The Day of Valor

           

             Araw ng Kagitingan commemorates the heroism of Filipinos as well as American Soldiers way back when the Japanese occupied the Philippines during World War II. The said event is celebrated every April 9 annually. It is a non-working holiday. But how is it this year, especially the pandemic is still widespread?

Normally, roads are reserved for parades in the different localities in the country. This is to honor the Filipino war veterans who died and serve the Philippines also those who contributed military service to defend whether it be during at war or peace. In this manner, they are acknowledged to preserve our sovereignty as well as in defending citizens’ national security. Unfortunately, this is still prohibited like last year considering that the curve hasn’t flattened yet and insisting it would risk everyone’s life. Instead, people extended their gratitude to the soldiers’ deeds through online with the use of social media applications.

Filipinos are indeed patriotic. For the people who sacrificed and contributed for the country’s ascendancy are not forgotten but remembered and is celebrated each year. This is the reason why its history, culture, and tradition are preserved from generation to another generation. Even in the middle of pandemic, citizens made a way to show their unending gratitude.

References:

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/araw-ng-kagitingan/

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/philippines/araw-ng-kagitingan

Images retrieved from:

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https://excelnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Araw-ng-Kagitingan-1024x576.jpg

Lenten Season 2021

 

From the old English, Lent means ‘lengthen’. It is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. According to Father William Saunders of the Catholic Education Resource Center, "The number 40 has always had special spiritual significance regarding preparation most importantly, Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert before He began His public ministry (Matthew 4:2)."

Lent is initially fasting, both from food and festivities. Fasting is believed to deepened your relationship with God, because with this, the body reconnects to the emotion, mind and soul. During this season, Christians mainly the Roman Catholics pray for God’s forgiveness. Repenting also, recognizing and expressing sincere regret about the sins made. This year 2021, it took place from February 17 until April 1. As health protocols should be followed in the middle of pandemic, the solemn religious observance was done at home. And some churches and parishes connected to people through online. A way to deliver God’s word to individuals.

Even in the middle of the pandemic, Filipinos are indeed religious people. It wasn’t a hindrance to connect and repent to God. The sacred season this year 2021 may not be done in the traditional way but each individual had unity by heart.

 

Resource/s:

https://www.vox.com/identities/22287343/lent-fast-ash-wednesday-easter-2021-dates

https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/holidays/lent/what-is-lent-about-and-why-is-it-important.html

Images retrieved from:

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/good-friday-lent-season-and-holy-week-concept-royalty-free-image-1583865483.jpg

https://parade.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/when-is-lent.jpg

 

Empowered Women: Better Community

   

Two Out of Four Already!

Just how fast the time passes by. It feels like a while ago entering second quarter with anxiety that I will not make through the end. But a period out of four has finished already. With the topics presented, surely I gained a lot of knowledge. Also, my patience is getting better in dealing with things. Due in typing HTML files and creating blogs. As well as in learning further information and enlightenment about certain subjects I have existing understanding.

Apparently along the way, I came across with quite a few challenges. Merely because no one is faultless, and it requires enough attempts to succeed in your goal. First among the troubles is not typing the right tags in the HTML files, the output didn't turn out the way it is supposed to be. In writing blogs, I had difficulty in coming up with the titles. And I still procrastinate. Although we are already halfway through the school year. I still tend to not have time management. Dealing with my anxiety also made it inconvenient for me to cope up.

Addressing these challenges, I sought help with my classmates who have mastered our lessons and with the guidance of our teacher. I did a bunch of research to conquer these. As much as I want things to be swifted, they just don't. Change is a process as they say. And overcoming difficulties should always be partnered with self-confidence and patience. Just recently I started to practice a better routine than usual.

Moving on, I will take with me the knowledge from the learnings and leave the unnecessary matters and habits that hinder to be a better person. I will continue to work in improving myself to lessen the said difficulties. I will make sure to use my time efficiently too. And to do utmost in each of things that I will encounter.

Image retrieved from:

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Manifest Thy Love

"Nobody has ever measured, even poets, how much a heart can hold."

–Zelda Fitzgerald

As celebrated annually around the world, Valentine's Day on the 14th day of February. Valentine is a masculine name. He is a martyr Christian that was killed. He is also a saint in Rome on 3rd Century A.D. Yet the cause of his death is still mysterious. Why was he killed? Is Valentine's Day really about love or at least has a connection to it? I guess we will never know.

