get to know nina! by Nina Bacaltos

who is she ... ?!?! ✨🥀

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 06:51:20 UTC

Hey! I'm Nina Beatrice Bacaltos. Please call me by my first name, Nina :) I'm 16, but I am actually turning 17 this September 19. Here are three words I describe myself with: organized, assertive, and passionate. If I were an animal, I would definitely be either a cat or a panda. I'd like to say I'm a complicated person but in a good way. I have many sides and come in many different shades of colors. I feel deeply, and I am intrigued by life and human emotions, maybe like psychology and philosophy. I look at the world in a complex way and I perceive people differently.

what does nina like ? 🫂❤️‍🩹

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 07:01:22 UTC

My friends are my life! I have only a few circles of friends, but that's what I prefer. I think I'm more comfortable with small groups because they're all true and mean a lot to me. They have my back, and they know me inside and out. All of my friends are one call away when I need them!

does she own any pets ? 🐾

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 07:06:06 UTC

Yes! I have a dog, he's specifically a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois. They're pretty big dogs. As far as I remember, I got him in May of 2022. Klaus is my first dog and my first pet. I would long to own a dog and have a pet to spend time with at home whenever I watch animal videos on the internet. They're cute!!! I've never had one since I was a baby, so now you can imagine how much I value my dog. Being a K9 doesn't define him; yes, he guards our safety, but he is pretty friendly meeting other dogs.

nina enjoys doing what ? 🎡

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 07:07:31 UTC

Believe it or not, I'm actually an introvert. But I am not a shy person, and I sure do looooove going to parties with friends! I don't go to those crowded ones with people whom I do not know of. Just being with only my friends at parties is a top-tier hangout! I'll always treasure our digicam shots.

what does nina like ? 💄💋

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 07:22:11 UTC

I love make-up, fashion, and skincare! Anything about beauty interests me. I enjoy caring for myself, my body, my skin, and face. Therefore, I also enjoy making myself look good! It's all natural, though. I'm not a fan of fake eyelashes or contact lenses, which I see all over the internet. The simple ones like blush and mascara are all I go for, with lots of accessories and a nice fit! On some occasions or random days, out of boredom, I style my hair, too! I either straighten or curl my hair, usually based on online tutorials. You'll never see me walk out of my house in simple attire, hehe.

what about nina's music & movies ? 🎧🎬

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 07:25:25 UTC

I cannot live without music in this world!!! Genres like R&B and soul are so me! They're my vibe. Some of the artists I listen to on a daily basis are Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Lana Del Rey, SZA, Doja Cat, BTS, TXT, and ENHYPEN. Besides my daily songs, I am foooooond of binge-watching movies in one sitting. I'm a fan of romance, horror, and crime documentaries! Some of my favorite series are The Vampire Diaries, Euphoria, 13 Reasons Why, and Unsolved Mysteries. On the other hand, one of my favorite movies is The Notebook!!! (Who doesn't love a Nicolas Sparks novel???)

nina enjoys doing what ? 🎶🎹

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 07:39:36 UTC

Did you know? I play the piano! I had summer lessons, but I don't really remember when; I think it was the summer before 6th Grade. Something about the piano is just so endearing to me. It's a different instrument for me because the tone and notes are soft and melodic. Very calming! It's also the only musical instrument I know how to play. The collage above is actually a screenshot from my Instagram profile, where I post my piano recordings!

what does she admire about herself ? 🧸💌

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 07:42:51 UTC

In my physical features, I love my smile. As for my personality and mentality, I admire my sense of wisdom and leadership. I also love my assertiveness. Being the type of person who is assertive means I know what I want and what I need! Aside from these, I also admire how I am never ashamed to express myself openly. I am not afraid to share my ideas, passions, and qualities with other people. I am very understanding and concerned about others; my friends could say that about me!

what are her beliefs ? 💫💭

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 07:56:12 UTC

I believe people are never born evil or good. I think humans are misunderstood ... bad people are not born bad, and good people are not born good. I think we're shaped that way as we grow up. How we are and what we are now is a result of our surroundings. No one was ever born an evil person or a good person. What made us who we are is what happened to us along the way. We are shaped and made, not born. I believe humans are a reflection of their own life and experiences.

