LOOK: Frost covered vegetables in Atok, Benguet

Photo Courtesy || Monette Osting D'Tailor

Cordillera - Layer of frost covered some vegetables in Atok, Benguet as the temperature in the area continues to drop.

Frost or 'andap' in local language is a yearly occurrence in the months of January of February. It usually occurred due to a cold temperature brought by the northeast monsoon or 'amihan'.

The farmers in the now becoming top tourist destination in Benguet had said that they know how to deal with the annual frost occurrence.

They avoid planting vegetables in areas that they know are frost-prone. They also choose to plant crops that can tolerate the cold weather such as cabbages and carrots. 

Photo Courtesy || Monette Osting D'Tailor

The Civil Defense Cordillera recorded 11.2 degrees Celsius today (January 12, 2021) in the city of Baguio. Temperature in Atok, Benguet could be lower than that especially in the higher areas.

Read More

ACT-CIS partylist Cong. Eric Go Yap statement after being assigned as caretaker of Benguet

Photo Courtesy || Cong. Eric Go Yap FB

Cordillera - ACT-CIS partylist representative Eric Go Yap has been assigned as 'caretaker' of Benguet province after the passing of the late Congressman Nestor Fongwan Sr. on December 18 last year. 

According to Benguet governor Melchor Diclas, it was speaker of the House of Representative Allan Peter Cayetano, who appointed Yap as 'caretaker' and custodian of Benguet.

Meanwhile, Cong Eric Go Yap said in a statement that he wholeheartedly take his new role and he promised to do all he can to serve the people of Benguet. 

Here is his full statement:

Labis ang ating pasasalamat sa liderato ng House of Representative sa pamumuno ni Speaker Alan Perter Cayetano sa tiwalang ibinigay sa inyong lingkod at sa ACT-CIS Partylist at tayo ay naatasan maging caretaker ng Congressional District District ng Benguet.

Ganun din sa mga Kinatawan mula sa iba't ibang bahagi ng Northern Luzon ng ngayon pa lang ay nagpahayag na ng suporta para magampanan natin ng buong husay ang bagong responsibilidad na ito.

Higit sa lahat nagpapasalamat ako sa mga patuloy na sumusuporta sa ACT-CIS Partylist sa buong bansa at sa mga OFW na naglukluk sa ating bilang bumber 1 partylist noong nakaraang halalan. Kayo ang aming inspirasyon at patuloy tayong magiging boses ninyo sa Kongreso.

At sa mga kapwa nating Pilipino sa Benguet, tinatanggap natin ng buong puso ang hamon na ito at asahan ninyo na gagawin natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya upang tuloy tuloy ninyong maramdaman ang tunay na serbisyong publiko.

Agtitinulong tayo tapnu agtultuloy ti progreso ti Benguet. Agyamanak kadakayo!

Yap is expected to be in Benguet next week to assume his new post, according to Gov. Diclas.

Earlier, the provincial government of Benguet has approved a resolution asking Congress to conduct a special election in order to vote for the next permanent congressman of Benguet.

Read More

Batangas province thanked Cordilleran farmers for donating truckload of vegetables to Taal evacuees

Cordillera - A post from social media Facebook last week has created a huge buzz of good reactions among the netizens regarding Benguet farmers who donated truckloads of vegetables to the distress evacuees of the Taal eruption.

The Facebook post from the La Trinidad Mps shows photos of police officers and some volunteers loading  thousands kilos of vegetables into big trucks that will later leave for Batangas.

The photos has gone viral on social media with over 14,000 shares and 3.5,000 comments as of this writing. It has also been reported by some media outlets.

The provincial government of Batangas thanked the farmers for  their generous act of donating truckloads of vegetables to those affected by the eruption.

"Sa mga minamahal naming Benguet farmers, malaking tulong ang donasyon ninyong gulay. Maraming salamat. Mabuhay po kayo.

Meanwhile, netizens' hearts melted for this generous act and compassionate deed by the farmers to the affected residents of Batangas. 

Many netizens wrote messages of appreciation to farmers and also thanked them for their kindness. 

"God will sustain everything you need, to our dearest farmers, you have such a wonderful and generous hears for the needy. God bless Benguet farmers and everyone who has been part of this program.. Matago tago tako amin," netizen commented. 

"Adorable kayong mga farmers and we are proud of you. You are kind hearted, loving and generous. You are really a children of God. Mabuhay kayo and I have believe God will take care of you," another citizen wrote.

Read More

LOOK: Condom Vending Machine now available in Bontoc, 2 pesos only for 1 pack

Photo Courtesy || Bontoc Municipality FB

Cordillera - In an effort to help people engaging in sexual activity avoid and prevent the transmission of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and HIV-AIDS, the Department of Health (DOH) has installed a vending machine in the municipality of Bontoc. 

