The Ilocos Times

US ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim helped put the finishing touches on the mural.   Right: The Doodle Art Enthusiasts (DAE) community teamed up with Kris Abrigo to bring the mural to life. Ambassador Kim (center) and Counselor for Public Affairs Carolyn Glassman (right) with (from left to right): DAE muralist Daryl Andre Victoria, Franz Lawrence Rafols, King Jaed Miranda, Larrysa Latade, Patrice Palisoc, artist Kris Abrigo, DAE creative director Lei Melendres, and DAE muralist Gelo Morales.   Manila —United States of America ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim joined Kris Abrigo and young artists from Doodle Art Enthusiasts (DAE) at the Youth Art Collab culminating event to put the finishing touches on a mural celebrating the longstanding US-Philippine relationship at the American Center of the US embassy.   The embassy launched the Youth Art Collab mural project in honor of Philippine National Arts Month, celebrated every February.   The young artists and the Emba

Women-farmers spend more time and receive lower wage than their male counterparts! The exhibit at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija in celebration of the Women’s Month this March showcased this issue. In the exhibit titled, “The Land Nurturers,” photo stories show that women outnumber the men by 2% during planting season. They also spend two days more than the men in harvesting and about three days more in drying the rice grain. Dr. Diadem B. Gonzales-Esmero, PhilRice Gender and Development focal person, said the exhibit aims to increase awareness on the conditions of the women-farmers. “The contributions of women in rice farming are not noteworthy, but their issues are not given much attention. Other than working hours and wage, we also learned that they also have the least access to some services. These are based on data we gathered from three international and national studies and int

Joining the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) community at the 6 th Year Anniversary of the New Marcoseños of Hong Kong Worldwide (NewMAHK) on February 25, 2018, Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos took the opportunity to personally thank them for their contributions to the progress and development of Ilocos Norte. With 61% of families in Ilocos Norte partially or fully dependent on foreign remittances from loved ones working abroad, the province has grown to be one of the richest, most well-developed, and most educated in the country, marked by a high human development index (HDI). “ Dahil sa hirap ng mga OFW, lahat nakakapag-aral; walang sinasabing mga squatter— may sariling mga bahay; at higit sa lahat, nakikita natin na umuunlad sa maliliit na hotel, restaurant, at iba pa dahil sa turismo. Iyan ay dahil lahat sa tinatawag na hirap at pasakit ng ating mga OFW,” said Ms. Marcos. She also shared recent developments in