A Short Visit, A City Full of Stories

The Vigan Festival runs from January 16 to 26, and even though I only visited for a few days, the experience was more than enough to make it memorable. I did not go on the exact feast day, but the events I witnessed still showed how alive and colorful the festival was. Each visit felt special in its own way and made me appreciate Vigan more.

On January 21, after our periodical exams, Aubrey and I

decided to go to Vigan as a way to relax. We went to Calle Crisologo, a place known for its old houses and peaceful atmosphere. Walking along the street felt calming, especially after days of studying and exams. 

The sound of footsteps on the cobblestone road and the warm lights around the area made the place feel comforting. We took our time walking, talking, and simply enjoying the moment. After spending some time there, we went to McDonald’s to eat. It was a simple meal, but it felt rewarding after a long and tiring day. That short visit helped clear our minds and made us feel refreshed.

On January 22, we went back to Vigan to watch the festival dance competitions.

The place was filled with people, music, and excitement. I was truly amazed by the performances, especially Category A, which was composed of elementary students. Despite their young age, they performed with confidence and energy. Their costumes were colorful, and their choreography was well prepared. It was impressive to see how much effort they put into their performances.

We also supported our school’s dance troupe, Sanggalaw. Watching them perform made the event more meaningful for me. 

After the dance competitions, my classmates and I went to the food fair.

 

There were many foods to choose from, and it was fun trying something new. I tasted pani puri, an Indian food, for the first time.

 

Unfortunately, I was only able to taste the base and not the sauce, but even so, it still tasted good. The experience of trying food from a different culture made the festival even more exciting.

At around six in the evening, we watched the festival showdown. All the performances were amazing, and the energy of the crowd made everything more exciting. When the winner was announced and our school’s dance troupe won, I felt very proud. It was a happy moment not only for the performers but also for those who supported them.

After the festival dance, there was a band performance.

Parokya ni Edgar performed that night, and I felt very emotional because they are one of my favorite bands and will always be special to me. Watching them perform live was something I did not expect, and it made the night even more unforgettable.

A quarter

The second quarter taught me lessons that were not always written on the board. I learned about pressure, expectations, and how words can stay longer than lessons. Hearing things like 

“kaya mo yan dati ah”

 “dapat perfect score ka” or

 “parang nagdadrasal ka lang ng sagot”

slowly sank into me and made me question myself. Still, I learned that learning is not always loud success. Sometimes it is quiet survival, showing up even when confidence is shaking. I discovered that growth does not always look impressive, but it is still growth.

This quarter was emotionally heavy for me. There were days when I felt overwhelmed, tired, and afraid of disappointing others. The pressure to do well made simple tasks feel heavy, and there were moments when I felt like my efforts were not enough. I also struggled with comparing myself to others and feeling like I was falling behind. At times, it felt lonely carrying all these thoughts while trying to keep going.

I faced these challenges with the help of my friends and my own determination. My friends became my safe space, the ones who reminded me to breathe, laugh, and keep going when everything felt too much. We shared stress, jokes, and encouragement, making the hard days lighter. I also learned to push myself gently, to study even when motivation was low, and to remind myself that trying is already an achievement.

Moving forward, I will choose to be kinder to myself. I will continue learning without letting harsh words define my worth. I will value progress over perfection and hold onto the people who support me through my highs and lows. Next quarter, I will move forward stronger, not because everything became easier, but because I learned how to keep going despite everything.

 

Growth Beyond Winning

The third quarter taught me so many things that I did not expect to learn. I learned not only lessons from schoolwork, but also lessons from experiences that tested me as a person. One of the biggest moments this quarter was our hip hop performance. I was the leader and also one of the choreographers, and through that role, I realized that leadership is not about being the best or knowing everything. It is about learning alongside others. Even if I was the leader, I was still learning too. We were all learning together, making mistakes, correcting them, and growing as a group. That experience taught me patience, responsibility, and humility.

Despite the learnings, this quarter was also challenging. Being a leader was not easy because I felt pressure to guide my group while still figuring things out myself. There were times when practices were exhausting and stressful, especially when things did not go as planned. Balancing academics with practice was difficult, and there were moments when I doubted myself. Losing the competition was painful because we worked hard and gave our best. It made me feel disappointed and frustrated, especially knowing how much effort everyone put into the performance.

I addressed these challenges by choosing to reflect instead of giving up. I listened to my teammates, accepted criticism, and tried to improve where I fell short. Losing helped me realize that winning is not the only measure of success. That experience made me more mindful of my skills and my attitude. Instead of blaming myself or others, I used the loss as motivation. It pushed me to think about what I could do better next time and how I could grow, not just as a dancer, but as a leader and teammate.

Moving on, I want to continue improving myself. I want to sharpen my skills, be more confident, and stay open to learning no matter what role I am given. I will carry the lessons from this quarter with me and remember that growth often comes from challenges and failure. This quarter taught me that learning does not stop when you lead, and that sometimes losing is what helps you become better.

A Pen That Changed a Country

José Rizal is often called the face of the Philippines because his life and ideas reflect the struggles and hopes of the Filipino people. His greatest contribution to Philippine society was not through weapons or violence, but through his words and ideas. “Ang panulat ay mas makapangyarihan kaysa espada” perfectly describes Rizal’s belief. He showed Filipinos that change can begin by opening minds and speaking the truth.

Through his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Rizal exposed the abuses of the Spanish colonizers and the suffering of Filipinos. His writings made people realize that what thy were experiencing was injustice, not normal life. “Hindi tayo ipinanganak para magtiis habang inaapi” is the message many Filipinos felt while reading his works. 

Rizal helped awaken national consciousness by making people aware of their identity and worth as Filipinos.

Rizal also showed that loving the country means being willing to sacrifice. He chose to face death instead of abandoning his principles. “Mamatay man, may iiwan akong diwa” reflects how his execution did not silence him. Instead, it strengthened the desire for freedom and unity among Filipinos. His courage inspired others to continue fighting for independence and dignity.

Jose Rizal’s greatest contribution lies in how he taught Filipinos to think, question, and love their country deeply. He reminded us that freedom starts with awareness and that change begins when people refuse to stay silent. Even today, his ideas continue to shape Philippine society, making him not just a hero of the past, but a voice that still speaks to the present.

Reference/Source:

Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines

National Historical Commission of the Philippines

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph

Finding Meaning in a Different Christmas

Christmas, in its true essence, is more than decorations, gifts, or celebrations. It is found in simple moments, quiet nights, and the warmth we try to give to others. Christmas reminds us to pause and reflect, to be gentle, and to remember love even when life feels heavy. The season is not always loud or bright, sometimes it is calm and silent, but still meaningful.

This Christmas, I did not expect much. Our family no longer celebrates it the way we used to before, when everything felt complete and joyful. “Hindi na tulad ng dati” became real for me. There were no big gatherings or long preparations like in the past. Instead, Christmas felt different, quieter, and a little empty, yet honest. It reminded me that change is part of growing up, even during seasons meant for happiness.

Even so, I learned that Christmas does not lose its meaning just because traditions change. A simple meal, a short conversation, or a moment of peace can still carry the spirit of the season. “Tahimik man, totoo pa rin” describes how Christmas felt for me this year. It was not about what I received, but about accepting what is and appreciating small moments.

In the end, the essence of Christmas is not measured by how grand it is, but by how it makes us feel inside. Even if celebrations are no longer the same, Christmas still reminds us to choose kindness, gratitude, and understanding. I may not expect much now, but I carry the meaning with me, hoping that warmth will return in its own time.