Joshua Pacio vs Hayato Suzuki to headline first ONE event shown live on U.S. TV

Photo Courtesy || ONE Championship

(Updated) - Asia's biggest MMA promotion ONE Championship has signed a 3-year broadcast deal with Turner Sport which will commence of January 1. The deal will broadcast some of ONE Championship's programs including the first event scheduled for January 19 which features Joshua Pacio vs Hayato Suzuki fight.

Baguio City - Reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua "The Passion" Pacio will make his first World Title defense against Japanese challenger Hayato Suzuki on 19 January at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

According to ONE Championship, ONE: Eternal Glory will be the first of the promotion's 2019 lists of match up in their calendar events.

Pacio, team Lakay's youngest champion will take this opportunity to avenge his loss to Suzuki. 

The two warriors first crossed paths back in August 2017 where Pacio was easily defeated by Suzuki via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

It was a devastating defeat for Pacio that motivated him to improve  his ground game with the help of this teammates. 

Since then, the 22-year-old Pacio continued making rounds of victories in the next year and half, including a world title win over Yoshitaka Naito that made him ONE Strawweight World Champion. 

Now, the Japanese contender is working his way out to challenge the Igorot warrior to prove their first encounter was not just an accident.

Who do you think will win this upcoming match up between Pacio and Suzuki. Write your answer in the comment box below.

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Tourist takes pride on wearing traditional Igorot clothes

Photo Courtesy || Nelmar Chaves Gomez

Cordillera - A tourist who visited Baguio City this Christmas season had a chance to wear a traditional Cordillera clothing and his reaction is priceless. 

Nelmar Chaves Gomez from Butuan City expressed how he feels wearing what he believed the Igorot "bahag" when he visited Wright Park - one of the popular tourist spots in Baguio City. 

"Wearing the Igorot bahag is such a fulfillment for me because at least, I tried to feel how an Igorot feels while wearing those clothes and it is a feeling of pride for a good cause", Gomez wrote on his FB account. 

Although Gomez didn't wear the actual "bahag" also known as G-string, he took pride of that short moment he felt he became one of the Igorots and according to him this is the most unforgettable moment he had ever experienced.

"I swear it was one of the most unforgettable experiences I ever had - experiencing the culture of the Igorot by wearing their beautiful trademark clothes. I didn't actually expect to become an Igorot even just a span of few minutes," Gomez said. 

Many tourists nowadays are beginning to appreciate and admire the Igorot culture such as Gomez who at his very first time didn't feel ashamed to wear one of Igorot's traditional dress and even call himself an Igorot. 

May your next visit to Baguio will give you the opportunity to wear the real bahag of the Igorots because wearing such will make you more handsome and "taraki" (good-looking) like these Igorot hunks below.

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Baguio student hailed a hero for rescuing teenagers trapped in a flooded building during typhoon Ompong

Photo Courtesy || Abs-cbn Mission Possible

Cordillera - A 20-year-old young man from Baguio has been hailed a hero after saving two students trapped in a flooded building during typhoon Ompong. 

ABS-CBN "Mission Possible" TV program featured the heroic deed of Benjamin "Ricky" Madamba, a Civil Engineering student who saved two students who were trapped in their basement during typhoon Ompong onslaught in September. 

According to the young hero, he immediately responded to  his younger sister's call for help that two of her classmates were trapped inside their basement with rushing mud water coming from  the mountain. 

Out of  panic and his inherent response to save the girls, he knocked a glass window at the basement to make way for the girls. Unfortunately,  he was injured and sustained  a cut on his arm from the glass. He was rushed to the hospital and was given immediate medical care. He had eight stitches on his wound.. 

Madamba's  heroic act  by breaking the window gave way for other workers to enter the basement and save the girls. The girls were all rescued and brought to safety. Thankfully, they all made out alive.

"Sobrang thank you and sobrang blessed, kasi buhay pa po kami at nakatayo pa rin kami", one of the rescued girl said.

For Madamba, he considered these girls a part of their family and they would be at loss  if something bad happened to the girls. His kind-hearted and selfless nature lets him put others first before himself. He thought about other people's safety  before his own safety. 

Madamba's heroic deed was commended by the City Government of Baguio and the Office of Civil Defense Cordillera. He also received gifts from Rotary Club of Malate Prime. 

