Benguet remains the most peaceful province in Cordillera

Cordillera - The province of Benguet remains peaceful with an observed decrease in crime rate of focused crimes except carnapping incidence. 

The average crime rate of the province recorded from January to October 2018 decreased by 34 percent compared to the same period last year, according to Police Provincial Deputy Police Supt. Luisito Meris during a recently concluded Peace and Order Council meeting. 

All of the focused crimes were observed to have been decreased and this is a positive news for the province of Benguet. 

According to Meris, the decrease in crime rate is attributed to the increase of police operation activities, increase in the latching of criminals, and good police community relations. 

He also said that the lowering of crimes may also be attributed to better and improved life of the people thus those crimes committed for survival reasons were minimized.

Governor Cresencio Pacalso is happy to note of the maintained peace and order in the province. This, he said, is a reflection and manifestation of the cooperation of all member agencies on peace keeping efforts which he hopes will continue even during the election period. 

Pacalso said so far, the province has never experienced any election-related violence and still remains the most peaceful. 

Lawyer Elenita Julia Tabangin-Capuyan, Comelec-Benguet Election Supervisor noted that she never encountered any election-related violence in the province. 

She said that the people of Benguet are peaceful and they go door to door campaigning for more personal communication with the electorate.

"Benguet, ever since, has been very peaceful. It's 99-percent peaceful, as there have never been cases of election-related violence in the province," Capuyan said. 

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source || PNA

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Baguio: Philippines' coldest city to undergo rehab: DENR

Cordillera - It seems the government is now serious on putting the summer capital of the country under rehabilitation to save from further damage. 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has announced on Sunday (December 9) that Baguio will be the next ecotourism zone that will undergo rehabilitation. 

It said that the worsening traffic problems and the geo-hazard concerns are the reasons why they are now keen of putting the city on the list of areas they will rehabilitate next. 

According to Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, the plan rehabilitation of Baguio will happen after Boracay, Palawan and Bohol will be finished. 

Antiporda said the government will look into the traffic concerns in the city that gets congested as tourists visits during the holidays. 

Many tourists flock to the summer capital with their cars and that's the cause of the traffic problem. Many cars are travelling along the road but there are no road expansion projects being done.

However, Antipora noted that the road structure of the city is not viable for road expansion. 

"Yan po ay isa rin na kailangan mai-address natin at sad to say, dahil din po sa istruktura ng kaniyang bundok eh hindi natin magawa na ika nga'y magkaroon ng tinatawag ng expansion ng kaniyang mga road network," Antiporda said in an interview via GMA Super Radyo dzBB.

Another concern the government plans to address is air pollution, as many people observed that Baguio no longer has the pine smell just like in the old days. 

The national government will be working with local government unit of Baguio to look into the possibility of adopting e-vehicles which would lessen pollution in the area, according to GMA.

The DENR earlier said that the plan rehabilitation of Baguio do not necessarily mean the city will be closed to people just like what happen in Boracay. 

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Congratulations: Saint Louis University graduates among top 10 NLE 2018 passers

Baguio City - Three graduates from Saint Louis University Baguio have topped the list of the 4,811 passers of the Nurse Licensure Examination (NLE) conducted by the Board of Nursing in different testing centers nationwide.

The Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 4,811 out of 12,033 passed the exam held on November 2018.

Alfonso Astudillo Lumiwes IV shared the number 6 spot with other graduates with a rating of 85.6 percent.

Meanwhile, both Samantha Faye Quezon Natino and Sean Michael Animas Taclobao got the number 7 spot together with 6 others graduates with a rating of 85.40 percent.

Jeniffer Jacob Quirante from the University of Santo Tomas was in the number 1 spot with a rating of 87.80 percent.

The Nurse Licensure Examination were administered by PRC Chairman Glenda S. Arquiza and members Carmelita C. Divinagracia, Gloria B. Arcos, Carfredda P. Dumlao, Florence C. Cawaon and Cora A. Anonuevo.

The PRC advises those successful candidates to register online for the issuance of their Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certification of Registration. Please go to online.prc.gov.ph and follow instruction for initial registration.

Please see the complete list of the top 10 passers below.

  List Source: topnotcher.ph

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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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