GIFT-GIVING.Some of the winners in the raffle draw that Filipino-American celebrity chef Vallerie Castillo-Archer sponsored on Friday (Sept. 2, 2022) at the Baay Elementary School in Batac City, Ilocos Norte province. The school children likewise received shoes, backpacks, and school supplies.(PNA photo by Leilanie Adriano) LAOAG CITY -More than a hundred pupils of the Baay Elementary School in Batac City, Ilocos Norte received on Friday an early Christmas gift from a famous celebrity chef in Los Angeles, California. The recipients, mostly from Grades 1 and 2, were all smiles as Filipino-American chef Vallerie Castillo-Archer handed them brand new, all-weather shoes, backpacks, and school supplies at the Baay school covered court. Through a raffle draw, some of the kids, teachers, and parents present during the simple gift-giving program also won two units of smartphones, a bicycle, sports watch, athletic shoes, and sports equipment, among others. Fondly called as "Chef Val"
CELEBRITY CHEF. Filipino-American Hollywood celebrity chef Vallerie Castillo-Archer meets with Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc at a private lounge of the Laoag International Airport on Thursday (Sept. 1, 2022). She is organizing a fund-raising drive to give shoes to the less fortunate kids in the Philippines. (Photo by Leilanie Adriano) LAOAG CITY - Filipino-American Hollywood celebrity chef Vallerie Castillo-Archer is back in her homeland in Batac City, Ilocos Norte after more than three decades in the US. Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc welcomed her at the airport on Thursday, with a huge welcome tarpaulin waiting for her. The two earlier met at the posh Yamashiro restaurant in Los Angeles, California last July 15 where she works as the executive chef. In a short interview at the airport, Castillo-Archer said she never expected to become the first Filipino executive chef at the iconic Hollywood restaurant but her passion for food and cooking brought her there. Literally
RELIEF AID. Department of Social Welfare and Development Ilocos regional chief Marie Angela Gopalan (2nd from right) gives a family food pack to a resident in Batac City, Ilocos Norte on Aug. 30, 2022. The residents were affected by Severe Tropical Storm Florita. (Photo courtesy of DSWD Ilocos) DAGUPAN CITY - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Ilocos regional office and the Department of Health Center for Health Development in the Ilocos Region (DOH-CHD-1) have distributed family food packs and medical supplies to the areas affected by Severe Tropical Storm Florita. DOH-CHD-1 has sent out medical supplies to the province of Ilocos Norte to augment the existing stock of medicines and emergency provisions such as first aid, hygiene and "kalinga" kits, and can water containers, DOH-CHD-1 media relations officer Glen Ramos said in a statement Tuesday. Some PHP150,000 worth of medicines and supplies were delivered last week to be distributed by the provincial
BEWARE. The Philippine National Police on Friday (Aug. 26, 2022) warns the public against soap scammers in Ilocos Norte. Police said the group was spotted in Batac City and neighboring San Nicolas town on Thursday. (Contributed) LAOAG CITY - The Ilocos Norte police on Friday reminded the public to be vigilant against scammers posing as sales agents of detergent soaps along major roads in the province. Police authorities said the scam involved two or more persons in a vehicle staying along the national highway or major roads and enticing motorists and passersby to buy detergent soaps at a low price. Unsuspecting buyers, however, are unaware that they are getting fake soap or just half of the agreed weight or number of items. "They are good at sales talk and their quick hands deceive buyers," Ilocos Norte police provincial director Julius Suriben said. The PNP advised residents not to buy these goods and report them to the nearest police station or barangay personnel. In Batac
FLOODED. Rice farms in Barangay Bernabe, Laoag City remain submerged in floodwater on Wednesday (Aug. 24, 2022) due to the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Florita. Mayor Michael Keon said there is a need to dredge creeks, get rid of water lilies, and improve the city's drainage system to prevent flooding. (Photo by Leilanie Adriano) LAOAG CITY - Strong winds and heavy rains brought about by Severe Tropical Storm Florita have left over PHP10 million worth of initial damage, the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) bared Wednesday. Based on its report, the PDRRMC said the biggest damage was to infrastructure which included an old bridge in Barangay Badio that collapsed on Monday afternoon due to raging waters. Other ongoing flood control projects and a temporary bridge in Nagrebcan, San Nicolas town were also washed out. "The damage could have been worst but we are thankful the storm did not directly hit us," said Marcel Tabije, head of the PDRRMC. As