Cordilleran artist wins 2 Gold Medals, 1 Bronze in 25th Annual World Championships of Performing Arts in California

Photo Courtesy || Jefferson R. Coronado via Highlandtribune

Cordillera - A Cordilleran artist from Baguio brought honor to the city when he bagged 2 gold medals and one bronze medal during the recently concluded 25th Annual Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) held in Anaheim, California U.S.A. from July 22 - 30, 2022.

Jefferson R. Coronado, a resident of Hillside barangay in Baguio took home two gold medals in WCOPA broadway category and the original work category. 

He also won bronze medal in the group production category together with Team Philippines including a semi-finalist pin.

Coronado, an alumnus of Saint Louis University-Glee Club and a vocalist of Baguio's premier pop/jazz band was among the 60 Filipinos who competed in the event which was participated by 60 countries across the globe.

READ ALSO: Igorot BJMP officer bags 3 Gold Medals in Jiujitsu

Meanwhile, the city government of Baguio City has passed a resolution congratulating and commending Jefferson R. Coronado for bringing pride to the city.

"With such world-class and top-brass accolades, it is just but fitting and proper to award this commendation to Jefferson Coronado for his excellent achievement that has brought pride and glory to the City of Baguio," the resolution states.

READ ALSO: Cordilleran cop wins Gold and Silver medals in World Police and Fire Games 2022

WCOPA is an international competition program for seasoned and up and coming performers and entertainers held every year and judged by "Hollywood" industry professionals.

During the competition, Philippine team bagged a total of 265 awards and medals with 38 gold, 59 silver, and 85 bronze and 44 semifinalist medals, eight grand finalist medals, one scholarship, 29 division winner plaques, and one extraordinary national director plaque.

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Honest guard of SM Baguio returns lost cash worth P600,000 to owner

Cordillera - An honest security guard of SM-Baguio has returned a bag containing large amount of money to the rightful owner.

The security guard who was identified as Rodney Vespira of Saber Alpha Security Agency found the bag containing 6 bundles with P100,000 each bundle totaling to P600,000.

READ ALSO:  Honest Kalinga tricycle driver returns cheques amounting to P2.1 M

The the bag was left by a customer at a grocery store in SM in the late afternoon of August 25, 2022.

RELATED: Honest Igorota vendor from La Trinidad returns 2.7 million cash to owner

Vespira immediately turned over the said bag to the customer assistance where the owner from Baguio city later came to retrieved the lost cash.

READ ALSO: Honest Passenger and Driver from Tublay return Php400,000 lost cash to a former OFW owner

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Igorot BJMP officer bags 3 Gold Medals in Jiujitsu

Photo Courtesy || Tabuk Djail Kalinga

Cordillera - A proud Igorot BJMP officer from Kapangan, Benguet won three golds in different division during the just concluded Asian Sport Jiujitsu Federation (ASSJF) Manila Open 2022 International Gi and Nogi Championship on August 20 and 21, 2022 at the the Festival Mall, Alabang.

Jail Officer 1 Arvin Luma-ang Jose took home gold in Gi adult white light division, NoGi adult white light division, and another gold in Gi open weight adult white division.

ASSJF is an international sporting competition organized by the Asian Sport Jiu-Jitsu Federation. The even was also participated by jiujitsu practioners from various countries, such as Korea, China, and Morocco.

Team Jiujitsu Philippines was able to brought home seven gold medals, six silver medals, and seven bronze medals during the two-day event.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport based on ground fighting and submission holds.

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Farmer's daughter from Sagada joins prestigious Philippine Military Academy

Photo Courtesy || Philippine Military Academy

Cordillera - Truly a farmer's daughter, the 12th among 13 siblings hailing from a grassroot family, Cadet 1CL KESSI I LAYAGAN who just barely fledged to the age of majority became a new vanguard and enforcer of goodwill. 

In a blink of an eye, this neophyte in the complexities of the military arena traversed the holy grounds of the Philippine Military Academy.

Despite being abruptly weaned off from civilian life, she vows to uphold the integrity, sanctity and prestige of the academy and has long been an epitome of the new breed of heroes. 

