All The WOW News in Cordillera

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

50th Malasakit Center opens at the Baguio General Hospital to serve the public

Cordillera - The 50th Malasakit Center at the Baguio General Hospital is now open to serve the public, especially the poor and indigent patients who are in need of medical assistance from the government. 


Senator Christopher 'Bong' Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, was the guest of honor during the launching of the Malasakit Center on Thursday (Nov 7), together with BGHMC Medical Chief Dr. Ricardo Runez Jr., Baguio Congressman Mark O. Go, Mayor Benjamin Magalong and other government officials.


The Malasakit center is a one-stop shop where patients in need of medical assistance will only need to sign a single form in order to avail of the program. 

The center will serve as an office that hosts different government agencies that provide medical and financial assistance such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. 

Funding of the Malasakit Center for medical and financial assistance would come from the budget of concerned agencies with programs for the poor and indigents patients.

Sen. 'Bong' Go reminded that the Malasakit Center program was conceived to improve the easy and quick access of many Filipinos to government healthcare services. 

The senator plans to put up Malasakit Centers in all 72 DOH-retained hospitals in the country.

On Wednesday (Nov 6), the Senate passed on second reading the measure of institutionalizing the Malasakit Center. 


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Monday, November 4, 2019

Sagada Coffee wins international award for the second time in Milan, Italy

Photo Courtesy || SGD Coffee FB
Cordillera - The SGD Coffee grown in Northern Sagada and the Mirabueno Coffee of Bukidnon won top awards at the 5th International Contest of Coffees Roasted in Milan on October 21, 2019. 

The two Philippine coffee firms bested 700 other coffee producers from 25 countries for the Gourmet and Bronze prizes in different categories. 

The award has proved that coffee from the Philippines are top-notched in terms of quality and are one of the finest in the world.

"We hope that with this recognition, we are able to highlight Philippines' coffee and the great work of Filipino coffee farmers like those behind Mirabueno Coffee and SGD Coffee, growing one of the finest coffees in the world to be true artisans of the Philippines' coffee industry," CHP official Richard Watanabe said.

The award was given by the Agency pour la Valorisation des Produits Agricoles (AVPA) to Chargé d'Affaires Mersole J. Mellejor of the Philippine Consul General's Office in Milan. 

AVPA is a Paris-based "non-governmental, non-profit organization, mainly composed of producers and taste enthusiasts. The association's goal is to enhance the value of agricultural products and to recognize the excellence of some producers, to often forgotten in the midst of mass marketing."

READ ALSO: Sagada organic coffee wins international award in Paris

This marks the second time for the Philippine coffee to bagged top awards in the coffee contest since Bana's Coffee from Sagada won the Gourmet prize in 2017. 

Coffee Heritage Project officer Butch Acop said the coffee competition is a way for them to showcase their work in the development of land through sustainable and ecological integration of coffee. 

"The coffee competition helps us showcase the broader work we do to reforest land with sustainable and ecological integration of coffee, the high returns and quality of life offered to coffee growers, and our endless pursuit of the next frontiers in coffee roasting and taste," Acop said.

READ ALSO:  Where to find the "best bread in the Philippines"? Answer: In SAGADA

The Department of Trade and Industry said Sagada Coffee and Mirabueno Coffee are part of The Coffee Heritage Project (TCHP) in the Philippines which takes 'quality-focused approaches in coffee production."

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Tappiya Waterfalls in Ifugao is one of the world's best waterfalls - The Guardian

Photo Courtesy || theguardian.com
Cordillera - The website Theguardian.com listed Tappiya Falls in the Cordillera region as one of the 20 Best Waterfalls in the World. 

The Guardian's Readers's Travel Tips gathers and compiles some of the best travel destinations from around the world from travelers who have personally visited and experienced these places.

One the best travel destination they have listed is the Tappiya Falls.

World travelers include Tappiya falls to be among the best together with the Aguafraggia Falls in Italy, the Gawa waterfalls in Austria, Swartiffos in Iceland, Baatara Gorge waterfall in Lebanon, the Gocta waterfall in Peru, the Snoqualimie in the U.S., the Nachi waterfall in Japan and others.

Tappiya falls is located in the small village of Batad in the province of Ifugao. 

READ ALSO: Sagada Coffee wins international award for the second time in Milan, Italy

Tourists who are looking for additional natural attraction to visit in Batad, apart from the stunning rice terraces can visit this waterfall. 

Traveler and Guardian contributor Laurence Britton wrote this description of the Tappiya Falls.

"In a valley of the Cordillera mountains, the journey to the Tappiya Falls involves making your way to the small village of Batad, among the Ifugao rice terraces, a Unesco world heritage site (390km north of Manila). Hiring a local guide costs between £8 - £16 to take you on a trek along the luscious green terraces carving along mountains before a 30-minute descent to the falls. Here, the water plummets 30 metres to a huge, refreshing pool to swim in and wash off the sweat from the hike. Tappiya's beauty isn't solely in the fall (stunning as they are), but the journey to get there: to the remote village, the phenomenal terraces, and the tricky descent." - Laurence Britton via theguardian.com

The waterfall can be visited throughout the year. It will take around 2 to 3 hours trek from Batad center down to the falls which can be found at the bottom of the terraces. 

