@MjAcato

@MjAcato 16 December 2020

Simbang Gabi Hello everyone, good evening! How is your first day of Simbang Gabi? Tell something about it in the comment section below. Merry Christmas!

@MjAcato 9 December 2020

Of Flowery Words When life gives you a pile of trials, there are always reason more than the number of that. God will always provide and He will always guide us in the right path. Just follow your dreams and work hard for it. We will be able to achieve it, soon. Have faith and do not lose hope. It is not easy to get there, but all the hardships will be worth it in the end. So, learn to be strong, have faith and always do everything you can because God will do the rest. Good evening to one and all!

@MjAcato 8 December 2020

Productivity during OC Due to the circumstances brought about by the pandemic virus, many things we usually do were affected, and it includes the face-to-face learning at school. With the new mode of learning, can you catch up with learning the lessons? Probably, many of us here are still students. Apparently, we are still adjusting with the new normal. The things we usually do during the first day of school may not be done this school year. What I mean is that, those who are used to wear their best outfit and anything that fits them during first day of school may not have done it this time. Though, it is still required to wear decent clothes during online classes. By the way, there are these types of online classes being utilized - the synchronous and asynchronous learning. **What are synchronous and asynchronous learning?** **Synchronous learning** exist when the teachers have classes in a real time online through the use of video conferencing apps such as zoom, google meet, among others. On the other hand, **asynchronous learning** is the type of learning wherein online interaction is not required, meaning the students can view and access the lessons made by the teachers anytime through platforms such as facebook messenger, google classroom, among others. It is given that the kind of life we have differs from one another, and that there are those who stopped for the mean time due to the obvious reason - poverty. Those who do not have the resources to use and those who cannot afford to buy these things may not be able to enroll this year's academic term. Thus, help is needed. Many suggested academic freeze, but it was not done. That is why, the students are having online classes. Some of you may need inspirations and ideas on how you can study effectively in this time of pandemic. Do not worry because the following may help you become more productive. **First, manage your time wisely.** It is commonly suggested, but accept it or not, it is not followed all the time. There are still times wherein we still postpone things to do. Well, if you really want to manage your time wisely, then make a time table wherein you will write your schedules and all the things you will do. Of course prioritize the most important and also strictly follow it so that it may become more effective. **When reviewing or studying, you can listen to calm music** For me, it is effective because it helps your brain to grasp what you are reading. I prefer listening to calm instrumental music. Sometimes, I also listen to songs with lyrics, but it is up to you if what best suits your studying style. **Use highlighters when marking important terms** Not because it is online does not mean you do not have to write down your notes or print them anymore. We should still practice taking notes. When highlighting terms and definitions, I am using yellow highlighter. You can choose other colors if you want as long as you are able to grasps or understand what you are studying. **Study time is study time** What do I mean with this? It simply tells that during study time, focus to it. Stay away from using social media for the mean time. Cellphone, especially games and social medias can be tempting, but do not divert your attention to them when studying. Just continue studying, then after it, you can make use of your social media apps again. Just make sure that your mind is focused to what you are reading when you are reviewing your lessons. There are more things that can increase one's productivity, but the above-mentioned things are the most important ones. Just always remember to follow your learning style. These things are just pieces of advice. It will still depend to you if you will apply these things to yourself. *If you have other ways in your mind, do not miss the chance to share it with us.* Disclaimer: *All photos that are used in this article are downloaded from Pixabay. Credits belong to the respective owners.*

@MjAcato 7 December 2020

Values that are worth acquiring ***In life, the value we have acquired are already part of our lives. It represents who we are. Aside from working hard to achieve our dreams, also learn the fundamental values needed because after all, being good while heading to the actual battles of life will always be better than having the luxuries of life but having a mean and attitude. Know that a right attitude is what matters the most. Invest more in good traits.***  With this days kind of technology, any one of us can become trending online even in just a minute or two. That is why we have to have good values as soon as we're young, such that we don't have a problem with our attitude as we grow older. Our home is perhaps the baseline for learning great values. Our parents and older adults are our guides. They're teaching us the essential values we need to have. In school, our teachers are the second parents of ours. They're teaching us other good traits and the right behaviour. If you haven't heard it yet, they say that what the children see and observe will be inculcated to them. So, as elders in the family, we must instil to their young minds the good values they need to acquire. They say you have an excellent opportunity to acquire the traits and values that are acceptable in your environment. That is why, as soon as possible, young kids have to build up fundamental values that can enable them to have the correct attitude. **The fundamental values that need to be taught are:** ***Respect for Everyone*** Just like in the saying, "respect begets respect." If you'd like to be respected, learn how to respect others. They are teaching us other good traits and the right behaviour. *In the Philippines, we were educated about the importance of saying "po" and "opo" to people who are older than us. It is very crucial to understand and inform kids because it is an attribute that really can evaluate one's kindness to everyone else - a way to assess how anyone interacts with everyone.* ***Kindness for Anyone*** No matter what that kind of career you have, it's always better to practice young kids to be always kind. If you are poor or rich, let your goodness impact everyone, particularly young people, to be compassionate, gracious, and being kind to everyone. ***Being Accountable*** Just let younger generations understand what the sense of accountability is, as quick as practicable so that it will encourage the child to become responsible not only for stuff to be performed within the house but also for the things to even be accomplished outside the house. *As early as possible, strong leadership should be taught because come to think of it, they will learn to stand in their own feet and that they will not always depend on you. This is why it is always important to consider it. Also realize that organizational culture is not a matter of pride and it should not control ones personal ego; it is a matter of modesty and optimism.* ***Having self-care*** Love is ubiquitous. Love is relevant. It does not just mean that you are sexually attracted to somebody and that you feel love unmistakably and by taking care of people who've been exceptional in your life. *As a child, educating families, brothers, sisters, and acquaintances how to love is indeed a means for a kid to feel special. With this a child can grow to embrace him/herself and to recognise the benefits of self-care.* ***The Value Sportsmanship and Camaraderie:*** It is all right to lose and sometimes struggle in life, for these events allow us to become more and more stronger. *Life is not just about triumph. Kids would need obtain this quality as soon as possible because life is filled of battles; they have to understand how necessary it is to be thankful whenever we lost or won anything.* ***To also be Determined*** Our commitment will help us to achieve what we're dreaming of. It is important to encourage youngsters about this meaning, since a kid who understands how to reach for his/her goals are becoming stronger later in life. *No matter how difficult the obstacle is we can conquer this as much as we are motivated.* ***To have a good faith*** Our faith makes us connected to the Lord. It was the most significant of all of the principles. It is not just an idea which some people hold onto in tough times; it's vital to all human life on earth. *It is necessary for families to educate and of their children this characteristic so that they can practice what they believe in.* ***Honesty and Integrity*** In education, teachers teach students that "honesty is the best policy." *By teaching children to say the truth, always with utmost regards to others, they would know when to take accountability for their acts if they have got it wrong. It would be like a gift; it's pricey.* All such factors are important because in life, it shouldn't be the material possessions that people remember about us; it's really the virtues and our personality which will always be appreciated. No matter how far a child will go as it grows up, if he/she does not even have features that cannot be compensated for by any amount of money, it will always be useless. All in all, life would be much more interesting if we had good features. Always note that these qualities will not only help us become better individuals; they will also help us feel how great it is to live without hate.

@MjAcato 6 December 2020

Small House Surrounded by Various Vegetables All Filipinos here may be familiar with this iconic song. It is on of the nursery song being taught to us when we are still young. And believe it or not, it is one of the reasons why Filipinos are great in singing! Can you hear it resonating in your mind? Wanna know the reason why? It is simply because it is one of the first songs we practice to sing when we are still children, and the fact that it talks about different vegetables which really provides nutrients in the body and of course, it provides essential things that makes the voice more beautiful! So for this article, let us talk about the lyrics, specifically the vegetables that are found in the *Bahay Kubo.* But before anything else, here is the lyrics of the song. I also provide translation in English. ***Bahay Kubo*** *Bahay-kubo, kahit munti* *Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari* *Singkamas at talong* *Sigarilyas at mani* *Sitaw, bataw, patani* *Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa* *At tsaka mayro'n pang* *Labanos, mustasa* *Sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya* *Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga* *Bahay-kubo, kahit munti* *Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari* *Singkamas at talong* *Sigarilyas at mani* *Sitaw, bataw, patani* *Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa* *At tsaka mayro'n pang* *Labanos, mustasa* *Sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya* *Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga* *Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga* **Here is the translation in English** *Nipa hut, although small* *The plants there are varied* *Turnip and eggplant* *Winged beans and nuts* *Beans, lentils, peas.* *Winter gourd, silk Squash, bottle gourd and squash* *And there is more* *Radish, mustard* *Onion, tomato, garlic and ginger* *Around is full of sesame seeds.* *Nipa hut, although small* *The plants there are varied* *Turnip and eggplant* *Winged beans and nuts* *Beans, lentils, peas.* *Winter gourd, silk Squash, bottle gourd and squash* *And there is more* *Radish, mustard* *Onion, tomato, garlic and ginger* *Around is full of sesame seeds.* *Bahay Kubo* or Nipa Hut in its English term, talks about the indigenous house used by the natives of Philippines, which is surrounded by vegetables that are abundant in the county. It is usually serve as an icon of Philippine culture. ***Did you know that***, *in the Philippines, most lyric composers rely upon what they have encountered on occasions, individuals, and many more events. Also, a few melodies are made in light of the fact that out of the inventiveness and creativity, including musically-slanted abilities that rise above age to age. These characteristics make a profoundly decent writer simultaneously an artist to whose ability is showed in their own version of the melody. Tone and expression, acting skill, and vocal understandings are a few standards that make a tune deserving of being tuned in to and acknowledged.* In building it, traditional construction materials are used. It includes bamboos that are tied together and covered with a thatched roof using nipa or anahaw leaves. Due to the fact that it as covered by anahaw leaves and made up of bamboo, it gives off a homey and fresh feeling. Every aspect of its exterior structure simply blends in with nature, and this design is something that is worth recognizing. Classic yet filled with nice and unique vibes. The vegetables that were mentioned in the song possess different qualities and nutrients that will surely satisfy you cravings. So, if you are not used to in eating veggies, just sing it oftentimes. Who knows, you might find yourself loving each one of these vegetables one day. In my upcoming articles, we will be discussing about the vegetables. We will be going to div deeper on those things. So, if you want to get updates regarding on those things, make sure to click the subscribe button, as well as, the like button for good luck. I know it is not YouTube, but try it.

