Someday?

            Someday is not far away. So, dreaming or aiming to be like one is not that bad as long as the dream you’re yearning for is realistic, and attainable.

            I have been thinking for several times in my 4^th Year life what would I be in the future. I can be a lawyer, a doctor, a nurse, an accountant, an engineer, a self-employed individual, or maybe just a woman. But, I won’t let myself be just an ordinary woman walking on the street.

            I only have few days in high school. Next would be college, the last and final step in preparation for the future. I feel nervous and at the same time in high spirits, because finally, I am about to reap the fruits of my labor in four years. I am about to take my one big step closer to a higher and more complicated way of living. But before entering college, I need to choose well what course I would take. I am in to science so, maybe, I’ll go for Bachelor of Science in Biology or Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Any of these two may do, as long as I end up in Medicine, if God permits.

            Someday, I want to see myself on foot at the corridors of a hospital as a pediatrician. I would be very glad if I will be wearing or having an identification card which has a print, “CHRISTINE ANN L. REQUILMAN, M.D.” I want to see myself as a doctor in the near future.

            

To Be An ICT Student

            

                Manipulating a computer is never new to me. In fact, I have been in to technology since I had the sense and capability to think. But, is expertise to computer same as familiarity with Information Communication Technology?

            What is Information Communication Technology or ICT anyway? Well, according to techtarget.com, ICT  is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning. ICTs are often spoken of in a particular context, such as ICTs in education, health care, or libraries. The term is somewhat more common outside of the United States.

According to the European Commission, the importance of ICTs lies less in the technology itself than in its ability to create greater access to information and communication in underserved populations. Many countries around the world have established organizations for the promotion of ICTs, because it is feared that unless less technologically advanced areas have a chance to catch up, the increasing technological advances in developed nations will only serve to exacerbate the already-existing economic gap between technological "have" and "have not" areas. Internationally, the United Nations actively promotes ICTs for Development (ICT4D) as a means of bridging the digital device.

            For me, expertise in computer is different from knowing ICT; because you don’t have to know everything about computer to be an ICT student at Ilocos Sur National High School. 

                 It has already been about 9 months since I first entered the door of computer room 3. Well at first, I wasn't comfortable dealing with a new teacher. Aside from our teacher is Mrs. Evelyn VERA CRUZ, she is also a fashionista, and a talented teacher. But as time flew, I got myself in to the system of having a new teacher and in to the system of having an ICT subject. It wasn't really that hard. Our lessons can be easily understood (for me). The blogging, html tags, links, and Adobe Photoshop to name a few. Not because I said it is not hard, doesn't mean no-need-to-review-my-lessons. To be an ICT student, one must have the fiery desire to learn. One must be patient, willing, and focused on the subject. 

                 I only have a month left in ISNHS, the times when I laugh, sing, talk loudly, and giggle in the computer room 3 will soon be called MEMORIES. But before it comes, I would like to thank my classmates and ICT teacher for being of great assistance and help in my learning process about ICT. Thank you!

Kannawidan Festival

   Each place has its own pride. It can either be its heritage, arts, ethnicity, traditions, products, or people. But, it can also be all the things which have been pointed out that bring a place into the pedestal.

            Ilocos Sur is a prefecture of the Philippines situated in the Ilocos Region. It is delimited by Ilocos Norte and Abra to the north, Mountain Province to the east, La Union and Benguet to the south, and the West Philippine Sea to the west. It is subdivided into thirty-two municipalities and two cities. Its municipalities are Alilem, Banayoyo, Bantay, Burgos, Cabugao, Caoayan, Cervantes, Galimuyod, Gregorio del Pilar, Lidlidda, Magsingal, Nagbukel, Narvacan, Quirino, Salcedo, San Emilio, San Esteban, San Ildefoso, San Juan, San Vicente, Santa, Sta. Catalina, Santa Cruz, Santa Lucia, Santa Maria, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Sigay, Sinait, Sugpon, Suyo, and Tagudin. Vigan City and Candon City are the cities of Ilocos Sur.