Join her in the furtherance of and embodiment of the epigrammatic meaning of service. Soar High! Be a PMA cadet, be one of us!

source || Philippine Military Academy Facebook Page

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PRC-CAR needs 800 Proctors/Room Watchers for the September LEPT exam

PRC-CAR needs 800 room watchers

Cordillera - The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Board for Professional Teachers will conduct the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT) on September 25, 2022 in Baguio City.

The PRC-Cordillera Administrative Region (PRC-CAR) is recruiting eight hundred (800) teachers, professionals, government employees and baccalaureate degree holders as Proctors/Room Watchers who are NOT in any way connected with a review center and not related to any LEPT examinee up to third degree of consanguinity or affinity.

Interested applicants may send in advance through email the following documentary requirements:

To : car.examination@prc.gov.ph

Subject : Documents for Room Watcher Application

Required File Attachments:

1. Duly accomplished PRC Personal Data Sheet Form (NOT CSC Perosonal Data Sheet Form) with passport-size ID picture (downloadable via Downloadable Forms at the PRC CAR Information Site or at https://drive.google.com/.../1AKv2DR_ffK5O.../view)

2. Scanned copy of Transcript of Records, or photocopy of PRC Identification Card

3. Certificate of Good Moral Character signed by the Barangay Chairman for applicants who are not yet employed in any office

If available, interested applicants may also personally submit the aforementioned documentary requirements at the Examination Section of PRC-CAR, 5th Floor Pine Lake View Building, No. 09 Otek Street corner Benjamin R. Salvosa Drive, Rizal Monument, Baguio City.

All qualified applicants will be scheduled to undergo the mandatory orientation. Those application documents sent through email are likewise required to be submitted/presented during the schedule of orientation. Actual service rendered will be compensated with monetary examination allowance. For registered PRC professionals, they are further entitled with two (2) CPD credit units.

source || PRC-Cordillera

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Baguio accepting proposals for cable car transport in the city

Cordillera - The city government of Baguio city has announced it's now accepting proposals for its three big projects which includes, electric plant, bulk water and cable car transport.

In a post from its official Facebook page, it said " The city government is accepting proposals for three more big projects: Asin Hydro Electric Plant, Cable Car System as Public Transport, Bulk Water".

Proposals can be submitted starting from August 22, 2022 to September 22, 2022.

The cable car transport project is among the city's priority project for public transport and facility system. 

Among the planned mass transport and facility system includes an intermodal transport terminal that allows interface between the different transport modes in the city. 

Also a multi-level parking designed in such a way that it can accommodate more cars to be parked under one roof. This could make the city streets free from illegally parked cars. 

Aside from the cable car, the city also listed a plan of building an 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.

According to Leticia O. Clemente, the City Budget Officer, the project will be funded through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or thru local revenue collection, foreign and local grants, capital income from sale or use of assets, and borrowing or bond flotation.

source || Public Information - Baguio City and BusinessWorld 

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LGU Kapangan inaugurates municipal hall with elevator, the first LGU with elevator in Cordillera

Photo Courtesy || LGU Kapangan

Cordillera - Kapangan Officials led by Mayor Manny Fermin and Vice Mayor Mayo Eslay together with Representatives from the Office of Benguet Congressman led the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the Newly Constructed Elevator in the Municipal Multipurpose Building and Evacuation Center.

The blessing of the elevator was officiated by the Parish Priest of Kapangan, Rev. Fr. Christoper Aban.

On behalf of the Local Government Unit of Kapangan, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the Office of Congressman Eric Go Yap (source of fund), DPWH Benguet 2nd District Engineering Office (implementing agency), and CLEB Construction (contractor) for the initiative, love, support and effort in making this happen.

source : LGU Kapangan

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Baguio boy is new commander of Philippine Marine Corps

Photo Courtesy || AFP

Cordillera - Major General Charlton Sean Gaerlan has assumed leadership of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) during a command ceremony at the Philippine Navy Headquarters in Naval Station Jose Andrada, Manila on Monday, August 15.

Major Gen. Gaerlan hails from Baguio City and a member of the Philippine Military Academy "Makatao" Class of 1989.

Prior to his new assignment, MGen. Gaerlan was the head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Education, Training and Doctrine Command (AFPETDC) – the military’s premier education and training institution.

