The Ilocos Times

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 From what I hear, Musk is attributing government inefficiency to outdated software that is being used in the government, an issue that no one has dared to bring out in the Philippines.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 Perhaps what he means is that the software of the US government is outdated because it does not use AI, and it also does not yet honor cryptocur...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...

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) warned the public against websites that misrepresent the state deposit insurer by using the PDIC’s logo, links and contents without authority. One such website is claiming to be a “premier online directory for government institutions and services” and is mispresenting itself to be affiliated with the PDIC. The PDIC urged the public to take precautions when dealing with such websites and to avoid sharing personal and/or financial information or login details on any suspicious website claiming to be affiliated with the PDIC. The Corporation also reiterated that its sole official website is www.pdic.gov.ph . Any variation of this URL is not affiliated with the PDIC and is not authorized to use the PDIC logo and represent the PDIC in any way. Bank depositors, PDIC stakeholders and the general public are also urged to report any suspicious activities or fraudulent use of the PDIC logo and website contents to the PDIC Public Assistance...

1st INABEL provincial winners announced The winners of the newly launched Ilocos Norte Award for Barangays Excellence in Legislation (INABEL) are given their awards during the Ilocos Norte Liga ng Mga Barangays (LnB) provincial congress 2025 held March 21-23, 2025 in Nasugbu, Batangas. They are: Brgy. 1 San Lorenzo Laoag City (City Category); Brgy. 11 San Fernando, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte (1st-3rd Class Municipal Category), and Brgy.  Caparispisan, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte (4th-5th Class Municipal Category). [ Photos courtesy of LnB Ilocos Norte] By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Nasugbu , Batangas—A total of 652 barangay officials from the entire Ilocos Norte participated in the Liga Ng Mga Barangay (LMB) Ilocos Norte Chapter provincial congress 2025 with the   theme: “Barangay Leaders Empowerment for the Nation’s Sustainable Growth and Development’’ held March 21-25, 2025 at Forest Crest Resort and Hotel in Nasugbu, Batangas. LnB Provincial President and...

Vows support for Alcid, Lao tandem President  Bongbong Marcos raises the hands of his chosen team for Laoag City for the May 2025 elections during Team Marcos Laoag’s kick-off rally on March 28, 2025. By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. was in this city to personally proclaim the Team Marcos candidates for Laoag, headed by Laoag Councilors James Bryan Alcid and Handy Lao, running for mayor and vice-mayor, respectively held in front of the Provincial Capitol on March 28, 2025. Thousands of people attended the proclamation started which started at 4 pm and lasted until midnight with showbiz personalities Lyka Estrella, Mandy Flores, Jayson Gainza, Pooh, Barbie Imperial, Richard Gutierez and the Magrus gracing the event. Alcid, in his speech, disclosed how he grew up in Laoag, a “true blooded Ilocano”, a loving and a family-oriented individual. In his platform of governance, Alcid proposed the allocation of fund ...

With how things people and events came undone and unraveled in the past few weeks, only one major personality seemed to have taken the worst of the fallout. She, who once stood out for being fearless and truly unshakable, seemed to have lost her footing. And as events slid and shook, she went on a freefall. To be honest about it, I also began having second thoughts about supporting her candidacy and voting for her again, as what was I wont to do since she first became a candidate for governor. A popular political pundit loves to call her actions as “ namamangka sa dalawang ilog ,” a direct dig at her being at two political camps—that of her brother; and that of the former president. It was not a good portrait at all. Even Ilocanos, her main support base, had taken notice of it and had began questioning her loyalties. Apparently, for a Marcos loyalist, loyalty should never waver and should never change; which to a point they have proven, and which culminated in 2022, when a Marcos re...

Batac  Mayor Albert D. Chua along with vice mayor Windell D. Chua  and councilor Markee Chua hands over the “Resolution of Warmest Congratulations and Commendation” and a cash incentive of PHP20,000 to Mhelanie Dhave Vidad, a native of Batac, for being the  8 th  top board passer in the 2024 Philippine Nurses Licensure Exam held Jan. 17, 2024. (Photo courtesy of CMO-Batac)  

The Ilocos Times Outstanding Ilocano Awards, which began in 2012, recognize individuals whose excellence, dedication, and service have made a meaningful impact ibn Ilocos and beyond. Meet our 2025 awardees whose contributions, in their respective spheres of influence, uplift communities and drive positive change. Virgilio M. Calajate Public Service A dedicated public servant, an accomplished businessman, and a steadfast leader, Hon. Virgilio M. Calajate has spent three decades championing the welfare of his people. Beginning his journey as Barangay Captain of Gabut Norte in 1993, he led with commitment and vision, transforming his community into a model of governance, sustainability, and peace. In 2023, under his leadership, Gabut Norte stood alone as the only barangay in Badoc to obtain the Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangay —a testament to his dedication to effective governance. By 2024, through his support, inspiration, and mentorship, three barangays followed sui...