Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Tribe W.A.R. 10 @ Gaisano City Huge Success Part II by James U. Sy Jr.

Overall champion Submission Sports Philippines-Bacolod Team (SSP-BT) of Adrian gellana and Chester Laquian together with tournament organizers, officials, and other coaches at the conclusion of the Tribe W.A.R. (Warrior’s Art Rumble) 10 amateur grappling competition organized the Tribu Hangaway Philippines (THP) by Master Roy R. Flores Sr. in cooperation with Aksyon Radio Philippines (Bacolod) under Station Manager JJ Ocampo and Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall (GCBS) under Advertising Officer Nomer Lobaton last October 14, 2012 at the Atrium Area, GCBS, Araneta St., Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS Photo). The Submission Sports Philippines-Bacolod Team (SSP-BT) of Adrian gellana and Chester Laquian was once again crowned as the overall champion in the Tribe W.A.R. (Warrior’s Art Rumble) 10 amateur grappling competition organized the Tribu Hangaway Philippines (THP) by Master Roy R. Flores Sr. in cooperation with Aksyon Radio Philippines (Bacolod) under Station Manager JJ Ocampo and Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall (GCBS) under Advertising Officer Nomer Lobaton last October 14, 2012 at the Atrium Area, GCBS, Araneta St., Bacolod City. SSP-BT had a 9-1 winning streak, 4 of which ended in submissions (3 armbars and 1 rear naked choke), to reclaim the overall championship which they also snatched during the event’s 9th edition. The other competing groups were THP (2-8), 1 on 1 Boxing Gym (1o1BG) (1-0), Deftac Bacolod Fight Club (DBFC) of Edwin J. Tusil (0-2), and Tumbatsu Jiu-jitsu (TJ) of Gilton Solis (Iloilo City) (1-0). Andale Ong of SSP-BT over Jerald Hanz Gonzales of THP via 4 points takedown (100 lbs. category). Charles Lizares of SSP-BT over Michael Rama of THP via armbar at 1.42 (120 lbs.). Franklin Olimpos of THP over Nathan John Garrido of THP via armbar at 1.22. Mark Nimanad of SSP-BT over Wilfred Singapor of THP via armbar at 0.59 (120 lbs.). Miko Padriga of SSP-BT over Bryan Diaz of THP. Raje Fama of SSP-BT over Jerry de la Cruz of THP via rear naked choke at 2.47 (140 lbs.). Paolo Gonzales of SSP-BT over Renz Kristan of DBFC (130 lbs.). Daryl Garcia of SSP-BT over Lyle Perje of THP (145 lbs.). Nonoy Plomeda of 1o1BG over Julius Alipato of DBFC (135 lbs.). Mark Peronce of SSP-BT over Jay Cabarobias of TJ (130 lbs.). Fernando Alingan of THP over Kristian Rivera of SSP-BT via default. Lee Sun-Woo of SSP-BT over Kristian Carillos of THP via armbar (150 lbs. main event). Hon. Mayor Evelio “Bing” R. Leonardia was the special guest of honor. The mayor expressed his delight in the conduct of the event as part of the city’s Masskara celebration, “to better educate the public of the inherent physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of martial arts to the youth and at the same time put to the test the skills developed by them in countless hours of dedicated practice and study.” Mayor Leonardia also emphasized the need for residents to have rudimentary know-how of self defense, event the most basic, for them to be abale to protect themselves and their loved one in threatening situations. Officials were Founder/Master Roy R. Flores Sr. of Tribu Hangaway Philippines (Event Organizer/Tournament Director), Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. (Emcee/Record Keeper), Mohammad El Hello Sensei of Judo and Coach Chester Laquian of Affinity/SSP-BT (Referees/Judges), Michaelle Abancio of THP (Time Keeper), Joice Villacin (Pambansang Awit), and Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo and Master Elmer “Don-Don” P. Montoyo (Guests). Major sponsors were Aksyon Radio Philippines (Bacolod) under Station Manager JJ Ocampo and Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall (GCBS) under Advertising Officer Nomer Lobaton. Other sponsors (in alphabetical order) were ABS-CBN, Bacolod, Hon. Cong. Sonny Angara, Celcor Builders and Equipments, Inc., CHY Heavy Equipment Rental, Hon. Sen. Chiz Escudero, Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Gelvolio, GMA Bacolod, Koi Herbal Capsule, Hon. Mayor Evelio “Bing” R. Leonardia, Dr. Marc Lopez, Love Radio under Station Manager Francis Muñoz, Negros Daily Bulletin (NDB), Pacific Ads, PAGCOR Casino Filipino-Bacolod, Radyo Nation (San Carlos City), Shakey’s Pizza, Silver Dragon Construction Company, TMG Hollow Blocks, Mr. & Mrs. Jussel Torres, and Watchmen Daily Journal.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Hugpong, Volunteers United for Negros Masskara Booth on 2nd Week by James U. Sy Jr.

