YES to an Environmental Movement; A Wide Cause of a Social Responsibilities

In the universe are billions of galaxies,

In our galaxy are billions of planets,

But there is Only One Earth.

        World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on the 5th of June every year. First observed in 1973, World Environment Day is characterized by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) as “a global platform for inspiring positive change”. It is celebrated every year on June 5 by millions of people across the world. World Environment Day 2022 is hosted by Sweden. This is United Nations’ main methodology for raising awareness and action for the protection of our environment. It was first held in 1974, under the slogan “Only One Earth” and it became a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging issues from the environment to marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime. For nearly five decades, World Environment Day developed as a platform to raise awareness on the problems facing our environment such as air pollution, plastic pollution, illegal wildlife trade, sustainable consumption, sea-level increase, and food security, supporting action, and leading changes for the environment. Every year it changes its theme, some of which are Beat the Air Pollution- 2019 and Beat the Plastic Pollution -2018. The theme of World Environment Day 2022 is “Only One Earth”, is to focus on the world's togetherness in the direction of creating the atmosphere conductive for peace, harmony, and prosperity and health by saving the nature and life. The policy of the theme is to create and adopt a lifestyle which should be pollution free and full of green land. The moto is still the same as it was 50 years ago to protect the mother nature. This planet is our only home and we need to save it for upcoming generations.

   Currently, millions of plants and animals are endangered and may be lost to future generations. The majority of these are the result of human activity. Humans are also becoming more aggressive and abusive to the environment in which they live. Deforestation, the use of fossil fuels, improper waste disposal, and overconsumption of natural resources all contribute to the destruction of nature and even the future of our children. Our beloved nature has suffered greatly and rapidly as a res conductive for peace, harmony, prosperity and health by saving ult of the modernization of our lives. Despite the fact that our lives have become more comfortable, we cannot accept the fact that our environment is suffering negative consequences. We, as people who only live on Earth, will never allow it to be gradually destroyed. We must fundamentally reconsider our relationship with the living world, with natural ecosystems and biodiversity, and work to restore it. Now, World Environment Day 2022 calls on all of us to take action, reconsider our environmental impact, and make smart lifestyle changes if we want to continue calling Earth home.

    The Covid-19 outbreak is one of the biggest challenges that the human race has had to ever endure. This almost apocalyptic situation is an indication of the disharmony in nature’s equilibrium. It is telling of the repercussions of encroachment and mistreatment of nature and its abundance by humans. While there is a lot to debate around the cause and spread of the virus, the role of humans lies uncontested. Our short-sighted approach to our environment has led to degradation and a climate crisis that has not only caused the surge in new and fatal diseases like the Covid-19 but also threatened the future of –our planet and its inhabitants.

     In the high time sustainable initiatives must be taken on an urgent basis. As we all have been facing pandemic for the last two years, it has highlighted the significance of safe, clean and sustainable environment like never before. Now, it is alarming for all of us to take care of the mother earth and its resources. The global warming is as very big  threat giving us challenges o secure a healthy life and nature's protection. To my homeland, Philippines taken many steps in the direction of spreading awareness and taking corrective measures for protecting the earth from global warming. It is our first and foremost responsibility to look after the usage of every resource. The environment has become extremely polluted and full of toxins which  has harmful impact on our health. The World Environment Day inspires us to do something about it and improve the environment we can not live without  and take appropriate steps and protect the environment without which the life on the earth is impossible at all.

      On World Environment Day, every action, no matter how small, counts. It is about getting involved and taking action to make the world a greener place. The best place to begin with ecosystem restoration is within yourself. Change your habits and begin making environmentally friendly decisions. Purchase environmentally friendly products that benefit the environment rather than harm it. Using alternative energy sources, planting trees in your backyard, using recycled materials to make new products, and most importantly, avoiding overconsumption of natural resources and being responsible in their use are all simple things that have a big impact on protecting and restoring our environment. The first step to undo the harm we have already caused is by creating awareness and encouraging climate literacy. Only when we truly understand the magnitude of the issue can we find innovative ways to solve the problem. With the correct knowledge and tools at our disposal, we will be able to fight this battle against climate change. Youth Climate activists like Greta Thunberg have set the ball rolling and we must take it forward by educating ourselves and those around us of the various challenges that our planet faces today to find ways to restore the earth to its former glory.

    Another issue plaguing our environment is to combat problems particularly of proper waste management. From our lands to our rivers and oceans, plastic wastes are everywhere. They are not only affecting the quality of our crops and groundwater but also severely impacts marine life. The government has taken various steps to curb and manage plastic wastes such as a ban on plastic carry bags and on multi-layered plastic products that cannot be recycled. Local governing bodies also encourage the segregation of waste at source and discourage the usage of single-use of plastic. We can support these efforts by ensuring that we segregate our domestic wastes, reduce the use of plastic whenever sustainable alternatives are available, and organize or participate in clean-up drives in our location. 

