2nd Hon. Mayor Torres Arnis Tilt Explosively Successful Part IV: The Historic Tri-Format Tournament

Action during the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. Arnis Rules Division of the 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament organized by the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. of 1st Generation Inheritor/Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr., and the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. under its President Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo for the Bago City Office of the Mayor and the Bago City Tourism Office last February 18, 2012, 2:00-6:00 PM, at the Bantayan Park, Bago City, Negros Occidental as part of the 46th Bago City Charter Day Celebration (Edna Bella Lobrido photo).

IFFMAS ARNIS RULES. Both players assume roles as defender and attacker and exchange roles the following round. Third and final round freestyle. With protective armor and helmet, padded sticks. Champion for IFFMAS Arnis rules was Black Cat (Bago City) of Stevie John Doctora with 3 wins-0 loss. 2nd to 4th places were Tribu Hangaway Philippines (Bacolod) of Founder/Master Roy R. Flores Sr. (1-1), Cargada Pigar KaliSilat Arnis Club (Bacolod) of Grandmaster Danilo Cardinal (1-3), and Bago Arnis Club of SI Randy Alvarado (0-1).

Women’s Bantamweight: Althea Tornea, 14, 45 kg., of Tribu Hangaway over Jessica Caseñas, 15, 44 kg., of Cargada Pigar via majority decision. Danielle Besa, 13, 43 kg., of Black Cat over Marimar Galon, 15, 43 kg., of Cargada Pigar.

Men’s Pinweight (47 Below): John Mark Arroyo, 15, 43 kg., of Cargada Pigar over Rexsan Slade C. Saron, 17, 45 kg., of Tribu Hangaway via disqualification. Saron was winning in all the judges’ scorecards but the disqualification came when he threw a strike after the referee has called a stop for the round. Edmhel Von Doctora, 14, 43 kg., of Black Cat over Mark Anthony Rojo, 16, 47 kg., of Cargada Pigar.

Featherweight (51+-55Kg.): John Mark Cabuyao, 17, 55 kg., of Black Cat over Tom Serapia, 21, 58 kg., of Bago Arnis Club.

YASAY SABLE ARNIS RULES. Yasay Sable is a traditional Negrense-Ilonggo system of fencing practiced by the Yasay Clan of Bago City for 4 generations now. Current (3rd Generation) Headmaster is GM Paterno V. Yasay and (4th generation) Chief Instruct5or is Master Ferdinand Emmanuel “Bobot” Y. Gayoles. Yasay Sable is played for 2 1.5 minute rounds. First three hits wins. With protective armor and helmet, padded sticks. Champion for Yasay Sable Arnis rules was Bago Arnis Club of SI Alvarado with 3 wins-3 loss. 2nd to 3rd places were Cargada Pigar of GM Cardinal with (3-0, 2 by default) and Black Cat of Doctora (1-1).

Women’s Bantamweight: May Jane Pasa, 21, 53 kg., of Bago Arnis Club over April Caunga, 20, 54 kg., of Bago Arnis Club via disarm.

Men’s Bantamweight (47+-51Kg.): Michael Tordillos, 16, 50 kg., of Cargada Pigar over Carl Trunio II, 20, 50 kg., of UNO-R Martial Arts Club via default.

Featherweight (51+-55Kg.): John Errioh Jaro, 16, 52 kg., of Cargada Pigar over Gerald Daclan, 20, 50 kg., of UNO-R Martial Arts Club via default. Both Trunio and Daclan are criminology students at UNO-R and had to be recalled for guard duty at campus grounds. Mel Anton Murphy, 16, 52 kg., of Cargada Pigar over Amejado Ramonito, 21, 54 kg., of Bago Arnis Club.

Extra Lightweight (55+-60Kg.): Edgardo Doctora Jr., 18., 60 kg., of Black Cat over Christian James Bargayo, 16/17, 60 kg., of Bago Arnis Club. Tom Serapia, 21, 58 kg., of Bago Arnis Club over Jeryl Gane, 17, 60 kg., of Black Cat. Ryan Teodoro, 22, 63 kg., of Bago Arnis Club over Robille Billones, 16/17, 60 kg., of Bago Arnis Club.

