Adiós, 3rd Quarter

    

     It feels unreal that another quarter of this school year has already finished; indeed, time does fly so fast. Another chapter of this school year has already come to an end. Looking back at this quarter, I remember the hardships and challenges I had to go through to do all the school works and activities. I felt like this third quarter is more exhausting than before, and I'm not going to say it was simple or enjoyable because it was a lot of effort. Despite these circumstances, I am still thankful because they helped me to learn and grow. Furthermore, this quarter has also taught me a lot of things, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to learn new things and broaden my knowledge.   

    Throughout the third quarter, we learned about community-based research, which we had never heard of before, yet it is quite similar to what we are learning in our Research subject. The only difference between these two is that there were only a few parts in making community-based research compared to what we are doing in Research subject, which is wider and more complex. Nevertheless, the topic has taught me to work well with the people in my community and has helped me to discover more about certain aspects of our town.  

    We all know that every community has differences and similarities, so learning and expanding knowledge about your community is significantly important. Then, I realized how grateful I was to have learned how to create my community-based project. Although I have faced minor challenges , I can say that this allows me to become more connected to and involved in my own community.

    Moving forward, I will apply the knowledge I have received from this quarter to succeed in the upcoming quarters and accomplish more in life. This quarter has helped me learn more about the internet and composing written works.  And despite the difficulties I had, I was able to pick up lessons that are quite helpful in our daily lives. It will be difficult, but I know that it will help me become a better version of myself, so I will keep trying to do better. After the last week of the third quarter, the last quarter of this school year will begin. I am eagerly looking forward to learning more in this subject and spending my remaining time as a junior high school student discovering more topics on this subject. Looking forward to what the fourth and last quarter has to offer to us, and I believe I learned a lot during this quarter.

Together We Celebrate!

 

     High School Day or Foundation Day is probably one of the most waited and exciting part of being a student. After two years, Ilocos Sur National High School celebrates their 121st High School Day Celebration last March 25, 2023, with the theme of “Renewed Commitment in Defying Odds to Transcend Heights of Excellence and Solidarity”. 

     There was also an intermission number of the selected Grade 10 students, followed by an inspirational message of Dr. Vida Margarette Andal-Bueno, the Outstanding Alumna. After the messages, there was an awarding of Plaque of Recognition to the Guest Speaker, and followed by another intermission number from teacher's choir. After that, there was also awarding of outstanding teachers, employees and retirees. And before the end of the program The assistant principal, Mr. Rommel R. Rabo, gave his words of gratitude, followed by the closing song to finally end the first part of the celebration.

      The part two of the event is the field demonstration at 1pm which includes calisthenics and festival dances performed by the selected students of different grade levels. The FEC Officers conducted traditional games for teachers and there was also booth like photo booth prepared by the SSG officers. 

    In conclusion, ISNHS’s 121st High School Day Celebration was one of the highlights for the school. It is not only to give recognition to the school but also for students to take a break from the stress because of the school works and activities. Indeed, high school day celebration is one of the most wonderful part of being a student.

Purple Season

    Lent, also known as kwaresma in Filipino, is the season during which Filipinos remember Christ's passion, suffering, death, and resurrection. It is a meaningful season to any Filipino. Aside from it’s the season where people have their break and spend time with their respective families, this is also the time that Filipinos repent their sins. Filipinos are known to be prayerful and this shows on their way of celebrating the lent. They celebrate it with full of passion and even though that the Church don’t agree with some practices like the reenactment of the flagellant to Jesus Christ sufferings and his crucifixion, the church could not do anything about it because it is part of Filipino’s culture.

    During the Lenten season, Filipino Catholics engage in various traditional practices. The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday. Ashes are traditionally placed on the forehead of Catholics as a sign of interior repentance. Fasting and abstinence are fundamental Catholic practices; some Catholics eat only one meal per day, while others abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all lent Fridays. Senakulo is a traditional play depicting Jesus Christ's suffering and death, which is performed in provinces such as Marinduque. The practice of visiting seven churches and reciting the Stations of the Cross is known as Visita Iglesia. On Maundy Thursday or Good Friday, it is customarily performed.

    In practicing fasting and abstinence, we sacrifice much which helps us grow in freedom to make much bigger sacrifices. Part of this could be giving up some material or worldly resources and treasures for the benefit of the people who are most affected by this pandemic. We give up something or deprive ourselves of something so that others can have it. We become selfless and mindful of others, we extend charity and generosity to others even though we also are affected and still struggling and coping with the economic and financial problems brought by this pandemic.  It’s a sacrifice for others and God. It is an act of love for others and God.

    Every event in the Philippines is made more enjoyable and imaginative by the country's rich culture and tradition. Fasting and abstinence is an act of penance to create spiritual hunger and the avoidance of sin. As an act of repentance and contrition at this time of the pandemic, we implore the presence of the Lord through prayer. It is our personal conversation with Him, a powerful tool to create miracles, to make things right and better in our lives. It leads us to a life of holiness towards God. We must never forget that Lent is more than a religious tradition; it is a time to recall and reflect on Jesus Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection for us.

    Lent is a season that reminds us of Jesus Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. It is an opportunity to repent our misdeeds and misgivings, and to increase the intensity of our prayer, fasting, almsgiving, the practice of our faith, and welcoming others as our brothers and sisters in our faith community. It is God’s way of reminding us how He himself sacrificed His only begotten son to redeem mankind’s sins. It’s God’s and Jesus’ way of knocking in our hearts to give back for others selflessly and unconditionally.

references:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyac.com%2F2022-lenten-season-reflections&psig=AOvVaw005EsrWmVlnKu_4_oe4BGF&ust=1681659105587000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBEQjRxqFwoTCKDkuryarP4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABA_

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgoldsmithbuildcon.com%2Fweb-stories%2Flent-ash-wednesday-the-first-day-of-lent%2F&psig=AOvVaw005EsrWmVlnKu_4_oe4BGF&ust=1681659105587000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBEQjRxqFwoTCKDkuryarP4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABBX

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaugch.org%2Flenten-season&psig=AOvVaw005EsrWmVlnKu_4_oe4BGF&ust=1681659105587000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBEQjRxqFwoTCKDkuryarP4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABBf

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.countryliving.com%2Flife%2Fa26294776%2Fwhen-is-lent%2F&psig=AOvVaw005EsrWmVlnKu_4_oe4BGF&ust=1681659105587000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBEQjRxqFwoTCKDkuryarP4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABBn

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dolr.org%2Flent&psig=AOvVaw005EsrWmVlnKu_4_oe4BGF&ust=1681659105587000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBEQjRxqFwoTCKDkuryarP4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABBv