Narrative Report
Project Overview
1. Despcription of our Community
Corregidor is one of the richest historical landmarks in the Philippines, housing numerous ruins due to the Second World War, giving host too many events, and welcoming all kinds of visitors. Corregidor, together with the other surrounding islands, actually formed a dormant volcano which sunk down through the years. Because of the sinking volcano, Corregidor and the other adjacent islands were formed. Corregidor was fortified well, because it is strategically placed right in front of manila bay. It acted as the Allied Headquarters, as a fortress of defense and as the temporary location of the Philippine Commonwealth Government.
2. Summary of our Project
It all started when Mrs. Aisha Peig, one of our CyberFair moderators, gathered those who speak English well, and those who know HTML by heart. Then our names were listed down and one school assembly we were called by our other CyberFair moderator, Mr. Rodelio Santos. We were notified that we were the school’s respected ambassadors, representatives to the prestigious CyberFair competition. After a couple of weeks, we began to meet regularly, so that we could talk about the project. We were asked to come up with our topics, from a handout given to us. During that process, we encountered problems which we easily overcame. After that, the school released the funds and after weeks of preparing, we went to the “Rock.” Through our visit, we saw numerous historical landmarks. We took pictures and we became really exhausted. The trip was still great even after feeling worn out. Subsequent to that, we met again. During that meeting, we finalized the project; chose the pictures and created the project narrative.
3. CyberFair Theme
Empower and Unite are the two words that play a big role in the year’s CyberFair competition. The theme suggests that we, the participants, should show empowerment and unity in the process of making the endeavor work. Our moderators empowered us – by giving us the seat of authority, by allowing us to choose our topic and by letting us to pick the place that we wanted to research on. That’s also when the “unity” part came about. We were united in picking the topic, in choosing the location, and in doing the whole project itself. So we could say that we are not only empowered by our moderators but also united with each other in the venture.
4. Our Computer and Internet Access
At home, 90% of our team used various computer units with Internet access. At school, we have four computer laboratories, each with 50 workstations having an Internet access speed of 1GBS. The school has been wired to the Internet since 1999. We worked in one of the four laboratories at our school, each computer laboratory using IBM computer units,2.40GHz, 256MB of RAM ,with our efficient and quick Internet provider PLDT DSL.
5. Problems we had to overcome
Although we are united in many ways, problems are still unavoidable in tasks like these. We noticed that we were being bombarded with barriers which we eventually overcame. One of these problems is the funds. Such a simple word to understand, but it is essential to almost everyone. This word was a huge barrier because it was needed for us to go to Corregidor. Luckily, we collected the funds that we needed and we set off to the “Rock.” Before setting off to the “Fortress of Courage,” a vital tool that was needed by us was broke – the flash drive. With a snap, it was replaced right away. The day of the trip came and when we were about to leave, our moderators informed us that we don’t have our private transportation to the dock! That’s why we were forced to ride a taxi to our destination. We boarded a boat to Corregidor and most of us became sea sick! Fortunately, no barfing occurred and we stayed clean until we arrived on the island. Even though there were unavoidable problems, we still had fun in the process!
6. Our Project Soundbite
We feel that the community will learn more about our country through this site. Even though it only featured one historical landmark, it might still encourage us citizens of the Philippines to explore what treasures we have all over the country.
Project Elements
1. Information tools and technologies
Through the whole project, we used the following:
- Around 14 computers, all with Internet Connection
- Telephones and Cellular Phones [with Cameras ( VGA and MP)]
- Print Materials (Brochures, Pamphlets, etc.)
- 5 Digital Cameras (Res. Ranging from 3-7 mp)
- Voice Recorders (from Cellular Phones)
- Laptop
- Memory stick (TwinMos 1GB)
Among all these tools, the most useful; was the Digital Camera. It helped us document our trip – it even documented us in our most embarrassing states. There was this time, during our taxi ride; we took a picture of our team leader, Anthony Santos, while he was sleeping. It was just for fun because we were so tired due to the exhausting trip from Corregidor. After a few days, we showed it to him and said sorry (sorry Anthony!). but we still didn’t erase it! :D The tools weren’t just for run and playing pranks on our teammates, but it was also a big help to us.
2. Ambassadors
During our first meeting, a colleague asked our moderator, Mr. Santos, if we could wear civilian clothes for our visit to Corregidor. He answered, “No.” the reason behind it was very reasonable. He told us that we should wear our school uniform because we are ambassadors of the school. At first, we were clueless of what it meant but he explained it to us again. He said that we are chosen representatives of the school and as representatives, we should always show that we are ambassadors.
When we went to Corregidor, we were wearing our school uniforms and whenever we were asked where we came from, we will say that we are from Claret School of Quezon City. And every time we were interviewing someone, we address ourselves as the dignified ambassadors of our school, Claret School of Quezon City.
3. Impact of the Projects
Since we just started on the technical side of the project, and the fact that the site isn’t close to finish yet, we anticipate that the impact on our community will be not that large though, considering that not many know that we are participating in this contest – just our family, friends and teachers. We think that many eyes will be opened through our entry. We think that our project will exhibit patriotic characteristics that will definitely fill in the missing qualities that almost all modern Filipinos now lack. If given the chance, the populace of the world might even be interested in the Philippines, thus promoting our country’s terrorism. We are also helping good feedback from our site’s visitors. This project will most likely branch to many places like a tree. Many possibilities might come out of this and all of those are beneficial.
4. Involvement of other members
When we finish this project, we will most likely credit ourselves. Still, “crediting ourselves” sounds really “egocentric” of us – because it wasn’t just us who finished the project, it was done with the help and the guidance of the supportive people around us. First of all, thank God for allowing everything to happen, for guiding us through the barriers we’ve been through, for giving us the opportunity to go to Corregidor on a very bright, sunny and perfect day. Everyone should be applauded for doing such a good job, for guiding us all the way. Secondly, thanks for the school for making everything happen. Without our moderators, Mr. Rodelio Santos and Mrs. Aisha Peig, all this wouldn’t be possible. We should also thank Mrs. Rosario Butaran and the rest of the administration for giving us the privilege to join and for sponsoring our trip to Corregidor. Bigger thanks should be given to our loving parents for allowing us to experience the thrill of the trip and for also helping with the funds. Pardon the cliché – without all of you, we wouldn’t be here – it’s still true. We should also acknowledge the people at Sun Cruises, especially Mr. Richard Andrada, our tour guide, for carrying us and assisting us from here up to Corregidor. Applause should be given to the Corregidor Foundation Inc., and for the people who maintained the “Rock” as glorious as before.
5. Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises
This whole venture has been truly enlightening. We’ve been learning so many things since the start of this project. It’s just like studying – but only that we’re having more fun! We discovered that the Philippines is so rich in history. We’ve found that the Philippines has played a vital part on history; we’ve been host to many events, welcomed many visitors (and detractors), and played assistant to other countries, and bida, as we may put it, in numerous events. Discoveries were also made not only with our country but also with the members of the Web team. We’ve discovered some of their fears, likes, dislikes and more. Practically, we’ve been close with everyone. Some were even surprised to know all these discoveries between us. We’ve learned to always be united as a whole; unity has been a vital part of this project since day one. In group projects, being one can lead to many great useful things. A group needs to be united so that the group could achieve everything that they aim for, and that’s what we did. Empowerment also became important. A united group should always need a leader. And as a unified group, they also empower a member, not to boss them around, but to lead them. More could be learned from this project, but if we’re going to write them all, we might end up writing a 20-chapter book!
Page last modified January 15 2007 at 18:18 GMT + 8 Hours.