Wednesday, August 20, 2008

TABIMINA BALINTAWAK USA SEMINAR SET

Announcement by: Gabriel Rafael of Eskrima Digest

WHERE: Hayward Martial Arts 1024 B St., Suite 1, Hayward, CA 94541 (510) 967-2688 www.haywardmartialarts.net

WHEN: September 20, 2008 1 to 5 PM Saturday

FEES: $60.00 PREPAY ONLY by September 16, 2008. Payable to: Tabimina Balintawak USA. Mail to: Tabimina Balintawak USA, 68 Barnes Lane, Fremont, CA 94536. Spectator Fees: $10.00 a person prepay Only (also limited).

NOTE: The number of seminar participants are limited (FIRST COME – FIRST SERVE). Send payment early to reserve your spot for the seminar.

ATTIRE: Comfortable clothes, non-marking shoes, or wrestling shoes.

NO VIDEO TAPING ALLOWED.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

JACOB WINS PRO DEBUT FIGHT By: James U. Sy Jr.

Reynalyn “Ren-Ren” Consejo Jacob of Bacolod City , 16, fought and won her Pro Boxing debut at the “Laban na Banal” last July 26, 2008 at the New Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City .

Jacob defeated Brenda Shaylor of Las Vegas , Nevada via unanimous decision in a 57 Kg. 4-round special attraction bout. Coaching Jacob was Joery C. Amante of the Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main).

In the main card, WBA No. 3 AJ “Bazooka” Banal of the ALA Gym, 19, was doing well in the first few rounds until he was KOed by WBA no. 6 Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion of Panama with a right punch to the face in the 10th round. Banal was defeated for the first time in his Pro Boxing career and lost the bid to become the third youngest Filipino to win a world title, next to Morris East and Ben Villaflor. With the loss of Banal, Manny Pacquiao stays as the third youngest. Concepcion became the new WBA Interim Super Flyweight Champion.

Jacob was fresh from her first national-level Boxing outing during the PLDT-Smart National Open Youth and Women’s Amateur Boxing Championships last May 3-10, 2008 at Robinson’s Place Iloilo, where she got the silver.

Barely a month before that, she was crowned champion of the Sanshou Senior Women’s 56 Kg. category during the 2008 Philippine National Wushu Championships on April 15-16, 2008 at the Music Hall, SM, Mall of Asia. Jacob won by 2nd round TKO.

Jacob started her involvement in the Martial Arts on September 26, 2004, starting with Sipa Sumbag and Sanshou under Chief Instructor Joery C. Amante of Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main) in Bacolod City . Since then Jacob had fought in Bacolod , Bago, Hinigaran, Iloilo , Manila , San Carlos , and Victorias .

Jacob was crowned champion of the Juniors Women’s 53 Kg. category of the 3rd Iloilo National Wushu Sanshou Championships (January 25, 2006) and the 2006 negros Island Wushu Sanshou Eliminations. She took the silver during the 2007 Philippine National Wushu Championships.

Jacob is the daughter of Dante P. Jacob and Melody C. Jacob and is a proud member of the intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) thru the Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main).

Laban na Banal was promoted by ALA Promotions of Antonio L. Aldeguer in cooperation with ABS-CBN and Oscar De la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.

MAP-NEG. OCC./IFFMAS GETS POF MUAY BRONZE By: James U. Sy Jr.

Muay Association of the Philippines-Negros Occidental Chapter (MAP-Neg. Occ.), with funding support from the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) and a few generous private patrons brought home a bronze medal from the Muay Thai event of the 3rd Philippine Olympic Festival Visayas Qualifying Games hled last July 24, 2008 at the Sibulan Gym, Municipality of Sibulan, Oriental Negros.

Reynold Baylon of Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Inc., representing MAP-Neg. Occ., fought a good fight against Romnick Carbellido of Dumaguete in the Flyweight (48-51 kg.) category but had to yield the championship bout to his foe on points. Cabellido battled Philip Delarmino of Iloilo in the finals. The Iloilo bet was crowned champion in the weight class.