what is something that satisfies her stomach ? 🍽️

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 08:06:55 UTC

My favorite foods are pasta, noodles, siomai, and ice-cream. I generally like cafes! As long as they serve pasta, iced-tea, cookies & cream milkshakes, or chocolate frappes. My love for the delicacy of pasta makes me believe that I was probably Italian in my past life. Yes, I think I lived in Italy back then. Literally my go-to order in every restaurant or cafe that serves pasta. My #1 is anything oil-based with garlic, parmesan, and maybe shrimp. Absolutelyyyyyyy delicious!

what are nina's skills ? 🪄🎀

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 08:17:57 UTC

I am an avid user of my social media platforms. Not an influencer, though! Also, I love any activity that involves leadership. Other than that, I am confident with my skills in public speaking, presentations, and essay writing. Totally my specialty. Just about anything that requires me to exercise my vocabulary or allows me to speak in front - I can do it!

my education 📚🔎

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 08:29:17 UTC

Did you know? I'm not originally from Davao. I went to playschool in Tagum because I was born there and lived there growing up as a little kid. When it was time for Grade School, we transferred to Davao City and resided here since then. Of course, my family still holds businesses in Tagum. I had Grades 1 & 2 at Stella Maris Academy and Grades 3-6 at Ateneo de Davao University. I graduated and then continued with my education in the same school. My batch (2020) didn't have a real-life graduation though, because that's when the pandemic hit! Then I moved up from AdDU JHS, and here I am now at Ateneo Senior High!

a (long gone) passion for dancing 💃🏻🕺🏻

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 08:44:53 UTC

Ah... surprise! I actually know how to dance ... or knew. When I started studying in Ateneo in Grade 3, I joined the Dance Club and enlisted in that same club until Grade 6. Although I've been a consistent class officer over the years, I earned myself a club officer title for the first time in 6th Grade - I became the treasurer of the Dance Club. You couldn't imagine the passion I once had for dancing. I loved performing in front of a crowd and practicing until 7PM on campus. I lost interest during the pandemic because there was little time or space at home to move my body to music, so I haven't danced since then. It isn't my focus now; however, I'll always miss my desire for dancing. But who knows, maybe I've still got the fire burning in me! I'll find out soon.

becoming part of the jhs student government 👤🗳️

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 08:54:47 UTC

So far, this was my peak in life. I won the Grade 10 Batch Representative position in the Ateneo Student Executive Council Elections for SY2324. Being part of ASEC in my senior year was my service and commitment to AdDU JHS. The council, my partners, my projects, and the friends I made in my journey are now a massive part of me and my life; this school year will forever be embedded in my brain and heart. This shaped me and enhanced my leadership skills, goals, ambitions, and experiences. I was confident throughout the campaign period, but I could not be 100% assured that I was going to be the candidate that the student body favored. I felt honored to be voted and chosen to devote my competence, work, and effort to the school and its community.

my partner 4 life ❤️‍🔥🔐

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 09:11:52 UTC

I didn't mention it, but actually, there are two Grade 10 Batch Representatives. The grade-level reps in ASEC, from 7 to 10, always come in pairs! Josef is my partner in the student government. What's funny is that we were opponents in the list of candidates running for the position, which means we did not come from the same party nor campaigned together. Yet, we both won with the most votes in the election results. Crazy right?! I believe our friendship is fate! I think he and I were meant to get together in the council. Josef and I both headed the same project which was the Peer Tutorials. Honestly, this guy was the best person I met in my senior year. He's seen it all because we've stood by each other through dark and bright days. Josef is funny, and we so happen to match humor. Through all the cramming, procrastination, puyat, the "kapoy na", "ayaw ko na", "what if di nalang tayo nag run", and so on, we uplifted each other, and did the job at the end of the day!

she's an emcee 🎤

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 09:22:27 UTC

The Club & Organization Fair in AdDU JHS SY2324 during the first month of school was the first time I hosted a program. I emceed with my partner, Josef. In the photo above, we were on standby because the band had the stage. They were currently playing "Ang Huling El Bimbo" by Eraserheads while this picture was taken, one of the OPMs I listen to. As you can see, Josef and I were enjoying the performance. Hosting this event was quite an experience. I can say it did not really go as planned, or it did not live up to my and Josef's expectations of how a program would generally flow. There were issues with the band performers, the stage arrangement, and the production stage. We were not able to deliver 80% of our emcee script. After this, we were pretty disappointed in our office, but our ASEC moderators were there to cheer us up. I'll forever be inspired by our mods; I learned that first times aren't always successful, but it's a step up! Thus, I was extremely motivated for the next time I hosted an event. But it wasn't until about the last month of school that I got to emcee in a program again...

