Pr1 Final

ILOCOS SUR NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1
Chapter I
THE PROBLEM
Introduction
When you hear about triumphant stories, you start to feel hopeful, inspired
and astronomically motivated. It is a phenomenon for humans to desire and seek for
beacons to follow. It is our human nature to infinitely search for blissfulness and
fulfilment stimulated by the people we relate ourselves to. Most successful stories
are widely known and proclaimed for a good cause yet some are unrevealed out of
admirable humility.
“Try and try until you succeed.” Hearing those words from your parents or
relatives while growing up makes you realize that even if you fail many times, what
matters most is you keep on trying. Life will kick you harder as you grow older. But
in reality, these kicks will help you teach yourself until you can overcome the pain
that it gives you. With determination and fighting spirit you must focus on what you
want to achieve. Keep trying and sooner or later you will succeed.
Success will never come when one gives up trying to reach it. While you tend
to focus on the sensation of the final outcome, the journey toward the goal is what
matters the most. Sadly, human nature forces you to look at everything through the
eyes of instant satisfaction. In real life, any small or big achievement demands tons
of efforts and sacrifices.
Success is defined in more ways than one. According to (Cambridge, 1995)
Success means achieving the results wanted or hoped for; something that achieves
positive results. As for the word successful, it is defined as having achieved a lot,
being popular, and made a lot of money. These are just some of the countless ways
the term is defined on top of abounding subjective interpretations of it. Triumph on
the other hand is defined as having a very great success or victory. Being triumphant
means having won a battle victoriously and having the feeling of jubilation after
having won a battle or mastered a difficulty. (Cambridge, 1995)
As human beings, we have different perspectives in life, different kinds of
strategies and techniques that we use in order for us to become successful
individuals. Some may study and work really hard to achieve their goals but many of
them live their lives to the fullest and ending up becoming successful individuals of
today.
No matter how old nor young you may be, where nor you may live or
whatever society you belong to as long as you have ambitions in life, it’s foreseeable
your furthest aim in life is to be happy and successful. To be triumphant means more
than just having money in your bank account and making your highest mark
possible. It means following your passion, living with a purpose, and enjoying the
present moment.
Dreaming about achieving a goal in life is a lovely idea. Nonetheless,
working on it every day is more than just a fantasy. You have to make it happen.
Dreaming associated with success is generally wishful thinking. It is an award for
dreams where you will attempt to lift up your thoughts regarding disappointment and
insufficient significance during waking. In your dream you may see your success.
You have success. You have sense of achievement.
Experience a sense of achievement in dreams could reflect a similar situation
in your waking life. This dream actually shows you what you are capable of. Being
successful in a dream is a positive fore-shadowing that can strengthen your self-
confidence. Having success in a dream indicates that you might to be sure of
yourself, and this could lead to becoming careless about important aspects in your
life. If you dream you have success, this could indicate that your hopes and desires
will be realized.
Dreams drive you into success. They are visions of what you want out of life.
They can often be personifications of our desires, our wants, our needs, our hopes.
Visions of what will make you the happiest. Your dreams are visions you see, it is
your goals, it is the reason you wake up every day, and it is something you could
never give up doing. They drive us to persevere and do what we must to succeed.
Some people have been discouraged from dreaming because of others. Many
people had their dreams knocked right out of them. The world is filled with dream
crushers and idea killers. Some people are hindered by past disappointments and
hurts. Disappointment is the gap that exists between expectation and reality, and you
may have encountered that gap. Some people lack the confidence needed to pursue
their dreams. (Breathnach S.B. 2016)
There is no success without failure. A real success has no shortcuts. If you
get tired and hopeless it doesn’t mean you have to give up but instead keep on
working hard no matter what, because the fruit of your efforts is great success. The
lessons you learn from your failures will help you to do better or even succeed in
later attempts because every failure will have something to teach us and as you try
again and again you learn more from your experiences.
ISNHS is the epitome of modesty and quality education. It has been an
institution in our humble community for decades and has been the second abode of
many of the generations prior to us. It has cultivated a lot of lives and created
myriads of great students. On top of those gratifying achievements, there are
numbers of stories that might have been kept in the closet. They deserve
acknowledgement and recognition as they have been through great lengths to be
where they are now. The trail of triumph that our beloved school had nurtured and is
gratified for. Their stories don’t deserve anonymity because they can change and
bring hope not only to us but also to the future generation.
The purpose and our aim for this research is to share and further dig
knowledge regarding the untold stories of the people who have spent their year of
education in Ilocos Sur National High School whom garnered huge success and
honour carrying the name of their alma mater. Moreover, with the help of the study
the students will be inspired to strive harder and be successful individuals someday
and apply some strategies that are gathered from this study.
Ilocos Sur National High School is known for its great academic excellence
that proves that each type of student who are studying in this said institution is really
a cream of the crop and brings the pride and honour of the school in their hearts.
Some are renowned doctors, engineers and businessmen not only in Ilocos but even
outside of the Philippines.
Research Questions
This qualitative study determines the Untold Stories of a Successful Alumni
from Ilocos Sur National High School (ISNHS). The question will be studied are:
1. Why does one prefer ISNHS for their secondary education?
a. What are the programs/activities that students can be influenced or
encouraged to choose this school?
b. What are the contributions of the school to the success of its students?
2. What strategies do alumni used for learning during their secondary days?
a. Do these strategies make it easier for students to understand and pass all
their subjects?
b. How can these strategies help someone become successful?
3. What are the reasons for becoming successful?
a. Who/what inspires a person to strive and achieve success?
b. How can these aspects inspire a person to become successful?

