Cordillera IT students among the best programmers in the country: Win award at PPC 2017

Baguio City - A team of Information Technology (IT) students taking up programming course from the University of Cordilleras (UC) has won award in the recently concluded programming competition of the third Philippine Programming Competition (PPC 2017). 

The team bagged the 4th place in the said programming contest which was organized by Gurango Software Corporation through CodersGuild.NET and in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NCIP). 

One student in the team is the top scorer besting 60 participants from universities all over the country. 

The PPC is an annual programming competition that aims to identify talented entry-level programmers in the country by utilizing an automated assessment tool, localized for the specific needs of the Philippine software industry. 

The PPC has opened the competition to all 3rd and 4th year college students taking up courses in programming. 

For this run of the competition, participating student teams composed of ten (10) members representing colleges and universities from different parts of the country, took the PPC 2017 examination individually. Individual scores per team were tallied and six teams with the highest average score were named finalist. 

READ ALSO: SLU among 10 Philippine universities to join PH-UK Transnational Education Program

The six colleges and universities that got into the final were Holy Angel University, Technological Institute of the Philippines-QC Campus, University of the Cordilleras, University of Cebu-Banilad Campus and Cebu Institute of Technology-University.

The competition 1st placer was a IT student team of the Technological Institute of the Philippines - Quezon City Campus.

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Honest Passenger and Driver from Tublay return Php400,000 lost cash to a former OFW owner

Mr Jimmer Denson driver and his passenger Erwil Agyapas surrendered to this office an envelop of US dollars. Owner a certain "Mark" who is a former OFW. Photo Courtesy || TublayPNP 

Baguio City - An honest passenger and a jeepney driver from Tublay have made another reason to believe and trust that when you lost valuable things inside a passenger jeepney for whatever reason, you'll expect you can recover it if the passenger and driver have a good heart like Mr. Erwil Payangdo Agyapas and Jimmer Antos Denson.

Mr. Agyapas found  a bundle of money in U.S dollar worth P421, 791 inside a jeepney and immediately informed Mr. Denson (the jeepney driver). They knew exactly what to do, they surrendered the cash to the Tublay Municipal Police Station.

Agyapas said this is not the first time he returned a lost money and said it was a natural thing for him to return the money because it is not his and he had experienced to lost something and it's painful. 

Mr. Agyapas found  a bundle of money in U.S dollar worth P421, 791 inside a jeepney. Photo Courtesy || TublayPNP

"Isublik ah ta saan ko met nga bagi ken napadas ko met nga napukawan ket nasakit," Agyapas from Barangay Basil, Tublay said. 

Read Also: OWWA restores hope of an OFW from Mt. Province by giving livelihood and college scholarship to kid

The owner of the money who is an OFW from Kapangan was very happy and relieved from worrying when he learned that his money was surrendered to the Police Station and still intact. 

Meanwhile Tublay Mayor Armand Lauro commended the honest acts of the two and said both of them will be included in the list of individuals who will receive  plaque of commendation on November this year, during the town's foundation day celebration. 

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Lauro offered a small cash reward to the two and thanked them for their honesty because they resisted temptation and returned the money without hesitation.

"With what you did, it made me believe that there are indeed people like you who return money without second thoughts. This is a good reflection for our constituents this Lenten season that there are still good and honest people in this world, worthy to be emulated," Mayor Lauro commended to Agyapas and Denson. 

Read Also: Proud Igorot from Tublay, Benguet named Youth Mayor of Frankston, Victoria, Australia

source || Baguio Midland Courier

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Two Cordilleran cadets among Top 10 of PMA's 2018 graduating class

Cadet 1CL Ricardo Witawit Liwaden and Cadet 1CL Paolo Balla Briones. | Photo Courtesy PTV Cordillera

Baguio City - Two Cordillerans from Barlig, Mountain Province and Camp Allen, Baguio City are among the Top Ten who will graduate from the prestigious Philippine Military Academy (PMA) ALAB TALA (Alagad ng Lahing Binigkis ng Tapang at Lakas).

Cadet 1CL Ricardo Witawit Liwaden from Barlig, Mountain Province is the top 2 of the graduating class. He will receive the Vice Presidential Saber award, Philippine Army Saber Sports and Physical Development plaque, Tactics Group award and Athletic Saber, according to PTV Cordillera. 

Meanwhile, Cadet 1CL Paolo Balla Briones from Camp Allen, Baguio City is in top 8 of the graduating class. 

