Matitikas na Igorot, agaw-pansin sa Panagbenga

BAGUIO CITY - Agaw-pansin sa nakaraang Panagbenga festival sa Baguio City ang ilang matitikas na kalalakihang ipinagmamalaki ang kanilang kulturang Igorot.

Kumalat sa social media ang larawang ito ng ilang mga lalaking nakasuot ng tradisyunal na damit habang pumaparada sa Session Road.

Kabilang sa mga tinaguriang "Panagbenga Hotties" sina John Rey Tenedero, Kayzer Brooks Gewan, Kelvin Aguilan-Vicente at si Renz Lou Lagria.

Pawang mga mag-aaral ng University of Cordilleras sina Tenedero, Gewan at Lagria, habang caregiver naman si Vicente.

Para sa kanila, ang pagparada na nakasuot ng bahag ang paraan nila para makilala ang mga taga-Cordillera.



Ayon naman kay Lagria, masaya siya sa naging reaksyon ng mga tao sa kanilang kasuotan.

"Napaka-happy, napaka-joyful ng pakiramdam ko kasi celebration of the festival. Another one is napakita ko 'yung attire na proud kang sinusuot. Saka para iwasan na rin po 'yung pambu-bully sa mga Igorot. Kasi ang perspective po sa Igorot, iba po," aniya.

Hangad din ni Lagria na tulad niya ay ipagmalaki rin ng kanyang mga kapwa Igorot ang kanilang kultura.

"Message ko po sa mga katutubo kong Igorot, ito pong ethnicity natin, ito po yung pagka-unique natin. Ito po 'yung pagka-special natin." - report from Carmela Jimenez and Micaela Ilao, ABS-CBN News

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Honest Baguio cab driver gets scholarship

MANILA -- A brighter future now awaits Baguio cab driver Reggie Cabututan after he returned a luggage containing important documents, gadgets, and cash to an Australian businessman.

Last January 17, Cabututan dropped Australian businessman Trent Shields at Calle Uno in Quezon Hill, Baguio City. He was in a hurry and didn't notice that he left his bag with approximately P1 million in the taxi.

Ace Estrada II, the president of BPO training company Vivixx Academy and Shields' friend, narrated the incident in a Facebook post.

"How often have we read about taxi drivers in Baguio doing an honest deed and returning valuables to their rightful owners? Today, my Australian friend Trent, completely forgot about his luggage when he alighted at Calle Uno Coworking Space. It took a full thirty minutes before he realized his mistake, and all he could remember about the taxi was that 'it was white.' Passport, Macbook Pro, money, everything was in there! Never did I pray so hard that the news accounts of Baguio City’s taxi driver’s collective honesty was true. But it was! Just as we were leaving for the police station to file a report, Trent’s taxi pulled in. Never was a sight more welcome than the smiling face of this driver. What an awesome win for humanity! Mr. Reggie Cabututan, driver of Dustin Brant Taxi, you are the finest of your tribe. I have never felt more proud to be Filipino than today."

Estrada's post went viral with 3,787 shares and over 22,000 reactions in just two days.

The local government of Baguio also awarded a certificate of commendation to the honest taxi driver during their flag ceremony on Monday.

An unexpected reward

On Monday, the Vivixx Academy and Australia-based coding training center Coder Factory awarded a scholarship worth P220,000 to attend the six-month Coding Boot Camp in June 2017.

Estrada said completion of this course will guarantee Cabututan an internship with an Australian company that could lead to a job that pays a starting salary of up to P1.7 million.

According to reports, Cabututan is a native of Rosario, La Union. He travels to Baguio every day to work for his wife and four children.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

'I am Pogay' grand winner named Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016

MANILA - Baguio City's John Raspado will be representing the Philippines in next year's Mr. Gay World competition.

Raspado was named Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 at the University of the Philippines Theater in Quezon City.

Zamboanga del Sur's Khalil Vera Cruz was named second runner-up, while Pangasinan's John Bench Ortiz was named first runner-up.

Raspado also won other special awards, including Best in National Costume, Best in Casual Wear, and Mr. Gay World Philippines Popularity.

Back in May 2014, Raspado won the title of the first-ever "I Am PoGay."

Raspado will be replacing his first runner-up in "I am Pogay," Christian Lacsamana, who won second runner-up in Mr. Gay World 2016 last April.

Mr. Gay World is a global competition that aims to inspire and empower gay men by giving hopefuls a venue to "demonstrate that both inward beauty and physical appearance are equally important as is leadership and confidence."

