All The WOW News in Cordillera

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

LOOK: First SAF Monument in Lepanto, Mankayan Benguet inaugurated.


The Special Action Force (SAF) monument has been successfully inaugurated today at Lepanto National High School ground in Mankayan Benguet.

The SAF monument was built in honor of the 44 SAF commandos who were killed during an encounter with members of the MILF in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015 according to PSupt. Mario Mayam-es Jr., of the 2nd Battallion SAF commander.

Three of the SAF troopers were a graduate of Lepanto High School. They were SPO1 Noel Golocan, PO1 Angel Kodiamat and PO2 Noble Kiangan.

The inauguration was attended by widows and family members of the SAF troopers, local government officials, police officers and Lepanto High School alumni.

Also present in the inauguration are two of the SAF survivors PO2 Adolfo Andrada and PO3 Christopher Lalan.


Source: Bombo Radyo, Philippine Information Agency Photo: Kim Amoy
Share:

Friday, February 17, 2017

Japan-Inspired Sakura Park in Atok Benguet slowly attracting tourists


There is a new exciting destination for tourists to visit in the Cordilleran region - the Japan-inspired Sakura Park located in Paoay, Atok Benguet.

The park is the first ever Sakura or cherry blossom park to be established in the Philippines. There are about 30 kinds of cherry blossom trees that are expected to be seen out from the hundred trees that were planted back in 2015.

Although the trees are not yet fully grown up and blossoming, there are now several tourists who are starting to go picnicking in the said Sakura park in Paoay according to Atok Municipal Agricultural technologist Felix Pedro.

The Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Cordillera (DENR-CAR) is committed to support the park to become a tourist destination for both local and International tourists.

Benguet Representative Ronald Cosalan has proposed the development of the road going to the park for easy accessibility for visitors.

Source: CNN Philippines, BomboRadyo Baguio
Share:

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

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
Share:

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

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.
Share:

Mountain Province to be declared Drug-Free

By the effort and cooperation of the people, PNP and local officials of Mountain Province to get rid of drugs, the province has now been cleared of illegal drugs and has been set to formally declare as a drug-free. 

All of the ten towns with 144 barangays of Mt. province had been cleared of illegal drugs after they had complied with the 16 parameters set by the Dangerous Drug Board for declaring a barangay as drug-free. 

The recognition as a drug free barangays was validated by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. 

From the report by the Philippine Information Agency website, provincial local police was able to account a total of 459 drug personalities, 441 had surrendered, 17 were arrested and one killed.  

PNP Provincial Director P/SSupt. Tellio Ngis-o said the with the declaration as a drug-free province, local police and officials will intensify information campaign against illegal drugs. He also recommends the creation of  Municipal Drug Action Center that will work on the rehabilitation program for drug victims. 

The success of Mt.province to become drug-free is mainly attributed to the local officials, government officials and other stakeholders in the province, Ngis-o said. 

Share:

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Lepanto Mining in Mankayan among mines ordered for suspension by DENR

Photo: lepanto website
Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company located in Mankayan Benguet is among the several mining companies in the country ordered for suspension by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Gina Lopez.

DENR Sec. Lopez on Thursday said she was suspending and closing operations of several mines due to violations of safety standards.

Among the lists of mining companies with environment certificate ordered for suspension are OceanaGold in Nueva Viscaya, CitiNickel Mines and Development Corporation in Narra, Palawan, Beron Nickle Corporation in Quezon, Palawan, and Ore Asia Mining and Development Corporation in Bulacan.

Meanwhile, Sec. Lopez ordered the closure of four mining operations namely the Benguet Nickel Mines, Eramen Minerals Inc., Zambales Diversified Metals Corporation and LNL Archipelago Mining Corp due to report that these mining operations has destroyed watersheds in the area.

Lepanto Mining which is listed in the Philippine stock exchange suffered a beating today with a price of .20 going down to as low as .17 with a decline of about 14 %.

Share:

Monday, January 16, 2017

Igorot soldier Captain Capio described as the "Tarzan" for his bravery in battle

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte paid his respect to fallen soldier Captain L. Capio at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio yesterday.

Captain Capio was this year's first casualty in the ongoing fight against the bandit group Abu Sayyaf in Cabcaban, Sumisip Basilan on January 12, 2017.

Capt. Clintion Capio was hit during a nine-hour firefight with about 60 to 80 Abu Sayyaf members led by Furuji Indama in the jungle of Basilan.

Capio was the commanding officer of the 1st Special Force Company tasked to provide support to their fellow wounded soldiers who were pinned down. After two hours of intense firefight, Capio was hit by single enemy bullet in his right side temple, just a centimeter from the cover of his Kevlar helmet.

"He was wearing helmet but the angle of the cap might had been in an open position because they were moving in for assault when he was unfortunately hit, according to Western Command spokesperson Maj. Filemon Tan.

