Ifugaos honor sports champions, achievers

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Ifugaos honored their local sports champions and achievers in an honorary victory motorcade and “Heroes” welcome  here recently. For achieving recognition and awards in national and international events,  feted and considered as the “pride and heroes of Ifugao” were Kevin Belingon,  One FC Featherweight Champion; Stephen Loman, Brave Combat Federation Bantamweight Champion; Estie Gay Liwanen, gold medalist for Judo during the  recent South East Asian Games;  Carl James Martin, Philippine Boxing Federation Bantamweight champion; Jason Balabal,  SEA Games silver medalist for wrestling;  Ariel Licyayo, Peace Taekwondo Festival gold  medalist; Yonica Yuson, Championship Korea  gold medalist and Micah Salvador, Most Outstanding Asian Youth International Model United Nations.

The motorcade began at the Provincial Capitol Plaza in this capital town where participants assembled at 5:30 a.m. then proceeded to the municipality of Banaue traversing the town of Hingyon then to Lamut and Kiangan where participants took photos at the Kiangan War Memorial Shrine then back to Lagawe for the program and free public lunch.

After the motorcade, the honorees had a dialogue with Gov. Jerry Dalipog on how the provincial government and the municipal local government units can improve programs in sports.

During the program, Kiangan Mayor Raldis Bulayungan said that this is a well-deserved success which is a product of the patience, hard work, dedication, perseverance, prayers, family love and support that boost their Ifugao genes.

               He urged the champions and heroes to continue being inspiration to others.

The event organized by the Volun Tourismo Kiangan and the Kiangan Municipal Government in cooperation with the Ifugao Provincial Government aimed  to inspire and motivate the younger generations to strive and follow their footstep of these Ifugao achievers.

Dalipog awarded plaque of recognition to the organizers, donors and supporters of this event which was made possible through collaborative efforts. (JDP/DBC- PIA CAR, Ifugao)