A Peso for a Day of Wonders

 

     For a mere one peso, the spectacle became alive-a busy bazaar of where curiosity and joy intertwined in every corner. The Crop Booth denoted the patience of naturesthe beauty of their growth and nurturing was presented by rich greens and buds. 

     

     A still tradition was captured by the Photo Booth: big smiles, bright eyes, and memory set in frames. The Spa and Beauty Booth offered quiet refurbishments as gentle brushes and soothing scents brought confidence and poise.

   

 Food Booths emitted mouth-watering scents that filled the air with warmth in satisfying the fillings, while the lively games beckoned laughter and friendly competition. 

     Cheers echoed throughout since games were played, as each victory became a small achievement in them. More than a gathering, the event was a celebration of simple pleasures, a reminder of how much joy could flower from such little things. The peso we spent, in the end, led to a day of wonder-where fun, learning, and connection could thrive.

Red, Yellow, and Silver: Shine Bright Like A Diamond

Facebook. (n.d.). Post from March 31, 2025. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18ndMeMeDq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

        On the 22nd of March 2025, the Ilocos Sur National High School celebrated its 123rd Founding Anniversary. I will always treasure whatever happened. All the sweats during practice for our field demo was worthwhile.

Though, we didn’t win but it was a good experience. The laughter, the cooperation, and all the energy we poured into every step made it all worth it. It was more than just a performance or a contest—it was a moment of unity, a memory to hold onto.

          The day was filled with excitement, from the simple parade to the lively performance, my fellow students cheering, banners waved high, LGBTQ flags are also waved and proudly represented, and everyone moved as one. The spirit of Ilocos Sur National High School was alive in every step of the dance. Winning didn’t matter as much as the bond we built and the joy we shared. Everyone was happy.

         For me, it is important that we treasure and celebrate every bit of the school. It is more than a tradition, it is a tribute to the school’s long history of excellence. It also reminds us of the generations before us-who walked through these halls, studied in these classrooms, and built the legacy we now carry onward. It is to mark how far ISNHS has come and all that is to come in the bright future that awaits. Being part of this celebration made me see that I am not just a student-I am part of a legacy; I am part of something that will continue long after I leave.

Outro: My Last ICT Journey as a Junior High School

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, August 28). Microsoft FrontPage. Wikipedia.

     First Quarter. Second Quarter. Third Quarter. Fourth Quarter. I am glad to say I survived. These past quarters, I learned a lot of lessons I have never expected. I learned new things, new hobbies to explore, such as blogging, web designing, and so on. This Last Quarter or Fourth Quarter, I learned how to make a web design through MS FrontPage and again, the types of network. I also discovered that patience was the key. Mistakes helped me grow, and I also realized that learning is not a competition or a race, it is a journey. Each challenge i faced was a lesson, each success a reminder that I am capable of things more than I expected.

        But not everything was easy. They were times that the MS FrontPage is acting up and won’t let me add hyperlinks to my interactive buttons. Also, since the MS FrontPage is discontinued, we only had the 2003 version, which also made me insane because of the outdated design.

          I addressed those problems by exploring on how will i make my design attractive and make those interactive buttons work. 

       And Lastly, this journey is about to end. I will surely treasure all I have learned from this subject. I will keep learning, keep improving, and keep believing in myself.

Born This Way

Diverse Women Beauty Images – Browse 249,953 stock photos, vectors, and video. (n.d.). Adobe Stock.

      We were never meant to be silent-there was never meant to be any smallness. Strong, fierce, tall women, girls- 'WE' for gender equality. 'WE' for a world that sees. No limits, no fear, only dreams that run free.

       An inclusive world is neither favor nor boon, for it means right, promise, and future we believe-no more doors shut, no more voices hushed. Every woman, every soul is breaking through, standing up.

      So we rise, unshaken, unafraid, hand in hand, side by side. Not only today, not only during this month, but for every day in view. WE are here; WE are power; WE are the change we make; a world of freedom, bright and bold-because we were born this way.

