A Fiesta for St. Paul

 At the start of the fiesta, I couldn't really go out because I had to review for my exams, which was my excuse to watch Apothecary Diaries until 8pm and then study. However, I did find out through a friend of a friend that ISNHS had won at the parade and I felt very proud.

At the 2nd day of the fiesta, me and my friends decided to finally go out and found out there was a contest. 

The first contestant was a lady who dressed up as a cat, or another animal, who knows.

Her singing was quite good though.

There were more contestants, but the performances that I liked were the group with the disco hip-hop theme,

The people who wore blue tracksuits,

And another individual who sang "Your Man" by Josh Turner in the style of Misstres.

As for the 3rd day of the fiesta, I had not come either as when I had risen from bed, the light of the sun was already hitting my skin and it was past 8 am, and had to do chores. Nevertheless, the festival was very much enjoyed as it celebrates the day when St. Paul had been converted.

To Learn Anew: A 3rd Quarter Reflection

 In the time of 3rd quarter, I realized that basic coding wasn't as easy as I thought. The one lesson I was very much confused at was frames.

 I didn't know which part was to go to that part and so on. At first, I had thought that maybe it was in the order, but I only got that partially correct. The other variable that affects the frames is the "<frames>" and "<frameset>". 

Luckily in the exams, we didn't have to do it by hand, but instead, we only had to find errors. This made me realize my shortcomings as I have only relied on the hands on activities to learn instead of also listening to my teacher. For this upcoming quarter, I plan to listen as much as I can so I won't have to cram my review on chat gpt ever again.

A Hero Timelessly Remembered

 José Rizal’s greatest contribution to Philippine society was awakening Filipino national consciousness through his writings and ideas. At a time when the Philippines was under Spanish colonial rule, many Filipinos accepted injustice as normal. Rizal used his talent as a writer, intellectual, and reform advocate to expose social abuses and inspire pride in Filipino identity. His works encouraged Filipinos to reflect critically on their condition and seek dignity and justice for their country.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jose-Rizal?

Rizal’s two most famous novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, 

vividly depicted the cruelty, corruption, and inequality of Spanish colonial rule. These stories spoke directly to the experiences of everyday Filipinos and helped awaken a shared sense of injustice and national unity. Noli Me Tangere exposed the ills of society through personal stories, while El Filibusterismo challenged colonial power more deeply, showing how oppression could push people toward radical change. Together, these works helped spark and shape Filipino nationalism.

https://www.joserizal.com/rizal-life/jose-rizal-philippines-national-hero/?

  Beyond his novels, Rizal wrote essays and articles for the reform movement, pushing for equal rights, secular education, and representation for Filipinos under Spanish rule. 

He also founded La Liga Filipina, an organization aimed at civic unity and peaceful reforms. Although he did not advocate violent revolution, his criticism of injustice and calls for reform influenced future leaders and fueled the struggle that eventually led to Philippine independence.

https://www.joserizal.com/works/noli-and-fili-comparison/

In summary, José Rizal’s greatest contribution to Philippine society was not only his literature, but also the powerful ideas of justice, dignity, and national identity he shared with his people. These ideals helped unite Filipinos, encouraged reform efforts, and laid the intellectual foundations for the nation’s path toward self-determination. His legacy continues to shape the country’s values and collective memory today.   

Celebrate our Locals, Celebrate Our Cultures!

 Every October, the Philippines celebrates National Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month, honoring the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous communities across the country. 

The 2025 theme, "Weaving Culture, Enriching Future: Empowering Indigenous Communities as Bedrock of Sustainable Development," 

highlights the vital role Indigenous Peoples play in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable nation.

Indigenous cultures are deeply rooted in respect for nature, community cooperation, and ancestral knowledge passed down through generations.

Mga Bata, Protektahan

 The 2025 National Children's Month Celebration highlights the urgent need to protect children from Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM). With the theme "Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata, Ipaglaban!", this year's observance calls on everyone to defend children's safety and uphold their rights, especially in the digital world.

As children become more active online, they face greater risks that threaten their well-being and dignity. This celebration reminds parents, schools, communities, and institutions that protecting children is a shared responsibility. Through awareness, education, and action, we can help create safe spaces where children are empowered, heard, and protected.

Ending OSAEC and CSAEM is a collective fight. By standing together, we protect not only children's rights, but also their future.

An Unforgettable Break

On the first couple of days of Christmas break, I only stayed at home and watched series and movies like Mischievous Kiss 2009, Lucifer, Beetlejuice, Lisa Frankenstein, Frankenstein, Nosferatu, The Good Doctor, and more. In Mischievous Kiss, I have learned from the main character not to fall for a guy who is mean to you.

In Beetlejuice, I reminded myself that if I should ever sign a contract, I should read and analyze its contents.

In these movies and series, I have learned some things that should have been engraved on my mind long ago.

And then, on December 24th, my relatives from Antipolo arrived, and we then went to beaches like Puerto, and to where our family house was and stayed there overnight.

In the morning, my cousin, brother Israel, had invited me to take the bangsa and go farther to the family house so we could swim more freely, as the waters near the family house are usually shallow and low tide .

That day, I experienced for the first time swimming and jumping in deep waters without having a vest on, along with their driver, my other cousin, sister Maya, and my cousin in law, sister Grace. It was a truly fun experience for me.

When December 26th came my relatives from Antipolo had to leave because they had other trips to go to. At the same time, my relatives and cousins ​​from Cainta came home. Me and my cousin, Kai, caught up with each other, and he also decided to show me some of the weird encounters he met on discord. I was never on discord much, but I didn't know the discord servers there were very questionable. So then we told each other some more gossips that we heard while we ate a matcha tiramisu given by my mom. The next day, we went swimming. Again. I was still tired from his last swim, and my shoulders were still aching, so I decided to just watch over them and build sand castles. On December 28th, my relatives from Cainta had to leave again, and now I await their next visit for 2027.

The Life of the 5th President of the Philippines: Elpidio Quirino

 Elpidio Quirino was the 5th president of the Philippines, serving from 1948 to 1953, and is remembered as one of the most influential leaders of the post-war era. He came from Vigan, Ilocos Sur, where he was born and raised. Born on November 16, 1890, Quirino grew up in a humble and financially struggling family. His father worked as a jail guard and sometimes tried running small businesses to support the family, while his mother stayed at home and focused on raising the children with strong values, discipline, and respect for education.

Despite not having much money, Quirino showed determination from a young age. He studied hard and eventually earned the opportunity to attend law school at the University of the Philippines, a remarkable achievement for someone from a poor background during that time. His perseverance paid off when he passed the bar exam in 1915, marking the beginning of his long journey in public service. From being a simple provincial boy, he slowly worked his way up through talent, dedication, and a genuine desire to serve the country.

Throughout his political career, Quirino held various positions, including serving as a representative, senator, and vice president. After the death of President Manuel Roxas, he stepped into the presidency during one of the most challenging periods in Philippine history—when the country was recovering from the devastation of World War II. His leadership shaped the rebuilding of the nation and helped lay the foundation for future economic progress.

Today, the house where Quirino lived with his wife in Vigan stands as a museum, welcoming both tourists and locals. This museum preserves his childhood environment, family history, and early life struggles, while also showcasing his achievements as a national leader. It serves as a reminder of how a boy from a modest home in Ilocos Sur rose to become president, proving that determination and education can open doors to great possibilities.