Baguio student who represent CAR declared champion in the 8th ASEAN Quiz National Level Competition

Baguio City -  Three high school students have emerged winners in the recently concluded 8th ASEAN Quiz National Level Competition held in Quezon City from April 3 to 6. 

Among them was Jericho Villarico, a grade 10 student of Baguio City National High School who was declared the overall champion. 

Villarico said he felt pressured because after the result, the three of them will carry the flag of the Philippines when they will go to Indonesia for this year's 8th ASEAN Quiz Bee.

Related Story: Proud Igorot from Tublay, Benguet named Youth Mayor of Frankston, Victoria, Australia

"I feel more pressured because we have to carry the flag of the Philippines in the regional competition in Indonesia, because the Philippines has been consistently winning, " he said according to Philippine News Agency website. 

Villarico and his team will travel to Bali, Indonesia in the last quarter of this year for the 8th ASEAN Quiz Bee. 

The ASEAN QUIZ aims to foster the spirit of healthy competition among ASEAN youth in a friendly quiz that exposes them to ASEAN cultural, political, economic and social information.

READ ALSO: GOOD NEWS - Baguio City among top 10 Safest Cities in Southeast Asia in 2018

Student-participants also get a chance to immerse themselves in the culture of the host-country in a special day tour attached to the event. 

Meanwhile the ASEAN Quiz National Level Competition is a biennial contest held in the country which aimed to gather the brightest students nationwide to prepare them to compete in the regional level against students from the 10 ASEAN member countries.

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Baguio City among top 10 Safest Cities in Southeast Asia in 2018

Cordillera - In 2018 Baguio City has been named among the safest city in Southeast Asia according to a newly released data from Numbeo.

Numbeo is the world's largest database of user contributed data about cities and countries worldwide. 

It provides current and timely information on world living conditions including cost of living, housing indicators, health care, traffic, crime and pollution.

Baguio City has been ranked the 6th place with a record of 59.43 safety index.

Aside from Baguio, there were other four cities of the Philippines that have been included in the list. 

Related Story:  Cordillera now the safest place in the country - Crime rate hits all time low

These are:

2nd Place: Valenzuela City - 74.79 Safety Index

4th Place: Davao City - 71.21 Safety Index

5th Place: Makati City - 60.44 Safety Index

8th Place: Cebu City - 55.72 Safery Index. 

READ ALSO: 
Baguio student declared champion in the 8th ASEAN Quiz National Level Competition

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Where to find the "best bread in the Philippines"? Answer: In SAGADA

Photo Courtesy || Kulas

Cordillera - "It was the best bread I have had in the Philippines. It was like European bread", that was the statement of Jun Jun when he first tasted the bread of 'Ma'am Jane' in her bakeshop in Sagada. 

Jun Jun was the travel buddy of Canadian vlogger Kyle Jennerman popularly known in his local name as "Kulas". They are currently traveling north of Luzon and they are now exploring Cordillera particularly Sagada, Kalinga and the Mountain Province. 

On their journey into Sagada town, they were accompanied by their local tour guide ma'am Jane who happens to have a bakery business in town.

Read Also: Benguet has the best Arabica Coffee in the Philippines - coffee experts say

Jane took them to her bakeshop to try out some of her handmade bread. 

"It could be some of the best bread in the Philippines," this was Kulas reaction after eating some of Jane's bread. 

"100% MUST TRY! Especially when fresh (usually around 2-3 pm everyday). Jane makes chocolate, blueberry, cheese, vegan, and cinnamon raisin breads... All 100% handmade with natural ingredients, no preservatives, and no "cheap additions". Jennerman wrote in his FB page BecomingFilipino. 

Kulas later learned that ma'am Jane was a former OFW who had worked in Israel for 11 years. She came back to Sagada, trained how to bake with a french baker and later she started her own little bakery in Sagada.

