Graduation: A goodbye and a Hello

Graduationis the sign of the end of our sufferings and misseries as a high school student. It is a goodbye to the life we already gotten used to. A goodbye to all the unrepeated memories and irreplacable friends and classmates. But as we bid goodbye to our beloved school we also say Hello to our new memories, friends, classmates and school. This is graduation, the end of a chapter in our lives and a begining of another.



Soon our batch will march in the Aile as our names are called as graduates of this school and I don't know what I should feel... I feel thankful to everyone that made my high school life a success... to my beloved teachers who really worked hard to build a better future for us students, to our ever supportive principal and every head that make this institution that molded us to be brighter and better citizens of this country, to my friends that made my days happy specially in times of tests and submission of so many projects, to my loving mom who sacrifices everything for me to be able to finish my studies and have all my dreams completed and of course to our beloved Jesus for all the blessings, I would want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart...

I would also want to take this opportunity to say sorry to everyone for every wrong thing and decisions I have made and done. Sorry if ever I had hurt your feelings... I'm really sorry...

As time passes quickly and the forth coming college life of ours come I really feel the fear and terror! But as I think of it... I realize that I'm ready!!!! My teachers and the whole student body molded not only me but thousands of students to be ready for this pace of our life. Seniors! Let's prove to them that their years of service and dedication is not a waste... Let's do our best to attain our dreams for it is the best reward we can ever give to repay their undying love for us...

Let's not fear anymore, let's be proud that we became a part of a big family wherein we were able to grow. Let's not forget them and let's always bear in mind that because of them we are now ready to walk in the Aile and receive our diplomas and together with this comes our pride for having surpass a great part in our lives....

Windows Moie Maker: Stairway for Future Directors

Time passe really quick, we are now near the end of school year 2008-2009 and this end means our farewell to the high school life and Hello to college. At this point many of us already know what to take but still some are confused. In their midst of problem a topic was introduced to us at our TLE IV---Windows Movie Maker!! This is an application wherein we have a chance to create our own movies or videos or simply edit those who are already done. Here many were persuaded and thought that directing or being in the movie industry is an interesting profession. In Windows Movie Maker we were able to know how to make videos out of images/pictures and musics. As an introduction to our lesson, our teacher pin pointed the essential parts of Windows Movie Maker and afterwards we were taught on how to add pictures, music, text and animations. After having discussed all these we were given an exercise or an activity which is a requirement in the said subject.

The topic was not new to me, I was able to know about it in my previous school in Manila and was able to make personal movies out of images, music and texts. In line with this, I didn't come with us!!!!!!! Our computer shown some malfunctioning so we weren't able to finish our movie or karaoke until this point!!!!

We were really deeply troubled with our computer because it didn't work!! So we asked for the help of our teachers and asked for assistance on how to make the computer function well again... But unfortunately, our teacher told us to just do other things related to the subject for our work station including work stations 10 onwards will be reformatted in the following days. Still our problem was left unsolved.

Moving on I will always use the Windows Movie Maker not only because its fun to make or edit movies but also because I can use these learning for future purposes. Who knows, I might be the next best director ever!!!

JS Prom: A big Miss To My High School Life

People often say, specially my fellow high school students and teachers, that the Juniors Senior's Prom is the highlight of one's High School life. In this social gathering we will not only be able to strenghten the bonds between the 3rd and 4th year but is also a chance to enhance our social attitudes like respect, refinement and most of all discipline. And as part of the Senior class for the current school year, I was really excited to attend my last prom! I really spent time in searching for a dress to wear, my my shoes or shall I say my sandals, I even made plans where to have a make-over! I was really hoping that I will be able to came specially its my first and last time to have my prom at my beloved school, Ilocos Sur National High School.

Time passed so fast at those time until it came to the point that many are ready and are already preparing for the said occasion, there were practices for the cotillion, for the promenade and the program that will come about. Everyone was in their feet for the forth coming occasion. At last, the day before the occasion came and at that point everyone was ready to show their best and even I was excited! But when I got home my world started to change from excitement to misery! My grandfather told me that my mother, who was currently in Manila, called and said that I am not allowed to go to our prom because of a reason that should be kept within the family! I really got mad but I know I can't do anything but to cry so I just cried the night away.