      It seems the more we create the more we throw away. Early humans did not produce as much garbage as modern humans. During the pre-modern era, most of the waste produced was either ashes or human biodegradable waste which could be released back into the land without causing much harm to the environment. In the years that have passed since mankind began to evolve, especially since after the Industrial Revolution, waste is something we see everywhere. It’s on the streets, in our houses, dirtying our land and polluting our water. It is in its own particulate form infiltrating our air, the very air that is meant for our survival. It is the plastic bags we don’t reuse, the aluminium and tin cans we dispose of after downing our beverages, and the paper we don’t recycle. And all these are going to result in the kind of dire consequences no one thought something as supposedly insignificant as not segregating their household waste could lead to.

    The issue of improper waste disposal has a lot more relevance in our lives than we realize. It is important for our health, our environment, and the aesthetic beauty of our surroundings. Humans produce a lot more waste than any other species on the planet and we need to learn to store and manage it properly to prevent damage to the Earth’s ecosystem. How we dispose of our wastes directly affects our environment. Improper disposal of waste can create disease causing pathogens and thus can have effects on human health ranging from skin diseased to other health hazards. Additionally, it can have a wide range of impacts on our natural surroundings.

     There are different methods of solid waste management that have to be chosen among carefully depending on factors such as nature of waste, amount of waste, and geographical factors. The most common way to manage solid waste is inarguably landfills. Landfills are usually dug at old abandoned mining sites or quarries. The method involves layering the waste in thin spreads before compacting it, after which it is covered with a layer of soil. More layers of earth are added over time. While landfills are very cost-effective and hence the most practiced, they have environmental downsides. They give off hazardous gases and could possibly contaminate groundwater of the land nearby. Therefore landfills should be properly lined and should not come in contact with the adjoining area.

    The second method, incineration, also referred to as thermal treatment, comprises the controlled burning of waste at high temperatures. Incineration facilities can be built in a small space and process a large amount of waste, hence saving a lot of space as compared to landfills. The volume of the waste can be reduced by more than half, and moreover, incineration can also provide for a continuously available alternative source of energy. The waste is transformed to heat, ash, gas and steam and this method is widely used in countries with limited space such as Japan. Unfortunately, the high cost of installation of an incinerator presents a problem. Another obvious disadvantage of incineration is the release of toxic gases, such as dioxins which can even be carcinogenic.

    Composting is the most natural process of waste disposal. In composting, the waste simply breaks down into  organic compounds that can be used as manure or fertilizer. Organic wastes such as fruit peels and skins, yard trimmings, manures, food wastes, etc. once acted upon by microorganisms can be used as soil enhancers or a medium to grow plants. Some challenges faced by taking up composting include foul odor, the need for a composting area and the release of greenhouse gases. Although it is a big change to make, once composting is made into a habit, its benefits far outweigh its drawbacks. It is definitely a method to be seriously considered.

     A very well-known way to manage solid waste is recycling. Recycling works on the principle of not completely disposing of anything that could be used and not introducing new, unnecessary raw materials which would need to be disposed of later. Recycling can be done by everyone and is encouraged everywhere. Small things like carrying your own reusable shopping bag to the supermarket instead of using plastic bags each time and separating your trash at home can contribute to reducing the amount of total waste generated by everyone. Reducing the volume of our waste is a great first step to dealing with the problem of waste management. Materials such as paper, glass, aluminium, etc. that can be recycled should be recycled. It has several advantages. You could save money. You could save resources. You could reduce the amount of waste created. As easily as by recycling, we could lessen the strain on the environment. Thus, recycling is an important idea to minimize the waste generated by us today and better deal with whatever we create anyway.

 

     We are to blame for the extinction of our natural world. As a result, every small step we take to protect and preserve our environment is critical, and that is exactly what you have done today. We can't turn back the clock, but we can certainly make the world a better place. Our global actions with more prudent environmental care can save our world from drowning and make it a better place to live. Think green, plant more, and use environmentally friendly materials. Be good stewards of the world, because I believe that where we live is more than just an environment; it is a very beautiful paradise that will never be forgotten.

      Every little effort from us will help collectively improve the environment and restore our Earth. It is never too late to take action and responsibility to preserve our environment. As responsible citizens of this nation, we must prioritize the environment and do our bit to restore it. This Environment Day, let us all pledge to educate ourselves and take urgent action to combat the depleting condition of the environment and create a sustainable ecosystem that can be restored for our future generations.