@MjAcato 5 December 2020

Don't Let What If's Swallow You ***Jace's POV:*** Maraming araw na rin ang dumaan, sa katunayan nga ay malapit na ang sem break. Ilang beses din akong nagising dahil sa panaginip na iyon. I don't kn, gustuhin ko mang sabihin na ito sa kanila pero tadhana ang siyang pumipigil dahil sa tuwing kumukuha ako ng tiyempo para sabihin ito sa kanila ay saka namang busy sila dahil sa school kung sabagay mas importante naman ang pag-aaral kaysa dito. Habang naglalakad kami sa hallway ay tila ba may binubulong ang hangin sa akin. Pinakinggan ko ito ng mabuti at parang binubulong nito ang: **"The place where you can find yourself into an escapade"** Tapos may nadinig akong huni ng ibon, agad ko itong sinundan. "Hoy Jace! saan ka pupunta?!" tanong ni Anne pero hindi ko siya sinagot. Mukhang sinundan naman ako ng dalawa. Ipinadpad kami ng huni ng ibon dito sa library, pumasok agad ako at ganon din sina Juan at Anne, pagkapasok namin doon ay napansin namin ang ilang estudyante na ngayon ay nakatingin sa amin. Muli kong napakinggan ang huni ng ibon at huminto ito sa paghuni pagdating namin sa harap ng isang lumang libro.  Kapansin pansin ang kalumaan nito at puno pa ng alikabok, agad kong tinanggal ang mga alikabok nito at nagulat ako sa aking nabasa. The title of the book was ***Jacinto Treasure Book***. Juan and Anne was shocked, too. "Iyan ba yang libro na sinasabi ng nanay mo na susi para masimulan ang paghahanap sa kayamanan?" diretsong tanong ni Juan sa akin. "Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay ito nga pero para makasiguro tayo ay tignan natin kung sino ang sumulat nito."  Agad kong tinignan kung sino ang sumulat nito at nakalagay don ang initials na C.J. Agad kong inalala kung ano ang pangalan ng lolo ng lolo ng lolo ko. Clavio Jacinto ang pangalang naalala ko. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay Siya at yung C.J. na initials dito na pangalan ng sumulat ng aklat na ito ay iisa.  Binuklat ni Anne ang libro at agad bumungad ang isang litrato, litrato ito ng isang pamilya. "Jace parang nakita ko na iyan dati, parang nasa lumang kahon ang orihinal na kopya niyan." sabi ni Juan. Sa likod ng libro ay may isang maliit na kahon at doon ay may dalawang lumang papel. Isa para sa pagsusulatan ng mga humiram at ang isa pa ay mukhang liham. Una kong binasa kung sino na ang mga taong humiram ng libro at apat palang na tao ang nakasulat dito. 1. Calixto Jacinto - Nobyembre 10, 1859 2. Celestino Jacinto - Nobyembre 11, 1899 3. Claudio Jacinto - Nobyembre 12, 1939 4. Clemente Jacinto - Nobyembre 13, 1979. Agad akong nagulat sa pangalan ng huling tao na humiram ng libro, siya ang aking ama. Sa pagkagulat ay muntik ko ng mabitawan ang aklat. Isang lumang papel pa ang nahulog pero napagdesisyonan kong basahin muna ang mas naunang papel na nakuha ko. *Enero 5, 2001* *Sobrang saya ko sa araw na ito dahil ngayon ipinanganak ang pinakamamahal kong anak, pinangalanan ko siyang Jace para maiba naman. Puro C na lang kasi palagi ang initials ng aming pangalan at isa pa ay  wala pang C.J. na nakakakuha sa kayamanan kaya papalitan ko na yung initials ng anak ko kahit kapalit pa nito ang kalayaan para makasama sila. Kung bakit pa kasi may mga kasunduan na kailangang sundin at 'di dapat labagin. Sinunod ko naman silang ipagpatuloy na hanapin ang kayamanan ng aming angkan ngunit kahit ginawa ko na ang lahat ay nauwi lang sa wala ang paghihirap ko, bakit kailangan pa kasing sagutin ang bugtong na iyon para makapunta sa....* Akala ko ay kasama ng liham na ito ang huling papel na nahulog kaya binuklat ko ito at nagulat ako sa nakasaad dito. Isa itong letter of agreement. Agad ko ng isinulat ang pangalan ko at signature kahit hindi ko pa ito nababasa. Huli na nga ng malaman kong para sa kayamanan pala ito na kailangang mapasakamay ang kayamanan dahil kung hindi ay... Akmang babasahin ko na ang kasunod nito ng biglang tumunog yung bell kaya itinupi ko na ang lumang papel at isinulat ang pangalan sa unang lumang papel at ng sabihin ko na sa librarian na hihiramin ko yung libro ay agad siyang tumawa sinabi pa niya na hindi na kailangan iyon dahil pinahihintulutan na niya akong hiramin ang libro at ang mas lalong nakapagtataka ay sinabi niya na kahit hindi ko na isuli. Bakit ang baba ng tingin niya sa librong ito? para malaman ang sagot ay tinanong ko siya. "Bakit naman po okay lang sa inyo na sa akin na itong aklat na ito? Dahil po ba luma na?" "Gusto mong malaman? hindi dahil luma na iyan kundi dahil hindi naman totoo ang mga nilalaman niyan, sa katunayan nga ay kasama ang librong iyan sa mga ipapabigay na lang sa susunod na araw pero dahil kinuha mo na ay sa iyo na lang." With her answer, even if she tried to say it in a nicer way, I know that the book doesn't matter at all for her. Ngumisi na lang ako ng palihim dahil sa aking narinig. Matapos kaming makalabas ay hindi ko na pinalampas pa ang pagkakataon na sabihin sa kanila na kailangan na naming simulan ang paghahanap lalo pa't pumirma na ako sa kasunduan dahil kung hindi namin ito sisimulan pa ay tiyak kong matutulad kami sa mga mas nauna pa sa amin na mauuwi sa wala ang lahat ng pinaghirapan. Pero dahil may tiwala ako sa kanila alam kong sasang-ayon din sila at mapapasakamay din namin ang pinaka-aasam na kayamanan. The treasure seemed to be one step away from us and I really feel excited about it. Maging ang aking mga kamay ay kating-kati na rin na mapasakamay ang kayamanan ng aming angkan na siyang aming pinakaaasam-asam. I thought that they would agree immediately. But, I'm wrong. They're having second thoughts. They have so many what if's. This time, I really don't know what to do. It's like I am going to convince them first.

@MjAcato 4 December 2020

A Sweet Fruit of Success `Anne's POV:` I thought that it would be impossible to reach this certain triumph. But, indeed, nothing is impossible. Being able to surpass all the challenges would already mean enough for us but more than that is what happened that is why we are celebrating today with our very supportive coach.  After those events, those struggles, those hardships, at last, we are now reaping the fruit of our labor. I can see in their eyes the extreme happiness. Actually, it is my very first time to see them like this. Those smiles and those laughs are so priceless.  Until now I can't believe that we are the winners but there is only one thing which is for sure and that is I am happy to what had happened and we are here celebrating because of that. Truly, it was a satisfying moment and having this kind of felicity is wonderful. By the way, we are currently here sa isa sa mga sikat na restaurant ng aming lugar. Matatanaw ang mga naggagandahang tanawin na siyang nakapagbibigay ng kakaibang feeling. --*-- `Juan's POV:` Ewan ko lang pero kanina ko pa napapansin si Anne na pangiti-ngiti habang pinagmamasdan kami. Mukhang may iniisip siya pero hindi ko lang malaman kung ano ito. Kung ano man iyon, sana magdulot ito ng kasiyahan sa kaniya dahil ganon akong tao, hindi bale nang ako yung nahihirapan basta makita ko lang na masaya sila. Gaya noong nakaraang araw ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa natamasa namin. Lahat ng pinaghirapan namin ay nasuklian at sobra-sobra pa ito kung tutuusin. At ngayon isang bagay ang sigurado ako, at 'yun ang pagiging masaya at kuntento dahil sa mga nangyari at sa mga alaalang nabuo na siyang nagbigay ng karagdagang kulay sa aking buhay. Ilang sandali pa ay dumating na rin sa wakas ang mga inorder naming pagkain. Mukhang gutom na gutom na si Jace dahil agad niyang naubos ang kaniyang kinain sa loob lamang ng limang minuto. Nag-order pa si Mrs. Maricar ng mga pagkain at ang pera na pinambibili namin ngayon ay mula sa event. Nagulat nga kami dahil 50,000 din ang grand prize. Kanina ay tumawag din sina mama at siyempre sinabi ko ang natamasa namin. Proud nga daw sila dahil may anak daw silang maipagmamalaki. Bigla ko tuloy sila na-miss. It's as if this moment was destined to be like this. I can't hide my true feelings, it was such an immense felicity. These moments are for keeps and these two people whom I considered as strangers at first will always be part of the list of my favorite individuals. I just wish that it will keep coming back and I hope that the stars from up above will align and grant my wish. Kahit papaano ay nalimutan ko pansamantala lahat ng problemang nilalaman ng aking isipan sa mga nakaraang araw. For now, I must enjoy. --*-- `Jace POV:` Tunay na napakaganda ng araw na ito, walang pagsidlan ang kasiyahan na siyang aking nadarama. Wala ng mas makahihigit pa sa mga kasama ko, I'm so blessed to have them. They are not just extraordinary, they are indeed very special people who were sent by God to bring happiness in my life which is full of misery and dullness. Before, I thought that my bad past will continue to haunt me forever. But, when I meet them, everything was changed. I can't still believe that I was able to change my perspective in life. Before, everybody seemed to be afraid whenever they meet me. No one has ever tried to approach me. But everything really changes. I found these two people who made me realize that in this world full of cruelty, I should live my life to the fullest and I should need to enjoy it because I will no longer take it back once I lost it.  Pero sa oras na mga ito, may isang bagay na nais kong sabihin sa kanila dahil ilang gabi ko na rin itong napapaginipan. Sa bawat gabi na siyang lumisan, tanging ang kayamanan ang siyang aking napapaginipan at tila ba may nagsasabi sa akin na we need to start the treasure hunting as soon as possible because time is flying so fast and the treasure might be kept hidden forever. Yun nga lang, hindi pa ito ang tamang panahon para sabihin ko ito sa kanila dahil we are still enjoying the moment. At tiyak ko na baka pagod pa sila at kailangang mag-refresh dahil sa mga nangyari. At ayaw kong antalain ang masayang araw na ito dahil deserve naming magsaya para sa tagumpay na aming natamasa.  But I do believe that patience is a virtue and the right time is yet to come. By that time, one thing is for sure and that is we are now ready to do the hunting. We will never stop until the treasure will be in our hands. Whatever the result of our adventure, I will always be grateful to create great moments with them. Ngayon ay pauwi na kami dahil tapos na rin ang simple celebration. Marami  kaming napagkwentuhan. Marami din akong nalaman mula sa kanila at isang bagay ang tumatak sa aking isipan. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba ang pagkarinig ko pero may binanggit si Juan kanina na siyang dahilan kung bakit kanina pa ako nag-iisip ng malalim ngayon. I hope that it's just an imagination. Bahala na. Sana mali ang kutob ko.