Protective equipment and padded sticks for the competition provided by Yasay Sable of 3rd Generation Headmaster Paterno V. Yasay, UNO-R Martial Arts Club of Master Ferdinand Emmanuel Y. Gayoles, and Bago Arnis Club of SI Randy Alvarado.

Officials were Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. (Event Organizer), Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (Event director & General Manager, Matchmaker, Recorder, and Emcee), Master Maxwell J. Maun of Herada Pigada (Referee), Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo, Master Luciano “Nick” G. Montoya, and Master Elmer P. Montoyo of Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association(PIMAA-FTSDA), Inc. (Judges), Chester F. Esmalla of PIMAA-FTSDA (Timer), Heiroteo “Didoy” L. Villarosa of PIMAA-FTSDA (Medical Personnel), and Master Joeffrey S. Deriada of CMAS (Logistics).

Invited participants from Cauayan, Hinigaran, and Iloilo did not make it to the event. The event was covered by both GMA and ABS-CBN and featured on local TV. The event was featured in TV Patrol Bacolod, The Morning Show, and Mag TV Amiga over at ABS-CBN.

2nd Hon. Mayor Torres Arnis Tilt Explosively Successful Part III: Recognizing the Masters

Rodrigo Berdin, 66, of Murcia (left) receiving his Founder/Grandmaster of Oido de Cinco Henerales recognition under the sanction of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. from IFFMAS Council of Elders Member and Original Filipino Tapado Generation Inheritor/Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido (right) during the 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament last February 18, 2012 at the Bantayan Park, Bago City. Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc.President INP P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao T. Guarra (far right) is in the foreground (Heiroteo "Didoy" Villarosa photo).


Rev. Gaudencio B. Lingamen Jr. (left) of Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Inc.-San Enrique receiving his Founder of Garrote y Lanza recognition under the sanction of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. from IFFMAS Council of Elders Member and Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. President INP P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao T. Guarra (right) during the 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament last February 18, 2012 at the Bantayan Park, Bago City. IFFMAS President Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo is in the foreground (Heiroteo "Didoy" Villarosa photo).


Jose V. Salanp (left) receiving his Grandmaster recognition awarded by NOBF Founder Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo “Pope” C. Jalandoon (not in the picture) and NOBF President INP P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao T. Guarra, (partly hidden) under the sanction of the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. during the 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament last February 18, 2012 at the Bantayan Park, Bago City. Shaking the hand of GM Salanap is Event Organizer and Original Filipino Tapado 1st Generation Inheritor/Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido (right). In the foreground are Event Director Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. and Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo of the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. (Heiroteo "Didoy" Villarosa photo)


A total of 16 arnisadors were recognized/promoted under the sanction of 5 Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) organizations during the highly successful 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament organized for the Bago City Office of the Mayor and the Bago City Tourism Office last February 18, 2012 at the Bantayan Park, Bago City as part of the city’s 46th Charter Day Celebration.

INP P/Sgt. (Ret.) Grandmaster Estanislao T. Guarra, Founder of Guarra Style Modern Arnis, through the authority vested on him as President of the NOBF, recognized 7 old time arnisadors under the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. as to wit: GM Frank Abalajon of Abalajon Classical Arnis (Arnis Grandmaster), Master Ferdinand Emmanuel “Bobot” Y. Gayoles (Master of Yasay Sable), Master Jonathan “Nathan” J. Gubaton and Job Camelo “Bemboy” J. Gubaton (Masters of Oido de Caburata Arnis), GM Abelardo Jagocoy (Arnis Grandmaster), Master Maxwell J. Maun (Master of Herada Pigada Arnis), GM Jose V. Salanp (Grandmaster of Oido de Caburata Arnis), and GM Sotero Tario (Founder/Grandmaster of Oido Fencing), and GM Paterno V. Yasay (3rd Generation Headmaster of Yasay Sable). Signatories for the promotions were NOBF Founder Atty. Co. GM Marcelo C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., GM Guarra, and Hon. Bago City Mayor Ramon D. Torres.

