The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) reaffirmed its support for the families of fallen military personnel at the 8th HERO Golf Cup 2025: Golf for a Cause for the Children of Fallen Soldiers. Organized by the HERO Foundation, Inc. (HFI), this annual charity event raises funds to provide educational assistance to the children of military troops who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Now in its fourth year of supporting HFI, BCDA remains committed to honoring the legacy of the nation’s heroes by helping secure the educational future of their children. “BCDA stands in solidarity with the families of our fallen soldiers. By supporting their children’s education, we honor the sacrifices of our troops and help build a brighter future for their loved ones,” said BCDA Vice President for Investment Promotions and Marketing Erwin Kenneth R. Peralta. “Education is a lasting tribute to their heroism, and we are proud to be part of this cause.” HFI President Gen. Emmanuel Bautista AFP (Ret) expressed his appreciation for partners during the ceremonial tee off.  “We thank [BCDA President and CEO] Jake Bingcang and the rest of BCDA for their assistance. The unwavering support of our partners ensures that we can sustain our mission of helping these children achieve their dreams. Our fallen soldiers have given their lives for our nation, and it is our duty to stand by their families.  On behalf of our scholars, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat,” said Gen. Bautista. The turnover ceremony for the donation was attended by Gen. Bautista, Peralta, HFI Ex-Officio Member Gen. Noel Clement AFP (Ret), HFI Executive Director MGen. Victor Bayani AFP (Ret), Camp Aguinaldo Golf Course General Manager Cdr Noel Stephen Marzan PN (MNSA), and BCDA Head of CSR & Stakeholder Relations-Public Affairs Department Maricar Villamil. The Help Educate and Rear Orphans (HERO) Foundation is a key partner of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in ensuring that the children of military personnel who were killed or incapacitated in the line of duty have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future. To date, HFI already has a total of 2,756 scholars which includes 1,261 college graduates and its current 232 scholars.  

By Aileen P. Refuerzo   The newly rehabilitated Baguio Tennis Court will be inaugurated soon. Engr. Albert Pay-an of the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) said civil works and finishings are being fast tracked in time for the target date of completion this April. Final touches include landscaping to spruce up the surroundings currently being undertaken by the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) team. Pay-an said the newly rehabilitated sports facility will have three international-standard ball courts. He said the construction followed the specifications that are certified by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) so that the city may now host international and national tennis tournaments. The courts are located at the main floor along with the bleachers with amenities such as separate locker rooms for male and female players, comfort room and a restaurant. The rooftop will house one court for pickleball while the basement will offer parking amenities which will be equipped with sensors.  

By Pigeon Lobien The Baguio Country Club and the Camp John Hay Golf Courses signed the deal in hosting the 75th anniversary of one of the biggest and oldest amateur golf tournament in the world, the Fil-Am Golf Invitational Tournament Wednesday at the CJH golf club. “It’s a pleasure to be working with John Hay anew,” said BCC general manager Anthony de Leon, co-chair of the executive committee of the annual two week tournament that attracts nearly 1,200 players from all over the country, the United States and the Pacific rim. “It’s going to happen,” said BCDA chair Larry Paredes during the contract signing Wednesday. “It should be special but we still have to sit together since this is the first time that we will work together,” added de aLeon, who is at the helm of event for almost 20 years now. Founded by the late former Sen. and actor Rogelio de la Rosa and then CJh base commander Maj. Archie Black. De Leon added that there was a request for the inclusion of Baguio’s third course, Pinewoods, as a venue but the two neighboring courses will remain as joint hosts. The Fil-Am golf is the cream of all Philippine golf tournaments and is also considered a training ground for the country’s to amateur players including the members of the national team.  

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Two former PBA standouts will re-enforce Benguet’s top basketball players with this year’s All – Star Games set March 1 at the Benguet Sports Complex gymnasium. After getting clobbered by a taller and more experienced motoclub, the Cong. Eric Go Yap Benguet All – Star led squad will find an unlikely ally, James Yap and Mark Pingris, to fortify their line -up and avenge their lopsided loss last year. “Because we lost last year in a blowout, I called on my ‘cousin’ to play. Although he is from Negros, he is still my cousin,” Yap said in jest. James, and Pingris will be joined by some of the top players of the Cong Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup – Benguet Basketball League led by most valuable player candidate Kim Padawag of Itogon, La Trinidad’s Will Kean Lee and Bryan Gravilez, first season’s most valuable player Cyril De Vera of Tuba siblings John Ray and Jhun Ric Buenaventura of Bokod together with Kyle Naisod and Yzer Neil Palispis of Kabayan. Itogon’s Lenz Antolino will also be in the line – up that includes Kurt Tamiray from Atok and Nicanor Menzi from Tublay, Rudolf Eilinger of Kapangan, scoring king Lindon De Guzman of Mankayan, Jerry Olsim from Buguias, and Bakun sharpshooter Ryan Contada. “As for me, I will be playing longer in the floor, so I will be better prepared,” added the two – term legislator. The PBA Motoclub will field JJ Helterbrand, Rico Maierhofer, brothers Ranidel and Yancy De Ocampo, Alex Cabagnot, Gary David, Cyrus Baguio, KG Canaleta, Jerwin Gaco and Ryan Araña. “So mark your calendars, free admission for all Benguet residents on a first come first served basis!” The All-stars comes before the finals of the Yap Cup, both basketball and volleyball. La Trinidad will defend against Itogon in men’s basketball, while unbeaten Sablan faces upstart Tuba in women’s volleyball. PR

