Cordillera - Watch Becoming Filipino Kyle Jennerman or 'Kulas' as he shows us his first-hand experience travelling to 'Inudey' Falls
located in Mankayan, Benguet.
In his video, Kulas travels one of the most exciting mountain plateau in
the Philippines. Using his drones, he captures the massive waterfall right
on the boundary of Mt. Province and Benguet called the 'Inudey'
Falls.
According to the elders' story, Inudey falls is believed to be the tears from siblings "Gatan and Binayat" who cried endlessly out of sadness.
Photo Courtesy || PBGEN Tellio C Ngis-o / PNP Special Action Force
Cordillera - Acting Deputy Director of the Special Action Force (SAF) PCOL. Tellio C. Ngis-o has been promoted to the rank of Police Brigadier
General.
President Rodrigo Duterte approved and signed the promotion of PBGEN Ngis-o
on March 2, 2021 after the endorsement by the Civil Service Commission and
by the National Police Commission.
PGGEN Ngis-o who traces his roots to Besao, Mt. Province is now included
among the newest generals coming from the Cordilleras.
Ngis-o spent his grade school in Acoje Mines Elementary School in Isabela
before moving to Lucban Elementary School in Baguio City.
He graduated high school at Easter School and went to the University of
Baguio where he took Bachelor of Science in Criminology. He also took up
Masters in Public Administration at St. Benedict College in
Cotabato.
PGEN Ngis-o is a member of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA)
Class TAGAPAGLIKHA of 1991.
He was assigned as the Provincial Director of the Mountain Province Police
Provincial Office in November 2016 - December 2018 before he was assigned to
a higher position in the PNP headquarters in Manila.
PBGEN Ngis-o was instrumental in making Mt. Province drug-free during his
stint as Provincial Director.
Prior to his promotion as Police Brigadier General, Ngis-o was twice
awarded Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Administration for the
Year.
He was also recognized Company Commander for the Combat Unit of the Year
and was meritoriously promoted for the rank of Police Captain.
Photo Courtesy || Fernando Dulnuan Jr. - Don's Chainsaw Creation
Cordillera - A full-blooded Igorot based in Oklahoma, USA is creating buzz
with his chain saw art.
Fernando Dulnuan Jr. uses chain saws and recycled wood to create his own
unique chain saw artwork like wolves, bears, horses, eagles and American
Indian totem poles.
The chain saw artist who traces his roots to Ifugao province in the
Cordillera had participated in a fair in the state of Oklahoma in
2018.
Dulnuan's chain saw art show draws dozens of people, who watched him turn a
hunk of tree in a recognizable shaggy shape - a bear.
In an interview with The Oklahoman, Dulnuan said he trained him self to
learn the craft of chain saw carving.
"I just trained myself. For me, let’s put it this way, it’s a God-given
talent that right now it’s showing. I don’t know where it came from, but I
know it came from God," said Dulnuan,
"In our tribe there they do a lot of wood sculptures. … I just think my
family has it." he added.
Running in his blood are genes of wood carvers from the northern part of
the Philippines, Dulnuan interest in wood carving started when he migrated
to America.
"I like wood. When I see some wood lying around that says this is all free.
I said, 'There's something in them that needs to come out." So, that's where
I started, he said.
Dulnuan then turned to Google and YouTube to learn the art of chain saw
carving, and from then on his passion for carving started.
“I want to do this my whole life, until I cannot hold a chain saw anymore.
I like this. It’s always different. I like to encourage myself, to improve
myself, and do all this. I have more ideas I want to go through with the
wood,” Dulnuan said.
Lamut River in Ifugao awarded the cleanest river in the entire
Philippines
Cordillera - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has
recognized Lamut River in Ifugao province as the cleanest river in the
entire country.
The Lamut River was awarded the top prize for Recognizing
Individuals/Institutions Toward Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers (RIVERs) for
Life Award.
The award aims to raise public awareness on the need to protect and
conserve the country's rivers as the lifeblood of the earth.
The R.I.V.E.Rs for Life Award will greatly contribute to ensuring that the
country’s rivers are kept clean.
