The Struggle

 

https://www.studyinternational.com/news/29-uni-struggles-every-student-has-to-face/

                   3rd Quarter was very tiring for me. There are many things that I have learned but there are also many problems that I have faced. The pressure that I have been feeling throughout the quarter is very intense but with the help of others, I managed to survive yet again.

         This quarter mainly focused on doing researches so I learned many things like gathering data and information, what to do first when conducting studies, techniques on how to conduct researches and many more. 

              I had a difficult time understanding the lessons and also because of the limited time that I have. But during this time, I ask for help from my brother so that he will help elaborate on what are the written in the lessons.

                     I am very grateful for the learnings that I have gained during the quarter and for the struggle that made me a better and stronger person. I will always remember these learnings as I move forward in my life.

The Certainty of People’s Accessibility to COVID-19 Vaccines

https://www.webmd.com/vaccines/covid-19-vaccine/news/20210225/52-million-campaign-to-push-covid-vaccinations

          COVID-19 has truly penetrated within the system of the human society and there’s no other way out remaining to make ourselves free from its threat than to take the antidote that will block its way into our own bodies. One of the best way available now to safeguard our health is taking the vaccine. There’s only one thing we need to be certain and that concerns its availability to all the people who want to receive them.

          Equitable access to safe and effective vaccines is critical to ending the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is hugely encouraging to see so many vaccines proving and going into development. The World Health Organization is working tirelessly with partners to develop, manufacture and deploy safe and effective vaccines. Safe and effective vaccines are a game-changing tool: but for the foreseeable future we must continue wearing masks, cleaning our hands, ensuring good ventilation indoors, physically distancing and avoiding crowds. 

          Being vaccinated does not mean that we can throw caution to the wind and put ourselves and others at risk, particularly because research is still ongoing into how much vaccines protect not only against disease but also against infection and transmission. But it’s not vaccines that will stop the pandemic, it’s vaccination. We must ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines, and ensure every country receives them and can roll them out to protect their people, starting with the most vulnerable. The world is in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic. As WHO and partners work together on the response -- tracking the pandemic, advising on critical interventions, distributing vital medical supplies to those in need-they are racing to develop and deploy safe and effective vaccines. 

          Vaccines save millions of lives each year. Vaccines work by training and preparing the body’s natural defenses – the immune system – to recognize and fight off the viruses and bacteria they target. After vaccination, if the body is later exposed to those disease-causing germs, the body is immediately ready to destroy them, preventing illness.There are several safe and effective vaccines that prevent people from getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. This is one part of managing COVID-19, in addition to the main preventive measures of staying at least 1 meter away from others, covering a cough or sneeze in your elbow, frequently cleaning your hands, wearing a mask and avoiding poorly ventilated rooms or opening a window. 

                 As of  8 April 2021, WHO has evaluated that the following vaccines against COVID-19 have met the necessary criteria for safety and efficacy: AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, Johnson and Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech. Some national regulators have also assessed other COVID-19 vaccine products for use in their countries.Take whatever vaccine is made available to you first, even if you have already had COVID-19. It is important to be vaccinated as soon as possible once it’s your turn and not wait. Approved COVID-19 vaccines provide a high degree of protection against getting seriously ill and dying from the disease, although no vaccine is 100% protective.

           People’s equal accessibility to COVID-19 vaccines can bring the society a no-rivalry scheme where everyone who may receive it is worry-free. Doing it all protects us all.

Remembering the Historical Battle in Bataan That Paved Way to “Araw ng Kagitingan”

https://thestrategybridge.org/the-bridge/2018/4/10/the-battle-of-bataan-and-the-bataan-death-march

 

          "The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example." This is a historical fact that brings us into remembrance of the great Filipinos together with the Americans who suffered a lot in the hands of the cruel Japanese invaders. These heroes who walked in the path of hardship, the so-well remembered Bataan Death March under the extreme heat of the sun in hunger and in thirst are unquestionably branded as the stars of the great commemoration in the celebration of “Araw ng Kagitingan” or the Day of Valor.

