The Ilocos Times

The following story is shared by Meir Liraz in his book titled The 100 Top Inspirational Anecdotes and Stories : Years ago there was a group of brilliant young men at the University of Wisconsin, who seemed to have amazing creative literary talent. They were would-be poets, novelists, and essayists. They were extraordinary in their ability to put the English language to its best use. These promising young men met regularly to read and critique each other's work. And critique it they did! These men were merciless with one another. They dissected the most minute literary expression into a hundred pieces. They were heartless, tough, even mean in their criticism. The sessions became such arenas of literary criticism that the members of this exclusive club called themselves the "Stranglers." Not to be outdone, the women of literary talent in the university were determined to start a club of their own, one comparable to the Stranglers. They called themselves the

By Imelda A. Agdeppa, Ph.D. FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service Recent studies on large numbers of people with diabetes show that those who keep their blood sugar under tight control best avoid the complications of diabetes like heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower extremity amputations. Experts agree that what works best for people with diabetes—and everyone for that matter—is regular exercise, little saturated and trans fatty acids, and a high–fiber diet. Carbohydrates break quickly during digestion and can raise the blood sugar to dangerous levels. Glycemic index (GI) ranks foods on how they affect our blood sugar levels. This index measures how much our blood sugar increases after we eat. When diabetic patients make use of the glycemic index to prepare healthy meals, it keeps their blood sugar levels and weight under control. Many carbohydrate-rich foods have high glycemic indexes, and they certainly are not good in any substantial quantity for people with

San Nicolas Vice Mayor Alfredo P. Valdez Jr. receives a plaque of recognition from TESDA officials as a Regional  Kabalikat Awardee (municipal level) for his exemplary contribution in the advancement of technical education and skills development in the country. Doms dela Cruz

By Alfredo C. Garvida, Jr. Contributor What initially appeared as a simple territorial dispute between the municipalities of Bangui and Dumalneg about a decade ago involving Barangay San Isidro has now escalated into a fierce exchange of rhetoric and court actions between the two towns, notwithstanding that The Supreme Court has already rendered a final-and-executory decision favoring Dumalneg’s cause. In the aftermath of this SC decision, a Writ of Execution, dated June 25, 2013, was issued by the RTC Branch in Bangui mandating Dumalneg to take possession of Barangay San Isidro, the erstwhile northeastern most barangay of the Municipality of Bangui. This court decision, having already been recorded in the Entry of Judgment, appeared to have culminated a long-drawn, hard-fought legal battle involving the two neighboring municipalities on the issue of jurisdiction over Barangay San Isidro—which started on July 28, 2003 when the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ilocos Norte, e

SIN and evil are all around us. They are also in us, of course. They come in different ways, sizes, shapes, degrees. Some are big, conspicuous and scandalous. Others may be small, hidden, but in a certain sense also very dangerous. All sins are personal, but some have evolved to become structures in society and in our culture. We have to learn to cope with this reality that is unavoidable, given our weakened and wounded human condition. Our attitude should be that in spite of the ugliness of sin and evil, we should still remain calm and happy, convinced that everything has meaning and purpose. The basis for this attitude is Christ who took on all our sinfulness by dying on the cross and resurrecting on the third day. It’s this passion, death and resurrection of his that has removed the sting of sin and evil and has converted them into our very own way of purification and salvation. In other words, not everything is lost in sin and evil. There’s always hope, a way of de

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business organization, has pledged full support for post-crisis recovery once the standoff in Zamboanga City is resolved. There are three categories of post-recovery activities that PCCI will support: to extend immediate need for relief and social services to the areas affected by the standoff in Zamboanga City; help business operations get back on track; and rebuild damaged infrastructures, according to Atty. Miguel B. Varela, PCCI president. The full support, said president Varela,  was agreed upon by the PCCI board in a meeting after directors were briefed on the standoff  and the interventions requested by Mr. Ricardo Juliano, PCCI vice-president for Mindanao, and Mr. Pocholo Soliven, president of the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Juliano and Soliven described the post-crisis recovery plan as a “mini-Marshall plan” to help Zamboanga city economy back on track. At the meetin

Ophthalmologist Mary Ann Yasay-Luis and Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas pose with the beneficiaries of the free cataract operation. The operation was conducted from October 24 to 25   at the Laoag City General Hospital. Dr. Luis and 11 other doctors received a certificate of appreciation from the city government.  Photo by Doms dela Cruz