One Ilocos Sur

 Kannawidan is a cultural festival celebrated annually in Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It serves as an opportunity for Ilocanos to honor and preserve their history, traditions, and customs while promoting economic and tourism growth. The festival showcases traditional dances, music, local delicacies, and handcrafted products that represent the craftsmanship and culture of Ilocanos. Throiugh Kannawidan, people from different towns come together to celebrate their shared heritage and ensure that their traditions are passed down to future generations.

      One of the highlights of the festival is the trade fair, where local farmers, weavers, and artisans present their products to a larger audience. This not only helps sustain local businesses but also introduces Ilocos Sur’s unique goods to visitors. In addition, cultural performances, beauty pageants, talent competitions, and religious activities make Kannawidan a vibrant and meaningful event. The festival not only strengthens the local community but also invites tourists to experience the rich traditions of Ilocos Sur firsthand.

 Kannawidan is celebrated to commemorate the foundation of Ilocos Sur as a separate province from Ilocos Norte in 1818. This historical event marked the beginning of Ilocos Sur’s distinct political and cultural identity. The festival serves as a reminder of how the province has preserved its traditions while adapting to modern times. By holding this festival, Ilocanos can express their pride in their heritage and promote their local culture to the world.

   Aside from being a cultural event, Kannawidan also plays an essential role in the economic growth of the province. The festival allowss small business owners, farmers, and craftsmen to showcase their work to a broader market, helping them gain recognition and financial opportunities. This economic impact extends to tourism, as the influx of visitors during the festival generates income for local establishments such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation services. Additionally, the festival serves as a platform for young Ilocanos to appreciate their roots through educational exhibits, traditional games, and performances.

      Kannawidan Festival was first held in 2008 under the leadership of then-Governor Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano. His goal was to create an event that would highlight Ilocos Sur’s rich culture while also supporting local industries. Since its inception, the festival has continued to grow, attracting both locals and tourists from various parts of the Philippines and beyond.

      The festival is typically held from late January to early February, coinciding with the province’s founding anniversary. Over the years, Kannawidan has expanded to include modern entertainment such as concerts, talent competitions, and sporting events. However, it has remained deeply rooted in its cultural origins, ensuring that Ilocano traditions continue to be celebrated and preserved. Today, it stands as one of Ilocos Sur’s most important annual events, contributing to both cultural preservation and economic progress.

      Kannawidan is a meaningful festival that highlights the importance of culture, unity, and economic growth. One of the most valuable aspects of the festival is its ability to bring communities together. Through cultural performances, trade fairs, and historical exhibits, Kannawidan strengthens the bond among Ilocanos while also welcoming people from outside the province. This inclusivity helps spread awareness and appreciation for Ilocano heritage on a broader scale.

      Another important impact of the festival is its support for local businesses. By providing a platform for farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs to showcase their products, Kannawidan helps sustain livelihoods and promote economic growth. This not only benefits individuals but also contributes to the overall development of the province. Additionally, the festival serves as an educational experience for younger generations, reminding them of the importance of preserving traditions in a rapidly modernizing world.

       Overall, Kannawidan is more than just a festival, it isa celebration of history, identity, and community. It plays a crucial role in preserving Ilocos Sur’s cultural heritage while fostering economic opportunities and unity among its people. As the festival continues to evolve, it remains a testament to the resilience and pride of theIlocano people.

References

Bueno, J. P., Jr., & Arranz, E. E. (2019, January 31). Kannawidan Ylocos Festival: Pride of the Ilocanos. DepEd Ilocos Sur. Retrieved from https://depedilocossur.info/?p=2011

de Guzman, F. (2022). Kannawidan Festival: Its Effect on Merchants. ResearchGate. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380264913_KANNAWIDAN_FESTIVAL_ITS_EFFECT_ON_MERCHANTS

Paradores de Vigan. (2018, December). History of Kannawidan Festival. Retrieved from https://paradoresdevigan.com/kannaw

idan

Ilocos Sur Kannawidan Festival 2023 Street Dance Competition. (2023). Retrieved from https://images.app.goo.gl/Lu8StFFpPUqA6CP7A

