Empowerment to break Stereotypes

 

Women are often misjudged for their fragileness and softness when it comes in dealing such difficult situation. When the COVID-19  had shut the world down, it was a the start of a new unexpected life to live in. It turned the world upside down with its people. Millions  of people were under hardships and difficulties and has been struggling to survive. In celebrating the women’s month, this ought to recognise the difficulties and rough paths that had been trailed by women amidst pandemic and to give recognition to their triumph in surviving an unfortunate situations.

When it comes to surviving, it requires a great strength and endurance. Frontliners are the ones that has been moving and keep on performing their duties as a public servant. To all women frontliners: to the nurses, doctors, policewomen, politicians, guard lady, saleslady, teachers and etc. These people are the ones that deserves to honor and to show gratitude to. When the world had shut down, they did not stop yet they continued to serve for the public. Without such heroic actions, we may not be able to survive and go through the darkest phase of our lives. These people are also a family member where they also have a family to go home to and waiting for them, despite the danger that they had to go through and might bring danger to them and their family, they had choose to help and serve for the public people. Furthermore, there are heroic actions that were not shown and given to the public eye, the act of surviving mothers especially to those unemployed and single mothers. The rate of unemployment in our country had increased still due to the pandemic. Scarcity of daily needs because of unemployment and without a stable source of income are the reason why millions of people were barely living amidst pandemic. However, every problem has its own solution, there is always an alternative way to do. Online selling has become more popular and with that, people started to got up on their own feet and survived the unfortunate circumstances. Women had become more resilient and empowered due to the rough path that they had gone through.

Everyone had a battle to win, had a rough path to go through and had a demon to fight to. Amidst pandemic, scarcity and difficulties arose that subsequently made millions of people to suffer. To all the women that barely lived amidst pandemic and eventually survived such unfortunate circumstances, their resiliency deserves a recognition. Women had been breaking the stereotype about them and has been proving the capability that they possess, women are empowered.

REFERENCE

Jire Carreon (2022). Filipino women mark Valentine's with protest dance. UCA news. https://www.ucanews.com/uploads/2019/02/5c6514631066c_600.png retrieved 04-25-2022 

Richmond Mercurio (2019). Gender equality: Philippines out of Top 10. Philstar Global. https://media.philstar.com/photos/2019/12/17/gender-equality_2019-12-17_22-08-25.jpg retrieved 04-25-2022

Epilogue of Quarter 3

 

Every quarter has its own level of difficultness and every time this occurs, there are tons of ways to cope up. It has been a whirlwind during this quarter. Having the potential to do well continuously then suddenly, a hindrance would show up unexpectedly would ruin everything that I had build up.

I have seen a new learning that I can use it permanently and that is: to never let yourself be distracted over something that has no benefit in your learning. I had been distracted the whole quarter that subsequently made me irresponsible to all my modules. I never had the chance to think of the consequences of my wrong doings that’s why I’ve been regretting lately. I had been thinking of things that is unnecessary to think about, I lost focus and I was to overwhelmed of the feeling of freedom from my school activities. However, I address this issue of mine by regaining my conscious  about the reality where I am a student and has tons of activities to ensue. I am student and I aim to have high marks and be satisfied of what I had done. I should be thinking about my responsibilities and not some bothersome that may lead my grades to downfall.

Moving on, I will try my best not to engage with this and be more conscious about the reality. I will carry this learning of mine permanently so that I would do better in coping with this kind of difficulty in the future.

Vaccination for Pediatric Population

 

After the mass vaccination of the teens and adults. The government next target are the children with ages 11-5. During the surge of COVID-19, 110,609 cases and 1,916 confirmed hospitalized were young children aged 5-11 contributed 3.49% cases from March 2022 up until January 2022. The vaccination has already started nationwide and the HTAC recommended that P-fizer-BioNTech Vaccine is suitable for young children with the age of 5-11.

The Philippine government had ordered around 30 million of vaccine doses and 2.6 % have been delivered with a total of 78,000 doses. The Department of health had stated that a global data had showed that there was no death attributed among the pediatric population world wide. Furthermore, over 99% among the individuals aged 12-17 years old were noted to be no experiences of post-vaccination symptoms. The Department of Health with Philippine Pediatric Society and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines had stated that the virus’ effect in children is less severe than the adults though it could still lead to hospitalization. Around 3% of cases and 0.5 % of death deaths from the virus among pediatric population were reported by the organizations. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can lessen the number of infections among the children with ages 5-11 years old. It can prevent symptomatic  and severe effects of COVID-19. A study also proved that vaccination of the pediatric population could develop a quality of life within a home when guardians of these children are relieved of dealing the effects of COVID-19 infection. This implementation has brought the potential of reopening of the schools that could improve the psychosocial well-being of the said population.