A total of 282 composed of 207 male and 75 female cadets who joined the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) ALAB TALA class will graduate on March 18 with President Duterte as the guest of honor. 

Each PMA cadet will be guaranteed a military career as an officer in the Army, Navy or Air Force upon graduation. 

This year's PMA graduation rights will be lead by topnotcher Cadet 1CL Jaywardene Galilea Hontoria from Iloilo. He will receive the Presidential Saber, Chief of staff saber, Philippine Navy Saber, Academic Group award, Australian Defense Best Overall Performance award, Spanish Armed Forces Award and others. 

Other cadets on the top 10 list are:

Cadet 1CL Jun-jay Malazzab Castro from Cagayan - top 3

Cadet 1CL Leonore Andrea Carino Japitan from Butuan City - top 4

Cadet 1CL Mark Jantzen Nono Dacillo from Zamboanga City - top 5

Cadet 1CL Jezaira Laquinon Buenaventura from Negros Oriental - top 6

Cadet 1CL Jessie Antonio Laranang from Tarlac - top 7

Cadet 1CL Jayson Raymundo Cimatu from Casiguran, Aurora - top 9

Cadet 1CL Micah Quiambao Reynaldo from Tarlac - top 10.

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Three Sons of Cordillera in Top 10 of PNPA Maragtas Class 2018

Police Cadet Francis Pang-ay of Sadanga, Mountain Province is ranked top 2 of the graduating class. Photo from || Harley Palangchao FB.

Cordillera - Three Cordillerans ranked among the top 10 graduates of Philippine National Academy's PNPA Maragtas Class of 2018.

Police Cadet Francis Pang-ay of Sadanga, Mountain Province is ranked top 2 of the graduating class. He is  the class salutatorian of the PNPA Maragatas Class of 2018. Prior to his current place, he was also ranked fourth place in the 2014 Criminology Board Exam. 

The other two sons of Cordillera in top 10 are Police Cadet Jess Torres Agustin of Kabayan Benguet in rank 3 and Fire Cadet Myrick Aquino Paldingan of Mankayan Benguet in rank 5. 

On Monday, PNP Chief Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa presented to the media the top 10 graduates as he urged them to join the elite Special Action Forces (SAF) to help the government's fight against terrorism. 

READ ALSO: Two Cordilleran cadets among Top 10 of PMA's 2018 graduating class

"Isasabak natin ito sa Special Action Force lahat. Giyera muna kayo, giyera. "Wag muna kayo pahayahay," Bato said. 

There are a total of 106 cadets, composed of 97 males and 27 females who will graduate on March at the PNPA in Silang Cavite. 

The top 10 cadets are led by Police Cadet Fritz John Napalinga Vallador from Negros Occidental, as the class valedictorian. 

Others in the top 10 are:

Police Cadet Jestony Fabro Asanon from Sta Cruz, Zambales (ranked 4th)

Police Cadet Christian Villacarlos Juego from Dasmarinas. Cavity  (ranked 6th)

Police Cadet Cherry Mae Lumogda Montano from General Santos City (ranked 7th)

Police Cadet Stephen Torrevelas Abrica from San Nicolas, Cebu City (ranked 8th)

Police Cadet Arjay Marcaida Cuasay from Paranaque City (ranked 9th)

Police Cadet Marica Sison Ansus from Baco, Sorsogon City (ranked 10th)

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WATCH: First time Igorot performers get four 'Yeses' from Pilipinas Got Talent judges

Cordillera - They call their group 'Baguio J Krayonz, a dance performers from Baguio and Benguet. In front of the four judges of the Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) and to the thousands of viewers around the country, they proved that Igorots are truly talented and they too are world-class performers. 

All the four judges simultaneously voted a resounding yes after their performances followed by loud applause and cheering from the audiences. 

Judge Vice Ganda and Robin Padilla like the performance and were impressed after knowing that an indigenous music and dance can be integrated to modern dance and produce a fantastic result. 

"Gusto ko, kasi pwedi pala yun, yung gagamitin natin ang katutubong tugtug at musika... ng hindi nakakabawas ng performance. At tsaka yung grupo niyo madaling tandaan... kasi you embraced your ethnicity. Congratulations!", Ganda said.

Robin Padilla was also amazed of the performance and felt proud of the group for showing their culture in Manila.

