Sunday, October 30, 2011

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? by Debra J. Hicks



Please check all that apply. This year for Halloween, I'll probably:

1. Dress the little ones up in costumes and escort them around our neighborhood to collect candy.
2. Check out the local haunted house.
3. Get together with some buddies to watch a scary movie.
4. Dress up in a devil suit and scare the neighborhood kids that knock on the front door.
5. Turn off the porch light and hope nobody finds me eating the three bags of Snickers bars I bought for trick-or-treaters.

Most people see nothing wrong with the activities listed above. They consider Halloween festivities to be a harmless way for their children to have an evening of "fantasy and fun."

But does this standard hold true for Christians? Is dressing up like ghosts, goblins, and witches really "no big deal"? Or is it glorifying and empowering Satan?

If we have truly committed our hearts and our lives to Christ, we will set ourselves apart as people who seek to reflect God's goodness and love to the world. Because we become like the things we behold, the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 counsels Christians to think deeply about-and to continually fill our minds with-what is good. A careful, honest look at Halloween reveals little or nothing that is good. Instead, it is a day that points toward Satanism, fear, and gluttony.

"For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?" (2 Corinthians 6:14-15, NIV).

Although the word Halloween means "holy or hallowed evening," history shows that nothing could be further from the truth. Halloween is clearly a relic of pagan times, and it has never reflected true Christian virtues.

The customs connected with Halloween are most commonly traced to a festival celebrated by the Druids-priests of the Celtic tribes that occupied northern and western Europe. This celebration, which dates back several centuries before Christ, began each year on October 31 and was called the festival of Samhain, the lord of death.

As part of their worship of Samhain, the Druid priests built huge bonfires on which both animals and humans were sacrificed. This barbaric practice continued openly for hundreds of years, until Rome conquered Britain and outlawed it.

Years passed, and Rome continued to conquer new territory and increase in power. The people of each conquered nation were forced not only to become Roman citizens, but also to become members of the Roman church. As you can imagine, these new "converts" cared little about Christianity and clung tenaciously to their cherished pagan practices.

So, since the Roman church was unable to get people to abandon their heathen festivals, it decided to "sanctify" some of them. The Druids' celebration in honor of the lord of death thus became All Saints' Day, which was to be observed by all churches. Officially, it was proclaimed a day to honor all the saints who had died, known or unknown. But in practice, it remained what it had always been-a pagan celebration of the "Day of the Dead."

Throughout its history, Halloween has been thought of as the time when supernatural forces prevail. Anton LaVey, author of "The Satanic Bible" and high priest of the Church of Satan, says that Satanists consider Halloween the most important day of the year. He says that on this night, satanic, occult, and witchcraft power are at their highest potency level, and that any witch or occultist who has been having difficulty with a spell or curse can usually achieve success on October 31st because Satan and his powers are at their best that night.

Divination, or fortune telling, is also believed to reach its highest powers on Halloween, as people are eager to learn what might happen to them in the upcoming year. Even today, predictions of leading psychics and astrologers are generally released about the time of Halloween.

Clearly, the rites and symbols of this holiday reveal that it is still a day that glorifies Satan. Look around you. Though October 31 is still a month away, you can probably see evidences that Halloween is approaching. Pictures of ghosts, goblins, witches, skeletons, and devil-faced pumpkins appear on store windows everywhere. Horror movies are promoted on television and in the theaters, and most bookstores give prominent attention to books dealing with death and the occult.

As Christians, we are not to associate with the things of Satan. Christ Himself said, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24).

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).

Since its beginning, the festival of Halloween has played upon people's fears. The Celtic people believed that on the night of October 31, demons, witches, and the spirits of all those who had died within the past year roamed about freely. Most people were afraid to leave their homes on this night. Those who absolutely had to go out wore grotesque masks and terrifying costumes. They reasoned that if they looked horrible enough, the spirits would think they were one of them and would do them no harm!

Fear is a big part of modern Halloween celebrations, as well. Spooky decorations, horror movies, and haunted houses make a very real impression on little children. Is there any wonder so many youth have nightmares or are afraid to be alone in the dark? Satan delights in filling people's minds with thoughts of fear, death, and destruction. It is a tactic he has used for centuries to keep mankind under his control.

God, on the other hand, longs to give His children peace. He doesn't want us to be paralyzed by our fears. In fact, the Bible says that Christ died "that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Hebrews 2:15, NKJV).

"Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31, NKJV).

Several days before their festival began, the Druid priests would go from house to house demanding food or other items they would use in their worship of Samhain, the lord of death. If a villager refused to give them what they wanted, the priest would put a demonic curse on the home. It was no idle threat, either. Someone from that house usually died within the year. It is from this abominable practice that our present-day "trick-or-treat" custom evolved.

While it is true that trick-or-treat is no longer primarily about curses, it is about gluttony. Children go from house to house, filling grocery bags full of candy and then returning home to feast on their great treasure. Often, those who stay at home to hand out the candy consume great amounts of it themselves!

Even this element of Halloween, which in comparison might seem harmless, does nothing to glorify God. The Bible says that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We should not be polluting that temple with food that clouds our perceptions and draws us away from God.

"Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Ephesians 5:11).

Satan is no doubt jubilant that such a large portion of this "Christian nation" views a holiday in his honor as something that is harmless fun. Could it be that by our carelessness, we are contributing to the extraordinary power Satan seems to have on October 31?

No matter how fun or exciting it may seem, Halloween is no celebration for a Christian. If we truly seek to glorify God, then how can we devote one day of the year to worshipping Satan? We can't.

The Bible says, "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Conceptual Arnis Fundamentals Taught @ UNO-R






Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. introducing Arnis evasive footwork to participating freshmen PE students during the UNO-R High School Introductory Seminar on Arnis Fundamentals organized and hosted by MAPEH Teacher Mary Grace Villasor-Geolingo, with the full support of the High School Department under Principal Sol P. Abellar, M.A. Ed., and Subject Area Chair - MAPEH Michael Ditchella, last October 14, 2011 at the UNO-R High School Gym, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), Lizares St., Bacolod City (CMAS photo).






Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. training freshmen PE students in the applications of evasive footwork against any angle of attacks during the UNO-R High School Introductory Seminar on Arnis Fundamentals organized and hosted by MAPEH Teacher Mary Grace Villasor-Geolingo, with the full support of the High School Department under Principal Sol P. Abellar, M.A. Ed., and Subject Area Chair - MAPEH Michael Ditchella, last October 14, 2011 at the UNO-R High School Gym, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), Lizares St., Bacolod City (CMAS photo).




Freshmen PE students learning the essential body mechanics of otso-otso (figure 8) pattern during the UNO-R High School Introductory Seminar on Arnis Fundamentals organized and hosted by MAPEH Teacher Mary Grace Villasor-Geolingo, with the full support of the High School Department under Principal Sol P. Abellar, M.A. Ed., and Subject Area Chair - MAPEH Michael Ditchella, last October 14, 2011 at the UNO-R High School Gym, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), Lizares St., Bacolod City (CMAS photo).



Two of the four sections of freshmen PE students who participated in the UNO-R High School Introductory Seminar on Arnis Fundamentals organized and hosted by MAPEH Teacher Mary Grace Villasor-Geolingo (seated), with the full support of the High School Department under Principal Sol P. Abellar, M.A. Ed., and Subject Area Chair - MAPEH Michael Ditchella, and conducted by Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (seated) last October 14, 2011 at the UNO-R High School Gym, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), Lizares St., Bacolod City (CMAS photo).

MAPEH Teacher Mary Grace Villasor-Geolingo, with the full support of the High School Department under Principal Sol P. Abellar, M.A. Ed., and Subject Area Chair - MAPEH Michael Ditchella, organized and hosted the UNO-R High School Introductory Seminar on Arnis Fundamentals last October 14, 2011 at the UNO-R High School Gym, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), Lizares St., Bacolod City for about 184 freshmen students coming from four sections. The seminar, which totaled to 4 hours, was held as part of the department’s Physical Education classes.

Resource Instructor was Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., an Arnis researcher, writer/historian, and teacher, entrepreneur, and formerly a Purchasing Officer at Asian Alcohol Corporation.

The seminar for every class started with a brief history of the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) within the context of documented Philippine history, the etymologies of Arnis and Eskrima and their linguistic significance, and the expression of courtesy and etiquette in Arnis/Eskrima.

During pre-Hispanic times, the primary means of armament in baranganic warfare in the Visayas were swords and knives (i.e. kampilan, baladao, etc.) of different sizes and shapes as well as bangkaw, taming, and pana. With the introduction of the new society, the brandishing of bladed weapons was prohibited and Arnis/Eskrima adepts translated their bladework to the innocent looking sticks. Traditional Filipino weapons work is based on slashing/cutting movements characterized by the kaya/kulob of the hand.

