Julius Maguiwe - First Igorot officer to graduate from US Coast Guard Academy

Photo Courtesy || Julius Maguiwe

Cordillera - An Igorot officer made the Philippines proud when he graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London, Connecticut in the United States.

Julius Maguiwe from Mankayan, Benguet was sponsored by the Philippine Coast Guard and was appointed as an international officer to the USCGA. 

In his Facebook post Maguiwe thanked the academy and the PCG for the opportunity bestowed to him. 

"My sincere gratitude to United States of America for a fulfilled American dream experience. Thank you PCG for the trust and confidence for giving me the opportunity to represent the Philippines," Maguiwe said.

"I'm humbled to be the first Igorot to complete a Course in this Academy, Leadership Development Center. Thank you to all my seniors and leaders out there who inspired me so that I can also inspire others in my own little way," he added. 

Maguiwe also noted his achievements at the Officer Indoctrination School 2019 where he received the highest grade in Survival at Sea, highest grade in marksmanship and earned the US Pistol Sharpshooter. 

READ ALSO: Cordilleran soldier Pvt. Louis Dulawan promoted PSG Officer donned by President Duterte

He also got the highest grade in Physical Fitness Test (FPT).

Photo Courtesy || Julius Maguiwe

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Abra Police officers act of kindness help struggling woman harvest 'palay' in her field

Igorot cop to assume post as Chief of Police of Boracay Island

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The United State Coast Guard Academy is the service academy of the United States Coast Guard located in New London, Connecticut.

It was founded in 1876 and it is the second smallest of the five federal service academies and provides education to Future Coast Guard officers. 

The PCG has announced that they are looking for qualified civilian applicants nationwide to study for the International Cadet Program of the USCGA Class of 2024.

Successful candidates will be provided with free tuition, monthly pay and allowances, free board and lodging, transportation expenses and government benefits, according to PCG. 

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Baguio City council passes resolution declaring Judge Nelson V. Lago persona non grata

Photo Courtesy || Public Information Office - Baguio City

Cordillera - The Baguio City council passed a resolution on Tueday (November 18) declaring Cabanatuan Municipal Judge Nelson V. Lago as persona non grata in the city of Baguio. 

Baguio's Public Information Office said in a post today that "Upon the request of Mayor Benjie Magalong, the city Council passed Resolution Number 429 (series of 2019) declaring judge Nelson V. Lago as persona non grata in Baguio City."

READ ALSO:  Supreme Court asks Judge Nelson Lago to answer why he summoned Baguio enforcers who were just doing their jobs

The Resolution came after Judge Lago issued a subpoena to Baguio traffic enforcers who handed him a ticket for illegal parking and confiscating his vehicle's plate number.

Mayor Magalong questioned why the Judge need to issue a subpoena to the traffic enforcers for merely doing their job while he can just file a case to re-question the city ordinance. 

READ ALSO: Baguio City to house the Philippines' first STATE OF THE ART Integrated Command Center

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Meet Rambo - Batad's friendliest and intelligent four-legged tour guide

Photo Courtesy || Department of Tourism

Cordillera - Are you planning to take a vacation or a trip to the most beautiful place in Cordillera, the majestic rice terraces of Batad in Ifugao? There is a chance you'll meet Rambo, the four-legged intelligent dog standing by waiting for you and ready to tour you around.

At Batad rice terraces, Rambo is known for helping tourists by becoming a tour guide. Rambo knows well about the top spots in Batad and he can guide tourists go to these places. 

The trusty canine will walk you through centuries-old terraces, passing by traditional huts where you can catch stories of folklore from friendly locals, according to the Department of Tourism. 

In fact, Rambo became the town's unofficial cultural ambassador for helping in the preservation of Ifugao old traditions. 

Ramon Vinaled, the master of Rambo and the owner and manager of Ramon Homestay said that Rambo learned to guide tourist since he was still young.

"When Rambo was still young, he goes with me anywhere I go, he learned from there. Then later, without me, he goes with the other tour guide until he knows what to do, he just follow," Ramon Vinaled said.

Rambo is very friendly like the locals too. When he sees guest walking around, he goes and accompany them towards their destination. Along the way, Rambo waits patiently for the guests to rest and always stayed with them.

The 10-year-old Rambo can be found at the drop off point in Batad.

You can ask Rambo to guide you for free, but don't forget to give him the best treats he deserves.

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LOOK: Philippines' biggest Ube unearthed in Tuba, Benguet

Photo Credit || Abs Cbn News FB

Cordillera - A farmer from Tuba, Benguet has been dubbed the "Ube Man" after growing a gigantic 'Ube' from his garden.

