Gwendolyn Pascua - First-ever Cordilleran mission controller for astronauts in Europe

Photo Courtesy || Gwendolyn Pascua

Voyage to space is one of the most difficult task of any astronaut. But with the help of a mission controllers such as engineers, experts and engineers here on Earth, the journey to space is possible.

One of the scientist working in a Mission Control Center at the Biotechnology Space Support Center (Biotesc) in Lucerne University in Switzerland is a Cordilleran from Kalinga.    

Her name is Gwendolyn Pascua, who hails from Tabuk, Kalinga and she is the Project Planning and Coordination, Operation Lead Engineer and the Ground Controller at BIOTESC in Switzerland.

READ ALSO: Kalinga pilot, the first Filipina to be in-command of a Philippine Air Force C130

BIOTESC acts on behalf of the European Space Agency that is tasked to guide scientists who are conducting experiments with astronauts and the International Space Station.

International Space Station (ISS) [Photo: pixabay.com]

“We prepare [the astronauts’] experiments and procedures starting from planning their experiments, coordinating with scientists and payload developers. We do all tests necessary on the ground before they are sent to the ISS (International Space Station),” Pascua said. - [Estanislao Albano Jr] via inquirer.net

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

Gwendolyn Pascua was in the Mission Control Center of BIOTESC who successfully flew Thomas Pequet  aboard the Soyuz MS-03 on November 17 of last year.

Thomas Pequet was the first French Astronaut from the European Space Agency (ESA) who was blasted into space aboard the Soyuz spacecraft to the ISS for a six month space tour under the European Proxima mission project.

Soyuz MS-03 [Photo: Spaceref.com

Being an astronaut has been an aspiration for Gwendolyn since she was a kid and now all the efforts and sacrifices she had done to pursue her dream are slowly coming into reality now that she is working with a renowned space agency in Europe.

Congratulations! May you become an inspiration to a lot of Filipinos and Cordillerans to continue pursuing their dreams.

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

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The Cordilleran warrior from Ifugao is back: Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon to fight on April 21

Cordillera - Just a month to wait and the "The Silencer" Kevin Belingon will return into the ring to show once again what a true Cordilleran fighter he is.

The 29-year-old Belingon, a native of Ifugao will return to the cage on April 21st to face Finland's Toni "Dynamite" Tauro in the undercard of ONE: Kings of Destiny.

Under Team Lakay, Belingon is one of the most feared strikers on ONE Championship's bantamweight division. He has a record of five KOs victories on his resume.

Belingon (14-5) will be one of the four Team Lakay fighters on the card who will be fighting alongside Eduard Folayang in the main event in the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.

Talking about his opponent Tauro who has defeated one of his teammate Geje Eustaquio, Belingon   is confident that he can put a good fight and will win the game.

"I've been a staple of this weight class for a long time. I've fought the best of the best. I know Toni Tauru's caliber as a fighter. I am not taking this fight lightly. My focus is on walking away with my name being announced as the winner," Belingon said.

He also has given a warning to Tauru to be prepared, that although he is taller than him, he is going to come in there with his speed and punching power that definitely will stun him and put a winning advantage on his part.

Belingon is now in full training for his incoming fight. He said that he is training with other Team Lakay's members who are taller than him to get used to Tauru's height and Length.

source: One FC, ABS CBN Sport

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Mt. Province's "Lang-ay Festival 2019": Everything You Need to Know

Photo Courtesy || Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan

The people of Mountain province and the rest of Cordillera are anticipating this year's annual festival that highlights the rich cultural heritage and tradition of the different municipalities of the province. This is a yearly festival wherein each of the participating municipalities will have the chance to showcase their indigenous music, dance, costume and their traditional tools and symbols.

The event will also signify the unity among the many diverse tribes of Mountain province to come together for one purpose, to "Lang-ay".

1. What is Lang-ay? 

The word "Lang-ay" is a native term of the iBontoc which means coming together for sharing which could be anything, from food, happiness, friendship, wisdom, talents and resources. When someone invites you for a "Lang-ay", there is no excuse not to go for everyone has something to share.

2. When is Lang-ay festival 2019?

This year's Lang-ay Festival is the 15th and it will be celebrated from April 1st April 8th.

3. How do people of Mountain Province celebrate Lang-ay Festival?

The festival is participated by the 10 municipalities of Mt. Province which will gather together in Bontoc for numerous activities such as street-dancing parade and competitions, cultural presentations, musical events, sports, exhibits and many others. Please see attached photo for the lists of events.

Lang-ay Festival 2019 Calendar of Activities. Photo Courtesy || Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan

4. Is the festival for just for locals or can anyone get involved. 

The festival is open for anyone and everyone, whether you are local or international tourists, you are very much welcome to watch and learn the culture of Mountain Province.

5. What is the best highlight of the festival that I should not miss?

Every event on the festival would definitely be a must watch for everybody. The street dancing and cultural presentations will get you the chance to see the native costume of the each of the 10 municipalities of Mt. Province. Also, don't miss the chance to watch the indigenous games such as "Khug uyod", Inet-etaan" and "Sangkhor". Please refer to the Lang-ay Calendar of Events.


6. Where to stay in Bontoc to watch the 14th Lang-ay Festival 2019?

Looking for an accommodation in Bontoc would never be a problem for visitors since the town offers great choices of accommodation. Navigating the town to look for hotel is relatively simple due to its size and you can do that on foot.