Arnis is a corruption of the word Arnes “harness, trappings, mail armor (Español)” which alludes to the reputed ability of arnisadors to defend themselves as if wearing an armor for protection. Eskrima, the preferred term for the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) in Cebu, is a corruption of the word Esgrima “Fencing (Español),” which implies fighting with swords. There are still extant Negrosanon systems of Arnis which are based on the blade, among them Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis of Bacolod, Yasay Sable of Bago City, Oido de Caburata of Murcia, and Guarra Style of Bago.

Considering the number of students involved and the constraints on time, Sy focused on the most simple yet highly effective fundamental techniques of Arnis as taught in his Conceptual Martial Arts System, a blend of several Negrosanon/Ilonggo systems. The seminar focused heavily on the Paniil sa Walo ka Padulungan “8 Directions Footwork,” which the students learned to blend with and evade any attack with the least possible exertion of force. Before the end of the seminar for each section, students gained an idea on how to use paniil against any type of attack by merely identifying its angle. The seminar was rounded up with the study of the basic otss-otso “figure 8” pattern with the application both as attack and defense with weapons as well as empty handed (pangamut). Sy also showed the use of the caburata and a mineral water bottle, weapons that are unique to Arnis, as well as translating the knowledge of stick work as translated to the nunchaku.

The reception of the students was very positive. Mrs. Geolingo and her superiors hope that the introductory seminar had opened the eyes of the students to the rich martial culture of the Philippines and that they will appreciate what is truly their own and see it in the context of their history as a nation.

Four days earlier Sy also conducted the 1st OLPA Sports Arnis Seminar at the Our Lady of Pillar Academy (OLPA), Brgy. Ma-ao, Bago City which was hosted by English and Filipino teacher Ariane M. Ignacio and attended by 16 students.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

PAGCOR Arnis for Health to be Concluded Fri. by James U. Sy Jr.


Some of the PAGCOR employees who participated in the Arnis for Health course, which was organized by MWR Coordinator Mayu Lozada, together with Resource Instructors (seated from left) Bryan Baylon Sensei, Chief Instructor of the Musubi Aikido Dojo Bacolod, Maxwell “Max” J. Maun Sensei, Master of Herada Pigada Arnis and Founder/Chief Instructor of Bacolod Aikido Enthusiasts (BAE), and Master James U. Sy Jr., Founder of Conceptual Arnis System and the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc.



Mayu Lozada (right) parries the attack of Errol Francisco and prepares to deliver a counterattack during one of the training sessions of the PAGCOR Arnis for Health course at the PAGCOR Amphitheater (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).


October 28, 2011 will be the final day of the 30-session Arnis for Health course for the employees of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) which started in the middle of August 2011. The program was organized by Mayu Lozada, MWR Coordinator, as part of PAGCOR’S Wellness and Health Program for all of its employees.

Maxwell “Max” J. Maun, F&B Supervisor, was tapped as the Resource Instructor for the course. Maun is a Master of the Herada Pigada system of Arnis, which he learned from his uncles Maj. Pedro Doromal Jr., Capt. Nelson Doromal, and Robert Doromal; He is also the Founder/Chief Instructor of the Bacolod Aikido Enthusiasts (BAE) and former Arnis Philippines Negros Occidental Commissioner. Master Maun was assisted by James U. Sy Jr., Founder/Master of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. and the Arnis system that bears the same name, and Bryan Baylon, Chief Instructor of the Musubi Aikido Dojo Bacolod. Sy and Baylon had also studied Aikido under Maun Sensei in the past.

Not less than 20 employees participated in the program. The training was originally done every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday but was later transferred to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday towards the end of the course. Practice was originally held at the PAGCOR Amphitheater but was later transferred to the Pool Side/Weights Gym. PAGCOR provided the sticks used for the training.

Master Maun taught the fundamentals and the corridas and tahi-tahi flow drills of the Herada Pigada System to improve the coordination and reflexes of the employees at the same time giving them an invigorating workout. Training in Arnis, or any legitimate martial art for that matter, benefits the body because of more oxygen flow to the heart and the release of hormones which calms the mind, which results to better performance in the job.

