Delving into a New World in a New Era

 Last year's memories felt like an hour. I just cannot imagine we're on year 2025 now. All seemed to passed by very quickly. I was just jumping last january and now, I woke up to see our calendar brand new and says the year 2025 on it. Time just flies so fast. It even had me surprised that those countless problems, difficulties, and obstacles I've experienced last year, had turned into a healed wound. Then, a thought came into mind, "This year's gonna be different. It's time for a new me."  

As the year 2025 begins, there are a few things and characteristics of mine I also want to change for me to start it. First of all is my trait to please people. I have become a people pleaser for a long time and I realized that  I am just showing people that I am weak whenever I please them and it is really bad for me. I wasn't born to just follow all the things they want, to be swallowed by my own guilt and pride just by not being able to follow them. But this time, I will be more mindful and think more about merely myself, of what's best for me. This time, I will be braver. Aside from my people pleasing trait, I also want to dig deeper into a new whole experience together with my family and friends. I want to explore new things and enhance my skill and abilities for the betterment of my self-esteem and confidence. 

Changes can be hard, but let us not be tempted. We might need it for us to grow, develop, and delve into a different person, not physically, but emotionally. New year is all about making new memories, exploring new horizons, and developing a new character.This year, you will discover a new me. A new me who is not a people pleaser anymore. A new me who is more independent than before and a new me who is much more stronger and braver. 

A Magical Evening

     "Christmas? It's Christmas!" I said as I was filled with excitement and precise happiness as my mother woke me up at exactly 11:30 on Christmas Eve. I immediately run to see our kitchen with all my favorite handas like shanghai, macaroni salad, carbonara, and chicken joy. That night feels so magical because of the essence of our Chrsitmas tree wandered by colorful lights, garlands, and ornaments and it was filled with gifts. It was so magical that everything felt so unreal. All of a sudden, I heard my alarm ringing and I woke up. It's the 24th of December, morning. That magical evening was just a dream, but it felt true. It felt real and I know for sure that it really happened, I just can't remember it.

   However, when I woke up, I heard a sound of a car infront of our house. To my surprise, I saw  my first cousins, aunts, and grandmothers all from my mother's side. Since 2021, we've been celebrating Christmas together in Pampanga but this year, it's different. They all came in our house to celebrate and for me, it was more than enough than all the gifts to receive. My tita who usually organizes the games was also there, together with her signature cassava cake. I was again filled with excitement because our Christmas tree was then again fllled with gifts and all our ready to cook handas were macaroni, spaghetti, shanghai, and chicken joy. It seemed familiar, but I ignored it and proceeded to enjoy the moment. 

    Few hours have passed, it's already Christmas Eve. We went to the church to be blessed as we come to celebrate the birth of jesus Christ. After that, we played several parlor games sponsored by our tita who gave us 50 Php worth of prizes for every game. it was so fun and I enjoyed every single moment we've established together with my family. I turned to look at the Christmas Tree. It was sparkling, the ornaments were shining, and the gifts seemed to be waving at me. For a second, everything felt silent. Now, I remember. My dreams, they really happened and it was the memory of my Christmas experience back when I was 6 years old. Everything was a memory that will forever remained as just a memory. 

    Suddenly, my cousin tapped my shoulder, asking me to come eat with them. After all, it was really joyful, all my experiences throughout the night. However, it was not the same as before, not as magical as when I was a child. Christmas had been part of my life, and I am ready to make the most out of it every year, together with my cousins, relatives, and my family. Regardless of how different and less magical our christmas tree is or whatever our handa is, what the most important is the real spirit of Christmas, that is, celebrating with our loved ones.

ICT: A Reflection of my 2nd Quarter Journey

Stepping on the starting point of the 2nd Quarter, I felt an immediate sense of nervousness and overwhelming welcome. With this, I expected that the concepts we will be learning in ICT would be difficult for me to understand. Our first lesson had just started, and a thought came into my mind. "Coding? I haven't done that yet ever in my life. I think this is going to be hard for me." Coding didn't seem to be a new word for me, instead a new experience. I haven't done any coding before, not the ones involving other languages and signs. It startled me, worst, the idea of various activities we will be doing. 

