Cordilleran SEAG gold medalist Jason Baucas' Success Story

Photo Courtesy || Jason Baucas

Cordillera - This is the story of Igorot wrestler Jason Baucas who won the gold medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Greco-Wrestling competition. 

Baucas was the only Filipino wrestler who successfully brought the country's first gold medal in wrestling. 

The 21-year old Igorot wrestler is a member of the Wrestling Federation of the Philippines. He graduated Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports from the Universidad de Manila. He traces his root in Nabalicong, Buguias, Benguet.

Here is his story:

"When I was young, I walked on a muddy and rocky road every day to school. I was okay with it because I really wanted to study. But after my graduation in elementary my mother told me to stop schooling for a while. She said we didn't have enough money during that time. I felt sad that day. At the store of my cousin where I helped out, he noticed I was unhappy. When he learned the reason why, he told me that if I really wanted to go to school that much he will be the one to support me first. In my second year, my parents were already able to provide for me. 

"I was introduced to wrestling in high school in 2011. At first, I was into boxing. But when I experienced wrestling, I like it right away. Wrestling is a sport where I use my bare hands, the strength of my body and will to prevail. Every time I wrestle, I feel inside me the power of my ancestors who fought bravely against those who wanted to take away our land and change our ways.

I had to go down to Manila the next day after my high school graduation to start my training as a member of the junior team of the Wrestling Federation of the Philippines. I am a 'product' of the Batang Pinoy 2012. In order for me to be able to train and study at the same time, I took a scholarship test given by the city of Manila to support myself. I passed and was accepted at the Universidad de Manila which is near the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex where I train and stay.

I miss home a lot. I miss hearing the gentle flow of the river, the whisper of the wind, and the singing birds. I miss seeing the tall tress on top of the majestic mountains, the green fields in the hillsides and the valleys where I used to play. I miss my beloved family.

I am glad that wrestling being one of the toughest and oldest of sports gave me the discipline to persevere. I have to make sacrifices for me to fulfill my dreams for myself and my family. I am also confident that through wrestling I will be able to keep my culture alive in honor of my noble forefathers who protected it for centuries."

By Jason Baucas via One People One Benguet 

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Cordilleran Daniel S. Balbin Jr., magna cum laude of Benguet State university brain picked

Daniel S. Balbin, Jr. Magna cum laude of the
94th commencement exercise at Benguet State University.
Photo courtesy: BSU FB

La Trinidad - Daniel S. Balbin, Jr., a Bachelor of Library and Information Science student, graduated as the magna cum laude on the 94th commencement exercise of Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet  on 19 June.

Balbin, Jr. was born and raised in Loakan, Baguio City tracing his roots from Ifugao and Pangasinan.

With the hope to inspire the youth and fellow Cordillerans, WowCordillera interviewed Daniel to share  a piece of his mind on how he became who he is today.

Like any other students he also struggled his way to making it through college yet tried hard to balance his lifestyle and schedule. 

He chose not to join activities that wouldn't enhance any competencies  he will be needing in the future. He chose to spend his time wisely. 

While he struggled having a bad handwriting making him not want to take notes in class, he trained himself to listen and developed his listening skill instead. 

"Honestly, listening to your instructors and professors is the key," he said.

Asked about his study habits that made him excel in his academics, "read a lot and read ahead...I just don't want to waste my time sitting in the classroom without gaining anything. so make the best out of lecture and class activity.... In short, listen well, read a lot and know yourselves," he answered.

The brilliant librarian Balbin Jr., advocates for developing a good reading culture among every Filipinos. 

He  envisions  a mobile library by bringing reading materials to the community giving an easier access to everyone and hoping that every barangay and purok  have their reading centers if possible. 

He also encourages parents to buy their young children radiation-free reading materials instead of gadgets that might harm their health.

Being raised in a family of Jehovah's Witnesses, Balbin, Jr. grew up loving reading as he had an easy access to reading materials like the Awake and Watchtower publications. 

As he recalled, he already knew how to read  and write before being sent to school for formal education because he had these magazines and brochures to practice with.  

"It is also where I gained a lot of knowledge not just about Jehovah God but also about the world..We also learned values, manners and right conduct according to Bible's principles," he added.