He also served as Commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade Western Command where he was recognized as Best PMC Brigade from 2018 to 2022.

MGen Gaerlan also held several key positions in the AFP: Flag Officer’s Aide-de-Camp ken Senior Military Assistant to the Speaker of the House of Representatives; Deputy, Marine Corps Staff for Personnel, MC1; Marine Corps Staff for Operations, MC3; Inspector General of the Philippine Marine Corps; Deputy Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Operations, N3; Director of the Naval Operations Center, Philippine Navy; ken Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, J2, GHQ, AFP. as the Marine Corps inspector general, deputy commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, and deputy brigade commander of 2nd Marine Brigade.

MGen. Gaerlan took Masters Degree in Military Studies from the US Marine Corps Univesity of Quantico, Virginia and studied Senior Executive Course on National Security from the National Defense College of the Philippines.

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Igorot cop from Benguet is one of PH's best police officers

Photo Courtesy || Team RFMB

Cordillera - A police officer from Cordillera made it to Metrobank Foundation's list of Outstanding Filipinos this year. 

Police Colonel Lambert Suerte who hails from Bokod, Benguet was conferred an award as one of the Ten Outstanding Filipinos by Metrobank Foundation for his excellence in his profession and proving that ordinary Filipinos can be outstanding.

“His resolve and expertise as a commander have been tested in several armed encounters with enemy forces. Foremost among these is leading his men to victory and safety during the Marawi City siege in 2017,” Metrobank Foundation wrote in a post.

"Throughout his service, his efforts were vital in the liberation of stakeholders groups from security threats," it added. 

PCol. Suerte will receive a Php1 million cash prize, a golden medallion, and a Flame throphy during the conferment ceremonies in September. 

PCol. Suerte is currently the assigned as the Battalion Commander of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Other awardees of the 2022 Outstanding Filipinos by Metrobank Foundation are: 

• Junmerth C. Jorta

• Christine Joy DR. Aguila, Ph.D.

• Mark Nolan P. Confesor, Ph.D.

• Leonila F. Dans, M.D., M.Sc.

• TSg. Joel L. Tuganan PA

• Col. Maria Victoria P. Juan NC

• Col. Stephen L. Cabanlet PN(M)

• PEMS Rogelio A. Rodriguez, Jr.

• PCPT Rosalino E. Panlaqui

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Given Mendoza: The Youngest Cordilleran CEO at Age 13.

Cordillera - A 13-year old lady entrepreneur in Baguio city takes her business to the next level. Starting from  being an ukay-ukay vendor to KPOP album online seller and now managing her own Milk Tea and Kpop Merchandise business. 

She is Given Mendoza, who now owns her dream shop "G's Kpop Kilig" located at Porta Vaga. 

Given is a serial entrepreneur who started her first official business at age 10 buying and selling "ukay ukay" here in Baguio City before starting G's Kpop Kilig at age 12. Given is the "G" in G's Kpop Kilig, which is a Milk Tea & Kpop Merchandise business. 

"My first business was selling ukay-ukay with my cousin. It was an idea we had, because night market and ukay-ukay are very popular here in Baguio," said Given.

She grew G's Kpop Kilig from ₱500 to ₱50,000 in merchandise in 2022, primarily through the Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and Twitter to grow a local audience in Baguio City. 

"When I became an Army (BTS fan) I started to buy KPOP albums in 2021. I realized that prices for albums varied greatly and there wasn’t a good, single place to buy albums. I started selling KPOP albums to other people in Baguio through Facebook Marketplace. I decided to expand my business using the profits I had earned from selling albums, and also any additional money I had saved," she added.

This August, she launched her first real store, G’s Kpop Kilig in Porta Vaga. She was the one who designed the original logo and also personally picked the store design, brand colors, and interviewing of staff. 

Her original business is selling KPOP merchandise but since the market of Kpop can be on and off, she had the idea to also sell milk tea which is really popular with KPOP and KDRAMA fans.

Asked about her plans in the future, she hope to be able to expand her business and maybe even franchise it.

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Igorot General from Besao appointed Regional Director of Bicol Region

Photo Courtesy || PRO5

Cordillera - A proud Igorot who hails from Besao, Mountain Province is the new Regional Director of Police Regional Office 5. 