     The day aims to focus on the importance of the environment and to remind people that nature should not be taken for granted. According to the United Nations, “The celebration of this day provides us with an opportunity to broaden the basis for an enlightened opinion and responsible conduct by individuals, enterprises, and communities in preserving and enhancing the environment.” Therefore, World Environment Day calls for “collective, transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore our planet,” encouraging everyone, everywhere, to live sustainably and address the climate change. The UN conducts several awareness programs on June 5, with participation of civil society, governments, schools, businesses and celebrities, to urge the adoption of such corrective measures. Let us give the future generations a healthier environment to have a happier life…Best wishes on World Environment Day. World Environment Day will keep reminding us of the wrong we did to our environment and the right we need to do to correct it all.

“On World Environment Day, let’s stop harming nature… Let’s join hands to bring a positive change to make Planet Earth a much healthier, greener and happier place to live.”

Multimedia References:

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=EXqKJA1T&id=D653C6187654A1F28FC18EAF1A3861765691D9AD&thid=OIP.EXqKJA1TbQd4bx3tzi3H5AHaEH&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fimages.indianexpress.com%2f2018%2f06%2fworld-environment-day-759.jpg%3fw%3d759&exph=422&expw=759&q=world+environment+day+2022&simid=608031970639301361&FORM=IRPRST&ck=B89DC6DC2F062FB1453E65CDE748D242&selectedIndex=0

 https://bit.ly/3tCyKfL

. https://bit.ly/3b05Ek2

 https://bit.ly/3NVjmmM

https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.r0dRWeera76AW8QIy4XzbQHaD4?w=336&h=180&c=7&r=0&o=5&dpr=1.75&pid=1.7

DAD: A son's first hero, A daughter's first love

 

"The heart of a father is the masterpiece of nature."

The first superhero any child meets in their life is their father. In the growing age of children, they need someone who can be their role model. Father is the best example of a superhero. A father works tirelessly day and night for his family so that he can educate his children well and support his family. To give respect to this hard work, we celebrate Father's Day every year. On this day, we give respect and gratitude to our father. If any child is in any trouble, the first person a child remembers is his father. This shows the importance of a father in anyone's life. Father's Day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June every year throughout the world.

The first Father's Day was celebrated in America on 19 June 1910 to honor the father of Miss Sonora Smart Dooh. Sanora's father William Smart was a civil war veteran. William Smart's wife died at the time of giving birth to his sixth child. He raised his six children alone after his wife passed away. After William Smart passed away, his daughter Sanora wanted to celebrate Father's Day on June 5, on the death anniversary of her father. She believed that all of us always respect the mother's sacrifices and emotions but no one pays attention to the father's sacrifices. Not everyone understands the importance of a father in life. In order to celebrate the life and sacrifices of a father, we should celebrate Father's Day. On this day, we can tell our father how important he is in our lives. For some reasons, it was postponed to the third Sunday of June.

According to the second story, Father's Day was celebrated for the first time in America in Fairmont, West Virginia. The day was celebrated for the first time on July 5, 1908. It was commemorated in memory of 361 men, who died in 1907 in a coal mine explosion. Father's Day was officially recognized as a national holiday in 1972 during President Nixon's reign. Since then, Father's Day is celebrated every year on the third Sunday of June. Father's Day is celebrated on different days in different countries. In countries like India, the United States and the United Kingdom, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. In Argentina, Canada, France, Greece, Ireland, Mexico, Singapore, South Africa and Venezuela, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. Whereas in Australia and New Zealand, Father's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September. In Thailand, Father's Day is celebrated on 5 December; on this day the birthday of the King of Thailand is also celebrated. In Brazil, Father's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of August.

Everyone has their way of celebrating Father's Day. Many people go out on this day to eat good food. On this day, children give gifts to their father, offer them greetings, and give them cards and flowers. On this day, every child honors his father and offers gratitude.  Mother’s sacrifice is given a high position in every civilization and culture. However, the person who dedicates his whole life for the happiness of his children and his family should also get the same respect as the mother. The way we celebrate Mother's Day in honor of a Mother, similarly Father's Day is celebrated to honor Father's love. This day is celebrated to express gratitude to the father. The father is the person who pays all his duty without expressing his grief and pain. After mother, if someone is very close to our heart, it is our father. The father's love does not look like that of the mother, but it is the father who makes us strong from inside. Our father gives us a lesson about good and bad in the world. We do not need to worry about anything as long our father’s hand is on our forehead. They always keep grief to themselves and give us happiness. We should never forget our father's struggles. We should always celebrate the sacrifice of father’s and give them respect. The main motive of celebrating Father's Day is to remind and give special thanks to every father who has given a lot of dedication to their children. However, in children's lives, Fathers are the real role model for them, they are inspired by their father since childhood.