Scope and Limitation
Ilocos Sur National High School is known for producing productive and
nationally competitive students, located at Gomez St., Brgy. VII, Vigan City headed
by Mr. Romulo Q. Quitevis.
The study will be conducted to three different areas in Ilocos Sur namely;
ISNHS, Sagpat, Bantay located at the agricultural land of the town and Cabalanggan,
Bantay along the highway. These communities are chosen by the researchers because
most successful alumni are living and working in the said place, with a total of
fifteen (15) participants.
The study mainly focuses on gathering the strategies and techniques of
respondents on how and why did they become a successful alumnus. Purposive
sampling will be done by the researchers.
Operational Definition of Terms
For clearer and better understanding of the study, the following words were
defined in the context of the study:
Alumni. The participants of the study.
Strategies. It is an act that was used by the participants on how they become a
successful person easier.
Success. The achievement attained by the participants.
Hard work. It is an act of working with passion, commitment, and determination. It
shows that a person is really motivated enough to pursue their dreams in their lives.
Dreams. It is an aspiration that makes individual continue their journey to pursue
their dreams of becoming successful.
Inspiration. It is something that motivates and encourages the participants to be
successful.
Related Literature and Studies
This section presents the review of related studies pertaining to the current
research with variables covering success, hard works, dreams, and inspirations. This
section contains the following areas related to this study:
1. On Success,
2. On Hard Work,
3. On Dreams, and
4. On Inspirations.
This study will examine the techniques and strategies of successful person in
helping them to become a successful one. This study will not only provide
information about how successful they are but also, the problems they overcame, the
dire situations they dealt with and also, that difficult road they faced on becoming a
successful person.
On Success
Society tends to have a narrow perception about success. They use metrics
such as money and performance level to define it. Success simply means achieving
the results wanted or hoped for, something that achieves positive results, the
achievement of something that you’ve been working hard to do. Every individual
wants to become successful. It is a phenomenon for humans to hunger for something
and makes a way to get or achieve it.
In addition to that, Zander L. (2019) defined success as a balanced
achievement of wealth and well-being through consistently living the truth of ones’
grace-inspired values. Without relentlessly living the truth of ones’ own values,
financial success alone, simply put, cannot last nor make you happy.
According to the study of Eugene Adu Wushu (2016), for him success is the
status of achieving and accomplishing an aim or goal. Being successful in life means
the achievement of desired dreams and planned goals. Furthermore, success can be a
definite social status that describes a successful person that could also have gained
fame for its favorable outcome.
The ability to create success is the product of a unique combination of skills,
mind sets and abilities that you can tap into again and again to achieve your biggest
dreams. That’s an important thing to remember because each journey of success in
your life will evolve. Many successes will be started, some will end, but more often
they will morph along the way, because success is never a final destination. (Toren
A. 2015)
According to R.L. Adams (2016), the acronym SMARTER is important in
achieving your goals. The SMARTER acronym stands for goals that are specific,
measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound, evaluated and re-adjusted. It's a
strategy for setting your goals that will result in a high probability of success.
In the study conducted by L. Nash and H. Stephenson (2004) they found four
irreducible components that were necessary for people to feel strong and enduring
sense of success which are happiness, achievement, significance and legacy.
The most significant key steps to achieve success in life is to know first what
is really the meaning of success for your personal life. People may think the
definition of success is having a lot of tangibles and earned degrees. It’s quite the
opposite, true success in life cannot be measured with the names factors, but instead
with the number of people that are able to live a better and more advanced life
because of what you created. This is the true definition of success. Not the trophies
people are collecting in their shelves. Society lets us often conclude that living a
successful life means to be extraordinary wealthy and have a lot of tangibles. But the
meaning of success is to have a happily life and to make this world a better place for
all of us. (Wushu 2016)
On Hard Work
According to Mr. 4HWD (2014) hard work is defined as the first step
towards smart work. There is no shortcut to success. Hard work is the only key to
achieving it; it teaches us discipline, dedication and determination.
Hard work is one of the most important factors everyone tries to accomplish
in life. It shows that a person is determined enough to achieve greatness in their life.
In the future, achieving proposed goals will make anyone feel proud of them. It
brings rewards that are only achievable with hard work and determination. Hard
work makes anyone achieve the impossible. (Jesse, 2010)
Hard work gives you an advantage. Those who have achieved success often
attribute their success to hard work, determination, and perseverance. Michael Jordan
is a great example of someone who used work ethic to gain an advantage. Known for
honing and perfecting his skills in the off season, he was able to set himself apart
from the pack through his relentless pursuit to improve himself. Often time the
advantage goes to the person who was willing and able to dig deep and put in the
extra effort.
In addition to that, opportunity is another advantage that comes with hard
work. Individuals who work hard and show initiative are among the first to be
noticed and considered for new opportunities when they arise. (Mr. 4HWD, 2014)
Hard work leads to self-improvement. Along with increased mental
toughness, hard work gives you the chance to improve yourself. Hard work will help
you develop self-discipline and focus. In turn you will become more efficient and
productive. You’re constantly improving your current skills and developing new
ones. New skills can lead you to new career opportunities and paths you hadn’t
previously considered.
Working hard, according to Thomas et al. (2005) represents a merit based
explanation for career success because enhancing a person’s competency through
job-related knowledge, skills and abilities should be rewarded in the career contest.
Not much research, however, has been done to explore internally generated facets
that facilitate personal success for example, efficacy, resilience, self-insight, self-
motivation (Millward, 2005; Seibert et. al., 2001). Studies on human
capital/psychological factors, particularly, hard work, however, appears scanty.
Studies on human capital/psychological factors that influence career success have
focused on personality traits/individual differences variables with little attention
given to other personal and psychological factors that facilitate career success.
Studies suggest that extraversion, conscientiousness, advancement motives, ambition
and achievement motives/orientation, persistency, self-control, and openness to
experience predict managerial career advancement (Costa & McCrae, 1992; Judge et
al. 1999; Tharenou, 1999; Thomas et al., 2005).
Hard work is motivating. Another hidden benefit of hard work is increased
motivation and inspiration. The satisfaction you’ll feel your accomplishments will
leave you feeling a new sense of energy and focus for your next project or goal.
Success requires hard work, however hard work rewards with much more than
success alone. Hard work yields a multitude of benefits that help us improve our
skills and ourselves and for that reason hard work is worth the effort.
On Dreams
According to Maxwell (2017), dream is defined as an inspiring picture of the
future that energizes your mind will and emotions, empowering you to do everything
you can to achieve it. A dream worth pursuing is a picture and blueprint of a person’s
purpose and potential,