Police Brigadier General Rudolph Botengan Dimas who is a member of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class of 1992 will be leading the 11,428 strong police force of PRO5.

PBGen. Dimas replaced PGGen. Mario Reyes who was designated as the Acting Director for Police Community Relations at Camp Crame.

PBGen. Dimas received his new appointment during the turn-over ceremony at the PRO5 Grandstand in Camp BGen Simeon A Ola, Legazpi City on Sunday, August 14, 2022. 

The ceremony was presided by PMGen. Rhoderick Armamento, the Commander of the Area Police Command-Southern Luzon.

Prior to his new role as Regional Director of PRO5, PBGen Dimas served as the Provincial Director of Camarines Norte and worked as the PNP-AKG Director in PRO4.

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You can now pay your BENECO bill thru GCASH app: Here is how

Photo Courtesy || BENECO

Cordillera - The Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) has announced that its members/consumers can now pay their bill thru GCASH - the number one online mobile payment platform in the country. 

To avoid the inconvenience of spending money and time going out from the house to the BENECO collection offices, members/consumers can now used their mobile phone to pay their bills.

All they have to do is download the GCash app into their smartphones and set up an account.

Once your account is set up, follow the steps bellow to pay your BENECO bill.

1. Tap "Pay Bills"

2. Choose "Electric Utilities' under Categories

3. Scroll down a bit and select "BENECO"

4. Fill in the required details such as the amount you're going to pay, your BENECO Account Number, Account Name and an Email (optional).

5. Carefully check that all details are correct then tap Next. 

6. You can choose to pay using your GCash wallet of via GCredit. Tap "Next" and click "Confirm"

6. An e-receipts will be displayed in which you need to take a screenshot and save it for  future references. If you provided an e-mail, the e-receipt will be sent to your email.

That's it, your BENECO bill is already been paid without going out to the collection centers. 

However, BENECO advises that all past due bills, bills with arrears and surcharges, and disconnected accounts should be settled in any of the collection offices of BENECO.

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Itogon poised to become city in Benguet

Photo Courtesy || Ken Carino

Cordillera - The municipality of Itogon will soon become a city in Benguet if the House of Representative will approve a bill that aims to convert the town into a city.

Benguet Congressman Eric Go Yap is planning to file a bill that will make  Itogon, Benguet into a city.

The lawmaker believed that Itogon can pass the main requirements needed in order for it to become a city unlike La Trinidad where it has a problem with land area.

"Unang-una, wala tayong problema sa land area, pagdating naman po sa income kaya naman po yan, at sa population sa tingin ko achievable po yan," Yap said in a media interview.

He mentioned that he had file a bill converting La Trinidad into a city during the 18th Congress but the town missed the minimum requirement of 100,000 square kilometers land area.

“Ang naging problema ko lang po sa La Trinidad nung fi-nile natin to nung 18th Congress may problema lang sa lupa. Siyempre po pagdating po sa lupa, mahirap po madagdagan sa lupa unless may magbigay na katabing munisipyo,” Yap clarified.

Itogon is a 1st class municipality and its the largest in land area in the province of Benguet. It has a population of 61,498 people, according to the 2020 census.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 449.73 square kilometres (173.64 sq mi) [15] constituting 16.24% of the 2,769.08-square-kilometre- (1,069.15 sq mi) total area of Benguet.

Itogon is 17 kilometres (11 mi) from Baguio, 22 kilometres (14 mi) from La Trinidad, and 267 kilometres (166 mi) from Manila.

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LOOK: Giant cat fish caught at Burnham Park lake

Photo Courtesy || globalseafood.org

Cordillera - A giant cat fish was caught by a lucky angler at the famous Burnham Park lake on Thursday during a fishing event. 

Angler Dino Pascual was able to hook a huge cat fish weighing almost 4 kilos and measures 33 inches. 

Cat fish also known as 'hito' or 'paltat' in the Filipino language is among the fresh-water fish that lives in the muddy water of the Burnham Park lake. 

The lake has been a habitat for known fish species like tilapia, carp, and coi including the evasive cat fish that lives near the bottom of the lake. 

On June 13 this year, the city government of Baguio has allowed recreation fishing in the lake. 