Hugpong, Volunteers United for Negros will be having its Masskara booth for the second week this coming October 19-20, 2012 in Lacson St., between the corners of 18th and 19th Streets across Starbucks. The booth will feature products (of livelihood projects) by the group's participating organizations for sale such as organic foods, coffees, hand-painted T-shirts and masks, recycled bags, purses, belts, and bracelets, silk-based items, taro chips and other edible items, and souvenirs. The booth will be providing information and background for each member organization of Hugpong as well as projects, both past and present. There will also be a drop-box for donation (specifically clothes for children). There will be volunteers of different nationalities (Americans, Australians, Filipinos, French, and Japanese) at the booth HUGPONG is a joint cooperation by non-profit volunteers organizations such as AYAD, Greenheart, HOST, Ikaw-Ako, JICA, LEAD, OISCA, Warriors for Peace, and Virlanie to show Negrenses and visiting balikbayans the on-going efforts of development work in their home province. The group’s goal is to increase awareness our volunteer efforts and projects, share the outputs of those projects with Negrenses and balikbayans, and encourage others to take an active role in volunteering for others in the spirit of bayanihan here in Negros Occidental. Interested parties may contact Simon Olivieri thru 630290 or solivieri@hotmail.fr or Albert Camay thru 09275604929 or albertcamay@gmail.com. .

Snack Bar Burglarized by James U. Sy Jr.

A newly opened snack bar within the Libertad area has been burglarized recently. The owner, who was interviewed by this writer during an ocular inspection, has requested to withhold the name of the establishment. The crime transpired at a time when it was raining hard and there was a brownout, perhaps somewhere around 1:00 AM. Investigating police have determined that the crime has been committed by a child, presumably a boy, as indicated in the muddy footprints left at the crime scene. Fingerprints had also been lifted. The snack bar has a shutter but the perpetrator got over the low perimeter wall adjacent to the establishment, managed to saw off one of the grills, break the jalousie glasses, and snake himself inside the snack bar. The small space created by the sawing off further substantiates the theory that the burglar was a child. It is not clear, however, if he has an adult accomplice waiting outside. The collections from the insert-coin water refilling station, which was not that significant an amount, was taken as well as the powder for the insert-coin coffee machine, which runs to about P3,000.00. An imitation iPad was also stolen and a juice was drank and its container left behind. The burglar, however, failed to steal more since not much cash have been left within the premises. Others were too big to fit into the small opening. The place was turned upside down. The suspect left behind a lighter which he used to light his way, the saw used, and a slipper. Police theorize that the suspect is the same one who stole garments being dried in a clothesline at a nearby parlor owned by a gay. It is believed that the suspect is a rugby boy. This writer also suspects that the perpetrator have observed the establishment before committing the crime. There is still no development in the investigation or arrests as of press time. A few months back, a backyard type computer repair shop along Rosario-Locsin Sts. Had also been burglarized. When the suspects, estimated by police to be around three, could not pick the locks, they forced a hole in the wooden door, entered, and using a sack used as a trash container for the premises, stole a number of DVD players, an assortment of tools, and other items. Time of crime was also estimated to be around early morning, about 2 AM. Let this be a warning to the public not to be complacent. Always make sure that your properties are secured properly. Make back ups for your grills, locks, doors, and the like. Criminals make a surveillance of their possible targets.