GM Guarra, a friend of the late Oido de Caburata Arnis Patriarch Grandmaster Abraham T. Gubaton, awarded publicly promotions made by GM Abraham in his system, under the sanction of he Oido de Caburata Arnis Group (ODCA), but not presented before his demise. Those promoted by GM Abraham were his youngest son Job Camelo “Bemboy” J. Gubaton (Masters of Oido de Caburata Arnis), GM Jose V. Salanp (Grandmaster of Oido de Caburata Arnis), and GM Sotero Tario (Founder/Grandmaster of Oido Fencing). Signatory for the promotions was GM Abraham. GM Guarra also recognized Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. as a Master in Guarra Style Modern Arnis; Signatories for the promotions were GM Guarra, GM Jalandoon, and Hon. Mayor Torres.

Original Filipino Tapado GM Elmer V. Montoyo, Founder of Filipino Tang Soo Do, through the authority vested on him as President of the IFFMAS, recognized 6 old time arnisadors under the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. as to wit: GM Rodrigo Berden and GM Juanita Montoya-Berden of Murcia (Founder/Grandmaster of Oido de Cinco Henerales), Rev. Gaudencio B. Lingamen Jr. of San Enrique (Founder of Garrote y Lanza), Abelardo Jagocoy (Arnis Grandmaster), Master Maxwell J. Maun (Master of Herada Pigada Arnis), and GM Sotero Tario (Founder/Grandmaster of Oido Fencing). Signatories for the promotions were GM Montoyo, 1st Generation Inheritor GM Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, GM Jalandoon, GM Guarra, Hon. Mayor Torres, and Master Sy.

Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. promoted Diomedes N. Mamugay of the San Carlos Jungle Fighters Martial arts Club (SACA JUFIMAC) and Chester F. Esmalla to Manunudlo I in Conceptual Arnis/Martial Arts and Emily S. Lizares to Manunuon 5.

Not than 37 grandmasters, masters, and instructors of the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) and countless viewers witnessed the recognition rites.

The tournament proper of the event was also historic in that it was the first Arnis event in the Negros Island, Western Visayas, and possibly anywhere in the Philippines to present three different formats or rulings of stickfighting competitions in just one event, the norm being just one set of rules per tournament.

It was the idea of Master Sy, the Event Director and Overall Manager, to adopt a tri-format/rules competition for the event to preserve the traditional methods of competition used by arnisadors of old. These formats had the thinking that fights don’t last very long, especially when live blades are involved; real fights are not like what we see in movies or those bouts fought in streamline Sport Arnis competitions. Bouts fought in the three tournament formats - Original Filipino Tapado long stickfighting rules, IFFMAS Arnis rules, and Yasay Sable Arnis Rules - only last anywhere from 30 seconds or below to one and a half minutes the most. What was to be emphasized was skill rather than endurance. |The formats also tried to emphasize the defense among players.

COMPETITION - TAPADO RULES. Unpadded long stickfighting competition with the aim of overpowering the other contestant’s stick, without hitting any part of the opponent’s body. Marvin Gonzales of Brgy. Taloc over Ryan Santillan of Brgy. Taloc. Roleto Ruelan of Brgy. Taloc over Jimmy Villarmino of Brgy. Taloc.

2nd Hon. Mayor Torres Arnis Tilt Explosively Successful Part II: The Best of Negrense Arnis/Eskrima

Some of the participants of the highly successful 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament organized by the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. of 1st Generation Inheritor/Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr., and the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. under its President Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo for the Bago City Office of the Mayor and the Bago City Tourism Office last February 18, 2012, 2:00-6:00 PM, at the Bantayan Park, Bago City, Negros Occidental as part of the 46th Bago City Charter Day Celebration (Heiroteo "Didoy" Villarosa photo photo).