            The people of Ilocos Sur are engaged in agricultural stuffs, producing food crops, typically rice, corn, vegetable, root crops, and fruits. Non-food crops incorporate tobacco, cotton, and tiger grass. Cottage industries include loom weaving, furniture making, jewelry making, ceramics, blacksmithing, and food processing. Ilocos Sur is known for its only one of its kind and mouth-watering delicacies. The apex of the list is Vigan’s lip smacking empanada and longganisa, San Ildefonso’s succulent Basi, Sugpon’s tempting ube, Sta. Maria’s saccharine Balicucha, Santo Domingo’s wholesome squash noodles and many other food products.

Ilocos Sur is recognized by the numerous tourist attractions. One of these is the Heritage City of Vigan which was etched in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Vigan City is famous due to its houses which dole out as the most integral illustration of a Spanish colonial town in Asia. Other spots include pottery making and other forms of cottage industries. It also has hotels built in the "bahay na bato" style. Also located in the city is the residence of Father Jose Burgos, which is open to the public; and the Syquia Mansion, which is the Vigan residence of former President Elpidio. It is notable due to its natural spots like the beaches in Cabangtalan in Sinait, also known as Imelda's Cove, Pug-os in Cabugao, and the towns of Santa, Santa Maria, Santiago, San Esteban, and Candon. Ilocos Sur is also known for its churches. Most noteworthy of these churches include the Vigan Cathedral which is the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia, and where the remains of the Ilocano poet Leona Florentino is interred, Santa Maria Church which is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, Candon Church which has a grand facade and is famous for its tall bell tower and the longest painting in the Philippines, and Sinait Church which houses the miraculous Statue of the Black Nazarene.

Ilocos Sur has many to boast but, even the children of this place don’t know the hidden beauty of their motherland. Due to this problem, the government sought to have a festival which commemorates the things Ilocos Sur has. KANNAWIDAN Festival was brought out. Here, people could see, touch, and feel the essence of being an ILOCANO. 

"On this 16th anniversary of Kannawidan, we have enough reason to be proud and happy because we are reaping the fruits of the seed we planted many years ago. Kannawidan has lived up to its mission and vision, that of preserving and perpetuating the rich Iloco cultural, artistic, historical and intellectual heritage." said by the President of Kannawidan Foundation. 

Let us not forget the beauty of our own realm. Be proud cause Ilocos Sur soars high and is being known in the entire world.

EQUALITY

“All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.” Or in other words, “The law is the same for everyone; it should be applied in the same way to all.”
The principle of equality before the law is especially important for groups that are in the minority, such as indigenous people, or groups that have less political or other power, such as the poor. This also means that judges, government officials and police are also answerable to the same body of law.
We were all created equally by God. We were made with equal chances, equal rights and equal opportunities. So, we must live by the rule of equality.

Reflection

Three-Fourths of my last year in high school had already ended. The 8 months of laughter, trips, and school stuffs will finish soon. It’s very sad to know that I am about to leave the most challenging and enjoyable chapter of my life, as they say. I’m about to leave my office as the Supreme Student Government President so as the paper works I usually do. I am about to leave the four walls of IV-Maxwell and soon be called an alumni of Ilocos Sur National High School.

What have I done this grading peiod? I had many extra-curricular activities again. I joined different leadership trainings, seminars, and contests. I participated in the National Leadership Training, Regional Leadership Training, Regional Schools Press Conference, Division Schools Press Conference, and Division S.T.E.P Business Planning. Because of these activities, there are times that I missed my lessons. It was hard to cope up but with the help of my teachers and kind classmates, I was able to learn our lessons. In our ICT, I learned about HTML Tags. 

