I Can. I Will.

I see myself, ten years or fifteen years from now wearing a laboratory gown. Maybe you’re wondering why I’d prefer wearing a lab gown rather cool flashy dresses in the future. Well, here’s a secret I want to impart with you…

It was never been really my dream to be wearing lab gown while holding stethoscope (which is most of the time, trust me) years from now. It never came cross in my mind not until Dec. 23, 2010.

Choosing your future career doesn’t always sound that easy. Pressure here, and there. There are just so many things to take in consideration. What my parents want, what I want, what my relatives want, it’s everybody’s hankering. Your future employment is also one factor.

I have undergone several tests to determine the best course fitted for me, but it doesn’t seem to work out as well. I kept on wondering for so long. Months, weeks, days had passed and then in a snap I knew what I would become. I want to become a DOCTOR, that’s for sure now.

I used most of my time thinking about the consequences I may face in making this decision. I made plans including the stepping stones for me to achieve my dream. I kept on pondering on that topic the whole time. My decision was not influenced by anyone…I can say I did it all by myself. Before, if someone asks me if what I would become in the future, I would always answer “I would become a nurse”. Yes, a successful nurse. However, things seem to be changing. And I also grasp for the same thing, changing my mind like a girl changes her clothes.

Now, it’s quite different for I am already 100% sure of my chosen career. It does require lots of thinking but I guess it’s all worth it of my time. At least, I already know what path I will take.

The road maybe rough but, perhaps, I can surpass it. I feel certain that I am not alone fighting in this battle. I can perceive Him. He and the others will help me pass these tests of life.

Soon, they’ll all be calling me Dr. Pam. And my parents, I hope, would be very proud of me for their daughter has already achieve her sole dream in life and that is to become a professional with the vision of helping the people who are under the weather.

I know I can. Therefore, I will.

From Within

“Change is the only permanent thing in this world” the mediocre said for the thousandth time. Sounds so cliché isn’t it? Overused phrase as you may call but it speaks for the truth, the truth some people may only ignore and others try to conceal with other things. It is the only truth that could open our eyes from blinding ignorance.

Embracing change is one hell thing I am not in favor of. I am always afraid of taking chances and most of the time I always ask God for me and for everybody else to stay the same. However, I may have the power to stop the French bullet train but something tells me I can never really stop the 6-letter word—CHANGE in penetrating the whole world.

It’s the truth and for the past years I noticed I kept on running away from it. But there came a time, when I woke up early in the morning and realized I was slowly changing. Change I didn’t noticed while I was busy doing and messing things up my life. I grew up physically, emotionally, socially, mentally and spiritually. I developed some characteristics and attitudes that helped me build my self-confidence and forced me to go out in my shell. I met new friends who became my confidantes and soul-sistas. I acquired knowledge that could help me in the future and at present.

Not only that, I also became aware of the social issues around me and I even tried to look into it. Many changes came and it took me few more seconds to decide whether to keep up with fast pace of life or not. And I did accept the challenge of embracing changes for that time I saw there’s nothing really wrong with it.

As I grow older, I became more apprehensive not senile, my friend. The future of the next generations and the world lies within our very own hands. If we will not change for good, nothing good will happen too.

Time to time I learn, stumble, get up and move forward. With the experiences I still gain, I always learn something from them. I don’t live anymore in fantasy. I have learned to open my eyes to the reality of today.

Before changing the world, let us try to look at the mirror first. Let us also change for the betterment and change should always start from within.

Lowland's Own Begnas Fest

Have you seen the gargantuan kamas, karabasa and tilapia? Or have you sipped some sweet calamansi juice while munching on some “bagpao”(as in bagnet siopao). You see, the things I’ve seen in this festival were awesome. But wait! Kannawidan Festival still has something to unveil yet…..

From the fine-detailed edifice entrance, shiver may run down your spine. The artistically made arc only shows how the resourceful and ingenious Ilocanos are. Kannawidan Ylocos Festival is a festivity allotted for the lowland municipalities of Ilocos Sur. 18 municipalities and 2 cities from north to south of the province gathered up to showcase their one town, one product. It is similar to the festival of the upland municipalities called Begnas Ylocos Festival. This is annually held during the first week of February and the Ilocos Sur Capitol administers this festival.

Aside from mouth-watering dishes like the miki, arroz caldo, pipian and others they also offer indigenous products like the hand woven bags, intricate designed wooden furnitures and also the multi-colored clothes and fashionable hats.

Every stall you pass by, a certain municipality is designated and here you can see the pride of their town. I remember walking with my friends at the fair; we came across different excursionists who have this oh-my-golly-I’ve-never-seen-that-before-ever! expression in their faces.

Indeed, this Kannawidan Ylocos Festival unfolds the hidden treasures of every lowland municipality of Ilocandia. It attracts tourists from all around the globe to witness the flourishing trade, culture, industry and products of all hardworking Ilocanos. Surely in the imminent, this festival will be known not only here in our region but in all parts of the world.

Vavaboom Feast

It was a fair weather day and people in every corner of Vigan fled to the heart of the city to witness the annual event. Youngsters, senior citizens, passers by-- all of them gathered up. January 25 was the day everyone's been waiting for and when the siren started to fill the busy streets of Vigan , the mammoth crowd came into life and the fete had began.

The Grand parade is being held every city fiesta and it is one of the most sought-after event of the people of Vigan and its neighboring locales.It is to commemorate the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle( formerly known as Saul), the patron saint of Vigan. Here, all government sects, students from different institutions, educators, officials, business stakeholders came to join and celebrate.

One thing I can't forget about January 25th was the role that I played for the very first time. I neither wore a flashy abel yloco dress while my waving my hand at the people on a gigantic float nor the beauty queen of a certain popularity contest in a colorful maquillage; it was something more respected though.

For the very first time I participated in the parade with our school's CAT-I Unit. In my complete uniform, with all the paraphernalias( i.e. maroon neckerchief, white gloves, sword etc.), I could say I look more dignified. :) And it was an experience wherein I and my colleagues can prove that our unit is the best among the others. Well, being one of the front runners and one of those who belong in th corps staff, it was really something that I'm really very proud of.

Then, the parade came to its end and the mammoth crowd already dispersed. People were able to continue their routine that day.However, I can say that at the end of that day, we were able to perceive plenty praises and compliments from the viewers and from other schools.

It was, in retrospect, the happiest day of my life. And you know what, January 25, 2011 was one noteworthy date for me.