Rica Mae B. Reyes

BSEd 111A (10-11:30)

The Ati-Atihan Festival is a feast held annually in January in honor of the Santo Niño (Infant Jesus), concluding on the third Sunday, in the island and town of Kalibo, Aklan in the Philippines. The name "Ati-Atihan" means "to be like Aetas" or "make believe Ati's." Aetas were the primary settlers in the islands according to history books. They too are the earliest settlers of Panay Island where the province of Aklan is situated.

             

                        

        The festival consists of tribal dance, music, accompanied by indigenous costumes and weapons, and parade along the street. Christians, and non-Christians observe this day with religious processions.The informality of the festival is what makes it so terrific and allows everyone to participate, dance, beat on a drum or just take photos while in the middle of the tribal groups. The groups include all age groups - another wonderful aspect of the festival. Some of the most creative costumes distinct to the tribal themes are displayed by a few of the local gays. The festival includes every local group in Aklan with a unique tribal tradition, various civic or commercial organizations and individuals that create new costumes every year.

             

      As we celebrated the Kalibo Ati-atihan this 2015, we enjoyed so much. We have the “SADSAD” last January 15, 2015 and I can say that I enjoyed so much because we have fun with my classmates and my friends during the SADSAD. 

vacation activities

Rica Mae B. Reyes

Bsed 111A (10:00-11:30)

Activity #1

      Write an informative testimonial on how you celebrate Christmas season considering the following:

a. Brief Historical background of Christmas.

          Christmas is, of course, Jesus' birthday. In England Christmas was originally called Yule. The old Saxon word Yule meant mid-winter. However when the Saxons were converted to Christianity the word Yule came to mean Jesus' birthday. The word Christmas (Christ mass) was not used until the 11th century.

For most of history Christmas was just one of many festivals celebrated throughout the year. Until the 19th century Christmas was not particularly important in England.
Most of the things that make up a 'traditional' English Christmas were actually invented (or imported into England from other countries) in the 19th century. That includes Christmas trees, Christmas cards, Christmas crackers, paper decorations and, of course, Father Christmas or Santa Claus with his white beard and red costume.During the 17th century and 18th century people continued to celebrate Christmas as they had done for centuries. For centuries it was traditional to burn a Yule log in the fireplace at Christmas. In the 19th century it was also common to light a large Yule candle.
Boxing Day was originally a day when alms-boxes in churches were opened and the money was distributed to the poor. Later 'boxes' were given to servants.
        Our modern Christmas really began in the 19th century. Long before the 19th century people in England decorated their houses at Christmas with holly, ivy and mistletoe. However they also used many other plants, such as fir, yew and laurel. In the 19th century people began to use colored paper decorations.
For centuries it was common to give Christmas gifts to friends and relatives at Christmas. However hanging out stockings to be filled with presents was first recorded in parts of England in the early 19th century. It became common in the late 19th century.The first Christmas card was designed in 1843 by John Horsley. Before 1840 it would not have been feasible for ordinary people to send cards because of the cost of postage. However Rowland Hill introduced the penny post in 1840. By the 1860s Christmas cards were very popular in England.Christmas crackers were first made in 1847 by a confectioner named Tom Smith. While in Paris he saw sugar almonds sold wrapped in tissue paper and he invented the Christmas cracker. He added mottoes to the sweets (later these evolved into jokes). Smith added the 'bang' in 1860. Little gifts were also added to Christmas crackers.
          Christmas trees were used in central Europe from the Middle Ages. By the 16th century they were decorated. By the 17th century tinsel was used. Other Christmas ornaments included paper flowers, candles, barley sugar, gingerbread and wax shapes. The first trees in England appeared in England about 1800 but they did not become popular till Queen Victoria married a German, Prince Albert. In 1848 they were shown in a picture in the Illustrated London News with a Christmas tree. As a result Christmas trees became very popular in England. Christmas tree lights were invented in 1882.
           Father Christmas and Santa Claus were originally two different figures. In England Father Christmas was a man dressed in green (representing the return of Spring) who was supposed is supposed to visit families and feast with them at Christmas. (He did not bring gifts). However in the 19th century in England Father Christmas merged with the Dutch Santa Claus. He is supposed to be based on St Nicholas a Christian bishop who lived in Turkey in the 4th century AD. According to tradition St Nicholas gave generous gifts to the poor. St Nicholas had a feast day on 6 December. (In Poland Santa still brings gifts on 6 December). On that day it was traditional to give gifts or to give to charity to remember the saint's generosity.

b. Personal Experiences

                  During our Christmas vacation, we celebrated it in our house with my family. I guess I can say that I am not happy this Christmas because we celebrated it without my father. This is the first Christmas in my whole life that our family is not complete because my father was gone. So that’s it, I am wretched until the vacation ends.

c. Lessons learned

                   I learned lot of lessons during the Christmas season. Loving, forgiving and sharing are the most important things we need to do. Love them with all your heart, forgive the persons who bullying and hurting you and share to others what you have because it is better to give than to receive.  Have the self-confidence in yourself, be a stronger enough to face all the challenges that we have encounter every day and of course have faith in God all the times.

d. Unforgettable moments

                 

                  My most unforgettable moment during our Christmas is that we celebrated our Christmas with my mama, my sisters and my grandmother only. We’re 4 only in our house during that time that’s why I did not enjoyed it well unlike last year that I was so happy and excited.

Activity #2

 Based on the conceptual Models of Learning, write an article that would pay tribute to a celebration on December 30 and what influences did this bring forth to you as a Filipino and as  NVCians.

       

       As we know, we celebrated Rizal Day as Philippine national holiday commemorating the life and works of José Rizal, one of the Philippines national heroes. It is celebrated every December 30, the day of Rizal's execution at Bagumbayan, now known as Rizal Park, in 1896. 

      As a Filipino and as an NVCians, it is serves as my inspiration. Rizal contributes a lot to our country thats why we idolized him. It makes me inspired about what he done to our country in order for us to have freedom. As a student, it encourage me to  love our country and do our best if we know that we are right.

Activity #3

What memory can you create on January 1, 2015? Following the conceptual models of learning, formulate something that could generate and construct a worthy celebration for this occasion that will address this question – Who would you be come 2015?

      

      During my 2014, I faced obstacles, challenges, problems in my family and of course heart aches. Yeah it is normal to a person to suffered in this kind of problems but this 2015, I will be a stronger individual who never give up on facing my problems, have more self-confidence in all tasks, be a better and responsible daughter and have faith in God to survive all the problems that i will be encountered.