The Ilocos Times

Miss Ilocoslovakla 2016 . From left : Handy Lao, Gov. Marcos, comedian Raiven Diva, Miss Ilocoslovakla 2016 Romel Pascual of Laoag City, and RB Ablan. (Reu A. Flores) John Michael Mugas PGIN-CMO Laoag City— In a stunning showcase of the beauty and talent of the Ilocano gay community, the first gay-themed pageant dubbed as Miss Ilocoslovakla 2016 organized by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte gathered hundreds of Ilocanos on February 14 in front of the Provincial Capitol. The pageant intensified the support of the provincial government to gender empowerment and promoted the acceptance of the diverse gender identities in the province. Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos addresses the spectators during Ilocoslovakla February 14, 2016 in front of the Capitol in Laoag City. (Reu A. Flores) Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, in her short speech during the event, beamed that Ilocos Norte openly embraces every one regardless of their ge

Alarmed by the imminent threat posed by the spread of the Zika virus, Senator Lorna Regina “Loren” B. Legarda raised concerns that climate change may have fueled the outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease, which has been linked to birth defects and death of newborns in Latin America. “As climate change alters rainfall patterns and brings deadly, intensified and frequent calamities, it will affect public health,” said Ms. Legarda, UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience and Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change. Citing the World Health Organization (WHO), Ms. Legarda said that Aedes mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, known carriers of the Zika virus and dengue virus, are expected to thrive in a warmer climate and reproduce more quickly and bite more frequently at higher temperatures. According to WHO, temperature increases of 2-3ºC would increase the number of people who, in climatic terms, are at risk of malaria by around 3- 5%, i.e. several hu

“ Common sense lang . Makakakita ka ba ng any animals na lalaki sa lalaki, babae sa babae? Mas mabuti pa yung hayop. Marunong kumilala kung lalaki, lalaki, o babae, babae. Kung lalaki sa lalaki, babae sa babae, eh mas masahol pa sa hayop ang tao ,” so declared Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao (Sarangani). From his perspective as a pastor and a born-again Christian, Mr. Pacquiao was not only speaking his mind, but is actually preaching what he believes in. However, he seems to have forgotten his stature—both as a global boxing icon, an incumbent congressman and a politician vying for a Senate seat. As a public figure, he can neither simply speak his mind nor spring his fundamentalist beliefs on everyone. What was worse was when he described LGTBs (lesbians, gays, transgender and bisexuals) as “worse than animals”. As an aspiring senator, he would be looked upon to craft laws that would redound to the benefit of all. As such, he must have an open mind—devoid of discrimi

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Social enterprises can help enhance the role of small and medium enterprises (SME) in sustainable economic development, claims a recent study released by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies. Written by PIDS consultant Leonardo A. Lanzona, Jr. of the Ateneo de Manila University, “ Enterprises and Employment: Mainstreaming SMEs and Employment Creation”  explores the theory and recommends policies to empower both areas of enterprise.   While there is strong belief on the ability of SMEs to sustain economic growth, Mr. Lanzona demonstrates the problem in focusing the breadth of policymaking on the three main arguments for SME empowerment: that they enhance competition and entrepreneurship; that their productivity is potentially bigger than large firms but is often held back by financial markets and institutional failures; and that their ability to increase employment and alleviate poverty is greater than that of larger firms. Mr. Lanzona questions the wisdom of simpl

Miss Hawaii Filipina 2015 Chelsea Guzman February 7, 2016 NAGASAT nga aldaw ita Sabado Pebrero 6, 2016, Miss Hawaii Filipina 2015 Chelsea with his father Romeo Guzman dropped by ditoy balay a kaduada ti dua a kabagian: Rhona ken Roland. It’s about 3:30 pm. Thank you for dropping by Miss Beauty, Pride of Maui, Pride of Sinait, Pride of Dadalaquiten and Sta. Cruz. Sinait ti puon ni Miss Hawaii Filipina 2015 Chelsea Iloreta Guzman; dayawmo, dayawmi. Asul a Toyota, giddato a naggidato a nagparking iti sango ti garahek. Uppat dagiti rimmuar, sigud a nailasinko ni Romeo, inyam-ammona kaniak dagiti kaduana: Manong, ni Rhona, ni Roland, toy balasangko—ti kaubingan ti intudona—sika ti Miss Hawaii Filipina! Ket inyawatko ti kanawan a dakulapko. Ni Chelsea ti contestant no. 1 kas Miss Maui Filipina, iti naangay a Miss Hawaii Filipinas Scholarship Pageant iti Pacific Beach Hotel Waikiki idi Hulio 25, 2015. Isu ti nakoronaan a Miss Hawaii Filipina 2015! Da Maria E

BEFORE this eminent word, Forever, is trivialized and corrupted by our ‘telenovela’ culture, we need to remind ourselves that the word is not simply a word but rather a sublime reality meant for us who are of a spiritual nature also, and therefore, equipped for a life that is forever. Besides, our dignity as image and likeness of God and children of his makes our life in the forever an essential part of our being. Our soul, being spiritual, can defy the wear and tear of our material world and can transcend its limitations. And as image and likeness of God and children of his, we can expect his grace that would make the possibility of forever for us to be actualized. That’s why we can claim that we are meant for forever, for eternity. All these assertions somehow have their basis on the words of St. John in his first letter: “The world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever.” (2,17) Here we are told the secret of how to “remain for