Warning to DepEd Employees and Offices in Cordillera: Don't Fall for This Scammer

The regional office of the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Cordillera has released a public advisory warning their employees, field offices, and the public to be wary of a scammer (or a group of scammers) that has been victimizing business establishments and DepEd offices in the region.

Here's the department's advisory in full:

"Please be warned of a scam circulating in the field offices! Based on reports and feedbacks from field offices, a scammer or an individual posing as or claiming to be OIC Assistant Regional Director and con-current Baguio City Schools Division Superintendent Francis Cesar B. Bringas and using these numbers 0939-401-9467 or 0995-250-7309 has been texting and calling division offices to provide him thousands-worth of cellphone load.

This scammer also asks for service providers to cater food and lodging of foreigners here to visit and later on would ask for monetary exchange has succeeded in duping one of the divisions in this region.

Please be informed that the call or text message did not emanate from ARD Bringas or from his office. This is an outright scam and done to demean the character of ARD Bringas and DepEd CAR as a whole. If contacted by this scammer, be wary and report him or her immediately to proper authorities."

BENECO Notice Of Scheduled Power Interruptions From April 25 To April 29

April 25, Monday, 9 am to 5 pm - Parts of Segundo Street, General Lim, Burnham Legarda, Baguio City; Creek Side, Crystal Cave, Baguio City; Marlboro, Sitio Linusod Lamut, Guitley, Lamut Proper, RPN-9; Parts of Demang, Dalicno, Itogon

April 26, Tuesday, 9 am to 5 pm - Hamada Road, MRR Queen of Peace, Baguio City, Delos Reyes Street, Outlook Drive, Baguio City; Purok 14-B, Cypress, Irisan, Baguio City

April 27, Wednesday, 9 am to 5 pm - Acop, Tublay; Parts of Dengsi, La Trinidad; Dahlia Street, San Luis, Baguio City; Parts of Magsaysay Avenue near Dipasupil, Baguio City; Parts of Purok 4, Bakakeng Norte, Baguio City

April 28, Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm - Purok 4, Pinsao Pilot Project, Baguio City; Near Crusher, Pinsao Proper, Baguio City; Dr. Carino Street, QM, Baguio City; Sitio Paltingan, Ambiong, La Trinidad

April 29, Friday, 9 am to 5 pm - Ciudad Grande, Phase 1, Bakakeng, Baguio City; Purok Mangitit near Camp 7 Elementary School, Camp 7; Parts of Tebteb, Balili and parts of Pines Park, Lubas, La Trinidad; Parts of Middle and East Quirino Hill, Baguio City

5 Team Lakay Fighters Win Their Bouts In One Championship: Global Rivals

Team Lakay went five for five when fighters from the famed gym competed in One Championship: Global Rivals at the Mall of Asia Arena on April 15. In the co-main event of the evening, Geje Eustaquio notched a win over Gianni Subba of Malaysia via unanimous decision. The two fighters battled it out for the full three rounds. With the win, Eustaquio is one step closer to taking another shot at the One Championship flyweight belt which is currently held by Kairat Akhmetov. Eustaquio once fought for the title against Adriano Moraes in 2014 but lost via submission.

Honorio Banario decisioned fellow Filipino Vaughn Donayre to put himself back in the winning column. Prior to the win over Donayre, Banario lost five bouts in a row. Banario was proclaimed the One Championship featherweight champion in 2013 after a win over Eric Kelly. He lost the belt to Koji Oishi, lost again in the rematch, and lost three more times after that. With the victory over Donayre, Banario improves his record to nine wins and six losses.

April Osenio scored her first MMA victory by submitting Natalie Gonzales Hills in the first round. Osenio made her MMA debut for One Championship last year and lost by submission to Kirstie Gannaway.

Two young prospects from Team Lakay made their One Championship debut in the event and both delivered with technical knockout wins. Joshua Pacio took out Rabin Catalan in the second round while Danny Kingad only took a round to put away Muhamad Haidar.

One Championship

SAF Policeman From Besao, Mt. Province Killed In A Firefight In Zamboanga Del Norte

A police commando from Lacmaan, Besao, Mt. Province was killed during an operation to capture the leader of a group of bandits in Zamboanga Del Norte, early morning on Wednesday (April 13). The slain policeman who was a member of the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police was identified as Police Officer 2 Alejandro D. Gapongli.

Also killed during the operation was Omar Arasi, the subject of the operation and the leader of a local group of bandits. One unidentified member of the crime group also died while another one named Salim Abdul Hassan was arrested.

According to the Labason Police Office, joint personnel of the Regional Intelligence Unit 9 PNP IG (RIU9), 55SAB PNP SAF, RID PRO 9, Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) of ZNPPO, Regional Public Safety Battalion 9 (RPSB9) and Labason Municipal Police Station were at Lemon, Salvacion in the town of Labason to serve a warrant of arrest against Arasi and his group. The bandits resisted and a firefight ensued and lasted for about 30 minutes. PO2 Gapongli was hit in the body during the shootout.