Law enforcement agent Master Irving P. Elefante of Valladolid (left) and his nephew Rogen E. Guevarra of Bago represented 1st Generation Inheritor Headmaster Wilson E. Viñas’ Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficionados Association (LVAAA) by demonstrating hand blade defense against a knife attack during the highly successful 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament last February 18, 2012 at the Bantayan Park, Bago City, Negros Occidental as part of the 46th Bago City Charter Day Celebration (Heiroteo "Didoy" Villarosa photo).


Rev. Gaudencio B. Lingamen Jr. of Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Inc.-San Enrique demonstrating his personal interpretation of the 6 ft. bangkaw “spear” through his art, Garrote y Lanza during the highly successful 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament last February 18, 2012 at the Bantayan Park, Bago City, Negros Occidental as part of the 46th Bago City Charter Day Celebration (Heiroteo "Didoy" Villarosa photo).


Carl Trunio II (left) throws Allan Azuelo in a demonstration of the criminology Defensive Tactics (Dectac) as practiced by the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) Martial Arts Club under Master Ferdinand Emmanuel “Bobot” Y. Gayoles
during the highly successful 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament last February 18, 2012 at the Bantayan Park, Bago City, Negros Occidental as part of the 46th Bago City Charter Day Celebration (Heiroteo "Didoy" Villarosa photo).

The Bacolod-based Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Inc. of Founder/Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo presented yet another unique demonstration which included an appetizer of Filipino Tang Soo Do aerial strikes and martial acrobatics and a climax of multiple attack 3-against-1 defense involving real knives. Presentors were Masters Elmer P. Montoyo and Ernest Christian P. Montoyo, Chester F. Esmalla, and Norbert Poliapoy. Women from the audience were shouting with admiration for the performers.

The Oido de Caburata Arnis Group (ODCA) under the late Grandmaster Abraham T. Gubaton of Ma-ao, Bago was represented by his brother Grandmaster Sabas T. Gubaton and Master Reynold Gubaton who showed the basics of Oido de Caburata Arnis, a powerful system founded by the late Grandmaster Antonio “Toñing” Toloso of Minoyan, Murcia in 1936/1937.

Former Kagawad Master Jonathan “Nathan” J. Gubaton, the son of GM Abraham, sat on a chair and using a short stick, defended against the attacks of Grandmaster Jose V. Salanp, a student of GM Abraham, who was using a long stick. Master Nathan successfully defended against the attacks inspite of GM Salanap going around in a circle. Master Jonathan J. Gubaton, the youngest son of GM Abraham, paired off with GM Sotero Tario, Founder of Oido Fencing and demonstrated the Sinamak method which his father was also known for.

Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. gave a live blade anyo “form” starting from and ending into the scabbard combining slashing and other maneuvers from Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis, Yasay Sable, Guarra Style Modern Arnis, and Togle Style Modern Arnis. Then he showed the relationship between the caburata, nunchaku, and the stick. Together with Esmalla, Master Sy also demonstrated Original Filipino basic strikes 1 & 2, Conceptual Arnis gun and stick disarming and punch defense, and Guarra Style disarming counter.

Oido de Cinco Henerales from Murcia, a synthesis of Oido “By the ear” and the Cinco Henerales “5 Generals” systems, was demonstrated publicly for the first time outside its place of origin by Co-Founders Grandmaster Rodrigo Berdin, 66, his wife Grandmaster Juanita Montoya-Berdin, 76, and Master Luciano “Nick” G. Montoya. They showed hanot 1-5, depensa pigar, torsido, tranka doble, defense against straight and drop knife thrust, and live talibung defense.

Event organizer 1st Generation Inheritor/Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido and Senior Instructor John Maravilla of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA) Inc. demonstrated the short stick fighting of the system founded by the late Grandmaster Romeo “Nono” C. Mamar of Taloc, Bago City. For the long stick demonstration, GM Lobrido showed the higher non-ground liniada “lines” of Original Filipino Tapado, using just one motion for the defense and offence and each contact resulting to a hit.

