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.

Love and Giving

     ‘ Tis the season to be jolly fa la la la la la la la la!

     As we exit the 11th month of the year, we enter a month of caroling, gifts, and smiles. This is definitely the season to be jolly- with the tress decorated with starts and ornaments, to the joyful music in the background and stockings filled with fun. Every street is surrounded with kids caroling. The houses are lit with colorful and glowing lights. People of different ages give gifts to others, and families come together. And as one receives a present, a smile extends from ear to ear. But Christmas is not only about the Christmas Lights, or the gifts you receive, or the songs you sing. There’s so much more.

     Every 25th of December is celebrated as Christmas Day. The cold breeze hits our skin and we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. He shows His love for us in so many ways and this time, it is our turn. This is the time to spread love and the season of giving. It’s the moment when we express our love in various forms. As the old quotation goes, “It’s better to give than to receive.” Let us extend our love to the homeless, the poor, the jobless, the patients, the parents, the doctors, the teachers, lawyers, students, and EVERYONE.

     Let us celebrate Christmas not only this December, but let it be celebrated every single day. Let’s spread and share our blessings. Let us spread the love and positivity.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

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1=1

     Two number 1’s are compared. One is typed in Arial font, size 30, and colored red. One is written with pencil on a sheet of paper. The 2 are put side by side. One looks more put together compared to the other one. But when we think of it, they are still of the same value. 1 is still equal to 1 even though they look different. The appearance of the number 1 will not make its value go higher or lower. No matter what you do, 1 will always be 1.

     This goes to show that everyone should be given equal rights. Whether rich or poor, tall or short, thin or fat, workers or unemployed, man or woman, child or adult, criminal or not, their rights should be recognized. They should be given equal opportunities. The women are no less than the men. The children are no less than adults. The disabled are no less than everyone else. So why will we deny their rights? Why not give them the opportunity? Every person should be treated the same way and given the same opportunities. We are all created beautifully by the Almighty God, and our personal differences should not serve as a hindrance in showing respect to other people. The state or standard of living of a person should not tell how one should be treated. 

     Let us respect each and every one, not only in the Philippines but the whole world. Let us spread love and joy. Let us treat every one equally. 

Remember: 1=1.

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