High School student from Abra wins 3rd place at 5th World Robot Games in Thailand

Photo Courtesy || Abra Province FB

Cordillera - A young student and robot enthusiast from Abra won 3rd place in the recently concluded 5th World Robot Games on August 28-31, 2019 held in Thailand. 

Meljon "MJ" Reyes Viste, 16, a native of Bangued, Abra brought home medal after winning 3rd place in the Rugby Robot Games category. 

Viste is the first Abreno member of the Philippine Robotics Team who won an award.

The World Robot Games is an international robotics competition held annually that focuses on promoting and encouraging the use of robotics and artificial intelligence at home. 

READ ALSO:  Airport cleaner from Abra returns Php430,000 he found at Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Participating teams are challenged not only against each other in the games but also to encourage them to innovate and create robots according to each category.

Countries that participated in the event included the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Malaysia and more.

READ ALSO: Students in Abra use coconut husk as an alternative emergency headgear during earthquake

The games included Sumo Robot, Line Tracing, Search and Rescue MINI, Robot Rugby, Innovative and many more.

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Igorota Roxanne Baeyens wins 1st Runner-Up at Miss Tourism and Culture Universe

Photo Courtesy || Roxanne Baeyens

Cordillera - Igorota Roxanne Baeyens won the 1st Runner-Up title at the recently concluded 2019 Miss Tourism and Culture Universe held in Yangon, Myanmar on August 31, 2019.

The Igorota-Belgian beauty queen, a native from Besao, Mountain province also bagged the Miss Popularity award. 

Baeyens also made it to the Top 5 of the national costume competition where she showcased a classic Filipino  superheroine Darna attire.

The 22-year old Baeyens was also crowned Face of Tourism Philippines 2019 during the coronation last April 7 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

READ ALSO: Igorota Beauty Queen Baeyens wins Face of Tourism 2019

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James Tellias, the first Igorot who successfully finishes most difficult trail run in France

Photo Courtesy || James Tellias

Cordillera - A Cordilleran ultra-runner had successfully  made it to the finish line at the recently concluded UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc) held in Chamonix, France on August 26 - September 1.

James Tellias, a native marathoner from Sagada, Mountain Province made it to the finish line just an hour and half before the cutoff time. 

Tellias is the 1249th runner who cross the finish line. There are around 2543 runners who joined the race.

The UTMB is a mountain trail-running event participated by elite trail-runners from all over the world. 

Each year, the elite runners find themselves and a race that is widely considered as one of the most difficult races in the world.

Each participant will have to draw from their strength and push their mental and physical limits in order to cross the finishing line.

A homegrown athlete, Tellias was the only representative of the Philippines in the trail event. 

In 2016, 36-year old Tellias became the first Filipino runner to finish and place third in the 100 km race during the Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon International Event held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

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Brave Policemen of Kalinga risk their own lives to save a family lost at NPA ambush point

Photo Courtesy || Balbalan Mps FB

Cordillera - A family composed of eight people (six adults and 2 kids) was rescued by brave policemen and military at a hot ambush point by NPA in Kalinga-Abra road. 

According to a letter composed by Jefferson S. Limpin addressed to Director General Oscar Albayade, he detailed his family's entire trip to Sagada up to the moment they were lost and rescued in the middle of the night. 

Limpin wrote the moment he noticed they were lost following a direction from Google map and WAZE app. His family planned to travel to Vigan after visiting Sagada but ended up lost in the middle of the road by midnight. It is also raining hard, thick fog enveloped the road and there's no one to ask help from. Their car was also stuck on dirt mud and wasn't able to move.

Limpin decided to call 911 and they were told to contact Licuan Police Station which is the nearest station in the area (Kalinga-Abra road). However, an officer told them that they have no available back up for rescue and the area is said to be an ambush point for NPA.

The family was shocked to what they heard and Limpin began praying and tried browsing his smartphone to look for other police stations to call for help. He saw Balbalan Police Station and immediately contacted them.

"I tried searching for their number online and luckily I found one, then I called immediately to avail help, good thing a man with a local voice answered politely, he is in the name of PEMS EDWIN B. GUBIANGAN,... during the phone conversation he verified some details and he couldn't believe that we were up there as there were no vehicles of any kind would risk to go up there knowing that it is too risky driving on the said location, he became suspicious as he also stated that, "WALA PONG SIGNAL DYAN, PAANO KAYO NAKATAWAG?", I just answered him "HINDI KO DIN ALAM SIR!' BASTA KAILANGAN NAMIN ANG TULONG NYO" I advised him that I have my 2 kids onboard then suddenly my 9 month old baby starts to cry, as he heard the cry, his voice suddenly sounded so concern and he started to plan for rescue, the conversation ended up with him saying," SIR MAGTATAWAG LANG PO AKO NG TROPA AT PUPUNTAHAN NAMIN KAYO", Limpin wrote.