People of Bontoc can now use the machine to avail of the condoms for their protection at a very low price of only 2 pesos per pack. 

All they have to do is insert two new one peso coins and get one box containing three pieces of condoms with two different flavors, vanilla and chocolate.

READ ALSO: Cherry Blossoms in Atok, Benguet expected to start blooming in March and April this year

The Municipal Health Office on Bontoc made the announcement today January 16 through the Municipality of Bontoc Facebook Page. 

In 2019, the Philippines has been ranked as the country with the fastest growing number of HIV cases in the world, according to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS).

READ ALSO: Bontoc municipality bags highest award for good governance in 2018

Intervention efforts have been implemented by the Department of Health to stop the spread of HIV which includes giving affordable condoms to Filipinos. 

Using condom is one ABC methods to avoid and prevent someone from getting infected with HIV and AIDS. 

ABC stands for Abstinence, Being faithful or loyal to your partner and Correct and consistent use of condom.

Read More

Mt. Pulag Community in Benguet delivers vegetables, water, clothes to Taal evacuees

Photo Courtesy || Catherine Odanos

Cordillera - In order to help thousands of evacuees affected by the Taal volcano eruption in Batangas province, many Filipinos across the country  united to help as much as they can. 

The recent eruption of the Taal volcano  displaced many residents away from their homes and are now living in government-designated evacuation centers. 

Their homes and farms have been dumped with thick volcanic ash - fine particles of glass and rock fragments, turning them into a wasteland. 

Despite the immeasurable damage and insurmountable hardship brought by this tragic natural disaster,  Taal volcano victims didn't lost hope because help from their fellow Filipinos are pouring out from every corner of the country. 

The spirit of 'pakikipagkapwatao' and 'Bayanihan' is evident to every Filipinos so they have extended all the help they can give to their countrymen. 

Just like this group of farmers around Mt. Pulag in Kabayan, Benguet, who have decided to donate their vegetable harvest such as potatoes, chayote and Chinese cabbage to Taal evacuees. 

Another group of farmers are also gathering canned goods, bottled water, medicine and clothes to be delivered to the victims. 

A photo post on Facebook  by farmer Catherine Odanos shows volunteers organizing and packing the first batch of goods that will be delivered to Batangas. 

According to Odanos, a 2nd batch of donations will be delivered on January 24.

Earlier, Benguet farmers dispatched tons of vegetables to Batangas from La-Trinidad, Benguet.

Read More

Mayor Isko Moreno assures Benguet farmers and traders continues sale of vegetables in Manila's Market

Photo Courtesy || Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas

Cordillera - Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso assured vegetable farmers and traders that they can continue selling their produce at Manila markets. 

In a meeting with Benguet governor Melchor Diclas together with Benguet Provincial Officials today, Mayor Isko assured them that the public markets in Manila will continue to accommodate vegetables and flowers coming from Benguet. 

Moreno told the Benguet officials that they should not worry and clarified that only on the Recto (Tondo side) is not permitted to display vegetables on Friday (January 17) evening because of the preparation for the celebration of the feast of the Sto. Niño on 17-19 January.

However, the rest of "perpendicular roads ay pwede... tuloy yun.. baka naman nagkaroon kayo ng misconception... tuloy yun" Moreno explained.

Moreno also said that vegetable vendors can resume the usual selling of vegetables on the 18th and 19th because they no longer use it.

"Yung Recto (Tondo side) pwede nang malatagan... kasi di na namin gagamiten," Moreno said.

Benguet officials earlier set a meeting with Mayor Isko to air  the concerns of Benguet farmers and traders about their fear that they will get affected with the planned closure of Divisoria for the upcoming feast of the Sto. Niño.

Mayor Isko assured the officials that the sale of vegetables will continue, although there are some little adjustments that must be supported for the meantime.

Read More

Generous farmers of Benguet continue donating tons of vegetables to the victims of Taal Volcano

Photo Courtesy || La Trinidad Mps

Cordillera - Farmers in Cordillera continued delivering tons of vegetables to the victims of the recent Taal Volcano eruptions.

Although they suffered from huge losses due low price of vegetables and not getting enough money from being a farmer, they didn't hesitate to donate some of their produce.

Last January, the La Trinidad Mps Facebook page shows tons of assorted vegetables are being loaded into trucks which later on be dispatched to the hard hit town of Batangas.

READ ALSO:  Mayor Isko Moreno assures Benguet farmers and traders continues sale of vegetables in Manila's Market

A short message thanking the farmers of Benguet was posted on their social media page. 

