American speaker inspires Ilocanos to be more creative

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

BATAC CITY—Challenging Ilocanos to think out of the box, the United States Embassy in partnership with the government-owned Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the Ilocos Norte government hosted a “Curiosity Tour” workshop on May 6 at the MMSU function hall.

Participated in by about 150 students and professionals from various government and non-government organizations, C. McNair Wilson, chief encouragement officer of Assume Brilliance Group based in Colorado and Walt Disney imaginer, inspired participants to a lively, fun and interactive practical workshops on creative thinking, problem solving, brainstorming, public speaking and team-building—all in one day.

The whole-day “Curiosity Tour” with the self-published author of several books aims to bring in an individual or group’s creative potential for the personal development of every participant.

As one of the outreach programs of the US Embassy, Elizabeth Meza, assistant cultural affairs officer said they are bringing in popular American speakers several times a year to the Philippines to inspire people to do their jobs better.

Citing the MMSU’s active “American Corner” located at the university’s library in Batac campus, Meza said Ilocos Norte was chosen this year, being one of the 14 American corners established in the country.

“We love the works that is happening in Ilocos Norte and we wanted to come and support Ilocanos and give you maybe a little bit of inspiration and help continue the good works that the students, government and non-government organizations are doing here,” she said.

Having travelled more than 32 countries and 49 US states, Mr. Wilson said Ilocos Norte reminds him of Central America, the terrain that is very rich and with green landscape makes it fun and exciting.

“It’s been great. We went to St. Augustine Church and the Nueva Era eco-cultural park and tribal village. It’s beautiful! We had great food and the people are so much fun,” he said.

The participants also expressed their gratitude to the US Embassy and Mr. Wilson for the free workshop, opening more avenues for creativity.

After Batac, “The Curiosity Tour” traveled to the Central Philippine University in Iloilo City; and at the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

Invited participants from the media, academe, private, non-government and government sectors enjoyed full-day events of team work and interactive problem-solving activities designed to reignite their professional and personal creativity to produce valuable and useful solutions for their organizations.

Mr. Wilson believes that all people are born with an innate creative spirit and has spent his professional career helping others to unlock and tap into that spirit. Creativity is not only artistic expression, it is what drives people to make decisions every day, like taking a new route home from work or trying something new at a restaurant.

“It is your factory-installed creative spirit at work when you rearrange furniture in your office or family room to function more effectively, or when you just try something different to get a fresh perspective: Your desk facing the window not the door. All those are expressions of your creative spirit. You use it every day,” Mr. McNair writes in his book Hatch! Brainstorm Secrets of a Theme Park Designer.

Free dormitories eyed for Nueva Era students in LC, Batac

Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Nueva Era , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, headed by Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida is planning to establish dormitories in the cities of Laoag and Batac that will exclusively cater to college students from the said cities. “Sapay la kuma ta maituloyen iti mabiit tay ar-arapaapen tayo ken iti munisipyo a maipatakderan kuma dagiti annak tayo a college students nga agbasbasa idiay siyudad iti Batac ken Laoag iti libre a dormitoryo a bukod da ngem inggana nga awan pay ket an-anusan mi paylaeng nga ibaklay kenni apo bise mayor iti pagbayad da iti kasera aggapu iti bukod mi a suweldo malaksid dagitay it-ited iti munisipyo ken iti barangay nga stipend da kada semester, ” Garvida said. Garvida added that the proposed establishment of dormitories would be a big help to the students’ parents as this would shoulder the expenses of their children for rent and likewise they would feel more secured

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

P29 per kilo rice sold to vulnerable groups in Ilocos region

BBM RICE. Residents buy rice for only PHP29 per kilo at the NIA compound in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. The activity was under a nationwide pilot program of the government to sell quality and affordable rice initially to the vulnerable sectors. (Lei Adriano) San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte —Senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents availed of cheap rice sold at PHP29 per kilogram during the grand launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice held at the National Irrigation Administration compound in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. “ Maraming salamat Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa inyong pagmamahal sa Region 1 lalong-lalo na sa bayan namin sa San Nicolas,” said Violeta Pasion, a resident Brgy. 18 Bingao in this town. The low-priced grains were sourced from the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) contract farming with irrigators' association members in the province. Along with Pasion, Epi

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog