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.    

By Pigeon Lobien A woman overshadowed her male counterparts as she fired a seven over 68 for a net 60 and win the Ladies division title in the Media Golf 2025 at the Baguio Country Club golf course on January 25. Demma Dulnuan once again outclassed all other players in the first golf for a cause project of the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club, Inc. Dulnuan, who won the low gross in a practically all-male tournament in November last year, however, was named the ladies champion where her nearest rival was 13 shots down. Jolaine Sacyat finished second with a gross 81 and 61 net, while 27 handicapper Angel Gonzales ended up third with a similar net 61 after a gross 88. The best for a male finisher was a gross 70, nine over, for a net 60. Dino Cogasi, handicap 10, was named the Men’s A champion with that score. Police Regional Office – Cordillera Director David Peredo,Jr., also had a net 60 after a gross 76 tot ake first runner-up honors, while Aineon Jabinero fired a 15 over for 76 points and net score of 61 to take third honors. In men’s class B, Roy Tio was the top winner after shooting a net 61 after a gross 78. Two men were tied at second place with gross 79 and net 61, Howard Laurente and Randy Bulwayan, but the former took the higher award due to playing the last six holes better than his opponent. In men’s class C, Crispin Lamong and Julio Lizardo fired a similar 17 over for 78 and net 61, but Lamong took the title with a better last six holes performance. Gary Baldoz had 83 gross and a similar net 61 to take third place. Amor Fores, Meanwhile, shot a 16 over 77 for a net 61 to rule the seniors division. Robert Manriqui and Alex Fores took first and second runners-up after a net 61, but the former took the higher spot with lower handicap of 20 against the latter’s 26. Rocky Runez, meanwhile, fired the nearest to the pin plum after having his ball land some 49 inches from the hole. The longest drive was 320 yards made by Ronald Paragas at 320 yards at hole number 3. The most accurate drive was made at hole number 8 by Robert Munar. Meanwhile, BCBC president Thomas Picana expressed its gratitude to the sponsors who made possible the staging of the Media Golf 2025 last Saturday. Picana was very much elated with the turn-out of supporters that made the club’s fund raiser golf tournament a success. Backed by MPT Mobility, the Media Golf is aimed to raise funds for the health insurance of active club members that number around 80 and as of last year’s election where Picana was elected with his six officers and four board members. “I have all the reason to smile and work for the success of the staging of the tournament,” said Picana. “We can work for a two-year health insurance for our members,” cried Picana of the event supported by the Cebu Blue Bloods led by Douglas Rufino, the Solid North Party List, Rep. Jesse Mangaoang of Kalinga and Rep. Maximo Dalog, Jr. of Mountain Province. “Now we will just await the players, although many have inquired about how to join, we advised them to be just present at the BCC before the 6AM tee-off,” said Picana the night before the System 36 mode tournament fired off. The event was backed by Baguio mayor Benjamin Magalong, KM Party List, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, Solid North first nominee Menchie Bernos, League of Municipalities of the Philippines president Joseph Sto. Nino Bernos, Pugo Adventures or Pugo and SM City Baguio. Picana also thanked the LandCo Pacific, Grumpy Joe, Balintaugan Construction, Cesar Pasiwen, the Police Regional Office – Cordillera under PBGen. David Peredo,Jr., Lepanto Mines, Philex Mining Corporation, the Benguet Electric Cooperative, Valley Bread, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Maximo Edwin, Jr., Jomarcann Construction, Baguio Rep. Mark Go, Benguet Vice Gov. Ericson Felipe, A-Link Consultancies, the Baguio Water District and Hotel Supreme.        

By Pigeon Lobien   The Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club will stage a golf for a cause on January 25 at the Baguio Country Club. Nearly a hundred players are expected to see action in the one-day Media Golf Tournament 2025 that will use the System 36 mode of play. BCBC President Thomas Picana said the event is aimed to raise funds for the club members’ health insurance. The media had been one of the sectors that was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic that started in 2020 and much of the 2021. This has resulted to the closure of many publications among which are SunStar Daily and the 77-year old Baguio Midland Courier which ceased printing in July last year. “We hope to raise funds to help pour members secure their health insurance, especially that health is one of the biggest concerns now after the pandemic struck,” said the Amianan Balita Ngayon editor/publisher. Picana is also hoping to raise additional funds to help three mediamen who are still recovering from ailments. There will be three categories in the men’s division, while a senior and ladies divisions are also open, said Picana. Aside from the top three placers, trophies will be given also to the player who registers a nearest to the pin, longest drive and most accurate drive, he added. Picana is calling on all golf afficionado to join the one-day event, backed by the BCC and Mountain Rep. Maximo Dalog, Jr., to join the event that offers a raffle where entry could win attractive prizes. Tee time starts at 6AM until the 10AM and the awards will be staged at 4PM at the Par 7 of BCC.