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

Photo Courtesy: Sonia Habits FB

Cordillera - "It runs in the blood of Igorots to defend our land and freedom. We will fight until the last breath and die with honor in the name of service". 

These are the words from S/Supt. Jonathan Calixto who had been promoted to the rank of senior superintendent and becoming the highest ranking member of the Philippine National Police Academy Class of 1998.

Aside from that, Calixto who is a proud son of Besao, Mountain Province was also appointed as the new head of the commander of the PNP Regional Highway Patrol Unit of Region4A on October 9, according to a local newspaper.

Prior to his current position now, 10 years ago Calixto was the youngest battalion commander of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF).

READ ALSO: Three Sons of Cordillera in Top 10 of PNPA Maragtas Class 2018

Calixto's track records in the Police service ranges from leading anti-terrorist operation and intelligence. Calixto led the capture of one of the leader of Islamist group Jemaah Islamiyah in the southern Philippines. 

In 2005 Calixto along with his fellow Igorot PNP-SAF leader Supt. Lambert Suerte also led the assault of terrorists who held hostages at the Bicutan jail that resulted to the killing of top Abu Sayyaf leaders including Commander Robot.

Calixto along with 10 police officers were conferred the coveted Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service by the Metrobank Foundation for his contribution to the nations's peace and stability through anti-terror campaign.

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

Calixto holds a degree in Criminology at the University of Baguio and holds a master's degree in Public Administration from the National College for Business and Arts. 

He also took an advance course in anti-kidnapping and crisis response at the Louisiana State Police Academy in the United States. 

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WATCH: Locals discover bubbles of mud full of natural gas in Paracelis, Mountain Province

Photo Courtesy: KMJS-GMA

Cordillera - A previously unnoticed natural wonder in a remote town in Mountain Province has ignited hopes of a new energy source for the region. 

Local residents stumbled upon a small fountain of mud that emits methane gas, suggesting the presence of a potential natural gas reservoir.

In a captivating video footage released by KMJS - GMA, the bubbling mud can be seen vigorously surging from the earth's depths. Significantly, the mud displays the ability to ignite, most likely due to the methane gas it contains. 

A science teacher in the village conducted a test to prove if methane gas really existed from the bubbling mud. 

A local science teacher took the initiative to investigate this phenomenon and enlisted her students in conducting an experiment to confirm the presence of methane gas.

Using a simple setup, the team placed a funnel above the mud fountain and connected it to a cellophane bag to capture the gas. After a short duration, the bag was filled with gas. 

Connecting the bag to a hose, the team successfully employed the gas to cook an egg, conclusively demonstrating the existence of methane in the bubbling mud.

The Department of Energy has corroborated this discovery through a similar study, underscoring the potential of the bubbling mud as a viable natural gas source for cooking. 

This revelation gains significance as the nation seeks alternative energy resources, especially with the impending depletion of the Malampaya gas field by 2024.

As Mountain Province emerges as a prospective energy provider, further comprehensive studies are anticipated, which could yield substantial benefits not only for the local community but also for the entire Philippines.

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Various government agencies to conduct livelihood caravan in Itogon on Oct. 24

Cordillera - The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has announced in its website the upcoming livelihood forum cum job caravan on October 24 at the Alejo Pacalso Memorial National High School in Bua, Itogon Benguet. 

This is in response to the call of Philippine President Duterte to provide livelihood and economic assistance to those families and individuals who were affected by the landslide disaster during typhoon Ompong last month. 

Two of the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) locators, Convergys and Sitel will be participating in the Job Caravan and Livelihood Forum. 

The Department of Labor and Employment and coordination with the local government of Itogon has said they will provide around 1,250 emergency employment and will pay P320 per day for 15 days, according to PIA.

Engr. Salvador Gentino of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau has also said they will be hiring 250 protection officers who will be tasked to safeguard 245 hectares of bamboo plantation sites in Itogon. 

A scholarship will also be awarded by TESDA to 300 persons including transportation allowance and meals. 

DTI Baguio-Benguet Provincial Director Freda Gawisan said they will set up a Negosyo Center in Itogon for those who want to start a business and aid them with skills on managing a business.

source || PIA

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Proud Igorot, Kelvin Aguilan Vicente is Mr. Universe Tourism 2018

Photo Courtesy || Kelvin Aguilan Vicente

Baguio City - There is no greater success in life for an Igorot guy from Baguio City than winning this year's Mister Universe Philippines 2018 pageant. 

Kelvin Aguilan Vicente, 26-year-old was crowned Mister Universe 2018 on Wednesday in Makati City.

From the 18 candidates who join the pageant for the inaugural title, Vicente successfully made it to the top  and declared as the winner. 

Winning the title would mean, he will be the host delegate and Philippine representative at the Mister Universe Tourism pageant which will be held in Manila next year.

