Natonin folks benefit from UB medical mission

CARING for the "kababayans" can be shown in any ways. This has proven once again, by the University of Baguio, through the initiative of the adopted son of Natonin, Dr. Reynaldo "Hara" Bautista, in cooperation with the Fernando-Rosa Bautista Foundation (FRB), and the Rural Bank of Itogon (RBI) as they reached out and offered free health care and other services to residents of three barangays of Natonin, Mt. Province, on April 23 to 25, 2013. Sponsoring a medical mission and scholarship exams are only some of the regular programs he initiated.

Perrenials’ bloom continue to thrive in burgeoning city

PERENNIAL flowers in the likes of bougainvillea, hibiscus, and African tulip are keeping afloat Baguio’s endangered, if not former, status as the country’s flower city.

The annuals, which go from seed to bloom and back to seed in one growing season or cycle in Baguio’s temperate climate like snapdragon, zinnia, peas, marigold and others, are vanishing with the gardens they used to grow in.

Where children find a haven

“KABATAAN ang pagasa ng bayan.” This quote, first spoken by our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, has been passed on from generation to generation. It has inspired a lot of individuals, especially the young ones. But what if at a young age, a child was left standing alone? Would he still be part of that tag?

I participated in a community outreach project organized by our team, composed of more than 20 Mass Communication students from the University of the Cordilleras. This time, our group was assigned to RRCY Wangal, La Trinidad. It’s a shelter for abandoned children.

A Mt. Sto. Tomas sojourn

THE summer season has always been a time for the family to bond through activities that encourage closeness.

Touching hearts, changing lives

IT’S not how much you give. Your willingness to help matters most. It will be remembered forever.

Development Communication for us was just a subject required during our 3rd year as Mass Communications students of the University of the Cordilleras. As part of this subject, we were tasked to look for a community in need of development.

Enjoy a ‘cool summer break’ at The Manor

THIS is it! Enjoy a "Cool Summer Break" at The Manor at Camp John Hay with room rates of as low as P6,230 net per room, with no ++ hassles. Not the Philippines' Summer Capital for nothing, "Baguio weather" is still the best reason to pack those light sweaters instead of your beachwear this summer.

Mr. and Ms. Cordillera: The beauty of the highlands

THE Cordilleras are known for their rich culture and ethnicity. Urbanization and industrialization may be a few of those factors that quite changed its core and façade but the customs, traditions and the way of life it celebrates even before the advent of foreign oppressors have never changed. The Cordilleran culture continuously transcends time after time.

Many philosophers in beauty and aesthetics wrote during the early times that the cultural implications of beauty are prominent in every society and have a strong influence on how it is perceived.

Have yourself a healthy summer

SUMMER is the season when people spend their time going out for relaxation and recreation. It is when people go swimming, picnic, hiking, and do their preferred adventures despite the heat of the sun.

Aside from trips and adventures, diseases are also in during summer. Mainstream not in the sense that we like them but for the reason they are inevitable. Going out during summer has now become a risk because of the extreme heat.

Pinsao Pilot Project celebrates 19th brgy fiesta

PINSAO Pilot Project celebrated its 19th Barangay Fiesta themed: "Widening The Avenue Towards a Peaceful and Progressive Barangay” last April 16.

Barangay residents, senior citizens, women's groups, senior citizens, barangay based sports associations and the local elders and leaders headed by Sotero Dulaycan came out with a simple but a meaningful fiesta celebration despite different cultures, beliefs and faith in unity with no political color during the affair.

Cinematheque: A cinematic voyage of time

EACH footstep has a story. On each turn there is history.

As somebody who has yet to fulfill her dream of travelling, it feels as if I cannot only conquer the world but time as well. Walking along the narrow alley of one of the oldest infrastructures in Baguio built during the Japanese regime brought a zenith of realizations. And I never thought my simple encounter with Mike Zarate will result in a change of perspective.

