Fourth Chapter: The Night

     Darkness is growing and the sun has set. My friends, I invite you to watch and gaze at the billions of stars in the sky. Join me on the last and final chapter of my story, where we will see and witness constellations and stars shining in the nighttime.

     The end has just begun. This quarter, Photoshop is the center of our classes in TLE. I learned how to lay out a page- how to manipulate layers, inserting photos, adding text, and the likes. It’s amazing how the digital world works!

     But as my last chapter is being wrote, my heart is filled with different feelings. One of which is pressure. I felt a little bit pressured because of the standards that people around me have set. I was scared of not meeting their expectations. I feared being called a failure. This feeling was both positive and negative. It became a negative thing because I cared and focused too much on what other people told me, and I forgot to focus on myself. But I also took it as a challenge- a way of improving myself.

     In the middle of the way, I realized that we have less time than we think. It saddens us that in one way or another, we will part ways. In less than a month, we will walk different paths, enter different strands, and take different careers. Some of us may still be intact in the future, but one thing is for sure- we will be one step closer to achieving our dreams. And though we will meet new people, I hope we will not lose the friendship we created.

     The end is nearing, and let’s take a look at the stars- to gaze at the memories we made this school year. I see one bright one- when we attended the recollection last February. MBabies,  remember the time we joined the Speech Choir Competition? It’s up in there too! And the making of the NDEP Corner! Even the times we played Chinese garter- it’s shining so bright! Don’t forget the Christmas Program and the numerous campings we attended. Oh, those late night talks and jammings brought back so many memories! I can see the time when we went to Plaza Burgos to watch the Teachers and Students’ Got Talent, and the times the trainees had their Team Building Activities. Oh, all the great memories we all shared.

     This time, I am no longer afraid of the dark. This chapter taught me to make the most out of the time we have, because we may not be aware of when it will end. Cherish every moment. Put your heart out. Live like no other. Veni. Vidi. Vici.

     I don’t want this story to be rewritten because I don’t think my journey with the people around me couldn’t get any better than this. I am not ready for the day to end, but I guess this is the time for us to have a short rest- because a new day is ahead of us.

Hope and Future

Someday, I want to become a teacher.

I wish to be an engineer like my father.

I’ve always wanted to be a chef.

My goal is to turn into a lawyer.

Politics sounds nice- I might be the President one day.

     These are some of the common dreams of the youth. I oftentimes hear these sentences uttered by little kids. We all have different dreams in life. Some of us would like to pursue writing, or maybe even sports. Some even want to create and establish their own businesses.

     “Be a very determined and passionate dreamer. Dream big, bigger than the stars. And when you have set an aim, go for it. Catch it like it meant the most to you,” they once said to me.

     At a very young age, I have always wanted to be a doctor. I wanted to be able to save the lives of people. I wanted to make sure that everyone had good health. I always told everyone around me that I should be brave and be a hero who will save lives in the field of medicine.

     But then, as years went by, I started to change my mind. I then wished to become an accountant. My sister and my godmother gave me the idea to take up accountancy. I was eager to learn how to balance. I also wished to learn how to write financial statements.

      Now, I have an idea on what my future will be. I hope to become a statistician. I want to be knowledgeable when it comes to the population, or arranging data. I’d like to deal with numbers,  organizing and interpreting them.

     Whatever dream we have for our future, we must ask ourselves: Will it spark joy? If it is something that we will do in the long run, we must always consider our joy, because that is one of all of us’ dreams- to be happy.

The Festivity

     Mark your calendars, because it’s going to be the 117th High School Day!

     Yes, folks. The first and second days of March marked my last High School Day experience as a Junior High School student. But unfortunately, I was not able to be physically present and join the celebration. Nevertheless, I still felt the spirit of it with the help of my friends.

     Early February, you can already feel the preparation for the said event. The canvassing is just around the corner. The list of names of candidates starts to pile up. Whispers of tunes remixed into one can be heard. Dancers start to sway gracefully to a brand new choreography. Students of the same grade level begin to compile either in the gymnasium or athletic field. As the first day of March is fast approaching, the tension is a little bit rising. Songs are getting louder and students create formations. Some officers start to train, and the Royal Court is known. Here it is, here it goes.

     It’s Friday afternoon, and the gym is filling up. Officers are outside and getting ready. Princes and Princesses are dolled up, entering the gymnasium. Fellow students are amazed with the beauty they showcase. And on the same afternoon, they were crowned.

     The following morning, a parade of all students was conducted. Girls and Boys of all grade levels come together to show everyone their costumes and props. In the afternoon, the Arrival of Honors was conducted. And after which, the highlight of the day, the field demonstration. As students started dancing, cheers were heard here and there. This yeas year, there is a twist! Teachers also performed! The day ended with the victory in Grade 8’s hands.

    I hope that in the next High School Day Celebrations to have more more activities. I wish that there will be more things that require involvement of students. And though I am in another place, the festivity is still with me.

KANNAWIDAN: Sangsangkamaysa Tay a Rambakan

     On the second day of February every year, Ilocanos commemorate the separation of two provinces in the northern part of the Philippines. Through a royal decree, the northern part of the then called Ylokos became the province of Ilocos Norte, while the southern portion was called Ilocos Sur. For Ilocos Sur, Villa Fernandina became its capital.

     This annual event is celebrated with numerous events namely the Saniata ti Ylocos, Saniata ti Agtutubo, Streetdancing, Drag Race, Lumba ti Kabalyo, Chef Wars, Bingo Night, LGBT Night, Fun Run, and a lot more! Besides there, people from different towns gather to showcase their One Town One Product (OTOP). These acrivities show much about our rich culture.