Dreaming is essential for a human being but most people have no idea how to
achieve their dreams. What they possess is an undefined perspective that there is
something they would like to do someday or someone they would like to become.
But they don’t know how to get from here to there.
A dream can include any of the images, thoughts and emotions that are
experienced during sleep. Dreams can be extraordinarily vivid or very vague; filled
with joyful emotions or frightening imagery; focused and understandable or unclear
and confusing. While many theories have been proposed, no single consensus has
emerged. Considering the enormous amount of time we spend in a dreaming state,
the fact that researchers do not yet understand the purpose of dreams may seem
baffling. However, it is important to consider that science is still unravelling the
exact purpose and function of sleep itself. (David, 2013)
In the study of Shadoian, J. (2003), dream was viewed as universal. Every
human being has desire. In fact, it is very human to have desires. Desires that push
you to stretch your limits, to be creative, innovative and dedicated to a course so that
you can fulfill them. Desires motivate you to explore your potentials and do more
than just the average in an attempt of accomplishing them.
Moreover, in the study conducted by Grant, A. & Grant, G. (2012), they
found out that the current system of education as misguided because it does not give
into account dreams and goals. They asserted that education is just one way of
achieving dreams, but the society has made it look like it is the only way dreams are
achieved which is very wrong and misguided.

All in all, to lead your dreams to success, you are obliged to never give up,
stay in a determined mindset, and forget the negative reflections you run across
because dreams motivate, inspire, improve and help you in achieving any goal that
you want to achieve.
On Inspirations
According to Wilner J. (2019), inspiration comes during those moments
when we see true human greatness. It is an emotional that comes right through us
when we come across remarkable ability or competence in some activity, which
motivates us to better ourselves.
In addition to that, Tan F. (2019), stated that inspiration can come from the
strangest places and when you least expect it. Sometimes inspiration may not be ever
found, even when you are looking for it. On one hand you can be inspired by the
smallest acts. On the other hand, you may not be inspired by the grandest act.
Inspiration can lift us up from routine, help us meet life’s challenges and
push us towards our potential. Inspiration can give us vision opening windows to
new possibilities to what we can do in our lives. It is like a lens that transforms what
we see in the mirror, in the face of another and our perspectives of our lives in our
future. It can somehow give us courage- to persevere in the face of illness,
misfortunes, failure and loss; and to do what we know to be right. (Wong, 2012).
Base from the study of Cehic (2018), the great thing about inspiration is that
you can found it everywhere. It steps in your daily lives. Some people scrape off
other people’s energy. Some may find it first thing in the morning from a ray of
sunlight, others from a joyful smile from a stranger. You arrive at inspirations from
different angles, but nonetheless where it comes from, it’s important to let it come.
It’s too crucial to avoid.
This is supported by the idea of Kaufman (2011), that in a culture obsessed
with measuring talents and ability, we often overlook the important role of
inspiration. Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend
our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration may something be overlooked
because of its elusive nature.
Furthermore, your lives without having inspiration would be like childhood
without magic, having a family with love and affections, working without passion,
and living your life without a purpose. We’d be de diminished by age with each
passing year, surrender to chromic health conditions, be defeated by disability and
leave this life with a whisper. There would be no path to follow, no beacon to guide
us, and no hope to climb higher or run faster. There would be no reason to find that
little extra within our souls and hearts and give more ourselves to the rest of the
world. (Wong, 2012)
A feeling of energy and spirit can be results of inspiration, and true
inspirations can give you motivation and liveliness to take action. When you are
truly inspired you may be in awe and feel a sense of amazement. There is spiritually
to seeing inspiring feats and the vastness of human potential. (Wilner, 2011)
Conceptual Framework
This framework shows the strategies of successful alumni on becoming
successful as they inspire and motivate individuals to strive harder and become
successful someday.
Strateg
learnin
ies in
successful
Ways to
become
The Trail of
Triumph
ISNHS, Brgy. Sagpat, and Cabalanggan

Bantay
Figure 1. The Conceptual Framework
The researchers will determine the skills, techniques, and strategies of participants on
how they become successful in life. These will be determined through interviews,
observations, and documentation.
Methods
This portion presents a discussion of the research design, the sample of the
study, data gathering tools, procedures, data analysis and ethical issues which were
utilized in the study.