Herada Pigada was evolved by the aforementioned Doromals, along with their three other brothers and their father Pedro Doromal Sr., from the Bayoneta Carada taught to them by USAFFE Army Infantryman Grandmaster Benito Agui of Cadiz City. The style is characterized by the forward pressing movements; hence, the adoption of the corrupted form of the Spanish pegar “press” in its name.

When Master Maun took a leave in September, Master Sy and Baylon Sensei took over the instructions. The duo continued the fundamentals taught by Master Maun and Sy also introduced aspects of his Conceptual Arnis System, which is a composite of several traditional Negrosanon systems of Arnis, among them Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis, Yasay Sable, Oido de Caburata, and Original Filipino Tapado.

PAGCOR officials hope that with the program they had equipped the participants to better care for themselves and to make exercise a good part of their lifestyle for better health and well being.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Hospitality & Tourism Management Reg’l Summit Today by: James U. Sy Jr.

The HTM4-Convention and Events Management, School of Hospitality Management of the La Consolacion College (LCC)-Bacolod will be hosting the Hospitality & Tourism Management Students Regional Summit "A Path to a Progressive Tourism Industry" today, October 21, 2011, 8:00AM- 5:00 PM, at the L'Fisher Hotel, Lacson st., Bacolod City.

Featured speakers for the summit are Mr. Xander Kim Sigua, MPA, the Founder of the League of Tourism Students of the Philippines (LTSP); Dr. Robert Lim Joseph, Consul of the Republic of Latvia; and Mr. Oscar P. Palabyab, Undersecretary of the Department of Tourism, Philippines.

Tickets for the summit are at PhP 700.00 only inclusive of two snacks, one lunch, certificate, and convention kit.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Tribe WAR VIII Explodes in Gaisano City Part II by: James U. Sy Jr.


Franklin Olimpus of Tribu Hangaway Philippines and Dondon Baylon of Strike & Shoot grapple for supremacy as Referee Maxwell "Big Max" Maun looks on at the Tribe WAR (Warriors Art Rumble) VIII last October 8, 2011 at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).



Organizers, guests, fighters, and coaches pose for posterity at the conclusion of the Tribe WAR (Warriors Art Rumble) VIII last October 8, 2011 at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo).


REESULTS. Gerald Hans Gonzales of TH, 27, 105 lbs., forced Letmar Bañares of IAMMA, 115 lbs., to tapout at 3.53. It was Gonzales’ third fight. His teammate Franklin Olimpus, 20, 115 lbs., who holds a grappling record of 1-1 before the fight, got a decision win over Dondon Baylon of S&SB, the nephew of SEA Games Judo champion John Baylon. Olimpus got his very first win last year at the Freestyle grappling tournament.

Jason Jocson of TH, 18, 110 lbs., decisioned Jmart Sombingo of SSP-B. Jocson also took a victory during the last installment of Tribe WAR. Debuting Paolo Gonzales of SSP-B, 25, 140 lbs., submitted Robert John Amoloria of IAMMA, 140 lbs., with a Peruvian choke at 4.40.

Herbert Jocson of TH, 22, 120 lbs. won over Mark Mahusay of SSP-B, 130 lbs., via points. It was Jocson’s 2nd win in a grappling competition; his first win was at Tribe WAR VII. Elmer Tortogo of TH, 130 lbs., won against Daryl Garcia of SSP-B via default. Prior to the fight Tortogo had a 1-1 grappling record, the win of which was during the last installment of Tribe WAR.

Multifaceted boxer Nonoy Plomeda of SSP-B, 31, 130 lbs., submitted Jay Cabarobias of IAMMA with a Kimura at 2.22. Plomeda was rated no. 5 in the Philippines as an amateur boxer and compiled a 16-1 pro boxing record. He has a 9-2 MMA record, has won at the Universal reality combat Championships (URCC) last year, and competed at the international event Pacific Extreme Combat.

Altun Yu of SSP-B, 30, 160 lbs., forced a tapout from Dandy Visitacion of S&SB with a scarf hold at 1.40. It was Yu’s 2nd grappling win, the first of which was during tribe WAR IV. Debuting Justin Tolentino of TH, 180 lbs., won over Carlo Christo Alicaya of IAMMA.

