Stephen Loman considered 'biggest combat athlete in PH' like Manny Pacquiao - Brave CF President

Photo Courtesy || Brave Combat Federation FB

Cordillera - The president of the Brave Combat Federation has once again praised the Cordilleran warrior Stephen Loman as one of the 'biggest athlete in the Philippines'.

" I really believe that he (Loman) will take the sport of MMA to another level in the Philippines," Shahid said.

"He keeps on proving that he is a deserving champion. He is the biggest combat athlete in the Philippines along with Manny Pacquiao," he added. 

BRAVE President Mohammad Shahid believes Stephen Loman could be the next Manny Pacquiao (03/19/19

After his impressive performance against Elias Bouddegzdame last Friday, Stephen "The Sniper" Loman is no doubt could be the next super star in the combat sport according to Brave President Mohammad Shahid. 

Shahid made the statement after what he saw about Loman's performance and how the Filipino crowd and MMA fans showed total support to the Cordilleran fighter. 

Shahid is more than convinced that Loman is going to be the next combat sport superstar from the Philippines after Manny Pacquiao. 

"What happened tonight, you could not have scripted it better. This is just the beginning for Stephen Loman. I really believed that he will take the sport of MMA to another level in the Philippines. He proved he is a deserving champion." Shahid said. 

"He is the biggest combat athlete in the Philippine along with Manny Pacquiao. I said before and I'll say it again. People say we gave him the opportunity but it's actually the opposite, he gave us the honor of fighting in our organization. I was sad that not a lot of Filipinos knew him but now I'm the happiest man because the country found a new hero, a fighter who proudly represents the country. Today he showed up and performed for them. He mad sure that they will all go home happy." he added. 

Stephen "The Sniper" Loman is a passionate and dedicated fighter who will do all his best to win in every bout. He is an ultimate well-rounded fighter with powerful kicks and incredible hands. He has a lot of variety of weapons that he uses in his arsenal.

Loman is the first and only Brave Combat Federation Bantamweight Champion in the history of the promotion. He is currently on his sixth fight winning streak after defending his title against Frans Mlambo and Felipe Efrain back in 2018. 

His victory over Bouddegzdame last Friday has improved his record to 12 wins against 2 defeats with four knockouts and two submissions.

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Highest elevation of the Philippine Highway System is now found in Tinoc, Ifugao - DPWH

Photo Courtesy ||  Akiangan Manghi Fritzjannie via Cordillera Shoutouts FB

Cordillera - The Department of Public Works and Highways has verified the newly identified highest elevation of the Philippine Highway System according the the Department of Tourism Cordillera (DOT-CAR). 

The highest elevation can now be found in the Municipality of Tinoc, Ifugao along the Kiangan-Tinoc-Bugias Road. 

It has an elevation of 7,968.07 feet or 2,428.667 meters above sea level with the Geo-Location of 16.70168 degrees North Latitude and 120.88265 degrees East Longitude. 

This newly identified highest elevation of the Philippine Highway System has surpassed the Atok, Benguet highest peak of 7,400 feet above sea level. 

Field assessments were conducted along the said new highest elevation in Tinoc in January 2019 by the representatives from the Planning Service of DPWH Head Office, DPWH-CAR and Ifugao 1st DEO. 

The verification of the Tinoc, Ifugao highest elevation by the DPWH would pave way for tourists to visit the place and have a view of the beautiful road and the surrounding scenery. 

Those planning to visit the place can take Halsema highway route if you are coming from Baguio. Then take the Abatan-Loo-Lilit-Bot-an-Mansoyosoy-Lusab road until you reach the road where thick forest can be seen on the side of the road. 

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Senator Villar 'Kadem-ayan' is now adopted daughter of Bauko Mt. Province

Photo Courtesy || PIA

Cordillera - Senator Cynthia Aguilar Villar is now an adopted daughter of Bauko Mountain Province. She was conferred the name "Kadem-ayan", a kankanaey term for a renowned woman who is rich materially, caring, generous and loving. 

Through Resolution no. 2019-045 passed by the Sangguniang Bayan of Bauko, Villar is now officially declared as adopted daughter of the town. 