Research Design
This study develops a qualitative study on what are the ways to become a
successful in life. The study focuses on the tactics and skills on how they become a
high-flier. The study determines how they strive and worked hard to reach their
dreams for future generations.
The professionals and successful alumni will serve as the primary informants
who are living in different areas of the province – ISNHS Vigan City, Cabalanggan
Bantay, along the highway and Sagpat Bantay located at the agricultural land of the
town. The use of interview in local dialect and naturalistic observation will serve as
research tools in which the informants will be observed and interviewed in their
natural setting. Participant observation will be voluntarily conducted privately after
obtaining their consent.
The researchers will further examine the benefits of being successful alumni.
Achievers from ISNHS will be interviewed among the different areas that will be
explored in order to inspire and encourage other people to strive even harder
especially learners. The researchers will conduct in-depth interview to some
members to validate their views on the techniques in learning that helped them to
become successful.
Study Locale and Informants
The study will be conducted at the three different barangays in the province
Ilocos Sur that provides opportunities to the respondents to share their stories and
strategies on why they become successful. These respondents from the different
barangays also provide experiences about their tactics regarding to their journey on
becoming successful.
Among the different barangays in the province, three different barangays
were involved in the study, namely ISNHS located at Gomez St., Brgy. VII, Vigan
City, Sagpat Bantay, located at the agricultural land of the town and Cabalanggan
Bantay, along the highway. The distribution of informants is presented in Table 1:
Table 1: Profile of Informants
Informants Age Group Gender Status

Ilocos Sur National High School
A Old Age Female Single
B Old Age Female Married
C Old Age Male Married
D Middle Age Female Married
E Old Age Female Single
Sagpat Bantay, Ilocos Sur
A Middle Age Male Married
B Middle Age Male Married
C Old Age Female Married
D Old Age Male Married
E Middle Age Female Single
Cabalanggan Bantay, Ilocos Sur
A Young Adult Female Married
B Middle Age Male Married
C Young Adult Female Single
D Young Adult Female Single
E Old Age Male Married
The profile of the fifteen (15) respondents includes their age group, gender
and status. The informants are professionals and residents in chosen three different
barangays in the province.

Prior to the interview, a topic guide was developed to ensure that the range of
important factors needed to understand their beliefs and practices are properly
documented. Participation in the study was voluntary and the participants were
interviewed privately after obtaining their consent to participate (Fierro and Nolasco,
2013).
Informants will be selected for this study through careful consideration based
on the following criteria:
1.) should be a successful alumni from Ilocos Sur National High School;
2.) should be professional and
3.) willing to participate in the study.
Data Gathering, Procedure, Tool and Analysis
Data refers to the rough materials researchers collect from the world they are
studying; they are the particulars that from the basis of analysis (Bogdan & Biken,
1992). Qualitative data take the form of words or language that are generated from
observations, interviewing, or documents (Miles & Huberman, 1994). Patron (1980)
describes qualitative data as detailed descriptions of situations, people and
interactions, direct quotations from people about their thoughts or experiences, and
passages from documents or records.
In addition, data collection is informed by on-going analysis that guides
further data collection in which “emerging insights, hunches, and tentative
hypotheses direct the next phase of data collection” (Merriam, 1988).
Ying (1994) suggests that the researcher must possess or acquire skills. The
ability to ask good questions and to interpret the responses is imperative to good
research as well as being a good listener, being adaptive and flexible in reacting to
various situations, having a firm grasp of issues being studied, and being unbiased by
preconceived notion.
Thus, a phenomenological study should use as many sources that are relevant
to the study. This study incorporated residential interviews.
Interviews
Interviews can be defined ad a qualitative research technique which involves
“conducting intensive individual interviews with a small number of respondents to
explore their perspectives on a particular idea, program, or situation” (Boyce, C. &
Neale, P. 2006). Interviews are particularly useful for getting the story behind a
participant’s experiences. (McNamara, 1999)
Qualitative methods, such as interviews, are believed to provide a ‘deeper’
understanding of social phenomena than would be obtained from purely quantitative
methods, such as questionnaires. They are also particularly appropriate for exploring
sensitive topics, where participants may not want to talk about such issues in a group
environment. (Stewart K., 2008)
Interviews can also occupy different positions in the selection process. An
interview may occur before more in-depth assessments (such as an assessment
center) or it may occur at the very end of the selection process as a final decision-
making tool. This is important because interviews are often used to explore, in more
depth, data gathered from other selection methods.
Interviews can also be guided by different approaches to psychology. Some
view interviews from a social perception perspective, from these perspectives the
interviewer is not seen as a detached observer of candidate performance, but rather
as a participant observer whose thinking and behaviour shapes the process and its
outcomes. This perspective on interviewing focuses on the formation of mutual
expectations or the start of a psychological contract between the candidate and the
interviewer. To meet these requirements, a low degree of structure is needed. (Arvey,
R. & Campion, J. 1982)
Availability and purposive sampling will be used to identify the informants of
the study. Principle of selecting the primary respondents will be also used to limit the
number of informants. Throughout the interview process in this study, the researches
will interview the respondents from the three different communities they had chosen.
Data Analysis
For the analysis of the study, transcriptions of the audio recording will be
done, translations of the answers in Ilokano will be made; and finally, extractions
from interviews will also be done to further elicit the information obtained from the
respondents.
Transcriptions of the recorded interviews will be produced. The voices of the
respondents produced in thematic units that will be investigated and discovered.
Each transcript of the interviews will be thematically partitioned and group into
similar topics. Content analysis of the narratives that will be obtained through the
interview process will be performed using a thematic typology. “Content analysis is
the classical method for doing research with narrative materials in psychology,
sociology, and education”.

