Cordilleran Marathon Queen Christabel Martes among Filipinos who dominated the Laguna Phuket run

Marathon Queen Christabel Martes on the Laguna Phuket Marathon
Photo courtesy: Christabel Martes FB via PNA

Cordillera-  Cordilleran marathon queen Christabel Martes is one among the 12 Filipinos who took the top podium and dominated the Laguna Phuket Marathon Thailand last Sunday.

Christabel Martes from La Trinidad, Benguet finished third with compatriot Christine Hallasgo finishing first in the 21 kilometer run among 1,961 female runners who joined the run.

She run with  lots of distractions and it wasn't a joy run after all. "Grabe sa lusong sa lakas ng ulan at hangin," she told PNA.

Queen marathon Martes who joined the 40-49 years old category run the race with a busted shoelace behind Thai runner Natthaya Thanaronnawat who placed second.

"(There) were too many factors that distracted me in the race, two times that my shoelace was busted, that gave the advantage to the Thai runner to move ahead," Martes said.

" At the last two kilometers, sumakit right heel ko, siguro dahil na rin po sa mas malakas na kayud ko sa kanan sa luwag ng sintas," she added.

The 40 year old queen marathon is a four-time Milo Marathon national finals winner and winner of the SEAG marathon in 2001 and 2005.

The first placer 25 year old Hallasgo from Bukidnon ruled last year's 42nd National Milo Marathon Manila.

Other Filipinos who won the race are Luisa Raterta who finished fourth on the 30-39 age category and Jocelyn Elijaran who took the seventh place in the 40-49 age group.

Meanwhile, Richard Salano took the to podium while Prince Joey Lee made second and Jeorge Andrade finished fourth in the men's 21K run.

Source || PNA

Read More

Sagada Art Space to be launched in Sagada Mountain Province

Sagada Dogo Siwang Art Hub
Photo courtesy: SunStar

Cordillera-  Sagada Mountain Province continue to preserve the Igorot's culture and heritage.

The "Dogo Siwang Pagbuyaan" (Theater) and " Dogo Siwang Utuan ya Panganan" (dining area by the rice fields) will be launched in Barangay Patay, Sagada, Mountain Province by the Cordillera News Agency Foundation Inc. (CNA).

The opening of the two traditional features Dogo Siwang Pagbuyaan and  Dogo Siwang Utuan ya Panganan  is the living testament to the preservation and promotion of Sagada's heritage. 

The Dogo Siwang Pagbuyaan will become an area for cultural performances or demonstrations for a bigger audience as well as a receiving area for all visitors touring the art hub.

While the installation of the Dogo Siwang Utuan ya Panganan is to promote the culinary heritage of Sagada.  The traditional kitchen will have a "dapuan" a traditional stove to showcase the preparation of "tapuey" or rice wine and "etag" a preserved  meat through  "masuukan" or smoking using  "tuk-tuk", a wooden apparatus to hang the meat.

The idea is  to encourage interaction and offer real time experience to visitors through demonstrations of how the etag  and tapuey  are prepared in the traditional kitchen .

To understand more about the origin of these important facets of Sagada's culture is to learn about "Todo id Baguilota", a folklore that Sagada elders believed which was passed on for generations. The elders believed that Kabunyan sent his son Lumawig to bring three gifts to the earth: the "balbeg" spear, "gameg" bolo, and "etag" preserved meat. They believed that Lumawig brought these gifts to earth and presented to the Sagada villagers. The etag was prepared in heaven as Lumawig's food on his way to earth.

Today, natives from Sagada learned to prepare etag in three ways: the "binalag" method or sun drying, the "masuukan" method which is done through smoking either in the  "dapuan" or the "pat-yay" chimney and the "binul-ay" method by  preserving the meat inside a jar.

Sagada Dogo Siwang Art Hub was made possible through a grant from the National Commission for Culture and Arts in partnership with the Daoas family and CNA.

The Art hub is conceptualized as a venue for convergence in tourism, educational and cultural exchange to encourage the promotion and  preservation of arts, culture and heritage not just in Sagada but the whole Cordillera.

Source || SunStar Baguio

Read More

"DREAM FIGHT": Igorot fighter Edward Folayang vs. Former UFC fighter Alvarez set for August

Two former world champions Edward Folayang  and Eddie Alvarez
Photo courtesy: ONEFC.com via Tiebreaker Times

Cordillera- This coming August will be one of the most anticipated dream fight for the two world renowned champions former ONE Lightweight World Champion Edward "Landslide" Folayang against ex-UFC World Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez at the mall of Asia for One Championship:Dawn of Heroes.

The two champions are at a very intriguing crossroad as they are both coming from a loss.  Folayang got choked out by Shinya Aoki while Alvarez got stopped by Timofey Nastyukin last March.