Coping with life’s trial

“BE OF good cheer! I know sometimes, life’s long song will run in perfect rhyme. Somewhere, I know, all things will be attuned to perfect harmony. Sometimes, somewhere, each sad refrain shall be its own surcease of pain. The compensation love will send will be bringing friend to friend and all the heartaches that we bore, in God’s good time will be no more.” Robert Lee Walden.

The Lenten season reminds us of our experiences in life. Along life’s road, we stumble and come across sufferings, mishaps and trials. Then we realize that these trials most often affect our lives either in the positive and negative way. These trials always come in our life at times we are not even prepared to face the consequences it might lead us.

Pagadian and Dapitan

THE JCI Senate (of which Rey and Peter Rey are members) had their national conference in Pagadian, Zamboanga Del Sur. The conference was hosted by Pagadian Governor Antonio Cerilles (JCI National President), and his wife, Rep. Aurora Cerilles. Five lechons and one roasted calf were served every dinnertime!

PHASES joins beautification drive

THE Architect Daniel H. Burnham and the Justice George Malcolm Monuments in the city received the much need uplift last Monday when junior high school students from PHASES Learning Center armed with paint and brushes, stick brooms and dustpans and trash plastic bags swung into action last Monday. For at least half a day, the 27 student-volunteers led by no less than the school Directress Cita Bernal and classroom teachers joyfully did their “good turn” scrubbing and painting.

Leaving a legacy

BORN on December 8, 1921 in Agoo, La Union, Macario Gagaza Fronda started his teaching career at the Saint Louis School elementary department in 1947. Six years later in 1953, he became a high school teacher in Physical Education. He was married to Ildefonsa Estoque Fronda and were blessed with eight children.

Mr. Fronda was appointed in 1967 as the Dean of Student Affairs of Saint Louis University until he retired in 1987. Although officially retired, he continued to serve as a consultant to the band and music lecturer until 2006.

Lenten recipes

HOLY Week is upon us. For most Baguio residents, Holy Week is a time for visitors, guests and friends dropping in. Sometimes we might lose sight of the holiness of the week. Actually the Holy Week is the end of Lent, which culminates gloriously on Easter Sunday. The Ilocanos also call Easter Sunday, Pascua, like Christmas.

Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday, is a 40-day period of recollection and repentance and 2 of the Commandments of the Catholic Church relate to the period of Lent.

Laughter is the best medicine

SOUNDS familiar huh? It’s an old saying which almost everybody can agree with. We often laugh at funny things; laugh at humorous real life situations; laugh at other people’s trying hard jokes and super cute effects. Sometimes we shout and laugh at our own problems and sometimes people around us think we are crazy. But you know laughter is truly beneficial to our health. Just the usual ha-ha-ha mixed with a smile will relax our muscles.

‘The 2013 Bautista Clan Reunion’

THE Bautista clan, the Amado, Fernando, Vicente and Conrado (from the eldest to the youngest) Bautista families held a family reunion last March 9 at the University of Baguio Centennial Hall.

Every reason to rejoice this Easter at the Manor at Camp John Hay

THE Manor at Camp John Hay gives us every reason to rejoice this Easter with its treasure trove of activities during the Holy Week.

Easter Eucharistic celebrations come alive starting with Palm Sunday Mass as the congregation celebrates Jesus’ triumphant entry to Jerusalem at The Manor Garden, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. of March 24.

UB opens Bachelor of Arts in Music Degree

THE wealth of the Cordillera culture and the richness of its music now has a home at the University of Baguio with the opening of the Bachelor of Arts in Music Degree last March 11. Not only will Cordillera music be accessible but all other theories and history of music to all who will study it as a degree or as a diploma or certificate.

Philippine regional cookery

WHEN discussing Philippine regional cookery, we surely notice the influence of the availability of the ingredients and its supply, and in this case a place like the Bicol Region with its unique combination of coconuts, peppers and taro illustrates well this thesis.

Nowhere is this more noticeable than in the case of the hot and spicy cuisine of Bicolandia. Bicol's regular use of gata (coconut milk and cream and chilis in almost all its dishes marks the regions uniqueness relative to the rest of the country's). The use of gata gives its cuisine an authentic Malay touch. Chili or Sili and coconut cream gata, come together into an appetizing dish to go with rice. Following are some of the more popular dishes for which the region is noted.