Baylon, who was fighting his first Muay Thai bout, was personally trained by Master Elmer “Don-Don” P. Montoyo Jr. under the supervision of PIMAA-FTSDA Founder/Preesident and IFFMAS President Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo. Baylon previously won a Sipa Sumbag match during the 1st Brgy. Taloc Martial Arts Showdown last April 20, 2007 in Bago City,

GM Montoyo, the Muay Thai representative of the now inactive Bacolod City Sports Council (BCSC), accompanied Baylon to the competition. Master Montoyo wasn’t able to go due to time constraints with his job and his part time teaching responsibilities at PIMAA-FTSDA and Mega Boxing where he teaches Filipino Tang Soo Do and Muay Thai respectively.

Baylon is the first Bacoleño and Negrosanon from Negros Occidental to win a medal in the Philippine Olympic Festival Visayas Qualifying Games since its inception. Although Baylon is a native of Bacolod City, he donned the banner of Negros Occidental instead.

“Our campaign in the POF Muay Thai competition almost did not push through because of the absence of support from the City of Bacolod. MAP-Neg. Occ. had to use out of the pocket funding and solicitations from generous private patrons and allied organizations from the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) just to be able to send a skeleton team to the POF,” revealed GM Montoyo.

Those who funded the trip include Chiefmate Erodgie O. Sepe, Kho, Filipino Tang Soo Do Black Belt Franklin Tabino of Los Angeles, USA, Rommel Moyani, Theresa “Tess” Libo-on, and Master James U. Sy Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc.

“Muay Thai may be new to some but there is already a Bacoleño world champion in Muay Thai in the person of Vince Soberano, who fought and won in Thailand. I believe it is a sport where Negrosanons can excel in,” added GM Montoyo.

Officials present during the Muay Thai competition were MAP President Kru Roberto B. Valdez, Mildred Quitcho of MAP-Kabankalan, Nelson Vargas of MAP-Tagbilaran, MAP National Coordinator Dong Sarmiento, and host MAP Visayas and Region 7 Head Ike Xavier S. Villaflores of Dumaguete City.

MAP-Dumaguete of Kru Villaflores and MAP-Kabankalan of Kru Mildred Quitcho will be holding muay Thai tournaments this coming November and 2008 and January 2009 respectively and had invited MAP-Neg. Occ. to send entries.

Muay Thai as taught by the Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) was introduced to Bacolod City and Negros Occidental by Kru Villaflores during the 1st MAP Negros Occidental Muay Boran Instructors Course on Jun 18-19, 2005 at the Group K Complex, Bacolod City.

ARNIS PHILS.-BANEG BRING HOME POF MEDALS By: James U. Sy Jr.

Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Occidental Chapter (ArPi BaNeg) under City/Provincial Commissioner Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo “Pope” C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., donned the Negros Occidental banners and brought home 1 Gold, 3 Silver, and 5 bronze medals from the Labanan (Full Contact) event of the Arnis competition during the 3rd Philippine Olympic Festival Visayas Qualifying Games hled last July 25, 2008 at the NORSU Cultural Center, Negros Oriental State University, Dumaguete City, Oriental Negros.

The ArPi BaNeg Team was composed of 9 players (5 from Bago and 2 each for Sagay and Bacolod). Bago City, represented by the Negros United Fighting Arts Academy (NUFAA) of Grandmaster Jose “Joe” Mancesa, was sponsored by Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres while Sagay City, represented by the Golden Kamagong Arnis Kali Escrima Association (GKAKEA), Inc. of P/Supt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Ibarra “Baring” E. Lopez, was supported by Hon. Mayor Alfredo Marañon Jr. Bacolod City, represented by KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA) of Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” Cardinal, was sponsored by Commissioner Jalandoon of Talisay City.

Junior Men Pinweight: Edgardo Doctora of Bago City/NUFAA (Silver). Featherweight: Romulus Jude Ballentes of Bago City/NUFAA (Bronze).