"Ang galing ninyo. Naipakita niyo sa tiga Manila ang kultura natin at higit sa lahat napatitig sila at napangiti sila kasi hinaluan niyo ng modern. Ang ganda ng fusion. Swabee!" Padilla commented. 

Read Also: Robin Padilla sends heartwarming greetings to Kalinga people and Apo Whang-od

Judge FMG was also impressed of the group costumes and said he is pleased because the group is proud of being a Filipino and an Igorot. 

"I like the performance and congratulations, you did it very well." FMG told the group. 

The four judges simultaneously voted yes to the Baguio J. Krayonz which allows them to go through to the next level of competition. 

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SLU among 10 Philippine universities to join PH-UK Transnational Education Program

Baguio City - The United Kingdom and the Philippine government has forged a deal that will soon allow Filipinos to earn joint and dual degrees from top universities in the country and in the United Kingdom. 

This is made possible through the Joint Development of Niche Programme (JDNP) by the British Council and Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Through seed funding and institutional capacity building, this programmed aims to build long-term collaboration between Philippine and UK universities and established transnational education (TNE) within the country. 

Saint Louis University (SLU) and other nine universities in the country has been selected to develop new and innovative degree programmes under TNE. 

SLU in partnership with UK's Coventry University will offer an initial course in disaster risk reduction management, according to SLU Vice President for Academic Affairs Jose Maria Pangilinan. 

Citing the region's geographical terrain, the university recognizes the need to respond to the situation by conducting studies and researches on disaster risk reduction management. 

Aside from SLU, other higher education institutions with United Kingdom educational linkages are the University of the Philippines(UP) Diliman, UP Los Banos, University of San Carlos, De La Salle University, Miriam College, Siliman University, Ateneo de Manila University, Central Luzon State University and Bicol University. 

Last week, British Ambassador visited SLU as part of the "Great British Festival 2018" which was recently launched on Feb. 16 in Manila to showcase best British culture. 

UK's Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce has met with students, faculty members and university officials of SLU and told them the partnership between UK and the Philippines could boost relationship of the two countries. 

The new collaboration between UK and the Philippines will open new opportunities for students to gain access to best of Filipino and British education system, according to Ambassador Pruce.

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Robin Padilla sends heartwarming greetings to Kalinga people and Apo Whang-od

Robin sends greetings to Kalinga people: Photo Courtesy || Diadem Joy B. Baliling

Cordillera - Veteran actor and producer Robin Padilla has a message to the people of Kalinga, praising them as the courageous tribe in the Cordillera.

Read Also: WATCH: First time Igorot performers get four 'Yeses' from Pilipinas Got Talent judges

In a video that was uploaded by Diadem Joy B. Baliling in her FB account, the actor was recorded telling his message to the iKalingas especially to Apo Whang-od, wishing her to be included as a national artist.

Padilla expressed his admiration to Apo Whang-od on her talent in tattooing.

Last year the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) said it has endorsed Whang-od as a national artist because her art of tattooing is part of Cordilleran culture. She has also imparted her knowledge to younger generation.

Read Also: Apo Whang-od finally meets her idol Coco Martin of "Ang Probinsyano"

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 use citrus tree thorn to imprint through skin.

Read Robin Padilla's his full message:

"Mabuhay sa mga kailian ko jan sa Cordillera, Syempre lalong lalo na sa tribo ng Kalinga. Yan ay ating matagal ng nakasama sa Baguio. Yan ang mga masasabi nating mga matatapang at yung mga pinangangalagaan nila yung kanilang kultura bilang Igorot. At ako sympre ay nagpupugay kay Apo Whang-od. Ako po ay talagang, syempre po, bukod po sa akoy may dugong Igorot, ako po ay talang nagpupugay sa inyong talino Apo. Lalo na po, syempre, may kinaliman po sa pagtatao ng ating kultura. Kayo po ay talaga naming tinitingala at dapat po dumating ang panahon na kayo po ay hirangin na national artist."

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Hollywood "Black Panther" movie inspired by Ifugao designs

Okoye, Danai Gurira’s  in Black Panther movie. Photo Courtesy || Marvel

Cordillera - Record-breaking movie by Marvel the "Black Panther has showcased some of the stunning African costumes including Ifugao's indigenous artifacts and Asian themes. 

According to Anthony Francisco, a senior visual development illustrator for Marvel, the garb that Dora Milaje (the elite, all-female group of the Wakandan) worn was partially inspired by Filipino tribal artifacts from Ifugao. 