A call to a Celebration of Thanksgiving

TADIAN, Mountain province – Another bountiful harvest, another festival it is for in Mountain Province.

The 19 barangays of this town celebrated the Ayyoweng di Lambak ed Tadian as a thanksgiving for another bountiful harvest.

Blessed are our women...Honoring our women leaders

LET THE world know, in the eyes of God and men, how extraordinary women can face challenges, responsibilities and hardships in their lives. Through difficult and tough circumstance, women have survived the test of times.

Earlier in history, women were not entirely given the chance and privilege to show and express their capabilities. But as time passed, the fast crusade by concerned women resulted to granting women equal ventures in all fields of endeavor.

Hong Kong - Disneyland and Macau – Venetian (Part 2)

THE Rey B. clan continues its Hong Kong sojourn. Having several children in the group meant a trip to Disneyland. What else?

Our kids were uncontrollable with excitement so the adults had to be extra vigilant not to lose them among the crowd! We covered every site of Disneyland like Toy Story land, Fantasy land, and Tomorrow land. The best feature of Adventure land was the “Festival of the Lion King,” a 45-minute pageant of song and dance. Riding a raft to Tarzan island and climbing his Treehouse was tedious. On the Jungle River cruise, our 5-year old Ethan was terrified with a crocodile that popped out beside the boat and bursts of fire that spewed out from a volcano.

Baboo Mondoñedo's book launch and CNA's circle of friends

IT WAS an affair to remember. If there's one thing missing in Baguio, I suppose it's the booming of not only the visual and performing arts but also the literary arts.

Recently, Baboo Mondonedo launched her book "Stepping Stones" and Babeth Lolarga who wrote the intro or preface of said book set the program's mood when she requested Bubut Olarte to sing "Like a Rolling Stone."

P7 Children’s Day brings joy to 700 pupils

SEVEN hundred children of Bakakeng Norte/Sur were full of joy as they enter their final month of this academic year as the Purok 7 Association of Bakakeng Norte/Sur conducted P7 Children’s Day on March 1,2013 held at Bakakeng Elementary (BES) School Grounds.

The celebration includes a feeding activity, games and a talk from the Barangay Nutrition Action Officer Nardo Agpad about ways on how to give importance to health.

Cowboy traditions live on at Pony Boy’s Day

IT’S probably only in this part of Luzon where one could still wear leather boots and jackets, don a cowboy hat, listen to country music, ride a horse and do the line dance.

This old Baguio tradition was relived once again by Wright Park pony boys who started a tradition of horse racing and other western-style fun games several decades ago.

Fettuccine Carbonara Alfredo and Banana Loaf Cake

ONE of the nicest and healthiest things to eat are raisins. Yes, simple old raisins and yet, they are so under rated, and as a food, thought of as a decoration and garnish.

This is due maybe, except for very small patches of land, especially in the Ilocos, we are not a grape producing country. We hardly know about the making of and the nutritional value of raisins, and the various varieties of raisins. There is often great confusion on the difference between these dried fruits when used in cookery.

It’s fun in cool volley

PLAY it cool, play with a smile, enjoy the game and have fun.

What a great experience playing volleyball in the

The Cordilleran cowboy and his horse

THE photo of Mateo Carino saddled in his horse displayed the importance of horses during the early 1900s when Baguio was a pastureland for his cattle and other domesticated animals.

The horse was such an important work force during the era when Baguio and the rest of the Cordillera region were being explored. For the “Kadangyans” or the rich Cordillerans, it was used to roam their land and round up their cattle and other domesticated animals, used to carry heavy baggage to distant areas.

Hong Kong: A Varied and Vibrant City

UNDOUBTEDLY, HONG KONG is one of the world’s varied and dynamic cities. The view of HONG KONG island’s skyscrapers from across the harbor is one of the most stunning urban panoramas on earth, and this insomniac city is many places to many people: traditional temples and fortune tellers; rural escapism with waterfalls and pristine beaches; and a vibrant eating and drinking scene.