BACIWA Impostors & other Scams Part III by Han Shrng

Criminals have kept themselves up to date with current trends and technologies in our changing world. Unfortunately, most members of the general public have not. This is a primary reason why the new scams/ruses of criminals work. Of course, our reality is no loner limited to the real world but also to the virtual reality. People are getting more and more into social networking media in the internet. Since the internet is a relatively young import to the Philippines (since at least the mid 1990’s, if my memory serves me right), many Filipino users are still not fully aware of the different, and imaginative, ways that criminals, hackers included, could use to trick gullible victims. Many account holders at Facebook, especially teens, indiscriminately post personal details and photos in their FB pages, not realizing that such can be used for unscrupulous activities by cyber criminals. Without going into specifics, just let me tell you that criminals can use your personal details when planning something bad against you. One of these could be identity theft. So be very discreet and choosy in posting things about you in FB and in cyberspace in general. This brings us to the next point, not everyone that you chat with or “know” in the internet is who you think they are. Statistics in the US have shown that predators, pedophiles among them, have been lurking in the internet, posing as teenagers, with the intent of luring their victims to meet them, and from there do their evil plans. If you make a research on the net, you’ll see that law enforcement units in the US have apprehended a number of these criminals. As a rule of thumb, never assume that every detail given out by people in the internet is true. You may be honest but you can not say the same for chatmates you’ve only met in the internet. And don’t be fooled by their handles; it doesn’t mean that since it’s female sounding, then it is. And yes, if you’re using a public internet facility, always make sure you log out from your Yahoo!, Google, Facebook, Twitter, and other accounts. A friend of mine failed to log out from her Facebook account and the next time she tried to open it, she can no longer do so. Apparently, somebody, who used the same unit after her, had changed the password for her FB account and made changes in her account, her name included (the culprit combined her name and her daughter’s name). The photos were still there. Although it wasn’t apparent what the infiltrator has in mind, it was obvious that it was a form of identity theft. If this ever happens to you, make sure that you report such abuse to FB so they will close down your compromised FB account. Your emails are also not safe from hackers. Of course, everybody is familiar with the Nigerian scam and its variations, where somebody with supposedly a high stature from an African or some other country contact you and ask for your help and in exchange a large sum (in millions, of course) will be given to you. If you receive such emails disregard them outright. They’re nothing but scams. They are simply based on man’s greed for money. Simple logic here is, how did he know my email? Who am I to be capable to help him, when I’m from another country? These basic questions alone will tell you there’s something really fishy about the message. Several months back, I received an from email from Ms. Ann Garrucho of Negros Daily Bulletin stating that she was in Spain and that she was in trouble and needed money to get out of that mess. Now, the email address was correct but what didn’t right was the contents of the email. If Ms. Ann did go to Spain I would have known it first hand, or at least through NDB. Upon closer scrutiny it’s simply a variation of the Dugo-Dugo modus operandi I have discussed in Part II of this series but using the email delivery system as a medium. Of course, I didn’t reply to the message. It was obvious it was a scam. What I did was inform the owner of the email ad. If this happens to you, make sure to inform the hacked party so he/she can spread the word to his/her circle of friends and save them from being victimized. Since then I’ve received some other similar emails from “friends.” Other hackers on the other hand will send weblinks to your email using email addresses that are registered in your contacts. These pages contain viruses, and possible malware/spyware. I usually don’t entertain such emails. For those who are using their credit cards to transact in the internet, it is best to do it in a secure line, that is, your own connection and in your own home. When you go to SM City Bacolod you’ll see a lot of individuals accessing their laptops at the foodcourt because the place is wifi ready. However, be warned that in such condition hackers can easily intercept you when you key in the details of your card. Once your card details have been accessed just expect a humungous bill in your next billing date. Still on credit cards, if someone calls your home and introduces himself as “from the bank” or “from the credit card” company, make sure to ascertain his identity. Either you ask for his number and call him back or call your bank to verify. It must be pointed out that you should NEVER give out your card number and other card details over the phone to somebody whose identity you have not ascertained. Vigilance is a must. As I’ve pointed out before in Part I of this series, also orient your househelps. Instruct them not to indiscriminately give out sensitive details over the phone. Questions such as “How many are you in the house,” “What time does your boss usually go home,” “Where does your boss usually pass by,” etc. should raise a few red flags. The public should realize that criminals nowadays do data gathering before going into their operation. This will ensure them a higher success rate. In the Ceneco heist, the culprits had an intensive data gathering before the actual robbery, about a month at least. So far, we have discussed impostors visiting your home in Part I, text scams in Part II, and internet, credit card, and telephone based crimes. For Part IV, we will discuss snatching and pickpockets.

