RAIN OF FIRE

INCAT at 100: Excellence
CESAR G. BONILLA

LAOAG CITY – The Ilocos Norte College of arts and Trades will celebrate its centennial with its vision to cultivate the spirit of love and camaraderie among alumni keeping the ties that made this institution known for its excellence.

My relatives also were partakers of the quality education of INCAT as part of the graduates who were instructed on the values of hard work and vocational proficiency. According to the president of INCAT Alumni Association in the person of provincial legal officer Jaime Agtang, the first day of the centennial celebration is the registration of alumni, the thanksgiving mass, opening of booths and
photo exhibits and motorcade of different batch of graduates.

There would also be a sportsfest or laro ng lahi and fashion shows at the INCAT centennial plaza. On the third day, a medical and dental mission will be conducted including a literary and musical contest. The honorable Manuel B. Villar, Senate President will be the guest of honor and speaker during the coronation program at the Laoag City amphitheater.

The last day of the celebration would be the Parade and Review, PTA general assembly, floral parade and the grand alumni homecoming and awards night. Atty. Agtang said alumni all over the world will join them in this significant occasion. Lawyers, fiscals, physicians, inventors, businessmen, PBA players and achievers in different fields are counted in the list of successful alumni. May INCAT continue to shine and bring hope to the youth especially in the era of global competition.
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Being a tour guide in Ilocandia is challenging as one has to contend with visitors and foreign dignitaries who have impressive educational backgrounds. Visitors have come to the place not just to seek pleasure but to know the history, culture and century-old traditions of the Ilocanos which remains intact despite modernization.

The elementary pupils of University of Saint Louis in Tuguegarao, Cagayan under the leadership of Albert Valdepenas and his wife were impressed with the panoramic and historical scenes in Ilocos. Kate Joy Bangayan, a Grade Six pupil, expressed her admiration to the patience, hospitality and industry of the Ilocanos.

The old Spanish-Mexican houses, cobble-stoned streets, paintings and churches provides an avenue for visitors to go back to the past, they said. For me, proper information should be given to local and foreign tourists for them to appreciate the past. Our province is a virtual museum with landmarks and historical structures of beautiful architecture.