Roy A. Cimatu, the DENR Secretary personally handed the awards to the local
government unit (LGU) of Lamut, Ifugao during the national department’s 32nd
anniversary celebration in Quezon City in June 2019.
Calbayog River in Samar province, Region 8 garnered the second place and
Manaba River in Bohol, Region 7 for the third place.
Cordillera - An honest rookie cop of Baguio City Police Office (BCPO)
returned found missing wallet of a lemon farmer on March 1, 2021.
While on his way home after rendering overnight duty, Pat Redentor Valdez,
assigned at Marcos Highway Police Station (PS10) of BCPO, found a purse
containing a bundle of money in different denominations, an ATM card,
identification cards, and receipts along Marcos Highway.
Immediately, he checked the ID cards to possibly identify and contact the
owner of the said wallet.
Fortunately, Pat Valdez found contact details in one of the ID cards which
he immediately called to inform the owner that he has found the
wallet.
Pat Valdez and the owner, identified as Emeelyn L Takia of Tuba, Benguet, a
mother and a lemon farmer, met at Marcos Highway Police Station (PS10) for
the wallet, along with all its contents, to be safely returned to her.
RT-PCR tests no longer required when traveling to Benguet
Cordillera - Benguet has announced that it would no longer be requiring
travelers to present a negative reverse transcription-plymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR) test or swab test when entering the province.
In PIATF meeting called by Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas on Friday (March
5, 2021), it was agreed that RT-PCR test are no longer required from people
entering the province.
It was also agreed that Travel Authorities (TA) are no longer required as
per requirement by the IATF. However, if destination LGU requires such, the
Provincial LGU will issue a TA for the travelers.
For LSIs and ROFs, they still have to be triaged at the Quarantine Facility
in Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Further, for inter-municipal travels, there is no need for health
declaration forms (HDF), but governor Diclas said travelers have to strictly
adhere to health protocols such as wearing facemasks which will be strictly
monitored by the PNP.
Cordillera - Students from Abra National High School won bronze in the 7th
World Innovative Technology Challenge under the symposium
category.
Abra Schools Division Superintendent Benilda Daytaca handed the
bronze medal and certificates to Ma. Teresita Viste and Kenneth Seruno for
their invention of a device that can prevent the spread of
Covid-19.
Photo Courtesy || Abra Province
On November 13, 2020, the two students presented their invention online - a
gadget called Automated Solar Powered Disinfectant Device that is equipped
with a mist mechanism, UV lamps and live broadcast system.
The solar panel attached to the machine is used to power the device for
misting disinfectant, for the UV lamps and for the camera.
Photo Courtesy || Abra Province
The broadcast system is compose of a camera that is capable of recording a
360 degrees panoramic view.
Viste and Seruno with four other members of the Abra High's Robotic Team
led by coach Jephunneh Gasmen are now preparing for the World Robot Games to
be held virtually on March 25-28, 2021.
Pasiwen took over the position as Benguet PPO during the Turn-over of
Command Ceremony on February 19, 2021.
Another iBesao cop who was given top position is PCOL Jonathan Calixto. He is now the
Director of La Union Provincial Police Office.
Calixto, a member of the Special Action Force (SAF) - formally took the position as
the provincial director on February 22, 2021 at the Marangal
Grandstand.
Cordillera - A proud Cordilleran from Ifugao tops the Philippine Scout
Ranger Class 211-2020.
PLT John Smith Binwag who traces his roots to Hingyon, Ifugao received a
Scout Ranger Replica as Class Top 1 and also awarded a Certificate of
Appreciation for earning the highest rating in academics.
Read his Inspiring Story below:
I am 27 yrs old at present, I am the 7th among the 9 siblings of Mr. Manuel
P Binwag, (native of Banaue, ifugao) and Mrs. Mary Atiwon Binwag+(native of
Hingyon, Ifugao). We were raised in Lepanto Mankayan, Benguet since our
father worked there as a miner and my mother as a housewife.