Francisco who grew up in the Philippines told Buzfeed that he saw African artifacts mixed with tribal Filipino decor in his relatives' homes in Ifugao. He was inspired specially from the Ifugao tribe who live at the base of the Cordillera Region in the north of Luzon. 

This tribal inspiration shows up in the costume of Okoye, portrayed by actress Danai Gurira. The small golden rings hanging from the tassels at the side of her uniform were amulets, drawn from Filipino superstitious belief.

The word Ifugao means "people of the Earth" in English are known for their ancient rice terraces,  a UNESCO heritage site built by the ancestors of the tribe in 100 B.C.

The Ifugao tribe continues to preserve its rich cultural elements, including weaving, beading and tradition narrative chants. 

source || Huffington Post & Inquirer USA

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House OKs bill requiring hospitals to provide Free Dialysis

The House committee on health approved a substitute bill requiring government hospitals to provide free dialysis treatment to indigent patients.

The bill substituted House Bills 621, 2466, 3924, 4391 and 5503 and HR 244.

The bill mandates all government hospitals to establish, operate, and maintain a dialysis service facility in their respective hospitals.

It further provides for the establishment of affordable and accessible kidney transplant facilities in strategic areas across the country, as kidney transplantation has been shown to provide the highest quality of life for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.

“The measure was crafted to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health developments. Specifically, to improve the delivery of healthcare services to patients with ESRD and encourage them to have a kidney transplant,” said committee chair Rep. Angelina Tan.

Moreover, the bill seeks to assist patients who pursue first peritoneal dialysis, and hemodialysis should there be contra-indications.

It also provides a screening policy for indigents, and establishes kidney disease prevention activities to benefit ESRD patients and their families.

Its provisions qualify an indigent as a patient with no or insufficient source of income or family subsistence, an indigent as identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development National Household Targeting System-Poverty Reduction (DSWD NHTS-PR), or an indigent but not listed in the NHTS as assessed by a municipal development officer.

Moreover, the bill recognizes the “catastrophic” financial drain caused by fighting kidney diseases.

The measure includes the expansion of the PhilHealth benefit package for kidney transplantation of renal replacement therapy for both the living and deceased donors.

It also expands the PhilHealth coverage for the processes involved in kidney transplantation—from assessment, evaluation, and screening-- to treatment procedures and remedies, and even rehabilitation of donors and recipients.

The bill is authored by Reps. Joseph Stephen Paduano, Arthur Yap, Alfredo Vargas III, Tan, Mark Go, and Carlos Isagani Zarate.

Among those present during the meeting were Tan, Go, Reps. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Estrelita Suansing, Lourdes Aggabao Elisa Kho, and Peter John Calderon. | CMBE

source || congress.gov.ph

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Ilocos Governor Imee Marcos - Adopted Daughter of Kalinga, named "Laggunawa"

Governor Imee Marcos wears traditional Kalinga attire during Kalinga's second Bodong Festival. Photo Courtesy||L Rose Cheo FB Page.

Cordillera - Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos was honored by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Kalinga as a "daugther of the province of the province during the gracing of Kalinga's second Bodong Festival and 23rd founding anniversary. 

Governor Marcos was given the name "Laggunawa" which means, "a beautiful and strong daughter of a tribal leader".

"Sakto yung pangalan ko, anak daw ng chief, kaya I'll have to live up to that name. Sabi nila, This ideal is what you should grow up to, so I must become Laggunawa. I am deeply honored by this endowment and I will treasure this resolution" Marcos said.

According to provincial tradition of Kalinga, being named a daughter of Kalinga is a customary ethnic practices which is a way of recognizing a person "who have singularly endeared themselves and contributed outstanding services to the people.

Sons and daughters of the province are granted certain privileges, including protection under the umbrella of the Kalinga Peace Pact institution of the Bodong Justice System "Pro-Pagta.

Governor Marcos also urged the opening of tourism routes from Ilocos Norte to the Cordilleran Region.

"Sapagkat ang nakikita lagi ay yung coastal - La Union hanggang Ilocos Norte. There's a very, very rich culture here at kitang-kita na iisa ang ating kultura whether upland, midland, or lowland," Marcos said.

She also supports the call for Apo Whang-od, the aging traditional mambabatok (tattooist) of Tinglayan Kalinga to be included as a National Living Treasure.

source: BBM

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