Getz Pharma Brings Arnis to Iloilo Doctors

Master James U. Sy Jr., Founder of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (left), leads doctors in basic striking drills during the FMA in Action organized by Getz Pharma (Phils.), Inc. in cooperation with the Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS)-Panay Chapter last July 31, 2010 at the Golden Salakot Hall, Hotel Del Rio, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City.


Organizers and Resource Instructors for FMA in Action last July 31, 2010 at the Hotel Del Rio, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City (from left): District Sales Manager J. Angelo H. Lee and PMR Elaine Louise Edulag of Getz Pharma (Phils.), Inc. and Iloilo Chapter Head Dr. Rey Mollenido, Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr., and Core Group/Master Joeffrey S. Deriada of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc.

Getz Pharma (Phils.), Inc. in cooperation with the Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS)-Panay Chapter under its President Dr. Demy Tidon successfully held the FMA in Action as a part of its Family Day for doctors and their families last July 31, 2010 at the Golden Salakot Hall, Hotel Del Rio, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City. A total of 45 doctors (orthopedics, obegyne, surgeons, EENT, internal medicine, family medicine, etc.) and their families actively participated.

The Filipino Martial Art (FMA) ICOX activity was hosted by Celcoxx Product Manager Marie Yumul-Aranas, Regional Sales Manager Iris Gesta, District Sales Manager J. Angelo H. Lee, Marketing Specialist Emelyn Tuvida, and PMR Elaine Louise Edulag.

FMA in Action is a nationwide project of Getz Pharma (Phils.), Inc. where the history and fundamentals of the indigenous Filipino Martial Art (FMA) of Arnis/Eskrima are introduced to doctors by leading authorities of this art. Resource Instructors previously tapped for Manila and Cebu were University of the Philippines anthropology Professor Master Felipe “Bot” P. Jocano Jr. of Lightning Scientific Arnis International (LSAI)-Sangkil Karasak and masters from the famed Doce Pares respectively.

Resource Instructors for the Iloilo event were Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr., Core Group/Master Joeffrey S. Deriada, and Iloilo Chapter Head Dr. Rey Mollenido of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc.

The Bacolod-based Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. is a non-profit network of professionals dedicated to the research, study, documentation, systematization, establishment, stimulation of interest in, promotion, and propagation of the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA), especially those from the Negros Island, as well as other Asian and Occidental martial arts in Bacolod City and the rest of the world.

The event started with a film showing about Getz Pharma (Phils.), Inc. and its commitment to the medical field. Then Celcoxx Product Manager Marie Yumul-Aranas gave an introduction of the Filipino Martial Art (FMA) of Arnis/Eskrima, which was then followed by another film showing about the intricacies and movements of the Filipino warrior arts with narrations by Master Jocano.
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The seminar proper was divided into lecture, demonstrations, and the hands on training. Master Sy gave the historical and cultural foundation of the Filipino Martial Art (FMA) of Arnis/Eskrima as well as the Filipino psychological mindset in conflict neutralization. Psychiatrist Dr. Mollenido, who is a Senior Instructor in Original Filipino Tapado, talked about his experience and study of the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) and its benefits to the younger generation.

Sy, Deriada, and Dr. Mollenido took turns in demonstrating the various aspects of the Filipino Martial Art (FMA) of Arnis/Eskrima. Demonstrations were given for the following: Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis basic panagang and pang-igo, Yasay Sable defense ofensa, Galvarole Dynamic Arnis striking, Guarra Style paired Sinawali, Aguilar Style Espada y Daga, Conceptual Arnis Daga y Daga, Daga y Mano, and Mano y Mano, Original Filipino Tapado long stick, and Conceptual Arnis hold up defense and seated defense.

During the hands on training, Getz Pharma (Phils.), Inc. provided doctors with Arnis sticks. Master Sy led doctors in doing the 8 Directions footwork and taught them the defensive application of said steps while Deriada and Dr. Mollenido went around to help participants with their form. Then Otso-otso (Figure 8) was taught as an offensive and defensive technique against any attacks directed to the four quadrants of the body.

The activity was concluded with a hearty buffet luncheon with hosts, instructors, and participants sharing light moments.