Ilocos Sur Festival for Honoring Traditions Through Time

        The Kannawidan Festival is known as the "Ilocos Sur Festival" now is celebrated in our province Ilocos Sur every January, is a significant event that showcases the rich cultural heritage of our province. The word "Kannawidan" means "heritage" in Ilocano, which perfectly captures the essence of the festival. A celebration of the traditions, culture, and history that have shaped Ilocos Sur into the unique and proud region it is today. Through various activities and exhibits, it brings together the locals and visitors to honor the province's agricultural, historical, and artistic achievements. The festival serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the cultural identity and legacy of the Ilocano people. 

        One of the most notable features of the Ilocos Sur Festival is the wide array of cultural exhibits, including handicrafts, traditional food, and local products of each city and province in Ilocos Sur. The "Trade and Food Fair" showcases the best of Ilocos Sur's artisanal crafts, such as the famous Abel weaving and pottery. Visitors can also savor the region's delicious delicacies like longganisa and empanada. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the authentic flavors and craftsmanship that have been passed down through generations. The festival also highlights the skills of the local artisans and provides a platform for them to reach a wider audience.

        A highlight of the Ilocos Sur Festival is the grand "Saniata ti Ylocos" or is now called the "Miss Ilocos Sur" beauty pageant, which celebrates the grace and beauty of Ilocos Sur’s young women. This event not only emphasizes physical beauty but also recognizes the intelligence, poise, and advocacy of the contestants, encouraging the youth to be involved in the community and social issues. The pageant embodies the spirit of empowerment and pride for the Ilocano culture, with the crown symbolizing the preservation of tradition while embracing modernity.

        But Ilocos Sur Festival is not just a festival for celebration, it is an educational experience for both the young and old. It allows the youth to appreciate their roots while giving them the opportunity to learn about the traditions and practices that their ancestors upheld. As the festival continues to grow, it is becoming a beacon of unity, cultural pride, and the resilience of Ilocos Sur’s people in the face of change. With its vibrant array of performances, exhibitions, and activities, the Ilocos Sur Festival stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Ilocano people. 

References:

(2025). Pia.gov.ph. https://pia.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ilocos-Sur-festival-trade-fair-fosters-economic-growth-cultural-preservation-scaled.jpeg 

(2025). Politiko.com.ph. https://northluzon.politiko.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/a-1.gif

The True Meaning of Valentine’s Day

     

        Valentine's Day isn't just about giving flowers and chocolates to loved ones. It is a celebration in all its forms. It’s a reminder to appreciate the people who bring light and joy into our lives, whether they are family, friends, or that one special person in our lives. We celebrate love because it brings joy, warmth, and comfort. Like a candle in the dark, love brings light to our darkest days and gives us hope when we need it. Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance, but it’s about making the people we love feel special and appreciated.

        For me, expressing affection comes most naturally through words. I believe that words can hold a special power. They can heal, inspire, and make someone feel truly loved. A heartfelt message, a sincere compliment, or even a simple "I'm proud of you" or "I appreciate you" can make difference in someone’s day. Speaking or writing from the heart helps me express my feelings, turning emotions into something real and meaningful. Whether it’s a heartfelt letter, a sweet message, or simply telling someone how much they mean to me, I feel happy and comfortable showing love in this way. 

        But love isn’t just about words, but it’s about actions too. While I am comfortable expressing my affection through what I say, there are still moments that words aren’t enough. That’s when small yet meaningful actions come in the way. There are ways I show love beyond words, like a simple hug, a helping hand, or just being there when someone needs me. Sometimes, love is felt more in the things we do rather than the things we say. It’s in the effort we make to check on a friend, in the time we spend with family, with a loved one, and in the quiet moments of simply being present for someone.

        But at the end of the day, love is not measured by grand gestures or the perfect words, but by how deeply and sincerely we make others feel appreciated. Whether through words or actions, what really matters is making sure the people I care about feel loved—not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day. As Ed Sheeran sings, “All that you are is all that I'll ever need.” Love isn’t just about what we say, but it’s about what we do. And for me, showing love in any way, like through kind words, small gestures, or simply being there, is one of the best things we can share with the world. 

References:

(2025). Freshangleng.com. https://freshangleng.com/articleimg/081916f3-2921-4acd-bd43-48f1233f1855.jpg

(2025). Istockphoto.com. https://media.istockphoto.com/id/1028892946/photo/woman-hands-in-winter-gloves-heart-symbol.jpg\ s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=wAh_jzFiFLalm3UnR9NHilrk7lcMf8u58H1FZxndoJ0=

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The Reality and Experiences

    Before anything else, I want to express my appreciation to my groupmates. Throughout this Community-Based Research journey, their cooperation, patience, and dedication made everything smoother and more meaningful. Each of us played an important role, whether it was planning, conducting interviews, and until the finalizing of our paper. Despite the challenges we faced, we supported one another, ensuring that our research was both insightful and well-executed. Without their teamwork, this study would not have been as successful and fulfilling.

