BGEN GONZALO "Salong" L. BATAC - The first YKalinga General in the Philippine army

Photo Courtesy || Kalinga Tourism

Cordillera - The very first YKALINGA GENERAL and the very first Ykalinga Philippine Military Academy Graduate was World War II Veteran BGEN GONZALO "Salong" L. BATAC (USAFFE), from Poblacion, Lubuagan, Kalinga. 

A member of PMA CLASS of 1943, he served in the Second Field Artillery Regiment.  

After the surrender of his unit in Bataan, he was also forced to trek the Death March all the way to Camp O'Donnell in Capas, Tarlac where he became a prisoner of war.  

Upon release from the camp, the brave soldier joined the United States Army Forces in the Philippines - Northern Luzon as a Second Lieutenant.  

He continued serving in the regular force during which he fought in the Luzon Anti-Dissidence Campaigns. 

His son, Hon. Eduardo G. Batac, a member of PMA Class of 1968, is a former Department of Defense Undersecretary for Civil Veterans and Retiree Affairs, another son, Retired Police Director, Victor G. Batac, a member of PMA Class of 1971, is one of the founders of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (known as RAM Boys), a reformist group that led the historic 1986 People Power Revolution, together with Senator Gringo Honasan and Red Kapunan. 

Another is LTC Vicente G. Batac, a member of PMA Class of 1986, also a member of RAM who served under the Intelligence Group during his tenure in the army.

Photo Courtesy || Kalinga Tourism

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Dr. Joseph A. Sab-it: 2nd Runner Up in the TESDA 2020 National TAGSANAY Award

Photo Courtesy || Tesda-Car

Cordillera - Congratulations to Dr. Joseph A. Sab-it Associate Professor II of the Baguio City School of Arts and Trades, TESDA-CAR for garnering 2nd Runner Up in the TESDA 2020 National TAGSANAY Award in celebration of the World Teachers Day. 

Dr. Sab-it bested 9 technical vocational education and training (TVET) trainers from both public and private institutions in Regions I, II, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, XI, the National Capital Region and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

READ ALSO: Bontoc receives National ADAC Performance Marker Award

The fist Runner Up in this year's TAGSANAY Award was Joel John A. Dela Merced of NCR while Donnel B. Pasalo of Region 1 took the 3rd Runner Up award.

The Tagsanay Award gives recognition and incentives to tech-voc trainers who have exceeded the set requirements and have demonstrated competencies beyond expectations. 

Held since 2015, it is TESDA'S way of valuing the achievements and excellent performance of tech-voc trainers in the country

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Congratulations: Five yKalingas are now newly licensed doctors

Photo Courtesy || Kalinga Tourism

Cordillera - Five yKalingas had successfully passed the March and September 2020 Physician Licensure Examinations. 

According to Kalinga Tourism, these are the five examinees from Kalinga who passed the the PRC licensure exams.

1. Dr. Daffodil Belgica Odan, Tabuk City

2. Dr. Anne Nicole Damian Andaya, Lubuagan

3. Dr. Dana Kaye Gayawet Batalao, Pasil

4. Dr. April Joy Ignacio Pimentel, Tabuk City

5. Dr. Rachel Rosete, Tabuk City

READ ALSO: 12 Kalinga brave young cadets to graduate from PMA "Masidlawin" Class of 2020

Meanwhile, Maria Carla Edejer Buenaflor from the University of the Philippines-Manila ranked first among the list of passers with a rating of 89.17 percent. 

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Friday, October 2, 2020 has released the official results of the examinations. 

In a statement, the PRC said that about 800 out of 1, 424 examinees passed this year's Physician Licensure Examinations, which were conducted in the different parts of the country which includes oManila, Baguio City, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu City, Iloilo, Legazpi, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga.  

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Baguio Police Officer buys food to a homeless man in need

Photo Courtesy || Baguio Pulisya Syete

Cordillera - A Baguio police officer's act of kindness was caught on camera and it taught us an important lesson, "Even though your time on the job is temporary, if you do a good enough job, your work there will last forever."

