School: Saint Louis Laboratory High School
    Baguio City, Benguet, Philippines

3 students, ages 15 worked together to complete this Doors to Diplomacy project on March 15, 2012. They have participated in Doors to Diplomacy in the following year(s): 2011

Classes and Teachers: Florida Martin, Vincent Tabor, John, Maria, Einna

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.slu.edu.ph

1. Description of Our Team

Three good friends, John, Einna and Violeta were raised in Baguio City and would like to promote the city through its distinct products. This aim started the creation of this website. John Michael C., a 15 year old dashing and talented young man who believes in promoting and using locally made products. Because of his love for local products, he likes taking pictures of these items so that he will have something to present to his friends. His pictures were used in the creation of this website. Einna Liz T., an average 15 year old teen with lots of big dreams. For her, it is better to spend on good quality products rather than to buy expensive products. This was also her aim in creating the webpage. Even though it’s simple, it’s more important that the site is able to show the good quality of the products. Maria Violeta D., a 15 year old bubbly teenager with a very unique personality who has the ability to give a better quality of local products to tourists. She is a very adventurous person that she can discover new things that can answer why people should see more of the beauty of our local products. Diplomacy can take place through our project by us sharing the distinct products of our city to different people around the world. If they see our products, They would want to visit Baguio City and buy our products; thus it can be a passage for the locals to interact with other people who have different walks of life.

2. Summary of Our Project

Baguio City is blessed with many good things: cool weather, abundance of pine trees and of course its unique cultures and traditions exemplified in several festivals. Aside from these the city of Baguio has more to offer. Whenever people visit our city they never leave without bringing with them special delicacies and souvenirs from the city to serve as their “pasalubong” (gift) to their love ones. These products had been created through the hard works and creativity of the Cordillerans so they are different from those that are bought from other places. Tourists also appreciate these products because of their very good quality that surpass even those with high standards. Some of these delicacies are the products made from peanuts such as the peanut brittle, peanut crunch and the peanut butter. The city also offers products using cashew as its main ingredient. Aside from peanut and cashew products, products from made different fruits are also offered like orange marmalade, pickled sayote and the famous strawberry jam. Another product that is said to be the best seller of the city is the ube jam because of its rich sweet flavor. The city of Baguio has a lot more to offer aside from the delicacies we have. Souvenir items are also saleable. Some best souvenirs are the woodcarvings, the key chains with different shapes and sizes that represent the city. Baguio city has a lot to offer and we hope that through this website, we will be able to present these to the world so that different groups will be attracted and come to our city to taste our distinct food products and buy our wonderful products. When this happens, there is a great tendency that meeting of people from different parts of the world will happen; thus international diplomacy will be promoted.

3. Our Computer and Internet Access

A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home:more than 50%

B. Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom:more than 6

C. Connection speed used in the classroom:dedicated connection

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:2-3

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

We had to face many problems and the biggest one was time. We had a big problem with time because we had limited time to gather information, work on the webpage itself and at the same time to do our school works. We had to do difficult schoolwork and to do this project. Despite these we were able to develop proper time management and divided our work among us. With these solutions, we are able to finish our project on time. We also had difficulty in gathering proper information. First, we didn’t even know where to get them but with the help of our teachers, we had found the right places where to get them.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

“Distinct, Creative and Well Made… These are the great words that can best describe the products of the City of Pines.” -We are very thankful that we have done this research because we were able to know and learn more about the products of Baguio and had first-hand experiences on the creation and selling of these items and were able to meet different kinds of people while conducting the project.

6. How did your activities and research for this Doors to Diplomacy Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?

In our present time, everyone is using the modern technologies. Almost every house in the world has their internet connection. By creating a website that would showcase our city’s products we believe that we can be able to invite people from around the world to visit our city. Our project lets us realize that we should appreciate everything in our community especially its products. Through the course of this project, we had become more responsible and independent in doing our work. We had developed new skills like socializing with other people when the interviewing others. Also, we had been more creative in doing the webpage. This project really prepares us for future problems in business and life. Our world today is very fast paced and development is rampant. With the upbringing of different gadgets that makes our lives comfortable, we are able to spread diplomacy easily and even better.

1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your Doors to Diplomacy project?

Software: Microsoft Word 2007 - used to encode the contents Adobe Photoshop - used to make the pictures used in the website Hardware Desktop Computer – used for the creation of website and access to the internet Cell phone – used for communication between the members of the group Digital Cameras- used to take pictures for the website

2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your Doors to Diplomacy project both on-line and in person.

Being students from a very known school that teaches quality education, we used the knowledge we had to act as ambassadors and speakers. We would interviewed business owners about the products they sell. We also asked the community for their comments about the products

3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?

We are here to show the world what the Cordilleran products are. We believe that if we showcase one of Baguio’s products, other people would come here and explore more. If this happens, more tourists will come and buy products so businesses will prosper; thus, we will be a help to our native businessmen.

4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?

In our project, the need of advices from teachers and the business owners are really needed. Our teachers guided us from the start. We also asked the help of our parents for their financial support to us especially when we go out to interviews. Business owners like The Good Shepherd Convent helped us by answering all our questions during interviews.