polaris

The Christmas journey was end at the church, with its stained-glass windows aglow with the warm light of candles. The hymns filled the air, and the scent of incense made the atmosphere serene and spiritual. We joined the congregation; our voices merged with the others in joyful carols, our hearts full of gratitude for the blessings of the season. It was a time for reflection, the time to understand the real essence of Christmas: love, peace, and being together.  It was after the church service that Christmas really started. Laughter, good food, and warm conversations filled the air. We exchanged gifts, each a symbol of love and affection. The joy was palpable, contagious energy that spread through the room, binding us together in a shared experience of happiness and contentment. It was a Christmas filled with warmth, love, and the simple pleasure of being together. The end of the day closed in on us, as well as the final Christmas carol melted into night, and then an atmospher...

It feels like everything's changing all the time-new tech, new ways of doing things, and I'm always learning. At first, I was all about the coding, making blogs and other parts too. Figuring out tricky tech issues and finding clever solutions is really satisfying. Big thing is that you have to keep adapting. New stuff is always coming out, so you have to keep learning. I've found that trying new things, experimenting with different tools, and joining online communities has helped me a lot. In the future, I want to think more about the ethical side of ICT. Tech is everywhere now, so we have to think about how it affects people. Things like data privacy and making sure algorithms aren't biased are really important. I think it's really important to develop tech that helps everyone, not just some people. Overall, ICT has been a great experience – lots of challenges, good times, and so many chances to learn and grow. I'm excited to see what I can do in the futur...

https://cesie.org/media/violenza_donne.jpg Every year, National Women's Month culminates into an 18-day campaign to end violence against women, which reminds us that such a serious societal ailment requi res immediate and ongoing attention. Although the symbolic gestures of awareness campaigns are precious, a deeper engagement with the issue is necessary to move beyond rhetoric and towards tangible, meaningful change. Statistics tell a grim tale; there is a shocking prevalence of violence against women in its different forms – physical, emotional, psychological, and economic, affecting thousands of people and families. These figures represent not mere data points but the lived realities of women who have endured immense suffering and trauma. The challenge lies not simply in acknowledge having the problem's existence but in understanding its complex roots. Violence against women is not an isolated phenomenon but a manifestation of deeply ingrained societal structures and power ...

More about a very quiet president, who just happened to be the nation's sixth president. With flamboyant predecessors and flashy successors, Elpidio Quirino's was a life of quiet strength and remarkable achievements. One that deserves to be heard. Born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, in 1890, his early life hadn't been marked by any privilege. He was brought up very poor, but his brain and perseverance really shone through. He had worked enough to get an education, which eventually led him to become a law graduate from the University of the Philippines. I believe this made the foundation for his eventual successes in politics and public service. Never born in power, he worked hard to win it. Quirino was not exactly a career path to the presidency. He served in several positions, gained experience and proved himself to be a potential leader. He sat in the Philippine Assembly and in the Senate, and there was political acumen and dedication to public service. His experiences in those po...

This month of October is Indigenous Peoples Month in the Philippines. This year, it marks the 27th anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA). This year's theme, "Mga Katutubo at Katutubong Dunong: Pahalagahan, Pangalagaan at Parangalana" or "Valuing, Nurturing, and Honoring Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Knowledge," emphasizes recognizing and supporting the unique cultures and wisdom of our indigenous communities. For me, this month is not only a remembering of a law but the doing of something in the continuing battle for indigenous rights and for the preservation of their rich heritage. We have to go beyond the recognition of their existence and start being an active part in moving towards a more just and equitable society. https://i0.wp.com/balikbayanmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Sinulog-scaled.jpg?resize=640%2C457&ssl=1 This year's celebration hopes to push for and safeguard indigenous rights in several ways. First, it creat...

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTJAvUK4EOV2YfbeG9jt7uT6jV2ZaP9EfNMLg&s It is a world where life's rhythm is suddenly interrupted by raging typhoons, rising sea levels, and unpredictable weathers. That is a life for many Filipinos, who experience the long reach of climate change personally. The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, and it is always vulnerable to natural disasters. However, the occurrences and severity of such events have been intensified in recent years, ravaging lives and livings of Filipinos. The main culprits behind these sudden changes and gradual developments of the environment are attributed to climate change. The warmer global temperatures cause sea levels to rise thus escalating coast erosion and flooding especially in low-lying places. The Philippines, with its long coastlines and numerous islands, is particularly vulnerable to these impacts. The warming atmosphere also brings more powerful and frequent typhoons with...