Both champions are determined for a win on this fight because it's their only ticket to be considered a potential opponent for Christian Lee, the reigning One Championship lightweight king. Lee captured the belt from Aoki on a knock out last May.

Ifugao pride Folayang became a national hero when he won several gold medals for the Philippines Wushu Team then shifted to mixed martial arts to be trained by Mark Sangiao of Team Lakay where he debuted in June 2017 capturing Filipino Welterweight Championship. He then made his promotional debut in September 2011 in the main event of One Championship's inaugural show.

Came 2016, Folayang captured ONE Lightweight World Title by defeating the legendary Shinya Aoki. After losing and regaining the title, he defended the belt in a rematch with the Japanese legend but lost on a submission on the first round last March. 

Meanwhile, Alvarez is so far the best Martial artist in history who claimed World Titles in  both America's leading promotions. Now he intends to keep his status being the all time great by capturing the One Lightweight World Championship. But now that he's on a comeback trail after losing on  a knockout against Rusisan Timothy Nastyukhin, he needs to defeat Folayang if he  hopes to restore his chances at the One World Title.

This is indeed a battle of two former world champions which is going to be  a huge test for both fighters.

Read More

Carl James "Wonder Boy" Martin delivers impressive knock out victory against Thai foe

Carl James "Wonder Boy" Martin is still undefeated
Photo courtesy || Alvin S. Go/Rappler

Cordillera- Ifugao Carl James "Wonder Boy" Martin scored a knockout against Thai opponent Yutthichai Wannawong in just one round that raised his record to 13 wins with 12 knockouts in his second televised fight on Sunday at the TV5 studio Novaliches, Quezon City.

From the opening bell, Martin attacked his Thai opponent and caught him with an overhand right to the head after hits to the body. Wannawong managed to get on his feet but struggled to keep his balance till referee Danrex Tapdasan reached the full count for the knockout.

"During my first televised match, I struggled to keep my focus because I wasn't used to the lights and cameras. But now I was more calm. I was not looking for the knockout early," Martin said after the match. "I just wanted to be aggressive to give the fans a good show. My opponent was a lot taller than me but it was not a problem since I'm used to it already."

Lagawe, Ifugao's pride Martin, is the youngest boxing sensation and currently the number 11 in the World Boxing Association's bantamweight rankings but he conceded that he's not yet ready for a world title shot.

"I think I'm still three years away. I really want to have more televised fights so more people can see how I fight and so I'll also discover what I need to improve on," Martin said.

His coach Penalosa once compared him with Manny Pacquiao because of his aggressiveness and left-handed punch but the humble fighter didn't agree with the comparison.

"I've been told that I fight like him but I know there's only one Manny Pacquiao so I wanted to change my fight style. But when I train and when I fight, I keep going back to that style so I think I'll just have to accept it," Martin shared.

Source || ESPN5

Watch his fight here: Video courtesy of Powcast Sports

Read More

Jeordan Dominguez from Bauko, Mt. Province wins GOLD in Freestyle poomsae taekwondo

Photo Courtesy || Jeordan Dominguez

Cordillera - Jeordan Dominguez won Gold medal in the Freestyle Poomsae Individual Men's competition during the 2019 Southeast Asian game on December 4, 2019

[archive]
Cordillera- Igorot Jeordan Dominguez marked history when he won the bronze medal scoring 7.52 points, in the World first Taekwondo Poomsae Grand Prix in Rome, Italy last Friday.

"First ever medal ng Philippines sa World Grand Prix," Dominguez told PNA

The fifth seed Dominguez scored 4.5 and 3.02  which qualified for third place after the world number 2 Lin Yu Han from Taiwan who got 7.88 points for the gold medal and third seed Dhin Khul Nguyen from Vietnam who got 7.7 points to take the second place.

Dominguez is a native of Otucan, Mountain Province but lives in Baguio. He hopes to bring his luck to the next competition in the pair on Sunday along with his compatriot Janna Dominuque Oliva who made 6.54 points to finish fifth on the women's side.

The president of World Taekwondo Federation, Chungwon Choue said that  the Rome Grand Prix included poomsae, a form component of the Korean martial arts, for the first time in his invitation to all national federations including the Philippines where Dominguez qualified.

Only the world's eight players were invited to the tournament in the "Eternal City" in which Dominguez ranked fifth.

"Ranked 1 to 8 ng world ang mag lalaban-laban and I'm so lucky po na na-invite ako. Nasa rank 5 po ako ngayon," said Domuinguez who won a bronze in the team poomsae of the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.

Dominguez thanked the Philippine Taekwondo Association and its president Grand master Sung Chon Hong for letting him have the opportunity to compete in the poomsae competition of the World Grand Prix in his Facebook page. He also extended his  appreciation to all his fellow players who encouraged him to do his best despite sleepless nights, pains, and aches that brought the Philippines' first medal in the World Grand Prix.