Tourists can swim, rest for a while and take some photos and selfies with the beautiful scenery of the waterfall.
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Sunday, November 3, 2019

Vanjoss Bayaban wins 'The Voice Kids Philippines' season 4

Photo Courtesy || The Voice Kids Philippines
Cordillera - Vanjoss Bayaban was named the grand champion of the show 'The Voice Kids Philippines season 4 on Sunday (November 3).

Bayaban got an overall 62.11 percent votes, followed by Carmelle Collado with 24.74 percent and Cyd Pangca with 13.15 percent. 

Vanjoss, a young boy from Pangasinan, who is part of Sarah Geronimo's team edged the competition with his rendition of "You Raised Me Up. 

Coach Leah Salonga praised his performance and told Vanjoss how smart he was to follow her advice.

"Vanjoss, mula sa blind audition mo ipinakita mo talaga 'yung power, and tonight, full power ka talaga. Ang masasabi ko lang, this is for your mom, sulit ang pag-uwi mo," Coach Leah said. 

Vanjoss' mom is an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and his dad is a self-employed welder. Vanjoss learned to sing since he was 4 years old, with his father being his mentor. 

"Working with Vanjos has been a humbling and inspiring experience for me.Napakahusay pero marunong makinig sa mga payo," Leah added.

"Working with Vanjoss has been a humbling and inspiring experience for me. Napakahusay pero marunong makinig sa mga payo," she added.

Before the grand final, Vanjoss has asked his fans to support him. He also called his fans from Kalinga where his grandfather from to vote for him.


Vanjoss will take home Php2 million pesos, a house and lot, and a recording contract according to Abs Cbn.

He will take home P2 million, a house and lot, and a recording contract, among others.
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Cordilleran wushu star Daniel Parantac to represent Philippines in SEAG 2019

Photo Courtesy || Philippines Sportswriter Association FB
Cordillera - Philippines' wushu star Daniel Parantac will be leading the team of Filipino Wushu-Taulo practioners in the upcoming 30th South East Asian Games (SEAG) 2019 in November 30.

The two-time SEA games gold medalist Parantac has set aside his plan of retirement to join the SEAG 2019 for the last time. 

"Yes that is my last goal. That's my year of retiring," Parantac said during his 2018 Asia Games taijijian performance.

Parantac is hoping that Philippines will get the Gold and want his team to take advantage of the opportunity to train at the venue where the competition will be held.

"If we can train in the actual venue at least two weeks before the competition, it will be good for us. Actually, the earlier, the better," Parantac said during the Philippine Sportwriters Association (PSA) on October 29 at the Amelie Hotel in Manila.

The Wushu game is scheduled to be held from December 1 to 3 at the Philippines International Convention Center (PICC). 

"If we train in the venue two or three days before the competition, that's enough. We need to get used to the surface," he added. 

Parantac has won in various international wushu competitions. He won one gold medal and one silver medal in the 2013 South East Asia Games in Napiyadaw, Myanmar and won gold and two silver medals in the 2015 SEAG held in Singapore. 

Parantac is determined to give all his best to repeat his podium finishes in the past. 

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Saturday, November 2, 2019

Igorota from Mt.Province is World of Difference 2019 Awardee in Sydney, Australia

Photo Courtesy || Inabe Livelihood Group, Inc
Cordillera - Due to her initiative and outstanding work in the empowerment and advancement of women in her community, Zefora Bastian-Bosongan is one of the awardees of this year's World of Difference Award from the International Alliance for Women(TIAW) on October 18.

The World of Difference award is a recognition and appreciation to the world's outstanding corporative initiatives for women's economic empowerment.

Bosongan is the only Filipino among the 14 recipients from various countries who have been awarded for their important work in their own community. 

Bosongan is the founder and president of Inabe Livelihood Group, Inc located in Angcabat, Guinzadan Central, Bauko, Mountain Province. 

The group was established to create job opportunities to women in the countryside by giving them training and practice how to weave traditional and modified hand-woven fabrics. 

Photo Courtesy || Inabe Livelihood Group
The final products includes fashion dresses, bags, home accessories and souvenir items that are all made with traditional Cordilleran hand-woven fabrics. 

The Inabe Livelihood Group was pleased with the recognition Bosongan received. 

According to the group, Bosongan had works in some projects runway for OFWs women in Hongkong and in the locality with Civic Groups. 

She also works in the employment of less fortunate women and delivered talks internationally for the advancement of women. 

