Stars From A Million Years

    Did you know that the stars we look upon aren't what they're actual state at right now? But their state hundreds, thousands, or million years from now, depending on how far they are from this planet. That's because the universe follow the presence of the speed of light into what's visible for us. So, when I knew that fact when I was young, I've always thought of it whenever I look up at night, and whenever I look upon the star at the top of a Christmas tree.

    Like the stars we count, gaze, and sometimes sing to, is the symbol I imagine when December comes. Of course, it is already given that it is birth of Christ, with shepherd, and wools. But as we know, the three wise men would have not known the birth of a true king without the bright twinkling star above. As much as birth, this month and days are what I await for every year. When you were a student, we all know that when it is "that" time of the year, it is also "that" time for long sleeps, long tabled foods, and gifts to receive.

    On December 21, our Christmas break began. My family immediately headed to Pangasinan and stayed there on my ninong's wife's private villa. It was very cold every morning as we are very close to seashore. We have gone to Hundreds Islands too, where I hiked their tallest island. I have also known some history of it, such as the reasons to what they named few islands for. I also swum almost every day on the swimming pool of the house we lived in. About 3 days later, we left home.

    On my way to Vigan, I met my cousins that I haven't seen in a year. They were ate Mae and Nicole. I've cherished every moments with them and will always go on a "gala" every afternoon. We've gone to museums, to libraries. and to parks. At few Saturdays and Sundays, I also go for a practice of Hip-hop on courts, or play badminton with friends in San Vicente. I enjoyed painting and even started digital  

art. I made friends across country online, where one I got really close to, was John from Mexico, we shared language and times while on vacation. Moreover, when I'm being a coach potato and getting too bored with gadgets, I would always play with my electronics kit or read some books where I started three Philosophy books and are still working on the until today (cause they were thick).

    On the last day of the Christmas vacation, I watched the fireworks display, one of my favorite things to see. I don't know, I just like how bright, the laugh of children I hear during these times, and the way it reflects through my eyes. These memories, activities, and hobbies I opened on my life are still engraved today. I have learned, even from just reading a book, a new world woken up. For me, it is not spending time, even when I feel like I am not doing anything because as human, we sometimes need a break, to set free from cycles. After all, school reopened in January 2, you may call it short, but it filled my heart when leaving another year. A time well spent indeed.

This will be another star that I will always look up, reflect, that is worthy to be remembered. A constellation for my symbol for Christmas.

References:

https://www.blogger.com/

Crack An Egg

       Have you taken your breakfast? HA! or is it still the same old spaghetti from your noche buena?— I'm kidding. Anyway, what I ate after the New Year's Eve in the next morning was actually boiled egg. I never had one before, I don't even like its shape. What's the usual cook for my egg in breakfast are fried, poached, scrambled, but never boiled.

        Something's wrong, or is it just me who didn't want the change?

      It is very common of I to say every year the "igagaed ko iti agadalen" or "agpakkutongak talagan" but look at me, still the same to what I "thought" who'd change. These resolutions I imprint into my every year are just written for mere test. But this year will be different. Today, I will accept trials. As the surprise for my breakfast, this lesson I will manage to expect the unexpected.

       By this year, I would like to make a console letter: To my dear self, don't hold your past regrets, hayaan na natin ang nakaraang kay pait. Know the people you work with and please self, gumawa ka na ng mga assignments mo on-time. Kaya mo yan! Be more friendly as well and promise me to cherish your surroundings with purity and kindness. I will see you next year and make me proud of what you've become by then.

        Life is full of changes, from perspectives, to likes, to hates, preferences, and even friends. Just like a boiled egg on once cracked, overtime, we won't be served with the same cook. And, we still need to eat them, because we can't always have what we thought of having or we will starve. Just like life, it is a roller coaster, I need to stand the changes and embrace the belongings and hardships I face. What I assure to be always the same is my faith in God, I know my wants but not my needs, but He knows, and these blessings I will hold together this year.