The resolution highlights Villar for her dedication and generosity in helping the Filipino people through her foundations and programs. 

"She is called the 'Mrs. Hanapbuhay' due to her dedication and generosity to serve the needy through her Villar Foundation, Sagip OFW and other programs. Adopting Senator Cynthia Villar as daughter of Bauko to open stronger ties and linkages from her world to her new home," the resolution reads.

Villar was officially welcomed into the community of Bauko during the celebration of the 13th Begnas di Bauko on March 13.

Villar graciously received the title bestowed to her By Bauko Mayor Abraham Akilit together with Sangguniang Bayan officials and stakeholders. 

Mayor Akilit encouraged his constituents to emulate Villar's principles in doing things. 

"Livelihood program is the brainchild of the senator. Whenever she has the chance to think, she thinks and sees the things as business, the value that we, Baukonians should inherit from her in order to survive." Akilit said. 

source || Sunstar Baguio

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Ifugao figther Stephen Loman delivers powerful knock out to secure victory

Photo Courtesy || MMA Philippines

Cordillera - A big moment for Cordilleran fighter Stephen "The Sniper" Loman as he successfully defended his bantamweight title against Algerian challenger Elias Boudegzdame during the Brave CF's "Storm of Warriors" at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.

Loman of Team Lakay put off an impressive performance during the fight as he masterfully used his striking power to get the victory he deserves.

Loman's superior power shots paid off during the 4th round as he tagged the Algerian with a solid left uppercut that sent him to the canvas. Loman then followed him with ground and pound to which the referee came to halt the fight. 

There was a short moment when Loman was delivering his ground and pound to Boudegzdame and kept looking at the referee to stop the fight. Loman knew how hard his punches were and would not want to put much damage to Boudegzdame. 

Loman dedicated his victory to the Filipino people and to his uncle who just passed away. 

"I'd like to dedicate this fight to all of you," Loman said. 

"I would like to dedicate this fight to my family and teammates. But also to my uncle, who passed away this month. This was for him, definitely", the champ added. 

Meanwhile his teammate Jeremy Pacatiw, advanced his winning record against Mark Alcoba via armbar submission.

Also Loman's teammates Harold Banario and Joman Pa-ac were also able to get a win that night. 

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Young farmer from Buguias earns PHP54,000.00 a month planting cucumbers in greenhouse

Cordillera - Integrating technology, innovation and of course hard work can produce incredible results to the earnings of farmers.

A young farmer from Benguet is earning around Php54,000.00 a month planting cucumbers in a greenhouse. 

Sergio Capsuyan, 29, a farmer from Abatan, Buguias is reaping the benefits of the knowledge he had learned in Japan. 

He was one among the youth members of the Buguias-Japan Agricultural Trainees Association (BJATA). He is also one of the Board of Directors in the said association. 

The association was organized for the members and trainees who acquired the Japanese agricultural and technological skills to apply them in their local farms in Abatan. 

Capsuyan said that he can earn an income of Php54,000.00 in one month or one cycle of weekly harvest by planting at least 8 beds of cucumber. He attributed his bountiful harvest from using a greenhouse  given to him by the Department of Agriculture Cordillera (DA-CAR) High-Value Commercial Crops Development Program. 

He said that it is very productive to grow crops in a greenhouse because he can control and maximize his irrigation including his production inputs. 

Capsuyan also shares how he mitigate insect pests in his crops by applying a method called fertigation. This is by fermenting a sack of chicken dung and 4 liters of Mukosako in a drum of water. This will become a liquid fertilizer that helps in the growth of plants and acts as a repellant to insect pests.

Mukosako is a wood vinegar condensed from a chimney attached to a fire chamber where wood and other combustible materials are burned. 

Fertigation is indeed a very good natural combo of fertilizing the soil and controlling pests not to mention the splendid production volume and quality wise. The raw materials used are organic, inexpensive and harmless to both humans and the environment.

Capsuyan also grows vegetables in the open field but he said that in terms of quality and productivity, greenhouse farming is the best.