 This is celebrated on the 19^th  Sunday of June every year this day is solely dedicated to all the fathers around the world especially to my dad. In a child’s life, the role of a father is irreplaceable. The person who will always remain a constant in our life, supporting us in our good and bad times, and guiding us to the right path, is our father. He always will encourage you and will take care of all your needs. Fathers are the pillar of a family that keeps the family together and supports them in all life paths. Father’s role in our lives cannot be explained in words. So, on Father’s Day, we celebrate fatherhood and appreciate all the love and support they gave us immensely throughout our lives. It is not just father’s day, it should be every day, that we wake up in the morning with immense gratitude towards our father for providing us with a happy life that we are living, for protecting us from the evils, for showering us with love, and being the support system and guiding us in all the life’s path. Loving and honoring our father on just one day by maybe posting about them in social media or giving them gifts is not enough. We must appreciate their role in our lives every day throughout the year. Our father is the one who will always stay by our side.. For appreciating our father, every year, we celebrate him on Father’s Day by giving him gifts and spending the whole day with him. But we should appreciate our father every day of the year. We should appreciate his sacrifices, which he did to make our dreams successful. We should make every day memorable for him.

References:

All photos are retrieved on June 19, 2022.

https://in.pinterest.com/sanjeebanmaji/fathers-day-poster/

https://www.fg-a.com/fathersday.shtml

https://elizz.com/family/a-fathers-love-is-expressed-in-many-ways/ 

4th Quarter S.Y. 2020-2021

 

My Puzzle Life of Being a Grade 10 Student had come to an End

      I sat down and looked around, watching how time really passes by quickly that even I can’t imagine. It is really hard to believe that this blog will be the last one. As my tenth grade year concludes, I find myself reflecting on how far I've come and how well I've done throughout this school year. This is the last quarter of my Junior High School journey. Because of that, I made it a point that I would maximize all the time I have left for this. I studied very hard for every subject, and take into my heart all the lessons I have learned this last quarter.

     Studying academic subjects helps us solving queries about everything, taking its advantages and making something new out of it. As a certain school grading quarter ends, I can say lessons in every subject becomes more complex as the body of knowledge accrues over time. Sometimes my mind can’t even directly cope and understand the lessons, so no wonder from time to time I can’t remember all those inspiring thoughts and all needed information for every required tasks in the modules. 

     To be honest in all subjects, Information Communication Technology (ICT) has brought me something different. All subjects has caused me a lot of learnings but I don’t know why, it just that this school year, ICT hits different for me. From learning how to create and write our own blogs, discovering a new method of creating documents using HTML tags, conducting community-based research and lessons and tutorials in making and designing web pages really were certainly challenging to do. Although it consumes a lot time and little complexity in doing this things, without a doubt it is still worthwhile to do so.

    This school year is a wonderful new experience for me. It is a roller coaster type of learning because studying in a new environment using modular and online learning is a bit tough to handle but still I enjoyed this challenging high school experience. These long months in studying and learning new lessons, I laugh, I smile, and even cry because of those hard challenges and obstacles I always encounter. But all of these are worth it to be part of my everyday chapter. The fourth year road had been a very tough road for me, yet I still have gotten to this point. I am so grateful not only to myself but also to my friends who stayed by my side. Even though we were miles away, they always lend their hands to help me improve my studies. If I need a friendly ear to listen to my problems and help me through it, they didn’t hesitate so I am very thankful to have them.

     Moving on, to succeed, school work has to come first. I can’t promise that but I will try my best. This means I will stay focus on my lesson not procrastinating at all. I realized this quarter that since my junior high school life will end soon, I just hope that I can apply all what I had learn and be able to develop my own learning ways to survive and succeed in the future especially now that we are about to conquer another path with senior high school. This year's type of learning, I may caught up in the whirlwind of anxiety and nervousness but in return I am so happy that I tried my best to adapt and accomplish this school year. I will not push myself beyond my limitations but I have to find a way to keep pushing myself until I attain my goal. I can only say one thing now, I am ready. I already had the courage now to face all the things I may conquer in the future.

      To our teachers, your patience is second to none! I will never forget all your determination and efforts in helping us through this year of school. Thank you. To my classmates and friends, thank you for a good year. The school year went by so fast, I wish we could go back in time. I may not know how you all doing right now but I hope all of you are okay and doing fine as well. I just want to wish you all the good luck as we embark on a new journey that is waiting for us.