        We don't have to throw what we were, because that's the reason on what we are right now. The lessons and knowledge gained, cannot be taken without the joy and sorrow from yesterday. Still, I will cover my heart with courage and a face that you will see when I make the best version of myself. 

References:

https://www.blogger.com/

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall.htm

    Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? What does this person have become, and what process has she gone through? Miles away from my first Reflection blog, we had our adventure through my "Museum Gallery" as an artist through my journey. Hence, today, look to me as a princess and learn the story of this princess until her happy ending.

I'll start with my abbreviation, a <title> called H.T.M.L. or Host for Tomorrow, and a Mile Longer. 

Host. I am stand-alone as someone who's like a <br> or <hr>. I have learned fundamental bases and blueprints throughout my journey, and of looking forward. When Ma'am Evelyn taught us about coding and more amazing facts and discoveries within our technological and easy worlds, a complex state of idea and comprehension that I have gained was further analyzed and progressed. Every day, we had our daily .htm, and through each file we knew ways for further use.

Tomorrow, there is more to come. I have gone through a lot of hardships this quarter, wherein between the <body> there are instances that I am sloped like an <i> for I may not carry the burden, especially catching up with the lessons when I am always excused with my Journalism and Sports event. It wasn't easy meeting deadlines or running errands, but a passion to go for is what I was in.

Mile. Each day, I gain and trust, as well as lose. By this, I <U>nderstand situations gaining profit from knowledge and specification through time management that I rarely got easy for. Furthermore, learning isn't always an easy task, it wasn't my forte to have this, I was told to be <b> (bold) in trusting my guts and capacity.

Longer. This isn't my end, but it will be my happy ending chapter. Moving on, this story is much deeper because it's not just the days unfolding but also the memories and learning gone. Let's go on with a slash (</body> </html>) not to end but to make another file later as I have more to tackle. Through this reflection, another chapter is done, and another is opened. 

Reflection:

https://www.blogger.com/

She was Born

My parents considered having a boy, yet here I am. Funny you would say, but when I knew why they thought of having a man better than a girl, it was because of the painful past of my mother from her first husband. The abusive relationship leading to the breakup of my mother's first lover led to knowing my father in whom I was born, to be her hated daughter.

Hear me out, she only hates it, not me but how I was born as me, who she knows I can go through the same path as hers. These pasts make up an expectation of the future, which propels us to have wisdom and hope for a world that is better than what it is today.

That girl in the story is standing through your mind, saying, "My stance is this: Who's a man without a woman?"

Situations such as a woman experiencing abuse, exploitation, discrimination, bullying, and other types of inhumanity, either emotionally, physically, mentally, and psychologically, are leading to Violence Against Women, which is a major flashback and social cause, within the country, and within the world. It affects millions and reports. What I'm worrying about is, how about the unreported ones, will they just be able to let it be?

The country’s heartbreak issue is still getting higher day by day with an estimated 18,000 reported victims over the past year. Awareness of this issue is a mission by being part of the constitution. The support system is for women's rights, women who require attention for a cause, their freedom.

Violence Against Women is a widespread social issue not only in the Philippines but globally, with an estimated 1 in 3 women. The 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey released by the Philippine Statistics Authority reveals that nearly 1 out of 5 women have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence by their current or most recent husband or intimate partner. As of 2023, the PNP received 8,055 cases reported under Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004.

Many improvements have been made over the years; however, it is much yet to be achieved. The journey toward equality is long and quite challenging. According to the Global Gender Gap 2024 Insight Report by the World Economic Forum, there will still be a very long time before achieving total gender parity, at approximately 134 years. But hope is not lost because every Filipino has the power to help. The Philippines, being the most gender-equal country in Asia and ranking 25th out of 146 economies in this year's Global Gender Gap Index, has been working tirelessly to make gender equality a lived reality to become a VAW-free country. 