 

Kannawidan Ylocos Festival: Uppat a Tawenen a Mangitantandudo. (2023). Retrieved from https://images.app.goo.gl/Lyt1x8QsYVvAuqbd6

Cheap Travel for Women: 2014 Kannawidan Festival in Vigan City. (2014). Retrieved from https://images.app.goo.gl/JdpPv5vaoFreUtRu5

The Day of Love

      Valentine’s Day dates back to ancient Rome, where a priest named Saint Valentine secretly performed marriages despite Emperor Claudius II banning them. The emperor believed that single men made better soldiers, so he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, seeing the injustice of this decree, continued to marry couples in secret. When he was eventually caught, he was imprisoned and later executed on February 14.

       Before his death, it is said that Valentine developed a close bond with the jailer’s daughter, whom he healed from blindness. According to legend, he left her a note signed “From your Valentine,” a phrase still used today. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 as St. Valentine’s feast day, replacing the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration held on February 15. Over time, the day became associated with romance, and by the Middle Ages, it was widely recognized as a day of love. Today, it has transformed into a global celebration filled with gifts, grand gestures, and extravagant displays of affection.

      Now, don’t get me wrong, Valentine’s Day can be cute and fun. But here’s the thing, I think Valentine’s Day is just a normal day that’s being overly specialized. I’m not saying this because I’m single, but you can express your love to the person you love anytime. Why the need to be extra on that day? Does your love for someone have a specific day or time?

    If you love someone, why wait for February 14 to show it? Small, meaningful gestures throughout the year mean more than one grand display on a single day. Plus, Valentine’s Day can be stressful—some people feel pressured to go all out while others feel left out if they don’t have a Valentine. And let’s not forget the overpriced flowers and fully booked restaurants.

       At the end of the day, Valentine’s Day is what you make of it. If you love celebrating it, go for it. If not, that’s fine too. What truly matters is showing love and appreciation every day, not just when the calendar tells you to. For me, Valentine’s may be extra, but for some people, it can be the reason to build a stronger relationship. Nevertheless, it’s up to people what they want to do on Valentine’s Day. It’s just my opinion.

Sources

History.com Editors. (2023). History of Valentine’s Day. History. https://www.history.com/topics/va

lentines-day

NPR. (2021). The Dark Origins of Valentine's Day. National Public Radio. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2011/02/14/133693152/the-dark-origins-of-valentines-day

kittyboty. (n.d.). Illustration of a cat [Image]. Retrieved from https://images.app.goo.gl/e8NAsTcrTopX3KAK8

Brides. (2022, December 24). Your First Valentine’s Day as an Engaged Couple. https://images.app.goo.gl/ji6YnYiKvtTM5rce7

Anonymous. (2025, February 15). Happy valentine’s day everyone!! 🫶 [Pinterest post]. Retrieved February 15, 2025, from https://pin.it/2u7dX1Zxs

A Chaotic Journey

        Doing our Community-Based Research was fun and meaningful, but we also faced some challenges along the way. Even with the difficulties, we stayed determined to finish our research and learn from the experience.

        We were divided into groups and after that, we started studying what we needed to do. Once we were given our topic, we began planning our tasks. We also distributed the parts of the Community-Based Research (CBR) to make it easier for everyone. At first, we had little to no knowledge of what we were doing since it was our first time, but with Karl's help, we successfully completed the first challenge in conducting Community-Based Research.

        We created questionnaires to gather the information we needed for our research. We also planned to interview at least three people to get more detailed answers. To do this, we went out to distribute the questionnaires and look for people to interview. Even though it was challenging to find willing participants, we stayed determined and worked together to complete our task.

        This picture was taken after we were rudely rejected by the owner of the store where we were supposed to distribute our questionnaires. We almost lost hope and thought about stopping, but thankfully, some other store owners and staff were kind enough to accept them, which encouraged us to keep going. These were the times when, while giving out questionnaires, we also took the chance to explore and appreciate the different crafts of Vigan. As we walked around, we saw many handmade products, traditional artworks, and locally made items that show the rich culture and history of the place. It was a great experience, not just for our research but also for discovering the creativity and skills of Vigan’s artisans.

