The Way I see

Another chapter of my life is about to end and another sequel of it waits to start. As the days of my high school life come to an end, future is what I am thinking for myself. Everyone is entitled to dream. Each one of us dreams to be a "someone". When I think of the future, I got lots of things to make and I say to myself: YES! I WILL!

As I was viewing the vast dark sky, I saw lots of stars which were tinkling, shining and shimmering. Those stars were so bright that one for me is so strong. I dreamed and closed my eyes so deeply. Questions ran through my mind and wishes started to burst. Questions like, "Will I ever get a job? A family of my own? A car? A peaceful life?” and a simple wish, TO BE SUCCESFUL.

Aside from the things mentioned above. I dreamed of myself as a successful chemists with a happy family and peaceful life. By that time, I wish that I had lifted my family to a better life. Personally, I dream to experience the feeling of being fulfilled, having no worries and secured after my long-time sacrifices in the battlefield of my life. When I will receive my first salary, firstly, I won’t use it for myself. I will use it for my parents in giving them rewards who gave an unending sacrifice so that my dream will come true. In the future, I want to travel around the world with my family and perhaps, the girl who would make my heart keep beating. I want that my dream house won’t just be a dream but will come into reality, someday. With anticipation, my family will be more unified at all times especially when we are down. I also look forward, that my family will express an unconditional and eternal love.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

The Ilocano Culture

If you are looking for a non-stop place where you can taste and witness different cultures and traditions of Ilocanos. There is one event that is for you to visit and not to miss. KANNAWIDAN Ylocos Festival, yes it is.

This year marks the province’s 193rd year based on the Royal Decree dated February 2, 1818 separating Ilocos Sur from Ilocos Norte. Prior to this date, the stretch of Bangui in Ilocos Norte down to Luna La Union is called Ylocos which is a term to refer to the coastal inhabitants. It literally meant “from the lowlands”.

During the celebration, tribal dances were showcased coming from the tribal communities of the Ilocos Province. These tribal communities displayed their talents as well as their indigenous costumes which fascinated tourists and audiences of the affair. The trade fair beside the Provincial Capitol, showcased the different one town one products of municipalities constituting the province. There was a choir competition which turned the viewers to a wow. A battle of brains and beauty was witnessed during the Saniata ti Ilocos Sur pageant. Our classmates also joined a contest pertaining the history of Ilocos and happily they brought home the bacon.

Ylocos Kannawidan is a fun filled festivity. It was indeed a great one. And as I enter to the trade fair, I said to myself: I AM PROUD TO BE AN ILOCANO.

CHange: It starts with me

There are non-stop problems that are happening in this world. Sometimes it causes pain and vain and much as all, it may cause a war. Change is what we need in this world so that peace will manage and serenity will govern.

I am only an ordinary man but I was full of aspirations in life. My aspirations which are not only concentrated to myself but moreover I am aspiring for the best of my world where I am living.

When 100 plus students including I from Ilocos Sur National High School joined the 8^th National Leadership Training for Student Government Officers, we became stronger leaders as we promised to ourselves, "WE WILL CHANGE FOR A BETTER COUNTRY." As we were shouting inside the Benitez Hall at Teacher's Camp, Baguio City, "AKO ANG MAGSISIMULA NG PAGBABAGO," we were hoping that the future leaders of our country will lead us not into the wrong one but rather for a better one.

I may not be expressing much leadership in our school but by just simply picking candy rappers in our campus might have a continuous effect. Someone might see me picking that little garbage, and also do that. And another person might also see him and do the same until everyone will make a difference in this world. By following all the rules and regulations of the school, we students will make progress. That’s it. A change for development and unity for improvement.

Yes, I am only a student but I have a big part in this nation. Even though I’m not that powerful, at least I have contributed for the world’s improvement and development. I promise- "I cannot do everything but I can do something and that something will help a lot in transforming and improving everything to a better one."

IS THIS FIESTA?

Fiesta is like a tattoo in Filipino’s tradition that can not be removed in their own culture. Every municipality in the country, Philippines has a so called fiesta pertaining the feast of the patron or patroness of their town.

As the 25^th day of January comes, different preparations are done at the Heritage City of Vigan. And it’s because it is the day of their festivity which is called the Longganisa Festival. Longganisa is a native delicacy in Vigan and as their number one product; they are praising their patron which is St. Paul and thank him or that good product to raise money.

During that day, I didn’t really felt the essence of the festivity because I was so tired. I had to wake up early because we CAT officers of Ilocos Sur Sur National High School are going to attend the grand parade. I was so excited for that because when I was still young, I was mesmerized by the CAT Officers parading before. Since then, I said to myself “I’ll be one of them” . And now, I am one of them.

