16-year-old student from Abra invents a robot that use AI to pick and sort garbage

Photo Courtesy || Liza Agoot /PNA 

Cordillera - A 10th grader student from Abra has developed a robot called 'enviro' robot that can pick and sort out garbage from canals and waterways.

Meljon Reyes Viste, a 16-year-old student wanted to make something that is useful to the environment. Because of his interest in robotics and Lego toys, he wanted to build a robot that performs useful works. 

"I want to do something that is useful. I am worried with the state of our environment that is why I improved what had been developed in the past," Viste said via PNA news website.

Viste said he came up with the idea of building a robot that can pick up and sort out trash after they were required by their school to do a research and and propose possible solutions to problems in the province.

Viste approached that challenge just like any other good inventor. He built his robot using parts of an old electric wheelchair which he retrieved from scrap in a waste facility. 

His robot uses a conveyor that will pick up trash and a sensor that determines which type of trash whether metal or plastic. Then it  segregates the metal from plastic in  separate containers.

Viste said that he will improve the version of his enviro robot and plan to bring it on the upcoming robot competition in Australia in the third week of October. 

Last August, Viste brought home a medal after winning 3rd place in the 5th World Robot Games held in Thailand. 

source || Liza Agoot / PNA

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LOOK: Kalinga just built a state of the art Public Library

Photo Courtesy || Kalinga Province

Cordillera - Book lovers and students in Kalinga have something to be proud off, their state of the art library that was recently launched today at the Eco-Tourism Center of Rizal. 

New and modern library furniture such as shelves, podium, tables and chairs had been set up and are ready to be used. 

There are also 18 units of computer with high speed internet that are available for those who would want to search the internet. 

Photo Courtesy || Kalinga Province

A kid zone was also built for children to encourage them read and use the library for their research.

According to the Province of Kalinga FB page, the Rizal, Kalinga Public Library was funded by the Gerda Henkel Foundation and turned over it to the Rizal Local Government Unit. 

Gerda Henkel Foundation turned over the contents of the Public Library worth 100,000 EU and was used in the procurement of new books from the National Bookstore.

Photo Courtesy || Kalinga Province

Ms. Mylene Lising, an acheologist from the National Museum and one of the founders of the Library said, it was the people of Kalinga who inspired them to put up the Public Library through the help of the foundations's country coordinator Dr. Alfred Pawlik. 

Provincial Governor Engr. Ferdinand B. Tubban congratulated the Municipality of Rizal for being the luckiest municipality in the country to receive the grant from the foundation. 

source || Province of Kalinga

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Baguio's first state-of-the-art command center launched; to operate by 2021

Photo Courtesy || PIO - Baguio City

Update (October 28, 2020): Baguio City may soon operate its first state-of-the-art command center by June next year, this has been announced by Mayor Magalong on Saturday during the launching of the Smart City Command Center at the Baguio Convention Center.

The Command Center will be constructed in the summer capital of the Philippines to address peacekeeping, disaster response and traffic management in the city, Baguio official website says. 

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said that a total budget of P200 Million has been approved by President Rodrigo Duterte to start the construction of the said command center.

Update: The said budget had been released by the office of the President, through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to the city government to start the construction of the first integrated command system in the city. 

The construction will take a maximum of four months to build and expected to start by the end of this year. 

"Hopefully, we get our funds and by the end of the year maumpisahan na ang construction" Magalong said. 

Technical staffs from concerned agencies had identified the City Engineering office compound in Lower Rock Quary to be the suitable location for the command center.

The integrated command center is a place that unites all departments and minds of the city using advance technologies to gather all the important and relevant activities related to the city. 

It will cover smart managing of traffic, disaster response, surveillance system, smart parking management system, automatic traffic control system, smart lighting system, environmental management system and more.

Magalong said that this integrated command center is the first in the country and it will be equipped with a closed-circuit television (CCTV) and Artificial Intelligent (AI) system. 