However, those thoughts didn't surpass my mind, they remained as thoughts. As Mrs. Vera Cruz started explaining the coding process, I immediately understand it. I knew for sure that this 2nd quarter is not what I thought it is going to be. Turned out, it's much more fun than the first one. All throughout the quarter, we learned a lot from the concepts of coding. From the introduction to html, to making an html file itself. We started to learn about the different tags and their functions in terms of coding. After which, we were given different activities in order for us to master them accurately and independently. 

We started in learning basic html heading tags, which comprises of how different headings differ from one another according to their numbers or how you write them. We also discussed about the uses of break rule and horizontal line tags, formatting tags and their attributes. In addition, we also learned how to provide a background color, background images, fonts, and pictures for the html file together with their attributes. For the remaining last lessons, we learned how to make framesets, and insert tables to the html file which gave me more learnings and knowledge about coding. 

The only problem was, there were instances that disrupted my learnings in ICT because of the extra-curricular activities I was attending. It made feel that I was left behind by my classmates because they were already few activities ahead of me and suddenly, I was pressures. I didn't practice to manage my time effectively because of the thoughts I cannot remove. However, that did not stop me to continue learning ICT. Though I'm having difficulties in understanding it because of my class excuses, there are friends and a teacher of mine who helped me throughout the quarter, and that is one thing I am thankful of.

Overall, 2nd quarter was a fun and enjoying experience because I was able to dig deep into a new exploration and knowledge of coding. For the next quarter, I am hoping that it would be more exciting than the previous quarter because of more learning experience. 

References:

Image 1- Computer Programming and Coding

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/computing-programming-and-coding-in-schools>

Image 2

<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/should-schools-teaching-coding-languages-rather-than-foreign-diana>

Image 3

<https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-get-started-teaching-coding>

VAW: The Implementation of Acts for Anti-Violence Against Women (Thematic)

Year after year, 1 in 3 women around the world experience various forms of discrimination and violence, resulting in a traumatic experience and isolation. Thankfully, after years of development and revisions, many laws and acts have risen to protect all forms of discrimination among women. This includes the R.A 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, R.A 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harrassment Act , and R.A 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act. All these acts provide a massive contribution in protecting the rights and well-being of women in our society.

Republic Act No. 9262, also known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, is a legislation designed to confront the widespread issue of violence against women and their children (VAWC) perpetrated by their intimate partners. These partners may include husbands, ex-husbands, live-in partners, former live-in partners, boyfriends, ex-boyfriends, girlfriends, ex-girlfriends, dating partners, or former dating partners. The law aims to provide protection, support, and legal remedies for victims of such violence, ensuring their safety and well-being.

This act extends its protection to Wives, Former wives,  Women with whom the offender has or had a sexual or dating relationship, Women with whom the offender has a common child , and children below 18 years of age or those incapable of taking care of themselves.Not just all that. RA 9262 also provides a legal framework for protection, prevention, and remedy.

Other act that support the rights and well-being of women is the R.A 7877. Republic Act No. 7877, or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act is an act declaring sexual harassment unlawful in the work areas, education, and other purposes. Under this act, work, education,or training related sexual harassment is “committed by an employer, employee, manager, supervisor, agent of the employer, teacher, instructor, professor, coach, trainor, or any person who, having authority, influence or moral ascendancy over another in a work or training or education environment, demands, requests or otherwise requires any sexual favor from the other, regardless of whether the demand, request or requirement for submission is accepted or not by the object of said act.”

RA 7877 defines sexual harassment as when someone in a position of authority, influence, or moral ascendancy demands sexual favors from another person. This includes when someone:

Is under the care, custody, or supervision of the offender

Has their education, training, apprenticeship, or tutorship entrusted to the offender

Makes sexual favors a condition for passing a grade, receiving honors or scholarships, or receiving a stipend, allowance, or other benefits

Creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for the student, trainee, or apprentice.

R.A 11313, also known as Safe Spaces Act or "Bawal Bastos Law" covers all forms of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) committed in public spaces, educational or training institutions, workplace, as well as online space.

The Safe Spaces Act supplements the existing Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995. Local government units (LGUs) are primarily responsible for enforcing the law. Their duties include:

Passing an ordinance to localize the law

Posting copies of the law and ordinance in conspicuous places

Providing measures to prevent GBSH in educational institutions

Discouraging and imposing fines on GBSH

Creating an anti-sexual harassment hotline

Coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the implementation of the law.