PO2 Gapongli is an alumnus of Saint James High School in Besao, Mt. Province. He graduated from said school in 2001. He is known among family and friends by his nickname Alda.

Photo courtesy of the Labason Police Office.

11-Hour Brownout To Hit Baguio City And Benguet On Wednesday (April 13)

Baguio City and most of the province of Benguet will be affected by a scheduled 11-hour blackout on April 13 (Wednesday) by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). The Benguet Electric Cooperative Inc. (BENECO) released a public advisory about the scheduled power interruption last Sunday (April 10). According to the NGCP, the power outage is part of an annual preventive maintenance and testing of breakers and feeders in the province. The blackout will happen from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Below are the areas affected. [April 13, Wednesday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm]

Whole of Atok, Tublay, Kapangan, Kibungan, Bokod, Kabayan, Bakun, Buguias and Mankayan

Whole of Baguio City and La Trinidad including Tublay proper
EXCEPT: Upper Ambiong, Ambuklao Road portion, APTS, Sim-sim Compound, Regidor st., Maria Basa, Liteng, Pacdal Circle, Sispno Road, Botanical Garden, Pucsusan, Tavera St., Kneedler St., Poblete Extension, Johnhay, BCC, Country Club Village, Happy Hallow, Lamut, Marlboro Country, DZWT, GMA, RPN, DZBS, Lualhati, Felipe, Moran, Apostol, De Los Reyes, Europa, Modesta, Good Shepperd, Cuneta, Mines View Park areas, Gibraltar, Romulo Drive, Tuding road, Outlook Drive, Mary Hurst, Lucnab, Teachers Camp to Forbes Park DS, Balangabang, DENR Compound, Villamor St., Portion of Outlook Drive, Innsbruck, South Drive, Portion of Paterno St., DPS Compound, Lower Cabinet Hill, Green Water, Wagner Road, Military Cut-off, Sta. Scholastica Village, Dagsian, Hillside, Gabriela Silang, Woodsgate, Camp 8, BWD Dedicated Line, Puliwes, San Vicente, Lower Balsigan, Agpaoa Drive, Milo Subdivision, Woodsville Subdivision, Sarok, Kennon road, Kalinga Pelota Court, Petersville, Amparo Heights, Lexber Heights Phase I, Amistad, Montecello, Richgate Square Phase II, Crest Wood, Eagle Crest Phase I & II, Ciudad Grande Phase I & II, Lexber Heights Phase II, Gumamela, Bakakeng road, New Site SLU-SVP, Forest Gold, Ramsey Pumping, Sto. Nino Subdivision, Camp 7, Kennon road, Pias, Youngland, Mangga, Pongian, Soyuc, Ongasan, Lions Head, Kennon Road

Power interruption is also scheduled for April 15 (Friday). Affected areas are as follows:

7:00 am to 12 noon - Dalicno, Lucbuban, Poblacion, Supang, Twin River, Mambolo, Tinongdan Proper, Dalupirip, Calew, Cabaritan, Balococ, Cashet, Tabu, Bantic, Uling, Lawigen, Batuang, Maligaya, Virac, Midas, Tangki, Upper Lolita, Lower Lolita, Tangtangadan, Ampucao, Philex Road (from Saddle to Philex Proper), Samoyao, Saddle, Hartwell, Gold Stream, , Kias, Lower Liwanag, Loakan Proper, Bubon, EPZA, Pinesville, PMA, Atok Trail, Magsaysay, Apugan, Spring Hills, Loakan, Woodlane Court, Kadaclan Village, VOA, DENR, Ampucao

7:00 am to 6:00 pm - Ucab, Garrison, Malasin, Docut, Baayan, Jungle Town, Mangga, Monterrazas, Tuding, Naiba, Pucsusan, Alpha Ville, Binanga, Baguio Gold, Antamok Trail, Minac, Bua, Alumit, Gumatdang, Tram, Canog, Beckel, Antig-in, Tocmo, Labilab, Docut, Otso, Loacan, Luneta, Beda, Saldin, Upper Ambiong, Ambuklao Road portion, APTS, Sim-sim Compound, Regidor st., Maria Basa, Liteng, Pacdal Circle, Siapno Road, Botanical Garden, Tavera St., Kneedler St., Poblete Extension, Johnhay, BCC, Country Club Village, Happy Hallow, Lamut, Marlboro Country, DZWT, GMA, RPN, DZBS, Lualhati, Felipe, Moran, Apostol, De Los Reyes, Europa, Modesta, Good Shepperd, Cuneta, Mines View Park areas, Gibraltar, Romulo Drive, Tuding road, Outlook Drive, Mary Hurst, Lucnab, Teachers Camp to Forbes Park DS, Balangabang, DENR Compound, Villamor St., Portion of Outlook Drive, Innsbruck, South Drive, Portion of Paterno St., DPS Compound, Lower Cabinet Hill, Green Water, Wagner Road, Military Cut-off, Sta. Scholastica Village, Dagsian, Hillside, Gabriela Silang, Woodsgate, Camp 8, BWD Dedicated Line, Puliwes, San Vicente, Lower Balsigan, Agpaoa Drive, Milo Subdivision, Woodsville Subdivision, Sarok, Kennon road, Kalinga Pelota Court, Petersville, Amparo Heights, Lexber Heights Phase I, Amistad, Montecello, Richgate Square Phase II, Crest Wood, Eagle Crest Phase I & II, Ciudad Grande Phase I & II, Lexber Heights Phase II, Gumamela, Bakakeng road, New Site SLU-SVP, Forest Gold, Ramsey Pumping, Sto. Nino Subdivision, Camp 7, Kennon road, Pias, Youngland, Mangga, Pongian, Soyuc, Ongasan, Lion's Head, BWD Stage 1, Camp 6, Camp 4, Kennon Road, Camp 3, Mangga, Twin Peaks, Tabaan Sur, Dungon Pangasinan