The fund to be used in the establishment of the command center will come directly from the Office of the President.

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Baguio's Proposed New Public Market to accommodate 4,000 vendors and 2 parking spaces

Update: The Technical Working Group (TWG) assigned for the development of the Baguio public market has said that the proposed modernized market will be a 5-storey building with 2 parking spaces in the basement.

The new market will also be able to house 4,000 vendors that are equitably distributed in four sections; the wet section, the fruit and vegetables section, the dry section and other merchandized section, according to Baguio Public Information website.

The TWD has estimated that the project would cost 6 billion pesos and the development will be undertaken in four phases in a 3-year period.

Funding for the project would come either through a bank loan, a joint venture, turnkey or a partnership with local cooperatives, the website added.

Cordillera - Baguio city residents and market vendors will have a reason to be proud off if the city government will pursue a massive development plan of the public market to become one of the most modernized markets in Southeast Asia. 

According to the official website of Baguio City, a total of P6 Billion is now needed to fund the said development plan. 

The development plan includes modernizing the Magsaysay complex by building a 5 storey main market building with a basement parking area that can accommodate 635 slots. 

READ ALSO: Baguio City to house the Philippines' first STATE OF THE ART Integrated Command Center

Even the crowded Hilltop and Kayang offices will also be improved. There will be road links that connect the opposite sides of the market and elevated pathways so that people can walk comfortably.

Photo Courtesy || Public Information Office - Baguio City

Photo Courtesy || Public Information Office - Baguio City

A conceptual development plan has already been created and will be used  by the members of the technical working group (TWG) as a basis for a feasibility study but will first undertake further consultations, public hearings with concerned stakeholders and scoping sessions.

Magalong praised the group of young architects who came up with the beautiful design that will now serve as the basis for feasibility study for the project.

READ ALSO: Baguio City as wedding capital of the Philippines 

Lawmakers are encouraging the city to fast track the development of the public market to keep up with other first class cities in the country. 

Watch the new planned Baguio City public market below:

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Cordilleran General appointed as the new commandant to cadets of the Philippine Military Academy

Cordillera - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has appointed new top officials for the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) following the death of Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio due to hazing. 

AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Noel Clement made an announcement on September 26 the appointment of Brigadier General Romeo Brawner Jr. as the new commandant of cadets of the Philippine Military Academy. 

Brig. Gen. Brawner Jr. is the son of the late and former Baguio and La Trinidad Regional Trial Court Judge and Commission on Election Commissioner, Justice Romeo Brawner Sr.

Brawner is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA)  "MAKATAO" Class of 1989. 

He finished his elementary and secondary education at the Special Education Center and University of the Philippines (UP) College Baguio High School.

In 2013, he was awarded as one of the country's Most Outstanding Filipino soldier. 

The Baguio born soldier was pulled out of his assignment as the commander of Army's 103rd Brigade in Marawi City to become the new commandant replacing Brigadier General Bartoleme Bacarro.

As the new commandant of cadets, Brawner has declared war against hazing after the fatal death of a freshman cadet.

"As the new commandant of cadets, let me proclaim this: I am declaring a war on hazing. And I expect everyone under my jurisdiction, especially the Cadet Corps to tow the line," Brawner said. 

READ ALSO: Battle-tested Igorot Police Officer from Besao promoted the highest rank of PNPA class 1998

Brawner said that it is now time to change the mindset of some cadets regarding the culture of hazing instead, replace it by a culture of peace and culture of understanding. 

Brawner reminded all officers and cadets with a stern warning.

"If you are not willing to wage a war against hazing, then you better leave. There is no place for you in this organization and I mean business," Gen. Brawner added. 

WATCH: The Super Cops of Cordillera.

Photo Courtesy || Baeshora Aim Ace

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Igorot BJMP officer appointed by Pres. Duterte to clean up BuCor

Photo Courtesy || BuCor

Cordillera - Armed with his two samurai swords and a machine pistol, the new Bureau of Correction (BuCOr) chief in the name of Gerald Bantag is ready to clean up New Bilibid Prison as ordered by President Duterte. 

