Stephen Loman - Team Lakay's longest world champion title holder

MMA World Champ Stephen “The Sniper” Loman with MP. Governer Lacwasan. Photo Courtesy: MP-PIO FB Page

Cordillera - Stephen Loman has just made another name for himself in the world of Mixed Martial Arts sport after he successfully defended his world championship belt last June, 9 2018. 

Not only that Loman was the reigning Brave Combat Federation Bantam Weight Champion in the World, he now holds the record as the youngest MMA champion in Europe and in the Middle East. 

22-year-old Loman is a proud Cordilleran who traces his roots from Bauko and Barlig of Mountain Province and Banaue, Ifugao. He is part of famed Team Lakay that trains many of the Igorots MMA champions like Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, Honorio Banario and many more.

Last Tuesday, the MMA champion, together with his parents, visited Mountain Province and paid a courtesy call to Governer Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. at the Provincial Capitol in the Capital town. 

Lacwasan was elated to meet the champion while thanking him for displaying the heart and courage of an Igorot to the rest of the world during this fights. 

"Your victories are good news, we, especially your parents are very proud of your accomplishments. You are now among the elite who came from the highlands to hold a world championship title," Lacwasan said. 

In an interview conducted by PIO Mountain Province, Loman informed he is a Criminology graduate at the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio City and has already passed the board examination. 

He was introduced to MMA by his older brother and since then fell in love with the sport. He became a wushu scholar in college and lated joined Team Lakay. 

Loman advises those who are aspiring to become MMA fighter to focus on their training and avoid vices. 

"One must hone their skills through hard work, dedication and discipline and most importantly, training," he remarked. 

Loman wanted to become a policeman or become an entrepreneur when retires from MMA sports. 

source || MP-PIO FB Page

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Igorot Warrior Stephen Loman retains belt, remains Brave Bantamweight King

Baguio City - Brave Combat Federation Bantamweight champion Stephen Loman successfully defended his Brave CF Bantamweight title in a rematch against Frans Mlambo in the main event in Northern Ireland, Saturday night. 

29-year-old Loman used series of takedowns and implemented multiple rear-naked choke against Mlambo who had landed clean shots earlier during the fight. 

The fight on Saturday had Loman improved his record to 10-2. 

Loman thanked his family, friends and supporter after the fight. 

Read Also: Kevin Belingon vs. Martin Nguyen fight to happen in July 2018.

"I would like to thanked all my family and friends who are here to my fight and cheer for me. Thank you thank you so much. It was a big support for me," victorious Loman said. 

Last November 2018, Loman was the new champion in the world of mixed martial arts following his victory over Gurdashan Mangat in the inaugural Brave Combat Federation bantamweight title at the Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town Bahrain. 

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PMA opens slots for aspiring cadets. Click for more info

Photo Courtesy: Philippine Military FaceBok

Baguio City - The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) is accepting applications for those who wanted to become cadets. 

In its Facebook Page, announcement was posted for those aspiring to be a cadet this year. 

Applicants can apply in their website at http://www.pma.ph/Apply.php and just fill out the online application form and upload their High School/SHS Form 137 or Form 138 and PSA copy of Birth Certificate in PDF format. 

Application can also be made via mail. Applicants must secure a copy of PMA application form, fill it out then mail it together with their  High School/SHS Form 137 or Form 138 and PSA copy of Birth Certificate and send them to this address:

The Director

Office of Cadet Admission

Philippine Military Academy

Fort del Pilar, Baguio City 2602

Applicants must be at least 17 years old, but not more than 22 years old on the reporting date. 

Height requirement for both male and female applicants must be 5 feet tall. 

Applicants should be a natural born Filipino citizens, physically fit and of good moral character, with no past or pending administrative or criminal charges. They should also be senior high school graduates with a general average of at least 85 years old. 

They should also be single, never married, never had a child, not pregnant, or tied to a legal obligation to support a child.

source || Philippine Military FaceBok

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GOOD NEWS: 30,000 indigent Cordillerans to get free college education

Cordillera - The office of the Commission on Higher Education - Cordillera (CHED-CAR) has announced that around 30,000 poor members of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Cordillera region will benefit from the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017, according to Philippine News Agency. 

