Moments of JAM

  

     Through my studies and my personal life, I picked up several new learning experiences to enhance both my educational background as well as from making friends. I realized that during this quarter that having the right friends to keep company with makes for a positive school experience. Being around friends who support you allows you to learn from one another. Another unique quality of this past quarter is that it was the final quarter priority to graduating junior high, so I enjoyed every minute I got to share with my classmates. 

   

    I also faced several challenges during this quarter. There were many school tasks, activities, and requirements that had to be completed before the end of the school year, and sometimes it was pretty overwhelming to get all of these done on time. Additionally, one of my biggest challenges was to face the fact that, although we are still together for now, we are going to be moving on in a few years and taking on different paths as we enter into our senior high school years. 

   


  To overcome these challenges, I tried my best to manage my time and finish my tasks early. I listened carefully to my teachers and asked for help when I did not understand the lesson. I also spent more time with my classmates, enjoying the moments we had together while still focusing on our responsibilities in school. 

    Moving on, I will continue to do my best in my studies as I enter a new chapter in Senior High School. In addition, all the lessons I learned throughout junior high, I will take with me all the memories I created in junior high school. To my friends, thank you for being part of my journey. You were one of the reasons why I kept fighting and doing my best even when things were hard. The laughter we shared, the experiences we had together, and all the memories I created with you will be with me forever. Even though we may go our separate ways in the future, each of you will have a special place in my heart, and I will always cherish our friendship. 

P.S J.A.M (Jane, Althea, Mico) 

Marching with Pride, Dancing with Heart

    On March 7, 2026, the 124th Foundation Day of Ilocos Sur National High School was celebrated with great joy by all. The day began with a parade throughout the school's campus. All students in grades 7 to 11 participated, with each class creating their own unique prop and design for their section of the parade. Some groups used many colorful decorations, banners, and costumes to make the parade visually appealing and exciting to watch. It was an awesome experience to see all the students working together, expressing their creativity, and representing the school spirit. 

    

    After the parade, we moved to the field for the field demonstration, where all grades performed their own dance routines for everyone in attendance. Everyone, including us Grade 10, showed tremendous excitement to perform what had been practiced, but also a competition amongst the classes. All Grade 10 students truly gave everything they had to give their best performance. 

    

    While we in Grade 10 did not win the competition, we were still very proud of our overall performance. Even though we did not receive a trophy, the experience was still fun and meaningful for us. We were able to learn about the significance of working as a team, putting an effort, and supporting each other. The 124th Foundation Day celebration will remain a very special memory in our hearts forever. 

My Dream, My Future

     

    Everybody talks about how "easy" dreaming can be, but turning those dreams into reality takes actions filled with courage and commitment. You can dream about your future whenever you want, but to make that happen, we must work hard, sacrifice some things in life, and not allow ourselves to quit trying. A dream is not only a wish, but it is also a goal that needs to be achieved.
    

 My dream is to become a nurse. I want to help sick people feel better and cure them. I know that being a nurse takes a lot of effort, knowledge, and compassion. But I am determined to get an education that will help me become a nurse. Actually, someone who has influenced me is my uncle. He currently works as a licensed nurse in the USA. He showed me through his determination and faith in God that it is possible to accomplish one's goals through hard work and perseverance. He started small, and now he is living his dreams. Because of him, I have hope that I will be able to achieve my dreams if I work hard and stay focused on my goals. 
     

    

    Dreams may begin as a simple wish, but achieving them takes dedication and commitment to your goals, and believing you have what it takes to succeed is important. I want to achieve my dream of becoming a nurse because it allows me to care for others and to be committed to serving. I know that with hard work and determination, I will turn my dream of becoming a nurse into my future!