Execution of mass vaccination of the pediatric population can improve their well-being and it the ability to go back to normal has already a potential. The government’s implementation has brought hopes and safety to the children and also to the adults.

 

March towards Death: honoring deaths for freedom of today

 

Philippines is rich in historical places and stories. There are numerous events that had happened in the old times that declared a certain area a historical place. One of the historical province is the Bataan where 75,000 filipino and american troop were surrendered and forced to walk 65 miles to prison camp on April 9, 1942 that had happened during the second world war.

After bombing the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, the Japanese had started to invade the Philippines. Japanese army assaulted the Philippines where they bombed airfields and bases and shipyards and harbours. The capital of Philippines which is Manila, one of the best deep-water ports in the pacific ocean was perfect for the Japanese to plan their assault on Southern Pacific. The supreme commander of all allied forces in Pacific, Gen. Douglas MacArthur repelled his 130,00 troops with the invasion by the Japanese. When the Japanese were slowly reaching triumph, MacArthur decided to retreat to the mountain ranges of Bataan Peninsula. After three-long months, the Filipino-American armies had struggled with food supplies and were in lack of air support and naval. Dengue fever, malaria and other disease were affected by the troop that caused them to surrender on April 9, 1942.

The surrender was then the triumph of the Japanese and the surrendered Filipino-American army was forced to walk 65 miles from the southern end of Bataan Peninsula which is in Mariveles to San Fernando.

During the 5-to-10 day march, the prisoners were violently beaten, shot, and beheaded. Thousands of prisoners died during the march. From Mariveles to San Fernando, a 7-mile walk was added to Camp O’Donnell, it was a former training center of the Philippine army which was used by the Japanese to intern the prisoners. Out of 75,000 prisoners, only 54,000 prisoners were able to reach the camp. 2,500 filipinos and 500 americans have faced death during the match and in Camp O’Donnell, 26,000 filipinos and 1,500 americans lost their lives. However, in 1945, the Bataan Peninsula was freed by the American and Filipino armies.

To honor the thousands of death of the Filipino and American armies that had died during the world war II, every April 9 every year, the day of valor is celebrated by the Filipinos. It is a remembrance and a day to reminisce the heroism and sacrifices of these heroes during the world war II. In April 9, 1961, it was declared as the day of Valor or “ Araw ng Kagitingan”. Filipinos has always been known for their resiliency and their nationalism, it has always been the motherland to defend and treasure.

REFERENCE:

Maggie Penman (2017). Ceremony In San Francisco Marks The 75th Anniversary Of The Bataan Death March. npr. org. https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2017/04/08/ap_17097637865846-066d13582f4dd448ee06efdcb8d7ab406ec68017-s1100-c50.jpg retrieved 04-25-2022

 

Semana Santa

 

Lenten season in the Philippines is about remembering the sacrifices, suffering and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Most of the Filipinos are Christian devotes which considered to be the only country in Asia with the most of its population is Christian devotes. Which is Holy week is uniquely practiced in our tradition. Holy week or Lenten season is referred as Semana Santa or Mahal na araw in our country, the Philippines.

Palm Sunday is the start of the season, then followed by holy Monday to holy Wednesday, maundy Thursday and good Friday: which are consirdered to be a holiday, black Saturday and lastly, Easter Sunday. Philippines is known to be a religious country, therefore, numerous beliefs are believes by the devotes. Every holiday, beliefs or pamahiins are done by the locals. Pamahiins are practices that are passed through generations by generations that our ancestors had created.

There are 5 traditions to be followed during Semana Santa: first is practiced during the first day of Lenten season which is the Ash Wednesday where ashes are used to draw a cross sign on the forehead. This practice expresses inner repentance and the used ashes came from the blessed branches on the previous year’s palm Sunday. Second, a mass of remembrance of the day where Jesus have entered Jerusalem with people waiving palm braches as a sign of acknowledgement. Third, where group of people chants some part of the verses from certain book called Pasyon. This practice is called Pabasa ng Pasyon. Fourth, the senakulo. It is executed on the middle or a certain wide-spaced area. People crucified themselves in front of the public and that expresses penance and resentment. Lastly, the tradition of the Filipinos where visiting 7 churches reciting prayers and following the station of the cross called Visita Iglesia.

It is certain that we, Filipinos are religious and possesses good culture where we constantly remember the true meaning of our lives in reflecting how Jesus have done great sacrifices for the salvation of his people.

