MY DREAM, MY FUTURE

        Have you ever think of your plans for your future life? Have you ever tried asking yourself, "Am I ready?" or "Will I be able to survive?" Who am I, after many years will pass?


       As I sat down beside the window, looking up at the night sky, I was able to see the beautiful view of the vast universe. I could see the bright moon, the twinkling stars, the dark clouds. Then, I realized time was so quick. I was just a little kid once, playing around the fields and meadows, climbing up on trees, dreaming of becoming a professional someday. Years have passed and now, I am a teenager. I am now approaching the part of my life wherein I have to decide what will I become in the future. When I see the stars, i remember my dreams. I am fond of daydreaming and I admit, I have enormous dreams as high as the stars in the sky. I closed my eyes and then, I was able to see myself in the future! I have grown up. I am riding on a big airplane and I have with me a camera and my beloved family. We are so happy as we land on the different places to take photos and experience the joy as we spend time together on the the different countries in the world. Yes, my greatest dream is to travel the world. I want to explore each country: its rich culture and traditions, livelihood, etc. It has been my desire since I was a kid to go to France, Greece, Spain, Germany, Italy, South Korea, China, USA, Canada, Mexico, Egypt, every place in this world which is known to man. I want to set my foot on the famous tourist and historical spots. I want to meet the famous people. But before this, traveling our own country is still my priority. It is important to know our own heritage and since I am a Filipino, it's my privilege to be able to discover the wonder of of our  beloved country, the Philippines. And while doing this things, I want my loved ones to be in my side always. As I joyfully experience amazing moments, I also want them to experience the joy and  to get what I have. One thing also is that, I want to be a successful woman someday. On what profession? I still don't have my final decision. Well, there are so many things I want to do. I can do many things but what I want is to develop the hidden skills and talents inside me. I know I can do things as long as I want it. If ever my doubts will be gone, it's just the omen that I've already found what I want. So I can't predict my future life until now. Stupid but it's something that you can't just think on a few seconds. You have to think it over and over. For now, all I wish is that I will be able to take the right course so in the end, I will have no regrets and definitely, I will reach the peak of success and have a peaceful and happy life in the future.

        When I finally returned to the reality, I smiled at myself. I will do my best for my education; to reach and achieve my goals. My dream will not stay as a dream. I will turn it a reality. I am now ready to build my future and someday, I hope I can proudly say, "I survive."

What Does it Take to be an ICT Student?

        Now that our world has reached the "Computer Age", we are now experiencing some changes. Our life became more convenient and easier as hi-tech gadgets and many inventions took place. People are fond of these inventions and now, students have been learning one subject concerned about computers- ICT

        We see the letters ICT everywhere, but what does it mean? ICT is an acronym that stands for Information Communications Technology. However, apart from explaining an acronym, there is not a universally accepted definition of ICT because the concepts, methods and applications involved in ICT are constantly evolving on an almost daily basis. It's difficult to keep up with the changes - they happen so fast. A good way to think about ICT is to consider all the uses of digital technology that already exist to help individuals, businesses and organizations using information. ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form. So, ICT is concerned with the storage, retrieval, manipulation, transmission or receipt of digital data. Importantly, it is also concerned with the way these different uses can work with each other. So, what does it take to be an ICT student? Well, you don't need to be an expert of the computer. Here, you will be able to tackle things about it and all you have to do is to be patient, to have optimism, hardwork, and willingness to learn. If you let yourself do these things within your passion, you can easily learn it. If you don't put any effort, you will not be able to understand fully what your teacher is teaching to you. ICT is full of hands-on activities. You have to listen carefully on what you'll going to do and be a responsible one to finish it. In our ICT class, one problem we often encounter is our requirements which are uncomplete or unfinished. It is a must that an ICT student should be systematic and organized on what he/she is doing so that everything will be done on time. From our discussions about the Internet, HTML Tags, and now on Adobe Photoshop, I can say that ICT is such an enjoyable subject. We were able to know how our so called "Internet" began, who are the people behind them, what are attributes, and how were pictures were edited and made perfect through Photoshop. Also, masterpieces can be made in this amazing program; actually, I see it as a very hard and complicated one. Yes it is, but as long as you let yourself explore and discover how it is being used, you will realize that it is actually fun! Although I am not still good at it, I really enjoy doing some scrawl drawing. All I need to do is to laugh at it but it makes me feel proud when I was able to do a particular part. I appreciate my effort of course- self appreciation.

        Just remember that all things must be done with full effort and passion. Great results will come out if you do things with all your heart. I am just glad that I was able to be a part of Mrs. Vera Cruz' ICT Class. It really helped me with the things I am not doing before. Just one month before graduation and I hope the things that I learned in Ilocos Sur National High School will be helpful enough for my entrance to college. Especially in ICT, all that I learned in here are very important so I will definitely remember them as I leave this institution.

KANNAWIDAN YLOCOS FESTIVAL

        Celebrating feasts and festivals is a part of our culture and tradition as a Filipino. We have so many different festivals around the country, on each region wherein various things were featured and experienced. Most festivals in the Philippines are religious in origin, but nowadays the religious component is usually secondary to the general spirit of celebration. Filipino hospitality is legendary and at no time, it is more in evidence than at festival time.