CHED-Cordillera Officer-In-Charge Ma. Geraldine Casipit told Philippine News Agency in an interview that the Republic Act (RA) 10931, also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education will benefit the six major State and Colleges (SUCs) in the region. 

According to Casipit, the new law will save poor indigent family from financial burden like selling their farms just to get their children to colleges and universities. 

"Sa ilang taos kong pag-stay dito sa Cordillera, napansin ko kasi na napakaraming miyembro ng IP dito sa Cordillera na nangangailangan ng tulong pinansyal. So sobrang kahirapan, hindi sila makapag-ral. Pero sa initiative ni Pangulong Duterte, marami talaga ang matutulongan," Casipit said. 

State Colleges and Universities that can accommodate Free College Education for poor indigent Cordillerans are: 

Ifugao State University - Ifugao Province

Mountain Province State Polytechnic College - Mt. Province

Kalinga State University - Kalinga

Benguet State University - Benguet Province

Abra State Institute of Science and Technology - Abra Province

Apayao State College - Apayao Province.  

Each SUC, according to Casipit, has an estimated 5,000 students who will benefit from the free tuition, but that could change depending on the students passing the admission requirements and SUC's carrying capacity. 

source || PNA

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Sing Along: Kankanaey country version of Ed Sheeran's Perfect by Manasi Wakit

Cordillera - Ed Sheeran's Perfect - the number one song of all time that every music lovers loves to sing. The song is so popular all over the world that it reaches even the mountains of Cordillera.

Cordillerans do love the song to the point that they want it blend with the country tune. There is no problem singing the song with a country style however, would it be better if the lyrics are in local dialect which can be understood by all. In fact, listening to a song that you understand will help you you grasp the meaning of the song.

A local singer who is a fan of country music had composed a kankana-ey version of Perfect. With his acoustic guitar and his Alan Jackson-sound-like voice, he recorded his own version of Perfect and uploaded it on Facebook.

Here is the original kankana-ey version of Ed Sheeran's Pefect written and sung by Manasi Wakit

Waday babae ay inam-amuk

Kadwaana kanu sak-en sin biag na

Na-anus ya nasingpet

Sik-a gayam manseseed ken sak-en

An-anak ta dedan sin idi

Enka enggay man-ay-ayam

Adi ta pay amuy kanan da ay layad

Adak itulok ed niman

Ay adi nikan magayem

Sak-en ya sik-a et manbagbagay

Enta et mansala ay dwa

Uray manbolinget isnan sala-an

Mandengdenge sin kankanta

Kanam adam nanporma

Ngem kanak ed dibale sa

Tan san rupam et perfet para'n sak-en

Sinay ay babae

Napigsa di nemnem na

Ay manplanu's amin ay pansay-atan mi

Uray narigat unu nanam-ay lak-amen mi

Mantinulong sya din amagen mi

An-anak ta dedan sin idi

Enka enggay man-ay-ayam

Adi ta pay amuy kanan da ay layad

Awatem nan takay ko

Sak-en di lalaki si biyag mo

Sik-a abey babais ek laylayden

Enta et mansala ay dwa

Uray manbolinget isnan sala-an

Mandengdenge sin kankanta

Idi nailak san badom

Bagbagay mo ay pirmi

Tan san rupam et perfet para'n sak-en

Enta et mansala ay dwa

Uray manbolinget isnan sala-an

Mandengdenge sin kankanta

Edwani nailak sik-a

Naragsak nan rikna ta

Tay dwa ta, Sik-a et perfect

Naragsak di riknak tan perfect ka para'n sak-en

You can sing along with Manasi in his recorded song here.



Background Photo: ESC Insight

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One featherweight champion Martin Nguyen wants to fight Igorot MMA figther Kevin Belingon in the ring

Photo Courtesy: ONE Championship

ONE Championship crowned featherweight champion Martin "The Situ-Asian" Nguyen revealed that he would love to share a ring with Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon of Team Lakay. 