READ ALSO: Sagada organic coffee wins international award in Paris

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

Frankston Mayor Hampton shakes hand with newly appointed Youth Mayor Gerard Felipe. Photo Courtesy || Frankston City Council FB.

Cordillera - 19-year-old Gerard Felipe was very excited and rapt to take on his new position as the new Youth Mayor for the municipality of Frankston, Victoria, Australia. 

Gerard Felipe was a proud Igorot and Cordilleran from Tublay, Benguet. 

In his message on Facebook, Gerard thanked everyone who supported him and also very proud of being an Igorot.

"I am proud to serve as the first youth Mayor for the municipality of Frankston, Victoria, Australia as an Igorot", Felipe wrote. 

"I continue to take pride of sharing our rich culture abroad, and look forward to encouraging the youth within the community to reach their highest potential. But most importantly, I will never forget where I come from. "

Read Also: Benguet Coffee Arabica is the best coffee in the Philippines

Felipe will serve for 12 months working together with the local community and local government of Frankston as part of the program designed to allow the youth aged from 18 to take an active role in the community. 

Part of his role as youth mayor is to meet regularly with the youth council and attend regular council meetings, as well as working with the youth council to address youth disengagement, bullying and mental health. 

On taking his new role as youth mayor, Felipe said he was motivated by Gandhi's quote: "Be the change you want to see in the world."

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His inspiring message to the youth: "Be informed and don't be afraid to speak up for what you believe is right."

Frankston's Mayor Colin Hampton was optimistic about Felipe role, "Gerard is sure to be a fantastic representative for Frankston City's local youth and I look forward to working with him".

"Gerard sees the youth mayor role as a great opportunity for young people to be heard with programs for youth to be more involved and active within local community," Hampton added.

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

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Benguet has the best Arabica Coffee in the Philippines - coffee experts say

Photo Courtesy || Robert Domoguen

Cordillera - The locally grown Arabica coffee in Benguet emerged as the champion and named as the best coffee in the Philippines during the 3rd Philippine Coffee Conference held in Baguio City on March 21- 22. 

The Arabica coffee entry of Mr. Oliver Oliem, a coffee farmer from Caliking, Atok, Benguet topped other regions in the country in terms of coffee quality.

Here is a review of a customer who has tried Benguet Arabica coffee.

Oliem entry got a grade of 87.06 from the judges who unanimously voted for the Arabica entry and said the coffee beans were exemplary because it has blends that has a characteristics of Apricot, lemongrass, Pomelo, Oolong Tea and aroma of a Rose. 

One of the judge Shaun Ong from Singapore, said the high-rating of the coffee quality is testament of the improving coffee quality in the country. 

"There is a dramatic increase of quality and it caught the judges, wondering what has been happening on the ground. Competition helps producers realize there is market for quality coffee. Anything above 80 should already be applauded." Ong said. 

READ ALSO: 

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

Survey says Igorots are among the 'healthiest' Pinoys in the country

Other winners from Benguet were the coffee entry of Restie Labi Tacio, also from Caliking, Atok, who got the third spot and Belen Macanes from Sagpat, Kibungan, who was ranked fifth place. 

Winners of this year's coffee competition were recognized during the 2018 PCQC awarding ceremony  at the Hotel Supreme. 

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

Co-organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other Philippine government agencies including US based institutions, the PCQC aims to give recognition to farmers who showcase excellence in coffee growing, and to encourage others to push for product development.

Lead judge Charlie Habegger, a specialty coffee buyer for Blue Bottle Coffee from USA and Asia said "Competitions are important because we identify those coffee and we could share those coffee as an example".

"Judges from different cultures, palletes, experience, perspective can agree on example of great quality that is really significant", Habegger added. 

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New North Cagayan Airport opens up first direct flight from Cagayan to Macau

Aerial View of the New North Cagayan International Airport. Photo Courtesy || Cagayan Province FB page

Cordillera - The North Cagayan International Airport also known as Lallo Airport located in Cagayan province has successfully launched its first Inaugural commercial flight from Macau on March 23. 

