My 4th Quarter

This quarter is the last. ICT 10 wrap up.

I have enhanced my photoshop skills once again. I have learned to express my creativity because I wanted to make a good souvenir program cover. It may be my last opportunity to learn, but it is certainly important and unforgettable.

I had problems on my work area because at times my photoshop crashed. I had to reset my work a couple of times but I eventually got the job done.

As I move further and discover more ICT itself, I assure you that I will apply my knowledge and skills. This fourth quarter has taught me a lot and I will bring my knowledge to higher levels of my education. Thank you Ma'am! I won't ever forget everything that you have taught me. This is Ken, (boy number two who is sometimes noisy but it definitely listening) saying his goodbyes to ICT 10.

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Goodbye MaxConi 20'

The Future. I am about to walk out of the family that I have been growing in for 4 years.

One ARMSTOTLE. One LEEUWENNAEUS. One BECQUEROYLE. One MAXCONI.

As I venture outside the box, I don't think I expect that much. The people that I have been close with in this family have challenged me and molded me into who I am today. I hope that in the future, we will still be friends and may we never forget the memories that we have shared together.

I wish for the success of my colleagues. The future is very bright for us, so let us claim and fulfill our dreams. I see some future CPAs, MDs, ATTYs, COLs, and ENGRs among us. May we face the future with upmost confidence as we show the greatness we posses.

For my future, I'm planning to take on STEM for my senior high school strand and MEDTECH for my college course. If I may be able to, I wish to study in SLU, a prestigious Luzon school with high Medical board exam passing rates. I wish to be able to go to New Zealand where my brother is currently working.

I will strive hard for my goal is to repay the debt of gratitude I have for my parents for their unending love and countless sacrifices. Of course having a family of my own is a no-brainer, but my parents are my number one priority.

Whatever may lie ahead of us, let us face it with outmost pride. We can survive any hurdle, any obstacle, any challenge. We are strong and we have thrived in the harsh environment call SPECIAL SCIENCE CLASS where research papers and examinations haunt us til the end of time.

To my long time rivals who have become my close friends. Gio, Jai, Liam, Shang, thank you for the conversations during recognition. Thank you for pushing me to strive and work harder. You are definitely part of my success (hopefully). I think highly of you and know that you guys will achieve your dreams.

To my friends who I have ventured with along the way, thank you for helping me and I hope I have helped you as well.

To my brothers, we may not be related by blood but I'm sure that we're related by heart. Thank you for making my high school adventure the best! You are part of my life and will always be. May our brotherhood never fade, as the problem of separation challenge us.

This is technically my last blog of S.Y. 2019-2020. Ken C. Artajos, signing off.



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Foundation of Greatness

FOUNDATION, an underlying basis or principle. The action of establishing an institution or organization on a permanent basis, especially with an endowment.

Ilocos Sur National High School, established 1902. This year, Ilocos Sur National Highschool celebrates its 118^th Foundation Day. Students and teachers have been waiting for this occasion. Everyone was busy practicing and preparing for this HS Day. Students from the Junior and Senior Highschool had been busy practicing with their MAPEH teachers for weeks in preparation for the field demo. 

I know that this is now my last high school day as a Junior High School student. Ilocos Sur National High has really enhanced me and pushed me to become a better version of myself. The Faoundation of the School is the Foundation of Greatness. So thank you for giving me the courage to be bold and take those opportunities when they arose. Thank you for not letting me hold myself back for the fear of failure. Believe me, I have experienced my fair share of failure in my time with you. Now I understand that failure is not something to be ashamed of, but should be celebrated because that means I tried, and I know how to improve for next time.

photo by: Ken Artajos

CAN NOW - WE DONE

Ilocos Sur is a beautiful province located in the northern part of Luzon. It is a province rich in culture that represents the ancient Spanish and Filipino heritage. To show and share their treasures to the whole world, the locals conceived a festival that highlights these cultural traditions and they called it the “Kannadiwan Festival”.