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Tuesday, October 29, 2019

"Baguio City still remains to be very peaceful" - BCPO City Director PCOL Allen Rae Co


Cordillera - The Baguio City Police Director PCOL Allen Rae F. Co on Tuesday has announced during a panel interview at the city hall that Baguio city still remains to be peaceful.

"Basically, Baguio City remains to be very peaceful even compared as to last year" PCol. Co said. 

He said that the index crime dropped by 31 incidents compared to last October in the previous year with 427 incidents down to 396 this year. 

He added that the non-index crime or violations of special laws was reduced to 1,083 incidents from 2,500 incidents recorded from last year. 

GOOD NEWS: WATCH: Amazing Baguio featured on CNN Philippines' Building Bridges TV program

Co accredited the continuous fall of crime rate in the city due to the projects and program created and implemented by BCPO, as well as the cooperation and help by the people of Baguio.

Watch this 4K video of Baguio City by Wind Walk Travel Videos

"This is of course born out by the projects and programs po na ginagawa namin but also yun pong cooperation at tulong po na ating mga mamayan" Pcol. Co said.

READ ALSO:  Philippine Airlines (PAL) purchased 5 planes for domestic flight to Loakan airport

"I am again calling on you. Sana tuloy-tuloy po ang pagbigay niyo ng trust sa amin at ito naman po at susuklian namin ng mas maganda, mas progresibo, at mas peaceful na ciudad ng Baguio," he added.

GOOD NEWS: Baguio City: Ranked 4th Most Improved City in the Philippines in 2019


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Philippine Airlines (PAL) purchased 5 planes for domestic flight to Loakan airport

Photo Courtesy || Wikipedia
Cordillera - Tourists who want to visit Baguio by plane do not wait any longer, as the city is working hard to open the Loakan airport for domestic flights.

The time has come for the local government to move forward with the plan of developing and reopening the Loakan Airport. 


This would allow easier way for tourist to get to the summer capital of the Philippines.

In fact, none other than Mayor Benjamin Magalong stated that Philippine flag carrier PAL Express has already bought five aircraft that could fly to and from Loakan Airport. 

The mayor also added that even Cebu Pacific had also informed him of their plan to open domestic flights to Loakan.
The Loakan Airport is classified as class 2 principal airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and has been closed to commercial flights since 2009. 

The airport only serves chartered and military flights as of this moment.

READ ALSO: San Miguel Corp. President Ramon Ang offered to build elevated highway around Baguio City

Earlier, the city government tapped the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to shell out P160 Million for the takeover and redevelopment of the airport.
The funds will be used to renovate and upgrade the airport into "an all weather commercial airport".

With the plan to open the airport for domestic flights, there are significant benefits for both business in the region and to increase the number of tourist arrivals in the Cordillera.

READ ALSO: WATCH: Amazing Baguio featured on CNN Philippines' Building Bridges TV program

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Monday, October 28, 2019

WATCH: Amazing Baguio featured on CNN Philippines' Building Bridges TV program

Cordillera - Watch CNN Philippines feature on Building Bridges. This week program features the summer capital of the country - Baguio. 


This city nestled up in the mountains of Benguet has been a popular destination for anyone who wants to have a real chill moments and relaxation. 

With the rapid development of road networks and highways that connect central Philippines to the north, local and international tourists find it more convenient to travel. The influx of tourists to the city is attributable to the opening of TPLEX.

READ ALSO: Philippine Airlines (PAL) purchased 5 planes for domestic flight to Loakan airport

Baguio City Supervising Tourism Operation Officer Alec Mapalo said TPLEX reduce the travel time from Manila to Baguio, allowing tourists to reach the city as fast as 4 hours.

CNN Philippines features the famous tourists destination like Burnham Park, Wright Park, Mines View Park and Tam-awan Village. 

It also introduces Baguio's famous pasalubong such as Ube jam, peanut brittle, strawberry jam, Kalinga coffee and many more.

Video Courtesy || CNN Philippines YT Channel
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Saturday, October 26, 2019

Philippines' top song artists Leah Salonga and Sarah Geronimo wear Ifugao fabric in The Voice Kids

Photo Courtesy || The Voice Kids Philippines
Cordillera - The Cordilleran 'inabel' is now trending as a popular attire among top celebrities in the Philippines. 

This week's episode of "The Voice Kids Philippines", the two judges coach Leah Salonga and coach Sarah Geronimo are wearing the Ifugao inabel from Kiangan Ifugao. 

Many Cordillerans are so appreciative that celebrities are starting to notice how beautiful Cordilleran inabels are. 

Weavers from the Cordillera  now have more reasons to give value to the local weaving industry. 

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


Photo Courtesy || The Voice Kids Philippines

Photo Courtesy || The Voice Kids Philippines

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Igorot actor Jeyrick Sigmaton won Best Actor in International Film Festival Manhattan 2021

Photo Courtesy || Jeyrick Sigmaton Cordillera - Igorot actor Jeyrick "Carrotman" Sigmaton won the Best Actor for the Int...