Canadian working in an airline wrote heartwarming message about the Igorots

Cordillera - After reading the uplifting comment of 'Becoming Filipino' vlogger by the name of 'Kulas' appreciating the toughness of the Igorots, a Canadian airliner worker Mr. Guy Beaulie couldn't help but share his heartwarming message to all Igorots. 

In his message, he expressed his admiration to the wonderful Igorots who, despite the fact that they are sometimes being discriminated by outsiders, they are very hospitable and humble people. 

Beaulie said that his 'Love, respect, and admiration' to the Igorots made him decide to build his house near Kabayan, Benguet.

Read his full message below: 

"Hey Kulas. I could not have said it better myself. I'm Canadian just like you and I traveled the world as I work for an airline. After visiting the Philippines and particularly the Cordilleras region and meeting the Igorots there, I must agree 100% with you. These people work so incredibly hard under incredibly harsh condition and they get so little of their labor. Yes, they are discriminated against by some but also admired by others like you and me and many others. I have, like you, taken the time to talk with them, eat with them, listen to them and live with them in their humble house. I ate their food. Danced their dances. Laughed with them, listen to them and cried with them. Yes they are shy. But once they get to know you they will open their arms and give you everything they can to make you feel welcome just like the Chilean people who also are similar to them.

I love the Cordilleras region and I LOVE, RESPECT, AND LOVE and ADMIRE what they do. So of all places, I decided to build a house in Benguet, in Besang close to Kabayan. I love it there. I love the peaceful people there. The children are so different than the children in Canada. The children who walk through mud, trails, mountains, rivers for hours in the rain and sometimes typhoon to go to school and back. No bus to take them there. Only the flip flops on their feet. But this is what makes strong people. People with character. People with values. People who appreciate what they have because they work so freakin hard to get it. So I'll live with them when I retire. I'll love them more this way and try to help them feel loved and appreciated. 

 Thank you Kulas for all your blogs about the Philippines. Becoming Philippino is indeed becoming kind, polite, respectful and loving. I hope to meet you in person one day and invite you to my house in Besang and meet my family there. Some are farmers and some are teachers, nurses, doctors and engineers. Yes some of them pursued their studies at the university in Baguio and became professionals at a cost that seems impossible to understand. I cried then and still cry now when I think about the sacrifices these people made to get where they are today. 

Filipinos, I can say with no hesitation, are the most polite and loving respectful and enduring people I have ever met. I decided to live with them because I love them and they love me. Keep doing what you are doing Kulas. I'll continue to watch you with them as you become Filipino, just like I am. God bless you. God bless the Philippines. God bless the Igorots.

READ ALSO:  'Igorots are one of the most civilized people' - Canadian Vlogger Kulas

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Kalinga teacher braves dangerous hanging bridge and mountains daily to reach her students

Photo Courtesy || Front Row

A teacher from Kalinga has to hike muddy mountain trails and cross a perilous hanging bridge to reach her school everyday.  

The hanging bridge that teacher Maribel, students and residents of Pinukpuk, Kalinga was destroyed during typhoon Lawin back in 2016 but  was never repaired until today.

Everyone who wants to get to the other side of the mountain has no other choice than to cross this impassable bridge because their is no other way. The risk it takes in every step on the slippery bamboo and every grip on the rusty cable wire is like betting on your life.

It has been three years since she had her first assignment at an elementary school in a far flung village in Pinukpuk. What made her stay despite the struggles she has to endure in fulfilling her teaching career?

She could have taught within her comfort zone  or work near her house so she can spend more time with her family or even eat with them at home during lunch break. She could have worked in the city with less hassle on  transportation or applied for a teaching position abroad.

In her interview with Front Row, teacher Maribel shared what inspired her to keep her teaching job despite the sacrifices she has to make everyday to teach her classes. It is her passion to teach and her previous teachers were her great inspiration in following their footsteps.

Indeed, teaching and mentoring the next generation is teacher Maribel's way of life. May her story inspire the youth, spark some hope and encouragement to future teachers and give pride and honor to all those in the teaching field.

