Benguet CARES 2024 hails 80 Cordilleran athletes

April 06, 2024 | By Erin Victoria Agapito

Islay Erika Bomogao, the first Filipino female world Muay Thai champion in the 2023 IFMA, during her acceptance speech at Benguet CARES Awards Program on April 5, 2024. Facebook screenshot/Benguet Sports for All

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines— 80 individuals from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) received recognition from Benguet CARES (Cordillera Athletic Recognition for Excellence in Sports) Awards Program on April 5 at Newtown Plaza Hotel, Baguio City.

Now in its third year, the program initiated by the provincial government recognized 35 individuals for major awards and gave citations to 39 athletes and 6 coaches. It also recognized four technical officials who participated in international events. 

Benguet CARES is an annual awards program that aims to recognize homegrown athletes in CAR who represented the Philippines in the international podium.

Provincial sports coordinator Dean Mark Monang said in the opening remarks that international competitions would encourage athletes and coaches to continue representing the country.

The late Pablo “Estrike” Khayog was awarded the Posthumous Award to pay tribute to his contribution in the field of sports in Benguet during his time as a baseball player and a coach.

(From left to right) Dennis Lee, Edzel Longayog Ngina, Governor Melchor Diclas, Islay Erika Bomogao, Cong. Eric Go Yap’s representative Jirah Siddayao, Joel Tingbaoen Jr., Emmanuel Cantores, Pablo Khayog’s family representative, and Samuel Egsaen receiving major awards. Facebook screenshot/Benguet Sports for All

Edzel Longayog Ngina and Lou Ann Hamada-Ramos were awarded as Male and Female Coach of the Year, respectively. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Cantores and Islay Erika Bomogao were awarded Male and Female Athlete of the Year.

Bomogao was hailed as the first Filipino female world Muay Thai champion in the 2023 IFMA Senior World Championships. Cantores, on the other hand, won the silver medal in the Vovinam Men's 60kg event at SEA Games 2023. 

“I want to encourage all aspiring athletes to never give up on their dreams, to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and to always strive for greatness,” Bomogao expressed in her acceptance speech.

Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas, along with Cordillera ultra-runner Dennis Garret Lee, board member Joel Tingbaoen Jr., Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Samuel Egsaen, and Cong. Eric Go Yap’s representative Jirah Siddayao presented the awards.

Governor Diclas also emphasized the significance of the program, stating that recognizing athletes in their hometown holds remarkable value, even with the abundance of international awards programs.