The Ilocos Times

  By Leilanie G. Adriano ( Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY–Closed for more than two weeks, Ilocos Norte’s smallest town composed of one barangay is now accepting local tourists—but only from this province. Home to over 2,000 peace-loving indigenous peoples, waterfalls and hanging bridges, the town of Adams temporary suspended the entry of visitors from August 10-25, 2020 following the surge of coronavirus infections in the province. Executive Order No. 28-2020 which Adams mayor Rosalia Dupagen signed barred the entry of non-residents, re-echoing Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc’s directive to cooperate with authorities and help contain the spread of the virus. “Adams is now open to tourism activities,” said municipal tourism officer Anavic Medrano on August 27, 2020, delighting netizens who want to visit Adams town, known for its local fruit wines and scenic destinations. Ms. Medrano, however clarified that only Ilocos Norte residents can visit Adams until further n

  Law enforcers witness a "slash-and-burn" site just a kilometer away from one of the town's pristine waterfalls where tourists enjoy trekking and swimming on July 11, 2020. Adams tourism officer Anavic Medrano said the area is covered with cogon grass and it will be planted with banana saplings. ( Lei Adriano) By Leilanie G. Adriano ( Staff Reporter) Adams, Ilocos Norte —The provincial government’s Environment and Natural Resources Office sounded the alarm on the rampant practice of slash-and-burn farming in this eco-tourism destination of the north. During a tree-planting program on July 11, 2020 with the ENRO and the Philippine National Police and a non-government organization participating, ENRO chief Estrellla “Baby” Sacro expressed her dismay on the rampant practice of slash-and-burn practice in this municipality, which she personally witnessed during the said activity. Overlooking a lush forest and streams that surround a population of less than 2,000, or a

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Adams, Ilocos Norte —The gastronomic delights in this growing ecotourism destination of the northeastern part of Ilocos Norte got even better in luring tourists as homestay owners, food vendors and wine makers got a taste of a culinary workshop here. Sponsored by the Department of Tourism (DOT), at least 39 members of the indigenous peoples (IP) in a small community of Adams town composed of only one village graduated from a two-day Kulinarya Workshop held August 1-2, 2019 at the town ’ s gymnasium. Chef Jose Ramlo Villaluna, a tourism advocate and resource speaker of the DOT ’ s pioneering culinary workshop in the province, said the unique food being offered in Adams such as pinikpikan (beaten chicken stew), dinakdakan a susop (banana blossoms with grated coconut), balbalosa (a miniature eggplant only found in Adams), and other exotic edible plants and vegetables are already delectable but it can become even more enticing

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Adams Ilocos Norte —Some students of the Adams National High School (ANHS) are going into wine-making business. As a growing eco-tourism destination for local and foreign tourists, this town is known as the “fruit bowl capital” of Ilocos Norte and became famous for its bugnay fruit wine and other local spirit wines such as tapuey (rice wine), roselle, dragon fruit, pineapple, lemongrass and turmeric among others. Inspired by the thriving wine industry here, Jessie Bayeng, Teacher 1 of the ANHS said Grade 11 and Grade 12 students are taking up entrepreneurship subject. The subject teaches the student how to process fruit wines and how to sell it in the market. “Our students learn how to ferment local fruits into wine and they are also required to make a business plan out of it,” said Mr. Bayeng. During the fruit season, these students gather whatever fruits available and ferment it for at least six months. After that, they

Laoag City —the Municipality of Adams made history in Ilocos Norte as the first member of the Indigenous Cultural Community (ICC) in the province to conquer the “Tan-ok ni Ilocano Festival of Festivals.” Usually held in the latter months of the year, “Tan-ok ni Ilocano”, or simply “Tan-ok”, is a grand showdown of town and city festivals set onstage instead of on the streets as in traditional fiestas. Last November, organizers announced the postponement of the contest in light of Ilocos Norte’s 200 th founding year or bicentennial celebration. The “bicentennial edition” of the competition is also its seventh installment. Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos shared, “ Kahit winatak-watak ang Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union… hinati-hati ang Cordillera— iisa pa rin ang Ilocano . …( A)ng dami-dami naming kwento, ang daming produkto, ang daming tribo ,” she added, saying “Tan-ok” was Ilocos Norte’s great effort to tell their stories through the ar