Travel Blog

 Vigan becomes very lively during its fiesta, especially the Viva Vigan Kanawidan Festival of the Arts. The streets are filled with music, colorful decorations, and many people celebrating together. When you walk along Calle Crisologo, you can really feel the history of the place while enjoying the fun atmosphere of the festival.

One of the best parts of the fiesta is watching the street dances and performances. The dancers wear bright costumes and their movements show the traditions and daily life of the Ilocanos. The performances are exciting to watch and they make both locals and tourists feel proud of Vigan’s culture.

Food is also a big part of the fiesta experience. There are many food stalls selling Vigan longganisa, bagnet, and other local foods. Eating these while enjoying the celebration makes the trip more memorable. Overall, the fiesta in Vigan is a fun and meaningful experience that shows the culture, history, and unity of the people.

Reflection

 

This past quarter has been a huge learning experience for me, especially in how I manage my time and understand new concepts. I discovered that I learn best when I break big projects down into smaller pieces instead of trying to do everything at once. I also found out that I’m actually better at analyzing complex topics than I thought, as long as I stay focused on the "why" behind what I’m learning rather than just memorizing facts. These discoveries have helped me feel more confident in my classes and more aware of how I actually process information. 

It wasn't all easy, though, because I ran into some pretty big challenges with staying organized and avoiding burnout. There were times when I felt overwhelmed by how much work was piling up, and I struggled to keep my logical thoughts consistent when moving from one subject to another. To handle this, I started using better planning tools and forced myself to double-check my work more carefully. I learned to ask for help when a prompt or assignment was confusing instead of just guessing, which really helped me stop making small, avoidable mistakes. 

Moving on, I will focus on being more proactive and getting ahead of my assignments before they become stressful. I want to keep working on my problem-solving skills and try to look at things from different perspectives so I can give more thoughtful answers. My goal is to stay consistent with my new habits and keep pushing myself to learn more deeply, rather than just doing the bare minimum. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned this quarter and use it to finish the rest of the year strong.

Jose Rizal: The Face of the Philippines

 Jose Rizal is known as the face of the Philippines because he showed what it truly means to love our country. During the time when the Philippines was under Spanish rule, many Filipinos were abused and treated unfairly. Rizal did not fight using weapons; instead, he used his mind and his words to speak up for the people and show the truth about what was happening in society.

Rizal’s greatest contribution to Philippine society was his writings, especially Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. In these novels, he exposed the corruption and cruelty of Spanish friars and government officials. His stories helped Filipinos realize the problems of the country and made them aware of the need for change. Because of his works, people became more awakened and inspired to stand up for their rights.

Rizal also believed that education was very important for the future of the Philippines. He believed that through education, Filipinos could improve themselves and their country. He inspired the youth to study hard, think critically, and use their knowledge to help society. His famous idea that “the youth is the hope of the nation” is still remembered today.

Rizal’s death made him a true national hero. When he was executed by the Spaniards, it pushed Filipinos to unite and fight harder for freedom. Until now, Jose Rizal is remembered not only for his intelligence but also for his courage, love for the country, and peaceful way of fighting for change.

References:

://share.google/jyzz0UPY3pOmxmIqw

https://share.google/I9FDDimuBxCvRhC4Y

https://share.google/KcV488wV8uvFWVkL5

Celebration of the Christmas Season in Its Essence

 Christmas is more than a date on the calendar it is a season that invites reflection, generosity, and togetherness. At its core, Christmas celebrates love: love shared among family and friends, love expressed through giving, and love rooted in faith. The season reminds us to pause from the rush of everyday life and reconnect with what truly matters gratitude, compassion, and hope.

In many homes, the Christmas season comes alive through meaningful traditions. From decorating the Christmas tree and preparing special meals to attending church services and sharing stories, these simple practices create lasting memories. The warmth of laughter, the glow of lights, and the sound of familiar carols all contribute to a sense of belonging and peace that defines the true spirit of Christmas.

Ultimately, the essence of Christmas lies not in material gifts but in the heart behind them. It encourages kindness to others, forgiveness, and a renewed commitment to love beyond the season. As the celebrations come to a close, the values learned during Christmas faith, humility, and generosity are meant to be carried forward throughout the year.

More Than Just a Tradition: Why I Believe IP Month Matters

 

Every October, we see posters for National Indigenous Peoples Month around school. To be honest, I used to think it was just about wearing traditional costumes or watching cultural dances. But looking at this year’s theme Weaving Culture, Enriching Future I’ve realized that indigenous culture isn't just a part of our past; it’s actually a huge part of our future.

