1ST MAD PROJECT IN RP LAUNCHED

The Muay Association of the Philippines-Dumaguete City Chapter, represented by the Dumaguete Muay Thai Association, made history when it launched Muay Thai Against Drugs (MAD) for its pilot barangay-recipient, Bajum Pandan, last February 6, 2006 at the Auditorium of the Habitat for Humanity Project 4 in the interior part of Dumaguete City.

The project was the first ever to be conducted in the Philippines based on the MAD Campaign established by the Thai Government with the support of World MuayThai Council (WMC), International Federation of MuayThai Amateur (IFMA), and Federation of Amateur MuayThai of Asia (FAMA).

The free training is one of the several projects undertaken by the Dumaguete Muay Thai Association under Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) Visayas and Region 7 Head Kru Ike Xavier Villaflores to promote Muay Thai and to develop the city’s grassroots talents. The program targets 8 to 12 year olds, an age bracket which have enough maturity for serious training and an ideal time for values formation.

The drug menace is an ever present problem in the modern society. It has come to a point where it can no longer be eliminated totally. The MAD Program strives to educate and develop the younger generation even before adolescence to save them from the ills brought about by substance abuse.

Brgy. Bajum Pandan was chosen because of its distance from the city proper. The Dumaguete Muay Thai Association wanted to bring muay Thai closer to the general public.

In Thailand, trainers under the MAD Project would go to poor communities and offer free lessons on Muay Thai. In the Philippines, the MAD project of Kru Villaflores has been approved by MAP President Kru Roberto B. Valdez for implementation. About 25 trainees are currently with the Dumaguete MAD Program.

MANDALAGAN TAKES 2 SILVER FROM BOXING TILT

The Brgy. Mandalagan Boxing Team took home 2 silver medals after their stint in the 2006 Inter-Barangay Boxing Tournament “Tinapungulay sa Pta. Taytay” (Inter Novice Amateur Boxing Championships) last March 13-16, 2006 at the Brgy. Pta. Taytay Multi-Purpose Gym, Pta. Taytay, Bacolod City.

Janry Amante and Ephraem Manlapao took the silvers for Brgy. Mandalagan. Both players have parallel encounters. Amante defeated a Brgy. 35 boxer via points in the elimination round of the 45 kg. pinweight division while Manlapao KOed his opponent in the same round for the 42 kg. category.

Both then did not get to fight in the semifinals because their respective opponents from Brgy. Granada backed out due to some reported controversies. In the finals, Amante and Manlapao lost their respective bouts to boxers from Bago.

Joery “Jun-Jun” Jr. of Brgy. Mandalagan was landing more punches in his elimination round bout but had to bow out from a controversial decision. Meanwhile, his teammates, Vincent Pehid (28 kg. cottonweight) and Oliver Solis (26 kg.), were clearly defeated by their respective opponents.

The Brgy. Mandalagan Boxing Team was headed by Kagawad Joery C. Amante with the support of Brgy. Capt. Baby Parreño.

GALLOS, CMAS-USLS FINALISTS IN CORPS D’ ELITE

President Joy M. Gallos, before finally leaving the ranks of the Conceptual Martial Arts Society-USLS when she graduates this March, added to her legacy by being nominated as one of only two finalists for the Outstanding Non-Academic Club President category of the 7th Corps D’ Elite last February 17, 2006 at the Garden Royale, Goldenfields Commercial Complex, Bacolod City.

The Corps D’ Elite is the prestigious award giving body of the University of St. La Salle which recognizes the achievements of students in various fields including academic and non-=academic, community outreach, culture and arts, spiritual service, sports, and student services.

CMAS-USLS, on the other hand, was also a finalist in the Outstanding Non-Academic Club category. This is the second straight year that Gallos and CMAS-USLS were nominated for said categories.

Together with the recognition, CMAS-USLS was awarded a full re-accreditation by the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) as one of the university’s non-academic and only martial arts accredited club.

CMAS-USLS Moderator Narciso “Hansy” L. Alojado and the officers and members of the club were among those who witnessed the awarding ceremonies.

Overall chair for the 7th Corps D’ Elite was Lorna Lagumbay while event director was Sonny Cabahug.