Kalinga sisters fight for "Ultimate Artista" in GMA's StarStruck

Photo Courtesy || GMA7

Cordillera - Two sisters from Kalinga are vying to become the "Ultimate Artista" in GMA's new season of reality show StarStruck. 

Carmel and Riobeth Alcanzarine from Tabuk, Kalinga Province are trying to fulfill their dreams to become the first Kalinga celebrities. 

"Doon po sa amin wala pa pong nag-aartista kahit isa so ang goal po namin ay i-represent kung saan po kami nanggaling" the sisters told in an interview. 

The two sisters traveled from Kalinga all the way to Manila to join the audition for a chance to be part of the GMA's popular TV show.

Asked how they feel if only one of them will be successful to join the show, the sisters said that they are fine with it as long as one of them will get the chance. 

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Joshua Pacio reclaims ONE Gold for Team Lakay

Photo Courtesy || ONE Championship

Cordillera - Joshua "The Passion" Pacio reclaims ONE World Strawweight Championship Belt from Yosuke Saruta in the co-main event of ONE Championship: Roots of Honor in front of fight fans at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

The competitive bout that lasted up to the 4th round proved to be an exciting one as the two warriors were really hunting a big knock-out for them selves. 

It was Pacio from Team Lakay who played a very technical and decisive tactic to maneuver a hard right kick to the head of Saruta causing the later to suffer from a TKO. 

Sensing the gravity of his kick, Pacio did not attempt to follow Saruta to finish him off on the canvas.

"The Passion dropped the ONE strawweight world championship to Saruta in their first meeting with just a razor-thin split decision. 

This Friday was a redemption for the youngest world champion of Team Lakay as he proved to the world he was the true champion. 

Pacio thanked his fans and team mates for their support. 

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Igorota-Belgian wins Face of Tourism Philippine 2019

Photo Courtesy || Roxanne Baeyens Instagram

Cordillera - An Igorota-Belgian beauty was crowned Face of Tourism Philippines 2019 during the coronation held last April 7 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Roxanne Baeyens, 22, who hails from Mountain Province will represent and promote the Philippines in the Miss Tourism Culture Universe 2019 pageant to be held in Myanmar.

Baeyens posted a message in her Instagram thanking her fans, organizers and family who trusted and supported her.

"God's timing is perfect. "You are exactly where you need to be" she wrote in her Instagram.

Read Also: Cordillera Indigenous fabric 'INABEL' goes international, recognized at New York Fashion Week

"I can't wait for the next chapter of my journey knowing i have a supportive family beside me," Roxanne added.

"It makes me emotional, but I know this isn't goodbye!  I won't be! To my family, thank you. From the moment I started pageantry you were there through my defeat and success. The best part of my journey is seeing the sparkle in your eyes that shows how proud you are. I love you so much!" she continued.

Baeyens likewise expressed her gratitude to the city of Baguio which she represented.

"To the City of Baguio, thank you for the never ending support! It is my pride and honor to represent our city. PROUD CORDILLERAN!!!" she said.

Face of Tourism Philippines is "an annual beauty search aims to bring the beauty, excitement and wonder of the Philippines to a wider audience by putting focus on the Philippines tourism industry and all its allied services and aspects."

READ ALSO: 

 PH candidate for Miss Multinational pageant Kimi Mugford proud of her Igorot roots

Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Rodriguez wears Kalinga warrior costume for Miss World

The search gathers candidates from every region in the country and give them the platform to showcase their localities' natural wonders, history, festivals, traditions, arts, food and people according to Abs Cbn.

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SLU Baguio wins Philippines' Best Technology Startup

Photo Courtesy || DICT

Cordillera - Team Victorem, a technology startup from the Saint Louis University in Baguio City was declared as the over all champion of this year's Philippine Startup Challenge 5 (PSC5) organized by the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) on Friday.

