Arthur Codod: The first Igorot to join Who Wants to be a Millionaire

Photo Courtesy || Arthur Stevenson Kodon

Cordillera - A proud Igorot from Benguet joined the Philippine version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire on May 4, 2014. 

Arthur Stevenson Codod, a registered nurse of the Department of Health walked away with P250,000 check after playing the Classic Money Tree game hosted by actor Vic Sotto. 

"I say it over and over again I am a proud Igorot. I am proud of my culture, our values that were passed to us by our great ancestors. Whenever I am and whatever I do, I do it the Igorot way," Codod said in a statement. 

Codod appeared as one of contestant in the Philippine version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire hosted by Vic Sotto. 

In the show, Codod wore the Igorot bahag and a traditional Cordillera head-dress while answering series of questions from the host. 

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire is an international television game show first concepted in England by  David Briggs, Mike Whitehill, and Steven Knight. It is currently owned and licensed by Sony Pictures Television. 

Large cash prizes are offered to contestants for correctly answering a series of multiple-choice questions with increasing (or, in some cases, random) difficulty. 

The maximum cash prize in the original British version was one million Pounds. Most international versions offer a top prize of one million units of the local currency; the actual value of the prize varies widely, depending on the value of the currency. 

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Baguio city readies opening of Loakan airport for commercial flights

Photo Courtesy || PAL Wikipedia

Cordillera - The opening of the Loakan airport for commercial flights to facilitate easier and more convenient way for tourists to visit the Baguio is nearing its realization. 

The city government is working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for the opening of the airport to resolve and address flight safety issues. 

Last month, an airline company has conducted test flight from Manila to the only airport of Baguio city to prepare for the resumption of commercial flights.

The city has started evaluating and assessing safety requirements of the airport such as constructing an alternative road at the western part of the airport to permanently close the road used by pedestrian and motorists.

Police from Station 4 and personnel from the Aviation Security Group were tasked to provide traffic assistance during flights.

Required traffic signages at the airport are also being put in place and trimming of trees besides the airport is being done by the City Environment and Parks Management Office.

READ ALSO:  Philippine Black Hawks landed in Loakan airport for the very first time

Baguio city mayor Benjamin Magalong is hopeful that the opening of the Loakan airport for commercial flight will help in reviving the tourism industry of the city.

"The resumption of flights... will play a key role in convincing high-end tourists to prioritize Baguio City as one their preferred destination," Magalong said.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has opened up its interest in providing Manila-Baguio and Baguio-Manila for tourists.

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WATCH: Flight test of first paragliding in Mankayan, Benguet

Photo Courtesy || Aristotle Mendoza 

Cordillera - Team from the Northside Paragliding Philippines lead by the owner Mr. Aristotel Mendoza has successfully conducted flight test for the soon to open paragliding activity in Mankayan. 

The team launched the paraglider at the Lepanto mine air strip and landed at the old tailing dam in Proper Paco.  

The air strip of Lepanto is a perfect spot for paragliding as it provides a higher ground for paragliders to launch. 

The view from above is incredible, and flyers can enjoy a full scenery of Mankayan town and the Ilocos Region. 

Upon landing, paragliders can also enjoy horseback riding at the rehabilitated mine tailings dam as an added activity.

READ ALSO: Philippines' first Igloo house is found in Mankayan, Benguet

The local government of Mankayan has not yet announced the opening of the paragliding activities in the town as the team is currently undergoing test flight to ensure that paragliding is really feasible and safe. 

Last year, town mayor Frenzel A. Ayong temporarily suspended the launching of paragliding activities due to the surge of Covid-19 cases in the Lepanto mine camp. 

It can be recalled that paragliding experts had initially stated that paragliding in the Lepanto air strip is feasible. 

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Julian Chees: Igorot world karate master with a big heart

Photo Courtesy || JPC via United Montanyosa

Cordillera - In 2013 an Igorot world karate champion joined other karate masters around the world to train thousands of karate practitioners in Europe. 