References:
Communications, B. (2025, May 7). 8 things you need to know about a nursing career change. Bouvé College of Health Sciences. https://bouve.northeastern.edu/news/nursing-career-change/

Aleutie. (2014, December 10). Little black girl, standing on a pile of books, reaching for a star,. . . iStock. https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/importance-of-reading-for-children-development-gm527611749-53332214

Reid, A. (2016, February 1). Student dreams and aspirations for the future. Eagle Eye. https://nphseagleeye.com/student-life/2016/02/01/students-dreams-and-aspirations-for-the-future/  

Valentine's Day

     

    Every February 14, we celebrate Valentine's Day, a day that reminds people of love and caring for others. Not only for couples but also for family and friends, including our pets! We could give gifts such as cards, flowers, chocolates, and small presents to show how we feel. Instead of just giving flowers and chocolates, many students were also nervous and excited to receive their report cards.

   

 For many of us, the day felt both exciting and nervous. We hoped our grades reflected our hard work. After that, we all went straight home and chose to celebrate simply by spending time together as a family. There were no surprises, but it was just as warm and meaningful to me as anything else we have done. 

   

 

    At night, we went outside together with my family. We ate dinner, talked, and enjoyed our time together. It was simple but special. The day had nothing to do with the grades we received or whether we received gifts, but everything to do with love, support, and spending time with our loved ones. 

 Pangasinan Red Rose 2025 Bouquet Bouquet - Tin’s Flower Shop - Pangasinan. (n.d.). Tin’s Flower Shop. https://www.tinsflowershop.com/home/775-pangasinan-red-rose-2025-bouquet.html 

"Intayon" Ilocos Sur Festival

       

    The Ilocos Sur Festival is a cultural celebration that shows unity, heritage, and community pride. It brings people together to celebrate the culture and traditions. Also, many tourists visited during that time; some were from other countries or the National Capital Region of the Philippines. They were complimenting that the festival was fun and those delicious delicacies. 

 

     During the festival, there was street dancing, singing competitions, and a lot more fun activities. You could see the contestants' courage and determination to win. Their outfits were cool; they were creative and showed the culture and tradition of Ilocos Sur. Then, there was also Ms. Ilocos Sur 2026, and the winner is Ms. Narvacan, who showed an extravagant performance. The hosts were big time; one of them was Catriona Gray, Ms. Universe 2018, whom I look up to. 

There were also concerts; unfortunately, I was not able to go watch because I have classes the next day. I decided to just watch on social media so I won't feel sad for not being able to watch the artists. Additionally, there was also the Kannawidan trade fair. There was a lot of delicious food, and you don't know where to eat anymore because it's everywhere. It's truly fun because the festival helped us remember the tradition and culture of Ilocos Sur. 

    
    The festival helps promote local foods, products, and tourist spots. Tourist can taste delicious Ilocano Dishes and see the beautiful places in the province.  The Ilocos Sur Festival was memorable, it  showed the unity and joy of the people. 

References:

The Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur (2026, February 11) https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=898316852950871&set=pcb.898320349617188

The Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur (2026, February 13) https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=899257562856800&set=pcb.899260126189877

Travel Blog Vigan CIty: Conversion of Saint Paul Celebration

     The fiesta is celebrated every month of January, and the whole city becomes alive with joy and excitement. 

    First, I went to witness the field demonstration of Saint Paul. The students performed and showed the story of Saint Paul. It was fun and awesome because all of them were great dancers, and they were so energetic. I also saw the students' parents dancing on the field, capturing their children's dance, and their pride was evident. 

        

  
    

     After that, as I walked around the city, I saw a tarpaulin for the 25th Vigan City Fiesta and Longganisa Festival, and the celebration felt even more exciting. Of course, seeing the sign made me even more excited to enjoy the activities prepared for the fiesta. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a picture of the parade because we had exams that day. However, I was still able to go see the activities of Vigan City after the exams.  

    

      Moving on, I went to Plaza Burgos to watch the concert. One of the singers who performed was Gigi De Lana. When I saw her on the stage, she was stunning, and her voice was so amazing that makes your jaw drop; you could see that she was more beautiful in person. She also sang the "Liwang sa Dilim," which was my favorite song that she sang that night. The exciting part is that the concert was fun, and a lot of people were singing or jamming with her. 

