Ifugao boxing sensation Carl Martin knocks out Korean foe, retains undefeated record

Photo Courtesy: Sunstar

Cordillera - Ifugao boxing sensation Carl Jammes Martin successfully defended his World Boxing Organization Oriental Youth Bantamweight title against his WBF Asia Pacific Super Bantamweight Titlist Moon Chul Suh on Saturday, October 27 in Lagawe, Ifugao.

Martin, 19-year old finished his opponent in the fourth round via TKO and retained his undefeated record of 11 wins and no loses. 

All of Martin wins were came by way of knockouts. Last August this year, Martin retired Huerban Qiatehe of Nueva Viscaya in the sixth round.

His success if defending his WBO youth title, Martin has acquired the Luzproba, Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF), WBC ABCO, and WBA-Asia titles since turning pro two years ago, according to Sunstar.

READ ALSO:  Igorot Jeremy Pacatiw wins at Brave 17 in Pakistan

Martin filled the vacant WBO Oriental Youth 118lb division in April when he defeated Hashimura Zuberi from Tanzania in just two rounds.

OTHER STORIES: 

 Igorot Kelvin Aguilan is Mr. Universe Tourism 2018

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

Read More

Igorot Jeremy Pacatiw wins at Brave 17 in Pakistan

Photo Courtesy: Brave Combat FB Page

Cordillera - It's another win for Team Lakay of Baguio City as one of its fighter Jeremy "The Juggernaut" Pacatiw defeated Pakistan's shining MMA star Uloomi Karim Shasheen at the Nistar Sports Complex in Lahore, Pakistan on October 27, 2018. 

In the co-main event, Pacatiw, 22-year-old intros the first round with relentless sets of punches and kicks to the face and body of Shasheen causing the latter to suffer a cut on his right eye. 

Pacatiw managed to finish the fight until the 3rd round and declared victorious by the three judges via unanimous decision scoring the bout 29-27, 29-27 and 29-28 all in favor of Pacatiw. 

Pacatiw's win in this event had improved his professional MMA record with 5 wins and 3 losses while Shasheen downgraded his record with 5 wins and 5 losses. 

Brave 17 is the 7th times Pacatiw had his international fights with Brave Combat Federation. Brave 17 is the first International mixed martial arts event held in Pakistan with 12 nations participated. 

Brave Combat Federation is an initiative held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamadal Khalifa of Bahrain.

Read More

"Panag-aapoy" - Sagada's unique way of remembering their departed love ones.

Photo Screengrab || Being Igorot FB

Cordillera - A fire  brightly burns at the cemetery of Sagada every November. Those who see this for the first time might think that people of Sagada are burning the whole mountain where they buried their  loved ones  by the looks of a large blaze of fire when  viewed from afar.  

The people of Sagada have been practicing their unique way of remembering their departed love ones called "Panag-aapoy" which means "to light a fire" in English. 

Every eve on  the first day of November , many iSagadas (people of Sagada)  gather at the cemetery to light pieces of a pine wood's flammable part called "saleng". If others light up candles, the iSagadas light up saleng to create a bonfire near the grave of their loved ones. 

READ ALSO: 76-year old Lola from Sagada speaks fluent English despite having no formal education

This lighting up of saleng must be done before sundown and the entire cemetery is covered with a yellowish glowing fire from the saleng. Thus, one might think that the whole mountain is burning. 

Many iSagadas consider this event a very serious moment for every family member to  commemorate the passing of their loved ones.  They don't consider this event as a festival to merry but they view this as a solemn moment for them to respect their dead. 

Tourists visiting the place on this day must know that this occasion should not be viewed as a festival. That's why you won't find people dancing and playing the gongs.

READ ALSO: Honest taxi driver from Sagada returns lost mobile phone to owner

The Dap-ay and the Episcopal Church  hosting the event said that promoting "Panag-aapoy as a tourist attraction without consulting them and the local government is not acceptable. 

It should be noted that "Panag-aapoy" is meant for the people of Sagada to honor their departed loved ones and not for tourist to take photographs and selfies for themselves. 

Read More

P/Insp. Sofia Loren Deliu from Baguio City replaces Bong Go as Duterte's aide.

Photo Credit: Sofia Loren Deliu Instagram

Cordillera - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has name Senior Inspector Sofia Loren Deliu as his new assistant. 

No other than President Duterte introduced S/Insp. Deliu as his new aide that will replace Special Assistant Bong Go.

"Ang pumalit kay Bong, tumindig ka nga" (The one that replaced Bong, please stand), Duterte said to those in attendance at the Philippine Quality Award and Conferment Ceremony. 

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

S/Insp. Deliu's appointment as the new assistant of the President came after Bong Go resigned from his post as special assistant due to his candidacy as a senator this coming 2019 election. 

But SAP Bong Go clarified that Deliu will not carry his title as the Special Assistant to the President. 

Prior to her new role, Deliu served as one of  President Duterte's close police aid that accompanies him during his travel around the country. 

Deliu is a half Filipina, half Romanian and native of Baguio City.  She was a contestant in the Ms. Earth-Philippines competition in 2015 while serving in the Philippine National Police Academy. 

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

The 25-year-old Deliu was a BS Tourism graduate. But decided to enroll in the Police Academy and earned a badge. 

Read More

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. 

You can now listen and watch us on YouTube. 

Read More

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.

Read More

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

Read More

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!

Read More

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. 

Read More

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

Read More