MY DREAM, MY FUTURE

“Live Your Values, Pursue Your Dreams, And Follow Your Passions”. This really implies the true ways we must do to have the best future life we could possibly have.

 Seeing through around the earth, we will find all kinds of people exist in the world. I think why those people are different from each other might be a difficult task to study-----which factor influences and drives them different. It is lucky that I am the one among them so I know that mine is my dream. Over my life time I would like to achieve many things but there are three main things I would like to accomplish: to be a triumphant person, help my loving parents and most especially to serve my fellows. I have been exhilarating by my dream, from the day I knew why I came into the world to so far and even in future, which is making me different from others. It is a goal, an aim, a direction for my life. It is not strange from outside, but from inside. It is to be an engineer. At first, I could hardly decide what I want to be in the future because there are so many choices painted in my mind. But at this time, I am at the crossroads where I have to make decisions, specifically at my choice of course in the college and at the same time, my profession. With all the sacrifices and eschews that my parents are exerting just to send me in school, I don’t have reasons not to give my bests all the time. This is my second dream. At that time, I have my job and I have something to make them feel so proud of me, I would like to give them the best life. I would like to make them feel comfortable and see sweet smiles in their faces. This is really the one I like to achieve in my life, mountains of words can’t explain how much I love and appreciate them. With all of my knowledge and values learned, I would like to share these to my fellows especially to those youths, in the future, by serving them with unconditional, whole-hearted and without any ambiguity or doubts. This really shows our compassion and charitable heart for others.

Simple dreams of mine for others but worth living reasons for me. I, together with my parents,  have a simple means of living; but because of firm determination, strong faith in GOD, good values and virtues I assure that we will have the bests of life in the future not because of the luxuries but the richness of love, compassion for people and passion for God. These are my dreams, my inspiration which I have to work on for the future. 

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE AN ICT STUDENT

            In this era of life, nearly all of us are experiencing and being benefited by products of high technology and modernized way of living. No doubt that if we are to compare our means of living today, ours is undeniably easier and productive than the life our ancestors had in the very first civilizations—and that is with the help of Technology.

            Because of the brilliant and genius personalities, the world of Internet and computers was introduced. When I first heard this, I thought it would be critical, confusing and tough to manipulate computers and surf the internet; but when I came across with Mr. Dave Fontejon, Mrs. Amelyn Abella and Mrs. Evelyn Vera Cruz here in Ilocos Sur National High School, this perception had changed. Being an ICT student is something to be proud of and thank of for it opens an opportunity for us to comprehend and analyze the worth of Internet and computers in lives of every person. But, what does it take to be an ICT student? Simply, you have to be responsible enough in using equipment like computers inside the computer room. This will measure if you have care and initiative in doing something even if the teacher didn’t assign such task to you. You should also engage yourself especially lending your ears to the teacher, whenever important lectures and discussions are going on. This important because whenever you’ll have hands-on-activities or any examination, you could easily recognize those terms and do the activity without any difficulty. You should not have to be selfish, instead helpful and approachable for others. Don’t ever be hesitate to share your knowledge and simple learning to others especially during activities wherein your classmate couldn’t hardly know what to do in these hands-on-activities. Last but not the least is to have worthy of respect and compliance to your teacher and even to your classmates because this will test your moral values if you are really to be respected too.

            Nevertheless, we should always keep on our minds and hearts the importance and limitations of technology, let us not be abusive of its uses. Let us use technology in proper way s with good intentions because an ICT student is responsible, educated and do have love and respect for the use of Technology. These are what it take to be an ICT student.

            

KANNAWIDAN: The Ylocos Festival

            Ilocos Sur, our very own province has rich and stunning cultures and traditions that we Ilocanos must be proud of. In order to showcase these, we have important festives just to exhibit and promote products of ours and precious cultures of Ilocanos to attract and invite tourists to come and visit Ilocos.

            One of these is the Kannawidan Ylocos Festival which is a week-long festive of happiness for local and foreign tourists as more entertaining events are included in the celebration. Now on its 5^th year, the Kannawidan Ylocos Festival had already established its identity as the prime festival of the province. The festival was launched in 2008 under the leadership of then Governor Deogracias Victor B. Savellano to commemorate the 190th foundation day of Ilocos Sur as separate province through the approval of a Spanish Royal Decree on February 2, 1818. The province has a rich heritage and unique cultures that need to be preserved for the next generations. However, many of these traditions, songs, dances and other Ilocano cultures were not already familiar to the younger generations due to the influence of the television, computer and internet.

            Highlights include the members of the Bayanihan Dance Company entertained the Ilocanos with their world class performance of the Beauty of the Philippines through dances, music and sounds. Their graceful movements and excellent rendition of songs and playing the indigenous musical instruments drew attractions from the crowd.
Governor Luis Chait Singson and Vice Governor Savellano together with  the officials of the Department of Education Division of Ilocos Sur signified the start of the different contests for elementary and high school students. These include traditional tribal rituals, choir and glee club competition, marching band contest, traditional music ensemble, dance drama, traditional and folk dances, contemporary dance competition and street dancing showdown. These events aimed to encourage young Ilocanos to learn these indigenous songs and dances for sustainability and preservation.
            Another important event is the Partuat ken Patanor Trade and Agri Fair. Officials from the trade and agri fair displayed all products from the different towns of the Ilocos Sur and its nearby provinces. The annual “Pinaka Contest” was also held to give citations the local farmers’ extraordinary farm and fishery products and livestock.

          This Kannawidan Ylocos Festival aims to create awareness on the preservation of the province' rich cultural heritage, practices and traditions, and a showcase of the different agriculture and industry products. We, Ilocanos should all be proud of with this because we are having this for tourists to appreciate our rich culture. Moreover, let us all preserve these cultures for next generations and this will serve as our trademark as an Ilocano. 