The day came for the prom proper but I felt blue unlike the others who really feel excited. As the bell rang which was the sign for our dismissal everyone went out in a hurry cause they might loose time in preparing while I was there sitting!!! It really hurts!!! The whole day passed and I wasn't even given a chance to see my fellow students dance in the rhythm of the different musics played... I really felt sorry for myself...

That was my JS Prom. Fun isn't it???!!! Well that's life!! Though I lost a lot though my 'should to be' last attended prom was a disaster I still feel happy at this point because behind all the tears that have dropped, someone came back 'again'... Though I missed the highlight of my HS life at least I found "again" the most precious gift I ever received in my entire life... It's HIM!!!

PT: A Test in my Knowledge!

The greatest suffering given to students has come... Our periodical test was given last January 19-20 of this year. Though our test were moved to the said date we still took the exams unprepared. I myself don't even know why. Maybe it is because of the long Christmas break in between the 3rd Grading. At the first day, January 19, 2009, we took our exams in English, Science, Filipino and Values. As expected, we had a hard time specially in our Physics. The following day was more brain cracking than the recent test. Most of our subject were difficult, they were A.P., Math, MAPEH, and TLE. During these two days, I really felt the tension which I know is an effect to my wrong doing which is not reviewing and not preparing for our test. I also admit that during this span of time I asked the help of my classmates who have greater knowledge in the lesson than I. Sadly, this quarter ended with me having low scores in the last concluded examination. This is all because of my laziness and carelessness in my studies.

Mental Block, tension, panic, and ignorance about our exams were the problems that I have encountered which in turn hindered me to get high grades instead I got very low grades in the test. I admit its my fault, I didn't review much like I do to the past exams. I didn't take my studies seriously! So this is what happened, once I received my test paper and saw the question I really know that time that I will have low grades.

Though shameful to admit, I asked some of the question that I can't answer to my classmates. Even though I know it's wrong I still did it and it disturbs my conscience until now. I really regret that time....=c

Moving on I will now take my studies seriously specially that this is my last quarter, our last quarter, to prove that we are worthy to be included in the first section in the regular class... This is the last quarter thus I need to give it my best blow.

Exer 8-10: A test in My Patience

Different font styles, colors and sizes, pictures and links, these are only some of the things that attract you most upon seeing some websites. And as young technicians, as they claim us to be, we were taught on how to do these on our HTML Files. On our Exer8, Exer1 was edited. We were asked to choose words in which we will apply the proper attributes to change the color, font style or size of the text. The next exercise introduced us the proper way to attach a certain picture, this time it is no longer used as a background like in the previous exercise. Again Exer1 was edited and proper attributes were used to attach a picture in the file. We inserted 3 pictures for this exercise. The last exercise done in this quarter was making links. For me, this is the hardest since our computer didn't function well in those times. in the said exercise Exer9 was edited by adding links to the title which is 'Computer Education', to the 3pictures present in the previous exercise and to the word 'Computer Software'- of course with the use again of proper attributes.

In making the said exercises no much problems occurred so I can say I was able to do it with ease and confidence but Exer10 was different! Maybe because of the limited time, I wasn't able to accomplish it right away. I also didn't have the copy of the instructions so whenever I always try to make it ignorance regarding the topic hinders me. Another problem is our computer! I don't know why but it still doesn't work even though mt attributes were correct! Whew! Exer10 really tested my patience.

At last the day came that my Exer10 was fully finished. Thanks to the help of Elaine who provided the instructions which were written in her notebook and of course to my group mates who assisted me in doing it. My Exer10 wouldn't have been accomplished without the help of you guys. THANK YOU!

Moving on I will always keep in mind all these learning I have acquired specially our days of examination is fastly approaching. I know I will be able to use these knowledge in my tertiary level so I will treasure it and of course will continuously add more new learning to it. I will also be forever grateful to the people who made my Exer8, Exer9 and Exer10 a success!

