BSU alumnus goes international in SEA GAMES 2017

Photo Courtesy: Junell Mark Bautista

Junell Mark Bautista, a University graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Physical Education played for the National Football team of the Philippines. The team competed in the 29th South East Asian Games on August 14-30, 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Bautista plays as one of the defenders for the national men’s team.

“I am grateful for the opportunity. It is my biggest dream in my football career to compete in the SEA Games,” he said.

Bautista, who graduated in July 2017 was awarded as the University Athlete of the Year. He was also an active varsity player of BSU’s Football Club during his college years.

READ ALSO: Young chess gold medalist from Apayao chosen for Chess Competition in Indonesia

“BSU ti maysa nga nag mold ken nangtulong kanyak nga agmature iti panag ayayam ko. Ditoyak met lang nga nasurwan nu kasanu nga agbalin nga leader gapu ta napadasak met nga nagcoach kadagiti ubbing idi member ak ti BSU Football Club”, (BSU is one who molded and helped me mature in playing football. It is also where I learned how to become a leader since I tried coaching children when I was a member of the BSU Football Club).

Bautista noted that a varsity player in college must learn the discipline to be able to balance his studies and his extracurricular activities.

Photo Courtesy: Junell Mark Bautista

“Every student-athlete must trust his/ herself and believe that he/she can do anything. We ( student-athletes) should never give up. We should not waste our skills because of any kind of vices”, he emphasized.

After five games in bracket B, the Philippines concluded their feat in the SEA Games with a 2-3 streak, beating Cambodia and Timor Leste and losing against Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Bautista will continue his football career in the Philippine Football League, as a member of the Davao Aguilas Football Club (DAFC).//DSEmok

source: http://www.bsu.edu.ph/content/bsu-alumnus-goes-international-sea-games-2017

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Rotary Club of Baguio to conduct Free Dental, Optical and Medical Mission on Sept. 1, 2017

Baguio City, - The Rotary Club of Baguio together with other partners will be conduction free dental, optical and medical mission on September 1 starting at 9 AM to 3 PM at the Rooftop, Abanao Square Mall. 

According to the information posted of RCB's Facebook page, the mission is a joint project by Rotary Club Baguio and Abanao Square with the participation of several institutions like the Rotaract Club of SLU, Integrated Philippines Association of Optometrist. Inc - Baguio-Benguet Chapter, UB School of Dentistry Alumni Association and Big Sound FM. 

The joint project is expected to provide free services like medical consultation, dental services, eye check up and a lot more. 

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Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian: The youngest chess gold medalist from Cordillera

Photo courtesy: Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian's FB 

Cordillera, - A young athlete Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian of Luna, Apayao was chosen to play in the inaugural Indonesia-Philippines Goodwill Chess Matches on September 9 - 13, 2017 in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

Sebastian who was awarded the 2015 ASEAN chess gold medalist and consistent Palarong Pambansa athlete was selected by Asia's first Grandmaster Eugene Torre to be part of the 8-member team who will represent the country in the upcoming chess tournament in Indonesia

Torre said that Sebastian was endorsed by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP due to her excellent performance in the 2017 National Age Group Chess Championship held in Cebu City last May, according to a local magazine. 

Sebastian is the only player outside Manila who was included in the list to play against talented chess players of Indonesia. 

She will be playing in the 12 years old and under category together with other young stars of the Philippines who will be playing in other categories. 

Meanwhile, the parents of Sebastian have expressed their appreciation that their daughter was selected to be part of the Philippine team. 

They were surprised and couldn't believe Torre, the well admired chess living legend called them and announced the inclusion of Sebastian considering that there are also other talented players in the country. 

"It is an honor for us and our Province that Mhage has been selected among the equally talented woodpushers of the country. It is always our desire and Mhage's dream to consistently represent the Philippines in international competition." Sebastian's parents said. 

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Only in Baguio: Where former drug users are training to become professional boxers.

Baguio City, - Not all drug users end up killed on the street, some of them are in jail, some of them are hiding and some of them are turning their lives around through boxing.

Boxing has long been known to have help those with drug addictions to turn their lives around and make changes in their ways. Some of the famous boxers in the world including Tyson and Manny Pacquiao were known to have used illegal drugs before becoming a world champion.

