WATCH: The story of renowned Igorot solar artist Jordan Mang-osan; How he turns sun's power in to art

Photo Courtesy || Ompong Tan

Cordillera - Internationally renowned Igorot solar artist Jordan Mang-osan banks on his determination and passion to pursue his dream to become a solar artist. His works and masterpieces had reached international recognition and he is now considered the most acclaimed solar artist in the world.

Award-winning TV program "Local Legend" sits down with Mang-osan to document how he started his passion that lead him to discover the power of the sun as his medium. 

He also shared the financial struggles of his family, which forced his wife to work abroad, and how his new found passion had helped him to make a living. 

In 1996, Jordan started to help build Tam-awan Village and Chanum Foundation and he stands as one of the founders. 

At present, he is now the president of Chanum Foundation and heads the Tam-awan Village Artist which aims to bring art to a larger audience and become a haven for budding artists all over the region and the country. 

Jordan currently resides with his wife and grandson in La Trinidad, Benguet. 

source: Local Legend YT and Tam-awan Village

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Cordilleran SEAG gold medalist Jason Baucas' Success Story

Photo Courtesy || Jason Baucas

Cordillera - This is the story of Igorot wrestler Jason Baucas who won the gold medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Greco-Wrestling competition. 

Baucas was the only Filipino wrestler who successfully brought the country's first gold medal in wrestling. 

The 21-year old Igorot wrestler is a member of the Wrestling Federation of the Philippines. He graduated Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports from the Universidad de Manila. He traces his root in Nabalicong, Buguias, Benguet.

Here is his story:

"When I was young, I walked on a muddy and rocky road every day to school. I was okay with it because I really wanted to study. But after my graduation in elementary my mother told me to stop schooling for a while. She said we didn't have enough money during that time. I felt sad that day. At the store of my cousin where I helped out, he noticed I was unhappy. When he learned the reason why, he told me that if I really wanted to go to school that much he will be the one to support me first. In my second year, my parents were already able to provide for me. 

"I was introduced to wrestling in high school in 2011. At first, I was into boxing. But when I experienced wrestling, I like it right away. Wrestling is a sport where I use my bare hands, the strength of my body and will to prevail. Every time I wrestle, I feel inside me the power of my ancestors who fought bravely against those who wanted to take away our land and change our ways.

I had to go down to Manila the next day after my high school graduation to start my training as a member of the junior team of the Wrestling Federation of the Philippines. I am a 'product' of the Batang Pinoy 2012. In order for me to be able to train and study at the same time, I took a scholarship test given by the city of Manila to support myself. I passed and was accepted at the Universidad de Manila which is near the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex where I train and stay.

I miss home a lot. I miss hearing the gentle flow of the river, the whisper of the wind, and the singing birds. I miss seeing the tall tress on top of the majestic mountains, the green fields in the hillsides and the valleys where I used to play. I miss my beloved family.

I am glad that wrestling being one of the toughest and oldest of sports gave me the discipline to persevere. I have to make sacrifices for me to fulfill my dreams for myself and my family. I am also confident that through wrestling I will be able to keep my culture alive in honor of my noble forefathers who protected it for centuries."

By Jason Baucas via One People One Benguet 

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'Silent Night' ordinance in Baguio signed into law

Cordillera - The people and residents of Baguio deserve a quiet and peaceful night to recover from the hard day's work. 

Thanks to the ordinance authored by Councilor Edgar Avila that had been passed into law last year making it unlawful for any person to make or cause "excessive, unnecessary, or unusual loud sounds" from any audio device within residential areas, subdivisions and public streets in the city from 10 pm to 5 am.

The good councilor explained that people look forward to going home after a hard day's work or after school and expect an evening of rest, peaceful bliss and good night's sleep. 

However, some inconsiderate and selfish individuals seems to neglect the well-being of their neighbors and go beyond their selfish noisy parties and celebrations.

"Our people are deprived of the well deserved peace because of rowdy, noisy parties or gatherings in the neighborhood and neighbors and strangers who take for granted the well-being of others and think only of their own enjoyment," Avilla said.

The ordinance now prohibits excessive loud noise coming from any audio and musical instruments such as radio, CD player, television set, amplifier, drums, loudspeaker, karaoke or videoke within residential areas, subdivisions, public streets and 200 meters within schools, hospitals and places of worship.

Violators of the ordinance will be given an initial verbal warning to remind them to tone down the noise. However, failure to heed the warning and if violation is deemed excessive, a fine of P1,000 or imprisonment of up to six months shall be imposed for the first offense; P3,000 for the second offense and P5,000 for the third offense.

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Police Cordillera maintains zero record of personnel dismissed due to illegal drugs

Photo Courtesy || Pnp Cordillera

Cordillera - The Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO-COR) has reported that not a single police from Cordillera has been dismissed from service due to illegal drugs. 

PRO-COR director Police Brigadier General Israel Ephraim Dickson announced during the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Council (RLECC) meeting in Baguio city that no police from the Cordillera region has been discharged because of illegal drugs.

