Engr. Andreev Matineau Bajet, M.D. : Now Loading..

               As I am slowly ticking every letter of this composition in the keyboard, whether I like it or not, it is already 38 days before Guiseppe Verdi’s legendary Grand March will be again dazzled in the four huge walls of Ilocos Sur National High School’s historical gymnasium.

                912 hours before we put on the shimmering medals we’ve worked our nerves very hard for.

              54, 720 minutes before we wear that ISNHS garb for the last time which is an identity to be proud for.

                3,283,200 seconds before we grasp that dignity, reputation, and grandeur everyone is craving for.

                There is only a very diminutive time left on the clock before we fully graduate in secondary. All the exultant bonding with my friends during vacant periods, paper fights in the middles of classes, ultimate teamwork during short quizzes, moments in good and bad times, all of these will soon stay as a memory but will surely be cherished in the innermost chamber of our hearts and will never ever perish. Even the tallest tsunamis, thunderous storms and vicious fires will not be able to trounce it.

                As we now reap the fruits of surmounting predicaments, we need then to continue the voyage into another chapter which is I am sure, again full of exemplary obstacles where we can surely pluck another batch of worthy lessons we can actually use in our everyday living. Obviously, I’m talking about the vast realm of College Life.

                I feel mixed emotions whenever I think of college. I’m blissful because I will be another step closer from reaching my ultimate targets in life. At the same time, I’m sad because it’s really hard to leave your friends who have been with you for four long years and of course, in my situation, I need to be separated from the one I love who is younger.  Bidding goodbye is really difficult, no doubt.

                Next opponent? Choosing the right course and the right school. Until now, perplexity is still playing with my neurons. If I choose Mapua Institute of Technology, the problem will be the financial assistance because I cannot deny that it will be a huge burden in my parents’ side since it is a private school. Honestly, I never dreamt of studying in the University of the Philippines, although being able to pass the examination will yield a higher reputation and nobility. I know it’s a prestigious school but it’s in Los Banos and people say that LB is quite far from civilization which I consider a little bit boring and spooky.

                In UPLB, I was able to pass for Computer Science, and in MIT, I have a lot of choices including Computer Engineering which is my chief choice. Good thing, I still have a long time allotment to furnish my mind on what course to really take and in what school. Help me God.

                What I know is, I want to be a successful engineer and if God permits, in my very own company. I know it’s quite impossible but there’s nothing wrong in daydreaming. In addition, I also want to be a prominent doctor. It’s like having two titles at the same time in your name. How I wish this would reallyhappen. It will be an eminent slap on the faces of those who didn’t believe in my capabilities and will be a colossal success to me and all the people who are always behind to render a helping hand.

                Fortitude, Zeal, Family, Friends and Faith. These are the big five that I will need to completely achieve these ultimate dreams of mine. This is Andreev officially signing out, bidding goodbye and hoping that you will be wishing me for the very best luck. But wait, it’s not luck that brought me here, it’s pure Hardwork. Adios :))

Modified Insights

           What does it take to be an ICT student?

Actually, you don’t need to be that very brainy whose expertise in computer entities is overflowing. Even if you’re just a beginner like me, then be it. For me, it’s even better because there is a greater tendency that you’ll learn more things you’ve never known before.

No wonder, I entered the four walls of the Computer Room empty minded about our lessons, tags, and links then add the vast magical world of Mr. Photoshop. It would be so frustrating to go beyond your comfort zone isn’t it?

That’s what was playing in my mind before but as days passed by, I’ve realized that I’m enjoying what I’m doing which is a great soul- booster for me. Although I still haven’t reached Matet’s level in terms of Photoshop and computer proficiency. Even if I always tease her masterpieces, deep inside, I salute her. She is really a virtuoso, and so with Nixon, Caryl and john.

And now that I’m about to leave the portals of Ilocos Sur National High School, I just want to exemplify my heart- felt gratitude to my our teacher, Mrs. Evelyn Vera Cruz, for altering my brain waves about computers, for sharpening my neurons and for being one of the mentors who taught me how to spell that seven letter word, SUCCESS. 

Kannawidan, I am Forever Indebted.

