Engineering or Marketing?

Fifteen years from now, I see myself as a fully-fledged professional—successful in my chosen field. I love science and technology, so I'll probably be an engineer, although I'm not sure yet whether my path will be mechanical, technological, or environmental.

 

If I were to choose mechanical engineering, I would like to design more efficient and innovative machines—from automobiles to industrial equipment. My goal is to improve the technology we use every day without causing too much damage to the environment.

In technological engineering, I would like to focus on automation and artificial intelligence—technologies that make human work easier. One of my dreams is to create automated systems in agriculture, such as automated watering systems to help farmers water their crops more economically and efficiently.

However, if I were to choose environmental engineering, I would like to go work on projects that help the environment. I want to try and improve waste management, develop renewable energy sources, and find more effective ways to preserve our natural resources.

But besides the profession I want to take in life, I also see myself as a businessman. My dream is to expand our small sari-sari store and turn it into a "supermarket,"  a testament to our family's hard work and dedication towards this project.

Lastly, I also want to become a leader of a group that can help the community, especially towards those who are in need, whether through technology, business, or other means. The success I seek is not just for myself—I want others to experience it too.

I know that the future will hold many challenges that I will have to face, but I will not stop learning, growing, and striving to overcome these hurdles in life. This is not only for myself but also for my family and the people who believe in me. I may not know what the future holds, but I am damn well sure of one thing and that is I will continue to wake up everyday, take action and make my dreams a reality. 

References:

www.blogger.com  

Images:

Shutterstock. (n.d.). Rear view of an Asian business man [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/rear-view-asian-business-man-600nw-2265356739.jpg

Dreamstime. (n.d.). Cart in a grocery store supermarket interior [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/cart-grocery-store-supermarket-interior-empty-shopping-trolley-business-ideas-retail-trade-advertising-food-products-82159203.jpg

Discover Engineering. (2023). Engineer working on a project [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.discoverengineering.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/mj_11208_2.jpg

Articles/Webpages:

National University. (n.d.). Types of engineering. Retrieved from https://www.nu.edu/blog/types-of-engineering/

ManyChat. (n.d.). 10 entrepreneur characteristics that make business owners successful. Retrieved from https://manychat.com/blog/entrepreneur-characteristics/ 

Inclusivity with Equality; The Path to Unity

 

During each Women's Month celebration, we often hear about gender equality and inclusivity. But how much do we really understand it? Behind the fun programs and the theme “WE for Gender Equality and an Inclusive Society,” there is a deeper issue, a call for change not only in government, but also in our daily lives.

Gender equality isn't just about giving women equal chances but rather removing discrimination against everybody.  According to the Philippine Commission on Women (2024), despite the advancements and actions toward gender rights, issues like the gender pay gap and lack of representation of women in high-level positions still persist to this day.  This means that many still do not have equal opportunities, all because of something like their gender.

 However, laws and policies are ineffective unless they are implemented.  We can start with something simple, like becoming conscious of our own behaviours and perspectives.  Are we aware of how we treat others?  Do we hear their voices?  We can build an inclusive environment at school, home, and work by respecting and supporting one another.

 

In addition to personal action, it is also important to strengthen programs and laws that address gender inequality. For example, the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710) is a law in the Philippines that seeks to protect the rights of women, especially in the labor sector. However, this is not enough if we do not promote and fight for it in our communities.

The true spirit of Women's Month does not end with events or slogans. It is an ongoing fight for a fair and inclusive society. Change is in our hands—not just in big steps but also in the small decisions we make every day.

References:

www.blogger.com  

Philippine Commission on Women. (2024). Gender equality and women's empowerment in the Philippines. https://pcw.gov.ph 

 Biodiversity Management Bureau. (2023). 2023 National Women’s Month Celebration. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Retrieved from https://bmb.gov.ph/2023-national-womens-month-celebration/

Provide Education. (n.d.). 10 ways to promote gender equality in the classroom. Retrieved from https://www.provide-education.co.uk/10-ways-to-promote-gender-equality-in-the-classroom/

University of the Philippines Open University. (2022). SDG 5: Gender-related policies – Magna Carta of Women. Retrieved from https://sdg.upou.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/SDG-5_Gender-related-Policies_Magna-Carta-of-Women.png

Kannawidan Festival, Pagdiriwang ng Kulturang Ilocano

Every February, Ilocos Sur celebrates the Kannawidan Festival a colorful and historic celebration that showcases the rich culture and traditions of the Ilocano people. Derived from the word "kannawidan," which means tradition, the festival aims to preserve and celebrate the province's indigenous customs, arts, and products.