@MjAcato 4 December 2020

Beyond the Billion Glimmering Stars *We will discuss the three distinct kinds of groups of stars that exist out there.* So to audit: Heavenly bodies are locales of the sky in which stars give off an impression of being assembled. Also, groups of stars are something that we have been utilizing more than a vast number of years to assist us with estimating time. So when we are taking a gander at the stars that are inside this segment that is essential for the heavenly body called Pegasus. Pegasus lies in the northern side of the equator. It is perhaps the most significant heavenly body in the sky. What's more, the explanation that groups of stars are assigned in this style is so when cosmologists all through the world are attempting to take a gander at a specific piece of the sky and distinguish something. ***There are three kinds of heavenly bodies that exist. We have:*** Circumpolar groups of stars, Zodiacal groups of stars, and Occasional ones. So let us experience what every last one of these means. The first is called circumpolar star groupings, and these are ones that never vanish underneath the skyline and can be seen lasting through the year. Presently relying upon where you are in the globe, you may see pretty much of these, and furthermore what your overall area and landscape resembles. For instance, I have a significant mountain that I live on, and it covers a decent bit of the sky. So a few pieces of the year, I can't generally observe precisely these groups of stars, however on the off chance that I would move I would have the option to. So we should separate this word. The word ***circum***-is Latin for around and polar comes from the shaft star, and all the circumpolar heavenly bodies hover around the post-star which is likewise named Polaris. There are ***five circumpolar star groupings*** that I will indeed be going in insight regarding. ***One is Ursa Major***, the Incomparable Bear and I have that envisioned here however you presumably may be seeing the Large Scoop inside the more significant group of stars of Ursa Major. We likewise have ***Ursa Minor*** that is a circumpolar heavenly body, and this is known as the little bear, and you can see the state of its Scoop is marginally not quite the same as the Enormous Scoop. The handles go unexpectedly, the brilliance is extraordinary, the size is an alternate, and this star here is ***Polaris***. So the last star in the handle of Ursa Minor is known as ***Polaris*** so these two I'll really expound on somewhat later another circumpolar heavenly body is known as Draco the mythical serpent and this group of stars is sandwiched in the middle of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. So we have this trapezoid like the head it descends folds over, and its tail is in the middle of the scoops. Our last two circumpolar groups of stars I'd prefer to acquaint you with you are ***Cassiopeia the Sovereign***, which has this W or M like shape contingent on its direction the sky and ***Cepheus*** the lord this one looks fairly like a house and relying on its direction it tends to be topsy turvy or straight up. So these circumpolar groups of stars are ones that you should have the option to recognize throughout the entire year. Our next sort of star grouping is known as a ***zodiacal heavenly body***. These are ones in which the ecliptic, or the way of the Sun, goes through them and if we separate this word somewhat more zodiacs is Greek for '***hover of little creatures***', and on the off chance that we take a gander at the various groups of stars, you can see that vast numbers of them are spoken to by multiple creatures and obviously on the off chance that you have ever known about the indications of the zodiac or you follow any kind of crystal gazing at all you will see that these are the indications of the zodiac and at one-time astronomy and soothsaying were something very similar, yet in the previous 400 years. Since the Illumination time frame, these two things have strayed and are not, at this point, something very similar. However, up to a sun goes through these various sorts of groups of stars, it's viewed as a zodiacal heavenly body. What's more, truth be told there was a tad of uproar as of late about ***Ophiuchus*** which NASA named as the thirteenth indication of the zodiacal heavenly body. There's, in reality, a ton of misguided judgments about this however if you see this image here the Sun goes through this group of stars so regarding space science it would be considered as a diol group of stars. It takes up a decent measure of land in the sky. It is a too enormous heavenly body, and it's one that was made by the Greeks a large number of years back. So this isn't generally another star grouping yet only one that NASA has since recognized is a zodiacal heavenly body. Also, to audit, we have Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Malignant growth, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Capricornus. Furthermore, these are wholly observed during various pieces of the year so they could likewise be viewed as reasonably occasional star groupings. In any case, they are named zodiacal because these are the ones that the Sun takes a way through. On the off chance that we investigate this star diagram, I can bring up for you where the ecliptic is, or the course of the Sun, this green line here is a way the Sun goes inconsistently, so any heavenly body that passes inside that green line is viewed as a celestial body. You can likely perceive a portion of the names, for example, Aquarius and Capricorn et cetera. Our prior arrangement of heavenly bodies closes with occasional sorts, and these are ones that can be seen during straight seasons and during specific seasons. So for instance during winter, these are the sort of heavenly bodies you should be searching for in the sky. As I take you through the course, we'll broadly expound on which star groupings are winter, summer, fall, and spring so you can have a decent comprehension of when you should be searching for each kind of star grouping. Furthermore, on the off chance that you take a gander at the star map generally speaking or a star graph and you consider partitioning it into four segments that you can get a smart thought of when you will see various kinds of heavenly bodies. So here we have our late spring heavenly bodies, down here are our spring ones, we have some colder time of year ones here, and afterwards, these are the fall groups of stars you would see. ***So to audit, there are three sorts: circumpolar ones that you can see throughout the entire year, you have zodiacal ones in which the Sun goes through. Lastly, we have occasional ones. They change with the various kinds of seasons.***

@MjAcato 2 December 2020

Triumphant Makalipas ang limang minuto ay napansin kong malapit ng mabuo ni Trez ang sa kanila. Bakas sa mukha ni Juan at iba pa ang pagka-pressure. Ilang sandali pa ay napatalon sa tuwa ang grupo nina Trez, mukhang nakuha na nila ang code at nakita kong **185613** ang nabuo nilang code. Napansin kong nakatingin sina Mickey sa code na nabuo nina Trez tapos sinabihan na niya ang ka-grupo niya na pumunta na sa dulo ng maze para buksan ang pintong nakalaan sa kanila kahit hindi pa siya tapos. Akala ko iisa lang ang code pero ng matapos si Juan, ang code na nabuo niya ay **135274.** Matapos malaman ang code ay agad na din kaming tumakbo patungo sa dulo ng maze para buksan ang isa sa mga pinto. Itinatak ko sa aking isipan yung code. Mula sa malayo napnsin namin ang sabay na sabay na pagkalagapak nina Trez. Mukhang natisod ang isa sa kanila na naging dahilan ng pagkadapa nila. Tumawa si Anne habang akmang pabalik ulit si Juan na siyang ipinagtaka ko. Ng tanungin ko siya at nalamang nalimutan niya ang code sinabi kong minemorize ko ito kaya muling nanumbalik ang eagerness niyang manguna kami sa karera. Naabutan na namin sina Trez na ngayo'y binibigyan ng first aid. Ilang sandali pa ay nakita ko mula sa likod namin na bumalik na sila sa pagtakbo kahit kapansin-pansin sa mukha nila ang sakit na dulot ng pagkakadapa nila kanina. Sa dulo ay may limang pintuan. Sa bawat pintuan ay nakalagay ang pangalan ng bawat team. Biglang nagalit si Pancho. Mukhang sinisisi niya si Mickey dahil kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay hindi gumana yung code na ninakaw ni Mickey kina Trez. Sabay ang grupo namin at nina Trez na dumating sa harap ng pintuang nakalaan sa amin. Agad na inilagay nina Trez ang code. Bigla kaming nag-alala dahil baka sila na ang mananalo pero ng binuksan niya ang pinto after entering the code ay hindi ito bumukas hudyat na mali ang code na nai-enter niya. Hindi na ako nagpatumpik-tumpik pa agad kong sinubukan yung code na minemorize ko. **1** **3** **5** **2** **7** **4** While typing the code ay pabilis ng pabilis ang tibok ng aking puso at mas lalo pang bumilis ito ng biglang may bumukas na pinto. (opps gusto mong malaman kung kaninong pinto yung bumukas? Like and comment muna. Joke lang haha) Ang pintuan namin ang unang bumukas. Agad naming naabutan ang ibang players na hindi pinalad sa labas at ang iba pang mga tao kabilang si ma'am Maricar na sobra ang tuwa ng makitang kami ang unang nakalabas sa Maze. It only means one thing. "Yes!" sabay na sabi nina Juan at Anne. Walang kaduda-duda kami nga ang nanalo. Nagsimulang magputukan ang mga confetti kasabay ang pagcongratulate sa amin ng mga namumuno at ang sigawang ng mga tao. Ilang sandali pa ay bumukas na rin ang pintuan nina Trez. We are indeed the winners. Nagkaroon man ng maraming conflicts but we never surrender, hindi namin sinukuan ang goal naming manalo.  Ngunit kahit pa kami ang nanalo, nanatili kaming humble dahil naniniwala kami na ang **self-praise** ay para lamang sa mga losers. On the other hand, Itinanghal naman na **2nd place** ang **Team Mixers** na kinabibilangan nina Trez Trois, Ian Perez, at Lovely Xander. **3rd place** naman ang **Team Doraemon** na kinabibilangan nina Vince Nobi, Dane Pardo, at Ramon Nomar. Samantala, ang **Team Detectives** na kinabibilangan nina Juan dela Cruz, Mendy Mendoza at Manny Steves at  ang **Team Gamers** na kinabibilangan nina Mickey Anyog, Cordapia Sanchez, at Pancho Domingo ang **4th and 5th place** respectively.

@MjAcato 1 December 2020

A Brand New Day Another day has come. It is a brand new day to be grateful. Let us start it with a grateful heart and with a big smile on our face. Thank God for waking us up again. May the blessings be showered among us all. Continue working hard for success can be attained by striving hard. Never give up on your dreams, hold on, breath, and ask for God's guidance because He will always provide. I hope you get inspired! Spread good vibes people!

@MjAcato 1 December 2020

Life's not a Race: It's a Journey to Enjoy ***Jace's POV:*** Minsan talaga ay hindi mo aakalain na ang mga taong pinagkakatiwalaan mo ng higit ay sila pang magiging sanhi ng matinding pagkakalagapak mo. Ewan ko ba kung bakit kasi kami naniwala sa mokong na iyon at sa mga kasama niya. Sabi sa salawikain "ang tunay na kaibigan, nakikilala sa kagipitan" pero ang akala naming mga kaibigan ay iniwan kami sa gitna ng kagipitan pero kahit pa nagtaksil sila, malaki pa rin ang tiwala namin sa aming sarili na kakayanin naming magwagi sa karerang ito dahil kung nakaya ni pagong na unahan si kuneho, malamang sa malamang makakaya din naming unahan ang mga iba pa. "Guys mukhang huling pagsubok na ito." sabi ni Juan habang hinahabol ang kaniyang hininga. Mukhang tama siya dahil sa kasalukuyan ay naririto na ang team detectives at ang team mixers na kinabibilangan ni Trez. This part of the maze is wider than the rest. Parang hindi na nga kami nasa isang maze dahil sa lawak. Kapansin-pansin din na sa may dulo ay may mga pintuan. Baka paunahang mabuksan ang isa sa mga 'yun. Nagulat sila ng makita nila kami, alam kong sa oras na ito ay nagtataka na ang dalwang grupo kung bakit kami nakahabol dito gayong gumawa sila ng paraan para lituhin kami at tuluyang mawala at mabigo sa karera. Kasalukuyang nagtutulungan ang mga magkakagrupo na kunin ang bawat piraso. Dalawa lang sa isang grupo ang pwedeng kumuha ng mga piraso na nakakalat sa iba't ibang parte ng maze at ang isa naman ay maghihintay na makuha lahat ng mga piraso tapos siya na ang bubuo sa isang giant jigsaw puzzle na magbibigay ng code na siyang magagamit para mabuksan kahit isa lang sa mga nakakandadong pintuan sa dulo ng maze. Ang unang makakalabas sa maze ang siyang mananalo. Pinili ni Juan na siya na lamang ang bubuo sa puzzle tapos kami na lang ang hahanap sa mga parte. May hints naman kung saan makukuha yung mga puzzle pieces pero mahirap pa rin dahil nakasaad sa hints na kailangan namin bumalik sa unang  bahagi na pinagkunan namin ng unang clue sa maze na ito. Pipindutin daw namin ang gold button para bumukas ang pader na naglalaman ng  mga  puzzle pieces. While we are on our way to the said place, I saw Cordapia and her team looking bitterly to us. Bigla namang kumurap si Anne. When we are there, I saw Ian together with Lovely. Pancho and Mickey are still not around. It seems that they have gone astray along the maze. Well, they deserve that karma. There are 5 gold buttons. Sinubukan kong i-press ang isa pero bigla itong tumunog ng *access denied.* I tried another one and still, I received the same message. Napansin kong biglang bumukas yung pinindot ni Lovely. Mukhang isang cabinet ang pader at tanging ang registered finger prints ang makapagbubukas sa mga ito. Kaya pala ni-require kami kanina na pindutin ang isang gadget na parang biometrics. Ito pala ang purpose 'non. Pumindot ulit ako ng isa pa at salamat naman dahil bumukas na ito. Agad namin kinuha ni Anne ang tatlong bag na nandoon. Habang kami ay tumatakbo pabalik ay hindi namin namamalayan na nabitawan ko pala ang isa sa mga bag. Tsaka ko lamang napansin ito ng hanapin ni Anne ang isa sa mga bags na kanina ay hawak ko. Bigla akong napasigaw dahil ngayon pang malapit na kami sa kinaroroonan ni Juan nangyari ito. Ang tanging choice ko ay ibigay kay Anne ang isa pang hawak ko para mauna na siyang bumalik tapos ako naman ang hahanap sa aking nabitawan na bag. I run as fast as I can to find it in the soonest time. Nakita ko ang bag malapit sa kinaroroonan ngayon nina Pancho at akmang itatago pa ito ni Mickey pero buti na lamang at nakita ko kaya sinigawan ko sila. They heard me kaya itinapon nila ito palayo tapos tumakbo pabalik sa huling challenge. Sobra na talaga ang galit ko sa kanila. Ang sarap ngang sapakin ang gagong 'yun pero nagtitimpi lang talaga ako dahil baka ma-disqualify lang kami kapag pinatulan ko sila. Nang makuha ko ang bag ay mas binilisan ko ang pagtakbo pabalik para kahit papaano ay makakahabol pa rin kami. After giving the last bag to Juan, napansin kong nasa kalahati na ng puzzle ang nabuo ni Trez. It seems that he is a connoisseur in this field. Nagsisimula na rin ang iba pa. Kahit ganon ay naniniwala pa rin ako na makakaya ni Juan na makakahabol siya sa pagbuo sa puzzle. Makalipas ang limang minuto ay napansin kong malapit ng mabuo ni Trez ang sa kanila. Bakas sa mukha ni Juan at iba pa ang pagka-pressure. Ilang sandali pa ay napatalon sa tuwa ang grupo nina Trez, mukhang nakuha na nila ang code at nakita kong **185613** ang nabuo nilang code. Napansin kong nakatingin sina Mickey sa code na nabuo nina Trez tapos sinabihan na niya ang ka-grupo niya na pumunta na sa dulo ng maze para buksan ang pintong nakalaan sa kanila kahit hindi pa siya tapos. Akala ko iisa lang ang code pero ng matapos si Juan, ang code na nabuo niya ay **135274.**