The P.1.67-billion new airport in Cagayan will be catering different international flights to Macau and other destinations in China in a regular basis by the fourth quarter of this year, following the installation of important navigational tool for pilots to help them acquire safe landing, according to Raul Lambino, administrator of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA).

The airport which is managed by the Cagayan Premium Ventures Development Corporation, a joint venture company developed by CEZA and a private company is now expected to accommodate bigger aircraft like the Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 that can cater international tourists coming to visit Northern Luzon. 

Following its successful inaugural flight, the airport can provide many different aviation services such as park and hangar club, aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul, test flight for schools offering aviation courses and other services. 

The airport can also be used by the Philippine Air Force as their Northern Luzon Hub. 

But, the main plan for the airport, according to Lambino is to establish an open gateway to serve regular flight for local tourists and international tourists visiting Northern Cagayan, Apayao and Ilocos Norte. 

The airport also expects to serve domestic flights starting in April this year to accommodate local tourists coming from different places in the country to visit North of Luzon. 

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Icelandic-American vlogger Finn Snow amazed at Kalinga's Bodong Festival Parade 2018

Bodong Festival 2019 Parade || Photo Credit @ Tabuk Life

Cordillera - Philippine newest YouTube vlogger (video blogger) Finn Snow has released this week some of the videos he took and documented when he traveled in Northern Luzon particularly in Kalinga province. 

In his latest uploaded video entitled 'Real Life Head-Hunting Tribes Coming Together', he documented Kalinga's second Bodong Festival this year in the capital city of Tabuk. 

The Bodong Festival highlights several street dancing competition, grand street parade participated by different  municipalities and organizations. 

Armed with his camera, Finn Snow joined the parade while vlogging about the events and discussing what he learned about Kalinga's ancient head-hunting practice and 'bodong' which is the Kalinga's unique way of settling disputes between warring tribes. 

Snow learned that long time ago the people of Kalinga is "one of the most hostile, skillfull headhunters and tribal warriors in the whole Philippines.

Bodong Festival 2019 Parade || Photo Credit @ Tabuk Life

"There's not much places in the world that you can actually experienced the culture and the long long tradition of beautiful and brutal history of the Kalinga headhunters... But now they are having a festival bringing all together...", Snow said.

"Being a foreigner here knowing nothing about this place and experiencing for the very first time, getting and sucking all that information about this area Kalinga, it makes me 'goosebumps' because there's not much places on earth that you can find this kind of old tradition of warriors and fearsome people,'' he added.

Watch the Finn Snow vlog below.

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US firm eyed Solar-Powered Cable car transport in Baguio City

US firm eyed Solar-Powered Cable car transport in Baguio City. Photo Courtesy || Global Times

Cordillera - A local construction firm affiliated with a US-based solar-powered surface transportation system manufacturer has offered to conduct a feasibility study on the viability of running a solar-powered cable cars in the city. 

According to Aileen Refuerzo, city information office chief, Mayor Mauricio Domogan had received an unsolicited proposal from Ryanx Construction and General Services, a local representative of US-based firm Transit X LLC to conduct the said study. 

Domogan welcomed the proposal made by Rufino Barinan, chairman of the firm and had tasked the city legal office to draft a memorandum of agreement for the study that would be done at no cost to the city.

The study that will be conducted by the local firm will include the identification of suitable areas for the alternative transport and acquisition of right-of-way easements and air rights. 

It will also include the environmental impact assessment of the project, as well as the effect on the livelihood of public utility vehicle operators in the city.

According to Transit X website, the solar-powered cable transport is a "fully-automated transportation network with high-capacity interchanges and stops that provide fast and wait-free travel." 

"Pods, each carrying a single passenger or up to a family of five, quietly cruise above traffic under a narrow tract. Destinations are entered via smart phone or kiosk prior to boarding. Passengers board pods at stops that are as convenient as taxi or bus stops. A pod takes off and cruises nonstop until landing at the destination."