        It is a great advantage to the province of Ilocos Sur to be blessed with a rich heritage. Centuries of cultural exchange endowed us with customs and traditions that give distinction to the Ilocano culture. However, with the effects of modernization, these customs and traditions have slowly been disappearing. The passion to practice has greatly dampened. Children nowadays put more attention on the things they see on the television, and on the internet. They are fond of the modern dances and songs but even forget the significance of their own traditional dances and Ilocano songs. So, there is really a need to revive and rekindle the spirit of the Ilocano. There is a need to initiate programs to make Ilocano aware of their customs and traditions, to pave the way in preserving them; and thus, preserve the distinctions of our culture. These are the reasons behind the conceptualization of the "Kannawidan Ylocos Festival". This became an annual festival that aims to create awareness on the preservation of the province' rich cultural heritage, practices and traditions, and a showcase of the different agriculture and industry products. It is very significant to every resident in the province as we are celebrating the foundation of Ilocos Sur as a province by virtue of the Royal Decree signed on February 2, 1818. This colorful week-long event was meant to be a living museum to showcase the customs and traditions of Ilocos Sur that people do not normally see or experience. It sets the stage for a religious procession with miraculous saints from different municipalities, a trade fair featuring dances and crafts and local products, events such as cultural dances and ethnic rituals, a zarzuela performance, traditional games, and a food fest featuring traditional local cuisine. Many different sectors help to make this event possible. Local government units, non-government organizations, the Department of Education, Department of Trade and Industry, the religious and the private sector, all give their support to the project. Incidentally, the birth of Kannawidan festival coincides with the 1900th anniversary of the foundation of Ilocos Sur. Our province is really great; it has a rich historical background and each municipalities have their own products to be proud of. The Kannawidan Festival was opened with a mass at St. Paul Cathedral to give thanks as well as to pray for blessings in the coming festivities. The Partuat Ken Patanor or Trade and Agriculture Fair, is one of the programs which aims to highlight the ability and skill of the Ilocanos in making native products. This desire to endorse Ilocano products coincides with the national government's One Town One Product (OTOP) campaign. The priority of this campaign is to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs. It encourages local executives of each city and municipality on identifying and developing a specific product, skill, or service that would have a competitive edge. Aside from the OTOP, towns also featured their "pinaka" or "most outstanding" product, which translates to the biggest and sweetest, smallest and most unique products among others. It is important to Ilocos for the reason that it proves our province to truly have the best of the best. Other activities such as the Traditional Tribal Ritual, choir, drum and lyre, street dancing showdown, traditional music ensemble, dance drama, traditional folk dance and contemporary dance are participated by students in elementary and high school to reveal the glimpses of the depth of our province' culture and identity; the Abel Fashion Show to display beautiful and elegant wardrobes weaved by the use of "abel"; the Saniata ti Ylocos to let people see that Ilocanas are beautiful, smart, talented and gorgeous women. 

        Kannawidan has really lived up to its mission and vision: preserving and perpetuating the rich Iloco cultural, artistic, historical and intellectual heritage. Kannawidan gatherings have always been a venue for Ilocanos, relations and friends, sharing and exchanging thoughts, views and insights on how to preserve and perpetuate the beautiful customs and traditions. May this continue and we, Ilocanos must work as one in the spirit of unity, to love our own culture and arts. We must be do these things always, not only during festivals. Ilocos Sur is an amazing, wonderful, magnificent place! Be proud you're an Ilocano! :)

REFLECTION: Third Grading Period

       Goodbye Third Grading Period! I can't believe it is almost done! We are now approaching the end of the school year and I am feeling happy but sad at the same time. Happy because we have now reached this part of the school year wherein we have already a quarter left. Sad because we are already in 4th year-- our last year in Ilocos Sur National High School. Next school year, we will already enter a new chapter and that is our college life.

         

           Well, this quarter is so challenging. I have learned so many lessons. In Our ICT IV Class, our knowledge about HTML tags were expanded. We touched the hyperlinks, putting a background picture and images. But at first, these things were new to me. As I was copying some notes from the white board, I don't really understand what those things are. Thankfully, Mrs. Vera Cruz let us do some exercises to see what those tags can do. I am bit confused at first but as we learn slowly, everything became clear. I made all my exercises and my problems about our lesson was solved, thanks to the explanations of our teacher and to those who helped me. I admit, I am not an expert to these but I find our lesson exciting because there were so many tags which have different effects and trying each is indeed fun! Moving on, I will try my best because it's already our last chance. I will listen to our teacher's discussions and I expect that our last grading will be as enjoyable as the previous three quarters.

         

          Good Luck to everyobody! Third Grading Period was so amazing! I hope ever day of my high school life will be memorable. Let each day count. =)

New Year, New Me!

          As  New Year approaches, there are great hopes, dreams and resolutions to make for the coming year.  New Year is a time when many people around the world make promises. The list that people usually do when New Year comes is what they call their resolutions. It is where they write the things they want to change to themselves and what they want to be next year. However, many of the promises made by people are rarely completed.