The sixth-dan blackbelt of the Japan Karate Association (JKA), three time world and six time European kata champion, Julian Chees, joined other karate masters led by 9th Dan Shihan Hideo Ochi, the current chief instructor for Japan Karate Association Europe and JKA Germany.

Chees, who traces his roots from Maligcong, Bontoc, Mt. Province, had the privilege to train more than 1,000 young karate practitioners in Germany together with five highly respected karate masters in Europe.

Chees was among the outstanding students of the late Japanese karate master Shihan Kunio Sasaki who established the JKA Philippines and his fellow Cordilleran Edgar Kapawen Sr., chief instructor of JKA PH at the YMCA Baguio.

Chees is  known for his humanitarian efforts in the Philippines. He has established the Shoshin Kinderhilfe, a foundation that provides financial assistance to Filipinos in need in the country.

During the aftermath of the super-typhoon Yolanda in 2013, Chees through his foundation personally distributed over P800,000 worth of rice and cash to those affected by the typhoon in Dumalag and Tapaz town in Capiz. 

He has also provided cash assistance to his kailyans in the Cordillera region who were undergoing dialysis treatment and eye operation. 

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Baguio City has the most disciplined residents - BCPO Director Allen Rae Co

Cordillera - Baguio City Police Officer Director PCol. Allen Rae Co said that among all the places that he had served, it is Baguio that has the most disciplined residents. 

“Madaling magpatupad ng batas dito dahil mabilis sumunod ang mga tao kaya bakit naman kakailanganing maging marahas,” he said.

He also explained the important role the police officers in Baguio city to ensure that residents adhere to the Covid-19 health protocols. 

He said that policemen in Baguio City are fair and sensible and are not callous in implementing laws and health and safety protocols. 

“We are reasonable.  Naglalakad ka, napagod ka, inalis mo face shield mo, hindi po kami insensitive para hulihin ka agad,” he said.

However, residents should also do their part by cooperating and obeying the laws.

“Naglalakad ka nagutom ka, inalis mo mask mo at kumain ka.  Siyempre huhulihin ka kasi you’re putting yourself and other people at risk.  Pero kung tumabi ka muna, tumalikod sa mga tao saka nagtanggal ng mask at kumain o uminom, hindi ka huhulihin,” Co said.

“Tao rin po kami, kapitbahay nyo, kababayan nyo.  Hindi po kami natutuwa na huli nang huli.  We are doing this tough love for your sake but we are not inhumane,” he added.

Co said when Mayor Benjamin Magalong ordered the revitalized implementation of protocols which include the wearing of face masks and shields, they first created awareness and exercised leniency and just issued warnings, conducted lectures and even distributed face shields.

source || Baguio PIO

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WATCH: Igorot Chef hosts GMA's new cooking show "Farm to Table"

Photo Courtesy || GMA

Cordillera - Cooking show lovers in the Cordillera region would be happy to see a Cordilleran chef as host of the new television in Philippines' biggest TV network GMA. 

GMA Network has announced that Pinoy MasterChef winner JR Royol of Mt. Province and Bicol will be hosting a new cooking show "Farm to Table" that will showing in February 2021. 

"Ang Farm to Table ay ang programang pagbibidahan ng ating bagong Kapuso chef na si Chef JR Royol. Si Chef JG ay may lahing Igorot at Bicolano. Siya ay isang dating executive chef sa isang hotel at grand winner ng isang reality cooking show," GMA announced.

In 2013, Royol was named the first ever Pinoy "MasterChef" in the grand finals of the "MasterChef Pinoy Edition: The Live Cook-off" held at the SM North Edsa Skydome in February 9, 2013.

Chef JR has represented the Philippines in different food festivals in other countries including Japan and Myanmar. 

Hosting GMA's newest cooking show, Chef JR will travel to the different farms in the country to cook using the farm ingredients found in that particular place. 

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First ever Pinoy MasterChef is a proud Igorot from Mt.Province

Photo Courtesy || JR Royol

Cordillera - A proud Igorot and Bicolano band vocalist JR Royol was named the first ever Pinoy MasterChef in the grand finals of  the "MasterChef Pinoy Edition: The Live Cook-off" held at the SM North Edsa Skydome in February 9, 2013.