Multimedia Reference:

Note: The first and last image is made by the blogger

2^nd Image: "The Stair of Success"

https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-student-walks-stairs-to-success-female-high-school-walking-staircase-strategy-plan-world-map-background-image81340886

The Pinnacle of Patriotism

 Symbol of Triumph of a Truly Independent Filipino Nation

    Independence Day has come again.  For some, it is a day marked by joyous celebrations and expressions of gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy. For others, it is marked by rowdy gatherings of drunkenness, seemingly absent of any real patriotism.  In any case, it surely ought to be marked by reflection. The declaration of independence is one of the most important milestones in Philippine history because it marks the nation’s independence from the Spanish rule on June 12, 1898. This day of freedom is unique, important and meaningful in the history of our beloved country, Philippines. To the Filipino people, this is a great day that values ​​the memories and achievements of our heroes who have invested their lives, talents, sweat, blood and sacrifice for the sake of freedom and all the events that broke the shackles of slavery among the Filipinos are part of our history of celebrating Independence Day. 

        Philippine Independence Day has been celebrated every June 12 since 1962. Through the Treaty of Paris, the Spaniards ceded its control of the islands to the Americans, causing the Philippine-American War and, consequently, United States’ rule of the country. It was only on July 4, 1946, when independence was totally granted to the Philippines. Since then, Independence Day was celebrated on July 4. Then in 1962, the country’s ninth president, Diosdado Macapagal, proclaimed June 12 a public holiday “in commemoration of our people’s declaration of their inherent and inalienable right to freedom and independence.” The change was confirmed through Republic Act No. 4166 in 1964. In turn, July 4 was declared as Philippine Republic Day or American-Filipino Friendship Day, when a treaty was made declaring the freedom of the Philippines from the United States.

     As we celebrate Independence Day, it is inevitable that some of our compatriots have different meanings and perspectives. Some say that the country is not yet completely free because the nationalism or patriotism of many leaders of our country is still false and pale. As a result, the Filipino people will not be able to rise from poverty. Suffering hardship because of measures adopted by acrobats and clowns in Congress. Punishment, torture and burden on the people. Some even ask when Filipinos will be free from those people who know nothing but to cheat and squander, robbers and plunderers of the people's funds and the corruption that is causing the people's sufferings. But regardless of the vision and meaning of Independence Day of our Chosen Land, it is a good opportunity for all Filipinos to celebrate this important day. 

     The nation’s rough yet triumphant journey to freedom is one of those things Filipinos should never forget. This commemoration is an admonition for Filipinos to cultivate a thirst for knowing the rich history of the country, including its struggle for independence. The celebration and commemoration of Independence Day in the Philippines at this time of the pandemic has been quite out of the ordinary without much fanfare. There were no parades nationwide, with less physical participation on the part of citizens and even from the government. There were not many celebratory activities since many areas of the country are still under lockdown. Nevertheless, despite a sense of frustration and exasperation, Filipinos still pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made to build this nation, it is important that we remember the full cost of liberty, and not forget that independence is more readily available when people remain focused on the fullest pursuit of their own happiness rather than condemning the way others pursue theirs.

   Indeed over time, we prove that our independence is the key to our cohesion, in any challenge or disaster. We are now facing a global crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic but this is not an obstacle or a reason to not show the spirit of a free people-the continued giving of hope with its medical and essential front liners akin to fierce and brave modern-day warriors battling against the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. These modern-day heroes and heroines continue to battle it out while remaining steadfast despite the enormous risk to their lives in ensuring the safety of all Filipinos. For me this day it’s more than just independence, it’s more than just freedom. It’s about acknowledging our culture, our heritage, and remember who we are as Filipinos.

Multimedia Reference:

Happy Independence Day

https://stock.adobe.com/au/search/images?k=philippines%20independence%20day

Philippine Flag

https://www.zenrooms.com/blog/post/independence-day-philippines/

Freedom

https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2EDB63F1-C6E3-4181-9421-94AC7ABCA656-1500x932.jpeg

Salute To Our Modern Heroes

https://ps-philgeps.gov.ph/home/index.php/about-ps/news/3130-ps-recognizes-frontline-workers-on-national-heroes-day

Happy Mother's Day

 

Mother: An Epitome of Selfless Love and Desired Sincerity

        Mother, Mamma, Mommy, or just plain Mom are just a few names for the woman in our lives who will help raise us and unconditionally love us for the rest of our lives. A mother who will always hold you close while wiping away your tears. A Mamma who will kiss you and make you happy. A mother who will try to take all of your pain and sorrow and make them her own. Everyone agrees that a mother is the first and most important woman in everyone's life. Mother's Day is observed annually on the second Sunday of May to recognize the contributions of mothers, the efforts of maternal bonds, and the role of mothers in our homes and in our society. This is critical for making mom feel blessed and proud. Mother's Day is a day when we honor our mothers, the people who are willing to go to great lengths for us, and the love that we are too shy to express.

