Philippine Black Hawks landed in Cordillera for the very first time

Photo Courtesy || PCOO

Cordillera - The Philippine Air Force (PAF) newest Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters has landed at the Loakan Airport for the very first time on January 6, 2020. 

Two Blackhawks helicopters had made their first landing as part of the Black Hawks pilot's proficiency training and familiarization of landing zone in the northern part of Luzon. 

The Philippine Air Force has acquired 16 Black Hawk helicopters from Polish contractor PZL Mielec with a total cost of P12 billion. 

Six choppers had arrive last December while the 10 remaining choppers is expected to be delivered by the the first quarter of 2021.

PAF's newest air assets will be used for conducting different missions such as humanitarian assistance and disaster response, medical evacuation, and for the government's transport of equipment and personnel during this pandemic. 

It can also be used in military operation like ferrying troops and extractions, combat search-and rescue operation, combat resupply and air support for ground troops.

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Igorot Cowboy Priest travels 6 hours by horse to tend to his flock in remote villages

Photo Courtesy || Father Rolly Buasen

Cordillera-  Dedicating their lives to serve God, some choose to be ordained as priests or ministers. You might  be wondering about their whys and hows or what ifs, but being a cowboy priest? 

Then, let's get to know more about one of the cowboy priests in  the mountains of Itogon, Benguet. Yes, he is just another successor of the many cowboy priests who once served in the Chapels of Itogon. He started serving at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in June 2019 and will be serving  for four years.

Rev. Father Rolly Buasen had been riding his horse like a cowboy climbing mountains and crossing rivers   to conduct  at least five masses in three different chapels every week. It wasn't by choice, but he has to because he needs to travel about one to six hours  not to mention the routes being impassable by car to reach the other chapels. Besides, someone lent him a horse so he can travel conveniently and save his energy till he can make it for the last mass of the day.

"First, parang di ko gusto...parang ayaw ko sumakay pero...Nakita ko magandang hobby ito...I appreciate na yung connection mo sa kabayo... parang theraputic... parang alaga mo," Fr. Rolly said in an interview with the Front Row.

Being looked up to as the spiritual father of the community, he ministers to both the Kankana-ey and Ibaloi tribes. As he himself is a Kankanaey-Ibaloi who hailed from Atok, Benguet, he is able to easily minister and mingle  with the people at the same time encourage inculturation. As people in Benguet practice their culture and faith together, it is Fr, Rolly's mission to teach them balance their cultural practices but not compromise their faith.

In his interview, he mentioned that in his short stay, he already enjoyed serving most especially in the remote villages like Dalupirip, Pinungdan and Binga.

Now that he's used to riding a horse, he has been promoting horse riding race activities to encourage the youths and rekindle the old culture. To help the residents have a livelihood, he's also promoting horseback riding for tourists at the same time enjoy the scenic view of the mountains taking the route from Salapsap Dalupirip to Mt. Pigingan, one of the highest Mountain in Itogon and the first tourist attraction.

Being an orphan at a young age, he grew up in a rectory, started as a sacristan and was baptized at 15. Then, went to the seminary to study Philosophy and Theology as he developed and deepened his love to serving the people by bringing them hope and inspiration.

Fr. Rolly's deep devotion in his ministry is indeed admirable. May his love and compassion towards other people be felt and serve as an inspiration and hope. Let's appreciate  and make his selfless love be worthwhile.

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The Metamorphosis of Igorota Beauty Queen Roxanne Baeyens

Photo Courtesy || Miss Earth Crown

Cordillera - Believe it or not, the Igorota beauty queen and Miss Earth - Water Roxanne Baeyens is destined to be a lover and protector of the environment. 

At a very young age, her parents taught her to love nature and take care of the environment. That's the start of her journey towards urban gardening and agriculture. 

She posted in her Instagram that she planted her first tree when she was 6 years old.

Roxanne's mother is a Filipina from Catengan, Besao, Mt.Province who worked as a real state broker and an environmentalist while her father, a Belgian, is a retired IT specialist in Brussels. 

She called her mom her "Eco-Queen" because she influenced her to become the woman she is today.

