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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‘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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