CBR: Sta. Catalina's Livelihood and Economics

 When we were first given the task, we were confused. Our minds were filled with "kasano detoy?" "kasano tay nga rugyanan etoy?" as we are used to experimental research and not with community-based research. But as we were guided by our teacher and practice teacher, we were able to find our way through. We found our way Sta. Catalina's Livelihood and Economics.

Our first step was to do some research about Sta. Catalina, and discuss what we could possibly conduct for our community-based research. We divided the tasks in making the research paper so that everyone could help.

When we arrived at our meet-up place to conduct the interviews and collect data, we had a little discussion on how and who will do this and that kind of tasks when talking to our local farmers.

Before we conducted the interview for our first local resident, we explained to them the aim of our research and they made us recreate one of their specialties which is lumpianada.

We interviewed many locals of Tamorong, Sta. Catalina and heard their own stories on how they started and for how long have they been doing their jobs and businesses. We gathered information and data through interviewing, which supported our community-based research.

              Here are some of the documentations we took while interviewing farmers, business owners, 

and barangay officials

                                   

After a tiring data gathering, we took some rest and ate at an empanadahan near the sta. catalina beach, with a breathtaking view of the sunset.

This is me, finalizing my part in the making of the community-based research paper, the community profile and methodology.

This community-based research has given me a bigger view on the perspective of the locals of Sta. Catalina in their livelihood. The economy here is like a cycle in which the product of one is consumed by another, and that another will have a product that is again, consumed by another. This community-based research also helped me find out more of my municipality.

Almost There

    I have taken another step forward. It sure still feels surreal because I didn't think that I would make it through, but I thank the Almighty God above for giving another opportunity to learn lessons for the 3rd quarter. Many lessons have been taught to us and that just means that I have learned a lot too. From the parts of the brain, exploring the SOGIE, dancing hip-hop, to solving statistics, coding, and making LEDs light up. This quarter, I have discovered many cool things such as the result of coding and building circuits. I was amazed that such things could be done with the use of technology.

    Despite having learnings and discoveries, I have also encountered problems and challenges that have caused a toll on me during my third quarter. First problem will probably be the time where I had left the school for a seminar for 3 days, which meant that I have lackings in some of my subjects. Second is the fact that I have statistics, I had a hard time understanding the topic while it was being discussed and only understood it after answering some tasks. Third is the amount of schoolwork there is, this was a problem for us students right from the start and it has been a continuous cycle, causing me to have 1 hour sleep and attend school the following hour. Those were just 3 out of the many problems that I faced for the third quarter.

    And to fight those challenges, I had to condition my mind first. Rather than thinking negatively, I had to be optimistic to continue with my day because there was no way that I'd survive a quarter if I didn't think positive or look for the good in everything but that was a hard thing to do. "To finish my lackings, I have to approach my subject teachers," "In order to understand statistics, I need to ask a classmate to help me and explain the parts that are unclear to me," "For me to finish all given schoolwork, I must manage my time if I don't want to spend sleepless nights again," Those were the conditions I gave myself to address my challenges. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it doesn't.

   Moving on, I will be more determined to finish and do the best that I can for the last quarter of Grade 10. I must be more diligent that I usually am to be able to give the best I can and attain my goals. I wish my future self the best of luck because the fourth quarter will be harder than the rest. 

Red: Luck and Love

    We Filipinos got used to having two New Year celebrations growing up that it all felt natural for us tocelebrate the Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year. Maybe you have wondered, "We're Filipinos, why do we celebrate Chinese New Year?" Chinese New Year is celebrated by Filipinos with or without Chinese roots because of the significant influence China has given to us. We are a country that has developed into what we are right now because of the influence of other cultures whether be it on food, beliefs, traditions, religion and other more. Just like in Christmas, you can already feel the atmosphere of the celebration once you start seeing decorations and that's how the Chinese New Year felt for me. Red lanterns, tikoys, red envelopes, dragon dances in the streets, those were the things that we were used to seeing during Chinese New Years. 

   Ever since we've had historical ties with China, Chinese immigrants have been part of our Filipino society for a long time now. That's how some people like me have chinese blood. And because of that, Filipinos have adapted the ways of the Chinese in different ways. Some of our favorite foods are actually from China such as lumpia, siopao, pansit, and tikoy. These foods are what has made us more connected to the Chinese culture thanks to their incredible sense of taste in foods.

    Another is the Chinese way to run a business. Chinese are very good with handling businesses, and it has impacted the Philippines in a way that Filipinos became Work-Oriented and passionate with their own businesses. But if you're not the business owner, you're still influenced by the Chinese culture becuase learning how to bargain and negotiate in markets are what we got used to. 

    Lastly, Chinese cultural values, such as respect for family and elders, have also left a deep impressionin the Filipino society. The Chinese emphasis on respecting and honoring one’s parents and ancestors resonates deeply with Filipino traditions. Many Filipino families, regardless of their Chinese heritage, adopt these values, which strengthens the close-knit family structure that is so central to Filipino life. The idea of valuing family, supporting one another, and showing respect to elders is something that has become second nature to Filipinos, influenced by Chinese customs that prioritize these bonds.    

    In conclusion, the celebration of Chinese New Year and the influence of Chinese culture on Filipino life is a testament to the richness of cultural exchange that has shaped our society. It reflects how we, as Filipinos, have embraced and integrated the best aspects of other cultures into our own, making our traditions and celebrations even more meaningful.

REFERENCE/S:

Why Chinese New Year is important for Filipinos. (2024). Manila Bulletin. Retrieved from https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/9/why-chinese-new-year-is-important-for-filipinos

                      Marie. (2025, January 28). Celebrating Chinese New Year: How Filipinos commemorate the annual affair. Retrieved from https://kubo.com.ph/celebrating-chinese-new-year-in-the-philippines/#newsletter

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025, February 7). Chinese New Year | Summary, history, traditions, & facts. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chinese-New-Year

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