In an interview by ONE championship, the 29-year-old Nguyen would want to return again in the ring this coming ONE:REIGN OF KINGS scheduled on 27 July in Manila. 

Nguyen said he would like to fight the Igorot warrior for the interim title or number one contender spot. 

He believed that a match with Belingon would make an exciting main event considering that both of their styles are similar and MMA fans would love to watch them. 

"Honestly, he deserves nothing but the best. He has taken out top contenders in devastating fashion. He is the one who deserves the title shot next. Belingon has to stay active, because he has to put food on the table for his family, and he needs to fight. If there is anyone to step up againts Belingon, other than myself, I cannot really say who," said Nguyen. 

Nguyen is one of ONE Championship's biggest stars. He had defeated two of the best fighters Marat Gafurov and Eduard Folayang and crowned champion in both the featherweight and the lightweight division. 

He has successfully defended his featherweight world title on 18 May against  Christian "The Warrior "Lee via split division. 

Belingon has proven he got the power and arsenal to grant the wish of Nguyen. Last April, Belingon demonstrated his skills and power when he obliterated his opponent with  relentless loads of ground and pound. 

Now that a desire for a match up is asked by Nguyen who happened to knocked out cold one of Belingon's Team Lakay mates Eduard Folayan, will he take notice to the call? 

--One Championship--

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8 Young Benguet Farmers Off to Japan to Learn New Farming Techniques

Cordillera - Eight young Benguet farmers were off to Japan on Wednesday for a three-year intensive on-farm training to learn new farming techniques, modern agricultural management skills and join in farm youth activities at the Farmers Cooperative of Ehime Prefecture and in Kochi Prefecture in Japan. 

According to Philippine News Agency the participants came from different municipalities of Benguet. They are Rufino Budoyan Jr. of Bokod; Francis Galuten and Gentar Manicawa, both of Mankayan; Rico Wakat of Sablan; Hardy Bua-eg of Bugias; Vincent Comila of Bakun; Arman Caris of Kapangan; and Febie Ann Mayames of Kibungan. 

The trainees will take the course that is part of the Young Filipino Farmers Training in Japan (YFFTPJ) Program which is conceived to provide training opportunities for young men and women engaged in agriculture to help improve Benguet's agriculture through exchanges in technology and farming methods. 

Read Also: Two towns in Japan need 32 farmers from Benguet

Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPAG) supervising agriculturist Delinia Juan said the program will encourage young farmers into agriculture by helping them acquire new agricultural techniques, experience life in a foreign country, and strengthen their foreign language skills. 

When they return home, the trainees are expected to bring a new level of expertise that will assist them in their work and share with their fellow farmers in the provinces. 

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Two boys in Sagada invented an improvised glass and bottle crusher received award

Photo Courtesy || Provincial Government of Mountain Province

Cordillera - They may be only elementary pupils, but these two kids have a brilliant mind of an inventor. 

Nixon L. Labian and Jimber Lee A. Camared of Sagada, Mt. Province just invented a treadle glass and bottle crusher that is capable of crushing bottles and broken glasses which are not usually accepted in most junk shop. The machine can be used to crushed bottle that can be mixed with cement according to Mt. Province PIO.

The crusher that was invented by Labian and Camared even got a nod from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office. The office found that the crusher is a functional hand operated manual treadle glass and bottle crusher with pedal. The crusher is operated using a discarded bicycle attached to it with brace to make it steady and more durable. 

The machine is capable of crushing medicine bottles, broken glasses and other types of bottles. It can grind bottles that weigh about 2575 grams.  

Using a recycled ball mill, Labiang who was then in grade VI in school year 2016-2017 invented an improvised glass and bottle crusher. Last year, Camared introduced innovations to the prototype glass crusher by attaching a bicycle to function as a treadle. The treadle glass and bottle crusher entry of Banga-an Elementary School was able to garner the first place during last year's Regional Science and Math Festival - Elementary Category of the Department of Education held at La Trinidad, Benguet. 