This can be the answer to all questions for change. One factor of this law is that it can employ aspects and branches to which an assurance is promulgated. Protective to address the needs of society in collaboration with strategic partners. Resolutely magnify governance, wherein it is correlated to the 5th and 16th Sustainable Development Goals of SDG, the Peace, Justice, and Strong Constitution, and Gender Equality achieving a target for the empowerment of all women and girls. 

Social media is a way to communicate and entertain, and if it goes further beyond the means, such as the Philippines struggles with the rise of women and child sexual abuse online. Moreover, victims of sexual violence and exploitation online choose not to report it, other children day they don't know what to do during these incidents. The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 is a VAWC law, that supports individuals, especially women, either online or in real life. Let's emphasize this, an increase in the number of online sexual abuse and exploitations in women are mostly inside their homes, sometimes, with family members and relatives as perpetrators.

Now, the RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act) in 2019, or the Bawal Bastos Law in the Philippines is the act that operates for a safer community, either public or in private places. It operates as a combat for sexual harassment as well across domains, occupational, academic institutions, and social media platforms. It also addresses unethical actions like (physically or online) stalking, catcalling, sexual gestures, unwarranted advances, mechanisms, or any wonders or experiences that a woman may feel unsafe or advantaged for having no permission. Furthermore, it mandates preventative protocols within infrastructures and education processes; to foster a much more detailed and inclusive society that's harassment and discrimination-free environment.

These laws, and even more not mentioned, are the foundation of women's preparation. 

Almost all of my family are women, and it is just right to hold justice within my loved ones, by which I speak my voice for them.

In the country, we say "Piliin mo and Pilipinas", a term telling you're welcome here, temporarily. And if they chose to stay, will you still be proud as they unravel behind the fun and laughter of ten, masked are mourn of a hundred. If you know that violence doesn't choose who is who, ten who are we to let it be. No, it is not, what it is.

We don't need to overthink, but I want you to wonder, what are we fighting for, again? Don't let this violence work.

References:

-https://www.blogger.com/

-Violence Against Women | Philippine Commission on Women. https://pcw.gov.ph/violence-against-women/.

-Maling, Dante. Villarica, Myra. et. al. (April 17, 2019). Lawphil. Republic Act No. 11313. https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2019/ra_11313_2019.html

 

 

Culturally Driven, Indigenous Sea to Dive-in

    In my life, I have experienced many things. For example, at the National Jamboree last year in Passi City, I was given a chance to take a tribal dance. It was only supposed to be a contest as we needed to represent the place's tradition, but I felt the air lingering through my hair, the accessories strolling with grace, and my proud self in front of the thousand Filipino youth, and guess what, we won. Yes! There were yells and claps around me, which I reflected, that what can I represent without this winning dance, ergo, an original of a community, no other than Indigenous peoples'.

       (The photo is taken from Passi City official page, unfortunately, the live was already deleted or taken down, and a screenshot is only provided making it blurry. Hence, CTO.)

    Indigenous people are our ancestral beginning that needs to be protected. They were the focal attendees of preserved pure Filipino culture. Yet, they are underestimated in circumstances of fading and peek to trending relevance. 

    This year, in 2024, we get to have our 27th year of Indigenous Peoples' Rights, or IPRA, in October. This, also known as Republic Act no. 8371 states that they have all the authority rights to ancestral domains, cultural integrity, access within needs, and justice for empowerment and governance in any place. "Mga Katutubo at Katutubong Dunong: Pahalagahan, Pangalagaan, at Parangalana" is today's theme, in which I propose that they are manipulated in distinct characteristics of welfare and selfishness, that should be given up as it is what it is supposed to be, fostering upon the birth and death of our own.

    Let's take a look at these people, the country is home to more than 17 million Indigenous individuals and about 110 ethnolinguistic groups, to tell, these are the Igorot, Lumad, Mangyan, Aetas, etc. that revolves around the isolation from the country of freedom and justice.