May the local government or other NGO's take notice and do something to help alleviate the struggles of the local residents of Pinukpuk, Kalingga. Three years has been long over due to fund for a repair or even a new hanging bridge.

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PNP Chief Gamboa admired Cordilleran Police for their excellence in service

Photo Courtesy || PNP Chief Archie Gamboa

Cordillera - The chief of the Philippine National Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa expressed his admiration to Cordilleran Police during his first visit to the regional office this week. 

"Stand out talaga ako sa galing ng Cordillera, Probably because of your culture, because of the values you develop here. Congratulations. May your tribe continue to thrive," PNP Chief Gamboa said in a statement. 

The PNP chief visited the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-COR) on Monday and encouraged members of the PNP Cordillera to continue their relentless campaign against illegal gambling, crimes, illegal drugs and lawless activities. 

He also challenged Cordilleran Police to maintain the region's battle cry as the 'Most Disciplined Cops' in the country. 

READ ALSO: 

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 PNP-Martime Group headed by Igorot cop receives award for Best Regional Maritime Unit of the year

PNP Chief 'Bato' dela Rosa applauds Police-Cordillera for impressive performance against illegal drugs

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General Gamboa also visited Baguio Police office and issued order to all regional directors on the crackdown on jueteng. 

"To the concerned regional directors of the PNP, I have forwarded to you a list of operators in your respective regions. I'm giving you a week. If you cannot stop jueting, I will relieve you," Gen Gamboa said in  ba pressriefing. 

He also reiterated the PNP's "No Take Policy" from operators and protectors of the illegal numbers game. 

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Philippines named 2nd most instagrammable place in the world

Photo Courtesy || Rehina Gutierrez

Cordillera - The Philippines was hailed as the second most “Instagrammable” place in the world for 2021 following Tokyo, Japan when it comes picturesque destinations according to travel website Big 7 Travel.

Big 7 Travel based the result on a scoring system that analyzed the amount of hashtags per destinations, survey results from social media and input from it editorial team.

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Are you looking for a massive, magical sunflower fields for your next Instagram post? 

This sunflower farms located in Shilan, Benguet, a 12 kilometer ride from Baguio City offers you a garden of fully bloom 10,000 sunflowers. 

Photo Courtesy || Cordillera's Pride

You can have plenty of Instagram-worthy photos in different angles. We believe these fields will bloom until next month. 

The location is not very far from Baguio. You can take jeepney ride from Magsaysay Avenue to Shilan. Look for the jeepney with Acop-Tublay route.  

Booking.com

There's a 5-6 minutes walk from the national highway. 

Tourists who are going to visit Paoay flower farms in Atok can also drop by in Shilan to visit this farm. 

If you have your cars with you, don't worry about parking because the place has plenty of parking space. 

You can also enjoy their unlimited hot Benguet brewed coffee before and after you take your Instagram-worthy photos at the farm. 

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Hardworking farmer from Benguet builds Dream House from vegetable farming

Photo Courtesy || Agribusiness

Cordillera - While young people of this generation abandon farming and go to the city, get a college degree and work as an employee of a company, this engineer from Benguet chose the opposite. 

Joel Paquito, abandoned pursuing his career being a full time engineer after finishing his degree on electrical engineering and went back to farming instead. 

Paquito, now a full time vegetable farmer in his local town in Bugiuas, Benguet said in an interview with Agribusiness that his heart was in to farming. 

"May puso kasi ako sa farming. Yung namulatan kung trabaho ng magulang ko, lalo na yung tatay ko... Talagang yung puso ko bumalik sa farm," Paquito said.

Unlike from being an employee in a company where you have a boss, Joel said that in farming you are the boss and no one is pressuring and controlling you in whatever you want to do. 

He said that what he learned from his degree in electrical engineering, he can also apply them in his work being a farmer.

Asked about the common problem of farmers who suffer from bankruptcy due to pest and oversupply of vegetables in the market,  Joel admitted that he too suffered from not getting returns from his capital due to a disease that affected the soil.

However, Joel didn't easily give up otherwise, he will be the loser in the end. He gave an advice to his fellow farmers what to do when they  face challenges and are affected with problems.