          The Bataan Death March was doomed to happen when  the Japanese army launched its final assault on Bataan. Although the starving Allied soldiers fought as best they could, they were no match for the fresh Japanese troops brought in for the attack. As Homma’s army rolled back the front line on Bataan, King, the American field commander of more than 70,000 U.S. and Philippine troops made a fateful decision. King surrendered on April 9, rather than see any more of his starving, diseased men slaughtered by Japanese forces. Some refused to become prisoners, fleeing into the jungle. Of the ones who got away, many would join the guerrilla movement.

          Once the surrender went into effect, the Japanese rounded up the Allied troops, gathering them into groups of 100 on the only paved road. The Japanese assigned four guards to each group and began marching the prisoners, lined up four abreast, north toward Camp O’Donnell in Tarlac province, 65 miles away. As the emaciated men proceeded up the highway in the blistering heat, the Japanese guards summarily shot or bayoneted anyone who fell, attempted to escape, or stopped to quench his thirst at a roadside spigot or puddle. The men were given little water or food during the march, which took about five days for each group to complete.

           The guards also chased off or killed any Filipino civilian who tried to give water or bits of food to the passing lines of prisoners. At various points along the route of the march, they singled out individuals or groups of prisoners, tied them to trees or fences, and shot them as examples to the others. The Japanese killed between 7,000 and 10,000 men during the Death March, they kept no records, so the exact numbers remain unknown.

                Counting the many lives that were sacrificed in the name of freedom leads us to a deeper realization of the heroism manifested in the Bataan Death March. The painful historical event might have ended the lives of many Filipinos, yet there is that one great thing that we should be thankful about, that is the birth of nationalism that paved the way to the regaining our country’s long-lost freedom. The Day of Valor or “Araw ng Kagitingan” should remain a yearly celebration in honor of the Filipinos who fought the battle of our country’s independence.

Preserving The Catholic Tradition of the Lenten Season

https://news.americanbible.org/blog/entry/corporate-blog/lent-a-season-for-biblical-meditation

 

          Part of our being Catholic is the deep respect for the annual celebration of the Lenten Season which reminds us of the death, passion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who paid the price of our sins through His own life. It is a tradition that brin us back to the realization that His life became the ransom of our sin so we may live under His mercy and grace. 

          Lent is a period of 40 days during which Christians remember the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus Christ, whose life and teachings are the foundation of Christianity. The 40-day period is called Lent after an old English    word meaning 'lengthen'. While it is certain that prayer is essential to the everyday spiritual life of a Christian, during Lent, when Christians are supposed to focus more on God, it becomes even more important to them. Aside from offering prayers, other most common Holy Week traditions in the Philippines include waving the palaspas made of palm during Palm Sunday, fasting and abstaining  from food and water, participating in “Pabasa ng Pasyon”, visiting seven churches during 'Visita Iglesia', staging of Senakulo. and joining the “Salubong” on Easter Sunday. These traditions are still visible in our Catholic life which have become an important part of our culture which we have inherited from the Spaniards who brought Christianity in our country.

          Lenten Season is a Catholic tradition that marks our Christian religion. Its preservation should be passed from generation to generation as a part of our rich and meaningful culture.

March Towards Women’s Empowerment in Honor to Their Historical Achievements

https://ncte.org/blog/2018/03/march-national-womens-history-month/

 

          "Feminism isn't about making women stronger. Women are already strong, it's about changing the way the world perceives that strength." This quotation indeed is the battlecry of all women in the world who wish to be regarded with higher expectations of what they can do not only for themselves but for the whole society they belong.

          In history, many women throughout the world are crying out for their rights to be acknowledge as equals with men. They have been denied for their rights as an individual member of the society. Many don’t have the right to cast their votes during election days and they were never given socio-economic and political rights. The doors of opportunity to be hired in high-ranking positions in the government and in the realm of earning a living was so scanty. These are the reasons why brave women took their stand to fight for their rights. These are the feminists who joined their hearts and spirits and formed suffragist movements to win their rights and be of equal treatment with men. The fruits of their hard struggles were not put in vain and they were able to achieve of what they are really fighting for. Lawmakers have created and passed laws that acknowledge their rights and privileges. Now we can see that women are really emerging with power and their voices are being heard. Considering their historical contributions, it is really noteworthy for them to be acknowledged with high salutation. Many countries have won their freedom from colonialism and imperialism because of the spirit of nationalism that these women have bravely displayed. This is a strong and clear  manifestation that women can contribute something great for a noble cause. Hence, they must be regarded with high respect and let them enjoy life with equal privileges with men.