Capsuyan was very appreciative to the help extended to him by the BJATA, the DA-CAR and other DA agencies that promote new technologies, new vegetable crops, crop programming and market development to young farmers like himself. 

Very soon, Mr. Capsuyan will receive a certificate as a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) practitioner from the DA. 

source || Robert Domoguen Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/robert.domoguen/posts/2829156093762948

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Two of the best Cordilleran World Bantamweight Champions come from Ifugao

Cordillera - The era of Philippine Mixed Martial Arts has begun and has been taking the center stage of the sports media nowadays. Thanks to all the Filipino fighters who put their time, effort and dedication to the sport. 

The Cordilleran martial artists are now making waves in major sport organizations like ONE Championship and Brave Combat Federation. 

ONE Championship promotion has Kevin Belingon who currently holds the World Bantamweight title while Brave Combat Federation has Stephen Loman who is also holding the same title.

Photo Courtesy || Brave Combat Federation

Both fighters are Cordillerans who happened to be from the same tribe, the Ifugao. They are both training under the stable of Benguet-based gym Team Lakay with multi-awarded coach Mark Sangiao.

Stephen "The Sniper" Loman is a passionate and dedicated fighter who will do all his best to win in every bout. He is an ultimate well-rounded fighter with powerful kicks and incredible hands. He has a lot of variety of weapons that he uses in his arsenal.

Loman is the first and only Brave Combat Federation Bantamweight Champion in the history of the promotion. He is currently on his sixth fight winning streak after defending his title against Frans Mlambo and Felipe Efrain back in 2018. 

This coming March 15, 2019, he will be defending his title against Elias Boudegzdame in the main event of Brave 22: Storm of Warriors at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

This is the first time Stephen will be fighting in front of his countrymen right in his own homeland. 

Meanwhile, his town mate Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon is one of the most exciting Filipino MMA fighter of ONE Championship because of his explosiveness and speed when he fights inside the cage. He is known for his powerful punches that when landed solid to his opponent, would be the end. 

Photo Courtesy || Kevin Belingon FB

Currently, Belingon holds the ONE Championship World Bantamweight title after grabbing it from the Brazilian fighter Bibiano Fernandes after their match in November last year. 

Belingon is set to face Fernandes for the 3rd time in the co-main event of ONE: A New Era on March 31 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. 

The 31-year old Belingon showcased a lot of improvements during his last fight and is now in his seventh winning streak. 

The ONE: A New Era will also see the most anticipated fight in the main-event as ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang will defend his belt in a rematch with the Japanese martial arts icon Shinya Aoki.

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

Cordillera - Lola Erlinda Doyog from Pidlisan, Sagada shows off her mastery of the English language when she talks about her village to tourists.

Lola Doyog also known as Lola 'Englisera' spoke fluent English   when she talked with tourists who interviewed her about her community and their indigenous practices.

The interviewer was amazed to Lola Doyog's fluency in speaking the English language.

"Nosebleed kami habang ini-interview si Lola 'Englisera' Erlinda Doyog, 76 years old, ng Pidlisan tribe sa Sagada, Mountain Province." the interviewer wrote in a Facebook Post.

It was said that, Lola Doyog did not attend any formal education, either elementary or high school. She probably learned  to speak English from the American missionaries who went to their town to spread Christianity during her time. Most elders in Mountain Province can speak English well but cannot speak the Philippines' national language, Filipino.

Asked about what message she has for tourists  visiting their place, Lola Doyog said, they are very much welcome.

"We are very happy for the tourist coming here or any visitors because we can learn some of their dialect... We appreciate those tourist who are coming to the falls..." Lola Doyog said.

READ ALSO: 100 year-old Igorot man credits long life and health with eating camote, banana and squash

Watch Lola Doyog Interview below by FYT

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Bontoc General Hospital (BoGH) now operates 14 dialysis machines for kidney patients

Photo Courtesy || PNA

Cordillera - Bontoc General Hospital (BoGH) has conducted the blessing of a newly constructed rooms and 14 dialysis machines on March 11, 2019. 