PCpl Reynaldo Moyaen, a cop from Baguio city saw a man in need and provided him with a food to eat. 

Photos from Baguio Pulisya Syete show PCpl Moyaen was seen handing over packs of food to an individual who is down in his luck.

"He can not feed himself so I gave him food to eat", Moyaem remarked. 

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

This simple act of kindness of the part of PCpl Reynaldo Moyaen toward the man who needs something to eat is an inspiration to many. 

It proves just how simple things can make a big difference in the life of a person.

If there's an opportunity for us to help someone in need, let's not hesitant to do what is right. 

Thank you sir for your kind gesture. 

READ ALSO: Benguet cops celebrate Christmas by helping vegetable farmer harvest crops

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Troops from 45th IB commanded by Igorot Lt. Col. Guinolbay besieged enemy camp with over 30 enemies

Photo Courtesy || Lt. Col. Guinolbay

Cordillera - Troops from the 45th Infantry Battalion commanded by Igorot Lt. Col. Ruben Guinolbay besieged ASG camp in Barangay Maligay, Patikul, Sulu on 23 September 2020, according to 45IB Gallant Troopers Post. 

With the help and cooperation of local residents in the area who reported presence of more than 30 members of the ASG, the battalion headed by Lt. Col. Guinolbay immediately conducted an operation resulting in an intense firefight and killing of several members of the enemy.

READ ALSO: How an Igorot soldier Lt.Col. Ruben Guinolbay became a hero of Lamitan

In a more than one hour intense gunfight between the government troops and the ASG, the enemy ran away leaving one of their dead comrades in the area. 

The ASG suffered heavy looses on their side as evidence by thick blood left out by their wounded in the battle area. 

The troops had also recovered some enemy equipment and apparatus in battle scene.

"Hindi nang-iiwan ng patay ang mga Abu Sayyaf, at sa tagal nating karanasan sa pakikipaglaban sa kanila, mataas ang antas ng kanilang pagiging mandirigma at pilit nilang dinadala ang kanilang kasamahang nasawi sa laban, Lt. Col Guinolbay said in a statement. 

The troop continues to hunt down remaining ASG members in the southern part of the country to provide peace in the community. 

The support and the cooperation of civilians in the community are the key to achieving lasting peace and order in Sulu. 

source || 45IB Galland Troopers

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President Duterte appointed Kalinga cop Col. Chaclag as DG for Reformation

Photo Courtesy || Kalinga Tourism FB

Cordillera - A Kalinga police officer has been appointed a new post in the Bureau of Correction () BuCor office. 

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) spokesman Gabriel Chaclag has been named the agency's deputy director for reformation by President Rodrigo Duterte. 

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevara disclosed the information on Tuesday.

"BuCor spokesmman Gabriel Chaclag was recently appointed by the President as deputy DG for reformation," said  Guevara.

Col. Chaclag is a member of the Philippine National Police Academy "Kapanalig" Class of 1997. 

He traces his roots from Mallango, Tinglayan, Kalinga, according to Kalinga Tourism. 

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Agriculture Secretary William Dar is now an “adopted son of the province of Kalinga"

Photo Courtesy || Da Car-Rafis

Cordillera - Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar is now an "adopted son of the province of Kalinga," through Resolution 2020-180, signed of September 22, 2020. 

The provincial council of Kalinga has recognized the commendable service and achievements of Secretary Dar in leading the country towards sustainable food security and prosperous rural community. 

Dar was given a Kalinga name "Dulliyaw" which means brave, strong, and altruistic. 

Dulliyaw is a known to be the foremost hero of Kalinga mythology as expressed and sang in the Kalinga Ulalim. 

Dulliyaw is also a great leader of his people in time of peace and in time of war. 

He is also a great warrior, a thinking farmer and provider, a responsible steward of mother nature, a deeply religious man so close to the Kalinga god, Kabunian.