          March has always been a month of celebrating women’s worth and meaningful achievement that made them won equal recognition with men. Having them empowered and regarded as strong catalysts of change in history, they must therefore be honored to the highest regard.

Letting Everyday be like a Valentine’s Day

http://scotialiving.com/holidays/what-are-you-doing-this-valentines-day/

          Valentine’s Day is a much-awaited time of the year most especially to celebrate romantic love, friendship and admiration. It comes every 14th day of February where people fondly celebrate it by sending messages of love and affection to  partners, family and friends. Partners send Valentine’s Day cards and spend time together mesmerizing  the moment with joy and excitement. 

          Valentine's Day is named after Saint Valentine, a Catholic priest who lived in Rome in the 3rd Century. There are many stories about St Valentine and over time these stories grew into the legend we know today.At the time of Valentine's life, many Romans were converting to Christianity, but the Emperor Claudius II was a pagan and created strict laws about what Christians were allowed to do. Claudius believed that Roman soldiers should be completely devoted to Rome and therefore passed a law preventing them from marrying. St Valentine began to bless the marriage of these soldiers in secret Christian ceremonies and this was the beginning of his reputation for believing in the importance of love. Eventually, Valentine was found out and jailed for his crimes against Claudius. While imprisoned, Valentine cared for his fellow prisoners and also his jailor's blind daughter. Legend has it that Valentine cured the girl's blindness and that his final act before being executed was to write her a love message signed ‘from your Valentine'. Valentine was executed on 14 February in the year 270.

          Today, St. Valentine’s Day is not merely a day intended for romantic affection. It has also become now a part of family and friendly culture which has a good effect. It brings a manifestation of unspoken love to family members and friends by just simply, texting simple messages and giving even small yet meaningful tokens of love. In this most trying time brought by the pandemic, may love grow deeper and more sincere not only between lovers but so with all the people in sharing each other’s burden. May brotherly love rest in the hearts of all kinds of people to survive the challenges of life amidst the crisis we are going through. Let every day be like a Valentine’s Day to outweigh life’s difficulty with joy and victory.

“Kannawidan,” An Yloco Festival That Should Never Be Gone

 

             https://www.google.com/amp/s/pia.gov.ph/features/articles/1033600.amp

          The whole of Ylocandia yearly celebrates Kannawidan with pride and jubilation as a feast of its rich heritage and culture. It brings a lasting memory of its glorious past most especially its triumph against its foreign oppressors. 

          The Kannawidan Ylocos Festival is a very significant  to all Ilocanos for this is a  commemoration of  the anniversary of Ilocos Sur as a province since it was separated by virtue of a Royal Decree dated February 2, 1818 from its geographical union with La Union, Abra, and Ilocos Norte . Kannawidan is a variant of the Ilocano word "tawid" meaning heritage or inheritance. Many people from all over the world consider IIlocos Sur as 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”. It has 32 municipalities and 2 cities and it is the Ilocano’s pride that one of these, the Vigan City is a New Wonder Cities of the world. 

          The Ilocanos indeed takes pride of its rich culture and heritage. Hence, the preservation of this culture and heritage is a lasting legacy that will pe passed on the next generation. The Kannawida Festival is a very strong anchor that preserves the purity of these culture and tradition and this celebration should never be gone. 

Amidst COVID-19, Celebrating the Fiesta of Vigan City Is Not a Missing Thing

            https://vigan.paradores.ph/project/vigan-town-fiesta/

          The rich culture of Vigan City is enriched with colorful and meaningful fiesta celebration in honor of its Patron Saint, Saint Paul who was earlier known as Saul in the Holy Bible. This yearly celebration is done every 25th day of January. This is a celebration that nothing can stop not even the threatening pandemic that affects the lives of many people from all walks of life. The Bigueῆos find no reason to forget the celebration for this is a big manifestation of their faith in God, the Source of healing and deliverance.

