Our CBR Journey

    In this picture, we are brainstorming additional ideas and information to include in our Community-Based Research paper. We are also discussing how we will conduct interviews with people after completing our surveys.

    In these pictures, we interviewed the former barangay captain and the current barangay captain of Don Dimas Querubin and Don Lorenzo. They shared that the "Three Dons" barangays were once a single community called "Poblacion" in the past. It was later divided to create a better-managed community, with the highest-ranking official of Poblacion assigning the three Dons, marking the beginning of the separation. We also obtained two historical documents about Poblacion, which were provided by the barangay captain of Don Dimas Querubin.

Making our CBR paper, and doing our parts given to our leader.

    In this picture, we are designing a web page based on the content of our paper. Although we encountered some coding challenges, we overcame them through the magic of teamwork.

    In this picture, we are halfway through our web page design; we just need to add some pictures and colors.

    Finally, in this picture, we have completed our web page design and briefly polished it, resulting in a great outcome. We also presented our web page design, and the result was excellent.

    I believe we couldn't have made this Community-Based Research (CBR) successful without proper communication and teamwork. Just enjoy and learn throughout the process—it will all be worth it! :))

 

Third Wave

     During this learning period, I gained valuable knowledge in coding HTML frames and lists. This experience helped me understand how to structure web pages and organize content effectively. Additionally, we conducted a community-based research (CBR) project, which allowed me to develop research skills and apply them to a real-world topic. After completing the research, we created a web design based on our findings, and I was assigned to write the conclusion, which helped me improve my summarization and analytical skills.

    One of the challenges I encountered during the CBR project was gathering reliable data from the community. Some of the respondents were unresponsive or hesitant to share their insights, which made it difficult to complete the research on time. The lack of sufficient data delayed our progress and added stress to the project.

    Another challenge I faced was designing the layout of our web project. I struggled with making it visually appealing and user-friendly. Since I was not very confident in web design, I found it difficult to choose the right structure, colors, and elements to make the website both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

    To overcome these challenges, I sought help from my friend. For the CBR issue, I reached out to additional community members and clarified the purpose of the research to gain more support. For the design challenge, my friend guided me in making better design choices and provided useful suggestions to improve the layout. Their assistance helped me gain more confidence and learn new techniques that I can apply in future projects.

    Moving forward, I will continue to improve my web design skills by practicing and exploring different design techniques. I will also enhance my problem-solving abilities to handle future challenges more independently and efficiently.

Year of the Snake

     Chinese New Year, more commonly known as the Lunar New Year, is one of the most widely celebrated events in the world. In the Philippines, it remains significant for many Filipinos and particularly within communities holding strong Chinese influence. But why do Filipinos celebrate Chinese New Year? Let's dive into how deep the roots of connection between the two cultures are and how this exciting tradition continues to gain much-needed momentum in the country.

    First, Chinese traders have been in the history of interplay with the Philippines dating back to the pre-colonial times. Over time, Chinese migrants became part of the life that makes up the Filipino society, and Filipinos have business, food, and language from China as well as traditions. Most Filipinos keep up their culture and celebrating Chinese New Year a way of paying respects to one's parentage.

    Second, one of the most critical reasons for Filipinos to join in the Chinese New Year celebration is because of their belief that good luck and prosperity will shower the new year on them. Filipino families of different ancestry tend to embrace Chinese traditions like showing lucky charms, wearing red, and doing special dishes believed to bring good fortune.

    Meanwhile, however, other streets in Chinatown, which is the oldest in the world, especially areas like Binondo, in China, erupt with glorious celebrations for Chinese New Year. The most significant activity seen there is dragon and lion dances, fireworks, and ang pao, which are red envelopes containing money. Even shopping malls, schools, and offices hold cultural performances and give exclusive promotions.

    The celebration of Chinese New Year in the Philippines reflects the country's rich multicultural identity. The event showcases the warmth with which Filipinos take on traditions of other cultures, embracing them to become part of their own traditions. The holidays provide a strong opportunity to reenforce familial bonds, spread unity, and bring joy throughout communities. As we celebrate Chinese New Year 2025, we meet again as Filipinos in the spirit of festivity for this tradition, which symbolizes prosperity, harmony, and respect for another culture.

 Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). Chinese New Year. Britannica. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chinese-New-Year

Better Homes & Gardens. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.bhg.com/holidays/new-years/traditions/what-is-the-chinese-new-year/

Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.kkday.com/en-sg/blog/27383/asia-philippines-why-experiencing-the-lunar-new-year-in-binondo-manila-is-a-must

Asia Society Philippines. (n.d.). Chinese New Year celebrated in the Philippines. Asia Society. https://asiasociety.org/philippines/chinese-new-year-celebrated-philippines

Time and Date AS. (n.d.). Lunar New Year's Day 2025 in Philippines. Time and Date. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/philippines/lunar-new-year-day

A Historical Journey to Vigan Cityhood

A Historical Journey to Vigan Cityhood

    
    Known for its cultural treasures and colonial buildings, Vigan is a beloved jewel of the Philippines. Vigan, as humble as it appeared at first sight of a municipality from the past was worthy of a destination to take notice and to be explored.

    Prior to being a city on its own, Vigan was known as a municipality and was touted as a hub of commerce and culture in the Spanish colonial times. Cobblestone streets, ancestral houses, and the street named Calle Crisologo became representative of its historical significance. Pottery and weaving were among local industries that thrived and provided the backbone of its economy. That led to floods of search traffic that found a dearth of results outside of the museums; tourism still existed, but not as a priority, serving more as a custodian of its international reputation for culture and history. Despite their limited means, Vigan’s inhabitants appreciated the value of their legacy, and even then the place was a cherished travel destination.