In Baguio, seven drug surrendees took the challenge to be trained to become a boxer and prove that there are better things to do in life than drugs.

A boxing tournament dubbed "Boxing at the Park: Laban sa Pagbabago" set on September 2 at the People's Park will feature amateur bouts  participated by seven drug surrenderees.

This event is organized by the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) in an attempt to help those drug surrendees have a chance to improve and learn something beneficial for themselves and the community rather than ruining their lives with illegal drugs.

Over-all winner in the contest will have a chance to be trained as a professional boxer.

"This could be their ticket in becoming professional boxers someday and hopefully turn their back against drugs," BCPO city director Ramil Saculles said in a report by sunstar.com.

Saculles is optimistic that this initial boxing event will entice more drug surrenders to take up sports.

Boxing coach Tarjhon Mero believes the surrenders have a bright future as he says they are taking up their boxing practice very seriously.

source: sunstar.com.ph/baguio

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Heroism of 3 Igorot SAF troopers recognized to serve as inspiration to fellow policemen

Baguio City, - Three Igorot cops who were members of the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police were given special recognition during the SAF memorial day held in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City on Friday. 

PO1 Moises Kimayong Jr. (PNP-SAF) from Ifugao Province, PO3 Alexis Mangaldan from Bangued, Abra and PO2 Tirso Mantalaba from La Trinidad, Benguet were given the traditional ringing of bells to honor their sacrifice to the country. 

Both Kimayong and Mangaldan were killed in action in Marawi City while Mantalaba died in a shootout in an anti-drug operation in Patikul, Sulu on September 24 of last year. He was a member of the 24th Special Action Company of the PNP-SAF based in Sulu. 

READ ALSO: Ibaloi PNP-SAF presented exemplary award by President Duterte

The gallantry displayed by these Igorot SAF troopers serves as an inspiration among the policemen to do more in the campaign against crime and illegal drugs which are being pushed by the Duterte administration. 

SAF commanders assured that full benefits and recognition from the PNP and the government will be given to the family of the SAF troopers. 

The heroism and sacrifices of these men in uniform will never be forgotten. 

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State-of-the-art coffee trading center to rise in Kalinga

Cordillera, - Good news to all coffee growers and farmers in the province of Kalinga because a state-of-the-art coffee trading center is going be built this year.

The building of the P2.4 million worth trading center which is funded by the Department of Agriculture's Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) is expected to be completed by December this year, according to Philippine Information Agency website.

The center will have a sorting and storage section for consolidation services as well as some equipment like mechanical dryer, conveyor and others. It can accommodate around 75,000 kilograms of coffee beans per month.

Coffee growers from different municipalities of Kalinga can bring their coffee beans to the center for sorting and storage.

"With the construction of this facility, I challenge the members of the Kalinga Coffee Cluster (KCC)

to be strengthened and united for as long as the KCC exists, the operation of the trading center will carry on," said Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit Head Engr. Domingo A. Balikan.

The Kalinga coffee is one of the most popular choice of coffee lovers in the country and abroad because it is organically produced.

Countries in the Middle East prefer Kalinga coffee because of its acclaimed original aroma and blend that is not present in the taste of other coffee brands.

The Kalinga brewed coffee with its renowned "Kalinga Taste" is the major product of the province under the One Town One Product (OTOP) program.

The brewed coffee is a product of roasted ground coffee beans usually comes from the blend of three varieties -- robusta, arabica, and exelsa.

With the building of the trading center, coffee growers can increase the quality of their coffee and will have a place where they can market their coffee products.  

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Lepanto National High School bags this year's Gawad Kalasag Award

Cordillera, - Lepanto National High School (LNHS) located in the Municipality of Mankayan is this years's regional Gawad Kalasag champion in the public-rural school category.

The Gawad Kalasag Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance is an annual recognition scheme of National DRRM Council that encouraged the participation of various stakeholders in crafting and implementing DRRM-related policies, strategies and programs to protect or shield the hazard prone communities from the adverse effects of natural and human-induced calamities.

"Gawad" is a Filipino term for award and "Kalasag" stands for Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan.

LNHS emerged as the champion this year with an average evaluation rate of 86 percent surpassing the 80 percent rating requirement of the board from all the 20 entries in the region.