 

REFERENCE:

Holy Week in the Philippines. Wikipedia. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Trio_on_crosses.jpg/220px-Trio_on_crosses.jpg retrieved 04-25-2022

The most awaited Festivity

 

One of the biggest festival in Ilocos Sur is the Kannawidan festival. It is celebrated in the month of February. As the whole country recovers from the tedious effect of COVID-19, the ability to celebrate the fiestas and festivals had returned. Subsequently, the government launched the opening of the Kannawidan festival with various of activities to enjoy with.

Indigenous people of Suyo performed a traditional dance called “ Tadek ken Balliwes” during the opening ceremony. It is dance that symbolizes thanksgiving. During the first night of the celebration, the locals were gathered at the plaza Salcedo to watch dancing fountain , thereafter, drone lights flew up to the sky that created different formations in connection with the COVID-19 that shut down the whole province for almost 2 years, however, Ilocosurians are strong spirited and did not allow the virus to take them down . Mesmerizing fireworks awestruck the locals as it lightened up the sky. The locals where excited and happy to watch the display. The excitement of the local mounts as Comedy night was held after the firework display.

Filipinos are known for its love for pageantry. The most awaited and biggest pageantry in the province, “Saniata ti Ilocos Sur” was then held at the Quirino Stadium on the second night of celebration. The miss universe 2020 Rabiya Mateo, and miss universe 2021 Beatrice Gomez were part of the committee to judge the pageant. The Saniata representative of Vigan City was then announced as the Saniata ti Ilocos Sur.

The third night was for the LGBTQ+ community where Your Face Sounds Familiar and Lip sync battle were the main events. There was then a show where dog lovers showed their American bullies at a dog show. On February 5 was the moment for motorcycle enthusiasts to shine, motor show was then held.

Every municipality/city in Ilocos Sur were able to do the tradition were their own products was displayed to sell. It was held at the Tamag grounds. To all who wanted to enter the grounds were given a health protocol where face masks must be worn.

The festivity that gave the whole province the chance to enjoy after the pandemic was successful. A lot of tourist were able to roam around Vigan and the locals gathered together to catch up with their friends and families. Kannawidan Festival was the key to social gatherings and celebration of how strong the province is.

 

One of the biggest festival in Ilocos Sur is the Kannawidan festival. It is celebrated in the month of February. As the whole country recovers from the tedious effect of COVID-19, the ability to celebrate the fiestas and festivals had returned. Subsequently, the government launched the opening of the Kannawidan festival with various of activities to enjoy with.

Indigenous people of Suyo performed a traditional dance called “ Tadek ken Balliwes” during the opening ceremony. It is dance that symbolizes thanksgiving. During the first night of the celebration, the locals were gathered at the plaza Salcedo to watch dancing fountain , thereafter, drone lights flew up to the sky that created different formations in connection with the COVID-19 that shut down the whole province for almost 2 years, however, Ilocosurians are strong spirited and did not allow the virus to take them down . Mesmerizing fireworks awestruck the locals as it lightened up the sky. The locals where excited and happy to watch the display. The excitement of the local mounts as Comedy night was held after the firework display.

Filipinos are known for its love for pageantry. The most awaited and biggest pageantry in the province, “Saniata ti Ilocos Sur” was then held at the Quirino Stadium on the second night of celebration. The miss universe 2020 Rabiya Mateo, and miss universe 2021 Beatrice Gomez were part of the committee to judge the pageant. The Saniata representative of Vigan City was then announced as the Saniata ti Ilocos Sur.

The third night was for the LGBTQ+ community where Your Face Sounds Familiar and Lip sync battle were the main events. There was then a show where dog lovers showed their American bullies at a dog show. On February 5 was the moment for motorcycle enthusiasts to shine, motor show was then held.

Every municipality/city in Ilocos Sur were able to do the tradition were their own products was displayed to sell. It was held at the Tamag grounds. To all who wanted to enter the grounds were given a health protocol where face masks must be worn.

The festivity that gave the whole province the chance to enjoy after the pandemic was successful. A lot of tourist were able to roam around Vigan and the locals gathered together to catch up with their friends and families. Kannawidan Festival was the key to social gatherings and celebration of how strong the province is.

 

REFERENCE:

Ilocos Sure Celebrates Life with Kannawidan Festival. Manila Times.https://www.manilatimes.net/manilatimes/uploads/images/2022/02/19/49399.jpg retrieved on April 25, 2022

Ilocos Sur Celebrates life with Kannawidan Festival. Manila Times. https://cdn4.premiumread.com/?url=https://www.manilatimes.net/manilatimes/uploads/images/2022/02/19/49398.jpg&w=700&q=100&f=webp retrieved on April 25, 2022