Sagada mobilizes "Oplan SAYOTE" to help North Cotabato earthquake victims

Photo Courtesy || Mt.Province DRRM Office

Cordillera - As part of the efforts to extend assistance to the earthquake victims in Mindanao, the local government unit of Sagada mobilizes "Oplan Sayote" to collect sayote vegetables from farmers and donors.

A truck traveled around the town of Sagada to pick up Sayote from farmers and donors. They have collected about 25 large sacks of Sayote to be transported to the Department of Agriculture Cordillera office and will be delivered later on to Cotabato.

Photo Courtesy || Mt.Province DRRM Office

Photo Courtesy || Mt.Province DRRM Office

In a post from Sagada muncipality Facebook page, it says "Sagada is blessed with the abundance of Sayote. For the victims of Earthquakes in Cotabato, Sagada sends its abundance to the victims of this calamity. We pray for your safety. 

On October 29, North Cotabato was rocked by a 6.5 magnitude earthquakes that killed more than a dozen people and severely damaged buildings and houses and left people abandoned their homes for safety.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, an estimated 12,000 people were evacuated to government shelters because their homes have been destroyed and some of them are afraid to return. 

The initial estimated damage has amounted to P4.55 million, particularly in North Cotabato.

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Watch: Team Lakay's Joshua Pacio Chokes Rene Catalan in Round Two

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - Igorot mixed martial arts Joshua "The Passion" Pacio delivered another stunning performance to defeat Rene Catalan by submission to retain the ONE Strawweight World Title. 

In the fully sold out Mall of Asia, Pacio successfully defended his strawweight title against the challenger Catalan via 2nd round arm-triangle choke in the main event of ONE: Master of Fate on Friday night. 

The youngest fighter of Team Lakay seemed to be the favorite by his home town crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena as he came stronger defending his World Champion title. 

But Catalan proved that can defeat the younger Pacio as he attempted leg submission in the first round.

Pacio, however, manage to get out of the attempt by rolling over the canvass until Catalan loses grip.

In the second round, Pacio decided to take the fight to the ground, where he was able to pin down Catalan to full mount and maneuvered an arm-triangle choke that forces Catalan to tap out. 

No one expected Pacio to be able to submit Catalan via arm-triangle choke.

Booking.com

It was a beautiful and stunning way for Pacio to retain his world title in front of his fans. 

Meanwhile, Filipino hero Eduard "The Landslide" Folayang gets the unanimous decision over Amarsanaa Tsogookhu after an unintentional class of heads prompts a technical decision.

Congratulations!

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Igorot Geje Eustaquio knocks out Tauro with a beautiful spinning back kick

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - Former ONE Flyweight Champion Geje Eustaquio of Team Lakay is back following an impressive win against Finnish fighter Toni Tauro on ONE: Master of Fate at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The former champ delivered a powerful spinning back kick to the right side of Tauro causing the latter to undergo a body shutdown and fall to the canvas. 

"I was inspired by Kevin with that turning back kick. We keep on repeating [that technique] inside the gym", Eustaquio told Mitch.

Eustaquio dedicated his fight to his son who inspired him to pick himself up and continue fighting.

READ ALSO:  Team Lakay's Joshua Pacio Submits Rene Catalan in Round Two

"I would like to dedicate this fight to my son who is my motivation, to Rose, my coach Mark and to all my brothers and sisters in Team Lakay, and to all Filipinos who came out to witness this historic event," Eustaquio added.

He also dedicated his victory to the people of Mindanao who suffered from the recent devastating earthquake.

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Igorot Muay Thai Champion going for gold in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games 2019

Photo Courtesy || Bryan Scott Vincent Olod FB

Cordillera - Cordilleran pride and IFMA World Champion Lee Ariel Lampacan is going for the gold in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games 2019. 

The 29-year old Lampacan of Baguio City and Itogon, Benguet became a world champion when he took the Gold in the International Federation of Muay Thai Amateur-World Championship in Cancun, Mexico last year. 

He was the only gold medalist among Filipino fighters in that event.

From a humble miner to a world champion, Lampacan is set to compete in the SEA Games in Manila along with other Filipino boxing athletes. 

Lampacan become a multi-national Medalist under coach Billy Alumno who is the head coach of MAP National Team. 

In 2017, he won the World Muay Thai Charity Asia bantamweight champions belt in Hong Kong when he defeated the more veteran fighter B Kwok of Hong Kong in the 54 kilograms.

Photo Courtesy || Bryan Scott Vincent Olod FB

The Igorot martial arts' ethics is known to be phenomenal and his dedication is superb. Despite lack of financial support and resources, he managed to find time to train. 

Lampacan has four wins and one loss in his MMA career. 

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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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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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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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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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