Founder/Master Roy R. Flores Sr. and Rexsel Slade C. Saron of the Bacolod-based Tribu Hangaway Philippines (TH) gave a demonstration of Hangaway Arnis sinawali using the sunod-sunod pattern and variations thereof. Razel Ann Gonzales performed women’s defense against Saron.

Master Maxwell J. Maun, a nephew of the Doromals, and R.M. Bryan S. Baylon, Chief Instructor of Musubi Aikido Dojo Bacolod, demonstrated Herada Pigada, a system that evolved from the Bayoneta Carada of the late WWII infantryman Grandmaster Benito Agui and later evolved by the Doromal Family of Sicaba, Cadiz into Automatic fencing and later called yb its present name. The tahi-tahi “sewing” flow drills were shown, later progressing into the coredas flow drills with insertions of various throws, not commonly seen in other systems of Arnis/Eskrima.

Grandmaster Abelardo Jagocoy Sr., 81, showed his interpretation of Oido with his grandson Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo, Founder of Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS), feeding him the attacks. GM Guinabo, a one time world live stickfighting champion, demonstrated his Trece Grabes Piga-Piga System using the Espada y Daga method. He was assisted by Master Elizalde Aspan of the Cargada Pigar KaliSilat Arnis Club.

2nd Hon. Mayor Torres Arnis Tilt Explosively Successful Part I: Arnis/Eskrima @ Its Best

Some of the participants of the highly successful 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament organized by the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. of 1st Generation Inheritor/Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr., and the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. under its President Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo for the Bago City Office of the Mayor and the Bago City Tourism Office last February 18, 2012, 2:00-6:00 PM, at the Bantayan Park, Bago City, Negros Occidental as part of the 46th Bago City Charter Day Celebration (Edna Bella Lobrido photo).

The Bago City Office of the Mayor and the Bago City Tourism Office presented the highly successful 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament thru the efforts of the Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. of 1st Generation Inheritor/Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr., and the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. under its President Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo last February 18, 2012, 2:00-6:00 PM, at the Bantayan Park, Bago City, Negros Occidental as part of the 46th Bago City Charter Day Celebration. The event was also supported by the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), Inc. under its Founder Atty. Col. Grandmaster Marcelo C. Jalandoon, Ph.D., and its President INP P/Sgt. (Ret.) Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra.

GM Lobrido of Brgy. Taloc, Bago City was the event Organizer while Master Sy of Bacolod City was the Event Director and Overall Manager

80-90 arnisadors representing 20 organizations/groups from at least 6 cities and towns from Negros Occidental - Bago, Bacolod, Murcia, San Enrique Talisay, and Valladolid - gave 16 demonstrations of various systems/styles of indigenous and foreign based Negros/Ilonggo-Filipino Martial Arts and competed in 14 bouts using three competition formats. More than a thousand spectators watched the event, surpassing the attendance of the first installment of the expo.

The venue was open space. It was a blessing that Bago did not have a heavy downpour inspite of heavy rains, and in some cases flooding, in Valladolid and San Enrique.

The expo/tournament made several pioneering highlights in the history of Negros martial arts history. The event assembled perhaps the most number of Arnis teachers from different systems/styles in one event in Bago City and Negros Occidental; not less than 37 of the participants were graded grandmaster, master, or instructor. As a result, it may well also be the event showcasing the most number of Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) systems/styles in just one setting in Bago City and Negros Occidental; Not less than 16 systems/styles were showcased: Arjuka, Cargada Pigar KaliSilat, Conceptual Arnis/Martial Arts, Espada y Daga, Filipino Tang Soo Do, Garrote y Lanza, Guarra Style Modern Arnis, Hangaway Arnis, Herada Pigada, Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis, Oido de Caburata Arnis , Oido de Cinco Generales, Original Filipino Tapado, Trece Grabes Piga-Piga System, UDTA System, and Yasay Sable.