Fishing enthusiast and hobbyists must secure a permit or license to fish from the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) before conducting any fishing activities.

Fishers at not permitted to bring home the fish the caught as they are bound by the 'catch and release back' policy.

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Original Igorot gospel song played beautifully at United Kingdom Cathedral

Cordillera - A hymn composed by Cordilleran artist from Bontoc was sung beautifully by a European choral groups during the closing service of the 15th Lambeth Conference at Cantebury Cathedral, Mother Church of the Worldwide Anglican in Communion, England. 

The hymn "Nay Chawatem ay Apo" which mean "Here, Accept This, O Lord" was composed by Felix Khensay and music by Rev. Daniel Carino has been played for the second time Internationally.

Lyrics:

Nay chawatem ay Apo,
La-yad mi ay likhalo,
Ala-em nan micho-o ,
E-lot ay Mo id toncho.
Awak na ay cha-lana a
Anak mo ay Chiyos Ama,
Wed-wechay I cho-o mi
kensik-ay Apo Chios mi
Icho-o mi ay Apo
Awak mi ya leng-ag mi
En mi akhes I cho-o
Semek mi ya fa-chang mi
Ama bo-mendisyon ka
Ta komekedse ka mi
Nan afolot min sik-a
I che ne I fikas mi
Fiyag mi nay icho-o mi
Tokho-ngam et chakami
Chad-a-ma nan layad mi
Ken sik-ay Apo Chios mi
Chenggem lualo mi Apo
Micho-on sik-ad tong-cho
Seg-ang mo em icho-wa
Isnan men-layad ken sik-a

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Sagada Mayor Felicito Dula shows authentic Sagada Orange

Photo Courtesy || Public Information Office - City of Baguio

Cordillera - To help buyers identify the real Sagada orange over the fake ones that are being sold in the market, Sagada Mayor Felicito Dula presented the authentic orange during his visit in Baguio city on August 9, 2022. 

The mayor sought to dispel misinformation on their orange produce caused by misbranding by some traders who attach the town's name to the imported kind to attract buyers especially tourist, according to Baguio PIO.

Sagada orange gained popularity as the best and top-selling orange in the Cordillera such as in Baguio City and thus become a marketing label used by deceptive sellers in order to sell their oranges that were imported from China. 

Recently, the city government of Baguio began a crackdown on businesses engaged in deceptive marketing schemes following a report from a buyer who encountered a vendor selling fake Sagada oranges. 

Mayor Dula's appearance and presenting the real Sagada orange would help tourists and buyers to identify the real orange over the fake ones. 

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WATCH: Igorota musician-turned-boxer knocks out foe in 2nd round

Photo Courtesy || Rica Aquino

Cordillera - A proud Igorota who both loved music and boxing recorded a technical knock out win when she defeated her foe via 2nd round TKO at the Elorde Sports Complex in Paranaque City on August 7, 2022. 

39-year old Rica Aquino who hails from Besao and Sagada, Mountain Province showed how powerful an Igorota is when she demolished fellow Filipina foe Erika Ballen in the 2nd round. 

Rica studied music from the University of the Philippines and and taught music at Brent International School but her fascination with combat sport since she was a child has motivated her to pursue professional boxing.

“I have been fascinated with fighting sports (even as a child) but as a child playing the violin and as a professional musician, I was restricted in terms of the sports I wanted to do,” Rica related. “So I took up combat sports when I was an adult already and after I had resigned from the orchestra.” 

Rica took up Muay Thai and was a silver medalist in a National Games, then took up mixed martial arts under the famed Team Lakay of Mark Sangiao.

Asked why she loved combat sports than music, Rica admitted she love the competitive aspect of the sport, the discipline, and risk and thrill of competing.

She is looking forward to becoming a professional boxer now that she won a convincing technical knockout is her boxing career.

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Two Lolos in Tabuk City, Kalinga awarded P100,000 from DSWD

Photo Courtesy || Tabuk City PIO

Cordillera - Two lucky Lolos who reach 100 years of age has received cash incentive worth P100,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 

The cash is a reward from the government given to Filipinos who reach the age of 100.

Lolo Vicente Tamayao, a native of Naneng and Lolo Miguel Dayagon from Sitio Mabato, Amlao each received the cash on August this year from DSWD representative.

