BAGUIO CITY(PIA) -- The provincial government of Benguet recognized the local sports heroes during the second staging of the Benguet - Cordillera Athletic Recognition for Excellence in Sports (Benguet CARES) Awards recently.
Governor Melchor Diclas, Congressman Eric Go Yap represented by Cheren Tacio, with members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Mayors Alfredo Dacumos Jr. of Sablan and Clarita Sal-ongan of Tuba awarded plaques, certificates as well as tokens to the athletes, coaches, executives and other sports enthusiasts who have excelled in various sports and have brought pride and honor to the province of Benguet on Friday, April 14.
Leading the awardees were Gina Nevado “Conviction” Iniong-Araos of La Trinidad as Female Athlete of the Year and Jean Claude “The Dynamite” Kitong Saclag of Kapangan as the Male Athlete of the Year. Both for kickboxers brought home gold medals from the South East Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam on May 12-23, 2022 and the Asian Kickboxing Championships in Thailand on December 10-18, 2022.
Lady powerlifter Denesia Apote Esnara of La Trinidad was named as the Para Athlete of the Year for wining a bronze medal in the Total Lift Women’s 50kg and another bronze medal in the Best Lift Women’s 50kg during the ASEAN Para Games in Indonesia in August 2022.
Ironman athlete and coach of the triathlon team Jethro Karl Langpuyas Ramos of La Trinidad was named Coach of the Year. The athletes he coached participated in SEA Games and World Triathlon Championships in 2022 and brought home recognition.
Young Sportsman of the Year is 15-year-old Edel Ali Pangayan Ngina of Mankayan and Tublay. He won two gold and one silver medal in various competition such as the Wai Kru and Mai Muay events of the 2022 IFMA Youth World Muaythai Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 9-21, 2022.
Danrey Calingayan Velo of Tublay was awarded as the Sportsman of the Year. He organized several taekwondo tournaments in the province especially in support of the grassroots program and coaches and trains athletes participating in local, national and international competitions. He also initiated the participation of the face to face and online competitions in 2022 both locally and internationally.
Marquez Mark Sangiao of Kapangan, the pioneer, the founder and the head coach of the famed Team Lakay was named as the Executive of the Year. He is currently the national coach of the PH vovinam and kickboxing teams.
Major citations were also given to notable athletes, coaches, and enthusiasts including kickboxing athletes Zephania Pag-a Ngaya, Emmanuel Cantores, Carlos Nehyeban “Limitless” Alvarez, Honorio "The Rock" Antonio Banario, and Karol Estepa Maguide; Vovinam athletes Jenelyn “The Graceful” Dasdas Olsim and Carlo Von Basanio Buminaang, and Wushu athlete Jones Llabres Ligligen Inso. Muaythai athletes Islay Erika Asiong Bomogao, Ariel Lee Biadno Lampacan, Clark Gangpao Fattit, and Zaidi Bugtong Laruan were also recognized, along with Kurash athlete Charmea Kingay Quelino and Sambo athlete Mariane “Trigun” Bantasan Mariano.
Benguet CARES also recognized outstanding athletes in other sports such as football player Jaclyn Demis Sawicki, wrestler Jason Saltin Bauca, and kickboxing athletes Kurt Lubrica and Claudine Decena Veloso. Triathlon athletes Lou Ann Hamada Ramos, Dayshaun Karl Hamada Ramos, Josh Alexander Hamada Ramos, and Eaun Arrow Hamada Ramos and Orlando Laberinto Smith, Jr. for his achievement in bodybuilding.
Vovinam coaches Jaybe Oydoc Ban-eg, Geje "Gravity" Campila Eustaquio; and Ryan Bendalan Batinay were also recognized for their excellent achievements
Minor citations were given to Taekwondo athletes namely, Kristauf Aurelius Biag Lapniten Bosaing, Kody Omengan Wanson, Manilyn Agpas Mataag, Elcanor Leal Mang-usan Jr., Viggo Esican Dangiwans, Brylle Lumines Cafgongtan, Jasiel Ano Candido, Janice Ano Candido, Jamie Levi Inso Requillo, Josh Daniel Tumpap Tacio, Liam David Tumpap Tacio, Alice Rhema Dengwas Mana-a, Bona Stella Mateo Rivera, Ioness Lataoan Panganiban, Khyla Kreanzzel Bobila Guinto, Shaun Devyn Dao-ey Masaway, Wayne Escaño Eusebio, Xedric James Ay-yokad Faroden, and Xian Craig Escaño Eusebio.
Other recipients of minor citations include Jiu Jitso athletes Arvin Luma-ang Jose, Gregorio A. Abalos III, Chad Bay-an Mayos, and Jan Rensen Bay-an Mayos, and Mixed Martial Artists Mark Stephen "The Sniper" Nabehet Loman, Jhanlo Mark "The Machine" Salazar Sangiao, and Jeremy "The Juggernaut" Gearlan Pacatiw.
Diclas commended the athletes for their values and attitude and encouraged them to continue their journey in their sports events and continue to bring pride and honor not only to the province of Benguet but to the country as well.
Provincial officials vowed to continue to provide support to the programs and activities for the various sports events and the athletes of Benguet. (JDP/RMC PIA-CAR / Benguet LGU -Abel Cad-o photos)