Indeed, a simple act of kindness and bravery like of Madamba is commendable and worth emulating. The scars from his wounds would always remind him of his selflessness and such mark have a good story worth retelling to his offspring. 

All scars have a story behind it. But do you have scar stories worth retelling that you are proud of?

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Igorot fighter Harold Banario signs with Brave FC to represent Philippines in Brave 20

Photo Courtesy || Harold Banario

Cordillera - Another mixed martial artist from Cordillera was signed by Bahrain-based MMA promotion Brave Combat Federation to represent the Philippines in a scheduled bout that will be held in India on December 22, 2018. 

Harold Banario has signed with Brave Combat Federation as a replacement to Keith Lee who was pulled out due to an injury. He will be facing Angad Bishit of India who is also making his first Brave FC debut in the bantamweight bout. 

The 24-year old Banario is a native of Mankayan, Benguet and a younger brother of former ONE featherweight champion Honorio Banario. He is training out of the famed Team Lakay stable in Baguio city. 

Banario will be joining the list of  Cordilleran Brave FC fighters under team Lakay. They are Brave FC reigning Bantamweight Champion Stephen "The Sniper" Loman,  Jeremy "The Juggernaut" Pacatiw and Crisanto "The Slugger" Pitpitunge. 


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Cordilera's Team Lakay Champions recognized at the Senate

The igorot warriors that bring Philippine MMA to the world's spotlight

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Banario was part of the Philippine National team who represented the country in Wushu back in 2012. His currently hold a professional record of 4 wins and 1 loss. 

Aside from his MMA carreer, Harold Banario is also a painter. He has painted "Beauty and the Best" which featured Hollywood actress Emma Watson.

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Abrenean Lucas Bersamin takes oath as Chief Justice before Durterte

Photo Courtesy || Presidential Communication

Cordillera - Newly appointed Supreme Court Justice Lucas Bersamin took his oath before Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday at the Malacanang Palace. 

Bersamin was accompanied by his family during the oath taking at the Heros Hall of Malacanang.

The president appointed Bersamin to replace former Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro who retired last October 8. 

Atty. Bersamin was appointed as the new Supreme Court Chief Justice last November 26, 2018 based on seniority.

The 69-year-old Bersamin is a native of Bangued, Abra, a brother of former Abra congressman Luis P. Bersamin.

Prior to his new appointment, Bersamin served as a trial court judge and appellate court magistrate before being appointed to the Supreme Court in 2009. He also served as a presiding judge of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 96 in 1986.

He was also appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the High Court in 2009. 

Bersamin studied law at the University of the East in 1973 and place top 9th in the Bar Examinations of the same year.


He was a recipient of the Judicial Excellence Award for Best Decision both in Civil Law and Criminal Law.

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Cordilera's Team Lakay Champions recognized at the Senate

Photo Courtesy || Eduard Folayang FB

Cordillera - Members of the Team Lakay are now the talk of the town and earlier paid a visit to the Philippine Senate and spend time with some of the senators.

In a photo shared by ONE World Lightweight Champion Eduard Folayang, he and ONE Bantamweight Champion Kevin Belingon, ONE Flyweight Champion Geji Eustaquio, ONE Strawweight Champion Joshua Pacio,  Brave Combat Federation Champion Stephen Loman and Coach Mark Sangiao posed a photo with the senators.

With their individual ONE Belt hanging on their shoulders, the Cordilleran warriors proudly joined the senators in a photo shoot headed by Senate President Sotto along with Eight Division World Champion Manny Pacquiao, Migz Zubiri, former Senate president Pimentel and others.

Team Lakay Champions also posed with their cup of coffee at the senate house.

Photo Courtesy || Eduard Folayang

Last December 2, the city government of Baguio organized a "Parade of Champions" to honor Team Lakay dedication to the sport.

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We Love Baguio as Much as you do: A Friendly Message To Tourists Visiting Baguio

Photo Courtesy || DOT Cordilleras

We know for a fact that there are a lot of reasons to visit Baguio City. Aside from its chilly weather, you can enjoy the parks and pine trees, the ukay-ukay or pre-loved shops in Session Road, the food, and of course the strawberries, from strawberry picking to strawberry taho (soya), strawberry ice cream and to strawberry jam! And not the least, the Ube Jam at Good Shepherd and more! As the city progresses and grow, a lot of tourists drove at the city every year that makes the city one of the top tourist destinations in the country.