LA TRINIDAD,Benguet – Matagumpay na nasungkit ng Baguio City ang kauna-unahang gintong medalya sa Muay Thai Elementary Division sa makasaysayang CARAA MEET 2025 na ginanap sa Benguet State University Open Gymnasium, noong Pebrero 25. Isa sa mga pangunahing bida sa kaganapang ito ay si Lara Czarina Langaoen, na nagpakitang-gilas sa kanyang talento. Matapos ang tatlong linggong masigasig na paghahanda mula sa City Meet, nakabawi si Lara at ipinakita ang kanyang kahusayan. Ang event na ito ay nagmarka ng bagong yugto sa sports ng rehiyon, na nagbigay-daan sa mga batang atleta na ipakita ang kanilang galing sa larangan ng Muay Thai. Noong nakaraang taon, wala pang elementary division para sa Muay Thai, kaya’t ito ang unang pagkakataon na naganap ang kompetisyon para sa mga kabataang atleta. Ayon kay Coach Marites Napudo, tatlong mahahalagang aspeto ang nag-ambag sa tagumpay ni Langaoen: ang consistency ng kanyang mga hakbang, ang tamang pag-memorize ng steps, at ang pagsabay sa beat ng musika. Sa kabila ng kinakailangang minimum na 3 minuto at maximum na 4 minuto para sa pagperform, nagawa ni Lara na tapusin ang kanyang laban sa 3 minuto at 37 segundo, na nagbigay sa kanya ng mataas na score na 90.66%. Si Lara ang nagwagi ng gintong medalya sa 9-10 years old female category, sinundan siya ng representative ng Tabuk City na si Alexandra Cos-agon na may oras na 3 minuto at 5 segundo at score na 88.66%, at pumangatlo si Skylar Shane Maganon mula sa Benguet na may oras na 3 minuto at 33 segundo at score na 86.66%. Ang pangarap ni Lara ay makamit ang gintong medalya, inspirasyon niya ang first Filipina Muay Thai World Champion na si Islay Erika Bomogao, na nagtagumpay sa 2023 IFMA Senior World Championship sa Bangkok, Thailand. “Pangarap ko po yun, inspired ako kay ate Islay Erika Bomogao,” pahayag ni Lara. Ayon kay Coach Napudo, patuloy ang suporta kay Lara sa kanyang training. “Palagi ko siyang pinapaalalahanan na dumalo sa training, maging on time, at sundin ang mga rules sa pagperform,” dagdag niya. Sa ngayon, wala pang Muay Thai Elementary Division sa Palarong Pambansa, kundi ito ay isang demo sport lamang. “Slowly siyang inaangat at hopefully by next year, magkakaroon na siya,” ani Coach Napudo. Ang pamilya ni Lara, lalo na ang kanyang mga tito at tita na mga Muay Thai athlete din, ang kanyang pinaghuhugutan ng lakas at inspirasyon. Para sa mga nais sundan ang kanyang yapak, nagbigay siya ng mensahe: “Kung gusto talaga nila ang Muay Thai, training talaga ang kailangan at syempre balansehin din ito kasabay ng pag-aaral.” Mula sa kanyang tagumpay, malinaw ang pangako ni Lara na ipagpatuloy ang kanyang paglalakbay sa Muay Thai, at umaasa na hindi lamang siya makilala sa lokal na antas kundi maging sa pambansang entablado. Ang kanyang kwento ay nagsisilbing inspirasyon sa mga batang atleta sa rehiyon na mangarap at magsikap para sa kanilang mga layunin. By Joshua Ebalane-UB Intern  

Baguio City has now 78 Gold, 40 Silver and 24 Bronze, followed by Benguet with 26 gold, 39 silver, and 17 bronze medals after the second day of the ongoing CARAA Meet. Benguet elementary athletes contributed 14 golds, 14 silvers, and 4 bronzes, while the secondary division added 12 golds, 25 silvers, and 13 bronzes to the province’s tally.   From: Deped Tayo Cordillera

A sports diplomacy engagement between the sister cities of Baguio and San Antonio, Texas, took place on February 23, 2025 at the University of Baguio Gymnasium. The event included friendly taekwondo and basketball games and demonstrations, presentation of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the University of Baguio and the University of Texas. This MOU will facilitate collaborative academic and cultural exchange programs, including study abroad opportunities. The delegation from San Antonio, Texas, also presented Spurs basketball jerseys to members of the audience and selected University of Baguio athletes. This initiative aims to further cultivate and strengthen the existing relationship between the two cities through the promotion of sports, education, and cultural exchange. By Conan Gulapa      

Congratulations to “The Passion” Joshua Pacio for unifying the ONE Strawweight World Championship. Truly impressive win! Joshua Pacio received US$50,000 performance bonus from ONE Ceo Chatri Sidyothong for his impressive performance at ONE 171:Qatar Courtesy from Team Lakay page  

Puspusan ang aaghahanda ng Baguio City Football Team para sa nalalapit na Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet na gaganapin sa Benguet Sports Complex, La Triidad, Benguet sa Pebrero 23.