An experience I will never forget.

International Schools CyberFair, now in its 15th year, is an award-winning, authentic learning program used by schools and youth organizations around the world. Students conduct research about their local communities and then publish their findings on the World Wide Web. Recognition is given to schools for the best projects in each of eight categories: local leaders, businesses, community organizations, historical landmarks, environment, music, art, and local specialties.

[source: http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsncf/aglance.cfm#OverView]

CATEGORY 2: Community Groups and Special Populations
Design a website that showcases unique, interesting or specific community populations.

[source: http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsncf/categories/]

This competition became a way to bridge the gap between us and the regular section, namely, 3 Mapagmalasakit. Erika and I became friends with our groupmates Bingbong Olowan, Jim Bugtong, Ronald Camut, Rico Lagazo, Denmark delos Santos and Kenneth Joaquin through all the time we spent together gathering data for our project. This competition was a great experience for me, because I found friends in my 3A groupmates. I don’t normally ride in the same circles as Bingbong or Kenneth, and this competition became a way for us to become friends. Although we had quite a hard time communicating with them mainly because of our different schedules, we made sure to talk to them during recess and lunch breaks, also chat with them whenever they were online.

Through this competition, we also had the chance to get to know people and organizations that we had no previous idea about, such as the director of the organization, Mrs. Marlene De Castro, and the organization itself, the Baguio Center for Young Adults.

On the day of our interview, the BCYA volunteers let us inside their office, which was decorated with posters and fliers, pictures and slogans of different things related to their cause – to spread awareness and change within the youth of Baguio. They were very helpful, giving a detailed explanation of their history, their programs, and a lot more. They even lent us their CDs with images and videos of their programs and recent events. They are really supportive of our efforts, and of us.

The days that followed became days that were filled with collaboration among us members, and we soon started to spend more time together as we worked on our project. As tiring as it was, I wouldn’t want this CyberFair experience to be forgotten.

Valentines, huh?

Hey Friend,

It’s already February 14, Valentines’ Day, and here I am, writing you a card.

I don’t really know what to expect; after all, I just met you a little over a week ago, and now I’m practically tripping over myself, falling for you.

I’m sorry, is it overwhelming? Well, I didn’t plan any of this, believe me. I simply wanted to make friends. I just sort fell for you. I didn’t’ expect things to happen so fast.

You must be used to having girls go crazy for you, but I get giddy when I read your texts, and simply thinking about you puts a huge smile on my face. I really like you, and the sweet feeling I get when I talk about you brightens up my day.

I know that me asking you is a bit unconventional, I’m gutsy that way, but I ought to try…

Will you be my Valentine?

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This was a Valentines' card I  meant to give to a friend of mine, but I never gave it to him. I could've gone to him in person and given it to him, but I didn't. No, I wasn't shy or anything, neither was I afraid of him tearing it up; a thought just came to me that day. It was that I would rather have him as a friend, than as a boyfriend (or Valentine, whatever). You see, it would be awkward if I gave it to him. We became friends not long ago, and I didn't want to ruin that dynamic. I think I made the right choice, because now that I'm not blinded by my infatuation with him, I can see that we can become really good friends if I just stop going crazy whenever I see his name on my phone.

Hey, Friend,  if you ever see this blog post, text me right away, ok? We'll have a lot of laughs about this :)

Project Citizen!

For the past few days, we've been obsessing about making our entry for the first-ever North Luzon Project Citizen Showcase. You see, since the start of its run here in the country, it has only ever been held in Manila, so we were excited to learn that, finally, we Northerners could participate.

This was just last week, February 1, 2011, where we went to school for our write-shop and documentation. All of 3Sci was invited to come that day, but we missed a few. It was also Adrich's birthday that day, and as of that day, he is the oldest in our class. :D

Well, we TRIED to work on our project.... But as the saying goes, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." So, we had a little fun, failed a few times, but in the end, we got down to work. :)

Here we are, (Christian, Cris, Drich and I) playing a game on my iPod Touch as we waited for Patrick to critique our work. As little time we were given that day, we still finished a lot of work. From studying laws and policies passed, to thinking of a new policy, we were able to put our heads to good use.

3 Sci really worked hard as a team to finish our project, and we were glad to have had fun while we were at it. We never fail to enjoy our time spent together :)

DOOMSDAY 

- the day of the competition proper, Februaury 5, 2011, at SLU-LHS Function Hall.

Here we are, waiting for our lunch. Unfortunately, Jeremy was in another place at the time, practicing his lines. He was too busy to join in. :( Anyways, here are some of the speakers, Marc, me, Patrick and Erika :D

 And our presentation :) Marc was in charge of the introduction, Jeremy on the background, Erika on the existing policies, Patrick on our proposed policy, and I on the action plan. We had three judges, one of which was Sir Bradford Villamar. Patrick, Erika and I are very familiar with him, because we were students under the Young Louisian Writers, which was moderated by Sir Brady then.

 Of course, we had the full support of the class. :) And guess what? WE WON! We're going to the Nationals, and we are all so proud of ourselves. I really think that our presentation was going to lose, but then I was wrong. We were actually announced first as the winners, and we got a lot of freebies from that day. I really was a fun day for all of us. :)

 

 Here is one of the winning teams, the 4th Year team of Baguio City National High School. They deserved their win, because we saw part of their presentation, and they really were good.

I personally found new friends in BCNHS, the third year team. Andra and Genjo :) Some of their students were actually my classmates in elementary, and I enjoyed seeing them after so long. I catched up with Meghan, and said hello to Angelo :D

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CREDITS TO: Marc Pulmano for his father's awesome camera, a very fine DSLR :))