Baciwa Impostors & Other Scams Part II by Han Shrng...

After the publication of the first part of this article, a friend of mine told me that an unidentified man also tried to make a similar BACIWA representation trick on his household. Nothing came out of it though because when my friend asked for an authorization from the water district the man could not produce any. Last March, a delivery employee of Jollibee was victimized by a new swindling ruse. The perpetrators called Jollibee (I wasn’t able to verify which branch) and ordered three buckets of Chicken Joy. The ordering entity was supposedly a female doctor. Instructions were given to deliver said order to the clinic of the doctor and to bring a P800.00 change. When the delivery boy arrived, he was met by two(?) men who adviced him to leave the two buckets to them and deliver the third bucket to a higher floor where the doctor was waiting in her clinic. The men also told the delivery boy that the doctor will be paying the P1,200.00 bill and he has to leave to them the P800.00 change because the doctor supposedly has two P1,000.00 bills. The delivery boy obliged and went on his way to the doctor’s clinic where he learned from the secretary that the good doctor had not made such order. The poor guy, bewildered with what just happened to him, had to sit on the stairs for awhile and contemplate his coming fate. It’s a sad thing to see this poor guy trying to eke out a living for himself and his family and lose what is due him because of the laziness of some otherwise capable people who would rather con people than magbanat ng kanilang buto. It’s such an unforgiveable thing to do to one’s fellowman. So what does this case teach us? If you’re with a retail or service establishment that offers delivery services, always VERIFY orders by phone. A number of establishments where I myself order food would ask for my full name and my contact number then they will return my call and verify the order. Of course, it goes without saying that it is safer to proceed with the transaction at the entrance of a house (with someone coming out from the house) or inside an office (where everyone knows everybody) than in a lobby, hallway, stairs, or any other area that is easily accessible to outsiders. When we look back in time, the elderly among us will surely remember the Dugo-Dugo Gang, the modus operandi of which was to call residences and trick the maid into providing the caller with cash at a predetermined site, which will supposedly be used for the hospitalization of the maid’s male boss who had a vehicular accident. Many had fallen for this ruse in the past until the method just faded into oblivion as more people became aware of it. Now it seems that this modus operandi is being reincarnated, but this time the lies are being spread via cellphnes. I have personally received such a message from 094-444-7422 and the message, in toto, is as follows, “ma nketxt lng q s akong kaoban lowbat akung cp. Naa q hospital kron ky n dsgracia me s among ge sakyan. Loade s ning numbera ma. Pls. 100 em4tante paabot q s load.” The message so amused me that I did not erase it. I’ll be using it to educate people. Let us break down the message and make educated inferences. Since the language being used in Cebuano, it may indicate that the perpetrator may be a Cebuano-speaker who is from North Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, or Region 7. It’s ironic since I’m Ilonggo and my mom doesn’t speak Cebuano. My number being picked as a victim is most likely chosen at random. Now, if a family member borrows a friend’s cellphone and texts home, common sense will tell us that he/she will put his/her name at the end of the message, considering that the number being used will not appear in his/her kin’s phonebook. What’s more, if an accident really did happen, and if he/she did in fact had serious injuries, will he/she have the capacity, time, and/or chance to personally text his/her family? If he/she is being operated on I doubt if doctors will allow him/her to text. So if the person is not that injured to text why can’t he call home via landline or ask somebody to inform his family? Some more intelligent con artists may choose to disguise themselves as a friend of that person but it may not convince the victim enough to make a wrong move. It’s noticeable also that the amount of the load being asked for has been fixed to P100.00. Why haven’t he said to call that number? Instead he was asking for load. If the accident was true and the text was genuine, it would be more likely that the name of the hospital and the room number will be indicated in the text. Of course, a more intelligent crook can just easily include that in the text but then you can use it to verify at the named hospital before making any foolish moves. Taking all of these into consideration, it becomes very apparent that said message is a fake. Naturally, I didn’t waste my load answering it. It’s very important that we apply common sense. An earlier text scam consists of a message where a supposedly family member tells the recipient of the text that “This is my new roaming number” and the message is followed by some a few other sentences, in some of which say, “I’ve sent you a balikbayan box.” Here the texter is trying to paint a picture that he/she is a kin working abroad. I personally received several of these messages but again I didn’t believe them. First of all, they did not bear the name of the sender. A genuine sender, especially one texting from abroad (and paying P15.00 or P20.00/text), would not be that careless or foolish not to include his name in his message. One time I received 3 or 4 similar messages of this nature, but all coning from different cellphone numbers. Ironically, these bogus messages were sent to my phone one after the other with no or so little time interval. It’s just plain crazy to believe in the scam. The allusion to a “balikbayan box” is obviously a bait for the victim to respond to the message. I have not replied to these messages so I do not know how this scam is concluded, and there’s no need for me to experience it to know it’s a fake. Yet another text scam, which comes in different formats, is the “you win” text. Entities given in these texts that had supposedly sponsored these “raffles” include Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, PAGCOR (Casino Filipino), and PCSO) among others. But a simple check with these entities would show that they are not connected in any way to these claims of “raffle wins” from unscrupulous text messages. Several public warning have already been issued by concerned entities.