Christmas-A sense of Responsibility

Sharing and giving without seeking anything in return. This is the true meaning of Christmas as they say and I believe in that, I always did but my last Christmas, even the my whole vacation, was really different. Not sharing and giving were the values that stand-out the most for me in this season, instead the sense of responsibility! Through out the vacation, I was reminded of my responsibility to our house, my responsibility to my group mates, my responsibility to my relatives and family as a whole, and of course my responsibility to our brother and sisters who are less fortunate that us.

During our vacation, our relatives all came here to our house to celebrate Christmas with us. Since we were a bunch of people, many tasks were supposed to be done to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of our house. This was my first reminded responsibility to our house.

As the days of our vacation passed, the eagerness of my elder relatives to go around Vigan and buy souvenir items went strong so they often went out and as the eldest I was assigned to take care of my younger cousins then again another responsibility was given to me - "be responsible for your relatives specially my younger cousins.

Before our vacation started our teacher let us a project, one night I remembered. The Centennial Book was with me so I started summarizing the history of our school. That time I was not able to sleep tightly maybe because my conscience know I still have a responsibility to take care off before sleeping - my responsibility to my group mates.

At last, Christmas Eve came we happily sung the Happy Birthday sung for Jesus then blew the candles. This was already a tradition in the family. After that we greeted each one a Merry Christmas then ate the food which were prepared by me and my mother. What a beautiful scene that was, the whole family laughing and were happily eating their foods.

The celebration has ended, most were sleeping if not were really sleepy when an indigent family came to our house and asked for some foods to eat that Christmas day. Immediately, pity surrounded, I gave much food I can offer. That time I remembered I have the responsibility to at least lessen the burden our fellow countrymen are bearing. This is the most important responsibility given to us - my responsibility to our brothers and sisters that are less fortunate than us.

This was my Christmas vacation! Though stressed in times, still it is a worth remembering experience!!!

Exer6 and 7: A Progress Within me

HTML was first introduced in our class last second quarter. And as the saying go..."Practice makes perfect"... so our ICT IV teacher made several exercises to familiarize us with HTML tags and the usage of Notepad. One of these exercises is Exer6 and Exer7 in which we, the students, learned on how to put backgrounds on our HTML files. By editing our Exer1 and applying the color we wish as its background our Exer6 was created. Still using Exer1, we put some background which I, myself, preferred to use the waterlilies and...BOOM... Exer7 was produced. Through these activities I learned the knowledge on how to put backgrounds on our HTML files and in line with this I also learned the value of being patient and the spirit of perseverance in doing this activities. Though they say..."Nobody is perfect so don't practice"... I still believe that constant practice can make us better people. Though we can't achieve perfection at least we attained a progress in ourselves.

In making these exercises I really had a hard time since the process on how to make them are written in the board and since we are 58 students in class, many are in front of the board hindering me to properly see what are written. In addition to these, in our Exer6 codes are needed in the tags. Each color has its corresponding code and these codes are again tacked in the board and once again I faced the same difficulty. The instructions were also quite confusing so I had a hard time in applying them properly on the Notepad. These are the problems I faced in doing these exercises and I can say that these problems contributed much to the progress within me.

Having mentioned the problems I encountered, many helped for me to be able to surpass them all. Regarding my difficulties in the instructions and codes written in the board my group mates volunteered to read the instructions out loud to lessen my difficulties. And regarding my confusion on the instruction our ICTIV teacher was very patient in teaching us specially in Exer7. I really thank them for the great help they had given.

Moving on I will definitely treasure and nourish not only my newly acquired knowledge regarding HTML files but also the values that go with them. And lastly, I will continue to make constant practice in whatever I'm ought to do for perfection not might be readily acquired not much progress within ourselves, myself, is to be definitely observed.

Sembreak: An Innovation

Another quarter has ended and as a break from the brain cracking semester, we students had our semestral break for this school-year.

I guess what happened to me last October 28- November 2 can't be considered as a sembreak. Though through these experiences another part of my personality had under go great innovation.

