Ayat

    Valentine’s Day is a special time when people show love and appreciation to those who matter most. It is not just about couples; it is also for family, friends, and even ourselves. Love comes in many forms—romantic love (Eros), the deep bond of friendship (Philia), unconditional love (Agape), and the love we have for family (Storge). No matter who we celebrate with, the day reminds us to express love in simple but meaningful ways.

    We celebrate Valentine’s Day because love is what connects us all. It is a chance to remind people how much they mean to us, whether through kind words, small gifts, or quality time. In a world that can feel busy and distant, this day brings people closer together. More than chocolates and flowers, it is about making someone feel valued and appreciated.

     Beyond tradition, Valentine’s Day teaches us to love not just on February 14 but every day. Love is not just about grand gestures—it is in the little things, like checking in on a friend or helping at home. When we spread kindness, we make the world a warmer place for everyone. So whether single or taken, young or old, this day is for anyone with love to give.

References:

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One Celebration, One Heart

    Imagine people from different towns and cities coming together, sharing food, music, and stories. That’s the magic of Kannawidan Festival! It’s not just about fun and celebration—it’s about unity.  

    The Kannawidan Festival is important because it helps people remember and celebrate the rich culture of Ilocos Sur. It shows the traditions, food, and crafts that have been passed down through generations. This festival also brings people together to enjoy music, dances, and other local activities. It is a way to honor the past while sharing it with the younger generation.

    Aside from preserving culture, the festival also helps the local economy. Many small businesses and local farmers get a chance to sell their products to visitors. It attracts tourists, which brings more income to the community. This support helps the people of Ilocos Sur continue their way of life and keep their traditions alive.

    The Kannawidan Festival is also a time for unity and pride. It allows people to take part in activities that strengthen their connection to their roots. Families and friends come together to celebrate and enjoy the event. Through this festival, the people of Ilocos Sur show their love and respect for their culture and heritage.

    Kannawidan reminds us that we are one—one province, one culture, one people. It’s not just a festival; it’s a homecoming for every Ilocano.

References:

CBR: Capturing Beyond Research

     This photoblog is about our journey in doing Community-Based Research. It’s not just about the work but also the experiences, challenges, and memories we made along the way.

  

Planning our Research Topic

           When we were given our research category, we immediately brainstormed ideas on where to focus our study. We discussed which community to explore and where to gather data. In the end, we chose the whole of Vigan, as the Longganisa Festival isn’t tied to a specific barangay but represents the entire city.

         

Doing and Finalizing our CBR Paper

            After deciding on our topic, our leader, Demie, fairly assigned each of us a part to work on. We then gathered the necessary information and planned the flow of our paper. Finalizing it wasn’t easy—we faced challenges along the way—but with teamwork, we managed to complete it, get it ready for printing, and prepare it for submission.

      

Interviewing Our Respondents

         Here, we interviewed the locals of Vigan about their experiences during the Longganisa Festival. We asked about their opinions on the festival and how it impacts them as Bigueños. It was great to hear their stories and see how much they value our arts and culture.

                      

Creating and Finalizing our Webpage Design

            After finishing our CBR paper, we moved on to designing our webpage. None of us had any background in coding, so it was our first time tackling this. It was a challenge, but with teamwork and watching tutorials, we pushed through and finally completed it.

(All photos were taken by Vigan Group 1)

From Struggle to Success

    This quarter was really challenging for me, with new lessons that taught me a lot. We learned about Community-based Research and even conducted one ourselves. Our study focused on gathering the history of the yearly Longganisa Festival, and we had a lot of fun interviewing the residents to learn about their experiences and opinions on the festival. We also learned HTML coding and applied it to design our webpage.

    However, the journey wasn’t easy. I experienced difficulties that really tested my patience and determination. There wasn’t much of a challenge in doing the CBR because it was similar to the research projects we had worked on since Grade 9. The real struggle was designing the webpage. As someone who wasn’t very knowledgeable in coding, it was tough, and my teammates were also struggling.

    But I knew that nothing would get better if I didn’t try to solve these problems. So, I watched tutorials on YouTube and used online resources like W3Schools to help me. While I can’t say I’ve become an expert, the tutorials helped me finish the webpage design, even though I encountered some mistakes and errors along the way.

                              

    Moving forward, I will continue taking on challenges with the same determination. This quarter taught me that pushing through difficulties helps me grow. I’ll use what I’ve learned to do better next time and keep improving.

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New Year, New Luck

    Chinese New Year is one of the basic annual celebrations in the Philippines that have found themselves embedded in the history and culture of the land. For centuries, the Filipino-Chinese communities have been part of Philippine society, wreathed around the complex weaves of Filipino culture. Traditionally, all their festivals including Chinese New Year celebrations have been generally embraced by the wider Filipino populace, thereby becoming a national celebration.

    The festivities are rich in activities that stand for prosperity and fortune. For example, families clean their houses all across the land in order to welcome good vibes and bake sweet meats and put out fruits like oranges and apples, which are said to bring wealth and peace. The giving away of red packets called "ang pao," filled with money meant as blessings for the new year, has traditionally been something cherished.

    Along with these give or take traditions, Chinese New Year in the Philippines is a family reunion and community gathering. The dragon or lion dances, parades, and other celebrations are meant to celebrate Chinese ancestry and at the same time bring Filipinos from differing backgrounds together. These celeb
rations are thus a living synergy of culture between that of the Chinese and the Filipinos, both of whom share overlapping values and traditions that enrich the identity of the nation. 

Lunar New Year’s Day 2025 in Philippines. (n.d.). https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/philippines/lunar-new-year-day

De Ramos, B. (2025, January 30). Chinese New Year in the Philippines: a unique blend of global and local traditions. Penbrothers. https://penbrothers.com/blog/chinese-new-year-philippines/

Marie. (2025, January 28). Celebrating Chinese New Year: How Filipinos commemorate the annual affair. KUBO. https://kubo.com.ph/celebrating-chinese-new-year-in-the-philippines/

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From Simplicity to Prosperity

    The rich history of Vigan, which is in the Philippines' Ilocos Sur, illustrates how it developed from a little town to a thriving metropolis. Vigan was once a quiet and simple town with cobblestone streets and homes from the Spanish era. Residents lived in close-knit communities, and small enterprises and farming were the main livelihood of the local economy. The town's antique architecture and ingrained customs added to its allure, and life was straightforward.

    The major change came on January 22, 2001, when Republic Act No. 8988 was passed and Vigan was formally recognized as a city. Better public services, increased tourism, and improved infrastructure were all results of this shift. The city attracted tourists from all over the world with its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, particularly along Calle Crisologo. Vigan's cultural significance was further underscored by its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Today, Vigan successfully balances progress and heritage preservation. The local government and community have worked together to maintain the city's historical identity while embracing modern development. Traditional crafts like weaving and pottery continue to thrive alongside new businesses, providing economic opportunities for residents. Festivals such as the Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival and Longganisa Festival celebrate the city's rich culture, showcasing the pride and resilience of its people.

Lando, R. (2023, April 12). Vigan City History, geography, economy, festival, officials. PeoPlaid. https://peoplaid.com/2019/02/25/vigan-city/

Cabillen, J. (2024, July 17). Top 13 Vigan City Tourist Spots: Historic UNESCO World Heritage site. Guide to the Philippines. https://guidetothephilippines.ph/articles/what-to-experience/vigan-ilocos-tourist-spots

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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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