KANNAWIDAN: The Ylocos Festival

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur, The yearly Kannawidan Ylocos Festival of Ilocos Sur showcases the spirit of the Ilocano Child.

          Watching the children from the mountainous towns of Ilocos Sur perform their ‘tribal rites’ and dances in their tribal costume called “baag” (a woven cloth worn over their undies), on bare foot under the midday sun strips me of vanity and pride. And propels me to that place where everything is pure, simple and honest. This festival, celebrated on January 29 to February 5, also highlights Ilocos food, arts, trade, crafts, and products.  Witnessing all this makes one realize the beauty and dignity of Ilocos culture and people. We should be proud of our Ilocano culture.  

          Like the beauty of the Bayanihan Dance Company show which proudly featured the Filipino culture in songs and dances, the tribal rituals and dances of the province summarizes what Kannawidan Festival is all about.The festival not only brings us takes one back to the roots; it also enables one to look into the future through art created by children. Their art speaks of their belief in the beauty of the world as gift from the Creator. Their songs and dances outshine any sadness  this present world has thrown at them.

Well! I´m good at Mathematics…..I don´t have a special hobby………. With so many things I like, I think that every job can be “acceptable”, except jobs where the employee has keep himself imprisoned in an office all day long… But the funniest thing is that I’m a little bit lazy. But right now I would like to be an accountant .

             It´s obvious that when we go to a job interview we shouldn´t chew gum, come unprepared, look down onto the floor, put our leg up or play with items on the desk, slap the interviewer on the hand, be late and talk fast or speak in slang. We should answer all the questions clearly and directly, bring an extra copy of our CV and references, continuously keep eye contact with the interviewer, display sense of humor and self-confidence, dress appropriately for the interview, get ourselves a strong knowledge of the company, industry and position, give a firm handshake, know the company that is interviewing us, look attentive and sit properly and upright in your chair.

            I am very worried with the unemployment because if right now there is no work for everybody, in the future this will be even worse … I think that part-time jobs are good, because young people can get some work experience… And when people want some extra money this could be heaven, just joking!!! 

           Maybe later I will look for one part-time and yes if I could, I would already have one (to buy important things). But part-time jobs have advantages and disadvantages, too! . I want to have better future, to help my family and for my self.

REFLECTION

Its very nice to have a teacher like Mrs. Evelyn Vera Cruz, a good teacher and a good mother to us. For the previous grading's I received low grades from her, but it's okay. I'm not blaming her because sometimes I'm the problem. I'm just very thankful for all the things she shared to us, for all those beautiful and nice memories. She gave everything to us, her love, her knowledge and her sincerity to us. She is a good model to us. Day after day, we cant stop the sun to move, the hour's to pass that' why before i say goodbye, I want to enjoy my life with you through happiness and sorrow. Everyday I thank God for those knowledge you've given us. Thank you, thank you and thank you ma'am. I hope you understand me if sometimes I'm "pasaway" to your class. 

NEW YEAR, NEW LIFE

Resolutions are not important if you do not do it! Yes it's t rue, it s very easy to say but it's difficult to do. For the past 2011, I have done so many things that are good and there were also things. For the past 12 months there were so many problems that i have faced. It's not easy for me because of my young age. It's too difficult that's why I want to be stronger and be more careful in making my decisions. I just want to move on from all the bad memories of the past. I want a new life this year 2012, a new me!!! A new me who will make use of my time for happiness with my family, my friends and with God. To be always nice with them. A new year, a new life!!! I want change!!! 

KEEPING IN MIND OUR MOTHER TOUNGE

Every people in every part of the world has their own language which they use in communicating with each other. From the first region of t he Philippines, I am very proud to be one of those people who are using our own language and said to be our "mother tongue", the Ilocano language.  We the Ilocanos have a very nice conversation as we use our mother tongue. The way we talk to each other is very fluent. It shows that we really love our mother tongue, we really prefer using it.  That's why we understand each other because of our own Ilocano language. As they say we should use our universal language which is English, but for me it is better to use our own. We should love our own language, our mother tongue and be proud!!!

LOVE IS ALL WE NEED

               Giving gifts and preparing food, that's the tradition of Filipino's and some other people out of the country in celebrating Christmas.

               These are not only the important matters we should do, despite we should know why we celebrate or what is the purpose of this celebration. Every 25th day of December we are celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. People around the world are busy decorating and preparing food for the family. Some also attend misa de gallo, some are also doing Christmas carols and others. For me, these things are not only the reason or the true essence of Christmas. It's the love for each other, the unity and oneness of people around. We should share what we have and we should also love other people like the love we are giving to Jesus and to our sell the gift. It's not important how big you can give to that person or how beautiful the gift is, it's love we should know best.

               This coming Christmas, i hope all f us will know the best for others. Love God, love him/her, love them and of course love yourself. 

EQUAL RIGHTS, EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

               We are now living in a modernized nation where everyone has rights and opportunities. We were born equally, we were created with equal rights and opportunities. Even though we were made with differences as humans, we can't conclude that there is a higher and lower persons in the world. Are you aware that women can make a man's work? Yes t's true, like being a driver , a carpenter and some other hard jobs. But are you also aware that a ma can also do a women's job? For a man it's not good for him to do a woman's job, like what they do in every day activities. But nowadays men live to serve their family like a mother does inside the house, that is what we say equality. Girls have their rights and boys have their rights too. In the Philippines there should be no discrimination!!! Because we are living in a democratic country. Live Equally!!!