Kalinga Tattoo Artist Apo Whang-od Featured In An Art Exhibit In Toronto, Canada

On one of the outside walls of the century-old Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto, Canada, there hangs a huge banner announcing the opening of an art exhibit that explores "the fascinating history and evolution of tattooing". The image gracing the banner is that of Apo Whang-od Oggay, a tattoo artist from the village of Buscalan in Tinglayan, Kalinga. The 98-year-old woman is one of the subjects of the exhibition that will run from April 2 to September 5, 2016.

The exhibition is called Tattoos: Ritual, Identity, Obsession, Art. Curated by Chris Darling, Kenneth Lister, and Anne and Julienne (of hey!: modern art and pop culture), the exhibit is described by the museum as an exploration of the "5000-year-old multi-faceted world of tattooing, showcasing a visual history of body art and markings, ancient tools, and commissioned tattooed silicone body reproductions, inked by some of the most respected tattoo artists in the contemporary world."

The exhibit showcases over 200 objects that chronicle the colorful history of the art of tattooing. These include photos of Apo Whang-od, a trunk of a travelling tattoo artist from the 1830s, photos showing the evolution of tattoos inside jails in East Los Angeles, images showing the rise of tattoo art in Japan due to the influence of the Yakuza, artifacts from New Zealand, commissioned works of art by the legendary French tattoo artist Tin-Tin, among many others.

One of the images of Apo Whang-od on the exhibit is that of a photo taken in 2011 by Jake Verzosa. Apo Whang-od rose in popularity after being featured in numerous travel websites and television programs. Hordes of tourists now flock to her humble abode in Tinglayan not only to get a glimpse of the artist but to get one of her unique tattoos as well. There are times when the line of people wanting to get tattooed is so long that some concerned citizens and groups are now calling for the local government to intervene.

It can also be recalled that last year, an online petition was started to call for the declaration of Whang-od as a National Artist. Unfortunately, nothing came out of the petition. The tattoo artist also found an ally in Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago (now a candidate for the presidency) who filed a Senate Resolution in October last year which aims to nominate Apo Whang-od as a National Living Treasure (Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan). According to the official Philippine government portal (gov.ph), this is an award "conferred on Filipinos who are at the forefront of the practice, preservation, and promotion of the nation’s traditional folk arts." The resolution is still in limbo.

So far, only thirteen people have been given the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan. The most recent one was awarded back in 2012 to Magdalena Gamayo, a weaver from Ilocos Norte. In the event that Apo Whang-od is conferred the award, she will be the second artist from the province of Kalinga to do do. Alonzo Saclag, a musician and dancer from Lubuagan, Kalinga was given the award in 2000.

Here are a couple of photos from the ongoing exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum. (Photos courtesy of Kayleen Kwet)

A larger-than-life image of Apo Whang-od occupying a wall at the exhibit. Photo credit: Kayleen Kwet

Apo Whang-od's image featured on one of the banners outside the museum. Photo credit: Kayleen Kwet

BENECO Notice Of Scheduled Power Interruptions From April 4 To April 8

April 4, Monday, 9 am to 5 pm - Pocdo, Monticello, Camp 7, Baguio City; Maria Pucay, Guisad Central, Baguio City

April 5, Tuesday, 9 am to 5 pm - Woodsville Subdivision, Camp 7, Baguio City; Mang-os Road, Irisan, Baguio City; parts of Kilometer 5 in Pico (near Summit Bank), La Trinidad; parts of Buyagan, Poblacion, La Trinidad

April 6, Wednesday, 9 am to 5 pm - Binanga Sur, Tuding, Itogon; Lower and Upper Kesbeng, back of Capitol, Poblacion, La Trinidad

April 7, Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm - Bougainville Street, Amparo Heights, Camp 7, Baguio City

April 8, Friday, 9 am to 5 pm - parts of Tawang, parts of Triniville, La Trinidad