Rather I term it as Heart's Day.  Love unconsciously make us ecstatic. Each person has different ways to love as well as to feel appreciated. This is called love language and there are five of this. First is words of affirmation, where one is build up through compliments and positive sentiments. Acts of service, expresses by doing things, it requires thoughts, time, and effort. Receiving gifts, but it doesn't mean that someone is materialistic, it's just the feeling of happiness that one senses when be given so. Quality time, wherein someone wants nothing but your time, it makes them feel comforted. And physical touch, it includes holding hands, hugging, etc. they feel more connected and safe this way.

An important reminder for everyone to keep in mind is that God is Love. In John 3:16, it states that, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Let's not forget the One who protects, sustain, and whom we will return our everlasting life.

Above all, keeping in touch with our loved ones makes us a better person overall. Having someone who inspires and motivates is important and key to a happier life. Learning the love language of people around helps in building a stronger relationship with them. Through this, we tend to have more quality connection with the society.

Images retrieved from:

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b9/96/22/b996227b3a49ef258deadf9de1cda455.jpg

https://p.favim.com/orig/2018/11/22/background-dark-red-aesthetics-love-Favim.com-6574844.jpg

Cultural Kannawidan Ylocos Festival

        

        In the northern part of Luzon, Kannawidan Ylocos Festival is being celebrated. For the anniversary of Ilocos Sur as an independent province since February 3, 1818. Leading to its 203^rd jubilee this 2021. Kannawidan is a variant of the Ilocano word “tawid” that means heritage or inheritance. With this, Ilocano culture improves causing it to be an awaited annual celebration.

Ilocos Sur is one of the provinces that is rich when it comes to culture and tradition. Also the food and cuisine of Ilocanos are indeed delicious and unique which drives other Filipinos from different part of the Philippines as well as tourists to come and experience the said festival. For the native people are given the chance to showcase their own specialties from their own places. This is through the Food and Trade Fair. Equally with talents, performances showdown. With this, the music and dances are carried out. And usually takes place at the Tamag rounds in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. Unfortunately, as we are still in the middle of pandemic, mass gatherings are prohibited. Giving rise to the different manner of celebration. Some activities had to discontinue, some were celebrated virtually. Yet the Food and Trade Fair was immediate. Standard protocols were certainly implemented and followed.

We are aware that as years and generations pass by, people are being entertained in the field of improved technology. For that reason, it is valuable to participate with our simple actions to take part. To show appreciation and respect to our bequest.

 Images retrieved from: 

https://tawidnewsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/xKannawidan-2018-street-dancing-_2072222-600x400.jpg.pagespeed.ic.dWM6q7Y3sC.jpg

https://xrc.bomboradyo.com/vigan/2020/01/KANNAWIDAN1.jpg

Unbeatable Culture; Viva Vigan!

            Vigan is one of the oldest towns in the Philippines. And is known for its well-preserved Spanish Colonial dark-wood mansions, cobblestone street as well as clattering kalesa. The city also made it to the list of best preserved example of Spanish Colonial Towns in Asia by UNESCO. Bigueños celebrate Vigan City's Fiesta on the 25^th day of January that lasts a weeklong, in commemoration to the conversion of St. Paul Apostle, the city's patron saint. Additionaly, some establishment were made dedicated to him, mentioning the Saint Paul Metropolitan Cathedral.

               Usually the town fiesta is composed of arts and crafts exhibit, trade and food fair, street dancing performances as well as competition from different schools. Bigueños are truly talented and dedicated people, they allot plenty of their time to practice and prepare for the celebration. And that the competition is very stringent due to the great presentation of each groups.  Even tourists are attracted to celebrate.

              It is a very much awaiting celebration to Bigueños annually. But Covid-19 started last year and is still widespread up to now resulting in different way to carry out the fiesta. The yearly activities are celebrated with precautions and limitation, it is important to follow the health protocols. Recently, Trade and Food Fair just opened as part of the Kannawidan Ylocos Festival. As well as the Saniata ti Ylocos Pageant, the whole event was recorded live.

               Indeed, the pandemic didn’t stop Bigueños to celebrate the traditions and culture. Happiness still lies in every faces even at home. With the great deliverance of the contestants.

Images retrieved from:

https://primer.com.ph/tips-guides/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2016/01/Vigan-Fiesta-1024x755.jpg

https://files.pia.gov.ph/latest-articles/2021/01/29/dsc-0560.jpg