Royol's unique dish called "Bigorot", a blend of Bicolano and Igorot words to honor his parents' hometown and heritage was the winning dish approved by the judges. 

"My game plan was to prepare a dish that would represent my roots. I incorporated the smoky flavors from Benguet and the used of coconut milk, which is very Bicolano," Royol said. 

Royol's dish bested other cooks Carla Mercaida of Bulacan, Ivory Yat of Quezon City and Myra Santos.

READ ALSO:

Igorot Chef to host GMA's new cooking show "Farm to Table"

His dish scored an average of 96 points in the 30-minute long live cooking show from host-judges Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, Ferns Aracama, JP Anglo and Rolando Laudico, and celebrity guest judges Kris Aquino and Richard Gomez. 

As the first Pinoy MasterChef, Royol received a P1 million check, a kitchen showcase, and a Diploma Program for Professional Culinary Arts scholarship at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies.

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Proud Cordilleran kid is USA's "Best of the Best" in Taekwondo

Photo Courtesy || Dennis Candelaria

Cordillera - Taekwondo sensation of Cordillera, Miss Juliana Mykahil Candelaria is making waves in the United Sates as she bagged numerous awards in the United States Taekwondo Cadet World Class Competition. 

Considered the "Best of the Best" in USA Taekwondo, 12-year old Candelaria won the Gold medal in the 2020 US Open individual and Team Cadet Poomsae. 

Photo Courtesy || Dennis Candelaria

On the same year, she landed the number one spot in the USAT Grandslam Finals in Individual and Team Cadet Poomsae and became the youngest member/athlete of the USAT National Team.

She recently won Gold Medal in the Taekwondo Pan Am International Championship and silver medal in the World Taekwondo Championship.

She is training at Apex Tigers  Martial Arts in New Jersey, under the Guidance of Master Giduk Kwon. She is also training the freestyle Taekwondo of Coach Jeordan Dominguez from La Trinidad, Benguet

Juliana's parents are from Baguio City, Mr. Dennis Candelaria and Mrs. Janie Candelaria. She is the great grand daughter of former Baguio city mayor Jaime Bugnosen. They are now based in Chicago.

Starting her career in Taekwondo in 2016, here's a list of  Juliana's achievements:

2020 - US Open - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Cadet - Gold

2020 - US Open - Team Poomsae - Black Belt - Cadet - Gold

2020 - Cadet Poomsae Grand Slam - Individual - Black Belt - Cadet - 1st place

2020 - Cadet Poomsae Grand Slam - Team - Black belt - Cadet - 1st Place

2020 - AAU Illinois State Championship - Individual Poomsae - Cadet - Black Belt - Gold

2020 - AAU Illinois State Championship - Cadet Sparring - Black Belt - -30 (Fin) Gold

2019/2020 - AAU Mini Cadet Sparring National Team Member

2019 - USAT Nationals - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Youth - Gold

2019 - USAT Nationals - Youth Sparring - Black Belt - -30 kg (Fin) - Bronze

2019 - US Open - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Youth - Silver

2019 - President's Cup - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Youth - Gold

2019 - President's Cup - Sparring - Black Belt - -30 (Fin) - Youth - Bronze

2019 - Pan American International - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Youth - Bronze

2019 - Pan American International - Youth Sparring - Black Belt - -30 (Fin) - Gold

2019 - Athletic Taekwondo Union Nationals - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Youth - Gold

2019 - Athletic Taekwondo Union Nationals - Youth Sparring - Black Belt - -30 (Fin) - Gold

2019 - Midwest 10.0 Sparring - Youth Sparring - Black Belt - -30 (Fin) - Gold

2019 - AAU New Jersey State Championship - Individual Poomsae - Youth - Black Belt- Gold

2019 - AAU New Jersey State Championship - Youth Sparring - Black Belt - -30 (Fin) Gold

2019 - Michigan State Championship - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Youth - Gold

2019 - Michigan State Championship - Youth Sparring - Black Belt - -30 (Fin) - Gold

2019 - Illinois State Championship - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Youth - Gold