             Ilocos Sur has a rich heritage and unique culture that are to be preserved for the next generations because it is observed that many of these traditions, songs, dances and other Ilocano culture are not familiar to the younger generations already. Children of today are paying more attention to the modern and novelty dances they seen on the television than the traditional ones. There is also a need to evaluate the different products of the different municipalities and the agricultural products and livestock of the farmers and fisher folks.

                With response to this, the provincial government of Ilocos Sur conceived a festival that will highlight these culture and traditions and attract local and foreign tourists as well. They call it the KANNAWIDAN Ylocos Festival; it is also a time to commemorate the anniversary of Ilocos Sur as a province since it was separated on February 2, 1818.

                We cannot deny that the Province of Ilocos Sur can outlast other superior places not only in the Philippines but may be even the whole planet in terms of culture, traditions, practices and sceneries. Not only that, Ilocos Sur also has an amazing and remarkable history. To further nourish our minds about

                Did you know that Ilocos is home of staggering personalities who made luminous marks on the records? Diego Silang, the brave man who led a bloody revolt, his wife, Gabriela SIlang, the Joan Arc of the Philippines, Elpidio Quirino, one of the Presidents and Vicente Singson Encarnacion, a business tycoon who became one of the 7 wise men.

                Not to be outdone, Ilocos Sur’s tourist attraction makes it also to the list. Vigan City’s heritage village filled with Hispanic designed antique houses and Sta. Maria’s dazzling church were inscribed both inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List of Sites which is a very prestigious award that a place may be granted. Add also Bessang Pass Marker, which punctuates the last stand of the Japanese soldiers, the Santiago Cove which is dubbed as the Boracay of the North and Bantay’s lofty bell tower.

                A trip to the picturesque province would be incomplete without oozing the tongue-crippling varieties of aroma and tasting the oh-so-good specialties of Ilocos Sur. Topping the roll is Vigan’s scrumptious empanada and longganisa. Not to be vanquished, next on the file are Sto. Domingo’s nutritious squash noodles, San Ildefonso’s luscious Basi, Sta. Maria’s sweet Balicucha and Sugpon’s yummy ube.

                I am quite sure you didn’t think Ilocos Sur was this great. It really has tons of hidden potentials which if fully developed would surely bring the province to the limelight. For these wonders, let us be grateful to God. Ilocos Sur really caught a lot of blessings when God showered some. Let’s also be thankful to the Government of Ilocos Sur for fabricating this Kannawidan Ylocos Festival.

                With this, people will now value what it’s like to be a true blooded Ilocano. And with our combined efforts, Ilocos Sur will continue shimmering not only locally but in the international realm as well. As its battle cry exemplifies, Soar High Ilocos Sur!

               

                

As I squash the keyboard..

Tags, Links, What are these things?

                My mind is really boggled with these words. They keep on playing around my tiny brain. Seriously, how many neurons do I have to use just to fully absorb this difficult lesson in the small doors of my wits.

                These were the thoughts and complain I had when I first entered the broad world of links and tags. Yes, I was able to accomplish the exercises without even breaking a drop of sweat but honestly I did not completely grasp its genuine idea. It’s like it entered in my right ear and quickly made its way out to my left ear.

                But as we had classes, slowly, I was able to learn the tricks of tags and links and it feels good because before, I always end up dropping my jaw when I see these characters: <, >, em, /p, “, </font> and others being used by some computer experts including some of my classmates who really excel in ICT and have extraordinary intellect to the subject. They also helped me understand the lesson so I am very grateful to them. How I wish their IQ in ICT would be transferred to me. I’m dreaming again.

                Then, one thing came up to my mind. I can’t master these “basic” lessons already, what more if I go through the vast challenges of college? What’s worse is I’m planning to take up computer- related courses! Indeed, I am ambitious. I’ll just strive harder and burn the midnight oil if I could. Who knows? One day, I might (I hope) be an expert in the field of technology as well? But in reality, it still remains as a dream. 

Relish Your Mother Tongue

            “Ayaten tayo iti bukod tayo a dialekto, Ayaten tayo iti Iloko!”

            Being a native of Ilocos Sur whose primary dialect is Iloko, it would be very delightful to hear someone say those words. It emphasizes the true ardor of an individual to his mother language, his mother tongue.

