Features
Government pushes for single-digit poverty rate by 2028
January 19, 2024, 2:03 pm
MANILA – The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is doubling efforts to attain its single-digit poverty rate target by 2028. In his first State of the Nation Address in 2022, President Marcos vowed to bring down poverty to as low as 9 percent by the end of his term. Latest data… Read More
Congress marks milestone in legislating gender equality bills in 2023
January 18, 2024, 3:01 pm Updated on January 18, 2024, 3:05 pm
MANILA – The Philippines continues to lead as the most gender-equal country in Asia with a 79.1 percent gender parity based on the 2023 Global Gender Gap Index Report by the World Economic Forum. Last year, the Philippines also improved three notches to 16th place among 146 countries in gender… Read More
Abra Itnegs celebrate life, preserve culture
January 18, 2024, 2:23 pm
SAN JUAN, Abra – The lay-og, a traditional practice by the “Itnegs” (also called Tingguians) celebrating the life of a deceased loved one, is not just about remembering a family member but also keeping a tradition that has been passed on through generations. The Itnegs live in at least 20 of… Read More
PH takes strides toward transparency
January 18, 2024, 9:53 am
MANILA – In a move to bolster transparency and accountability in government, over a dozen bills have been filed in the 19th Congress to create an enabling law on access to information. The Freedom of Information (FOI) bill aims to provide citizens with unimpeded access to official government… Read More
Training from gov’t agencies boosts Ilocos bakeshop biz
January 9, 2024, 8:44 pm
LAOAG CITY – Alladin and Mylene Galano, a couple who worked as overseas Filipino workers in Qatar, braved the challenges of the pandemic when they decided to return for good to Ilocos Norte in 2019 to follow their passion for baking. With skills training provided by several government agencies… Read More
Former NPA rebels commit to help gov’t anti-insurgency efforts
January 2, 2024, 8:19 pm
BAGUIO CITY – Five years ago, former New People’s Army rebel "Ka Iyong" was always fearful that each sunrise would be his last -- until he grabbed the opportunity to surrender and provide a brighter future for his family. Ka Iyong, 35, retained his underground nickname even now that he has… Read More
Never too late to dream: How IP school in CamNorte combats illiteracy
December 31, 2023, 1:23 pm
LEGAZPI CITY – Melody Portugal patiently stood in line to get her Christmas gifts -- a bag of groceries and an envelope of school supplies. "These will be of great help to me," she said in the vernacular, proudly showing her Grade 2 notebooks and pad papers, which would be her ally in her… Read More
A better NAIA starting 2024
December 29, 2023, 7:22 pm
MANILA – As 2023 comes to an end, all eyes are on the upcoming privatization of the country's main gateway -- the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) -- which can be considered its biggest change this year. NAIA's operator, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) assures that… Read More
Bicol's 'pasalubong' list
December 29, 2023, 5:39 pm
DARAGA, Albay – Returning home from your Bicol trip but still don't know what "pasalubong" to take with you to capture the unique flavors and culture of the region? Fret not! We have made the list and checked it twice to find out what's novel and nice. Sorsogon's pili skincare essentials If you… Read More
VP Sara makes OVP closer to Filipinos
December 27, 2023, 1:09 pm
MANILA – Vice President Sara Z. Duterte said her office has implemented various programs and projects in various parts of the country this year to bring the Office of the Vice President (OVP) closer to more Filipinos. These programs include the Medical Assistance Program, Burial Assistance… Read More
DepEd presents reforms for MATATAG basic education
December 27, 2023, 12:19 pm
MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) is determined to provide every Filipino learner, even in far-flung areas, the quality of basic education they deserve. Despite the challenges, the agency was able to implement reforms within the agency and to the entire basic education sector this… Read More
‘Dallot’ Queen: Preserving Ilokano oral traditions
December 22, 2023, 6:56 pm Updated on December 29, 2023, 3:42 pm
LAOAG CITY – "Dallot," a native chant delivered during special occasions by the Ilokano community in the olden times, remains alive to this day, thanks to natives who have kept the tradition. Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, 77, has clung on to it like a lullaby since she was a child. In recognition of… Read More
Being hooked anew in Baguio’s crocheted products
December 20, 2023, 8:58 pm
BAGUIO CITY – High school learners in this city in the 80s and 90s used to be seen with either knitting needles or crochet hooks with rolls of colorful threads packed in their school bags, with thread-based products as among the popular souvenir items here then. Melanie Aquino or Lanie, a Baguio… Read More
Partners leave jobs to start profitable seedling production
December 18, 2023, 9:07 pm
LAOAG CITY – Two young farmers in Batac City, Ilocos Norte now find fulfillment in being engaged in farming after leaving their respective jobs in 2022. Kevin Wayne Baga, 27, and his girlfriend, Ana Cristina Guiang, 26, are owners of KA-Bukid Propagation Farm, which produces seedlings for local… Read More
Why Christmas is merrier in Albay
December 13, 2023, 8:31 pm
LEGAZPI CITY – From a whimsical Christmas wonderland to exhilarating carnival rides, a festive food park and a bustling local bazaar that captures the holiday spirit, there are several reasons why Albay province is the best place to be during the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas… Read More
Christmas comes early for Albay town handicraft makers
December 11, 2023, 4:03 pm
DARAGA, Albay – For a group of women handicraft makers in Albay town, Christmas starts in July. Like Santa's tinkering elves tirelessly working round-the-clock all year round, these women craft their holiday magic months before the festive season begins. Turning passion into profit In the humble… Read More
Batac City preserves gastronomic heritage through the years
December 8, 2023, 8:11 pm
BATAC CITY – Native delicacies such as "lubi-lubi," "suman," "bibingka," "bilo-bilo" and "dudol" took residents and visitors down memory lane during the opening of Batac City's fiesta celebration at the Imelda Cultural Center on Friday. In the Ilocano tradition, lubi-lubi calls for a… Read More
Skilled artisans sustain Baguio’s silver craft
November 24, 2023, 9:37 pm
BAGUIO CITY – Over 40 years in the business of hand-crafted silver and sustaining one of the things this city is known for have become the driving force of Pilak Silver Shop amid challenges. Rommel Marcelo, the 47-year-old manager of the family-owned business, said the craft shop is the lone… Read More
Taiwanese ‘agri envoy’ to Pinoy youth: There is future in farming
November 23, 2023, 9:36 pm
MANILA – With food security wholly dependent on agriculture, farming is indeed the world’s present and future. However, with an aging farmer population and a growing lack of interest in rural communities to pursue this line of work, many countries like the Philippines are faced with the huge… Read More
It takes a 'Christmas village' to share holiday cheers
November 17, 2023, 2:20 pm
BAGUIO CITY – Gaye Vergara, a native of this city who has been working as a medical technologist for 27 years in the United States, has been collecting Christmas houses since she started working abroad in 1996. “When I went to the States I started to buy collectible Christmas houses. I told… Read More