Additionally, RA 11313 aims to ensure the equality, security, and safety of every individual, in both private and public spaces, including online and in workplaces.

In conclusion, these acts protecting women from all forms of discrimination plays a crucial role in providing their parts and objectives in order to stop the violence among women. The existence of these implementations helps not just for the improvement of women's well-being, but their whole emotional, physical, social, and spiritual aspects. With the implementation of these Anti-Violence against women acts, the rights of women in every form of life potentially increases, bringing back their old posture and self-esteem as they go on with their lives. 

References:

Protecting Women and Children through RA 9262

<https://philippinelawfirm.com/other/understanding-vawc-protecting-women-and-children-through-ra-9262/>

Republic Act 7877: The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995

<https://pcw.gov.ph/faq-republic-act-7877-anti-sexual-harassment-act-of-1995/#:~:text=Under%20RA%207877%2C%20work%2C%20education,the%20object%20of%20said%20act.%E2%80%9D>

<https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1995/02/14/republic-act-no-7877/>

<https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/2826#:~:text=Against%20one%20who%20is%20under,the%20student%2C%20trainee%20or%20apprentice.>

Republic Act No. 11313: Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law) 

<https://cityofcauayan.gov.ph/bawal-bastos-law/#:~:text=11313%3A%20Safe%20Spaces%20Act%20(Bawal%20Bastos%20Law)%E2%80%8B,-June%201%2C%202023&text=What%20does%20the%20Safe%20Spaces,as%20well%20as%20online%20space.>

<https://ogletree.com/international-employment-update/articles/july-2020/philippines/2020-05-26/safe-spaces-act-increases-protections-against-sexual-harassment-online-and-in-workplaces-in-philippines/#:~:text=11313%20(known%20as%20the%20%E2%80%9CSafe,including%20online%20and%20in%20workplaces.>

Image 1- 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women

<https://stclaresmedicalcenter.com/18-day-campaign-to-end-violence-against-women-2/>

Image 2

<https://twitter.com/endvawc_ph>

Image 3- Republic Act 7877: The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995

<https://pcw.gov.ph/faq-republic-act-7877-anti-sexual-harassment-act-of-1995/#:~:text=Under%20RA%207877%2C%20work%2C%20education,the%20object%20of%20said%20act.%E2%80%9D>

Image 4

<https://www.divinalaw.com/dose-of-law/safe-and-sound-2-game-changer/>

Image 5- Elimination of Violence against Women

<https://sdgresources.relx.com/special-issues/elimination-violence-against-women-2021>

Elpidio Quirino: A Journey of the First Ilocano President

Elpidio Quirino, the first Ilocano president, was born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur on November 16,1890. During his childhood, he received his elementary education in Caoayan, where he later taught at a barrio. 

In 1915 at the age of 25, after earning a law degree in his college days in University of the Philippines College of Law, Quirino studied law until he was elected as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives. After few years of being representative, he then became a senator at the age of 31.

In 1934, he became a member of the Philippine independence mission to Washingto, D.C., headed by Manuel Quezon, which secured the passage of Congress of theTydings-Mcduffie Act, same time as the Philippine Independence was announced to be held in the 4th of July.

Quirino was also elected to the convention that drafted a constitution for the new Philippine Commonwealth.After the war, he was elected vice president serving under President Manuel Roxas. Unfortunately, President Roxas suffered a heart attack on April 17, 1948, while visiting an American military installation at Clark Air Force Base in Pampanga Province. The heart attack was fatal. After two days, Quirino was sworn in as the 6th President of the Philippines.

During 1948 to 1949, President Quirino finished Roxas presidential term. In 1949, he was elected as president on his own for a four-year term.

References:

•November 16, 1890: The birth of President Elpidio Quirino

<https://usa.inquirer.net/160400/november-16-1890-the-birth-of-president-elpidio-quirino>

•Elpidio Quirino

<https://www.britannica.com/browse/President>

First Image

<https://www.teacherph.com/things-probably-didnt-know-elpidio-quirino/>

Second Image

<https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/06/27/22/inaugural-address-of-president-elpidio-quirino>

Third Image- Manuel Roxas with Elpidio Quirino

<https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Manuel_Roxas_with_Elpidio_Quirino.jpg>

Empowering Indigenous Voices

Philippines is commonly known for its natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and rich culture. Above all that, one thing that fascinates me is the exisiting culture of Indigenous People with over 17 million members in the country. Their culture symbolizes and represents not just their own people but all the Filipinos. With the help if these indigenous people, various traditions and festivals have arisen and evolve. Other than that, a celebration of National Indigenous People Month were developed aiming to promote and protect the rights and culture of Indigenous People.