In the main event, which was in the openweight class, the larger Jimmy Soquiño of TH, 190 lbs., went toe to toe with Alexander Villa of IAMMA. Inspite of his size disadvantage, Villa gave a well fought fight, squirming out of very tight situations which ordinary fighters might find difficult to get out of. Some spectators described him as being “daw isda, syado kadanlog.” But in the end Soquiño took the win by reaching the maximum 15 points, within 6 minutes. Soquiño did more pinning and offensive.

Officials were Master Roy R. Flores of Tribu Hangaway Philippines (Tournament Director), Maxwell J. Maun Sensei of Bacolod Aikido Enthusiasts (Referee), Mr. Dan Domingo of Bulacan/Tribu Hangaway Philippines (Judge), Boy Duran of Aksyon Radyo Bacolod (Emcee/Commentator), Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. Conceptual Martial Arts Society (Emcee/Commentator/Recorder), Rommel Villarta of Tribu Hangaway Philippines (Timer), and Personnel fo the City health Office (Medical Team).

Guests were 1st Generation Inheritor Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc., Grandmaster Casimiro “Chingi” Grandeza of White Kimono/Philippine Moo Duk Kwan Inc.-Korean Tang Soo Do Association, Chief Instructor Wendell Billones of Black Dragon Martial Arts, Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” l. Cardinal, Master Elizalde Aspan, Master Gualberto Dajao of Carga Pigar Kalis Silat Arnis Club, 4 times world Wushu Sanshou champion Rene Catalan and 2011 world Muay Thai champion Robin S. Catalan of the Iloilo Alliance Mixed Martial Arts (IAMMA), Founder/Master Abraham “Abe” Ganzon of Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA), URCC fighter Adrian Hillana of Submission Sports Philippines-Bacolod Team (SSP-BT), Henriid Lamayo of ATLETA Judo Club, Russell Mohametano Sensei of Arashi Ryu Aikido, and Angelo Nazario of Strike and Shoot Bacolod (S&SB).

Major sponsors are dyEZ Aksyon Radio-Bacolod, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Shakey’s Pizza, and San Miguel Corporation. Other sponsors are 91.9 Love Radio (Bacolod), 105.5 Easy Rock (Bacolod), 103.7 Radyo Nation (San Carlos), Negros daily bulletin, KOI Herbal Capsule and KOI Liniment Oil, TMG Hollow Blocks (Bacolod), Celcor Builders and Equipments, Inc. (Bacolod), CHY Ventures (Bacolod), New Shirmarros Wine Center, Sr. Supt. Ricardo Dela Paz (City Director Bacolod City Police Office), RMK Car Exchange, and Hon. Mayor Evelio “Bing” R. Leonardia.

Host Tribu Hangaway Philippines is a proud member of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. under Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo.

Tribe WAR VIII Explodes in Gaisano City Part I by: James U. Sy Jr.


Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. demonstrating doble baston which combined movement patterns from the systems of Herada Pigada, Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis, Oido de Caburata, Romero Arnis de Mano, Singkatan, and Yasay Sable during the Tribe WAR (Warriors Art Rumble) VIII last October 8, 2011 at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City (CMAS Photo).

Tribe WAR (Warriors Art Rumble) VIII was successfully held by Tribu Hangaway Philippines (THP) of Master Roy R. Flores, 6th Degree Black Belt, in cooperation with Aksyon Radyo Bacolod under Station Manager JJ Ocampo and Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall last October 8, 2011 at the Atrium Area, Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall, Araneta St., Bacolod City. Four teams saw action in ten action-filled Submission Grappling bouts while six other organizations gave various demonstrations of combative Korean, Japanese, Thai, and Filipino Martial Arts.

Overall champion was Tribu Hangaway Philippines (THP) of Master Roy R. Flores with 7 wins and Submission Sports Philippines-Bacolod Team (SSP-BT) of URCC fighter Adrian Hillana at 2nd place with 3 wins. Other competing teams were Strike and Shoot Bacolod (S&SB) headed by Angelo Nazario and Iloilo Alliance Mixed Martial Arts (IAMMA) led by 4 times World Wushu Sanshou champion Rene Catalan of Sta. Barbara.

