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Dangwa Bus to Sagada? Lourdes Fangki explains.

48255913_10213130067228216_1888394397318381568_nLourdes Gomeyac Fangki, one of the icons of Cordillera Music, energetically performed and gave entertainment to a full house audience at the recent TCC’s Concert for Life 27 at La Trinidad Municipal Gym held on December 14, 2018.

She was backed up by Cordillera’s most requested performers, comprising the TCC Band. In her performance of the all-time favourite “Nu Laydem Sumaa Ta”, she explained why it was Dangwa Bus that was mentioned in the lyrics instead of Lizardo Bus which is actually the transport bus servicing Sagada. According to singer Lourdes, as she styled the song performance to explain, it is because Dangwa Bus is the one that rhymes and not Lizardo. She even tried singing it using Lizardo to demonstratre what she meant.

Her explanation seems to signal that there is a criticism on the writing of her lyrics, specifically using Dangwa instead of Lizardo. TCC, being an institution that works to preserve culture, arts and heritage, would like to help Lourdes defend her great masterpiece. She could have also forgotten a stronger fact about it. In TCC’s view, Lourdes wrote the song correctly. The term “Dangwa” in the lyrics actually does not literally mean the Dangwa Bus Transport. She has written it right and it reflected the use of “language” during that time of writing. In the earlier days, the most popular bus in Baguio and Benguet was the Dangwa Bus. It became an icon to the people. It became then as a common term for a bus. People literally call a bus as “Dangwa” instead of bus. Most often you will hear old people say, “Man-igid ka, sana’y dangwa” instead of saying ” “Man-igid ka, sana’y bus” (“Keep aside, bus is coming”).

This is similar to how people usually used the term “coke” when they actually mean soft drink : “Sino’y coke mo, orange?” ( What is your softdrink, Royal/ Orange?). Or, similar to how people use the term “colgate” when they actually mean toothpaste: “Gumatangak man ti colgit.”

Pageant in Hong Kong reconnects OFW to her family in Philippines

The People’s Choice Award online voting, a part of Ms Cultural World and Ms TCC 2018 held last October in Hong Kong has given the opportunity for the winner, Ms Sheryl Valderama, to be reconnected with her family in the Philippines. It is a big contrast to the recent issue that pageants among OFWs in Hong Kong are being discouraged due to an incident that exposed candidates. Pageants, if organised professionally and responsibly, are good community events. It is an expression of art. However, there are also organisers who have no clear direction and knowledge of what really pageant is meant to be. Organising a pageant needs right attitude, discipline and professionalism.

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The winning photo slide of Ms Sheryl Valderama from Tadian, Mountain Province.

TCC-United Kingdom, also known as British-Filipino Foundation, the working arm of TCC in England, sponsored this online voting competition, although the actual pageant is an event hosted by TCC-Hong Kong and was held at Pier 10, Central Hong Kong on November 04, 2018. The online competition aimed to build reconnections between the candidates and their families, as well as their relatives and friends. TCC-UK understands the difficulty of OFWs working in a foreign land and being separated from their families for years. It then sponsored the creation of the People’s Choice Award component of the competition.

The mechanics of the competition was simply for candidates to gain votes on their photo presentations posted on TCC’s Facebook Page as well as on it’s website. The 3 candidates with the highest votes were given prizes as follows: People’s Choice Award, Php5K; 1st Runner Up, Php3K; and 2nd Runner Up, Php2K. All these prizes were awarded to the candidates as cash  but were specifically intended to be spent for family dinner or for recreations of their family and loved ones in the Philippines.

During the online competition, each candidate have spent their effort in convincing their family, relatives and friends to vote for them. It has also been noted that some of the candidates, most especially the winners, have been helped by their families and relatives as well friends in campaigning for them. Thru this, the reconnection between them has been established. Although it was thru a virtual experience for Sheryl as she is in Hong Kong, it still rekindled their familial relationship.

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Sheryl’s representative, claiming her prize from TCC-Philippines Chairman Gregorio Taag.

As to the People’s Choice Award winner, Ms Sheryl Valderama, a native of Tadian, Mt Province, members of her family and relatives travelled from Pangasinan, La union, and Mt. Province to met each other and celebrate her win. Truly, thru the said competition, she was able to gather them at a very private and special occasion, and more importantly, for her to be reconnected to them.

Script from Ms Sheryl:

Here is my family dinner. Thank you again and again TCC for organising the show, thank you Bhowan Moon for the encouragement, and to my friends and cousins who helped me on the online voting, that even though we were very much sleepy and tired at work , still, you helped me campaign… thank you! To TCC-UK, thank you for sponsoring this family dinner.. my family enjoyed it a lot that they were so happy and forgot to take a group picture as I have told them… Sir Greg, too, thank you…

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Ms Sheryl Valderama’s big family enjoying dinner together in celebration to her win. Some of them travelled from Pangasinan, La Union and Mountain Province. What a moment of family gathering!

Ms. Irish Ticagan, the 1st Runner Up, also native of Tadian, Mt Province, will be sending her family to claim her award during TCC’s Concert for Life 27 on December 14 to be held at La Trinidad Municipal Gym. Ms Girlie Villamena, the 2nd Runner-Up, hailing from Nueva Vizcaya, has already claimed her prize in Hong Kong as her family are not able to travel to Baguio to claim her prize from Sir Gregorio Taag, Chairman of TCC-Philippines. Both families of winners are expected to have their family dinners, too.

The event successfully gained it’s objectives. The actual pageant, Ms Cultural World 2018 and Ms TCC 2018 not only featured and promoted the waved crafts of TCC’s event partner, Inabe Handwoven Crafts, owned by Ms Zefora Bosongan of Bauko, Mt Province but it helped TCC create awareness and fundraise for its four charity objectives: Relief of poverty; advancement of education; protection of health, and the preservation of culture, arts and heritage. The event was graced by Ms Lou Gabiola, Manager of Le Chef, The Manor, Camp John Hay; Spouses Dr Ruth Taguiling and Atty Jas Taguiling; and Sir Gregorio Taag, Benguet State University Professor and Chairman of TCC-Philippines; who all travelled all the way from the Philippines for the event.

Thru the event, TCC-Hong Kong was able to raise funds that helped TCC-Philippines with it’s relief operations for the victims of Typhoons Ompong and Rosita in the Cordilleras.

TCC takes shape in Shenzhen, China

TCC-Shenzhen held its very first charity event on November 17th. The whole thing was put together by 3 people of different nationalities; MJ Horton from the Philippines (Baguio City), Joshua Horton from the USA and Amit Shrestha from Nepal. It was held at Mariachi Bowls located at Baoan District owned by Eddie, a native of Mexico. The crowd was composed of a very diverse group of people that came together to raise funds for typhoon victims in the northern part of the Philippines.

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There were items for raffle as part of the event. Amit donated his amazing photographs taken at Ifugao during his visit to the Philippines 3 years ago. Josh made homemade bread and MJ made DIY candles.

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For entertainment throughout the event, Garnet from the USA, played his guitar.

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The night was ended by having the children break a piñata. It was truly a very interesting exchange of culture. The event achieved its goal to build a network of people to support future TCC-Shenzhen activities.

TCC-Shenzhen was also one of the chapters to donate initial funds for Operation Hope: Rise Up Cordillera, TCC’s relief operation for victims of Typhoons Ompong and Rosita.

 

Vote for Ms Cultural World 2018 and Ms TCC 2018, People’s Choice Award

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The Cordillera Connection- Hong Kong Chapter (TCC-HK) presents online voting for the Ms Cultural World 2018 and Ms TCC 2018, People’s Choice Award.