Ride or Die: How I See Myself 15 Years From Now

Homeroom, H. (2024, January 21). I am so Glad: Pearl and an Interpretation of a Smile - Horror Movie - Horror Homeroom. Horror Homeroom.

      “I will not accept a life I do not deserve!” Some people already talk about their future like they’re already written in stones. Teachers,  doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers—big dreams, big futures. Except for me. I don’t know what I’m going to do with my life. Fifteen years feels too far. It feels like i’m lost in the road. It feels like i don’t even know how to write my own story.

      But if I could dream, I’d want to walk for big brands. It is where the lights shine bright. Runway long, heels high, clothes shining like the stars above. Cameras flashing around me, people surrounded by me cheering my name. A runway model, tall and fierce. But, that dream is too big and high for me to reach—Requires strict diet and you should be physically attractive.

     I look into the stars, and think to myself that maybe I won’t make it. Maybe I’ll get lost before I even arrive. But sometimes, i ride my delusions, if I make it, if years don’t take me first, I’ll be there. Walking elegantly and feeling all the luxurious clothes and accessories. And if I fall, I’ll stand. Ride or Die.

Kannawidan Festival: The Pride Of Our Culture and the Tradition That We Treasure

 

The Street Dancing Showdown is one of the major and highly anticipated events of the Ilocos Sur Kannawidan Festival 2023. | Province of Ilocos Sur. (2023, February 12).

    "Makipagrasak, come and dance in Ilocos Sur." The Kannawidan Festival is a special festival celebrated in Ilocos Sur and is held every year to honor Ilocos Sur's history, culture, traditions, and to mark the province's anniversary. During the festival, people enjoy traditional music, dances, food, and art. Additionally, people also do many activities, such as trade fairs, cultural shows, street performances, and even parades that helps showcase the beauty of Ilocano heritage.

Wikipedia contributors. (2008, September 15)

    More than just a festival, Kannawidan Festival helps preserve traditions that our ancestors started and it also teaches the younger generation about their roots. It is a time for families and the commuties of Ilocos Sur to come together, celebrate their identity, and take pride in their rich culture. Through Kannawidan Festival, Ilocos Sur continues to share its unique tradition with the world.

Whispers of Love in February's Air

   

            I love the Smiths. Sorry? I said I love the Smiths. You. . . You have good taste in music. . .. (2009, August 7). Clip.Cafe. 

    "Love is a losing game, unless you play it good or right." - Lana Del Rey. Valentine's Day is celebrated every 14th of February, every single year. It is a special day to celebrate love in all its forms. Whether it is showing love for family, friends, or a romantic partner. It is a special day to remind us and appreciate the people that still there to support and guide us in any way.

    We celebrate Valentine's day because it gives us the chance to express our love to our loved ones that we sometimes just take for granted. People exchange gifts, love letters, confessions, and spending time with their loved ones. It is just not about giving and exchanging gifts, it is also about appreciating and showing our gratitude to those who appreciate our existence even in small ways.

    For me, expressing our affection is not that easy, especially when you're not used to it. But if you can, we can show it through sending letters, or spending time with them. Love isn't just about words such as "I love you"; it is about showing actions, sacrificing even if you life's at stake. And in that way, we can show our love. Love, in any form, should be treasured and that's what valentines for me is.

A Journey We Embark, From Ideas to Spark

 

    

    We started by picking our group members using the lottery method. After that, we chose Rhaeanne as our leader. Then, we planned our tasks and divided the work among us.

    

    Everyone worked on their assigned tasks. Some were researching, some were designing, and others were coding. We helped each other to make sure everything went well.

    Alyssa and I interviewed local fishermen to learn about their work. We asked them about their daily lives, struggles, and how technology could help them. Their answers helped us create useful content for our website.

    

    The fishermen showed us their tools and equipment. This helped us understand their work better, and we included this information on our website.