If the proposal will push forward up to its construction, Baguio City will be the first in northern Luzon to have established an eco-friendly cable car transport.

source || PNA

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

Message from OWWA.  Photo Courtesy || Hans Leo J. Cacdac FB

Cordillera - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is calling once again all OFWs to avail of the programs designed for Overseas workers who are in need of help and assistance. 

OWWA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac said, there are still many OFWs who are not aware or informed about the programs that they can avail such as the 'OFW Dependents Scholarship Program' or ODSP and Livelihood Assistance.

In his latest FB post, Cacdac mentioned two OFWs who were granted livelihood assistance and scholarship assistance for their kids who are going to college. 

Cacdac cited a story of an OFW from Mt. Province who was hesitant to go home because she doesn't have enough money to bring home after her job contract in Saudi was stopped due to maltreatment from employer. 

"May isa tayong kababayan mula sa Mountain Province, galing siya sa Saudi matapos maudlot ang  contrata dahil sa hindi tamang trato ng employer. Ayaw bumalik sa probinsya dahil walang sapat na maiuwi sa kanyang mga anak. Nabuhayan siya noong malaman niya na bibigyan ng OWWA ng livelihood at scholarship sa kolehiyo para sa kanyang anak na nasa Grade 12 at kukuha ng Kriminology sa pasukan. Uuwi na sya ngayong lingo"

The ODSP or OFWDSP is an educational assistance provided to qualified active OWWA-member who want to pursue any 4 to 5 year baccalaureate degree or associate degree in any state college or university in the country. 

Beneficiaries of ODSP can be granted financial assistance worth P20,000 per year provided that the OFW's income per month is less than $600, according Cacdac. 

Another program is the enhanced "Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay" where in returning OFWs are granted cash assistance worth P20,000 including entrepreneurship development training to equip them with the necessary knowledge to start their own business at home. 

To avail of the program, OFWs are advised to apply at any OWWA Regional Offices nearest their residence. For Cordillera region, the regional office of OWWA is located at #17 Manongdo Building, Private Road, Magsaysay Avenue, Baguio City. You can also ask question by messaging them at their OWWA Baguio Facebook Page.

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Two of the best Igorot knockout artists make their return in ONE Championship this April

Team Lakay's Kevin Belingon, Honorio Banario and Gina Iniong. Photo Courtesy || Benjo Andaya FB.

Baguio City - They are among the best knockout artist in the ONE Championship MMA sport today, both Team Lakay's Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon of Ifugao and Honorio "The Rock" Banario of Benguet will deliver yet another exciting fight this April 20, 2018 at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

ONE Championship, the largest global sports media property in Asian history described Belingon as "one of the country's most talented martial artist". It says, he is a Filipino champion and former world title challenger who is known to have the "ability to finish opponents in a variety of methods". 

29-year old Belingon has a professional record of 17-5 which seven of his victories came from huge knockouts. ONE Championship dubbed him as "the most feared strikers" in the history of ONE Championship's bantamweight division. 

This 20th of April, Belingon will headline the main-event dubbed 'Heroes of Honor' against 28-year old Andrew Leone of Cortland, New York.

Another talent of Team Lakay is "The Rock" Banario who will be going toe to toe with Adrian Pang. 

Banario has been one of the Philippines' most respected martial arts veterans and his tremendous cage experience has brought him all over Asia in many memorable battles against top divisional talents, according to ONE Championship. 

Armed with his striking strength and his vastly-improved grappling skills, Banario is more than ready to showcase his world-class wushu skills and lightning-quick strikes against Australian Adrian Pang.

ONE:Heroes of Honor will also feature martial arts contender Gina "Conviction" Iniong of Team Lakay. She is a six-time national wushu champion with a professional recod of 6-3, with four of her six victories coming by thrilling finish, including two highlight-reel submission and two knockouts. 

She will be facing former world title challenger 27-year old Jenny Huang of Chinese Taipie.

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