The technology startup is a rental platform that serves as a channel for users who want to post an item for rent or to those people looking for things to rent. It can be accessed through the browsers and mobile devices. The team said the application is "safe, secured, and convenient" for renters and item owners to transact payments. 

This year's Philippine Startup Challenge 5 was hosted by Iloilo City at the Grand Xing Hotel. There were 15 teams from various colleges and universities all over the country who had pitched and defended their startups in front of business owners and judges. 

According to DICT Undersecretary Monchito B. Ibrahim, all the startup participants went through rigorous screening and training. 

DICT received 242 entries but only 30 made it to the semifinals and only 15 were selected by technology and business startups to enter the national competition.

"We're very, very glad to see all the ideas that they have come up with and that's actually making me believe that the future of the Philippines is in good hands," Ibrahim said.

Being the champion, Team Victorem will become part of Huawei's Seeds of the Future Program, a two-week college undergraduate study program in China to equip them with ICT-based skills and knowledge. They will also automatically qualify for the 2019 IdeasSpaceBootcamp. 

The team together with other top 5 winners will also receive Php200,000 from the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) to help them in the product prototype development. 

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Igorot wrestler to represent Philippines in the 30th Manila SEA Games

Photo Courtesy || Jason Baucas FB

Cordillera - A young Igorot wrestler is in full preparation for the upcoming wrestling competition for the 30th Manila SEA GAMES.

21 year-old Jason Baucas from Benguet is the only representative of the Philippines wrestling team to compete in the 72 kilogram Greco-Roman wrestling. 

Greco-Roman is a style of wrestling that is being practiced worldwide and became part of the Olympic sport. This style of wrestling forbids hold below the waist compared from freestyle wrestling.

Photo Courtesy || Jason Baucas FB

Baucas had been one of the country's medal sources in the wrestling event in the ASEAN region and in Asia in the past years.

READ ALSO: Automatic rematch" for Belingon and Bibiano Fernandes, ONE CEO said

In 2016, he took home bronze medal in the 2016 Southeast Asian Junior and Cadets Wrestling Championship in Thailand and he ranked 8th at the Asian Junior 2016.

He also won bronze in the 2014 South East Asia Junior and Cadets Wrestling Championships, bronze in the 2015 SEA Senior Wrestling Championship and a gold medal in the 2015 South East Asia Junior and Cadets Wrestling Championships. 

Photo Courtesy || Jason Baucas FB

Bauces was honored for being Benguet's pride in wrestling in 2016. 

Latest Story: Saint Louis University, UB among top performing school in Med Tech board exams

This year, he is motivated to keep moving and continue training to be able to take home medal in the upcoming SEA Games. 

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Saint Louis University, UB among top performing school in Med Tech board exams

Photo Courtesy || Google Map @ UB FB

Cordillera - The University of Baguio and Saint Louis University made it to the top ten of the best performing schools in the recent Medical Technologist licensure examinations given by the Philippine Regulation Commission recently. 

Saint Louis University (SLU) is ranked as the second best performing school while the University of Baguio (UB) made it to the sixth as best performing school in the March 2019 Medical Technologist board exams released by the Professional Regulation Commission. 

Out of the 286 examinees from SLU, 285 passed the board exams with a record of 99.65 passing rate while UB had a 92.55 passing rate with 84 passers out of the 91 examinees. 

SLU is also the second best performing school in the March 2019 Pharmacist Licensure Examination with a 97.22 passing rate.

The PRC announced that 2,801 out of 4,092 passed the Medical Technologist Licensure Examination given by the Board of Medical Technology in the following major cities in the Philippines namely, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Iloilo, Tuguegarao, Zamboanga and some cities in Metro Manila.

The PRC also announced the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be done on-line from April 1 to April 12, 2019. 

Passers are advised to visit www.prc.gov.ph and follow instructions for initial registration. 

Those will register are required to bring the following: downloaded duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, notice of admission (for identification only), 2 pieces passport sized pictures (colored with while background and complete name tag), 2 sets of documentary stamps and 1 piece short brown envelope. 

Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals. 

The oath taking ceremony for the new medical technologist will be announce later, according to PRC. 

Those who failed the board examination but had obtained a general rating of at least 70% can register as Medical Laboratory Technician. 

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The Banaue Rice Terraces was built by the Ifugaos of Cordillera, NOT by the Chinese

Photo Courtesy || Lonely Planet

Cordillera - A new video released by Lonely Planet - a popular travel guide book publisher has been criticized heavily by Filipino netizens when it described that the Banaue Rice Terraces were built by the Chinese. 

The famed Banaue Rice Terraces located in the Northern Luzon was dubbed as the "Eight Wonder of the World. 

According the Lonely Planet video, it noted that the rice terraces were "first built around 2,000 years ago by the Chinese."

A screenshot of the video at 0.50 mark clearly shows the texts over the video that says "These mud-walled rice terraces were first built around 2,000 years ago by the Chinese."

Many netizens who have watched the video were quick to correct the erroneous description via social media. 

An Instagram user named Jose Ruperto Martir posted in his account, "Dear @lonelyplanet, the Banaue Rice Terraces were built by the Filipino indigenous people, not by the Chinese."

Photo Courtesy || Jose Ruperto Martir

"The Banaue Rice Terraces was built by the Filipino natives, particularly Igorots. China did not invade Philippines in the past nor did they build any infrastructures in our country. Until recently," one Facebook user commented. 

The video was later taken down by Lonely Planet.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) published in its website, the Banaue Rice Terraces are "priceless contribution of Philippine ancestors to humanity, Built 2000 years ago and passed of from generation to generation..." by the Ifugao people living in the area.

The rice terraces is located in the province of Ifugao, and it is one of the country's Natural Cultural Treasures.

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"Automatic rematch" for Belingon and Bibiano Fernandes, ONE CEO said

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - An automatic rematch is set for Kevin Belingon and Bibiano Fernandes in the near future after their historic trilogy ended up in a disqualification for Belingon. 

ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sidyodthong said in a press conference that the two rivals would meet for the fourth time. 

"That's an automatic rematch," Sidyothong announced during a press conference just after the event in Tokyo, Japan. 

Fernandes snatched the belt from Belingon after the former was given a red card by the referee due to disqualification. Belingon accidentally landed a pair of illegal elbows to the back of the head of Fernandes in the second round. 

Fernandes was hurt and declared a winner when he couldn't stand up to continue the fight.

Many fans were dissatisfied with the outcome of the fight and wanted the two rivals to meet again for the fourth time to settle things straight. 

The early rounds of the bout had given the Filipino champion the upper hand as it scored clean shots and spinning back kicks to Fernandes. 

Fernandes was able to trade punches with Belingon in the next round which caught Belingon an overhand right to his jaw and took him off his feet. But Belingon was able to withstand the powerful shots and recovered.

In the third round, Fernandes was able to ground Belingon but received two clean elbows to the back of his head. The referee stopped the fight and Fernandes was given 5 minutes to recover. The fight was halted after Fernandes was unable to continue the bout. 

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Kalinga soldier receives second highest combat medal from Pres. Duterte

Photo Courtesy || PCOO

Cordillera - A new recruit in the Philippine military who battled in Marawi back in 2017 were among the three recipients of the second highest military medal for combat. 

Private Jerry N. Wassig from Kalinga was awarded with the The Distinguished Conduct Star (DCS) which is the second highest military award in the Armed Forces. 

No other than President Rodrigo Duterte gave the award to Pvt. Wassig and two other soldiers Sgt. Arnel S. Alberto and Cpl. Roel P. Delos Reyes during the celebration of the Philippine Military 122nd Founding Anniversary on Thursday (March 21, 2019).

Pvt. Wassig was only 9 months in the military service when he was assigned to fight in Marawi in September 2017.

