CHANGE STARTS WITH ME

My life has been full of people who have treated me poorly. I’ve had bosses who expected too much and took advantage of my time and assumed I would work long hours beyond my pay. There have been boyfriends who gave very little and took far more than I ever wanted to give, and still had the nerve to act like it wasn't enough. I've had friends who waltzed into my world, wrecked havoc, and then disappeared.

In fact, at certain times it has seemed like people did this to me on purpose — like I was some kind of target for those just waiting to inflict more hurt.

And in a way, I was.

The first time I heard someone say the words, “We teach people how to treat us,” I didn't want to believe it was true. If it was, Then much of the pain I had suffered over time was my fault as well as the fault of those who had inflicted it. That reality seemed painful and unfair. But at the same time, I felt the tiniest glimmer of hope at the sound of these words.

Because if they were true, if I could really teach people how to treat me, then there was hope of a world where people would treat me with the respect and care I deserved. So I decided to give it a try.

MY DREAM MY FUTURE

Choosing a major is such a difficult decision. When I was a little girl, my dream was to be a teacher. Over the years, I changed my mind a few times, but I always came back to a job in education.

As part of my education class, I intern at Southwestern Elementary every Thursday from 8-10 a.m. and do a variety of things in the classroom. I tutor in Mrs. Wynn’s second-grade classroom. She has me either tutoring one student at a time or a group of four to five students.

Once I’ve done a little bit of hands-on work with the students, I observe her teaching styles and apply them to my small groups. Mrs. Wynn has made me part of her classroom. One the first day, she turned a corner of her room into my own little classroom. I felt like an actual teacher.

This internship and my education class helped me confirm my decision. I look forward to seeing those little second graders every week. When you find something you love to do, you know it is the right decision.

KANNAWIDAN FESTIVAL

  Ilocos Sur, our very own province has rich and stunning cultures and traditions that we Ilocanos must be proud of. In order to showcase these, we have important festives just to exhibit and promote products of ours and precious cultures of Ilocanos to attract and invite tourists to come and visit Ilocos.

            One of these is the Kannawidan Ylocos Festival which is a week-long festive of happiness for local and foreign tourists as more entertaining events are included in the celebration. Now on its 5^th year, the Kannawidan Ylocos Festival had already established its identity as the prime festival of the province. The festival was launched in 2008 under the leadership of then Governor Deogracias Victor B. Savellano to commemorate the 190th foundation day of Ilocos Sur as separate province through the approval of a Spanish Royal Decree on February 2, 1818. The province has a rich heritage and unique cultures that need to be preserved for the next generations. However, many of these traditions, songs, dances and other Ilocano cultures were not already familiar to the younger generations due to the influence of the television, computer and internet.

            Highlights include the members of the Bayanihan Dance Company entertained the Ilocanos with their world class performance of the Beauty of the Philippines through dances, music and sounds. Their graceful movements and excellent rendition of songs and playing the indigenous musical instruments drew attractions from the crowd.
Governor Luis Chait Singson and Vice Governor Savellano together with  the officials of the Department of Education Division of Ilocos Sur signified the start of the different contests for elementary and high school 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. These events aimed to encourage young Ilocanos to learn these indigenous songs and dances for sustainability and preservation.
            Another important event is the Partuat ken Patanor Trade and Agri Fair. Officials from the trade and agri fair displayed all products from the different towns of the Ilocos Sur and its nearby provinces. The annual “Pinaka Contest” was also held to give citations the local farmers’ extraordinary farm and fishery products and livestock.

          This Kannawidan Ylocos Festival aims to create awareness on the preservation of the province' rich cultural heritage, practices and traditions, and a showcase of the different agriculture and industry products. We, Ilocanos should all be proud of with this because we are having this for tourists to appreciate our rich culture. Moreover, let us all preserve these cultures for next generations and this will serve as our trademark as an Ilocano.