Limpin and his family felt reassurance after the conversation and everyone stayed in the car to wait for the help as PEMS Gubiangan told them to wait for an hour. 

"I was so uneasy waiting for the 1 hour period to come, another 10 minutes passed then suddenly a white light coming from behind hits the rear mirror, it shines on my eyes, that moment was the best felling I ever felt that day. So without hesitation I pushed my friend Clint and said "Clint! Baba! Baba! May ilaw ng sasakyan" he was looking at me with a scared look on his face, saying what if its not the police? But then I asked him to just go down! Then he went down and raised his arms waving, showing he is like surrendering to the authority, then I shortly followed him. A man went down, a silhouette of a man uniformed carrying an M16 riffle holding it tightly as if he is ready to fire anytime if things get bad, but when we're about a foot away, tears fell down my eyes and can't help myself and I hugged him tight so tight while saying " Sir tulungan niyo po kame! Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyo!!! Andito po ang mga anak ko! The BRAVE MAN AND A GOOD SOUL IS PEMS EDWIN B. GUBIANGAN, without any hesitations, he and other officers went straight to the car and started to evacuate my family and transferred them to their rescue mobile", Limpin added.

Rescue officers of Balbalan Police station also worked their way to push the car to the other side of the road using some pulling ropes. While doing so, a light from a motorbike was coming towards them with two men wearing ponchos and armed with M16 riffle. They stopped and identified themselves as army officers. They said they are responding to a call from someone. The two army officers helped the police in pulling the car out of the water. The army also escorted the family to the cemented road going to Vigan. 

Limpin and his family survived the night safely with the help of the brave policemen and army.

"Kulang and salitang salamat para pasalamatan po kayo, utang namin ang buhay namin sainyo" Limpin said to the rescuers before they left. 

They also took photos with the police and army officers as a remembrance to the brave souls who are willing to sacrifice their own lives just to help and stand on what they've sworn to the beloved country.

Limpin ended his letter with the names of the officers namely, PEMS Edwin B. Gubiangan, PCMS Marion A. Gacayan, PCpl Larry Puguon, PCpl Leo Marrero and under the direct supervision of PCPT. George A. Acob. The two army officers, Sgt. Del Rosario and Pepsi Belaquio.

He also wrote, "TO SERVE AND PROTECT". THE BRAVE POLICEMEN OF BALBALASANG, BALBALAN are equipped and ready at all times.

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Igorot Belingon and Kingad rank among World's Best Pound-for-Pound fighters

Photo Courtesy || Team Lakay FB

Cordillera - Sport-ratings.com website ranked two Cordillerans among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the list of the world's top mixed martial artists. The list consists of the top 100 athletes in their respective weight classes.

Included in the top 100 athletes are ONE's flyweight champion Danny "King" Kingad, and ONE's bantamweight champion Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon.

The 23-year old Kingad is listed at the 4th spot in the flyweight division and ranked 60th among the best pound-for-pound fighters when he defeated Reece McLaren by split decision last August 2 at ONE: Dawn of Heroes. 

Kingad is scheduled to fight number one pound-for-pound champion Demetrious Johnson on October 13 in Tokyo, Japan.

Meanwhile, Ifugao native Kevin Belingon is ranked 5th among the best fighters in the bantamweight division and listed in the 37th place of the best pound-for-pound fighters.

The 31-year-old Belingon claimed his standing spot in the list by riding a 6-fight winning streak, brought by wonderful performances. 

Belingon is also set to face Bibiano Fernandes who ranked 3rd in the bantamweight division for the fourth time in Tokyo, Japan.

The two faced each other for the 3rd time last March 2019 but ended up in a disqualification when Belingon delivered illegal blows to the back of the head of Fernandes. 

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Unique wedding in Benguet goes viral for using vegetable as decor

Photo Courtesy || Claver and Fleann Molot

Cordillera - A couple in Benguet had a unique decoration plan on their wedding day. Instead of the usual bouquet of flowers, they used readily available vegetable to decorate their wedding venue.

When Claver and Flean Molot finally tied the knot at the San Jose Parish Church in La Trinidad, a photo of their wedding ceremony was captured and became viral online.

Netizens loved the decorations and began sharing the photo online. It also became a news clip on the Philippines' largest television network.

The decoration of the wedding is really unique. Aside from the usual flowers, the couple decided to make the vegetables as their main wedding decor. The vegetables which include huge heads of cabbage and Chinese pechay were laid as decor on their wedding altar. Broccoli and cauliflower were also used as decorations for the aisle.

According to the couple, it was their aunt's idea to incorporate vegetables on their wedding. 

After the wedding, the couple decided to give it to  friends and relatives who attended their wedding ceremony.

Benguet province is known to be the main supplier of vegetables in the country. It supplies 80% of the entire vegetables being consumed by Filipinos. 

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Two Cordillerans recognized for their exceptional acts of honesty

Photo Courtesy || La Trinidad FB / Abrenean.com

Cordillera - Alice Baguitan, a vegetable vendor and Sixto Brilliante Jr, an airport cleaner were recognized for their exceptional acts of honesty. 

