Isabela Socio-Cultural Awareness Week at Ilagan, Isabela on October 24-26, 2008

For the tenth year now, the University of the Philippines Kalipunan ng mga Anak ng Isabela (UP KAISA) is sponsoring the Isabela Socio-Cultural Awareness Week (ISAW) Celebration this year on October 24-26, 2008 at the Isabela National High School, Ilagan, Isabela. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Bridging Cultural Differences: Unifying Isabela through Active Youth Involvement.”

Isabela Socio Cultural Awareness Week (ISAW) Celebration 2008

Here’s the explanation for the theme as quoted from the 2008 ISAW brochure:

For many years, ISAW has been a tool in establishing a cultural identity that Isabelinos can proudly claim and strongly associate with. This year’s ISAW Celebration shall focus on promoting Isabela cultural identity and emphasize the significant role of the youth in unifying an apparently culturally diverse Isabela.

The Province of Isabela is home to an assortment of cultures from all different directions and in all shapes and sizes. The problem is not so much the existence of these different cultures or the lack of connection between them, but that the link is yet to be identified and/or recognized.

ISAW aims to find the “bridge”, the invisible thread that links these cultures — a common ground — and use it to uncover the foundation of what we know as Isabela cultural heritage.

The youth — with their ardor, enthusiasm, and wisdom — are still believed to be the hope for the future. What the youth seems to lack now is the proper motivation and driving force to trust that they can make an impact in society and influence decision-making.

ISAW hopes to cultivate within its participants the urge for active civic involvement backed by a genuine appreciation of Isabela cultural heritage and a clear picture of its future; to empower the youth to take part, to affect change towards a unified Isabela.

I was part of the organizers for the first ever ISAW when I was just in first year college. It was fun and we knew that we were doing something good for the development and appreciation of Isabela’s culture among the students of Isabela. Ten years after, the program is still alive and I am really glad for it.

ISAW 2008 features several contests for high school students: Poster-making, Logo Design, Impromptu Speech, Cultural Show, Quiz Show, Essay-writing and Debate. High school students from all over the province of Isabela will have a chance to showcase their intellectual prowess with their peers and learn about trends and issues facing Isabela.

There will also be a State of the Province Address to be delivered by the Governor Grace Padaca, lectures about issues affecting young people and students in Isabela, and film showing among others.

Isabela is one of the provinces of Cagayan Valley in Northern Luzon.

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