It was the first Arnis event in the Negros Island and Western Visayas to use three formats of stickfighting competitions. It was also the first public event to feature a Yasay Sable competition. A total of 13 bouts were fought: 2 for Original Filipino Tapado long stick fighting rules, 5 for IFFMAS Arnis rules, and 7 for Yasay Sable Arnis Rules. It was also the first time for Garrote y Lanza, a spear fighting art, to be publicly shown and Oido de Cinco Generales of Murcia to be demonstrated outside its place of origin.

DEMONSTRATIONS. GM Danilo Cardinal, Arnis Philippines Negros Occidental Commissioner, Founder of the Bacolod-based Cargada Pigar KaliSilat Arnis Club, gave an Arnis anyo “form,” and together with Master Gualberto Dajao demonstrated tapi-tapi tirsia for the knife and Espada y Daga.

The University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) Martial Arts Club under Master Ferdinand Emmanuel “Bobot” Y. Gayoles gave a demonstration of Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis pang-agaw both with sticks and empty hands and the Gayoles method of Defensive Tactics (Dectac) for criminology students which is an eclectic blend of Arnis, Karate, and other martial arts. Demonstrators were Carl Trunio II, Gerald Daclan and Allan Azuelo.

The Universal Defensive Tactics Academy (UDTA) from Bacolod was represented by its Founder/Master Abraham “Abe” G. Ganzon Jr. and Ricky B. Eslabon who demonstrated the UDTA system of Espada y Daga.

Rev. Gaudencio B. Lingamen Jr. of Philippine Integrated Martial Arts Academy-Filipino Tang Soo Do Association (PIMAA-FTSDA), Inc.-San Enrique showed his personal interpretation of the 6 ft. bangkaw “spear” through his art, Garrote y Lanza. The demonstration was unique in that it was the only performance to feature the bangkaw, a favorite weapon of the Visayans during the pre-Hispanic times.

Law enforcement agent Master Irving P. Elefante of Valladolid and his nephew Rogen E. Guevarra of Bago represented 1st Generation Inheritor Headmaster Wilson E. Viñas’ Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis Aficionados Association (LVAAA). The duo showed the trademark daga pang-agaw and strangulation techniques of the -Lapu Viñas Arnis system founded by the late Grandmaster Jose “Joe” L. Viñas (1906-1991).

Another unique display of skills was that of GM Isaac T. Guarra, Founder of the Arjuka style and Arjuka-Malingin. He lifted a heavy metal bar over his head without bending his arm in one shift motion and left it afloat for a few seconds. Then he thrust his index finger to the body of a portion of a banana tree; he did this several times. Later he also thrust the balls of his feet into said tree, which produced holes into the trunk.

The combined contingent of the Guarra Style Modern Arnis of P/Sgt. (Ret.) Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra and Arjuka-Malingin performed solo and paired sinawli, stick disarming, empty hands against stick, Arnis women’s defense, and an assortment of defensive and offensive maneuvers. Demonstrators were Filton Bernadas, Anthony Guarra, Jerald John Guarra, Jeraldine Guarra, Jerryll Guarra, John Richard Guarra, Cesar Ian G. Poral, Clyde Jason G. Poral, and Windy Lou G. Poral.

2nd Hon. Ramon Torres Arnis Tilt to Explode on Bago Charter Celebration by James U. Sy Jr.

Arnisadors after an organizational meeting last February 11, 2012 at the Sea Breeze Hotel, San Juan St., Bacolod City for the upcoming 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament on February 18, 2012 at the Bantayan Park, Bago City. From left: Master James U. Sy Jr., Master Ferdinand Emmanuel “Bobot” Y. Gayoles, Master Elmer “Don-Don” P. Montoyo Jr., Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo, Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” M. Lobrido, Master Luciano “Nick” Montoya, Grandmaster Danilo “Danny” Cardinal, SI Randy Alvarado, Gerald Daclan, Carl Trunio II, and Mr. Heiroteo “Didoy” Villarosa (CMAS Photo).

The Bago City Office of the Mayor and the Bago City Tourism Office will be presenting the 2nd Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament this coming February 18, 2012, 2:00 P.M., at the Bantayan Park, Bago City, Negros Occidental as part of the city’s 46th Charter Anniversary celebration.