"I am happy to announce that as far as our records are concerned, there are no Police personnel coming from PRO-COR that have been part of the 477 dismissed policemen nationwide," PRO-COR director Dickson said.

The Philippine National Police earlier had fired at least 477 members who were found to be involved in illegal drugs in the entire country. 

In Cordillera, only some policemen were dismissed from service not because of illegal drugs but because of absence without leave (AWOL) among others, according to report.

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Philippine Senate honors PH national kickboxing team

Photo Courtesy || Senator Francis Tolentino

Cordillera - Philippine national kickboxing gold medalists from Team Lakay shared some photo moments with lawmakers as a show of appreciation for the team that contributed in the country's historic SEA Games medal haul on Wednesday. 

The Philippine kickboxing team delivered five medals (3 golds, 2 silvers and 1 bronze) in the 30th Southeast Asian Games kickboxing at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. 

ONE Championship Atomweight contender Gina Iniong dominated the women's 55kg kick light category against Thailand's Apichaya Mingkhwan to win the gold. 

Jean Claude Saclag, on the other hand, outstruck Mohammed Mahmoud of Malaysia in the 63kg full contact to bag the gold. 

Prior to Iniong and Saclag impressive win was Jerry Olsim who  delivered the first gold medal for the Philippine kickboxing team. 

Olsim beat Thailand's Sarayut Klinming in the 69kg kick light finals. 

Their compatriots Jomar Balangui and Renalyn Dacquel settled for the silver medal, and Karl Manguide for the Bronze. 

Senator Bong Go, in a privilege speech on Monday said President Duterte will give incentives to and confer the Lapu Lapu award to all athletes who will win medals in the 30th SEA Games. 

"Bibigyan niya po ng Lapu Lapu award ang lahat po ng gold medalists, silver medalists at bronze medalists. Bibigyan niya ng parangal sa December 18 Miyerkules," Senator Go said.

Under the RA 10699, gold, silver and bronze medalists in the SEA Games are entitled to receive P300,000, P150,000 and P60,000, respectively.

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Philippines pride Gina Iniong clinches gold in SEA Games Women's Kickboxing

Photo Courtesy || Gina Iniong

Cordillera - Sacrifices and hard works paid off for Filipino pride Gina Iniong as she bagged the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games 2019. 

The hard-hitting Iniong of Team Lakay dominated the women's kickboxing under 55kg kick light category beating Thailand's Apichaya Mingkhwan, 3-0, on Tuesday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. 

Iniong, who fights in ONE Championship Atomweight division was seen dominant all over three rounds of the game. 

The Thai took punishment from the Filipina veteran with flurry of punches and kicks in the first round. 

In the 2nd and 3rd round, Iniong showed greater dominance at she floored the Thai several times denying the later to score. 

Iniong was new to kickboxing but put a lot of training under the careful watch of Mark Sangiao and her team mates at Team Lakay. 

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Igorot arnisador ChrisSamuel Delfin wins gold Men's Anyo Non-traditional Arnis in the 30th SEA Games

Photo Courtesy || CriSamuel Delfin

Cordillera - Arnis gold medalist ChriSamuel Delfin from Benguet  almost got disqualified from performing in the Arnis competition due to wearing the Igorot traditional bahag without an underwear.

Delfin wanted to wear the bahag without an underwear because being an Igorot, it is an insult to wear brief of something under the bahag.

"He is a proud Igorot and he is proud of his lineage. We had some problems because he wanted to wear his bahag without any brief," Senator Mig Zubiri said in a TV interview.

"Delfin didn't want because he said as an Igorot, it is an insult to wear a brief or something under the bahag," Zubiri added.

The International technical officials initially said that Delfin can not perform due to his attire, saying his wardrobe could malfunction during the live broadcast. 

However, after talking with their coaches, they have agreed not to disqualify Delfin instead allowed him to perform with a string undergarment under his bahag.

The judges knew that Delfin is a talented kid and had prepared for this event and can bring gold to the country.

Delfin eventually won the gold in Men's Anyo Non-traditional Arnis in the 30th SEA Games hosted by the Philippines. 

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Cordilleran wrestler Jason Baucas delivers 1st wrestling GOLD for the Philippines

Update: Cordilleran wrestler Jason Saltin Baucas successfully bring home the gold medal for the Philippines at the 2019 SEAG on Monday (9 December 2019) held at Angeles University Foundation, Pampanga.

Baucas easily dethroned Hung Phoc Duong of Vietnam with a score of 11-6 in the men's Greco-wrestling 72Kg category.

This is the first time the Philippines had brought home gold in wrestling. 

Congratulations Jason!

Cordillera - A young Igorot wrestler is in full preparation for the upcoming wrestling competition for the 30th Manila SEA GAMES.

21 year-old Jason Baucas from Benguet is the only representative of the Philippines wrestling team to compete in the 72 kilogram Greco-Roman wrestling. 

