The Ilocos Times

WE have been floored by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The number of casualties is increasing, and the damage has been extensive in terms of properties and infrastructure. Houses and buildings have fallen. Landslides have blocked roads, bridges destroyed, isolating towns. But it’s most heartbreaking to see churches collapse or practically ruined. That sight alone touches right deep in people’s soul like no other. Gone, for now, are those precious treasures that represent our people’s journey of faith and piety through the centuries. Their mere presence, even as we just happen to pass them by, never fails to evoke a certain sense of our identity. We may not have been a very good member of the Church or one who is consistently faithful to it, but somehow we feel we belong to it, just as any child continues to belong to a family whether he behaves well or not. We are always welcome to enter it. It does not make easy, uncharitable distinctions. Some of us are asking why th

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter THE LAST day of filing certificates of candidacy for the October 28 barangay elections saw two young members of the Fariñas political clan vying for the chairmanship of their respective barangays. Their candidacies are seen by observers as a step towards contesting the presidency of the city’s Liga ng mga Barangay. Rey Carlos Farinas, son of Rep. Rodolfo C. Fariñas (first district, Ilocos Norte) filed his COC vying for punong barangay at Barangay 16 here in Laoag City. The congressman’s son was supposed to run for vice mayor in the recent May 13 elections but he later withdrew. If he pursued his candidacy then, he would have ran against his cousin and former Laoag Mayor, now Vice Mayor Michael V. Fariñas. Another second generation Fariñas who filed her candidacy is Mary Michelle V. Fariñas, daughter of Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas and the Laoag vice mayor. She will run for the chairmanship of Barangay 55-C Vira. She is ru

The Ilocos Times marks this week the 56 th anniversary of its rennaisant edition that started on October 23, 1957. Having endured almost six decades of existence as the longest running community paper in this northwestern part of the Philippines is probably the greatest achievement the paper can be proud of. Amidst the most trying and difficult period of our country’s history, such as the worsening corruption turbulence the country is currently suffering from, The Ilocos Times has remained steadfast to its commitment to strive for responsible journalism. Words of thanks alone would not suffice to recognize the work and dedication of all the past and present editorial staff members who have played, and continue to play, their respective roles to the hilt in making this paper come out week after week. Despite uncertainties, our journalists stuck to their jobs, always in the frontline as they have also proven that no monetary considerations would derail them from per

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In long past, some people branded Pagudpud, the famous beach town of Ilocos Norte, as Boracay of the North, because of its wide and long shoreline and its pristine white sand. Almost all write ups and promotional materials sold Pagudpud that way. Many Ilocanos were thrilled with Pagudpud’s association with the more popular beach in the Visayas. Boracay, of course, was better known, more established, and was the place to be seen. Stargazing is also more fun in Caticlan as celebrities descend there, especially during summer. Decades after, some still refer to Pagudpud as “Boracay of the North,” but a growing number of people are beginning not to be amused. “Some say Pagudpud is the ‘Boracay of the North,’… But do we hear people say Boracay is the ‘Pagudpud of the South?’ Surely not,” laments Xavier Ruiz, who works with the Ilocos Norte Provincial Tourism Office. The BS Tourism cum laude graduate of Mariano Marcos State University explains that such branding is “an obviou

By Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service Sodium is an essential mineral for life. It is found in the blood and in the fluid that surrounds cells. It maintains cellular environment and prevents cells from swelling or dehydrating. Sodium is also important for maintaining proper nerve and muscle cell function. An overly high intake of sodium which is a component of salt, has been linked to high blood pressure particularly in susceptible individuals. High blood pressure increases risk of heart disease, stroke and other diseases. Sodium affects the blood pressure in two ways. These are by favoring the retention of too much water in the blood and by causing the swelling of the innermost lining of the arteries which narrows the diameter of the blood vessel. Limiting sodium — which is present in salt, seasonings, processed foods, bread, bakery products and other substances in foods you eat — is one of the most important things that people with hypertension can

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ilocos Norte approved a resolution banning black sand mining in the province on October 16, 2013. The board also urged the recall of permits issued by government agencies and voided endorsements by local governments to mining applicants. Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Joel Garcia, the resolution’s sponsor, said Ilocos Norte should ban black sand mining and learn from the experiences of Ilocos Norte’s neighboring provinces of Cagayan and Ilocos Sur, where residents, environment advocates and church-based organizations have complained about water contamination and damage to the marine ecosystem from black sand extraction. “Mining, in whatever form, has an impact on the environment,” said SP member Vicentito M. Lazo. The board resolution, however, is silent about other types of small- and large-scale mining activities which are among the province’s biggest local revenue earners. Next to ecot