"You might think it is so hard to have a lot of restriction, but I learned to understand that these are protections. My religious principles dragged me away from vices and bad associations. You see! There are a lot of perks of being a Witness," he shared further.

Asked about his message to fellow youths and students, "My advice is do not just achieve higher because you want a Latin honor or a recognition. Do well in your studies so that all of your parents and your own sacrifices would not be wasted. It is useless graduating as an honor student if you never learned along the journey or process. Remember that we all go to school to learn and to become a useful member of the community. We do not go to school just to earn award and recognition,"

"This is for everyone. Either you already finished studying, or you are planning to study, or you are still studying. Do not just make your education nostalgic and memorable with those diplomas, yearbooks or graduation pictures. Make them last by keeping what you have learned forever. keeping them in your heart and using them to make the world become better." were his words of encouragement.

Picking from the brain of a smart and wise fellow Cordilleran is indeed worth it. Let's give heed to his encouragement and words of wisdom and keep on living the essence life.

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Getting to know Igorot Roque Daligan Belino of "Idol Philippines"

Mt. Province- Roque Daligan Belino, a local talent of Besao and Tadian Mt. Province joins national singing competition in the local T.V. show, "Idol Philippines."

The 20-year old singer found his passion in music and the outpouring support from everyone especially his "kailyans" even those from abroad motivated him more to pursue his love in singing and join the national competition level.

The humble and young singer Belino was overwhelmed  to continually receive unexpected popularity when he joined Idol Philippines and personally witnessed the unending support that Igorots  generously offer to their fellows. It is indeed one of the traits that identify Igorots. 

"Giving support, be it in kind, physical and moral is like a normal thing to us Igorots. It is like a reflex because we do it automatically whenever we see fellow Igorots excelling in their respective fields," Belino said via an interview by the Mountain Province Provincial Information Office.

Belino lived in Mt. Province for seven years then relocated to Quezon, Isabela with his family. Even so, he  was still attached to his roots as he lived in a community with friends and relatives who were mostly from Mt. Province just the same. 

Growing up with a usual Igorot childhood, he was acculturated with the rich heritage and tradition like wearing the "wanes" by himself, playing and dancing with the beat of  "gangsa", and being raised with the moral values not to mention the principles of "lawa" and "inayan."

He discovered his passion for music earlier in his High School years while helping his fellow students play the bandoria. He then took Agricultural Engineering at Benguet State University in La Trinidad Benguet as a self-supporting student working as a miner.  

He shared that he eventually stopped attending college to work full time but if given the chance, he wants to finish a degree.  He is a miner by day and play few gigs at night in Baguio City until opportunity stepped in through the competition. 

According to Belino, he was inspired by the many Igorot talents he worked with and other musicians he saw playing around Baguio. 

Witnessing such potentials and being a fan of many talented people from Cordillera, he also hopes that more of them will be discovered and be featured as well.

Belino wishes to extend his gratitude for the full support that he receives from everyone. He also encourage the youth to continue working hard and not give up in pursuing their dreams till making it a reality.

Source || BBKM- MPPIO FB

Watch Belino's message here below:

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Apayao PMA graduates encourage fellow youth to follow their footsteps

Photo courtesy: RMC-PIA CAR

Baguio City-  Recently commissioned  Arm Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers from Apayao encourage their fellow youth to follow their footsteps and join the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

"Sa mga kabataan sa aking bayan ng Apayao, nauna na kami sa PMA, at sana kayo naman ang sumunod" Tugaoen said during an interview after the graduation ceremony.

Iapayao's pride Navy Ensign Mike Tugaoen from Luna and 2nd Lieutenant Dexter Tucrang from Kabugao  who are both members of the 261-strong PMA "MABALASIK" class of 2019 graduated on May 26 at the Fort Del Pilar.

Navy Ensign Mike Tugaoen
 Photo courtesy: RMC-PIA CAR

Tugaoen who hails from Turod Luna and will be joining the Philippine Navy had a simple life but with a dream to join the military. His ambition to become a peacekeeper of the country and to help alleviate the  living standard of his family are among his reasons to join the PMA.

"Pangarap ko talagang maging sundalo para makatulong sa bansa at syempre para matulungan ko din ang pamilya ko na umangat sa buhay," Tugaoen said.

