The Ilocos Times

2015 Theme: TIMELESS February 1 – 28, 2015 PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES                            February 1 (Sunday) 4:00 A.M   DIANA AROUND THE CITY      1:00 P.M.  CIVIC-MILITARY PARADE Viewing Area:   Stage in front of the Laoag City Commercial Complex along Rizal St. 7:00 P.M.   DIOS TI AGNGINA:  THE CONCERT                   Venue:  Aurora Park                   Featuring : Hale and Alden Richards                   FIREWORKS DISPLAY                   Venue: Aurora Park         7:00 P.M. DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF LAOAG ALUMNI NIGHT: “PANAGPASANGBAY”                   Venue:   City Multi-Purpose Center (Basketball Court)                   Featuring :  “PARABUR”                   Host s: Batch 1990 Silver Jubilarians Elem., HS, College                               Batch 1965 Golden Jubilarians Elem., HS, College                   Guest of Honor and Speaker: Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas       7:00 P.M. APOLINAC Night (Grand Reunion and

( Senator Lorna Regina “Loren” B. Legarda’s keynote speech during the Zero Waste Youth Convergence on 7 January 2015 at Philippine Normal University in Manila ) Much has been said about the resilience of the Filipino people to immediately rise up disaster after every disaster. However, the threat of natural hazards and extreme weather events to the survival of our communities requires us to match this strong spirit with the ability to act fast and act resolutely not only after disasters strike, but even in anticipation of natural hazards and extreme weather events. It is no longer an issue of how we are able to respond to calamities, but rather, how we try to deter or minimize disasters from happening, especially now that extreme weather events are “the new normal”. What is more alarming is the fact that various statistics have identified the Philippines as among the world’s most vulnerable to natural hazards. The recently released Global Risk Index 2015 showed that among

IN October of this year in the Vatican, the 14 th ordinary general assembly of the synod of bishops will take place with the aim of discussing about the vocation and the mission of the family in the Church and in the contemporary world. We need to pray and offer a lot of sacrifices for this event that surely will have a significant impact on our lives. The theme is most relevant, but ironically, it is often taken for granted. As a result, many of us are not aware of the increasingly complicated duties and responsibilities in that crucial aspect of our life. In its working paper, called Lineamenta, the bishops are asked to highlight “the need for mercy in responding to difficult situations—even asking the bishops to avoid basing their pastoral care solely on current Catholic doctrine.” This is a very delicate step that demands a lot of prayers, sacrifice, study, consultation, etc., since the requirement of fidelity to the faith has to contend with the need for growth and a

4x4 adventure at the La Paz sand dunes in Laoag City (Photo courtesy of Tina Tan and LEAD) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Laoag City —Off-road vehicles carrying tourists seeking extraordinary adventure at the Ilocos Norte sand dunes will now subjected to stricter regulation to ensure the safety of tourists and at the same time protect this natural geological monument which has now become an additional livelihood for some local residents here. Edward Tabili, 40, of Brgy. Nagbacalan in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, said driving a 4x4 vehicle is much more exciting than driving a public utility jeepney or a passenger bus he used to drive. According to Mr. Tabili, driving thrilled passengers while they are screaming out loud on-board his yellow 4x4 vehicle owned by his employer is quite interesting as he also find excitement driving an off-road trail of the vast hilly sand dunes overseeing the West Philippine Sea. For every unit of 4x4 vehicle with about 4-5 passengers

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Laoag City —Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan here have initiated moves to revive the Ilocos Norte-Hawaii sisterhood ties to further promote tourism and allow Hawaiian-Ilocanos to rediscover their roots as part of the bicentennial celebration of Ilocos Norte in 2018. On Jan. 12, Draft Provincial Resolution No. 2015-01-087, requesting Governor-elect David Ige of the State of Hawaii in the United States of America to revive talks with their counterparts in Hawaii and the Ilocano community there to re-establish the sisterhood ties with the new set of elected government officials of Hawaii has been unanimously passed for first reading at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall. SP member Da Vinci Crisostomo, sponsor of said resolution jointly with Vice Governor Angelo Marcos Barba and the committee of the whole said the re-establishment of the sister state-province relationship hopes to encourage more Hawaiian-Ilocanos to redisco

TADEK 2015. Dancers from the different secondary schools present their own numbers showcasing their dance tradition and culture of “Tadek” during the 5 th  Centennial Countdown and Tadek Festival Year X Dance Parade held January 8. (Doms dela Cruz) Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida welcomes the visitors, guests and participants. Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Albert Chua served as the special guest in place of Rep. Imelda R. Marcos (Ilocos Norte, 2 nd  district).  (Doms dela Cruz)