For me, the most impressive thing about indigenous communities is how they’ve been "green" since day one. Long before people started talking about climate change on TikTok, our IP brothers and sisters were already practicing sustainable farming and protecting our forests. They have this natural wisdom about medicine and the environment that we usually ignore because we think "modern" is always better. But if we want to save our planet, I think we really need to start listening to them.

I also believe that "empowerment" shouldn't just be a fancy word we use in essays. To me, it means actually standing up for their rights. It’s hard to celebrate their culture if we aren't also protecting their ancestral lands or making sure they have a seat at the table when the government makes big decisions. We shouldn't just treat them like a "tourist attraction"—they are active partners who deserve respect and a voice in how our country grows.

At the end of the day, being Filipino is like a giant tapestry. Without the unique languages, stories, and arts of our indigenous groups, our national identity would be pretty empty. Learning about their rituals and values makes me feel more connected to my own roots. It teaches me that real progress doesn't mean forgetting where we came from; it means bringing that heritage with us as we move forward.

References: https://share.google/XUCns345eDmONnPfE

https://share.google/WZWOCwZP5IQqO0dgV

https://share.google/jUvcT1Xfml4gJ5mx0

Q3-Blog Post 1 National Children,s Month

 

The observance of the 2025 National Children’s Month, under the powerful theme “OSAEC-CSAEM Wakasan: Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata, Ipaglaban!” (End Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials: Fight for the Safety and Rights of Children!), serves as a vital national declaration. 

This theme is an urgent recognition that the biggest contemporary threat to Filipino children resides not just in physical spaces, but in the rapidly expanding digital realm. It acknowledges that the rise of high-speed internet and mobile devices has unfortunately made the Philippines a global hotspot for these heinous crimes, with millions of children facing online risks.

 This commemoration shifts the focus from simple awareness to aggressive, collective action, insisting that the safety and rights of every child are a non-negotiable priority that must be defended fiercely against digital exploitation.

Reference:https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nup.com.sg%2Ffor-patients-and-caregivers%2Fchilds-health&psig=AOvVaw2LIYTl-P1y86jIWXqXB60U&ust=1764126799843000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBUQjRxqFwoTCPjuqKKqjJEDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAo

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmcc.gse.harvard.edu%2Fresources-for-families%2F7-tips-raising-caring-kids&psig=AOvVaw2LIYTl-P1y86jIWXqXB60U&ust=1764126799843000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBUQjRxqFwoTCPjuqKKqjJEDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAx

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewsbeastph.com%2F2022%2F11%2Fdeped-celebrates-national-childrens-month%2F&psig=AOvVaw1ko1lIycnPum1dtgTiibSA&ust=1764127018660000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBUQjRxqFwoTCND_yoqrjJEDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

https://cwc.gov.ph/national-childrens-month/

https://www.dilg.gov.ph/events/National-Childrens-Month/651

Blog#2 Quarter 3 Elpidio Quirino

 

Elpidio Rivera Quirino, the Philippines’ sixth President, was a dedicated public servant whose life story mirrored the tumultuous path of the newly independent nation. Born on November 16, 1890, in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Quirino was a self-made man who rose from humble origins.

 His early life was characterized by determination and hard work; he financed his education by working as a barrio teacher and later as a clerk in Manila. This work ethic culminated in him obtaining a law degree from the University of the Philippines in 1915 and becoming one of the topnotchers in the Bar Examinations. His foundational years instilled in him a profound sense of duty and the resilience needed to lead a country scarred by conflict.

Born during the decade of the Philippine Revolution, Elpidio’s life parallels the story of the nation from revolution against the Spanishand war against the Americans, to commonwealth under America, war with the Japanese, to liberation and eventual independence. At every stage of that story, Elpidio had an important role to play.

Reference:https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpineappleind.com%2Fblogs%2Fabout-us%2Fjourney-of-the-barong-tagalog-20th-century-philippines-part-6-president-elpidio-quirino&psig=AOvVaw2oVcLK-bWwERNgQdV4G85I&ust=1764125759993000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBUQjRxqFwoTCKCUpbOmjJEDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAK

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogpangulosapilipinas.blogspot.com%2F2016%2F12%2Felpidio-quirino.html&psig=AOvVaw2oVcLK-bWwERNgQdV4G85I&ust=1764125759993000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBUQjRxqFwoTCKCUpbOmjJEDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAT

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.positivelyfilipino.com%2Fmagazine%2Fquirino-at-125-a-statesman-and-survivor&psig=AOvVaw2xSnOEM0mgQZOoH9dfzgvq&ust=1764126400455000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBUQjRxqFwoTCOj0z-WojJEDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/elpidio-quirino1948-1953/38190646

https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/753/today-in-philippine-history-november-16-1890-elpidio-quirino-the-sixth-president-of-the-philippines-was-born-in-the-town-of-vigan-ilocos-sur

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