His desire to become a soldier of the country's armed forces to defend the people and the country came about with the history of his hometown in Marag Valley which was once called "no man's land".  This was back in the 1970's when the New People's Army (NPA) took the Valley as their stronghold.

He decided to take the PMA entrance exams and passed while on his 3rd year in Criminology  at the University of the Cordilleras (UC) in Baguio City. After four years of Academic and training in the Academy, his dream to become a soldier, a junior military officer has been fulfilled.

Meanwhile, another Iapayao's pride Dexter Tucrang from Publacion, Kabugao also aspired to become a PMA cadet and soldier to ensure peace and order in the country. He was a graduating Engineering student at Saint Louis Tuguegarao back then when he entered the PMA in 2015.

2nd Lieutenant Dexter Tucrang
Photo courtesy: RMC-PIA CAR

Tucrang was a scholar of the Provincial Government of Apayao under the programs initiated by Governor Elias Bulut, Jr. and Congressman Eleanor Begtang and eventually a scholar  at the PMA. Being a scholar made him study hard, exceed expectations and strive to graduate.

"Take the PMA challenge and enter the road less traveled; enter the noblest profession," Tucrang said as an encouragement to the younger generations of Apayao.

He already helped his parents and siblings in their daily lives by becoming a cadet which he would still do now that he became a fully pledged member of the AFP as 2nd Lieutenant of the Philippine Army.

"Super proud ako. Parang nanalo ako ng sweepstakes sa saya ko," Robert Tucrang cried while hugging his son, Dexter, at the graduation grounds.

For Tucrang, he fulfilled his father's dream of having one of his children graduate from the premiere military school in Asia.

Mayor-elect Bensmar Ligwang of Kabugao expressed his joy for having a  PMA cadet graduate hailing from their remote municipality.

"I am very happy we have the first PMA graduate from Kabugao and I even witnessed it personally at the PMA grounds. This  gives pride to our municipality and even to the province of Apayao and we will be giving recognition for this accomplishment," Ligwang said.

The provincial government of Apayao will be recognizing the two new graduates who gave pride to the Iapayaos and served as an inspiration to the youth.

source || PIA

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Honest taxi driver from Sagada returns lost mobile phone to owner

As posted by Marlon Bernard Baso on Facebook

Photo Courtesy || Marlon Bernard Baso

Cordillera - An honest taxi driver Mr. Joseph Inso from Sagada, Mt. Province returned the cellphone which was accidentally dropped from the pocket of my niece at the front seat of the taxi Ganduyan. 

We boarded the taxi at Lubas going to Km 4, La Trinidad, Benguet at about past 9am last Sunday - May 26, 2019 when the cellphone dropped unknowingly from the pocket of my niece. 

It was only when we arrived at the house when she noticed that her cellphone is missing. Frantically, she searched her pockets and her bags but shed didn't find it in either of them. 

So she suspected she might have dropped in the taxi we boarded.

Right away we contacted the missing cellphone and it was ringing but no reply. We also sent text messages but no reply. 

It's only this day June 2, 2019 about a week ago that the taxi driver found the cellphone when a passenger adjusted the seat and the cell phone dropped. 

Then the taxi driver was reminded of the calls and text that we had sent him. So he contacted me this afternoon and I met him at Slaughter Compound, Baguio City. 

He handed me the cell phone of which I am very grateful. 

With permission I asked for his name and took pictures of the taxi. To the taxi driver, thank you very much for your honesty. May God bless you and protect you through out your life. 

Photo Courtesy || Marlon Bernard Baso

Photo courtesy || Marlon Bernard Baso

source || Marlon Bernard Baso

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Fearless and courageous young Igorota girl saves a child from an evil molester

Reposted from Cheryl L. Daytec-Yangot FB post

A few hours  ago, JM Madinno rode a jeepney from La Trinidad to Baguio. She noticed that an adult was molesting a child, a girl, who was leaning on him. Secretly, JM took a video recording. She and her friends went to Burnham Park and saw the same man with same child. His one arm was wrapped around the child whose attention was glued to a phone. Meanwhile, his other hand was moving on the child's privates. JM took pictures. 