The school will receive a plaque and P50,000.

LNHS is among the public schools Lepanto Mining Corporation has been supporting over the years. The company is providing school materials and equipment for teachers and students like books, computers and other school needs.

"The Cordillera region is no stranger to calamities.. Lepanto therefor has to proactively and continously improve its disaster preparedness and management programs for the company, its employess and the community. The Gawad Kalasag award of LNHS attests to Lepanto's commitment to preserve and protect its community, especially the children and the students in its in-camp schools," said LCMC Vice President and Resident Manager Thomas Consolacion.

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Sablan PNP to conduct Concert for a Cause to support Sablan elementary students

Cordillera, - The Sablan Municipal Police station will be conducting a Concert for a Cause sets on September 30 at the Municipal Gym of Sablan at 6.00  in the evening.

The purpose of the said concert is to raise money intended for around 1,000 students of the said municipality buy new school uniforms.

Local Radio station reports numerous police offices in the region were invited to participate in the event including Baguio City Police Office, Police Regional Office Cordillera and Benguet Police Provincial Office. 

Local artists in the province and Baguio are also invited to join in the concert. 

PSI Alfredo Dacumos, Sablan Chief of Police invites those who are interested in helping the students to buy concert tickets available at the Sablan Municipal Station. 

source: Bombo Radyo Baguio. 

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Igorot figher KEVIN BELINGON wins by KO with an impressive show of power punches

Kevin Belingon VS Reece McLaren. Photo: Onefc

Cordillera, -  One-time world challenger Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon from the famed team Lakay of Baguio City  finishes Reece McLaren at 1.02 mark of round one proving to the world that he is one of the most powerful strikers in the ONE Championship mixed martial contest today.

It doesn't take long for the Igorot fighter to finish the round after he caught Mclaren with a one blinding power punch that led him to the canvas. 

That was the start of rainfall of several punches to Mclaren that led the referee to cut short the fight to save him for more damages coming from the "Silencer" early in the first round. 

The contest was held on Friday night, 18 August in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the Igorot has improved his record to 17 wins with five losses. It was the explosiveness and the non-stop onslaught of power punches from Belingon that made the difference. He is furious once the opening bell rings and every punch he delivers come with intense power and speed.

The match-up between the two was expected to present an interesting spectacle. An yes it did, the Igorot fighter, armed with his power and inspiration finished Reece McLaren on the undercard of "ONE Championship: Quest for Greatness" held at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

A triumph of Kevin Belingon, a triumph of the Filipino people and a triumph of the Cordilleran people. 

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Battle-tested Cordilleran Cop from Benguet leads NCRPO's Regional Mobile Force Battalion

Photo Courtesy || NCRPO RMFB

Cordillera, - Battled-tested and Marawi war hero, Col. Lambert A. Suerte, of Bokod, Benguet is now leading the Regional Mobile Force Battalion of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) after his successful stint as RMFB commander in Region 3.

Last year, Col. Suerte, an Ibaloi cop and the commanding officer of the PNP-SAF deployed in Marawi was among the special awardees who were given recognition during the 116th Philippine National Police Service Awards in Camp Crame on August 8. 

Police Supt, Lambert Suerte, who worked as commanding officer of the PNP_SAF Rapid Deployment Battalion received the award together with four other SAF commandos from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. 

Suerte received the award for his exemplary performance in the ongoing battle in Marawi City where ISIS-inspired Maute members had occupied. 

READ ALSO: Igorot jail inspector in Manila commended for rejecting huge bribe from high profile inmate

"A special award is presented to Police Supt. Lambert A. Suerte, Special Action Force, for his exemplary performance on law enforcement that led in the successful conduct of offensive clearing and counter-sniper operations in Marawi City that prevented further acts of terrorism," Suerte's citation read. 

Suerte is a proud son of Bokod, Benguet and served the Cordillera region before he was called by PNP-SAF Director Benjamin Lusad because of his vast experience in police operations.

Back in 2014, Suerte was also given recognition for his service by President Aquino. He was given the Leadership Award, which is the highest award the province of Benguet confers to its outstanding sons and daughter, who has made difference to peoples' lives. 

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