The Ilocos Times

Manila —Applications are now being accepted for the 2015 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative   (YSEALI) Academic and Professional Fellowships. Academic Fellowships are intensive, short term programs in the United States that provide young leaders, ages 18-25, with a deeper understanding of the United States, while enhancing their leadership skills. YSEALI Professional Fellowships are for community leaders, ages 25-35, working in the fields of civic engagement, non-government organization management, economic empowerment, governance, legislative process or environmental and natural resources management. Professional Fellows will spend one month at a U.S.-based non-profit or government office to enhance their practical expertise, leadership skills, and professional contacts.  The deadline to apply for the 2015 YSEALI Academic and Professional Fellowships is June 1, 2015, and both programs are scheduled to take place in the fall. The U.S. government will cover all fees related t

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos (file photo) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —City Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas officially welcomed Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos to Laoag City. This came after the governor registered her “transfer of residency” at the Laoag City Commission on Election office to Airport Road, Brgy. 47 (Bengcag) on May 1, 2015. The official document contained the name Maria Imelda Marcos Manotoc and the transfer was from Batac City. Ms. Marcos had her own house constructed at the said Laoag barangay. Ms. Farinas said Laoag is “very thankful” that the “mother” of the province has chosen the city to be her new home city. She added that the governor now becomes a legitimate “Laoag voter”. Ms. Fariñas however said she is not aware of any political reason for the transfer of residence and the only idea she has is that the governor only wants to put in perspective that when one permanently stays in one place, it fol

I'm not exaggerating . Our need to pray is like our need to breathe. It should be non-stop, since it is indispensable in our union with God our Creator, who keeps us alive and healthy in our spiritual life. Again, let’s bring back a basic truth—without God we are nothing!   The only difference is that breathing is a bodily necessity and is instinctive and automatic until we die, while praying is a spiritual necessity that requires conscious effort and continues even after death though in a different form. In fact, praying requires faith, hope and charity which first of all are gifts from God that need to be corresponded to by us with a lot of patience and the dynamic interplay of all the other virtues. We should not be surprised by this requirement of prayer, much less complain about it, since praying is our most basic way of dealing with God who has given us all and who has the right to expect all for us also, we being his image and likeness. If understood and don

LAOAG  police chief P/Supt. Jeffrey T. Gorospe and members of the city police force teaches defense techniques in crime prevention during an Agserbi24/7 program at Brgy. Araniw in Laoag City on May 5. The Agserbi 24/7 restart for this year kicks off the countdown for the city’s golden anniversary celebration.  (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The city government is in full preparation for its “Golden Years” celebration on June 19, 2015. The 50-day countdown began on April 30, 2015. Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas said they have lined up a series of activities that began on April 30, 2015 with a motorcade and launching of this year’s “Agserbi 24/7”. On May 1, a Diana around the city was held followed by an Osteoarthritis Lay Forum intended for senior citizens on May 7 held at the city auditorium. Skills training for Marikina products production was also set for May 11-15 by the city social welfare and development in time wi

By Geraldine D. Ortal Contributor Wide smiles . Eyes sparkling. Heart leaping for countless joy. These are just but few of the sweet taste of a sweaty endeavor of learning which eventually culminates in a celebration called graduation. Graduation is undoubtedly a story of yours, a story of mine, a story of everyone. Graduation is the beginning. It is the commencement of more challenging adventures that lies ahead as one goes through for higher learning or for job opportunities. It is the start of a more mature role leaving elementary immaturities. It signifies the beginning of making a name for yourself and weaving and directing your own story. Graduation is the climax. Indeed, it is the peak of one’s life as it symbolizes achievement. It is an emblem of overcoming barriers as it passes every difficulty contained in schooling in search for deeper truths and more concrete information and knowledge. It gains the highest point of interest as it expose a graduate and its

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Rising temperatures have dried up farmlands in Ilocos Norte, now reaching to 645 hectares, a report from the Provincial Agriculture said. In a joint monitoring activity conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPAG), Provincial Agriculturist Norma Lagmay said they are now coming up with quick plan measures to help farmers cope with the dry spell. So far, Ms. Lagmay said there are about 645.5 hectares of fruits and vegetable farms, mostly in the southern and eastern towns of Ilocos Norte which are affected by drought. “At present, we are still validating reports from the different municipalities if these affected areas are totally affected or partially affected,” Ms. Lagmay added. As part of the coping mechanisms, the OPAG has been lending water pump units to farmers’ organizations in need of water supply while a farmers’ advisory has b

The Coro San Nicoleño bags two Gold Diplomas - Gold III for B2/All Male Choir Category and Gold IV for the Sacred Music Category. The completion was held in Hoi An, Vietnam on April 29-May 2. This is the first International Choir Competition where the Coro San Nicoleño participated. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Vietnam —Coro San Nicoleño (CSN), the all-male choral ensemble of the Municipality and Catholic Parish of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte was awarded Golden-Level III Diploma to win the Male Choir Category (B2), a Golden-Level IV Diploma for the Sacred Music (MS) category and the Conductor’s Prize for CSN Conductor, Sherberk Cabrales who bested more than 40 other conductors in the recently concluded 4 th Vietnam International Choir Competition held in the Heritage City of Hoi An on May 2, 2015. About 1,500 local and foreign singers of more than 45 choirs from 15 countries and territories including Australia, Finland, Germany, I