Althea

     Our local research, "Beyond the Net: Understanding the Impact of Dulong Fish on Fishermen's Lives and Communities," ventured into Fuerte, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur's fishing industry. Because the livelihood in the region is dependent on fishing, our study probed how the Dulong fishing affects the economic stability, health, and lifestyle of the indigenous fishermen. It is important to learn about the challenges and potential of the business to help in safeguarding the community and heritage.      We discovered that Dulong fishing is the primary livelihood and subsistence for the majority of the families. The business is, however, exposed to several threats including environmental degradation, overfishing, and market limitations that would lower profitability. We also furthered our knowledge more through interviews and sending open-ended questionnaires to the fishermen, from whom we got direct information regarding their nightmares and dreams. We approached w...

     Third quarter was my learning experience in terms of challenges, development, and self-progress. From acquiring the knowledge on Community-Based Research (CBR) to gaining knowledge on the creation of a webpage and HTML frames and lists, every lesson was a mix of challenges and triumphs. Frustration existed, but being able to conquer them made each success so much sweeter.      My very first class was Community-Based Research (CBR), and it completely opened my eyes to another form of research. It's not all about collecting facts and information—it's also bringing the community themselves in on finding out what they need help with and making it a reality. We went out and interviewed people in person to get information about primary issues, and having that knowledge that our research was potentially going to be used as actual solutions was an entirely rewarding experience.      Apart from this, we also created a webpage to display our CBR p...

     Chinese New Year, or more commonly known as the Lunar New Year, is one of the Philippines' most spectacular celebrations with the purpose of exhibiting the nation's great historical and cultural bond with China and the Chinese. Witnessed by all Filipino-Chinese and by large numbers of Filipinos who sympathize and look up to the celebratory tradition which characterizes the celebration, Chinese New Year also signals the start of the Chinese lunar calendar. Filipinos, as in all other years, will celebrate in 2025 with dragon dances, fireworks, family reunions, and distributing red envelopes or ang pao. The success of the celebration is a testament to the widespread influence of Chinese culture on Filipinos. The historical presence of the Chinese community in the Philippines is one of the most fundamental reasons why Filipinos celebrate Chinese New Year.      Chinese immigrants and traders have shaped Philippine society, especially in economics, food, lan...

       Vigan, where Spanish colonial character was left preserved, has literally changed its nature from a sleepy municipality into a booming city. It lies within Ilocos Sur, then a prospering trading center under Spanish rule when Chinese, Spanish, and local cultures fused seamlessly together. Its cobblestone streets, heritage houses, and horse-drawn carriages symbolized the town, which expressed the yester-years. Although located in the country, Vigan was an economic contributor to the trade because it was the hub of commerce where traders had roles in shaping the cultural and economic growth of Vigan. Vigan is now a UNESCO World Heritage City, holding on to the past glories while embracing modernity.        The city has still managed to be an international tourists' attraction due to the preserved Spanish heritage era, particularly along Calle Crisologo, where bygone ages and contemporary era have no wrinkles. Whereas old kalesas still cro...