"Bilang farmer, kailangan mo ring maintindihan na ang lugi ay hindi ibig sabihin na yun na ang huli. Pag ang nasa isip natin ay tapos na baka hindi mo na mabawi [ang puhunan mo]. 

Joel said that you have to plant again even if your first plant was unsuccessful. 

He also pointed out the importance of having some savings. 

"Kailangang mag-ipon ka. Kung may pera kailang hindi mo dapat iwaldas lahat, darating ang panahon na yung tanim mo rin malulugi, meron tayong back-up," Joel shared.

"Karamihan talaga sa mga  farmers pag may pera hindi iniisip ang kalugihan... Dapat sa mga farmers alam ang [pinagkaiba] ng 'needs at wants'... Alam natin ang kailangan natin sa farm at sa buhay, hindi lang puro 'wants'," he added.

Joel shared some tips to his fellow farmers in managing their finances when starting to farm. Since farming takes a  month or two for soil preparation up to harvest, he advised that farmers should have an emergency fund allocated for the two months that they don't have an income. They can also take some extra work to get income while waiting for the harvest.

Joel proved that you don't need to go abroad or get a job from the city to make a good life. Because of his good principle in farming, he was able to buy his own car and build his own house. 

Watch the whole interview of Joel below from Agribusiness

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PNP-Martime Group headed by Igorot cop receives award for Best Regional Maritime Unit of the year

Photo Courtesy || Maritime Group - Philippine National Police

Cordillera -  A Cordilleran cop from Benguet has received awards during the 29th Maritime Group Founding  Anniversary on February 20, 2020.

PCOL Dennis Denver A. Sab-it, Chief, RMU1 received the award for being the Best Regional Maritime Unit of the year. 

He also received the award of The Director Maritime Group Streamer.

The maritime unit headed by PCOL Sab-it was honored and  awarded during the event held at the Multi-Purpose Hall, Camp BGen Rafael T Crame in Quezon City.

With the theme, "Marinong Pulis at Mamamayan: Magtulungan para sa Katahimikan, Kaayusan at Kasaganaan ng Karagatan," guest of honor and speaker Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa graced the event. 

Other honored guests include PLTGEN Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar, TDCO, PMGEN Cesar Hawthorne R. Binag, TCDS, and PMGEN Israel Ephraim T. Dickson, DIPO-VIS.

The Philippine National Police Maritime Group (PNP-MG) is one of the twelve National Operational Support Unit (NOSU) of the Philippine National Police mandated under Republic Act 6975 to perform functions over the country's territorial waters, lakes and rivers, coastal areas to include ports and harbors and small islands for the security and the sustainable development of the maritime environment in the Philippines.

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Miss Noreen Victoria Mangawit ramps up training for Miss Universe Philippines 2020

Photo Courtesy || Noreen Victoria Mangawit

Cordillera - Miss Noreen Victoria Mangawit is in full swing of her training as she prepares for the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines 2020. 

The 21-year old Mangawit who traces her roots in Pinukpuk, Kalinga  but now lives in Tabuk City is gearing up for the said event set on May 3, 2020 at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

Miss Mangawit has begun her in-house training as part of her preparation for the event. 

Her team has also started coaching her to improve her performance as she is new to the pageant.

The iKalinga beauty was among the fifty-two women who are set to compete for the opportunity to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant this year. 

She was lucky to be chosen to represent Cordillera region together with Baguio City's beauty Miss Bea Theresa Maynigo.

In a local radio interview, Miss Mangawit said that she was very pleased to be among the candidates because this is an opportunity for her to show the culture of Kalinga.

As a canditate from the province of Kalinga, she can showcase the beauty of iKalinga, not only in appearance but also the inner beauty of the Kalinga people.

Miss Mangawit finished her Bachelor's degree in Arts and Social Science Major in Economics at the University of the Philippines - Baguio. 

She is currently working as a Presidential Staff Officer under the office of the President. 

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Atok Tourism Activities to Resume Today (February 22, 2020)

Cordillera - Tourists spots in Atok, Benguet, such as the Northern Blossom Flower Farm, the Sakura Farm, and the Haight's Place will be back to normal operation today (February 22, 2020) after the local government lifted the temporary suspension of all tourism activities due to the threat of the Coronavirus disease.