                                                    

    Our journey began with a simple conversation, where we sat together, discussing which topic to pursue and which community to study. After careful discussion, we chose to focus on waste management in Barangay Tamorong, Santa Catalina. We believed that by focusing ourselves in that community, we could better understand their challenges, practices, and the effectiveness of their waste management protocols. This was more than just a research project, thus, it was a chance to see firsthand how one barangay handles one of the most pressing environmental concerns of our time. 

    To gain deeper insights, we conducted interview to the Barangay Kagawad Gregorio Rabena, a member of the Barangay Solid Waste Management Committee. We prepared a set of questions focused on waste disposal rules, existing protocols, and challenges faced by the barangay. The face-to-face interview provided us with clear and direct answers, eliminating biases and allowing us to understand the real situation. It became evident that while there were waste management programs in place, challenges such as improper segregation and lack of facilities remained.

    Beyond the interviews, we conducted a more detailed on-site evaluation. We checked for material recovery facilities, trash bins, and other waste disposal structures. We noticed that while some areas had proper waste disposal, others showed signs of neglect, such as scattered plastics and uncollected trash. These observations gave us a clearer understanding of where improvements were needed.

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    After completing our CBR paper, we applied our knowledge of HTML and CSS to create a website that showcased every part of our research. Each section of our study—introduction, methodology, findings, and recommendation has turned into a web page with organized content, images, and interactive elements. Through this, we not only documented our research but also strengthened our skills in coding and web design. It was a fulfilling experience to see our hard work transformed into a digital platform where people could easily navigate through our findings. This added an extra layer of impact to our project, making it more than just a written document but also a visual and interactive presentation of what we had learned.

Sailing Through Knowledge of my Third Quarter Journey

        This quarter has been a journey of discovery, much like setting sail on an ocean of knowledge. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is about HTML coding, specifically how to create lists—ordered, unordered, and nested lists. At first, the codes looked like a maze of strange symbols, but as I practiced more, they started to make sense, like fitting puzzle pieces together. Learning how to structure information properly in a website using lists made me appreciate how the internet was built, turning scattered data into organized content. We also explored Community-Based Research (CBR), where we conducted our study in Tamorong, Sta. Catalina. 

      However, this learning journey was not a journey without challenges. HTML coding sometimes felt like trying to understand a foreign language, where a single misplaced tag could break an entire structure. In our CBR research, gathering data was also difficult because we had to approach people and ensure that their responses were reliable enough for the information we needed. There were moments when it felt overwhelming, as if we were climbing a mountain without knowing how far the top was. It was easy to doubt ourselves, especially when things didn’t go as planned. 

  To overcome these challenges, I took small but steady steps forward. For HTML coding, I practiced regularly and also the exercises of the HTML lists helped me to better understand how the tags can be used. In our CBR research, teamwork played a big role as we divided tasks, supported each other, and stayed patient even when faced with setbacks. Talking to people and conducting surveys became easier with experience, and I learned that persistence is the key to overcoming challenges.

       Moving on, I will continue sharpening my skills in both HTML coding and research, knowing that every challenge is a stepping stone toward growth. Like a traveler navigating an unfamiliar road, I will embrace learning with curiosity and determination, ready to face new obstacles. This quarter has taught me that knowledge is not just found in books but also in real-world experiences, and I am excited to discover more in the next quarter of my academic journey. 

Reference:

Blogger.com

Chinese New Year 2025

    Filipinos celebrate Chinese New Year because of the strong influence of Chinese culture in the country. For centuries, Chinese traders and settlers have been part of Philippine society, bringing traditions that have blended with Filipino customs. Many Filipino families have Chinese ancestry and even those who don’t still embrace the celebration by participating in traditions like dragon dances, wearing red for good luck, and giving "angpao". This shows how Filipinos respect and appreciate different cultures, especially those that have shaped the country’s history.

  Another reason why Filipinos observe Chinese New Year is because they believe in attracting good luck and prosperity. Many people follow traditional practices such as lighting firecrackers to drive away bad spirits, preparing special food like tikoy for stronger family bonds, and consulting feng shui for guidance in the coming year. Even businesses and malls decorate their spaces with red lanterns and Chinese symbols to bring in more customers and positive energy. These traditions reflect how Filipinos are hopeful and hardworking, always looking for ways to improve their lives and have a better future.

   

    The occasion became a time for families and friends to bond and reflect on their goals for the new year. Since the day was declared a holiday nationwide, people had the chance to take a break from work or school and spend quality time with loved ones. The celebration on January 29 reminded everyone that beyond traditions and superstitions, Chinese New Year is also about strengthening relationships and welcoming a fresh start. It highlighted how Filipinos embrace different cultures, making the country a truly diverse and united nation. 

References:

New, C. (2024). Chinese New Year 2025 – Birmingham Hippodrome. Www.google.com. 

Retrieved from: https://images.app.goo.gl/1zBe5gv53KAbR7ax9

Philippines, in. (2024). Chinese New Year 2025 in Philippines - Rove.me. Www.google.com. 

Retrieved from: https://images.app.goo.gl/vvyaEQvopa86Cozt8