The Ilocos Times

  Gandang Buntis ng Batac 2025 . The City Government of Batac, under the leadership of Engr. Albert D. Chua, launched an inspiring initiative to promote awareness about maternal health, wellness, and the joys of motherhood held on May 29, 2025, the City Health Office-Maternal and Child Health Care (Lying-in) Clinic spearheaded the “Gandang Buntis ng Batac 2025” pageant—an event dedicated to celebrating the beauty, strength, and resilience of expectant mothers in our community. This program aimed to raise awareness about maternal and child health, encourage healthier pregnancies and deliveries, and foster a more inclusive, supportive environment for all mothers-to-be. The pageant featured nine participants from various barangays, each showcasing not only grace and confidence but also the inspiring journey of motherhood. The top three winners were awarded cash prizes of ₱10,000, ₱7,000, and ₱5,000, respectively. In addition, five minor awards were presented to deservin...

BEGGING your pardon for that rather naughty title of this piece, what I would like to bring out is that if we truly have the Christian spirit, that spirit should animate not only our spiritual soul but also our body all the way to our sexuality as represented by our genitalia where the crudest and strongest forms of our animality are found. That’s because our Christianity should not only be a spiritual affair. It has to impact the whole man, body and soul. Let’s remember that man is always a unity of body and soul. He is not just pure body nor pure spiritual soul. And as our Catechism teaches us, the body, properly animated by the spiritual soul, shares in the dignity of the “image of God.” (cfr. CCC 364) We can say that once our sexuality is animated by the Christian spirit, we truly can consider ourselves as authentic and consistent Christian. That’s because our sexuality can be regarded as the last frontier where the Christian spirit has to conquer. And it’s not an easy frontier...

In theory , price controls have no place in a free market economy. The idea is simple: let supply and demand determine market prices, and let healthy competition do the rest. In such an ideal world, the government would play referee, not participant. Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs), for instance, should logically be set by manufacturers or distributors—not by government agencies. And yet, as with many things, theory doesn’t always line up with reality. In the Philippines, the concept of the Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) appears to be something of a local innovation. It’s not widely seen—or even recognized—in other countries. While the term “suggested” implies a degree of flexibility, the inclusion of “maximum” adds a controlling tone that veers uncomfortably close to a mandated ceiling. This duality conflicts with the principles of a free market economy, where private businesses ideally have the autonomy to price their products based on value, cost, and demand. This raises a...

By   Engr. Carlos V. Cornejo Fraternal correction is an act of charity of pointing out to others their fault which could harm themselves and others.   The Catechism of the Catholic Church specifically includes fraternal correction as one of the proofs of our love for others.   “The fruits of charity are joy, peace, and mercy; charity demands beneficence and fraternal correction.” (CCC 1829) We live in a very imperfect world inhabited by very imperfect people.   It’s unavoidable that we would offend others or at the receiving end of an offense whether intentional or not, thus we need to correct one another.      Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us how to correct one another in the following passage of St. Matthew’s Gospel.   “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.   If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.   But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you,...

  Pagudpud  Mayor Rafael Ralph Benemerito congratulates their town’s pride Lance Lyam Aguila Bartolome for bringing home 2 bronze and 2 silver medals in gymnastics in the recently concluded Palarong Pambansa 2025. (Photo courtesy of LGU Pagudpud)

Who was that senatorial candidate who boldly declared that if elected, he would not propose any new laws because we already have enough? Crazy as he might have sounded to some, there is a ring of truth to his words. We do have enough laws. The real problem is that we are far too slow in implementing them—even though we are too fast in passing them. Yes, that is the grand irony of our legislative system: we keep churning out new laws, yet we neglect to implement them. Equally ironic is that we do not revisit our old laws that clearly need to be updated. In fact, the “new” laws we need are those that refine and modernize existing ones—not add to the pile of unread statutes collecting dust. Talking of ironies, one of the most glaring is how our environmental laws are being ignored—ironically treated like garbage. Republic Act No. 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, is a prime example. Despite its clear and detailed mandates, it is often overlooked. Our waste managem...

By Carlos V. Cornejo God pays attention to small things.   We should too.   When Christ did a miracle of multiplying the loaves and fishes to feed five thousand people, he instructed his disciples to gather the left-over food.   “When they all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’   So, they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.”   (John 6:12-13) In fact, God rewards generously those who take care of the little things, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much: enter into the joy of your master.”   (Matthew 25:23) Many people are not moving with God today simply because they were not willing to take the small steps He placed before them.    Let’s look at the number of young people who have finished college in the Philippines for example. ...

City of Batac —The Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC) officially opened its Adolescent Friendly Health Facility (AFHF)—a space specially designed for young people to feel seen, heard, and cared for. The inauguration was conducted by the Department of Pediatrics, headed by AFHF program manager, Dr. Raymond Jerry V. Baguio, under the leadership of medical center chief Dr. Maria Lourdes K. Otayza. In her opening remarks, Dr. Otayza stated, “𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦—𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯, 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘴”. The event was also graced by the presence of two of the most respected figures in adolescent medicine: Dr. Ma. Emma Llanto, a trailblazer in the field and current Vice President of the International Association of Adolescent Health for East A...