    Bringing back, we have our National Indigenous Peoples' Month, by this authority, we are given a chance to correct our instances in the minority of our relation, our own flesh and blood. Protecting the rights and culture of these people is beyond the means.

    We have the stereotype that when we see them, as distinct and very different from us, mainly called "black" "ugly" and "poor", cruelty is mentioned to their names because of their differences, and this needs to be bothered for their beauty are concealed by threats and modernity. 

    The promotion of our yearly education and celebration will always set us up to remember where we came from. The rights of the Indigenous tribes aren't what should be taken advantage of. Our country respects that, and I hope it will be the same with discriminators. From the law's protection, we ensure that they are within the national affairs and decisions. The vision in initiatives and development as a choice home of reserved persons journeying towards union. Committing ourselves, steadfastly providing integral excellencies, the future we await is from the indigenous' contribution that needs recognition. The celebration brings back the opportunity to prepare, nurture, and give attention to the issues revolving around our boundaries.

    For our Filipino Indegenous people, saludo ako sainyo. These communities continued to inspire the country where they belong in which the riches of gold and diamond are bypassed by the beauty of salvation. You're not the holding what was nor what's now, but what will be.

For personal tribute, here's my own made Campaign Infographics...

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGA9Koxlzo/qCmELtnILDobbR0lWIgOqw/edit?utm_content=DAGA9Koxlzo&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

References:

https://www.blogger.com/

Santos,Jennilyn.news-and-storiesstoriestowards-inclusion-for-indigenous-peoples-in-the-philippines&psig.www.unops.org.https://content.unops.org/photos/News-and-Stories/_image1800x900/PXL_20230721_031416033.jpg

Calleja, Joseph Peter (Oct. 7,2020). Philippine bishops demand protection of indigenous people's rights. https://i.ucanews.com/ucanews/uploads/2020/10/philippine-bishops-call-for-protection of-indigenous-peoples-rights-5f7d6e8b7e1a2_600.jpeg

A Biography: The 6th President of the Philippines

    Elpidio Rivera y Quirino was born on November 16, 1890, in a provincial jail in the small city of Vigan, Philippines. He was the third among his 7 siblings and their parents as Don Mariano Quirino and Dona Gregoria Mendoza Rivera Quirino. Young Elpidio went to Elementary school near Caoayan, and there, he graduated from Grade school. Meanwhile, in his high school years, Elpidio went to Vigan High School and also goes as a "barrio" or rural village teacher, as he's advanced beyond his years. Not for a while, he moved to Manila to graduate High School in 1911 while passing the civil service exam.

    Quirino entered law school and began to battle for the Philippine Government from then on. He served Senate President Manuel Quezon, was elected to the Philippine House of Representatives, and then elected again to the Philippine Senate, quickly given committee appointments, all of those for 10 years starting in 1915.

    Impressed as you are but in 1934, Elpidio became a member of the Philippine Independence mission to Washington, D.C., securing the Tydings-McDuffie Act. One year later, his draft for the Philippine constitution was approved in May.

    Now, Quirino at his time we're the years of WWII. In April of the year 1942, the Philippines was taken by Japanese imperial forces, by this, Quirino was given an option but disregarded the Japanese-sponsored "puppet government" of Jose Laurel. He was imprisoned, while his wife, Alicia Syquia, and 3 out of his five children were killed by the Japanese forces while going home during the Battle of Manila. There, he said (and also was my personal favorite Quirino's quote) "We are the trustees of the Filipino people and of their welfare and happiness". By this, he became known for his forgiving attitude despite the brutal loss of his family members.

    When the war ended, Quirino became a leader of the Liberal Party and pro tempore. Election came in 1946 of April, wherein Manuel Roxas was elected as president, and him as VP. Yet, Roxas died unexpectedly in 1948, so Elpidio needed to take charge of the Presidency title.