@MjAcato 30 November 2020

Snakes are Everywhere: Be Vigilant Sa halip na dumamay ako sa dalawa, ngumisi na lamang ako. Pinabayaan ko na lamang silang dalawa para makapag-isip akong mabuti. Hindi namin namalayan na naroroon na din pala ang tatlong grupo at tila ba paalis na rin ang grupo nina Trez. Hindi nga ako nagkamali, paalis na nga ang grupo nila. Makaraan ang ilang sandali nasagot na rin ng iba ang bugtong. Maging sina Mickey na ngayon tila paalis na rin. Ewan ko ba kung bakit pumayag ang dalawang kasama ko na makipagkampihan muna sa kanila gayong kalaban naman namin sila. Kami na lang talaga ang natira. Dahil sa pangyayaring iyon, hindi kami tuloy makapag-isip ng matinong sagot. Hanggang sa mapansin ko ang paulit-ulit na paglalakad ni Jace. "Alam ko na ang sagot" banggit ko sa aking mga kasama. "Sige ano ang sagot?" tanong naman ni Anne. "Footsteps! oo, footsteps ang sagot." "Ay oo nga no!" masiglang sabi naman ni Jace. Lingid sa kaalaman ng dalawa, napansin kong tila wala pa talagang sagot ang grupo nina Cordapia. Mukhang nagpanggap lamang ang mga ito para makapagtago at para masundan kami. Sa kabilang banda naman, may plano na naman yatang ginawa ang grupo nina Trez. "Teka parang kanina pa tayo dito? Tila ba wala itong katapusan!" sambit ni Mickey na sinang-ayonan naman ng iba. Gaya ng naisip ko mukhang sinadya nilang mauna kunwari para makapaghanap ng matataguan. Kung sa akala nila ay hindi ko napansin 'yun, pwes nagkakamali sila. Ilang sandali pa ay bigla akong naka-isip ng magandang ideya. Nag-iwan ako ng palatandaan sa kinaroroonan namin ngayon at nagpatuloy na kami nina Anne at Jace sa paglalakad habang tumigil muna sina Mickey dahil mukha yatang napagod na sila. Kami ngayon ay nandito ulit sa mismong lugar na kung saan ako nag-iwan ng mga palatandaan. Tama na naman ang kutob ko. "Teka lamang, talagang may mali dito" sabi ko sa dalawa. Sa hindi inaasahang tagpo, bigla napatawa ng mahina si Mendy ngunit tanging ako lamang yata ang nakapansin dito. Mula sa sandaling iyon, tiyak kong may mali talaga sa mga nangyayari at sa mga kinikilos ng grupo ni Mickey. Nagtaka ang lahat ng bigla akong huminto. Ang dating maamong mukha ni Cordapia ay ngayo'y puno na ng pagtataka. Mula sa sandaling iyon bigla nang kumaripas sina Mickey at Pancho at agad ding sumunod si Cordapia. Naiwang tulala ang lahat ng natira sa lugar na iyon maliban sa akin. Muli ko naman silang pinaalalahanan na huwag magpaapekto sa nangyari. Sa sandaling iyon, muling nabuhayan ang lahat ay ipinagpatuloy ang karera. Tinanong ako ng dalawa  kung bakit ko sila pinahinto gayong ituturo naman ng clue na hawak namin ang susunod na clue card na hinahanap namin. "Wala roon ang tunay na clue card, isang pakulo lamang ang inyong nasaksihan. Gaya kahapon, may ahas dito na siyang nagtaktaksil at iyon ang grupo nina Mickey" sabi ko sa kanila. Mukhang tama ang hinala kong nakipagsabwatan ng palihim ang grupo nina Mickey sa grupo nina Trez para lituhin kami. Little did they know, ang grupo nina Mickey ang nalugi dahil wala silang napala in return sa ginawa nila. "So ano ngayon ang totoo?" Tanong ni Jace. "The more you take, the more you left behind." sabi ko ng mahina. "Footsteps nga" si Anne. "Oo, maaaring sagot iyan pero kung talagang iyan ang sagot eh sana kanina pa natin nahanap yung next clue pero as of now wala pa rin at isa lang ang ibig sabihin nito, hindi iyon ang sagot" "Eh ano?" tanong nila. "The more you take, the more you left behind. It's a faux pas" sabi ko ulit sa kanila na kanilang pinagtaka. "Habang patuloy nating sinusundan yung mga bakas, the more na napag-iiwanan tayo." paglilinaw ko sa kanila. Agad naman nilang naintindihan ang aking sinabi. "Ang galing mo talaga, Juan!" sabi ni Anne sabay kurot sa pisngi ni Juan. Kung sabagay it is the final round kaya hindi nakapagtataka na best of the bests na ang mga natira. Nang magsimula akong maglakad patungo sa kumikislap na parte ng pader na kanina ko pa napapansin ay sumunod din sila. Habang papalapit kami ng papalapit doon, hindi mapigilan ang malakas na pagtibok ng puso naming tatlo. Dinig na dinig ko ang tibok ng aking puso. Pagkatapos kong makarating sa nasabing parte ay agad ko itong hinawakan. May isa pang card na nakatali doon sa pinakamataas na parte nito. Umakyat ako at kinuha ang nag-iisa na lamang na gold card na mukhang naglalaman ng susunod na clue patungo sa huling bahagi ng karera. Ang bahaging siyang pinaka-importante sa lahat dahil iyon ang magsisilbing basehan kung sino ang tatanghaling kampeon sa karerang sinalihan namin. Bago kami umalis ay sinabi ko silang magtago muna sa likod ng puno dahil naka-isip ako ng magandang ideya. Dahil kanina ko pa napapansin ang grupo nina Cordapia na sumusunod na naman ulit sa amin ay sinadya naming iwan ang sapatos naming tatlo doon sa may pader pero sinigurado kong magmumukhang nandito pa rin kami gamit ng mga sapatos para ma-stuck ang group nina Cordapia sa kinaroroonan man nila ngayon para magsilbing karma dahil ito ang nararapat sa kanila.

@MjAcato 29 November 2020

In Between Lines ***Story*** I stared at the letters tattooed into my right forearm. I had no memory how I had got it or why I was in a hospital gown or why I was floating at the edge of a muddy, river bank. I had absolutely no memory of who I was. My dark, half opened eyes fell on the rays of the rising sun which was being reflecting from a piece of mirror kept there. My mind was completely blank and I felt to have got born in a new world. Half an hour passed and then my ears heard a very fearful voice of a couple who wear in search of their son. "How can God curse my child? It's too much. Even I don't know where's my girl, how's my girl." The mother mumbled. Father interrupted in the middle-"Don't think too much. Everything's fine. I'm here to consult with a nurse. Stay Calm." They consulted the Hospital Manager but did not get any appropriate clue. After a while, a nurse came and directed them into my room. They ran towards me wailing heavily. I was really surprised to know that they were mine. "Who asked you to fall in these things? Have you forgotten that you are still a kid?" shrieked my Mom with her weepy eyes. I did not even shake my mouth. "What we're you dreaming at the edge of that river bank, Aadya? " A small memory strikes my mind but wasn't able to figure it out. My legs were deeply injured and my left eye was swollen a bit. My ankle was also swollen, a major sprain. I was unable to move my legs freely. I simply looked both of their faces but didn't replied back anything. I was back to home after spending three hours lying unconscious in the hospital. They lost bundles of money and I was with "lost memory. " "No work, no study. Just lie down and be moody." My sort of thinking be like. I was at cloud nine. "Wait a minute. But I don't wanna be a fatso just lying down in the bed! "I muttered looking at the mirror. But at the same time-"To gain something, need to loose something." The sun was going to set. "Are you fine now! No need to be scared. Just relax."My mother interrupted entering my room. I simply nodded my head. She patted my shoulders, a tight hug and left the room. I slept. But my father became restless day by day. He wanted to work on this mysterical incident. He felt as if a sword was hanging on her daughter's head. That's how he started his mission of investigation. *To be continued...* *"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day."* —"Old Man's Advice to Youth: 'Never Lose a Holy Curiosity.'" *LIFE Magazine* (2 May 1955) p. 64 *"There is always a pleasure in unravelling a mystery, in catching at the gossamer clue which will guide to certainty."* —ELIZABETH GASKELL, *Mary Barton* And that's it! I hope you enjoyed the first part of this story. I hope you were hooked by it also. If you have something to tell, kindly write it in the comment section below. If you want to read more, you may consider subscribing to my profile to get updates for the upcoming posts.

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@MjAcato 28 November 2020

"The more you take, the more you left behind." Mas lalo pang naging ganado sina Mickey at ang kanyang mga kasama maliban na lamang sa dalawa pang grupo na nakapasok na tila sumasang-ayon kina Trez. Mula sa limang grupo na nakapasok sa final round, dalawang allied groups ang nabuo. Isa ang team namin at nina Mickey habang Team Trez naman ang isa pa, kabilang dito ang Team Detectives, Team Doraemon, at siyempre ang team nina Trez, ang Team Mixers. Ngunit batid kong pagdating sa pinakamalapit na parte ng labyrinth ay magkakaniya-kaniya na rin ang lahat ng mga grupo. Bakas sa mukha ni Trez na ayaw niyang magpatalo. Ganoon din ang dalawa pang grupo na kaniyang mga kasama na tila mga kampon na niya. Para bang may nagbabagang apoy ngayon sa pagitan ng aming mga grupo. Ilang sandali pa ay tumunog na ang kampana, hudyat na magsisimula na ang last challenge, at lahat kami ngayon ay tila nasa isang labyrinth. Paunahang makarating sa dulo kung saan matatagpuan ang daan palabas. Unang tumakbo si Ramon. Ngunit makaraan ang ilang sandali ay bigla na lamang siyang natumba. Biglang tumawa ang ibang grupo. Agad naman siyang pinuntahan ni Manny. Malapit na siya sa kinaroroonan ni Ramon ng biglang matumba rin siya. Tumawa na naman ng malakas ang kabilang grupo. Mapapansing nag-iisip ng mabuti sina Mickey at Pancho. Tila ba may kakaibang nangyayari sa araw na ito. Para bang planado ang lahat ng nangyari kani-kanina lamang. "Mga lampa! hahaha" banggit ni Jace habang tumatawa ng pagkalakas-lakas. "Hayaan mo na ang mga iyan, bilisan mo na lamang para tayo ang manalo" sabi naman ni Anne sabay hila kay Jace habang ako naman ay wala pa ring tigil sa pagtakbo. Mapapansing napakatahimik lang ni Cordapia. Para bang nag-iisip rin siya ng malalim na parang hindi. Hindi pakakakitaan ng kahit anumang emosyon ang kanyang mukha. Bumangon ang dalawa mula sa pagkakatumba. "Ang sakit non ah! Nasira tuloy tong hairstyle ko!" sambit ni Boy Johnny. "At talagang yang buhok mo pa ang una mong inisip" sabi naman ni Ramon na tila hindi nasisiyahan sa nangyayari. Pinagmasdan kong mabuti ang lugar na pinangyarihan ng aksidente. Biglang lumaki ang dalawang mata ko. Bakas sa lupa na hindi aksidente ang naganap. Batid kong may nagplano talaga nito at ito ang nais kong tuklasin. Hindi muna ako nagsalita tungkol dito sa iba kong kagrupo dahil baka mali ang kutob ko. Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad hanggang marating namin ang isang pader na may nakasabit na mga clues. Agad kumuha ng isa si Mickey at ganon din si Jace. Sabay nilang binuklat ito. "Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat! Ito na ang huling clue para marating niyo ang pinakahuling yugto ng Amazing Race na ito. Kailangan niyo lamang sagutin ang bugtong na ito: *"The more you take, the more you left behind."* *Good luck!"* Matapos basahin ni Jace ang laman ng clue, agad na nagsalita si Anne. "Alam ko ang sagot diyan." "Weh? Maniwala ako sa'yo?" sabi naman ni Jace na tila wala siyang tiwala kay Anne. "Siyempre pagkain ang sagot! Bakit? Siyempre kapag marami kang kinuhang pagkain siyempre mag-iiwan ka ng tae, hahaha"

