Ariel Lee Lampacan and Islay Erika Bomogao were named Male and Female Athletes of the Year while Team Lakay founder and head coach Mark Sangiao became the second Hall of Fame awardee in the fifth staging of Benguet Cordillera Athletics Recognition for Excellence in Sports (CARES).
Lampacan earned the Male Athlete of the Year nod after winning the gold medal in the Senior Male Mai MUay category during the 2025 IFMA Muaythai Senior World Championships in Turkey in 2025 while taking home a gold and a bronze during the Asian Muaythai Championship in Vietnam also in 2025.
“This award is a huge motivation for us, athletes, to continue what we are doing. Despite the hardships, we should not give up,” said Lampacan in local dialect.
Bomogao was also named Female Athlete of the Year for her double gold medal performance in the 2025 IFMA Muaythai Senior World Championship in Turkey last year while bagging a gold and bronze during the 33rd Southeast Asian Games held in Thailand last December.
Sangiao was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the institutionalized sports award spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Benguet while Danrey Velo was named Executive of the Year.
“Thankful of the award. And after 17 years since the last time I fought, we are being honored in the field of martial arts,” Sangiao said.
Baguio – Benguet triathlon team headed by coach Jethro Karl Ramos was named the Team of the Year with Edzel Ngina was named Coach of the Year for helping the Philippine Muaythai team win several medals in international competitions.
“We, the coaches and the athletes thank the province and we look forward to more staging of Benguet CARES in the next 50 years,” added Ngina in local dialect.
Major awardees include Xander Alipion (Wushu), Giselle Bulahao (Darts), Jones Inso (Wushu), Krisna Malecdan (Wushu), Joshua Pacio (MMA), Carter Luma-ang (Juijitsu), Zyra Bon-as (Kickboxing), Lou Ann Ramos (Triathlon),Bryan Olod (Coach – Kickboxing), Billy Alumno (Coach-Muaythai), Whinny Bayawon (Kickboxing), Christabel Martes (Marathon), Maynard Pecson (Duathlon), Mariane Mariano (Jiujitsu), Godwin Langbayan (Jiujitsu), and Jason Baucas (Wrestling).
Other athletes given major citations include Joshua Alexander Ramos (Aquathlon), Jomar Balangui (Kickboxing), Denzel Jon Alipio (MMA), Mathew Comicho (Muaythai), Gerard Loy (Practical shooting), Kathryn Angela Saldajeno (Juijitsu), Jean Claude Saclag (MMA), Gina Iniong Araos (MMA), and Lyre Pangayan Ngina (Muaythai).
Citations were also awarded to Benguet Board Member Ruben Tinda-an and Kyla Stephanie Tinda-an for karate.
Taekwondo jins who were honored during the awarding include Khyla Kreanzzel Guinto, Elcanor Mang-usan, Klanxy Drei Penrad, James Mantias, Rhandal Zhane Montes, Xedric James Faroden, Ranjan Montes, Tyron Sheen Manglaas, Nigel Manglaas, Jeremy Fagayan, Ralph Eric Bunda, Ryan Christopher Caluza, Marilyn Tabareng, Bona Stella Rivero, Yllghe Shawn Gayo, Miye Ayesah Tero, and Giovanni Zulueta.
Also recognized were Vinson Ramos for trail running, along with bodybuilders Kurt Venson Dupiano, Rhokson Kimakim, and Gabriella Hilde Diano.
Swimmers Marcos Botangen, Aya Botangen, Yousef Baucas, and Lukas Botangen were also feted during the celebration. Roderick Osis