The subject matter will be confined to the strategies of successful alumni that
helped them become successful. It will assess their experiences about the subject
matter. The information will be derived from the informants who are successful that
have spent their secondary education in Ilocos Sur National High School.
Ethical Issues
In order to ensure that the findings of the study be valid and trustworthy, the
ethical principles were observed by the researchers. They are as follows: a.) honesty
in all scientific communications; b.) respect for intellectual property by honoring
patents and copyrights; and c) confidentiality to protect communications and
personal information of the informants.
Thus, during the casual interview, one of the researchers acted as the
facilitator while the others did the note taking activities and documentation. To
ensure the truthfulness of the recording, the respondents validated the note taking
done. After which, the informants signed the informed consent to show that they
affirmed to the correctness of the recorded information of the researchers.

Chapter II
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
This chapter presents the discussion of the research questions along the
participants’ skills, techniques, and strategies during their secondary days and the
benefits to the students.
This chapter also shows the inspirations and reasons to achieve success.
On Qualifications of ISNHS as the Best Secondary School
The informants revealed ISNHS as the best secondary school in Ilocos Sur,
based on their experiences during their secondary days. They unanimously answered
that ISNHS have the most renowned professionals and experts alumni. Taken singly,
informants A and B of Ilocos Sur National High School said that “the teachers are
competent and high caliber. Thus, most students who graduated in this school were
successful in their chosen field”. Likewise, informant D of Sagpat Bantay, Ilocos Sur
added that “ISNHS is the best secondary school because of their competent teachers
and facilities.”
Based from the answers of the informants, these findings were closely to
what T. Pilgrim (2014) said that one of the features of a great school that must have
is a relentless focus on teaching and learning. This is informed by the belief that all
students can learn, teachers must find ways to motivate and engage them, the
curriculum is rigorous and teacher performance is regularly monitored by the
principal and executive staff, teachers and students strive for excellence in academic
and extracurricular activities and good performance is always publicly recognized

and rewarded in various ways. In addition, Jim (2011) said that a great school must
have dedicated teachers wherein they work to improve their ability to teach. They
read and explore the techniques used by others in a never-ending effort to better
themselves and their skills. Effective teaching demands that the teacher be
knowledgeable in the subject area and they must have a detailed understanding of
what is being taught.
On programs/activities of ISNHS, informants collectively agreed that the
activities of ISNHS brings out the best of the students, and improve their capabilities
and skills not just in academics but also in extra-curricular activities. According to
informant D of Cabalanggan Bantay, Ilocos Sur shared that, “we are exposed in
different activities; researches and many things that let us explore the world”.
Similarly to informant E of ISNHS, stated that, “through organized reunion of
successful alumni, leadership opportunities, and extra-curricular activities, students
are encouraged to enroll in this school.”
The researchers found out that the informants has actively involved and
participated on the programs and activities of the school during their secondary days
since it was a part of their assessment, and through this, students' understanding, skill
or effectiveness are enhanced in a specific area by engaging multiple styles of
learning.
These findings are conformity to that with Kate (2017) that successful
students don’t disappear outside the walls of their classrooms, but they are also
engaged members of their community, getting involved with issues that impact their
student experience, educating their selves about the issues on their community and
learning to use their voice productively so that people will listen to their ideas.
Successful students are ones that are capable of speaking up and effecting change in
a positive way.
Furthermore, school activities also serve to invest fun into learning as well as
to brace students’ confidence and the ability to think critically. It can help learners
build their skills outside classroom and serves an important role in helping secondary
schools develop well-rounded students.
On contributions of the school, majority of the informants agreed that ISNHS
gives their students all the knowledge they need. Taken singly, informants C and D
from Ilocos Sur National High School and informant B from Cabalanggan Bantay,
said that, “the school can contribute on the success of the students, by making them
knowledgaeable and providing them a good quality of education”. In addition,
informant A from Cabalanggan, Bantay, mentioned that, “Good values among
teachers and students, collaborative environment, the school facilities itself that helps
students in their learnings such as good rooms to study, library with full of books and
references. Furthermore, informant C from Sagpat Bantay, said that “ISNHS greatly
contributes on the success of students by their curriculum and by its effective
implementation of excellent instructions and other quality services”.
Despite the difficulties of living, alumni still managed to study hard and find
time going to libraries to study, to make researches and homework assignments.
These findings correspond to the study of Lance, Rodney, and Hamilton-Pennell
(2000) that students from poorer homes may lack conductive study environments,
and having a safe space to study is an important contributing factor to academic
achievement.
On Strategies of Alumni
The informants agreed that traditional strategies such as, relying mainly on
textbooks, and using libraries in doing homework, projects and researchers, are the
strategies they used during their secondary days. Informant E of Ilocos Sur National
High School said that, “By using libraries in doing homework, projects, and
researches, I can save money, because of the free educational resources that I can use
or borrow according to the resources I need.” Additionally, informant C from
Cabalanggan Bantay stated that “By having a good study habit and by asking the
help of my teachers, especially in understanding and learning difficult lessons.”
Likewise, informant E of Sagpat Bantay, answered that “using libraries in
doing my assignments and projects is one of my strategies in learning because not all
informations are found on web especially in-depth researches, so I prefer using
library than internet”.
On the other hand, informant A from ISNHS said that, “Collaboration with
other students, like group learning activities and discussions. By this, it allows us to
exchange ideas and opinions and use our critical thinking”. Hence, libraries during
their days are very useful. It really helped the alumni became successful in their
chosen field.
In the study of Cox and Jantti (2012), claims that academic libraries play a
significant role in the student experiences, where students gain new knowledge,
skills, and dispositions for learning and personal development that they will use
throughout their lives.
On Reasons of Becoming Successful
The informants unanimously stated that hard work, determination and
patience are the key to success. Taking it singly, informants A, B and D of Sagpat,
Bantay said that “hard work and determination of what you are doing can make
someone successful.” In addition to this, informant C of Cabalanggan, Bantay said
that “having the basic foundation in academic education, the grit or passion and
perseverance will help you achieve your dream as well as having integrity, respect,
honesty, learning to accept failure, and never give up.”
On the other hand, informant A said that “For me, if you really want to
become successful in the future even if there are so many challenges, failure, and of
course you will encounter different kind of people, that will try to lift you up and
drag you down, you must make sure to choose wisely who you want to become
friends with.
Furthermore, majority of the informants of Ilocos Sur National High School
stated that “Someone can become successful if he/she has the desire and
determination to achieve it.” These findings are closely to what A. Winn (2017), said
that determination is the essence of increasing your chances of being successful in a
particular thing or achieving a particular goal, and it can also help you to stay
motivated and continue striving towards the one thing you want to achieve.
Determination will motivate you to move forward to success. You may be
confronted with many challenges and failures as you march to your world of success.
What will make a difference in your journey is your determination to succeed. With
your determination you will be in position to overcome all challenges. (A. Deborah,
2014).
In the study of S. VanBellinghen (2017), he stated that hard work is the key
to success. Achievements without hard work are impossible. Nothing is easy to be
achieved in life without doing hard work.
On inspiration to strive and achieve success, majority of the informants said
that their family is their inspiration to strive harder. According to informant A from
Ilocos Sur National High School said that “Family, status of the family especially if
they are poor. Of course they wanted to alleviate their family’s situation.” Similarly,
to informant C of Sagpat, Bantay answered that “God, family, friends because they
are the ones who gives us wisdom, encouragement, and moral support to become
successful.”
On the other hand, informant B of Cabalanggan, Bantay shared that “Your
status in life could be the one. Because you look at somebody or your idol or famous
person you would like to become. You wanted to become respectful and good
examples”. Success is a result of overcoming a personal restlessness or motivation. If
financial conditions are more favourable this achievement may be facilitated.
Achieving success by less affluent groups becomes more exciting, valued and
realistic because of the frantic need to overcome potential obstacles in this journey.
On aspects that inspire other people, simply understanding the importance of
inspiration and making a conscious effort to inspire is often all it takes to make a
difference. Taken singly, informants B of Cabalanggan, Bantay explained that “they
will use these aspects as guide and inspiration to become successful even a simple
good story or a good TV commercial could be guide as well or simply looking
around you, embracing your environment situations could be a guide as well.”
Additionally, informant D of Sagpat, Bantay said that “these aspects can be used as a
role model to those who want also to become successful in life”.