she's an emcee, again 🗣️

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 09:38:16 UTC

Okay, after what happened during the Club & Org Fair, I admit I was a little fearful and worried about ever becoming an emcee again. I thought the program would be messed up, again and again, like history repeating itself, so there was sort of a mixture of trauma that I got, lol! Whenever a school event needed host/s from ASEC, our moderators would approach me first and ask if I wanted to try it because they were aware of my experience back then, which I was incredibly disappointed with, so they never stopped encouraging me to take the stand and to give it another chance. I was terrified until the last month of school when I finally stood up to my fears and bravely took the stage during the Intramurals Awarding Ceremony 2024. I volunteered with Veriela, one of the council members. I knew this was an opportunity to do it a second time before the school year ended. Thankfully, our emcee scripts, the program flow, stage arrangement, and production were all successful!!! I was jolly and happy that it turned out great and that the outcome was not as bad as I thought it would be after all; perhaps I was only paranoid by my previous experience. You'll never know before taking the risk!

i got featured 📸

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 09:39:32 UTC

Ta-da!!! Whoa. I was called to be a model for the photoshoot of uniforms before SY2324 began. By the way, this was not the only picture published and featured! There are a lot more in different settings and places around the school. Since then, I've always seen my face everywhere I go on campus, in posters, flyers, tarpaulins, papers, and even Facebook/Instagram posts - until today! See those students? They're all people I know too. Actually, the guy to my right is my classmate this year in AdDU SHS Grade 11. His name is Antonio. The other boy is David, now studying in Manila, La Salle. As for the girl, she's Catherina, a batch younger than us, so she's still over there in JHS. They're all my friends! Antonio and I modeled for the male & female regular uniforms, while David and Cath modeled for the PE uniform.

and again ⭐

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 09:49:04 UTC

Look, this was me during the Graduation Bash of my batch, Class of 2024. Guess what, I emceed again! There were 3 hosts, including me, but we weren't from ASEC except myself. This was an event that I will forever be wholly proud of. To be honest, there were just 2 hosts at first. It wasn't until one of the English teachers, who was one of the main organizers in major parts of the program, approached the ASEC Vice President and raised a concern that she thought 2 didn't feel enough because of the lack of "vibe," "energy," or "variety," that she was catching from the assigned students, according to her. In a way, she was asking for advice on improvement. So then the ASEC VP suggested adding another student, making them 3 hosts. Yep, the student he recommended was me! She was convinced, and they both requested me if I could join in for the event. Of course, I was exhilarated and once again honored, and without a second thought, self-doubt, or hesitation, I said yes immediately! At this point, I was confident in my skills with any activity involving words, vocabulary, speaking, speech, and requiring presentation. This program needed much practice time, but it was all worth it. Standing on stage in closed heels with no break from the entire 8-9:30PM was worth it, not being able to drink water was worth it, sensing a lil tiny bit of discomfort or itch in my dress was worth it, and feeling my heavy make-up either melt or dry out was worth it. Everything was worth it that night, and I was satisfied with our emcee work during Grad Bash! I could never thank my fellow hosts, the ASEC VP, and the English teacher enough!!!

my JHS graduation 🏅🎓

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 09:51:37 UTC

I graduated from Ateneo de Davao University Junior High School as the Class of 2024 with my batchmates! My mother was there to attend on behalf of my family. She gifted me a bouquet of red roses, my favorite flowers. I received my diploma, medallion, and General Academic Excellence medal from Fr. Karel. Throughout my life in AdDU JHS, I have been pursuing academics and leadership: from being a Class President/VP in Grades 7-9, a member of the Ateneo Debate Society, until becoming an elected officer of the Ateneo Student Executive Council. Each year, I stepped out of my comfort zone, tried new challenges, and broke free from obstacles along the way. My journey as a youth, a student, a young leader, an advocate, and a teenager would not be complete without the qualities, traits, skills, and values that I exemplified and embodied because of Ateneo. Still, to this day, I continue to do that as a blue-blooded! I am now studying at Ateneo de Davao University Senior High School AY2425 as the Class Finance Officer of my Grade 11 section and as a (recently accepted) member of the Communications Committee under the Office of Secretary General of Pulso Atenista Student Government at present. All this with possible future plans of either applying or probably running as an aspiring candidate in the next elections for the incoming batch of PASG this upcoming AY2526. I belong to the ABM strand before I take accountancy and law school for my ambition as a CPA Lawyer.