Keeping in Mind Our Mother Tongue

It has already been embedded in our minds that English language is the universal language. English is used everywhere we go. We utilize English in our street signs, magazines, movies we watch, instructions, words in the internet, and communicating with people around the globe. Thus, we want to learn, be proficient, and be masters in the English language. It’s is always a big WOW for me if I meet a fluent individual with her speech and writings in perfect and idiomatic English. I also want to be like them, I say.

Because of the big impact or influence of the Americans in our lives, we now forget our very own dialect. We tend to use English or Filipino than the Iloko dialect. It is indubitable that the majority of Ilocanos put out of their minds our mother tongue.  This is a big shame on the dialect. A number of populace whose roots are in Ylocos doesn’t know how to speak Iloko anymore, if they do know, just the basics. We, Ilocanos are very lucky to have our own language. Additionally, our Yloko dialect is splendid and very different from the other dialects. So, we must value, appreciate, and use it properly.

It’s not bad to be educated about other languages. It’s just that, we must not replace our own to the things we’ve just learned.

New Year, New Me!

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

2011, the year of the Metal Rabbit has already reached its good bye. It has been a year filled with many various challenges and obstacles where I travelled uphill slopes. It took me a lot of effort and patience to withstand and defy all of the challenges that came my way. And because of these experiences I had, I was nurtured into a person with control, integrity and principle. Last 2011, I do believe that I was shaped and molded to be what I am now – a better person. But, being a better person is not enough. Still, I have attitudes which aren’t according to God’s will. I still have imperfections, weaknesses, and negativities which I want to eradicate in my being. This 2012, I want to improve myself.

First is the LAZINESS to work. Honestly, I don’t help in the household-chores. I just watch movies, listen to different genres of music, send SMS’s, surf the net, and eat all day long. I am a child who never helped my mom do things at home. Yeah! I do believe I’m not alone. Don’t deny! I am also lazy to study my lessons cause of the vices; I mean the “texting and surfing thingies”. I waste my time for these activities of mine.

Second, it’s very hard for me to FORGIVE and FORGET my enemies. I must develop the sense of forgiveness in my heart so I could build an edifice of love and friendship for my future. Forgiving is not  as easy as eating a pie because we need to remove our self-centeredness, and pride before we could forgive. Forgiveness must also be sincerely done and given.

Third is falling in love easily. Hey, this is a common problem of teenagers, and I am one of these teens. This is tough, to avoid falling in love. But, thanks to my BFF Timangzkey(Fatima joy Rojo) and BFF Demetriyowzkey(Jude Demetrich Rojo), I am definitely sure I can do this. They will help me accomplish the goal of not falling in love this year. J haha

Well, I have many more imperfections, but I do believe that broadcasting those won’t help me erase those imperfections. I PROMISE to do my very best to improve my personality. 

CHANGE for the BETTER!

“Change is the only permanent thing in this world.” It is a passage which was passed on from single generation to a different age band. An old adage but if you come up to reflect on it, it delineates veracity.

We are all living below one sky with different horizons to take, but as we journey through it, we all submit ourselves unto same and gradual process called CHANGE. I have been hearing the word “change” in my day-to-day living. I hear it from a kid, an adolescent, a married woman, a politician, an abused man, a criminal and even people rallying in the streets. Change has been along with us from the day of our birth and of course until our death. Change is known to be the twin brother of existence. We can never escape this process of life, for life itself is a process of change.

Well, change touches a variety of different subject matters. But, I want to focus on the change WE can do in building the world an enhanced situate to live in.

In our generation of today, we can never deny that the government has many flaws; flaws which are the causes of the slowing down of the progress in our economy. Politicians during campaign periods  or near elections always say they will be the catalysts of change and the advocates of good life. But, when the day of service comes, SOME of them already forgot the people who made them sit in their offices. SOME of these politicians already forgot their promises. “Pangakong Napako” as we Filipinos say. These politicians just think for themselves. As long as they get money and they live happily, they do believe that life will go on. But, what about the other people to whom which the stolen money is for? What about the people who believed those lies? Is that just it? How could we all achieve economic progress with these kinds of leaders? Leaders, technically, they are just politicians not leaders. It is high time for us to choose and think if the politicians to whom we entrust our state are really the right people.