Chapter III
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION
This portion presents the summary of the findings, the conclusion drawn
from the results of the study and the recommendations forwarded to the
improvement of the school in continuously producing successful alumni.
Summary
The study aimed to determine the contributions of the school to the success of
the alumni, the strategies they used during their secondary days, and the reasons and
inspirations that made them who they are today.
This study focused on the qualifications of the school as the best secondary
school and their programs/activities that made a great contribution the success of the
alumni, the strategies of successful alumni in learning, and the inspirations that
encouraged them to study hard and achieve success. The focus group informants
include Ilocos Sur National High School, Sagpat Bantay, Ilocos Sur, and
Cabalanggan Bantay, three different barangays located in the province.
On qualifications of the school as the best secondary school, the informants
unanimously answered that ISNHS have the most renowned professionals and
experts alumni, the teachers are competent and high calibre, that through organized
reunion of successful alumni, leadership opportunities, and extra-curricular activities,
students are encouraged to enroll in this school and the good quality of education
that the school gives to every student by the effective implementation of instructions
and quality services.

On strategies of alumni, the informants agreed that traditional strategies are
their strategies they used during their secondary days, wherein they used libraries in
doing homework, projects, and researches, collaboration with other students, like
group learning activities and discussions. This allows the students to exchange ideas
and opinions and use their critical thinking. Hence,
On reason of becoming successful, majority of the informants unanimously
said that having determination and hard work will help you achieve your goal and
will help you become successful. It is not about your status in life. In fact, poverty is
not a barrier to success but instead, this is what inspires them to strive hard.
Conclusion
The researchers therefore concluded that Ilocos Sur National High School is
the best secondary school in Ilocos Sur. Through the dedication of teachers and other
employees, and the effective implementation of its programs and projects, the school
had made a great contribution to every success of alumni. In addition, because of the
overflowing number of students, the school is overpopulated and it cannot
accommodate all the students who want to enroll.
Moreover, the different strategies of the successful alumni they used in
learning is indeed a great help for them in developing their analytical skills, critical
thinking, and communication skills as the basic gateway to their holistic
development.
However, due to the modern style of learning, most students are into using of
modern technologies in learning rather than using of libraries. As technology

continues to evolve and change the way we manage our lives, the way libraries are
managed and used are also affected. Some students are not into using of libraries in
doing their homework and researches because of the unupdated school library
materials. In this study, it evokes that using of libraries can engage students with
learning in many ways. Using of libraries as a traditional strategy in learning,
libraries must be adaptive and flexible with new innovations in learning and
research.
Finally, having determination and hard work is important in achieving your
dreams, and your goals in life. In these days, many people tend to easily give up on
reaching success because of their failures. However, failure gives you an opportunity
and a chance to learn something from your mistakes.
Recommendations
Based from the conclusions drawn, the following recommendations were
forwarded: Ilocos Sur National High School need to continue the programs/activities
they have implemented in order for them to produce more successful alumni.
Furthermore, concerning on the overflowing number of students in ISNHS,
other schools should adopt some of the programs, activities, and projects of ISNHS
so that students will be encouraged also to enroll in their school.
On improving the school library and facilities, they must provide the students
with increased access to up-to-date school library materials; well-equipped,
technologically advanced school library media centers; and well-trained,
professionally certified school librarians.

