FEATURE Balbalan, Kalinga – Hidden beneath the rugged landscape of Barangay Mabaca lies one of Balbalan's least explored natural wonders—the Maaya-ayas Cave. For years, the cave has remained largely untouched and unknown to many. Today, however, it is drawing the attention of experts who hope to uncover its ecological, geological, and tourism potential while ensuring its long-term protection. Recently, the Maaya-ayas Cave underwent assessment and classification by the Regiona

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Tabuk City is reminding residents to ensure their homes are safe from potential fire hazards before leaving to attend activities during the 19th Matagoan Festival celebration. The reminder came as the Matagoan Festival officially kicked off on Monday, June 22, with thousands of residents expected to leave their homes to participate in and witness various festival events. According to BFP Tabuk City spokesperson Fire

FEATURE For many women, home is supposed to be the safest place to be. But for dozens of women in Baguio City, it has become the very place where fear, violence, and trauma occur. Data from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) revealed a troubling reality: of the 62 Women in Especially Difficult Circumstances (WEDC) assisted during the first quarter of 2026, 49 experienced abuse inside their own homes. The figure means that nearly eight out of every 10 repor

Balbalan, Kalinga – While the classification of the Maaya-ayas Cave in Barangay Mabaca is still pending, Municipal Tourism Officer Regine Faye Munda Cruz is urging the public to refrain from entering the site, emphasizing that it is not yet open for tourism activities. The cave, considered one of Balbalan's hidden natural attractions, was recently inspected by the Regional Cave Assessment Team to determine whether it should be classified for preservation and protection or ope

FEATURE For many young people from the remote municipality of Tanudan in Kalinga, dreams often begin in the mountains and communities that shaped them. For Garth Ezekiel Talusig of Lubo, Tanudan, that dream has now taken him far beyond the Cordillera and onto the international stage. After earning the title of Great Man Caballero Universal Filipinas 2026, Talusig is set to represent the Philippines in the Caballero Universal 2026 pageant in Venezuela. Yet for the young iKalin

Tabuk City, Kalinga – More than 1,100 farmers in Kalinga are set to gain legal ownership of the land they have long cultivated and receive relief from millions of pesos in agrarian debt through a region-wide distribution program of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on June 26 at the Kalinga Sports Complex. The distribution was announced by DAR-Kalinga Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Adela S. Damaso during the Kapehan sa Kapitolyo held on Monday, June 22, a

Baguio City, Philippines – The Court of Appeals (CA) has upheld the rights of senior citizens to mandatory healthcare discounts and tax exemptions, ordering a Baguio-based hospital to refund more than P900,000 in excess charges collected from elderly patients. Under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (Republic Act No. 9994), senior citizens are entitled to a 20-percent discount and exemption from the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on medical and healthcare services, i

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Of the more than 6,000 traffic violations recorded in Tabuk City from January to June 2026, riding without a helmet emerged as the most common offense. The mandatory use of helmets is not merely a traffic regulation but a critical safety measure proven to reduce the risk of serious head injuries and fatalities in road crashes. Despite repeated reminders and enforcement efforts by authorities, non-compliance with the helmet law remains widespread, accordi

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The family and relatives of a 21-year-old man are seeking justice after he was allegedly stabbed to death by a 16-year-old boy in the early hours of Sunday, June 21, in Bulanao Norte, Tabuk City. The incident occurred at around 3:30 a.m. at the corner of De Jesus and Lammawin Streets in Purok 3, Bulanao Norte. The victim was a 21-year-old resident of Nambucayan, Tabuk City, while the suspect is a 16-year-old native of Paracelis, Mountain Province. Accord

Tabuk City, Kalinga – A government program offering permanent teaching positions to returning overseas Filipino worker (OFW) teachers has sparked mixed reactions online, with some Philippine-based applicants questioning why special teaching items are being allocated to former migrant educators while many local teachers continue to wait for permanent appointments. The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) are implementing the “Sa Pinas, Ik

FEATURE For generations, chewing momma has been as much a part of Cordilleran life as the mountains themselves. Often offered to guests as a gesture of hospitality and shared among elders during conversations and community gatherings, momma is more than a habit. It is a tradition deeply woven into the cultural identity of many indigenous communities in the Cordillera. But as health experts raise alarm over the dangers linked to the practice, a difficult question now confronts

Luna, Apayao – The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Apayao (SDA) has formally turned over land titles to four public elementary schools as of June 2026, strengthening legal ownership of school sites and ensuring the long-term protection of educational properties in the province. The turnover was conducted through two separate ceremonies held on June 2 and June 4, 2026. Karagawan Elementary School in Kabugao received its land title on June 2, while Puguin El