Arnis Philippines Officiating Echo Seminar Held in Bago by: James U. Sy Jr.

P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra, Founder of the Guarra Style Modern Arnis and current President of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), and his brother, Grandmaster Isaac “Saac” T. Guarra, Founder of Arjuka-Malingin, hosted an Arnis Philippines Referee and Judges Officiating Echo Seminar last July 3-4, 2010, Sunday, at the Guarra Residence, Brgy. Lag-asan, Bago City. A total of 10 members of Arjuka-Malingin participated in the seminar.

Lecturer/Resource Instructor was Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” Cardinal, Commissioner of Arnis Philippines-Bacolod/Negros Occidental Chapter (ArPi-BaNeg ) and Director of KaliSilat Arnis Association (KAA)-Bacolod. Also supporting and documenting the workshop was Master James U. Sy Jr., Founder of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. and PIO of ArPi-BaNeg and NOBF.

GM Cardinal attended the Seminar for Updating and Standardization of Revised International Rules for Sport Arnis sponsored by Arnis Philippines (ArPi), Inc. under President Raymond S. Velayo last May 19-20, 2010 in Quezon City.

The participants, composed of relatives of the Guarra grandmasters, were the first batch to be trained in the updated Arnis Philippines rules in Negros Occidental. Those who attended were Filton O. Bernadas, Dexter F. Guarra, Gretchen F. Guarra, Jonar D. Guarra, Michael Jude T. Guarra, John Rey C. Montes, Ceasar Ian G. Poral, Clyde G. Poral, Windy Lou G. Poral, and Louie A. Terante.

GM Cardinal oriented the participants with the standard commands and hand gestures of the referee, scoring method of judges, the criteria for awarding points, the allowed target areas, the various violations, and other related matters. GM Cardinal was instructed the participants in the basics of anyo “forms.” The seminar ended with actual hands on officiating work by participants with two fighters actually competing in a bout. Master Guilberto Dajao of KAA assisted GM cardinal.

GM Eslao Guarra gave a lecture on courtesy at the beginning of the last segment of the seminar as it applies to Arnis. Master Sy talked about the responsibility of the next generation to preserve the martial and cultural legacy of the grandmasters and enjoined the youth to be dedicated in their training.

After the lunch break in the last day of the seminar, the grandmasters showed the wide spectrum of the Filipino Martial Art (FMA) of Arnis/Eskrima to the participants. GM Isaac Guarra showed the striking techniques and empty handed and armed disarming and strangling techniques of his Arjuka style. GM Eslao Guarra demonstrated the use of his sulab y sulab and punta y punta techniques as applied to sparring. GM Cardinal, with the help of Master Dajao, performed the disarming, striking, and finishing techniques of his Cardinal Cargada Pigar System. Master Sy demonstrated the fusion of various Negrosanon systems of Arnis into his Conceptual Martial Arts System as well as Arnis counters to other forms of martial arts.

GM Eslao Guarra organized the seminar to prepare his and his brother’s group upcoming tournaments and possible entry into the school system.

Another seminar is scheduled in Talisay City this coming July 10-11, 2010. Master Sy is also working to set up another seminar this month in another city in North Negros Occidental.

Interested parties may contact Commissioner Grandmaster Danny Cardinal at 0906-657-2944.