Baciwa Impostors & Other Scams Part I by Han Shrng

Over the years man had made great strides in developing various methods of minimizing and controlling crime, from CCTV cameras to alarm systems, non-lethal weapons, proper tactical training for law enforcement agents, forensics, profiling, high security prisons, etc. While these developments may seem to be a relief for us law-abiding citizens, it is no excuse for us to become complacent and let our guard down as today's world is still a dangerous one. The jungle may have changed but it is still a jungle, only cemented. Predators still stalk for prey. Criminals continuously upgrade their methods and techniques to fool the public. Sun Tzu's art of War, the oldest military treatise in the world, have told us, "Know yourself and your opponent and you will win a hundred battles." This is good advice since the more we know about the modus operandi of criminal elements the less chances we will be off guard and fall for it. In this article, I'll be sharing with you a few of the newer scams that has caught members of the public by surprise. Last April 17, 2012, an unidentified man introduced himself to a househelp as an employee of the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA). The household had a problem with their water meter. Interestingly this guy showed a BACIWA ID and knew details of this problem which would otherwise be unknown to an outsider. He went on to say that the household lacks P3,000.00 for its water bill. The househelp ended up giving the man P2,500.00 in cash thinking that he was indeed a BACIWA personnel. The man said he will buy a certain part for the water meter. A carpenter of the household was told to accompany the guy. When they were outside Citi Hardware, the unidentified man talked in his cellphone. Ten he instructed the carpenter to go inside Citi hardware and canvass the parts ha he had specified. when the carpenter went out the man was already gone. So what does his tell us? For one an ID can be forged. Whereas before a simple ID was enough to ascertain a person's real identity, criminals have learned to go around this precautionary measure by making their own fake IDs. Please note that BACIWA doesn't have field collectors so NEVER pay to anyone who visits you and claims to be a BACIWA employee. For verifications you may contact BACIWA at telephone nos. 433-4601 or 433-4602. ay your bills at the BACIWA office or to any accredited collecting agents listed at the back of your water bill, among them banks. In that particular case, the unidentified man was riding a motorcycle and was wearing a helmet all throughout his conversation with the househelp. Even when the carpenter was with him he was still wearing his helmet. This tells us that he wants his identity to remain a secret. He might be someone who is known to the household OR he might be someone who can be easily IDied in police records. This was the first red flag. A second red lag was that his motorcycle did not have a plate number. This is another way criminals cover their tracks. They know that their plate numbers can be traced back to them. It was not been verified by this writer but it is obvious that the man have not issued a receipt. Owners of homes should take good note of this incident. I am aware of a few other similar incidents in the past with the same modus operandi. I just don't have he statistics but I am sure that there are other unreported cases. A word of advice to homeowners. Orient your househelps. Most househelps came from rural areas and are not familiar with the ruses that are normally used in the more urbanized areas. Because of their innocence they can easily be made to believe scams. In the cited incident, the househelp had the sense to verify to her boss before paying the man with her own money for the meantime. I'm presuming that she asked for identification. Hence, the man showed one, albeit a fake one. In these situations, knowledge is power. Always orient your househels and even members of your family. Part II will deal with some other forms of scams.

