President Duterte to visit victims of Typhoon Rosita in Mt. Province

Photo Courtesy: PNA

Cordillera - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to visit the victims of Typhoon Rosita in Mt. Province according to his former aide Bong Go. 

According to Bong Go, Duterte's trip was scheduled on November 1 but was halted due to road damages which is impassable right now. 

"Susubukan naming pasukin subalit based on the assessment at advance team na pumunta doon ay hindi talaga accesible yung roads ( We will try to enter, but based on the assessment and the advance team who went there, the roads are impassable)," Go said during an interview in Manila.

"Not passable at talagang gumuho 'yung daan patungo doon at even the landing site pa ay mahihirapan dumaan 'yung ating Pangulo ( It's impassable and the road towards the area already collapsed, it's also difficult on the landing site," he added. 

It can be recalled that President Duterte met with the families of some of the victims of typhoon Ompong in September and offered cash assistance and goods.

The Mountain Province Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said that all three buildings of a DPWH compound located in Natonin town in Moutain Province were buried in the landslide during the onslaught of typhoon Rosita. 

Rescue and retrieval operations started yesterday (Wednesday) morning and 10 bodies were recovered and 14 people were so far rescued as of 4 pm yesterday. 

It was learned that most of the victims were construction workers of the DPWH building that sought refuge during the typhoon. 

Initial reports said around 31 people, most of them are laborers, one project engineer, two to three security guards and six to seven evacuees were in the DPWH building when the landslide occurred. 

Read More

Igorot defenders who fought Japanese Army in WW2 awarded US Congressional Gold Medal

A bronze replica of the Filipino World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal. Photo Courtesy: ph.embassy.gov

Cordillera - The United States government on Saturday (Oct. 27) has awarded the US Congressional Gold Medal to 29 Filipino veterans for their loyalty, valor and sacrifices in defending the Philippine motherland during the Japanese occupation in the 1940s.

Among them was Cato Dampas Pulac from La Trinidad who was the oldest living veteran and served under the 66th Infantry Brigade of the US Armed Forces. At the age of 100, he is among the war survivors who finally go the recognition they deserved.

Pulac was a cadet of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) watched, who had a rank of corporal, along with other veterans mainly from Benguet and Baguio City received the award represented by Ambassador Sung Kim.

"The congressional gold medal is given to the Filipino war veterans in recognition of their dedicated service, and selfless sacrifice during the war," US Ambassador Kim said during the ceremony at the Philippine Military Academy.

"This declaration is awarded to an individual or unit who performed outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States, Kim added.

The veterans together with the members of their families represented the second batch of fighters to receive the awards after it was mandated by the law signed by former US President Barack Obama in 2016.

Read More

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