REFLECTION

Another grading period is finished and I am again looking forward for the Fourth Grading Period's challenges for me as a student. Third Grading Period is filled with inimitable and mind-setting experiences.

            I observed that in every period, the level of difficulty as a senior student is becoming harder and harder. I understand this, because it is a part of our training for the future. Indeed, a bunch of learning and discoveries is on my mind, likewise experiences which I could use in confronting every chapter of my life. Our topic, this Third Grading period, was mainly focused still on HTML Tags and attributes with the use of the notepad. Honestly, I really enjoyed as well as challenged by this topic. We have finished 4, I think, hands-on activities regarding the HTML Tags and I am really thankful and blessed because Ma’am Evelyn is still there to share us some principles and pieces of advice. Her patience, dedication and firm love for us are still our strongest foundation as one family in ICT IV class. We have finished also 6 posts for our blog about our own perceptions and connotations on the different affairs our country and world are facing now. 

In HTML tags, I found some difficulties especially during our Second Periodic Examination. I was really confused and pressured by the time, in that time I felt very nervous about the result of my test. Unfortunately, I got only 16 out of 100 items I think. I was really ashamed about that, but I told to myself that I had to double-up my studies so that this will not be happened again this upcoming Third Periodic Examination. 

Third Grading Period was not a good time for me, still I must continue believing. Moving on, I will not be lazy to study my lessons, strive harder, enough concentration and focus. 

NEW YEAR, NEW ME

                The year 2011 has a great impact on my personality as one of the creatures of God and my fate in that year had changed me a lot in all aspects of life.

                Challenges and adversities are common in our lives, coming unpredictably to test us, for us to be more firm, resolute and competent in confronting and addressing these challenges. I had many unforgettable and inimitable experiences in the year 2011; glorious, depressive and some impeccable moments. My high school life has also induced me to change my bad attitudes as well as undesired doings. A year full of lessons and principles that must be a guide for me in the next years.

                A new year means a new and hopeful life; this is where I should take a glimpse and be advertent in altering bad attitudes into desirable and worthy attitudes. I’ll start in our home, as a son, generally I did not become a good son to my parents because I was so lazy in doing household chores. I explained to my parents and I appealed that we, students, were so busy in school because of many assignments and projects so I don’t have a time to help them. That’s one to be changed in me, laziness in doing household chores. In the school, as a student, generally I was not able to do my responsibilities well inside the classroom and out. I must have to be responsible or accountable enough in doing things.

                I hope this 2012 will be a good year for us, especially me, so that I could take part in giving a reason for my parents and my friends to smile. I want to see myself in front of the mirror saying,” I have changed”. Let’s confront 2012 with a big smile, good will and open heart for others.

KEEPING IN MIND OUR MOTHER TONGUE

            “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” A very striking and mind setting passage by Nelson Mandela regarding true importance or significance of mother tongue in our society.

            Mother language has a very powerful impact in the formation of the individual. Today we are all witnessing an aspect of globalization which is the increasing movement of people from one country to another for different purposes, and this really affects one’s mother tongue. Every language spoken in the world represents a special culture, melody, color and asset and to everyone, the mother tongue is certainly one of the most precious treasures in our lives. In our mother language here in Ilocos Sur, we proudly have our Iloco dialect. This serves as our own identity depicting every history of our province with our rich culture and traditions. Our native language links us with the culture of the society we come from and shapes our identity. When a person doesn’t know their native language well, we cannot say that he will be nurtured with his culture properly for the fact that the relationship between mother tongue and culture is deeply rooted. Mother tongue is one of the most powerful tools used to preserve and convey culture and cultural ties. People who are unaware of their culture, their language and their history will lose their confidence in themselves, the family, society and the nation to which they belong and will have no other option then seeking an alternate identity. Our mother tongue, the beautiful sounds of which one hears and gets familiar with before being born in shaping our thoughts and emotions. Our personality, character, modesty, shyness, defects, our skills and all other hidden characteristics become truly revealed through the mother tongue because the sound of this in the ear and its meaning in the heart give us firm trust and confidence.

            It’s a duty and responsibility to preserve our mother language and pass it down from generation to another. Whether we are urged by necessity or because of other reasons, learning another language brings a lot of advantages in our life. While doing this, let us not forget this instead, keep our mother tongue in mind and heart. Let’s embrace and be proud of our cultural identity, our MOTHER TONGUE. 

CHRISTMAS: A SEASON FOR LOVE, SHARING AND FORGIVENESS

                Christmas is the holiday that people all over the world look forward to and celebrate once a year. But do we really understand the reason for this holiday?

            For some people it might just be a ritual and they do not understand why it is celebrated. I used to think that Christmas just came about because of the birth of Christ; I have come to realize that there is so much more than to the tradition and its origination. We choose to celebrate this holiday for one reason—JESUS. This is the emphasis that my family puts on Christmas and everything that goes along with it. Christmas season is the time to show our love. We, ourselves, have a responsibility to show love to others especially at Christmas. Love is the true essence of life because it embodies all the characters Jesus Christ represents. It is a period of sharing things with those you love. We share food, gifts or other things that can bring joy to others. It is common to see people sharing Christmas cards filled with messages of love and encouragement.

            In this very important and memorable season, all of us must understand and feel the true essence of Christmas. Forgiveness is one of the fundamental of true love and during this festive season, reconciliation normally occurs. Families that were otherwise divided come together as one that new relationships are built and old relationships are renewed. Disputes are settled and reconciliation is achieved. The essence of Christmas is to reconcile men to God and highlight the importance to let go of hurt that has been meted out to us.