Hazel Ann

Filipinos are indeed the world's most Christmas-oriented people. We start recognizing the Christmas season as early as September with radio stations playing Christmas songs on the first day of September. In every city or town in the Philippines, each has its own way to celebrate the season. In the World Heritage City of Vigan, its citizens gather as crowd to participate in the unveiling of the Christmas tree, a yearly tradition. Bigueños gathered in number to participate in this annual tradition.The Christmas tree was designed with mannequins dressed with colorful and very detailed (up close) costumes from head to foot. The unveiling happened after the Raniag Street Dancing showdown, also held in front of the city hall. The Heritage City of Vigan officially marks the start of the Christmas season in the City Government conducted the simultaneous lighting of this year's colorful thirty-seven foot Christmas Tree in front of Vigan City Hall and the Christmas Village at Vigan Conse...

  The coronavirus pandemic is a public health emergency and an economic crisis, unprecedented in the disruption of daily life. Stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic, children can't go outside to play because they are afraid to get infected by the virus.  If you allow your children to play outside with friends, consider limiting it to just a few other kids and encouraging physical distancing. Make sure your children wash their hands before they come back inside. Most children and youth are no longer attending school, with classroom lessons replaced by home-schooling and online learning activities.  Christmas is important to many Christians because it reminds them that: Jesus, the Son of God, came to Earth for all people, symbolised through the visits of the wise men and the shepherds. Mary and Joseph both had a strong faith in God, despite the difficulties they faced. People are finding all sorts of ways to connect, celebrate and reflect. We should celebrate the ho...

The theme: “New Normal Na Walang Iwanan: Karapatan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan!” is about the need to protect and promote the children's right. All the rights are connected, they are all equally important and they cannot be taken away from children. An efficient protection is essential to the children's well-being because, as vulnerable people, they are more exposed to problems of mistreatment, exploitation, discrimination and violence. They need protection especially in this time of pandemic. Child rights are human rights that also recognize the special needs for care and protection of minors — children and young people under the age of 18. All children have these rights, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender or cultural background. No child should be treated unfairly on any basis. Children needs care and protection. COVID-19 pandemic caused changes in children's routines, and the children experienced moderate or high levels of anxiety. They experienced changes ...