Of the fourteen units of these dialysis machines, the 10 units were acquired from the Department of Health (DOH) upon the request of BoGH Chief Doctor Rafael Tannao Kanongkong and Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan. 

With the addition of dialysis machine, BoGH can now accomodate 30 - 40 patients who are undergoing kidney dialysis sessions.

The establishment of dialysis center at the BoGH has spared kidney patients in the province of the physical rigors and the financially draining travels to Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Abatan, Bauko or to Baguio city for their needed dialysis session. 

READ ALSO: Bontoc General hospital receives first-class, state-of-the-art CT SCAN from St. Luke's Medical Center

Meanwhile, hundreds of Indigenous Peoples (IP) in town has received free medical, dental and wellness services by a group composed of women in line with the celebration of National Women's Month. 

The outreach was held in the municipality of Paracelis which lasted until evening, with some of the patients coming from far-flung villages to avail of free health services and supplies. 

Free services includes medical check-up, dental services, blood sugar screening, and wellness. Medicines were also  given free. 

The group called Happy Hearts is composed of high school batch mates from St. Louis Girls High School in Baguio City. 

The group has been doing this kind of medical outreach to far-flung villages for almost 10 years now according to Happy Hearts resident dentist Rowena Aquino Pascual via PNA. 

She said that those activities were done in partnership with other Baguio-based groups and organizations, and even individuals who give their services for free. The event was also supported by The Generics Pharmacy of JG Summit Holdings.

RELATED STORIES: Luis Hora Hospital in Bauko, Mt. Province first Kidney Dialysis Center now Operational

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Cordillera doctors working overseas to put up affordable hospital for Cordillerans

Pixabay

Cordillera - Cordillerans who are seeking for affordable and quality health services may soon find their way in a hospital being built and ran by professional Cordillera doctors. 

La Trinidad Mayor Salda revealed recently that a group of doctors who traced their roots from the different parts of the Cordillera are looking for a suitable land to build an affordable and state-of-the-art hospital for the Cordilleran people. 

He said that Cordillerans are very lucky because  these doctors who are working abroad decided to build the hospital in Cordillera to provide affordable medical services to residents and visitors.

"The people of La Trinidad will be the luckiest Cordillerans because it is in the locality that the doctors want the hospital to be established the soonest considering the increasing need of the residents and visitors for affordable and quality health care services from state-of-the-art health care facilities," Mayor Salda said.

READ ALSO: First Kimchi Factory in the Philippines to be built in Benguet

These  doctors want to render services to their fellow Cordillerans so they want the hospital to be built somewhere in La Trinidad. They also want the hospital facilities to provide affordable and quality health care services to the people. 

According to Salda, the Cordillera doctors want the hospital to be built and become operational the soonest possible time so that people can have alternative options when seeking medical care aside from going to Baguio and Benguet hospitals. 

This proposed hospital will offer cheaper health services to the public compared to the prevailing rates being imposed by the existing hospitals in town. This will benefit Cordillerans who can not afford to pay higher rates.

READ ALSO:  Bontoc General hospital receives first-class, state-of-the-art CT SCAN from St. Luke's Medical Center

source || heraldexpress

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WATCH FULL VIDEO: Treasures of Bontoc featured on GMA's Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

Photo Courtesy || KMJS 

Cordillera - The province of Bontoc, Mt. Province has been featured on the latest episode of GMA's Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) which was aired on Sunday March 10, 2019. 

The team of KMJS did a great job of getting and producing the best and stunning aerial shots of some of the undiscovered places in Bontoc that have high potentials to be turned into tourist destinations. 

One of the places that the team took drone shots is the majestic Maligcong Rice Terraces. The team have to climb Mt. Kopapey as this is the best spot to get a better view of the terraces. 

The video shots also included the unknown to tourists hot spring in Barangay Mainit. Residents in the Barangay are benefiting from the hot spring as they use it for natural sauna aside from cooking eggs. 

Tourism officials of Bontoc are welcoming tourists to visit these places but they encourage them to be responsible tourists by managing their solid waste and following all the reminders and regulations provided by the local government. Those who are planning to visit should register their names in the Barangay. 

You can watch the whole episode below. 

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