What does Christmas truly means to us?

    The Bigueňos have distinct and colorful traditions. They do have a rich culture that cannot be expressed in words alone, but they show it in a variety of ways, including festivities and intangible cultural traditions that they share with everyone. One of the most important traditions for the Bigueňos is the Christmas season. They prepare for this special holiday with passion. The local government would often greet Christmas by installing a giant Christmas tree and other decorations in front of city hall, while residents would always attend the "simbang gabi" or "Misa De Gallo." Children will carol nightly in their neighborhood, and houses will be decorated with Christmas lights even in September, which they think marks the beginning of the "ber" months.

 

All of these traditions are indisputably significant for every Bigueňo since they are a part of their existence, especially the Christmas celebration, which is typically the time when their family is whole. However, the pandemic happened, and many of the customs were eventually unable to be maintained. Numerous health protocols were adopted, as well as community quarantines, in Vigan, making it difficult for the locals to enjoy any holidays. However, celebrating Christmas has been their way of actually giving time for the entire family and a sacred time for them that they tirelessly embrace, so everyone made it possible to express their devotion for Christmas by celebrating it at home, attending Christmas mass while adhering to health protocols, and the government made sure that people who are going home to Vigan are not COVID carriers by providing checkpoints.

Christmas is meaningful to everyone, and they are embracing it as a part of their lives. Embracing and honoring their heritage at any moment, no matter how chaotic or tough life becomes, was part of their trait. We must set aside our worries and have a carefree mindset throughout the holidays since it is a time when we must foster togetherness and healthy spirituality. Expensive festivities are unneeded if we grasp what the true meaning of Christmas is for us. 

Reference:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Ffotograzio%2F49401160413&psig=AOvVaw34Okccforzz_oT-2W-NO-r&ust=1644850565585000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCPiTif_3_PUCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAd

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgetaway.ph%2Fblog%2Ftravel%2Filocos-region-and-baguio-city-now-welcome-tourists-from-luzon%2F&psig=AOvVaw34Okccforzz_oT-2W-NO-r&ust=1644850565585000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCPiTif_3_PUCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAY

Discover More

I am very grateful for the knowledge and learnings I have gained during this quarter. Coding and creating an HTML file was a great experience because it helped me understand that I could do more with my literary files. It was also a lot of fun since I got to study and discover new ways to make my files more appealing. My discoveries about the content inside an HTML file format were enjoyable because I get to understand the use of angle brackets and different tags that define headings, paragraphs, lists, links, quotes, and interactive forms. This kind of new discovery remained helpful for me and I very much appreciate it because it increases my intellectual experience and that it enhances my knowledge about technologies.

However, I found it challenging to keep up with the lessons during this quarter. I had no idea what I was doing at first because everything was unfamiliar to me. It was difficult for me to put the tags in the appropriate place and to accurately apply them within the file. There was a lot of trial and error when I was creating the requirements for the activities, and I had to do additional research and study merely to have a better outcome for the activity. Finally, I discovered that it can be an easy method. I patiently tried all over again so that I can create a better outcome for the activity; eventually, I manage to understand every use of the contents or elements in making an HTML file.

Moving forward, I will continue to work hard to learn every part of the lessons. I would make myself more patient and persistent in achieving a good outcome for my activities, as well as ensure that I get a lot of knowledge so that I may broaden my intellectual skill. This quarter helped me discover more, which I will undoubtedly put to use later and which I hope to share with others.

References:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0306/6419/6141/articles/coding_languages_1024x.png?v=1619126283

https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/53/Google%20Drive%20Integration/How%20to%20Start%20Coding%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20for%20Beginner%20Programmers.jpeg

https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/5a/Study-for-an-Online-Class-Step-1-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Study-for-an-Online-Class-Step-1-Version-3.jpg

Giving Life to Traditions

It is part of the Filipino culture to cherish the fiestas that take place in their community. Every year on January 25th, the Vigan City Fiesta is held. It is observed on the feast day of the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. The Vigan City Fiesta usually lasts a few days. It involves the annual celebration of Vigan's cityhood, which takes place on January 27th. Biguenos from all over the country and even from abroad travel to Vigan to celebrate their fiesta with their family and friends, as is typical for Filipinos to do. Thousands of people from other parts of the Philippines and other countries join them in celebrating the cultural activities, parades, and street dances organized by the local government with the help of local businesses and communities. Food fairs, arts and crafts shows, and a local carnival are all available. Participants from numerous northern neighboring provinces are also sent to compete in the different sports and activities, most notably the street dancing competition. Because of the participation of neighboring towns, the Vigan City Fiesta is not just a local event attended by Vigan authorities, but also a national event attended by other local public officials and national politicians.

The annual celebration of their Fiesta is very important mostly to the locals of Vigan because they prepare and celebrate it with joy. Everyone often looks forward to celebrating with their family and loved ones which make it more a meaningful event. Furthermore, it allows many people to find time to just enjoy themselves by commemorating the occasion, and it allows every local product to be promoted and discovered by local and non-local people. During the pandemic, folks find it hard to celebrate the yearly event. The local government needed to repeatedly change the date of celebrating the fiesta to provide a sure and safe celebration for the people that will attend. Health protocols are required to be followed to prevent the increase of COVID-19 cases and to continuously give value and remembrance to the tradition of Vigan without causing too many problems. 

There is no doubt that many challenges suddenly came, but this must not stop the embracement of the essence of Vigan City Fiesta. Love and passion for the culture that is part of oneself must be cherished regardless of the current situation, as long as everyone is constant in being careful and in spreading awareness. Giving importance to safety and healthy living can help everyone to keep giving life to their traditional events in the midst of the pandemic.

References:

https://live.staticflickr.com/5243/5379808973_823d4423e7_b.jpg

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=490375619126557&set=pb.100044623680440.-2207520000..

https://scontent.fmnl17-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/272876180_10216113289383258_7556859706288300183_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_eui2=AeGOH-VzFGBYdp8018E7COI5H5tt8JAGAPMfm23wkAYA8zMhR4cz1q7DN-jy1tfa9u_kNTnZpRN5flkB-xQAYFfg&_nc_ohc=_Ni_-ZX4sYAAX8QzBDZ&_nc_ht=scontent.fmnl17-3.fna&oh=00_AT_mPoGv9ybOwcQd3dyXLr5v8BXpHUIVauVSJnZb8wwjHw&oe=62000175