IN DELIVERING her 5th State of the Province Address on Aug. 10 at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, Governor Imee Marcos highlighted the emergence of the “new Ilocano” who are successful in their respective spheres of influence, and are ready and willing to contribute more to society. Her 61-minute speech highlighted “the myriad stories of a new Ilocos Norte, ordinary and extraordinary people building our province anew.”

Two MMSU faculty members and one student – all from CAS – were among those who were cited as examples of the “new Ilocano.’

Prof. Luvee Hazel Calventas-Aquino, who taught at Stanford University under the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program, was recognized as an outstanding teacher.  Aquino, who was referred to by the governor as “a devoted teacher and my volunteer”, is with the Department of Languages and Literature. She is currently the college secretary.

In stressing the need to process high-value goods from local produce, the governor mentioned the “black garlic” she and Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis developed. Using technology adopted from Japan and South Korea, black garlic is produced by manipulating the heat and moisture of the Ilocos bawang, touted as the world’s most aromatic garlic. Dr. Agrupis, a biology professor and nationally recognized researcher, engaged the expertise of engineer Thomas Ubiña, COE faculty member, for the electrical requirements of the “black garlic” project, which is a first in the Philippines.

As national chairman of the Kabataang Barangay during her father’s presidency, Governor Marcos holds youth volunteerism and activism very close to her heart. In Ilocos Norte, the youth formed last year the Sirib Ilokano Kabataan Association, which now counts six thousand members. The governor commended the efforts of Patrick John Quitoriano, a BA Communication sophomore, who initiated a fun run last summer to raise funds for school supplies for underprivileged elementary pupils. He is from Brgy. Baduang, Pagudpud.

Alumni lauded, too

Governor Marcos also noted the dawn of the “digital, design- driven, fearless New Ilocanos.” She mentioned Yuri Pinzon who started selling graphic online novels read by fans from other countries when she was still a pupil at the MMSU Laboratory Elementary School in Laoag; Jam Raquion, a 2015 BS Accounting Technology graduate, whose online videos – the most famous of which impersonate Governor Marcos – are followed by tens of thousands; and Vince Canlapan – once a BA Sociology student of CAS – who is now a famous web designer of A-list fashion bloggers.

As in previous years, LGU officials and representatives from various sectors and organizations attended the SOPA. The MMSU delegation was led by Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco, officer-in-charge, and Atty. Ramon A. Leaño, vice president for administration and business. (By Herdy La. Yumul)