Atok mayor Raymundo Sarac said in a radio interview that the suspension of all tourism sites was lifted but urged all visitors to abide by the rules set forth by the local government. 

He said that tourists must register to the tourism site owners or operators so that the numbers of tourists going to each destination in Atok will be controlled.

Tourists can register at the Paoay Barangay Hall located at Sayangan, Paoay, Atok, Benguet before visiting the tourism sites.

All establishments were also advised to provide hand sanitizers for their costumers to use. 

It can be recalled that the local government of Atok had suspended all tourism-related activities in the municipality starting last February 6, 2020 as a precautionary measure against the spread of the Novel Coronavirus.

Booking.com

Atok, Benguet has been a popular tourist destinations for local and international tourists for its captivating landscape of beautiful flowers on top of a mountain.

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

The farm is vast and has many varieties of flowers that includes the calla lilies, the round purple flowers,  the cabbage roses and many more.

WATCH: Canadian Vlogger "Kulas" travels to the vegetable terraces in Atok, Benguet 

There are also succulents planted as a yin yang and sprouting out of a rip rap.

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ACT-CIS partylist Cong. Eric Go Yap plans to build 'world class' MMA Gym in Benguet

Photo Courtesy || Team Lakay

Cordillera - Appointed caretaker of Benguet ACT-CIS partylist Congressman Eric Go Yap has visited one of Team Lakay Gyms in La Trinidad to show support to the local MMA team that brought great honor to the country. 

Cong. Eric Go Yap had short moments of talking, signing of autographs and taking photos with all members of Team Lakay like former ONE Lightweight Champion Eduard Folayang, former ONE Bantamweight Kevin Belingon, Brave Combat Federation Bantamweight Champion Stephen Loman, Head Coach Mark Sangiao and others. 

Yap recently submitted House Resolution No. 707 to formally recognize and honor Team Lakay members for their big contribution to the country. 

The appointed caretaker of Benguet promised to build another Mixed Martial Arts Gym which is close to a world standard gym as a way of supporting the team for their contribution to the sport. 

"I will seek for a lot measuring 1,000 to 1500 square meters where a building can be constructed to house the gym," Yap said.

He said that he will talk to Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas to find a vacant lot somewhere in Wangal, La Trinidad to build the said MMA gym. 

"I want to make Benguet known as the house of the brave, the house of warriors and martial arts," Yap added.

In his visit to Team Lakay gym on Thursday, he promised to pay the monthly rent of the team and give financial incentives to members who make good or even win belts, according to the Philippine Information Agency.

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New 2.2 Kilometer access road to Tublay, Benguet now completed - DPWH

Photo Courtey || DPWH || Daniel's Eco-travel

Cordillera - Tublay, a landlocked agricultural municipality in Benguet, is now more accessible to tourists traders with the completion of the new Acop-Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun Junction to Bangho-Daclan-Basil-Tublay Central Road. 

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar announced that safer and more convenient travel awaits tourists visiting Tublay with completion of the 2.2 kilometer concrete road that serves as an alternate route for the existing Acop-Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun Road. 

The construction of the new Acop-Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun Junction to Bangho-Daclan-Basil-Tublay Central Road is part of the Roads Levering Linkages of Industry and Trade of the ROLL IT Program, a convergence and special support program of the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI) and DPWH aimed to provide economic opportunities in the municipality. 

The road project involves construction a new access road, slope protection, curb and gutter, installation of concrete barrier in high elevation areas. 

According to DPWH Benguet Second District Engineer Romelda A. Bangasan, a total of P87.7 -million was allocated for the road project which also involved widening of narrow road sections from eight (8) to nine (9) meters.

"Aside from the boost in tourism, we are glad to provide better road infrastructure to facilitate faster delivery of goods from farms to markets are the municipality on one of the major vegetable producers in Cordillera," Secretary Villar said.

To know more about Tourist Spots in Tublay, please visit Daniel's Eco Travel website.

source || DPWH

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