The Ilocos Times

THE lesson we can draw from the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin (cfr. Lk 15,1-10) is very clear. We need to give special attention and exert special effort to recover those who have lost their way toward God. This is the real test of discipleship. We obviously need some special training for this. But let’s not forget that the first thing to do is to beg for that grace and power of God so we can carry out this duty that is clearly beyond our human powers and condition. In our prayer, we should ask God to instill in us this strong urge to be concerned for those who have strayed from the proper way, those who for one reason or another are ostracized and alienated from God and from the rest of humanity. With God’s grace, let’s embark on a plan to develop the appropriate attitude, virtues, skills and practices. Yes, we have to learn how to be “all things to all men to save at least some,” as St. Paul once said. (cfr. 1 Cor 9,22) Definitely this would require of us a ve

Dear Mr. President: During the series of Senate hearings about how dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Gou was able to leave the country, one of the resource persons said that one of the reasons is that we have “porous borders”. I think that there is nothing new with that, because that is a reality that we could not avoid, considering that we are an archipelagic country. However, what could be a cause for concern, is that if that porousness could enable fugitives to get out, it could also enable terrorists and even hostile foreign agents to come in. Because our borders are naturally porous, there is probably no way to fully prevent the exit of fugitives, and the entry of terrorists. However, it would be realistic to assume that we could do the next best thing and that is to minimize both the exits and the entries. And how could we do that? I do not have a ready design yet, but I believe that we could do that through a mix of manual and digital systems. If there is a will, there is a

From time to time, we see Christ showing anger over certain issues. This only validates the fact that anger is not necessarily bad, since it is part of our human nature and definitely also of the supernatural character of our life. We just have to be very careful about it, seeing to it that our anger is righteous anger, and not just the anger of a brute animal. When Christ got mad over some leading Jews of his time, (Lk 10,13-16) that was because despite the many good things Christ showed them, they persisted in their own self-righteous ways and even went to the extent not only of not believing in Christ but also of finally condemning him to death. We too should feel the anger of Christ, since we cannot deny that despite everything that Christ has done for us, we continue to be erratic in our ways, falling into all kinds of anomalies and sins. By feeling Christ’s anger, we should also feel the need for us to have another round of repentance and conversion. Let’s just be frank ab

In response to disasters like severe tropical storm Kristine [international name Trami], Sen. Imee Marcos filed Senate Bill No. 186, which aims to create the National Resiliency and Disaster Management Authority. The said agency will focus on preparing, giving warnings, responding to and helping communities after calamities. “If we have a centralized authority for disaster management, we would be able to identify the most vulnerable zones and prepare properly against disasters,” Marcos said, calling for an agency that focuses on leading anything disaster-related. Marcos emphasized the lack of preparedness and coordination among provinces frequently affected by calamities, particularly in Bicol. “Bicol faces the Pacific, has an active volcano, and is subject to numerous accompanying threats, why hasn't a synchronized national response been established?” the senator questioned. The victims of severe tropical storm Kristine complained about the power outage, inadequate genset i

By Noralyn Onto Dudt If you think dieting will make you lose weight, think again. You need to consider what metabolism is and how it works. Metabolism is the process through which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. This complex process powers everything you do, from breathing, to growing, to providing your brain with the energy to think. Whether your body is active or at rest, it's constantly burning calories (a measure of energy) non-stop. Even when you're resting or sleeping, your body needs energy to keep vital functions going, like breathing, circulating blood, and repairing cells. This energy use is called basal metabolic rate (BMR)). Daily activities such as walking,   talking, and doing everyday tasks also burn calories.   Physical activities like running, swimming, or lifting weights increase the number of calories your body uses. Metabolism is largely influenced by genetics. However, there are some lifestyle modifications you can make t

Change can be a powerful force—sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. But one thing remains certain: it’s not always inevitable. As witnesses to many changes, we know that embracing or resisting them is a gamble. What matters most is not the change itself but our decision to accept or reject it. In the City of Batac, voters face this choice in next year’s midterm elections. Competing for their trust are two teams: the incumbents, with outgoing Mayor Albert Chua stepping down after three terms to run for vice mayor, and his son, neophyte Councilor Christian Mark Chua, aiming for the mayoralty. On the other side, former Mayor Jeffrey Nalupta seeks a comeback, with Councilor Bismark Quidang as his running mate for vice mayor. History is telling. Nalupta challenged Albert Chua in 2019 and lost by more than 10,000 votes. Another Nalupta contender faced off against Chua in 2022, suffering an even greater defeat. This voting pattern suggests that Batac voters know what they