The Ilocos Times

By Noralyn O. Dudt During these past few weeks, I'm seeing a large number of photos of what the Las Islas de Filipinas (Philippines) looked in the late 1800s and early 1900s  on FB sites of  Pilipinas Retrostalgia, Herencia Filipinas, and several others.  Photos  of old churches/cathedrals that are now in the World Heritage list,  schools, town plazas,  bridges, Filipinos daily life that are archived in libraries and museums in the West. The U.S. Library of Congress, University of Michigan, University of  Wisconsin, private collections in Washington, New York, Germany and the Netherlands are resurfacing, thanks to diligent research. The pictures were taken by American photographers—civilian and military—when the United States took over the Philippines in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. Noteworthy is the interesting fact that even though the United States had these photos, they were not the ones exhibited to the American public during the ...

Laoag City —The provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) spearheaded by Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc led a series of cash-for-work payout distribution on April 2, 2024 as Ilokano farmers concluded their environmental preservation services. PGIN, in partnership with the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development, allotted a budget for the program totaling to PHP54,810,900 which helped 13,212 beneficiaries in the first quarter of this year. Since Manotoc was elected as governor of Ilocos Norte, he has prioritized the promotion of environmental preservation which can be seen from his province-wide campaign “Narimat nga Aglawlaw” that focuses on implementing solid waste management and anti-pollution programs. This cash-for-work program is one of the foundations that builds the bridge towards improved quality of environment in the province and this is manifested in his speech during the cash distribution in Vintar, Ilocos Norte: “Rest assured itutuloy po namin itong programa...

ACTUALLY, our whole life here on earth is a test God gives us, to see if what he wants us to be, that is, to be his image and likeness, sharers of his divine life and nature is also what we ourselves would want to be. Thus, we are given intelligence to enable us to know this truth about ourselves, and the will to enable us to freely choose to follow God’s will and designs for us or not. We should therefore realize very deeply and abidingly that the main purpose of our intelligence and will is to comply with God’s will for us. Using them mainly for other purposes—personal, professional, political, etc.—would be misusing these God-given faculties of ours. Of course, to pass the test we need to follow God’s will. That’s where we achieve our true and basic dignity as persons and children of God. That’s also where we find our true joy, where we use properly our intelligence, will and other endowments, where we enjoy our true freedom. But there are special occasions when this test God ...

LAOAG  Councilor James Alcid defends his measure requesting the removal of plant boxes and overlay pavement which has effectively suspended the construction of a bike lane along the bypass road. (Inset) The suspended construction of a bike lane along the bypass road in Laoag City.  (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —The construction of A bike lane along the Rodolfo C.G. Farinas Jr. bypass road remains suspended following another resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod here. Laoag councilor James Bryan Alcid requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-Region 1 office) to remove the plant boxes and overlay pavement of the suspended government project launched by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), along the Rodolfo C.G. Fariñas Jr. bypass road, which he said should to be replaced by thermoplastic paint with solar studs and to be painted with cautionary color scheme. The Philippine Highway Network under the Ph...

TOURIST ARRIVALS. Tourists arrive at the Laoag International Airport in this undated photo. The peak day was recorded on March 29, 2024 with 84,824 visitors. ( Lei Adriano) By Leilanie G. Adriano LAOAG CITY—More local, domestic and foreign tourists are visiting Ilocos Norte, securing its spot as one of the premier tourism destinations in the country. Tourist arrival data released recently show that the province welcomed nearly 342,000 visitors during the Holy Week, Xavier Ruiz, officer-in-charge of the Ilocos Norte Tourism, said in a statement. "This marks a 5 percent increase from the same period in 2023 and a significant 48 percent jump compared to 2022, further exceeding pre-pandemic levels,” he said. Day-visitor arrivals, measured based on attractions, saw an increase to 341,953 while the peak day was on March 29, 2024, or Good Friday, with 84,824 visitors. Topping the list of the province's most visited attractions include the UNESCO-world heritage site of St. A...

