Intayon, Ilocos Sur!

    Every January, Ilocos Sur celebrates its rich history and heritage with the vibrant Kannawidan Festival. The founding of Ilocos Sur in 1818, a significant turning point in the history of the area, is commemorated by this festival. Traditional dances, music, and artwork that have been treasured and handed down through the generations will bring the province's cultural essence to life. Experience regional favorites like sarsuela performances and the tinikling dance, which showcase Ilocos Sur's distinct cultural identity. This yearly occasion guarantees that Ilocos Sur customs are honored and conserved for upcoming generations.

 

    The Kannawidan Festival showcases Ilocos Sur's indigenous crafts and goods in addition to cultural performances. The festival features displays of the province's famous burnay pottery and inabel (handwoven fabric). Visitors can savor real Ilocano flavors by indulging in local specialties like longganisa and empanada. In addition to promoting Ilocos Sur's artisanal heritage, this celebration of regional goods helps local business owners and artisans make a living. By attracting tourists and visitors who are keen to experience the province's cultural offerings, the festival provides a significant economic boost.

 

    Beyond the celebrations, the Kannawidan Festival is crucial to bringing Ilocos Sur's citizens together. It unites communities of all ages in a common celebration of their heritage and sense of pride in their province. Elders teach the young people about the history and customs of the province, creating a forum for knowledge sharing. This group celebration strengthens the value of cultural continuity by fostering a sense of solidarity and belonging. In the end, the Kannawidan Festival ensures the preservation of Ilocos Sur's distinct identity while fostering stronger community ties.

REFERENCE/S:

I Love Vigan City (2025). Grand Opening of Ilocos Sur Festival.

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

I

Vigan Cityhood

    Vigan was much like any other municipality a few decades ago. It was quiet, reserved, and deeply rooted in its customs. The agricultural economy of the municipality was the center of the basic yet contented life of the residents of Vigan. The town's rice fields, sugarcane plantations, and well-known "empanada" stands offered a window into the people's everyday lives. The old Spanish-era buildings that still survive today are and will always be Vigan's icon. Spanish colonial-era homes that represented the splendor of the past lined the old town's cobbled walkways, also called the Calle Crisologo. The town's rich cultural heritage makes it a special place to visit.

    The Municipality of Vigan has changed significantly as time has gone on. The town's exquisitely maintained Spanish colonial architecture gained international recognition when it was formally designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. This acknowledgment aided Vigan's transformation from a sleepy village to a thriving metropolis over time. With the introduction of contemporary developments that have altered its landscape, Vigan was formally proclaimed to have become a city in 2009. The structure of the city has changed significantly as I've grown up. People can visit and explore the city more easily now, and there are more dependable ways to get around. The local administration has put a lot of effort into maintaining the historical sites and making upgrades to accommodate the growing number of tourists. There are now more hotels, resorts, and other establishments in this sophisticated city.

    In conclusion, Vigan's transformation from a modest and reserved municipality to a thriving and renowned city is evidence of its adaptability and tenacity. I consider myself extremely lucky to have witnessed the transformation of this city as a student from this extraordinary city, and I am eager to watch how Vigan keeps evolving while adhering to its historical foundations.

REFERENCE/S:

(INFO)

Historic City of Vigan. (n.d) UNESCO. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/502

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 24). Vigan. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigan

(IMAGES)

OLD VIGAN - Bing. (n.d.). Bing. https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=Y4ew6OuB&id=71DDF4FD08BECE57A897696383FE66834303C0EA&thid=OIP.Y4ew6OuBjULJbCueoXnLYgHaE8&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Fthumbs.dreamstime.com%2Fb%2Fvecchia-casa-di-vigan-107537867.jpg&exph=534&expw=800&q=OLD+VIGAN&simid=608047351561001815&form=IRPRST&ck=827D5377D6DCE03606239E5A019536DD&selectedindex=28&itb=0&cw=1375&ch=664&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0&vt=0&sim=11

VIGAN - Bing. (n.d.). Bing. https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=0e%2FUxjTX&id=A52E2CBA708F4BBD207C579B7ED78B5D1701B636&thid=OIP.0e_UxjTXNT_xSwnXo_jSUAHaE8&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Fmiro.medium.com%2Fv2%2Fresize%3Afit%3A1024%2F1*w5RcpbSYj0YtKhx714gB8g.jpeg&exph=683&expw=1024&q=VIGAN&simid=608042197573652674&FORM=IRPRST&ck=8F32ABCE42B4BEAD877CB165590B11C3&selectedIndex=12&itb=0&cw=1375&ch=664&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0

Change Is The Only Constant Thing In The World

     Many people say that change is the only constant thing in the world, and I believe that. Another year has passed and that means that another has just started. It is and opportunity for me to change and start doing my new year's resolutions. This new year, I would like to change my perspective of myself. I want to start looking into the brighter side of the world and be optimistic in life. I used to be so insecure of myself, and this year, I want to change that. I hope to change into a person that embraces my own beauty and imperfections.

 

    I also want to be more open to my family because I'm not really and expressive person when it comes to my family. I used to be really secretive with my feelings and emotions but now, I want to change that. Especially now that my lola is gone, I don't have anyone I can run to now other than my ate. Which is why I will try to be more expressive through my family. 

    This year, I would also want to know what I really want to pursue in life, especially what course I want to tackle in college. I am still undecided and I want to change that because the future is nearing and I am running out of time to decide. I hope that this year becomes nice to me and let me live like a human being rather than surviving. I will take this year as an opportunity to change my lifestyle into something better. People can't get used to experiencing change but that is the only way that we can be better for ourselves, for our family, and for our friends. This new year is for the new me.

A Well-Deserved Christmas Vacation

    I can still recall one of the happiest moments of my life. It was the 20th of December 2024, 11:30 PM, I was getting ready to go to sleep and remembered my 6:00 AM alarm. "Yes!" I thought, just one tap on my screen and it made me the happiest at that moment. Just the thought of not waking up to the ringing and vibrating of my alarm was so exciting.

   Like every other year, we will spend this christmas vacation in Bulacan in which I really love because I get to see my cousins in my mother's side. When we arrived there, we were greeted with warm hugs and sweet smiles because we only get to see each other at least 2 times a year. On Christmas day, that is when we celebrate our reunion with my mother's side that's why I got busy with wrapping gifts for almost a hundred people the day before that. When christmas day arrived, we all wore purple as the theme. The day was fun despite the fact that it rained, we were still able to enjoy it. 

    2 days after christmas, it was my little brother's birthday. He just turned 8 years old but he is still a baby in our eyes. We celebrated his birthday and granted his wish to go to the mall and play. We also asked him where he wanted to eat and answered with joy, "Burger King!". We were able to try some of their new items in the menu. 

    Sadly, we had to go back to Ilocos before new year so we started packing up by the 28th and went home by the 29th. When we arrived, I immediately asked the 2 of my friends to go out and accompany me to buy gifts for my tito's and tita's here in Ilocos. Spending time with them was the best way I could end the year. Because I got to spend time with my loved ones, it was indeed a well-deserved christmas vacation.