JM reported the matter to the police. She also uploaded on the Baguio Sumbungan Forum FB Group the video and pictures she took. Within hours, the child molester, a chess/damath coach, was apprehended by the police. The child is one of the kids he has been coaching. 

If we all try to be JM OLSIM MADINNO who, even if very young, courageously made a stand against evil, we can make the world a safe place for our children and everyone. The government has interagency committees to end sexual exploitation of children. One challenge is how to get everyone to be a JM whose concern went beyond herself to an innocent stranger. 

I have to further commend JM because she took extra care to protect the privacy of the girl-child by blurring the latter's face in the pictures. 

Let us all try to be a JM. She embraces the pain of others as hers. She teachers us not lose hope in humanity. Hers should be the face of that humanity. 

We apologize to JM for the public bashing she got. She should have reported the matter to the police, bashers say. Geez, she did that. JM should not have blurred the victim's face, so people could identify her, bashers say. Ha??

Thankfully, JM is cut above all of us. Even if herself a child, she knew exactly what to do. There were adults in that jeepney. Some of them must have seen what this girl of tender years saw and found not right. But who made a stand? Who stood up?

The police say JM was afraid and confused as to what to do about what she witnessed. But in the end, she rose above her fears and did what no adult in that jeepney she fortuitously took did. That is courage. It is not being fearless: it is rising above one's fear to do the right thing even at great peril to oneself.

source || Cheryl L. Daytec-Yangot FB

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Inspiring Story: Igorot security guard turns Attorney

Cordillera - Gone are the days when all of his friends and colleagues called him 'guard' because as soon as the news came that he was among the 1,731 takers who passed the bar exam for lawyers, he now has a new name 'Attorney' Roy Lawagan - a name he truly deserves after many years of sacrifices and dedication to finish his degree in law.

His story has gone viral back in 2016 and has given a lot of inspiration to all those working Filipino men and women who strive to do their best to finish an honorable education while working and supporting their families.

Roy Lawagan who hails from Sagada, Mountain Province used to work as a security guard at the Regional Office of the Commission of Audit in La Trinidad, Benguet.

He was humbled and overjoyed yet couldn't believe that he passed the exam.

"Hindi pa din ako makapaniwala pero tuwang-tuwa po ako. Nakakailang na tinatawag nila akong attorney ngayon, guard lang po kasi ang tawag sa akin," Lawagan said during an interview.

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

Lawagan, a Criminology graduate at the University of Baguio and a graduate of Bachelor of Laws at Saint Luis University had to help himself out by working as a security guard.

Lawagan  had a fair share of struggles and  hardships  while studying and preparing for the bar exam. He said, he works as a security guard at night and take care of his family at day time. In his days off at work, he reviews for the bar exam and used the COA office as his review center.

READ ALSO: 

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

US FBI-trained Igorot cop makes one of cebu's municipalities drug free

The security guard who just recently turned attorney encouraged everyone to persevere in their studies and not give up with their dreams.

"Sa lahat ng tao, kahit sino man, magpursige kayo hanggang matupad nyo ang pangarap niyo. Pag nadapa kayo bangon agad, para maabot ang pangarap," Lawagan said.

Let Attorney Lawagan's  journey to success inspire not only students but everyone from all walks of life to strive hard and be persistent to realize  their dreams.

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WATCH: Baguio traffic enforcer praises for helping a disabled man in a busy intersection

A traffic enforcer in Baguio city was caught on video helping a disabled man to cross a busy intersection along Magsaysay Avenue.

In a video that was posted on GMA's Facebook Page, it shows a traffic enforcer in a busy intersection talking to a disabled man sitting under an overpass.

Not later than  40 seconds of the video, the traffic enforcer picked up the man's backpack and carried him across the road.

James Villaverdee, the owner of the video shared the clip hoping that it can  give inspiration to others.

Many netizens have commended the kindness that was shown by the traffic enforcer who has exerted his effort to help the disabled man despite his busy work of directing traffic.

One netizen however, has criticized the local government of Baguio for failing to address the needs of disabled pedestrians who want to cross the road. The netizen suggested putting up escalator or lift in overpasses or redesign them to be usable by Persons With Disabilites or PWD.

Watch the video below

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