Arnis - Adino Rank Promotions Held

The Directorate of the Zion Original Disciples in Arnis and Combat Sports Self Defense Society of the Philippines (ZODIACSSS), Inc. announced six higher degree promotions in Arnis - Adino Self Defense during the organization’s 45th Annual Rank Promotions for the Province of Negros Occidental recently.

Those promoted to the next rank were Romeo G. Banas, from 7th Degree Red Belt to 8th Degree Red Belt; Dave Michael D. Sevillo, from 6th Degree Red White Belt to 7th Degree Red Belt; Melchor Garcia, Salvador S. Segura, and James U. Sy Jr., all from 4th Degree Black Belt to 5th Degree Black Belt; and Rustico Pabalinas, from 3rd Degree Black Belt to 4th Degree Black Belt.

Five other instructors were recommended for promotion but for the meantime were held in abeyance until seminar on Arnis - Adino is undertaken. The instructors were Ian G. Negrido, 5th Degree Black Belt, and Iran Ardiente, Jovy Belarmino, Roberto Lovidaria, and Cosme dela Goza III, all 4th Degree Black Belt.

All awarded promotions included a sealed certificate of promotion and a license to operate. The seal appearing in the certificate of promotion defines it as a legitimate document; without it, such would be unauthorized and illegal and will not be honored by ZODIACSSS.

The Directorate also announced that two demotions were given, to Rico rebate of Cadiz City and Ever Gonzaga of Victorias City, from 4th Degree Black Belt to 3rd Degree Black Belt, for reason of being inactive in seminars and instructor courses. Hence, ZODIACSSS is declaring all their ranks in martial arts, since 2004, as non-existent and the promotions they issued to their respective members are not recognized by the Directorate of ZODIACSSS.

Brgy. Capt. Rodel Evidente of Brgy. Burgos was the only one promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt, during the Barangay Tanod Arnis and Adino Self Defense Training last March 30, 2011 at the Don Bernardo Benedicto Plaza, Cadiz City. The Skills Enhancement Training was conducted by ZODIACSSS of Founder/Grandmaster Pastor Julius B. Delasan, 9th Degree Red Belt, in cooperation with the Cadiz City Office of the Mayor under Hon. Patrick G. Escalante, M.D., and Public Assistance and Reaction Against Crime (PARAC). On the other hand, the special promotion to Black Belt given to Raul Barcenilla of DVFGMNHS (Cadiz City) has been declared void and appointment and license cancelled for the reason of non-compliance to requirements and training for instructorship.

Special promotions were also given to Alvin Alegarbes, Noel Oliveros, and Marivic Solatorio to 1st Degree Black Belts after the seminar on Arnis and Adino Self Defense conducted by Master Romeo G. Banas and Rev. GM Julius Delasan last Jul 17-18, 2011 at the Red Musang, ZODIACSSS Region VI Headquarters, Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

Master Romeo G. Banas, National executive Director, and Dave Michael D. Sevillo, National Training Supervisor, were tasked to spearhead the training of barangay tanods in Negros Occidental. Interested local government officials may contact Banas at 0930-203-3087 or Sevillo at 0949-485-3457.

USLS Karate-do PE Final Exams held, Arnis Demoed by: James U. Sy Jr.

Prof. Joenel F. Campmanes (right) briefing sophomores of his Bachelor of Science in Education, Major in Physical Education class before commencement of their final examination in combative sports (Karate-do) last March 13, 2012 at one of the classrooms of the Cody Hall, University of St. La Salle (USLS), La Salle Ave., Bacolod City.



Sophomore from the Bachelor of Science in Education, Major in Physical Education perform three standard Karate-do kata (forms) for their final examination. Prof. Joenel F. Campmanes conducted the examination last March 13, 2012 at one of the classrooms of the Cody Hall, University of St. La Salle (USLS), La Salle Ave., Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo).



Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo, 8th Degree Black Belt, Founder of Filipino Tang Soo Do, (top photo) and Master Luciano “Nick” Montoya, 5th Degree Black Belt Filipino Tang Soo Do, lecturing on kata mechanics and attributes and Tang Soo Do/Karate history respectively to sophomore of the Bachelor of Science in Education, Major in Physical Education class last March 13, 2012 at one of the classrooms of the Cody Hall, University of St. La Salle (USLS), La Salle Ave., Bacolod City.


Grandmaster Rodrigo Berdin of Oido de Cinco Henerales Arnis (right) performing an armlock on Master Luciano “Nick” Montoya after neutralizing his knife attack during a lecture/demo to Sophomore students of the Bachelor of Science in Education, Major in Physical Education class last March 13, 2012 at one of the classrooms of the Cody Hall, University of St. La Salle (USLS), La Salle Ave., Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo).


Sophomore from the Bachelor of Science in Education, Major in Physical Education class pose with (seated from left): Master James U. Sy Jr. (Conceptual Arnis/Martial Arts), Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo (Filipino Tang Soo Do), Grandmaster Rodrigo Berdin (Oido de Cinco Henerales Arnis), Master Luciano “Nick” Montoya (Filipino Tang Soo Do/Oido de Cinco Henerales Arnis), and Prof. Joenel F. Campmanes (Karate-do) at the conclusion of their final examination last March 13, 2012 at one of the classrooms of the Cody Hall, University of St. La Salle (USLS), La Salle Ave., Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./CMAS photo).

The semester’s final examination for sophomores Bachelor of Science in Education, Major in Physical Education was conducted by Prof. Joenel F. Campmanes last March 13, 2012 at one of the classrooms of the Cody Hall, University of St. La Salle (USLS), La Salle Ave., Bacolod City.

The PE curriculum taken up for the 2nd semester of SY 2011-2012 for the class consisted of individual sports (athletics) for the prelim and the midterm and combative sports (Karate-do) for the final term. There were six sophomores who took the final exams. They performed together three standard kata “forms (Nihonggo),” a sequence of choreographed movements which combines both defensive and offensive waza “techniques (Nihonggo)” together with footwork. The students were graded based on precision, sequencing, and synchronization.

Campomanes introduced Karate-do as part of the USLS college basic PE class in 2005 and was later included in the PE majoring classes.

Invited guests for the examination were Grandmaster Elmer V. Montoyo, 8th Degree Black Belt, Founder of Filipino Tang Soo Do, Master Luciano “Nick” Montoya, 5th Degree Black Belt Filipino Tang Soo Do, Co-Founder of Oido de Cinco Henerales Arnis, Master James U. Sy Jr., Founder of Conceptual Arnis/Martial Arts, and Grandmaster Rodrigo Berdin, Founder of Oido de Cinco Henerales Arnis.

GM Montoyo gave pointers on the mechanics of kata performance. Master Montoya displayed the 5 basic strikes of Cinco Henerales Arnis, and together with GM Berdin demonstrated a few stick and empty handed techniques of Oido de Cinco Henerales Arnis. Master Sy, with the help of a volunteer, showed the Conceptual empty handed applications against grabs and punches using the vertical slashing pattern and a common denominator between Arnis and a few other Asian martial arts. Masters Montoya and Sy also gave simplified lectures on the evolution of different Asian martial arts, Karate, Tang Soo Do, Taekwondo, and arnis among them.

Campomanes is a product of the Tay Tung High School (Batch 1985) and received his Bachelor of science in Education Major in Physical Education at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) in 1992. In 1993, he joined the faculty of the University of St. La Salle (USLS) and was awarded his Master of arts in Education, Major in Teaching Physical Education by UNO-R in 2011.

Campomanes started his study of Karate-do under Carmelino “Jun” Rojo Sensei, Founder of Octagon, in June 1989. He entered his first tournament in October 15 of the same year, the National Karate-do Open. He received his 1st and 2nd Degree Black Belts in Karate-do from Rojo Sensei under the sanction of Octagon in 1989 and 1990 respectively. In January 1990, he attended a seminar in Tang Soo Do conducted by Grandmaster Casimiro “Chingi” A. Grandeza and in November 1990 he shifted to Tang Soo Do under Luciano “Nick” Montoya. He received his 1st Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do from Montoya on May 29, 1994, during the National Open Championships organized by the Philippine Moo Duk Kwan, Inc.-Korea Tang soo Do Association at the West Negros College (WNC) Gym, Bacolod City. His 2nd,
3rd, and 4th Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do were awraded by Master Montoya in 2005, 2008, and January 2, 2012 respectively under the sanction of the Murcia Martial arts Center (formerly Murcia Moo Duk Kwan).

Lessons From the CENECO Robbery by James Sy

Change – That is the best one word that can describe the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) robbery last March 2, 2012, 9:15 AM. Let me explain why.

The dinosaurs had long been extinct and it is not clear why. At least 6 theories had been forwarded by scientists, all of which had the common denominator of change. It is believed that massive gravitational, magnetic, climatic, and/or geological changes led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Others believe that they were phased out by an asteroid, comet or other space debris. In all these theories, the dinosaurs weren’t able to adapt to their new environment.

Nothing in life is constant except change, as one Greek philosopher would tell us. This truth applies not only to the time of the dinosaurs but extends even to our era. Survival of any organism dictates that it should be able to adapt to the changing environment, or if necessary, to evolve into a modified or different life form, as was the cash of fishes going into land and evolving into some land animals.

Bacolod may have been a peaceful and safe place but such perception would have been true only to a specific period of time in the past. It is but erroneous to believe or at least, perceive that what it was before is still is today. Time changes. We only need to open our eyes, ears, and heart to what’s happening all around us. Snatching, pickpockets, rape, robbery, murder, corruption,… We may not realize all these things are happening because nothing of the like had yet happened to us. But then why not wait for that to happen before taking notice?

Let’s take the case of CENECO. After the incident, the guards were issued higher caliber rifles and it was realized that there was a need for a CCTV camera. But then what happened had already happened. The robbers won't be dumb enough to return. The installation of safety measures is an indication of one's assessment of the current environment and preparedness. Preemptive measures would have been best.

Crime fighting in the USA is much more successful. Thanks in large part to the CCTV cameras which easily give cops a solid lead to solve the case. If P3.6M had been taken from the cooperative, the price of a CCTV camera would pale in comparison.

I remember way back in 2001, when I was still working at East West Bank, there was a rumor that a major bank will be robbed. Before we knew it the guards of the Central Bank (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) were already in full battle gear, complete with bullet proof vests, high powered guns, and reinforcements. The robbery did not take place but it was because of that proactive measure on the part of the BSP.

Who would have thought that a robbery will take place at CENECO. Of course, nobody. Herein lies the problem. Complacency of things that had been the usual. The usual routine, day in and day out, without any thought that anything dreadful could ever happen.

It was reported that the robbers, numbering 6 or 8, could have been professionals because it only took them 3 minutes to finish everything. This indicates militaristic background or experience. The robbery took place at a time when there are not many people paying bills and at a time when the collections were being taken out from the vault for endorsement to the armored car. This only means that the robbers had studied CENECO's time table and details of its operations. A good manifestation of Sun Tzu's Art of War, "Know yourself and your opponent."

It is a fact. Bacolod is no longer as safe as we remember it to be in the past. The CENECO may have been an isolated case but what it tells us is that there is an organized group now operating in Bacolod. As with regards the police knowing the identity of this group, they only know. But the question in the citizenry's mind is, is it possible for this event to be repeated, on another establishment? If it can happen to CENECO, what will prevent the same group from robbing much smaller establishments? These are very pertinent questions.

The relief of Bacolod Police Station Chief Ulysses Ortiz and the suspension of CENECO General Manager Sulpicio Lagarde Jr. could have served to show the citizenry that something is being done about the matter. However, what would be more important is to address the issue at hand and solve the case.

This brings us back to the best single word - change. Everybody was caught with their pants down. Hopefully this will be a lesson to everybody, including the citizenry. Since change is constant, we have to adapt and when we adapt we become proactive. But before we can adapt we need to be attuned to our environment and aware of what's happening in our surroundings. We don't dig a well when we are already dying from thirst. Just my few cents.

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.