    The foundation eventually paid off when Vigan was officially awarded cityhood in 2001. This ushered in a new era of growth and development, giving the local government more tools to develop infrastructure, incentivize tourism, and defend its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Cityhood also brought new economic opportunities and cultural preservation. This had developed into an important industry, and modern amenities were brought in to facilitate tourism. In its wake, festivals such as the Longganisa Festival and Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of Arts became showcase celebrations of the city’s heritage, calling visitors from around the world.

    
    Today, Vigan City is the beautiful blend of the old and the new. It is still a sign of cultural preservation, where historic sites are well preserved but also events that advance in the local population's standard of living. It has also opened doors for education, healthcare, and livelihood to its citizens, and gives its people "a glimpse of a future brighter." The city is so great that, in 2015, it was voted one of the New 7 Wonders Cities, cementing its status as a word-renowned tourist destination.

    From municipality to city, Vigan has traversed the journey of its historical, cultural, architectural, and economic heritage through its resilience and continuing commitment to preserving its unique identity. In honoring its past and embracing change, Vigan sure is an inspiration to all. This story is a reminder that progress and tradition can exist side by side, sculpting a city that still inspires the hearts and knees of locals and tourists alike. 






References:
Pinterest. (n.d.). [Old photo of Vigan City]. Pinterest. Retrieved January 26, 2025, from https://ph.pinterest.com/pin/344947652681667003/
iStock. (n.d.). Vigan City photos. Retrieved January 26, 2025, from https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/vigan-
iStock. (n.d.). Vigan City photos. Retrieved January 26, 2025, from https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/vigan-city
New7Wonders. (n.d.). Vigan, Philippines. Retrieved January 26, 2025, from https://cities.new7wonders.com/wonders/vigan-
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Vigan. In Wikipedia. Retrieved January 26, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigan

A New Chapter

    A new year brings a fresh start, and with it, the hope for a "new year, new me." Looking back, 2024 was a year of ups and downs. I experienced moments of joy and success that made me feel proud, but there were also challenges that tested my strength and patience. From achieving small victories to overcoming obstacles, each moment shaped me into a stronger person. I learned to embrace the good days and get up the tough ones, knowing that both are essential for growth.

    Through it all, I learned lessons that I will carry to my next journey. I learned the importance of  patience, and staying true to myself even in difficult times. I also realized how important it is to cherish the people who support me and to never take moments of happiness for granted. With these lessons in mind, I’ve set my New Year’s resolutions to focus more on self, improve my time management, and work harder toward my goals while making time for the people and things I love.

 

    As I say goodbye to 2024, I hold onto the memories, lessons, and growth it brought me. It wasn’t a perfect year, but it was meaningful in its own way. Now, I look forward to 2025 with hope and excitement, ready to embrace whatever it may bring. I hope this 2025 will be great, filled with new opportunities, cherished moments, and a better version of myself. This year, I will build stronger—not just in the things I do but in the person I am becoming.

A Memorable Holiday

     
     Christmas is the season of giving, but it's not the gifts, it's the memories you make with your family. My Christmas vacation started on a special day as we celebrated my birthday on December 22. It was a simple yet meaningful day filled with love and laughter. My cousins visited us this holiday, making the celebrations even more joyful and lively. On Christmas Eve, we went to church, which made the celebration even more meaningful, as it reminded us of the true feeling of the season. That night, we feasted on a delicious spread of food that seemed endless. The warmth of family and the joy in our hearts made it a night to remember.

     On Christmas Day, the celebrations continued as we exchanged gifts and ate more food! We also played games together, which made the day even more fun and lively. The fun and joy during those games brought us even closer as a family. A few days later, we decided to take a trip to Vigan, where we strolled around its beautiful view, admired the beautiful lights, and bought plenty of souvenirs and treats. The amazing city added a memorable experience to our holiday. Afterward, we went to San Esteban for a family gathering. It was a very happy time because my cousins and lolas, whom I hadn't seen in more than a year, finally reunited with us again. It was the highlight of our vacation, as we shared countless laughs, stories, and moments that will forever be in our hearts.

     
    I didn’t receive many gifts this holiday, but I sure received many memories and love with my family.

2nd Wave of ICT

    This quarter I really dived into the wonderful world of HTML and coding tags. Here I learned how to structure pages and create meaningful layouts with headings, paragraphs, images, and links. These discoveries brought me to understand how sites are built from scratch and fostered a deeper appreciation for web development. By hands-on practice, I had confidence in writing code and applying it to create aesthetically pleasing and functionally effective designs.

    Even with the thrill of learning, there were a lot of problems encountered. Among these were debugging codes and making sure tags were closed properly so that there would be no errors. Sometimes it frustrated me to determine where exactly a mistake lay, causing disruption in the webpage layout or functionality. The syntax learning and knowing new concepts, such as attributes and nested tags, was overwhelming.

    I had to be patient and learn to check my work twice. Online tutorials and forums also helped me clear up concepts and resolve issues. Collaboration with fellow students and consulting with my teacher also got out of the way of problems, allowing me to learn more appropriately.

    

    Further on, I will keep acquiring knowledge while broadening my horizon of programming through the study of CSS and JavaScript in order to add interactivity and designs on web pages. My biggest task would be having small projects that force me to apply what I have learned and make the most use of my creativity in terms of innovation.