Senator  Imee Marcos, who was the administering officer, with the Vice Mayor's League of the Philippines (VMLP) National Officials headed by interim national president Pinili Vice Mayor Maynard Francis Bumanglag, treasurer Dingras Vice Mayor Erdio Valenzuela.  Bumanglag delivers his message as the newly elected interim national president (inset). ( Photo courtesy of Pinili OVM) By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  taff Reporter Laoag City —Another Ilocano from the province of Ilocos Norte shone as Pinili Vice Mayor Maynard Francis Bumanglag was elected as interim national president of Vice Mayor’s League of the Philippines (VMLP). Senator Imee Marcos personally administered the oath of office of the newly elected VMLP Interim national officers headed by Bumanglag on June 5, 2025 in Manila during the second Quarter National Executive Board and Term-End Solidarity Meeting of the VMLP . The Ilocos Times learned that the VLMP national president ran for councilor, the vice pr...

My dear countrymen, it may not mean anything significant, but I am curious why President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly offering Elon Musk to handle both artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto currency in the next administration. The reports are sketchy, but Musk was also supposedly offered to run the proposed Dept. of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an offer that Musk will reportedly decline, because he would rather be a “volunteer IT consultant” himself. What these bits of information are telling us, is that AI, cryptocurrency and government efficiency are all in one loop, at least in the mind of incoming President Trump. From what I hear, Musk is attributing government inefficiency to outdated software that is being used in the government, an issue that no one has dared to bring out in the Philippines. I wonder what Musk is alluding to? Perhaps what he means is that the software of the US government is outdated because it does not use AI, and it also does not yet honor cryptocur...

Batac native Noralyn Dudt speaks before members of the Annak ti Batac-Canada  On May 10, 2025 the Annak ti Batac Association of Canada held its 21 st  Inaugural Ball to celebrate and to induct its new officers. Noralyn  Onto Dudt was invited to deliver the keynote address and below was her message: Naimbag nga rabii yu amin apo kakailian . It was nice getting to meet so many of you yesterday at our “Meet & Greet”. So many wonderful memories of my childhood in Batac came flooding back. I'm very thankful to Dr. Rubio—my Manong Don—and the officers of the Annak ti Batac Association of Canada for giving me this opportunity. It's quite an honor and I will be forever grateful.   I hope I will not disappoint. Let us focus on why and how Batac is called the "home of great leaders." Notice the "great"....it's not just leaders, but GREAT Leaders! But allow me to tell a little story as a prologue to that. At our Lutheran Church in Bethesda, Maryland we ...

It was in the living room of the two sisters Rachel and Ruth Rubio in Scarborough when the idea of forming an association of Bataqueños in Canada emerged. The small gathering of Batac expats   discussed    the possibility and agreed to proceed with the idea. Thus, among the attendees of a birthday celebration, the Annak ti Batac Association of Canada was born. “Bayanihan”, a unique aspect of Filipino culture   is a beautiful   tradition that embodies the spirit of community and cooperation. It's all about people coming together to work on a common goal. It is making a conscious effort to give one's time, energy, and resources to support a cause greater than one's own benefit. Deeply-rooted in Filipino society, this trait contributes to the strong sense of community that the Philippine Islands are known for. The  three  ladies: the Rubio sisters, Rachel and Ruth with Noralyn Dudt Ruth Rubio arrived in Canada in 1968 and worked in the Canadian ...

  The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) warned the public not to reply to or click any link in fake messages sent by scammers online using the name and logo of PHLPost or other delivery services. PHLPost will not send messages or notices via text/email or online stating that a mail or parcel was unable to be delivered due to the wrong address, asking for an update of the address, and charging the corresponding amount of P17.05. The messages contain a fake website address that is not owned by PHLPost. Postmaster General Luis D. Carlos advises the public to disregard these fake delivery messages and not to engage in any transactions that may compromise their sensitive data, such as personal and financial information. “These scammers pretend to be a legitimate company or individual sending SMS [short messaging service], online messages, calls, or more. We warned the public not to respond to any messages or specific instructions and should not click any link that may eve...

VIGAN CITY—Senatorial candidate Kiko Pangilinan is pushing for the passage of a law providing free and nutritious breakfast to students in pre-school to Grade 12 levels in public schools. While visiting the city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur for the final leg of his campaign sortie in Northern Luzon on Thursday, May 8, 2025, Pangilinan said school-aged children and their parents will get the most benefit of the proposed legislation which he intends to pass should he be re-elected again in the senate. " Kapag busog ang ating mga anak, nag-aaral sila ng husto at marami silang natututinan. Dahil sa mga paaralan na walang meals, malaki ang drop-out rate at mababa ang test score nila sa Math, Physics, Science at iba pa,” said Pangilinan citing the need to address this issue that the country faces today. The former senator and food security czar added that a specific provision of the law should also ensure that at least 50 percent of the food supply should be locally-sourced or dir...

Bacarra , Ilocos Norte—Twenty-three modern Ilokanas dazzled the crowd in a cultural fashion show wearing modern interpretations of the traditional ‘kimona’ and ‘terno’ at the Dome-less Belfry of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in this town on April 23, 2025. As part of Miss Ilocos Norte 2025’s preliminary activities, the Inabel Fashion Show and Terno Competition exhibited locally designed ensembles, aimed to honor Ilokano culture through fashion, putting a spotlight on inabel weaving traditions. Each candidate modelled unique creations as symbols of Ilokana grace and modesty that fused heritage craftsmanship with contemporary style. Xavier Rafales Ruiz, supervising tourism operations officer, remarked: “This segment aims to showcase our creatives, including our heritage crafts, in particular, inabel fabric.” “The ‘kimona’ is one of the iconic Filipino designs that needs more attention and needs more promotion. It's unusual because if you think of Filipiniana or Filipina-inspire...