Source || PNA

Read More

Apayao PMA graduates encourage fellow youth to follow their footsteps

Photo courtesy: RMC-PIA CAR

Baguio City-  Recently commissioned  Arm Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers from Apayao encourage their fellow youth to follow their footsteps and join the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

"Sa mga kabataan sa aking bayan ng Apayao, nauna na kami sa PMA, at sana kayo naman ang sumunod" Tugaoen said during an interview after the graduation ceremony.

Iapayao's pride Navy Ensign Mike Tugaoen from Luna and 2nd Lieutenant Dexter Tucrang from Kabugao  who are both members of the 261-strong PMA "MABALASIK" class of 2019 graduated on May 26 at the Fort Del Pilar.

Navy Ensign Mike Tugaoen
 Photo courtesy: RMC-PIA CAR

Tugaoen who hails from Turod Luna and will be joining the Philippine Navy had a simple life but with a dream to join the military. His ambition to become a peacekeeper of the country and to help alleviate the  living standard of his family are among his reasons to join the PMA.

"Pangarap ko talagang maging sundalo para makatulong sa bansa at syempre para matulungan ko din ang pamilya ko na umangat sa buhay," Tugaoen said.

His desire to become a soldier of the country's armed forces to defend the people and the country came about with the history of his hometown in Marag Valley which was once called "no man's land".  This was back in the 1970's when the New People's Army (NPA) took the Valley as their stronghold.

He decided to take the PMA entrance exams and passed while on his 3rd year in Criminology  at the University of the Cordilleras (UC) in Baguio City. After four years of Academic and training in the Academy, his dream to become a soldier, a junior military officer has been fulfilled.

Meanwhile, another Iapayao's pride Dexter Tucrang from Publacion, Kabugao also aspired to become a PMA cadet and soldier to ensure peace and order in the country. He was a graduating Engineering student at Saint Louis Tuguegarao back then when he entered the PMA in 2015.

2nd Lieutenant Dexter Tucrang
Photo courtesy: RMC-PIA CAR

Tucrang was a scholar of the Provincial Government of Apayao under the programs initiated by Governor Elias Bulut, Jr. and Congressman Eleanor Begtang and eventually a scholar  at the PMA. Being a scholar made him study hard, exceed expectations and strive to graduate.

"Take the PMA challenge and enter the road less traveled; enter the noblest profession," Tucrang said as an encouragement to the younger generations of Apayao.

He already helped his parents and siblings in their daily lives by becoming a cadet which he would still do now that he became a fully pledged member of the AFP as 2nd Lieutenant of the Philippine Army.

"Super proud ako. Parang nanalo ako ng sweepstakes sa saya ko," Robert Tucrang cried while hugging his son, Dexter, at the graduation grounds.

For Tucrang, he fulfilled his father's dream of having one of his children graduate from the premiere military school in Asia.

Mayor-elect Bensmar Ligwang of Kabugao expressed his joy for having a  PMA cadet graduate hailing from their remote municipality.

"I am very happy we have the first PMA graduate from Kabugao and I even witnessed it personally at the PMA grounds. This  gives pride to our municipality and even to the province of Apayao and we will be giving recognition for this accomplishment," Ligwang said.

The provincial government of Apayao will be recognizing the two new graduates who gave pride to the Iapayaos and served as an inspiration to the youth.

source || PIA

Read More

Honest taxi driver from Sagada returns lost mobile phone to owner

As posted by Marlon Bernard Baso on Facebook

Photo Courtesy || Marlon Bernard Baso

Cordillera - An honest taxi driver Mr. Joseph Inso from Sagada, Mt. Province returned the cellphone which was accidentally dropped from the pocket of my niece at the front seat of the taxi Ganduyan. 

We boarded the taxi at Lubas going to Km 4, La Trinidad, Benguet at about past 9am last Sunday - May 26, 2019 when the cellphone dropped unknowingly from the pocket of my niece. 

It was only when we arrived at the house when she noticed that her cellphone is missing. Frantically, she searched her pockets and her bags but shed didn't find it in either of them. 

So she suspected she might have dropped in the taxi we boarded.

Right away we contacted the missing cellphone and it was ringing but no reply. We also sent text messages but no reply. 

It's only this day June 2, 2019 about a week ago that the taxi driver found the cellphone when a passenger adjusted the seat and the cell phone dropped. 

Then the taxi driver was reminded of the calls and text that we had sent him. So he contacted me this afternoon and I met him at Slaughter Compound, Baguio City. 

He handed me the cell phone of which I am very grateful. 

With permission I asked for his name and took pictures of the taxi. To the taxi driver, thank you very much for your honesty. May God bless you and protect you through out your life. 