I graduated elementary at Marivic Elem School (2006-2007), Sapid,
Mankayan, Benguet and graduated at Joaquin Smith National High School
(2010-2011), Km. 4 Asin Road, Baguio city for secondary education. We
moved to Baguio city last 2009 since my father was terminated from Lepanto
mines.
After graduating in High School , I enrolled at the University of Baguio
(academic year 2011) as a working student and took up BS Criminology, I
study during the day and serve as campus security ( Marshals) during the
night at the University in exchange for free tuition fee.
Despite the hardships of balancing things between time,duties, studies,
rest and financial problems, I am proud that I was a consistent academic
scholar during my stay in the university. I even became the Student Body
Governor of UB Crim department in the Academic Year 2014-2015.
Despite all efforts, I failed to graduate criminology because i moved out
in the university on April 15, 2015 since God blessed me with a better
career after I passed the PNPA Entrance Examination. Luckily, I passed
all the rigors of selection process and landed as a PNPA cadet and
became as part of SANSIKLAB CLASS Of 2019 ( Located at Camp. Gen. mariano
N. Castañeda, Silang, Cavite).
After graduating in the academy last March 2019, we were commissioned as
Police Lieutenants and were temporarily assigned at PNP NHQ, Camp Crame,
Quezon City for orientations and seminars before deployment.
However, among PNP members in our class, only 10 of us were given the
chance to undergo Scout Ranger Training.
The ten of us reported to Camp Tecson, Bulacan on January 3, 2020 for
Qualifying phase( it was a rigid screening process to test the mental
stability, stamina, skill, and knowledge of a student to include
markmanship, swimming, land navigation, map reading, Physical Fitness
Tests and others that are in Military Terms to explain). After Qualifying
Phase, only 5 of us made it to form part of the Scout Ranger Class 211
that opened on March 11, 2020.
Among the 232 qualified Ranger students who qualified to form part of SRC
211-20, only 206 had made it up to graduate on February 25, 2021
after almost a year of rigorous training, sleepless nights and
sacrifice of blood. Our Test Mission in Jolo, Sulu lasted for nearly to
months of raging war with the Abu Sayaf group from December 2020 to
mid-week of January 2021. Those who did not graduate were the ones
who failed to overcome their fear, weaknesses and decided to quit a long
the way.
AWARDS Received -Academics:
1. Mr. Intramurals year-2010(Joaquin Smith National High School)
2. Dean's Lister academic year 2014-2015( SCJPS UNIVERSITY OF
BAGUIO)
3.Deans Lister for Academic Year 2018-2019 PNPA
3. Leadership Kampilan Awardee ( As 1st Captain PNPA Year 2019)
4. 4th Placer (PCAP-Oral Debate year 2013 at Cebu City)
5. Certificate of Commendation from Regiment Commander FSRR as Top 1 for
SRC Class 211-2020
MOST Challenging Life Events:
1. We were nine siblings in the family, and we are stuck beyond
poverty, our distant relatives predicted us as future general
problems of the society, nobody believed in us. I, accepted it as a
challenge on how they look at us from below, that sooner or later, we will
strive to fail all those malicious predictions to us, and that's what we
slowly did.
2. Lack of Financial Support for Study- while i thank the government for
free primary and secondary education, going to college is a harder choice
to take specially if you have jobless parents who rather expect you go
looking for earning rather than go learning in school. However, i promised
my father that i will send my self to college without him burdened
for tuition fees. I entered the University of Baguio as a working student.
Studies during the day and serve as campus security during the night. For
i swore my self that i must sacrifice in order to achieve a brighter
future, not for my own benefit but for the benefits of my soon to be
children as well. Shall they not experience the life i had and a bright
future be my gift for them.
3. Entering the academy, is a fulfillment of dream, however, surviving
cadetship up to graduation is the realization of it. Living in a
regimented way of life for 4 years is very challenging, a bit of
carelessness to all aspects within the academy may lead to dismissal or
separation specially surviving the rigors of academics. In order to
survive, i did always remind my self that cadetship is my one way ticket
for the realization of my dreams and this is the best shot to start for a
carrier, and, that made me until i graduate.
