BM Ko's "Bakbakan" MMA Tilts Huge Success Part I: MMA Goes to E.B. Magalona By: James U. Sy Jr.

The second of two successive historic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) tournaments was successfully sponsored by Hon. 3rd District Board Member Manuel Frederick “Manman” Ko last April 27, 2009 at the E. B. Magalona Public Plaza. It was dubbed “Bakbakan sa E. B. Magalona.”

The competition was the first ever MMA tournament to be held in E.B. Magalona. E.B. Magalona also earned the distinction as the first municipality in Negros Occidental to host an MMA competition in the province. Previous hosts had been cities, including Bacolod, Sagay, San Carlos, Talisay, and Victorias Cities.

Board Member Ko meanwhile is the first lawmaker to sponsor two successive MMA tournaments in Negros Occidental. After watching an MMA event at the Bacolod Casino Filipino, Ko was inspired to bring the sport closer to his constituents in Victorias, Silay, E.B. Magalona, Talisay, and Murcia. For him, it is one way of educating the general public of how an MMA competition is contested and at the same time to encourage the teens to go into sports instead of drugs.

Board Member Ko commissioned Victorias Karate pioneer Master Efraim T. Beatingo Sr. to organize the competition through his Undo-Kan Martial Arts Association (UMAA) in cooperation with 5 Martial Arts organizations from Victorias, Bacolod, and Talisay Cities.

RESULTS. A total of 7 bouts had been fought. Richard Claveras of Victorias Martial Arts (VMA) over Julius Dohinog of Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main). Ferdinand Garcia of of Bassdumas Combat Sports (BCS) over Edmundo Lauresta of VMA. Marlon Deocampo of VMA over Marlon Anthony Cornelio of Bacolod. Randy de Asis of VMA over Rodney Santillan of Bacolod. Nilrax de Café of VMA over Joselito Bianan of BFMAA-Main. Rogelito Plomeda of Bacolod over Danilo de Asis of VMA. Romnick Malam of BCS also won his bout.

Instructors present were Tournament Director Founder/Master Efraim T. Beatingo Sr. of Undo-Kan Martial Arts Association (UMAA), Negros pioneer MMA referee Founder/Chief Instructor Maxwell “Big Max” J. Maun of Bacolod Aikido Enthusiasts (BAE), Chief Instructor Joery C. Amante of Black Falcon Martial Arts Association-Main (BFMAA-Main), Founder/Master Roy R. Flores Sr. of Tribu Hangaway, Founder/Chief Instructor Ian Negrido of Bassdumas Combat Sports (BCS), and Coach Chester Laquian of Affinity.