On September 20, Bantag took over the Bureau of Correction to start his new role as chief replacing the incompetent former BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon.

Newly appointed Gen. Bantag is an Igorot BJMP officer who is a member of Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) class of 1996.

President Duterte have a good reason of appointing Bantag as BuCor chief considering Bantag knows how to follow orders. Bantag is also a strict and one strike policy man.

On August 11, 2016, an explosion happened inside an office at the Paranaque City jail when Bantag was then the jail warden. The explosion killed 10 Chinese detainees who had been charged with drug trafficking.

READ ALSO: Cordilleran Police Chief Supt. Empiso is the new head of PNP Special Action Force (SAF)

With his new role as chief, Bantag promise to fulfill his mandate to clean up the BuCor with all kinds of drugs and corruption. 

Bantag said in an interview that he will not shave his beard as long as BuCor is not cleaned with all the mess. 

"Ito yung tanda na hanggat nandito and balbas na ito, hindi pa naayos ang BuCor. Pag natanggal ko na ito, okay na." BuCor chief Bantag said.

READ ALSO: Cordilleran Police S/Supt. Jesus Cambay to be promoted one star general

Bantag said, he would behead with his Samurai sword NBP guards who allowed inmates to bring into the jail prohibited materials and substances.

RELATED: Cordilleran General appointed as the new commandant to cadets of the Philippine Military Academy

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Cordilleran undefeated boxer Carl Jammes wins vacant PBF bantamweight title

Photo Courtesy || Carl Jammes Martin FB

Cordillera - Cordilleran youngest boxing champion Carl Jammes "Wonder Boy" Martin remains undefeated when he defeated Benezer Alolod of Polomolok on Friday, September 21 at the city hall grounds in Mandaluyong City. 

Martin proved to be too much for the Mindanaoan fighter when he delivered power punches to the body and the head that caused the later to get TKO'd in the 7th round. 

The 20-year old Martin from the province of Ifugao has maintained his zero defeat and 14 victories with all 13 wins coming  by way of knockouts. 

The hard-punching Martin had been training under his new coach and former world champion Gerry Penalosa. 

Martin was recently cited by the Ring Magazine as one of five Filipino prospects under the category "Keep An Eye On" and once compared to senator Manny Pacquiao because of his explosiveness and being a left-handed puncher. 

Martin now filled the vacant PBF bantamweight title. 

In 2018, he retained his World Boxing Organization Oriental Youth bantamweight and World Boxing Association Asia bantamweight titles. 

Watch Martin latest fight below

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Unique wedding in Benguet goes viral for using vegetable as decor

Photo Courtesy || Claver and Fleann Molot

Cordillera - A couple in Benguet had a unique decoration plan on their wedding day. Instead of the usual bouquet of flowers, they used readily available vegetable to decorate their wedding venue.

When Claver and Flean Molot finally tied the knot at the San Jose Parish Church in La Trinidad, a photo of their wedding ceremony was captured and became viral online.

Netizens loved the decorations and began sharing the photo online. It also became a news clip on the Philippines' largest television network.

The decoration of the wedding is really unique. Aside from the usual flowers, the couple decided to make the vegetables as their main wedding decor. The vegetables which include huge heads of cabbage and Chinese pechay were laid as decor on their wedding altar. Broccoli and cauliflower were also used as decorations for the aisle.

According to the couple, it was their aunt's idea to incorporate vegetables on their wedding. 

After the wedding, the couple decided to give it to  friends and relatives who attended their wedding ceremony.

Benguet province is known to be the main supplier of vegetables in the country. It supplies 80% of the entire vegetables being consumed by Filipinos. 

