The Ilocos Times

New report explores uses of natural heat for food production and processing Rome — Geothermal energy, the flow of heat energy radiating from the earth’s core, provides unique opportunities for cost efficient, sustainable food production and processing in developing countries, says a new report published by FAO today. In some developing economies, as much as half of all food produced is lost post-harvest – that's due in part to a lack of affordable energy for food processing, according to  “Uses of Geothermal Energy in Food and Agriculture” . This makes the use of heat energy for drying foods, pasteurizing milk and sterilizing produce especially interesting for developing countries, where increased food processing can give a boost to food security. Food drying can prolong the shelf life of nutritious foods like fish and vegetables and make them available year-round, including in times of drought. Geothermal energy is also a prime source for heating greenhouses,

Manila , June 4, 2015—In celebration of Pride month, the embassy community and participants of the #Loveis Facebook campaign came together on June 3 rd to show their support for equal rights through chalk art. They also witnessed the hanging of the L esbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride flag in the Embassy compound.  On May 29 th U.S. President Barack Obama proclaimed June 2015 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month and stated “ All people deserve to live with dignity and respect, free from fear and violence, and protected against discrimination, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.”

DELFINO  Nicanor Néquiz, Mexican master mason and instructor at Escuela Taller, (left) reviews the plans for the stone carvings of the grand staircase of the Paseo de Paoay with one of his students while working in Paoay, Ilocos Norte last November 15, 2013. The PGIN will partner with Escuela Taller, an Intramuros-based trade school established by a Spanish agency, in implementing a free six-month basic masonry training for Ilocos Norte youth. (Alaric A. Yanos) By Jennifer T. Pambid PGIN-CMO For the first time in Northern Luzon, a free six-month training for basic masonry will be offered by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) Task Force Trabaho to at least 30 Ilocano youth starting July this year in Paoay. According to June Arvin Gudoy, Communications and Media Office head, the program is in partnership with the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as well as the Escuela Taller, a school esta

Members of the Laoag City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) demonstrate the best way to extinguish a fire from an LPG tank leak during an Agserbi 24/7 program held at Barangay 10 San Jose on May 27, 2015. (Doms dela Cruz)

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THERE are certain myths that we need to get rid of. One of them is that to lead a contemplative life practically takes one out of reality. Hardly anything can be farther than the truth. It is precisely when one is truly contemplative that he gets a good grasp of reality. He becomes more objective and his vision and understanding of things in general would be more complete. That’s simply because, to put it bluntly, he is more in a position to see things the way God, the Creator and our Father and the ultimate measure of reality, sees them. He just does not depend on his senses. Though he uses them to the full, he goes much further than what sense data would provide him. Not even does he depend only on his intelligence that already can penetrate into the essence of things and can transcend from the sensible to the intelligible in all their forms and possibilities. He uses his faith, activating it in a working life of piety and contemplation. Faith is a gift from God given to

Preparing for the rainy season. As Qiaoit River is often the source of flood in Batac City, the local government begins a dredging operation as they prepare for the onslaught of the rainy season. (Doms dela Cruz)