I’m an Outlaw for Your Love

 

I hated Valentine’s. It’s just a day to give plastic red roses and sometimes bitter chocolate. Eventually, this bitter skipper of Valentine’s becomes a sweet lover of Valentine's. The warm embrace, truthful letters, sweet treats, and witty gifts, these show the power of love with ways we think and do wholeheartedly. As love fills our hearts with genuine giving and sharing, that love becomes unstoppable. And this February, my Valentine's became a memorable experience. 

 

 

 

There are many variations on how the spirit of Valentines is ignited. Yet, this old story blooms defying gravity against these odds. Saint Valentine who secretly wed lovers and let hearts free, he was imprisoned for what love has gained. Locked in a prison and unlocked in a heartbeat. By his jailor’s daughter, love becomes a vibrant color. Before his execution, a letter he signed with a heartfelt signature. 

 

“From your Valentine,” 

 

My Valentine's was simple yet sweet. A day before this special day, I prepared a gift for my parents and friends. The sweetness of lollipop between butterfly wings and a song recommendation were written at the back. Until this day, I struggle to express my affection yet I try my best to let them know how much they’re loved. Not only during Valentines but everyday. Happy Valentines!

 

 

Source: https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2

Chaotic n' Bold Researchers

Through random selection of team mates for the Community-Based Research, I’ve accomplished it with fulfillment despite the challenging takes. With Praise, Jerome, Queen, and Mark, we were able to achieve a good project together for ICT. Boldly taking the risks amidst the chaos, we made it possible to feature and write about Brgy. San Pedro, Vigan waste management. 

 

Let me share with you how we started as a team.

 

Day One, We Linked as One

  In the library last December, we’ve discussed and brainstormed which will be the specific area to be investigated for our CBR. We considered that the area to be chosen will be accessible and feasible to evaluate under the category of Environment and Disaster Preparedness. We concluded to investigate the waste management of Brgy. San Pedro of Vigan City. 

Online Space as Progress Space

On the following days and weeks, even during the holidays, we managed to accomplish our respective parts of the paper. Using Google Docs, we were able to work collaboratively.

 

 

On 12th of January, we proceeded to observe and acquire data regarding Brgy. San Pedro’s waste management. As time passed by under the heat, we had a great time. It wouldn’t be fun with chaos. On the journey, we watched a few minutes on Squid Game Season 2 while waiting for our member, had a “quiz” on how to determine the difference between cows and carabao, and also almost got lost on our way to one of the Material Recovery Facilities.

After finishing the paper, we started on making our web pages. It would be a true miracle if we didn’t struggle in the coding process. We struggled adding buttons, made multiple adjustments on the background picture, and even the layout. We aimed to have a simple and consistent layout for our web pages and I believe we made it possible.

After the long coding process, we presented it with our teacher and classmates. In this picture (below) was during the latter picture-taking. Due to our member’s schedule, we still took a picture with “him”’. 

In the end, I’ve learned many things from fellows and teachers. This is why I’m happy for the process and result of CBR making. 

TABS

 

As a quarter passed us in this new year,  I’ve gained the knowledge and experience about Community Based Research and more about HTML tags that can be used in our web pages.  Including ordered lists, unordered lists, and description lists. Learning these actively and collaboratively along with my teammates in CBR, the confusion was long gone as we approached our teachers and also the guide on the Internet. With such different codings, we also have explored CSS for making our CBR webpages. Through CSS, it customized some parts in our web pages such as buttons, margin, headings and hyperlinks. It became clear to its specified special function. Such as its type, how, and when to use it. In our Notepad files and our group chat, it witnessed it all. Through the activities and tasks accomplished almost daily, there’s also a challenge for us teammates.

It was challenging to encode and understand each other's webpages. We aimed to have a simple and  consistent layout on our webpages. In which it could allow the readers to view predictable and pleasant pages of our CBR. As a leader of our group, I've sometimes wished to be keen to my fellows. I've noticed too that they were struggling to encode. In the end, I've helped them despite having loads of tasks for myself too in order to achieve a great score that they deserve on their accomplishments.  However, sometimes there’s a brand new surprise. It was an error. 

 

As these challenges occurred, I addressed it with proper assistance with my teammates and through asking Ma'am. To improve my individual parts, I’ve done it through trial and error. To offer a great help to my teammates, I've advised them to follow some tutorials and help online. Additionally, I had a great time with them as we ventured to Brgy. San Pedro, the place that we featured in our CBR. I've discovered that despite the challenging progress and the steps forward, I can gain more knowledge by accepting our errors in the tab. 

Moving on, I will continue to learn diligently. There is so much knowledge left to acquire. Learning independently and collaboratively, it is directed to strengthening my digital path. Through HTML Coding again, I’ll learn more of its complicated language. 

Kung Hei Fat Choi

 

 

    Chinese New Year is not just a special non-work working holiday but a grand celebration with loved ones. It is celebrated by  us Filipinos too. As the vibrant Chinese dragon dance sways through the bustling street, have a feast as we savor the taste of tikoy (glutinous rice cake), and receive the angpao (red envelopes) stealthily, this holiday becomes remarkable of love and luck, filled with cherished moments as we bond with our families.

Let’s go back to 2011 on how it became a non-working holiday. In Proclamation No. 295, issued in November 2011, President Aquino stated that recognizing the Chinese New Year as a special non-working holiday would enable both Filipinos and Filipino-Chinese to partake in the festivities.

Even though it officially became effective in the year 2012, the Chinese or Lunar New Year has been a significant celebration in the Philippines for many centuries, likely dating back to the establishment of the first Chinese community in the country in 1594. This historical and cultural event has deep roots in Filipino traditions, reflecting the longstanding presence and influence of Chinese settlers in our country. With this influence, Feng shui also became well-known to Filipinos.

 

 

Until now, The Philippines and China remain engaged in a contentious territorial dispute over our West Philippine Sea. Despite these controversial political concerns, it is undeniable that the Chinese New Year has become a deeply rooted tradition in Filipino culture, celebrated not only by those of Chinese blood. People from different backgrounds come together to wish for a prosperous new year. Kung Hei Fat Choi!

 

 

Picture:

https://rove.me/to/philippines/chinese-new-year

i.am.eccentric_chic / Instagram

 

References:

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061008

https://www.bravosiargao.com/blog/chinese-new-year-celebrations-in-the-philippines.html

https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/22/celebrating-chinese-new-year-as-a-filipino

https://www.philstar.com/business/2014/01/27/1283587/why-celebrate-chinese-new-year-look-philippine-china-economic-ties