Edrian

  Valentine's Day, celebrated annually on February 14th, has become synonymous with love, affection, and appreciation for our partners, friends, and even family members. While its origins are rooted in ancient traditions, the day has evolved into a global celebration of love in all its forms. But what is Valentine's Day really about, and why do we celebrate it the way we do? Let's take a closer look. The origins of Valentine’s Day date back to ancient Rome. Some believe it honors St. Valentine, a Christian martyr who was executed by the Roman Empire for secretly marrying couples during a time when marriage was banned for soldiers. Others think the holiday has roots in the Roman festival of "Lupercalia", a celebration of fertility and love. Over time, these ancient traditions were intertwined, and in the 5th century, Pope Gelasius officially declared February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day. In the Middle Ages, it became a day associated with courtly love, where knight...

   This photo captures our team during the very first planning session. We gathered around a table filled with computer, notebooks to discuss the core objectives of our research. In this meeting, we outlined our goals, the methodology we would use, and identified the community stakeholders we needed to engage. We also brainstormed how to approach ethical considerations and discussed how we could ensure our research was both inclusive and respectful of the community we were working with. This was the moment we all got on the same page about what we hoped to accomplish.    This picture was taken during our first visit to the community we are working with. It was a crucial step in building trust and rapport with the community members. In the photo, we are introducing ourselves and explaining the purpose of our research. We shared how the findings could potentially benefit the community and worked hard to ensure people felt comfortable with our presence. We also took tim...

 As I reflect on my journey through the third quarter, it’s important to recognize the lessons I’ve learned, the challenges I’ve faced, and how I’ve managed to overcome them.  The third quarter was a time of growth for me, both academically and personally. I discovered that time management is a important skill especially in making our CBR. I learned how to prioritize tasks and organize my schedule better, which made me more productive and less stressed. Additionally, I learned more about resilience how to keep pushing forward even when things get difficult. I also gained deeper insights about HTML list and HTML tags I’ve struggled with before, and it felt rewarding to see improvements in this topics. Another key learning was the importance of collaboration and cooperation. I discovered that working together with othes, whether in group projects or class discussions, not only helped me understand things better but also made learning more enjoyable. I also became more open to fe...

Chinese New Year, or the Lunar New Year, is a vibrant and culturally significant celebration for many communities around the world, including Filipinos. In 2025, Chinese New Year falls on January 29, 2025 marking the beginning of the Year of the snake. It’s a time filled with traditions, joy, and family gatherings. While the festival is most commonly associated with China, it has become an integral part of Filipino culture, especially in areas with large Chinese communities. The celebration of Chinese New Year in the Philippines is a result of the deep historical ties between China and the Philippines, which date back centuries. The presence of Chinese-Filipino communities, known as the "Tsinoy", has helped to introduce and preserve many Chinese customs in Filipino society. These include traditional food, the giving of "ang pao" (red envelopes), dragon and lion dances, and the famous family reunion dinners. Chinese New Year is observed not only by Filipino-Chinese i...

Vigan’s Journey: A Municipality’s Growth into a Proud City", a charming heritage city in the Philippines, is a place steeped in history, culture, and tradition. Known for its preserved Spanish-era architecture and cobblestone streets, Vigan has long been a favorite tourist destination. But this picturesque locale wasn't always a city—once upon a time, Vigan was a humble municipality. Its transition into a city marked a significant shift, not only in its administrative status but also in its development, economy, and identity. In this blog, we’ll explore how Vigan has evolved from a municipality to a thriving city. Before becoming a city, Vigan was a bustling municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur. The town, founded in 1572, became the capital of Ilocos Sur under Spanish rule. Its location along the Abra River made it a hub for trade and commerce, with goods coming from both the sea and the interior provinces. During the Spanish colonial era, Vigan was one of the most impor...

As the new year rolls in, there's always a sense of excitement and possibility. It's a time for fresh starts, setting new goals, and embracing new opportunities. For me, the phrase "New Year, New Me" carries a lot of weight. It’s not about reinventing myself completely, but rather about reflecting on who I am and who I want to become. This year, I’m focusing on self-improvement, whether it's through adopting healthier habits, diving deeper into my passions, or nurturing the relationships that mean the most to me. I’ve set realistic resolutions—ones that I can genuinely commit to and that will help me grow both personally and professionally. The key, I believe, is consistency. Small daily changes can lead to big results over time. Whether it’s starting a fitness routine, reading more books, or practicing mindfulness, I want to ensure that these habits become part of my daily life. Along with personal growth, I also plan to give back to my community, volunteering an...