Greco-Roman is a style of wrestling that is being practiced worldwide and became part of the Olympic sport. This style of wrestling forbids hold below the waist compared from freestyle wrestling.

Photo Courtesy || Jason Baucas FB

Baucas had been one of the country's medal sources in the wrestling event in the ASEAN region and in Asia in the past years.

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In 2016, he took home bronze medal in the 2016 Southeast Asian Junior and Cadets Wrestling Championship in Thailand and he ranked 8th at the Asian Junior 2016.

He also won bronze in the 2014 South East Asia Junior and Cadets Wrestling Championships, bronze in the 2015 SEA Senior Wrestling Championship and a gold medal in the 2015 South East Asia Junior and Cadets Wrestling Championships. 

Photo Courtesy || Jason Baucas FB

Bauces was honored for being Benguet's pride in wrestling in 2016. 

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This year, he is motivated to keep moving and continue training to be able to take home medal in the upcoming SEA Games. 

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US travel magazine lists Apo Whang-od among 10 Filipinos transforming the nation through sustainable tourism

Photo Courtesy || Department of Tourism

Cordillera - New York-based travel magazine Travel And Leisure had listed Apo Whang-od as one of the great Filipino personalities who are transforming the country through sustainable tourism. 

The magazine has partnered with the Department of Tourism to feature Filipinos who are making big differences in their community through thoughtful and sustainable tourism. 

Among them was Apo Whang-od Oggay, also known as Maria Oggay, the last and oldest mambabatok from Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga. 

"At 103 years old, Apo Whang-od - member of an indigenous group that inhabits the mountains above the Chico River - is a living treasure of Kalinga, Province. Whang-od inked her first design at the tender age of 15, and nearly a century later, she's still giving charcoal-ink tattoos to visitors in her tiny village of Buscalan, using the thorn of a calamansi tree to draw intricate patterns, She's also looking to the future, training locals to carry on Kalinga tattooing traditions." reports Travel + Leisure website.

In 2018, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) had conferred to Apo Whang-od the prestigious Dangal ng Haraya Award at Tabuk City. 

Whang-od was nominated for the National Living Treasures Award (Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan) in 2017. 

Up to this day, Whang-od is still giving tattoo sessions to local and international tourists who come to visit her at her place in Buscalan. 

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READ: The Cordilleran soldier who single-handly killed 27 rebels in a 3-day intense firefight

Cordillera - This is the story of Lieutenant Colonel Herbert D. Dilag who received the highest Military Award in the Armed Forces on the Philippines (AFP). A story of  unparalleled bravery,  exceptional heroism, and highest degree of leadership coming from a Cordilleran warrior.

"In April of 2000, 2 Suicide Squads composing of 14 volunteer scout rangers were formed to attack the 210 fully armed members of thee Abu Sayaff Group who were holding 28 hostages at the notorious 898 Hill inside Camp Abdurajak. The young and dashing 2Lt. Dilag volunteered himself to be the Team Leader of the other suicide squad.

Photo Courtesy || Kalinga Tourism, Philippines

Uncertain of what could happen to them, the members of the Squads, left their valuables to their supporting comrades to be further given to their love ones, in anticipation of their deaths. The Squad headed by 2Lt. Herbert Dilag rushed-up the 30-meter 80-degree slope and bypassed 48 enemy improvised landmines. With cunning stealth, the "Suicide Squads" were able to secure and clear the area.

The 3 day intense firefight resulted to the killing of 68 member of the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the recovery of the unharmed hostages.

The 14 Ranger man team suffered massive casualties but 2Lt. Dilag carried his men one by one and place them to a safe location while he single-handly stand his ground and act as the team one sniper shooting the enemy mortar operator and machine gunners. 2Lt. Dilag killed 27 rebels during the assault which resulted in the demoralization of the enemies forcing them to back down and paved the way for the main troops to finally secure the area.

By this display of exceptional courage and a high degree of leadership, SECOND LIEUTENANT DILAG distinguished himself in combat, keeping the finest tradition of Filipino Soldiery. He was awarded MEDAL OF VALOR the highest award in the AFP for bravery. 

2Lt. Dilag's statement while he teared up upon receiving the MEDAL OF VALOR awarded by the President of the Philippines.

"We woke up at 2:00 then we took off. We hadn't slept and it was raining. Our progress was slow due to the thick jungle growth. When we engaged the enemy, we had to use one hand to hold unto tree roots, while the other hand fired the weapon. For 24 hours we withstood the steep terrain, hunger, tension and fatigue.  Then you would hear the groans of your wounded comrades saying, 'Sir, let's retreat, I'm suffering blood loss. My wounds hurt, will I live sir', words to that effect. You will then discover that you do have an untapped reservoir of courage." 

Source ||

Uncommon True Valor Story of 2Lt Herbert D. Dilag

by Lt. Col Ruben Guinolbay, Medal of Valor Nominee

Via Kalinga Tourism, Philippines Facebook Page

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