PreVille

Every 9 th of April, the Philippines celebrates Araw ng Kagitingan. On this day in 1942, Japan invaded the Philippines, culminating in the battle and eventual fall of Bataan. This day also commemorates the infamous Death March, in which approximately 76,000 Filipino, American, and Chinese soldiers were forced by the Japanese to march 90 miles, or about 145 kilometers, from Bataan to Camp O'Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. I was in fifth grade when I learned about all of this. At the time, I was perplexed. The magnitude of the loss? Many people gave up? What's the big deal about losing? Why do we commemorate our fall? According to what I've read, the word "valor" was not originally associated with bravery or courage in combat. The word's etymology can be traced back to two sources. The first is from the 14th century Old French valor or valour, which meant "merit, moral worth, or virtue," and the second is from the Latin valere, which means "to be str...

So begins the Lenten Season. A penitential period that includes both abstinence and fasting. I didn’t grow up with the discipline of restricting what and when I can eat during a tradition, but I was taught to always practice self-control. We members of the Church of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo) do not celebrate Christmas, Halloween, All Saints’ Day, All Souls Day, Valentine’s Day, Fiestas, or the Lenten Season, all of which are associated with honoring saints and patrons. Lent just isn’t a big deal in my home. Today, however, I decided to delve deeper into the Lenten Season: what it is all about, why it is important, and how it compares to my existing beliefs. What Are the Key Days of Lent? Lent lasts 40 days (excluding Sundays) and runs from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter. Lent is named after an old English word that means ‘to lengthen’. According to what I've heard, Lent is frequently described as a time of preparation and an opportunity to go deeper with God. The firs...

A noble idea arose in the minds of a group of civic-spirited Ilocanos who wanted to instill pride in their heritage in the youth and future generations. KANNAWIDAN, the Iloko Foundation of Arts and Culture, grew from the magnificent idea and is now a living reality. The Kannawidan Ylocos Festival commemorates the anniversary of the province of Ilocos Sur since its separation on February 3, 1818. Kannawidan is a word from the Ilocano language that means "heritage" or "inheritance." Ilocos Sur has a rich heritage and unique culture that must be preserved for future generations, as many of these traditions, songs, dances, and other Ilocano culture are unfamiliar to the younger generations. Children today are more interested in modern and novelty dances than traditional ones. There is also a need to evaluate the various municipal products, as well as the agricultural products and livestock of farmers and fishermen. As a result, the provincial government of Ilocos Sur...