BSU graduate tops September 2019 Librarian Licensure Exam

Cordillera - A graduate of Benguet State University (BSU) in La Trinidad topped the list of passers who took the September 2019 librarian board exam on Monday by the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC). 

Daniel Soriano Balbin Jr., a graduate of the said university topped the licensure exam garnering a rating of 89.75 percent.

From the University of Sto. Tomas, Allyna Macabulos Bermudez placed the second with a rating of 89.30 percent followed by Saint Louis University graduate Geraldine Danason Hernandez with a rating of 89.05 percent.

At least 565 out of 1,024 passed the Librarian Licensure Examination given early this month, announced by PRC.

The examination was conducted in different cities of the country including Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Tacloban and Tuguegarao.

Other graduates on the top ten list are as follows:

Top 4 - Ryan Ace Orino Gamutan (88.05) - University of Mindanao-Davao City

Top 5 - Gerard Paul Sto Domingo Pascual (88.85) - University of the Philippines-Diliman

Top 6 - Samuel Macalanda Pepito (88.80) - University of the Philippines-Diliman

Top 6 - Bea Marie Paras Quijano (88.80) - Baliuag University (Baliuag College)

Top 7 - Princess Anne Diminsil Balajadia (88.70) - University of the Philippines-Diliman

Top 7 - Fe Karen Musni Lamorena (88.70) - University of the Philippines-Diliman

Top 8 - Lady Charm Pascua Balisnomo (88.40) - University of the Philippines-Diliman

Top 9 - Jasmine Guhit Martinez (88.30) - University of the Philippines-Diliman

Top 10 - Kryztalhyn Mae Javillonar Ramos (88.15) - University of the Philippines.

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Filipino actress Marian Rivera-Dantes wearing attire using Cordilleran Indigenous fabric

Photo Courtesy || Marian Rivera - Dantes twitter

Filipina actress Marian Rivera - Dantes has posted in her Instagram account photos of her in a dress made with Cordillera Indigenous Fabric.

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PH famous Teen Star Daniel Padilla wears Igorot handwoven fabric

Photo Courtesy || KathNiel KDLovies

Cordillera - It can not be denied that Cordillera's Handwoven products called 'inabel' are gaining popularity among top celebrities in the country. 

Last night, Abs Cbn stars showcased their best outfit on the red carpet. 

Favorite TV love team Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernado walked the red carpet with Daniel wearing his chosen Sagada fabric suit while Kathryn in her fuchsia gown.

It was a head turning for the couple with their style. Fans gave an extensive look at their favorite stars.

Photo Courtesy || Abs Cbn

People of the Cordillera are so appreciative on Daniel's selection of the Igorot fabric as it boosts the enthusiasm of the weaver to produce more. 

This will  promote the Cordilleran handwoven products not only in the Philippines but also worldwide. 

Handwoven products from Cordillera are known for their quality as these are made from natural materials and produced by local weavers who had gained expertise over many years. 

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Young student from Ifugao awarded Most Outstanding Delegate in UN conference event

Photo Courtesy || Michah Dayag Salvador FB

Cordillera - When a young accountancy student was awarded the most outstanding delegate in a recently concluded Asia Youth International Model United Nations 2019 (AYIMUN) event held at Putrajaya International Convention Center in Malaysia, she was very happy and honored to had the award. 

The student was Michach Dayag Salvador, a student of Ifugao State University in Lagawe. 

Salvador, who hails from Kiangan was one of the 98 lucky delegates who was selected among 35214 applicants.

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

Salvador said in a local TV interview that the AYIMUN conference helped her gain insights about the world and enable her to acquire knowledge that she can apply in her local community to help the youth .

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

Asia Youth International Model United Nations (AYIMUN) is an annual conference where young leaders from all over the world sit together in an assembly called Meeting Session and each of them will act as diplomats of the country they were assigned to. 

Photo Courtesy || Michah Dayag Salvador

Salvador was assigned to become the diplomat of Denmark and given the Myanmar Rohingya Crisis to tackle. 

READ ALSO: The Banaue Rice Terraces was built by the Ifugaos of Cordillera, NOT by the Chinese

AYIMUN 2019 with a theme Human Security in a Globalized World was participated by 1518 delegates from 85 countries from all over the world. 

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Cordillera Chamber Singers wins 2 golds in Indonesia's Penabur International Choir Festival 2019

Photo Courtesy || PICF

Cordillera - The Cordillerans once again proved to be the champion in a singing competition after taking home 2 gold medals at a recently concluded choir competition held this week in Indonesia. 

According to Jayson Manuel L Osong, the Cordillera Chamber Singers (CSS) from the Cordillera flaunted their singing prowess in an astounding performance that earns them two gold medals out of the nods of the fastidious judges in the two competition categories of the Penabur International Choir Festival (PICF) held last September 3 - 7 in Indonesia.

CSS amasses gold medal and emerges the category champion among other hopefuls in the Folklore Category while it clinches another gold medal in the Mixed Chamber Category. 

"It paid off our sacrifices," said CSS president Bethany Magno, adding: "Gathering the members to rehearsals, financial strains and booking flight a day before the contest have hurdled the group."

Photo Courtesy || Jayson Manuel L Osong FB

PICF is a singing competition that highlights the growing phenomenon with the hope to foster and enrich both traditional and contemporary choral music to the international community.

READ ALSO: Cordillera choral group wins gold medal in the 8th Bali International Choir Festival

It is held once in two years participated by 152 different choir groups and with over 3,000 individuals from around the world.

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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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