"I wanted to give tribute to my Eco-Queen. My inspiration and the person who influenced me to become who I am now. My heart is always full with her teachings and how she showed me the true value in this world. She taught me life  not weighed by how much we achieve, but how much we do for others," Roxanne wrote in her Instagram post.

"I’ll be the luckiest person if I could get close to having a heart like hers," he added.

Before she joined the prestigious Miss Earth beauty pageant, Roxanne won the Miss Face of Tourism 2019. 

She was also the first runner-up in the Miss Tourism and Culture Universe 2019 which was held in Yangon, Myanmar.

Crowned Miss Earth-Water last November 29, 2020, Roxanne never forget her roots. During an interview with journalists, she was asked if she is an Ilocano but she proudly responded that she is an Igorota. 

Roxanne was raised and grew up in Baguio. She graduated with a degree in Tourism Management from Saint Louis University (SLU) in Baguio.

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Honest Farmer from Tublay gets unexpected reward from PRO-COR General

Photo Courtesy || PNP Cordillera

Cordillera - Do you remember the honest farmer Mr. Mando Alonzo from Tublay, who returned more than P133,000 lost cash he found last December? 

After knowing the plight of Mr. Alonzo's wife of having an unpaid hospital at the Benguet General Hospital (BeGH) worth P37,000, kind Brigadier General R'win Pagkalinawan of PRO-COR offered to pay the bill. 

Mr. Alonzo's wife was recently under gone gall bladder operation last June. His family has exhausted all means (savings, health insurance and donations from kind donors) to cover the hospital bill. He had to signed a promissory note in order for wife to be discharged from the hospital. 

Mr. Alonzo used to work as a jeepney driver but his job was stopped because of the restrictions during the ECQ. He now works as a farmer cultivating sayote and sell it to the market. 

Learning the story of his honesty despite struggling financially, PBGEN Pagkalinawan offered to pay the P37,740.00 unpaid hospital bill out from his own salary. 

On January 4, the Tublay MPS fetched Mr. Alonzo at their house and accompanied him to settle the bill at the BeGH.

According to PNP Cordillera, "Mr. Mando expressed his gratitude for the unexpected blessing as they have no means to come up with the amount to pay their hospital debt for now. He said he only did what was right and that financial difficulties are not a reason to keep what is not rightfully theirs."

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PNP Cordillera is hiring 27 Non-Uniformed Personnel

Photo Courtesy || PNP Cordillera

Cordillera - Do you want to be part of the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Cordillera as a Non-Uniformed Personnel? 

The Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO-COR) has announced that they are now hiring 27 vacant positions for the PNP Non-Uniformed Personnel.

Hired applicants to the said positions mush be assigned at the police stations of their appointment. 

Interested applicants are required to accomplished the following documents/requirements:

- All applicants must submit two (2) sets (set 1 & 2) of green folders containing the following duly authenticated documents by the issuing agency/office.

A. New Applicants (Original Appointments)

a)Letter of Application;

b)Duly Accomplished Personal Data Sheet (CSC Form 212 – Revised 2017);

c)Transcript of Record and Diploma; (Authenticated)

d)Certificate of Eligibility; (Authenticated with receipt)

e)Certificate of Training; (if required of the position)

f)Certificate of Employment, if any;

g)NBI Clearance (1 original and 1 authenticated copy);

h)PSA Birth Certificate (1 original and 1 authenticated copy); and

i)PSA Marriage Certificate, if applicable (1 original copy)

 

*Set 2 containing photocopies of Set 1

 

B. In-Service Applicants (Promotion / Transfer) 

a)Letter of Application;

b)Duly Accomplished Personal Data Sheet (CSC Form 212 – Revised 2017);

c)Attested Appointments (KSS Form BLG 33) of current position; (Authenticated).

d)Transcript of Record and Diploma; (Authenticated with receipt).

e)Certificate of Eligibility; (Authenticated).

f)Certificate of training if required for the position;

g)Individual Performance Evaluation Rating (IPER) for the last two semesters prior to the application (Authenticated).