        After submitting our paper for the Community-Based Research (CBR), we created a webpage to present the different sections we worked on using HTML. We faced some challenges, like a lack of resources for coding, but we overcame them by working together. With Lavinia’s help, we successfully completed the webpage.

        We successfully finished designing our webpage and were able to present it confidently. Despite the challenges we faced along the way, such as limited resources and technical difficulties, our teamwork and determination helped us overcome them. In the end, we were proud of our work and how we effectively showcased the different parts of our project through the webpage.

New Discoveries Become New Skills

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." – Mahatma Gandhi. This quarter, I have learned many new things that helped me grow in my studies.

 

One of the most important lessons I learned was about Community-Based Research (CBR). I did not just study it, but I also got to experience it myself by making our own research. This helped me understand how research is done in a community and why it is important. I learned how to gather information, analyze data, and present my findings in a way that helps others. Doing research was not easy because it required patience, teamwork, and good organization, but it was a great learning experience.

 

I also learned how to create a simple webpage using HTML. At first, I thought it would be very difficult, but as I practiced, I realized that it follows a pattern. I learned how to use different HTML tags to format text, add images, and create links. Seeing how a webpage is built was exciting because I now understand how websites work and how they are designed.

 

Another skill I learned was creating lists using HTML. Ordered lists are used when steps need to be followed in a sequence, while unordered lists are useful for listing items without a specific order. I also learned how to make nested lists, where one list is placed inside another. This skill is helpful in organizing information clearly, whether in a webpage or a document.

 

Of course, I faced some challenges along the way. In research, I sometimes found it hard to organize my work and follow the correct steps. In making a webpage, I made mistakes, like missing a tag, which caused errors. But I did not give up. I asked for help from my teachers and classmates, and I made sure to review my work carefully.

 

Moving forward, I will continue to improve my research skills and practice more on HTML coding. I know these skills will be useful in the future, whether in creating websites, organizing information, or doing research. This quarter has been full of new learning, and I am excited for what’s next! 

Embracing Foreign Traditions

Why do Filipinos celebrate Chinese New Year? Chinese New Year is one of the most important celebrations in Chinese culture. It marks the start of the lunar new year and is filled with traditions meant to bring good luck, happiness, and prosperity. In the Philippines, many Filipinos join in celebrating this occasion, even if they are not Chinese. The strong connection between Filipinos and the Chinese community has made this event an important part of the country’s culture.

The history of Chinese influence in the Philippines goes back hundreds of years. Even before the Spanish arrived in the 1500s, Chinese traders came to the country to buy and sell goods. Some of them decided to stay, married Filipinos, and became part of the local community. Over time, their traditions blended with Filipino customs, creating a unique mix of cultures. During the Spanish period, Chinese immigrants played a big role in business and trade, despite facing some challenges. Today, Filipino-Chinese families continue to contribute to the country’s economy and culture, making their traditions more visible and appreciated.

 

During Chinese New Year, families and communities celebrate in different ways. Dragon and lion dances are common in streets, malls, and temples. These dances are believed to bring good luck and drive away bad spirits. Fireworks and firecrackers are also an important part of the celebration because they are said to scare away bad luck. Elders give red envelopes, called ang pao, filled with money to children as a symbol of good fortune. Special foods are prepared, such as tikoy (sticky rice cake for stronger family ties), pancit (noodles for long life), and dumplings (which symbolize wealth). Many people also visit temples to pray for good health, success, and happiness in the coming year.

