Atok, Benguet — Several vegetable farms in Atok have been covered in frost as temperatures drop in the highlands, with ice already forming on crops, particularly during the early mornings—marking the start of the frost season in the province.   In Facebook posts shared by locals, some fields can be seen already blanketed in frost, raising concerns over possible damage to crops.   Locally known as “andap” in the high mountains of the Cordillera, this common seasonal phenomenon

Reina Mercedes, Isabela – Search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate the bodies of two boys believed to have drowned while swimming in a river in Reina Mercedes, Isabela, last week.   The missing minors were identified by Isabela police as Manuel Galabay Ramos, 13, and Xander Frogoso, 11.   Based on a report from the Reina Mercedes Municipal Police Station obtained by local media, Manuel and Xander were reportedly bathing in a river in Barangay District 1, Laogenia, R

Baguio City, Philippines – The body of a 44-year-old woman was found inside a karaoke television (KTV) and disco bar at KM 4, Marcos Highway, Barangay Bakakeng Central on December 26, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.   Aside from its tourist attractions, Baguio City is also known for its nightlife, with popular entertainment venues—particularly KTVs and disco bars—catering to both locals and tourists. These establi

Baguio City, Philippines – Amid rising Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in the Cordillera region, an Igorot author from Baguio has published the region’s first child-friendly book on HIV awareness, aiming to protect young people from misinformation, reduce stigma, and address the growing risk the virus poses to youth, who remain among the most vulnerable.   While no official records confirm the claim, Paul Brian Tulioc Baldoza, an award-winning film director, journali

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Tabuk City recorded the highest number of rape cases in Kalinga, accounting for 20 of the 25 total incidents, largely due to its larger population and higher reporting rates, according to data from the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD)–Kalinga.   The data showed that most victims are minors, with 14 cases recorded in Tabuk alone, underscoring that children remain the primary targets of sexual predators. The city also logged the youngest victim, a

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Amid claims that the Kalinga tribe is protecting former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Chief Gerald Bantag, the Kalinga Police Provincial Office (KPPO) clarified that Bantag does not belong to the Kalinga tribe, as he is of mixed Ifugao and Benguet heritage.   Bantag was declared a fugitive in 2023 after being indicted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) over the killing of radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa in 2022 and the alleged middleman C

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Rape incidents in Kalinga dropped by 16.6 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, based on data provided by the province’s Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD).   The data showed that in 2025, WCPD-Kalinga recorded 25 reported cases, lower than the 30 cases logged from January to December 2024. Of the cases recorded in 2025, nine have been filed in court, five were dismissed due to lack of interest on the part of the complainant or lack of pr

Abra, Philippines – Private First Class Archie Calawit, who was deployed in Lacub, Abra, phoned his family on Christmas Eve to inform them that he would be coming home before the end of December. His words, however, were left unfulfilled after a tragic incident occurred at their camp just hours later.   Police accounts revealed that Calawit, who was assigned to the 50th Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army in Lacub, was inside a hut serving as their kitchen at around 11:00

Bontoc, Mt. Province – A 53-year-old woman died from head injury, while her five companions were injured after their vehicle fell into a ravine in Bontoc, Mountain Province on Sunday evening, December 28.   The victim identified by the Bontoc Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office as Cherylina Geston Dalilis, who was a resident of Pico, La Trinidad, was driving a Mitsubishi Montero last night when her car fell into a 20-meter ravine along the Bontoc-Mainit Pr

What started as an “average” student who rarely shared her thoughts during classroom discussions earned the third highest rating in the recently conducted X-Ray Technologist Licensure Examination.   Mikee Diaz Banag, 24, hailing from Sumadel 2, Tinglayan, Kalinga, and a graduate of the International School of Asia and the Pacific–Tabuk, was named Top 3 in the December 2025 X-Ray Technologist Licensure Examination.   In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Mikee admitted t