Last Date of Submission in PPO(CPO): January 12, 2021

Last Date of Submission in RHQ (NUPAO): January 15, 2021

For the List of Vacant Position, check the publication below:

Courtesy || PNP Cordillera FB

Courtesy || PNP Cordillera FB

Courtesy || PNP Cordillera FB

Courtesy || PNP Cordillera FB

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Cordilleran Lawyer - First ever Filipino License Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales

Photo Courtesy || Atty. Lee Marvin B. Tolentino

Cordillera - A proud Filipino hailing from Bai, Lagayan Abra, Atty. Lee Marvin Balauro Tolentino is the first ever Filipino admitted as Solicitor of the Senior Courts - England & Wales effective January 1, 2021 having complied with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Authorization of Individuals Regulations.

He is also the first Filipino bar topnotcher ranking 5th in the most recent Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), London, United Kingdom (U.K.) last Dec. 22, 2020.

Atty. Lee Marvin B. Tolentino graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with Second Class Honors (Upper Division) from University of Surrey also finishing at the top of his class as SUMMA CUM LAUDE in July 7, 2015.

He completed the LPC at the University of Law in London, U.K. in 2016 and soon after joined a prestigious Law Firm in London, UK as a Paralegal in April 2017 dealing with all aspects of residential conveyancing. He commenced his training contract in January 2019.

27 year old Atty. Lee Marvin B. Tolentino is the eldest of the two sons of proud Abrenian & Cordilleran parents Mr Manulito Tolentino of Bai, Lagayan, Abra and Mrs Perlita Balauro, from Macray, Bangued, Abra.

His achievement is a success that all of us  filipinos here and abroad can surely be proud about and without a doubt, a huge honor for our country Philippines. 

Congratulations, Atty. Lee Tolentino from your family, friends, relatives and your proud uncle Gilbert B. Dickenson.

source || Gilbert B. Dickenson.

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3,000 Filipino Nurses needed in the United States in 2021

Cordillera - Filipino registered nurses who lose their job during the pandemic can find hope in 2021 as the United States opened up some 3,000 available jobs for nurses according to Senator Imee Marcos.

Marcos said Filipino nurses can fill the shortages of nurses in the state of California, Texas, Florida, Minnesota, and New York. 

According to Marcos, the rising cases of infection across America aggravated by the fall-winter flu season has forced many nurses from other states to stay put.

"The cold reality is that America's need for nurses answers our own need to curb high unemployment and put food on the table of whole Filipino families," Marcos said.

"The lack of a national policy on job creation and recovery has given the unemployed limited options," she added.

Marcos said that many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are among the estimated 200,000 nurses who have lost work and come home or remain stranded in taking up jobs abroad since border controls began earlier this year to stop the spread of the pandemic.

As of September, almost 40% of the country's adult labor force or more than 23 million people are out of work.

"Let's hope that the roll-out of vaccines accelerating next year will ease unemployment."

source || PIA

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Hollywood films we didn't know were shot in Cordillera

Photo Courtesy || Marvel Studios

Cordillera - The Philippines, especially the Cordilleras is a perfect spot for shooting films. With its lush forests, picturesque scenery and tall mountains, the Cordillera is an inviting backdrop for international films like Hollywood.

Don't you know that a Hollywood film "The Year of Living Dangerously", starred by award-winning actor Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver was shot in Manila and Ifugao in the 80s?

Directed by Peter Weir, the film is a story of an Australian Journalist who went to Indonesia to report on the eventual ouster of its President. 

READ ALSO: Design for New NAIA terminal is inspired by Cordillera's Banaue Rice Terraces

The film was supposed to be shot in Indonesia but was denied permission. The crew moved their production in the Philippines but later halted after the film was perceived to be anti-islam by local Muslims in the country. You can notice the famous Banaue Rice Terraces in the background.

Two decades later, another Hollywood film, "The Avengers: Infinity war" was shot in Banawe, Ifugao. Produced by Marvel Studious, the film is a superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team. 

Premiered in April 2018, the last scene of the film featured the famous Batad Rice Terraces in Ifugao.