@MjAcato 27 November 2020

Best Teams Among The Rest **Juan's POV:** Last day na ng contest at mamayang hapon na ang awarding. It's now the time to know the players who will proceed to the most awaited part of the race-The Final Round. It is the round for the best players among the rest. For sure it is the most exciting part and also the hardest one. Everyone seemed to be excited as of the moment. We are eager to find out those brave souls who succeeded from past challenges. There were only 5 groups who will be chosen to proceed from this round and I can't help but to feel excited about it. Players are funneled through the main ground. Everyone is shouting and can't wait for the announcement. Puno na ang main ground, hinihintay na lang ang paglabas ng mga facilitators and of course the coordinator and President of the school. Bumalik lang ako sa katinuan ng marinig ko ang isang boses mula sa malaking speaker sa aking likuran. Mas pinili kong manatili sa likod dahil parang hindi naman yata kami papasok sa top 5 dahil maraming nakahabol sa amin sa mga nakaraang challenges. Marami pang sinabi ang announcer pero hindi ko na iyon pinatuunan pa ng pansin. Ganon din yung dalawa. *"And now, I have the results in my hand. I will call one by one the name of the groups who will proceed to the next round.."* Mukhang mas lalo pa yatang bumilis ang pintig ng aking puso. *"As I call on the name of your group, please come forward and accompany us here in the stage."* At sa wakas magsisimula na ang pagtawag sa mga maswerteng nakapasok sa top 5. *"Please forward Team..."* At talagang binibitin pa niya. *"...Team Detectives, Juan dela Cruz, Mendy Mendoza, and Manny Steves. Let's give them a round of applause!"* Wow, ang galing naman nila, pero teka kabilang si Johnny Bravo este Manny sa grupo nila? Wala na, wala na akong pag-asa na makakapasok kami, isa kasi sila sa mga grupo na nanguna sa amin sa pagkakaalam ko kahapon. Mukhang hindi na talaga kami makakapasok pa sa Top 5. *"The next one is none other than Team Doraemon, Vince Nobi, Dane Pardo, and Ramon Nomar"* Tignan mo nga naman oh makakapasok pa pala sila. *"Please join us here too Team Gamers, Mickey Anyog, Cordapia Sanchez, and Pancho Domingo."* Nakakainggit naman sila. Buti pa sila nakapasok na. Mukhang wala na talaga. Nawawalan na nga ng pag-asa sina Anne at Jace dahil panay simangot na lang ang dalawa. Sabay-sabay silang tumungo sa harap at sinamahan ang mga kapwa nila nakapasok. Mas nadagdagan pa ang kaba na aking nadarama. Only two slots left and still our group name remains uncalled. Mukhang talo na kami. Mukhang hanggang dito na lang nagtatapos ang journey namin sa Amazing Race na ito. Okay na din at least there were lot of lessons that we've learned from this race and hindi rin naman ito ang huli eh. There are many more adventures that are waiting for us. *"Now, there were two slots left. Let us witness who are the people behind these slots."* Mas naging intense pa lalo ang tagpo. Kasi naman binibitin pa kaming lahat ng announcer. *"Please come forward Team Malupet"* Pagkasabi na pagkasabi ng announcer sa pangalang iyon ay bigla na lang akong napatawa. Umingay ang buong paligid. Lahat sila tumatawa na rin. At ang mas nakapagtataka ay talon ng talon si Anne tapos napakalaki naman ng ngiti ni Jace na tila kami ang nanalo. Ilang sandali lang ay bigla na silang kumaripas ng takbo. Bakit kami ba ang nanalo? Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng aking puso. Bigla rin akong nagka-adrenaline rush at bigla ko na lang tinungo ang stage. Sumagi kasi sa aking isipan 'yung sinulat ni ma'am Maricar na pangalan ng group namin. Mula sa stage sinalubong kami ng ibang grupo na nakapasok sa final round. *"Tignan mo nga naman oh! Sabi ko na nga ba makakapasok din kayo!"* si Mickey na abot tainga ang tuwa. Andon na rin sa taas si ma'am na halos hindi maipinta sa kaniyang mukha ang sobrang tuwa. *"And now, the last one of the impressive groups who will complete our top 5 is none other than, Team Mixers, Ian Perez, Lovely Xander, and Trez Trois."* Biglang nahati sa dalawa ang kumpulan ng mga tao. Mula sa likod ay kitang-kita ang paglalakad ng nasabing grupo. Tila ba mga talang nangniningning ang naglalakad ngayon. Ang lahat ay nakatutok lang sa kanila hanggang marating ang stage. "Are you a boy or a girl?" tanong agad ng announcer kay Trez. Maging ako ay naguguluhan kung babae nga ba talaga siya o lalaki. *"Neither of the two!"* Nakangiting sabi nitong si Trez. But what does he/she mean? is he/she an alien? *"Because I'm gay, and that's it!"* sabi niya. Kung bakla siya, he's so handsome and at the same time a pretty gay. In other words, he is androgynous. *"And don't call me Mr. or Ms. Just call me Mx."* sabi niya sa announcer *"You mean Em-exx?* sabi naman ng announcer na tila niliteral yung mx. *"No, it is the abbreviation of the word mix for me"* sagot naman ni Trez. Mukhang sosyal ito haha. May pa-mix mix pa siyang nalalaman. Well, I am nobody to judge what he likes. *"Finally, they are the Brave Souls who passed the challenges in the fastest time. Actually, there are some groups who have finished the past challenges but upon verifying their auckers, we found out that they really don't passed some challenges. So, we decided to disqualify them. Anyway, let's give the following groups a round of applause"* Pagkatapos sabihin ito ng announcer ay masigabong palakpakan at hiyawan ang natunghayan mula sa mga iba pang mga grupo na hindi pinalad makapasok sa top 5. Speaking of the other players. Maraming umasa na mapabilang sa top 5, maraming umiyak dahil hindi sila napabilang, pero marami pa rin ang nakangiti, and they accepted the fact. Well that's life. In a competition, it's either you win or lose.

@MjAcato 27 November 2020

Gameplay **Anne's POV:** It is still 5:30 in the morning when I woke up. I can even now observe the main appearance of light in the sky before dawn. It's another day, more clues to be revealed, and more people to meet. Mahimbing pa rin na natutulog ang iba. Nakakatawa silang tignan. May humihilik pa ng malakas, mayroon ding tumutulo ang laway, at may nakaharap na sa mga paa ng iba dahil sa kakulitan sa pagtulog. I was about to go out when Mendy called my name. "Ang aga mo namang gumising" sabi niya "Ganitong oras talaga ako gumugising at isa pa ayokong makipag-unahan sa pagligo kapag malapit ng magsimula ang pagpapatuloy ng Amazing Race na ito." Letanya ko sa umaga "Para kang manang kapag nagsasalita" sabi pa niya "Wala akong narinig" tanging sagot ko na lang sabay alis na. Pagkalabas ko mula sa tent, dali-dali akong pumunta sa banyo dahil tinatawag na akong ng kalikasan at kailangan ko na ding makaligo para hindi na ako makipag-unahan pa mamaya sa mga kasama ko. After taking a bath I went back to our tent to wake them up. I only met them here that's why I only know a little bit of information about them such as their name and nothing else. We are only 10 but the room seems so small for us. Paano kasi eh pawang mga dambuhala ang mga kasama ko tapos ang lalaki pa ng mga bagahe na dinala nila. Mahimbing pa rin silang natutulog, gustohin ko mang gisingin sila tiyak kong hindi pa rin magigising ang mga ito kapag kikilitihin ko kay naman nagpasya na lamang akong pumunta sa main ground at para makapag-almusal na rin. Pagkarating ko doon may mangilan-ilan na ding kumakain. Nang makakuha na ako ng pagkain agad na akong humanap ng bakanteng upuan at lamesa para makapagsimula ng kumain. Sakto may nakita na akong mauupuhan at saktong iisa pa lamang ang naroroon. Maybe it's about time na rin to meet new friends aside from Mendy na kakakilala ko lamang kahapon. Speaking of Mendy, siya pala yung nag-iisang kumakain dito sa nakita kong mau-upuan. Pagtingin ko sa kanya, bigla na lamang lumaki ang kaniyang mga mata tapos nabilaukan pa yata siya. She's so funny, indeed. "Ikaw naman pala?" sabi niya "Oo, bakit may problema ba?" sabi ko sabay ngisi "Wala, naman" sabi niya. "Bakit kahapon napansin kong palagi kayong sumusunod sa amin?" hala bakit ko yon sinabi? "Well if that is what you think I can't do anything else. If you saw us yesterday just behind you every stage, it is because we are in the same race. Yes, the clues were so difficult but we have our brain to analyze and answer the questions. In conclusion, maybe it's just a coincidence" mahabang sabi niya na tila nagpadugo sa ilong ko. "I...I am sorry if I judge you with..out considering your si....side" nauutal na sabi ko na may halong hiya. "Mukha namang sincere yung pagkasabi mo dahil nakikita ko ito sa iyong mga mata kahit pa ganon ang pagkakasabi mo. Ewan ko pero bigla mo na lamang akong napatawa." sabi naman niya. "Ba't ka tumatawa?" tanong ko "Wala, haha pinapatawad na kita, but just be careful to your words, dear" sagot niya habang natatawa pa rin pero ilang sandali lang ay umalis na rin siya. Hahabulin ko pa sana siya para makahingi ulit ng pasensya in a more sincere way pero ang bilis niyang maglakad. Tinapos ko na lamang ang aking kinakain sabay balik sa aming room. Pagkarating ko doon saktong kagigisng lang ng iba pa. Nagalit sila sa ami dahil hindi raw namin sila ginising. Ipinaliwanag ko naman lahat sa kanila pero hindi pa rin sila naniwala. Pero dahil ilang sandali na lang at magpapatuloy na ang race wala na silang ibang choice kundi tapusin na lamang ang kanilang agahan at mabilisang maliligo. ---- At nagpatuloy na nga ang Amazing Race na ito. Kahapon pa namin hinahanap yung itlog na clue pero hindi pa rin namin mahanap. Nakailang balik na ako sa mga napuntahan ko pero wala, ang weird talaga nito wala man lang clue kung nasaan yung mga itlog. Napansin kong kanina pang ikot ng ikot si Mickey. Siguro kahapon pa siyang ganyan. Ilang sandali pa ang lumipas at ayon sa wakas nakahanap rin ako ng itlog. Naalala ko kasi ang Easter Sunday. Gaya ng nasa mga napanood ko sa TV, Easter bunnies are bringing eggs with different colors and styles in our place then placing it here especially on the plants. Agad naming binasa ang nasa loob nito at yung clue which is riddle again, this time hindi na kami magtataka kung bakit bugtong na naman kasi dalawa lang naman ang type ng clues, it's either a riddle or a mathematical problem. *"What room do ghosts avoid?"* Anong klaseng tanong to, it is pertaining to a place where ghosts avoid. Sumasakit na naman ang ulo ko, it looks like I am going to give up if puro ganito ang mga questions. But I can't, I can't give up on this because of that reason only. I never gave up before that's why I need to finish it together with my teammates no matter what happens. Wala kaming sinayang na oras patuloy pa rin kami sa pag-iisip kung ano ba ang sagot dito. Sa salas kaya? o sa banyo? teka paulit-ulit lang ako baka hindi tagalog ang sagot. Until I came up with a smart answer. If it isn't a Filipino word then it means that the answer is in the English language, and since it was pertaining to ghosts then it means that the place they are avoiding is only the *living room*, isn't it? Umagree naman ang dalawa. Dali-dali na kaming kumilos para puntahan ang living room pero bago pa kami makapasok ng tuluyan ay may napansin na naman kami. Ewan ko pero parang kahapon ko pa ito nadadama. Mabuti pa magpanggap muna ako na sa iba kami pupunta for me to resolve this mystery. Aside kasi kina Mickey ay may isa pang grupo ang sumusunod sa amin. "Doon sila pumunta" sabay turo ng isa sa akin. Ang hindi nila alam pinagmamasdan ko na sila. Mukhang tama nga ako ng hinala. Malapit na sila sa kinaroroonan ko ng bigla napatid ang isang lata. Wala na nakita na nila ako, napansin na rin nina Jace at Juan ang pagtatago ko dito sa halaman. But since it wasn't me who started cheating of course I will not show any guilt. "Bakit kayo sunod ng sunod?" Mainit na talaga ang dugo ko sa mga mukong na ito. They have dirty gameplay. I warned them not to do what they did and it looks like they are going to follow my order now except for the fat one who has a lookalike from a cartoon show but I just can't remember the title. Aalis na sana ako ng biglang nagsalita yung mataba. "Bakit nasa guidelines ba na nagsasabing hindi pwede sundan ang kahit sino na grupo" biglang lumaki ang mga tenga ko pati na rin ang mga mata ko. "Yes, you are right but don't you now that based on the guidelines it is clearly showed there that anyone who doesn't complete any challenge will not be given a chance to be included in the top 5 groups who will then proceed to the final round?" Tanong ko sa kanya na tila nagpadugo sa ilong niya kasama ang mga kasamahan niya. Kanina pa ako tinatawag ng mga kasama ko pero I need to settle this first. Narinig kong tinanong niya ang isang kasama niya na may kamukha rin sa cartoon show kung ano bang ibig sabihin ng sinabi ko. Bigla ding nagulat si taba kasi sinabi ng pinagtanungan niya na every player ay nabigyan ng isang device na nakakabit sa aming katawan. It is called ***Aucker*** short word for auto checker. Hindi basta-basta natatanggal ito, it has remote control, it is the one which automatically checked any group who completed a challenge. Pagkatapos doon ay mukhang nag start over sila, malamang hindi sila sumusunod sa rules kaya naman karma na lang iyon sa kanila. Pagdating naman namin sa loob nakita ulit namin sina Mickey na tila nauna na dahil sa ginawa ko pa kanina, they are really determined. No doubt kung makasama sila sa top 5 groups who will proceed to the final round. Nabigla at namangha sila ng makita kami and I think mas binilisan pa nila ang pagsolve sa clue for them to proceed on the next challenge. Hindi na rin kami nagpatumpik-tumpik pa at agad na din kaming kumuha ng card sa area then we started to solve another math problem. Another exhausting challenge.