Senior Men Featherweight: Joselito Clemen of Bacolod/KAA (Bronze). Half Lightweight: Stevie John Doctora of Bago City/NUFAA (Gold). Lightweight: Climaco Lumanog of Bacolod/KAA (Silver). Half Middleweight: Joeffrey Poloy of Sagay/GKAKEA and Raffy Yanong of Bago City/NUFAA (Bronze). Middleweight: Catalino Bauya Jr. of Sagay/GKAKEA (Bronze).

Stevie John Doctora earned the distinction as the first Bagoueño and male Arnis player from Negros Occidental to win a Gold medal at the Philippine Olympic Festival Visayas Qualifying Games. He qualified for a slot in the ArPi BaNeg Team by winning his match at the 1st ArPi BaNeg Goodwill Tournament last May 18, 2008 at the Casino Filipino Hotel, Bacolod City. He was already crowned 2 times Bago City Invitational and Western Visayas Invitational Arnis champion this year.

Senior Women Bantamweight: Vina Mancesa of Bago City/NUFAA (Silver).

Heading the ArPi BaNeg delegation was Commissioner Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo “Pope” C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., with Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” Cardinal as Head Coach and Grandmaster Jose “Joe” Mancesa and Bago City Sports coordinator Eliseo Yanong Sr. as Delegation Officials. Bago City Mayor Hon. Ramon D. Torres was present during the competition to boost the morale of the team.

Officials overseeing the competition were Arnis Philippines National President Raymund S. Velayo, Arnis Philippines National Secretary Aniano “Jon” Lota, and Arnis Philippines Dumaguete City Commissioner Master Ike Xavier S. Villaflores.

President Velayo was happy for ArPi BaNeg being able to send a delegation to the POF and was thankful for the support given by Hon. Mayors Torres and Marañon. The campaign by ArPi BaNeg was its first inter-regional tournament outing since its revival last September 1, 2008 at the Apollo Chinese Restaurant, Cuadra St., Bacolod City. President Velayo formally appointed Atty. GM Jalandoon as Bacolod/Negros Occidental Commissioner just this January 2008.

Arnis Philippines is the National Sport Association (NSA) for Sport Arnis and the sole governing body for the Filipino Martial Art (FMA) of Arnis/Escrima recognized by the Philippine Government, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). It was founded by its current President Raymond S. Velayo and company as the Philippine Arnis Federation on July 11, 1986 at the Sulu Restaurant, Quezon City, Metro Manila and formally recognized as Arnis Philippines Incorporated on August 20, 1986.

WELSH KEMPO INSTRUCTOR VISITS IFFMAS By: James U. Sy Jr.

Lea Michael “Demps” Dempsey Sifu of the Wales Kempo Association visisted the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS) recently at the Bacolod YMCA, Burgos St., Bacolod City.

Dempsey, a handsome and mild mannered gentleman, traveled to the Philippines to meet his Filipina girlfriend, Mary Joy M. Depon, whom he had been communicating with thru the internet. He stayed in the City of Smiles for 3 weeks and experienced Filipino hospitality and culture.

Depon arranged for Dempsey Sifu to meet some of the Fouding Members of IFFMAS. Depon had previously studied Aikido under James U. Sy Jr. Sensei, Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado Sensei, and Victorio “Vic” C. Perez Sensei of the USLS Aikido Club at the University of St. La Salle in the early 2000s

Dempsey Sifu met IFFMAS President Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo and his sons Masters Elmer “Don-Don” P. Montoyo and Ernest Christian “Chen-Chen” Montoyo, 5th and 4th Dan Black Belts respectively, of the Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Inc. and Founders/Masters James U. Sy Jr. and Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., both 4th Dan Black Belts.

The hosts gave Dempsey Sifu a glimpse of the Asian view of the Martial Arts. They explained the shared cultural, historical, linguistic, philosophical, anthropological, and combative basis of the Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, and other Asian Martial Arts. GM Montoyo explained and showed the application of the Filipino Tang Soo Do pain principle as applied to defensive maneuvers. Master Sy shared his synthesis of Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis, Aikido, and other Fighting Arts into a Conceptual Martial Arts System. Dempsey Sifu himself showed elements of his Kempo.