2019 - Illinois State Championship - Youth Sparring - Black belt - -30 (Fin) - Gold

2019 - Minnesota State Championship - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Youth - Gold

2019 - Minnesota State Championship - Youth Sparring - Black Belt - Youth Gold

2019 - Wisconsin State Championship - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt -Youth - Gold

2019 - Wisconsin State Championship - Youth Sparring - Black Belt - -30kg (Fin) - Gold

2018 - IL State Team Member (ITSO)

2018 - USAT Nationals - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Youth - Silver

2018 - President's Cup - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Youth - Gold

2018 - President's Cup - Youth Sparring - Black Belt - -30 kg (Fin) - Gold

2018 - Illinois State Championship - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Youth - Gold

2018 - Illinois State Championship - Youth Sparring - black Belt - -30 kg (Fin) - Gold

2018 - Wisconsin State Championship - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Youth - Gold

2018 - Wisconsin State Championship - Youth Sparring - Black Belt - -30 kg (Fin) - Gold

2018 - Las Vegas Open - Youth Sparring - Black Belt - -30kg ( Fin) - Silver

2017 - USAT Nationals - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - 8-9 years old - Silver

2017 - USAT Nationals - Tiger Sparring - Black Belt - 21 to 25 kg - Gold

2017 - Illinois State Championship - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Tiger - Gold

2017 - Illinois State Championship - Tiger Sparring - Black Belt - 21 to 25 kg - Gold

2016 - USAT Nationals - Individual Poomsae - Blue Belt - Tiger - Silver

2016 - Illinois State Championship - Individual Poomsae - Black Belt - Tiger - Gold

2016 - Illinois State Championship - Tiger Sparring - black Belt - 21 to 25 kg - Gold

Dennis Candelaria & teamusa.org

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Philippines' first Igloo house is found in Mankayan, Benguet

Cordillera - If you think that Igloo house can only be found in Alaska, you're wrong. Igloos can also be found in one of the mountains of Cordillera. 

Photo Courtesy || Kate Kareen Pulkera Cabintak

These Igloo-like houses are located in Lap-angan, Mankayan, Benguet. They weren't built by the Eskimos but built by strong Igorots. 

So, if you have been wanting to see an igloo for yourself but can't bear the below zero temperature, you don't need to fly to Alaska. The Igorots of Cordillera has constructed it for you and it's only 4-5 hours drive from Baguio. 

WATCH: Paragliding in Mankayan

While the real Igloos in Alaska were built using blocks of snow to form a spiral dome, the igloos in Benguet were built using cement and concrete hollow blocks.

At present, there are two igloos which are under construction in Mankayan.

READ ALSO: Mankayan, Benguet is now the home of the largest gong in the Philippines

We believe that these igloos will add another tourism gem worth visiting in the municipality of Mankayan.

Good job to the owners and builders of these igloos and their brilliant minds. 

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Cordilleran BGen. Romeo Brawner Jr. promoted to two-star general of the AFP

Photo Courtesy || AFP

Cordillera - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has promoted Baguio boy and Marawi siege veteran Brigadier General Romeo Brawner Jr. to the rank of Major General. 

AFP Chief of Staff General Gilbert Gapay led the donning or ranks to BGen. Brawner on the January 27, 2021 at the AFP Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Major General Brawner recently assumed as the first Deputy Chief of Staff for Financial Management, J10, an office which was newly activated last December 2020.  

Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Commandant of Cadets of the Philippine Military Academy, Commander of the 103rd Brigade during the liberation of Marawi City, and served as the Chief of AFP Public Affairs Office.

BGen. Brawner, who traces his roots to Kiangan, Ifugao is the son of the late and former Baguio and La Trinidad Regional Trial Court Judge and Commission on Election Commissioner, Justice Romeo Brawner Sr.

Brawner is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA)  "MAKATAO" Class of 1989. 

He finished his elementary and secondary education at the Special Education Center and University of the Philippines (UP) College Baguio High School.

In 2013, he was awarded as one of the country's Most Outstanding Filipino soldier.  

Congratulations Major General Romeo Brawner Jr.

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