          Bigueῆos from all over the country and even abroad return to Vigan, as it is the custom of Filipinos to return to their hometown to join their family and friends in the celebration of their fiesta. They are joined by thousands of visitors from other parts of the Philippines and other countries in enjoying the cultural shows, parades and street dancing prepared by the local government with the help of the local industries and communities. There are also food fairs, arts and crafts exhibit, as well as a visiting carnival. With the traumatic emergence of the COVID-19, the celebration this year is not highlighted by the colorful parades and street dancing but the Bigueῆos find another way of celebrating it. The celebration rings in the heart of the Bigueῆos with prayer and thanksgiving instead of parading on the streets. They believe that the celebration begins in every Bigueῆos’ heart from which emanates the spirit of generosity that is very much needed in this time of crisis brought by the COVID-19.

         Amidst COVID-19, celebrating the fiesta of Vigan City is not a missing thing for this is a culture that Bigueῆos are being proud of. The pandemic is not a hindrance for the Bigueῆos to show their veneration to God who is ultimate reason of this yearly celebration.

The New Things That a New Year Brings

                                                           https://www.luckscout.com/starting-a-new-life/

One of the traditions that gives reflection to us being Filipinos is the New Year’s Celebration. New Year is one of the most awaited day of the year by many Filipino people with fun and excitement. There are the traditional preparation of foods and fruit displays by pairs, scattering coins at the door and some even wear polka-dotted clothes for a prosperous life. Others have their New Year’s resolution with their line of thinking, “Bagong Taon, Bagong Buhay!”

I am also one of those who thinks of making changes in my life as the New Year comes. I usually set plans to make things better in my life. This first day of the year makes me think of my life the previous year. I make an inventory of my life, answering these two important questions, “What went right in my life?” and “What went wrong?” I try to recall of the happy experiences that brough sunshine in my life and those bad moments that turned me down. From these experiences, I am directed to plan new things and think of strategies that will make these plans to materialize. I also consider those people who can be a part of my plan, those whom can I fully trust and believe that they will stay sincerely behind my back. I want to discover more of myself and find a better direction towards a better future. I want to establish in me a better personality with humility. Indeed, this is something magical that turns on my life with excitement as another new year begins.

The new things that a new year brings in my life are something I am excited to uncover. These new things certainly will influence me to stand firm and be directed to do what is good for me and my future. I therefore commit all these things to God who can make all things possible.

One Step Ahead

                                                 https://myfaithradio.com/2014/footprints-in-the-sand/

During the first quarter, I have many experiences and many accomplished things during this time. There are many learnings and discoveries that I have gained. There are also problems and challenges that I have encountered and the steps on how I faced these challenges.

During this time, I experienced the feelings of being a blogger. The happiness of sharing my thoughts on several topics. The anxiety if people will laugh at my blogs. I also learned different techniques and methods for searching for information on the internet. There are times that I am having a hard time understanding my lessons because there is no proper guidance coming from our teachers directly. At these times, I ask my classmates for assistance because I am shy of my teachers.

These learnings brought changes to my life. In the past, I was having a hard time acquiring information on the internet, but now that I learned the different techniques, it made my searching skills better. As I grow, I will always remember these teachings as I move forward in my life.

Breaking the Chains of Global Warning of Climate Change

 

                 https://medium.com/@mit_ra/global-warming-reality-or-a-business-trick-                       4ecc2a697ee2

https://climate.nasa.gov/solutions/adaptation-mitigation/

        Global warming and climate change are two distinct processes that manifest the ecological imbalance in our atmosphere. These are environmental problems existing in our environment that grievously affect the life of every living organism and we are definitely not an exemption to this. It may be too hard to accept but the truth is that human activities are the number one contributors of these nature’s problems.  

    

    “Global warming” refers to the rise in global temperatures due mainly to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. “Climate change” refers to the increasing changes in the measures of climate over a long period of time – including precipitation, temperature, and wind patterns. A warmer climate increases public health challenges like heat aggravated illnesses, increases in vector borne diseases, and decreased access to safe water and food. If we care for the living, there is a great need to end these the soonest possible time or else it might be too late. We need to respond to the challenge of taking good care of our environment. We need to develop an awareness that unless we care to protect our nature, it would be impossible to adapt for a sustainable future. Cutting short-lived climate pollutants can slow the rate of warming and lower public health risks. Planting more trees and preventing from cutting down trees can help minimize the formation of greenhouse effect that contributes to global warming.

     

   If we care for our future and the next generation to come, we need to break the chains of global warming and climate change. If we persistently do our responsibility in fighting these enemies of nature, we can possible adapt for a sustainable future.