HOWEVER, as the tourist continues to deluge, the challenge starts arising. When a city becomes a tourist destination, it could be good and hurtful at once. It’s good due to economic benefits, and hurtful since perhaps we can damage the place. How?

Generally speaking, traffic is getting worse. Yes, the traffic is jammed! Baguio City has become a blockbuster hit when it comes to the long lines of vehicles. 

And if you went to Baguio years ago, the trip is different even without the SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) or TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan Expressway) the travel time is extended, but you will never get stuck in traffic. 

Like, what a lot of people complaining about today. This shows how bad the traffic congestion within the city. Also people rushing around the city streets looked like ants running in the subways of an ant farm.

Then the garbage, this is the worse part. Baguio City is overwhelmed with mountains of rubbish. Litter is everywhere. Garbage bins are overflowing with trash. Could it this be really worse? Yes, it is! Compared to the Baguio City we knew before. Fresh and clean.

We cannot just blame tourist for these problems definitely residents are responsible too. Though it is fair to say that tourist have big contribution especially on holidays and during peak seasons.

With this letter for our tourists who have plans to visit Baguio City, may this serves as a friendly reminder that we people have to be very responsible in preserving Baguio city or any other tourist spots we visit. We take something beautiful from nature in return we must take care of the nature. Isn’t it nice to see that our future children will be able to enjoy or experience the same beautiful place we enjoyed?

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Since traffic is jammed. I recommend for tourist not to bring their car as much as possible. This would greatly reduce the number of cars along the narrow roads of Baguio thus avoiding the change of traffic congestion to happen. Instead use public transport and enjoy travelling Baguio with others 

However, if you can’t take riding a bus and it really is convenient for you to bring a car my suggestion would be yes bring it. But to avoid being stuck and get frustrated in the streets of Baguio because your time has been wasted waiting for the traffic to move, park your car in your hotel and enjoy sightseeing on foot. Walking is the best option you got to roam around Baguio City. You will really appreciate and feel the chills when you are walking. Rather in a car stuck in traffic.

You will save your time going around the Baguio City. Not just your time, you can save gas too! And with that, you were able to help to lessen the traffic and pollution. And at the same time, you will love the city vibes of Baguio.

And the trash, please, Baguio City is not a dump site for garbage. It is a tourist destination for people. Aren’t you disappointed seeing trashes everywhere?

There are garbage bin everywhere, but it is not enough to accommodate all the trashes produced by the thousands of people in Baguio City. Little things make a difference. If you see the bin is overfull, have an initiative to dispose it properly not around or near the full trash bin. Our advice is better take your garbage with you and dispose them at home or in your hotel.

Have you ever imagined walking in a Burnham park or at the streets of Baguio rubbish free? It feels good, right? Why not make it that way?

Let’s discipline ourselves everywhere please do practice it not just inside your homes. Treat not just the Baguio City but in every place you are going to make it clean and green.

These things aren’t too much to ask. Let’s help Baguio City maintain is clean surrounding and relaxing atmosphere. Thank you!

Enjoy your stay in Baguio City – The City of Pines. Merry Christmas! Have a blast!

Contributed by Jean Sams

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Igorot lady cop returns P40,000 lost cash belonging to a senior citizen

Photo Courtesy || Pnp Cordillera

Cordillera - A female officer from the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO-COR) had returned a lost sling bag containing over P40,000 cash to a senior citizen, according to Pnp Cordillera.

According to Chief Inspector Thrislyn Sagpaey, she found the sling bag in front of the Health 101 Restaurant in KM. 6, La Trinidad, Benguet when she was about to enter the place. 

Sagpaey tried her best to locate the owner of the bag but she couldn't find the owner so she opened the bag and found P39,958.75 cash, a pair eyeglasses, two pens and a cellphone which she later used to call the son and told him they can claimed the lost sling bag from her. 

The owner of the bag is George Walsiyen, 78-year old from Betag La Trinidad, Benguet. He said, he lost his sling bag on November 27 when he went out to pay his taxes.

Informed that his sling bag has been found, he went to the Regional Operation Plans Division to claim it. 

He offered a cash reward to Sagpaey who found the bag but the officer refused to accept it. 

Sagpaey said, the feeling of happiness from the statement of the owner saying "Thank You, I hope you will be successful in life" is more valuable.

