Creative Writing: A Subject in Senior High School

Creative Writing is one of the subjects being taught in Senior High School. This subject hones writing skills of learners in a creative way. It also trains learners on how to use language to express their feelings and to evoke emotions from their readers. The lessons in Creative Writing include poetry in which learners have more interest than in prose. Learners tend to pull out emotions from their experiences in life as teens. So, their topics are more about love, loneliness, freedom and their aspirations for their future. This poetry lesson introduces the different kinds of poems and the techniques on how to write a poem effectively. It also teaches how to interpret poems considering the time a poem is written, the setting, the persona, theme and other aspects that complete a poem.

 Learners are encouraged to write their own poems from different perspectives, reflections, and inspirations in their journey as individuals. They can also do a poetry performance where they can recite, with emotions and projection, their poems in front of an audience. This activity enhances the confidence and self realization of the learners. With the use of language that is sewn beautifully with treads of emotions, style, and figurative language, poetry has been one of the topics in the Creative Writing subject in Senior High that is well-loved by many.

Best Pinoy Blogs at Bloggys 2015

Bloggys 2015 (Philippine Blogging Awards) is a prestigious event in the blogging industry here in the Philippines.  It is an award-giving body that recognizes, promotes, and encourages talented and creative Filipino bloggers who are active and prolific in doing and writing their “thing”. Award categories vary from arts and entertainment, business and finance, to travel and places. Bloggys 2015 is organized by Essays.ph, the nation’s largest content outsourcing company headed by Paul Agabin, the Major Catalyst.

Nominated bloggers from different parts of the country were evaluated by a reputable panel. Among the juries who were invited for this occasion were: Donald Lim, the Chief Digital Head of ABS-CBN; Maria Ressa, Founder and CEO of Rappler; Janette Toral, Founder of DigitalFilipino.com; Abe Olandres, Country Manager of Nuffnang Philippines and Founder of Yugatech; and, many more. With them as jurors and the vast array of bloggers from the nation, this event was indeed celebrated with prestige and excitement.

Hall of Famers 2015 was announced last November 21, 2015 during the Bloggys 2015 Awards Night at SMX Convention Center, SM Aura, Taguig. Winners are as follows: Arts and Entertainment – googlygooeys.com; Beauty and Fashion – projectvanity.com; Business and Finance – tycoon.ph; Corporate and Brand – asksonnie.info; Family and Relationships – teachwithjoy.com; Fiction and Literature – michaelsshadesofblue.blogspot.com; Food and Dining – pepper.ph; Health and Fitness – pinoyfitness.com; Lifestyle and Hobbies – wheninmanila.com; Nature and Environment – avrotor.blogspot.com; New and Events – thedailypedia.com; Personal/Diary – sarwrites.blogspot.com; Photo Blog – two2travel.com; Society and Politics – raissarobles.com; Sports and Recreation – pinoymountaineer.com; Technology and Internet – back2gaming.com; and for, Travel and Places – biyaherongbarat.com.

Major awards were also given to the best of the bests. Best Blog Post Award was given to The Endocrine Witch; Best Design was awarded to Pepper.ph; People’s Champion was Controversy Extraordinary; and, the Bloggys 2015 Champion was awarded to Pepper.ph for being the overall winner of the event. Congratulations!

Brought Back Beauty (Chicken Pox at Young Adult Stage)

I was 23 years old when I suffered from severe chicken pox six months ago. Poxes had grown mostly on my face to the extent that it reached my throat, gums, tongue, tonsils, ears and nostrils. Thanks to God, it never occurred in my eyes! Half of my face was deformed due to swelling. I looked like a monster and my little sister was afraid of me. For two weeks, I endured the stressful appearance and uneasiness. It was a relief when the poxes started popping and drying.

Featured above is my transition from the time I still got scabs to the period when I was healing from skin peeling.

After all the scabs had peeled off, I consulted a dermatologist from General Santos City, Philippines. She's Dr. Teresita "Tess" Ferariz, the owner of Gwapaha Medical Spa. As she prescribed, I underwent several treatments. First, I had a facial treatment called Glycolic Facial. It was my first time that's why it was painful. Then, I had my first Skin Peeling. This is when my Doctor wiped a special liquid on my face; and there was a burning sensation. Of course, it was also excruciatingly painful but I endured it. The nurse put ice packs on my face to minimize the sting of the medicine. A little fan was also turned on, air directly hitting my face. I had two sessions for my skin peeling treatment. A week after, my old worn out facial skin peeled off (you can see on the 3rd photo). My Doctor had prescribed medicines and creams to aid the healing of my new baby-like skin.

Now, I have moved on from my nightmare. It is a new year and we should always start afresh. I am thankful for the help of Dr. Tess and the Gwapaha Medical Staff for bringing my beauty back (it is better than before!). I recommend them to you, too! :)