So, if you're planning to go on a trip for the Lang-ay Festival in Bontoc, then don't cancel it. Ready your backpack, cameras, phones and let's head to Mountain Province. You're almost guaranteed you'll have a lot of fun and you'll end up satisfied after your visit.

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Areas near Baguio Convention Center believed to contain Yamashita Treasure

If you think Yamashita treasure hunting is gone and no one is interested about it, well, not yet. When talking about gold in Benguet not to mention of course about mining, Yamashita treasure is gold and they do still exist and they were just around the corner.

Thanks to Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita and his forces who looted valuable treasures in Southeast Asia and allegedly buried them in many parts of the Philippines.

This time a group of treasure hunters in Baguio City has said that there are certain areas near the Baguio Convention Center (BCC)that contain Yamashita treasures, this prompt the group to acquire permit from the city government to conduct treasure hunting in the area.

According to the group representative Eliseo Cabusao, a 90-year-old US immigrants with a Japanese descent had told him that he had helped bury a truckloads of gold near the BCC during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.

To have an extra money for the government, the city council had allowed the treasure hunter to conduct drilling exploration on six different spots of the BCC for two days. If it is positive, excavation and retrieval will be followed but with the close monitoring of city government personnel.

If the treasure is found, whatever it is, maybe a bullion of gold of silver, the national government will take its 35% share, local government will take 35% and the rest will be for the treasure hunters, reports Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Photo: Baguio Convention Center via Google Street View

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Let's support our Cordilleran candidates who will join BFP Miss National Fire Olympics 2017

Cordillera - The Bureau of Fire Protection-Cordillera in its Facebook Page is asking the people of Cordillera to join the Online Voting in support for the three candidates who will represent the region for the MISS NATIONAL FIRE OLYMPICS 2017.

The online voting has started on March 11 and will end on March 17 (Friday) at 12 noon.

In order to participate, just got to BFP Miss National Fire Olympics 2017 Facebook Page and look for the name of Miss Olivia Lambayong who represent BFP Cordillera, Miss Jenalyn Rodas who will represent Industrial Cordillera and Miss Zeny Rose Gorospe for Barangay Cordillera.

Just Like and Share the Photo of each candidate. One like is equivalent to 1 point while one share is equivalent to 3 points.

Links of each candidates are embedded below from Facebook. Just click on the photo then hit Like and Share.

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WATCH: Joshua Pacio from Benguet comes out victorious in One Warrior Kingdom

It's a grueling, an intense and a non-stop action between Filipino mixed martial artist Joshua Pacio against former world champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in the ONE: WARRIOR KINGDOM in Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Joshua Pacio from La-Trinidad, Benguet who trained under Lakay La Trinidad Gym scored a massive split decision win against the Thai Champion on March 11.

Pacio has shown his tremendous skills in two rounds via takedowns and well-executed ground and pound leading the Thai champion looked uncapable of taking a good win.

Pacio's impressive victory has made him improve his record to 9-1 and a possible title rematch againts current ONE Strawweight Champion Yoshitaka "Nobita" Naito who defeated him in their previous bouts.

Joshua Pacio was the only lone Filipino fighter who took home victory after three of his countrymen bowed down to their respective opponents.

Watch the highlight of the fight below.

Video/Photo Credit: One Championship

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Top 3 of PMA Class of 2017 is a proud Cordilleran from Buguias, Benguet

PMA FB page

Cordillera - Cadet First Class Eda Gliss Buansi Marapao of Baguio City is the top 3 of PMA Class "Salaknib" 2017, the only Cordilleran who made it to the top 10 in the graduating class of the Philippine Military Academy.

Marapaom is also among the 8 women in the top 10 graduates of the PMA Salaknib (Sanggalang at Lakas at Bukay Para sa Kalayaan ng Inang Bayan.) led by female valedictorian, Rovi Mairel Valino Martinez of Cabanatuan City.

Marapaom is a proud Cordilleran who came from Buguias, Benguet and residing in La Trinidad. She had studied Civil Engineering course before entering the Academy as she was encouraged by her father who was a retired Army.

She thanked all those who had extended support and help in her studies especially her parents retired Army  Edgar Marapao and Helen Marapao.

The Top 10 graduates of PMA Class 2017 are as follows.

1. Rovi Mairel Valino Martinez, Cabanatuan City
2. Philippine Modesto Viscaya, Ligao City, Albay
3. Eda Glis Marapao, Baguio City
4. Cathleen Jovie Santiano Baybayan, San Fernando, Pampanga
5. Carlo Emmanuel Manalasan, Canlas, Pampanga
6. Shiela Joy Ramiro Jallorina, Balabag, Nueva Viscaya
7.Sheil Marie Calonge De Guzman, Manaoag, Pangasinan
8. Joyzy Mencias Funchia, Butuan City
9. Resie Jezreel Arrocena Hucalla, Compostella, Valley
10. Catherine Mae Emeterio Gonzales, Zamboanga City

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Rotary Club Baguio to conduct Free Medical Mission on March 4

Rotary Club Baguio FB page

The Rotary Club of Baguio will be conducting a free medical mission on March 4 starting at 9 AM to 4  PM at the Baguio City Hall Grounds. 

According to the information posted on RCB's Facebook page, there will be services and items to be given such as free medical consultation, OB GYNE consultation, dental services, minor surgery, eye check up and acupuncture. 

They will be also giving fee medicines and vitamins; free used clothing and eyeglasses frames. 

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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

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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

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