Homer Menzi was able to uproot a 6 ft. tall white 'Ube' in his garden weighing 28 kilograms.

According to Menzi, this was the first time he was able to grow this size of 'Ube'.

"We planted this before but we just harvested it recently because we went to Agoo and we just saw this today so it's a bit bigger than usual," Menzi said.

Menzi's neighbors were amazed so they posted it in the social media.

"There used to be something similar,  but it only weighed 13 kilos. We were happy because of the size of the 'Ube', we were just amused to post it, " Jayson Pacio, Menzi's cousin said.

According to the agricultural technologist of Tuba, Menzi's white ube is unusual.

"The longer the ube stays under the ground, the more it shrinks, it will decrease in size or there's what we call 'palayon' or it will rot to the ground. So we will subject this for further study," Michel Saingan said.

It is believed that having a giant 'Ube' depends on the good quality of soil.

"It is better if the soil is soft, not hard, so that it can easily grow, just like this the soil is fertile," Menzi said.

Nevertheless, Menzi sold the white ube to Good Shepherd, one of the most famous Pasalubong shop in Baguio.

Good Shepherd was also surprised with Menzi's ube

"Besides being our organized farmers, the seedlings that they plant are also of good quality, so the  harvest is also of good quality, I was just surprised to see an 'Ube' that big," Michael Amagod, the purchasing officer of Good Sheperd said.

The 'Ube' plantation in Tuba is about 12 hectares, second of the largest plantation in province of Benguet.

source || ABS CBN NEWS

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Honest Kalinga Jeepney driver returns mobile phone left by a passenger

Photo Courtesy || Tabuk Life

Cordillera - A jeepney driver from Tabuk in Kalinga has been recognized for being honest after he returned a mobile phone left by a passenger. 

Eddie Gayol, a 57-year-old public transport driver who resides at Purok 4, Bulanao, Tabuk City Kalinga, returned the phone his son found inside his jeepney.

The honest driver told Tabuk Life that this is not the first time he returned lost items. But in many occasions he also returned lost money or things found inside his jeepney. 

"Adu iti naisubli kon nga gadgets wenno kwarta nga nabatbati da ngem masapul a nga isubli ta saan ko met a bagi (I have found many gadgets or money that passengers left but I have to returned them because they are not my belongings.)," Gayol said.

"Makonsensya ta met nu alan ta iti saan ta a kukua," he added. 

Gayol said that some lost items were taken by other passengers so he can not be able to returned them. 

According to Gayol, being a jeepney driver has been his source of income since 1986 and he has been able to raised and put his five children to a school and now they are all professionals. 

One is a medical doctor, the other is a nurse, a computer engineer and the other two are IT graduates.

"Kasla nga pampalipas oras ko laengen daytoy pinagpasadak ta narigat met a tallikudan iti nakasanayanen a trabaho (It's just a past time for me now to drive because it's hard to abandoned my former job)," Gayol said.

When the father of the owner of the phone tried to  offer financial reward for his good deed, he refused to accept it, because it was inappropriate to receive money for the return of an item to the owner. 

Eddie Gayol is among the growing list of ordinary drivers who have made us proud to be Filipinos because of his honesty. 

May his story be an inspiration to us, whether we are drivers or not, to be honest in our dealings with our fellow man. 

Kudos sir Eddie Gayol.

source: Tabuk Life FB page

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Abra Police officers act of kindness: help struggling woman harvest 'palay' in her field

Cordillera - Instead of the usual weapons that they carry in their day to day patrol, these Police officers in Abra took hand sickles (kumpay) to help a woman who they found in her farm harvesting grains of rice alone. 

According to Pidigan Police Station, at around 8 AM Friday morning, officers from Pidigan, Abra headed by PCPT Facundo B Guinsad were patrolling the town when they noticed the woman working alone in a wide farm.

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

Out of their kindness and their mandate to help local farmers in any way they can, the cops immediately brought their sickles and help the woman harvest her rice grains. 

Photo Courtesy || Pidigan Police Station

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Julius Maguiwe - First Igorot officer graduated from US Coast Guard Academy

Igorot cop to assume post as Chief of Police of Boracay Island

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Police officers make a positive impact in the community from keeping the people safe to small acts of service like helping farmers in the field. 

They go above and beyond their job duties to become real-life superheroes for society's littlest citizens.

Kudos to the polices of Pidigan, Abra.

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Supreme Court asks Judge Nelson Lago to answer why he summoned Baguio enforcers who were just doing their jobs

Photo Courtesy || scmp/scphilippines

Cordillera - The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday ordered Judge Nelson Lago to explain why he summoned Baguio traffic enforcers to his court for issuing him a citation ticket. 

