt that your real friends won't talk behind your back when things get tough. If they do, then they were never your friend to start with. And the pain that has left with you will always remain if you keep on holding onto them. They are not worthy if they make you sad at night. The only way to free yourself from the pain is letting go.

And lastly, this might be the most usual thing that I have been saying, but I'll say it anyway. As you know, my friends, Hessah, Bryle, Ghrant, Jared, El Jhay, Zhairee, Claire, and Jievan, are grades-conscious like me. It's like our circle is made up of bunches of smarty kids but still won't appreciate the achievements they have been reaching. We even have this favorite line, "Kung di papalarin maging Doctor, edi babagsak bilang baslamador." which I find so funny. It's not like we all dream to be doctors. It's just that we find the process of reaching our dreams so exhausting. We even think if we deserve to be this tired at this age, as if we're already adults working on a job. Little do we know that our efforts are being seen. They are being appreciated by the people that's around us. We didn't have to keep ourselves stressed and exhausted just to prove that we can be as good as the best student in class. 

And now that the quarter's ending again, I do hope that all the lessons will bring me closer to what I have been craving for, to what I have been designing, to what I have been carving in my mind, to my dreams. I do hope that someday, our favorite line will be replaced with, "Hindi to katas ng kapalaran, katas to ng kasipagan at pananalig sa Kanya. We did it, Egays." 

Yeah, the name of our circle is Egay. It's from the name of the typhoon that hit the country last year. And we're Egays. We build the circle. 

And it will never be a circle if there's a missing arc. 

Reference/s:

Blogger: 

https://www.blogger.com 

Pedamkar, P., Basic HTML Tags. (July 19, 2023)

https://www.educba.com/basic-html-tags/

Velankar, O., Basic HTML Tags. (January 21, 2020)

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/basic-html-tags-omkar-velankar

The most important HTML tags In An Overview, Web Development (March 14, 2023)

https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/html-tags/

JOSE RIZAL, THE FACE OF THE PHILIPPINES

 THE REAL FACE OF THE PHILIPPINES 

It has been a very debatable topic that Dr. Jose Rizal is our national hero instead of Emilio Aguinaldo and many more heroes. People have been talking and talking about who really deserves the title, but the true Filipinos will always say that the only hero who deserves it is none other than Dr. José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, in short, Dr. Jose Rizal.

Historically, Jose Rizal became the face of the Philippines since he chose fighting with hithe use of his powerful words and sharp pens. Also, he was the only one who chose to fight for the Filipinos and for the country not through bloody battles, but through the use of sharp words. 

Two of the famous works of Dr. Jose Rizal are Noli Me Tangere and it's sequel, El Filibusterismo, both are dedicated to the Philippines' current state under the hands of colonizers. Yes, he used his mind to create such beautiful novels not only to provide entertainment to the wealthy and powerful people back then, but to also secretly show how the Filipinos have been enduring every abuse and insult that they have been getting from the colonizers. In other words, he used his high IQ to free the Philippines by making double-meaning novels. 

His works have been contributing to the society since then. As we all know, he tried his best to publish his two novels to reveal te hidden message that everyone can understand. His perseverance was really a great help in freeing to Philippines. Good thing is that, up until now, his works are being protected in some museums in the country, probably because the locations of the museums are also where or near to where he used to work. 

Also, the works of Dr. Jose Rizal continues to give the Filipinos and the future generations the pride to be a Pinoy. Everything that he wrote on the two novels were for the Filipinos. This causes to why many Filipinos are proud when people visit or see the historical things of Dr. Jose Rizal. In additon, these works increase the number of tourists coming these days because it's fascinating seeing them being displayed and protected inside museums. 

No wonder why Dr. Jose Rizal is the face of the Philippines. He literally fought for the Philippines. Even though it was not as bloody as how others fought for the country, still he used his knowledge to help in freeing the country. He chose fighting through peace, and killing no one to save the Philippines, and I think this was the best feature that Dr. Jose Rizal has, choosing peace over violence.

Reference/s:

Blogger:

www.blogger.com

M., J., What Can Americans Learn from Jose Rizal? 

January 3, 2020

https://edjview.wordpress.com/2020/04/20/what-can-americans-learn-from-jose-rizal/

Noli Me Tangere

https://www.joserizal.com/noli-me-tangere/

El Filibusterismo, September 6, 2018

https://www.deviantart.com/canihaspie/art/el-filibusterismo-762863326

Blueprints For 2024: Plans, Improvement, Success

Would you believe me if I admit that there are still the times when I label the date on my paper as "January 5, 2023"? Sometimes I find it hard to remember 2023 is on the past already. And since time is ticking a little bit faster, I am going to write down here on this blog the things that I want to improve, work on, achieve, forget, and heal from. That's too many, I know, but bits and pieces, I'll get there. And the journey to the Best Moments of 2024 starts here. 

First, I want to improve how I act. I don't want to call it "growing up" because that's too deep. I want to know myself more. I want to know what really makes me happy, or if the things that once made me happy still does. I want to improve how I react to things. Compared to last year, when reacting and accepting things, I'd first make a drama and then cry about it for a couple of days. Now, I want to change that. And besides, too much drama is exhausting.

I am also going to use my time to work on finding out the way to my future. I am a very future-oriented person. I want no barriers on my way to success. I want every plan to work. I am going to make sure that by the end of this year, or this school year rather, I already have a clear mind to what I really want to be, and that is to be a successful Civil Engineer someday. 

This year, I also want to imply that I must start to forget about the things that once broke me into pieces, crushing every part of me down. I want to forget about those things so that I can finally heal from the things that killed the inside of me. I want to finally heal every wound and bruises I got last year. And even though no one apologized for them, I want to forgive them already so that I can finally free myself from them, from the monsters of midnights. 

These are the things that I want to achieve this year. I fully hope that I will get there, and if I do, then I am going to work on another blueprint again, just to be ready for the next year. Anyways, the new year is still starting, and that means that the best moment is yet to come.

Reference/s:

Blogger:

https://www.blogger.com

Bottorff, C., Miranda, D., (August 10, 2022) What Is Process Improvement?, Forbes Advisor.

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/what-is-process-improvement/

Gelin, A., (November 21, 2019) New Year-Fresh Start., Morneau Law.

https://morneaulaw.com/new-year-fresh-start/

Nwabufo, F., (December 23, 2023)Expectations For 2024, The Cable.

https://www.thecable.ng/expectations-for-2024/amp

Selvakumaran, T., (September 5, 2022) Ways To Heal A Broken Heart., The Sun.

https://thesun.my/style-life/ways-to-heal-a-broken-heart-GD9173877