After a stressful 2 days examination, still much activities were beheld by the our school, Ilocos Sur National High School. One of which is the STEP Regional Competition which fortunately I was part of. We the participants together with our ever supportive coaches went to Mangaldan on October 28. Due to the great distance from Vigan to Mangaldan we were able to arrive in the said place at 2 pm. As we arrive, we first arranged our dug-outs. The boys were separated with the girls. After which we immediately went to take our lunch. Then we finally took our rest and got prepared to the contests to be held in the following days.

On October 29, most of the events were held. I, myself, was busy for my event, Business Planning, was about to be held right after lunch. Actually, I woke up early that day. Immediately I ate my breakfast then started to fix the things I am about to use. Then 12 pm came. I together with my fellow competitors was supposed to eat our lunch in preparation for the event but due to the lack of management in those times, the food wasn't still ready for that time so we were forced to just prepare for our competition. In the library of the Mangaldan National High School, the Business Planning competition was held. In that said place we presented our plan of producing Vigan Mini Jars. After the competition, we celebrated not for the purpose of celebrating our victory but otherwise we celebrated for acknowledging the efforts given by each and every one of us. Other events were also held that day like the Mr. and Mrs. STEP 2008 which was considered as the highlight of the day.

On the next day, I just helped in the selling Vigan souvenir items in the STEP Bazaar. And started buying pasalubong for my friends. I just enjoyed within this day and took a rest. At night, the Closing Program was held in which the winners of the different events were properly acknowledge. Right after the program we decided to go back to Vigan. And my journey has ended at this point.

Though I didn't had a relaxing break, this sembreak is not like the others. In this sembreak great innovation occurred not only in my mental aspects but as well as in my emotional, spiritual and most of all in my social aspect. And as my fellow students bid goodbye to there break, I salute my fellow competitors, coaches, facilitators and all the personnel who made this competition a success thus making this innovation of mine a remarkable one.

A Glimpse to HTML

As we bid goodbye to the first quarter of this school year, we now say hello to the upcoming quarter and have a warm welcome to the new learning we are about to face. The start of this second quarter of our last year in this high school life are new and exciting lessons primarily in our ICT IV. "Introduction to HTML", this is the new learning handed by our ICT IV teacher, Mrs. Evelyn Veracruz, to us her students. Though I had an experience in handling HTML, I still felt excited in the upcoming activities regarding the said topic and of course the much awaited making of our own website is now only at hand because of this lesson. This new learning paves way to more experiences in my technological innovation which I know I really would enjoy and would treasure for the rest of my life.

In line with this new knowledge of mine, I also faced much difficulties along this process of learning. one of which is the difficulty in the first hand-out to be typed which served as our very first activity. The hand-out was quite blurred which gave us much difficulties in identifying on what letters we should type and unfortunately many committed mistakes and needed to edit it again. Another is the fact that the Notepad, a HTML editor, has no grammar and spelling correctors so if ever if ever you committed mistakes in typing, it will not be corrected and will be published in the website made. Much difficulties were faced and I know much are still about to come but I don't care. This difficulties make my learning process an experience like no other.

Having identified the difficulties I faced, of course, there are proper solutions that I acted upon in able for me to solve them. On the first conflict, I asked the help of my group mates and of course if ever we still can't get it right we ask assistance from our teacher. For the second, I did my best to type the proper words and lessen my mistakes. After this, many values have been developed in me. Some of which is teamwork and unity among us groupmates and the awareness of not commiting mistakes and not being dependent in such programs that lessen our rate of literacy.

Moving on I will treasure and defintely nourish this new learning of mine in order for me to be able to put it in proper usage anf share to others who have the same interest as mine in the near future.

My NCAE and Periodical Experiences

NCAE or National Career Assessment Examination was given nationwide yesterday, August 27, 2008. This examination was given exclusively to the fourth year high school students and aims to find out in which field an individual will excel. For our batch, it was given yesterday and I can proudly tell that we surpased the examination with ease and confidence. Through this experience I've learned a lot of things. One of which is the importance of knowing the instructions and following them. Another is giving importance to the lessons we attain every single day of our lives. These learnings also come with my experiences in our very first Periodical Test as a senior student.