The Kannawidan Festival began on February 2, 1818, commemorating the founding of Ilocos Sur as a province. The festival features exhibits from various towns such as Vigan, Santa, Narvacan, and Sinait, where you can see and buy Ilocos Sur's proud products such as bagnet, longganisa, bawang, basi, balicucha, abel Iloco, and many others.

Trade fairs aren’t the only things that bring the Kannawidan Festival to life, colorful parades further liven it up, dazzling fireworks displays and free concerts featuring popular bands like December Avenue, Silent Sanctuary, and Ben&Ben. But its more than just fun, every song, every bang of the fireworks, and every smile of the people reflect the unity of the Ilocano people.

Kannawidan is not just about having fun or trying to sell products, it’s an annual reminder that our culture and traditions are treasures that should not be forgotten but rather cherished. Despite modern times, the spirit of their culture remains alive which is a testament to the fact that the true wealth of a nation lies in the depth and roots of history and the care of each citizen.

 References:

www.blogger.com

 Information: Festivalscape. (n.d.). *Kannawidan Ylocos Festival*. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from (https://www.festivalscape.com/philippines/ilocos-sur/kannawidan-ylocos/)

Images:

 Kannawidan Festival Thumbnail. (n.d.). Retrieved from (https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sRdFna-0ZXI/mqdefault.jpg)

 Kannawidan Festival Exhibit. (n.d.). Retrieved from [https://scontent.fcrk4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/...]

(https://scontent.fcrk4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/476834112_1006931271458177_5369941100376092014_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p180x540_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=833d8c&_nc_ohc=4NcdH4jaWWsQ7kNvgHHTdK3&_nc_oc=Adg16Xp9uSd9Fnq9gBTD57fko8ZLxMPGqawJZwkxLStbMhRGqPv_ToAbXVfP0WzHSR9US15LDLo2uxEqkg4iZVMk&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fcrk4-1.fna&_nc_gid=ANmIXx7R9m6ku_VVqBVbpU9&oh=00_AYDmrxfW4ttYb5Ctfn6S4d0HNMqrNeL2D2f50DJV_oydGQ&oe=67BD4775)   

In short: https://tinyurl.com/mr9sakmb 

Kannawidan Cultural Presentation. (n.d.). Retrieved from [https://scontent.fcrk4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/...]

 

(https://scontent.fcrk4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/51582886_1494729853997356_597086370669789184_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=833d8c&_nc_ohc=dcgWeRB5SukQ7kNvgGZKIer&_nc_oc=Adge1FkTklFGA4KY9WaS3GF-tgsOtbbD_5zl3h2vb9pcK5-bNq3mdnpxsDTjWuH2EYTB2uOs7iwmQID2vUTc1wsQ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fcrk4-2.fna&_nc_gid=AwQnJF-Tld2EUIFDBv7rr9T&oh=00_AYDRWPlurE2iRXhaqQGKuZdLmvMr30J9AB7adNwi4OTMDA&oe=67DEDFB9)   

 In short: https://tinyurl.com/42m83ey7

 

 

In Cupids Arrow

 

Every February 14th, everything around us turns red; balloons, flowers, and heart decorations everywhere you look. Valentine's Day is not just about gifts and sweet compliments. Also known as Saint Valentine's Day, this occasion has a deeper meaning that we often forget. Every year, it's our chance to show our true love and appreciation to the people who matter to us.

According to legend, Saint Valentine was a priest who secretly married soldiers who were forbidden to marry by Emperor Claudius II. Because of his disobedience, he was executed in 270 AD. It is said that before he died, he wrote a letter to his bodyguard's son signed "From Valentin", something that may have led to our tradition of sending love letters on this day.

As of Today, Valentine's Day is not just about intimate love but it is also about cherishing one's family, friends, and even thyself. Most people express their love by giving flowers, chocolates, and letters. But, for me, the true meaning of Valentine's Day is not measured by the value of gifts but by the time spent and the attention we give to our loved ones.

