Always Valentine's Day

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10 days ago, the world celebrated Valentine's Day. It is an annual appreciation of love and giving, a day when people pause to show care for the important people in their lives. The streets and popular landmarks were filled with people spending time together, from couples to close friends enjoying each other’s company. Gifts were traded, words were shared, and time was spent well, not only between partners but also among friends who wanted to show that they value one another. The day was essentially a chance for love to strengthen the bonds of all kinds, including the friendships that support us every day.

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But when we think of love, we mostly picture couples in a relationship. We think of two people who have committed to each other for their whole lives, sharing both happy and difficult moments together. It is such a shame because love exists not only as an identification of dating, but it is also a significant factor in friendship. Friends can show love through listening, encouragement, shared laughter, and simply being there when they are needed. This kind of love might not look as dramatic as romantic love, but it can be just as deep and meaningful.

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Valentine's Day is a special day to express love and sincerity. But when you show appreciation to someone you care about every passing day, whether they are a friend or a partner, it becomes significantly more special, because love then becomes part of everyday life rather than just a once-a-year celebration.

Reference:

Divider symbols & text separators | ── ∘◦ ◦∘ ── | Copy & paste. (2026, February 20). Cute Internet. https://cuteinternet.com/divider

Pinterest. (n.d.). Pinterest. https://ph.pinterest.com/pin/87468417757505451/

Intayon, Ilocos Sur.

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Intayon Ilocos Sur Festival is a massive tribute to the province's heritage. Usually held in early February, the festival coincides with the anniversary of the province’s separation from Ilocos Norte. The word "Intayon" literally means "Let’s go," which serves as a warm invitation for locals and tourists to see what the region has to offer.

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Visitors can expect a lot of energy. There are street-dancing competitions where performers wear costumes made from local materials, such as Abel Iloco fabric. You’ll also find trade fairs showcasing Vigan empanada, longganisa, and handcrafted pottery. It’s a great way to see the traditions of Ilocos Sur in one place without feeling like you're in a museum.

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What makes this festival stand out is how it involves every town in the province. Each municipality brings its own "Binallay" or local pride to the capital city of Vigan. If you’re planning a trip, this is the best time to experience the food, the crafts, and the people all at once. It’s loud, colorful, and very welcoming.

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Reference: 

Province of Ilocos Sur | One People, One Province, One Ilocos sur. (2026, January 6). https://mis.ilocossur.gov.ph/

Ilocos Sur Festival 2026🎊 The People’s. . . - I Love Vigan City | Facebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1354945956674603&set=a.555719779930562

Blog Post 5: Architect of National Consciousness

 While Jose Rizal is often celebrated as the "face of the Philippines," his greatest contribution to society was the intellectual foundation of Filipino nationhood. Before Rizal’s influence permeated the archipelago, the islands were a collection of disparate regions unified only by Spanish subjugation; through his seminal novels and essays, he provided the mirror in which a fragmented people could finally see themselves as a single, sovereign nation. He did not merely advocate for reform; he pioneered a national consciousness that prioritized education and civic virtue over mindless insurrection.

Rizal’s most transformative tool was his literature. In Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, he diagnosed the "social cancer" of his time, exposing the systemic abuses of the colonial government and the friars. However, his work went beyond critique; he challenged Filipinos to prove themselves worthy of independence through self-improvement and moral integrity. By articulating a shared history and a common destiny, Rizal transformed a population of colonial subjects into a cohesive body of citizens ready to claim their place on the world stage.

Even in the modern era, Rizal’s contribution remains the blueprint for our collective dignity. He demonstrated that the pen is a potent instrument for liberation when it is fueled by truth and a deep love for one's country. His martyrdom served as the ultimate catalyst for the Philippine Revolution, but it was his intellectual legacy that ensured the revolution had a soul. To this day, the concept of being "Filipino"—a term once reserved for Spaniards born in the islands—is a gift of Rizal’s vision, reminding us that a nation is built first in the mind before it is won on the battlefield.

Quibuyen, F. C. (2008). A Nation Aborted: Rizal, American Hegemony, and Philippine Nationalism. Ateneo de Manila University Press.

Schumacher, J. N. (1991). The Propaganda Movement: 1880-1895; The Creators of a Filipino Consciousness, the Makers of Revolution. Ateneo de Manila University Press.

Blog Post 3: The Fabric of Our Identity

    The celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Month, themed "Weaving Culture, Enriching Future," serves as a profound reminder that the Philippines' true strength lies in its ancestral roots. Much like the intricate patterns of a hand-woven textile, our indigenous communities represent the enduring threads of wisdom, tradition, and ecological stewardship that have survived centuries of colonial imposition. These communities are not merely historical footnotes; they are the living practitioners of a sustainable worldview that treats the land as a sacred trust rather than a commodity to be exhausted.

    By recognizing these communities as the bedrock of sustainable development, we shift the national narrative from mere preservation to active empowerment. This celebration is an invitation to integrate indigenous knowledge systems—such as the complex agroforestry of the Cordilleras or the community-based resource management of the Palaw'an—into our modern national strategy. True progress requires a synergy where modern technology meets the time-tested conservation practices of our elders, ensuring that the nation’s growth remains ecologically resilient.

    Ultimately, empowering indigenous communities involves more than just symbolic festivities; it requires the protection of their ancestral domains and the affirmation of their right to self-determination. A future enriched by indigenous voices ensures that the Philippines’ development is not just industrial, but authentically Filipino. By honoring these cultures, we weave a national identity that is strong enough to face the challenges of a globalized world while remaining firmly anchored in our own soil.

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). (2023). Administrative Order on the Observance of National IP Month.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines. (2022). Indigenous Peoples and Sustainable Development Goals.

VIVA SAN PABLO, VIVA VIGAN

The Vigan City Fiesta was held on January 25, 2026, to celebrate the conversion of St. Paul.

I am so glad to have attended the parade in the morning to behold the lively and joyous soul of the city. Multiple organizations and schools marched, bags of candies were given away to citizens, and loud, almost deafening music blasted through the busy road. It was truly a bizarre experience.

But before that, let's catch a glimpse of some events that occurred during the previous days.

On the 22nd of January, a competition featuring two skillful groups started at Plaza Burgos.

The next day was a clash of various impressive talents. I wish I could have gotten more clicks, but it was the evening of an exam day, so I could not stay.

After a whole day, the parade was set on a Sunday, and people gathered beside the route.

May this city and tradition live on.