Sheila Mae

Celebrating Roots:   The Ilocos Sur Festival's Journey from Tradition to Modernity           Ever wondered how a traditional festival can evolve to capture the essence of both heritage and contemporary culture? Look no further than the Ilocos Sur Festival, previously known as the Kannawidan Festival. This vibrant celebration in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, is more than just a festival—it's a tribute to the province's rich history, cultural heritage, and the unyielding spirit of its people. As the festival gains popularity, its blend of traditional and modern elements makes it a unique and engaging event that draws locals and visitors alike.           The origins of the Ilocos Sur Festival are rooted in the establishment of Ilocos Sur as a separate province from Ilocos Norte in 1818. The festival, celebrated every February, commemorates this historic event with a week-long series of activities. Traditional cultural practices, such as the...

Unpacking Valentine's Day: Beyond the Roses and Chocolates           When you think of Valentine's Day, what springs to mind? Perhaps, it's the bouquet of roses, a box of chocolates, or the fancy dinner date. But, is that all there is to this widely celebrated day? The real essence of Valentine’s Day goes far beyond these material gestures. It’s a day steeped in history, rich in tradition, and one that offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the many forms of love that enrich our lives.           The roots of Valentine’s Day can be traced back to ancient Roman times, where the festival of Lupercalia was celebrated in mid-February. This festival was a time of purification and fertility, and it laid the groundwork for what we now know as Valentine’s Day. It wasn’t until the 5th century that Pope Gelasius I declared February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day, in honor of the martyred saint who performed weddings for soldiers forbidden to mar...

Cabittaogan Diaries:  A Community-Based Exploration of Beauty and Culture           Our Community-Based Research (CBR) journey was an enriching experience that allowed us to explore the hidden gems of Barangay Cabittaogan. By focusing on this area, we aimed to highlight its various tourist destinations and understand the community's insights and perspectives. So, this is our journey when we conducted our Community-Based Research (CBR):           First, we decided that we would be focusing on Barangay Cabittaogan because we knew that there were a lot of tourist destinations there. After that, our leader, Misno Rabino, assigned us which parts we are going to do in our CBR. Afterwards, after we knew our parts, we decided to go to our group member's house, Venice Daine Rabo, to discuss what we were going to do first and what the flow of our CBR would be. And we decided to take some pictures of some tourist destinations, which ...

  HTML Adventures and Research Realities: A Third Quarter Reflection          This third quarter has been a whirlwind of learning and growth. From mastering the essentials of HTML to collaborating on a Community Based Research (CBR) project, the journey has been both challenging and rewarding. This quarter has been all about mastering the essentials of HTML. From learning how to create ordered and unordered lists to diving into the complexities of nested lists and description lists, I've gained a solid foundation in structuring web content. Additionally, the Community Based Research (CBR) project allowed me to collaborate with my peers, enriching my understanding of research methodologies and teamwork dynamics.           While the learning journey has been rewarding, it hasn't been without its hurdles. One major challenge was understanding the nuances of nested lists. Creating them required a meticulous approach and an eye...

The Dancing Dragons of Unity:  Why Filipinos Celebrate Chinese New Year      Every year, the streets of the Philippines come alive with the vibrant hues of red and gold, firecrackers lighting up the night, and the rhythmic drumming of the dragon dance. The celebration of Chinese New Year, deeply rooted in both tradition and modernity, is a testament to the strong bond shared between Filipinos and the Chinese community. The history of Chinese immigration to the Philippines dates back several centuries, leading to a rich tapestry of cultural exchange. In places like Binondo, Manila; the world's oldest Chinatown, the fusion of Filipino and Chinese customs is most evident.      The practice of celebrating Chinese New Year, known locally as "Spring Festival" or "Lunar New Year," has become an integral part of Filipino culture, symbolizing prosperity, unity, and the ushering in of good fortune. Filipinos join in the celebration by partaking in traditional ...