Kannawidan Festival: A Showcase of Culture and Tradition

We, Filipinos are fund of festivals. We have so many festivals here in the Philippines.

lIlocos Sur is a beautiful province located in the northern part of Luzon. It is a province rich in culture that represents the ancient Spanish and Filipino heritage. To show and share their treasures to the whole world, the locals conceived a festival that highlights these cultural traditions and they called it the “Kannadiwan Festival.

This festival is celebrated during the last week of January up to the first week of February. It is a three-week long celebration which commemorates the separation of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

  

     Kannawidan Festival is one of the ways of the different places in Ilocos Sur to be united as one. This helps us to know and learn the different culture, and different tradition of one's place. The one town one product (OTOP) gives us the idea of where is that product belonging to.

One mission of the festival is paying more attention to the children. It is because of the observation that many traditions, songs, dances, and other Ilocano culture are not recognized by the younger generations of the province. Instead, children are paying more attention to the modern and novelty dances they see television than the traditional ones. It is one of the reasons why the Kannadiwan Festival is conducted.

Here, children may appreciate their rich culture and tradition. Also on the opening day of the festival, a traditional ritual is performed by the students of the Ilocos Sur, especially high school students. There are different contests that focus to the ability and skills of the 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.

  It is important to have a celebration like this. It is an avenue where the young generation would learn about the culture and tradition that are existing in our province. It is really more fun in Ilocos Sur!

REFERENCES:

https://saluyot.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/kannawidan.jpg?w=645

READY, SET, START!

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world"

We all know that change is the only permanent thing in the world. Change is something that is inevitable. Change is not controllable. But change can be for better or for worst. That depends on how is the change you wanted to be.

There are so many people who asks for a change. For example, they are saying that they want a change in our country. Blessed with intellectuals and skilld, we, the human race have been created for a purpose, and it is in life to discover what that purpose is. As stated in the bible, "to whom much given, much us expected". I believe that giving back to society is a responsibility. I have been wanting change ever since but i always depend on the government, on other people not realizing that the change must starts with me.

Changing the world begins with improving who we are inside. We really have a unique identity and own distinct thoughts. These thoughts often propel us to act. Through this, i can improve my actions thus my characteristic.

"Everyone thinks of changing the world but no one thinks of changing himself"-Leo Tosloy.

If we want change, we must start it by ourselves. Remember that it is not the world who must change. It is ourselves. So, I am READY and SET to START the change with me.


references:
http://salesninja.asia/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/changes-ahead-exit-sign.jpg

Newly

"For last year's words belong to last year's language and next years word awaits another voice. To make and end is to make a new beginning"

For the past years, I am not giving all my best on all the things that I do. Because I only depend on what God had planned for me. I do not do any actions. I always lie down and relax and let the things go according on what is planned. I am so shy that even if I already know the answer, I will not raise my hand. I have never been that much serious with my studies. I have done so many things that are not necessary. I have hurt so many feelings even if that was not my intention. I tend to say bad words all the time. I am very insecure. I have so many insecurities. Last year, me and my father had a fight because of my bad attitude. And that was the very first time that he got angry to me. And I was so devastated and lost because I do not know what to do anymore. I disrespected him and I hated myself because of that. For the past years, i have done and said so many things that are very bad and disrespecting.

I have realized that I must change my bad attitude. I want to be the newer version of my self. The better one. The one who is brave enough to raise her hand. The one who is eager to study and be serious with it because I know that studying is very essential in one's life. The one who wants to do all things that can be done as much as possible. The one who is sensitive enough to know whether my words or actions are hurting somebody's feeling.

So this 2019, I will be the newer version of myself. I will not be the one who has many insecurities. I will truly accept myself even with my flaws and imperfections. I will be the one who worships God with my whole heart. New year, newly me.

references:

https://image.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/2019-happy-new-year-golden-260nw-1152501500.jpg

Reflection

" If you want to learn, challenge yourself "

As month passes by, the lessons in the 3rd grading period is getting harder and harder. Hardwork, patience and perseverance is being tested.


 Since the first grading period, it was hard already, so as in the second grading. But, we all managed to conquer all those hardships and tiresome nights. Because, we all know that we need to work hard so that our future will never be in danger. There are times that I nearly give up because I am really pressured and stressed. I did not know what to do back then but I kept in mind that I need to face these and work really really hard to pass all the subjects. And also, God guided me thru this grading period.

Male: ONE + Female: OTHER = EQUAL

“All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity  to develop our talents.” “Equal opportunity means everyone will have a fair chance at being incompetent.” “Equality of opportunity is an equal opportunity to prove unequal talents.”

When we look back on how female were seen in the society before, there we could see a huge difference on how they play their roles before and now. Women was marginalized, oppressed and was regarded as the OTHER, unlike men they were the dominant ones. However, change is uncontrollable and unpredictable, there were proponents that made movements about this issue: being female as the oppressed and male as the higher dominant.

The government were the foremost agent to combat this certain issues and problems that the society is facing. That is why, written laws stressing the rights of men and women to be equal are eminent nowadays. In this changing world, most of the time technological situations is much favored, women and men can manipulate and access to technologies and gadgets that could help them from work. Not even technologies, but, there are certain educational trainings and skills development that are attended by both genders that enhances both their manipulative skills and the like. That is why, no other work could put a boundary between men and women. The law that were drafted by the government has a great impact in the society, most especially those women who were behind bars before, but now, they could enjoy the freedom that was given by our Almighty. In addition, the law concerning equal rights and equal opportunities is not only centralized on men and women but also to the LGBTQ community, those persons with disabilities and special needs.

In conclusion, people, whatever gender you have, enjoy life and be grateful of the things that was given to you. No other people could deprived of your happiness and freedom, because we have the shield that protects us from people who were abusive and uneducated about our rights and privileges.

REFERENCES:

thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/equal_opportunity/

https://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/images/Equal.jpg

The Lord has Come

          "Joy to the world the Lord has come, let Earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room and Heaven and nature sing...." As the song goes, let every mankind rejoice for the king and the savior has come. Open your heart and enkindle in your mind that Christmas is the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. 

          They say that the true essence of Christ mas is not about giving gifts, exchanging cards. It is about giving love and sharing your joyfulness to everyone. It's not about receiving. It is about giving. But, is the true essence of Christmas is really within us? 

          We can all feel the cold breeze of December. We are feeling it since the start of the "BER" month. Every 25th of December, we are all celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ in which it is the most awaited time of the year. Christmas is when yoy and your family comes together. You forget all the problems and struggles you are facing. You do not hear cries, instead you hear laughters and you can clearly see the genuinity of their smiles. It's a tradition of every Filipinos to celebrate Christmas season which historically adopted from the Western countries. Hanging "parols", decorating Christmas lights and Christmas tree became a practice of Filipinos. Children and in some times, adults often carols from house to house. Christmas is trully a significant season for the Filipinos. 

          Nowadays, many people tend to forget about what really the essence of Christmas is. For them, christmas is receiving gift from others. They are more into material things. In reality, some people can no longer feel the true spirit of Christmas. 

          The true essence of Christmas is the birth of our savior Jesus Christ to redeem the world from our sins. Let us put into our minds and into our hearts that Christmas is a gift to us from God-our Loving Father! 


references:
https://i2.wp.com/leohousenyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Keep-Christ-in-Christmas.png?fit=1200%2C464&ssl=1

Children's Month 2018

             

           “It takes a village to raise a child. Let us all work together to end their violence against children so that they will become productive citizen of our country. Let us all push for positive parenting and positive discipline”, Cajayon said.

                Every month of November we celebrate National Children’s Month as stated in Republic act 10661 to commemorate the adopting of the convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nationj General Assembly on November 20,1980. The celebration seeks to increase knowledge of parents/caregivers on how to handle or educate their children while in the cyberspace; intensify the advocacy of positive discipline in classrooms dynamics in daily teaching; provide space for children’s participation in the legislative advocacy; push for the passage of the positive discipline bill and celebrate gain and successes on child rights promotions and protection of the country. 

                Positive Discipline, as stipulated in the bill is disciplining children without resorting to physical or corporal punishment, such as spanking, hitting, slapping, shouting, or shaming.

                The theme for the National Children’s month 2018 is “Isulong: Tamang Pag-aaruga sa lahat ng bata” We must not teach children in doing bad acts or showing them bad actions. We must teach them good manner and right conduct in a good way. In Philippines, there are many parents that is disciplining their children in a wrong way such as abusing them physically.

                We must stop this acts so that children will be disciplined in a good way. Help children. Be responsible.