            Our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal once said, “ Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, daig pa ang amoy ng malansang isda”, wherein he exemplifies that we should love and prioritize the use of our national language, Filipino but as I have heard this before, there was a big “but” that kept boggling my curious mind. Wouldn’t it be better if we love and practice the usage of our own native dialects first before moving on with another?

            I’m not saying that I’m in complete disbelief and contradicting a prominent man, but I just want to accentuate that we should apply the First Things First policy wherein we must set our priorities. We may correlate it with history, wherein people before started with the basics until such that we are already living in a highly modernized society. Same with the love for our language, our native dialect should be our precedence.

            It is undeniable that most of us are forgetting and about to forget our mother tongue which is huge slap on the language, we must not let it happen. Some people who were born in Ilocos don’t even know how to speak Iloko anymore because they tend to practice other languages and dialects more often than their own.  

            Let us remember, it’s not yet far from too late, so let us make a move. We are very blessed to have a magnificent dialect like the Iloko so we must indeed cherish it and properly use it. Love your dialect, love your language, love your country and above all, love God Almighty.

            Diyos ti agalwad.

Love: The Authentic Soul of Christmas

Lights blinking, children caroling, stars glowing, and surroundings showered with tender feelings. Indeed, Christmas is fast approaching. As I am pressing the letters of the keyboard, we are already two weeks away from the most beautiful time of the year. But all this time, are we really acquainted and do we really recognize the true quintessence of Christmas?

                As we all know, it is an annual commemoration of the birth of our dear creator, Jesus Christ. It is generally celebrated by Christians around the globe. In accordance to Christmas, people tend to observe gift giving as a sign of gratitude for each individual’s concrete help or love to another person, some also do church services as praise to the main actor of this day, Jesus. Some families and groups also convene for gatherings and parties but the most common of all traditions, people place symbolic decorations around their houses like lights, Christmas trees, lanterns and such.

                If you sum it up, Christmas is really full of fun and bliss. It is a time for us to diminish all our problems and think happy thoughts all the time. Jesus wants us to be exultant and perhaps even on cloud nine during His special day. He wants to see us loving and caring for each other. We should learn to forgive all people who have sinned and forget all the things that should already be forgotten. Let us turn a new leaf as they say in idiomatic expressions. Take Christmas as if it is the best day ever, no problems, and no worries, pure fun and pure affection because these are really the genuine essence of the birth of Jesus, ardor, glee and charity.

                Eric Sevareid once said “Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.” Indeed we should love each other to make Jesus happy. Only our affection would lighten up the bulb of peace and amity. Make Christmas a wonderful time which is very impossible to forget. Merry Christmas to everyone and let the four letter word L-O-V-E rule the planet.

Equality: Where Are You?

“Prejudice, not being founded on reason, cannot be removed by argument”

      -Samuel Johnson

            It cannot be denied that we are now living in a planet where competition has already skyrocketed and reached its peak. Arguments can be found almost everywhere. One hot issue is the blooming of discrimination in our society; Inequity in terms of status, prejudice in gender, and even bigotry in terms of literacy.

            It is really dreadful to breathe in a discrimination- polluted realm for we are not given equal chances for everything. There is a great tendency that the rights everybody is craving for will not be given fairly and so with various opportunities that everyone should be enjoying by now.

            Unjust might be the best adjective to describe what is happening in reality today. This should be one of the chief concerns our prime movers must have acted upon from the very start. As a result, Philippines has been a consistent “back runner” in the race concerning economic progress. Nevertheless, it is not yet too late to bring back the old country we had which is way better than what it is today. Nothing is impossible especially with God’s guidance.

            Analyze carefully. Imagine a world free from injustice and where equality prevails. You will surely foresee a highly progressive nation. It is not unfeasible if we put this to reality. As long as everyone will give a helping hand, mission will surely be accomplished. Equal Rights mean Equal Opportunities. Every individual should be given appropriate rights he or she truly possesses regardless of status, gender and even literacy. They say men are stronger than women, members of royal groups are more powerful, and intelligent people are way beyond than lesser gifted individuals. Scrutinize. In this modern age, this has already been proven and considered as fictitious. We must diminish this thing in our minds.

            If we will continue following this type of faith, nothing will change and nothing will happen. Equal Rights should be observed so that equal opportunities follow. There must be zero deficit between each other. Employ this and progress will soon embrace not only in our economy but also in humanity.