Photo Courtesy || Marlon Bernard Baso

Photo courtesy || Marlon Bernard Baso

source || Marlon Bernard Baso

Read More

Fearless and courageous young Igorota girl saves a child from an evil molester

Reposted from Cheryl L. Daytec-Yangot FB post

A few hours  ago, JM Madinno rode a jeepney from La Trinidad to Baguio. She noticed that an adult was molesting a child, a girl, who was leaning on him. Secretly, JM took a video recording. She and her friends went to Burnham Park and saw the same man with same child. His one arm was wrapped around the child whose attention was glued to a phone. Meanwhile, his other hand was moving on the child's privates. JM took pictures. 

JM reported the matter to the police. She also uploaded on the Baguio Sumbungan Forum FB Group the video and pictures she took. Within hours, the child molester, a chess/damath coach, was apprehended by the police. The child is one of the kids he has been coaching. 

If we all try to be JM OLSIM MADINNO who, even if very young, courageously made a stand against evil, we can make the world a safe place for our children and everyone. The government has interagency committees to end sexual exploitation of children. One challenge is how to get everyone to be a JM whose concern went beyond herself to an innocent stranger. 

I have to further commend JM because she took extra care to protect the privacy of the girl-child by blurring the latter's face in the pictures. 

Let us all try to be a JM. She embraces the pain of others as hers. She teachers us not lose hope in humanity. Hers should be the face of that humanity. 

We apologize to JM for the public bashing she got. She should have reported the matter to the police, bashers say. Geez, she did that. JM should not have blurred the victim's face, so people could identify her, bashers say. Ha??

Thankfully, JM is cut above all of us. Even if herself a child, she knew exactly what to do. There were adults in that jeepney. Some of them must have seen what this girl of tender years saw and found not right. But who made a stand? Who stood up?

The police say JM was afraid and confused as to what to do about what she witnessed. But in the end, she rose above her fears and did what no adult in that jeepney she fortuitously took did. That is courage. It is not being fearless: it is rising above one's fear to do the right thing even at great peril to oneself.

source || Cheryl L. Daytec-Yangot FB

Read More

Undefeated Ifugao boxer Carl Jammes “Wonder Boy” Martin to face "dangerous" Indian boxer in June 9

Photo Courtesy || Carl Martin "Wonder Boy" Martin FB.

Cordillera - Ifugao youngest boxing sensation Carl Jammes "Wonder Boy" Martin is set to face "dangerous" undefeated Indian boxer on June 9 at the Midas Hotel and Casino in Pasay City. 

Martin is undefeated with a record of 12 wins with all 11 wins came by way of technical knockout (TKO). 

The 20-year-old Martin's last fight was against the veteran Thai champion Pethchorhae Kokietgym who suffered a TKO in the third round during their encounter on February 16 at the SM City North Edsa. 

The hard-punching Martin is a native of Lagawe, Ifugao and had been training under his new coach and former world champion Gerry Penalosa. 

Martin was recently cited by the Ring Magazine as one of five Filipino prospects under the category "Keep An Eye On" and once compared to senator Manny Pacquao by Penalosa because of his explosiveness and left-handed punch.

"The kid has charisma. He's not hard to talk to. Carl is explosive and left-handed. He reminds me of Manny and has tremendous power."

Penalosa promised to keep testing and training Martin and hopefully will get a world title shot next year.

Martin currently holds the WBO Oriental Youth bantamweight title and the WBA Asia bantamweight championship. 

Read More

19-year-old golfing pride of Cordillera wins amateur golf tilt in Florida

Photo Courtesy || Fil-am Golf Media  via PNA

Cordillera - A young parbuster from La Trinidad, Benguet won the Bridgestone Tournament of Champions held at the Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida on Tuesday.

19-year-old Luigi Paolo Wong who is a member of the Philippine team closed with a three under par for a three-round total of five under 211 to win the games in Florida.

Wong, who saw action in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Malaysia had earlier rounds of two under 70 and even par 72 to take the crown in the event, which he had "accidentally" joined. 

"Paolo was supposed to just visit his coach in Florida for some swing adjustment, but he took advantage of joining this tournament which is played just an hour drive away from his coach's place," his sibling Da Net Wong told told the Philippines News Agency (PNA).

Paolo shot a total of 5 under for three days, a 2-under 70 on the first day, an even par 72 on the second day and three-under 69 on the last day, according to Da Net. 

Wong learned and honed his skills at the Baguio Country Club and John Hay golf course about seven kilometers from his hometown in La Trinidad. 

He is the second Cordilleran to make good in national golf, the first is Baguio-raised Mars Pucay who was the best amateur golfer in the city and later became a top pro. 

Wong, together with Carl Jano Corpus, Sean Jean Ramos and Aidric Chan will be leaving for Japan in two weeks to compete in the Toyota World Junior Championship. 

source || PNA

Read More