It's more than just a day, Love shouldn't be shown only on February 14th. It should be felt every day; in simple ways of caring, understanding, and being there for the people who matter to us. Valentine’s Day is just a reminder that in our world full of noise and busyness, there is a day when we remember to value each other.

And for every heart that truly loves, February 14 is not just a celebration, it is a reminder that despite time, culture, and change, true love will always remain. 

 References:

www.blogger.com

Innovative Marketing. (2021). Image of 2021 Valentine's Day. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://innovativemarketing.co.za

Catholic Saint Medals. (n.d.). Saint Valentine Icon. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://catholicsaintmedals.com

Edible Arrangements. (n.d.). True Love Gift Basket. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://www.ediblearrangements.com 

From a Blank Page to a Webpage; Our Journey to the Creation of our CBR

At the beginning of our ICT class, our teacher showed us the web pages of previous students. These served as examples for our own community-based research (CBR) project. This was the project that set us off on our adventure into the realm of web design and research.

The first thing we did was come up with ideas on which part of Bantay we would concentrate on. After a lot of debate in the ICT classroom, we were able to limit it down to a location that seemed to fit the topic we wanted to investigate. The next step was to select a design for our website. After some discussion, we decided to go with a combination of Bantay and Caoyan's web pages that we thought best represented our research.

We concentrated on the "Livelihood and Economics" area for our CBR. This meant that we would be investigating and presenting the most important livelihoods, business, and industries in the area. We wanted to learn more about Caniaw's economic achievements and problems faced, so we looked at sub-topics such as employment, entrepreneurship, and community industries.

After we had settled on our topic, we decided to choose Caniaw, a barangay in Bantay, as the place to gather information and data for our project. Although only one of us went there personally, we worked together in preparing questions and arranging the interview. We also spoke with a local official who worked in the area, which provided us with important information for our project.

As the sun set, we all met online through Google Meet to talk about and assign the work that needed to be completed when we returned home. Even though we were working from our respected places, the meeting gave us the time to work together and make progress as a team. We were able to complete and polish our research report after two days of hard effort. We also used Google Docs so that we can access and edit the file and to keep everything organized .

The second challenge we faced was determining the design and layout of our webpage, beginning with the image for the homepage. We took some time to share our thoughts with each other in an effort to identify the ideal image that would represent the core of our research. After that we were able to slowly make progress in the coding and design, improving the webpage so that it would align with what we had envisioned.

We were then able to finish both our research paper and the design of the webpage after a lot of collaboration and hardwork. We felt proud of what we had accomplished together. This project taught us not only about web design but also about the necessity of working together and sticking with it when doing research.

References:

www.blogger.com

Frames, Lists, and Progress: Coding Through the 3rd Quarter

As the third quarter comes to a end, I reflect on the lessons I have learned and the problems I have encountered. During this time, I learned a lot about the things we discussed. I made new discoveries, developed technical abilities, and gained experience addressing these problems.

I learned more about HTML lists and frames this quarter, which are important for organizing web pages. My ability to show my material effectively improved when I learned how to organize content using sorted and unordered lists. At the same time, HTML frames showed me how to divide web pages into different portions, which is something that gives both functionality and design freedom for my web pages.

Aside from HTML, I also learned about Community Based Research (CBR ) and its structure , which helped me gain a better understanding of how to think more critical about my coding and structure my ideas and information better. These lessons made it easier for me to connect concepts and solve problems more effectively.

One of the most difficult challenges I faced was understanding how frames work in HTML. Frames are different from other elements in that they must be coded properly and carefully in order to avoid problems with navigation and layout. In order to solve this problem, I went back to YouTube tutorials, practiced using some alternative coding structures, and analyzed samples to identify the best technique to apply frames.

Another issue I encountered was understanding the ideas of CBR and how it is structured. At first, I had difficulty understanding certain parts of it. However, I was able to get through it by reviewing my notes, watching videos on YouTube, and discussing the topic with my classmates. Because of it, I was able to understand CBR and feel confident in my ability to create some CBR papers.

As I move into the next quarter, I plan to focus on more practical projects that will allow me to put what I have learned into practice. This will help me enhance my coding abilities. I will also work on improving my study habits by organizing my notes more effectively and studying classes early so that I do not have to cram at the last minute.

