A Feast of Culture

The Kannawidan Festival is a vibrant celebration in Ilocos Sur, that is deeply rooted in the Ilocano tradition of "kannawidan," meaning "feasting together." This annual event serves as a powerful showcase of Ilocano culture, history, and values. Through colorful parades, traditional music and dance and cultural exhibits, the festival brings the province's rich heritage to life. It's the time where locals reconnect with their roots and share their unique identity with visitors, fostering a sense of pride and community.

Beyond its culture, the tourists and locals create a lot of opportunities for businesses, particularly through selling local handicrafts, food, and souvenirs. The festival also acts as a platform to highlight Ilocos Sur's unique attractions, encouraging tourism throughout the year, attracting visitors and generating income for the region.

Ultimately, the Kannawidan Festival is more than just a celebration, it is also an investment in the future of Ilocos Sur. By preserving and promoting its cultural heritage, the festival ensures that traditions are passed down to younger generations. It strengthens community bonds, fosters regional pride, and positions Ilocos Sur as a vibrant cultural destination. The festival is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Ilocano people and their commitment to celebrating their unique identity

The Significance of Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14th, is a joyous occasion that honors the universal language of love. The day is marked by expressions of love, gratitude, and appreciation, but have you ever wondered why we celebrate Valentine's Day?

The origins of Valentine's Day are shrouded in mystery, but the most popular legend dates back to ancient Rome. Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers. Saint Valentine, a Christian priest, defied the emperor's decree and continued to perform secret marriages. When Emperor Claudius II discovered this, he had Valentine arrested and executed on February 14th. Before his execution, Saint Valentine wrote a letter to the jailer's daughter, signing it "From your Valentine," which became the inspiration for the modern-day expression of love.

Over the centuries, Valentine's Day has evolved, and its significance extends beyond the romantic love between couples. It's not just about the love with your partner but also yourself and your family.This day serves as a reminder to appreciate and express gratitude for the people who bring joy and meaning to our lives. So, how do people express their affection on Valentine's Day? The ways are countless, and the imagination knows no bounds. Some people do traditional gestures like giving flowers, chocolates, or sweet letters while others prefer more personalized and creative expressions.

In conclusion, Valentine's Day is a celebration of love, gratitude, and appreciation. It's a reminder to cherish the people who bring joy and meaning to our lives whether you're celebrating with a romantic partner, friends, family, or yourself, remember to express your affection in ways that speak to the heart. 

References:

< https://www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/happy-valentines-day >

< https://www.ctsbooks.org/real-story-saint-valentine/ >

On a Quest to Research the History and Culture of Ayusan Norte

A rollercoaster of learning, laughter, and a few moments where we had a hard time. It wasn't always smooth, but the experience brought us closer as a group and gave us a deeper appreciation for our community. Our first hurdle was figuring out what on how we will start. First our leader distribute the parts to each members to work on the part that is assigned to us. We brainstormed, throw out ideas and type on what we can add about the history and culture of Ayusan Norte by searching online.

In here, we tried to acquire more information  by going to the barangay of Ayusan Norte to at least know more about it's history and culture.

Then we interacted with the barangay kapitan to ask permission in exploring the history and culture. We were able to get the information we need for our research. It gave us a firsthand understanding of the history and culture about Ayusan Norte.

We also took pictures of the vibrant community. 

After that we head back and well we were hungry so we took a break for a while before continuing our research. We had fun eating and talking forgetting the stress we had on making our research.

Finally, it was time to type our research and prepare our presentation. This involved many late nights and a healthy dose of teamwork. We all helped each other for us to finish our CBR. Eventually we finished it because of the teamwork we have. The rest, when we were done presenting our CBR to the class, we felt relieved because it was finally finish. :)

My Third Quarter Journey

This quarter felt like diving headfirst into the world of web development and honestly, it's been a rollercoaster! Despite some of the difficulties that I have experienced in coding I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of them. The biggest "aha!" moment, though, came with CBR. It's like having a mental library of past problems and solutions to draw from since we have to acquire the needed information and apply the lessons in html that we have tackled in the research with our group mates.

I'm realizing that it's not just for coding but a whole way of thinking that I can apply to pretty much anything. Like with any challenge, I just kept at it. Online tutorials, asking classmates for help and lots of practice got me through the struggles. 

Now I'm looking forward to what's next. I want to dive deeper into CSS and really polish my web design skills. I'm really excited about how much I can learn in the next quarter. 

References:

< https://images.app.goo.gl/ukNFM2p1RJmvkXhs5 >

< https://images.app.goo.gl/eMguRydEi51qQpKB9 >

< https://images.app.goo.gl/fnNc3DQojdRstCjo9 >

A Shared Celebration

The air hums with anticipation, a feeling you can smell the smoky scent of incense drifting from family altars. Red lanterns swing gently in the breeze, even if you don't have a drop of Chinese blood in you, you can't help but feel caught up in the magic.  

This time of year is deeply personal especially to the chinese people. It's a chance to reconnect with their roots, to share the stories of their ancestors and they would also pray or wish for good health and fortune. In my perspective, Filipinos observe that this celebration is a way to honor their past while celebrating the present, a beautiful reminder of how their heritage has shaped who they are.

But Chinese New Year in the Philippines isn't just for those with Chinese ancestry. It's a celebration that's woven into the fabric of Filipino culture, a shared experience that brings communities together. Whatever it is, there's something about the festive atmosphere that draws everyone in. It's a time for families to gather, to share a meal, to laugh, and enjoy. It's a reminder that even though we may come from different backgrounds, we all share the same hopes for happiness, prosperity, and a fresh start.  

References:

< https://images.app.goo.gl/HB1ZkNoAjxkcdoDs9 >

< https://images.app.goo.gl/mdrqEMMhcKnqwZgE9>

< https://images.app.goo.gl/BD5AK1o4nxH68duY >