"Court Administrator Midas P. Marques has requested Deputy Court Administrator for Luzon, Raul B. Villanueva, to ask Judge Nelson Lago to comment on these news reports," SC spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka said in a message to reporters. 

It can be recalled that Judge Lago has issued a subpoena to Baguio traffic enforcers who handed him a ticket for illegal parking and confiscating his car's plate number.

The subpoena was issued to the city's public order and safety division to appear at the sala of Lago and explain why they should not be found in indirect contempt. 

Meanwhile, Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Thursday defended the traffic enforcers saying they were only enforcing local ordinance.

READ ALSO:  What do tourists say about taxi drivers in Baguio City

"Maayos naman ang pakakasita sa kanya... Nagpapatupad lang tayo ng ordinansa rito," Magalong said in a radio interview. 

"Pwedi naman po siyang mag-file ng kaso at i-requestion ang ating ordinansa. Bakit naman gagamiten mo ang iyong posisyon para lang mag-exert ng influence eh alam mo namang mali kayo," Magalong added.

He also said that even his son who once ticketed for illegal parking did not contest, instead paid the fine. 

"Iyong mga may awtoridad dapat magpakumbaba sila at sumunod na lang po sa ating batas," he added. 


Booking.com source || (PNA)

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What do tourists say about taxi drivers in Baguio City

Cordillera - We've gathered all the comments and messages from tourists and passengers who have expressed their positive experiences with taxi drivers in Baguio City and here are what they said.

Taxi Drivers in Baguio give back the passengers their exact change.

Visitors coming from other cities in the Philippines observed that taxi drivers in Baguio city always return the change even if that is only 1 peso.

"Kudos sa mga Baguio City Taxi Drivers. I just got back from Pinas and I notice na talagang ibabalik ang sukli mo kahit under P5 compared to Manila na sasabihin na wala daw siyang sukli sa P100 kaya sa Grab Taxi na lang ako." from Wagchen

"Agree! Kahit piso na sukli mo ibibigay nila." From Johny

"This is so True. Salute sa lahat ng taxi drivers ng Baguio... Ultimo piso ibabalik nila yan. Eh dito sa Manila, 100 bigay mo 70 ang patak. Wala daw sukli." - from Mitch

"Grabee binabalik nila hanggang huling piso sa sukli mo. kukulitin mo pa silang tanggapin yung tip. Sana maging standard ang ganyang pag-uugali." from Earle

"This is very true during my college days, di namemresyo at kahit 1 PESO na sukli mo ibabalik pa." from Emma

"Yes, I credit to all Baguio Taxi Driver. They return your exchange even if it's centavo." from Xiexia

"Agree! Kahit magkanong sukli mo ibibigay, kahit super ahon ang daan ng pupuntahan ihahatid kayo ng walang reklamo." from Xyza

"Pati yung sukli, parang pagmamahal ko. Walang labis, walang kulang kahit sentimo." from Gasmel

"This is legit. Stayed 5 years in Baguio and I never had any bad experiences. Fare is fair as well." from Trisha

Baguio City Drivers return any valuable item left by passengers in their cars.

"Very true. Naalala ko nun nung sumakmay kami ng taxi nung time na nasa Baguio City kami. Tapos nung driver samin "Wait lang po mam, may dadaanan lang po tayo saglit naiwan kasi cellphone nung pasahero na sumakay sakin kanina" Natuwa naman ako," from Zarah

"Yes.. totoo po..salamat kay Tito taxi driver noong nag exam kami ng board sa Baguio ibinabalik niya yung naiwan kong transparent envelope, especially yung NOA at receipt ko sa kanyang taxi, kasi napakaimportante yun sa aming magtatake ng board," from Joe

"Not only taxi drivers but jeepney drivers as well. Last week I dropped my phone inside a jeep bound from Centermall to Motorpoll via Pico then this jeepney driver find a way to gave it back to me. Thanks much. Haan ko naala jay plate number jay jeep or name man lang piman jay driver. GBU," from Jolz

"Agree much, my grandson left his cell phone in the taxi, the driver returned the cell phone by driving back to where my grandson was dropped and it was returned with no conditions, very honest," from Adecisa