@MjAcato 25 November 2020

Challenges aren't always meant to make us suffer ***Challenges aren't always meant to make us suffer*** Since we have been solving problems for a while, it has become easier to answer the questions. "Since we are here in the Arts Park, the answer must be related to arts." I said Janine answered me. "I think the answer is crayons." Jace agreed, and so did I. So we looked for crayons. In our search, a crayon box was found. Sa paghahanap namin, isang box ng krayola ang natagpuan namin. Binuksan namin ito at nakita namin ang isang susi. Malamang ito na yung hinahanap namin. Agad namin binuksan yung box gamit yung susi, at nagulat kami sa aming nakita. Tatlong Shake na Mango ang flavor ang natagpuan namin, mukhang kakalagay lang ito ni ma'am dahil malamig pa ito. Ng tikman namin ito ay tila lumipad kami sa himpapawid dahil sa sarap. Nakakarefresh din ito. Ilang saglit lang ay dumating na din Si ma'am bitbit ang isang box ng pizza. Wow, ang bait talaga ni ma'am. "Dahil natapos niyo ang race, congratulations! at dahil diyan here's a treat for all of you." Hindi na kami nagpatumpik-tumpik pa. Wala na kaming sinayang na oras. Agad na kaming nagmeryenda. Nasa bandang alas singko na rin ng hapon ng matapos kaming magmeryenda at dahil tila uulan na kaya niligpit na namin lahat ng mga ginamit namin at lahat ng pinagkainan namin. After that, nagpaalam na kami kay Ma'am Maricar na uuwi na kami. Habang nasa daan, bigla na lang umulan ng malakas. Ewan ko pero tila gusto ko yung feeling na bumabagsak yung mga maliliit na butil ng tubig sa aking katawan. Napansin kong tila nasisiyahan din ang dalawa sa pagligo sa ulan. Matagal ko na ding hindi nagagawa ito kaya hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip na maligo sa ulan. Pagdating namin sa harap ng bahay nina Janine ay nagpaalam na ito, so dalawa na lang kami ni Jace na naglalakad sa daan habang palakas pa rin ng palakas ang ulan. Ilang saglit lang ay nakaramdam ako ng isang hampas ng tubig sa aking likod. Si Jace ang may gawa non. Agad ko ding ginawa ang ginawa niya. Nakakamiss din yung feeling ng ganito. Yung naglalaro ka kasama ang iyong kaibigan sa ulan. Ng makarating kami sa harap ng gate ng dorm ay tumila na rin ang ulan. Nauna na akong naligo kaysa sa kaniya dahil baka magkasakit pa ako. Binilisan ko na lang ang pagligo para sumunod din siya agad at para hindi siya magkasakit lalo pa't bukas na yung contest. Nang makabihis ako ay humiga muna ako at sinubukang matulog dahil nakakapagod din ang araw na ito. Mga 6:30 na ng gabi ng ginising ako ni Jace. Kakain na daw kami so bumangon na ako at tumungo na kami sa baba para samahan si Anne at ang iba pang boarders sa hapag-kainan. Habang kumakain ay hindi maiwasan ni Anne na magtanong sa amin kung anong nangyari sa araw na ito pero wala ako sa mood na sagutin ang mga tanong niya dahil busy akong kumakain haha. Buti na lamang at nandiyan si Jace para sagutin lahat ng katanungan niya. Pagkatapos kong kumain ay tumungo na ako sa taas para matulog.

@MjAcato 24 November 2020

Challenges make us Stronger ***Challenges make us stronger.*** I know this is a way that ma'am did to motivate us to do everything to win, to get the prize. In life, it is undeniable that there are things that, even if they do not glow, we are still dazzled just like by a simple prize. But that does not mean that we are after the prize. That notion is really wrong, it has a deeper meaning, and we're not obliged to win because of the price. We're obliged to keep attempting to do the best we can because it's the best thing to do. The prize will just then serve as an additional bonus. ***Challenge # 1*** "A lemon and an orange were on a high plunging board. The orange bounced off. For what reason didn't the lemon?" When I read the riddle, I laughed. At first, I thought it was a joke, but ma'am would not have asked this question if it was just a joke. I can think of no sensible answer. It looks like the two are the same. Then suddenly, my stomach grumbled. A sign that I am hungry. But because of this, a bright idea has popped up in my mind. I had the idea that the two fruits were different colors. So if the orange jumps and not the lemon, it is because it is yellow in color. I don't know, but I smiled when I also found out the answer. I immediately looked for something yellow. While I was looking, I noticed that the two were also looking for something. It only means one thing, they already know the answer. I saw a yellow card at the top of a tree one meter from where I was standing. The tree is not high, so I climbed it. The two noticed me. "Hey John, what are you doing there? Get down, so you don't fall!" Janine shouted with a look of concern on her face. Since the yellow card is already in my hand, so I went down as well. "Oh, what are you holding?" Jace asked me. "Probably the clue." Notice that the two are very scratchy. At this point, I thought they might be thinking differently. "I thought the answer was really lemon," Jace said with a laugh. Is he thinking? I don't know, but I suddenly laughed. "I also thought the answer was spring, so I looked for spring, this oh," Janine said. My laughter got worse to the extent that ma'am approached us because of the excessive strength of the three of us laughing. "What is happening, guys?" ma'am asked us, so we stopped laughing. "Sorry, ma'am, the three of us have different answers. Jace is Lemon, Juan is the Yellow Card, then Spring is for me. " said Janine. "Oh" said ma'am, who is also laughing now. "It's not effective for you to split up. But since it's really a team competition, so you should continue my challenge to you now as a team." explained ma'am. After what ma'am have said, we resumed the race, but this time as a team. We open the yellow card I got from the tree. And this is what we read. "Add me to myself and multiply by 4. Divide me by 8, and you will have me again. What number am I?" Math now. Janine was able to give an immediate answer. She said maybe 1 was the answer, so we tested if it was correct. 1 + 1 = 2x4 = 8/8 = 1 She was right. We would have been looking for something related to the number that Jace would speak. Wait, he can also say 2, so we tried again. 2 + 2 = 4x4 = 16/8 = 2 He is also right. But this time, I seem to know the real answer. I faced them. Then I said, "It seems like any number is possible." After I said it, Janine and Jace immediately tried another number, and I was right. Any number really works. So we proceed from searching for something related to numbers. Also, five minutes later, we see a card near the Math park. We are at school. As we did before, we opened the card and answered the question inside to get the next hint. After two hours, we were in the last part of the race, we also overcame some challenges. When we arrived at the Arts Park where the clue took us, we saw a box. We approached it and noticed a padlock. On top of that is a card again, so we opened it to answer the last challenge. Even though we are tired of running and answering questions, we still need to answer this because this is the last and most important thing that ma'am tells us. What is yellow, blue, brown, black, green, purple, and red? No more confusions as to why this is the question. We have already noticed that all the questions and answers are related to the location of the clue. Since we have been solving problems for a while, it has become easier to answer the questions. "Since we are here in the Arts Park, the answer must be related to arts." I said Janine answered me. "I think the answer is crayons." Jace agreed, and so did I. So we looked for crayons. In our search, a crayon box was found.

@MjAcato 24 November 2020

Winning isn't always Everything ***Winning is not always everything.*** "Since narito ka na rin lang sasabihin ko na ang dahilan ko kung bakit ko kayo hinihintay dito" sabi ni Jace. "Ganito kasi iyon, magpapatulong sana ako sa inyo na hanapin yung totoo kong tatay pero ilihim muna natin ito sa aking ina dahil sigurado akong tututulan lang niya tayo." "So kailan mo naman balak na hanapin natin ang totoong tatay mo?" tanong ko sa kaniya. "In the soonest time sana pero since kakasimula pa lang ng klase ay baka sa summer na lang." "Matagal pa pala" sabi naman ni Anne. "Oo, pero for the mean time hanapin muna natin yung lumang papel na naglalaman ng mapa na magtutungo sa itinagong kayamanan ng mga Jacinto." Agad-agad umagree si Anne sa sinabi ni Jace dahil sino ba naman ang may ayaw sa kayamanan? Ngunit sa sinabi ni Jace ay bigla akong kinabahan. Ewan ko pero parang natagpuan ko na ang hinahanap niya. Mukhang yung dalawang piraso ng papel na napulot ko ang mapa. Pero natatakot ako. Hindi ako makapag-decide kung sasabihin ko na ito sa kanila o hindi. "At alam ko na kung saan tayo magsisimula" sabi ni Jace sabay tingin sa akin. Tila ba alam niyang may ganon akong napulot na klase ng papel. "Since napunta na din diyan ang usapan, may gusto sana akong sabihin sa inyong dalawa" simula ko. "Ano naman iyon?" biglang tanong ni Anne. "Tungkol sa mapa." "Ano naman ang alam mo diyan?" Sabay nilang sabi. Ewan ko kung umaarte lamang si Jace na mayroon akong alam pero binalewala ko na lamang ito at nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita. "Nitong nakaraan kasi ay may napulot ako na dalawang pirasong papel na tila iisa lang. Pero hindi ako sigurado kong ito yung hinahanap natin. Jace, alam kong may kutob ka na noon pa about sa hawak kong papel pero tinanggi kong ibigay sayo noon dahil hindi pa kita lubusang kilala noon. But, since I already heard your story at magkakilala na tayo maybe it's about time for us to open it." Inanyayahan ko sila sa taas upang kunin yung dalawang papel. Pagkarating namin doon ay agad kong binuksan ang aking kahon kung saan ko ito itinago pero laking gulat ko ng mapansing nawawala ito. Sa una ay nag-alangan ako na baka pagsuspetsaan nila ako na sadya ko itong itago pero ni isang salita ng pagdududa ay hindi ko narinig sa kanila. Sa halip ay sinabi nilang baka naririto lang sa kwarto iyon kaya hinalubhob namin pero hindi namin ito natagpuan. Sumuko na kami dahil parang naglaho na ito na parang bula pero bigla kong naalala yung mga salitang nabasa ko noon. "Teka natatandaan kong isinulat ko yung nakasulat don." Hinanap ko yung papel na pinagsulatan ko sa mga salitang banyaga na iyon at ipinabasa sa kanilang dalawa. "Esto volverá a ti en el momento adecuado" Agad namang sinearch ni Anne ang mga salitang iyon para mai-translate sa wikang Filipino at ang lumabas na resulta sa mga salitang espanyol ay "Ito ay babalik sa iyo sa tamang panahon." --*-- "Just keep in your mind that focus is such a precious thing that's why don't ever lost it" Simula kahapon ay puro pagrereview at pagbra-brainstorming ang aming ginawa. Iba't ibang klase ng math problems tsaka riddles ang aming sinagutan. Pero we need this to win the contest. This day, Ma'am Maricar told us that we are going to do an amazing race. It sounds great for me that's why I felt the excitement. Napansin kong kanina pang excited ang dalawa. Maybe because it's our first time to experience it. "Kahapon ko sinimulan ang paggawa ng mga hints and challenges" panimula ni ma'am. "Thanks to God because He let me finish it." Then, she gave us the first challenge and she told us na mag-uunahan kaming matapos ang buong race para sa isang premyo. "Winning isn't everything--but wanting to win is." ― Vince Lombardi