Though our Periodical Test and NCAE were held successfully we faced many problems along the way. In our Periodical Test, I really had a hard time in reviewing all the lessons in each subject and when we took the exams I was really pressured by the very short time span in taking the exams. For the NCAE, I was somewhat bored in the very long time of silence. Some of my roomates even have to start all over again because they had interchange their answer sheets. We had faced much difficulties but I'm glad and overwhelmed that I was ablr to surpass them all.

With all these problems in head, it was really hard to concentrate but I made it a point to atleast give solutions to them. For my reviewing problems, I made my own schedule or time-out-line for my reviews. In this way I can concentrate with the subject and ingest most of the lessons. For the short time span in taking the Periodical Test I made sure that I read as fast as I could but still with understanding and if ever I face a hard question I skip it first and just get back to it if I still have time. For our NCAE, I really concentrated with the exams and I listened, read and followed all the instructions given to avoid further problems.

Moving on I will put into heart all the lessons I've acquired thus applying it to my daily life. Further more I will continue to study hard and strive further for a batter future for me to be able to reach my goals and ambitions.

Blog Number 2

Only in this school-year 2008-2009 have I studied here in Ilocos Sur National High School and is also my first time to stay here in Ilocos Sur for good. Since it is my first time, I had acquired many new learnings and experiences. I experienced to go to the famous tourist spots here in Vigan that I only see at pictures back those days. I learned to appreciate the beauty of Iloco Arts. I also learned the culture of the Ilocanos are way far off to those in Manila. But though greatly different, I learned to give importance to each in the same level.

As my stay here in Ilocos Sur prolonges, I also face much difficulties and conflicts as well. I have to admit that the culture change and adopting to one is really difficult. And since I can't understand the Ilokano dialect more conflicts and problems arises. There come times where misunderstanding prevails bacause of the language barrier between me and my classmates., It greatly affects my relationship to the people surrounding me. And honestly speaking, until now it's my major problem that still remains unsolved.

As these conflicts and difficulties arrive, I try my best to meet their possible solutions. I'm trying to adopt to most of these changes and respect the others which contradict to those whom I believe in the span of time I stayed in Manila. I'm doing my very best to learn their dialect though I know it will take me a long time, still I'll be doing the best I can and I'll still be giving the best I could. And these remains to the future problems I'm about to face.

Moving on I will continue to accept new learnings from the society I'm now living in. I will respect their culture and adopt to them if possible. But my old beliefs still remain. Those belief that I know in my mind and in my heart will remain wherever I go.

My Learning Experience in ICT IV

From June to July many informations were given to us, many learning each of us had acquired. such of which are the what is Internet, its history and of course its uses and applications. we were also informed on how to mine the net using different search engines. Through these discussions we were fully informed on how the Internet works and how to use it properly. But the most exciting and most interesting part of this grading period was our project regarding the arts and culture of Vigan. through this project we were enlightened with the beauties of our arts and culture that we should be really be proud of.

Many learnings were given to us specially from the hand-outs that were given as additional source of information, since it tackles about the significant personalities and events that made a great contribution on the development of the Internet, we had a hard time in memorizing and ingesting them. With regards to our project, we also had a very difficult time in researching and taking good shots. And because there was competition within the different groups we really gave our best in making our research work as beautiful and as significant as our arts and culture here in Vigan.



With regards to these problems, I really tried my very best to overpass them. With regards to the in formation-overflow, me and my classmates really spend time in memorizing and really understanding each information that was given. We did our best to make these studies stay in our mind and gladly it turned out good for me and for my classmates. With our project, we really researched and worked hard to give fully organize information regarding our topic. We made different shots of the arts, monuments and historical places here in Vigan so that those who will read our report can clearly visualize the beauty of our very own Vigan. Through this project we were able to yield our cooperation, creativity, resourcefulness and most of all our perseverance to give and attain facts that will flourish the appreciation of the arts and culture of our province.



Moving on I will continue to cherish all the good traits that we were able to acquire in our experiences here in our computer subject. Unity, cooperation, creativity, resourcefulness and perseverance are the traits that I will continue to use in any subject, field or event I engage in my life. Thus, through these characteristics I know success is just a step away.