According to Tabuk PIO, the centenarians revealed that their vegetarian diet since they were young, as well as being spiritual and regularly exercising during their prime, were the key factors in their longevity. 

While 101-year-old Dayagon lives with his 87-year-old wife Evangeline, who completed his third year of high school and is a fluent English speaker, has 11 children, 17 grandchildren, and one great grandchild, 100-year-old Tamayao, who is cared for by his grandson Jay Wayne, did not reach any level of education, and drinks one shot of gin every night for a good sleep.

The two centenarians, who had led simple, healthy lives their entire lives, were grateful that they are still in good health despite getting older, with the exception of deteriorating vision and hearing due to aging. 

Tamayao and Dayagon were each given a financial award of P50,000.00 by the city government earlier in May 2022, and they still have another P50,000 waiting for them from the Provincial Local Government Unit.

Living a century is a blessing from God that only a few people can have, according to City Special Concerns and Coordinating Officer Glen Wansi, who was present during the presentation of the centenarian cash gift. He told the awardees that the cash gifts are one way to show support and appreciation for the few people who used the best of health and happiness in life to live 100 years and up.

source || David Serion/Tabuk City PIO

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Raffy Tulfo in Action (RTIA) opens its first remote action center in La Trinidad, Benguet

Photo Courtesy || Raffy Tulfo in Action

Cordillera - The country's number one 'Sumbungan ng Bayan' Raffy Tulfo in Action (RTIA) has opened its first remote action center outside Metro Manila. 

The new action center was located in 3K Building, Swamp, Betag, La Trinidad, Benguet. The RTIA-Benguet will cater public complaints in the entire Northern Luzon. 

In a post from Raffy Tulfo in Action Northorn Luzon, the center is open from Monday to Friday at 9 AM to 5 PM. Complainants are advised to visit the center personal to submit their complaints or seek help from Senator Raffy Tulfo or from his coordinator Mr. George Punasen. 

Mr. Punasen is a farmer from Benguet who was one of the grateful Cordillerans helped by Senator Tulfo way back in August 2016.

In August 6 2022, the first RTIA's remote action center in Benguet was inaugurated with the attendance of Raffy Tulfo's daughter and his son in law Atty. Garreth Tungol. 

Raffy Tulfo is a Filipino broadcast journalist based in Mandaluyong City, Philippines. He is a hard-hitting, no-holds-barred commentator on issues pertaining to abuses and injustices committed by people in power against ordinary citizens.

He is a known champion of the poor. He fights for the downtrodden – many of whom are laborers – who flock to his radio show everyday to seek for his help. He is known among his followers as “Mr. Action Man” and “Idol Raffy”.

Raffy Tulfo is the main anchor of a long existing top rated radio program WANTED SA RADYO aired on 92.3 FM (Radyo5) and simulcast on OnePH. He also anchors IDOL IN ACTION, a noontime newscast that is aired daily on TV5 and One PH Cignal Channel 1. The said newscast has a public service segment– Itimbre mo kay Tulfo/Ipa-Raffy Mo, that airs and acts on complaints from ordinary citizens.

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78-year old Lolo turns birthday into a community pantry to help earthquake victims

Photo Courtesy || Geraldine Laureta Azada

Cordillera - Instead of hosting a party for his birthday celebration, a 78-year old Lolo in Abra had decided to put up a community pantry  to help the people in his neighborhood who were affected by the series of strong earthquake that hit the province recently. 

In a photo shared by his relatives on social media, Lolo Santiago Laureta is seen standing in front of a table with various kinds of vegetables like tomato, strings beans, bitter gourd, eggplant, okras, and more.

Photo Corutesy || Geraldine Laureta Azada

Aside from vegetables, Lolo Santiago also offered free ice cream to those who wanted it. 

"Happy 78th birthday Lolo Santiago Laureta! Community pantry instead of birthday party," the relatives wrote in the photo caption. 

They invited everyone to come to the community pantry and reminded them to bring their own eco bag.

Abra province was hit  by the magnitude-7 earthquake, the hardest among the northern provinces. Many residents were in need of assistance like food, water, shelter and financial help to recover from the earthquake.

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