Delighted over the honest female officer, PRO-COR took pride of Sagpaey and commended her for her deed.

"The act of Sagpa-ey is indeed one of the many Philippine National Police's good deeds that need to be shared and emulated by all. We commend the rightful deed of an honest cop and we hope that said good deed will inspire other personnel to do the same given the situation," PRO-COR Director Rolando Nana said in a statement via Sunstar.

source || Pnp Cordillera

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Rescued NPA fighter in Kiangan, Ifugao reunited with his mother after 5 years of separation

Photo Courtesy || Hukbo

Cordillera - A former NPA fighter was rescued and reunited to her mother at the Battalion Headquarters 54IB, 5ID, PA, Tiger Hill, Sitio, Ibulao, Kiangan, Ifugao last November 30, 2018. 

The mother emotionally embraced and cried after seeing his long lost son. She couldn't believe that she can see her son alive after 5 years of hiding in the mountains. 

"The mother emotionally embraced her long lost son with tears of joy and happiness that she personally touched her son physically, while Ka-Iyong comforted his mother and expressed his feelings by asking sorry for what he has done while emotionally crying," according to Hukbo.com.

Troops of 54th Infantry (Magilas) Battalion (54IB) successfully facilitated the reunion of the mother and son. 

Ms. Analyn, the mother thanked the soldiers for rescuing his son and giving him care during the battle between the soldier and the rebels lately. 

"Ako po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat at taos pusong nagagalak sa mga kasundaluhan ng makita ko na buhay ang aking anak sapagkat ako ay alalang-alala sa nangyaring enkwentro, bagkus siya ay inaruga ng mga sundalo," Analyn said.

Meanwhile Ka-Iyong, comforted her mother saying not to worry because the soldiers didn't harm him instead they took care of him during the encounter. 

"Huwag ka nang mag-alala sapagkat nasa mabuti na akong kalagayan, hindi nila ako sinaktan bagkus ako ay inalagaan ng maayos ng mga sundalo mula noong ako ay nahuli sa lugar ng engkwentro," Ka-Iyong said to his mother. 

Ka-Iyong was very happy that he was rescued and given a second change to change his life and comeback to the society. 

LTC Narciso B Nabulneg Jr, Commander of 54IB said that "the men and women of 54IB were very glad that a former NPA fighter was rescued and reunited to his mother after 5 long years of separation. 

"This would be a wonderful gift filled with joy this Christmas season," Nabulneg said.

Nabulneg also issued a call to NPA members to lay down their arms and go back to the folds of the law and enjoy the Christmas with peace and joy in their hearts and minds and celebrate New Year with a new life and a bright future like Ka-Iyong. 
source || Hukbo.com

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The igorot warriors that bring Philippine MMA to the world's spotlight

Photo Courtesy || Team Lakay Official FB

Cordillera - No one could ever disagree with the words of ONE Championship CEO and chairman Chatri Sidyodthong that Team Lakay is the number one team in the world. Team Lakay's success in the MMA arena is collectively worked out by the Igorot martial artists who dedicated lots of their time and effort in this particular sport. For them, martial arts is a passion they love doing. It's a career that is fulfilling and a sport they care about and are willing to share to others.

Their dedication to the sport has been  rewarded abundantly. This year is a great milestone for them as they took home five world championship belts in different weight classes; four under the banner of ONE championship and one under Brave Combat Federation. 

Eduard "The Landslide Folayang" just recently became ONE Lightweight World Champion last November  23, 2018. 

Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon became the ONE Bantamweight World Champion early in November. 

Joshua Pacio became the ONE Strawweight World Champion in September.

While Geje Eustaquio became the undisputed ONE Flyweight World Champion in June.

Stephen Loman on the other hand, became Brave Bantamweight World Champion. 

Yes, it's five world championship belts that they had taken and brought home to the Philippines. 

These are the Igorot heroes that brought the Philippines Mixed Martial Arts to the world's spotlight. Because of them,  Philippines is now known to have the best mixed martial artist in the world. 

The successful journey of Team Lakay from its humble beginning up to becoming the number one team in the world is a product of teamwork and humility. 

As Eduard Folayang - the newly crowned world lightweight champion said, " We help each other so that we can be able to have these belts." 

To honor the big contribution of the legendary martial arts heroes and the champs of Team Lakay, the city government of Baguio organized the "Parade of Champions" on December 2, 2018.

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