It is a celebration that lasts from the last week of January up to the first week of February. Included in the course of events is the commemoration of the foundation day of the province.

On the opening day, there is usually a mass held at the St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral. It is followed by a procession of the Patron Saints of the 40 parishes and images of Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary around the city. It is the Ilocanos' way of giving thanks to the Almighty not only for the bountiful blessings but also for the rich heritage of the city, including the close family ties among the Ilocanos. This event showcases the deep-rooted religiosity of the townsfolk.

One mission of the festival is paying more attention to the children. It is because of the observation that many traditions, songs, dances, and other Ilocano culture are not recognized by the younger generations of the province. Instead, children are paying more attention to the modern and novelty dances they see television than the traditional ones. It is one of the reasons why the Kannadiwan Festival is conducted.

Here, children may appreciate their rich culture and tradition. Also on the opening day of the festival, a traditional ritual is performed by the students of the Ilocos Sur, especially high school students. There are different contests that focus to the ability and skills of the students. These include traditional tribal rituals, choir and glee club competition, marching band contest, traditional music ensemble, dance drama, traditional and folk dances, contemporary dance competition, and street dancing showdown.

source: Vigattin Tourism

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Change is Constant

Everybody faces changes, we cannot deny that some circumstances and experiences change personality.

At New Year, they see it as a start and opportunity to change something. A factor is how people see themselves, some may try to gain or lose weight because it has been bothering them for years. People try to work out and go to the gym, they also look for weight gain.

New Year has always seemed to me a beginning of a new cycle, or a new path of self-development, but I never write detailed resolutions, having only abstractive understanding of my plans for future. So I think I do not need to change something from me.

Sometimes the thing we need to change is our self-esteem. YOU DO NOT NEED TO CHANGE EVERYTHING. You are who you are. You cannot please everyone, you have to accept you. Change starts from acceptance, and become the best version of yourself.

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Chapter 26: The Eve of the Fiesta

The title I have put is based on Kabanata 26 of the notorious Noli Me Tangere written by the Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal, during the Spanish Revolution. This book has had such a major influence in the freedom of Filipinos and a big eye opener to the world.

In this chapter, Rizal described the fiesta as overly grande. There was too much unnecessary stuff. Too much food, too much decoration. Rizal teaches us that gatherings are not about how extravagant they are, FIESTA is about family and friends sharing time together.

I related this chapter on how we must celebrate the Vigan Fiesta. We don't need to go out our way and present overly lavish food for our guests. Sure it is an act of hospitality, but we must not give the things that we cannot afford to have. We must learn to always save some for ourselves.

Being hospitable is a Filipino trait, but being too superb is the toxic side. Let us always be tactical in making our decisions so that we can choose the right one.

The Vigan City Fiesta is held every January 25. It is celebrated during the feast day of the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. St. Paul is Vigan City’s patron saint. Before his conversion, St. Paul was known as Saul, a zealous persecutor of Christians. After he was touched by a personal encounter with Jesus Christ on his way to Damascus, his name was changed to Paul and he endured a lot of hardships and danger to spread the word of God to far places.

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New Year's Resolution not Spasmodic Solutions

New Year’s resolutions are as much a part of our life as the New Year celebration. My New Year’s resolution is to achieve something that I can be proud of and to share my blessings to others. There's a big reason behind it, why I picked it. To achieve something that I can be proud of.

However, it is known that resolutions are hard to fulfill. We are sometimes "spasmodic" or as Filipinos call it, "ningas kogon". We start things that we cannot finish. People go to the gym on the first week of January, I bet you won't be able to find them the next week. Trying is not wrong, but for me DOING IS BETTER THAN TRYING.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it. For a change, don't add new things in your life as a new year's resolution. Instead, do more of what's already working for you and stop doing things that are time-waste.The beginning of every New Year is always the best time to give another chance to your neglected talents! You can never make this New Year as your best year because your best year is always the year you were born! When the fireworks start, be thankful for your existence and for everything which made this possible!



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