Shania

The old and the new in Ilocano culture are both featured in this year’s Kannawidan Ylocos Festival -  the festival of Ilocos Sur that celebrates its being a separate province and its being a treasure chest of traditions and culture. The Kannawidan festival celebrates at the end of January until second week of February. The Kannawidan Festival opening shows the beautiful and colorful fireworks display that lighting up the skies. The Kannawidan Festival has so many things to offer and it celebrates the best of Ilocos Sur culture, from traditional dress and folk dance to tribal rituals and marching band contests, there are also contemporary dance competition, and street dancing showdown. This is to encourage the younger generations to learn the indigenous songs and dances of the province. One interesting event of the festival is the annual “Pinaka” contest where locals exhibit their amazing farm and fishery products and livestock. And the other ancestral cultural activities in the...

One line of the song goes this way, "Life is a constant change and nothing stays the same." In which I strongly believed. Everything is changing. The things I used to see, hear, and touch is not the same anymore. Some turned out to be good but most were not. Everybody is aiming to change the future, the world to be a better place to live in. But we can't do that drastically. Before we can aim to change anyone, anything, or any place, change should begin in ourselves. We should have a self assessment or ask ourselves "What's wrong with me? What have I done to improve myself and others?" That moment you may know which to maintain, change, and improve. Self change is needed in order to change others and the place we live in. If we show love, they will give us back. If we care to do good things to others. Isn't it that we receive good things too? Love begets love. It's like a boomerang. You will reap what you sow. These sayings you used to hear are...

Last year, I have encountered so many ups and down. I have learned many lessons from my experiences. I also faced a lot of challenges a life has to offer. I lost important persons in my life. I lost friendships of people I valued a lot. I didn't reach the expectations of my parents. And I got some trouble controlling my emotions. But after all of these I am still blessed that God had given me blessings more than I deserve. As the year changes, I decided to leave all my problems & flaws behind. New year means renewed self with new perspective and goals. I decided to change my lifestyle and to improve myself to the best version of me. I became mature. I can now handle my emotions well. I also strengthen my faith in God. To trust his plans for me. Last year, I learned that sometimes it is okay to be alone in order for me to know myself more. I also learned how to be more confident enough in everything that I do. I should believe in myself. I will face my fears alone. And alway...