        My mother is the epitome of a selfless, devoted, and loving person. She is the strongest and would go to any length to protect my family and me. My mother is responsible for sixteen years of my life. She is the most influential person in my life, not only as a mother but also as a true friend. She is by my side at every step of my journey, and she is always there to support me in any way she can. She has taught me to always do my best and to persevere when things get difficult until I succeed. When it comes to making decisions, she doesn't always agree with me because she wants to make sure that all of my life decisions are correct and will make me happy. She always tells me to be honest because lies always hurt more in the end. That is why I can say she is the only one who truly understands my feelings and the only one who can miraculously remove all of my and my family's pains while showering us with abundant love and care. My mother is the brightest star in the galaxy and the only solution to all of my problems.

      It's no surprise that no other being on the planet can love us as unconditionally as our mothers. Our mothers try to protect us from harm and assist us in any way they can. Every year, we honor our incredible mothers with a special day. We express our gratitude and love for them on this day. This is the ideal time to demonstrate to them how important they are to us, how much we love them more than the love they give to us because we are too shy to show it on a regular basis. This is the perfect day to give them the flowers you've been meaning to give them, or chocolates to match their sweet smiles that they always give you. If you want to go above and beyond, give them lovely letters or warm-hearted Mother's Day cards, written with the words to express your gratitude and love for them or the overall message you want to tell them, which you can also tell them verbally. Regardless of how you choose to celebrate Mother's Day, know that your mother will find joy in knowing she is appreciated and loved. 

        A mother is more than just the person who gives birth to you. She is someone who is always there for you. She is a wonderful teacher, a wonderful friend, and a strict parent who only wants the best for us. A mother can be anyone as long as it is in their nature to love, care for, and do whatever it takes to give you the best life possible. That’s why losing a mother is one of the deepest sorrows a heart can know but her goodness, her caring, and her wisdom live on-like a legacy of love that will always be with you. For that reason, I am so lucky to still have my mom by my side. Even though sometimes we have these little fights and misunderstandings, my love for her will never change. Every bigger step that I have taken in my life is all because of my mother. When I was afraid of the dark, she would become my light and guide me through. Above all, she never leaves my side even at my hardest times. To my mother, I am happy and blessed to have you in my life. You are truly irreplaceable. You are the best. I love you. To all mother’s out there, Happy Mother’s Day and wishing you all the love and happiness you richly deserve.”

Multimedia Reference:

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/418694096608370664/               

https://www.almanac.com/content/when-is-mothers-day

 https://img3.stockfresh.com/files/i/iofoto/m/56/8589_stock-photo-mom-and-daughter-at-sunrise.jpg 

The Radiant Spirit of Binatbatan Festival

 

"Binatbatan Festival Boasts Joyful Colors That Promotes Fabric Culture."

  Festivals have both social and economic consequences. On our chaotic and hectic planet, happiness is overwhelmed by negativity and insecurity, so the need for something that can provide optimism has been felt time and again. As a result, festivals arose that allow us to forget about our problems and enjoy the pleasant aspects of life, if only for a few days. Festivals in the Philippines allow people to celebrate their rich culture while also paying homage to history and patron saints. They're brightly colored, massive, and full of pomp and circumstance. It's no surprise that each province has its own distinct Filipino Fiesta, which they are very proud of.

     Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, is a city that has stood the test of time. It has a traditional Hispanic checkerboard street plan. It is unique in that much of its Hispanic colonial character has been preserved, particularly its grid street pattern and historic urban layout. Its significance is also based on how the various architectural influences are blended to create a cohesive townscape. The city's architecture is as impressive as its people. Local artists thrive in keeping the city vibrant during the Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts, which runs from the last week of April to the first week of May. The aforementioned festival features vibrant colors that envelop, promote, and preserve the livelihood or industry of the local fabric. The name of the festival was derived from the Ilocano term batbatin, which means to separate the cotton balls from the seeds of the local fruit kapas sanglay. Binatbatan Festival has its origins in Vigan's abel weaving industry, which existed long before the Spaniards arrived to colonize the Philippines.

   The main highlight of this week-long celebration is the featuring Binatbatan street dancing, showdown competition, in which participants wear "abel" (woven cloth) costumes and sway in their original panagbatbat dances. The street dancing began in front of the Vigan Cathedral and ended on Crisologo Street, where old houses were festooned with abel iloco decor in preparation for the house decorating contest. Street dancers were performing gracefully with their colorful props and costumes made with abel as they proudly said "Viva Vigan" to a magnificent choreography inspired by the weaving process of abel iloko. We can truly say that the festival celebration is very enjoyable, entertaining to watch, holds attention, and provides pleasure and delight to the audience.

       Nowadays, it is extremely difficult and critical to celebrate this year's festival. The life of a festival goer has taken a dramatic turn with COVID-19 as the diabolical nemesis. All of the exciting festivals that one would look forward to in can no longer be experienced this year because public gatherings would only worsen the spread of the virus. Despite the fact that we are in the midst of a pandemic, the city government was still able to find ways to organize events for this festival by taking things online, allowing Biguenos to settle and celebrate this special occasion while also ensuring their safety against the virus.

   Throughout the one-week festival, even though performers and dancers cou ld not hear or feel the warm applause of the audience, they still joyfully and cheerfully waved their "batbat and continued to gracefully perform while adhering to health protocols such as social distancing and wearing face shields. Other activities such as the Abel House Decor Competition, Boklan Art Competition, Carabao Painting and Samiweng Chorale Competition were also able to push through digitally using social media.

       The days are colder, the nights are longer, and  COVID-19 lockdown restrictions remain, but it is in alert level 1, which means that festivals and other gatherings are permitted, while the good old days of celebrating the Binatbatan Festival of Festival were far better than today, Biguenos made this a memorable one filled with joy, happiness, and merriment despite the drastic change. It is critical that we hold onto the meaning of this year's festival celebration even more so if we are unable to commemorate it in the way that we have in the past. The festival represents the continuation of life. Its celebration denotes the on-going flow of life's trials and tribulations. In other words, accepting the reality of our situation without holding out hope that things will return to "normal" in due course. The spirit of unity and resiliency can be seen beneath and beyond the grandeur of the costumes and props seen in this festival.

Multimedia References:

Binatbatan Festival Street Dancing

data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wBDAAsJCQcJCQcJCQkJCwkJCQkJCQsJCwsMCwsLDA0QDBEODQ4MEhkSJRodJR0ZHxwpKRYl

https://tinyurl.com/pictureictimage1

https://tinyurl.com/pictureictimage2

binatbatan-festival-vigan-may-6-2017-008.jpg (1400×968) (rappler.com)

Do you Juana?

“Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives strength.” – G.D. Anderson

  To remind ourselves of the contributions of women to our culture and society over time International Women's Month is celebrated. The United Nations started celebrating International Women's Day on March 8 in 1975, during International Women's Year. Two years later, in December 1977, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution declaring a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace, to be celebrated by Member States on every day of the year in accordance with their historical and national traditions. International Women's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. The Women's Month Celebration in the Philippines has since acted as a forum to celebrate women's accomplishments and to address ongoing and emerging women's empowerment and gender equality problems, concerns, challenges, and commitments. Because the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, this year's National Women's Month celebration differs from previous years. Because of the government's restrictions on face-to-face interactions and public gatherings, especially as the number of positive patients or cases continues to rise, the celebration was held online. This year's commemoration focuses on women's contributions to the fight against the pandemic, as well as gender issues exacerbated by it.

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) organized some activities to commemorate the occasion, one of which is Online Advocacy. This Online Advocacy aims to highlight inspiring stories and messages from women who have successfully led and thrived despite the pandemic. This encourages netizens to share a short story about an inspirational woman who overcame the pandemic's challenges and inspired others to remain hopeful. The goal is to highlight the various roles that women from all walks of life play in keeping families, societies, and the country afloat during the pandemic.

             Defining strength is subjective. It may be the bravery to accept peoples’ flaws, face your fears, and even just free yourself from the things or people that limit you to do what you want and what you think is right. Thus, having strength is part of human nature. Men and women are both strong in their unique way. Centuries have already passed and we can see how the world and human civilization have changed. Living in these modern times does not mean that we did not value what our ancestors and the elderly have experienced way back in their days. Gender roles were very controversial before, thus, women empowerment is an important and interesting topic that must be discussed and protected by different generations. Gladly, gender equality is addressed now. Women have their free will and are indeed granted to join several activities that will nourish their personal growth and professional development. Women are allowed to join different societal activities which make them play an important role in the general advancement of human living. Women are strong in their unique way. The term “women” is not just caged in motherhood and sisterhood. A lot of Filipino professionals are women. Moreover, the Philippine constitution also allows women to run in the government and provide service to the Filipino community. Even in this time of the pandemic, health care workers are also women. Like men, women are also offering their time, effort, service, spirituality, and risk their mental health just to help the nation be back to its normal state. So the question here is, do you Juana? Do you Juana break norms and century-old beliefs that limit women to do their will? It’s a matter of acceptance, moving forward, and having principles of equality. The world is changing, and people change too, alongside that is the fact that we need more human power to balance each aspect of society. Generally, women can help in maintaining order in our lives.

