Author: The Cordillera Connection

How was Cordillera Created?

Malacañang has declared July 15 a special non-working holiday in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). But how was this region of freedom, autonomy and cultural diversity created?

CAR is commemorating its 35th founding anniversary on July 15 after it was created through Executive Order 220 which was a result of successful peace talks with the local armed group – Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) led by former priest Conrado “Ka Ambo” Balweg. CPLA is a break-away group from communist People’s Army (NPA) which is also the merger of Abra Province’s Tingguian Liberation Force in 1986, forming the Cordillera Organisation with the aim to fight for self-determination of the people of Cordillera.


The Philippine national government thru former President Corazon Aquino initiated talks with the rebel group in September 13, 1986 at Mt Data Hotel, Bauko, Mt Province. Adopting the local practice of “bodong” (peace talks), the parties went thru “sipat” (exchange of peace tokens) that led to the issuance of the EO creating the Cordillera Administrative Region in preparation for becoming an autonomous region. This is called the 1986 Mt Data Peace Accord.

In 1999, Conrado Balweg was assasinated by the NPA.

CPLA agreed and signed with the Philippine Government on July 04, 2011 for its closure or dissolution; bringing the rebel organisation to disarm and reintegrate into the mainstream society. Today, any rebel group left in the Cordillera are factions that are only fighting for their personal interests and not for the people of Cordillera.

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Aetas of Itogon are the Real Pure Blood Filipinos and so as Igorots, Mangyans, Tausugs, and other Indigenous Tribes of Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao

Aetas of Itogon are the Real Pure Blood Filipinos and so as Igorots, Mangyans, Tausugs, and other Indigenous Tribes of Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao. They are the original inhabitants of the Philippines. The looks of Miss Glenda and Miss Karen Davila are the result of inter-racial mixture of Filipinos and foreigners.

Modern Filipinos found in Central Luzon and Visayas such as in Manila and Cebu are descendants of indigenous tribes that had inter-racial mixture with foreigners who migrated or colonised the country, such as Chinese, Malays, Spanish, Japanese and others. This happened even before the year 1500s when Philippines was first discovered or found by European Sailor Magellan. This means Filipinos in Manila and Cebu came to civilisation many centuries before indigenous Filipinos of the mountains and outskirts of the country were discovered.

Real Pure blood Filipinos like the Igorots of the Mountains of Cordilleras remained pristine and were just introduced to civilisation probably in the late 1800s. The Aetas of Central Luzon were lately discovered or introduced to civilisation probably in mid 1900s. Even if they were almost just recently introduced to civilisation, they are now almost of the same transformation with the other Filipinos in the cities who were earlier brought to civilisation.

If all indigenous tribes were discovered and introduced to civilisation at the same time with those in Manila and Cebu, the looks of Igorots, Aetas, Mangyans, Tausugs and other indigenous people will be the same or far better than the looks of Miss Glenda or Karen Davila.

Nevertheless, races of people, indigenous or mixed-race, have their own beauty. The looks of people should never be used to discriminate one from the other. Each race and culture have their unique beauty and identity.

P.S.: There are no Aetas in Itogon. Title is just a Literary Art. Aetas and Igorots are both indigenous peoples with respective culture, history and beliefs.

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2 Sikat na Aeta, binisita ang mga kapwa Aeta sa Itogon

Binisita ng dalawang sikat na Aeta na si Miss Glenda, isang blogger at milyonaryang CEO, at si Miss Karen Davila, Isang sikat na broadcaster, ang mga kapwa nila Aeta sa Itogon.

Ikinatuwa naman ng mga kapwa nila Aeta ang kanilang pagdating at namangha nga lang sila dahil sa malayong magkaiba ang itsura ng dalawa sa knila. Ipinaliwanag ni Miss Glenda na kaya sila dumalaw ay para bigyan sila ng mga producto nya na pamputi. Ikinagalak naman eto ng mga kapwa nila Aeta dahil puputi na rin sila katulad nya.

Samantala, ang broadcaster naman na si Miss Karen Davila ay gustong gusto nang magkaanak kaya puspusan ang remejo lalo na ang pagsamba nya at pagdasal sa mga bulol na statwa.

Bagaman eto ay parang kapanipaniwala, etong article na eto ay sarcasm lng at wala po tayo intention na manakit. Hindi po totoo na Aeta sila Miss Glenda at Karen Davila. Joke lng po yun dahil gusto natin iparamdam ang ginawa nila. Hindi rin po Aeta ang mga taga Itogon. Hindi rin po masama ang pagiging Aeta.

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Who can be Philippines’ Future Competent President?

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Confused Baguio City: Pine Tree, Pine Cone or Pineapple? Vote!

Even people of Baguio City is confused. Have your say. Open the link to vote.

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Public Service: Let us find Jemaica, Missing Person from Baguio City.

The public is urged to help find Ms JEMAICA ROSE TAYABAN, 14 yrs old, 4’9 ” in height, last seen in Acupan, Itogon Benguet or Kias or Baguio City at around 8am on July 6, 2024 wearing BLUE TSHIRT at YELLOW PANTS. Any information please call police authorities.

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Filipino and Cordilleran singer wins 2 gold, 1 silver at the World Championships of Performing Arts competition (WCOPA) held in California, USA

Paul Kenneth Inocencio, Filipino and Cordilleran singer wins 2 gold and 1 silver at the World Championships of Performing Arts competition (WCOPA) held in California, USA this June 28- July 6, 2024.

