The Ilocos Times

By Joni C. Luis ( Correspondent) Pagudpud , Ilocos Norte—"Full, solid, 100 percent.” That is how Pagudpud Vice Mayor Matilde “Maja” H. Sales described her support for Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, who is running for the congressional seat of Ilocos Norte’s first district. Sales, who is aiming a return as Pagudpud mayor, said she believes that Marcos, with his educational background and exposure in Congress, is “ripe and ready” to represent the district. She added that having him as congressman will be very beneficial for the district, especially if his father, presidential frontliner Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., becomes the nation’s leader. “ Alam niyo naman, manipud idi , no matter what and against all odds, hindi talaga kami umaalis sa Marcos, kaya ikarigatanmi a tulungan isuna ,” said Sales who intimated that her association with the younger Marcos goes way back. Sandro himself has shared in previous media interviews that among his fondest memories grow

As journalists , we do have our own personal biases, beliefs and principles. As human beings, it is inevitable that there are just things and persons we like and don’t like. Here at The Ilocos Times , the only criterion we use for news stories is objectivity. We don’t include opinions of the news writer neither do we allow their “slants” for or against the personality involved in the news. We try to balance the issues by getting both sides’ comments and takes. There may come a time when a person concerned is not interviewed or asked about the issue he/she may be involved in; but this is mainly due to the fact that the person is unavailable or simply doesn’t want to comment. Either way, we do try our best to get their take on whatever issue they may be concerned with. Opinion pieces, on the other hand, is a totally different animal. Here, our opinion and editorial writers make their stand on issues they are tackling. On this side of journalism, the personal biases, prejudices and

By Noralyn Onto Dudt OMICRON, the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet has been drafted   by the World Health Organization as the name for the new COVID-19 variant, technically known as the B.1.1.529 variant. The Omicron variant is a reminder of what scientists and medical experts have been saying for months: COVID-19 will thrive as long as vast numbers of the global population are not vaccinated. Scientists say that Omicron is the weirdest creature they have ever encountered with 30 unruly swarm of mutations scattered on three major prongs of the spike protein that is essential to the virus ability to infect cells,   a first of its kind with so many mutations gathered in "one package." Even though some of these mutations are recognizable,   many of them are new and utterly enigmatic. That said, scientists do not want to get ahead of the facts: no one knows exactly yet how this variant behaves in real-world situations. However, should they find a high degree of immune-evas

The recent events that unfolded in the last two years should give us pause to rethink the criteria we use in voting for our public officials. Anyone can become mayor or a governor, or a president even, but not everyone can become an efficient and effective crisis manager when once-in-a-century catastrophe and tragedy befall us. The COVID pandemic has unmasked and uncovered what we really are in a crisis situation. And although some did their best with whatever they had, there are others who failed epically--and miserably. As such, it was their constituents who suffered most. Here in Laoag City, the response and the pandemic rose and fell, and as much as much was promised, to call whatever promised was realized an   under-delivery is a tragedy in itself. The full lockdown of whole barangays without the subsequent and sufficient help and aid, became more troubling for those who were caught in the middle; forbidden to go to work but without any ample government relief in any way or f

Laoag City —The Department of Agrarian Reform-Ilocos Norte (DAR Ilocos Norte) earned its ISO 9001:2015 certification following the successful establishment of its quality management systems (QMS) amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The certification process was administered by TUV NORD Philippines, Inc. through remote two-stage audit which was held on Nov. 4 and 11, 2021. During the audit, DAR Ilocos Norte was assisted by ISO consultant Christine Lazaro. ISO 9001:2015 is a globally recognized quality management standard developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The certification provides a model in building an effective QMS. The standard is based on several quality management principles, including having a strong customer focus and high-level management. Provincial agrarian reform program officer II (PARPO II) Vic M. Ines said “The management conveys our sincerest thanks and appreciation as we recognize the substantial efforts   and contributi

By Noralyn Dudt PAIN is not   imagined, but your brain plays a role.   A large number of the population suffers from chronic pain which is defined as pain experienced most days to some, or every day to the unfortunate others. Conditions include migraines, sciatica and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as shoulder, knee and elbow pain. Back and neck pain have been experienced by a lot of people at some point in their lives. The medical community has traditionally regarded chronic pain in one or two ways. Doctors either consider it a structural problem caused by tissue damage—muscle strain, ruptured disks, an inflamed or torn tendon; or they shrug, saying they cannot find anything wrong and suggest painkillers,   physical therapy,   rest, or a different diet or lifestyle. In too many cases, surgery is performed,   despite dismal success rates of around 25 per cent.   The view that chronic pain originates in the brain—that it is fundamentally a psychological phenomenon,   and can

It was 1904 and the World's Fair in St Louis, Missouri buzzed with excitement. The World's Fair was to be the Centennial celebration of the 1804 Louisiana Purchase from France.   It was going to be the event of the century. In the words of David Francis who was the chief executive of the Louisiana Purchase,   it was to "demonstrate to visitors that human history has reached its "apotheosis" in Forest Park,"   the venue for the World's Fair.   The $15 million that was spent to create such an extravaganza showed   that no expense was spared. The Fairgrounds covered 1,000 acres ( 405 hectares). It was a pivotal and contentious moment in American history, when in the midst of a new industrial era,   the United States of America celebrated itself as a growing imperial force. The World's Fair of 1904 was designed to showcase American glory, American democracy,   American economy.   On display were the greatest technological innovations of the time: outd