    My job was to code the homepage using CSS and Notepad. It was a bit hard, but I enjoyed seeing the design come to life.

    In the end, we presented our web design. It was a fun and exciting experience. We learned a lot about teamwork, research, and web design.

Coding New Horizons, Exploring New Ideas

    

    During this quarter, I gained extensive knowledge regarding community-based research and its various components, including the title, community profile, research description, team profile, methodology, focus study, media gallery, conclusion, recommendations, and bibliography. One of the most thrilling aspects was crafting a web design with CSS and Notepad. I also discovered various types of HTML lists, such as ordered lists utilizing the <ol> and <li> tags, unordered lists with the <ul> tag, nested lists combining <ul> and <ol>, and description lists employing <dt> and <dd>.

    

    While I appreciated learning, I encountered several difficulties as well. I found it challenging to work with nested lists as I became puzzled about which tags to apply. I also had difficulties organizing the web design tags correctly, which occasionally caused frustration.

    To address these issues, I examined my notes, practiced further, and sought assistance from my teacher and peers. After experimenting with various methods and gaining insights from my errors, I ultimately grasped how to organize the code properly.

    

    Going ahead, I will continue to practice HTML and CSS to enhance my abilities. I wish to utilize my knowledge of community-based research in upcoming projects, as it is an important skill for comprehending and addressing real-world issues.

Red Lanterns and Golden Hopes

 

                Moriello, J. (2025, January 29). PHOTOS: People celebrate Lunar New Year 2025 around the world. New York Daily News.

    Chinese New Year, or the Lunar New Year, is commonly celebrated in the Philippines, despite being a non-traditional Filipino holiday. This is due to the significant Chinese impact in the nation. Numerous Filipinos have Chinese heritage, and Chinese traditions have been integral to Philippine culture for centuries.

    One reason that Filipinos observe Chinese New Year is to attract good fortune and wealth. Many individuals hold the belief that adhering to Chinese customs, like presenting red envelopes (ang pao), making specific dishes, and participating in dragon dances, can bring about prosperity for the upcoming year.

    Another factor is the strong connection between Filipino and Chinese communities. The Chinese have resided in the Philippines for an extensive period, and their practices have merged with indigenous customs. Numerous companies, educational institutions, and even municipal authorities acknowledge and participate in the festivities.

    In 2025, the Chinese New Year will be on January 29, signifying the Year of the Snake. Filipinos will commemorate with family reunions, fireworks, and celebratory meals, upholding a tradition that represents unity, fortune, and cultural respect.

From Cobblestones to City Lights

    "The past is never dead. It's not even past." William Faulkner said. A  city that is rich in culture and history, has come a long a long way since it was only a simple municipality, Vigan. It is known for its strong, well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture and charming cobblestones streets, Vigan was once a quiet and simple town that whispered stories from the past. The beauty of Calle Crisologo, a popular stop for visitors because of its antique houses and calesas.

   In 1999, Vigan officially became a city. New opportunities for growth and development was caused by the change, but it didn't erase the town's culture, its traditions, and timeless charm. While modern infrastructure and businesses began to bloom,  the old-world beauty of Vigan remained, creating a unique blend of vintage and modern style.

   Vigan shines as a bustling city with new establishments, new and safer roads, a growing economy, all while keeping its heritage alive. Until to this day, Vigan still attracts both tourists and residents who appreciates the balance of history, and modernity. Vigan is a perfect example of how a city can grow without losing the essence of its roots.

SOURCES:

(1) Tewell, J. (n.d.). A street in old Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Northwest Luzon, Philippines, before 1896. 

Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/johntewell/36227106562

(2) Vigan | New7Wonders Cities. (2023, June 5). New7Wonders Cities. https://cities.new7wonders.com/wonders/vigan-philippines/ 

(3) Reyes, M. G. (2024, July 17). Exploring Vigan: a Well-Preserved Spanish colonial town in the Philippines. Tatler Asia. https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/travel/in-its-full-glory