 

While the National Indigenous People Month became an annual celebration, it was propagated with multiple benefits for the people from this group. This celebration serves as a platform to raise awareness about the diverse indigenous communities within the country and to advocate for their well-being and cultural preservation. 

One benefit is that it promotes awareness and recognition. Through different events, activities, and programs held and organized by Indigenous communities, Filipinos gain a deeper understanding of the unique culture and traditions of these groups. This awareness contributes to advocating stereotypes and discrimination among the indigenous people. The celebration also provide the importance of protecting the rights of the Indigenous People to self-esteem and well-being. National Indigenous People Month serves as an imprint that educates other people about the rights of Indigenous People to their lands, resources, and traditional practices. This includes the rising of policies and rules that protect their ancestral domains. 

In conclusion, the celebration empowers Indigenous communities simply by providing them with a platform to implore their voices and speak for their rights. While challenges remain and stereotypes continue, the observance serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the unique cultures and traditions of Indigenous People.

References:

First Picture- Indigenous People Are Essential for Preventing Biodiversity Loss. They Mustn’t Be Sidelined.

<https://earth.org/indigenous-people/>

Second Picture- A Call to Action Against the Exploitation of Filipino Indigenous People

<https://www.change.org/p/anac-ip-partylist-and-ncip-ao-call-to-action-against-the-exploitation-of-filipino-indigenous-people>

Third Picture- The Role of Indigenous Peoples in Philippine Society

<https://medium.com/@2020047211/the-role-of-indigenous-peoples-in-philippine-society-2971f2353158>

Fourth Picture

<https://www.oikoumene.org/news/on-international-day-of-the-worlds-indigenous-peoples-wcc-reiterates-commitment-to-renewal-of-creation>

Seed of Hope

    

    Children are the most precious people to ever exist in this world. It is just devastating how some often experience abuse, bullying, and different kinds of violence against them. UNICEF even stated in the year 2016 that 80% of Filipino children have experienced some form of violence at home, in school, in their community and online. The cruelty of this world has led them to become vulnerable to it, leaving them feel unprotected and unopposed. How can there be hope if even our seed of hope are being taken advantage of?

Since then, lots of children have been carrying different pain and torment as they were treated like animals. They're forced to work, flee conflict alone, and even bear a child when they're not supposed too. Some children lack access to education and healthcare because of child labor. They can not go to school even if they wanted to due to the violence being possessed to them by their own relatives. It is like there's a barrier that keeps the children from experiencing the life that is meant for them, the life they truly deserve.

    This needs to stop. Children are also humans and have human rights, just like any other people. They need protection, safety, and support. As we celebrate the 2024 National Children's Month Celebration having the theme “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines, let's pledge as a whole to report child abuse and support the laws and acts that are existing to protect it. Let's not just pledge but be an advocate for stronger, and more comprehensive child protection laws.

References:

Picture 1: <https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.savethechildren.org.ph%2Four-work%2Four-stories%2Fstory%2Fjfa-prevent-physical-and-humiliating-punishment-of-children%2F&psig=AOvVaw2F1BH4vqTsg3rgYlQvCzYM&ust=1732202324480000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCIiDqtia64kDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAQ>

Picture 2: <https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fndaa.org%2Ftraining%2Fbreaking-through-misconceptions-prosecuting-child-sexual-abuse%2F&psig=AOvVaw2F1BH4vqTsg3rgYlQvCzYM&ust=1732202324480000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCIiDqtia64kDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI>

Picture 3: <https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wheninmanila.com%2Fsave-the-children-philippines-enactment-of-anti-online-sexual-abuse-or-exploitation-of-children-law%2F&psig=AOvVaw2F1BH4vqTsg3rgYlQvCzYM&ust=1732202324480000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCIiDqtia64kDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAY>