MANILA: Nearly 28,000 villages across the country have been cleared of illegal drugs since the start of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Friday.

In its latest report on the national anti-drug campaign, PDEA said 27,968 out of 42,000 barangays (villages) in the country have been declared “drug-cleared” from July 1, 2022 to Nov. 30 this year while 7,543 are still being cleared by authorities.

These barangays have reached drug-cleared status after the issuance of a certification by members of the oversight committee on the barangay drug-clearing program, it added.

Authorities also seized a total of PHP30.39 billion worth of illegal drugs across the country in the same period.

The amount included 4,120.52 kg. of shabu, 48.02 kg. of cocaine, 54,012 ecstasy tablets and 3,106.24 kg. of marijuana, it added.

The latest PDEA data also showed 72,676 drug suspects were arrested during 52,966 anti-illegal drug operations.

Authorities also dis
mantled 811 drug dens and a clandestine shabu laboratory during the same period.
Source: Philippines News Agency

LAOAG: Dallot,” a native chant delivered during special occasions by the Ilokano community in the olden times, remains alive to this day, thanks to natives who have kept the tradition.

Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, 77, has clung on to it like a lullaby since she was a child.

In recognition of her extraordinary skill and dedication to preserve and promote this oral tradition to the younger generation, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. through Proclamation No. 427 has named her a ‘Manlilikha ng Bayan’ or national living treasure.

The National Living Treasures Award is the highest state honor conferred to a Filipino in recognition of exemplary work in any form of traditional art.

Bagcal, a widow from Sitio Calao, Barangay 4 Marcos in Banna, Ilocos Norte, is a dallot master.

She is also an expert in “duayya” (Ilokano lullaby) and “dung-aw” (mourning ritual).

In an interview, Bagcal recalled accompanying her grandmother, Veronica Suguitan Urbano, when the latter would occasionally join a community of elders durin
g a traditional wedding proposal.

Part of the Ilokano ritual is for an elder to perform dallot, an improvised, versified, and impromptu long poem delivered in a chant in front of a man and woman who plan to marry, with the blessing of their parents and nearest kins.

Dallot is likewise performed during special celebrations like birthdays or feasts.

Her exposure to the oral tradition has earned her the title ‘dumadallot” or Dallot Queen of the North.

On several occasions, Bagcal would receive invitation from officials, including former First Lady and congresswoman Imelda Marcos, to perform dallot.

She said dallot comes out naturally every time she chants in public.

‘This is a golden treasure I inherited from my forefathers. I am proud of it,’ she said, adding she would gladly welcome any invitation to perform dallot in the community or even in schools in Banna for the sake of preserving the oral tradition.

Modern-day wedding preparations may no longer carry dallot as part of the ritual but Bagcal believe
s it will continue to thrive across generations for as long as people value their cultural identity.

She said she is also happy that in her town, she has trained several students of Banna National High School (BNHS), including her grandson who is now a public school teacher, Jessie Bagcal, towards the preservation of cultural heritage including dallot.

‘With tears in my eyes and joy in my heart, I salute the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan from my hometown, Banna,’ Joel Manuel, former BNHS principal and an advocate for Ilokano Literature, said during a special program for the preservation of cultural heritage among students in the province.

Through his documentation and with the help of fellow officials and members of the Gunglo Dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano or the Association of Ilokano Writers in the Philippines – Ilocos Norte who submitted the nomination to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2021, Bagcal earned the prestigious award.

Manuel said the Ilokano oral traditions have waned over the
years but with the President’s latest proclamation, it will survive the test of time.

The other eight awardees were Abina Tawide Coguit (embroiderer from La Paz, Agusan del Sur), Sakinur-ain Mugong Delasas (Sama master of traditional dance from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi) and Bundos Bansil Fara (T’boli brasscaster from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato); and artists Marife Ravidas Ganahon, Amparo Balansi Mabanag, Samporonia Pagsac Madanlo, Barbara Kibed Ofong and Rosie Godwino Sula.
Source: Philippines News Agency

LAOAG: Dallot,” a native chant delivered during special occasions by the Ilokano community in the olden times, remains alive to this day, thanks to natives who have kept the tradition.

Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, 77, has clung on to it like a lullaby since she was a child.

In recognition of her extraordinary skill and dedication to preserve and promote this oral tradition to the younger generation, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. through Proclamation No. 427 has named her a ‘Manlilikha ng Bayan’ or national living treasure.

The National Living Treasures Award is the highest state honor conferred to a Filipino in recognition of exemplary work in any form of traditional art.

Bagcal, a widow from Sitio Calao, Barangay 4 Marcos in Banna, Ilocos Norte, is a dallot master.

She is also an expert in “duayya” (Ilokano lullaby) and “dung-aw” (mourning ritual).

In an interview, Bagcal recalled accompanying her grandmother, Veronica Suguitan Urbano, when the latter would occasionally join a community of elders durin
g a traditional wedding proposal.

Part of the Ilokano ritual is for an elder to perform dallot, an improvised, versified, and impromptu long poem delivered in a chant in front of a man and woman who plan to marry, with the blessing of their parents and nearest kins.

Dallot is likewise performed during special celebrations like birthdays or feasts.

Her exposure to the oral tradition has earned her the title ‘dumadallot” or Dallot Queen of the North.

On several occasions, Bagcal would receive invitation from officials, including former First Lady and congresswoman Imelda Marcos, to perform dallot.

She said dallot comes out naturally every time she chants in public.

‘This is a golden treasure I inherited from my forefathers. I am proud of it,’ she said, adding she would gladly welcome any invitation to perform dallot in the community or even in schools in Banna for the sake of preserving the oral tradition.

Modern-day wedding preparations may no longer carry dallot as part of the ritual but Bagcal believe
s it will continue to thrive across generations for as long as people value their cultural identity.

She said she is also happy that in her town, she has trained several students of Banna National High School (BNHS), including her grandson who is now a public school teacher, Jessie Bagcal, towards the preservation of cultural heritage including dallot.

‘With tears in my eyes and joy in my heart, I salute the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan from my hometown, Banna,’ Joel Manuel, former BNHS principal and an advocate for Ilokano Literature, said during a special program for the preservation of cultural heritage among students in the province.

Through his documentation and with the help of fellow officials and members of the Gunglo Dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano or the Association of Ilokano Writers in the Philippines – Ilocos Norte who submitted the nomination to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2021, Bagcal earned the prestigious award.

Manuel said the Ilokano oral traditions have waned over the
years but with the President’s latest proclamation, it will survive the test of time.

The other eight awardees were Abina Tawide Coguit (embroiderer from La Paz, Agusan del Sur), Sakinur-ain Mugong Delasas (Sama master of traditional dance from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi) and Bundos Bansil Fara (T’boli brasscaster from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato); and artists Marife Ravidas Ganahon, Amparo Balansi Mabanag, Samporonia Pagsac Madanlo, Barbara Kibed Ofong and Rosie Godwino Sula.
Source: Philippines News Agency

LAOAG: Dallot,” a native chant delivered during special occasions by the Ilokano community in the olden times, remains alive to this day, thanks to natives who have kept the tradition.

Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, 77, has clung on to it like a lullaby since she was a child.

In recognition of her extraordinary skill and dedication to preserve and promote this oral tradition to the younger generation, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. through Proclamation No. 427 has named her a ‘Manlilikha ng Bayan’ or national living treasure.

The National Living Treasures Award is the highest state honor conferred to a Filipino in recognition of exemplary work in any form of traditional art.

Bagcal, a widow from Sitio Calao, Barangay 4 Marcos in Banna, Ilocos Norte, is a dallot master.

She is also an expert in “duayya” (Ilokano lullaby) and “dung-aw” (mourning ritual).

In an interview, Bagcal recalled accompanying her grandmother, Veronica Suguitan Urbano, when the latter would occasionally join a community of elders durin
g a traditional wedding proposal.

Part of the Ilokano ritual is for an elder to perform dallot, an improvised, versified, and impromptu long poem delivered in a chant in front of a man and woman who plan to marry, with the blessing of their parents and nearest kins.

Dallot is likewise performed during special celebrations like birthdays or feasts.

Her exposure to the oral tradition has earned her the title ‘dumadallot” or Dallot Queen of the North.

On several occasions, Bagcal would receive invitation from officials, including former First Lady and congresswoman Imelda Marcos, to perform dallot.

She said dallot comes out naturally every time she chants in public.

‘This is a golden treasure I inherited from my forefathers. I am proud of it,’ she said, adding she would gladly welcome any invitation to perform dallot in the community or even in schools in Banna for the sake of preserving the oral tradition.

Modern-day wedding preparations may no longer carry dallot as part of the ritual but Bagcal believe
s it will continue to thrive across generations for as long as people value their cultural identity.

She said she is also happy that in her town, she has trained several students of Banna National High School (BNHS), including her grandson who is now a public school teacher, Jessie Bagcal, towards the preservation of cultural heritage including dallot.

‘With tears in my eyes and joy in my heart, I salute the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan from my hometown, Banna,’ Joel Manuel, former BNHS principal and an advocate for Ilokano Literature, said during a special program for the preservation of cultural heritage among students in the province.

Through his documentation and with the help of fellow officials and members of the Gunglo Dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano or the Association of Ilokano Writers in the Philippines – Ilocos Norte who submitted the nomination to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2021, Bagcal earned the prestigious award.

Manuel said the Ilokano oral traditions have waned over the
years but with the President’s latest proclamation, it will survive the test of time.

The other eight awardees were Abina Tawide Coguit (embroiderer from La Paz, Agusan del Sur), Sakinur-ain Mugong Delasas (Sama master of traditional dance from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi) and Bundos Bansil Fara (T’boli brasscaster from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato); and artists Marife Ravidas Ganahon, Amparo Balansi Mabanag, Samporonia Pagsac Madanlo, Barbara Kibed Ofong and Rosie Godwino Sula.
Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte has urged Filipinos not to be deceived by the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Duterte made the statement Thursday evening as she sent her condolences to the family of Sgt. Jernell Ramillano who recently died in an encounter with insurgents in Batangas.

“Dili na kita magpatonto sa mga terorista nga sa dugay nga panahon nahimong babag aron atong masinati ang pamuyo nga malinawon ug matagamtaman ang kalambuan sa atong mga komunidad (We should not be fooled by terrorists who have been an obstacle for us to have peaceful lives and achieve growth in our communities),” she said.

She also commended Ramillano for his brave and heroic service to the country.

“Mananatili sya sa puso at isipan ng bawat Pilipino at ang kanyang katapangan at pagmamahal sa bansa ay magsisilbing inspirasyon ng bawat isa sa amin upang mas mapabuti pa ang paglilingkod sa bayan (He will remain in the hearts and mi
nds of every Filipino, and his bravery and love for the country will serve as an inspiration for each of us to better serve the country),” Duterte said.

Ramillano and his family, she said, are just some of the victims of violence being perpetrated by the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Duterte recalled that when she was mayor of Davao City in 2018, the mother of 1st Lt. Jaren Relota, who also died fighting the CPP-NPA-NDF, asked her how many more lives would be lost because of the rebel group.

“Marami pang Sgt. Ramillano at 1st Lt. Relota ang magbubuwis ng buhay kung ipagsasawalang-bahala natin ang traydor, mapanlinlang, at marahas na kalabang CPP, NPA, at NDF (There will be a lot more Sgt. Ramillanos and 1st Lt. Relotas who will sacrifice their lives if we ignore the treachery, deceit, and violence of the CPP-NPA-NDF),” she said.

The DepEd chief also warned that more Filipino children would not finish their schooling if they were left alone to be recruited by insurgents.

Duterte said she believes that the only objective o
f the CPP-NPA-NDF is to destroy the country’s foundation of democracy; abolish the government institutions; and drive the country into poverty, chaos, and injustice.

She recently expressed her full support for the government’s peace efforts but requested President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. not to grant amnesty to the rebel group.

Duterte also cited the joint communiqué between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front as an “agreement with the devil.”
Source: Philippines News Agency

LEGAZPI: A 17-year-old tanker from Sorsogon province made waves after securing her third gold medal in the 2023 Batang Pinoy competitions in Manila on Friday.

Bulan town’s pride, Beatrize Maria Mabalay, registered 34.95 seconds in the 50-meter breaststroke of the Girls’ 16-17 division to secure her third gold.

On Thursday, she also dominated the 100m breaststroke, clocking one minute and 16.58 seconds, to beat Marikina’s Clara Ysable Delos Santos (1:16.86).

Her first gold medal came Monday in the 200m breaststroke, which she won in 2:47.44.

Mabalay said her road to glory as the province’s first Batang Pinoy gold medalist was not without challenges.

In an interview, Mabalay said erratic weather and the unavailability of a suitable pool near her town hampered her training.

She said her winning streak prior to Batang Pinoy gave her additional experience.

In April, she took home five gold medals in the modified Palarong Bicol in April — 50m, 100m breaststroke and 200breaststroke, 200m individual medley, a
nd 200m freestyle.

Mabalay again showed her prowess in the Marikina City Palarong Pambansa in July, pocketing a gold medal in the 200m and two silver medals in the 50m and 100m breaststroke.

She was also one of the 19 Philippine junior swimmers who competed in the 45th Southeast Asia Age Group Swimming Championships held in Jakarta, Indonesia in September.

Aside from the three breaststroke swimming events, Malabay also competed in the 200m individual medley and 400m freestyle in the Batang Pinoy.
Source: Philippines News Agency