Intayo Bisitaen ti Vigan!

 Vigan stands out for its unwavering commitment to preserving Hispanic influence, showcasing cultural elements from the Philippines, China, and Mexico in its townscape. Rooted in history since 1572, the city's diverse architecture tells a compelling tale. Noteworthy features like cobblestone streets, kalesas, tourist attractions, and fusion cuisine reflect a unique blend of Asian and European colonial character.

  Beyond its tangible heritage, Vigan serves as a repository of memories, honoring late heroes and ancestors through well-preserved structures and traditions. Exploring Vigan is said to transport visitors to a bygone era, enticing them to relive the past.

 As a traveler, I find the allure of Vigan irresistible, and it's an honor to embark on a journey to uncover the city's hidden gems. To enhance this experience, why not plan a visit during its annual fiesta on January 25th? This celebration, coinciding with the feast day of the patron saint, St. Paul the Apostle, promises to make my time in Vigan truly remarkable and unforgettable, mirroring the city's rich history.

 Throughout the week-long fiesta celebration, a food festival adjacent to St. Paul Cathedral offers a diverse culinary experience. Various local businesses from Vigan showcase their specialties in dedicated food stalls, featuring dishes such as chicken inasal, longanissa, sisig, mami noodles, liempo, Japanese delights like ramen and teppanyaki, Mexican treats like tacos, Middle Eastern delicacies such as shawarma, alongside finger foods, street foods, beverages, and pastries – all available at affordable prices.

 During my stay, I had been informed about two parades scheduled for the week-long fiesta celebration: the Education Day institutional parade with a marching band competition foot parade, and the grand parade.

 The Education Day institutional parade, featuring a marching band competition foot parade, is primarily held to celebrate Education Day on January 20th. The event involves a competition among marching bands from various schools in Vigan City. Teachers from these schools actively participate alongside the marching bands, with the elementary category bands impressing the audience with their impressive music, dance, and tricks.

 In addition to the foot parade, there was a marching band showdown competition held at Plaza Burgos. Three Vigan-based high schools participated, each showcasing distinct costumes that differed significantly from one another. This competition specifically catered to high school participants.

 The Longanissa Festival extended its festivities to include Street Dancing and Showdown events. Dancers adorned costumes embodying the essence of Vigan Longanissa, adding a captivating touch to the competition. Throughout their routines, the dancers consistently paid homage to San Pablo (St. Paul) – the Patron Saint – blending artistic and unique expressions to commemorate St. Paul and the Longanissa.

 Concluding the fiesta, the grand parade features prominent figures such as the City Mayor, Provincial Governor, local businesses, Vigan-based schools, winners of marching band competitions, and Vigan City officers and authorities.

 In summary, the entire week of fiesta celebrations in Vigan is a joyful spectacle. The people of Vigan City showcased remarkable enthusiasm, from active participants in various competitions to the patient audience who witnessed the festivities unfold.

source:

 www.blogger.com

Second

 

First semester is already done. Days pass by so fast, another quarter is again finished. Second quarter was smooth but still tough at the same time, the environment became more lighter as I open myself more to people inside the school. Though, I felt like I restarted my whole body to overcome second quarter.

I was thinking, "How can I make myself proud this time? How do I keep things steady within me?" Days in school were good, full of fun and trying out new stuff. The subjects, especially the assignments from our teachers, were interesting. It made me realize I could be someone who's really into things, not just a student learning stuff. I wanted to not go too hard on myself. I wanted to shake off the problems I had in first quarter and slowly change some not-so-great habits. I just wanted to enjoy my time in Maxwell without stressing too much - But getting rid of the pressure I put on myself was tough. I kept telling myself to take it slow, but that inner pressure stuck around like air, messing with my thoughts sometimes.

Looking ahead, I'm all in for exploring without worrying too much about school risks. There were still some letdowns, but they didn't ruin the good vibes of the first quarter. I want to thank myself for trying and not letting things get me down. A reminder to myself that, reaching your goals takes time and effort, give a mix of hard work and passion. Whether it's a tough or smooth ride, trying doesn't make you any less.

source:

www.blogger.com

Rizal

 Jose Rizal, a name deeply etched in Philippine history, played a pivotal role in the country's quest for independence. His significant contributions spanned various sectors, including art, literature, medicine, and notably, agriculture.

Rizal's love for the Philippines manifested in his peaceful efforts against oppressive Spanish rule, leading to his recognition as a national hero. Despite his inclination towards medicine, his early interest in agriculture stemmed from his family's experience as sugar plantation tenants. Rizal even expressed concern for the lack of agricultural experts in the field.

While abroad, Rizal actively promoted Philippine agriculture, recommending books like "Farming to Profit in Modern Times" to empower local farmers. His support extended to La Solidaridad, where he criticized Spanish officials for burdening Filipino farmers. Practicing what he preached, Rizal planned an agricultural colony in North Borneo after his family's eviction. During his Dapitan exile, he cultivated a diverse estate with fruit trees, coffee, cacao, and more. Grateful for local assistance, he established a water system benefiting both his plants and the community.

Rizal's agricultural initiatives were not profit-driven in monetary terms but aimed at self-sufficiency and community welfare. Beyond farming, he collaborated on improving the fishing industry in Dapitan, showcasing his multidimensional contributions to the Philippines.

Today, Rizal's vision for a thriving agricultural industry continues to inspire those dedicated to the country's development. His legacy echoes in the ongoing pursuit of the progress he envisioned.

sources:

       (Before You Continue, n.d.)

        (Before You Continue, n.d.-b)

         (Before You Continue, n.d.-d)

Not So New

 

As 2023 ends, another year comes to our lives, another year to live, another year to make ourselves happy. Last year was a total disaster, it was a roller coaster that I badly don't want to ride. It was full of bittersweet moments that gave my life a total chaos. For how many years, all I wish and hope was myself to be genuinely happy and everyone around me to be at peace.

Given that life is full of uncertainties, I know this year will not be as easy as what I am thinking. Life has a lot to give, and this year, I want to handle things calmly and steady. There will be unexpected moments that can change my life, and as that thought comes to my mind, I hope it would not lead me to isolating myself. Past years became a battle ground, I felt like all I need to do is to fight and survive, but life has so much more than just surviving - I need to live my life. This year, I need to help myself up. I need to let go of things even if it hurts. I want to heal, I want to be happy, I want to be contented with what I have, and for that I know I need to go out of my comfort zone. It's hard to think that I need to risk something to achieve something new, but if it is for my own good, there is nothing to worry about.

As 2024 enters, I want to take every opportunity I have to work on every part of myself that I want to change. My goals and plans are the same every year and I won't stop hoping and doing to improve myself. It is cruel to think about it but life is mostly harsh when you are already barely living. Thus, I should keep my patience and consistency steady to take all the things life wants to give.       

source:

   www.blogger.com