He served as the tail scout of the 1st Platoon of the 11th Scout Ranger Company tasked at confronting the enemies in battle and rescuing comrades who was fatally hit. 

Pvt. Wassig showed ultimate bravery in combat as he fearlessly crawled to the position of his comrades to rescue two casualties despite heavy gunfire exchange between the government forces and the Maute fighters. 

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Igorot soldier in Marawi puts his life in danger to save hostages

Igorot soldier 1st Lt. Fagyan shares his experience fighting in Marawi

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He was able to extricate his team leader first and later on his commanding officer "even as enemies continued to fire at his position". 

Pvt. Wassig risked his life three times to rescue his wounded comrades individually and his team leader.

"Imbued with profound sense of responsibility and dedication to duty, Private Wassig audaciously crawled inside a sewer upon seeing his commanding officer was fatally hit and his team leader's condition was slowly deteriorating," his citation read.

Read Also: 

Cordilleran Captain Jovita G. Buclat feted OWLENSP award by President Duterte

Cordilleran from Ifugao among top 10 of PNPA Class 2019

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New Food Fair "Mangan Taku" to showcase Cordillera's indigenous cuisines

Photo Courtesy || The Igorot FB Page

Cordillera - When the word Cordillera comes to mind or being talked about especially to most outsiders, they think of the images of bright and colorful attires (the bahag for men and tapis for women). Many also would think about the playing of gongs and solibaos during especial occasions or ceremony (kanyao).

But there is also a part of the Cordillera culture that hasn't got much attention to outsiders and this is Cordilleran cuisines. 

Culinary adventurers and those who love tasting different food are welcome to the new Food Fair called "Mangan Taku" organized by the Department of Tourism - Cordillera (DOT-CAR) set on April 8 to 14 in the Baguio City. 

The aim of the food fair is to bring all indigenous cuisines from the whole region to Baguio for locals and tourists to experience a different kind of gastronomic indulgence here in the city of Pines.

DOT-CAR officer in charge Jovita Ganongan said it is important to remember that dishes from the different provinces in the region have a special place in the culture to which it belongs and is special to those who prepare it. 

"Baguio will serve as the host of the Cordillera food fair considering that it is the most visited tourist destination in the region," Ganongan said.

"We should embrace our heritage through food. It is a portal into our culture and it should be treated as such," she added. 

The food fair will not only promote the culture of the Cordillera but it will also showcase some of the cooking talents of the Indigenous People or IPs.

Holding the event in the month of April is a perfect time as more tourists are coming to Baguio to take a break from the summer heat. 

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) record shows that this mountain resort city received a total of 1.5 million tourists in 2017, or 77 percent of the region's total tourist arrivals of 1.96 million living up with its tag as one of the leading tourist destinations. 

source || PNA

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UC and SLU among top 15 in the 5th Philippine Startup Challenge by DICT

Cordillera - Two of Cordillera's top universities are among the 15 finalists of the 5th Philippine Startup Challenge by the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT).

The University of the Cordilleras (UC) and Saint Louis University in Baguio city together with other finalists coming from different universities across the country were named by the DICT to compete in the final round on April 5, 2019 at the Grand Xing Hotel in Iloilo City.

The top 15 finalists out of the 30 semifinalists were handpicked by the selection committee made up of tech and business startup leaders.

These 15 universities have the most promising startup ideas from their students and they will be competing in the final round next month.

According to the DICT, the finalists were chosen based on customer validation (40%), execution and design (30%) and business model validation (30%).

Qualifying startup ideas for this year range from off-the grid charging device solution to web-based application for donations.

The PSC5 Top five Winners will receive Php200,000.00 each from the Department of Science and Technology's Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) to assist the teams in product prototype development.

The PSCC5 National Winner will also become part of Huawie's Seeds of the Future Program, a two-week college undergraduate study program to be held in China that shall equip them with ICT-based skills and knowledge. They also automatically qualify for the 2019 IdeaSpaceBootcamp.