DEMONSTRATIONS. Black Dragon Martial Arts Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do Soo Bahk Do of Chief Instructor Wendell Billones showed an assortment of Hangul Mudo “Korean Martial Ways (Hangul)” exhibitions which included basic and advance WTF Taekwondo and Soo Bahk Do poomse “forms,” basic, obstacle, and high altitude falling techniques, and various self defense techniques for children, women, men, holdup and snatching, striking and kicking, and knife attacks. Black Dragon had the most performers for the event, with a total of 32 demonstrators. Soo Bahk Do Grandmaster Casimiro “Chingi” Grandeza, 7th Dan Black Belt, Founder of White Kimono, “The father of Karate in Negros,” was in attendance to give support to the students.

Russell Mohametano Sensei, this time representing his own Arashi Ryu Aikido, demonstrated a few Iaido kata “forms.” The exhibition continued with Mohametano Sensei and his two assistants performing Aikido self defense techniques against different empty handed and armed attacks, with the use of nage waza “throwing techniques (Nihonggo)” and kansetsu waza “joint locking techniques (Nihonggo).”

The Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA) of Founder/Master Abraham “Abe” Ganzon was represented by Dr. John Philip T. Pestaño and Ricky B. Eslabon, who demonstrated the UDTA interpretation of Espada y daga “sword and dagger (Español).”

Master Elizalde Aspan represented the Carga Pigar Kalis Silat Arnis Club of Grandmaster danilo “Danny” l. Cardinal by performing an elaborate solo baston anyo. Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. gave a demonstration of doble baston which combined movement patterns from the systems of Herada Pigada, Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis, Oido de Caburata, Romero Arnis de Mano, Singkatan, and Yasay Sable.

Southeast Asian, 2 times Asian, and 4 times World Wushu Sanshou champion Rene Catalan of Sta. Barbara and his brother 2011 world Muay Thai champion Robin S. Catalan waved the banner of the Iloilo Alliance Mixed Martial Arts (IAMMA) as they demonstrated the fundamental and advanced techniques of Muay Thai “The Art of the 8 Limbs” from Thailand.

The demo team of host Tribu Hangaway Philippines (THP) of Master Roy R. Flores was led by Instructor Jared Turbanos in showing the falling techniques, evasion and leading, jointlocking, and throwing techniques of Combat Aikido, the Filipino version of Ueshiba, morihei O’Sensei’s Aiki Budo. Master Flores and Instructor Turbanos also showed knife defense and knife vs knife.

OLPA Hosts Sport Arnis Seminar


English and Filipino teacher Mrs. Ariane M. Ignacio and
Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (seated) with participants of the 1st OLPA Sports Arnis Seminar last October 10, 2011 at the Our Lady of Peace Academy (OLPA), Brgy. Ma-ao, Bago City (CMAS Photo).


English and Filipino teacher Mrs. Ariane M. Ignacio organized the 1st OLPA Sports Arnis Seminar last October 10, 2011 in one of the classrooms of the Our Lady of Pillar Academy (OLPA), Brgy. Ma-ao, Bago City. The seminar was attended by 16 of the 21 students expected to represent the academy during the Area Meet Arnis Competition this coming October 13-15, 2011 at the La Consolacion School Isabela Negros Occidental, Inc. in the Municipality of Isabela.

Resource Instructor was Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc., PIO of Arnis Philippines-Negros Occidental Chapter and Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc.

Ignacio, who was originally a MPEH teacher, previously commissioned Grandmaster Sabas T. Gubaton of the Oido de Caburata Arnis Group (ODCA) to serve as the Trainor for the Arnis Team of OLPA. The lesson focused on the fundamentals of the particular style of Arnis of GM Gubaton for use in the DepEd Labanan category. The OLPA Arnis Team made their debut this year at the Division Meet. Since then the lessons with GM Gubaton ended.

Ignacio, wanting to maximize the training of OLPA players, invited Sy to teach a seminar on both Anyo and Labanan events with their corresponding set of rules. Sy had studied and is certified in different systems of Arnis by various grandmasters, among them Oido de Caburata Arnis Patriarch GM Abraham T. Gubaton and Chief Instructor GM Sabas T. Gubaton. He had attended a number of Sport Arnis seminars conducted by Arnis Philippines-Negros Occidental Commissioner Grandmaster Danilo L. Cardinal. Mary Camille Gubaton and Joshelle Rianne C. Gubaton, the granddaughters of the Gubaton grandmasters who studied basic empty handed conceptual women’s self defense under Sy, recommended Sy to Ignacio.