 

     Next, the last performer was Dionela, and the vibe became more exciting since he was the last performer. When he sang "Marilag" and "Sining," everyone indeed sang along. We even put out our phones and turned on the flashlights. I could see the big screen in front that made the place feel filled with lights and made the moment feel amazing and really unforgettable. Also, the last song was the best because he threw water while we were all jumping. The vibe and energy were high, and I believe that everyone did enjoy it. It was a moment I will never forget. 

Overall, the Vigan City Fiesta was an unforgettable experience for me. It made me feel happy, and I really had fun after exams. It also showed the spirit of the Bigueños. 

My Third Quarter Learning Experience

In the third quarter, I used my knowledge of basic research during a performance task that required it. I learned that teamwork and time management are important for finishing the task and submitting it early. I discovered that socializing with others isn't that bad, and with that, we need to get out of our comfort zone to see the bright side.

I think one of the challenges that I faced was managing my time since we go out for our research. There were also times when coordination with your teammates was hard because some of them were not available and some went somewhere. Plus, gathering information in our research was a bit difficult, as was interviewing some people who were needed.

To address these challenges, I tried to communicate well with my teammates and make plans so that it would be easier. We also divided the parts so that everyone would do something, and it would be easier. Through cooperation and teamwork, we were able to complete our performance task. 

Moving on, I will apply what I learned this third quarter. I will also continue to improve my time management and coordination whenever there are group activities. Also, I will stay responsible with these it will help in future performance tasks or activities. 

The Pen That Awakened a Nation

    

Jose Rizal was a Filipino national hero, writer, and doctor. His greatest contribution was that he used his skills in writing during the colonization by the Spanish, and many Filipinos were abused and mistreated. Then, Rizal helped to educate them that they are all one country and that their problems are the same. He taught them to be proud of their rights as citizens of their country.

Rizal expressed his idea through the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which contain the wrongdoings of Spanish leaders and friars and the people they affected with their cruelty. With the help of these books, Rizal helped them to think better, question the things they had been taught to follow, and to foster the hope for change.  

    Jose Rizal believed that education could make the country better and lead to peaceful action. He showed that fighting for the nation does not always have to be violent, but it can be done through knowledge and good values. Thus, he lived and died a great example of the love of the country. 

Google Image Result. (n.d.). https://share.google/Bm27lfLrleWTgtQ8H

Jose Rizal | Knights of Rizal - The Netherlands. (n.d.). www.google.com. https://share.google/zcVf3CyDhGDbTxgwz 

Novels | Jose Rizal. (n.d.-b). www.google.com. https://share.google/AD8jldsn82fRtUNku

Indigenous Peoples Month

     

    The Philippines has set aside a month to honor Indigenous Peoples of the nation, declaring November as the National Indigenous Peoples Month. The theme of Indigenous Peoples Month "Weaving Culture To Create A Better Tomorrow" indicates that culture can create a better tomorrow. Indigenous Peoples are part of the overall identity and history of the Philippines as part of our Indigenous Heritage.

    Indigenous Peoples' community has many customs and traditions, such as traditional arts like weaving, dancing, and storytelling. These traditions and customs were passed down to the Indigenous Peoples from their ancestors. Another attribute of the Indigenous People is their close relationship with nature, such as forests and land. The Indigenous Peoples are knowledgeable about living harmoniously with the land and its resources. By respecting Native People, we respect their Indigenous Heritage, culture, and Resource Management.

    To empower Indigenous Peoples, we must assign value to them by respecting their humanity, grant them rights, and provide them with resources. Support for the Indigenous People Community can enhance their quality of life through the protection of their Culture and the ability to succeed within society. The celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Month provides an opportunity for all of us to become part of a more inclusive society, especially related to the Indigenous Peoples Community.