"Personal experience when I was a Baguio boarding at Cadaklan village, while going to school (University of Baguio) umuulan that time at foggy. Nang may dumaan na taxi kaya sumakay ako... may isang babae sa look ng taxi and I know the driver and the lady are son and daughter of Cordillera, the lady asked me, "Anya ti nagan mo ading?" Meaning anu pangalan mo Aking Nakababatang kapatid? Then I've replied Rey Ann, Rey Ann Pagrogado, cguro na curious bakit iba sa usual na Cordillera yung family name ko. then she asked again, tagalog ka ba? Wen (Yes) auntie (Hindi ko na sinabi na Ilonggo aku). Saan ka nag-aaral, she asked. Sa UB aunti, then since traffic along Loakan road napahaba yung kwentohan namin, hanggan sinabi niya sa driver na ipasok niya yung taxi malapit sa entrance ng building ng UB, at nang aku ay magbayad na, tinanggihan ito ng driver ng taxi na nakikinig lang pala sa kwentohan namin then I've found out na yung babae pala yung may ari ng taxi at bago ako bumaba the lady told me some words na hanggang ngayon ay "MAG ARAL KA NG MABUTI ADING, WAG MING SAYANGIN ANG PAGOD MO, KASI YANG ANG MAGDADALA SAYO SA PANGARAP MO.This is true, And yes they're kind people. MOST OF THE KIND PEOPLE IS LIVING IN CORDILLERA...BASTA SIAK IGOROTAK, NOT BY BLOOD BUT IN DETERMINATION AND PERSEVERANCE TOWARDS SUCCESS." - from Huma

Booking.com

Some have commented that taxi drivers in city of Baguio are friendly and they love to talk to their passengers during the trip. They also give advice, suggestion and recommendations on the best place to go around the city. 

Some have said that drivers are also very helpful in helping their passengers who are drunk so that they can safely reach their homes. 

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Venus Bajarin: First Female Cordilleran Brigadier General of the AFP

Photo Courtesy || Venus Bajarin

Cordillera - The Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) Chief Nurse Venus Bajarin was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General on Tuesday, November 12, in a ceremony held at the General Headquarters Building. 

AFP Chief Nurse Bajarin receives her first star following her promotion as Brigadier General. 

BGen Venus Abbacam Magwelang-Bajarin is from Pinukpuk and Pugong, Pasil, Kalinga. 

AFP Chief of Staff General Noel Clement administered the donning of ranks along with 10 other key AFP officers who were promoted to the next higher rank. 

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Staff (TDCS) Major General Erickson Gloria was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. 

READ ALSO: Cordilleran Police S/Supt. Jesus Cambay to be promoted one star general

"Your promotion to higher ranks bespeaks of your hardships, sacrifices, and victories. Your experiences in the service and the habits you developed along the way attest to your commitment to perform your duties with utmost commitment and highest standard," General Clement said via the AFP website.

READ ALSO: Cordilleran soldier Pvt. Louis Dulawan promoted PSG Officer donned by President Duterte

"Congratulations to all of your on your well-deserved promotion. Let me also give due honor to your families and to the people who have been your constant support in your journey in the challenging path of military service. To your families, we also share this milestone with you," General Clement added. 

READ ALSO: Honest Kalinga Jeepney driver returns mobile phone left by a passenger

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Kalinga rice farmer earns P1 Million from his farm; wins Outstanding Rice Farmer award 2019

Photo Courtesy || Tabuk Life

Cordillera - Tabuk's multi-awarded rice farmer and leading agri-preneurs Honorio Clemencia won the much-coveted Outstanding Rice Farmer award in the 48th Gawad Saka Awards of the Department of Agriculture.

On October 23, 2019, Clemencia was given the plague of recognition and a P250,000 cash prize from Presidential Communication Martin Andanar and Agriculture Secretary William Dar for his exceptional contribution in rice-based integrated farming in the country. 

Clemencia from Tabuk has become an expert in the field of integrated farming as he dedicated his life in the development of Tabuk's agricultural industry and promoting government's self-sufficiency program. 

He won the award for cultivating a highly productive rice-based integrated system which makes use of both agricultural forestry management techniques and technologies, according to Crispina M. Buco of the Office of the City Agriculture Services.

"Mr. Clemencia's four-hectare farm serves as a model for his community members and other farmers. With the integration of technical knowledge and skills as well as adoption of improved technologies the farm yields itself as a standout of productivity," Buco said via Tabuk Life.

The multi-awarded rice farmer has been able to generate a collective net income of P998,387.23 and P1,298,195.29 in 2016 and 2017, respectively from his integrated farms. 

Clemencia said that he was able to support the education of his six children and improve his family's quality of life.  

"Nothing is more gratifying than being a farmer. I can personally say that farming really improved my life regardless of its difficulties for it requires hard work and dedication," he said.

The good outcome of his dedication and hard work has inspired him to conduct training and technology demonstration to help the local farmers.

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