Thanks to his perfect attire, he was the judges' favorite in the finals. Vicente won best in travel attire and formal wear. He also won Mr. Fashion Institute of the Philippines, Mr. Bellnue and Mr. Camp Tipolo.

Mr. Universe Tourism is a male competition which awards ambassador role to the winning candidate. The winner will be travelling extensively to promote his particular platform of interest in the tourism industry. 

The crowning of Kelvin Aguilan Vicente will help the Cordillera region's best tourist spots and the Igorot culture to be promoted in the country and also around the world.

Big Congratulations Kailyan!

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Cordilleran Pride and Igorota Queen Ms. Joemay Leo vying for Miss World Philippines

Photo Courtesy: OfficialPage Joemay Leo FB Page

Cordillera - Moving up to the ladder, reigning Miss Cordillera Joemay Leo aims to be on the top spot  for the Miss World Philippines 2018. 

Joemay Leo, a proud Igorota from Tuba, Benguet will have this wonderful chance to showcase the Cordilleran culture and tradition to the world as she was included to the official list of candidates of this year's prestigious Miss World Philippines. 

A graduate from the University of Baguio, 22-year-old Leo has won numerous awards in the beauty pageants industry which includes Miss Tuba 2014, Miss Benguet 2014 first runner-up, Miss Baguio 2015 third runner up. 

Miss Leo is also the reigning Miss Cordillera and currently serving as SK Kagawad in her local Barangay.  

The Miss World Philippines is a beauty pageant in the country with a goal of selecting the country's representative for the Miss World contest. 

The pageant has officially begun and the competition will come alive on 7 October 2018 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines. 

Winner of the contest will succeed the currently Miss World Philippines 2017 Laura Lehmann and will  be crowned as the Miss World Philippines 2018 and finally to represent the Philippines in the international beauty pageant. 

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Watch: Banaue Rice Terraces featured in National Geographic YT Channel

Cordillera - The National Geographic YouTube Channel has featured the scenic Banaue Rice Terraces of the Cordillera Region.

Published on September 1, 2018, the video has now over 44,000 views and counting. The channel described Banaue Rice Terraces as a preserved cultural landscape that was passed down for 2,000 years.

Here is the additional description from National Geographic:

"A living cultural landscape is nestled into the remote slopes of the Cordillera mountain range in the Philippines. It serves as an example of sustainable agriculture with traditional techniques. For 2,000 years the mountains of Ifugao province have been cultivated with terraced fields that climb thousands of feet. These fields, and the knowledge to farm them, have been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. They have long been central to the survival of the Ifugao peoples but they also occupy a central importance within their culture. Entire communities cooperate on seasonal systems of planting, pest control, and harvest. The coordinated efforts are tied to lunar cycles and sometimes accompanied with religious rituals. The UNESCO site encompasses five different clusters of rice terraces in the area. The Banaue Rice Terraces are the most famous of the lot. Banaue is approximately 230 miles north of Manila, and buses depart daily from the capital. It can take up to ten hours to make it up the mountainous terrain to the rice fields."

Watch the video below:
video credit: National Geographic

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Belingon defeats Nguyen: Now the new Interim ONE Championship Bantamweight World Champion

Photo Credit: ONE Championship

Cordillera - Kevin Belingon of Team Lakay has earned a world title and gave the Philippines another boxing champion after defeating Martin Nguyen via Unanimous Decision last night at the Mall of Asia Arena in front of the Filipino crowd. Belingon is now the new Interim ONE Championship Bantamweight Word Champion. 

The whole five rounds was full of action as Belingon delivers 'fire and fury' of punches against Nguyen. With his speed and total aggression throughout all rounds while successfully evading Nguyen's take downs, Belingon has earned the winning scores from all the judges. 

Belingon keeps his stance as the aggressor, charging Nguyen with powerful shots although some of them were being eluded. Belingon came more dangerous at around mid time in the first round as he backed Nguyen with a thunderous flying kick.

Belingon's win last night has made the Philippines the only country with the most world championship wins in ONE Championship. He has also joined his fellow Team Lakay teammate and reigning world champion Geje Eustaquio and current heavyweight world champion Brandon Vera.

What's next for Belingon? His wins has bought him a ticket to fight reigning bantamweight king Bibiano Fernandes which he was defeated when they crossed paths back in 2016.

Belingon has improved his winning scores to 20-5 throughout MMA carreer.

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Off-duty Benguet cop given award after foiling armed robbery in La-Trinidad

Photo Courtesy: Pro-cor Rpio

Cordillera - Senior Police Officer 2 Noren Bandao was awarded with the “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting” or the Wounded Personnel Medal by

Police Regional Office – Cordillera Regional Director Police Chief Superintendent Rolando Nana on Tuesday, July 17. Bandao was honored for his courageous act and bravery for risking his own life despite being off duty.