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Cordillera choral group wins gold medal in the 8th Bali International Choir Festival

Photo Courtesy || Jayson Manuel L Osong

Cordillera -- A choral group from the Cordillera Regional Science High School (CRSHS) wins Gold medal (Level 1) in the Teenagers Category and another gold medal in the level 4 Championship Qualifier in the ongoing 8th Bali International Choir Festival held in Indonesia. 

The said choir festival was participated by 99 choral groups around the world.

The choir group from La Trinidad, Benguet acquired 81.65 points in the Folkloric Championship round which enabled them to amass additional gold medal from the competition.

The CRSHS Glee Club is the First-ever High School from the Cordilleras that represent the Philippines in an international choral tilt. 

The competitions were adjudged by 16 internationally acclaimed choral experts. 

The Bali International Choral Society (BCIF) is a project that involves levels of choirs from children's choir, to choirs of youth and seniors. It involves various institutions, choral communities, schools, and churches from all over Indonesia and internationally. 

Moreover, the visions has been developed by organizing events that involves hundreds to thousands of participants. 

It  was founded by Mr. Tommyanto Kandisaputra in July 2000 with a vision to build a strong choral life in Indonesia.

The events can include concerts, seminars, workshops, choral music camps, collaborations, choral clinics, competitions and symposiums. 

The projects helps singers and conductors gain experiences by building skills, knowledge, and attitude in workshops, rehearsals and concerts. 

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Cordilleran wrestler Jason Baucas delivers 1st wrestling GOLD for the Philippines

Update: Cordilleran wrestler Jason Saltin Baucas successfully bring home the gold medal for the Philippines at the 2019 SEAG on Monday (9 December 2019) held at Angeles University Foundation, Pampanga.

Baucas easily dethroned Hung Phoc Duong of Vietnam with a score of 11-6 in the men's Greco-wrestling 72Kg category.

This is the first time the Philippines had brought home gold in wrestling. 

Congratulations Jason!

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. 

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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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76-year old Lola from Sagada speaks fluent English despite having no formal education

Cordillera - Lola Erlinda Doyog from Pidlisan, Sagada shows off her mastery of the English language when she talks about her village to tourists.

Lola Doyog also known as Lola 'Englisera' spoke fluent English   when she talked with tourists who interviewed her about her community and their indigenous practices.

The interviewer was amazed to Lola Doyog's fluency in speaking the English language.

"Nosebleed kami habang ini-interview si Lola 'Englisera' Erlinda Doyog, 76 years old, ng Pidlisan tribe sa Sagada, Mountain Province." the interviewer wrote in a Facebook Post.

It was said that, Lola Doyog did not attend any formal education, either elementary or high school. She probably learned  to speak English from the American missionaries who went to their town to spread Christianity during her time. Most elders in Mountain Province can speak English well but cannot speak the Philippines' national language, Filipino.

Asked about what message she has for tourists  visiting their place, Lola Doyog said, they are very much welcome.

"We are very happy for the tourist coming here or any visitors because we can learn some of their dialect... We appreciate those tourist who are coming to the falls..." Lola Doyog said.

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

Watch Lola Doyog Interview below by FYT

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Igorot runner finishes Hong Kong's most difficult trail run in 35th place

Photo Courtesy || avenuehk.com

Cordillera - It was not an easy run for anybody to finish an 89 kilometers with 8,620 meters of elevation in the span of two days. 

Just like Igorot Trail Runner, Jomar Buclay from Mountain Province, Philippines, he went through a lot of stinging and persistent discomfort during the race to finish in the 35th place. 

The 30-year old Buclay of Otucan, Bauko successfully finished the race in the recently concluded 9 Dragons Ultra that was held in Hong Kong on February 2, 2019. 

According to avenuehk.com, the running competition is an 89km super trail race where runners need to finish in nineteen (19) hours. The race started at 12:00 am of February 2, at Tai Tong Shan Rd. Yeun Long and finished in Tai Po Dr, Tai Po, New Territories. 

Buclay finished at position 35 with an elapsed time of 17 hours and 14 minutes from successfully running, climbing, and descending the most difficult trail run in Hong Kong. 

