RAIN OF FIRE

Cesar G. Bonilla
Obama / Ilocos Norte festivals

LAOAG CITY -- The first black President in the history of the United States of America, Barack Obama together with Vice President Joe Biden will be launching a new era of political maturity coupled with responsibility as the world economy sinks into the quagmire of recession.

The Bible used by Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the US was very significant because Lincoln also became President of the Americans during the turbulent days of US history that led to civil war.

By his Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, he abolished slavery in the Confederate States. He was not free from faults and vacillations, but his patience, fortitude and fierce devotion to the Union made him one of the America’s greatest presidents.

Lincoln supported abolitionism as a way to treat the black slaves from the burden of insurmountable abuses, humiliations, and severe maltreatment by the white masters of whom they were enchained into submissiveness. This great President of America was shot at the theatre by John Wilkes Booth, and died early on April 15.

Lincoln experienced the hardship of life when he was still a little boy and the Bible which he owned has magnified his faith in God despite the trials and tribulations of his mortal life. With Obama on the helm of American democratic government, the global crisis has hope of being solved.

Obama is the right person to lead the U.S. during the era where the inhabitants of the world are clamoring for a great savior who can show the light of a new day with optimism and hope.

I consulted Jesus V. Cariaga about the present crisis that the world is facing as a result of economic meltdown in the American continent. His impressive record in the field of banking is a legacy that inspires enthusiasm among Commerce students from different universities and colleges.

His wife Imelda was accommodating when I visited their place. Despite his achievements, Sir Jess remains humble and level-headed. May the Lord God be with you always Sir.
***

Maria Respicio-Gonzales, Sr. Tourism chief of the Department of Tourism Laoag Regional Sub-Office, said the Kurapnit Festival in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte was splendid. The festival aimed to promote the culture and ecological balance within the areas where bats known as Hipposideros hide in the Sagiao cave.

The cave consists of various formations like stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and other amazing beauty of nature. According to Gonzales, the DOT in cooperation with NCAA earlier conducted a festival management seminar to tackle issues about the festival.

Again, the “Panagasin Festival” will be the forthcoming event perhaps in the tourism calendar. Different towns in the province are encouraged then to feature their own festival so they may be included in the national activities of the DOT.

The influx of tourists in Ilocandia particularly students from difference colleges and universities in the whole archipelago during such festivals attest to the faxct that there are well conceived.

The Pamulinawen and Guling-Guling festivals are enticing more foreign and local tourists because of their finest religious and historical impact. The hotels and restaurants are abiding with rules and regulations imposed by local government units whereas. The DOT slogan: “Ang Turista ay Kaibigan.” With the help and support of the Philippine National Police, tourism would go a long way in Ilocos Norte.

Ma’am Marie informed me filmmakers from France were in Balaoi, Pagudpud in an area called “blue lagoon” to surf together with team surfers Mike and Alma Oida, the loving couple who owns the production called Planet Blue in France. Meanwhile Gonzales and her dynamic staff like Cely, Mariel and Michael are doing a lot in promoting tourism in the province.
***
Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Yvonne Ranada is the epitome of an excellent leader and public servant. The towns of Sarrat and Vintar would be so lucky to have board members like Madam Yvonne because she manifests through action the way the programs of the government through constant communication with municipal officials and the masses.

Being the chairman of committee of senior citizens though she is not yet a senior citizen, she is there to help the elderly. She served the city of Laoag as lawmaker wherein she said members of the August body of the province are in unity with one another for the sake of public service.

This writer salutes the lawmakers of the province under the leadership of Vice-Gov. Windell Chua and likewise sports legend Gov. Michael Marcos Keon.
***
Ma’am Yvonne showed interest on the ordinance to be filed by one of her colleagues in the lawmaking body of the province regarding the provision for retiring pensioners or overseas Filipino workers who will spend their precious moments here in Ilocos Norte with corresponding privileges afforded to them.

Adams Mayor Eric T. Bawingan and the municipal administration have put effort to promote tourism though trainings and workshops including tour-guiding where courtesy and proper etiquette have been learned by participants.

SK president Pamela Tarnate has been active in convincing the youth to participate in sports considering that Keon has provided equipment. Adams is perfect for nature lovers. But development of the town entails a lot of determination. Adams became a municipality by virtue of Republic Act 337 on May 16, 1983. Eco-tourism is evident in the panoramic environment and Mayor Bawingan is aware of the potentials of the town for tourism.
***
Provincial board member Jessie Galano has started the ball rolling for a computerization program for the benefit of punong barangays in Ilocos Norte and a sports gestival for executives and barangay jagawads including some sectors for better camaraderie.

The PBs should be well-oriented on how firearms can be used as self-defense for security purposes, Galano said.

This corner would like to greet provincial tourism officer Madam Angel Alvarez-Lao, former board member and assistant tourism consultant Jeogie B. Jimenez, Cyndel and Zandra, and Ms Wayne of E Business Services, Inc.