    November 1949, Elpidio was reelected as the president of the Philippine Republic tempting improvement in conditions. Victoria, his oldest daughter, becomes the youngest hostess of Malacañang Palace, for his wife already died and no other could take the title of first lady.

    He devoted his life from then on, to social and economic increase and agrarian conditions. Furthermore, in his term, the relationship between Western and Asian countries grew stronger, under his administration, the country accepted around 6 thousand Russians from the Communist rule of China, saving the lives of many, for he continued to reach out to the victims and sufferers upon control of higher take and even other countries.

    He once ran again for the highest execution position but was defeated by Ramon Magsaysay. Years later, he died on February 29, 1956, as for the moment, his resting place was in Libingan ng mga Bayani.

    We continue to remember him by his infinite effect of distribution for our country. Upon the judgments of hundreds, gets millions of takebacks for he fosters a heart of independence and patriotism. Indeed, an Ilocano pride, a nation's treasure.

References:

https://www.blogger.com/

Redirect Notice. www.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2F.source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved   =0CBQQjRxqFwoTCMi8_p6ahIoDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE.

thelordofthenerds.wordpress.com%2Ftag%2elpidioquirino. https://live.staticflickr.com/578/22750215610_c5be608a35_b.jpg

www.reddit.com%2Fr%2FPhilippines%2Fcomments%2Fsg5194%2Fdyk_president_elpidio_quirinos_wife_and_three. https://i.redd.it/kthq057ahse81.jpg

Elizabeth Ann Q. (Nobyembre 17, 2023). Commemorating the birthday of Philippine President Elpidio Quirino. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/commemorating-birthday-philippine-president-elpidio-quirino-quirino 

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Bata, Gusto mo ng Kendi?

     A child is just deprecating, or are we desperate enough to belittle the little? As hopeless as it is, they are no different from what they can experience from the cruelty of this world. Children are a soul of new life, retrieved from a bear of faith in humanity. They were born by love, will live for love, and end from love. 

    In a case last October of this year, a report from a kidnapping was known. In the investigation, the criminal asked to give candy to abduct a 6-year-old. This testament further goes to the need for safety with proper addressing and solidarity in the rights of the young. The smiles on the children's faces are valuable, but their weakness is what's taken advantage of. In a sweet delight and persuasion, a tragedy is amplified. How ironic when we knew that candy was supposed to be a treat.

        Prejudices are making excuses, while countries are making resolute bases, such as the Philippines, where Filipino children are given a stand. Ratified in Republic Act No. 10661, declared in November every year as National Children's Month with this year's theme: "Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines," was raised by late President Aquino III. This law and regulation are among the demands of the youth to be protected. Awareness is a value in constitutions; this category calls for the consciousness to foster and grow in a violence-free environment.

    When not meeting personal needs, abuse, neglect, child labor, and any other instances where a child can feel unsafe, threatened, or hurt is a work of criticism and unhealthy assurance in progress and social equity. Renowned stories of the past shall make a successful future in responsibility for shared contribution and attainment in firm and thriving generations. Youth empowerment is a sentiment to see details and hear their voices. Innovations such as campaigns, advocacies, policies, and community programs urge a united action you can take for a child. 

    Bring back when a candy cost a peso and not a life at stake. Kaya bata, gusto mo ba ng candy?

    

References:

-https://www.blogger.com/

-Leonardi, Emil. Pinterest. Empathy (2010). Sierra Leone. https://i.pinimg.com/736x/64/4a/f6/644af66bd0e248f4529cfa9138f08018.jpg

-Bly, Jennifer. Pinterest. National Child Day: Teaching Children About Rights. https://i.pinimg.com/736x/5e/75/5e/5e755e6f161e20419e5d5d87ee0032a9.jpg

-Google: Convention on Rights of the Child. unicef.ch. https://www.unicef.ch/sites/default/files/styles/primer_hero_md/public/2018-08/hintergrund_un0213944.jpg.webp?itok=ouqoCiia