READ ALSO:

Ibaloi doctor awarded by President Duterte as among the 2016 Outstanding Young Men and Women

Cordillera IT students among the best programmers in the country: Win award at PPC 2017

Labian and Camared are students of Banga-an Elementary School in Sagada. They were recognized by the Provincial Local Government Unit of Mountain Province for their ingenuity and effort in developing an improvised device that can contribute to the reduction of solid waste. 

Read Also: The best bread in the Philippines is found in Sagada

The provincial goverment of Mt. Province awarded them  with Certificates of Commendation and cash incentives of Php 2,500 each. 

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Former OFW wins new House and Lot Package at OWWA-CAR Labor Day Job Fair

Photo Courtesy || DOLE CAR

Baguio City - A former OFW was the luckiest job seeker of all time during the 2018 Labor Day Job Fair held at  Baguio City High School campus on Tuesday. 

25-year-old Joyce Mae Ridual couldn't believe about the blessing she had received during Labor Day, she just won a house and lot package. 

Ridual hit the jackpot of the House and Lot raffle promo sponsored by PAG-IBIG Fund drawn by the Department of Labor and Employment - Cordillera (CAR). 

According to Ridual, she wasn't aware of the raffle draw and was surprised when her number was called out and she was announced the winner of a house and lot. 

"Nung tinawag na iyung number, nagulat na lang po ako at saka iniisip ko po kanina, hindi ko ata nasulatan yung ticket, iyun pala wala palang name, number lang pala. Nung inaanounce na yung number ko, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwal," Ridual said.

Ridual credited the Almighty God for winning the jackpot because she believed it's God's will and winning it is not a luck. She said that right before the draw, she walked to the Baguio Cathedral and said a prayer. 

Not only that, Ridual was also hired on the spot for a nurse position overseas. According to the agency's recruitment officer, her credentials and experience of working in Riyadh for two years are enough to qualify her for the job. 

During the whole day Labor Day event, there were 3,824 job seeker who applied for work and only 544 were lucky to be hired on the spot according to abs.cbn 

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New fossil discovery in Kalinga suggests early humans lived in the Philippines 700,000 years ago

Cordillera - A new discovery by a team of Filipino, French and Dutch scientists have shown evidence suggesting the presence of the so-called archaic humans in the island of Southeast Asia 700,000 years ago before our known species Homo Sapiens even existed.

The new evidence which was excavated in Kalinga of the Cagayan valley of Northern Luzon shows  rhino bones and stone tools. 

Scientists found marks on the bones that indicates sharp-edge tools were used in butchering rhinos and removing flesh and fats from the bones. 

Mike Morley, an archaeologist from the University of Wollongong in Australia said that the marks on the bones were signs of butchery by unknown species of hominins. 

"The stones tools and the cut marks on the bones certainly point to a butchery site, with the bone being fractured and scored presumably during the dismembering of the animal, leaving characteristics signs of this butchery on the bones; the hominins who did this remain unknown, however, as there are no hominins bones associated with the archaeological material and fossils", Morley said.

But researchers were not able to determine what species  of rhino hunters and tool-makers had inhabited Luzon long time ago due to the lack of hominin fossils in the site.

If the age of the fossils which is around 700,000 years ago would be the basis, Thomas Ingicco who lead the Kalinga site discovery said Homo Erectus who seems to have been present on those years may be the tool-makers because these species were present all over those years in Asia. 

Where did these hominins come from and how did they come to Luzon? The teams conclude that hominins of some kind must have come originally from Borneo to the southwest or from Taiwan to the north and they could have used some sort of watercraft.

Scientists also uncovered different bones belonging to a species of brown deer, monitor lizards, freshwater turtles and stegodons - a kind of extinct mammal similar to elephants and mammoths.

Using different dating techniques like the electron-spin resonance methods, archaeologists were able to date the bones to be around 777,000 to 631,000 years ago. 

source || theConversation || Gizmodo.com

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