Tribe W.A.R. 10 @ Gaisano City Huge Success Part I by James U. Sy Jr.

Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. demonstrating a Conceptual Arnis (Martial Arts) System defense against a collar grab together with Alex Gequillana during the Tribe W.A.R. (Warrior’s Art Rumble) 10 last October 14, 2012 at the Atrium Area, GCBS, Araneta St., Bacolod City. The Tribe W.A.R. (Warrior’s Art Rumble) 10 was successfully held by the Tribu Hangaway Philippines by Master Roy R. Flores Sr. in cooperation with Aksyon Radio Philippines (Bacolod) under Station Manager JJ Ocampo and Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall (GCBS) under Advertising Officer Nomer Lobaton last October 14, 2012 at the Atrium Area, GCBS, Araneta St., Bacolod City. A total of 11 martial arts groups competed in the Submission Grappling format tournament and gave an assortment of demonstration. DEMONSTRATIONS. Rozyl Mohametano Sensei, Gally Orophil Sensei, and Serlito Boy delos Santos Sensei led the Arashi Ryu Aikido in showing the various empty hand and sword techniques of the Japanese pacifist art. Guro Rey Dedel and Guro Stephen Roy Dedel, Founders of Pangamot International, performed different knife vs knife and empty hand vs knife techniques. Master Ricardo Filipinas and members of his Sacred Ki Art of Filipino Foot Fighting showed a basic kata and some knife and empty hand street defense applications of Sikaran and Karate. The Bacolod Aikido Yuishinkai, an affiliate of Ki Association-International of Ernesto Talag Sensei, showed their brand of Aikido, the highlight of which was the performance of Tony Pete Yulo, who only used one arm to execute the techniques (Yulo is currently recuperating from a stroke). Yulo, Joseph Magabanua, and another BAY member represented Lodel Magbanua Sensei. Grandmaster Felix A. Guinabo and Emmanuel Arendon of the Guinabo Arnis and Combat Sports (GACS), representing the Negros Occidental Baston Federation (NOBF), showed the Trece Grabes Piga-Piga System of Espada y Daga. Host Tribu Hangaway Philippines by Master Roy R. Flores Sr. was led by black belts Jessie Necesito, Jimmy Soquiña, and Slade Saron in showcasing Aikido as performed by kids, women, older men, and younger men in different street defense scenarios, including cellphone snatching defense. Founder/Master James U. Sy Jr. and Alex Gequillana of Conceptual Martial Arts Society (CMAS), Inc. demonstrated diagonal and vertical fencing against stick attacks, doble baston empty hands applications, joingtlocks, and the use of the caburata, as taught in the Conceptual Arnis (Martial Arts) System.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Beauty in the Eye of the Tiger: A 1-on-1 with 2012 Ms. THM Jonin Marie Gargoles by James U. Sy Jr.