     I look forward to more celebrations, and witnessing performances of fellow Ilocanos, and showing off their talents. I hope that the Ilocano cultures and traditions will stand the test of time. I am an Ilocano, and I am proud. 

     Biyagen tayo itan, Ilocano a kananakem!

Something to Everything

“Hey, how did you get the answer?”

“Why is the result like that?”

“Can you help me with this one?”

“It’s too difficult!”

“I hate Math!”

“I’m wouldn’t use this in the real world, anyway.”

     I oftentimes hear these questions and statements, and it sound like sadness. It pains me to witness people struggling when it comes to Mathematics. It pains me others get fristrated, do not enjoy, and extremely hate Math. And I want to change their perspective. I want other people to enjoy Math, and see the beauty of it. But how? What is my first step?

     After Junior High School, I plan on taking STEM for Senior High School. After which, I shall take up BS in Mathematics. Hopefully, I will be able to teach and show other people how gorgeous Mathematics is- there are points, graphs, the patterns all around us. Basically, Mathematics is everywhere- from checking your time, to cooking a certain recipe, to even counting money. Math is surely beautiful and fun, and I want to able to change the mindset that Math is “boring and hard”. And that change starts with me.

     I know that I can’t do and change everything, but I know that I can do something.

A Year of Firsts

     2018 was definitely an amazing but tiring year. I have encountered so many experiences from which I learned so many lessons. I was able to build and lose friendships, travel to different places and experience extremely cold weather, and also lose a few pens.

     In 2018, my relatives came home from overseas. During their stay here in the Philippines, we visited La Virgen Milagrosa, and there, it was my first time speed boating. I was very nervous and scared at first, but I enjoyed every second of it- feeling the cold breeze against my skin.

     In 2018, I won the Regional MTAP Competition! It was my first time winning a team competition with my teammate, Henadine. It was a very unexpected result, but it felt nice and accomplishing, especially that I love Mathematics. Who knew that after years of fighting for the spot, I have won!

     In 2018, I was appointed the Corps Commander of the CAT I Unit of Ilocos Sur National High School. This is the first time I’m carrying a responsibility so heavy because I have to lead a whole unit of  CAT Officers. I felt a little bit pressured, but I am having a lot of fun now.

     In 2018, I joined my first ever debate competition. I became more aware of the nationwide events because of joining the said competition. It was amazing to see debaters from other divisions and witness how they justify their sides. It was a great training ground for public speaking and there, I definitely developed my confidence.

     In 2018, I got my hands on a few EXO albums for the first time. It’s cool to see how artists from another country produce their albums which includes photos, posters, and a lot of photo cards. I  had fun listening to their songs.

     And by the end of 2018, I was unexpectedly called to enter a team competition- the Provincial Sirib Quiz Show. This was definitely a nerve-wrecking one, considering the fact that we joined with no review at all. But with God’s Grace, we were able to make it to the top! It felt so surreal and accomplishing at the same time.

     2018 taught me so much- from being patient, to managing my time between studying and having fun, to working really hard, and being able to know my priorities. But as I enter 2019, there won’t be a new me but there is an improved me. This year, I look forward to entering Senior High School with a clean canvass, ready to be turned in a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. I look forward to happiness and more great memories with family and friends. I look forward to an even better version of myself, continuing to learn and discover, and a great year ahead. 

Third Chapter: The Dusk

     As one chapter closes, another one opens. This time, I’d like to take you on my journey on a roadtrip, where we will travel far and deep in to a different world. Riding our vehicles, we will conquer the world. Come with me, as we take a peek on the third chapter of my story.

     As I go down the path and start my journey, I gain a lot of lessons. In the field of ICT, I learned to design a web page. It gave me the opportunity to develop my creativity. I definitely had a lot of fun doing so. But this Grading Period had a few hindrances.

     I easily get distracted. This is one of the challenges I needed to overcome. I get a notification, and my eyes turn to my phone. I see a dog, and my heart beats, telling me to go pet it. I easily got distracted, but I needed to focus. And because I easily lose focus, I wasted a few hours of the day surfing the internet instead of doing the tasks. My time went to watching Youtube videos instead of writing some notes. It was quite unproductive. But I needed to accomplish my requirements.

     I had to do what I had to do. I set aside my phone and pulled out my notebook and pen in front of me. It took me a while, and I got tired in the middle of doing my activities. I wanted to stop what I started. This roadtrip is very tiring. But it taught me that it is okay to take a break from time to time because I can get tired. It is okay to pause, but I shouldn’t stop. It is exhausting, and I also need to rest and take care of myself. It pushed me to finish my travel.

     I was so scared that it would start to get dark outside, so I wanted to be as fast as I could. The thought of traveling down a street in the middle of the night made me scared. So I wanted to appreciate the views on daylight, when I can get a full view of the sceneries. I wanted to drive as fast as possible, but I remembered that there is a speed limit. That made me ponder. How will I be able to appreciate the views when I’m going too fast? How will I be able to look at the beauty if I am scared? This taught me to always take my time.

     I didn’t finish my journey until dusk, and as I was driving back home, my eyes were blessed to see the beauty of sunsets. I never really thought that entering the darkness was this fascinating. And I am glad that I am witness of this gorgeousness.

    I drove home safely without traveling faster than the speed limit. This day was both exhausting and exciting, but as much as I didn’t want it to end, it had to. Thank you for traveling with me. I am looking forward to more fun activities in the future.