Sy began the seminar with doble baston fundamentals as components of the anyo. Finer points were given for the wrist position, angling of the weapon, body torque, force generation, proper breathing, and proper body alignment. The training then proceeded to the Labanan category where Sy used the Yasay Sable system of the famed Yasay Clan of Bago City as the teaching format for sparring. Students were taught basic positioning, evasive footwork, otso-otso, strike interception, and basic competition strategy. A portion of the seminar was devoted to the athlete’s conditioning. The seminar closed with a few demonstrations of combative arnis applications.

Those who participated in the seminar were Carlos Miguel Alisaje, Ryan N. Arguelles, Melchora J. Baylosis, Karlos Enrique Duyo, Wilson D. Espejo, Joshelle Rianne C. Gubaton, Chris Adolf V. Jeruta, Christine Joy Landero, Divine E. Malunes, Roger A. Manong, Ma. Cecelia Denice G. Miape, John Mark G. Niña, Cresiani Jay R. Rabay, Alodia Faye G. Somcio, Esther Ruth G. Somcio, Vanessa G, Torrecarion, and Josea Elaine May V. Tulog.

Mrs. Ariane M. Ignacio organized the Sport Arnis seminar with the support of Principal Candelaria Balbao.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

TAI CHI CIRCLE BACOLOD (TCCB)’s LECTURE @ YUAN THONG TEMPLE A PRELUDE TO CHENG MANCHING 37 FORM

by Narciso (Hansy Alojado, Instructor of TCCB, cellphone number 09287195141)
(from left to right:Humberto (toti0 LIM, Hansy Alojado, Ana from Russia, Jenn from Samar, Renee from Manila Jarrin from Canada, Sifu Peter Yap,Kattie from Germany, a student from Russia, a student from Bacolod, Monk Master, Bill Gomez Cora Romero, , Loubert Sajo, and Nena King.)

“There are 3 friends who were students of martial arts. They were bragging to ech other the feats of their masters. The first one said that his master could break hollow blocks, slabs of stone or wooden planks with his bare hand. The 2nd student would not be outdone by the first one said that his teacher/master could leap over high fences and could leap upward to some tall buildings. The third one just said softly that his teacher eats when he is hungry, drinks when he is thirsty and lie down when he is sleepy. Upon hearing this the two friends exclaimed in unison, “What! your teacher is just a normal human being.” The 3rd student just said, “Yes my teacher is normal but yours are abnormal!”

With this story, Sifu Peter Yap of TCCB group, concluded his talk/lecture on Tai Chi. He was invited /requested to give a lecture on Tai Chi by Mrs. Terry Gochangco, the president of the Yuan Thong Temple at Burgos St., Bacolod City, to the 4th batch of live-in students from Russia, Germany, Manila, Samar and Bacolod, studying at the temple on different arts.The instructions/sessions is free of charge.

The story, I think, summarizes the whole lecture of Sifu Peter Yap wherein he encourages/advocates the normal/natural way of practicing Tai Chi. One does not have to have extra efforts in practicing the form. Why do you have to exert tremendous effort just to get to the tall building when one can use the stairs or ladder. Or why do you have to punish oneself by using your barehand in breaking the ice when one has to use an ice pick to crack it. We do not exert extra effort during our practice at TCCB. As Sifu Petr Yap mentions in his talk, putting extra effort beyond the natural way is sometimes detrimental for the cultivation of chi or life force. This is one of the principles that we practice at TCCB with the guidance of Sifu Peter Yap.

Sifu Peter Yap demonstrated by example when he mentions about the basic principles which should be present during the practice of Tai chi. Aside from the example by doing, Sifu Peter even used Chinese characters mentiond in the Tai Chi forms and gave different meanings of a single Chinese character according to context using the white board.

At the open forum, he answered questions with ease, aplomb and spontaneity with matching demonstration, the health benefits of tai Chi, the different harmonies (esternal and internal). He even fielded questions about food and matching diet.

Sifu Peter Yap said that unless your Tai Chi has all the requirements, your tai chi is just an ordinary calisthenics or Tai Chi look-alike. Tai Chi is bio-energetics not a mechanical/muscular mimicry.

His lecture/talk was a summary of his casual conversation after TCCB’s formal practice every MWF evening at Oceanlite, Singcang, Bacolod, as well as every Saturday and Sunday morning at the Capitol Lagoon. Sifu Peter Yap would make it a point to attend every practice session if the weather permits.

So join us in practicing tai chi, the TCCB way, which is the natural/normal way

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