Kempo (Kenpo) is the Japanese reading of the kanji (Nihonggo “Chinese characters”) for “Fist Method.” The same Chinese ideographs are read as Chuan Fa and Kwonpup in Mandarin and Korean. Kempo is used as a generic term for a wide assortment styles of empty handed arts of defense and offense (some use weapons) that trace their origins from the famed Shaolin Temple of China or from its countless derivative arts.

Dempsey Sifu is graded 2nd Degree Black Belt (awarded 2006) and recognized as the Founder of White Wolf Kempo by the British National Martial Arts Association of H.D Williams Sensie (2003). He has a total of 13 years combined martial arts experience, having started training under D. Davies Sensie in 1995 at the Fernhill Karate Club. He earned his Nikyu (2nd Grade Brown Belt) before the club closed down in 1999.

Dempsey continued his studies under Howard Phillips Chungsi of White Tiger Kempo (Quanfa) in 1999. He was awarded his Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) on April 10, 2001. He was active in the group, having joined the fundraisers for Cancer Research (August 10, 2001) and British Heart Foundsion (2002).

In 2002, Dempsey joined the Welsh Kempo Karate Assocition headed by Julie Williams Renshi, the Welsh Representative for Kempo International. He was awarded a Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) on April 11, 2003. Williams Renshi a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Kempo Karate and Goshin Ryu Kempo and currently studies and teaches Dacayana Eskrima under Master Jun Dacayana, Jo Biggs, and Marcie Harding.

Dempsey took and passed the Black Belt Club (BBC) test in Scotland and undergone weapons training under Jorgen Jorgensen Kyoshi of Goshin-ryu Kempo Karate, President of Kempo International. He was graded Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) on April 7, 2006 in Sweden.

Dempsey Sifu attended Merthyr College from 2000 to 2003, studying theatre, music, acting, dancing, and stage combat; Carmarthen University from 2003 to 2004, taking up acting, stage combat, and fight directing; and the British Academy of Dramatic Combat. During his time at school, he got Bronze in rapier and dagger, single sword, and unarmed combat (July 26, 2002), Silver in staff, sword and shield, and dagger (July 25, 2003), and Gold in stage Aikido and case of rapiers/two swords (July 22, 2004). His fight director and fight mentor was Kevin McCurdy.

Dempsey Sifu had taught self defence at the Carmarthen University (2003-2004) and to bouncers while working as a bouncer himself at the Carmarthen Town Centre (2004-2006). He was also employed as a part time bouncer and part time security guard at the Aberdare Town Centre (2006-2007). He had taught stage combat workshops in at the Carmarthen Theatre (March 12, 2004) and in England (August 22, 2004). He had passed a security and bouncer exam (June 6, 2004) and first aid exam (June 7, 2004).

“I’m thankful for the hospitality and the knowledge imparted to me by IFFMAS. When I return to the Philippines, I would like to have some more time with these wonderful teachers,” commented Dempsey Sifu.

AIKIDO PREVENTS SUICIDE By: James U. Sy Jr.

Nanneth B. Celebre, 30, native of Silay City, successfully prevented a suicide attempt by a hysterical woman by disarming her with an Aikido technique recently in Seawage Mustang, Brgy. Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City.

Don (not his real name), Celebre’s officemate, was being physically and verbally abused by his common law wife, Gina (not her real name), in a fight over the issue of child support inside office premises.

Celebre was present during the altercation but refrained from becoming involved until things started to get violent and uncontrollable. Another female co-employee, brought the couple’s baby boy in one of the rooms for safety.

The woman was getting the better of the man, biting, scratching, and mauling him at will. At one point, Celebre pulled the woman off the man, who was screaming out of pain from a bite. The man was bitten three times in three different parts of his body. The man had punched the woman but she kept on fighting.

The hysterical woman later saw and grabbed a cutter from one of the tables and with both hands, attempted to stab herself in the torso. The man got behind of her and held her wrists but could not take full control of her. Celebre was calling the police for the second time at that point but had to hang up and help. Celebre stepped in and applied a kotegaeshi (wrist reversal) to the woman’s right hand and a yubi dori (finger hold) in the other hand. She successfully disarmed the woman but she was cut in her left forefinger.