"Gulay para sa mga Kapatid na Taga - Batangas. Salamat sa mga magsasaka dito sa Benguet. Ang inyong mga donasyong Gulay ay makaka-abot sa Batangas. Ang mga busilak niyong puso para tumulong sa mga biktima ng Ash Fall ni bulkang Taal. Alam namin na mahirap magtanim ng gulay at tamaan pa ng mababang presyo pero di kayo nagdalawang isip magbigay."

Benguet farmers are already reeling the effect of the low price of vegetables due to oversupply and lack of demand after the long holiday season. 

Photo Courtesy || La Trinidad Mps

READ ALSO: Bayanihan Spirit alive in Buguias, Benguet as volunteers rebuild family's house destroyed in fire

On Wednesday, Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas met with Mayor Isko Moreno to allow Benguet farmers and traders to bring their produce to Divisoria or lose millions of pesos if vegetables are not disposed.

Read More

Good News! Baguio doctor discovers cure for color blindness

Cordillera - According to American Academy of Ophthalmology, color blindness is a condition in which a color blind person is unable to see colors in a normal way. It occurs when someone cannot distinguish certain colors.

Color blind people in the Philippines are generally not allowed to work as soldiers, police officers, seafarers, pilots, interior designers or be employed in the electronics industry.

People suffering from color blindness or color deficiency  may  not be illegible to do certain jobs. However, they may find hope to able to see the full colors of nature and live their lives or perform tasks like people with normal visions do.

Fortunately, a  doctor from Baguio has discovered a solution or therapy that can cure color blindness.

Dr. Jun Dizon, an optometrist based in Baguio City, had developed a cure called 'color vision photo therapy' or color blind photo therapy.

According to Dr. Dizon, color blindness is non-treatable but through their research they were able to develop a solution through  vision photo therapy.

He revealed that their long research and study on the therapy has shown great results in patients who are suffering from color blindness. 

Dr. Dizon was able to prove the effectiveness of the therapy to almost 200 patients who have been cured since 2013. 

In fact, a student who was denied due to  color blindness from the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA)  has testified to the effectiveness of Dr. Dizon's photo therapy. 

He said it took a month and 2 weeks for him to undergo with the therapy for his condition to be cured. He is now planning to enroll again at PMMA to pursue his dream of becoming a seaman. 

Read More

Ifugao never fails to amaze: shows double rainbow to tourist

Photo Courtesy || Rochelle H. Dañguilan

Cordillera - This couple who visited Batad, Ifugao is very lucky to have spotted rare double rainbow right on their hotel's balcony. 

A short video footage posted on Facebook by Rochelle H. Dañguilan on January 11, 2020 shows a perfect double rainbow extending from the other side of the mountain to the base of a rice terraces. 

"Double Rainbow in Batad, Ifugao. A little teaser from our 5th anniversary and Mr. D's birthday adventure. Thank you Lord for this amazing gift. We love it," Dañguilan said. 

Yes, indeed, the couple was very blessed to have witnessed this wonderful view right on the scenic Batad rice terraces on their anniversary. 

Occurrence of a double rainbow is relatively common, especially at time when the sun is low in the sky such as in the early morning or late afternoon.

It is formed when sunlight is reflected twice within a raindrop with the violet light that reaches the viewer's eye coming from the higher raindrops and the red light from lower raindrops.

Read More

WOW! Pinoy pride Marcelito Pomoy gets standing ovation on ‘America's Got Talent’

Photo Courtesy || AGT

Cordillera - Filipino talent Marcelito Pomoy got a standing ovation from both the judges and the audience during his performance in "America's Got Talent: The Champions" on Tuesday (Manila Time). 

Pomoy impressed both the judges and the audience after performing his own rendition of Celine Dion's "The Prayer" in both male and female voice. 

Marcelito effortlessly took both parts of Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion's voices, which amazes the judges to stand up from their seats. 

Judge Cowell was impressed of Pomoy's performance and honestly gave him a perfect score of 10. 

"That was what I call a 10, a simple as that. I have a feeling that the super fans will put you through to the next round, " Cowell said. 

For judge Mandel, Pomoy is worthy of the golden buzzer but gave it to the super fans to decide.

"I think you are one of the most incredible singers.. You are beautiful, wonderful singer with a young woman trap inside you," Mandel said.

"Honestly, this is one of the most craziest things I ever heard in my entire life. Your voice, your rage, your sound is just so out this world," judge Klum said.

Pomoy was the grand winner of "Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2" in 2011. He also appeared on DeGeneres' "The Ellen Show" where he also received standing ovation from the audience for his incredible performance. 

Read More