According to police reports, Bandao, a resident of  Windy Hill in Buyagan La Trinidad, Benguet responded to a call for police assistance early morning of July 14. A robbery on the neighborhood was reported so Bandao immediately responded. He was about to make an arrest when the suspect shot him on the face. But before losing consciousness, he was able to fire back and shot the suspect.

The suspect was identified as Jonathan Mayangao Cabradilla. He was the leader of Cabradilla Robbery Group, a notorious crime group operating nationwide. He was previously arrested in Cotabato, Bambang Nueva Vizcaya and La Trinidad for robbery. Further investigations revealed that he had been using fictitious names as Jemark Isong Lipangen “aka” Jomar Pagang Mayangao. He is a resident of Irisan, Baguio City but his remains was brought to his hometown in Bauko, Mountain Province.

Bandao was initially brought to Benguet General Hospital by concerned citizens and was later transferred to Pines City Hospital for further treatment where he received his award while waiting for his operation. 

Aside from the medal, Bandao also received cash incentive awards while Nana assured that the PNP will take care of his hospital bills.

Likewise, Benguet Police Provincial Office PSSupt. Lyndon Mencio committed to provide security and ensure Bandao and his family’s safety given the suspect’s background.

source || PIA CAR

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Geje Eustaquio Rewarded the Undisputed ONE Flyweight World Champion

 Photo courtesy: https://onefc.com

Geje "Gravity" Eustaquio, a young wushu artist who is a native of Baguio City and one among those representing the Team Lakay earned the crown as the undisputed ONE Flyweight World Championship with a split decision victory from his old Brazilian opponent Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes last Saturday, 23 June at the Studio City Event Center in Macau.

It was indeed an impressive redemption after four years  back  in the ring with his old rival when he lost the match in just two rounds by guillotine choke submission, without having the chance to show his skills, during the inaugural ONE Flyweight World Championship last September 2014.

During the match however, while “Mikinho”  showcased his jiu-jitsu expertise and his thrilling BJJ skills, "Gravity" on the other hand, displayed his improved ground game and took it far till the fifth and final round, with everything up for grabs. The victory was within reach for both of them as the championship rounds approached. But  in the end, Eustaquio earned the split decision victory and won the undisputed ONE Flyweight World Championship title.

Being the champion, he  exclaimed that “The feeling is awesome. I want to thank all my kababayan (Filipino countrymen) here who came out to support me” in his post-about interview with Mitch Chilson.

“I came to Macau with one vision, and that is to unify the Flyweight World Titles, and I know I was not capable of doing this alone. I want to thank God, Team Lakay, and of course my family. And to all the fans, thank you so much for the undying support”, he added.

 Following his epic win, the victorious Igorot  " Gravity" said to the crowd, “Ladies and gentlemen, when I started 14 years ago, this was impossible. But now, after 14 years, impossible is not a word — it is just a reason,” 

As for those aspiring athletes, take it from Geje "Gravity" Eustaquio and be inspired with his words when he said that  “Anybody can be a world champion, as long as you have the drive and the attitude. I am proud to be the undisputed ONE Flyweight World Champion this time.”

Watch full movie fight below:

Article Source: Onefc.com

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Family miraculously survives car accident in Benguet

Cordillera - A family in Benguet miraculously survive a horrific vehicle accident as their car was heavily destroyed by a huge boulder along Kennon Road on Sunday. 

The family were driving along Kennon Road when their car was hit with a boulder that fell from the mountain causing almost half of the car smashed. The roof of the car was totally damaged caused by the heavy boulder.

The story of the family's survival has gone viral in social media. Jefferson Cadap, the father shared their story of survival and how they were able to get out from the car. 

"Sa speed namin na 90kph bigla nalang na stop and naramdaman ko ung glass na tumama sakin na may kasamang lupa, and yung roof tumama rin sakin. At that time, and nasa isip ko landslide. I was thinking also of my first child kasi siya yung nasa likuran ko. I was shouting at my wife (ayos lang kayo?!). When no one answered, I thought I lost everything pero salamat sa Dios he guided me on what (to do). While the rock is slowly pressing the roof down, i removed my seatbelt and try to move to the passenger's side and I heard my wife saying, "nakalock," and ung 2 kids ko started crying, ung marinig ko yun it gave me strength to struggle more. I unlocked the passenger's door and tried to open it but it was stuck (binanga banga ko po yung door whre my family was, but I could not open it because it was locked. Bumalik ako sa front where I went out, I clipped the chair  and my wife helped me to take the kids our first."

Cadap knew God had helped him rescue his family during that incident. He believed that God was in full control of the accident because he holds the the rock a little bit longer to gave him enough time to save his family.

"Thank you God for holding the rock a little bit longer for us to walk out alive", Cadap said.

The family was brought to Pines Hospital and now recuperating from their injuries. 

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