@MjAcato 24 November 2020

In the Past Tomorrow will be another day. Another part of my story is about to be published and I really feel excited about what will happen tomorrow. Ewan ko pero parang may isang part sa past ang nais kung balikan. Hindi rin ako makatulog. Mag-aalas dose na rin pero napansin kong hindi pa rin natutulog si Jace. I am about to talk to him nang maunahan niya ako. "Hindi ka rin makatulog?" tanong niya. Sinabihan ko siya na hindi nga ako makatulog dahil tila may bumabagabag sa akin. Ewan ko kung kailan ito nagsimula, basta ba may nais akong matuklasan at hindi ako makakatulog ng maayos kapag hindi ko ito nalalaman. Out of the blue, bigla na lang may naitapon ang bibig ko. "Jace, sino ka ba talaga?" Nag-isip muna siya ng malalim bago niya ako sinagot. "I am Jace Jacinto, but it is not supposed to be my last name." Dahil naguguluhan ako sa sinabi niya ay agad ko ding sinabi ito sa kaniya. "Ganito yun, hindi talaga ako isang Jacinto. Napangasawa ng nanay ko ang isa sa mga Apo sa tuhod ni Don Pancho Jacinto na si Michael Jacinto, ang taong itinuring kong ama. Alam niya na hindi niya talaga ako anak pero tinanggap pa rin niya ako dahil labis ang pagmamahal niya sa aking ina. Ganito kasi yun, may nagsamantala kasi sa aking ina habang wala si tatay noon at ang taong iyon ay ang pinakamatalik na kaibigan ni itay. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay sa Ilocos siya nakatira. Pagkatapos ng tagpong iyon ay inilihim na lang ni itay sa kaniyang mga magulang ang nangyari sa aking ina dahil tiyak niyang paghihiwalayin sila kapag nalaman nila ito. Galit na galit si tatay sa kumpadre niya dahil sa ginawa nito pero sa huli ay napatawad niya din siya dahil hindi naman daw ginusto ng taong iyon ang kaniyang ginawa at talagang pinagsisihan niya ang kaniyang ginawa. Bago pumanaw si itay ay pinamana niya sa amin ng aking ina itong dormitoryo, kasama ng titulo ng lupa ang isang lumang papel na naglalaman ng isang mapa na magtuturo sa amin sa nawawalang kayamanan ng angkan nila pero nang malaman ito ng ibang kapatid ni itay ay agad nila itong inagaw mula sa amin. Dahil sa pag-aagawang naganap ay nahati sa dalawa ang mapa. Sinisi nila ang nanay ko kaya para tumigil na sila ay iniabot din ni inay ang piraso ng mapa pero bago pa man nila mapasakamay ito ay bigla na lamang humangin ng napakalakas at tinangay nito ang dalawang pirasong papel kaya mas lalo pang uminit ang ulo nila sa aking ina. Hanggang ngayon nagiging pala-isipan pa rin sa kanilang lahat kung saan nakabaon ang itinagong kayamanan ni Don Pancho bago siya bitayin ng mga kastila noon." Paliwanag niya.  Sa sinabing ito ni Jace ay tila nasagot ang ilang katanungan at nabigyang linaw ang ilan sa mga napapanaginipan ko sa mga nakaraang araw. So it means na yung isa sa mga taong nakita ko noon sa isang selda na binitay ay ang tinatawag niyang Don Pancho. Ngayon malinaw na sa akin ito. Pero ewan ko pagkatapos kasi niyang sabihin na taga-ilocos ang nagsamantala sa nanay niya ay bigla akong kinabahan. Hindi ko ito maipaliwanag nais ko sanang tanungin pa ang pangalan ng taong iyon na sinasabi niya pero sinabi niyang hanggang doon na lang ang masasabi niya dahil ayaw na daw niyang mahalungkat pa ang mapait na sinapit ng kanyang ina. Pagkatapos ng tagpong iyon ay nabalot ng katahimikan ang buong paligid. Humiga na ako ng mapansing humiga na siya. Sinubukan kong pumikit pero hindi pa rin ako dinadalaw ng antok. Sinubukan ko siyang kausapin, akala ko magagalit siya dahil iniistorbo ko pa rin siya kahit anong oras pero base sa tono ng boses niya nang sinagot niya ako ay tila hindi pakakakitaan ito ng galit. Humingi ako ng pasensya dahil sa paghalungkat sa kaniyang nakaraan at agad naman niya akong napatawad. Pagkatapos ay natulog na ako. Bandang alas-otso na ng magising ako. Ayaw ko pa sanang bumangon pero nasusunog na ang dagat kaya tumayo na rin ako upang mailigpit ang aking pinagtulugan. Naalala kong Sabado pala ngayon at mamayang tanghali ang pagrereview namin. Bumaba na ako para kumain. Sa baba naabutan ko sina Jace at Anne kasama ang iba pang boarders na akmang pupunta na sa kani-kanilang business dahil tapos na rin silang kumain. "Good Morning guys!" bati ko sa kanila at binati rin nila ako sabay ngiti. "Hay salamat gising ka na rin, alam mo bang kanina ka pa namin hinihintay na bumaba dito?" sabi ni Anne. Sinagot ko siya na malamang hindi dahil hindi ko alam na talagang hinihintay nila ako kanina pa. "Since narito ka na rin lang sasabihin ko na ang dahilan ko kung bakit ko kayo hinihintay dito" sabi ni Jace. "Ganito kasi iyon, magpapatulong sana ako sa inyo na hanapin yung totoo kong tatay pero ilihim muna natin ito sa aking ina dahil sigurado akong tututulan lang niya tayo." "So kailan mo naman balak na hanapin natin ang totoong tatay mo?" tanong ko sa kaniya. "In the soonest time sana pero since kakasimula pa lang ng klase ay baka sa summer na lang." "Matagal pa pala" sabi naman ni Anne. "Oo, pero for the mean time hanapin muna natin yung lumang papel na naglalaman ng mapa na magtutungo sa itinagong kayamanan ng mga Jacinto." Agad-agad umagree si Anne sa sinabi ni Jace dahil sino ba naman ang may ayaw sa kayamanan? Ngunit sa sinabi ni Jace ay bigla akong kinabahan. Ewan ko pero parang natagpuan ko na ang hinahanap niya.