The University of the Cordilleras Team Y.A.N.A's startup idea is called Proximap, an augmented reality advertising and navigation mobile application. It uses Geolocation as well as voice and image recognition.

Meanwhile Qantina from Team Magis of Saint Louis University is a platform that lets college students, officer workers or health buff to order and have meals delivered from home-cooks, aspiring chefs or restaurants around them.

The other startup from SLU is called Qrent developed by Team Victorem. It is a web-based and mobile platform that is designed for safe, secured, and convenient rental transaction between renter and item owners.

source || DICT

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DOST is now accepting 2019 Junior Level Science Scholarship: CLICK for more info

Photo Courtesy || DOST-SEI FB Page

The Department of Science and Technology had announced the opening of its scholarship program for 2019. 

The new scholarship program dubbed "Maging DOST Iskolar" under DOST-Science Education Institute is now accepting applications for the 2019 Junior Level Science Scholarship to all incoming 3rd year college students enrolled in STEM courses. 

Who may apply for DOST scholarship?

Applicants and regular second year standing for the second semester of any 2018-2019 who meet eligibility requirements of the JLSS and have met the following conditions:

- Have not taken any previous DOST-SEI Examination.

- Have taken the DOST-SEI Undergraduate Examination but did not qualify for the scholarship.

- Qualifier for the DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship but did not avail of the award. 

Students whose DOST-SEI Scholarship have been terminated should not apply.

What are the priority courses for the DOST-SEI scholarship?

Click to Enlarge. Photo Courtesy || DOST-SEI FB page

What are privileges of a DOST-SEI Scholar?

1. Tuition and other school fees worth Php40,000.00 per academic year

2. Book Allowance worth Php10,000.00 per year

3. Monthly Living allowance of Php7,000.00

4. Round trip fare transportation allowance in economy-class

5. Group Insurance

6. Post Graduation Clothing Allowance worth Php1,000.00

The deadline for submitting applications is on April 29, 2019 and the examination date will be on June 2, 2019. 

You may download the 2019 JLSS Application Form and Brochure here: http://sei.dost.gov.ph/images/downloads/2019JLSSAppBrochure.pdf

You may also contact DOST-SEI to know more:
Website: http://www.sei.dost.gov.ph/
Email: seischolarship@gmail.com
Mobile Phone: 09278868816

source || DOST-SEI

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Congratulations: Danny Kingad defeats Senzo Ikeda via Unanimous Decision

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Updates: Cordilleran fighter Danny Kingad defeats Senzo Ikeda via Unanimous Decision in Tokyo, Japan. 

All judges scored the bout in favor of Danny Kingad. He has now advanced in the Grand Prix where he will have the chance to face his idol Demetrious Johnson. 

ONE: A New Era is considered the biggest event in ONE Championship history as it features the best fighters in the world. 

In the main event, ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang of Team Lakay will defend his belt against known foe Japanese MMA star Shinya Aoki.

Likewise, in the fight card is a trilogy between long time foe ONE Bantamweight Champion Kevin Belingon, also from Team Lakay,  will be defending his title against challenger Bibiano Fernandez. 

Speaking of fighters from Team Lakay, the fight card in Tokyo also includes flyweight star Danny Kingad who will be facing a new opponent former Pancrase Flyweight World Champion Senzo Ikeda.

Ikeda replaced Andrew Leone who suffered injury during training and was out of the tournament, according to ONE Championship. 

Join the contest now, share the video below and don't forget to leave a comment.

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Stunning Places You Should Visit When in Kapangan, Benguet

Contributed By: Daniel's Eco-Travels

Cordillera - Kapangan Benguet heralds the famous Grand March dance. It is also the hometown of the late Gov. Bado Dangwa, one of the prominent Cordillera figures. But did you know? Kapangan also hosts fascinating tourist spots worthy of exploration and admiration. Slowly, it's hitting a spot in the growing ecotourism world. 