Agshanonline, V. a. P. B. (2018b, May 4). Strengthening cultural traditions on IP month through programs and projects. AgshanOnline2018. https://agshanonline2018.wordpress.com/2018/05/04/strengthening-cultural-traditions-on-ip-month-through-programs-and-projects/ 

Busse, F. M. J. (2022b, August 24). Valuing, respecting & supporting Indigenous people’s culture, history, and voice. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/valuing-respecting-supporting-indigenous-peoples-culture-busse 

Purdy, B. (2016b, November 27). 3 reasons you need to support Indigenous peoples, even if you are not Indigenous. Food Tank. https://foodtank.com/news/2014/02/3-reasons-you-need-to-support-indigenous-peoples-even-if-you-are-not-indige/ 

Joy in Simple Things

      Christmas is a special day of the year. It is fun, and you can receive many gifts, but more importantly, it is the season of giving, loving, and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Aside from that, Christmas is also about spending time with our loved ones or family. 

  

     Before Christmas Day, my family and I helped each other to decorate our Christmas tree. We went to buy Christmas lights, and we reused some of the decorations so we could save money. We also put Christmas lights on our gate and put some decorations in the hallway of our house. Being with them while preparing for Christmas made it feel special.

    We also had a Christmas party with my friends. Each of us brought food; some brought pancit, crispy Chickenjoy, and more delicious food. We had played a few games, and I was so lucky that I won some of them and received a prize, which was money. After the games, we exchanged gifts with the person that we randomly picked.

    When the clock hit 12:00 AM, I ran towards our Christmas tree and opened the gifts that I received. Even if they were simple, they still made me happy. After that, we ate the food that we prepared, like yummy spaghetti and graham with fruits. Eating together made it even more joyful. However, Christmas feels incomplete when my father is away working as an OFW. I haven't yet experienced celebrating Christmas with my father. I miss him a lot, but what can I do when he is working hard for our family?

        At the end, Christmas is still Christmas. A season of giving and sharing. Where Jesus Christ's birth is celebrated, and family remains at the heart of everything, even when some loved ones are far away. 

A Leader of Determination and Reconstruction

    

The life story of President Elpidio Quirino reveals a man of aspirations who could not afford to abandon his goals. He grew up in Vigan, Ilocos Sue, studying law after hard work in pursuit of an education. From his experience in education came an understanding of persistence, which guided him to a profession as a lawyer. Eventually, he was engage in publice service after countless months of hard work and study. 

    Before being elected President, he had earned a strong public record serving in government as a legislator, senator, and the Philippine Vice President. He participated in Philippine independence missions to the United States in an effort to urge full independence. Following the death of President Manuel Roxas, Quirino was thrust into the spotlight and took on an immense responsibility. 

    During his time as President, Quirino focused on the rebuilding of the Philippines in the wake of World War II, the improving of the economy, the enhancement of services to workers and farmers, and the strengthening of relations with counties. His unyielding pursuit of pursuit of peace leading to inviting amends for the Huk rebel groups dispersed across the nation. Quirino was an acknowledged leader of the Eastern Asian world grappling with innumerable crises and preventing escalation into a larger conflict. 

    

History continues to favor and to be positive about his beliefs and traditiopns he attempted to impose each day, which reflected a long-held adversarial position delving past any transitional experience he had already encountered in a post-war world. Quirino continues to be remembered for his professionalism, humanity, and acceptance of a role of stability in post-war Philipppines. 

 

 An invitation: A seminar on the Legacy of Elpidio Quirino, Sixth . . . (n.d.). www.google.com. https://share.google/images/nyX8o4my4EtpoLMjl

 Elpidio Quirino - Wikiwand. (n.d.). www.google.com. https://share.google/images/T8CPBm7E8ImbUJ4fX

 File:Elpidio Quirino Monument, Vigan City, Ilocos sur, April 2023 . . . (n.d.). www.google.com. https://share.google/images/jtnQZkkfTc2pM5HIV