Fresh Start

    "New Year, New Me"? Nah, more like "New Year, Improved Me", because I can't really say I'm going to become a totally different person this year because in the end of the day, I'm still me. but I do aspire to be a better version of myself. Last year was like a rollercoaster ride, full of ups and downs. I learned a lot about myself, and now it's time to take those lessons and use them to grow.

    This year, I want to focus on small changes that will make a big difference. I plan to be more patient with myself and others. Sometimes, I can be too hard on myself, especially when things don't go as planned. I also want to really cancel out my procastinating behavior, though I improved now compared last year. I will also focus on my health, physically and mentally. I'll do things that makes me happy and see the good in everything.

    The truth is, I'm now aiming for perfection; I just want to improve slowly but surely. I know I'm not going to change overnight, but I can make a steady progress. 2025 is a fresh start, but it's also a chance to build on who I already am. I'm ready to conquer challenges ahead, learn from them, and keep moving forward.

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‘Tis the season

    "It's the most wonderful time of the year"— the familiar tune sung by Andy Williams never fails to fill me with comfort and joy. As Christmas break approached, my excitement grew because it meant one thing: 10-Maxwell’s year-end party was finally happening!

    Being a class officer, the preparations were both thrilling and a bit stressful, but seeing the program come to life made it all worth it. The laughter, love, and shared moments as we exchanged gifts and smiles felt magical. We truly made memories that will last a lifetime.

    One of the most surprising moments of the season was going caroling with my friends in Sta. Catalina. What began as a simple plan to work on our project quickly turned into a fun and unexpected Christmas adventure. The holiday spirit took over, and we found ourselves singing our hearts out. The joy of the night wasn’t just in the carols—it was in the laughter, the bond we shared, and the jingling coins in our pockets.

    After the Christmas break began, my favorite part unfolded: spending time with my cousins. Those days were filled with sleepovers, bike and e-bike road trips, and delicious meals at Lita's Empanada, one of our all-time favorite spots. Every moment, from our adventures to our heartfelt conversations, made up for all the time we’d missed being apart.

        

    We also attended Simbang Gabi, a cherished tradition that brought us closer to God and to each other. Then came Christmas Eve, and the joy reached its peak. Our family gathered around to share food, exchange gifts, and most importantly, show love. We played games where everyone felt included, and the house was filled with laughter and warmth.

    That night, my heart was full. As Christmas dawned, I found myself reflecting on the season and realized that this year’s Christmas wasn’t just wonderful—it was unforgettable, a perfect blend of joy, connection, and love.

Coding, Isn't It Exciting? (REFLECTION)

    This quarter, I learned a lot about HTML and how it’s used to create websites. We worked with different HTML tags during our ICT class and applied them in our activities. It was fun to see how small pieces of code could turn into a webpage layout. I enjoyed exploring how these tags worked together and understanding the basics of web design.

    However, I faced some challenges along the way. The computer I was using sometimes became unresponsive, which made it hard to continue my tasks. On top of that, the USB my group uses were sometimes malfunctioning, and we struggled to save my work properly. These problems slowed me down and made it stressful to keep up with the activities.

    To overcome these challenges, I made sure to stay calm and find solutions. I told my teacher about the issues we were experiencing, and she gave us time to catch up. I carefully followed the instructions again to redo any delayed tasks. I also asked for help from my seatmates, who supported me and made it easier to complete my work. With their help and my determination, I managed to finish everything on time.

    Moving forward, I want to improve the way I work and avoid similar problems. I will complete my tasks earlier to avoid any delays and check my devices to make sure everything is working properly. I also plan to keep practicing HTML to enhance my skills and apply what I’ve learned to create even better web designs. This quarter taught me the value of teamwork, problem-solving, and staying focused despite challenges.