The following are the candidates who made it to the Top 15, the Top 10, and the Top 5:

TOP 15

- John Jeffrey Carlos
- John Raspado
 - Ronald Lamson
- Jesse Regin Nacilla
- Jessie Quitevis

- Frankie Chiu
- Ronaldo Ramos
- John Bench Ortiz
- Sycris Brown
- Jerome Lacsa

- Ian Roy Paderanga
- Godofredo Dela Cruz Jr.
- Leo Andrew Ponce
- Khalil Vera Cruz
- Raffy Gavina

TOP 10

- Jesse Regin Nacilla
- Khalil Vera Cruz
- Godofredo Dela Cruz Jr.
- Raffy Gavina
- John Bench Ortiz

- Leo Andrew Ponce
- Sycris Brown
- John Raspado
- Ronaldo Ramos
- John Jeffrey Carlos

TOP 5

- Leo Andrew Ponce
- John Bench Ortiz
- John Jeffrey Carlos
- John Raspado
- Khalil Vera Cruz

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Cafe in Baguio lets you eat cake out of a flower pot

BAGUIO CITY - Have you tried eating out of a flower pot? A café in Baguio City will let you do just that.

More than its climate and tourist spots, the summer capital of the Philippines has also become known as a food hub.

In Leonard Wood Road, La Casa Bianca is offering patrons a chocolate cake topped with mint leaves and served in an orange plastic flower pot.

It may look like a real plant, but the pot is filled with layers of chocolate ganache, cream, custard and chocolate cake.

The dessert is priced at P145 and is good for sharing.

Meanwhile, a nearby restaurant called Soup District is offering Vietnamese Pho Bo at an affordable price.

The soup is just perfect for Baguio's weather as it's mixed with lemon, coriander, onions and hot beef soup.

"Masarap siya, lalo na dito sa Baguio kasi umuulan, masarap yung blending ng ingredients," said customer Marcelo Naranjo.

For dessert, they also offer Brazo de Mercedes and Sansrival, in one, called Mestizaje.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

No car or jeepney? Try 'GrabHorse' in Baguio

MANILA - Grab is bringing its app booking service to Baguio City using a different mode of transportation.

Grab Philippines said that from February 26 to 28, it will provide its app users a free horseback ride within Wright Park, Mines View, The Mansion, and Pacdal Area to celebrate the annual Panagbenga Festival.

"Experience something different this Panagbenga season! If you’re within Wright Park, Mines View, The Mansion, and Pacdal Area, enjoy a free ride when you book a GrabHorse," Grab said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

The service will be available through the Grab app from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

GrabHorse is the latest service of Grab, the company behind the GrabCar and GrabTaxi service, which provides commuters with convenient booking options using a mobile app.

The company also recently launched an EDSA-bound jeepney service called GrabJeep in Metro Manila.

Last year, the firm rolled out GrabBike, but the service was suspended by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board LTFRB due to regulation issues. It also offered a chopper service, GrabHeli, for a limited time.

Aside from the Philippines, Grab also operates in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

KC, Paulo spotted together in Baguio

MANILA – Actress KC Concepcion continued to be evasive about the real score between her and Paulo Avelino even after a picture of them together in Baguio City last week made the rounds online.

Last Friday, “The Buzz” caught up with the actress, who just came from a meeting of her upcoming show which will soon be aired on ABS-CBN.

Still excited about her new project, Concepcion generously granted “The Buzz” an interview where she talked about her upcoming show.

“I am proud to say that yes, malapit niyo na akong makita sa ABS-CBN and meron akong future show na tinatrabaho ngayon,” she said.

Concepcion, however, was not able to escape questions about her love life when asked if her new project is the sole reason why she returned to the Philippines.

“For now kasi work ang priority ko. Work hard, play hard,” she said.

Concepcion has been staying in New York City where she is taking up an acting course. The long distance was one of the factors cited by Avelino in a past interview affecting their “relationship.”

“Kasi excited ako sa bago kong show. Parang kailangan huminahon muna siya (her love life) and magfo-focus muna ako ulit sa show na gagawin ko,” she said.

Two weeks ago, Avelino said on national television that his special relationship with Concepcion hasn’t taken off but is definitely not yet over.

Avelino first admitted dating Concepcion in November last year, weeks after he confirmed his separation from former girlfriend, actress LJ Reyes, with whom he has a son.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Baguio's temperature drops to coldest this month

MANILA – Baguio’s temperature on Saturday dropped to 10.3 degrees Celsius, making it the lowest and coldest for the month of January.

In an interview with dzMM, PAGASA forecaster Glaiza Escullar said the temperature was recorded at 6 a.m. on Saturday.

The city’s second coldest temperature for this month was recorded on January 9 at 11.5 degrees Celsius.

Baguio City recorded its coldest temperature in its history on January 19, 1961 at 6.3 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Escullar said cold weather will be felt all over the Philippines.