Danielsecotravels.com visited Kapangan and here are the best places to visit and how to get there:

1. Badi Falls - it the most popular among the many waterfalls in Kapangan. This is actually a series of at least five beautiful waterfalls at a remote outskirt of Barangay Sagubo. The highest of which, measures more that 50 meters high. Some of the falls also have naturally-built pools with icy-cold and crystal-clear waters. Aside from swimming, rappel is often done here. To get there, one needs to hike for more or less two hours from the community proper. Good thing, the trails is well-established though there are steep and slippery parts. Badi falls is a tourist spot in Kapangan you must not miss. 

Badi Falls: Photo Courtesy || Daniel's Eco-travel

2. Pey-og Falls - Located in Barangay Boklaoan. It measures more than 100 meters high, making it the highest falls of Kapangan. The get there, trek for an hour or two from the barangay. You will be passing by forested trails, making it even more rewarding and rejuvenating. Upon reaching the falls, its sheer height and beauty offers an instant relief. Its water cascade in layers like drizzles from the heavens. Even from as far as Halsema Highway in Atok, the waterfalls can be seen especially when it's on full force during rainy months. 

Pey-og Falls: Photo Courtesy || Daniel's Eco-travel

3.  Balabag Mummy Cave, found in barangay Beleng-Belis. It sits at the foot of Mt. Balabag. Oh yes, you can also gaze on stalagmite and stalactite formations here. From the barangay proper, it takes more or less three hours of hike to get there. After visiting the cave, you can trek to Mt. Balabag and enjoy its rustic and scenic views. 

Balabag Mummy Cave. Photo Courtesy || Daniel's Ecotravel

4. Catampan Rice Terraces. It is just one of the several rice terraces of Kapangan, Benguet, Heirloom rice varieties are grown here. It is best to come here just before the harvest season or just after the planting season. 

Catampan Rice Terraces. Photo Courtesy || Daniel's Eco-travel

Read More Tourist Spots in Kapangan @ danielsecotravels.com

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Kiangan Homestay Association bags ASEAN Homestay Award 2019

Photo Courtesy || DOT Cordillera

Cordillera - The Kiangan Homestay Association were among the five recipients for the prestigious Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Homestay Award for 2019-2021.

The award is given by the ASEAN to groups which create a new brand of tourist experience showcasing local family traditions through affordable holiday.

According to PTVnews, a total of 36 tourism enterprises in the Philippine were recognized for meeting minimum requirements set by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Standards in the Philippines. 

Rebecca Villanueva-Labit, director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) - Office of Tourism Standards and Regulation, said the DOT-organized award manifests the agency's commitment to sustainable tourism. 

"It also proves the capacity of our private and public partners to best itself and be consistent with the development of sustainable tourism activities, destinations, and practices," she said in a speech during the awarding in Manila on Friday. 

Recognized as ASEAN Community-based Tourism Standard Awardees are the Palaui Environmental Protectors Association from Cagayan Valley, the Tour Guide and Recreation Association, Inc from Rizal and the Sabang Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour Guide Association from Puerto Princesa. 

Meanwhile for the ASEAN Public Toilet Standards, four were given awards. These were G&B Restaurant, Nueva Viscaya; Cordillera Convention Hall, Baguio City; Maramag Commercial Center B-LGU Maramag, Bukidnon; The SM Store CDO Downtown Premier, CDO. 

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Cordillera records 120 people living longer life at age 100

Photo Courtesy || Juicy Vlog

Cordillera - The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has recorded 120 individuals who are centenarians according to the latest survey conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 

"As of March 21, the Cordillera has recorded 120 residents who have reached the age of 100", DSWD Cordillera marketing unit chief, Nerizza Faye Villanueva said. 