References:

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Rights in HER Hand

    Violence against women, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, is a painful reality that continues to affect women all around the world. These acts not only harm their bodies but also leave deep emotional scars, robbing them of their dignity, safety, and peace. Women deserve to live without fear, to walk freely in their communities, and to speak out without being silenced. It is good that the government has already established laws that protect women and create safe spaces for them. In the Philippines, RA 8353 (The Anti-Rape Law of 1997) and RA 11313 (The Safe Spaces Act of 2019) are just some of the important laws designed to protect women, uphold their rights, and provide justice in the face of violence and harassment.

    RA 8353, also known as The Anti-Rape Law of 1997, characterizes rape as a wrongdoing where an individual powers another individual to have sexual intercourse without their consent. This law broadens the definition of rape, saying that it isn't close to physical savagery but too approximately driving somebody into sex through dangers, fear, or control. The law too applies to distinctive circumstances, counting when the casualty is oblivious, inebriated, or rationally impaired, and it covers cases indeed when the culprit and casualty are in a relationship, such as marriage.

    This law helps women by making it clear that rape may be a genuine wrongdoing with serious punishments, counting long jail sentences. It too makes beyond any doubt that ladies, indeed in circumstances of vulnerability, are ensured from sexual manhandle. By reclassifying rape, the law guarantees that casualties have improved chance of looking for equity. It empowers ladies to report wrongdoings against them, knowing the law is on their side to assist battle sexual viciousness and ensure their rights.

    And the RA 11313, also known as The Safe Spaces Act, is a law that secures people, particularly women, from all shapes of gender-based sexual badgering in open spaces. This incorporates undesirable physical contact, verbal mishandle, and other shapes of badgering in places like lanes, parks, markets, and indeed online. The law covers both physical and online spaces, guaranteeing that ladies and LGBTQ+ people feel secure and respected wherever they go, without fear of being irritated or segregated against.

    The Safe Spaces Act makes a difference ladies by holding guilty parties responsible for their activities in open and online spaces. It gives security against catcalling, grabbing, and other shapes of badgering that numerous ladies encounter every day. The law moreover commands punishments for those who lock in in these hurtful behaviors and gives victims a safe way to report these episodes, knowing they will be taken genuinely. This law engages ladies to go almost their everyday lives with more certainty, because it cultivates an environment where their dignity and security are regarded. 

    But the fact that these laws exist is because these issues are really happening. If it weren't for women being violated, if there were no one violating their rights, we wouldn't have such laws. Despite this, we should abide by these laws and be knowledgeable about women's rights—about OUR rights—in order to reduce the number of women who are being undervalued every day. As a woman myself, I believe that we all deserve to live in an environment where our rights are respected, our voices are heard, and we can move freely without fear of violence or harassment. It is our responsibility to support and protect each other, and to ensure that these laws are not just written on paper but are actively enforced for the safety and dignity of all women.

References:

https://pcw.gov.ph/assets/files/2020/03/PCW-WPLA-PB-01-Amending-the-Anti-Rape-Law-AEB.pdf

https://chanrobles.com/republicactno8353.htm#google_vignette

https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2019/ra_11313_2019.html

https://wbec-west.com/empowered-women-empower-women/

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Quirino, the hero of the Filipinos

    Elpidio Rivera y Quirino was born on November 16, 1980, at the Provincial City Jail in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. He was a political leader and the 6th president of the Republic of the Philippines. He obtained a law degree from the University of the Philippines in 1915, practiced law, and entered politics when he was elected as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives from 1919 to 1925, then served as a senator from 1925 to 1931. He is the third child of the nine children of Mariano Quirino y Quebral from Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, and was a warden at a provincial jail, and Gregoria Rivera y Mendoza from Agoo, La Union. 

    After earning his law degree in 1915, he quickly began a career in public service. In 1919, he was elected as a representative of Ilocos Sur and later became a senator. His knowledge of law and governance paved the way for him to serve as Secretary of Finance and Secretary of the Interior under President Manuel Quezon. By the time Quirino became president in 1948, the Philippines was still struggling to recover from the destruction caused by World War II, and his leadership played a crucial role during this time.

