The Ilocos Times

  Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming part of newsroom operations in the Philippines, helping journalists work more efficiently and produce content more quickly. However, a new study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) warns that the technology also poses significant challenges to the long-term sustainability of news organizations, while raising concerns about information integrity and intellectual property rights. Titled “AI Use in Philippine News Media: Adoption, Impacts, and Challenges,” the study examined how Philippine news organizations are adopting AI and assessed its implications for journalism, media sustainability, and governance. Researchers found that AI is increasingly being used for tasks such as transcription, editing, fact-checking, content research, and audience analytics. These applications help newsrooms streamline routine tasks, boost productivity, and meet growing demand for digital and multimedia content. Despite ...

Manila — This Father’s Day, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) joins Filipino families across the country in honoring fathers for their invaluable contributions in nurturing, protecting, and guiding their families. For generations, fathers have been regarded as the “haligi ng tahanan”—the pillar of the family whose hard work and sacrifices help provide stability and security for their loved ones. As Filipino families continue to navigate changing social, economic, and demographic realities, CPD recognizes that the role of fathers has evolved beyond being providers to becoming active partners in building healthy, resilient, and future-ready families. "Fatherhood today encompasses many roles," said CPD Executive Director Usec. Lisa Grace S. Bersales. "Fathers are not only providers but also caregivers, mentors, role models, and partners in making decisions that shape the future of their families. This Father's Day, we celebrate Filipino fathers wh...

A recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) found that students under the MATATAG Curriculum performed better on assessments after a year of implementation, while teachers in participating schools reported stronger collaboration that may help improve classroom practices over time. The study, “Teaching through Transition: What Influences Teachers’ Practices amidst Curriculum Reform?”, evaluated the curriculum's first year of implementation in selected public schools during School Year 2023–2024. It drew on teacher surveys, classroom observations, and assessments administered to about 15,000 students. The findings come as the Department of Education (DepEd) continues to implement the MATATAG Curriculum nationwide in School Year 2026–2027, providing early evidence on how the reform affected teaching and learning during its pilot phase. Introduced by DepEd to address learning losses and long-standing concerns over education quality, the MATATAG Cu...

Language mismatch between the classroom and the home can significantly reduce learning outcomes, with Filipino learners paying what researchers describe as a hidden “tax on learning,” according to studies presented during a recent Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) webinar. The webinar brought together findings from two PIDS-supported studies examining how language affects learning outcomes, literacy development, and the implementation of education policies in the Philippines. Presenting findings from the study “ Linguistic Mismatch and Learning Productivity: Evidence from Mother Tongue-based Education in the Philippines ,” PIDS senior research fellow Michael Ralph Abrigo said learners perform better when the language used in school matches the language they speak and understand at home. “The mismatch of languages is like taxes,” Abrigo said. He explained that when students and teachers do not fully understand one another, learners expend additional effort a...

By Noralyn O. Dudt “Hallelujah hallelujah" chorus emanates from all quarters across the globe:   in cathedrals, churches, concert halls, shopping malls, school plays during this Christmas season. And HE shall live forever and ever… Hallelujah. Composed in 1741, The MESSIAH" by George Frideric Handel is still being played today and remains a favorite of many.   One wonders whether Handel saw the "Messiah" as his ticket to immortality. Handel wrote numerous oratorios but his most famous one was the "Messiah." The words were taken from the Bible and unless one is familiar with Scriptures, one would think this oratorio had no plot at first glance. However, the subject title is the plot—the prophecies about the Messiah: his life, death, resurrection, ascension,   and his eternal reign. An oratorio is different from an opera in two ways. It isn't acted out, with scenery and costumes, like an opera. The word "oratorio" comes from the Latin ...

By Carlos V. Cornejo A good book in managing our negative emotions is the one authored by renowned psychologist Susan David, entitled “Emotional Agility”.   In her book she gave four ways to deal with destructive emotions such as anger, sadness, boredom, self-pity or nervousness.   First, she suggested we need to be more accurate in describing our emotions.   That we should be able to distinguish sadness from boredom, anger from hatred, anxiety from loneliness, etc. in assessing our emotions.   Describing more accurately our emotions is like describing symptoms of our sickness to a doctor.   A well-defined problem will be a much easier problem to solve. Second, she advises us to accept our negative emotions.   Don’t run away from them by distracting ourselves with smartphone, use of social media or watching Netflix.   Running away from it would just make it come back with a vengeance.   I would want to inject a Christian remedy here.  ...

U.S. Marines and Philippine airmen load palletized family food packs onto a U.S. Navy MV-22B Osprey at Clark Air Base on November 13, 2025. Clark Air Base, Pampanga —In the immediate aftermath of Supertyphoon Fung-wong (local name Uwan ), the United States continues to answer the call for assistance from one of our closest friends, partners, and allies, the Philippines . Striking less than a week after Typhoon Kalmaegi ’s (local name Tino ) devastation, Supertyphoon Fung-wong has further strained relief efforts on the ground. The United States continues to support Philippine-led efforts to save lives, alleviate suffering, and address urgent needs. To this end, the United States is providing an additional US$1.5 million (Php87 million) in emergency, life-saving assistance in support of the Philippine government-led response, bringing the total US response to Typhoons Kalmaegi and Fung-wong to US$2.5 million (Php145 million), including support for logistics, emergency shelter, wa...

Frenchie  Mae Cumpio has been held in detention for nearly six years since her arrest in February 2020 on charges of illegal possession of firearms and financing terrorism . New York —The Committee to Protect Journalists and partners welcomed a Philippine court ’s decision to quash the murder charges against community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and called on authorities to drop all remaining charges against her. The 26-year-old journalist has been held in detention for nearly six years since her arrest in February 2020 on charges of illegal possession of firearms and financing terrorism. A court is set to rule on the firearms case in January 2026 . No date has been fixed for the other case. She faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted on both charges. Cumpio faced a separate case on murder and attempted murder charges over an incident in October 2019; a court in the eastern Philippines granted her petition to nullify the charges on November 6, 2025 . Another court als...

Laoag City —The provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) showcased local mythology and creativity in this year’s “Semana ti Ar-aria” Ilocano Halloween Festival, a week-long celebration that brought together culture, artistry, and community spirit across the province. Held in commemoration of the Day of the Dead, the festival honored the memory of departed loved ones while celebrating Ilokano heritage and tradition. Leading this year’s festivities, Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos joined the parade dressed as "Inang Reyna" from “Encantadia,” a Filipino fantasy TV show. Provincial employees and public servants from across Ilocos Norte filled the streets in elaborate costumes inspired by Philippine folklore , bringing myth and fantasy to life through dance, music, and performance. Araneta-Marcos expressed PGIN’s continued support for initiatives that promote Ilokano culture and creativity, stating: “The Semana ti Ar-aria Halloween Celebration brings to lif...