Award:
People’s Choice Award
Certificate/ Plaque to be awarded in Hong Kong at the actual pageant event on 04th November 2018, Sunday, Pier 10, Central Hong Kong (Tentative Venue)

Prize:  
Family Dinner Treat
The winner will be given Php5,000.00 budget for her family in the Philippines to be spent on any restaurant for a dinner.

Mechanics:

The candidate that gains the highest likes on TCC facebook page and highest vote on TCC Website will be the declared winner.
Facebook Likes- 50%
TCC Website Vote- 50%

Deadline of Voting: Friday, November 02, 2018, 11:00 PM, Hong Kong Time.

Officiating Panel: TCC- United Kingdom
Prize Sponsor: TCC- United Kingdom

TCC-United Kingdom sees the importance of connection of our fellow OFWs to their families in the Philippines hence decided to sponsor this online voting. Another important reason why TCC-UK is sponsoring the dinner for the family of the winner is a way of saying thank you to the OFWs in Hong Kong who have been supporting TCC-HK. We felt we are one family. TCC-HK is currently providing the funding for the Concert for Life Series in the Philippines that have also supported more than 300 beneficiaries since it started. Some have sadly passed away.

Decision of the panel in the declaration of the winner will be final.

The online votes will have no bearing on the result of the actual pageant. The online voting is only for the People’s Choice Award.

Photo Credits: Bhowan Moon and Rhesa Makin Payangdo

To vote: Select the Candidate’s Name of your choice and click FINISH SURVEY at the end of the survery link. Only one vote is allowed for each voter. Once you voted, the link will disappear on the website. We will post the current standing of votes every Friday until the closing time.

Please take note on the calculation of final scores:

Example of Calculating Final Scores

To compute scores on FB Online Likes:

Contestant A has the Highest Like of 2,000 likes. Will make that as 100%. We will get 50% of this which is 50%.
Contestant B has the Second highest which is 1,800 that is equivalent to 90%. We will get 50% which is 45%.
Contestant C is the 3rd highest with 1,750 likes equivalent to 87.5%. We will get 50% from it which is 43.75%

Formula to get % score: number of likes/ number of highest likes x 100.

To calculate scores on Website Votes:

Contestant C has the highest vote with 800 votes. We will make that 100%. Get 50% which is 50%.
Contestant B has the second highest with 750 votes. Which is equivalent to 93.75%. Get 50% which is 46.875%
Contestant A has the 3rd highest votes which is 740 votes equivalent to 92.5%. Get 50% which is 46.25%.

Formula to get % scores: number of votes/ number of highest vote x 100.

To determine winner: add 50% scores from fb to 50% scores on website.

Contestant A: 50% + 46.25%= 96.25%
Contestant B: 45% + 46.875%= 91.875%
Contestant C: 43.75% + 50%= 93.75%

Winner: Contestant A with 96.25% total grade.

TCC Grants 15 Scholarships; Beneficiaries Raises Php150K

TCC Grants 13 Scholarships; Beneficiaries Raises Php150K

Report By: Marben Orfiano, Trustee, TCC

Benguet, Philippines- The Cordillera Connection (TCC), realising two of its charitable objectives, the advancement of education and the alleviation of poverty, has granted scholarships for 15 academically excelling students at Benguet State University (BSU) for School Year 2013-14.

Launching its first scholarship program, TCC received 31 applications of students from various academic fields. The online application form on TCC’s website made it easy for students to get access to the scholarship program. The main criteria of selection include grades, level of financial need, and community socio-civic involvement of applicants. Originally, 6 scholarship slots have been made available based on the budget allocated by TCC. The top eleven (11) applicants have been shortlisted by TCC trustees and coordinators based abroad for interview to come up with the final 6. The selection of the 6 scholars have been so difficult as applicants have really shown their worth but in need of financial assistance to finish their studies and be able to help their families.
Fortunately, TCC-Australia Coordinator Vicky Montes has offered to sponsor one applicant on top of the 6 scholarship grants from TCC’s budget. More dramatic news came up when TCC/ TCBCI-Philippines Chairperson, Gregorio Taag, went on his way and called out for support from the public. Some of his friends then responded and committed to sponsor the other four (4) remaining shortlisted applicants, making the TCC scholarships grant to 11.