Included is the list of centenarians was "Apo Whang-Od" of Kalinga. Whang-od is considered as the oldest traditional "mambabatok" or tattoo artist in the country. She uses an old traditional method of tattooing where she incorporates the use of ink from the mixture of charcoal and water and uses three thorn to imprint through skin. 

Whang-od is the ninth centenarian from the province of Kalinga and she just celebrated her 100th birthday last March 7.

All of the centenarians had received a Php100,000.00 cash gift from DSWD and a letter of felicitation from the President and also a special incentives from their local government. 

According the PNA.gov, there are 30 centenarians in Abra, 27 in Mountain Province, 21 in Benguet, 13 in Baguio City, 11 in Ifugao, 9 in Kalinga and 9 in Apayao. 

An interesting story of a centenarian from Bontoc shared his story how he was able to reach the age of 100. 

READ ALSO: 100 year-old Igorot man credits long life and health with eating camote, banana and squash

Mr. Herbert Malecdan Todyog, a native of Bontoc shared that living in the village eating organically-grown food like camote, banana, squash and legumes are the reasons he believed help him reach 100 years. He said that he has never been hospitalized, has strong legs and has a clear eyesight.

Todyog received Php100,000.00 from the social welfare department and another cash worth Php30,000.00 from his local government. 

Under Republic Act 10868, all Filipinos who reach the age of 100 will receive cash gift worth Php100,000.00 and a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines, whether they are residing in the country or abroad. 

READ ALSO: How to avail PHP100,000 Centenarian CASH Gift for your Lolos and Lolas who reached 100 years old

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DFA to bring mobile e-passport processing in Mountain Province

Cordillera - The local government of Bontoc, Mountain Province is encouraging the public to take advantage of the mobile e-passport processing to apply or renew their expired passport at the Multi-Purpose, Provincial Plaza on April 5, 2019.

As announced through the official Facebook Page of the Municipality of Bontoc, the mobile e-passport processing will be conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Consular Affairs (DFA - OCA) in partnership with the Provincial Government of Mountain Province.

The mobile e-passport processing is the 2nd time the DFA will be conducting in the province.

Interested individuals may visit the Municipal Tourism Office at the Bontoc Municipality Capitol or the Office of the Provincial Governor at the Provincial Capitol to have their names be listed for reservation of slots. 

New Passport Application Requirements for Adult

- Accomplished Application Form

- Original copy of Philippine Authority (PSA) Birth Certificate

- Original copy of NSO/SPA Marriage Contract for married females

- Original and Photocopy of valid IDs. 

New Passport Application Requirements for Minor

- Accomplished Application Form

- Personal Appearance of Minor applicant and either parent or authorized adult companion with complete requirements (Special Power of Attorney and Affidavit of Support and Consent)

- PSA Birth Certificate

- Passport or Valid ID of either parent and School ID for eight years old and above

Passport Renewal Requirements for Adult

- Accomplished Renewal Application Form

- Current ePassport with a photocopy of the data page

- Original PSA documents that will support the change of name if applicable to include Marriage Contract, Annotated Birth Certificate, Annotated Marriage Contract and Death Certificate of Spouse. 

Passport Renewal Requirements for Minor

- Accomplished Renewal Application Form

- Personal Appearance of minor applicant and either parent of authorized adult companion with complete requirements (Special Power of Attorney and Affidavit of Support and Consent)

- Passport or Valid ID of either parent, current passport of the applicant and School ID for eight years old and above

Lists of Acceptable IDs for adult applicants

- Social Security System (SSS)/Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)

- Unified Muti-Purpose Identification Card

- Land Transportation Office (LTO) Driver's License

- Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID

- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)/Integrated Department of Labor and Employment (iDOLE) Card

- Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Voter's ID or Voter's Registration Record from COMELEC Head or Regional Office

- Philippine National Police (PNP) Firearms License

- Senior Citizen ID

- School ID (for students)

- Current Valid ePassport (for renewal of ePassport)

An applicant has to pay the Passport Fee of P1,200.00 and Courier Fee of P150.00.

source || Muncipality of Bontoc

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29 Cordillerans to graduate from PNPA SANSIKLAB Class of 2019 on March 22

Photo Courtesy || Philippine National Police Academy FB

Cordillera - Twenty nine cadets who will be graduating as member of the SANSIKLAB Class of 2019 or Sigasig na Itaguyod ang Kapayapaan at Ipaglaban ang Bayan are from Cordillera. 