But, hey, I think I forgot one factor that slows down the economic progress. It shouldn’t all be blamed to the politicians; for, we all have our individual responsibilities for ourselves and to the country. We should also do the right things. We should change the bad practices we used to do. We should change the negative aspects of our lives. We all must change for the better. Can you?

The Anomalous Changing of the Earth's Climate

                According to scientists or the people studying the conditions of the Earth, climate change is a considerable and lifelong change in the statistical circulation of weather outlines over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average time. Thus, CLIMATE CHANGE is but NORMAL! But, what is the clear, catastrophic threat discussed by people in the networking sites and by other means of communication?

            Climate change by itself is normal, but the RAPID changing of the Earth’s climate is already anomalous.  Rapid climate change has been a tangible predicament and its continuation is not capable of denying. It is one of the most perilous technical, fiscal pressures faced by mankind of this year and the generations to come.

There are loads of features leading to this issue, such as greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, fossil fuels and many other things. Even though it would be fooling oneself to consider that humans had nonentity to execute with it, the truth is that human tricks caused downbeat effects on climate change. We are entitled to be the suspects of the destruction of Mother Earth. Save for, we could still do something to work things out. However, it will take time and a gradual process to rehabilitate what was destroyed.

We could join many diverse environmental commotions. Or, make our own individual movements in saving our home. We could plant a tree. We must practice the 3R’s which is the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. We could be catalysts and advocates of nature even in our own simple ways. So, let us dare to help, and begin giving effort for Earth.

Climate change is such a colossal issue that entails sturdy, rigorous, unfailing and lasting action not only from the government but as well as the people in the community.
Climate change is factual. The science is persuasive. And more time we waste, the tougher the hitch will be to solve.

Yuletide Season: Where is the Love?

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."

~ Norman Vincent Peale

Every boy and girl awaits for the Christmas season. They long for it because for sure big gifts will be in hand. As Christmas breeze is felt, people begin to decorate their houses. They place Christmas tree, Christmas lights and other shinny and glittery decors. Parents as well as their children tries to hang some socks in their curtain believing that Santa Clause is coming to town. Even though we don’t experience white Christmas as the other country does, I believe that the true essence of Christmas is not about snow, but, it is within the heart of a man filled with love and caress for others.

My Christmas Vacation with my family was different this time. We never went to other places but still, we enjoyed every day of it. First and foremost to be done at this season is to attend the Misa de Gallo. Our family also wanted to thank for the blessings God has bestowed us for the entire year. For us, last Christmas was the perfect time to thank everyone for the kindness they brought in our lives. Second thing I remember that we did is to eat all that we can do. (hahaha) My mom did cook many for our family. And unsurprisingly, my belly got bigger this time. Third thing we did is to play games. We played to eradicate boredom this season and to let time fly without noticing it did. Fourth thing I remember we did was to dance and dance the whole night. Sure thing it was fun especially I’m good at it. I’m not that boastful, am I? Fifth and last thing we did was of course, gift giving. My mom,aunt,cousins and I gave gifts to each other. I can’t forget this because I got some gifts I really wished for.

Few days passed by and it’s already New Year. Again, we did the same thing last christmas but there is something new. Of course the beautiful and amazing fireworks display. I captured some fireworks exploding in the sky. This night I jumped really hard wishing that I’ll grow taller. Until now I am hoping that someday I’ll reach 5’6 as my height. Since classes aren't in yet, my friends and I planned to have a picnic at at Sabangan Beach, San Vicente Ilocos Sur. Fatima Rojo, Jude Demtetrich Rojo, Mediatrix Javier, Tatus Jericho Forges, and Tom Ishrael Filart were my companions. I had the best day of vacation with them. My yuletide season was truly a big blast.

We must remember that Christmas is not just receiving.

As a matter of fact, it’s about sharing,loving and thanking.