@MjAcato 23 November 2020

Invitation Card We went home together this day. Until now, What had happened a while ago hast did not sink in yet. One of my dreams is about to come true and I really feel excited about it. Pagdating sa dorm, tila ba may bumubulong sa akin pero hindi ko naman maintindihan. Napansin ito ng dalawa kaya tinanong nila ako. "Bakit? Anong problema?" sabay nilang tanong. "Wala, nevermind." Kinagabihan, sabay-sabay kaming kumain. Tanging ang mga tunog ng mga kobyertos ang maririnig. Dahil nabalot ng katahimikan ang buong paligid, sinimulang magsalita si Anne. "Hoy ang galing niyo kanina ha. Pero siyempre tama rin yung sagot ko. Yun nga lang naunahan niyo ako pero it's okay at least nakapasok kayong dalawa." panimula niya. "Wala yun tsamba lang" sabi ko. "Anong tsamba, ang tindi kanina ng focus mo" si Jake. Kungsabagay, he's right. Well, I admit na talagang I gave my very best from that preliminary test. Pagkatapos kung hugasan ang pinagkainan naming tatlo ay dumiretso na sila sa may swing sa labas ngunit pumunta muna ako sa taas para kuhanin yung ***invitation card*** para sa contest. Habang palapit ako ng palapit sa kinaroroonan nila ay palakas naman ng palakas ang naririnig kong kanta. Malamang nagjajamming sila. Nang nasa harap na ako ay mas lalo kong narinig ang pagkanta ng dalawa. Nag-aacapella lang sila pero napakagandang pakinggan ang kanilang boses hindi ko tuloy maiwasan ang sumunod sa kanilang pagkanta. Nang mapansin nila iyon ay bigla na lang silang tumigil sa hindi malamang dahilan. "Ano ba naman yan Jules, sinira mo naman yung maganda na naming pagkanta." Aray naman, ang sakit naman ng sinabi ni Maine. Tapos isa pa tong si Jake na tawa ng tawa. "Sorry naman, hindi marunong yung tao e. Tsaka pupurihin ko na sana kayo pero huwag na lang, nagbago na ang isip ko." pabirong sabi ko naman pero seriously, they are great singers. "Yan ba yung invitation card para sa contest sa UM bro?" si Jake. Sinagot ko naman siya ng oo tapos unti unting kong binuksan ang sobre para mabasa ang nakasulat dito. *"Extramazing Race"* *February 18-22, 2*020 University of Manila Nagulat ako ng malamang sa susunod na linggo na pala ito magaganap at ang mas nakakagulat ay 5 days ito so meaning matagal-tagal din ang pag-sstay namin doon. Tila isang talang patuloy na nagniningning mula sa kalangitan ang aking nakamit. Ayon dito sa kasamang memo ay 3 days lang yung contest proper tapos tag-iisang araw naman yung symposium at paglilibot sa buong university. Pero teka alam na kaya ni Hannah na sa lunes na ito magsisimula? Para malaman ang sagot niya agad ko siyang sinendan ng isang private message. *Jules: Sa lunes na pala yung contest.* *sent* Kasabay ng pagka-sent ng aking message ay may message ring ipinarating si Hannah. *Hannah: Alam mo na bang sa lunes na yung contest?* Ng mabasa ko ito ay napa-smile na lang ako. So alam na rin niya. Ilang segundo lang matapos ang conversation namin ng biglang may dalawang bagong group chat na nagpop up sa phone ko. Isa para sa section namin at isa naman para sa aming tatlo kasama si ma'am, siguro para sa contest ito. Buti na lang at ibinigay sa akin ni Anne itong old phone niya kahapon dahil napansin niyang de-keypad lang ang aking dating cellphone. Una kong binuksan ang gc para sa contest dahil for sure, my classmate will get to know more about each other. Pero bago ko pa man mabasa ang laman ng gc, ay napansing kong abot tenga ang ngiti ng dalawa, siguro ay sa bagong gc ng klase sila nakatambay sa mga oras na ito. *Ma'am Maricar: Ok guys tomorrow is the start of our review at sigurado akong nabasa niyo na ang nilalaman ng sobre, right? kaya kampante akong you will give your attention to this.* Iyan ang unang sinabi ni ma'am tapos nabasa ko yung reply ni Hannah which is "yes ma'am." *Ma'am Maricar: But before I forgot, pati sa weekends ay magkakaroon tayo ng review and some physical activities dahil malakas ang kutob ko na parang sa reality show na amazing race ang peg nito.* Sumagot naman ako ng "okay ma'am." Bigla na lang akong inantok kaya naman sinabihan ko na ang dalawa na mauuna na akong pumasok sa loob dahil inaantok na ako pero nakatambay pa rin sila sa gc namin at tila hindi naman nila binibigyang pansin ang sinabi ko kaya pumasok na lang ako sa loob. Kinabukasan, mukhang mas maagang nagising si Jace. Bumaba muna ako para makapaghanda ng pagkain. Hindi ko rin maaninag ang anino ni Maine. Siguro may binili lang sila sa labas. Pero biglang lumaki ang dalawa kong mga mata ng mapansin silang dalawa sa labas na tila nagmamadali. This time, naisip kong baka gagawin rin nila ang ginawa ko sa kanila kahapon. Ganito pala ang feeling ng maganon. I take a deep sigh bago ko ipinagpatuloy ang pagnguya sa aking kinakain. Buti na lang at hindi ako nalate. Ayaw ko pa naman yung feeling na pinagtitinginan ka ng ibang estudyante sa hallway. Para kasing nasa center of attraction ka kapag nasa ganon kang pangyayari. Ini-excuse muna kami ni Ma'am Maricar sa aming ibang klase para makapag-review. Iba't ibang math problems at riddles ang ipinaharap sa amin ni ma'am because she said that malakas ang kutob niya na parang ganon din sa test na ibinigay sa amin ni ma'am kahapon ang ibang challenges sa race. After 2 hours and thirty minutes, narinig kong nag-aalburoto na ang aking tiyan. Sakto namang break time na kaya sinabihan namin si ma'am na bibili muna kami ng pagkain ngunit sinabi ni ma'am na manatili na lang kami sa aming upuan at hintayin muna siya dahil may kukunin daw muna siya. Sa isip ko, parang ayaw kaming bigyan ni ma'am na bigyan ng pagkakataong bumili muna ng pagkain namin. Talagang nagagalit na ang mga bulate sa aking tiyan, mas lumalakas pa ang paghuni nito at napansin rin nila Hannah at Jake yung paghuni ng aking tiyan kaya andoon sila, palihim na tumatawa. Ilang sandali pa ay dumating din si ma'am dala-dala ang isang kahon ng pizza at soda. Mukhang nag-order pa si ma'am sa *Shakey's.* Mali pala ang aking hinala. Nahiya tuloy ako. Habang kumakain kami ay hindi maitago ni Jake ang pagkagalak dahil inilibre kami ni ma'am. Ganon din ako pati na rin si Hannah. Sino ba naman ang hindi magagalakan sa ganitong pagkain. Ang sarap talaga ng hawaiian pizza ng *Yellowich.* Pagkatapos naming magmeryenda ay pinasalamatan muna namin si Ma'am Maricar na nag-abala pang orderan kami ng masarap na pagkain. Napagod ang utak ko sa kakareview kanina kaya heto kami ngayon nina Jake at Maine sa *Eternitea* para magrelax dahil sa nakakapagod na araw na ito. Sa una ay ayaw kung sumama dahil nagtitipid ako pero sadyang mapilit ang dalawa. Sinabi nila na itrea-treat daw nila ako kaya sa huli ay sumama rin ako sa kanila. Isang milk tea ang inorder ko ganon din sina Jake at Maine. Habang iniinom namin ang milk tea namin at nagrerelax napansin ko sa isang sulok ang isang babae. Agad ko siyang nilapitan, hindi nga ako nagkamali. Si Hannah yun. Nagulat siya ng mapansin niya ako. So ayon sinabi ko na nandito rin si Jake at si Hannah kaya sinabihan ko siyang pumunta na lang siya sa aming table. Nang makarating kami ni Hannah sa table namin nina Jake ay agad ding binati ni Jake si Hannah ng isang hi. Bale nagkaroon kami ng pag-uusap tungkol sa buhay namin at napag-alamanan kong introvert talaga si Hannah at tanging sa mga ka-close niyang people lang siya sumasama. Ng matapos kaming makwentuhan ay naubos na rin ang aming mga milk tea at dahil malapit na ring dumilim ang paligid kaya napagpasiyahan naming umuwi na. Along our way, may napulot akong lumang papel sa daan na kapareha ng unang papel na napulot ko noon. Napansin kong piraso lamang ito kagaya din ng unang papel na nasa akin kaya pumasok sa akin na baka magkapereha ang dalawang lumang papel kaya binulsa ko ito. Pero ano ba talaga ang ibig sabihin ng mga bagay na ito?

@MjAcato 23 November 2020

Thumping Rhythm "Tak tak tak takatak takatak." You will hear the thumping rhythm which fills the air. A sound that seemed to represent the past. It is not the hobnailed boots of the Spanish Conquerors nor the sound coming from the running heavy animals. As it drew closer, the sound becomes familiar, and it keeps on resonating in my mind. I have a clue now. It is a horse-drawn vehicle that possess unique qualities. Yes, it was the sound of the ***calesa*** roaming around as it plied its route along the streets of Heritage Village in our one of a kind town - Vigan City. As a ***Bigueño***, I can say that ***calesa*** is one of the cultural treasures in the place, which has been anchored in the history of the place. It was revived by our City Officials because ***calesa***, indeed, possess historic character and it is also useful. And also, part of its revival is the city government's effort to attract and draw the attention of tourists to the city. It is one way to remind the ***Bigueños*** of their heritage. The ***calesa*** became popular during the Spanish regime and served as a mode of transportation in Vigan up to the middle of the 1960s. The ***calesa*** has become a symbol of Vigan City. And what is more beautiful with it is that it never fails to attract tourists and even our own "balikbayans". Whenever you pass by Burgos Street or Heritage Village, you can see tourists with cameras focused on the calesa. Tourists and travelers hire calesas in visiting the beautiful and historical sites of the city. For them riding in this carriage would mean taking a 'breather'. Of course, one of the highlights in the May festival is the magical calesa parade, which brings smiles to the people on the street. These carriages become a rainbow of colors, designs and styles. We cannot forget the calesa floats of the muses and escorts adorned with flowers and other decorations on fiestas, school celebrations and community occasions. The calesa is a thing from the past, but a vital part of our present world. So, if you are planning to visit Vugan City soon, give it a try! Riding in a calesa is not only fun, you can feel netter the vibes in the City. That is all for now for this post! By the way, do you know the song Kalesa? Actually, I forgot already the lyrics, but the sound is still fresh in my mind. Luckily, I found it online. I got the lyrics from **Filipino Folk Songs**. Credits belongs to them. http://filipino-folk-songs.blogspot.com/2012/01/kalesa-lyrics-philippine-folk-songs.html?m=1 **Kalesa Lyrics - Philippine Folk Songs** *Kalesa'y may pang-akit na taglay* *Maginhawa't di maalinsangan* *Nakahahalina kung pagmasdan* *Kalesa ay pambayang sasakyan* *Kabayo ay di natin problema* *Pulot at damo lang ay tama na* *Matulin din sa kalsada* *Tumatakbong maginhawa* *Wala pang gasolina* *Repeat all* *Kalesa ay panghatid tuwina* *Nung panahon nina maria clara* *Mga bayani nitong bayan* *Sa kalesa'y dinuduyan* *Kalesa'y nakaaaliw* *Lalo na pag gumagabi* *At kung kasama ko ang aking giliw* *Mangangalesa na rin kami* *(Repeat first and second paragraphs)* *Matulin din sa kalsada* *Tumatakbong maginhawa* *Wala pang gasolina.* If you want to hear it, here is a video from Youtube. https://youtu.be/Anqa7al-a6s Thanks for reading my article!

@MjAcato 23 November 2020

Jar Making: Filled With Passion and Love **Making jars is not as easy as a piece of** cake. It requires skill and physical effort. But it is worth to note that, as the hand of the jar maker touches the clay, the passion and love is there. *According to Vigan.ph, the industry that has grown from the making of burnay dates back to pre-colonial times when immigrants from China came to settle in Vigan. They practiced the craft of making earthenware using the grade A clay that was found in plenty in the Western area of Vigan. The making of burnay is done with just the use of the potter’s skillful hands and use of pottery wheel and kiln.* The main material used in jar making is of course the clay. In Vigan, most of the clay that is being used is from Ayusan Sur, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. There are various things to be done before making a jar such as extracting the clay from the earth. Hand tools such as the shovels and the crowbars are of great help for the jar maker. Once the clay is extracted, it is then moved to the factory for jars. After that, the clay is first being inspected because in order for it to be qualified to be used in making jars, it must have meet the essential qualities. Before using, it must be carefully prepared through the use of wedging. The clay is mixed with sand and water. Carabao is of great help to mixed it well. Then, the clay must be covered by a moist cloth. In other scenarios, they are using plastic or sacks to cover it. The reason is to retain its moisture and, of course, to prevent it from drying quickly. And the most exciting part is when the jar maker molds now the clay. It is being molded to form jars in different styles and sizes. Personally, I have tried it once but the only difference is that I make pots (masitera) because it is easier to make. In molding the jar, the base is first fashioned. Then it will be followed by fashioning the head. After it, you can now design the jar. Once the jars are decorated, they are being set aside in order for it to be hardened and dried up. Once there are at least half a thousand jars, they are now ready to be baked. Yes, you heard it right, clay jars are being baked too. In baking, it typically requires sufficient area. It requires 200 cubic meters of firewood in every firing. After baking, the jars are set aside in order for them to cool down. That needs additional one day before the jars can be ready to be sold. Sir Fidel Go is the most famous potter in town. You can visit his jar factory at Barangay Pagburnayan, Vigan City. And try it, yourself, to make a jar! Just to let you know, ***burnay*** means jar. So, if you are planning to visit Vigan City in the future, write it down in your bucket list! It is a one of a kind art, and worth trying! You will not enjoy, you will also learn to appreciate the beauty of this products. *Photos are not mine. Credits belong the respective owners.* ***That is all for this topic. I hope you enjoyed learning and reading how to make clay jars!*** If you are new to my profile, kindly hit the like button and consider subscribing to get recent updates from my other upcoming articles.

@MjAcato 22 November 2020

Fragile Yet Determined Like a glass, I am fragile. I am vulnerable to those who are having sharp eyes. Those whose tongue are sharper than any kind of knife. Those whose preference always likened to an almost perfect thing. Those whom I have not hurt, but taking revenge as if I have done wrong to them. Well, that is life. I can be as fragile as a glass. But, my determination is as firm as a rock. Like a titanium, they cannot bring me down. Okay, enough of figurative introduction. Maybe, you have sensed already that I do like writing figuratively. Well, I am a campus journalist and I do write feature articles. I can show you some of my works in the future. As for now, I want to introduce first myself to you. I am really shy. I do not like to mention here my full name, to be honest. But to give you an idea, my username already abbreviated my full name. I am new here and I am still familiarizing the site including the tools in making an article. Okay, I can see that there are only limited options. Anyways, simplicity is beauty. **I like BOLD text.** *I am also trying to use ITALIC text.* **I wanna give try to have an underline for my text.** ~~I can see that it is also great having strikethrough, and it seems like crossing out the text.~~ `I do not know what is the name of this format, but I do like it.` There is also a hyperlink which is good. But I will try it the other time. Okay, if I have missed some things, can you please help me know these things? Your help would be highly appreciated. By the way, here is the most recent photo I took. Sorry if it was not that clear. But I still shared it with you because I wanna share this moment with you. The moon up above is captivating. Few moments more, the stars will start to appear. On the other side, the sun may rise up. That is all for now. Have a nice day or night! I know it is not YouTube, but please consider liking and subscribing to my profile. Thank you a hundred folds!