After about 20 minutes of continuous fighting, the office manager arrived and threw the fighting couple out of the office. Then the police arrived. The case has been referred to the baranagy for settlement.

“My technique was not perfect but I’m glad I was able to pull it off. I got cut when the blade broke into two. The important thing is nobody got seriously hurt,” said Celebre.

Celebre learned a few Aikido techniques and some Arnis from Master James U. Sy Jr., Founder of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., when she was still serving as Secretary for Power Motorcycles Central from 2002 to 2004 in Bacolod City while Sy was the Manager of the store. Celebre is an alumnus of the University of St. La Salle.

BRGY. CAPT. PARCON TO SPONSOR SIPA SUMBAG TILT By: James U. Sy Jr.

Hon. Brgy. Capt. Armando Parcon will be presenting the 1st Daan Banwa ( Victorias ) Sipa Sumbag Tournament in cooperation with the Undo-Kan Martial Arts Association (UMAA) of Master Efraim T. Beatingo Sr. this coming August 30, 2008 at the Victorias City Gym, Victorias City as part of the Annual Daan Banwa (Brgy. 9) Fiesta celebration.

10 bouts are mulled for said tournament. Victorias will be represented by the Victorias Integrated Kickboxing Association (VIKA), a combined team of players coming from different clubs among them Undo-Kan Martial Arts Association (UMAA) of Prof. Efraim T. Beatingo Sr., Club 43 of Cerilo Gonzales, Red Eagle of Ceasar Java, Cerberos Martial Arts of Nilrax de Cape, and Cobra Martial Arts of Roberto Lobidorial.

Other participants to be invited include Rainbow Martial Arts-Victorias of Melchor Garcia and Iran Ardiente, Silay Tadyak Suntok of Oliver Hinlo, Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA) of GM Elmer V. Montoyo, and Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main of Joery C. Amante.

Some martial arts demonstrations will also be included in the program, among them by the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founders James U. Sy Jr. and Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado and the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. of GM Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido.

Hon. Brgy. Capt. Armando Parcon is sponsoring the tournament to showcase the martial arts as a medium of self discipline and transformation to bring out the potential in the youth’s physical, mental, and spiritual well being and to combat drug addiction and other unnecessary vices.

Sipa Sumbag rules from the Negros Occidental Martial Arts Federation (NOMAF) will be used in the tournament.

Prof. Beatingo has been tapped to act as Tournament Director. Beatingo can easily lay claim to being the most prolific martial arts tournament promoter in Western Visayas , perhaps organizing more competitions in the region than any other instructor.

Prof. Beatingo is the Founder and Director of the Undokan Martial Arts Association (UMAA), formed as the Undo-kan Karate Association (UKA) on October 18, 1972 at the Home Economics (HE) Blg., North Elementary School, (then the municipality of) Victorias. Undo-kan means “Clear Mind Hall/School,” in reference to the development of the mind through Martial Arts training. UMAA is a member of Sipa Sumbag Kalilingban sang Negros , Wushu Federation of the Philippines (WFP), and Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS)

YAW YAN FOUNDER SUFFERS STROKE By: James U. Sy Jr.

Grandmaster Napoleon “Nap” A. Fernandez, the Founder of Yaw Yan, suffered a stroke last June 23, 2008. Half of his body has been paralyzed and he is now bound in a wheelchair.

The Founder, now in his 80s, started martial arts training under his father, who taught him Japanese Jiu-jitsu when he was 10 years old. GM Fernandez is also an illustrator and painter aside from being a martial arts master.

Yaw Yan was founded by Grandmaster Napoleon “Nap” A. Fernandez as Yao Yan Karate in 1972 in the Philippines . It is a style of Filipino footboxing synthesized from his vast martial arts experience. The name Yaw Yan was drawn from the two last syllables of the Tagalog words Sayaw ng Kamatayan (Dance of Death).

GM Fernandez was honored for his achievements and contributions to the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) by URCC Founder Alvin Aguilar during the Universal Reality Combat Championships (URCC) XII “Supremacy” last July 5, 2008 at the A. Venue Events Mall at Makati Avenue , Makati City.