In the resolution, it says that the time-honored tradition in the province of Kalinga and in consonance with customary indigenous ethnic practices, personages who have singularly endeared themselves and contributed outstanding services to the people are accorded appropriate and fitting recognition. 

Sec. Dar is granted all the privileges of a son of the Province of Kalinga, including his protection under the umbrella of the Bodong (Peace Pact) Justice System/Institution.

source || DA Car-Rafis & William Dar FB

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Bontoc receives National ADAC Performance Marker Award

Photo Courtesy || Municipality of Bontoc FB

Cordillera - The municipality of Bontoc is one of only three municipalities in Mountain Province that received the 2019 National Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Award Marker.

The other awardees in Mountain Province are the municipalities of Sadanga under the leadership of Mayor Gabino Ganggangan and Paracelis headed by Mayor Marcos Ayangwa.

The National ADAC Performance Award is given to LGUs that achieve an adjectival rating of Ideal (high functionality) based on the 2018 ADAC Performance Audit.

Bontoc garnered a score of 95 functionality points with its evident efforts to implement, coordinate and complement the national government's measures to eradicate the country's illegal drugs problem.

Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey who is also the Chairperson of the Municipal Anti –Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) credited the award to the collaborative efforts of the partner national government agencies, religious sectors, other stakeholders, and the community.

Among the notable program of the capital town through its MADAC is the Community Based Treatment Program known as the Bontoc Emergency Response to Addiction (BonTERA) that it offers to drug surrenderers.

The National (ADAC) Performance Award Marker was turned over by PCAPT Barnard Bone Navarra, the Chief of Police of Bontoc Municipal Police Station (MPS) to Mayor Odsey on September 24, 2020, at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol. Also present to witness the turnover of award was Sangguniang Bayan member Jerome Tudlong, Jr.

source || Municipality of Bontoc FB

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Proud Igorota from Benguet graduates from University of Macau

Photo Courtesy || Jeaselle Bilag

Cordillera - Proud of her roots, a young Igorota from Cordillera wears an Igorot traditional attire from the Ibaloi tribe during her graduation photo shoot. 

READ ALSO: SLU and UC among Best Law Schools in the country in 2019

Joanne Bilag posted on her Facebook account photos of her graduation and message that says:, "It's one thing to wear a toga and graduate from the University of Macau, yet it's another to wear "Divet" an Igorot traditional attire from ibaloi tribe and show beyond doubt that we, from the north, keep aspiring for knowledge, education, to be informed, and later to inform and educate."

READ ALSO: University of the Cordilleras (UC) ranked 1st best criminology school in PH in 2019

The University of Macau (UM) is a public research university in Macau. 

UM is ranked in the 301-350 bracket in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2021, with a global ranking of No. 9 in International Outlook. 

No 37 in the THE Asia University Rankings, No 60 in the THE Asia-Pacific University Rankings, according to Wikipedia. 

The University of Macau ranks second in the Portuguese-speaking world.

source || Jeaselle Bilag FB || Wikipedia

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Benguet State University gets three stars in world university ranking

Cordillera - The Benguet State University (BSU) located in the municipality of La Trinidad got a three star ratings in the QS Star World University Rankings. 

According to the latest post from BSU IRO Facebook page, the university is qualified for 4 stars, however it needs to increase the presence of international students by at least 1%. 

A three star university is nationally well recognized, and may have also begun to attract international recognition. 

The institution with three stars maintains a reputable level of research and its graduates are attractive to employers. 

READ ALSO: BSU HRM students emerge as champion in cooking competition

QS Stars is a rating system that provides a detailed look at an institution, enabling students to identify which universities are the best in the specific topics that they care about, like program strength, facilities, graduate employability, social responsibility, inclusiveness and more. 

Universities are evaluated in dozens of indicators across at least eight categories. 

After the assessment, universities are awarded with an overall Star result which ranges from 0 to 5+ Stars, depending on the number of points achieved through the evaluation, according to QS World website. 

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