My Future, My Dream
Every one of us aspires to become somebody in the future. To be successful in life is a fulfillment and a great achievement a man can ever be. But to be successful is only a choice. It’s up to the person if he would like to and if he really is determined to be.
If we would take a deeper look, it’s a mere fact that being ambitious is not that bad. It’s just but normal. As long as you know that you can achieve it nothing is wrong about it. No one dares to be abortive and we all have our dreams in life. As they say, “A man without any vision is like the sky without the sun.”
We are now living in an innovative world where everything is crucial. The peaceful society is now flooded with crimes, graft and corruption where its people are highly impinged on. Here in our country, this practice is vastly observed and justice is nothing but canopy!
When I opened up my eyes to the reality of the world, I can see things that shouldn’t be done. Things that violate the law but still nobody dares to correct it. And the worst about it is that the people behind those transgressions are not convicted. Because of power and opulence, they can cover up their unlawful activities. Since then, I aimed to be a lawyer who will fight for the rights of every person. A lawyer who will define the true meaning of justice to the less fortunate ones. I will be the youngest judge of my time and will bring back the degraded reputation of justice in our country. These will be my priorities when I will be at the peak of my reverie.
But before that would happen, I will confine with sets of obstacles. That’s why I am striving harder in my studies. Taking Law as a course requires patience; long patience for it would take how many years before you graduate. As of now, I am planning to take BS Accountancy as my pre-law and pursue Law after it.
Success is just a step away from me. Soon, I’ll be known as Atty. Alvan Joseph Castañeda, one of the well-known and best lawyers entire the country and will be the youngest judge!
3:21 AM
Changes are unpredictable things. You never know what happens next, whether it will be a change for the better or not. However, we have nothing to do but accept the laws of nature. So many things are said about changes, so many songs are devoted to changes. Still, it will always be one of the most debatable issues ever.
In my whole life, I have been presented to a single element called change. Change occurs in many different forms and is carried out in many different ways. However, I have come to the realization that change can be the deepest of all subjects. And change can just happen overnight when your brain determines it's time to do something different.
Nowadays, for obvious reasons, people reject change. It is dangerous to try to stop change and argue against it, especially if the person wants to change so much. For change is constant and nothing is permanent as they usually say.
Things do not change; we change. Since the day we were thrown in this world, we have the privilege to change- change physically, emotionally, socially, mentally, and spiritually. These changes are part of our personal development. Hence, we were created imperfect, we usually commit mistakes. And these mistakes will lead them to change.
As of now, this single element is all what we need. As we take a resemblance on the reality of the world, our society is bombarded with social and moral problems. These dilemmas we're facing need immediate solution. Solution that requires a celestial force among constituents-change.
The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live. Yes, as a young leader and a budding citizen of this country, I will be an agent and a catalyst of change and inhibitor of under development. The key to change is to let go of our fears.
"Ako ang Magsisimula ng Pagbabago."
4:59 PM
During the month of February, we usually feel the gust of love. But among Ilocanos, the anticipated Kannawidan Ylocos Festival is very much awaited. It is a province-wide celebration depicting on the cultures and in the promotion of tourism in the province.
Kannawidan is an Iloco term which means "a feast of heritages, practices and products" in Ilocos Sur. The feast is in commemoration of the separation of the province of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte by the virtue of royal decree on February 2, 1818. The celebration concocts various activities for tourism promotion through the display of talents, indigenous costumes, traditions, cultures and products that is distinctly Ilocos Sur.
As a part of the feast's celebration, the provincial capitol is conducting a trade fair along the Plaza Encarnacion wherein all towns and other neighboring provinces of Ilocos Sur showcases their OTOP (One Town, One Product) for the consumers to buy. A display of native traditions and various talents of Ilocanos are also conducted to promote the Ilocanos pride such as the Sarzuela Ilocana and others. A prestigious night to showcase the true beauty of an Ilocana through the Saniata ti Ilocos Sur. It's been a tradition that the crowned Saniata ti Ilocos Sur will represent the province in the Bb. Pilipinas.
This fourth Kannawidan Festival really carved a memoir in my life. I had a good experience and it is the most fabulous so far. One part of the festival is the Sirib ken Saririt- Quiz Bee regarding on the history, arts and cultures, and events of Ilocos Sur which I participated in. My groupmates and I together with Ma'am Paje, our coachreally proud of ourselves for bagging as champion with a perfect score.
Despite of our hectic schedule, my friends and I went to the Kannawidan Trade Fair to have some fun. That was the first time I stepped on its grounds this year. I really can't explain the happiness I felt that time. I had a wonderful Kannawidan with my colleagues. Though it was my last Kannawidan as a high school student, the memories I gained which we have shared with my friends didn't end there and it wouldn't last.
On behalf of the whole province of Ilocos Sur, I want to thank the person behind this Kannawidan Festival, Vice Gov. DV Savellano for implementing such great festival. For without you, there would be no avenue for us Ilocanos to showcase our hidden talents as one. Likewise, I wouldn't also have as good experience as I had during the conduct of the festival. My salutations!
The breeze of February to Ilocanos not only revolves on the celebration of the Valentines Day, but also in presenting what Ilocanos have got through this festival- Kannawidan!