Surprisingly, additional slots popped out when, Cynthia Marcos and Nova Atuban, two of TCC-UK’s Trustees, came forward to support 4 more scholars. As a result, four (4) applicants have been selected and be included in the scholarship program, making TCC’s first fifteen (15) scholars.
The academically excelling students, who were able to prove their worth of receiving scholarships grant, are the following:
1. Melanie Catuday- Last Grade: 2.25= 84-86, BS Applied Statistics 3; Dolores, Eastern Samar
2. Paulyn Ann Pucay Fancote- Last Grade: 1.96= 90-92, BS Secondary Education, Valenzuela, Manila
3. Nimfa Sinosa- Last Grade: 2.0= 87-89, BS Secondary Education 3; Tublay, Benguet
4. Rosemarie Viacrucis- Last Grade: 2.0= 87-89, BS Information Tech 3; La Trinidad, Benguet
5. Cyril Jane Bengado Olsim- Last Grade: 1.75-=90-92, BS Secondary Education 2; Buguias, Benguet
6. Fatilyn L. Bay-an- Last Grade: 1.75=90-92, B Library and Information Science; Kapangan, Benguet
7. Rhealyn Alinso- Last Grade: 1.75-=90-92, BS Information Technology 1; Bakun, Benguet
8. Joe Valerie Cosalan- Last Grade: 2.0= 87-89, BS Secondary Education 3; Tuba, Benguet
9. Mikaela Cardenas- Last Grade: 2.25=84-86, BS Information Technology 1; Bauko/ Tadian, Mt Province
10. Chlarence Jude Ventura- Last Grade: 1.75-=90-92, BS Agriculture 2; La Trinidad Benguet
11. Dimpol A. Lamaton- Last Grade: 1.75-=90-92, BS Elementary Education 2; Barlig, Mt Province
12. Fredalyn Bastian- Last Grade: 1.75-=90-92, BS Education 3, La Trinidad, Benguet
13. Angel Sorano- Last Grade: 1.75-=90-92, BS Nutrition and Dietetics 1, Tublay, Benguet

14. Raymond Tambogon- Last Grade: 2.25=84-86, BS Agricultural Engineering, Binalonan, Pangasinan

15. Romeo Sukaw Jr- Last Grade: 2.0=87-89, BSin Agriculture, Itogon, Benguet

The panel who served to shortlist the applicants include: TCC-UK Trustees Judith Angog and Cynthia Marcos,  TCC-UK Volunteer Graham Maysano, TCC-TCBCI Coordinator Rhea Panawan, TCC-Canada Coordinator Irene Langawan Thomas, and TCC-Australia Coordinator Victoria Montes Bay-an. The interview and assessment of applicants were done by TCC-Philippines Chairperson, Gregorio Taag.

Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between TCC and BSU is on process in order to secure partnership in looking after the scholars. TCC will pay directly to the school the full tuition fees of its scholars. The studes have been oriented on the history and background of TCC and are encouraged to participate in its socio-civic activities.

Another remarkable project of TCC this year is its Binnadangan Cultural Festival thru its 2nd Battle of the Bands, Concert for Life 7 held last November 9 at the La Trinidad Municipal Gym. Nine (9) Bands competed and exhibited their musical talents in composing TCC’s theme song. This event has supported more than 30 ill-patients who have been TCC’s long-time beneficiaries. From the Php35,000 budget for the event, beneficiaries were able to raise more than Php150,000. This has once more proved that this approach is helpful to our beneficiaries as well as providing a venue to realise one of our objectives, the advancement of culture, arts and heritage.

The funding for both scholarship program and battle-of-the-bands came from the proceeds of TCC’s Pinoy Night Fundraising event in Marian Community Centre, Kilburn, London last September 28. Thanks to all who supported the event.