LITERATURE CITED
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https://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=151896
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step-to-success
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step-to-success
Wong D. (2012). “Why we need to be inspired”. Retrieved
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Kaufman S. (2011). “Why Inspiration Matters”. Retrieved
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736d08b.pdf
APPENDICES
Appendix A
Letter of Request
Appendix B
Letter to Participants
Appendix C
Interview Questionnaire
1. Iti ISNHS kadi ket isu ti kasayaatan nga makidua nga pagadalan para kadagiti
estudyante?
a. Kasano nga dagiti estudyante ket maimpluwencyaan wenno maallukoy nga
mangpili iti daytoy nga pagadalan?
b. Kasano nga iti pagadalan ket makatulong iti panag rangay dagiti estudyante?
2. Ania nga stratehya ti inaramat mo kabayatan iti panagadal mo iti sekondarya?
a. Dagitoy kadi nga stratehya ket nakatulong wenno nakapalag-an iti nadardaras
nga pannakaawat tapno maipasa dagiti amin nga asignatura?
b. Kasano nga dagitoy nga stratehya ket nakatulong iti pannagballigim?
3. Ania ti mamagballaygi ti maysa nga tao?
a. Ania ti manginspar ti maysa nga tao nga tarigagayanna nga magundaw ti
balligi?
b. Kasano nga dagitoy nga aspeto ket karitenna ti maysa nga tao nga
agballaygi?
Appendix D
Sample Transcription
Question: Iti ISNHS kadi ket isu ti kasayaatan nga makidua nga pagadalan para
kadagiti estudyante?
Answer: Para kanyak ikonsiderak nga ti pagadalan tayo nga Ilocos Sur National
High School ket maysa iti kasasayaatan no haan man etoy ti pinakasyaat nga
institusyon itoy intero nga probinsya tayo. Apay? Ngamin gapo kadagiti amin nga
napagbalin iti skwelaan nga ita propesyonal dan ken dagiti esudyante nga ada waya
da nga maaddaan ti aktibidad, research ken ado pay nga banag nga mang palubos
kanyada nga mangpadas ti baro nga banag.
Question: Kasano nga dagiti estudyante ket maimpluwencyaan wenno maallukoy
nga mangpili iti daytoy nga pagadalan?
Answer: Gapo dagiti nangnanggeg dagiti tattao ng napagbalin ti iskwelaan nga adda
kababalinandan.
Question: Kasano nga iti pagadalan ket makatulong iti panag rangay dagiti
estudyante?
Answer: Babaen ti kababalin ti estudyante nga agubra iti sarili da ken adaan tsansa
ken oportunidad nga mapadas iti rikna ti panagaramid ti mysa nga banag.
Question: Ania nga stratehya ti inaramat mo kabayatan iti panagadal mo iti
sekondarya?
Answer: Gapo iti panagited iti aktibidad. Apay? Gamin babaen ti panagkaykaysa yo
a kas maysa a gropu.

Question: Dagitoy kadi nga stratehya ket nakatulong wenno nakapalag-an iti
nadardaras nga pannakaawat tapno maipasa dagiti amin nga asignatura?
Answer: Kas karaman ti panagdakel mapmapan tayo ti proseso iti pinag holma ti
bagbagi tayo haan nga iti maestra iti magubra nu kitdi datay mismo a kas partisipar ti
proseso ti pannaggadal.
Question: Kasano nga dagitoy nga stratehyaket nakatulong iti pannagballigim?
Answer: Babaen iti napadpadarasan jay iti biag tayo’ makasursuro ka gamin
napadasam ti maysa a banagen ken mabakin nga usarem iti masanguanam.
Question: Ania ti mamagballaygi ti maysa nga tao?
Answer: Sakbay ti amin, dapat adda talek ken apo, sabayam iti panagtulnog mo iti
planom iti pinagtrabahom.
Question: Ania ti manginspar ti maysa nga tao nga tarigagayanna nga magundaw ti
balligi?
Answer: Nagannak, iti pamilya ken iti pinalailangen laeng iti pada a tao.
Question: Kasano nga dagitoy nga aspeto ket karitenna ti maysa nga tao nga
agballaygi?
Answer: Isu dagitoy ti pwersa, pwersa nga mang tarabay kenka ken mampapigsa
kenka tapno magawat mo iti ambisyon mo.

Appendix E
Sample Translation
Question: Is ISNHS the best secondary school for students?
Answer: For me, I consider our constitution ISNHS as one of the best, if not is the
best institution in the whole Ilocos Sur or in our region. Why? Because of those
products of school who are successful now in their life and students that so explore
to have activities, researches and many things that will let them explore the world.
Question: Can students be influenced or encouraged to choose this school?
Answer: Well by those humans that they’ve heard about those successful products of
ISNHS.
Question: How can the school contribute to the success of its students?
Answer: By the empowerment as a student to do things in our own and have chances
and opportunities to experience the feel of work.
Question: What strategies do students use for learning during their secondary days?
Answer: By the empowerment as a student to do things in our own and have chances
and opportunities to experience the feel of work.
Question: Do these strategies make it easier for students to understand and pass all
their subjects?
Answer: As a part of your growth, you go to the process of molding yourself not to
be your teacher will do but instead you should be the one who will do but instead
you should be the one will do that to yourself an participant to the development in
the teaching-learning process.

Question: Can these strategies help someone become successful?
Answer: By our life experiences, you learned because you experience things and so that
you can apply it in your future.
Question: What makes someone successful?
Answer: First you must have faith in god but is not only because of god, you work with
your goal, in your career
Question: What inspires a person to strive and achieve success?
Answer: Parents, your family and by mingle with others.