Thoughts of Inspiration to all student, professionals, examinees, trainees
and public:
PUT GOD first before anything.
- Don't make excuses and start working for your dreams. Considering
that we are all poor, we have two choices for survival, by asking or by
earning, choose who you are...
-Success in everything does not happen overnight or granted by fairy
godmothers nor by the falling stars, it is built over time with your
skill, knowledge, handwork and blood as the strongest foundation.
- Always have a plan,.. knowing utmost what you want to become will
answer all the succeeding questions on how things will be done it will
serve as compass to guide you in all your endeavors.
- Give your best in everything you do,. Specially that in every
employment, credentials will speak in our behalf, either someone's gonna
be hired or be fired.
-Mostly, keep a good health and stay alive, because a dead man could
no longer tell tales.
May God bless you after reading my story. I pray for everyone's safety
this difficult time." - PLT John Smith Binwag
Cordillera - The song entry of Cordillera's nightingale Ms. Ingrid Payaket
is the GRAND WINNER of The Vehnee Saturno Online Songwriting Contest
(TVSOSC2020).
The song was produced and composed by Ms. Ingrid Payaket herself with
Janrau Beray in the sound and instrumental.
Ingrid thanked everyone who supported her song by watching and sharing her
entry.
The Vehnee Saturno Online Songwriting Contest 2020 was launched to give
spotlight to outstanding Filipino composers and show the world the beauty
and diversity of Original Pilipino Music.
With the theme "Today's Hits, Tomorrow's Classic", the contest searched for
future hit songs, having the quality and appeal to stay relevant and become
timeless.
Ms. Ingrid Payaket is a Baguio-born talent and one of the rising singing
star in the Cordilleras.
She placed 4th in the nationwide reality show "Got Talent Pilipinas" Season
1 of ABS CBN where she bested 4,000 other aspirants from the different
regions in the country.
Last year, her song engry 'Angat Cordillera' won the 2nd place in the
DILG Songwriting Competition 2020.
Cordillera - President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed retired Philippine
National Police (PNP) chief General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan as
undersecretary at the Chief executive's office, Malacanang said on
Wednesday.
In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced
Duterte signed Cascolan appointment letter as Undersecretary of the Office
of the President last Monday.
Kinukumpirma po natin na napirmahan na noong Lunes, Feb. 22, ang
appointment paper ni dating PNP Chief Camilo Cascolan bilang Undersecretary
sa Office of the President (We confirm that the appointment paper of former
PNP Chief Camilo Cascolan as Undersecretary of the President was signed last
Monday). Welcome aboard, Usec. Cascolan," he said.
Cascolan stepped down from his 2-month stint as chief of the PNP chief when
he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 last
November.
Cascolan who crafted the Oplan Double Barrel, the police force's flagship
campaign against illegal drugs was succeeded by current PNP chief Debold
Sinas.
Oplan Double Barrel involves the Oplan Tokhang aimed at encouraging the
surrender of small-time drug pushers and the Oplan High-Value Target which
goes after big-time drug peddlers.
Meanwhile Cascolan thanked the President for his appointment.
In a separate interview Cascolan said, “Of course, it’s an honor for me to
serve the President. I just hope I could keep step with his standards and I
will do my best,” he said.
He said he has yet to report at the OP since he received his appointment on
Tuesday but “accordingly, I will be with the office of special
concerns.”
“With my current position, whatever the President tells me, I will do my
best of course,” he added.
Cordillera - Cordillera's young and talented artists including Igorot
Carotman Jeyrick Sigmaton will be starring in an upcoming film entitled
'Sine Cordillera'.
The film is a life-inspired short story that portrays the complexity
and duality of life among small-scale gold miners of Itogon, Benguet who had
shown immense resiliency during a disaster that happened three years
ago.
Directed by Cordilleran Realtor Jianlin Floresca, the film also showcased
the different cultures, tradition and faith of the Igorots.
"The importance of this film is to showcased [kung] ano ba at paano
nabubuhay ang mag Cordillerans, especially ang ating mga kababayang minero,"
Direk Jianlin said.