          New Year's eve celebration in the Philippines is quite different compared to other countries. Filipinos literally start the year with a bang. Just a few days before New Year's eve, you will see lots of side walk vendors selling different kinds of firecrakers. In spite of the yearly ban on firecrackers, because of a number of accidents caused by firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices that have resulted in the loss of lives, limbs and properties, still many Filipinos see lighting of firecrackers as the traditional means to greet and celebrate the New Year eve. The countdown of New year varies from family to family or from region to region. At the strike of 12:00 midnight, the noise becomes deafening, rings , firecrackers rules the sky, kids gaping in awe as they see the different firecrackers, blooming in the sky. The banging and booming rise to a climax which includes clanging of old pots and pans, blowing jeep, car or tricyle horns, ambulance sirens for full one minute as the countdown to New Year. Around 12:15 am, the noise stops and the air is filled with human voice and the family starts to eat a thanksgiving feast called Media Noche. Twelve round fruits should be on the table as it is a sign of prosperity for the next twelve months. There are so many beliefs when New Year comes and doing these had been a part of our culture and traditon. There is also a midnight mass celebration to welcome the New Year and to thank God for all His blessings.

          I am not fond of making my New Year’s resolutions. All I wish is that, this 2012, I will try to be more metured because I’m already growing older and acting like a child is not good anymore. Since next school year will be the start of my college life, I must be responsible then to take things more seriously. I will be more focused on my studies. I will try to be industrious and cooperative because sometimes I admit, I am hard-headed. I will  improve myself, change my bad attitudes; I want to become a better person. So I wish that I can make these resolutions. It’s time to turn a new leaf—since a new year had come again, it’s time to bring out my new self. Welcome 2012! =)

Keeping in Mind Our Mother Language

          The term mother tongue or mother mother language is used for the language that a person learnt as a child at home, usually from their parents. In some countries, the term refers to the language of one’s ethnic group rather than one’s first language. Sometimes, there can be one mother tongue, when the child’s parents speak different languages. Those children are usually called bilingual.

         People are fond of imitating things they see and hear from other nations. Everybody wants to discover and learn something new to add their knowledge and understanding. Language- all forgot us have their own tongues which are able to verbalize everything we want to say. Across the globe there are different countries and nations making each continent. Each country has their own languages; each has their own which they can be proud of. Here in the Philippines, Filipino is our national language. Aside from this, we still have many different dialects in each region.  In Region I, known as the Ilocos Region is where you can find the thrifty and child-friendly Ilocanos. “Ilocano” is our mother tongue. As our parents taught us how to speak, this language is the first one we were able to know and learn. Iloko is a rich, profound language so even other Ilocanos are often not sure of what some words mean because not all are familiar.  It is the key of communication for us Ilocanos so we must not be ashamed of our mother tongue. As we know, Filipinos adore things which are imported from other countries. Frequently, we admire their products, and most especially, we try to learn about their languages so that we can understand a foreign tongue and it makes us proud of ourselves. But, we must always bear in mind that we have our own and we must be proud of it.

        It’s a funny thing when people have already their own; yet, they still keep on finding others which they consider as better. Learning is not that bad; it is indeed a good thing so that we are able to be aware of what’s happening around us. But always remember, our country is so rich in its culture and traditions, natural resources, history and many more. Be proud to be a Filipino! Be proud you’re an Ilocano! Even though we had so many foreign languages out there, Iloko is the first thing we had. So don’t forget! Ilocano—our mother language!

The Essence of Christmas

Every year, we are waiting for a special holiday to come; a holiday which happens every December and is considered as the most joyful. “Merry Christmas!”, we can hear people greeting each other, children merrily singing Christmas Carols , everyone’s preparing for this much awaited season of the year.

                  

Filipinos are very fond of this celebration. It is already a part of our culture and tradition. They say we have our longest celebration because as the -BER months come, we can already feel the cold breeze; an omen that Christmas is indeed near! Houses start to light up for each family decorates them with Christmas lights, Christmas balls, and other Christmas decorations. They also make their own Christmas tree and place there the gifts or presents from their loved ones. Exchanging gifts seems to be the highlight of this occasion for many. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus so this occasion is for the Son of God- the one considered as the “Messiah” or savior. When December 16 comes, people start to attend a mass called “Misa de Gallo” or “Simbang Gabi” until the day of the Christmas Eve. Families spend time together and each sets up the “Noche Buena.” Yummy and delicious foods being served in the table; sweets like cakes, fruit salad, macaroni, pastries, and other delicacies so with other mouth-watering recipes fill the table with a pleasant smell that can make everyone burp as they eat them! But more than these things, we must always put in our mind that the essence of Christmas is remembering the birth of Jesus Christ, thus, sharing your love to everyone. It reminds us of one thing: “Every man needs the love of their fellow, and this must be done not only on Christmas day but more on our everyday lives.”

As a song says, “Even the man, who has everything, would be so happy if you would bring him love on Christmas day.” Indeed in Christmas, no greater gift is there than LOVE. Christmas is about spreading love in the world. So this Christmas season, we must not forget our love for Jesus and to every people. May the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts! Merry Christmas to all!