3:09 AM
Vigan is also rich in her cultures making it a unique one among others. It is also affluent in festivals and festivities portraying her traditions. One of which is the Vigan Fiesta, the mosh lavish of all its festivities that is celebrating annually during the 25th day of January to mark the conversion of St. Paul of the Faith.
The festival usually starts on the third week making it to be a long-week celebration. The fiesta includes the Longganisa Festival which is one of the main highlights of the celebration depicting on the making of the world's famous Vigan longganisa and the Cityhood Anniversary of Vigan. The main highlight and the much awaited part of the fiesta is the grand parade which showcases the City's best.
This year's Vigan Fiesta is the most spectacular and most unforgettable for me. It is because, I was a part of the grand parade as a CAT officer of our school. It was my first time to join such prestigious event and I was so excited. The route of the parade was too lengthy making it to be a tiring one. It gave me pains in both joints and muscles as well as body pains. But despite of all those endeavors is still a smile in my heart. It was really a great experience that completed the puzzle of my high school life.
It is still fresh in my mind the usual picturesque during the past Vigan Fiestas- I was only a part of the viewing committee, clapping my hands, enduring the heat and picking up candies in the crowd.
As I reminisce the day when I was a superstar (having a part in the parade) a smile carved on my face. Though it made me remember a painful day, it likewise made me remember a stunning day!
4:10 AM
No one can hide the gladness immersed during the first half of the second semester. Though it was laborious, this grading period marked a history in my high school life.
Third quarter surprised me with many activities and welcomed me with immense responsibilities. It opened the door for me to develop more my potentials not only as a leader but as a learner as well, and also exposed myself in new horizon to improve my unlocked skills.
"Believing in yourself. Don't let inferiority complex rule over you." This is what I really learned during the whole range of third grading. The challenges I'd encountered attest this revelation.
We were bombarded with many activities and yet, we survived! Conflicts on some comotions which gave me migraine and even worse. Lots of projects were given to us to be pass on a certain deadline. We didn't enjoy our christmas vacation beacause of these projects.
Also, my impeccable involvement on academic contests made me busy this third grading. I kept on reviewing during my leisure. These were such turmoils encountered this quarter, and yet I surmount them.
Really, this point of my life was stressful. It may be tiring, but still, a curve line is drawn on my face through my lips. However, it added new color and meaning into my life. My sacrifices were worthy enough for I won't meet another third quarter in my last voyage as a high school student. I will never meet again. Never will I.
3:09 AM
There are things in life that are impossible and we are powerless to control them. The sun will rise and set. Rain will come and go. Humans will die. Caterpillars will transform themselves into beautiful butterflies. and the earth continues to rotate on its axis producing nights and days.
All through my existence, I've been witnessing sixteen years of new. It's been a tradition among us to welcome new years with great sincerity and glee. Most of us really spending much only to celebrate this anticipating event.
Three, two, one.. Boom! Happy New Year! The sky blasted with different lights, firecrackers dominated the surroundings, people keep on creating noise; some keep on leaping for they believe that they'll become taller- the common picturesque during new year.
As we welcome the year of the metal rabbit, we device such resolutions as what we usually do annually. We believe that this will guide us in facing our journey. This resolutions enlightens our minds to do what we crave for ourselves. But through the years, I'm not making such commitments to do for the years to come. I'm happy with myself and contented with my personalities. Some says, "Don't change. I love the way you are."
If we are to take a resemblance on me, there's nothing new- I'm still the chubby, cute, aggressive, comedian, and friendly Alvan. I'm not changing. I and me are just the same through the years. The years may change, expect me to be still me! But one thing is for sure that's really changing within me- I'm not getting younger each year.
New Year always evoke this mingled emotion of successful fulfillment and deserving sense of pride for a task well done. This 2011 brings me new hope to sail in the ocean of reality. It opens new life to enjoy and live to the fullest and new set of obstacles to overcome.
2:35 AM
Bright and rainbow-colored christmas lights, huge, tall and decorative christmas trees, man-sized belens, children caroling from house to house, exchanging of gifts, eye-catchy parols hung everywhere, these are the usual scenario during the cold breeze of December. The month which is believed to be the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. This very significant day touches one's life and carved a deep meaning in every heart of Filipinos.
Christmas season, as what we usually define, is love and giving. It is the time for us to reconcile with people whom we got mad. The time for us to make others feel special. And to help who are in need for goodwill reigns in our hearts.
Christmas here in the Philippines is simple yet meaningful. Despite of many dilemmas in life, there's always the tradition of sharing what we have. To the children, christmas is all about gifts and carol. It's about the nine consecutive nights of the Misa Aguinaldo for some. And to almost all of us, christmas is all about the anticipated mouth-watery delicacies prepared during Noche Buena. Its hard to realize that almost everyone of us have forgotten the true and real essence of Christmas.
Ideal christmas is all about LOVE. Love for ourselves, for others, and for God. A line from a famous christmas song states that we should give love on christmas day. It's love that we are needing. Love that binds us together. Love that unites every person. Ideal christmas is all about Giving and Sharing. Giving a part of our parts and sharing our blessings to others. This is the spirit of Christmas. It is not beyond the materialistic things but it's within us, within ourselves, within our hearts.
1:53 AM