The parade went good for me excluding the hotness of the weather and muscle pains I am still happy because rumours say that we were the best performing CAT-1 unit during the parade. After which, my friends and I went to MCDO for our own refreshments not knowing that we CAT-1 unit must go to our school to attend a meeting. So after eating, we rushed to school. Upon arrival, the meeting was dismissed and the only word that struck my mind is “I’M DEAD”. We friends were scolded by our commandant. We tried to explain but we have no fight to him.

That’s my experience last January 25 and I treasure and consider it as a good memory to cherish and keep. Even though I didn’t enjoyed the festivity, I enjoyed having with my friends.

Days of this Quarter

At this time, I am now one step closer to my graduation. Another chapter of my High School Life is ending and I am getting there. I can’t imagine that yesterday I was just a freshman, familiarizing the different cycles of our high school, but now I am already a senior and yet graduating.

Anyway, I would like to reminisce some happenings of this third Quarter.

There were times that I had not attended my classes because of some Extra-Curricular activities such as the Division Schools Press Conference, the Regional Press Conference and the Vigan City Longganisa Festival. Because of these, I missed lessons that gave me difficulties and became nervous to our periodical examination but thanks to the DEPED memorandum order stating that “ no grade of a student shall go down if he or she represented the school for contests “.

But I tell you, I still learned much this quarter. In ICT, I learned how to make a web design using the Microsoft Frontpage but got a little bit mad because we don’t have a computer to use at our schools computer room because our computer before malfunctioned. For that reason, we installed frontpage to my loptop. Me and my groupmate made it but unfortunately we were short of time because of those Extra-Curricular activities. I also encountered the different font attributes, image attributes, href attributes to enhance the html links. I found it hard especially; we need to use the right tags and other stuffs during our hands-on activities.

Aside from that we have to make an indie film. For that, we needed to sleep over at the house of our colleague and finish it. And we seriously had a sleepless night.

This Quarter was a tough one. And I hope that the next Quarter would be easier and lighter.

FIREWORKS

The old year has gone. Let the dead bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock time. The merry year is born! Like the bright berry from the naked thorn! New Year, a new life, a new chapter, and a new challenge.

New Year celebration is very common in this world. Each one of us have different beliefs according to this celebration. Most of us Filipinos collect twelve to thirteen different circular fruits and display it on the dining table, scatter some coins at the floor, were red shirts or even polka doted clothing and lit some fireworks so that bad spirits would go away and let the good spirits stay.

Most people in this world have New Year’s resolutions. They do this for them to improve their personality as a human being. Some take this as an opportunity to rejuvenate themselves and stand from the mud that they sunk through. And some took this as guidance in taking the right path. But through the years that has gone. I don’t really have resolutions for myself because I am already contented for what I have and for what I am. Everything really changes but the “REN” you met from the first year of our friendships would still be the “REN” that you will encounter in the future.

As the fireworks blasted in the sky, I myself felt a new hope. A new hope that would encourage me to be still in fighting for my life.
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let each new year find you a better man. A prosperous NEW YEAR!!!!!

For the First Time

Every people in the world celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, which do they call Christmas. As they say, Christmas is the time of sharing, loving and giving. People buy gifts and exchange it through their families and friends. They intend to wait until Christmas Eve ends, and encounter Christmas at twelve midnight.

According to some analyses, Filipinos are the ones who celebrate the longest Christmas. Because when the month of September strikes, they are now starting to shop for Christmas gifts, start putting Christmas decors and more.

Different cultures and different traditions may only be the one which create our Christmas unlike from each other. But no one and nothing could modify the true essence of Christmas which is great affection, everlasting love and faithfulness to God.

As a Filipino teenager, wishes for Christmas are rolling into my mind. The number one wishes are materialistic things. But, I came to realize that no material thing could ever change the love that my family are giving to me. And that’s the BEST Christmas gift I would ever have.

This Christmas, I was lonely. Because, I’m the only one who attended “misa de gallo” at our parish and have “noche buena” at our dining table with chairs unfilled and just me silently eating. At that time, negative insights are starting to infect my mind. And because of that, I felt a Christmas without my family beside me. But that is just okay compared to all the past Christmas years that I’m with them laughing and bonding. Even though I felt that they are not with me that day. I was not standing alone because I have my friends who also love and care about myself. I am so lucky.

Before I end this simple composition, I would like to say that the most meaningful Christmas gift I have now is my life, because without it, I would never see the beauty of this world where God created for us to live and care for it. Don’t let Christmas only be at December 25 but let it each day. Merry Christmas!!!