BURNING OF FARM WASTE IN LAOAG CITY . The Bureau of Fire Protection dubbed the number of forest fires in the first quarter this year as alarming, after these have reached 26, higher than the 21 incidents in the whole of 2023. ( Lei Adriano) By Leilanie Adriano LAOAG CITY—An inter-agency task force has been formed in Ilocos Norte to address causes of forest fires which have reached 26 to date. The group is composed of representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), Philippine Air Force (PAF), Philippine Army (PA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the provincial government of Ilocos Norte. Fire Supt. Roxanne Annie Parado, provincial fire marshal, in an interview   said the task force will conduct foot patrols in the forest fire-prone areas while providing alternative source of livelihood to honey bee collectors, wildlife hunters and kaingeros (or those involved in slash an...

As far as I can remember, I have always been against using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to produce food. That has always been my belief, because I did not like the idea of splicing animal DNA into plant DNA. That was my belief, because I knew that the food companies were splicing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) genes from an animal DNA (from bacteria) into the DNA of the corn plant. As much as I would rather not eat genetically modified corn, I have no way of knowing now which are GMO corn and which are not in the markets, because of very poor enforcement of labeling laws in this country. By now, I seem to have no choice but to accept the fact that the battle against GMO foods is all but lost. Although I still would not want to stop fighting it if I still could, I am now willing to tolerate certain GMO foods only if one plant DNA is mixed with another plant DNA. And now, scientists from Australia have created a new strain of bananas by adding a gene from a wild banana. In other...

THE readings of Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter (Act 4,32-37 / Jn 3,7-15) somehow reminds us of two things: we need to live Christian poverty which demands all from us, and for that to take place, we need to be “born again,” so that the spirit of Christ would truly animate us and not just our human spirit. Christian poverty is no joke. As depicted in the first reading, the believers of Christ sold or turned over everything, created a common fund which was distributed to everyone according to their needs. This is a big challenge for us, considering that we always tend to get attached to the things of this world in a way that undermines true love that channels the very love of God for all of us. Let us remember that in our relation with God, there is no middle ground. It is either we are with him completely or not at all. We have to overcome that strong tendency to think that we can be partly with God and partly with our own selves, even if we can say that we are giving God 9...

The National Virtual Training Center in Silang, Cavite opens its doors to Philippine government agencies, academia, and industry partners for advanced training in detecting and responding to biological and chemical security threats. Manila ,—The Philippines and the United States governments recently inaugurated the National Virtual Training Center (NVTC) in Silang, Cavite that will improve and expand the training of public health personnel, veterinarian health workers, and first responders in addressing biological and chemical threats. Designed, constructed, and equipped through funding from the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP) and Chemical Security Elimination (CSE) Program, the NVTC is a multi-million dollar advanced training and practical laboratory facility that will increase the quantity and quality of training programs that cover multiple disciplines of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear security.  Through...

Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba speaks during the Street Pageantry and Showdown Competition of this year's Abel and Bawang Festival 2024 in Pinili. ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Pinili , Ilocos Norte—Ilocos Note  2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba (AMB) graced this year’s Abel and Bawang Festival 2024 in Pinili with the theme ‘’Panangtagiben Iti Pakasaritaan, Biag Ni Nana Magdalena Pagsarmingan, Salukag Ken Gaget Ni Pinileno, Raniag Iti Masakbayan’’. Barba, who served as the guest of honor and speaker during the Street Pageantry and Showdown Competition on April 3, 2024, said in his speech that this year’s festival will not only celebrate the Pinileños tradition through the art of dance but also to embark on a captivating journey of the municipality’s beloved Inabel especially the National Living Treasure Magdalena Gamayo and the Ilocos Pride ‘’White Gold’’, the precious Ilocos garlic. Barba added that this year’s theme re...

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) is ramping up its digital transformation efforts this year to streamline operations and deliver top-notch customer experience. Since assuming leadership in May 2023, LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz has prioritized the adoption of new technologies across the Bank’s operations to elevate customer convenience and accessibility to financial services. “We are heavily investing in enhancing our digital infrastructure to ensure seamless service delivery across our online banking channels and traditional touchpoints. Our priority remains steadfast in delivering solutions and exceptional service to our valued customers,” said President and CEO Ortiz. This year, LANDBANK aims to reduce over-the-counter transactions in its branches by encouraging customers to maximize the Bank’s digital banking channels. These include the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App, the iAccess online retail banking channel, and the Link.BizPortal web-based payment c...