Only 82 runners including Buclay finished the race with 92 runners gave up from  the one-hundred seventy six (176) race participants.

Photo Courtesy || Jomar Buclay

The 9 Dragons Ultra is a challenging, multi-day trail and ultra running event held in Hong Kong. 

It crosses Kowloon and the New Territories in Hong Kong from West to East. The route uses a variety of trails including the world famous MacLehose and Wilson, among many others. 

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Tourist takes pride on wearing traditional Igorot clothes

Photo Courtesy || Nelmar Chaves Gomez

Cordillera - A tourist who visited Baguio City this Christmas season had a chance to wear a traditional Cordillera clothing and his reaction is priceless. 

Nelmar Chaves Gomez from Butuan City expressed how he feels wearing what he believed the Igorot "bahag" when he visited Wright Park - one of the popular tourist spots in Baguio City. 

"Wearing the Igorot bahag is such a fulfillment for me because at least, I tried to feel how an Igorot feels while wearing those clothes and it is a feeling of pride for a good cause", Gomez wrote on his FB account. 

Although Gomez didn't wear the actual "bahag" also known as G-string, he took pride of that short moment he felt he became one of the Igorots and according to him this is the most unforgettable moment he had ever experienced.

"I swear it was one of the most unforgettable experiences I ever had - experiencing the culture of the Igorot by wearing their beautiful trademark clothes. I didn't actually expect to become an Igorot even just a span of few minutes," Gomez said. 

Many tourists nowadays are beginning to appreciate and admire the Igorot culture such as Gomez who at his very first time didn't feel ashamed to wear one of Igorot's traditional dress and even call himself an Igorot. 

May your next visit to Baguio will give you the opportunity to wear the real bahag of the Igorots because wearing such will make you more handsome and "taraki" (good-looking) like these Igorot hunks below.

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Michael Kimmayong, First Igorot serving at Canada's Royal Police Force

Photo Courtesy || Michael Kimmayong

Cordillera - Another Filipino has been added to a few numbers of Filipino law enforcers who are joining Canada's Police Force. 

This time, he is a proud Cordilleran. According to the Association of Cordillerans in Manitoba, Michael Kimmayong successfully passed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Force with flying colors. 

 "We, the members and officers of the Association of Cordillerans in Manitoba, wish to congratulate our ACM Vice President Michael Kel-mi YoungKim-ay Kimmayong for successfully passing with flying honors in entering the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Force," ACM posted in its FB page.

"Kim, as he is fondly called, finished the rigid training course held in Regina, Saskatchewan, it added.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCPM) internally known as the Force is the the federal and national police force of Canada. They provide policing in the eight provinces of Canada and responsible for enforcing federal laws throughout Canada.-wikipedia.

Kimmayong now joins fellow Filipino Don Laurel who is serving as a constable in Toronto, Canada.

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Laurel is a former child actor who he appeared on several Philippine TV dramas and films back in the '90s. For the past six years, he has been a frontline police officer of the 32nd Division of the Toronto Police Department.

Congratulations! sir Michael Kimmayong. You made Filipinos and Cordillerans so proud. 

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WATCH: Korean guy dances traditional Cordilleran dance 'pattong'

The deafening yet harmonious sound of the beating of gansas and the Cordilleran folks enjoying 'patong' dance is too much for this Korean guy not to get his own gansa and join the party.

A half-minute video posted on Jeyrick Sigmaton Global Fanpage shows a very happy Korean man playing the gong while performing the Igorot dance.

According to the post, the Korean guy was the owner of the facility where Jeyrick Sigmaton or popularly known as the Carrot Man was held at. His name is Jeon Seong Chan.

"Seong Chan was very impressed with what was happening in his place, but it's the cultural dance that has caught his interest the most. So he volunteered to join the pattong" the post said.

Although Seong Chan was not able to perform the dance well, he still proceeded to go beat his gong and enjoy the party with the Igorots in Korea.

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