Captain Capio, who came from Bugias, Benguet was a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 2006 under the Mandala Class (Mandirigmang Dangal ng Lahi)


His fellow soldiers has described him as the "Tarzan" for his bravery and for being always on top in ranger course training.

He is a "fighting leader" who "fights from the front' said 1Lt, Ron, JR Villarosa from the 4th Special Forces Battalion. Capio will be remembered as a "fighting leader who never let his troops down."

Remains of Capt. Capio will be flown to Baguio via C-130 and later transported to his hometown in Buguias. He will be given a hero's burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani

- PCG and Philstar
Share:

Monday, January 9, 2017

Cordilleran Educator, Francis Jim Tuscano is among the top 50 finalists of the Global Teacher Prize 2017

Photo: globalteacherprize.org
Francis Jim Tuscano, a teacher who came from Abra, is among the 50 shortlisted teachers from across the world in the running for the 2017 Global Teacher Prize.

The Global Teachers Prize was set up to recognize exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession and has shown to the world the important role of teachers in the society Now in its third year, a prize award of $1 million will be given to the winner.

Francis Jim Tuscano was among the 50 lucky educators to be selected from over 20,000 nominations and applications from 179 countries around the world.

In this bio written on the globalteacherprize.org website, Mr Tuscano was known for his studies examining the efficacy of iPad learning. Mr Tuscano believes that using and integrating technology in teaching will deepen the students learning and this proves him true since 94% of his students admitted iPad had helped them in learning.

"His students have demonstrated their improvements in an even more obvious way by becoming published authors, having written about their encounter with the students from the National School for the Blind and published it in the iBooks store," the website says.

One of the most recent achievements of Tuscano is his award from the Pineau-Clifford Educators for being an Outstanding Faculty at his school and was additionally made an Apple Distinguished Educator in 2015.

In 2016, his book on Religious Education was a finalist at the US iBooks author conference for best educational book.

Given the chance to win the prize this year Francis is planning to collaborate with the Department of Education to create a well-structured professional development plan for teachers.

The Global Teacher Prize winner will be announced on Sunday, 19 March.
Share:

Baguio City Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) will open Jan. 16

The Baguio City Public Employment Service Office will be accepting qualified students for the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) 2017 on January 16 at the PESO at the City Hall. The registration will begin from 9 am up to 5 PM on January 16 until February 28. 

The Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) is a program based on Republic Act No. 7323 which seeks to give poor but deserving students employment during summer and/or Christmas vacation, through incentives granted to employers by the department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

Qualifications for acceptance for the SPES

1. Must be bona-fide Baguio residents.
2. He/She must be physically fit and must be 15-25 years old at the time of registration.
3. Must be currently enrolled or a student who has not been able to enroll for the past semester/academic year but intending to enroll in the coming semester/academic year.
4. Parents/Guardians annual net income (after tax) do not exceed P116,898 per year. 
5. Have an average passing grade during the last school term attended. 



Documents Needed for registration 

1. Original copy of birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority or by the Local Civil Registrar on Baguio. 
2. Original copy of parents/guardian Income Tax Return (ITR) duly filed by the BIR or Certificate of Tax Exemptions issued by the BIR and sworn statement of affidavit if parent/guardians were exempted to paying tax in 2016.
3. High School applicants must present last year's grades for school year 2015-2016 while college and vocational students are requested to present their most recent grades from the first semester of academic year 2017.

NOTE: All documents must be photocopied before submitting at the PESO.

SPES registrants will have to undergo a qualifying exams on March 5, 2017 starting at 8 o'clock AM at the Dona Josefa Elementary School.

There will be a total of 350 qualified SPES trainees who will be given the chance to work and experience government and office works.

- PIA
Share:

Mount Pulag temperature may drop to zero, Trekkers advised to stay in the campsite



The Civil Defense Cordillera has issued an advisory today about the weather condition in Mount Pulag that temperature could drop to zero this week. Trekkers and those who are planning to go hiking are told to bring their proper clothing for cold weather to avoid hypothermia - a medical conditions when body loses heat.

The advisory that was posted on CDR's FB account says, "Trekkers during the weekends are advised to avail the homestay or campsites at the Badadak Village. Temperature may drop to zero any moment especially night time. Please bring proper clothing for cold weather to avoid hypothermia."

Mount Pulag is the third highest mountain in the Philippines, popular for hiking destination because of its "sea of clouds" and its milky-way galaxy scenery that captivated tourist who visit the place.

- CDR
Share:

Featured Post

Igorot actor Jeyrick Sigmaton won Best Actor in International Film Festival Manhattan 2021

Photo Courtesy || Jeyrick Sigmaton Cordillera - Igorot actor Jeyrick "Carrotman" Sigmaton won the Best Actor for the Int...