 

 

References/Sources:

Rove.me.(2025, January 29).Chinese New Year 2025 in Philippines.https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.rove.me%2Fw_1920%2Cq_85%2Fiy43pdrmi1ch0umdbalu%2Fphilippines-chinese-new-year.jpg&tbnid=-sC4O-j-r3MEdM&vet=1&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Frove.me%2Fto%2Fphilippines%2Fchinese-new-year&docid=fAeJqWJi1lhAlM&w=1920&h=1275&hl=en-US&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim%2Fm6%2F4&kgs=440af32eed715217

 

ABS-CBN. (2025, January 24). Chinese New Year 2025: 'Lucky' dishes and new outfits to welcome the Year of the Snake. https://images.app.goo.gl/4LQvjtmE7Co33Fd79

 

Philippines News Agency. (2035, January 28). FINDING LUCK. https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Ffiles01.pna.gov.ph%2Fsource%2F2025%2F01%2F31%2Fchinese-new-year-2025-dragon-dance-01282025jb.jpg&tbnid=-Bi3rEfISJZB6M&vet=1&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pna.gov.ph%2Findex.php%2Fphotos%2F74966&docid=dakCmMgZknIsWM&w=854&h=570&hl=en-US&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim%2Fm6%2F4&kgs=2aa260d697c28924 

The Journey of Vigan

        Vigan, located in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Founded in the 16th century, Vigan is a blend of European, Mexican, Chinese, and Filipino influences, creating a one-of-a-kind cultural and architectural heritage. Before the Spanish arrived, Vigan was already an important trading center, situated at the delta of the Abra River on Luzon’s northwestern coast. The heritage site covers 17.25 hectares and follows a traditional Spanish checkerboard street layout with two main plazas: Plaza Salcedo and Plaza Burgos. Surrounding these plazas are important landmarks such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, the City Hall, and the Provincial Capitol. Unlike Spanish colonial towns in Latin America, Vigan has strong Chinese, Ilocano, and Filipino influences, especially in the historic Mestizo district, which was home to wealthy families of mixed Chinese and Ilocano ancestry. This area contains 233 historic buildings along a grid of 25 streets.

        Most of Vigan’s buildings were constructed between the mid-18th to late 19th centuries. These two-story houses are made of brick and wood, with steep roofs inspired by Chinese architecture. The upper floors feature capiz shell windows that slide open for better ventilation. The ground floors were traditionally used as shops, offices, and storage areas, while families lived on the upper floors. Vigan also has important public buildings that show a mix of different architectural styles.

        Vigan has retained its colonial charm, including its street layout and building design. However, over time, many houses have been modified for modern use, with interiors divided into smaller apartments and commercial spaces. Some buildings have been abandoned or left in poor condition. A lack of traditional materials like wood, brick, and lime plaster has led to the use of modern materials like cement and galvanized iron roofs, affecting the original look of the town.

        Despite these challenges, awareness of the importance of preserving Vigan has grown significantly since it was declared a heritage site. Many traditional construction techniques are being revived, helping to restore and maintain Vigan’s unique cultural and historical identity.

 

References and/or sources:

UNESCO World Heritage Centre.(1999).Historic City of Vigan.https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/502/

LAIDBACK TRIP.(2023, April 8).Vigan Guide: Visit A Colonial City In Philippines.

.https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.laidbacktrip.com%2Fposts%2Fwhat-to-do-vigan-ilocos-sur-philippines&psig=AOvVaw2kH2bLkoqYHfmXI0WWe6ts&ust=1739072435489000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCPiC17nqtIsDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI

AvianQuests.(2017, February 22).Vigan City's Plaza Salcedo Dancing Fountains.https://go

o.gl/maps/gAB4N7ydNDN2

New Chapter, Lot's of Chances

 

     This new year, I want to take time to reflect on myself and make changes for the better. I promise to improve my attitude and behavior, especially when it comes to dealing with others. I will try to be more patient, understanding, and calm in my actions and words. I know that being patient will help me build better relationships and create a more peaceful environment for everyone around me.

     I also pray to God for His blessings, especially for good health for myself, my love ones, and everyone around me. Health is something we often take for granted, but it’s so important in allowing us in to achieving our goals and handle the challenges of life.

     I promise to make the most of my time with the people I love, strengthen my bond with family and friends, and work harder in my studies. I know these are the things that truly matter and will help me grow as a person.

    I wish for luck and guidance as we go through out this year, facing whatever trials and obstacles that may have come. I hope we can all find the strength and courage to overcome difficulties and continue moving forward. May this year bring happiness, success, and countless blessings to everyone.