"4th week of January, 1st and 2nd week ng February ay extreme," she said.

She said the cold temperature will start to disappear on the last week of February and first two weeks of March. -- Report from dzMM

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacman: Training in GenSan better than in Baguio

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao is satisfied with his initial training in General Santos City for his Juan Manuel Marquez fight in December.

Pacquiao said that in contrast to his past training camps in Baguio City, he was less distracted in General Santos City.

"My security nga, hindi na naha-high blood sa pag-awat ng mga taong nagpo-pose for picture o nagpapapirma ng authograph,” he told Philboxing’s Eddie Alinea with a laugh.



(My security details are no longer having a hard time keeping me away from fans.)

Pacquiao said most of his kababayans in General Santos City understand the importance of his upcoming fight.

"Ayaw nilang magsilbing distractions sa preparasyon ko (They don’t want to distract me from my preparations)," the fighting congressman said.

Away from photo-opp hungry fans, Pacquiao has been enjoying uninterrupted road and gym work in General Santos.

He also said that favorable weather in the past weeks helped him get into shape.

"Medyo mainit kaya siguro na-regain ko agad ang stamina. Grabe kung pagpawisan kung kaya nakakaya kong gawin ang lahat pinagagawa sa akin," he said.

(It was quite hot here and it helped me regain my stamina. I perspire a lot, which is why I was able to do everything I was told to do).

Pacquiao is scheduled to fly to the US on Saturday for the remainder of his training.

The Filipino boxer will spend six weeks at the Wild Card Gym owned by his trainer Freddie Roach.

Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Marquez on December 8.

The Filipino champion has said he wants to erase the doubts about his previous victories against the Mexican champion.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Aide affirms Ram Revilla’s rift with siblings over money

The personal assistant of slain actor Ramgen “Ram" Revilla, half-brother of Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., has affirmed that there was a rift between Ram and his siblings when Ram was killed inside his Parañaque home last Friday.

In his sworn statement, Ronaldo Ancajas, Ram’s stay-in personal assistant, said the victim and two of his siblings implicated in the slay case—Ramona and Ramon Joseph or RJ—have not been in speaking terms for the past months due to disagreement over money.

“Ang alam ko ay matagal nang may tampuhan sila tungkol sa budget ng bahay dahil si boss Ramgen ang humahawak at sinisiraan daw siya sa daddy nila, at mga ilang buwan din silang hindi nagkikibuan," he said in his sworn statement, a copy of which was obtained by GMA News.

He added that he was with Ram minutes before the killing, but had to go up to his room to take a nap. He said that upon waking up, he saw Ram’s two siblings making their way out of the subdivision where he and Ram live.

“Nakaidlip ako dahil sa pagod at puyat at mga ilang minuto, bigla akong nagising. Pagsilip ko sa bintana ng kwarto ko ay nakita ko si Joseph na naglalakad palabas ng gate ng subdivision. Mga ilang minuto, sumunod naman si Mara (Ramona)," he said.

The aide likewise said that he thought RJ and Ramona were on their way to Baguio City. He added that he only learned about Ram’s killing when police forced him out of the house and brought him to a nearby headquarters.

‘Cover up’

In a report on the shooting incident dated November 1, Parañaque police chief Senior Superintendent Billy Beltran said two of the subdivision’s security guards also spotted RJ and Ramona walking toward the gate after the crime was committed.

He said security guards Joyrex Asimbrado and Niño Tabada saw RJ walking alone and going outside the gate at 10:54 p.m. Friday, and was followed by Ramona minutes after.

The police report added that the one of the gunmen who shot Ram and his girlfriend, Janelle Manahan, wore a Halloween mask, an Army green jacket, and was armed with a handgun with a silencer.

Beltran said in the report that the testimonies from Ancajas and the security guards showed that Ramona “was not telling the truth and tried to make a cover-up" when she claimed that she was kidnapped by her brother’s assailants after the shooting and was later abandoned in Las Piñas City.

Ramona and RJ have already been slapped with murder and frustrated murder complaints for their brother’s killing and the attack on Manahan, respectively. RJ was arrested last Tuesday, while Ramona remains at large after police stopped operations against the suspects due to the filing of the case.

Members of the Revilla clan, including Senator Revilla, however, cast doubts on the results of the police probe, even calling for a reinvestigation of the incident.

Genelyn Magsaysay, mother of Ram, RJ and Ramona, also said her children would not resort to murder to settle their differences. She said she raised them as God-fearing people.
Members of Task Force Ramgen and the Parañaque City police however stood by the results of their probe and maintained that the case is already closed. — KBK, GMA News

source: gmanews.tv