Rivo Alconcel

 Chinese New Year 2025: Why Do Filipinos Celebrate It? Filipinos celebrate Chinese New Year due to the strong influence of the Chinese community in the country. Traditions like eating tikoy, wearing red, lighting fireworks, and watching dragon dances are believed to bring luck and prosperity. The celebration is most vibrant in places like Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown, where Filipino and Chinese cultures blend. More than just a tradition, it symbolizes unity, good fortune, and hope for the year ahead, making it a special event for many Filipinos.

Conducting our research on Panag-Ipon in Fuerte, Caoayan was both challenging and meaningful. We engaged with local fishermen and local people living in fuerte we listened to their stories, and witnessed their daily struggles and perseverance. Their insights made us realize that Panag-Ipon is more than just a livelihood—it is a tradition passed down through generations. Despite difficulties in gathering data and scheduling interviews, we learned the value of teamwork and adaptability. This experience deepened our respect for the community and highlighted the importance of preserving their way of life. Through this research, we hope to raise awareness and support their livelihood for future generations.

Vigan, known for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, has a rich history that reflects its journey from a municipality to a thriving city. Before becoming a city, Vigan functioned as a municipality, known for its cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and local industries like pottery and weaving. The town was already a center of trade and governance in Ilocos Sur, attracting visitors with its charming cobblestone streets and ancestral houses. In 2001, Vigan officially became a city through Republic Act No. 8988, after a successful plebiscite. Since then, it has experienced significant growth in tourism, economy, and infrastructure. The city government has improved public services, modernized facilities, and strengthened efforts to preserve its historical sites. Vigan is now a UNESCO World Heritage City and was even recognized as one of the New7Wonders Cities in 2014. Despite modernization, Vigan continues to balance progress with cultural preservation. It remains a symb...

 This New Year, we had a simple but meaningful celebration as we welcomed the Year of the Snake. I cooked delicious buttered shrimp, filling our home with its rich, garlicky smell. We gathered around the table, enjoying our meal while sharing stories and laughter. It was a time to look back on the past year, be thankful for what we had, and hope for a better year ahead. As midnight approached, excitement filled the air. When the clock struck twelve, I lit up fireworks, brightening the sky with colorful lights. The crackling sounds and glowing sparks made the moment even more special. Welcoming the Year of the Snake, we hoped for wisdom, strength, and good fortune in the months ahead. Though our celebration was simple, it was full of love and joy, reminding us that the best way to start the year is with family by our side.

 This Christmas, we kept things simple yet meaningful, celebrating the season together as a family. I prepared a delicious lechon belly, slow-roasted to perfection, filling our home with its rich, savory aroma. As we gathered around the table, we shared laughter, stories, and the warmth of togetherness, appreciating the true spirit of Christmas—not in grand gifts or extravagant feasts, but in the love and presence of family. The simplicity of our celebration made it even more special, reminding us that the best moments are those spent with the people who matter most.

 Learning HTML in second quarter has been a great introduction to web development. It taught me the basics of structuring a webpage using tags like <h1>, <p>, and <img>. I have learned how to create links, add images, and organize content effectively. This experience showed me the importance of clean, semantic code and gave me the confidence to explore more advanced web technologies. Overall, HTML has been a simple yet powerful tool that opened the door to web design.