“A heartfelt thank you to all the sponsors and everyone who supported me on my journey to becoming a delegate at WCOPA. Without your unwavering support, these medals and plaques would not have been possible. I gave my all to perform well and proudly represent the Philippines,” says Paul Kenneth on his social media post.

World Championships of Performing Arts is a yearly event that attracts singers, dancers, instrumentalists, actors, models and variety artists from over 70 Licensed countries to showcase their talents in various competition categories. The numerous winners walk away with over $750,000 worth of scholarships and prizes.

As of writing, Paul Kenneth confirmed to the writer thru messenger that his 2 gold medals are from Country Music and Pop Category and the silver from Jazz Category, indeed a verstatile artist. Paul Kenneth has also been the lead singer and lead guitarist of The Cordillera Connection/ TCC Band who have dedicated performing at TCC’s Charity concert for many years. Together with his bandmates Patrick Sarmiento, Jayson Raras, and former member Stephen Dalacan, as TCC Band members, they are the front runners of TCC’s charity concerts that generated almost P20million in the more than 1o years running of the charity concert, all of monies went to beneficiaries.

Paul Kenneth and his team of talented members are also members of their own band and other various bands that are formed by different individuals who recognises their potentials. Paul Kenneth distinct talent is his great vocal prowess and superb guitar accompaniment.

Paul Kenneth with Margaret Locano, Jayson Raras, Patrick Sarmiento and Stephen Dalacan at their performance at TCC’s 2018 Charity Concert in Hong Kong.

The Cordillera Connection and the TCC Family congratulates Paul Kenneth of his life-changing achievement, may it open more doors and opportunities at home and around the world.

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A Farmer’s Daughter, TCC Scholar, finishes degree with cum laude

A proud farmer’s daughter and hardworking student, Karryle P. Piaga, 23, from Buguias, Benguet, a scholar of sponsors at The Cordillera Connection (TCC), attains her degree in Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at Benguet State University with an award of distinction or cum laude.

Financial difficulties did not stop Karylle to pursue her dream of getting a degree in the university, with a hope that her education can help her family to get out of poverty, not having to forever endure the hardships working in the farm and the ever changing prices of crops that gives them uncertainties when it comes to their livelihood.

Karylle reached out to The Cordillera Connection community to ask for help with her financial needs at school. A generous sponsor, an overseas worker, even agreed to provide her a laptop.

“Ti challenges a napadasak ket ti pinansiyal gapu ta kasapulan nga agbayad para iti boarding ken kasapulan nga aggatang ti materyales para iti pagadalan kas ti laptop. Gapu iti Cordillera Connection, adda ti nagsponsors kadagiti usarek kas ti laptop agingga second year college.” “English: The challenges I faced was financial difficulties as I needed to pay my accommodation and I needed to buy materials for school such as laptop. Because of The Cordillera Connection, some people sponsored my needs such as the laptop.

Karylle worked as student assistant at the university and as a bagger at a Korean shop to augment her needs. She struggled during the pandemic online classes but was able to turn the tides and performed well when classroom education resumed.

The Cordillera Connection Congratulates Karylle, her parents and her kindhearted sponsors.

Cebu Pacific dominates Philippine Airlines with its 152-aircraft purchase order worth $24B with Airbus

Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific continues to dominate the Philippine air travel industry and overtakes the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, with its purchase order of about 152 new aircrafts from Airbus amounting to $24-billion (P1.4 trillion), so far the biggest deal in Philippine aviation history.

The low-cost airlines company, owned and controlled by tycoon Lance Gokongwei and his family’s conglomerate JG Summit Holdings, holds a fleet of about 85 Airbus and some smaller ATR turboprop aircraft, and an existing order book of more than 30 planes from the European manufacturer. It plans to expand operations to maintain domination in the domestic aviation market and keep its healthy share position against the resurgent Philippine Airlines.

Airbus thanks Cebu Pacific for its ongoing confidence in Airbus and its products, and is looking forward to finalising the contract. According to Cebu Pacific’s CEO Mike Szucs, when finalised, the deal will be a significant milestone for the local airline industry.

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Baguio and Cordillera’s Iconic Newspaper Comes to an End

Baguio Midland Courier, the iconic newspaper of Baguio City and the whole Cordillera region has announced today that it will be ceasing its operations effective July 22, 2024. It is now expected that there are only has 3 remaining publications before it stops operation.

The people’s favourite newspaper operated for 77 good years with its first publication on April 28, 1947, just a couple of years from the end of World War II, when it was founded by Atty Sinai Hamada. It released a 4-page newspaper with 200 copies on its first publication until it became the pioneer in printed journalism in Baguio City and the whole Cordillera region. Baguio Midland Courier remained a strong medium of information with is Sunday publications even the arrival of the internet and online age where news articles and published materials are easily accessible on smartphones and other devices.

It has become the favourite newspaper due to its wide coverage of the culture, business and economy, politics and governance and others aspects and issues that matters to the lives of Baguio City people and the Cordilleras. Not only because of it’s wide reach to information but also by involving the contribution of people’s thoughts and opinion and thru catering the literary contribution of its readers. I for one, made a contribution on its one of its weekly mail column.

Most especially, it was a favourite medium of information as it has always maintained impartiality on issues that divides the people, something that most journalists and broadcasters fail to abide by in the name of journalism. Thank you Baguio Midland Courier!

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