Community-Based Research Journey

 Here are the ways and strategies we work on in order to address the problems and issues in our community by conducting Community-Based Research (CBR). Bantay is a town in Ilocos Sur where most people are farmers and we find out that in recent years, technology has been a big help in improving the lives of these farmers, especially in terms of health, well-being, and coping with climate change. 

First in doing this research we gathered some materials we needed and started to plan what will be the first step, second, third, and so on. As our teacher finishes in instructing us and gives our topics, we don't lose the chance instead we take the risk even though we're doubting our own capabilities.

After that, we started to research our community to learn more further before we took action for us to see what are really the problems that it needed to solve and what issues people need a hand or help from someone. Each of the members share their insights about the topic that was given to us.

Then, just to have some facts and evidence we started to interview some of the farmers in our barangay to know what they are facing in the fields of agriculture. Also, we ask them about what their strategies are in cultivating crops, pests, and how they adjust in planting due to climate change.

After gathering the things we needed, we were now ready to start our web pages and design by using notepad and CSS. We basically apply the things we learned from this subject, so the coding, designing and many more became efficient and easier to do. 

Lastly, we can now proceed in presenting our CBR to our teachers and classmates. In this case, a lots of realization, lessons, and thought that was formed. In presenting this kind of research we need to boost our skills in communication in order for the audience to easily understand the topic and the issue that was shown in the CBR.

Learning and exploring new things along the way

 

This 3rd quarter journey thought me a lot of things with regards to HTML List, HTML Frames and all about working out our Community-Based Research. But, what I enjoyed the most was finding out what I'm supposed to do in order to achieve and finish the task or activity that was given to us. 

From the said activities, it was first discussed and explained further by our practice teacher but there's still a lot of struggles I've faced during working out with these task. Especially, when it comes to doing our Web Design, encoding the datas we gather from our research. Basically at first we really don't know what we are supposed to do and was still first overthinking than finding out the best solution in our problems. That's why things don't coordinate with our plans.

But, that's not a reason to stop and be a burden to our research, though some of us have lost it's hope to stand from these circumstances. In contrast, for we have the courage to work things out, we finished at the very best we can. Having negative thoughts in mind will not help you in the path you want to take, it can be your downfall. If you embrace these thoughts it can't give you the peace of mind . In addressing these kinds of problems, just believe in your ability for us to grow more better and a lot of realization and lessons you gained. Also, I'm very thankful to my classmates who taught and correct my wrongdoing in our activities.

Moving on, I will still continue to dig deeper to the HTML lessons in order to further understand what I did learned and did not. If we want to explore a lot of things to gain more knowledge, be the one to step to the path you want to take for us to achieve the missing piece of learnings in our lives.

Chinese New Year: Bringing luck and clearing out the negativity

 

Chinese New Year is also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival— it's a celebration that symbolizes luck and prosperity as the Chinese welcome another year with open arms to have good fortunes, making room for positivity and new beginnings in their lives. It was being celebrated by Chinese communities around the world and it started during new moon that occurs between January 21 to February 20 but it will only last until the following full moon.

Do you know that the red envelopes, sticky food, fireworks, prosperity ball was rooted in China and the Philippines was being influenced by these kind of culture, trade, and foods. So, we Filipinos also celebrate Chinese New Year and it was started when the Proclamation No. 295 that was issued in November 11. According to Aquino "This is a manifestation of our solidarity with our Chinese-Filipino brethren who have been part of our lives in many respects as a country and as a people."

On the other hand, it's not only about the solidarity but it was because of the way or a time to strengthen the community and family bonds and appreciation for the Chinese Heritage in our country. Also, celebrating this kind of festival, Filipinos enjoy seeing the vibrant decorations along the way, giving and receiving red envelopes or what they call 'ang pao', watching dragon and lion dances that were also those who prepared. By participating in these said activities, it was reflecting the country's multicultural spirit. 

Lastly, thousands of Filipinos joined and celebrated Lunar New Year in Binondo, Manila District where it is one of the oldest Chinatown in the world. They honor the 50th anniversary of Chinese-Filipino Diplomatic Relations by having a fireworks display, drone and dragon dances show, parade, and cultural performances that celebrate Chinese-Filipino traditions. Hence, it wasn't an energetic show but it was all about how they renew the longstanding friendship between China and the Philippines.

Reference:

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/01/30/2417891/thousands-welcome-lunar-new-year-binondo

Come and see, the historic beauty of Vigan City!

  

     A place that remained strongly standing despite the things that have happened in the past years. Vigan City's appeal can make you insane, and able to witness the timeless beauty of it. At first glance you can see it's captivity and urging you to mesmerize the place where it can bring you back to the time where the Spanish colonization happened in our hometown. Every step you take, the deeper you fall in love and leave your mouth in awe as you can see the uniqueness of its architecture particularly its grid street pattern and historic urban layout that it creates a homogeneous townscape.

     Before it became a city it was first called Ciudad Fernandina in honor of King Ferdinand II of Aragon. Vigan was established in the 16th century and it was planned in a way of Spanish Colonial town that turns out the best-preserved town in Asia.

     Did you know? In 1999, Vigan was declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site as one of the Seven Wonder Cities in the world. Even though 400 years have passed, you can still see how the historic buildings are still standing despite what happened in World War II. The two storey structures show the multi-cultural influences like European trading town, Chinese, and much of Hispanic colonial character that makes it more unique.

     Vigan was once a municipality in Ilocos Sur, then years have passed and it became a city that you never thought it would be. Residents see it as a home to the Historic City of Vigan. You can see in this place the cobblestone, and checkerboard streets evidence that it was the European influence. This place is a dream come true tourist destination, there are museums that show the national heroes that were born in the town and have a contribution in protecting this home.