READ ALSO: The Banaue Rice Terraces was built by the Ifugaos of Cordillera, NOT by the Chinese

The Philippines Unit of the film, the Indochina Production confirmed that the areal scene was indeed shot in the Philippines.

In the scene, Thanos was seen sitting in a small hut gazing at a rice field in Batad which is home to best and well-preserved rice terraces in the Cordillera region.

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Proud iKalinga is Top 2 in Officer Candidate Course (OCC) “Baghawian” Class 54-2020

Photo Courtesy || P2LT. Chariser Mari Macasing

Cordillera - A proud iKalinga has proven that in a profession dominated mostly by men, a woman can be the number one. If a man can do, a woman can do too.

P2LT Chariser Mari Macasing PA from Tabuk, Kalinga graduated as the Top 2 in the Officer Candidate Course (OCC) "Baghawian" Class 54-2020 on December 22, 2020 held at the Officer Candidate School, Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.

Being the Top 2 with a general average of 92.12%, P2Lt Macasing received the Heneral Antonio Luna Kampilan ng Kahusayan. 

She also received the Plake ng Lakas ng Lahing Kayumangi for obtaining the highest rating in Physical Fitness Test (PFT) with a genral average of 97.70%. 

The PFT is a tool to used to measure the Officer Candidate Strength in push-up, sit-up and 3.2-kilometer run. 

The Commanding General, PA, Lt. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana witnessed the end of the 48-week training of 153 Baghawian members comprised of licensed and registered professionals from different educational profiles and ethnic groups.

The OCC is a one-year course that molds individuals to become mentally, physically, and emotionally trained military officers. Upon completion of the course, the graduates will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the Philippine Army.

“Tandaan ninyo lahat ng inyong mga natutunan dahil lahat ng ito ay inyong magagamit sa pagkamit ng ating adhikain na pangmatagalang kapayapaan at kaunlaran para sa ating bansa,” said Lt. Gen. Sobejana in his remarks.

“I congratulate the graduates for completing their military training. As your Commanding General, I am proud of the dedication and perseverance that you have demonstrated during the training amidst the prevailing pandemic,” he concluded.

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Three Cordillerans graduated from Officer Candidate Course (OCC) “Baghawian” Class 54-2020

Photo Courtesy || Philippine Army

Cordillera - Three (3) Cordillerans graduated from Officer Candidate Course (OCC) “Baghawian” Class 54-2020 on December 22, 2020 at the Officer Candidate School, Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac and they are:

1. P2LT Chariser Mari Macasing PA – Balbalan, Kalinga

2. P2LT Paul Anthony G Gavino PA – Tabuk City, Kalinga

3. P2LT Melvin B Pocdihon PA – Baguio City, Benguet

READ ALSO: Proud iKalinga is Top 2 in Officer Candidate Course (OCC) “Baghawian” Class 54-2020

P2LT Chariser Mari Macasing PA graduated with flying colors. She received the Heneral Antonio Luna Kampilan ng Kahusayan for graduating as the Top 2 with a general average of 92.12% in a class of 153 Officer Candidates. She also received the Plake ng Lakas ng Lahing Kayumangi for obtaining the highest rating in Physical Fitness Test (PFT) with a general average of 97.70%. The PFT is a tool to measure the Officer Candidates strength in push-up, sit-up and 3.2-kilometer run. Indeed, she showed that in a profession dominated by men, a woman can be the number 1.

The OCC is a one-year course that hones individuals to become mentally, physically, and emotionally trained future leaders of the Philippine Army. These individuals were among the many aspirants who applied but only the cream of the crop were recruited to undergo the OCC. Upon completion of the course, the graduates will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the Philippine Army.

The Commanding General, Philippine Army, Lt. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana PA graced the graduation as the Guest of Honor and Speaker. There were 153 Baghawian members comprised of licensed and registered professionals from different educational profiles and ethnic groups, 117 were males and 36 were females.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the graduation ceremony is not allowed to be attended by the public and was only witnessed via live streaming.

“Baghawian” stands for Brave Army of God Heroes with Audacity Wisdom and Integrity in Achieving National Pride.

source || Philippine Army

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