2012 Ms. THM Jonin Marie A. Gargoles of Colgeio de San Agustin-Bacolod (CSA-B) (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo).
2012 Ms. THM Jonin Marie A. Gargoles of Colgeio de San Agustin-Bacolod (CSA-B) (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo).
2012 Ms. THM Jonin Marie A. Gargoles with parents Beltran G. Gargoles and Ninfa Artagame-Gargoles at Colgeio de San Agustin-Bacolod (CSA-B) (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo).
2012 Ms. THM Jonin Marie A. Gargoles of Colgeio de San Agustin-Bacolod (CSA-B) (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo).
2012 Ms. THM Jonin Marie A. Gargoles of Colgeio de San Agustin-Bacolod (CSA-B) (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo). They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I was born in the Year of the Tiger and this is how I met this beauty. It all started when my former officemate, Brilla Ellery A. Yap Yu, got me in touch with Ms. Josephine Virgo, Secretary of the VP for Students Affairs and External Relations, for an interview with the recently crowned Ms. THM of Colgeio de San Agustin-Bacolod (CSA-B). The interview was conducted in the VP’s office. Jonin Marie Artagame Gargoles, born on July 15, 1995, is the youngest of two daughters of Beltran G. Gargoles and Ninfa Artagame-Gargoles of Victorias City. She graduated 4th Honorable Mention with 7 different awards this year from the St. Mary Mazzarello School (Victorias) and is currently taking up Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management at Colgeio de San Agustin-Bacolod (CSA-B). Bep-Bep, as she is fondly called by those close to her, was among three young ladies chosen by Tourism Adviser Belinda Berbenzana to represent the College of Accountancy, Business Education, and Computer Studies (CABECS) Department in the 2012 Ms. Tourism & Hospitality Management (THM) pageant. The other two, however, declined. Gargoles remembers, “It was Ms. Berbenzana who conducted my entrance interview and she told me I have potential.” Potential she has indeed. Gargoles is a multi-awarded student at St. Mary. The aforementioned 7 graduation awards she received were Academic Award, MTG National Qualifier, Journalism Award, SYM Service Award, Loyalty Award, Contest in Attendance Award, and Diligence Award. She represented St. Mary in the 2012 THOS Search for Outstanding Student by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines-Bacolod and from grade 4 to 4th year, in the Mathematician Trainer’s Guild (MTG) National Qualifying in Cebu, Iloilo, Manila, and Subic among other places, as well as the Australian Mathematics Contest - Division and Philippine Mathematics Olympiad - Regional. She was the Associate Editor of the school paper The Momentum (She is now a staff of the Eagle, CSA-B’s paper). Gargoles also represented her school in the World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain. The Ms. and Mr. THM pageant was held last September 20, 2012 at the CSA-B Auditorium. 11 young ladies from 1st to 4th year vied for the title and awards at stake for the Ms. THM. It was actually only the second pageant Gargloes entered. While at St. Mary, she was invited to join the 2012 Ms. Kadalag-an pageant in Victorias but had to decline; her sister, Jenefa Mae A. Gargoles, reigned as 2007 Ms. Canetown. Bep-Bep was crowned 2012 Ms. (CSA-B) Freshman, in her pageant debut, last July 6, 2012 at the CSA-B Gymnasium, besting 7 other candidates. The Ms. THM pageant was divided into 5 parts: production number, festival wear, talent, long gown, and Q & A. “For me the most difficult part was the talent because I had to perform ballet while drawing.” Gargoles was doing ballet since she was in elementary with different instructors. Fellow student Maria Katrina Guevarra helped her in preparing for the talent portion. All the hard work paid off when Jonin Marie A. Gargoles was crowned 2012 Ms. THM, the title turned over to her by 2011 Ms. THM Cate Antoinette Pirote. She also garnered the special awards for Best in Long Gown, Best in Festival Wear, Best in Production Number, Ms. Photogenic, and Ms. Congeniality. Lee-Anna Justine Layumas was 1st Runner Up and Best in Talent while Ma. Andrea Criezl Mae D. Palle was 2nd Runner Up and Ms. Facebook. In the Q & A, Gargoles was asked, “If elected as president of the Philippines, what will be the first thing that you will do?” Her reply was to elevate poverty, provide more employment, and eradicate graft and corruption. I asked her of what she thinks of President Noynoy, “He is doing his best but he is not perfect and as citizens, it is our duty to help the president make changes in our country,” was her reply. Gargoles was happy with the victory and she attributed it to God, her confidence in herself, and the support of her family, school officials, friends, and classmates. “When I was preparing for the pageant, many people helped and encouraged me. I’d like to make special mention of my parents, my high school English teacher Hilda H. Parcon, Tourism Adviser Belinda Berbenzana, Tourism Professors Amelia Quingco and Marie Claire Ramos, Maria Katrina Guevarra, Ms. Josephine Virgo, Dean Rose de los Reyes, and CSA-B President Fr. Rev.Pederito A. Aparece, OSA. Gargoles expects to start her quest to become a successful flight attendant in 5 years time. She believes that life is a constant change (free plugging for Tito Joemarie Chan :p) and the only way to go is to continuously improve oneself to successfully face the challenges of life and of the times. Jonin Marie Artagame Gargoles, beauty and brains, loving daughter, an ideal girl, an ideal student, and an ideal future leader of our country.