Question: How can these aspects inspire a person to become successful?
Answer: Those are your driving force, outside force that pushing you and energized you to
strive and reach your stars.

Appendix F
Documentation
CURRICULUM VITAE
CURRICULUM VITAE
Personal Profile
Name : GILLIAN FRANCESCA A. SAN MATEO
Permanent Address : Capangpangan, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
Date of Birth : April 27, 2002
Civil Status : Single
Citizenship : Filipino
Religion : Born Again
Parents : Mr. Marvin B. San Mateo

Mrs. Gilda Joy A. San Mateo
Educational Background
Elementary : University of Northern Philippines

Tamag, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
Third Honorable Mention
S.Y. 2014-2015
Secondary
Junior High School : Ilocos Sur National High School

Gomez St., Barangay VII, Vigan City
S.Y. 2018-2019
Senior High School : Ilocos Sur National High School

Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics
S.Y. 2020-2021
CURRICULUM VITAE
Personal Profile
Name : JOSANA SAMANTHA P. ANGALA
Permanent Address : Sagpat, Bantay, Ilocos Sur
Date of Birth : December 29, 2003
Religion : Baptist
Parents : Mr. Juan P. Angala Jr.

Mrs. Susan P. Angala
Elementary : San Vicente Baptist Bible Academy

Bayubay Sur, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur
S.Y. 2014-2015
Secondary

S.Y. 2018-2019

Mathematics
S.Y. 2020-2021
CURRICULUM VITAE
Personal Profile
Name : NOAH B. PETATE
Permanent Address : Cabalanggan, Bantay, Ilocos Sur
Date of Birth : June 03, 2003
Religion : Roman Catholic
Parents : Mr. Romeo P. Petate

Mrs. Maria Salome B. Petate
Elementary : Bulag Elementary School

Bulag Centro, Bantay, Ilocos Sur
S.Y. 2014-2015
Secondary :

S.Y. 2018-2019

Gomez St., Barangay VII,
Mathematics
S.Y. 2020 - 2021
CURRICULUM VITAE
Personal Profile
Name : WILSON E. RIGOS
Permanent Address : Puro, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur
Date of Birth : December 16, 2003
Religion : Roman Catholic
Parents : Mr. Wilfredo O. Rigos

Mrs. Susan E. Rigos
Elementary : Puro Elementary School

Puro, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur
S.Y. 2014-2015
Secondary
Junior High School : Puro, National High School

Puro, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur
With Honors
S.Y. 2018-2019

Mathematics
S. Y. 2020 - 2021

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ILOCOS SUR NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1

of efforts and sacrifices.

Success is defined in more ways than one. According to (Cambridge, 1995)

the term is defined on top of abounding subjective interpretations of it. Triumph on

having won a battle or mastered a difficulty. (Cambridge, 1995)

As human beings, we have different perspectives in life, different kinds of

strategies and techniques that we use in order for us to become successful

Dreaming about achieving a goal in life is a lovely idea. Nonetheless,

Dreaming associated with success is generally wishful thinking. It is an award for

You have success. You have sense of achievement.

Experience a sense of achievement in dreams could reflect a similar situation

successful in a dream is a positive fore-shadowing that can strengthen your self-

confidence. Having success in a dream indicates that you might to be sure of

their dreams. (Breathnach S.B. 2016)

There is no success without failure. A real success has no shortcuts. If you

again and again you learn more from your experiences.

ISNHS is the epitome of modesty and quality education. It has been an

myriads of great students. On top of those gratifying achievements, there are

acknowledgement and recognition as they have been through great lengths to be

bring hope not only to us but also to the future generation.

outside of the Philippines.

This qualitative study determines the Untold Stories of a Successful Alumni

1. Why does one prefer ISNHS for their secondary education?

a. What are the programs/activities that students can be influenced or

encouraged to choose this school?

b. How can these strategies help someone become successful?

3. What are the reasons for becoming successful?

a. Who/what inspires a person to strive and achieve success?

b. How can these aspects inspire a person to become successful?

Scope and Limitation

by Mr. Romulo Q. Quitevis.

fifteen (15) participants.

The study mainly focuses on gathering the strategies and techniques of

sampling will be done by the researchers.

Operational Definition of Terms

defined in the context of the study:

Alumni. The participants of the study.

successful person easier.

Success. The achievement attained by the participants.

Hard work. It is an act of working with passion, commitment, and determination. It

Dreams. It is an aspiration that makes individual continue their journey to pursue

their dreams of becoming successful.

Inspiration. It is something that motivates and encourages the participants to be

Related Literature and Studies

section contains the following areas related to this study:

wants to become successful. It is a phenomenon for humans to hunger for something

and makes a way to get or achieve it.

In addition to that, Zander L. (2019) defined success as a balanced

fame for its favorable outcome.

The ability to create success is the product of a unique combination of skills,

dreams. That’s an important thing to remember because each journey of success in

According to R.L. Adams (2016), the acronym SMARTER is important in

measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound, evaluated and re-adjusted. It's a

sense of success which are happiness, achievement, significance and legacy.

all of us. (Wushu 2016)

achieving it; it teaches us discipline, dedication and determination.

work makes anyone achieve the impossible. (Jesse, 2010)

In addition to that, opportunity is another advantage that comes with hard

Hard work leads to self-improvement. Along with increased mental

Working hard, according to Thomas et al. (2005) represents a merit based

explanation for career success because enhancing a person’s competency through

motivation (Millward, 2005; Seibert et. al., 2001). Studies on human

capital/psychological factors, particularly, hard work, however, appears scanty.