Badoc, Ilocos Norte—This town’s Liga Ng Mga Barangay (LMB) President and Sangguniang Bayan ex-officio member Virgilio Calajate expressed his full support in the conduct of the first semi-annual barangay general assembly in all the barangays here with a theme ‘’Barangay At Mamamayan, Sama Samang Nagtutulungan Sa Pagtaguyod Ng Maayos, Maunlad At Mapayapang Pamayanan Tungo Sa Isang Bagong Pilipinas”. In expressing his full support for the conduct of the semi-annual general assembly as the “father” of all the Punong Barangays in this town, he said this would let their respective constituents about their accomplishment, especially on their plans, programs and activities for the barangay as well as their financial conditions. Calajate likewise emphasized his support for the “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., as the administration’s brand of governance and leadership which focuses on all-inclusive plans for economic and social transformation. “ ...

IF we are truly with Christ, there is no doubt that despite our unavoidable differences and conflicts, we can still manage to achieve a certain unity. Christ gives us the way, the power and the grace to achieve this unity. Thus, the expression, “cor unum et anima una,” (one heart and one soul) as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. (cfr. 4,32) It characterized the lives of the early Christians who fervently followed the teachings and example of Christ. Let’s hope that we too can manage to achieve that ideal. To live unity amid plurality and diversity in our lives is a constant quest for us. How do we achieve unity, a desired ideal, amid an obvious plurality we can observe even in each one of us individually, not to mention the ever-widening variety of things among ourselves and between ourselves and the rest of creation? It’s undeniable that deep within us is a natural longing for unity in whatever level and aspect of our life, whether personal, familial, social, political, or...

SEA BOUNTY. Tuna catch weighing 216 kilograms of Dilavo Fishermen Association in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte through lambaklad fishing. Lambaklad is being promoted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to boost the income of small scale fishermen. (Photo courtesy of Dilavo Fishermen Association) By Leilanie G. Adriano Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte—“Lambaklad”, an eco-friendly fish trap technology, has boosted the catch of Dilavo Fishermen Association (DFA) members from Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte since it was introduced in May 2023. With favorable weather on March 26, 2024, two of the group’s motorized fishing boats were loaded with tuna weighing a total of 216 kilos. “In behalf of the whole association of Dilavo Fishermen Association, thank you, Lord, for the blessings,” Eúng Ramos said in his Facebook post that showed the association’s catch for the day. Vanessa Abegail Dagdagan, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Ilocos Region (BFAR-1) senior aquaculturist, told The Ilocos ...

By Noralyn O. Dudt We often talk of IQ (intelligence quotient) as if that's what matters the most. IQ, the measure of a person's reasoning ability is supposed to gauge how well someone can use information and logic to answer questions or make predictions. It is the measure of cognitive abilities, such as the ability to learn or understand  or to deal with new situations. It is then tempting to read a lot into someone's IQ score. Most non-experts think intelligence is the reason successful people do so well. Psychologists who study Intelligence find this only partly true. IQ tests can predict how well people will do in particular situations, such as thinking abstractly in science, engineering or art, or leading teams of people.  But there's more to the story. Extraordinary achievements depend on many things. And those extra categories include ambition, persistence, opportunity, the ability to think clearly, and with right  timing—luck. As we all know, it's not t...

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) is ramping up its digital transformation efforts this year to streamline operations and deliver top-notch customer experience. Since assuming leadership in May 2023, LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz has prioritized the adoption of new technologies across the Bank’s operations to elevate customer convenience and accessibility to financial services. “We are heavily investing in enhancing our digital infrastructure to ensure seamless service delivery across our online banking channels and traditional touchpoints. Our priority remains steadfast in delivering solutions and exceptional service to our valued customers,” said President and CEO Ortiz. This year, LANDBANK aims to reduce over-the-counter transactions in its branches by encouraging customers to maximize the Bank’s digital banking channels. These include the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App, the iAccess online retail banking channel, and the Link.BizPortal web-based payment c...