project closure 🎉🎊

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 09:54:15 UTC

In ASEC, the project I managed was the Peer Tutorials SY2324. There were 4 of our project heads, including me: Josef, my G10 batch rep partner; Cath, the G9 batch rep; and Kristoff, the G8 batch rep. The Peer Tutorials is, well, yeah, basically a tutorial for exams that helps and aids students with difficulty. It is not required, though, because it's only a matter of participation whether you decide to apply or not! Josef and Cath design the pubmats/posters, while Kristoff and I create the Google Forms for registration and feedback. However, we, the project heads, are not the tutors. The purpose of registration through our Google Form is to allow students to sign up for what they prefer, whether to be a tutor or a tutee in a specific subject and grade level. So yes, we have tutors and tutees in this project - all students who chose to join, engage, and partake in their role; no teachers. We're only there as project heads to organize, arrange, approve, and disseminate announcements, instructions, or information. But you wanna know what's unique about the Peer Tutorials? Unlike any other project that occurs once in yearly events and programs, the Peer Tutorials is, obviously, quarterly! It happens every quarter; therefore, there is so much hassle in handling this kind of work that demands a lot of time and effort from our personal schedule. Imagine needing to study before QAs but also being preoccupied with the tutorials set before the QAs??? Despite a few difficulties and struggles, 1st-4th Quarter was a success! We had a mini photoshoot (above) during our project closure right after the Peer Tutorials finished during the last quarter. Proud student leaders!

buwan ng wika 2023 ☀️

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-23 09:59:48 UTC

Nothing much to put here. Just wanted to share this candid image of me taken by one of the Junior High student photographers, which I am proud of! I wore beaded accessories of the T'boli tribe.

Why do I like these media?

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-25 07:32:14 UTC

I like these media because they inform, amuse, enlighten, and empower me. As an active user of the internet and various social media platforms, I find that media covers a massive part of my daily living in relation to my habits and activities, including communication, knowledge, information, leisure, and productivity. Media interests me because it provides me with interactive online experiences that shape my social and mental being; however, this will solely depend on my responsibility when using it. Thus, as a responsible netizen who navigates the web within policy, rule, law, and right, I utilize media not merely for my satisfaction and pleasure but also as a tool that serves me purpose in my lifestyle, such as enhancing my knowledge, distributing the information I give and receive, enlightening me on certain topics, improving my productivity, increasing my entertainment, encouraging connection with others through communication, and empowering my role online.

How are these media influencing or affecting me? (my lifestyle, aspirations, attitudes, behavior). Is this healthy? If yes, how come? If not, what steps should you take to change it?

nbbacaltos — 2024-08-25 08:16:08 UTC

As a digital native, I am a person who grew up in a generation surrounded by media. These influence my lifestyle, aspirations, attitudes, and behavior in a way that my mentality and perception of society are affected. In other words, my beliefs, values, opinions, and viewpoints on different topics and various situations in real life are heavily impacted and constantly changing by online circumstances because of my understanding and grip on reality outside of the web. The internet shows and depicts many subjects, themes, issues, problems, and conditions that tend to alter how I discern people and the real world. If positive media encompass me, then perhaps what I consume in social media will modify how I act, perceive, behave, and live positively; likewise with the possible effect of what I consume if negative media encompass me. Whether this is healthy or not for a netizen, it will depend on their manner of absorbing and comprehending media, as well as their process of how they relate it to the real life environment. However, I use platforms wisely and responsibly, especially within social media; therefore, I can surround myself only with good media that is informative, entertaining, knowledgable, reliable, credible, enlightening, and empowering to me and my lifestyle, aspirations, attitudes, and behavior. Hence, making me act, perceive, behave, and live healthily.