"The advocacy of this film is... to give livelihood sa ating mga artist...
at para maipakita ang sariling artistry ng mag Cordillerans," she
added.
Photo Courtesy || JianLin FB
The film will be competing in both local and international
film contest.
Cordillera - A battle-tested Igorot cop who is a member of the Special
Action Force (SAF) has been installed as the new director of the La Union
Police Provincial Office.
P/Col. Jonathan Calixto formally took the position as the provincial
director of La Union during the turnover ceremony held at the LUPPO Marangal
Grandstand on February 22, 2021.
The turnover of command was administered by Police Regional Office-1
director, Brigadier General Emmanuel Peralta.
Col. Calixto who traces his roots to Besao, Mt Province is a member of the
Philippine National Police Academy Class of 1998.
Calixto was meritoriously promoted twice in 2004 and 2007 for bravery and
heroism in several anti-terrorism and anti-criminality
operations.
10 years ago Calixto was the youngest battalion commander of the PNP
Special Action Force (SAF.
Calixto's track records in the Police service ranges from leading
anti-terrorist operation and intelligence. Calixto led the capture of one of
the leader of Islamist group Jemaah Islamiyah in the southern
Philippines.
In 2005, Calixto along with his fellow Igorot PNP-SAF leader Supt. Lambert
Suerte also led the assault of terrorists who held hostages at the Bicutan
jail that resulted to the killing of top Abu Sayyaf leaders including
Commander Robot.
Calixto along with 10 police officers were conferred the coveted Country's
Outstanding Policemen in Service by the Metrobank Foundation for his
contribution to the nation's peace and stability through anti-terror
campaign.
Calixto holds a degree in Criminology at the University of Baguio and holds
a master's degree in Public Administration from the National College for
Business and Arts.
He also took an advance course in anti-kidnapping and crisis response at
the Louisiana State Police Academy in the United States.
Cordillera - A Filipino engineer who played a key role in ensuring
Perseverance rover safe landing on Mars was educated in Baguio city during
his high school life.
Gregorio Villar said in an interview with Teleradyo on Friday that he was a
high-schooler in Baguio who was very good at math and science.
"I was a high-schooler in Baguio City. I was very good at math and science.
I was a big nerd. Still a nerd. That's not a bad thing 'cause nerds rule the
world now," Villar said.
The 33-year old NASA engineer said part of him to pursue his journey to
work in NASA is because of his teachers at the Saint Louis University -
Laboratory High School in Baguio.
"I thank part of my education in the Philippines for that. I studied so
much in the Philippines, my foundation in math and physics because of my
teachers there in high school," he said.
Villar said becoming an astronaut and going to space has always been his
dream.
"The dream is to go to space someday, maybe even Mars," Villar added.
Cordillera - This adorable little Igorot boy who can do the Cordillera's
most famous Sissiwit dance with his perfect and undeniable skill is a
topnotch in cuteness.
In a video posted on Facebook, a kid in his full Igorot traditional customs
performs an Igorot dance in front of many adults watching and clapping with
joy.
Watch the boy as he shows everyone just as how talented he is in dancing
the Sissiwit.
The video that was posted a year ago has gotten more than 1 million views
and 20,000 likes and over 400 comments.
The Sissiwit has been the most requested song in Cordillera and even around
the world by many Igorots during concerts, wedding occasions and community
gatherings.
The "Sissiwit" is a Kalinga word that means bird. The song was originally
composed and sung by Hilair Wacdagan of Tanudan, Kalinga.
The cheerful and lively melody of the song make it well-liked and perfect
accompaniment for any traditional Cordillera dances.
Cordillera - A Cordilleran grad from the Cordillera Career Development
College (CCDC) is among the topnotchers in the recently concluded February
2021 Social Worker Licensure Examinations.
Katherine Vaneza L. Sierra landed in Top 7 with a rating of 81. 40
percent.
Meanwhile, Gezelle Anne Viray Garcia, a graduate from Don Honorio Ventura
Technological State University is in the top 1 with a rating of 83.80
%.