Of the Twenty nine cadets, 26 are males and 3 are females according to Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) spokesperson Superintendent Byron Allatog. 

Allatog said that cadets from Cordillera top the list of the 201-member graduating cadets which is composed of 154 males and 47 females. 

Police Cadet Ferdinand Mark Haguiling Lagchana from Ifugao was the only Cordilleran who made it to the top 10 of the graduating class.

Cadet Lagchana grew up from the town of Mayoyao, Ifugao. He is 22 years old and  the youngest among his six siblings. 

His mother is a nurse and his father was a security guard. But according to Lagchana, his father passed away when he was 12 years old. 

Despite growing up without a father, Lagchana studied hard until he had a chance to enter the academy and now among the top 10 of the PNPA SANSIKLAB Class of 2019. 

Lagchana enrolled Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering but shifted to BS Criminology at Saint Mary's University, Bayombong Nueva Viscaya before joining the PNPA.

"Pumasok po ako dito sa Academy para po makatulong sa pamilya. Gusto ko pong makatapos ng pag aaral ng hindi ko po sila binabahala. Gusto ko pong maging pulis at gusto ko pong maging bahagi sa pagsugpo ng kriminalidad sa ating bansa." ("I entered the Academy to help my family. I want to finish my study without giving too much pressure on them. I want to be a cop and I want to be part in the crack-down of criminality in the country.") Lagchana said during a press-conference. 

"I came from a family wherein three of my brothers are graduates of the PMMA. From there, I've witnessed the hardship of my brothers working in other countries for months leaving their families behind. This made me change course and had chosen to enter in the police service through PNPA," he added.

Fulfilling his dream in becoming a police, Lagchana is set to graduate on March 22 in Silang, Cavite together with 201 members in the class. 

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DOT lauds Benguet province for producing the best-tasting strawberries in the country

Photo by Aphiwat Chuangchoem from Pexel

Cordillera - Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Arthur Boncato Jr. lauded Benguet province for producing the best quality strawberries. 

Boncato, who leads the Tourism Regulation Coordination & Resource Generation department of the DOT, said the strawberry farms in Benguet and in La Trinidad are being eyed as a tourism destination because of its best-tasting strawberries. 

During the program of the 38th Strawberry Festival, Boncato said there's nothing that tastes better than strawberries locally grown in Benguet compared to other farms found in the country. 

"There are farms in other parts of the country that grow strawberries but there is nothing that tastes better than the (strawberry of the) province of Benguet," Boncato said.

He also said that Benguet is "fortunate" because strawberry is considered a high-value crop and many tourists are flocking the valley to have a unique experience of picking fresh strawberries straight from the farm by themselves. 

"We are very fortunate that BSU (Benguet State University) is the main source of our strawberries here in Benguet. Our appeal to BSU is to sustain these beautiful strawberry farms. I know there will be expansion farms somewhere but let us think carefully not to make it as a destination for business but a destination for tourists all over the country," he said. 

The town of La Trinidad is currently celebrating its 38th Strawberry Festival from March 4 to March 29, 2019. The highlight of the festival is the rebuilding of a replica of the Guinness World Record biggest strawberry short cake. 

Cake lovers can have a taste of the cake on March 23, starting at 11 a.m at the Lednicky hall in the municipal building. 

There will be a free 50 slices to be served and the succeeding slices will be sold at Php20.00 per slice. 

READ MORE: La Trinidad to bake world-record giant strawberry cake to highlight Strawberry Festival 2019

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