 

References:

www.blogger.com  

Nónglì xīnnián kuàilè

Whenever Chinese New Year comes along, the streets are always flooded with colorful lanterns, and the boom of firecrackers is a sign that people are celebrating joyfully. The Chinese New Year is a holiday that is observed in the Philippines, even though it is a tradition that originated in China. Why do Filipinos celebrate it, despite having a small Chinese population in the Country?

The Philippines and China have a long history of cultural connections that date back to before the arrival of the Spaniards. Since Chinese traders brought their culture to the Philippines, several of their practices have become part of the everyday life of Filipinos. The Chinese New Year is one of the long-lasting customs that the Chinese have passed down to the people of the Philippines.

Chinese New Year is a time for Filipinos to express their hopes for good luck. Many Chinese-Filipino families continue to observe traditions such as distributing ang pao (red envelopes holding money), creating tikoy (round rice cakes), and displaying round fruits that signify prosperity. People from other ethnic backgrounds also follow these traditions in order to attract good fortune and success in the upcoming year.

The Chinese New Year is not just a festival of and for the Chinese. In places like Binondo, which is the oldest Chinatown in the world, there are large festivals that include dragon and lion dances, fireworks, and marketplaces. These celebrations bring together Filipinos from all classes and ethnic backgrounds, creating a sense of unity. Although Chinese New Year started with the Chinese, its excitement and passion are felt by the entire community, not just the Chinese.

 

The Chinese New Year is also an important event for the economy of the Philippines. During the Chinese New Year season, Filipino and Chinese businessmen take the time to think about their business and make plans for the upcoming year. Malls and other companies run incentives to draw shoppers, which increases economic oppurtunities and spreads the culture of the Chinese New Year throughout the country.

The way that Filipinos celebrate Chinese New Year shows that they are open-minded and that they appreciate various cultures. Filipinos celebrate the customs of their fellow Chinese Filipinos, much as they do their own Christmas and New Year celebrations. In this way, the Chinese New Year is not only a celebration of a specific ethnicity, but also a celebration of the diversity and unity of the entire nation.

To sum it up, the Chinese New Year is celebrated not just by the Chinese, but by the entire population of the Philippines. Filipino culture has incorporated traditions that originated in China. Filipinos get the chance to join together and celebrate good fortune, friendship, and wealth during the Chinese New Year through customs such as pao, tikoy, and community events. This festival represents the open-mindedness of Filipinos in embracing diversity and unity, even when there are cultural differences.

 

References:

www.blogger.com   

( IMAGES ) 

• People (2024). Year of the Dragon image [Photograph]. People. https://people.com/thmb/JyE3_wRjlG6r3jlsVPgl0gbVXJ0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/year-of-the-dragon-020624-tout-f82b60115a9d462dbf2a40256e40c7ae.jpg
• Philstar (2020). Chinese New Year celebration image [Photograph]. Philstar. https://media.philstar.com/photos/2020/01/23/cny_2020-01-23_10-56-18.jpg
• Squarespace (n.d.). Chinese zodiac character design [Digital illustration]. Squarespace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64905b55d2da1763d70b05d0/e9a19ae2-adae-4af0-a820-963204724070/30.png
• GMA News (2022). Chinese New Year decorations and celebrations [Photograph]. GMA News. https://images.gmanews.tv/webpics/2022/01/Cover_photo_2022_01_25_12_45_08.jpeg 

( INFORMATION ) 

• Asia Society Philippines. (n.d.). Chinese New Year celebrated in the Philippines. Asia Society. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://asiasociety.org/philippines/chinese-new-year-celebrated-philippines
• Island Pacific. (n.d.). Filipino-Chinese traditions for Lunar New Year. Island Pacific Market. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://islandpacificmarket.com/blogs/blogs/filipino-chinese-traditions-for-lunar-new-year
• Harvard Divinity School. (n.d.). Chinese in the Philippines. Religious Literacy Project. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/chinese-philippines
• Minority Rights Group International. (n.d.). Chinese in the Philippines. Minority Rights Group International. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://minorityrights.org/communities/chinese-5/
• Cebu Daily News. (2025, February 3). Chinese New Year 2025: 8 traditions practiced for the Spring Festival. Cebu Daily News. Retrieved from https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/619422/chinese-new-year-2025-8-traditions-practiced-for-the-spring-festival