37-year old Baguitan, a native or Bauko, Mountain Province and residing in Pico, La Trinidad returned a bag full of cash worth Php2.7 million she found inside a restaurant in Laog City, Ilocos Norte. 

The local government of La Trinidad under the leadership of Mayor Romeo Salda has awarded a certificate of recognition and some gifts to Mrs. Baguitan for her exemplary display of extraordinary acts of honesty.

The Sangguniang Bayan also filed a resolution commending her for serving as inspiration and pride to the whole of La Trinidad community. 

"The extraordinary acts of honesty by Alice Baguitan is a true act of Cordilleran and is worthy of emulating and be proud off," Mayor Salda said.

Xixto Brilliante Jr, who originally from the province of Abra was also recognized for returning a bag containing Php430,000 cash and an iPad to a Turkish passenger on August 10, 2019.

Manila International Airport Authority manager Ed Monreal recognized and admired Mr. Brillante for his honesty. 

"Mr. Brillante could have easily kept the bag and favorably benefited from what's inside it, but he chose to surrender it. I admire him for his integrity. Hearing stories like this makes us Filipinos proud," Monreal said.

He encourage other airport employees to emulate Mr. Brillante and encouraged them to always practice the virtue of honesty in any situation that may call for it.

Doing good should never be an option. It must be a way of life for all of us. Monreal added.

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Baguio City to hold first-ever Mindanao Fruit Festival on August 25

Photo Courtesy || Baguio Tourism Office

Cordillera - Durian lovers may not need to travel to the south of the country just to buy this fresh king of fruit as truckloads of fresh fruits from Mindanao will be on sale on August 25, 2019 (Sunday) along Session Road.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said in a press conference that truckloads of fresh fruits from Mindanao will be sold during the closure of Session Road on Sunday.

Buyers can take the chance to buy fresh fruits at a much cheaper price in designated areas along Session Road from local vendors who were tapped to display and sell fruits from Mindanao.

The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will lead the fruit festival in Baguio City on August 24-25 featuring products of Mindanaoan farmers. 

Former DA Sec. and now MinDA Secretary said the festival seeks to help Mindanaoan fruits farmer sell their produce as well as create an avenue for Baguio local vendors to form business ventures with them. 

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Job Fair: TESDA-CAR to hold 'World Cafe of Opportunities' on August 25

Cordillera - Tech-Voc graduates in the Cordillera Administrative region and nearby municipalities may now start preparing their resumes and heed up to Baguio City to participate in the nationwide Job Fair dubbed 'World Cafe of Opportunities' (WCO) to be held by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-Cordillera on 25 August (Sunday). 

The WCO is an annual job fair that aims to connect government and private agencies to Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) graduates which is also a highlight of the National Tech-Voc Day celebrated every 25th of August.

"Consistent to our advocacy "TESDA Abot Lahat", TESDA shall continue to implement Job Linkaging and Networking Services (JoLiNS). Throught JoLiNS, TVET graduates will be linked to possible employment opportunities and one of it's strategies is the conduct of WCO", TESDA-CAR OIC Regional Director Manuel B. Wong said via PNA.

Events Management Committee Chairperson Joel Piloten explained that the WCO will serve as a ' one-stop-shop" not only for TVET graduates/alumni, but also entrepreneurs, companies/industries with job vacancies, and returning overseas Filipino workers and their qualified beneficiaries where national government agencies, private companies, tech-voc institutions and financing institutions converge in strategic locations to offer all possible employment, training and financing opportunities and facilitate higher job skill matching.

Among the opportunities at the event are job vacancies in private companies, entrepreneurship orientation, financial opportunities and employability skills orientation.

According to Piloten, WCO targets to serve at least 1,000 certified TVET graduates/alumni with 15 percent hired-on-the-spot.

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Pinoy referee from Baguio among chosen to officiate World Cup

Photo Courtesy || Bong Pascual Facebook Page

Cordillera - A Baguio-pride Pinoy referee Ferdinand (Bong) Pascual has been chosen as part of the 56-man crew from 39 countries who were tasked as arbiters in the upcoming 18th FIBA World Cup in China on August 31 to September 19, 2019. 

A FIBA veteran, Pascual is the only Filipino in the pool of referees in World Championships. 

This will be the 2nd time Pascual was assigned as referee in the World Cup after he was chosen back in Spain in 2014. Pascual is the second Filipino referee to work in the Olympics after Medardo Felipe in 1984.

The 49-year old Pascual was one of two Southeast Asians assigned by FIBA secretary-general Andreas Zagklis together with fellow Southeast Asian Harja Jaladri of Indonesia. 

Pascual will be heading to Beijing on August 31st to attend the five-day Officiating Team Pre-Competition Camp, held in Beijing to finalize their preparation prior to the commencement of the FIBA Basketball World Cup on August 31 according to a statement. 

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