Garcia was followed by Artem Reynald Sarmiento Makipagay in the 2nd spot
with a rating of 83.20 %.
Makipagay was a graduate of St, Mary Magdalene College of Laguna, INC.
Calamba.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 495 out of
1,473 passed the Social Worker Licensure Examination given by the Board for
Social Workers in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao,
Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Pangasinan, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, and
Zamboanga this February 2021.
Cordillera - Metro Global Holdings Corp., a multinational holdings company
is proposing to build P11.5 billion fully electric public transport system
in Baguio city.
Photo Courtesy || blogmickey
The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the local
government of Baguio City to do the feasibility studies for the building of
an "intelligent public transport system" that could provide solutions to the
worsening traffic situation in the Central Business District.
According to Baguio PIO, the project is composed of a 4-kilometer elevated
monorail around the central business district area and a series of feeder
lines to be composed of battery-powered buses in an aim to make Baguio City
the first urban center to pilot the green ecosystem and electric-powered
monorail system.
The prosed monorail project will consist eight strategic stations around
the central business district which will be powered by electricity and some
300 battery-powered buses that will service the transportation requirements
of the residents from their residences to the monorail stations and to their
places of work.
The company will shoulder the cost of the project through the
public-private partnership over a 50-year period of the franchise, according
to Robert John Sobrepen֮a, chairman of the Metro Global Holdings
Corporation
Cordillera - World's biggest TV documentary History Channel featured the
Igorot iconic headhunting axe on its program Forged in Fire.
Forged in Fire is an American competition series that features bladesmiths
compete in a three-round elimination contest to forge bladed weapons, with
the overall winner receiving $10,000 and the show's championship title
"Forged in Fire Champion".
Season 8 of the Forged in Fire which was aired on February 19, 2021,
features two bladesmiths compete in forging one of Igorot weapon used in
headhunting.
The headhunting axe also known as battle axe is used by the Igorot warriors
not only for headhunting purposes by also for carving wood to make things
like furniture, statues and even houses.
Cordillera - National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s largest
and most advance Mars rovers 'Perseverance' has landed on Mars surface on
Thursday.
One of the NASA's engineers who worked on the the successful mission of the
"Perseverance is a Filipino-American - Gregory Villar III.
Villar happens to be a graduate of Saint Louis University -
Laboratory High School in Baguio City where his parents came
from.
He took up bachelor's degree in Physics at California State Polytechnic
University, and a doctoral degree in Astronomical Engineering at the
University of Southern California.
Villar has been working at NASA for 12 years and worked as the operation
system engineers who is responsible for the Entry, Descent and Landing of
the Perseverance on the Martial soil.
Watch the landing of Perseverance on Mars below:
The Mars Rover 'Perseverance' was designed to explore Jezero crater on Mars
as part of NASA's Mars 2020 mission.
It was launched on 30 July 2020, at 11:50 UTC and landed on Mars on 18
February 2021 at 20:55 UTC.
The rover carries seven new scientific instruments and has a total of 19
cameras and two microphones.
The rover is carrying the mini-helicopter Ingenuity, an experimental
aircraft that will attempt the first powered flight on another planet.
Cordillera - Patrolman Lloyd Depayso Binwag was presented and honored as
the Top 1 and Strongest Man Awardee of the SAF Commando Class 107-108
2019.
The graduation ceremony of the new 226 commandos was awarded by Philippine
National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Debold Sinas on February 5, 2021
who also served as the Guest Speaker.
Patrolman Binwag is half Tuwali and half Ibaloi from Cabarroguis town in
Quirino province.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Quirino State
University - Diffun Campus and successfully passed his Criminology Board
Exam in 2018.
In the year 2018-2019, he completed his Public Safety Basic Recruit Course
(PSBRC) from Regional Training Center 3 in Magalang Pampanga.
After that, he underwent training at SAF Commando because of his passion
and dedication to becoming a full-blooded Special Action Force (SAF) Trooper
or "Savior".
After 1 year and 2 months of intensive training in Commando, he graduated
and earned a prestigious award for being the Top 1 and "Strongest Man" of
his class.