    The country faced not just the physical aftermath of the war but also severe economic challenges. In his inaugural speech, he made it clear that addressing these problems was a top priority. His administration focused on economic recovery, pushing for key legislation like the Bell Trade Act and the Philippine Rehabilitation Act to attract foreign investments and stabilize the economy. Quirino also prioritized improving the agricultural sector by improving irrigation systems and helping farmers to resettle and rebuild their livelihoods. He also had a deep concern for the well-being of the Filipino people. He built the President's Action Committee on Social Amelioration to fight poverty and respond to natural calamities. Aside from local issues, Quirino also worked to make the Philippines known internationally by improving its foreign policies and making sure the country took part in important global events and progress.

    Elpidio Quirino’s time as president was important for helping the Philippines recover after World War II. He worked hard to fix the economy, support farmers, and fight poverty through programs like the President's Action Committee on Social Amelioration. He also improved the country’s foreign policies, making sure the Philippines was part of important global events. His efforts helped the country rebuild and improve the lives of the Filipino people during his leadership.

References:

ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elpidio_Quirino

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elpidio-Quirino

https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/elpidio-quirino-10505.php

https://www.myheritage.com/names/elpidio_quirino

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Protecting Our Legacy, Honoring Ancestry

    The Philippines is a land of rich diversity, including its people. Particularly, Indigenous People (IPs) groups, such as the Aetas, Igorots, T'bolis, and many more, each carry unique traditions, languages, and knowledge systems that contribute to the cultural richness of our nation. These communities have preserved their heritage for generations, offering valuable contributions to the Philippines’ identity and natural environment.

           

    As we celebrate the 2024 National Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month from October 1-30, we also mark the 27th anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997. This year’s theme, “Mga Katutubo at Katutubong Dunong: Pahalagahan, Pangalagaan at Parangalan” (Valuing, Nurturing, and Honoring Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Knowledge), focuses on recognizing and protecting the cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and rights of Indigenous groups. Through activities like cultural exhibits, educational programs, and discussions, this observance highlights the important roles Indigenous Peoples play in areas like food security, environmental protection, and nation-building.

    Despite their contributions, Indigenous communities face many challenges. One of the biggest struggles they face is fighting to keep their ancestral lands safe from threats like mining, illegal logging, and large-scale development projects. Many Indigenous groups also lack access to basic services such as education, healthcare, and proper housing. Even with these challenges, Indigenous Peoples remain strong and continue to stand up for their rights and preserve their culture. Their resilience in protecting their lands and traditions reminds us of the importance of supporting their rights.

    The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) leads efforts to protect Indigenous Peoples and their rights. They work with other government agencies and organizations to promote awareness and advocacy. Through these efforts, we can continue to honor Indigenous Peoples’ contributions and help preserve their way of life for future generations.

References:

https://minorityrights.org/communities/indigenous-peoples-5/

https://www.philsca.edu.ph/announcement/indigenous-peoples-month-celebration-and-the-27th-ipra-commemoration/

https://ncip.gov.ph

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Together for the Better

Climate change is no longer something far away—it’s already happening, and we feel it every day. Here in the Philippines, typhoons are stronger, floods happen more often, and the weather gets hotter each year. Because of this, many Filipinos lose their homes, crops, and even loved ones. But what causes all these problems?

                

One big reason is our actions. Cutting down trees, burning fuels, and not managing waste properly hurt the environment. Another issue is how we handle disasters. Many places don’t have the tools or plans to deal with strong typhoons or other problems, leaving them unprepared.

          

Even with these struggles, Filipinos always find ways to rise again. We rebuild, help each other, and stay hopeful. But being resilient is not enough. We need to act. Simple things like planting trees, saving energy, and asking our leaders to do more can make a big difference. If we all work together, we can protect our planet and make sure future generations have a better life.