Organizing the event for the Bago City Government is the Taloc-based Original Filipino Tapado Long Stick Fighting Association (OFTLSFA), Inc. of 1st Generation Inheritor/Grandmaster Benefredo “Bebing” Mamar Lobrido in cooperation with the Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. of Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. and the Intercontinental Federation of Filipino Martial Arts Schools (IFFMAS), Inc. under its President Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo.

GM Lobrido, the nephew of the late Founder of Original Filipino Tapado Grandmaster Romeo “Nono” C. Mamar, is the Event Organizer while Master Sy, who is known for bringing together different arnisadors from various systems/styles in the events he organizes, is the Expo/Tournament Director.

The 1st Hon. Mayor Ramon D. Torres Arnis Expo & Tournament was also put together by Master Sy for the Bago City Government with the Guarra Style Modern Arnis (GSMA) of P/Sgt. (Ret.) Founder/Grandmaster Estanislao “Eslao” T. Guarra and Arjuka-Malingin of Founder/Grandmaster Isaac “Saac T. Guarra as Event Organizers last November 5, 2010, also at the Bantayan Park as part of the city’s Cinco de Novembre celebration.

This year, not less than 80-100 arnisadors representing 19-20 organizations from Bacolod, Bago, Murcia, San Enrique, Talisay, and Valladolid are expected to give demonstrations on different systems/styles of indigenous and foreign based Ilonggo-Filipino Martial Arts that were developed, practiced, and evolved in the province of Negros Occidental, and to compete in three competition format: Tapado Rules, IFFMAS Arnis Rules, and Yasay Sable Arnis Rules.

Original Filipino Tapado (OFT) is a long stick fighting art indigenous to Brgy. Taloc of Bago City, founded by the late GM Mamar in 1960 and field tested in countless challenge matches against other arnisadors. There will be two bouts for the Tapado rules competition, the only goal of which is to overpower the other player’s long stick (No hits to the body allowed).

IFFMAS Arnis rules were proposed by GM Eslao Guarra to IFFMAS to which he is a member of the Council of Elders. This set of rules is fought in a circle with combatants assuming defender and attacker roles for the first two rounds and freestyle for the last round. This format was so designed to highlight an arnisador’s defensive ability which is often neglected in modern day Sport Arnis competitions. Research by master Sy showed that this was a traditional format used in parts of, if not all, Negros, Panay, and Cebu.

Yasay Sable is an indigenous blade-based art that has been practiced by the yasay Clan of Bago City for 4 generations now. Grandmaster Paterno V. Yasay is the 3rd Generation Headmaster while Master Ferdinand Emmanuel “Bobot” Y. Gayoles is the 4th Generation Chief Instructor. Yasay Sable rules is based on the premise that the weapon being held is a blade, and not a stick. Thus, strikes are made with less body torque but with more precision and timing.

Both the IFFMAS Arnis and Yasay Sable Arnis rules use time limits which are much more shorter than well established formats such as ArPi, IMAFP, and WEKAF; the logic being real fights are very short and one needs to get the advantage early on.

Among the systems/styles expected to be showcased in the demonstrations are Arjuka, Cargada Pigar KaliSilat Arnis, Conceptual Arnis/Martial Arts, Espada y Daga, Filipino Tang Soo Do, Guarra Style Modern Arnis, Hangaway Arnis, Herada Pigada Arnis, Lapu-Lapu Viñas Arnis, Oido de Caburata, Oido de Cinco Generales, Oido Fencing, Original Filipino Tapado, Trece grabes Piga-Piga System, UDTA System, and Yasay Sable.

Hon. Mayor Ramon Torres is an ardent supporter of Arnis/Eskrima. It was in his term when the Bago City College (BCC) Arnis Team headed by Coach/Trainor Randy Alvarado took the overall championship during the 3rd Alculympics held last 2011 at the City College of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro with a 12-5-7 medal haul, beating 5 other teams.