        Women have been fighting for equality and empowerment for countless decades. Women's empowerment is defined as promoting their self-worth, ability to achieve, ability to make their own decisions, and the ability to live life with the ability to do anything. Although this movement appears to be within our grasp, we still have a long way to go before we can achieve full equality. Women have made a significant contribution to our society and have shaped who we are today. This should be sufficient motivation to empower them and show them gratitude. Women have been more empowered than ever before in the face of this pandemic, serving as front-line responders and leaders. These strong women inspire young girls to strive for success, make their own decisions, and believe in their own worth.

       The concept of "women as empowered" is viewed differently by different people. An empowered woman can be a powerful politician, a caring mother, a business owner, or even a young girl with a strong sense of self-worth. This pandemic has shown me that women play an important role in society, which should be reason enough to empower them. Take, for example, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. By defeating COVID, she and her team wowed the rest of the world. Many women worked in hospitals as frontline workers, risking their lives to help the country.

         Due to the pandemic, we spent most of our time on the internet, which allowed us to highlight gender equality and women's empowerment. As a result, I've changed my mind about what it means to be a strong woman. My mother, my teachers, my friends, and my idols are all "empowered" women because they are successful, confident, well-aware, independent, and supportive of other women. Seeing women be empowered and recognized for their achievements gives me confidence in my gender and motivates me to take charge of my life as a young girl.

         Overall, women's empowerment is a significant step toward achieving gender equality. We are directly contributing to the future of our society by giving them the ability to feel confident and sharpen their skills. Women's month may be over, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't honor the women in our lives. Let us strive to be well-informed and respectful members of society. Because of their gender, we should not be ignorant of someone's rights and abilities. We should promote women's empowerment or simply acknowledge women as important members of our community. "I do not wish [women] to have power over men; but over themselves," Mary Wollstonecraft said.

    It is time for everyone to delve deeper into their understanding of the various gender issues that arose or became more visible during the health crisis. Women's empowerment and gender equality should be promoted. Let us work together to protect women's rights around the world. Let us concentrate on identifying and correcting power imbalances, as well as giving women more autonomy in managing their own lives. Don't underestimate what women are capable of. Women have the ability to make a difference.

MULTIMEDIA REFERENCES:

https://www.bing.com/images/search?  view=detailV2&ccid=3cIkfp7Y&id=146946B325C88F7BBE4168008FBD578A196607CA&thid=OIP.3cIkfp7Yo4Egqv7GP0ZN4AHaFP&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fmedia.istockphoto.com%2fvectors%2fsuperhero-woman-in-flight-attractive-young-caucasian-woman-wearing-vector-id916664406%3fk%3d6%26m%3d916664406%26s%3d170667a%26w%3d0%26h%3dLZhYBg40GJfw

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=mFTglZ9k&id=58DD26D2FC3E6F38499860D143CAC78CC255F1B3&thid=OIP.mFTglZ9kMKYLZiTkuHunKQHaJ4&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2flh4.googleusercontent.com%2fbsQE9788drPZfwX8pHQ-RjrlO6jytDybMaWzVWWqXaGnQuy7ZFkbDla_t59AQdOton4e-5oegBRNtWn91VEhhTPs_g0X8GVzTOINyWdBnco7OvhW3sliMjOl7c71VrrnS0mpl1It&exph=840&expw=630&q=women+empowerment&simid=608011350426871532&FORM=IRPRST&ck=AE718122CBE44A0BF17B487FBCADAAC9&selectedIndex=14

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=A%2bkxOenP&id=E161F3F45C326C8092C32B10FD0CE0F85E911F8D&thid=OIP.A-kxOenP2P--J6PsMrfRWAHaFg&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fthepolicytimes.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2019%2f01%2fwomen-empowerment-2.jpg&exph=535&expw=720&q=women+empowerment&simid=608048832596623849&FORM=IRPRST&ck=1E938BFF618F6776C37A1EE96B8392E7&selectedIndex=15

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApnm6qo6tOuh5ih4yYuy0CnymcE0HeRWTV_voYoBHLJURcrI0GdVXt8Y1FkxMM1-pxbUT2Np8z6RIkDXMWn7CCgGqfqE8GKKf1RxDiip_zXBbqymMO4CAomdA1mGHW6HeMGd0aB1SZPo/s1600/Illustration+for+Women+Empowerment+1080_1080px+2-19.png