Tabuk City, Kalinga – More than 400 aspiring Cordilleran soldiers successfully passed the November 30 to December 3, 2025 Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT), marking a significant milestone for the region’s long-standing commitment to serving both the local community and the nation—driven by values of courage and public service. The four-day, region-wide assessment was held at the Kalinga State University–Bulanao Campus and was participated in by a

Tadian, Mountain Province – As 2025 draws to a close, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)–Tadian recorded the town’s first grass fire of the year after a blaze broke out in a mountainous area covering more than one hectare, particularly in Barangay Poblacion, Tadian, Mountain Province, on the afternoon of December 18, 2025, past 3:00 p.m. According to Acting Municipal Fire Marshal SFO3 Ryan Oliseo, in an interview with Regional News Group–RNG Luzon, firefighters immediately r

Tabuk City, Kalinga  – After months of pursuing his disqualification case, number one elected city councilor of Tabuk City, Atty. Errol Comafay , provided an update saying he has received a notice from the Supreme Court regarding the complaint filed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Paquito Sallaya, a barangay captain of Dupag, Tabuk City. “Kahapon ay natanggap natin ang Notice na ito mula sa Supreme Court. Ito ang patunay na patuloy ang ating laban para kilalanin

Tabuk City, Kalinga  – To ensure a safe and joyful Christmas celebration, the Kalinga Provincial Health Office (PHO), headed by Dr. Edward Tandingan, has urged the public to practice discipline, moderation, and safety, warning that failure to heed health reminders may result in unnecessary accidents and medical emergencies during the Yuletide season. As part of the health sector’s continuing efforts to protect the well-being of iKalingas amid increased festivities, travel, an

Gamu, Isabela – A grieving mother of a 31-year-old woman found dead and wrapped in red plastic on the morning of December 20, 2025, at around 6:00 a.m. along the Gamu–Roxas Road in Barangay Linglingay, Gamu, Isabela, has appealed to the public for justice, hoping for the identification and accountability of her daughter’s killer.   The victim was identified as Roxanne Carabbacan, a resident of Cauayan City, Isabela. The Gamu Municipal Police Station (GMPS) reported that her b

Tabuk City, Kalinga – A 37-year-old man from Rizal, Kalinga lost a finger to a firecracker on Monday afternoon, marking the first recorded firecracker-related injury in Kalinga this Yuletide season.   The Rizal Municipal Police Station said the victim, a resident of Barangay Macutay, was injured after picking up a pla-pla that initially failed to explode. The firecracker suddenly detonated in his hand, severing one of his fingers and injuring other parts of his body.   Pla-pl

Baguio City, Philippines – Authorities have advised the public to exercise caution and prioritize safety in using fireworks after a minor was injured following the explosion of a prohibited pyrotechnic device or noisemaker in Lower Dagsian, Baguio City, on the evening of December 21, 2025. The victim, an 11-year-old boy, was rushed to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center after sustaining injuries from an illegal firecracker identified as a “5-Star,” a banned explosi

Amulung, Cagayan – An early morning walk on Kaunlaran Bridge in Amulung, Cagayan turned tragic after a 20-year-old student slipped and fell into the Cagayan River, prompting a search and retrieval operation by the Amulung Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) and other local authorities. According to initial reports, the incident occurred in the early hours of December 22, 2025, between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. The victim, identified as Benjie De Sagon Ba

Tabuk City, Kalinga – With the groundbreaking of the Kalinga Commercial Complex on December 22, 2025, at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital compound, more livelihood opportunities for local entrepreneurs and a further boost to the local economy are expected. The Provincial Government of Kalinga Information Office (PIO) said the construction of the commercial complex, which will cover an area of 15 meters by 60 meters, will cost ₱29,994,398.55 and will be implemented in several p

Alcala, Cagayan – A ₱19-million detour bridge in Barangay Piggatan, Alcala, Cagayan was formally reopened on December 19, 2025, assuring the public that the temporary structure is safe, sturdy, and capable of carrying vehicles weighing up to 40 tons. The detour bridge was completed in just two months and will serve as a temporary solution to restore mobility while the construction of a permanent bridge is planned for early next year. The reopening was personally led by Depart