1. Description of Our Community
Laguna, located 30 kilometers south of Manila, the Philippine capital, has a total land area of 175,973 hectares (about 1,795.7 square kilometers). It is the third largest province in Region 4 with 28 municipalities and 2 cities, a total of 674 barangays and is divided into 4 political districts.
Laguna is endowed with abundant natural resources. Bounded by the famous Laguna de Bay on the north, the province's greatest natural resource is water, having rivers and lakes within and around it. Fresh water products abound in the province and is one of its major industries.
The province's forests and fields are ideal for growing rice, coconuts, vegetables, tropical fruits, orchids, ornamental flowers and exotic plants.
Its accessibility from the nation's capital makes it a favorite weekend hiatus for those seeking tranquility from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. Boasting of its resorts and hotels overlooking lush greens and clear waters, the breathtaking views in the province are enticing to those seeking refuge.
Mount Makiling, the legendary mountain located within the province's depth is a favorite spot for mountaineers, both local and foreign. In its foot lies the famous University of the Philippines, one of the premier and most prestigious universities in the country, making it also the breeding ground of some of the nation's intellectuals.
A number of old churches dotted the province and serves as itinerary for pilgrims with architectural design preserved to further enhance our already rich heritage.
Lanzones, a local fruit is also one of Laguna's greatest pride. Native delicacies made from coconut and other fruits also lure the people to troop the province.
Laguna is really blessed not only with natural resources which the town folks utilize to the fullest, but also with man-made and human resources. It is indeed a pleasure to experience 'Laguna'.
2. Summary of Our Project
The project aimed at bringing to the community the intrinsic worth of our primitive instruments, our music and dances, for they are the expression of our people's soul, character and temperament.
As Tourism takes new trends, new themes, new concepts which now focuses at culture, heritage and the arts, the festivals in our community can give our people more business opportunities. The festivals aim to develop a tourist-friendly society and for our balikbayans to be proud of their hometowns.
Our youth can better acquire our tourism by carrying on the tasks of gathering information, interviewing resource persons, taking pictures and moving people in the community to get involved.
The project presentations will show the unified effort of the local government and the people of the community in organizing festivals uniquely expressive of the livelihood and way of life of their hometowns.
Members of the team project are one way or another direct participants for several years to these festivals such that they are able to relate to its substance and character.
The use of computers and the Internet will help in bringing the to the world our local attractions and cultural heritage.
Inland tourism is encouraged as it is a breakthrough to help us become competitive in the Tourism Industry. Knowing what we are working for in this web page project, we unite through cooperative work to show pride in our local arts and culture.
3. Our Computer and Internet Access
A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home:21-50%
B. Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom:more than 6
C. Connection speed used in the classroom:dedicated connection
D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:more than 6
E. Additional comments concerning your computer and/or Internet access (Optional):
Our school's computer connection is served by MSC.net (www.msc.net.ph), which is owned by a sister company, MSC Communications Technologies, Inc. The school has its own server.
4. Problems We Had To Overcome
Indulging in this noble and stimulating endeavor is not an easy task. As early as October of last year, the preparation for this project was laid. Weekly meetings followed suit for an organized program of activities, foremost of which is mobilizing the students into action. Researches and interviews were scheduled and thus, the students went into action.
Students were grouped and were given assignations as to which festival to tackle. They were made to go to the town of their assignment and conducted interviews with the persons in charge of the festivals. Lack of documented materials about the festivals made it hard for the students to collate the necessary data needed for this project, making them resort to seek for the people who will be able to supply them with the needed information. This posed as another difficulty because the students have to schedule another interview, this time, with new primary sources of information.
Since the festivals tackled in this project were conducted in different times of the year, the students therefore weren't able to witness in the festivities first hand. The students weren't able to take pictures of some of the events. Local governments, especially those in which festivals are in existence only lately, weren't able to supply the researchers with the necessary pictures. Thus, another search for individuals who can supply them with the needed materials ensued.
Going back and forth to the town of their assignment proved to be tedious for the students who have to travel quite a long way to get there. Weather has been hideous, with slight showers and cold winds that weren't suitable for a trek around a town unfamiliar to them.
Finally, armed with the resources necessary for the completion of this project, data were collated, edited and then uploaded.
Meeting deadlines is always hard this time of the year because of the activities that coincided with Christmas and the town fiesta. But with the hard work and extra time given by the students and their respective advisers, with the cooperation of the interviewees, the project is finally complete.
5. Our Project Sound Bite
Man is the Lord's greatest creature and has endowed him with intellect and talents which can be utilized to the fullest. Because of his everlasting love for man, He also created environment teeming with riches for man's survival. It is therefore just apt for man to use their God-given talents in glorifying and thanking Him for his blessings using the same gifts that He has unselfishly granted them.
6. How did your activities and research for this CyberFair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?
'Experience is the best teacher', so the saying goes. Outbound Education or learning and teaching out of the confines of the classroom and campus is an effective way to develop individuals as effective members of the society, an important factor in building a community free from chaos brought forth by ignorance and misunderstanding. Learning with relevance, integration, team teaching and learning are modes adhering to the standards the institution has set forth. Conducting researches, interviewing, finding alternative sources in the absence of such and interacting with different people are not an easy task but were successfully carried out. The worthwhile value of responsibility, hard work, leadership, respect for the voice of authority and teamwork were manifested by the team members not only within the duration of the project but long after its completion. These are more than enough compensation for the difficulties and obstacles that were in the way. The Cyberfair project posed as a perfect venue so that we can keep at pace with the required curriculum guidelines as we explored, investigated and observed. Certain important skills such as critical thinking, vigilance, creativity, and resourcefulness were brought to the surface as we analyzed, synthesized and evaluated facts gathered. Good communication skills were also developed as we interacted with different people in the community as we conducted interviews, from our respected town leaders to cooperative common people. We learned the value of teamwork as we contributed our inputs for the accomplishment of this project. We have learned to appreciate culture, conserve and preserve our natural resources, support our native products, and cultivate talents. Realizing the value of our culture made us even more protective and respectful of our heritage. The use of technology in our project, the access to the internet, fills us with the sense of pride as we bring our very own culture for the world to see, with the hope that they will also find the joy that we feel as they get a glimpse of what we have to offer them.
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